Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1940)

IIMMAWAPOLK Oldtimers in Chicago — Here’s a photo resurrected by Maury Salkin, now with National Theatre Supply, in Chicago, that is almost 22 years old. It was taken May 1, 1918, and includes all the members of the Chicago office of the old Pathe company, who worked under Branch Manager F. B. Rogers. Those shown above, and what they are doing today: W. Van Gelder, now insurance representative for many film concerns here; R. D. Goodman, now with 20 th Century-Fox in the Orient; Ray Florrin, out of the industry, but in business in the Chicago loop; W. W. Anderson, now branch manager for Columbia in Atlanta, and Maury Salkin. ^ORA COPELAND of Indianapolis is collaborating with Hoagy Carmichael, Hollywood song writer and formerly a resident here . . . Earl Cunningham, at the Fountain Square, has set aside Wednesdays as bargain night. Doors will open at 5:30. At Claude Allison’s Strand, the auditorium, lobby and front will be decorated and new projectors and a modern heating system will be installed . . . Employes of the local Universal exchange have organized a Universal Club for recreational and social purposes. Officers are William Sherman, president; Florence Whelan, vicepresident; Thelma Smith, secretary, and Rosemary Cochrane, treasurer . . . The local RKO office had John Dow?iey, company auditor, as a visitor this week. Don K. Smith, general manager of National Theatre Supply Co. here, has been in New York attending a managers’ meeting . . . The Columbia exchange was visited by Carl Shalit, district manager . . . And Fred Greenberg, at Warner Bros., played host to A. W. Schwalberg and R. P. Hagen, home office representatives, who were here on business. Dorothy Robbins, bookkeeper at the Warner exchange, is on a mid-winter vacation . . . A. B. Thompson, of the Park & Ritz theatres in North Vernon, has gone to Florida on a vacation . . . Another vacationer is Harry Kornblum of the Rosedale, Evansville, who is in Hollywood , Fla., until March 1. Dale Loomis, general manager for the Gregory circuit in Peru, reports that his nine-year-old son has recovered from a very critical illness that kept him confined to his home for some time . . . Dick Powell, film star and a former resident of Indianapolis who will make a p. a. at the Lyric next week, will emcee a broadcast to be given by the Indianapolis Accident Prevention Council. The Cantor Bros.’ Emerson had the first local showing of “Three Sons’’ . . . Vincent Burke, manager of English’s, informs this is the house’s 60th season of operation. The legit theatre opened with “Hamlet’’ and on February 12 “Hamlet” will be shown again. Irving Tamler, operator of the Tuxedo, is confined to his home with a severe cold . . . Gov. M. Clifford Townsend has issued a proclamation designating February 12 to 19 as “Americanism Week,” with Sunday, February 18, set aside as “Citizenship Day.” This proclamation ties in with the state-wide Americanism campaign sponsored by the ATOI. Nate Weinberg, of Boxoffice Stimulants, Inc., has been confined to his home with a severe cold and bronchitis . . . The father of Claude McKean, office manager at Warner, died at his home in Granite City, 111., last Wednesday after a brief illness. The elder McKean had been connected with the industry in various capacities. Ben Goldman, home office representative, visited the local Warner office . . . Fred Greenberg, manager of the Warner office, attended the district meeting in Chicago. Gail Lancaster, operator of three houses in Huntington, will spend $75,000 on a remodeling program . . . Otto Ebert, booker for the John Servaas circuit, is the proud father of a fourth son. The new boy and Mrs. Ebert are now at home, but Otto has been confined elsewhere with a severe case of mumps. John Hirons has reopened the Monroe in Monroeville after extensive renovations. The theatre was formerly operated by Williard Kaniner . . . Harry Vonderschmitt, operator of several theatres in Indiana, is recuperating at his home in Bloomington after an operation performed at the Methodist Hospital here. Harry is expected to be up in a couple of weeks. Announcement is made by Ben Scalf, Boys Town director, that the Boys Town Theatre Week has been canceled. Five neighborhood houses were to have participated . . . Emerson Hackley, manager of the Sheridan for the Cantor circuit, is one of the youngest theatre managers in the business. He attends high school and is quite active in student drama work. He recently took part in a radio play with the Tech High School radio workshop. The Terre Haute Theatres Ass’n held another luncheon meeting last Thursday to further discuss plans for a local Americanism Campaign in which most of theatres in Terre Haute will participate . . . Oscar Kuschner is celebrating his second year as owner of the Hollywood . . . Edward Doads, manager of the Irving, Settos unit, says he is redecorating . . . A1 Wingate, manager of the Old Trails at Mickleyville, entertained 500 members of the Marion County safety patrols at a special matinee. Guests on Warner Lot — Anne Shirley entertains Mrs. E. Vincent (second from left) , operator of the Vogue at Indianapolis, and a party of friends on the set of “Saturday’s Children” at the Warner studio. 44 BOXOFFICE :: February 10, 1940