Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

ST. LOUIS ^HE 2,500 soldiers now stationed at Jefferson Barracks were invited by Fanchon & Marco to be their guests at the Fox Theatre, February 18, for a special preview of "Buck Privates.” The preview was at 8:45 p. m. Johnny Perkins, popular emcee and proprietor of Perkins Paladium in East St. Louis, III., was released from St. John’s Hospital after a 12 -day stay for a complete checkup. He returned to head a special show hooked to celebrate his homecoming. A “knot-hole gang” of the theatre, organized along the lines made famous by the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League Professional Baseball Clubs, to make it possible for boys and girls to attend plays without charge, so as to develop an early interest in the stage, was suggested by speakers on the KSD Community Forum program. Word comes from Jefferson City that the state’s lawmakers now plan to make the present two per cent sales tax permanent and perhaps kick the rate up to three or four per cent. The present sales tax law expires on December 31, 1941. Military police armed with stout billies and wearing arm bands marked “M. P.” now give the joy spots of St. Louis and St. Louis county their official attention on Saturdays and Sundays to see that the soldiers from the Barracks, Scott Field, 111., frequenting such spots behave themselves. Richard A. Rowland, veteran producer, was a luncheon guest of local exhibitors here February 11 in connection with a showing of his newest picture, “Cheers for Miss Bishop,’’ at the Esquire Theatre . . . Barney Rohr, an usher at Loew’s, participated in the recent Golden Gloves boxing tournament here. Cliff Johnson, one of the operators of the Lyric Theatre, is very proud of that son and heir, James Louis Johnson, born to his wife at St. Anthony’s Hospital recently . . . Frank Sully of the films has been visiting with his folks, the Sullivans, in his native Wellston . . . The St. Louis Theatre is now working on a twice-a-week change policy. (• ' Defense Maneuver In a Lobby St. Louis — A young man who chose to applaud Hitler during the latter gent's appearance on the screen of the F&M Fox can thank the alert staff of the theatre for his escape from a very likely pummeling. Seeing the Hitler admirer cordoned by a group of other young men who arose to leave along with him, several ushers shoved him into a first floor office and notified Manager Clyde Brown. Brown in turn notified police who dispersed the crowd and turned over the erstwhile fuehrer fan for FBI questioning. VS V — Bill Hughes Keeping Posted — Looking over their copy of Boxoffice at the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago during the Universal convention are, on the left, M. M. ( Manny ) Gottlieb, Chicago branch manager, and E. T. (Peck) Gomersall, district manager. J^MONG several bills passed by the Indiana State legislature was one legalizing Sunday night baseball and hockey games. The former time limit on baseball games on the Sabbath was 6 o’clock, which eliminated any threat of competition from that source to exhibitors. B. N. Peterson, former salesman for National Theatre Supply Co., in both their Cincinnati and Indianapolis branches, has been made the manager of the local branch . . . Pete Mailers, Fort Wayne exhibitor, takes over the operation of the Riley Theatre there. The house was formerly a unit of the Quimby circuit . . . Frank Reimer, who was connected with the Quimby circuit, and lately with Universal Film Exchange as a salesman here, resigned to join Warner’s staff at Milwaukee. Miss LaVerne Williams of the Universal exchange was married to Kenneth Enzor, and their honeymoon was spent in Washington, D. C. Universal Film Co.’s home office confirmed Had Hull as branch manager at Indianapolis. He has been acting branch manager in place of Gordon C. Craddock, who was named assistant to William J. Heineman, western sales manager of the same company. Aaron Gentry, manager of the Ritz Theatre, Boonville, Ind., has been transferred to Linton, Ind., as city manager for Settos Theatres there, succeeding W. R. McCormack, resigned. Indianapolis, which has not had a magician’s show in years, suddenly found itself with two running simultaneously. Dante made a one-week stand at the English Theatre while Will Rock interlocked his engagement at the Lyric. gUSANNA FOSTER and Dolly Loehr made two personal appearances at Fox’s Palace here February 15 in connection with the showing of “The Hard Boiled Canary.” They were feted at a tea at the Schroeder Hotel in the afternoon . . . Pat O’Brien is scheduled to make a personal appearance at the Riverside here the week of February 28 with the Merry Macs. Jack Keegan, who has become associated with the United Detroit Theatres, was feted at a farewell party here last week by the Variety Club. Keegan has been associated with Warner in Wisconsin for more than ten years. Harry Perlewitz, business manager of the ITPA of Wisconsin here, advises exhibitors that his office is ready to assist those wishing to file arbitration complaints and furnish them with the necessary blanks and information for proper filing. Walter E. Holfman of South Bend, Ind., has reopened the State in Sheboygan . . . United Artists presented an exhibitor showing of “ Cheers for Miss Bishop” at the Tower here last week. The Grand at Wausau was a recent host to boys and girls of the school traffic patrol ... To enable everybody, including school children, to see “Strike Up the Band,” the Mainstreet in Racine presented the first evening show at 5:45 p. m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Recent Racine visitors were Nate Blumberg, president of Universal Pictures, and his assistant, Matty Fox. Blumberg’s wife is the former Vera Fox of Racine and both Blumberg and Fox were formerly associated with Racine theatres. Valentine parties for kids were in order February 15 at the Retlaw in Fond du Lac, the Strand in Manitowoc and the Fox in Stevens Point. First named house offered free ice cream and cookies and the second bags of popcorn to the first 300 kids . . . “Gone With the Wind” at regular admissions around the state is reported doing a big business with holdovers in a number of spots. Earl Carroll’s Vanities is scheduled to open at Fox’s Wisconsin February 21 for a week’s run . . . The Juneau featured a quartet on its stage in connection with the showing of “The Villain Still Pursued Her.” Lambert Succeeds Keegan For Warner in Racine Racine, Wis. — Stanley Lambert, manager of Warner’s Rialto here, has been named manager of the circuit’s Venetian succeeding Jack Keegan, who has resigned to become buyer for the United Detroit Theatres, Detroit. Lambert in turn is succeeded by George Gross, former assistant manager of the Avalon in Chicago. Keegan had been associated with Warner for nearly 15 years and served as district manager for the circuit in Milwaukee before being transferred to Racine several months ago. 40 BOXOFFICE :: February 22, 1941