Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

Film Product Piling Up In Pittsburgh Vaults By ROBT. F. KLINGENSMITH Pittsburgh — Product is piling up in film vaults here due to long runs and moveovers of a number of attractions in firstrun theatres. The start of this accumulation dates back to November 14 when the ceiling of the Alvin collapsed, resulting in a product surplus for the Senator and Fulton. This was a rather new experience for the latter house. Meanwhile, holdovers increased. The Fulton, now showing “Back Street,” is scheduled to close around February 26 for the final installations necessary for the “Fantasia” reopening shortly thereafter. The Barry, which formerly offered only independent product, in recent months has been exhibiting productions from RKO, 20th-Fox, Universal, Republic, Monogram, Producers Releasing Corp., state rights films and Paramount reissues. Monogram, it is understood, will not P If T T ^ 1 J^AY ALLISON, circuit exhibitor of Cresson, is recuperating in Florida after a three-week illness . . . Bill Clark of the Warner circuit booking department, resigned last week . . . AMPTO has spiffy new letterheads in which the association name is printed on a strip of film . . . The Joseph Gellmans are vacationing in Miami. Allied exhibitor treasurer says “it’s a three-week rest” . . . John Finley, formerly of the Harris circuit here, later of the Dipson organization in Wheeling and more recently stationed at Bradford, is the new manager of Dipson’s 20th Century, Buffalo, having succeeded Dick Kemper, now vacationing in Florida, who is expected to return to Buffalo as district manager for this circuit. Charlie Kosco, exhibitor and former film salesman, states our Review Digest, Picture Guide and Index and Shorts Chart is the best in the field. We think so too, Charlie, and we find more members of the trade agreeing every week . . . Joe Zangrelli, formerly of the accessory department at the Warner exchange, is the new assistant booker there, succeeding Milton Frankel, who was recently promoted to a sales post. Frankel, now covering the main line, was involved in an auto accident on his first sales trip; he was uninjured but his car was damaged. M. N. Shapiro has succeeded Burtus Bishop jr. as assistant chief barker of the Variety Club; Brian McDonald is the second assistant, and Art Morrone is now a member of the board of directors . . . Art England departed last week for Miami and a month’s vacation . . . George Jaffe is “reconditioning” at Hot Springs . . . The Andrews Sisters will top the Stanley stage show the week of March 7. Ed Siegal, local exploiteer for Universal, after closing his advance campaign here hold up release on “Her First Romance,” starring Edith Fellows, and will book it in the city without a first run. Originally it had been set for the Fulton, but with the “Fantasia” engagement now being prepared and other films awaiting exhibition, Monogram will put its “singing Cinderella” picture into release without the build up of a down town showing. The Fulton in recent months has used product from Universal, 20th-Fox, M-G-M, Warner-First National, United Artists, Republic, Film Alliance and other state rights distributors. The Senator used only three pictures during the first seven weeks of the year. The Warner has used only one double bill of clear product this year, the other weeks having offered moveover films. The Ritz has offered only two double bill shows with four moveovers. “GWTW” and “Philadelphia Story” have been holdovers at Loew’s Penn. for “Back Street” at the Fulton, departed for Cincinnati to introduce “Buck Privates” at the Grand there . . . Mr. and Mrs. William R. Wheat jr. and Mr. and Mrs. William Walker vacationed last week in New Orleans and will spend several weeks motoring through the south . . . Danny Davis has added his amateur shows at the State, Aliquippa; Mary Ann, Burgettstown, and the NuLuna, Sharon . . . Mrs. H. H. Baldensperger, wife of the Sheffield exhibitor, is recuperating after undergoing an operation in Warren General Hospital . . . It’s a son for John Lengyel, local projectionist, named Patrick Harry, and a daughter for Joe Mazzei, Gabe Rubin’s assistant at the Art Cinema, named Mary Ann. Joe Gins, Columbia city salesman, is himself again after licking pneumonia. He had been hospitalized for several weeks . . . Archie Fineman contracted a bad cold which all but developed into pneumonia while fighting a fire early Monday-a-week ago when a building adjoining the Paramount, Braddock, was gutted by flames. The theatre was damaged by smoke and water. Fineman was improved this week . . . The French extravaganza, “Folies Bergere,” which played a fortnight engagement in the Stanley several years ago, has been booked for a return date at this house opening February 28 ... A second M-G-M gold button award in the local area for “Escape” showmanship has been pinned on Bill Bryan, of the Casino, Vandergrift, a Manos-Lipsie house. Warner is adding new steel supports at the Schenley. The circuit’s Strand in the OaklandSchenley district has a new glass front. A new marquee was being erected there this week. The circuit plans some modernization at the New Oakland, which was acquired recently . . . Leo Abernathy, = ' ft "Duddy" Letton to Get Bachelor Dinner Pittsburgh — Friends of Godfrey "Duddy" Lefton, PRC salesman, will honor him at a bachelor dinner, March 10. Arrangements for the event have been made with the management of the William Penn Hotel. The young film man and Miss Iris Spitalny, daughter of the Maurice Spitalnys, will be married March 23. ■ —>i international president of the AFL Billposters’ Union, has been assured a fourth term as president of the Pittsburgh Central Labor Union by the retirement of his only opponent, Hunter P. Wharton . . . Lawrence W. Davee, Century projector executive, and William Fannin of International Seating Co., were here on business with Art Morrone . . . Louis J. Bender, Millvale exhibitor, has been ill at his home for several weeks. Lt. J. M. Roth, son of the Isreal Roths, and formerly stationed at Schuylkill Arsenal, Philadelphia, is now on duty at Camp Lee, Virginia. Lieutenant “Jerry” has ordered Boxoffice to keep in touch with the industry . . . Miss Reva Rosenberg, daughter of the M. A. Rosenbergs, has vacationed in Miami Beach for a month . . . Jerry Castelli, Library exhibitor, recently visited in North Bay, Canada . . . Marion Hartner, secretary to Larry Kent at the IATSE office, was a victim in a holdup . . . Etna council is slapping on a $25 annual pinball machine license tax . . . Lowell Calvert, Selznick International representative, was a recent visitor . . . Max Shulgold’s Crown Film Co. is distributing a new dual horror show, “Torso Murder Mystery” and “Face at the Window” . . . Miss Lynne B. Monroe was a Filmrow booker the other day from Shinnston, W. Va. ... A. Sam Marchando, Isabella exhibitor, will take a wife early in March. Sun-Telegraph has heartily approved proposed legislation which would legalize by local option Sunday bowling and basketball in Pennsylvania. These bills were introduced by Rep. John J. Baker, of the South Side, who this week throw into the hopper another measure permitting ice hockey on Sunday. Rep. Thomas Heatherington of Versailles is co-sponsor of the basketball and bowling measures ... In 1933, Sunday afternoon baseball and football, subject to community referenda, were legalized, and musical concerts also were authorized. Sunday tennis, polo and motion pictures got the “go” signal in 1935 and two years later Sunday fishing was approved. Baker first introduced his basketball bill in 1937 and it died in committee; an ice sports measure last year also was pickled. State Legislator Elmer Holland, from the local sixth district, plans to take wrestling out of sports. That is, he has framed a bill which would remove the grunters and groaners from the authority of the state athletic commission. He states: “Professional wrestling isn’t a sport. It’s a form of entertainment just like the movies, flea circuses and vaudeville” . . . UJ R G H 54 BOXOFFICE :: February 22, 1941