Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1940)

Nebraska Takes Up, Reports Cummings Lincoln — After touring the territory, Evert Cummings, district manager of TriStates-Paramount theatres in Nebraska, said business was about eight per cent up over a like period in 1939. “The gain has all been made in the third quarter,” he said, “because we were running a little behind in the first six months of 1940.” Hastings and Grand Island, 20,000-people towns, are both in the heart of a dry area and suffering the most, Omaha, and Fairbury, doing well. He, like Bob Huffman, city manager of the Lincoln Theatres Corp. here, is evidencing a strong interest in stage shows. Both have been trying to line up stage attractions, and Cummings, especially, is keeping a close eye on the juke boxes for orchestra buys. Infantile Paralysis Nicks Waterloo Theatre Takes Waterloo, Ia. — Infantile paralysis is taking a toll at theatre boxoffices here. With 33 cases reported since August 1 managers of the city’s six houses are now refusing to sell tickets to children under 12 in an effort to help prevent spread of the disease. Theatres affected include L. and B. Rosenthals’ Iowa, RKO’s Orpheum, A. J. Diebold’s Palace, L. L. Kaplan’s State, and Tri-States’ Paramount and Strand. L. L. Dent Gets RKO Deal Hitherto Cooper s Lincoln — ^The 10-year franchise of J. H. Cooper with RKO-Radio having expired with this buying season, the RKO product for 1940-41 was sold away from Cooper for the first time in more than a decade. L. L. Dent’s houses here get the studio’s output, after documents were signed by Dent and RKO Exchange Manager C. W. Allen of Omaha. Kiva Reopening Lights Up Lincoln Rialto 100% Lincoln — Kiva, 440-seats, came to life for the first time this year to accommodate the holdover of “All This, and Heaven Too.” This makes every available theatre property in Lincoln in operation — a total of eight downtown, and one suburban. Dubinsky Buys RKO Kansas City — The Durwood-Dubinsky Bros, circuit has closed for RKO’s new season product for nine houses. Involved in the transaction are three houses in Jefferson City, three in St. Joseph, two in Leavenworth, and the Liberty here. lohnson Will Rebuild Friend, Neb. — ^Wally Johnson, whose theatre burned here last winter, will rebuild, he said this week. He indicated most of the equipment purchases would be made from Prank Van Husan’s Western Theatre Supply Co. War Scene Reels Are Wanted Minneapolis — After a four-week test of no war pictures at the Gopher here, the house again is including shots of the European hostilities in its newsreel program. The non-war policy was given considerable publicity, but it apparently didn't aid business and there were many protests from patrons who wished to see the newsreel shots, according to Roy Slentz, Gopher manager. Envisions a Stronger Industry Emerging Minneapolis — The industry will emerge from its present troubles stronger than ever and will continue to retain its supremacy in the entertainment world, in the opinion of Mort H. Singer, prominent circuit owner and veteran showman. In Minneapolis to look over his Orpheum Theatre property after a visit to the studios in Hollywood and en route east, he asserted the best film product in history is coming up and that production quality will continue to soar during the next few years. If his predictions materialize, he says, pictures will win back the fans who have been deserting them for opposition entertainment and they will have a greater audience than ever, with increasing prosperity on the horizon for all connected with the industry. Loss of foreign markets and skidding grosses have combined to bring out all the best in Hollywood. The adversities, he says, have spurred directors, writers and actors to their greatest efforts, thus proving a blessing in disguise. Moreover, European developments are serving to bring to the industry in Hollywood the world’s finest brains and talents. Singer is also optimistic over the general business outlook. The upturn already has started on both coasts, he says, and it gradually will work its way inland. Kaplan Favors Return to 10-15 Cent Admissions Minneapolis — If the wishes of Abe Kaplan, successful Twin City independent circuit owner, are carried out. Northwest Allied here will take the lead in a movement to make motion pictures dime and 15 cent entertainment for the entire family again. This can be accomplished, he believes, by slashing production and other costs in half and writing off considerable amounts of investments. Such a procedure is needed, Kaplan believes, to bring the film industry back. It’s dying on its feet now — and one of the main reasons for its illness is excessive costs and “much too high theatre admission prices.” “The film industry let itself get out of hand,” asserts Kaplan. “It prospered and reached great heights because it provided an abundance of good entertainment at a very small admission price within the reach of entire families. But prosperity went to its head. It became a spendthrift. And with increased spending came mounting admission prices. Now they’ve reached a level which make the movies a luxury for most people. One of the principal reasons why we’re losing patronage is because the public can’t afford to come to our theatres regularly. “It isn’t the money spent on pictures Silent on Parley With Rodgers Minneapolis — President E. L. Peaslee and Treasurer Sol Lebedoff of Northwest Allied were delegated to go to Chicago to carry to W. F. Rodgers, M-G-M general sales manager, the independents’ grievances against M-G-M selling policies, including demands for higher prices and percentages. After a conference held behind closed doors, the pair returned to Minneapolis declining to state what took place and whether Rodgers promised any relief. “All we can say is the meeting proved very satisfactory to us,” said Lebedoff. “However, it is up to Mr. Rodgers to decide whether any publicity should be given to this matter, and it devolves upon him to issue a statement, if he deems it advisable to do so.” That “everything will turn out all right” was intimated by Lebedoff. He and President Peaslee made their report on the meeting to a Northwest Allied gathering this week. Managerial Shifts by Minnesota Amusement Minneapolis — A number of managerial shifts are announced by the Minnesota Amusement Co. Fred Weimar, Orpheum, Sioux Falls, S. D., succeeds Bill Keating, resigned, as manager of the Loring, Minneapolis neighborhood house. Ernie Odeneal, Paramount, Mitchell, S. D., replaces Weimar and L. Joe Ryan leaves the Eastman, St. Cloud, Minn., to go to Mitchell. Ryan is replaced by Woodrow Praught, Empress, Rochester, Minn. There is no successor named for Praught yet. The Lyric, Watertown, S. D., will be managed by L. O. Kirkberg who has been at the State, Mankato, Minn. Louis Peldo goes from Watertown to the Paramount, Grand Porks, N. D., succeeding Floyd Mutting whose new post is the State, Mankato, Minn. which make them good. And production costs could be slashed in half without affecting production quality adversely — if the slash was made all along the line. If executives, stars, writers and directors were paid half their present stipends they’d still be well compensated. “Part of the investment represented by elaborate de luxe theatres could be written off. The large affiliated circuits are to blame for these ultra-costly movie palaces. For self-protection the independent neighborhood exhibitors had to follow suit. Now the big and costly theatres are white elephants. They’re one of the reasons why high admissions became necessary.” Strong Product Wins More Time in Minneapolis Minneapolis — The strength of current film product and improving theatre business are evidenced by the exceptional number of weekly holdovers. Currently retained for a second week are “Lucky Partners” and “Hired Wife.” Last week “The Sea Hawk” finished a three-week loop rim. “Rhythm on the River” was held over at the same time for a second week. Prior to that “Pride and Prejudice” ran a fortnight. BOXOFFICE :: September 14, 1940 MW 87