Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1940)

Relailers Organization Aspect Is Beclouded Los Angeles — More and more a study in paradoxes and contradictions becomes the Los Angeles Retail Merchants and Theatre Owners Nonpartisan Political League, announcement of the incorporation of which last week precipitated an investigation of its aims, purposes and motives by the Independent Theatre Owners of So. Calif, and Ariz., the California Intelligence Bureau and other groups. Refuting the CIB’s assertion that a charter as a California organization was given the LARMTONPL in Sacramento, August 30, the ITO received notification from the California secretary of state that it was "unable to find any record” of such a corporation “either domestic or foreign” on its books. This adds to the mystery surrounding the use of the phrase “Theatre Owners” in its title, since neither the CIB nor the ITO has, to date, uncovered any exhibitor claiming or admitting membership therein. Legalization of Bank Night in local theatres, one of the group’s platforms, is completely “meaningless,” in the opinion of ITO spokesmen, while CIB officers held to the theory the organization’s reason for existence is a political one — linking it with the coming municipal elections, and hazarding the guess it is seeking votes among showmen for certain as yet unidentified candidates. So far as can be learned it has no headquarters and J. Francis Quinn, public relations counsel and its organizer, has not made known his whereabouts. W anger s Newest Into Four Star SepU 18 Los Angeles — Next attraction for the Four Star Theatre will be Walter Wanger’s "Foreign Correspondent.” It will open September 18 with a $2.20 premiere and thereafter will be shown on a continuous-run policy at regular prices. Erie Installs Coolinq Ennis, Mont. — J. P. Erie has recently installed new air conditioning equipment in his Madison Theatre. Seeks Settlement Out of Court in Suit by Ascap Seattle — Atty.-Gen. Smith Troy is conferring with attorneys, representing various radio stations, on a proposed settlement out of court in the case in which constitutionality of the State Copyright Act of 1937 is challenged. The suit was brought by the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers. If no settlement is reached, the state will proceed with the case. 'Kit Carson Keeps Record Setting Pace in the West Denver — Following a record-breaking premiere in six theatres here, “Kit Carson” is breaking records in its moveover to the Aladdin. The UA release is climbing toward record grosses at the Orpheum in Spokane, Wash., and at the Orpheum in Seattle, as well. Fox West Coast Product Buys Studied in N. Y. Los Angeles — Details of Fox West Coast’s 1940-41 film buys are being worked out in New York with National Theatres executives and film company heads by Charles P. Skouras, FWC president, and Charles Buckley, head of the legal department. Skouias and Buckley will return here early next week. Warner's Coast Houses Get Republic Lineup Los Angeles — Warner’s Pacific Coast theatre circuit has contracted for Republic’s entire 1940-41 lineup. The deal was set by Lou Halperin and Port Major for Warner, and James R. Grainger, Republic president, and Francis Bateman, local exchange manager. New Sound for Colonial Seattle — John Danz of the Sterling theatre chain has ordered RCA sound for the Colonial here as part of an extensive modernization program on the house. Two Hold “Rhythm" Los Angeles — Extra playing time has been accorded Paramount’s “Rhythm on the River” at the Paramount here and in Portland. PCCITO Waiting on Report by White Los Angeles — Until he receives a full report from Bob White, at present in Washington, D. C., R. H. Poole, executive secretary of the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Owners, will table a scheduled meeting of the PCCITO trustees. White was the organization’s delegate to consent decree hearings in the nation’s capital and is the PCCITO trustee from the ITO of Washington, Northern Idaho and Alaska. Poole declared he momentarily expected to hear from White, who went east September 3, and asserted the delegate will probably return early next week. At that time the trustees will convene to hear his report and discuss what steps should next be taken. Censor Board Demurrer to Damage Suit Dismissed Seattle — The Seattle film censor board’s demurrer to a $924 damage suit brought by Clarence Wicks as a result of the board members’ interference with the showing of "Doped Youth,” was dismissed by Superior Judge Howard M. Findley. Wicks owns the rights to exhibit the picture in this state and seeks the $924 as his loss through inability to exhibit his film. The case entered the courts when Wicks’ attorney asked the court to restrain the censor board from banning the film. The attorney argued that three members of the board of nine acted in an unofficial capacity and not as a board in advising a theatre July 15 to halt the showing of the picture. The judge at that time ruled that the board is empowered to act only in an advisory capacity. Wicks then began his suit for damages and the defendants filed the demurrer which Judge Findley overruled. Buys Sproul's Share Glendora, Cal. — Lowell Winfield has purchased the interest of his partner. Bob Sproul, in the Glendora and now is the sole owner. As the Men of FIT Met in D enver — Photo of the crowd of theatre and film men that attended inaugural luncheon held on the opening day of the Fox Ijitermountain Theatre manager coiwention in Denver. With both Spyros and Charles Skouras in attendance, and with Rick Ricketson presiding , managers of theatres in the Intermountain Fox circuit studied and analyzed product of the coming year along with theatre problems. In the photo are Charles Skouras, vice-president of National Theatres; Frank H. iRick) Ricketson, manager of the Fox Intermountain division; Rabbi A. A. Feinberg of Denver, who made the principal talk at the luncheon; Spyros Skouras, president National Theatres; Harry Huffman, Denver city district manager Fox Theatres; Bernie Hynes, manager Denver Theatre, Deriver; Robert Garland, film buyer in the Denver headquarters office; Ray Davis, manager Northern district; Hall Baetz, Salt Lake City district manager. Present also was B. P. McCormick, Canon City theatre owner, who was killed there when his plane, which he was flying, nose dived from 100 feet. The accident occurred a few days after this photo was taken. 80 BOXOFFICE :: September 14, 1940