Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

RKO's Crew From the Hub — Bostonians assembled at the Penn station, en route to Rye, N. Y., and the RKO sales convention held there, include Harry F. Goldstein, Jack Schmitzer, home office representatives ; Carma L. DeVizia, Joseph P. Smith. Melville M. Ames, Ross Cropper, branch manager; J. H. MacIntyre, northeastern district manager; Mr. Downing, William H. Gardiner, Cyril F. McGerigle. Festive Opening for Avon af Stamford Stamford, Conn. — Long to be remembered for the beauty and impressiveness of the theatre and the festivity of the occasion, the 730-seat Avon had its official opening last week to a full and admiring house. Approach to the theatre was heralded by large street banners hung by the Bedford Ass’n of Merchants, welcoming the new theatre to the neighborhood, and other signs of cooperative contests, etc., which expressed the goodwill of the entire sector. Sam Weiss was assisted by Herald Eskin and other hosts and hostesses in greeting patrons and guests from the trade. After viewing the theatre, visitors were invited to adjourn to the Women’s Club nearby for refreshments and dancing. Among the 1,000 or more guests at the party were Stamford’s Mayor Ward and other city notables; many film men from New York and Connecticut, including A1 Herman, Universal district manager, and Mrs. Herman; I. J. Hoffman, Warner Theatre New Haven zone head, and Mrs. Hoffman; B. E. and Maxwell Hoffman, Warner Theatre executives; A1 Gottesman and William Yoost, New York; Sam Weinberg, Port Chester; I. Hohauser, the Avon architect of New York; Martin Kornbluth, American Seating; William Hutchins, National Theatre Supply, New Haven branch, who supervised the installation of booth equipment; Mary Vuono, well-known figure in Stamford theatre operation; Si O’Toole, Warner theatre department, and Mrs. O’Toole; Larry Germaine, Warner; Lester Tobias, Tobias Premiums, New York; M. J. Schwartzman, Quality Premiums, Philadelphia; Ed Side, Lobby Display Co., New York; Chick Rosen, New York; A. M. Schuman. Black Rock, Bridgeport; George Comden, Pine Arts, Westport, and Mrs. Comden; Ben Simon, 20th-Pox manager; Thomas Donaldson, Metro manager; John Pavone, Warner manager; Morris Joseph, Universal manager; Lou Wechsler, United Artists manager; T. O’Toole, Columbia manager; I. Levine, Grand National manager; Sam Rosen, Rosen Film Delivery; George Weber, Metro checking supervisor; Sam Germaine, 20th-Fox booking manager; Sid Swirsky, Columbia booker; Lew Ginsburg, UA salesman; Charles Lazarus and Phil Gravitz, Metro bookers; Alexander Hamilton, manager Empress, South Norwalk; Sam Hadelman, Capitol, Bridgeport; Jeanette Berliner, Grand National booker; Milton Hyams and Morton Katz, Metro salesmen; William Vuono, manager Palace, Stamford; William Michaelson, manager Plaza, Stamford; Frank Mullen, Metro office manager; Angelo Lombardi, Warner booker. Weiss Amusement, which operates the new first run, also runs the Stamford, a downtown first run. The house will be a single feature “class” theatre, with admission at 40 cents, and one-third the seats reserved at 65 cents. Writers to Metro Hollywood — Robert Duscoe and Owen Atkinson have joined the Metro writing department on term deals. Connecticut House Passes Police Protection Bill Hartford, Conn. — Following the usual last-minute rush of action during the closing days of the state legislature, exhibitors discovered belatedly that a bill had passed both houses authorizing the chief of police to determine and furnish all necessary police protection at public places of amusement or exhibitions or contests of any kind, at the cost of the operator. The bill, H. B. 1624, awaits the signature of the governor to become law. No public hearing was held on the bill, it being merely reported through Alcorn of Suffield, chairman of the judiciary committee, that the bill ought to pass. The act reads: “When police protection shall be necessary or required at any boxing bout or wrestling match, place of public amusement, sport contest, or hockey, baseball or basketball game or any other exhibition, or contest, which is being held or is to be held in any municipality having an organized or paid police department the amount of such protection necessary shall be determined and shall be furnished by the chief or superintendent of such police department and such protection shall be paid for by the person or persons operating, conducting or promoting such game, exhibition or contest. Nothing in this act shall affect the jurisdiction of the department of state police.” Improvement Program at Colonial in Rochester Rochester, N. H. — Extensive alterations have been started at the Colonial here, operated by the Interstate organization. The company recently completed $50,000 worth of improvements on the Scenic here. At the Colonial, according to Manager William J. Stanton, a new ventilating system and motor generator are being installed and the front is being remodeled. There will be no interruption in programs as a side entrance is being used by patrons until the new front is completed. Move Againsl High Rentals in Oiling New Haven — A significant announcement concerning an active campaign against allegedly high rentals is expected shortly as a result of one of the largest independent exhibitor rallies in many years, that was held here earlier in the week. The MPTO and Allied units were represented. The meeting, the first to be held in several months in this territory, was called by a committee of six leading showmen to discuss business conditions and film rentals. All-Industry Outing Is Planned tor August 15 Boston — One of the biggest film trade outings ever staged in New England is now being planned by a committee representing the Cinema Club, Salesmen’s Club, Friars Club, Lieut. A. Vernon Macauley Post (American Legion), and the operators’, stage hands’, film employes’ and front house theatrical employes’ unions. August 15 is the date set for the event, although the place has not been determined as yet. Last year a similar outing drew around 500 film folk. Major Pat Healey of the Massachusetts department of public safety heads the committee, which includes: Bill Cuddy (RKO exchange), Steve Broidy (Monogram Pictures), Jim Burke (operators’ rmion), and Jack Granara of Keith Theatres and Harry Browning of M&P (both handling publicity) . Pineland Ventilating Centre Ossipee, N. H. — Pineland Hall, local theatre operated by Ansel B. Sanborn, speaker of the house in the legislature, has installed a ventilating system. BOXOFFICE :: July 1, 1939 NE 55