Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1940)

Report James Stewart May Aid Defense Committee Cleveland — It is reported here that James Stewart, Metro star, will fly to Cleveland at his own expense to make a personal appearance on a program sponsored by the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies. The program will be presented in the Public Auditorium on the evening of September 23. Special feature will be the showing of “The Mortal Storm.” Admission will be free. This is the direct outcome of a speech made recently by Dr. Dilworth Lupton of First Unitarian Church in which, among other things, he praised “The Mortal Storm” and suggested that “everyone should be given a chance to see it whether or not he could pay.” Also on the program will be shown “The Flag Speaks” and a short of Kate Smith singing “God Bless America.” If nothing interferes with Stewart’s coming for the event, it will be his first personal appearance in Cleveland. Stewart Makes P. A. In His Home Town Indiana, Pa. — Jimmy Stewart, local boy film star, appeared before capacity audiences in the new auditorium at Indiana State Teachers’ College here last Friday and Saturday nights to raise funds for Allied relief. The M-G-M star was assisted in entertaining the audience by two boyhood friends. Bill Neff, magician: and Dutch Campbell, pianist. James Work Is Building In Pine Grove, W. Va. Pine Grove, W. Va. — A second theatre is under construction here by the local exhibitor, James Work. Recently the Walter Urling circuit started to build a theatre here, and shortly thereafter Work, who operates a second floor auditorium theatre, swung into action with his own structure. His property is 44x99 feet and when ready for opening will have a seating capacity of 400. He expects to turn on the lights at the new theatre around Thanksgiving. Cincinnati Area Trade Hears W, F. Rodgers Cincinnati — William F. Rodgers, general sales manager for M-G-M, was host to an informal luncheon party attended by approximately 70 exhibitors representing some 200 theatres in the Cincinnati area, at the Hotel Netherland Plaza. J. J. Maloney, district manager, was also present. E. M. Booth, local exchange manager, served as master of ceremonies, introducing Rodgers, who made a short address, stressing present day problems and cooperation between the exhibitors and the Loew organization. Lando Reopening Pittsburgh — William Lando is reopening his Lando-Grand on Center Avenue. The house was last operated as a motion picture theatre by Steve Dascalos, who spent $4,000 on remodeling, but who found his exhibition venture a failure. Returns to Wheeling Wheeling, W. Va. — Johnny Finley, once manager of the Capitol here, is back again, this time as manager of the Victoria, trading jobs with Robert Roberts in Bradford, Pa. lyTANY members of the trade attended grand openings and parties last week at Ebensburg and Library, Pa. Ray Allison and Bud Wilson commemorated the opening of the new Rivoli, Ebensburg, Tuesday evening, September 10, with what they termed “The Good Timers’ Jubilee,” which was staged at the Ebensburg Country Club. A number of the boys golfed in the afternoon. In the evening dozens of film men appeared on the theatre’s stage to congratulate Ray and Bud. This correspondent spotted, among others: Dave Kimelman, Harry Passarell, William Brooks and Charlie Mergen, Paramount: Ira H. Cohn, Austin Interrante, 20th-Fox: Abe Weiner, Harry Rees, James Nash, Bob Sippey, UA; Si Feld, Universal: Sam Fineberg, Republic; Max Shulgold, Crown; Burt Bishop jr., Milton Brauman, M-G-M; Mark Goldman, Monogram; George “B” Josack, Sports Attractions; F. D. Moore, Warner Bros.; M. Lefko, RKO; Art Levy, George Tice, Columbia; Lew Lefton, Milt Lefton, Producers Releasing Corp.; Danny Davis, Monarch; Art Morrone, Vince Josack, Superior M. P. Supply; Charles Underhill, RCA; Sam Steinberg, Theatre Supply: Harry Grelle, Supreme; E. A. Hill, Artkraft Sign Co.; Fred J. Herrington, M. A. Rosenberg, AMPTO of W. Pa., and exhibitors William and Harry Walker, Crafton; Rudy Navari, Verona; Jerry Geinzer, Suterville; Bart Dattola, New Kensington; Frank Panoplos, Clairton; Harry Rachiele, Sharpsburg; B. J. Redfoot, Windber; Ike Berney, Lewistown; Lee Conrad, Johnstown; Bill Blatt, Patton; John Stahl jr.. Homestead; Charles Baird, Portage; George Gartland, Lee Balsly, Harry Finley, Johnstown; Carl Poke, Norm Huhn, Joe “Barney” Krenn, Pittsburgh; William Jackson, Clearfield; John Myers, Tyrone, and L. J. Allison, Ebensburg. Ray Allison’s party followed later that evening