Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1940)

Goldberg on West Coast For Directors' Meeting Cincinnati — Lee Goldberg, local branch head of Producers Distributing Corp., is on the coast attending a directors’ meeting. Goldberg recently returned from a franchise holders’ meeting in New York. Before his departure for the coast, a meeting of managers and salesmen from mid-eastern offices was held here. Among those present were Sam Abrams, sales manager, and John W. Bohn, office manager, Indianapolis; Joseph Goldberg, sales representative for Kentucky; Bernie Rubins, manager, and Maurice Kinzler, salesman, Cleveland; Don Duff, office manager and J. M. Goldberg, Cincinnati. PDC will release 38 pictures this coming year. Goldberg was accompanied by his wife and son Jay on the western trip, which will last a month. Excellent Pictures Becomes PRC Outlet in Auto City Detroit — Excellent Pictures, oldest-established local independent distributor, became the branch office for Producers Releasing Corp. this week upon the return of William Flemion and Anne O’Donnell from the PRC franchise holders’ meeting in New York. As a result of the deal, the company will have a list of 38 features to distribute in this territory. In addition, all Excellent contracts and product will be liquidated through the office. Flemion remains as branch manager with the same personnel as before. Bill Kent, brother of James Kent, Ross Federal manager, has been added to the sales staff to cover the state. Leftons Foresee Bright Independent Future Pittsburgh — Future of independent production is more than satisfactory, stated Lew and Milt Lefton upon their return from a convention of Producers Releasing Corp. which was held in New York last week. Early Cleveland Buying Reported by 20th-Fox Cleveland — The usual Cleveland policy of late buying has been broken. It has generally been the rule for independent circuit owners to hold off buying until late fall. However, this year, 20th Century-Fox has smashed that policy. Branch Manager I. J. Schmertz announcing that 1940-41 product deals have already been closed with the Community and Washington circuits. Schmertz also states his office has closed approximately 70 per cent of the independent situations in the city as well as practically all key spots throughout the territory. Another 20th Century-Fox precedent is being established on release dates of new season product. “The Man I Married” opened at Warner’s Hippodrome on August 9 and “The Return of Frank James,” another 1940-41 picture, opens August 17. The final week in August has heretofore been the earliest release date of new product. On the Job — W. L. Wilson, manager of the State Findlay Theatre Corp. in Findlay and Wellington, Ohio, visits Allan Jones (right) on the set of “There’s Magic in Music” at Paramount. Wilson is covering films for the Findlay Publishing Corp. during his Hollywood holiday. Bingo Paying Off In Merchandise Detroit — Present trend in Bingo games here is toward merchandise prizes, rather than cash. This is generally true of games operated by churches, which are the principal kind here at present. Indoor games during the winter were largely for cash, but the outdoor games now in use have to be for merchandise, being under police surveillance. It is believed the trend toward merchandise will continue when the churches move their games indoors this winter. This is confirmed by the prevailing trend toward novel giveaways in theatres, including bicycles, women’s hosiery and books. Cash games, while occasionally used in some theatre spots, are sharply restricted, usually in connection with a legitimate contest such as Questo-Quiz at the Colonial. (< — Summer Layoii at Big Auto Plants Detroit — Detroit's big auto industry is in the midst of its annual summer layoff, due primarily to the usual change of models, belying the prevailing impression throughout the country that things are booming here. Show business here is way off but the blame generally is attributed to the hot weather rather than to the employment trend. It is likely, however, that the effects of the labor situation will be fully felt when cool weather once again returns. Put Houses in Order as Fall Season Approaches Cleveland — With the start of the new fall season in sight, exhibitors are beginning to put their houses in order, anticipating a revival of business. In Toledo, W. N. Skirball and associates are spending approximately $45,000 to put the Rivoli and Palace in shape. A new front is being built at the Rivoli, while both houses are in the process of getting new marquees and carpet. New sound was recently installed. The Granada, also a Skirball house, has just been reseated. It was completely redecorated and recarpeted in the spring, and only last year it got a new marquee. In Cleveland, Paul Gusdanovic bought from L. H. Walters, National Theatre Supply manager, new chairs, carpet and fluorescent lighting fixtures for his Regent, Walters also announces that in the new Drive-In just east of Warren, he has installed lamps, generator, projectors, and special open air sound equipment. The Drive-In, built by R. C. Manley, accommodates 800 cars. Number of Improvement Projects in Detroit Detroit — A number of theatre improvement projects are reported in the Detroit territory. Anieri<an Engineering Co. is completing around XIOO.OOO woitli of air conditioning installations in nine theatres in Detroit and suburbs. Houses involved are: Wayne, Wayne, Mich., Shafei circuit; Shafer, Garden City, Sliafer circuit; Harper, Wisper & Wetsman. Detroit; Van Dyke, Moss Brothers, Detroit; Ace, Wisper & Wetsman, Idetroit; Atlas, Stanley Dleskowicz, Detroit; Calvin. Wisper & Wetsman. Dearborn; Dawn. Kilbride circuit. Detroit. McArthur Theatre Equipment Co. installed new eqiupinent in the reopened Colonial at Sutton’s Bay. for Herman Happy, and a new front and “crying room” for Mrs. Harold Martin in the Sun at Marion. McArthur also rebuilt the amplifier in the State at Lake Orion for Harry Hansen. Oliver Theatre Supply completed in.stallation of new drapes, sound, screen and projectors in the Grant. Detroit, operated by Moe Teitel and Saul Korman. National Theatre Sujiply installed new sound, projectors, porcelain enamel front, marquee, carpeting. drapes and fluorescent lighting in the new Lincoln at Sebewaing, Mich. National also installed lamiis and rectifiers for Cass R. Beechler in the Clinton. St. Johns, and the Eaton, (’harlotte, and for Ashman Brothers in the Family. East Tawas. E. V. Smith. RCA Photophone manager, installed sound in the new theatre being erected at Roscommon and in the Teinpie, East Jordan. for Hollis Drew. Smith also reports installation of sound. v>rojection, conii>lete equipment for hard-of-hearing and a crying room in the Parkside, Detroit, for Moss Brothtrs; projectors and sound in the Holly at Holly for A. Krikorian. and sound in the Temple, East, Jordan, for Hollis Drew, the Palace, Charlevoix, for Mrs. Elizabeth Moon, and the Grant, Detroit, for Korman and Teitel. Take to the Streets on "Tag Day" in Detroit Detroit — The Variety Club will go out on the streets October 15 with its second annual “Tag Day” for the School Children’s Food and Clothing Fund. It hopes to raise $50,000, or $15,000 more than last year. Mayor Edward J. Jeffries and Frank W. Cody, superintendent of schools, will be the drive’s honorary chairman, according to Edgar E. Kirchner, general chairman, Kirchner is owner of the Family Theatre. BOXOFFICE ; ; August 10, 1940 ME 45