Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

WIEW OKILIEAWS World Fair Visitors — H. Waters and family of the Waters Theatres Co., Birmingham, Ala., at the RKO exhibitor World Fair lounge during a visit to New York. pAGE M. BAKER, manager, Roy E. Pfeiffer, and T. C. Cox, sales representatives, are RKO’s contribution to the convention in New York City at the Westchester Country Club from New Orleans . . . A 20th Century-Fox crew of cameramen is now on their way back to Hollywood from here after having shot the water front and scenes from New Orleans to Hammond, La., to be used in future films to be produced by that company. Harry Gold is calling on the circuits in the territory telling them of the excellence of the UA product. Ray McNamara, a former organist at the Strand Theatre when it was operated by the Saengers has written a new song, “Tables for Two” which has been accepted by the Mills Music Co. of New York . . . Free films are being shown at both Audubon and City Parks each Sunday and Wednesdays . . . The major exchanges in New Orleans have refused to rent films to parks which do not charge an admission. At the offices of the Atlantic Films Co., an independent exchange, the management says the lid’s off — come and get ’em. It will be remembered that some time ago when the independents joined together and appointed a buying agent the majors refused to see the independents as a body, despite the fact that the Saengers and others buy in a bunch the available product for use in their United Chain and out of town affiliated houses. Many of the independents suggest that their money for film rentals are as good as that of a combination or circuit. The state of Louisiana at its last session passed what is commonly known as an amusement tax on admissions to theatres as well as a levy on film exchanges, ostensibly for the welfare department of the state to care for the aged and to provide commodity tickets Hood) for those in need. That fund is practically dissipated, as welfare headquarters in New Orleans admit that there is no money in the treasury to care for new cases that have arisen. Tickets for food are also withheld by the local offices to new cases. J. E. Adams, 38-year-old owner of a chain of houses in Hodge, Jonesboro and Cotton Valley, La., was killed near Hodge June 16 when his automobile overturned. The body was taken to Purvis, Miss., for burial . . . Rodney Toups, resident manager of Loew’s State was the only manager in New Orleans who publicly remembered dad on Father’s Day. Heading the state’s display ad were the words, ‘‘Treat Dad on Father’s Day by taking him to Loew’s.” Mr. and Mrs. Ira Weingrun celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary June 16 . . . Vic Meyers of the Orpheum, for the run of “The Mikado,” scheduled and advertised the time of the feature to the minute. Despite the fact that Congress has recommended that the Federal Theatre Project will go by the boards June 30, still it will be with New Orleans although in an abbreviated form. The present cast includes 132 persons. Arrangements now are being made to cut the cast materially and go commonwealth, financial assistance being promised by a group of wealthy women, lovers of the drama. In a survey just completed by the association of commerce, it is shown eight per cent of the money spent in New Orleans by tourists in 1938 went to the theatres . . . Albert H. Crook, floor manager at Louisiana Motion Picture Equipment Co. is now one with Miss Myrtle Heiler . . . Guy Brown, transferred from here to Atlanta by RKO, was a visitor. Isador Lazarus, offspring of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lazarus, operators of the Center and Coliseum theatres is vacationing in the wild aiid woolly west of Montana and Wyoming, a portion of Canada and thence to Mexico before he returns to the city . . . State Senator James Anoe has purchased Station WBNO from the Coliseum Place Baptist church and will use the outlet to support his campaign for governor of Louisiana. Lauds Theatre Plans Lubbock, Tex. — Announcement that Lindsey Theatres, Inc., will build a new $150,000 theatre here has been greeted editorially, by one of the local newspapers. Nacogdoches Reopening Soon Nacogdoches, Tex. — Bonn Abshier, district manager for East Texas Theatres, announces the Rita here will be reopened in the near future. Merchants Sponsor Theatre Amity, Ark. — Local merchants are sponsoring a motion picture theatre for the town and have had sound and cooling equipment installed in the building. Teamed on "Maryland" Hollywood — “Maryland,” a Gene Markey production to be made in Technicolor for 20th-Fox, will be scripted by Walter Bullock and Ethel Hill. Critic Wooliord Lists Top Film Hits for Mali Year San Antonio — The six outstanding pictures of the first half of the year as listed by Samuel Ward Woolford, San Antonio Light critic, are: “Stagecoach” (UA) ; “Juarez” (WB) ; “Pygmalion” (M-G-M) ; “Alexander Graham Bell” (20th-Fox) ; “The Beachcomber” (Para), and “Dodge City” (WB). Woolford has selected “Stagecoach” as the best picture of all time. Standard Tightens Still More on Film Passes Oklahoma City — Officials of Standard Theatres here, after cutting passes given out to the “bone,” and requiring managers to account for each pass released, have called in all press passes issued early in the year by Dinty Moore, former general manager. Lions Chairmen Charlotte — Gordon Lupo, succeeding F. H. Beddingfield as president of the local Lions Club, has announced among his standing committee chairmen for the year, the following film folks: F. H. Beddingfield, membership: Heck Everett, finance; Lester Sipe, safety. John Vickers was reappointed as chairman of the blind workshop committee. Olney Front Revamped Olney, Tex. — Remodeling on the front of the Olney Theatre has been completed by Frank Love, theatre carpenter. The theatre recently was redecorated inside with new cooling and sound installed. An oblong marquee with attraction board was part of the improvements. B. J. Edwards is the manager. Columbia Holds Starrett Hollywood — Charles Starrett, western star, has been held by Columbia. 70-B BOXOFFICE :: July 1, 1939