Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

F-P Canadian Three-Dag Managers Meeting to Successful Conclusion On the Spot Regina, Sask. — Destruction of the Rex Theatre here has put Charlie Bahrynowski, manager of the Metropolitan, on the spot with his public in a nasty sort-of-way. For some weeks Bahrynowski and H. A. Bercovich, operator of the Rex, have been talking a revision upward of afternoon prices. Finally a decision was reached to take effect before August 18 to make the afternoon price in both houses 27 cents instead of 21 cents. As the Met’s change came Friday, Bahrynowski laid out his advertising announcing the change for Friday’s papers. The Rex was to change Saturday. But the Rex burned down early Friday morning and, when John Q. Public read the price in his morning paper, he promptly labeled Bahrynowski and the Met a so-and-so for boosting prices because the main opposition burned down! Neither Bahrynowski or W. P. Novak, Capitol manager, knew of the fire until nearly mid-day Friday. They had been chatting in the former’s car in front of the Capitol, two blocks from the Rex, when it was burning. The noise from a nearby lot where the Kinsmen Club was holding a street carnival, drowned out the fire sirens! The Capitol in Calgary Tightens Smoking Rules Calgary — The first theatre here to permit smoking during daytime performances, the Capitol, ace downtown house of the Famous Players circuit, has relaxed its rules a bit. Smoking is confined to the loges and the back of seats have been fitted with ash trays. Calgary, Alta. — Film executives of Toronto and theatre managers of Alberta homewardbound from the Famous Players Canadian Corp. convention held at Vancouver. They were caught at the C.R.P depot in Calgary ere dispersing to their various destinations. From left to right, Eddie Zorn, Capitol, Calgary; Walter Wilson, Capitol, Edmonton; Charles Straw, Empress, Edmonton; Vic Armand, theatre What Is Your Trade 1-Q? 1. What two Toronto houses, following remodeling, were scheduled to reopen? 2. What immediate action has been taken by F-P in eliminating premiums and in hiking admissions in their houses? 3. Heading what new organization is R. McTavish of the Cambie Theatre in Vancouver? 4. A unification of what exhibitor groups is being considered? 5. Restoration of a ticket tax in Ontario has been urged with what argument? (Answers on page 99) No General Turn Toward Vaudeville by F-P Corp. Toronto — Famous Players’ Canadian Corp. denies the correctness of a report that the company was negotiating with Sherman Productions for an eight-week vaudeville booking over the entire circuit. Morris Stein, Toronto district manager for Famous Players, states: “Vaudeville will be used by this company in spot bookings only in special locations.” superintendent, Toronto; Roy Chown, Strand, Calgary; R. W. Bolstad, comptroller, Toronto; Ben Geldsaler, Toronto; N. L. Nathanson, president, Toronto; John Hazza, district manager, Calgary; J. J. Fitzgibbons, vice-president, Toronto; Ken Leach, Calgary; B. F. Norrish, Associated Screen News, Montreal; Pete Egan, Palace, Calgary. By C. P. RUTTY Vancouver — The Famous Players, Canada, three-day convention of theatre managers and executives here, was the first local gathering in five years and was a great success, as evidenced by the letters coming in from attending managers from outside points. It was distinctly a company affair which, under the planning and management of a committee headed by Frank Gow, assisted by Ivan Ackery, operated as quietly and efficiently as a piece of well-oiled machinery. The banquet, the first night, to which the film distributors were invited, started an interest and enthusiasm unabated until the last minute of the convention. With Larry Bearg in the chair, the banquet terminated in a number of enthusiasm-rousing talks by the visiting executives and Wendell Farris, K. C., the company attorney. The president, N. L. Nathanson, dwelt upon the great opportunities for theatre managers with the company, with advancement commensurate with ability, energy, and enterprise, and the advantage of feeling that each was an essential unit in the corporation’s progress. Talks on “Manager” J. J. Fitzgibbons, vice-president and managing director, chose “the manager’s job” as his topic and emphasized the necessity of keeping up-to-date, not only in what directly pertained to the theatre, but on general affairs and conditions as well; the value of research and analysis and the study of audience action, and reaction. He wound up his talk with crisp, pointed periods on Motion Pictures, Your Best Entertainment. R. W. Bolstad, comptroller, confined his talk to the financial side of theatre operation and management and Ben Geldsaler to the importance and intricacies of booking. Wendell Farris, K. C., spoke at length on what the motion picture meant to the public in education, culture and entertainment, its place in the everyday life of the community and its ever-widening scope. An important feature of the evening was the presentation of desk pieces by Larry Bearg to the new, and older members of the F-P Twenty Year Club, which included N. L. Nathanson, Frank Gow, C. S. Neville, Jack Muir, Jack Robertson of Victoria and John Hazzar of Calgary, Alberta. A desk clock was presented to J. J. Fitzgibbons and he was made an honorary member of the club. On the second day, there was a cruise up Howe Sound and the convention wound up with a farewell luncheon on the final day. In addition to the eastern executives there were the Alberta and British Columbia executives and theatre managers, making a total attendance of 44. Back From Vancouver BOXOFFICE : ; September 24, 1938 95