Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

pRANK MISKE, comptroller of Ross Federal Service, was a visitor in Detroit on Monday . . . Riehl Williams, western division manager of Ross Federal Service, spent some time at the Detroit offices last week, and while in the Motor City purchased a new automobile. Suit against Stoia and Miskinis’ Circle Theatre, filed by Virginia N . B. Rizer, who alleges injuries when she attempted to sit on a collapsible type seat which folded up on her will probably reach the court docket in several months, attorneys report. L. C. Becker of the American Seating Co. is installing 1,200 new seats in Ray Schreiber’s Majestic. New flooring is being put in, and risers are being extended to allow more comfortable spacing, only slightly decreasing the seating capacity . . . Douglas Smith, midwest representative for Auction Night, has moved his headquarters, formerly on Hurlbut Avenue, to 9373 East Jefferson Avenue. Gerry Schneider of the Stratford was home sick with a severe cold. His father, F. A. Schneider, was back at the helm of the house. Mrs. M. C. (Joe) Scholtz, formerly secretary of the Woodward Theatre Co. — the largest circuit in Detroit in its heydey some 12 years ago — has decided to give up her plans of re-entering the theatre field. Abe Schiller, booker, has been taking his “vacation” the past couple of weeks playing golf . . . Harry Remington, publicity director of the Fox, basked in the publicity of the English Royal visit to Windsor, across the river. His father, Jack Remington of Nashville, Mich., was disclosed as the only American newspaperman ever to dine privately with the late George V. Milton Strauss, theatre financier, reports actual plans for new construction, beyond those now under way, delayed by business conditions . . . Wisper and Wetsman are meeting warm weather with a new water cooler at their Roosevelt , . . Construction on the new Harper Theatre for W&W is progressing rapidly, and the house will be ready for fall opening by present plans. Mayor Richard W. Reading, a Variety Club barker, leaped over a rail by royal command, to be the first American to meet the English King and Queen, in their visit at Windsor. J. H. Blecher is busy these days with mannequins and wax figures for special lobby and theatre front displays . . . Emil Beck, complete with a Kansas sunflower, was resplendent on the bridge of the S. S. Eastern States. He’s the man who arranged the Model Railroad Club's voyage to Lake Huron. Joseph Bruzy, operating the Times Square, is busy thinking up a new summer policy for the house . . . W. J. (Pops) Stolz is arranging a big midnight party at the American Legion Home for Theatrical Post’s annual installation. Jean Chatburn, screen star, is back in her home town of Hanover, Mich., for a three-week visit with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Fowler . . . W. A. Warrick jr., has moved out of the city. Al Ackerman is playing ping pong these days with Dr. B. D. Welling, who is one of the owners of the Alhambra Theatre. Father Sam Ackerman is back into his r outvie of squash games, following his long sojourn in the south . . . Joseph Simon, manager of the Delray Theatre, will continue on as manager of the house, instead of going to New York to manage a Hungarian house there, as rumored. Bill Flemion is getting in about nine holes of golf after work almost daily — that would run up around 700 for the season . . . Joe Reich and Ralph Ruben are taking stock to see who’s winning the Avoirdupois Race. Al Dezel's eyes didn’t deceive him — there were two Goldbergs there — Adolph and Irving of the Redford and Royal Oak. Those twins puzzle many of us . . . We have been promised an exclusive preview of J. Ollie Brooks accoutred as a chef. Jack Ross, the genial Lansing exhibitor, was in town mid-week . . . Roger Kennedy, IATSE vice-prexy, was off to Tucson, Ariz.. for a national board meet . . . Ed King, business agent of the Stagehands, just returned from eighth regional meet at Akron, with Jimmie Murtagh and Frank Kinsora as delegates for the projectionists. Marty Shore and Pierce Bradley of the union also went along for the meeting. Frank Yoshonis has formed a new Fordson Theatre Co., to operate his house of the same name in Dearborn, with Mike Prake, a newcomer to show business, but a personal friend of his, as a partner. Victor Retty, a former partner in the house, has withdrawn and is looking for a new theatre. Earl Hudson loses no time. When UDT closed the United Artists, he promptly put out marquee and door signs and posters announcing “The Women,” with which the house will reopen — sometime next August . . . Littman’s Peoples Theatre was denied a petition for reduction of tax assessment by the city council. Hangers on the marquee at the PalmsState Theatre, plugging the added attraction of the Baer-Nova Fight Film, were ordered removed by the building inspector. Marquee at the P-S is lower than average of downtown houses, accounting for the removal . . . Fred C. Dickely, Altec chieftain, and Bill Hendricks, UDT ex ploiteer, have a rendezvous at Cliff Bell’s. Dorothy LeMire of 20th-Fox office, off on vacation, is forced to spend much of her time doctoring that arm . . . Bill Brown of the booking department, also on vacation — and there are reports he may become a benedict . . . Air conditioning in the exchange is keeping Art Knapp’s office nice and cool. Georgia (Anna) Clark, the little philosopher of 20th-Fox, has some deep ideas on reasons for matrimony — ask Art Knapp to elucidate . . . Freddie Cassin has perfected a new way of pressing trousers. Mac Krim has a new way of saying “no” — try him. He and Brother Sol take their “cokes” for these hot noontide refreshments . . . Herman Hagedorn, who used to be with the Krims at the Granada and elsewhere, now with the Hamtramck Citizen, was around. Edgar Lobdell, operating a lobby sign service, is finding business way off these days because of local strikes . . . J. G. Kalec is producing industrial films of new machinery , to be used in eastern sales campaigns. Wisper and Wetsman have discontinued a matinee policy, Monday through Friday, at the Roosevelt Theatre . . . Lloyd Hammond is busy judging the entries in Film Fumbles contest, which is having its official premiere at the Roseville and East Detroit theatres. All entries go back to the studio, so that the theatre cannot be accused of partiality in judging. Wallace Beery may attend the Circus Fans’ Association national convention, tentatively slated to be held here this summer, Secretary F. L. Shaw advises . . ■ Edivard Hilke of the Perrien divided his time between his theatre and bakery next door. Bill Schuttenhelm, renovating the Globe plans to repaint the front and do other improvements . . . His Dawn is badly handicapped for the next few months by the street being closed out front for widening. Theatrical Legion Post made their annual visit to St. Francis Home for Boys, presenting school awards there . . . Pop Stolz, parading with the Post, succumbed, and Commander Jack Ferentz had to “carry” him. Harold C. Lund, district manager of Ross Federal Service, Pittsburgh, made a short visit to the Detroit branch this week . . . E. M. Saunders and W. F. Rodgers, M-G-M executives, were in town for a brief visit. Harlan M. Starr reports Monogram's two star salesmen, Clive Waxman and Lou Greeiiley, are “going great guns” upstate. Waxman got marooned for three hours in a heavy rainstorm at Newaygo, when he called on Harold Hedler of the Valley. Jack Saxe of Monogram and J. O. Brooks of Butterfield have taken a sum 62 BOXOFFICE :: June 17, 1939