Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1938)

ITO DELEGATES REPORT PRACTICES PARLEY RESULTS TO DIRECTORS IN CLOSED SESSION ' Judge Hardy' Program Wins Repeat Los Angeles — Having doubled his business on an "All-Judge Hardy" program at the Regina Theatre, Manager Emil Umann is planning another dual booking of the Metro "family" series during the Christmas holidays. Fantasy Is Finding Responsive Public Los Angeles — As a result of the nationwide radio “scare” caused by the Columbia network’s recent Mercury Theatre “Man Prom Mars” broadcast, local exhibitors are already beginning to capitalize on current public interest in fantastic “terror” stories by reviving a pair of English-made features based on tales by H. G. Wells. The El Rey and Million Dollar theatres opened day-and-date showings of “Things to Come,” a Korda-United Artists film, and “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” starring Ronald Young, while the UA exchange, handling bookings, on the features, reported an unusually heavy waiting list for available prints. During the first week’s showing, the El Rey reported business to be 40 per cent over normal, with the biggest Sunday gross in more than a year, while the Million Dollar did equally as well. Pictures are being held over in both spots. Especial interest was being directed toward “Things to Come” in Hollywood, as the film was directed by William Cameron Menzies, now a member of the Selznick International organization as production designer. The pair of thrillers was to open on Thursday at the La Mar Theatre in Manhattan Beach, following which it goes into the Strand, at Redondo, both Gore Bros, houses. The Universal exchange was anticipating heavy orders for prints of “Mars Attacks the World,” based on the “Flash Gordon” syndicated comic strip. No specific dates for local bookings had been made by mid-week, however. Novel Purchase Announced Hollywood — “Moon Over Burma,” an unpublished novel by Wilson Collison, has been bought by Paramount. Scheduled to co-star are George Raft, Dorothy Lamour and Fred MacMurray. Second Meeting by Board May Terminate Secrecy Los Angeles — Amid the utmost, and as yet unexplained, secrecy, the Independent Theatre Owners of Southern California held a meeting of its board of directors on Tuesday to hear reports by President Albert Galston, General Secretary Robert Poole and Hugh Bruen, who were the organization’s delegates to the distributor-exhibitor trade practice conferences in New York some time ago. The board meeting, a lengthy session, was adjourned until next Monday, at which time it will resume. As to what transpired, nothing could be learned, as Galston bound the directorate to a “gentleman’s agreement” to maintain silence. That a thorough threshing out of such important questions as the likelihood of early action on the united independent exhibitors’ groups’ 15-point reform program, and the next steps to be taken in that direction, formed the topic of the meeting, was considered certain, however. Whether the ITO’s demands, coupled with those of other exhibitor organizations, will accomplish the purpose for which they were intended, was expected to be reported to the directorate’s satisfaction. The veil of secrecy is expected to be torn asunder after the second session of the board meeting has been concluded, at which time a general membership parley will be called, Secretary Poole declared. Two FWC Managers Cop Top Exploitation Prizes Los Angeles — Two Fox West Coast theatre managers bagged first and second prize in the national contest staged by Spyros Skouras, president of National Theatres— FWC’s parent company — for the best exploitation campaigns in connection with showings of “Three Blind Mice.” First prize of $200 went to Sam Peckner, of the Warfield Theatre, San Francisco. Ed Penn, manager of the Arlington, Santa Barbara, drew down the secondplace award of $100. To Feature Amateurs Salt Lake City — “Amateur Nights” will be featured by the new 600-seat Olympus Theatre which was to open here this week, according to Manager Phil Guss. The theatre, of reinforced concrete and steel framework, takes its name from Mt. Olympus, rising directly east of Holladay, a local suburb. Trailer lor Quiz Short Los Angeles — In preparation by National Screen Service is a 200-foot trailer ballyhooing "The World Is Ours," the "Motion Pictures' Are Your Best Entertainment" campaign short subject. C. W. Smith Erpi West Coast Chief Los Angeles— Clifford W. Smith, formerly general foreign manager of Erpi, has been appointed west coast general manager, a newly-created post. E. S. Gregg replaces Smith as general foreign manager, and F. B. Foster jr. succeeds Gregg as Erpi comptroller. Smith, who reports for his new duties to G. C. Pratt, vice-president on the west coast, has been associated with Erpi since 1929. He entered the organization as commercial manager out of the Paris office. The next year he became continental manager with offices in London. After serving as commercial director of Western Electric Co., Ltd., Smith returned to New York in 1936 as assistant foreign manager. In 1938, he was named general foreign manager. Before his association with Erpi, Smith was a Washington staff correspondent of the Associated Press. He also served on various commercial boards for the United States. San Clemente Reverts To Full-Week Schedule San Clemente, Cal. — Beginning November 4, the San Clemente reverted to an open-all-week policy. Shortly after Labor Day the theatre’s owner-operator, A1 Pointer, began operating only on weekends due to the diminishing of summer tourist trade in this beach town. He declares, however, he has been doing sufficient business to warrant continuous runs. Build at Warren Warren, Ariz. — The Harry L. Nace circuit is constructing a 600-seat theatre here, planning to have it in operation shortly before Christmas. Team MacDonald-Ayres Hollywood — Jeanette MacDonald and Lew Ayres will co-star in “Remember Tomorrow” for Metro. BOXOFFICE : : November 12, 1938 85