Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1939)

Pittsburgh — Tenth week of the Filmrow Bowling League passed last Friday with Republic leading by one game over New Universal and with Columbia and Loew’s in hot pursuit. Milt Broudy of Columbia collected the $1 award for high score for one game, rolling a 182. Standings to December 8, when Columbia was to match with New Universal, and Republic was to vie with Loew’s: Won Lost Republic 23 7 Universal 22 8 Columbia 21 9 Loew’s 20 10 All Stars 11 19 ZOth-Fox 11 19 Monarch 10 20 KKO 2 28 Detroit — Latest scores in the Film Bowling League show Republic far in the lead: Team Won Lost Republic 29 7 United Artists 22 14 Film Drug 21 15 Fim Truck 19 17 Co-operative Theatres 16 20 20th Century-Fox 14 22 Monogram 12 20 Amusement Supply 10 26 Film Drug rolled the highest night’s score of the season, 2,510, including the second highest single game, 899. High individual rollers were: Max Blumenthal, 216; Eddie Loye, 203, and A1 Rupert, 202. (ETROiT — New bowling i Nightingales Club: standings Team W. L. Motiograph ...25 15 McArthur Thea. Equip... 24 16 National Theatre Sup.. ...22 18 Oliver Theatre Sup ...21 19 Lorenzen Flower Shop. ...19 21 National Carbon Co ...17 23 Amusement Supply Co ...16 24 Brenkert Projectors ...16 24 High scorers: William Fouchey, 223; S. J. Lambly, 214; Jack M. Hall, 212; Jack Linden thal, 211; Romulus Albu, 207; William Swistak, 201; Clarence C. Moroney, 201, and Emil Rausch, 200. Long-Termer to Hussey Hollywood — Ruth Hussey has been signed to a new long-term contract by Metro. She has just finished work in “Northwest Passage,” starring Spencer Tracy, in which she has the feminine lead. Teamed on “U" Story Hollywood — Maurice Wright and Maurice Tombragel have been teamed to script Universal’s “River of Missing Men.” Termer to Phyllis Brooks Hollywood — RKO has handed Phyllis Brooks a term acting pact. Detroit Filmites Busy on Two Parties This Week Detroit — Local filmdom is concentrating on two major parties this week — Past Commanders Night, which will honor Jack Ferentz, business agent of the Musicians’ Federation, by Theatrical Post No. 371 of the American Legion on Monday, and Variety Club’s big Feather Party on Friday. First event will be at the Legion Club, second will be at the Crystal Ballroom of the Book-Cadillac Hotel. A third event 'Tuesday midnight will be the Warner trade preview of “Four Wives” at the United Artists Theatre. George "B" Josack Heads Quality Premium Branch Pittsburgh — George “B” Josack, wellknown film man, has been appointed branch manager for Quality Premium Distributors, with office at 1701 Blvd. of the Allies. The Quality merchandise was formerly handled by the late Louis J. Engel. Manager Leases Legit Columbus, Ohio — Robert F. Boda, manager of the Hartman Theatre here for several years, has leased the house which plays legitimate attractions, for five and a half years from Mrs. Maribel Hartman of New York City. Metro Termer to Hunter Hollywood — Metro has signed Ian Hunter to a new long-term acting pact. "Wrong Again!" Pittsburgh — Captioned “The Movies Are Wrong Again,” the Pittsburgh Catholic, official organ of the Catholic diocese of Pittsburgh, published this editorial November 30: “Just at the moment when this nation needs to guard against any emotional or hysterical feeling in the direction of war, the motion picture industry comes blundering along with films containing precisely the type of propaganda that should be avoided. 'Two of them are now in Pittsburgh— ‘Nurse Edith CavelT and ‘Hitler, Beast of Berlin.’ 'The one is characteristic Hollywood glamorizing and sentimentalizing of an incident of the World War; the other is a plain hate-arouser. Both are decidedly offensive to the standard of conduct which the American people obviously want to observe with respect to the European war — that of remaining calm, of demanding facts and reasoned opinions. “The newspapers and the radio, after a wild outburst of sensation and theatricals at the beginning of the war, have got themselves under praiseworthy control, and are giving proper consideration to truth, accuracy and fairness — as the welfare of the country demands. It is too bad that the movies do not exercise similarly good judgment and good taste. Or would that be expecting too much from the industry that had to be clubbed away from dirt, and that still thinks the making of profits justifies the exploitation of any theme, no matter what its effect on the society which provides the profits?” JF IT ISN’T one thing it’s another: Last month local theatres watched a roller skating contest nick the boxoffice. And now it is a jitterbug jamboree at the Auditorium that is doing sensational business! Our sincerest sympathy to Johnny Jones, manager of the Southern Theatre, whose mother died last week. "Mother” Jones was well known to all the boys. Curt Littman starts his vacation on the 23rd. He’s the Republic salesman . . . Dave Bines was in from Cleveland to catch the Martha Raye opening at the Palace . . . How about that theatre at 18th and Main? Due to an edict by the police department there will be no booze or dancing New Year’s eve in the city proper (unless the p. d. cedes a point or two). So on that night it looks as if "motion pictures are your best entertainment!” The Variety Club party will be held on Sunday night, regardless. Hear reports of new theatres for Cleves and Columbus Grove . . . Rumors continue on J. Real Neth selling out to the Schine circuit. Those in the know will give you 10-1 he has made a deal with Schine. Leo Yassenoff, genial boss of F&Y, is hitting the road again. Has been in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis territories, is now in Cmcy. We will expect announcements of new houses in the near future. Bud Rose, with his Bantam Loew’s goodwill car, was in Columbus and Dayton last week. The car, covered completely with autographs of the stars, attracted plenty of attention. Burglars paid the Grand Theatre, Newark, a visit one night last week, collecting nearly $500 for their troubles. Floyd Price owns the house . . . The V. C. skating party Tuesday night turned out to be a howling (just that) success. Ted Gardner (American Theatre Equipment), tells us that he put in a complete projection outfit at the London Prison Farm. The inmates paid for the equipment; first time they’ve had picture shows there. John Scully jr. Shorts Booker in Cleveland Cleveland — John W. Scully jr. has been named as short subjects booker of the Universal exchange here to succeed Joe Swee, who resigned to become RKO office manager. Scully was transferred from the Philadelphia office. Remodels in Claysville Claysville, Pa. — W. L. Zedaker, who recently purchased the Clay Theatre property here, is remodeling the building and will operate the enterprise himself. Opening date has been scheduled for December 15. BOXOFFICE ; : December 9, 1939 89