Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1945)

JUST A COTTAGE SMALL — But quite important, this cottage, for it is aiding greatly in the sale of war bonds during the “'Showmen’s Seventh.” It is called Movieland’s Bond Cottage and is manned in the heart of Buffalo by the city’s downtown theatres. Charles B. Taylor, advertising and publicity head for Shea’s Theatre, helped put over the stunt. $1575,000 Mark Hit at Glenn Miller Show NEW YORK — The Major Glenn Miller war loan show staged at the Paramount Theatre by Manager Robert M. Weitman sold $4,575,000 in bonds, exceeding by almost $1,000,000 its original quota. Biggest single sale was $100,000 worth of bonds to A1 Jolson, seated in the audience, who begged off making an impromptu appearance with Eddie Cantor. Times Square was jammed an hour before curtain time by thousands awaiting a parade of a military contingent from Mitchel Field with its 50-piece band. The troops paraded down Seventh Ave. from 51st St., entered the theatre, passed through the orchestra and up a runway onto the stage. There the marchers presented a pageant as a prelude to the fourhour all-star show. Military, naval and governmental officials as well as industry representatives were present in the jammed theatre. Name bands, stage and screen stars and several noted masters of ceremonies combined their efforts and gave the audience its money’s worth. Loew's Sells 114,732 War Bonds in 19 Days NEW YORK — Loew’s Theatres sold $10,564,934 worth of bonds from the opening of the Seventh War Loan through June 3. This represents 114,732 bonds. The Pitkin Theatre, Brooklyn, managed by A1 Weiss, which has been among the leaders in past bond drives, again led the entire circuit. Total sales were $552,275, representing 4,921 separate purchases. The runnersup were : American Theatre, Gil Marbe, manager, $508,975; Boro Park, Brooklyn, Walter Heiber, $472,550; Kameo, Brooklyn, Sam Pearlman, $343,525, and Paradise, Jerry De Rosa, $306,575. The out-of-town theatres finished in the following order: Capitol, Washington, $513,825; Columbia, Washington, $357,200; Loew’s, Richmond, $325,575; State, Cleveland, $316,350, and Palace, Washington, $272,275. Neighborhood Celebrity Aids Sale of War Bonds NEW YORK — For his war bond rally at the Ambassador Theatre, Brooklyn, Manager Maurice G. Reisner chose a neighborhood celebrity, 62-year-old Mrs. Louis Scolnick, as his guest of honor. Selected as the “outstanding mother of 1945” by the Mother’s Day Commemorative League, Mrs. Scolnick received extensive publicity in the metropolitan press; eight of her nine sons have served in the armed forces and the ninth expects to be called shortly. Reisner used a Nazi swastika plus a Japanese rising sun to pep bond sales. Mrs. Scolnick made a stirring appeal on behalf of the Seventh War Loan, and was presented with flowers and gifts donated by neighborhood merchants. The theatre sold $15,000 in bonds and, Reisner reports, is planning similar rallies. USN Heroes Aid E Sales NEW YORK — Taking advantage of topical interest, Brooklyn theatres have been using heroes of the famous carrier, USS Franklin, to stimulate bond sales. Seven survivors, including the bluejacket shown receiving “last rites” in newsreels and newspaper photos, assisted in rallies held at the Kings, Paramount, Kenmore, Albemarle, Marine and Elm Theatres. Through the cooperation of the navy heroes, the houses sold 1,268 E bonds with a maturity value of $210,000. Bardavon's Two Concerts Accelerate Bond Sales POUGHKEEPSIE — The Bardavon Theatre reports sales totaling $89,000 at its bond premiere. Mayor Frank M. Doran, speakers from the Pawling Convalescent Center, and a concert by the 321st army service band of Fort Jay highlighted the event. So successful was the latter feature the theatre followed it up last week with a concert by the Sea Landers, veterans of nine major invasions. The event was a spectacular success, according to Manager David Walsh. WB Holds Bond Rally NEW YORK — Warner Bros.’ home office held a rally in behalf of the Seventh War Loan drive Wednesday afternoon, with all employes attending. Among the speakers were Albert S. Howson and Martin F. Bennett of Warners, returned war heroes and others. Tickets of admission to the “Fighting Lady” exhibit at Rockefeller Plaza were given to bond purchasers. Bond Booth at U-Boat NEW YORK — The Seventh War Loan metropolitan committee has built and is manning a booth at USN Pier A at the Battery for E bond purchasers wishing to go aboard the captured Nazi submarine, U-505, on display there. The bond booth, 14 feet wide, is open daily from 11 a. m. to 8 p. m. Bond buyers are escorted onto the U-boat immediately on making their purchases. Huge 7th Loan Banner NEW YORK — For the first time in any of the war loan drives a huge street banner has been hung in the heart of the theatrical district. One, advising passersby to purchase bonds at picture houses, has been put up at 50th St. and Seventh Ave. by the greater New York committee. “Tracy" Roles to Mazurki and Greer Mike Mazurki and Jane Greer have been signed for major roles in “Dick Tracy,” an RKO production. Buffalo Zips Along Wiih Bond Campaign BUFFALO — The five downtown motion picture theatres, the Buffalo, Great Lakes, Hippodrome, Lafayette and 20th Century, this week reported a brisk increase in the sale of bonds for the bond premieres, which will be held June 18. On Tuesday the Buffalo entertainment world joined in a war bond salute to Maj. Glenn Miller, one of its greatest heroes. Buffalonians were urged to buy an extra bond in appreciation of the many happy hours his music had brought. A free ticket to one of the big premieres is given with each bond purchased in the theatres or at the Movieland Bond Cottage, Main and Genesee Sts. This week the cottage was staffed by volunteer workers from the Lafayette Theatre. Wednesday, the first anniversary of D-Day on the beaches of Normandy, every motion picture theatre in Buffalo observed Free Movie Day. Two guest tickets were given to every bond buyer. Disney Bond Certificate Helps Sell to Children NEW YORK— A certificate designed by Walt Disney to stimulate sale of war bonds to children is being distributed in the metropolitan area. Printed in several colors, it shows many famous Disney characters, including the Seven Dwarfs, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck. Its inscription reads: “This is to certify that is the owner of a war bond, thereby becoming an investor in this country’s fight for human liberty and a contributor in a world struggle to make life free and forever peaceful for all men.” Certificates may be obtained through metropolitan area headquarters. Public School Tieup YONKERS — H. R. Emde, RKO zone manager and Westchester County chairman, has arranged that public school children buying bonds will be admitted to the Strand Theatre free at any time. BOXOFFICE :: June 9, 1945 47