Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

Boston Building Code Proposal Drastic Boston — A proposed Boston building code, several sections of which directly affect the motion picture industry, is being studied by a special legislative committee. If passed, the regulations will supplant outmoded theatre and exchange building laws enacted in 1907. The bill is the outgrowth of the formation ten years ago of a committee of architects, engineers, and building contractors. A report was issued in 1932, and the first proposed building code was submitted to the Massachusetts legislature four years ago. It has annually failed to pass. Motion picture theatres, under the regulations, would have to be built of incombustible materials in all construction parts. Exterior walls and frames would be of four-way fire resistive construction, while floors and roofs would be of three-way fire resistive construction, and would furnish protection of three-way fire resistive substances against the spread of fire. If any theatre were renovated to the extent of 50 per cent of its fiscal value, the entire building would then have to conform with provisions of the code. All new buildings would come under the regulations. NEW HAMPSHIRE ^ GROUP of full-blooded Hopi Indians, including a tiny papoose, appeared as a stage attraction at the State in Manchester, June 24. They were accompanied by Miss Edythe Sterling, interpreter and government custodian. The theatre omitted its feature picture to allow the Redskins to present their various dances in full tribal regalia. Governor’s Councillor Albert J. Precourt of Manchester recently accompanied his old friend, Charles A. Vallee of Westbrook, Me., on a visit in New York with the latter’s son, a young fellow named Rudy. Another Manchester man, much out of the limelight in recent years — Zo Eliott — addressed a recent meeting of the Unitarian Men’s Club in the Queen City. Once upon a time, he wrote a ditty called “There’s a Long, Long 'Trail.” A new air-conditioning system has been installed at the Strand in Farmington. The boys at the Scenic in Rochester are wishing Ray Allard of Plymouth, Mass., foreman in charge of recent alterations there, was back again. While he was around, they fondly recall, galloping dominoes could be indulged in with the abandon of a Volstead cocktail, but now the coppers seem different. The Broadway in Dover reports installation of a new air-conditioning system. New seats for 250 have been added at the Garden Theatre in Laconia, sister house of the Colonial. Miss Evelyn Poirier has charge of the Garden. JJARRY BROWNING, publicity chief for M&P Theatres, escorted a group of feature writers from Boston newspapers to the premiere of “Man About Town” in Waukegan, 111. Joe Dinneen, Globe; Jim McEneny, American; Carl Warton, Herald; and George Beal, Post, made the trip by plane. Lou Brown, pinch-hitting in the Loew Theatres publicity office for Joe DiPesa, has returned to New Haven, with DiPesa again in the driver’s seat after a leave of absence. Keith Memorial showing the Louis-Galento fight pictures. First time this house has shown fight films in several years. Harry Asher, handling the bookings under the name of “Sports Films” has placed them in the M&P circuit, Warner theatres, Snider circuit, Lockwood & Gordon chain, and the Interstate Theatres. Harry Segal of Imperial Pictures back from New York after lining up next season’s product. Stuart Theatre in downtown Boston has been air-conditioned. Jack Saef, publicity director of the Paramount Theatre, has moved to Hull, Mass, for the summer months. Little Theatre in Salisbury Beach, N. H., operated by John Carroll, is running 16 mm films, with special children’s shows in the morning. The Playhouse at Seituate Harbor, Mass, (a Lockwood & Gordon house) is now running kid morning shows Wednesdays. William St. Lawrence, foreman of the Four-Star Program Co., became a father to a six-pound boy June 30. It’s his first, and has been named William jr. Lou Kenny, assistant manager of the Paramount here, on vacation for two weeks. Marcel Mekelburg, Grand National branch manager and finance officer of the Theatrical Post of the American Legion, has announced his intention of taking out a hunting license. When asked if he didn’t mean a fishing license, Mekelburg explained that what he really hoped to bag were, what he describes “as an extremely shy specimen of memberitis delinquents.” They may be easily identified, said Mekelburg, because they do not carry a 1939 Theatrical Post membership card, signifying paid dues. Mekelburg is using a double-barrel Waterman. The Warner Club, made up of employes of the Warner film exchange here, will stage its annual all-day outing at the Mayflower Hotel in Plymouth, July 12. A number of exhibitors from this area will be their guests. Sayde Gotz, for years executive secretary with Warner Theatres locally, has been doing relief work with M-G-M. Harry Browning, advertising manager for the M&iP Theatres Corp., is an expert on maximum coverage for minimum expenditure. Browning recently needed a T O M radio for his automobile, another for what he pleases to call his yacht, and an extra one for his home. He exited from the dilemma with a single portable battery set. Roy E. Heffner, Bank Night distributor, was in New York City to meet his mother and sister, east from Tulsa, Okla. Douglass Montgomery was with ‘'Night Must Fall” at the Bass Rocks Theatre in Gloucester. Fay Wray and Hume Cronyn in “Kiss the Boys Goodbye” at Skowhegan, Me. Ethel Barrymore and “Whiteoaks” at the Deertrees Theatre in Harrison, also in the Pine Tree state. THE ONLY THING WE HAVEN’T GOT BOXOFFICE July 8, 1939 63