Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1940)

Several Windy Ciiy Unils Change Hands Chicago — Several local theatres have changed ownership the past few weeks, with H. Schoenstadt & Sons involved in two of the transactions. H. M. Ortenstein has leased his Pix to the Schoenstadts. The latter, in turn, have sold their Kenwood to Benjamin Banowitz, who is also now operating the Harmony and Plaisance. A third transaction involved a deal between Jones, Linick & Schaefer and Harry & Elmer Balaban Theatres. Jones, Linick & Schaefer had been operating the Dearborn, a loop house, in a deal with the Balabans but now JL&S have dropped out completely from the Dearborn setup. The Pix has been leased to H. Schoenstadt for seven years, with an option to renew for five years. The Pix is located at 824 E. 47th St. and has approximately 900 seats. The terms are for $300 per month for two years; $350 per month for five years, and a renewal option at $400 per month. The new owners also heat the entire building which contains a recreation parlor, bowling alleys, stores and offices. Louis E. Jacobson of the Jacobson, Merrick, Nierman and Shbert law firm represented Ortenstein in the transactions. Help Take Sting Out of Returning to Classes Milwaukee — Wisconsin exhibitors helped take the sting out of returning to school for hundreds of youngsters by staging special parties for them with prizes ranging from pencils and erasers to bicycles and coaster wagons. Local houses conducting school parties included H. J. Mirisch’s Oriental and Tower, where a 98-page pencil tablet and ruler was given to each youngster imtil 3 p. m. on Saturday; Wamer-Saxe’s Garfield, Modjeska, Egyptian, Milwaukee, Juneau, Parkway, Uptown, National, Savoy, Lake, Tivoli, Princess, Granada and Mirth, where free school supplies were dispensed, and the Times Theatre, which also gave away free school supplies. Houses around the state playing up to the kiddies included the Oshkosh at Oshkosh; Venetian, Racine; Jeffris, Janesville; Rio, Appleton; Capitol, Madison; New Adler, Marshfield; Strand and Bay at Green Bay; Palace, Antigo, and the Orpheum, Lincoln and Kenosha, Kenosha. Hear Proposed Revisions In Street Ordinances Chicago — Five representatives of the industry attended a meeting at city hall last week presided over by James P. Yoimg, alderman of the 46th ward, who heads the sub-committee on streets, alleys and highways. Those attending were Jack Kirsch, president of Illinois Allied; Morris Leonard and A. L. Trebow of Balaban & Katz; Charles Ryan of Warner Bros. Theatres, and Emil Stem of Essaness. Purpose of the meeting, which was the third held by the sub -committee, was to discuss proposed revisions in city ordinances as applying to canopies, sidewalk clearances and hangings. Following a closed executive session of the sub-committee, an open meeting was to be held at which time the committee’s final decision was to be made known. JJENRY QUARTEMONT has succeeded Charles H. Wuerz as manager of Fox’s Palace here . . . “Boom Town” opened September 11 in both Pox’s Palace and Wisconsin theatres here simultaneously . . . Charles W. Trampe, local exhibitor and operator of Film Service, Inc., observed a birthday recently. E. J. Weisfeldt, manager of the Riverside, gave a cocktail party for the house’s new master of ceremonies, Jack Leonard . . . William Exton, manager of the Roosevelt in Kenosha, thanked patrons in newspaper advertising “for the biggest day’s attendance I have ever had.” Robert Guiterman, manager of the Capitol in Manitowoc, used full page newspaper advertising to announce the celebration of the theatre’s “Greater Movie Season” ... To inform the public of America’s national defense plans and of the organization of the United States army, reserve offices of Madison are presenting a weekly series of four-minute discussions at local theatres. Miner Amusement Co. is erecting bowling alleys adjoining its Falls Theatre in Chippewa Falls . . . Stan Gross, manager of the Rio in Appleton, promoted a double spread co-operative newspaper advertisement as a plug for “Boom Town.” Earl Fischer, south side exhibitor, has returned from a vacation at Washington Isle. During his absence, Lester Fischer was in charge . . . The Rivoli in La Crosse is cooperating in a weekly colored page advertisement in the local daily by offering four free tickets to persons whose names are scattered about the page. The Burleigh, north side neighborhood house, is erecting a new canopy at a cost of about $2,000 . . . Francis Schlax promoted a cooperative newspaper advertisement as a plug for “Boom Town” playing the Kenosha in Kenosha. Sign John Howard Hollywood — Universal has signed John Howard to a long term acting contract. Papers Denounce Ban On "Pastor Hall" Chicago — “Pastor Hall,” English-made picture being distributed in this country by James Roosevelt, has been banned in Chicago by the local police censor board. Lieutenant Harry J. Costello, chief of the board, said that the film had not been okayed because it would “wield undesirable influence” and its subject matter is “of an exceedingly controversial nature.” Costello said the film was banned under a section of the statutes which bars films tending to attack any particular class or race. Local newspapers bitterly denounced the board’s decision in front-page stories. They called attention to the fact that although “Pastor Hall,” an anti-Nazi picture, was banned, “Blitzkrieg in Poland,” a pro-Nazi film, had been okayed and is being shown at the local “Little German” theatre where it has been playing for several weeks. Powder Bomb Explodes in Alley Exit of Theatre Lake Geneva, Wis. — A powder bomb exploded in the areaway of an alley exit door of the Geneva here, frightened patrons in the house but caused no injuries. It was the third to have been set off here in the past three weeks, the others being placed on the roof of a tavern and near a local hotel. Police have been unable to account for the bombings. Swedish House Reopened Chicago — The Julian, Essaness northside house catering to Swedish trade, is reopened after being closed for five months. “Only a Trumpeter,” Swedish film, was the initial attraction. Gets RCA Sound Bloomington, Ind. — RCA sound has been installed in Great States’ Irvin here. BADGER FILTERS for Air Conditioning Systems LOW COST — EFnCENT FLAMEPROOF Stop More Dirt and Pass More Air Special Introductory Offer (Sizes 20x20 and 16x25) $1.00 BADGER MANUFACTURING & SALES COMPANY 743 NORTH FOURTH STREET MILWAUKEE, WIS. BOXOFFICE : : September 14, 1940 85