Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1940)

RKO Hundred Percenters Get Depinet Awards : Paramounties ^ ■ Publicists Home Office Drive Is Expected New York — Six RKO salesmen who sold 100 per cent of their possibilities were awarded gold badges by Ned E. Depinet, vice-president in charge of sales. They are L. S. Gruenberg, St. Louis; J. F. Samuels, Los Angeles; S. W. Whitehead, Los Angeles; G. F. Tucker, Albany; E. E. Spiers, Milwaukee, and Jack Ellis of the local exchange. Those who received sterling silver badges for hitting 90 per cent and over are: Norman L. Sper, Buffalo; James W. Lewis, Kansas City; Sam Gorelick, Chicago; Louis L. Goldsmith, Seattle; Joseph P. Ruben stein, Los Angeles; William H. Gardiner and Carmen L. DeVizia, Boston; Vernon H. Adams, Dallas; Milton E. Cohen, Detroit; Paul Harrison, Atlanta; Francis C. Ross, Boston; M. A. Raymon, St. Louis; Arthur Goldsmith, Cleveland; William Canelli, New Haven; A. P. Folliard, Washington; Gene M. Engleman and S. S. McFadden, Portland; Ely J. Epstein, Philadelphia, and R. V. Reagin, and W. G. Wray, Memphis. Reisman Opines Europe "Loss for Many Years'' New York — Phil Reisman, vice-president in charge of foreign sales, told RKO convention delegates his United Kingdom and European staffs were carrying on despite the most horrible conditions ever to beset the industry. He expressed the opinion Europe was almost a complete loss to the industry and would continue to be so for many years. "Even in non-belligerent countries,” said Reisman, “the industry will find it hard rowing. The expense of rearmaments which most of them are undergoing will cut off a great deal of foreign exchange formerly available to the industry. The company, according to Reisman, will open an office shortly in Puerto Rico with Ned Seckler, now home office representative in Cuba, in charge. "Ramparts We Watch" Prints in a Month New York— RKO convention delegates were told by Ned E. Depinet that the longawaited “The Ramparts We Watch” will be completed in two weeks with prints available for previews in about a month. RKO Renews Cocalis Chain Union Confabs New York — With the department of justice asserting it has “no objection” to RKO taking over seven Cocalis houses in the Bronx, executives of the major circuit are trying to work out a deal with Local 306 to take into the union the 14 Empire operators employed in the theatres. RKO is willing to employ two additional Local 306 men for each house and also put on a relief man if Joseph D. Basson and his committee will agree to the membership angle. Houses involved are the Pelham, Castle Hill and Marble Hill, which would become first runs, and the Ward, Square, Pilgrim and Interboro, which would continue as second runs. Los Angeles — Throughout the Paramount convention, Bill Erbb, Boston district manager, let it be known how anxious he was to get back to his Milton, Mass., farm — his hobby being the tilling of the soil. Ulrich Smith, Philadelphia sales manager, a candid camera fiend, took a total of more than 200 candid shots during the train ride. Welden Waters, 100 Per Cent Clubber from Albany, didn’t miss a thing on the trip out — his colleagues declared he almost got left at every stop remaining for the last breath of air. Knox Haddow of the New York office insisted on having a piano put in his room. After Judge Frawley, convention manager, had complied with his request, Knox double-crossed the gang by refusing to invite them in for a concert. It was a hurried trip all around for Charlie Casanave of Advertising Accessories, Inc. He flew to Hollywood May 23 and returned May 25, also by air. Eddie Ruff, New Haven branch manager, took the food-stowing championship by popular vote of the eastern delegation. Welden A. Waters, Albany salesman, was with the Cleveland gang at last year’s convention, transferring to his present spot six months ago. Harry Randel, Brooklyn branch manager, enjoyed the Southern California atmosphere so much that he refused to return with the rest of the delegates. He arrived a week in advance of the conventionites. Keynoter — At the Paramount sales convention in Los Angeles was Barney Balaban, president, shown here as he delivered his message to field, home office, studio and foreign manpower. New York — Drive for home office contracts is expected to get under way shortly now that the Screen Publicists and Advertisers Guild membership unanimously approved affiliation with the Screen Publicists Guild of Los Angeles. The SPAG hereafter will be known as the Screen Publicists Guild of New York. At the meeting, the initial draft of demands which will be presented for negotiations were discussed among the membership. All contract proposals, it is said, will be whipped into shape as soon as possible. The resolution also called for a national convention in the near future for the purpose of drafting a constitution for a national SPG. Ratification is expected from the coast unit. Hear Joelson Dickering For Four Snaper Units New York — Reports along Filmrow indicate Julius Joelson, who at one time operated a string of theatres locally and sold out to Fox Playhouses, is negotiating for Dave Snaper’s four-unit chain in New Jersey. Snaper admits a deal is pending and is “40 per cent complete, and I may decide one way or the other over the weekend.” After quitting the local scene, Joelson developed a circuit in and around Boston, which he sold to M&P a few months ago. Following disposition of his New England theatres he went to the coast for a vacation and recently returned. More Summer Closings , Despite Late Season New York — Reports of additional summer closings continue to trickle in, although weather has been far from balmy. Three houses operated by Brandt, the Clifton, Manhattan, Flatbush, Brooklyn, and Windsor, Bronx, are shuttered for the season. The New Singer, one of the oldest houses in Brooklyn, closes for the first time Tuesday. Closings on the six Consolidated Bronx houses, the Avalon, Fleetwood, Oxford, Ascot, Kingsbridge and Jerome have been postponed until sometime this week. The Mineola, Mineola, L. I., has been taken over by Frank Calderone, and Henry Malowitz has acquired the State, Malboro, N. Y. Paramount LatinAmerican Sales Heads Convening New York — John W. Hicks, Paramount’s vice-president in charge of foreign sales, will hold a Latin -American sales meeting here shortly. A. L. Pratchett, general manager for Cuba, Mexico and Central America, arrives Wednesday by plane with S. E. Pierpoint, manager of Brazil, docking on the Uruguay Saturday. J. D. Rapoport, manager of Cuba, arrived here over the weekend. 24 BOXOFFICE :: June 1, 1940