Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1940)

^HE Northwest Film Club hosted this week Katherine Ellis, noted psychic; Danny McShain, world lightweight wrestling champion, and Texas Jim Lewis and his orchestra. Lewis, who is appearing at the Palomar, has been signed by Republic Pictures to appear with his band in either an Autry or Roy Rogers western production ... It is expected that Rudy Vallee will visit Seattle to be featured at the annual spring style show, to be held in the Civic Auditorium, starting February 12. More than 100 local firms are sponsoring the show. Busiest person of the week is Jack Flannery, head man of National Screen Service. With the taking over of RKO and Paramount accessories, Jack has been putting in late hours supervising the shifts . . . And still another gal is off for Hollywood and a screen test. This time it is Julia Bernhardt of Sterling Chain theatres, who will report to the Republic studios within the next couple of weeks. The former quarters of Grand National exchange have been taken over by the Altec Service Corp. The office will be in charge of Barclay Ardell. M. O. Overmire and J. S. Briggs, the sound engineer, wall also be connected with the company . . . Paul McElhinney, who for the past few years has been working out of the Salt Lake office of the Sheffield exchange, has been transferred to the Seattle branch and will cover eastern Washington with the Republic product. Paul has moved his family into Spokane. Ben Fish, western division manager of United Artists, and Pete Higgins have left for Portland where they expect to stay for a few days . . . L. O. Lukan and Bill Ripley of Longview have gone to Los Angeles to attend the Pacific Coast conference of Independent Theatre Owners . . . The Wally Ruckers celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary ; the Paul Madigans doing likewise on the same day — but not as many years. John Hamrick and Frank Newman are both in Los Angeles attending the annual convention of division operators of National Theatres, with Spyros Skouras presiding . . . A1 Baker, in from Bellingham, was busy booking pictures when he was called by long distance and notified that his wife had been rushed to the hospital. A1 dashed madly back to Bellingham hoping “it’s a boy.” More reports on this item Wi i i i i < < i < < ' Will Be Seeing You POPCORN SMITH BOX 284 — SEATTLE Paramount Visitors — Harry Nace, left, and son Harry Nace jr., of the Publix-Nace-Richards circuit at Phoenix, chat with Basil Rathbone on the set of Paramount’s “Destiny.” in the next issue . . . Harriet Lamb is back in the hospital once more for another operation. Sally Browning of Sterling Theatres announces that she will be Mrs. Cecil Brownfield after February 16 . . . Harold Sheffield and his wife Emily are in from Portland to attend the wedding of their cousin, Margaret Sheffield, to Paul Bangasser. Harold and Emily will be a threesome in the very near future . . . The twoweek strike at radio station KOL has been called off following the signing of an agreement between the station management and the Electrical Workers Union. The Liberty is sponsoring a girl reporter contest in conjunction with the showing of “His Girl Friday.” The Seattle Star will employ the winner for one week as ace reporter at a salary of 50 dollars. Other prizes include Max Factor make-up kits and six-month passes to the Liberty . . . Mrs. George Morgan of Oilville, recovering in the hospital in Chewelah from the effects of her recent auto accident. Tommy and Theresa Olsen up from Olympia with Mrs. Kate Alford who is here from Lewiston, Ida. . . . Art Slater and J. T. Sheffield taking advantage of the balmy weather for a round or two of golf . . . Visitors this week included: George Endert jr. from Friday Harbor; Roy Stevens of the Rose in Port Townsend; Mrs. Abbie Thompson of the Seeley, Pomeroy; Louie Perunko, Tacoma; Walter Graham, Shelton; Gus Graf, Shelton; Sid Dean from Tacoma with John Owsley; Jay and Mrs. Tew of North Bend. Jeff Fretland off to Aberdeen to confer with Pete Constanti on the opening of his theatre . . . Word from Portland tells of the passing of Erick Paulson who owned the Crescent there ... El Wynn is back in the territory with his midnight spook show. Wynn is now playing in Wenatchee. ^AMAGE to the Pace at Gordon, Neb., by fire, was estimated at $50,000 by Hershel Wheeler, manager. Firemen were forced to shut off the water supply until high tension wires had been cut, causing water pumps to stop and resulting in a water shortage. “Gone With the Wind” finished its second week with a gross within $100 of the opening one. If present business keeps up, the film will be held a fourth week . . . Norvell, astrologer, helped grosses at the Denver the past week where “Fighting 69th” did a nice business. Monthly luncheons for members of the Rocky Mountain Screen Club will start February 26. J. H. Thompson, national director of the Conoco travel bureau, will speak . . . Ross Bluck has just finished wiring his mountain home, made possible by a new nearby power line. Henry Friedel is planning to do the same. The Screen Club will put on a Valentine Party, February 14, for the members and their ladies. The ladies have scheduled four club dates for this month — February 7, luncheon; February 14, bridge; February 21, sewing and tea; February 28, Bingo. Then on February 28 will be the club bridge tournament, with plenty of prizes. J. J. Goodstein has bought the Mines Theatre at Idaho Springs, Colo., from Mrs. Robeson. Alfred Hoare will manage. Goodstein has also extended the lease on the Longmont at Longmont, Colo., until August 1. He had intended to open the house, but changed his mind. Elsa Maxwell will appear on the Denver stage, March 11 . . . Tom Ward, formerly assistant manager of the State here, is now manager of the Gibralter Enterprises theatres at Raton, N. M., effective February 15. He succeeds Mark Berkheimer, who goes to Lusk, Wyo., to manage the Wyoming, recently bought by J. C. Parker from Sam Feinstein. The Alpine, neighborhood house, is running a weekly quiz, with Willie Hartzell, orchestra director, doing the quizzing. Prizes range from a $37 wrist watch down to slabs of bacon, etc. Show is called “Musical Telegrams.” The local Monogram branch has climbed to top place in the second week of the company playdate drive. Charlotte, which led during the first stanza, is second, and New Orleans is third. Complete Arrangements For Dannenberg Rites Los Angeles — Funeral arrangements are being completed for Sid Dannenberg, 43, who came here a month ago in an unsuccessful effort to regain his health. Dannenberg, for the past eight years, had been advertising manager for Warner’s theatres in the Ohio zone. Landers Megs "Congomania" Hollywood — Lew Landers will direct “Congomania,” a Ken Goldsmith production for Universal. 38 BOXOFFICE :: February 10, 1940