Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

J^EW YEAR’S EVE shows did big business, with the advance ticket sales the largest in years . . . A1 Smith, former Lyric manager, has opened the long-dark Jacques Theatre in Water bury with burlesque . . . Manager Harry Rose of the Globe is sporting a new camel hair overcoat. Clifford Bannerman is the new doorman at the Majestic . . . Manager Michael Carroll of the American has upped kid admissions from a dime to 15 cents on Sundays . . . Morris Rosenthal guested a group of children from the Woodruff home at his Majestic . . .Mrs. Fred Quatrano of the Lido, Waterbury, has returned to her home after being a patient at St. Vincent’s Hospital here. Fred Perry has left the Lyric to become director and publicity head for A1 and every year. Separately conducted with each company.” Bevan told the court that he doesn’t assist Phil Seletsky in buying production but that he was familiar with the practice M&P employs in booking their films. Ryan asked him for the details. On Availability Sheets “Well,” said Bevan, “you have your release sheets, or availability sheets, from the exchanges. And you use your own good judgment as to where you put them into the theatres.” “Well, now, when you say ‘availability sheets from the exchanges,’ do you mean that the distributor will send your company a notice in writing stating that certain films specified are available for booking in certain theatres at specified dates?” “They do that in most theatres, yes.” McClennen interrupted at this point with the question, “When you say ‘on,’ you mean on or after certain dates? You don’t mean to imply that those sheets fix the dates. That they are available at a certain time and thereafter?” Ryan replied, “And thereafter. Yes.” “Well, are there some of these notices of availability that don’t specify any time that picture shall become available?” asked Ryan. “No,” replied A1 Bevan. “For theatres where you are permitted to book on national release date, did you get notice of availability for those theatres?” “Sometimes they send them and sometimes they don’t.” “And how did you ascertain when they became available for first run houses in the big cities?” “From the national release sheets.” “Do you get those from the distributors?” “Yes.” “After you get those national release Bell Dow’s 11 theatres. The latest addition to the circuit is the newly reopened Alhambra in Torrington. The house will use vaudeville four days a week . . . Jane Ross, former Loew cashier here, is now in Hollywood working for Carole Lombard’s brother . . . Business at the Lyric is building steadily. Bridgeport Post is running a serialization of “Kitty Foyle,” coming to the Warner. The story was planted by Harry Reiners of the RKO Radio home office and is the first time in more than 20 years that the paper has cooperated with a motion picture to the extent of running a fulllength novel . . . New England Division Manager Harry F. Shaw and his wife, Flo, were in the city for a visit with Shaw’s mother and sister. sheets, or notices of availability, is it your practice to send to the distributor a written booking request of some nature?” “Yes.” “And that gives him the dates that you would like to use the picture at a certain theatre?” “Yes.” “And in the usual course of business does the distributor then send you a confirmation of the booking, if the date is satisfactory to the distributor?” “Yes.” “And if the date is not satisfactory do you get some other form of notice?” “They usually call you up.” “And ask for another date?” “Yes. Just iron it out between yourselves as to when you will play it.” “Then you receive from the distributor a notice of the booking of the picture for a particular theatre?” “Yes.” "Pay in a Week” “Do invoices from distributors of the film come to you?” “No.” “Are you familiar with the method of payment for the films?” “Not very. No.” “Do you know whether or not M&P Theatres has any credit period?” “Yes. Yes, they have.” “What period is it?” “From my knowledge, the pictures we play last week we pay for this week.” “Is that the same with all companies?” “Yes.” “Including Paramount?” “Yes.” “Is Philip Seletsky . . . (This Philip Seletsky who is the buyer and booker) . . . was he at one time in the New York office of Paramount?” “Yes.” “Was his business then connected with the buying and booking of films?” “Yes.” “Is there an L. D. Netter connected with the buying and booking of Paramount?” “Yes.” “And where is he located?” “New York.” “What are his duties in connection with the Paramount theatres at the present time?” An objection was raised at this point and sustained. “At that time,” questioned George S. Ryan,” was not Sam Dembow jr„ an assistant buyer and booker?” “I think Sam at that time had charge of everything in connection with theatres that were operated by Publix.” “At that time was Netter operating in the capacity of an assistant to him?” “Yes, I understand so.” “You have been in New York, haven’t you?” “Only once. And I didn’t see him.” Refer to Maine Operation “During the past four or five years have you negotiated protection for Rockland, Maine?” “Yes.” “Did you bring any of the contracts in regard to Rockland?” “Yes, I think we have everything except 1936-7 which are at the storehouse. They are trying to dig them out now.” Ryan, getting Bevan to outline the Rockland situation, got into the testimony the fact that M&P books and buys for two theatres in the Maine community, the Strand and Park, the former being classified as an “A” house and the latter as a "B” house. Ryan asked if the Park has been running seven days a week. “Not until approximately a year ago,” Bevan replied. “Was the same true with both the Strand and the Park? Not running Sundays until about a year ago?” “No. The Strand — The Strand ran Sundays for the last three or four years.” “Did the Park TheatVe run double feature bills Friday and Saturday?” “Sometimes. Yes.” “What is the seating capacity of each of those theatres?” “I don’t know offhand, but I think the Strand is about 800 and the Park about 700.” Hearings in the litigation are scheduled to resume January 7. To Consider Request West Hartford, Conn. — The town council’s requested appropriation of $20,000 for purchase of an entire block as a site for a proposed recreational center will be considered by the board of finance at a meeting shortly. Charles T. Treadway jr., board chairman, announces. To Phillips Post Springfield, Mass. — E. R. “Chief” Engel, formerly with the Springfield fire department, has succeeded Henry Rickaby as assistant manager at the Phillips. Waldo Theatre Suit Airs M&P Buying, Booking Practices (Continued from page 101) 106 BOXOFFICE : : January 4, 1941