Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

Finds Town Fickle Boston — Dominic Tuturro has been readying to open in Millbury where somewhat of a situation exists. Tuturro was exhibiting the community’s only films at the Town Hall before the hurricane deroofed the same. The theatre man, who claimed he had been assured exclusive run in the town by the selectmen, began to renovate a former church for film showings. In the meantime, three other applications for a theatre were filed. The board of selectmen approved only one, that of J. Feldman, Winchendon partner of Joe Mathieu. The former is now building. Tuturro, who has been fighting the situation, is said to plan to open without a license if none is forthcoming. Carnival's Open Air Film Show Is Main Feature Boston — An impromptu open-air theatre proved to be the main feature at a carnival at the Orleans County Fair Grounds in Barton, Vt. Charles Fish, Capitol Theatre Supply Co. technician, engineered the project for the local supply house. Fish set up two projectors in a grandstand and shot across the race track to a screen 125 feet away, projecting a 20 foot by 15.6 foot frame. Loud speakers were put up on each side of the screen and the sound synchronized from there. Three different Columbia features were shown on successive evenings. Early Percentage Deals Were Deemed Publicity Boston — Percentage bookings vaulted into existence during industry infancy, a recently uncovered herald reveals. “Be sure and come to the Town Hall tonight if you want to see pictures that dance and actors that open their mouths like they are talking,” urged the handbill. “This is a slide lantern show and the cost will only be an offering at the door. What monies are collected in this way will have half of it used for the poor and needy of the town and the other half will go to me, Frederick Randall Craft, who is badly in need of same.” Producing "Three Sons" Hollywood — “Three Sons,” an original by Lester Cohen, is now in production at RKO, with Edward Ellis, Kent Taylor and William Gargan featured. Jack Hively is directing from a script by John Twist. Perhaps in Trade Terms Boston — "You didn't know, did you, that I'm taking a course in public speaking?" a film man asked another in the Independent Exhibitors Inc., offices. "Is that so?" said the skeptic. "In v/hat language?" WHEW HA VIEW (Continued from page 84) office is relaxing at Candleivood Lake . . . Sidney Levine of the Warner office is back from a Maine vacation . . . William Hutchins of National Theatre Supply can’t loait for those Asbury Park letters . . . Morris Kaufman of Strand Amusement describes his vacatiori as an “upstate auto trip” . . . Marjorie Levine, daughter of Charles Levine, will marry Dr. M. Nusenfeld in September . . . Grace Cusanelli of Colurnbia ivill see the Fair durmg her vacation. Matt Saunders, George Freeman and Sam Badamo are the last three Loew-Poli managers to take their summer leave . . . Emil Feldberg is weekending at Kent Cliffs in Peekskill . . . Francis Clark of Universal will divide her vacation between New York and Pond Point . . . Michael Daly of the Daly, Hartford, returned from a rest at Atlantic City . . . Phil Schwartz is coming into New Haven by train these days because of car trouble . . . Salesmen enjoy air-conditioned business discussions at the Rivoli, Bridgeport, with Athan Prakas these days . . . Mrs. Philip Saslau of the Fishman circuit, confined to her home with a back injury sustained in a recent auto accident . . . Abe and Jack Mshman spent a long weekend in the White Mountains. House doings: Matt Saunders presented the popular local golfer, Tony Kosinski, with a consolation prize of a radio which he just missed wmning in an important local tournament on the stage of the LoewPoli, Bridgeport. The papers generously approved . . . Bravos to Nat Rubin, assistant at the Poli, New Haven, in charge during Bob Russell’s vacation. He accomplished several difficult stunts on “On Borrowed Time” and “Andy Hardy.” Rubin broke Child's restaurant resistance of years ivith a 9x12 banner on the Crown St. side of the building; he persuaded Pepsi-Cola to distribute 15,000 bottles of the cold drink in the lobby of the theatre; he got National Biscuit to distribute sample boxes of shredded wheat imprinted ivith “Andy Hardy” copy and. on the following week “Bachelor Mother” copy, 5,000 boxes in all, to outgoing patrons. Nat also put a man to sleep on a cot outside the theatre night before opening, with sign “I may be a bit early, but I want to be first in line to see ‘Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever.’ ” Jack O’Connell of the Roger Sherman reports an amazing number of wires received in song-guessing contest on WELI which carries guest ticket prizes . . . George Raft played simultaneously in “Each Dawn I Die” at the Roger Sherman and “I Stole a Million” at the Paramount . . . New England Warner theatre department is working on the fourth stretch of its drive, after leading the country three-quarters of the year. Wally Cooper, assistant at the Poli, Hartford, got the Hartford Health Department to snipe all health posters with copy on “Andy Hardy.” Cooper distributed 10,000 heralds three days in advance of picture, placed 200 window cards, carried through a seven-day collegiate flivver street ballyhoo, planted 25 hangers in store loindows and, otherwise, made the city Always Has an Answer Bridgeport, Conn. — Manager Harry Rose of the Globe is seldom at a loss for a comeback. Recently, a breathless old lady dashed into his office and said she lost a Victorian umbrella valued at $50. Theatre attaches searched the powder room and the entire house. Shortly after, someone spotted a woman leaving the theatre with a brown umbrella and yellow handle. Harry pursued her several blocks before catching her. And it was only after a policeman’s persuasion that she turned over the heirloom to its owner. After the excitement died down, Harry, asked the name of the owner of the valuable rainstick, wistfully smiled: “I’m not sure. I think it was Mrs. Chamberlain.” Andy Hardy-conscious . . . With an extended run on “Each Dawn I Die,” “Four Feathers” will bring the Roger Sherman back to a. Friday opening . . . “Mr. Chips” may be brought back for a repeat engagement at the College. Harry Shaw held a managers’ meeting on new season product. Jack Simon and Bob Russell were absent on vacation . . . Bill Castle, Stony Creek strawhat director, has the sensational German actress, Ellen Schwanneke, under a five-year contract. Appearing in “Not for Children,” she is receiving ovations nightly. The Hardy Families Are Guests at 'Spring Fever' Providence — Gathering on the Mall in the heart of the downtown section and going from there en masse to Loew’s State as guests of the theatre at the premiere of “Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever,” members of local Hardy families helped Vaughn O’Neill, assistant manager, sell the film to the public. Other stunts: Planting of co-op ads with city’s leading department stores, promotion of 4,000 candy kisses for distribution by pretty girls on city’s streets in bags imprinted: “Here’s a Kiss from Mickey Rooney who gets Spring Fever in his latest picture now showing at Loew’s”: distribution of 2,000 flower pot contest circulars by Postal Telegraph two days in advance of opening; giant heart passes to girls about the city good only for first morning matinee; tieups with soda fountains and candy stores. The old “wallpaper gag” was resurrected, with 2,000 8x10 wall paper sheets imprinted “They’re tearing the paper off the walls to see Rooney in ‘Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever’ ” and put out in spots where they’d be sure to create comment. A Case Where No Rain Pleases Bridgeport, Conn. — The current drought has caused considerable damage in this section to gardens and foliage, not to mention theatres, but carnivals and circuses are more than pleased with the rainless nights. 88 BOXOFFICE :; August 5. 1939