Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

Connecticut Independents Swell Ranks of Campaign Participants New Haven — Independents throughout the state are gradually following the major affiliated circuits in subscribing to support and participation in the Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year campaign and Movie Quiz. Interest in the Quiz has already been shown by a large booklet giveaway, circuit heads report, although booklets are distributed on request only. However, much publicity is still being sought by Connecticut theatres, and large-scale institutional advertising on the Quiz and campaign, subscribed with the names of the theatres distributing booklets, is being planned in each key town. A full page of institutional copy on the Quiz, flanked by the names of participating theatres, will appear in the Bridgeport Herald, widely read in both New Haven and Fairfield counties, this Sunday. Department stores will cooperate in New Haven during the week of September 15-21 by carrying a “Go to the Movies” slug on newspaper ads. Report that Hartford had voted to support the campaign 100 per cent was ex Points Out General Campaign Benefits Portland — A feature of the “Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year” drive here was the proclamation issued by City Council Chairman Edward C. Berry, urging all citizens to do their utmost to “encourage this campaign for better entertainment.” Berry said that the campaign “is a concentrated effort which will benefit all types of business in the community.” The City Council Chairman’s cooperation with the industry was brought about through the efforts of Harry Botwick, State Theatre manager; A. J. Moreau, district manager for M&P; J. Harold Stevens, Paramount branch manager, and John M. Divney, manager of the Maine Theatre. New England Has 1,330,000 Booklets Boston — No less than 1,330,000 contest booklets in the “Motion Pictures’ Greatest pected to be substantiated by receipt of signed pledges this week at the office of Chairman J. B. Fishman in New Haven. Theatres already using the booklets, in addition to all Loew, Warner and M&P houses in the state include: New Haven, Howard, Lawrence; West Haven, Rivoli; Hamden, Strand; Bridgeport, Community, West End, Black Rock, Bostwick, Barnum, Colonial, Hippodrome, American, Rivoli, Capitol, Parkway, Brooklawn; Branford, Webster and Rivoli; Meriden, Capitol; Springdale, State; Naugatuck, Alcazar and Gem; Stratford, Stratford; Southington, Colonial; Thomaston, Paramount; Watertown, Cameo; Westport, Fine Arts. With Morris Joseph, Universal manager, as chairman, all managers and salesmen met at the 20th-Fox offices last week and voted to solicit personally the cooperation of all exhibitors who have not yet signed up in this movement which Joseph described as “the first united effort on the part of all branches of the industry to obtain better business at the boxoffice.” Year” campaign had been distributed to approximately 250 New England theatres by the end of last week, it was announced from the offices of Max Levinson, regional chairman, and 20th-Fox physical distributing headquarters for this territory. Continuing to work strenuously in behalf of the success of the drive were committee members Martin J. Mullin, E. Harold Stoneman, George Ramsdell, Max Levenson, A. C. Kilpatrick, Julius Joelson, Ralph Snider, John Dervin, Stanley Sumner, Tom Bailey, Herman Rifkin, Russ Cropper, Steve Broidy, William Erbb, Nathan Furst, William Kelly, M. N. Wolf and Harry Rogovin. Rhode Island Newspapers Miss Governor's Proclamation Providence — Governor Robert E. Quinn came out with a special proclamation setting September 11 for special observance of “Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year” and urging all citizens of the state to participate “to the fullest measure in the celebration and presentation of the splendid pictures which have been prepared by the studios in their avowed purpose of demonstrating that motion pictures are your best entertainment.” Papers ignored it. Patron "Know All" Answers Quiz Boston — "I've seen so many movies in the past ten years that I've all the answers here for you already," a patron told a Greater Boston exhibitor last week, handing him the complete answers to the present $250,000 prize contest. Services Rendered Bg Films Lauded Boston — “One thought that occurs in connection with Motion Picture Week is how well traveled and informed is the staying-at-home person compared to the same type individual of just 30 years ago,” wrote the Boston Traveler last week. “The screen brings to movie theatre patrons virtually everything that is worth seeing. For instance, a person sees the South Pole, the North Pole, the tropical jungles, African big game, European scenic spots, Asiatic wars. North American sports, South American customs, Australian kangaroos and South Sea belles. “In his comfortable theatre seat, he goes down the deepest mine shaft and ascends to the stratosphere. Also he is entertained by presentations of contemporary life. “Hollywood is the capital of the movie world. Here is concentrated the greatest array of talent ever known. “Hollywood has the equipment, both human and mechanical, to provide unusual entertainment. And this is exactly what it is doing. “Motion Picture Week is but the opening announcement for the many fine screen offerings now showing and to come.” A Force for Widespread Public Education Boston — Calling it the “Motion Picture Industry’s ‘Confidence’ Campaign,” the Boston Evening American said editorially last week that: “Unquestionably, the motion picture industry is capable of taking the lead in the inevitable march of American industry back to normal and prosperous conditions. “Unquestionably, it is capable of serving and promoting the welfare of the nation and of mankind. “The movies have already enormously (Continued on next page) MAKE YOUR THEATRE THE LOCAL "CAPITOL" PERFECTION BIRDSEYE SUPER SUCTION CRPITOLIZE in the REFLECTOR LAMPS HEAVY DUTY CLEANER SMALLER DETAILS • • ADVANCED ILLUMINATION SPEEDIER SERVICE AT LARGER PROFITS AT LOWER COST A SAVING 128 BOXOFFICE : : September 17, 1938