Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1940)

— Metropolitan Photos Washington at a Convention — In New York for the RKO sales regional at the Waldorf. Left to right: Harry Kahn, Robert J. Folliard (manager) , Elbert Grover, Olmstead Knox, Alphonous Folliard. Need for " Invincible Morale” Is Emphasized by Depinet ? ^ : RKO Sidelights : Vt — 1 New York — When George J. Schaefer, president, unveiled the RKO product lineup at the opening day of the sales convention at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, it had all the earmarks of showmanship campaign. At the mention of the Herbert Wilcox production, Leon J. Bamberger led Wilcox and Anna Neagle to the rostrum; then Orson Welles told all, and even Lee Tracy took a bow at the proper time. All very effective, too. * * * Lot of pleased comment about the RKO convention badge which carried a removable trademark emblem for lapel use after the gathering. * * * More about Welles who is now beardless which leaves RKO Pathe's Frank Donovan the only bearded man in the outfit. Welles says he spent most of his time looking around the studio the way Garson Kanin did when he was with Sam Goldwyn. He expects to shoot in another month and spend over $500,000. but not much more, for his first picture. In a bantering exchange with Schaefer, the Wellesian humor evidenced itself. “If I don’t get my convention badge, I won’t deliver a foot of film,” Welles joked. * * * Branch Manager Jim Sharkey of Detroit is a follower of hockey, golf and football. He said nice things about Michigan's football team. Danny McCarthy of the same branch was kinda sad about the Tigers. * * * Since Manager Bill Wolf of San Francisco underwent a gall bladder operation, he winces every time someone asks him: “What happened to your gall. Bill?” Unfair, sez he. * * * New salesmen who made a bow at the meeting: J. A. Clark, Chicago; F. E. Dyer, Charlotte; D. D. Matin and M. L. Godwin, Des Moines; D. J. McCarthy, Detroit; W. J. Foley, Milwaukee; W. S. Flynn, Minneapolis; W. E. Woodward, New Orleans: O. Tischler, Philadelphia; T. B. Williamson, St. Louis; A. K. Shepherd, Salt Lake City, and George Becker, Cleveland. * * * A1 E. Sindlinger, March of Time’s advertising, publicity and exploitation director, was kept busy telling the boys what is happening to “The Ramparts We Watch,” MOT’s long-overdue feature. Any day now, according to Al. * * * Three in search of a ping pong table in the spacious Waldorf-Astoria: the Salt Lake trio of Manager Joe Asby and Salesmen Fred Brown and F. J. Lee. * * * Salesman F. W. fCoot) Salley of Atlanta entertained the boys with some of the songs he has composed. * * * Drive Captain Herb MacIntyre is getting kinda tired of riding the trains. He brought the Boston delegation in by boat and nary a case of seasickness reported. Drive Captain Lists RKO Victorious Branches New York — Winning branches and their managers in the short subject division of the Ned Depinet Drive are listed in order of their standing by Drive Captain Herb MacIntyre. Disney Cartoons: James F. Sharkey, Detroit; Jack C. Osserman, Chicago; Frank L. McNamee, Philadelphia; H. M. Lyons, Atlanta; H. H. Greenblatt, Pittsburgh, and G. William Wolf, San Francisco. Leslie L. Plottel, St. John and Mark Plottel, Toronto, led the Canadian division. One and two-reelers, including Pathe News; Charles Boasberg, Buffalo; H. H. Greenblatt, Pittsburgh; Sol M. Sachs, Dallas; G. William Wolf, San Francisco; R. J. Folliard, Washington, and Bob S. Wolff, New York. Five managers and 15 salesmen shared in cash prizes for “Information Please” division: Charles Boasberg, Frank L. McNamee, R. J. Folliard. and Harry E. Kahn, Washington; P. M. Baker, New Orleans, and Sol Sachs. The salesmen are: Frances C. Ross, Boston; L. S. Gruenberg, St. Louis; Ely J. Epstein and Samuel Lefko, Philadelphia; M. J. Kassel, Joe Cozzi and Sam Gorelick, Chicago; Albert L. Kolitz, Cincinnati; J. P. Rubenstein and J. F. Samuels, Los Angeles; John G. Chinell, Buffalo; Arthur Goldsmith, Cleveland, and J. E. Loeffler and W. C. Winters, Minneapolis. RKO Advertising Budget Will Get Big Increase New York — -RKO will increase its advertising budget by 50 per cent, according to S. Barret McCormick, director of advertising, exploitation and publicity. He declined to mention the amount to be spent but said it would be ample to cover the big pictures planned by the studio and outside producers. New York — The need for “an invincible morale as well as an invincible armament in these days of trial” was stressed by George J. Schaefer, president, who addressed over 1,200 delegates and home office employes at the Waldorf. Speaking in a serious vein, Schaefer reviewed economies effected by the company last year. He said at that time RKO stood alone in maintaining immediate economies were necessary to strengthen picture schedules for the domestic market in view of the crumbling markets abroad. “No economy made could have justified any reduction in the quality and entertainment appeal of our pictures,” the RKO president asserted. “That’s the one economy we cannot afford, that we haven’t made, and that we will not make. We are in an industry where pictures, not words, must tell the story, and as we introduce our ‘line,’ it is the character of our product that must speak for our progress.” Schaefer said at that time he “seemed to be the bull in the china shop.” He added, “I am glad to report nothing was broken and what we did we did in the American way. Our program primarily was to decrease expenses, not decrease employment. We cut from above, not from below. While some salaries were reduced by more than 35 per cent, we made the promise and held to it, that no employe receiving $4,500 a year or less would be affected.” An imposing dais highlighted the luncheon, which, it was said, marked the first time the entire personnel of a distributing company was present. On the dais were: Jean Hersholt, John J. O’Connor, J. J. Nolan, John E. Parsons, Nelson Rockefeller, L. P. Yandell, Phil Reisman, Herbert Wilcox, Floyd Odium, Anna Neagle, Ned E. Depinet, Schaefer, Richard C. Patterson, Orson Welles, Edmund O’Brien, Lee Tracy, Gunther Lessing, David Sarnoff, W. G. Van Schmus, N. Peter Rathvon, Fred R. L. Ehrman and Malcolm Kingsberg. 22 BOXOFFICE :: June 1, 1940