Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

mer cottage again over in Canada, up near Belle River . . . John Dembeck, M-G-M booker, vacationing June 23, says he’s “really going places,” and doesn’t want to miss his Boxoffice. Film Exchange baseball team didn’t play this time, being rained out of that game with Burroughs. They’re handsome now in natty dark maroon uniforms, trimmed in maroon. Donors of the baseball uniforms are: Harold Robinson, Hal Burriss, Irving Belinsky, Arthur Robinscm, Nat Haase, William Flemion, Jack Saxe, George McArthur, W. J. Turnbull, Wisper and Wetsman, Associated Theatres, Ray Schreiber, Frank Lorenzen, Ray Moon, Co-operative Theatres, and Ralph Ruben. Frank J. Downey’s 20th year with M-G-M is being celebrated in style. Enlarged head portrait of Downey is being used in a car, on special stationery, publicity, and large lobby blowup as well . . . Dorothy Brown of M-G-M has returned from a New York and Boston vacation. Paul Field, formerly with the Artists Service Bureau, has taken to selling Buicks to the boys around the Film Building . . . damage and Rothstein have installed complete new air-conditioning equipment in the Avenue Theatre. E. R. Custer to Lease New House at Lewisburg Lewisburg, W. Va.— A new 600-seat theatre to be called the Lewis, is under construction here by Yarid Bros., local merchants. Opening is expected around August 15 by E. R. Custer, who will lease the house. Custer is building a new house in Charleston, W. Va. and operates the Custer there. The new local theatre will have new tile walls, brick front with colored and structural glass, mosaic tile lobby, airconditioning, a marque with neon strip lighting and silhouette sign letters. Three Monogram Shifts Made in Mideast Area New York — Personnel changes in the mideast territory announced by George Weeks, Monogram general sales manager: Clive Waxman joins the Detroit sales staff; Jack Withers replaces Jack Fineberg, resigned, on Cleveland’s sales force, and W. J. Burns joins the Cincinnati exchange as a booker. James Mooney to Cincy Cleveland — Milton A. Mooney, head of Co-operative of Ohio, has appointed James Mooney as third booker in his Cincinnati branch office. James Mooney leaves here the end of the week to join Harry Bugie and Ray Frisz in servicing the exhibitors of southern Ohio. Doing Fourth "Wong" Hollywood — Scott Darling will script “Mr. Wong at Headquarters,” fourth in the Monogram sleuth series starring Boris Karloff. Abolition of Duals, His Business Cure Cleveland — E. E. Bair, general manager in charge of the Valentine and Strand theatres in Defiance, writes he read with interest a recent article in Boxoffice in which it was reported Cleveland exhibitors are holding a series of meetings to discuss cures for present boxoffice ills and he offers the suggestion that most of the current boxoffice sickness is the result of playing double features. “I am convinced,” says Bair, “that if some leader had the nerve to crack the ice and adopt single features and advertise the fact intelligently, it would result in a stampede of most of the others, not only in Cleveland but nationally.” Writing on this subject in one of the issues of his house organ, Bair said, “We are inclined to believe that the persistent adherence to double features can be attributed to competitive complications and not to public choice.” Duals Into Two RKO Columbus Theatres Columbus — RKO’s Palace and Grand, first and second runs, respectively, have inaugurated double features to continue throughout the summer. No change in admission will be made. Bruzy Plans Singles In Detroit House Detroit — A possibility that single bills may be introduced in the territory for the summer is disclosed by Joseph Bruzy, operator of the Times Square Theatre. Bruzy is recognized as one of the most resourceful operators in the downtown area. He tells Boxoffice he is considering a single bill policy at reduced admission prices. This would be the first consistent single bill policy among houses in Detroit proper, and would reduce film rentals somewhat. Bruzy believes there is enough patronage to support a single bill policy downtown. Many of his customers, he says, come in for one feature only under the present dual policy. Bruzy recently tried out triples but quickly reverted to duals. Off to Minneapolis Cleveland — Off for Minneapolis by plane to attend the National Allied convention were M. B. Horwitz, Jerry Steel and G. W. Erdmann. Driving over were Max Lefkowich of the Community circuit, Myer Fine of Associated circuit, and Ernest Schwartz, president of the Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass’n. "Sentiment" Vote Favors Skating Madison, W. Va. — A “sentiment” vote asked by the local council on Sunday films and skating resulted in a 165 to 125 vote for movies and a 166 to 123 vote in favor of skating. Sentimenl Wide for Summer Closings Detroit — Sentiment for summertime closing is widespread among local exhibitors, current remarks indicate. Typical is the comment of A. L. Rupert, who operates the little Rupert Theatre, a neardowntown spot in a largely colored and mixed “foreign” neighborhood. He said; “Exhibitors would be smart to close up their theatres for six weeks or so. There is no use trying to prod people into theatres in the warm weather, and in a time when they don’t have money, anyway. Outdoor sports will get what money they have at this time, and the rest of the time they will just sit on the front porch.” Edgar A. Kirchner, manager of the Family and an Allied leader, said: “Closing would be all right for us. However, some of the operators who keep open at least make enough to keep up their rent, and for that reason some would be opposed to closing.” J. G. Portel, circuit owner: “Theatre operators would be a lot better off if they closed up for the summer. Of course, one man can’t do it by himself. But people seem to think we have to produce whether we are making money or not. “The practical alternative to closing is to reduce expenses 25 per cent, so that operators could make a profit. Going back through my 18 years in the show business, there have not been over three really good years among them.” Belle Isle Park Picnic Planned by Jacobson Detroit — The Rainbow Theatre, operated by Jack Broder, will play host June 26 to 300 youngsters at Belle Isle Park. Part of the event will be a 15-mile ride each way in a taxicab. A fleet of 35 cabs, donated by the Radio Cab Co., with large banners advertising the theatre, and a police motorcycle escort, will take the youngsters from the theatre, through the heart of the downtown district, out to Belle Isle. This will be the third such yearly party under the direction of Manager Eddie Jacobson, who put it on last year for the Majestic and the year before for the Capitol. The free picnic is the prize for the first 300 youngsters at the boxoffice at the Rainbow for the matinee on Saturday, June 24, and is a sure builder of goodwill for the house. Special entertainment, races, and other events will fill up the afternoon for the boys and girls while at the park. A Dispute Brews Detroit — His right to hook exit doors when the house is closed will be defended in court if need be, according to J. G. Portel, owner of the Virginia Theatre here. Four forced entries within six weeks into the theatre are blamed by Portel on the Department of Buildings’ ruling, which as a safety measure, has hitherto forbidden him to hook the doors. BOXOFFICE :: June 17, 1939 63