Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1940)

Three B&K Houses Lower Admissions Five Cents Chicago — B&K has moved back the playing week of three theatres a week, and dropped admission prices accordingly five cents at each house. The Northtown and Terminal have been moved back, and admission dropped to 25 cents, while the Cine has been moved back and dropped to admission price of 20 cents. Charles Reagan Confers With Chicago Salesmen Chicago — Here for a regular conference with local salesmen on his tour of his division, Charles Reagan, Paramount western division manager, reported the company’s recent releases are doing “very fine business.” Reagan went on to Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Censorship of Films Not Held Police Function Chicago — A recent “inquiring reporter” feature in the Chicago Times, showed that the general public disapproves of police censorship of motion pictures and plays; but that if there is to be censorship, it should be the work of a civil group and not a police group. Main Clicking Since Reopening Okawville, III. — The 300-seat Main has been doing nice business since it opened several weeks ago. The house had been dark for about ten years. Nick Ouster Ruling Holds in Appeal St. Louis — The St. Louis court of appeals has upheld the decision of Circuit Judge Ernest F. Oakley last April 21 ousting John P. Nick, IATSE vice-president and Clyde A. Weston, former manager of Local No. 143 of the operators union, from control over the assets and affairs of that organization. This appeal was sent to the appellate court by the Missouri supreme court which ruled last November that it was without jurisdiction since no proper constitutional question had been raised at the trial and in the pleadings. Commenting on the failure of Nick and Weston to present evidence in opposition to the receivership suit filed by 66 members of the local union, the court of appeals opinion states that it is “with poor grace for the appellants to insist that the court should disbelieve and disregard the great mass of convincing evidence introduced by the plaintiffs.” It added that Nick and Weston were “either powerless or unwilling” to deny the evidence against them. The decision affects only the temporary receivership. Judge Oakley still has under consideration the petition of the anti-Nick members for a permanent receivership. Evidence in that case was concluded on December 27. The decision concurred in by Judge William Dee Becker, William C. Hughes and Edward J. McCullen represents the last appeal for Nick and Weston in this case, and paves the way for Judge Oakley to Film Bookers Club Issues New Membership Roster Chicago — Harry James, president of the Film Bookers’ Club, has announced the new roster of membership. The club has abandoned its rooms at the Crillon Hotel. Dues currently are 50 cents monthly. The membership list: Joe Abramson, George Benson, Frank Beres, Stanley Butte, Oscar Bernstein, Florence Blum, Lou Berman, Seymour Borde, John Doerr, Howard DeTamble, William Drake, Charles Davidson, Jack Eckhardt, Max Factor, Jack Friedman, Joe Fitzgerald, Irene Graham, Harry Goldman, Harry Grampp, Dave Gold, Russell Hurd, Walter Hyland, Nick Humm, Harry James, Harry Mandell, Ed Mager, Art Nelson, Frank Nardi, Jim Onderach, Frank Omick, A1 Raymer, Ned Rafalski, Joe Stout, Sam Traynor, A1 Teplitz, George Topper, Roland Vinor, Joe Vrouvas, Jack Wohl, Frank Williams, Clyde Winnans and Harold Weiss. pass upon the question of a permanent receivership for the union and permanent injunction against Nick and Weston. Judge Oakley in his order of April 21, 1939, named James A. McKeown, president of the John O’Brien Boiler Works, temporary receiver for local No. 143. Several days later he named William M. Brandt, secretary of the Central Trades and Labor Union, to serve as co-receiver with McKeown. Previously Brandt had been instrumental in cleaning up the Bartenders Union. Ruling on Move to Quash Indictment Is Deferred St. Louis — Circuit Judge Thomas J. Rowe jr., has deferred his ruling on the motion to quash the indictment charging State Representative Edward M. Brady with conspiracy to extort $10,000 from certain motion picture theatre owners in 1936 about the time that the annual wage agreement with the Moving Picture and Projection Machine Operators Union was up for consideration. Judge Rowe had expected to hand down his decision on Monday, February 5, but has delayed action for a week. He said he wanted additional time to study the motion to quash presented by counsel for Brady. He then reset the case for trial on March 4. Counsel for Brady in moving to kill the indictment said that the same evidence would be presented against him that Judge Rowe held was insufficient to sustain the same charge against John P. Nick, vicepresident of the IATSE. Judge Rowe has reset for March 11 the second extortion charge against Nick and Clyde A. Weston, former business manager of Local No. 146. This indictment charges that Nick and Weston conspired to extort $6,500 from the theatre owners in the fall of 1937 when the annual wage agreement was up for consideration. Special Student Prices Marshfield, Wis. — Special prices for students are being offered by the Adler and Relda. In the State of the Title — When RKO held its trade showing of “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” at the Esquire in Chicago, Raymond Massey, star of the film, and his wife attended, and, the above scene resulted. Left to right, first row: Mike Kassel, salesman; Nick Humm, head booker; Jack Osserman, branch manager; Walter Branson, midwest district manager; Oscar Brotman, Avaloe Theatre. Same order, standing: John Semadalas, Milda, Romova and Wallace theatres; John Clark, Joe Cozzi, both of RKO; Nate Gumbiner, Commodore Theatre; Sam Gorlick, RKO; Ben Katzman, Avenue Theatre, Cicero; Harry Walders, RKO; Mrs. Massey; Massey; Lou Reinheimer ; John Dromy, Great States; Julius Bland; Sam Meyers, Wilmette exhibitor; Dick Sachsel; Sam Halper, Halstead Theatre; Morgan Ames, Mort Singer circuit. BOXOFFICE :: February 10, 1940 C 43