Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1939)

Richmond Theatre Men Block Rental Proposal Richmond, Va. — -A committee of local theatre managers succeeded in blocking the efforts of New York interests to lease the Administrative Building and other buildings at the Virginia state fair grounds, for an annual rent of $3,000, when they appeared before the city council finance committee. The New Yorkers were planning to turn the building into an indoor sports center. The chief objections of the theatre men were the facts that the city would be turning over buildings valued at over $80,000 for an annual rent of $3,000 to go into competition with local business concerns who have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the erection of amusement places and are now paying heavy taxes on the same. This committee was composed of Charles A. Somma, Morton G. Thalhimer, Walter Coulter, Sam Bendheim jr., Harold Wood, A. Prank O’Brien, and Col. Robert T. Barton, counsel for the MPTO of Virginia, was spokesman. Loew's Announces More Managers ShuHled New York — Loew’s has effected the following managerial personnel changes in its metropolitan circuit; Murray Sharf, assistant at the State, is promoted to manager of the Alpine. W. Simon, whom Sharf replaces, transfers to the Century, with William Woolfolk becoming a relief manager. Paul Murphy, assistant at the Orpheum, has been made assistant manager at the State. George Ruggles, assistant at the 167th St., gets a similar post at the Orpheum. John Natoli, assistant at the Boro Park, goes to the 167th St. as assistant. Albert Ellner, assistant at the Hollywood, is transferred to the Boro Park as assistant. Nathan Bemstock, temporary assistant at the Post Road, goes to the Hollywood in a similar capacity. Reginald Forsyth, chief usher at the Apollo, is promoted to assistant manager at the Post Road. May Tear Down Three New York Theatres New York ■ — City Investing may tear down the Astor, Bijou and Morosco this summer and build an office building and a new theatre to replace the three houses. Loew’s, which has a lease on the Astor which runs until April, is not interested in the new theatre planned and it is stated demolition of the present structures will not take place until a tenant for the new house can be secured. Other tenants are understood ready to vacate on 60 days’ notice. Ralph Dietrich Named Assistant to Joy Hollywood — Ralph Dietrich is now assistant to Jason Joy, personnel manager at 20th Century-Fox. Dietrich formerly was assistant to Gene Markey, associate producer. ^HE Tenth Annual Theatrical Ball, sponsored by lATSE, local 87, will be held at Tantilla Garden on Monday, February 20. Claude Wilson is chairman of the committee, which is composed of Tom Jones, Dan Anderson, Otis Bugg, Joe Baird, Buck Colgin, Earl Clator, Harry Jarvis, John Clator, Frank Mathews, Tom Murphy, Jim Evans, Joe LaPrade, L. C. Ratcliffe, John Leary, C. C. Leibs, Stewart Atkisson, Bill Walsh, Kenneth Sickinger, Louis Levin . . . Otis Bugg, projectionist at the National, has opened a road house out on Petersburg Turnpike . . . Fire in the booth of the Cavalier, Suffolk, destroyed part of a print of “Imitation of Life” and badly burned the operator, Clarence Mathews. Joe Vogel mid Oscar Dooh, Loew New York officials were in town visiting the local Loew’s theatre . . . Allen Sparrow, manager Loew’s, has returned to his desk, after being out for several weeks undergoing an appendectomy. During his absence, Bob Etchberger, assistant manager of Loew’s State, Norfolk, helped out Charlie Yerby . . . Barron Ramsey, former member "Snow White" 1938's Best Is Reviewers' Opinion New York — “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was the best picture of 1938 in The Film Daily’s poll, the 17th, and, as usual, conducted among critics and reviewers. The Disney feature established an early lead which was never seriously threatened and cleared its imtouched first position with 419 votes, or 47 more than “You Can’t Take It With You” at 372. “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” captured third spot with 324 votes; “Boys Town,” fourth with 313; “Marie Antoinette,” fifth with 287; “In Old Chicago,” sixth with 243; “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” seventh with 218; “The Citadel,” eighth with 210; “Love Finds Andy Hardy,” ninth with 190 and “The Hurricane,” 10th with 172. In the first 10, M-G-M landed four; 20th Century-Fox, two, and Columbia, Radio, UA and Warner, one apiece. Over 500 votes were cast. The “Honor Roll,” which embraces pictures with 10 or more votes, this year ran to 48 other trailing pictures, led off by “Four Daughters.” In this secondary division, M-G-M led with 14; Paramount, UA and Warner tied for second position with eight each. Universal rated four; RKO, three; Columbia, GB and 20th Century-Fox, one each. Chicago Allied Mum on "Divorce" Bill Report Chicago — None of the Allied members here this week would discuss the rumor that a possible theatre divorcement bill, modeled after the North Dakota law, would be introduced in the current Illinois legislature in Springfield. To "Blondie" Cast Hollywood — Jonathan Hale and Stanley Brown have been added to the cast now being assembled for “Blondie Steps Out” at Columbia. of the Byrd service staff, has returned to Hollywood, Fla., being replaced by Joe Fields . . . Jack Derrenberger has moved his Art Guild from Loew’s Theatre to 718 East Franklin St. Frank Cowardin was reelected president of the Richmond Musicians’ Ass’n and Carl N. Wallnau, secretary, for the tenth consecutive year. Others reelected were Burt Asbury, treasurer, and the following executive board members: George Abeloff, Gordon Smith, William Henry, Jay Kaufman, Claude Elam and Henry Caprio. New officials are Bert Repine, vice-president, and Paul Cartwright, member of the board . . . Jake Beeker has resigned as assistant manager of the James in Newport News . . . Dick Eason, former manager of the Isis and Trenton in Lynchburg, is now associated with the Schine circuit in Maryland . . . The Grand Theatre team in the Neighborhood Theatres Duckpin League came within one game of the first place Byrd team as “Pop” Williams set two new records for game and set of 146 and 361. The Grand team also set new team record set of 1,538. Will Hays Says Industry Facing a Challenge New York — The maximum usefulness of the industry still is keyed to development in meeting new and changing conditions, cautions Will H. Hays president of the MPPDA, speaking before a luncheon meeting of national, civic, educational, religious, welfare and youth leaders, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. According to Hays, the industry faces a challenge today to retain the gains of the past. “What is done in the future,” he emphasizes, “must be brought about, as in the past, through partnership with the public constructively interested in the highest development of motion pictures.” Select Launches New Valentino Revival New York — ^“The Eagle,” second largescale revival release to star Rudolph Valentino, has been launched with extended engagements at the Waldorf, and Shea’s Fulton, Pittsburgh. Select Enterprises is handling the picture. Within the next month first runs in Baltimore, Washington, Newark and Philadelphia will open engagements. A1 O. Bondy is on the road in the interests of “The Eagle” and “Moonlight Sonata.” Two-Year Columbia Pact For Joe E, Brown Hollywood — Joe E. Brown has been signed to a two-year pact by Columbia, which last season released two pictures produced by David Loew and in which the star appeared. BOXOFFICE :: January 14, 1939 32-G