Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

CENTRAL AREA DRIVING AHEAD FOR QUOTA IN "MOTION PICTURES' GREATEST" YEAR PUSH Industry Campaign Contributors Chicago — Contributors to the campaign fund, as BOXOFFICE goes to press, in the midwest district, are: Dudley Williston Theatres, Indianapolis, Ind. $ 350.00 M. M. Fieldman, Langley Theatre, Chicago 70.00 Tom Murray, Thalia Theatre, Chicago 60.00 John C. Gordon, Chopin Theatre, Chicago 61.30 Asher Levy, Ashley Theatre Co., Madison, Wis 500.00 Martin Thomas, Braums & Thomas Corp., Iron Mountain, Mich. 300.00 Geo. W. Kruger, Evahem Theatre Corp., Hinsdale, 111. 80.00 Maurice Rubin, Dune Lake Theatre Corp., Michigan City, Ind. 228.00 M. O. Wells, Willard Theatre, Chicago 85.00 Ludwig Sussman. Adelphi Theatre, Chicago 128.80 Geo. Gehring, Rosewood Theatre Corp., Chicago 100.00 M. D Zimmerman, Eagle Theatre, Chicago 30.00 Jack Silliman. Rio & Appleton Theatres, Appleton, Wis. 160.00 G. C. S. Circuit, Chicago 500.00 T. M. Ellis jr., Wisconsin Theatres Enterprise, Beloit, Wis 240.00 R. Salkin, Jackson Park Theatre, Chicago 140.00 Oscar A. Brotman, Avalon & Main Theatres, Chicago 95.00 Jack Kirsch, 20th Century, Gold & Villa Theatres. Chicago 200.00 East Side Theatre, Chicago 90.00 Harvard Theatre, Chicago 60.00 Samuel Halper, Metro Theatre, Chicago 86.90 Kurt Laemmle, Ritz Theatre, Lowell, Inc. 33.00 Harry A. Reckas, Ramova Theatre, Chicago 200.00 Edward Zorn, Crescent Theatre, Pontiac, 111. 68.20 C. W. Trampe, Milwaukee, Wis. 300.00 L F. Gran, Standard Theatre, Milwaukee, Wis. 1,200.00 Essaness Circuit, Chicago .. 3,000.00 Illinois-Indiana Theatres 1,200.00 Van Nomikus Circuit, Chicago 1,100.00 Jones. Linick & Schaefer Circuit 1,000.00 Harold Mirisch, Oriental & Tower Theatre Corp., Milwaukee 400.00 Wiesner Theatres, Milwaukee, Wis. 130.00 Edward Brunell, Coed Theatre, Chicago 100.00 John Ramger, Arcadia & Gaelic Theatres, Chicago 80.00 Jas. Roder, Astor Theatre, Chicago 30.00 Nate Wolff, Lane Court Theatre, Chicago 94.00 A. J. Balaban Theatres, Chicago 400.00 H. & E. Balaban Theatres, Chicago 763.00 Committee Is Optimistic With $10,000 in Pledges Already in Bag Chicago — With $10,000 pledged to the industry “Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year” campaign as a result of the meeting here last week of independent exhibitors from Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan, the newly appointed committee is driving ahead toward a probable quota of $25,000. The committee named to handle collections includes Silverman, Eckhardt, Kirsch, Mort Goldberg of the GCS circuit; Jules Rubens of B&K, all Chicago; A. B. McCollum, McComb, 111.; Maurice Ruben, president of Indiana Allied, Michigan City, Ind.; Jack Silliman, Charles Trampe, Martin Thomas, all of Milwaukee. Presiding at the meeting were Edwin Silverman of the Essaness circuit; Jack Kirsch of Allied; Clyde Eckhardt of 20th Century-Fox, and Harold Mirisch of Wisconsin. The campaign plan was outlined by Gradwell Sears, president of Vitagraph. Silverman led the contributors by announcing a pledge of $3,000 by the Essaness chain. Fidler Gag Draws Fire Alex Manta of Indiana-Illinois Theatres, who was the first independent circuit operator to pledge to the campaign at the initial meeting in New York, brought cheers from the assembled exhibitors here, when he rapped Air-Caster Jimmy Fidler. Manta complained of Fidler’s comment about the campaign recently when the commentator said: “The initials of the movie campaign, 'Movies Are Your Best Entertainment,’ spell out ‘MAYBE’.” Manta said that definite means should be taken to curb such comments by film columnists. Sears, during the course of explaining the features of the campaign and the men in charge of it, praised Howard Dietz, M-G-M advertising and publicity director who will be in charge of all advertising publicity, with the comment: “Dietz is one Furnish Ad Material For Film Drive Chicago — Advertising material and other pertinent accessories and supplies may be obtained by participating central area exhibitors in the “Motion Pictures' Greatest Year" drive from the following exchanges: Chicago — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Indianapolis — 20th Century -Fox. Milwaukee — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. St. Louis — Universal. of the ablest advertising men in our business or any other business.” George Weeks, sales manager of Monogram, advised the exhibitors that his company would be one independent producer, at least, that will go along and contribute to the campaign fund. Space for Newspapers It was learned that 1,800, 1,500 and 1,200-line ads will be placed in 1,959 newspapers from coast to coast, blanketing the country with details of the campaign, and especially the $250,000 prize contest. M. O. Wells, operator of the NRA and Willard Theatres, was “johnny-on-thespot” as the first midwestern exhibitor to send in his check to local headquarters for the campaign. Practically every exhibitor present pledged support to the campaign here. Contributions announced by Chairman Edwin Silverman, as Boxoffice goes to press are printed elsewhere on this page. Trailers for Fair Indianapolis — The majority of Indiana theatre operators will run trailers announcing the annual State Fair, to be held here in September. Perlberg Contributes His Share Chicago — Jonas Perlberg, well known about Chicago, and currently publicity director for the Paramount circuit in Miami, was talking with some old friends on Filmrow this week. Talk turned to the "Movies Are Your Best Entertainment" slogan suggestion for the industry drive. Said Perlberg: "Another good catchline would be, 'when you gotta show, you gotta go.” " 46 BOXOFFICE :: August 13, 1938