Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1939)

(Continued from page 63) Her son accompanied her . . . Abe Weiner, former local VA salesmayi now branch manager for the distributor in Pittsburgh, was in the district last week. George S. Ryan, film attorney; Roy E. Heffner, Bank Night distributor, and A1 Borrelli of Specialty Pictures were hunting in Maine this week and last. Meyer Ruttenberg, local Coulter Premiums representative, has turned out with a new black Dodge sedan. Fred Greenway and Howard Burkhardt, respective managers of Loew’s State and Orpheum, proxied for Lana Turner in a “Dancing Co-ed” tieup by awarding a trophy to Mary Hughes of Boston University, chosen as Boston’s dancing co-ed. E. R. Hutchinson, operator of the Strong Theatre in Burlington, was down from the Green Mountain state last week . . . H. J. McKinney, head of National Theatre Supply Co. in New England, and Mrs. McKinney have been vacationing in northern New England and Canada. Fred Hartwick has purchased RCA sound and a P. A. system for the Strand which he has rebuilt in Taunton. Walter Murphy, formerly on the local managerial list of Loew’s, Inc., has been appointed field manager of 15 Graphic Theatre circuit houses. H. C. Elwes, local RCA Photophone sales representative, has contracted with Jerry Mascoli for new sound at the Cameo in Waterbury, Conn. Sam Richmond, booker for the growing Gordon and Lockwood circuit, is awaiting cold weather and hockey. Richmond formerly played with St. Johns Tech at Winnipeg. Starring at Lacrosse, also, the former Jack Myers and later Fred E. Lieberman booker, at one time played against Arthur Chapman, now with the New York Americans. In college, he captained the basketball quintet where his proclivities as a track man and high jumper installed him, despite his medium height, as varsity center. M. H. Keleher has put in a new sound system at the Princess Theatre in Hartford ... A similar changeover is in line for the Rialto in Worcester . . . It’s new sound, too, for the Park in South Berwick, Me. Tom Donaldson, former local M-G-M office manager, was in last week from New Haven where he heads the major’s branch there . . . Tim O’Toole, branch manager transferred from Boston to New Haven, was also in town . . . Rudy Wetter, National Screen Service salesman who fought off a cold all last week, planned to be in Rhode Island and western Massachusetts this week. Alden B. Hoag, managing director of the Boston Transcript for the past six months, has been appointed to take over full direction of the news, features, and editorial departments of the daily. Phillip Lavine, New England manager for the Phil Smith circuit, and Mrs. Lavine are at amicable odds regarding their annual Caribbean cruise. Lavine wants to sail. Mrs. Lavine isn’t too sure about the submarine situation. Jeanette Clark has been elected president of the National Screen Service Club which has several socials scheduled . . . Ed Reed, manager of the Strand in Providence, is already ballyhooing “Gulliver’s Travels.” Reed’s exploitation reads, “ — days to Christmas and the showing of ‘Gulliver’s Travels.’ ” Frank Lydon and Herbert Higgins continue banding a group of local film men for a retreat at Campion Hall in Andover on November 17, 18 and 19. A number of non-Catholics are planning to join the exodus, they say. A brother of the Rev. John T. McGrory, who heads the Jesuit institution, operated theatres in Weymouth for a number of years. MONOGRAM NEWS OF THE WEEK Here is the inside story on E. M. Loew, one of New England's outstanding showmen who is one of our most prominent exhibitors. He is strangely shy about revealing the story of his success. But we do know that Mr. Loew began his career in Worcester 21 years ago by opening a small theatre. Within a short while the young showman was flat on his back, losing every cent on this unsuccessful venture. After saving enough money, he again entered show business, opening a theatre in Lynn, Mass. Today, 42-year-old Mr. Loew operates some 40 theatres throughout New England. These houses consist of burlesque, vaudeville, A and B movie houses. "E. M." his friends call him that — makes his home on a vast estate at Hyde Park. His main hobby is playing casino and his associates recently crowned him as casino champ. Our hat is off to Mr. Loew, who refused to be counted out — the mark of a real champion! Henry Sperling, who operates the Central Theatre in Manville, R. L, used to be a Boston distributor several years ago. He handled independent films exclusively. That is why he thinks so much of independent films today. Henry is "one of the boys," and always tries to make our job a little bit easier by cooperating to the utmost. This exhibitor is one of that select group of movie people who are respected members of the bar. Monogram is declaring war on empty seats in movie houses. If you want to build a steady attendance, try our new product for 1939-40. "Mutiny in the Big House" is all that we say it is — a grand picture, well acted by Charles Bickford, Barton MacLane and a large cast. While booking this film, don't neglect the Mr. Wong and Tailspin Tommy series. Begin an embargo on unprofitable, high-priced pictures and BUY MONOGRAM. Sieve Broidy Monogram Pictures, inc. 39 CHURCH STREET BOSTON BOXOFFICE : : October 21, 1939 65