Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1940)

Expert Tub Thumping For Clinton Premiere Clinton, Ia. — It’s a pretty well established fact in these parts of Iowa that the world premiere of 20th Century-Fox’s “Lillian Russell’’ will be held here next Wednesday night, May 15, at two Central States’ houses, the Capitol and Rialto. For 20th Century-Fox’s praise agents, sent on by Charles E. McCarthy from New York — Earl Wingart and Eddie Solomon — and Lionel Wasson, Central States’ space grabber, have been letting the populace know all about. The usual 100,000 forecast for the big event has been made, and Solomon, who has been here working with Wasson for the last two weeks, says that the town’s own population of 25,000 will be somewhere in the crowd. The Northwestern Railroad has been tied in to the event and will send its new crack streamlined train, “Treasure Island,” on a special preview run from Chicago to Clinton, May 15, carrying 20th CenturyFox stars and midwest newspaper and trade-press writers to the event. This train is not scheduled to start regular runs until June. Don Ameche, Leo Carrillo, Lynn Bari, Brenda Joyce, Cesar Romero and Mary Healy are the Fox players now set to make the trip here. Alice Faye and Edward Arnold will head a troupe who will attend the simultaneous premiere the same night in Pittsburgh. Clinton will celebrate the premiere for three days starting May 13, with ball games, dances, band serenades and selection of a “Miss Lillian Russell of 1940” among Iowa college coeds. The premiere day will open with a parade, followed by a city-wide luncheon for the guests. In the afternoon a plaque in memory of Lillian Russell will be dedicated. A dinner will precede the evening dual premiere, followed by a grand ball. Local headquarters is the Lafayette Hotel. A Good Publicizing Job Heralds "Abe Lincoln" Milwaukee — Harry MacDonald, manager of the Warner, did a good job of publicizing “Abe Lincoln in Illinois.” He arranged for the presentation of an album of the original records made by Ramond Massey in his portrayal of the film to Mayor Carl F. Zeidler. The presentation was portrayed in the daily press. He also acted as host to scout troops at a showing of the picture and promoted a newspaper picture in this connection. Censors Okay Herb Kline's "Lights Out in Europe" Chicago — “Lights Out in Europe,” which is to be distributed in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana by Abe Teitel, has been passed by the censor board with a general permit and without any cuts. It was produced by Herbert Kline. ^yiLLIAM B. BRENNER, vice-president of National Screen Service, was through here conferring with Morton Van Praag, en route to New York, following a business trip that took him all the way to the west coast. Millie Anderson, TWA publicist, who lets us know all about the film stars’ arrivals, is back from a quick week’s vacation to Hollywood . . . Emile Montemurro, Movietone News bureau head here, had an exclusive feature last week dealing with the selection of Mrs. Charles Mayo, widow of the famous Doctor Mayo of Rochester, Minn., as the “American Mother of 1940.” A1 Dezel is now re-issuing “Assassin of Youth,” which has just played the Rialto. “Fools of Desire,” another of his releases, has just finished at the Rialto, and the Lubliner & Trinz Clark . . . Gladys Lax of Indiana-Illinois Theatres, about the time you read this, will be on board a Hawaii-bound steamer, for a three-week vacation on the tropical isle. Gladys planed-out to Los Angeles last Thursday and will return from there the same way. And from what we’re told it’s not one of those “$49.50 cruises” either. Mannie Gottlieb, Universal branch manager, is back from his Los Angeles vacation . . . Bob Slayback is due back shortly from a Florida vacation. The manager of Bill Pearl’s Alcyon in Highland Park, Bob sent all of the folks at Allied postcard greetings from the southland. Regina Lane of National Screen Service is spending a month’s vacation in Los Angeles with relatives. George Topper of the Haymarlcet is still knocking on wood. You ivould, too, if you saw his car after it turned over twice near Grand Rapids, Mich., as George was re turning from a fishing trip in northern Michigan. Phil Fischer of Hollywood Amusement Co., who has just returned from a vacation and honeymoon trip to the west coast with Mrs. Fischer, is now comfortably ensconced in a north side penthouse. Dave Kimmel, here as an RKO booker just long enough to get acquainted with the Windy City, has been shifted to Omaha by the company. Jim Donohue of Paramount was in California this week, called there by the illness of his mother. Bob Montgomery of Essaness’ publicity crew and Mrs. Montgomery were planning their summer vacation trip this week. Said Mrs. Montgomery: “You know 1 can’t make up my mind whether to stop in River’s End and visit Dr. Christian, or go to Carvel for a few days visit with Judge Hardy and family.” Bill Hollander will head the Chicago contingent to the “Lillian Russell” premiere in Clinton, la., next Wednesday, which will include Windy City newspaper and tradepaper writers. O. K . Fischer Is G. M. of Hollywood Amusement Chicago — Phil Fischer, president of Hollywood Amusement Co., announces the appointment of his brother, O. K. Fischer, as general manager of the company. He will headquarter in the home offices here. Reopened for Weekends Only Washington, Ind. — The Switow circuit’s Temple Court here has been reopened for showings on weekends only. AwiXUUVCiHXj, The DROLL THEATRE SUPPLY DIVISION OF J. W. DROLL CO. A new source of supply and service on Everything for the Theatre, under the handling of "old heads" in the equipment business, including Charlie Williams, long connected with supply business in the Chicago film trade area, and Vic Maylon, who has dispensed equipment and supply service to theatre owners in this territory for years. NOW at YOUR SERVICE. VIC MAYLON Ofiice Manager GUS ANDERS Gen'l Manager & City Sales CHARLIE WILLIAMS Territorial Sales Telephone SUPerior 6060 — 351 E. Ohio Street, Chicago BOXOFFICE :: May 11, 1940 53