at the country club. Grand opening of the new Park, Library, was an event of Wednesday evening, September 11. Jerry, Dario, James and Victor Castelli, owners, claim the new Park to be the most beautiful theatre between Pittsburgh and Charleroi. Among those of the trade whom we said hello to were Lou and Roberta Hanna, Hymie Wheeler, Bob Dunbar, Mike Hogan, Art Morrone, Vince Josack, Dick Allen, L. K. Porter, Saal Gottlieb, Tom Connors jr., Bart Dattola, Alf Navari, Billy ZeVan, Lawrence Carettie, Mark Browar, Guy V. Ida, Eli Kauffman, Charlie Mergen, Jim Thorpe, Harry Rees, Bob Sippey, Frank Panoplos, Werner Lund, Bob McCalmont, E. A. Hill, William Leibovitz, Harold Cohen (Mt. Pleasant). The Castelli brothers staged a party across the street at a grille-store. Throughout the evening a special bar was in operation on the second floor of the theatre. Jerry Castelli, manager, who has long been identified with exhibition at Hills Station (Lawrence P. O.) and the auto agency business in Clairton, designed a new type barrel floor for the new Park, which is located near South Park. Billy ZeVan did the decorating and Superior M. P. Supply Co. furnished the equipments and fixtures. The Park also features the first installation in the territory of the new fluorescent carpet. Charles O. Baird, manager of the Rivoli, Portage, a unit of the Ray Allison circuit, while in Ebensburg for the theatre opening there, told us that his son Charles jr., a captain in the coast artillery reserve, was notified to report for active duty on September 20 at Mitchell Field, New York . . . Don D’Carlo, theatrical booker with Filmrow headquarters, is booking Miss Al berta Carts, the “Miss Western Pennsylvania” in the national beauty show at Atlantic City . . . Jake Soltz (King of the Rhumba) was King for the Day at the Variety Club dinner September 16. John Stahl jr. has the September 23 date. Mr. and Mrs. Sid Jacobs are hosting the Variety family night party, September 27, and the Joe Hillers have the October 4 spotlight. Poor old Uncle Gus Vaveris is breaking down, on the golf links, and his boys are taking over. Jimmy DiMauro wears the Berkeley Hills crown this season. ExChamp Uncle Gus will take some private lessons during the winter . . . Sam Hanauer, Beaver Falls exhibitor, while inspecting his new State, under construction there, fell from a plank and injured his left wrist. Both the injury and the new State are coming along, Sam reports . . . John H. Harris’ date for the “Ice Follies of 1941” at the Gardens is New Year’s week . . . The Oliver A. Kihchels of Jeannette, in New York on business this week, will attend the Allied of New Jersey convention, Atlantic City, September 25-27 . . . Andy Battiston has plans for a new front at the Manor, Manor. Bill Jervis and Charlie Underhill, local RCA executives, attended a regional meeting in Indianapolis last week. RCA is now offering a new type “Magic” sound screen, they announced upon their return to Filmrow headquarters . . . The Sol Goldbergs and the Ray Wheelers are divorcing and Libbye G. Lefkowitz has obtained her freedom from David D. Lefkowitz (Leff) . . . Joe Vogel, chief of the Loew’s theatres, was here on business the other day with District Manager Mike Cullen and Marty Burnett, manager of Loew’s Penn. Les Peterson, of M-G-M’s Hollywood publicity department, was here looking after Mickey Rooney. A grand event of this or any season was the marriage of Norman Fleishman, son of the Harry Fleishmans, and Dorothy Gusky. Hundreds of friends attended the ceremony at the Beth Shalom Synagogue last Sunday afternoon. Following the reception-party, the young couple departed for an eastern honeymoon . . . Phyllis Mae Fineman, daughter of the Archie Finemans, has enrolled at Carnegie Tech’s drama school . . . Harry Young of Universal’s Cincinnati office was here on business the other day . . . Mr. and Mrs. Bart Dattola of New Kensington departed Tuesday for Atlantic City and will remain there through September 27 for the testimonial to Abram F. Myers. Also from the local area, those expected to attend the Allied of New Jersey convention, September 25-27, include William and Harry Walker, M. A. Rosenberg, Eddie Beedle, Miss Mathilda Kiel and the Oliver A. Kihchels. NOW BOOKING— New Streamlined Version of "HELL'S ANGELS" Playing to Big Grosses Everywhere also SHIRLEY TEMPLE In Four 2-Reel Comedies 30 New Features and Westerns CROWN FILM CO. MAX SHirUGOLD, Mffr. 1701 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pa. Phone: ATlantic 8359 BOXOFFICE : : September 21, 1940 37