Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1939)

Ritz in Pitt Stays Open While It Is Remodeled J^EON REICHBLUM has greatly improved the front of the State, Wilkinsburg, by the addition of a large circular attraction board which has been constructed over the boxoffice, the ceiling of the semi-marquee being brilliantly lighted. Front and inner lobby have been newly decorated . . . Alan Handley and other members of the cast of “Kiss the Boys Goodbye” were busy during off-stage hours selling Christmas Seals in the Nixon lobby . . . Harry (Patsy) Levin of the Casino reports the stork has delivered a new baby daughter who has been named Lois . . . Irving Dietz, local distributor of fight pictures, returned to New York for the holidays, but he’ll be around again after the first of the year to handle “The Birth of a Champion,” which pictures the historic ring battle 20 years ago between Jess Willard and Jack Dempsey. George “B” Josack, Dietz’s associate, is on the job here in the interest of this spectacular film subject. James Work, the Pine Grove, W. Va., exhibitor, who operates a hardware store at Lumberport, is dickering for another theatre . . . Republic exchange, in addition to all the Christmas decorations, has installed a front window electric neon clock. This is a real service and one which Filmrow has needed for years . . . Many local film and theatre men will support the annual St. Vincent de Paul Shoe Fund hockey classic which will be staged in Duquesne Garden on Tuesday, February 6, according to Dan M. Hamill, chairman . . . We’re told that Norm Huhn is walking on air these days . . . William Grande, who suffered a stomach disorder, is around again after being hospitalized . . . Don D’Carlo reports he has been kept very busy booking holiday stage and floor shows. Dave Trimble, veteran newspaperman and manager of the Liberty, Masontown, Pa., dishes out romance on the side. After theatre hours, he writes love stories for the syndicates . . . Freda Brog of Atlantic Screen Service and Wilbert Domb, city pharmacist, will merge on January 21 . . . L. Hayes Garbarino, former Clarion exhibitor, underwent a slight facial operation, having chin moles removed. His court action against his former partners, James Aquilina, T. A. Aquilina and J. T. Birocco will be heard in Clarion county court at an early date . . . Dave Barnholtz departed over the weekend for Denver to spend the holidays with members of his family after having closed all his accounts for New Universal contracts. He is the first 100 per cent salesman for this company under the new regime. Clothing and toys received at the Christmas Party in the Variety Club is being distributed to children at the Roselia Foundling Institute ... A number of local (Continued on page 96) Pittsburgh — WB’s Ritz downtown remained open this week as the house underwent extensive remodeling and decorating, including a new modern front. New type lighting fixtures and larger rest rooms were among the interior alterations. In addition to a new glass front, a triangular modernistic marquee has been installed. Max Silverman is manager of the Ritz. The WB Brookline, managed by Charles Shannon and operating on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, has a novel policy, showing pictures selected by vote of the Brookline patrons. Three Films by Standard Acquired by Monarch Pittsburgh — In addition to Standard’s “Spy of Napoleon,” starring Richard Barthelmess, Monarch Pictures has acquired “The Mill on the Floss,” “Prisoner of Corbal” and “Forbidden Music,” also Standard productions. Among the new P-D-C productions now booking are “Buried Alive,” “Torture Ship,” “Invisible Killer” and “The Goose Step,” the latter being the new title of “Hitler — Beast of Berlin.” Cohen Out of Monogram Pittsburgh — Jack Cohen of Monogram withdrew this week as a sales representative for that company. PITTSBURGH WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR Start the New Year Right by Using CYCLEX Lamps and Save on Carbons And Current SUPERIOR MOTION PICTURE SUPPLY CO. A. F. MORRONE, President 84 Van Braam Street GRant 0724 and GRant 0725 PITTSBURGH Distributors of the new Cyclex lamphouse by Ashcraft 92 BOXOFFICE : : December 23, 1939