Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1940)

Paramount Exploiteers In Field Before Long Chicago — Cliff Lewis, director of studio publicity for Paramount, says plans for the placement of exploitation men in the various districts will be completed after his return to the coast. He stopped off here on his return from the east. “It is our plan now to have men stationed in the various districts,” said Lewis, “but we hope to have them in close contact with Hollywood. In other words, we plan to keep them in the district for a few months working with exhibitors and newspapers, and then bring them back to the coast. This contact, we feel, will be more beneficial to exhibitors.” Outstanding Returns Mark Run of " Fighting 69th " Chicago — “The Fighting 69th” continues to pile up outstanding grosses in this area. Warner District Manager Rud Lohrenz reports business the first week at the Chicago, bigger than even the initial stanza there of “Dodge City.” It is in its second week. The Warner, Milwaukee, also held the picture a second week; while it moved from its first week in Indianapolis at the Indiana, to a second at the Apollo. In two days, the picture did better than a good week’s business at the Colfax in South Bend, with similar outstanding returns reported for the Fisher in Danville. Special Coverage lor Outdoor Skating Race La Crosse, Wis. — Special newsreels of the national amateur outdoor skating races here were shown at the Hollywood and Wisconsin. The Wisconsin also was host to children of St. Michael’s orphanage at a showing of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Farrar and Turner Add Two in Chester , I1L Harrisburg, III. — The recent acquisition by Steve Farrar and Oscar L. Turner of two houses in Chester, 111., from Walter Light gives that circuit control over 20 theatres in southern Illinois. O. L. Turner jr. will be in charge of the houses at Chester. Plans for a new 1,200-seater to be erected here, are under consideration by the circuit. Stahl Succeeds Havercamp In Chicago NSS Otiice Chicago — Max Stahl, formerly Chicago branch manager for Educational, is added to the Chicago staff of National Screen Service, succeeding Eddie Havercamp, resigned. Stahl recently has been with United Artists in Detroit. Two Add Theatre Game Kenosha, Wis. — The Roosevelt and Vogue here have added Crazy Auction, a new theatre game. C H III C A (G €) CTANLEY LEVINE is remodeling the interior of his Stanley Theatre Supply Co. . . . Jack Kirsch, president of Allied of Illinois, is taking on a real tan in Miami Beach . . . Irving Schlank, branch manager of United Artists, is vacationing at Hot Springs . . . Charles Fogel, of the M-G-M home office service department, was a visitor. Mrs. J. George Feinberg of International Seat is planning to head west the end of this month for a Los Angeles and Honolulu vacation . . . Sam Levin is the new manager of the B&K Belpark. He will supervise the Belpark and Luna . . . Billy Hegenberger and Marge Kosman are the two new additions to the office staff of the Warner exchange . . . Bob Allen, Warner city salesman, still is around bragging about the antics of his new baby daughter, Abe Teitel is handling Illinois and Indiana distribution of “The Little Flower” . . . The new club rooms of the Amusement Club of Chicago were opened with a get-together for members only in the Stevens Hotel. Bill Bishop, M-G-M exploiteer, ivas up in Port Huron, Mich., to help out on the premiere there of “Young Tom Edison” . . . Visiting Ludwig Sussman of the Adelphi recently was his brother-in-law, Julius Lamm, manager of the Warner Uptown, Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Lamm were en route to Hot Springs, Ark., to celebrate their 25 th wedding anniversary . . . Lucille Alexander of Movietone News is back at ivork after a serious illness of a month. Mrs. Aaron Saperstein is spending the month of February in Florida ... A newcomer to the Florida scene this week was to be Harry Blumenthal of Ad-Art Display . . . Harry Goldberg, Warner Theatres national advertising head, was here this week on regular conferences . . . The Amusement Club of Chicago held another of its get-together evening affairs at Harry’s New York Bar last week . . . Frank Rieger, assistant manager of the Warner Grove, is a father. It’s a daughter. Jack Raymond of New York is here supervising sale of souvenir “Gone With the Wind” programs at the Oriental and Woods theatres. Heads Chicago AA Chicago — Paul Allison, formerly with RKO and Paramount in the advertising accessories’ divisions of those companies, is now midwest supervisor here for Advertising Accessories, Inc., the new National Screen affiliate. New Dream Manager Indianapolis — C. E. McConaughy, formerly of Exhibitors Exchange, Inc., has been appointed manager of the Dream. He succeeds Harry Nagel, who resigned recently due to ill health. Now "He's Making Eyes" Hollywood — “Fashions for Sale,” Universal short series, is now titled “Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me.” Stripper's " Mother " Plan Slams The Cradle Door Chicago — Reports that Ann Corio, striptease burlesque star, would adopt a baby from The Cradle, foundling home at Evanston, broke the traditional non-commital policy of Mrs. William B. Walrath, managing director of the institution. “She certainly is not,” said Mrs. Walrath. “The chances of our being able to place a baby with her are just nil.” The incident may preclude further Cradle adoptions by show people. “We’re not going to accept any more applications from stage and screen couples,” Mrs. Walrath said. Warner Publicist Clark Transferred to Coast Chicago — Sam Clark, publicity representative for Warner in the midwest with headquarters in Chicago, has been transferred to the west coast area. He will work out of Los Angeles under Henry Herbel, district manager. Fred Barto, for the past ten years Metro publicity representative in Chicago, has been appointed to replace Clark here, working under Rud Lohrenz, district manager. Gilliam Chicago Head Of Rogers F und Drive Chicago — Tom Gilliam, Warner branch manager, is the new chairman of the Chicago area for the Will Rogers Memorial Fund Drive. He succeeds Jack Osserman of RKO. Check to Charity Milwaukee — A check for $459.18, proceeds of the boxing matches at the Auditorium by the Variety Club, has been turned over to Mayor Hoan to swell a charity fund. TRADE DIRECTORY — A Handy Guide for the Exhibitor M™ CHICAGO SIGNS MARQUEES AND MAINTENANCE White Way Electric Sign & Maintenance Co. Tom Flannery, President 315-17 W. Walton Street Phone DELaware 9111 THEATRICAL PRINTING A. B. C. PRINTERS, INC* WE PRINT EVERYTHING THEATRICAL 1225 South Wabash — Chicago For lowest prices Call — VIC 3456 BOXOFFICE :: February 10, 1940 45