Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Midwest SMPE Section Has Record Turnout Chicago — A record turnout of 55 members and guests attended the last regular spring meeting of the midwest section of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers which was held recently at the factory and offices of the Golde Mfg. Co. here. Members and guests attending were C. H. Stone, H. A. Pawlick, Carrington A. Stone, F. P. Matthews, Thor Mathews, Ray Sherman, T. D. Fessler, L. R. Abbott, Motiograph, Inc.; E. S. Maquire, Lipman Patents Corp.; H. E. Kranz, Consulting Engr. ; I. L. Fleming, C. F. Worfolk, Ray E. Nelson, J. G. Black, DeVry; R. R. Proctor, Pure Oil; K. Kennedy, Prismacolor; H. C. Gantz, Eye-in-the-Sky ; L. M. Herron, R. W. Dassow, M. Morrison, National Theatre Supply; L. P. Morris, E. Kiehles, Crowe Nameplate; Paul Ireland, E. M. Blair, Pan American Lab; F. J. Nuber, Ger-Bar, Inc.; H. A. Lorenz, S. A. Lukes, S. Jacobsen, B&K; W. Hesterman, Essaness Theatres; G. A. Raparowitz, C. G. S.; Harry Ryan, Warner Bros.; D. B. Taylor, P. A. Stephans, Marion Stephans, National 16mm Dist.; H. Busch, Paramount Pictures; J. T. Bunce, Goodman and Harrison; H. L. Denton, Wenzel Co.; W. S. Martin, Holmes Projector Co.; D. Turnheim, Lighting Products Co.; Robert Larson, H. Maylon, Barney Perlman, unattached. 'Oppenheim Family ' Set Alter Ban Is Revoked Chicago — Amkino’s "The Oppenheim Family’’ was to open here Friday at the Sonotone Theatre, after Commissioner of Police Allman had revoked the ban originally placed upon it by the censor board. Numerous groups, including the Chicago Civil Liberties Committee, protested to Allman and Mayor Edward J. Kelly on the ban. It is understood that the Civil Liberties group is planning a fight to oust members of the civil service censor board because of their apparently arbitrary censorship of Russian product, according to members of the Civil Liberties Committee. Thurman Arnold Appears On NBC-UC Round Table Chicago — Thurman Arnold, trust-buster of Attorney General Frank Murphy’s department, was one of the speakers on the University of Chicago Round Table radio program over NBC last Sunday. Arnold did not touch directly on any of the theatre cases pending now before the department. Crillon and 20th-Fox Tied For Second in Softball Chicago — The Crillon Hotel and 20th Century-Fox teams are tied for second in the Chicago Motion Picture Softball League, each team having won its games this week. The Crillon team defeated Filmack, 14 to 5; while 20th Century-Fox won from Photoplay-Film Carriers, 17 to 15. A Secret Ballot Plan For St. Louis Union St. Louis — Supporters of John P. Nick, vice-president of the IATSE, took another defeat in their efforts to return him to power in the affairs of Local No. 143 at a meeting of the Central Trades and Labor Union when delegates to the central body approved a report of Secretary William M. Brandt of a plan for a secret ballot election of new officers of the operators union. Brandt was appointed co-receiver for Local 143 by Circuit Judge Ernest F. Oakley, whose sweeping decree in April swept Nick and Business Agent Clyde A. Weston from control of the affairs and assets of the union. In his new capacity Brandt will assist James A. McKeown, who earlier was appointed receiver for Local 143 by Judge Oakley. Judge Oakley appointed Brandt on his own initiative, saying that he believed the labor leader was well qualified to assist in directing the business affairs of the projectionists union. Brandt in his report to the Central Union said the plan for the secret election of new officers for Local 143 had been approved by the court. It provides that all members of the Local shall vote on the new officers not later than June 22. The purpose of the election is to restore control of the union to its membership. Lyday Leads Attack The attack on Brandt’s report was led by Arthur Lyday of Indianapolis, representing the IATSE. He was sent to St. Louis by George E. Browne, IATSE president of the union, who was named as a defendant in the ouster suit against Nick and Weston, but who was never served with papers in the action in which Judge Oakley later handed down his decision appointing McKeown as receiver. Members who led the fight against Nick and Weston said that Lyday was sent to St. Louis by Browne "for the purpose of swinging the whitewash brush freely so that Nick could continue in control.” “Autonomy can be restored only by the international union,” Lyday told the central body delegates. “You can’t restore autonomy. Our international laws are passed by delegates from the United States, Canada and the island possessions. He then praised the international officers and its “democratic” principles. Joseph Ebeling, secretary of the Pressmen’s Union, asked Lyday if his remarks were to be construed as meaning the international would not recognize the results of an election participated in by all members of No. 143. Lyday replied that he was not able to speak freely on the union matters because of the litigation pending in court. Joseph J. Hauser, a former president of the Central Trades body, declared that the labor movement would be much better off with Brandt assisting in straightening out the affairs of Local 143, than if that work was attempted by someone who knew nothing about labor unions. “The labor movement belongs to the Photoplay Indorsers' 24th Year Is Celebrated Indianapolis — The Indianapolis Indorsers of Photoplays celebrated its 24th anniversary with Prof. W. B. Townsend of Butler University as guest speaker. Three members, who have served the organization for 23 years, Mrs. Julia Belle Tutewiler, Mrs. T. W. Demmerly and Mrs. J. H. Orndorff, have books on the shelf of the public library in their honor. In memory of those who have died during the year, a set of ten volumes on “Great Epochs in American History” was given the library. The women were Mesdames Lillian Jones, James E. Sproule, Edward Ferger, Robert Drum and Sarah Fletcher Wagner. Newly-elected officers include Mrs. David Ross, president; Mrs. Casper Kempf, first vice-president; Mrs. Urban Wilde, second vice-president; Miss Helen Daily, third vice-president; Mrs. C. J. Finch, fourth vice-president; Mrs. Galem Doyal, recording secretary, Mrs. Mary Sharpe, corresponding secretary; Mrs. A. J. Hueber, treasurer; Mrs. Roscoe Williams, secretary; Mrs. Julia Belle Tutewiler, parliamentarian; Mesdames Lee Waddell, H. W. Southard, Robert Mottern, members of executive board. Rejoins Anderson Morris, III. — Roland Viner, formerly booker of the Anderson circuit, now is booker and buyer of the chain. He succeeds Bob Lucas, resigned. members, not to union officials,” he added amid loud applause. In the final test only two votes were recorded against the adoption of Brandt’s report. Immediately after the vote was announced Lyday and others in his party left the meeting. Holds Union Row Ruling St. Louis — Circuit Judge Ernest F. Oakley has taken under advisement a request by the receivers for the operators’ union No. 143, for instructions as to how to proceed in their handling of a dispute between the management of the Criterion Theatre and a Negro organization. George Pliakos, owner of the Criterion Theatre, has a signed contract with Local No. 143 which does not expire until September 1, 1940. But the Colored Cashiers’ Society placed pickets in front of the theatre about a week ago demanding that Negro projectionists be employed. At a hearing before Judge Oakley, Lawrence H. Whitson, president of Local 143A, an auxiliary of Local 143, declared that his organization which is composed of Negro projectionists, had not ordered the picketing. He said that there are only two theatres in St. Louis patronized by Negroes but not under jurisdiction of Local 143A. Pliakos agreed to hire a Negro cashier by June 15 but wished to retain his white projectionists until the expiration of his contract with 143. 48 BOXOFFICE ;: June 17, 1939