Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1939)

ITO Breathing Spell In Fall Schedule Los Angeles — Pending its general membership meeting, called for November 20, the Independent Theatre Owners of So. Calif, and Ariz. is enjoying a breathing spell in its busy fall schedule. Engaged in mapping plans for the session, Robert H. Poole, executive director, has likewise temporarily tabled any further activity on behalf of the recently-organized Pacific Coast Conference of Independent Theatre Operators, of which he is executive secretary. Two independent exhibition problems in the territory will be the subjects of thorough discussions — the practice of holding commercial “previews” as pursued by Fox West Coast and the RKO circuits, and the first-run moveover policy practiced by PWC. ITO members contend the firstrun moveover system delays the availability of pictures for subsequent-run price breaks. Abolition of both practices was urgently demanded by the ITO at the time the now-defunct exhibitor-distributor trade practice code was being drafted in New York. Commercial Screen Ads Subject to Sales Tax Seattle — Jim Hone, executive secretary of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of the Northwest, reports that the state revenue department announces that all advertising shown on the screens of theatres calling attention to merchandise of local merchants is subject to the state sales tax. With commercial film companies making deals for merchant trailers to be shown on theatre screens, this tax item must be taken into consideration. Tax must be collected from the merchant. This law also applies to slides shown for merchants where the theatre owner collects revenue for the showing of same. Moray and Brower in Frisco for Meeting San Francisco — Norman Moray, sales manager for Vitaphone shorts, and N. H. (Jack) Brower, Warner Los Angeles exchange manager, were in town for a western district sales meeting called by W. E. Calloway, Warner western district sales manager, who has just returned from New York. All three planed back to Hollywood Saturday night after the meeting. Charles Peterson Building Centerville, Cal. — An 800-seat theatre is being started here by Charles Peterson who operates theatres at Brentwood and Niles. Donohue Manages Casino San Francisco — Charles H. Donohue has been named manager of the Casino Theatre, recently acquired by Peter H. Markowitz. REVIEW FLASHES CITY IN DARKNESS (20th-Fox)— One of the poorest, most wearisome and involved episodes in the veteran sleuth series, this will find it tough going everywhere but with the most confirmed Charlie Chan fans. Sidney Toler, Lynn Bari, Harold Huber. Herbert I. Leeds directed. GERONIMOl (Para) — Containing the timehonored formula of soldiers and Indians, given lavish and spectacular production mounting, and treated to an engrossing screenplay with historical background, here is a field day for the action addicts. Picture deals with the marauding Apache chief who terrorized the southwest after the Civil War and his ultimate capture by the army. While the cast lacks high-powered marquee material, it proves competent throughout and the picture is dependable as a top money offering in its class. Paul H. Sloane directed. JUSTICE OF THE RANGE (Col)— The exhibitor should have little trouble in selling this Tim McCoy western to his patrons. It is entertaining and the story holds up throughout. McCoy does well in his familiar role as a peacemaker. Tim McCoy, Billie Seward, Edward LeSaint. Dave Selman directed. PRIVATE DETECTIVE (WB)— A compact little thriller that should help fill out a wellbalanced program. The story is that of three private sleuths who become involved in the skullduggery of a crooked lawyer and it is unfolded convincingly by a cast including Dick Foran, Jane Wyman and Maxie Rosenbloom. Noel Smith directed. COMPLETE REVIEWS on the above pictures will appear in an early issue of BOXOFFICE. Gala Opening lor New Downtown in Oakland Oakland — One of the biggest theatre openings here in recent years took place Friday night when M. Michel and “Volcano” LaMarre opened the doors of their new Downtown. The house was filled for the opening, which featured a personal appearance of Jean Parker. Preopening publicity included broadcasts, newspaper advertising, and free newspaper publicity. The Downtown, a thoroughly remodeled and redecorated version of the Roosevelt, long a local theatre landmark, will operate on a 35-cent top basis, and in addition to films will offer a vaudeville show each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Galston & Sutton Plan A House in Hollywood Los Angeles — With filing of incorporation papers at Sacramento, Albert Galston and Jay Sutton disclosed plans to construct a new theatre, the Hawaii, in Hollywood. They now operate the Marcal in Hollywood and the Center near Whittier. Delay lo Nov. 20 In Coast Suit Los Angeles — Unable to complete their work for compiling a bill of particulars, as requested by Fox West Coast and the other defendants, in time, Albert J. Law and Harold Collins, special department of justice investigators, secured a postponement until November 20 of the U. S. district court hearing on the federal government’s criminal contempt charges against the circuit and nine major distributors. Attaches declared Law and Collins expected to have the bill in readiness as a result of the week’s delay, the hearing originally having been set for November 13. Motion for the bill of particulars was filed by attorney Alfred Wright, representing 20th Century-Fox, one of the defendants, asserting that the government action failed to set forth sufficient facts to inform the defendants wherein, according to the charge, they have violated the 1930 consent decree. The government’s case is based largely upon data secured during a two-year investigation here by Law and Collins, in which they probed the books, records and other financial reports of FWC, 20th Century-Fox, Loew’s, Metro, Paramount, Vitagraph, Warner, United Artists, Universal and RKO Radio. Graumans Chinese Day Shows Heavily Plugged Los Angeles — In an effort to bolster matinee trade at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, first-run in Hollywood, the Fox West Coast advertising staff has purchased space in 150 six-sheet billboards spotted in strategic locations about the city. Copy cites simply the 30 and 40-cent prices in effect at the daytime shows. Circuit executives pointed out that the Chinese has consistently registered far lower takes for matinees than its day-date Loews’ State, which is located in the downtown area where heavy street traftic results in better business. If results of the campaign are successful, FWC attaches declared it will probably be expanded to include the Four Star Theatre, located in the Wilshire Blvd. residential district. Coast Pictures Opens a San Francisco Branch I San Francisco — Coast Pictures Corp., which heretofore had operated only a Los Angeles office, has opened headquarters I here. i The company has a diversified program j of 30 pictures and five exploitation attrac ^ tions available for booking, and opened in i this area with “School for Husbands” at the new Tivoli. The Clay started a rim j of “Mademoiselle Ma Mere” Friday. Dave Nathanson is San Francisco branch manager, and his brother Sam, who was I in town for the opening, is general manager I for the company. 36 BOXOFHCE :: November 18, 1939