Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1940)

Leo Priming Lineup For N. Y. Regional New York — M-G-M is withholding announcement of its 1940-41 title schedule until May 17, at which time the company will break down those films definitely set for production and those under consideration but where a degree of uncertainty exists, according to Howard Dietz, director of advertising and publicity. He is back “from a weekend on the coast where I saw seven pictures." Although the company made known wha it described as its program for the 1939 40 season at its convention in Chicago last year, Dietz said this “did not work out, because we did not make all we said we would.” Next season’s lineup will be revealed during the company’s regional meeting at the Hotel Astor, May 17-18. Seven Exchange Staffs To Metro Regional New York — When M-G-M’s third sales regional gets under way at the Astor Friday for its two-day session, representatives of seven eastern and New England exchanges will be on deck. This is the roster : Albany — Ralph Pielow. manager; Arthur Horn. Eugene Vogel and William Williams. Boston — Jack P. Byrne, manager; Benjamin Bebchick, Raymond J. Curran, Maurice Goldstein, J. Edward Renick, Harry Rosenblatt and Harry O. Worden. Buffalo — Ralph W. Maw, manager; Abraham T. Harris, Alexander W. Weisman and Emanuel M. Woronov. New Haven — Thomas J. Donaldson, manager; Morton L. Katz and Milton Hyams. New York — Jack Bowen, manager; Howard M. Levy and Harry W. Miller. New Jersey — Ben Abner, manager; Louis Allerhand and Herman L. Ripps. Philadelphia — Robert Lynch, manager; Salem E. Applegate, Frank M. Jalenko, Nicholas P. Lloyd jr., Joseph F. Morrow and Clarence C. Pippin. f( • Campaign Is Gone , But Slogan Lingers New York — It's been some time since Motion Pictures' "Greatest Year" folded, but its slogan carries on. Locally. Consolidated Amusements, operating about a dozen houses, continues to advertise "Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment." In Florida, Wometco uses the same line, but adds the name of the circuit in its newspaper lineage. VI ■ =» 20th-Fox " Russell " Guns Blast on Three Fronts New York — Twentieth Century -Fox has trained its ballyhoo guns on three widely separated fronts to gamer a major share of national publicity for “Lillian Russell” when the film premieres simultaneously in Pittsburgh, Clinton, la., and Hollywood, May 15. No less than 40 ranking critics from key city newspapers and syndicates will be among the guests, not to mention a flock of Hollywood names and civic lights. The Pittsburgh celebration begins May 14 and will be a two-day affair, while the Clinton party will run three days. Alice Faye and Edward Arnold will be present at Pittsburgh and Don Ameche, Binnie Barnes, Cesar Romero and Mary Healy will be among the Hollywooders at the Clinton opening where 100,000 visitors are expected. Under the direction of Charles E. McCarthy, the Pittsburgh premiere will be handled by Rodney Bush and Christy Wilbert. Earle Wingart and Eddie Solomon will be in command in Clinton. The coast preview will be a de luxe affair for the press. (r : The Bedside Interview Appears : VI >J New York — Trade paper reporters accustomed to interviewing film personalities at trains, piers and airports took a new stamping ground well in stride when UA’s president, Murray Silverstone, who was confined at home by illness, invited the press into his bedroom for an interview. The boys behaved nicely. Cigarette butts were deposited gingerly in ash trays generously scattered around the room, instead of on the floor. Monroe Greenthal and a representative of Banker’s Trust, Alex Ardrey, were the only ones who sat on the bed. That was because there were no more chairs left. When it was all over, L. Jack Schlaifer, who is vice-president in charge of sales for the western division, kindly poured the Coca Cola drinks and did miraculous tricks with ice. Apparently there had been rumors and Silverstone wanted to put them to rest. He said he had never contemplated appointing a general sales manager and was more than satisfied with his two vicepresidents, Schlaifer and Harry Gold, who is in charge of eastern sales. Then Silverstone discussed the field exploitation staff of 15 men who will operate under the guidance of Monroe Greenthal. The idea, as developed by Silverstone, is to insure increased returns domestically from the better pictures by extensive preselling campaigns aimed squarely at the exhibitor. Greenthal’s office will probably be his hat, Silverstone observed, because he will be kept hopping from key center to key center during the exploitation drives. More seriously, Silverstone said it was his belief the industry either will make or break itself on the American market. That, primarily, he said is the company’s reason for gambling on bigger pictures. He stated one more year of the war will prove dangerous to the industry unless adjustments are made on native terrain. Illustrating how serious the situation has become, Silverstone referred to a statement made by Ambassador Joseph E. Kennedy that without England the industry cannot survive. He suggested the future of the industry lies within its own borders. His remarks concluded. Silverstone thanked all for coming and turned to matters material with the man from Banker’s Trust. The reporters left the apartment and slipped back easily enough into their regular routine. Meiro Brings Edison To the 4 Oranges New York — When Governor A. Harry Moore of New Jersey officially proclaimed: “The State of New Jersey was for many years the home of one of the greatest men of all time, Thomas Alva Edison . . . It is fitting and proper that New Jersey join in this tribute to our late fellow-citizen and with a feeling of great appreciation for the many benefits conferred by Thomas Alva Edison on mankind,” it was as though a magic publicity wand had drifted into the M-G-M offices. For “Edison, the Man” is just what the governor is talking about. And that has come to mean three days of what is now known as The Thomas A. Edison Pageant of Progress to be held May 14 to 16 in the five Edison New Jersey “home town” communities of Orange, East Orange, West Orange, South Orange and Maplewood. The festivities begin on Tuesday as sort of a prelude to the quadruple world premiere of the film two nights later in the four Orange towns. The opening event will be the unveiling of the largest photograph ever put on public display. Measuring 22 by 28 feet, the photograph of Edison will be mounted in front of the West Orange Municipal Building, supplemented by an electrical display utilizing more than 30,000 watts. On Wednesday there will be ceremonies at the dedication of the “Crypt of Cinema Progress” and the “Black Maria,” in other words the birthplace of motion pictures. That evening, at 10 p. m., there will be a giant fireworks display at Eagle Rock in West Orange, which is 700 feet above sea level and should be visible for miles. The display will have an area of 400 square feet and is claimed to be of such proportions as to surpass any aerial pyrotechnic barrage ever presented before. Following the fireworks there will be a gala Edison Premiere Ball at the Orange armory, proceeds of which will be for local charitable organizations. The final day of the pageant sounds like something that even press agents have not yet dreamed of. According to M-G-M’s own description, it begins with “New Jersey’s first concentration of a provisional battalion of mechanized military units that will form the colorful vanguard of the brilliant parade through the Oranges.” Colorful sounds like the word for it, too. The procession will include 45 floats, a host of mounted bands and many cars containing visiting film stars. The National Guard unit will be in front, leading the state’s largest show of motorized military equipment, with military planes as air escort. That evening, at 9 p. m. will come the four simultaneous showings of the film. Seek Help in Cuba Washington — Distributors are asking the state department to intervene with the Cuban government over the increase of the gross income tax from three to 20 per cent. The local Cuban sales tax has also been increased from one and a half to two per cent which affects theatres. BOXOFFICE :: May 11, 1940 38-C