Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1939)

Circuit Operator in Studio — Herbert R. Bolshoven (right), partner in the Wiler and Bolshoven circuit of Grand Rapids, Mich., chats with Jeffrey Lynn on the set of “Four Wives” at the Warner studio. ITO Convention Notes PITTSBURGH QHARLES WARNER of Bridgeport, W. Va., who operates at Jane Lew, Brownton, Flemington and Galloway, was very much present at the Clarksburg exhibitor shindig last week. Ben Welansky had as his guest Ben Stein of Boston. Welansky and Eddie Golden, Monogram Pictures vice-president and honor guest of the ITO convention, are owners of the Pittsburgh franchise for Monogram. Dave Franz, of Franz Promotional Advertising Service, did himself proud at the West Virginia confab and his room was popular. At the banquet he offered a free fur coat, which was won by James H. Nash, the popular United Artists sales representative. We just know that Mrs. Nash was ticlded to receive this. gift. Hurray for Jimmy! R. J. “Riney” Hiehle, retiring president of the ITO of W. Va., was presented with a fine engraved wrist watch by members of the new Allied imit. Richard D. Marks, new president, and Garland West, reelected treasurer, were handed fine pen and pencil sets and Danny Davis, re-elected secretary, was presented with a set of golf sticks. George Sallows of Morgantown, newly elected vice-president of the year-old organization, presided at the ITO banquet as toastmaster. George Silver and his band, of Uniontown, furnished music for the motion picture ball which was broadcast by WBLK in the new Robinson Grand Theatre building. Harry Gantz, former theatre manager at Clarksburg, was present saying hello to all the boys and girls and getting in a good word for “Lucky,” which he distributes. Claude Robinson told us he was spending $200,000 in rebuilding his Grand Theatre, which he expects will be ready for opening the second week in November. The new structure is a great piece of work. We have never seen so many workmen on a theatre job. Robinson is cold to the ITO of W. Va. No convention hereabouts would be complete, it seems, without the presence of Leo Yassenoff of F&Y Theatre Building Service, Columbus, Ohio. Yassenoff had a fine photo and material display at the convention and he delivered an interesting talk at the business session. Prank Panoplos, Peter Antonopolos, M. N. Shapiro and Andy Battiston of the local area, together with M. A. Rosenberg, Allied’s regional vice-president, represented western Pennsylvania at the Clarksburg affair. George Nelson, Fairmount exhibitor for a quarter of a century and Miss Lynne B. Monroe, exhibitor at nearby Shinnston for Warner and Metro Policies Approved Pittsburgh — Merchandising policies as announced by Warner and M-G-M were approved by the ITO of W. Va. at the organization’s first annual convention which was held in Clarksburg last week. Following a discussion of various points of the two company policies the ITO went on record unanimously as thanking Warner and M-G-M for the newly offered exhibitor privileges which were declared to be a good start in the right direction by the conventioneers. Secretary Danny Davis was instructed to communicate with these companies, expressing the gratitude of the new Allied unit. ITO officers expressed the hope that other film companies would announce similar or more advantageous policies for their customers. The new officers elected at this convention are Richard D Marks of Clarksburg,, president; George Sallows, Morgantown, vice-president; Garland West, Buckhannon, treasurer: Danny Davis, Lumberport, secretary. a long period, had never met until introduced by your reporter. It was nice to have a few minutes with the S. A. Peters family of Sistersville; Mrs. F. Lininger of Piedmont: H. H. Robey of Spencer, B. P. Drey of West Union, C. L. Sutton of Thomas and others we don’t get to see very often. Dr. and Mrs. C. P. Church of Mannington, Bill Heaton of Pennsboro and others are among regular visitors on Filmrow. We were glad to see all the exhibitors at the meeting, banquet and dance and to visit at their rooms. Sid Jacobs, West Virginia district manager for Warner theatres, circulated in the hotel lobby and then attended the funeral of J. A. McDonald, McKeesport, Pa., manager for the circuit, who was buried in his old home town, Jane Lew. Again Call Klingensmith For MPTO Publicity Pittsburgh — For the tenth successive year Bob Klingensmith of Boxoffice has been appointed as a member of the publicity committee for the annual convention of the MPTO of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. Chairman of this particular committee is M. N. Shapiro. Charles S. Philbrook, convention chairman, is making other committee selections this week. 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