Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1940)

^HE flu is playing havoc with many of the smaller towns in this state, but Seattle so far has fought it to a standstill. A number of the little spots have closed their theatres and schools, but this town, although many are suffering from colds, is enjoying the greatest Xmas shopping crowds in years. Theatres are doing fair business, but one night this week five of the leading houses did over-capacity business. The Paramount, Fifth Ave, and Orpheum of the Fox-Evergreen chain; the Palomar of the Sterling theatres, and the Liberty of the Jensen-von Herberg theatres all combined in a joint surprise night and the idea had grand results. The Warner exchange, also Universal, are bedecked with banners, bunting, and ballyhoo for their various drives. Bill Shartin of Warner’s sent out a special novelty ad for Sears while McGinley of Universal is using various gag ideas to put his drive over. Jim Root, new assistant to Joe Cooper, manager of the Northwest Film Club, announces that he will be a proud pop in a very few months. Word from east of the mountains also tells that Buck Seale of the Orpheum in Spokane will be passing out cigars some time in February, and also George Mitchell of the National Screen Service will be doing the same thing about the same time ... By the time you read this, Ruby McMillan of the Columbia of fice will be Mrs. Lawrence Munnell. Ruby is the daughter of A. H. McMillan, former office manager for various film companies. Congrats Ruby and may you be together many years. What is this? Front page of local daily tells that Julie Bernhardt along with two other film beauties, has decided to serve as co-ma7iager of Collin Blair, actor. The gals will try to make him into a star. If they succeed they’ll share half his income. Julie was Miss Seattle in 1937, and was a former cashier at the Palomar and Metropolitan theatres. Gordon Morris who recently resigned as the B. F. Shearer representative in Montana, has become purchasing agent for Mrs. Wilma Simons’ circuit of 18 houses and also manager of one of her ranch properties . . . Tubby Griffen and his wife. Avis, have decided to stay in town an extra week. The couple were scheduled to go back to Dillingham, Alaska, this week but when they heard of the farewell party to be given at the Film Club for Dwight Spracher and Lillian, they just had to stay. Dwight has been transferred from this office of Paramount to the San Francisco branch. The Liberty Theatre took it on the chin from the flu. Laid up are Cliff Challew, the manager; John von Herberg jr., George Labissoniere , Florence Bean, and Emma Webber. Ernestine Stiles, the cashier, returned to work as the others left . . . Willard Coughlan, wife and daughter, Beverly, have returned to Portland after a short visit with relatives in Seattle. Willard is manager of the Hollywood in Portland for Evergreen theatres . . . Alex "Doc” Singelow is being welcomed back to Filmrow by his many friends. Doc has been transferred from the Denver office of United Artists to the Portland branch and is waiting here for the arrival of Pete Higgins, branch manager of Seattle, at present laid up with flu. Andy Smith jr. and Herb McIntyre of the RKO division headquarters back to California after a visit with Eddie Lamb, local branch manager . . . Dorothy Colson of the contract department at Universal has returned from Ohio where she was called by the death of her father . . . Miriam Dickey, secretary and assistant to Captain Lathrop of the Lathrop circuit of theatres in Alaska, in town from the north. News from the Row this week looked like a hospital report. Andy Nash, division head of RCA, in the Columbus Hospital badly injured in an auto wreck. Andy has a leg fractured and will be in for 15 weeks. Drop in boys . . . Kathryn Brobeck is in the Swedish Hospital doing nicely after a major operation; Ned Edris and Bill Conner of the theatres in Tacoma both on the flu list; Pete Higgins, manager of the UA office, in vnth the flu; Maxine Geisel of the Altec office back to her desk after the spell and Joe Stephenson, auditor for Jensen-von Herberg theatres, back to his office after a battle with flu. Jim Root, formerly of Los Angeles and Hollywood clubs, has been appointed in charge of the cocktail lounge in the Northwest Film Club and is now making many friends . . . A1 Finke, Oregon division head for Evergreen theatres, and Roy Brown, booker for that territory, back to Portland after attending a conference held in the company’s northwest division headquarters in the Skinner Bldg. . . . Ben Fish, western district manager for United Artists, arriving in town just when George Hickey, western district head for Metro, moves out of town. Harry Kirkpatrick, head operator for the Twin City theatres, in town for a day and renewing acquaintances . . . Al Baker, city manager for Evergreen in Spokane, doing his chores with the booking book . . . Sid Turner of the Fred Mercy auditing department doing his Xmas shopping here. He and Fred sr. then left for their homes in Yakima . . . Bill Evans (not of Spokane) but of the Hubenart theatres of Centralia, busy on the Row booking and stopping for a brief period to say hello! Harry and Mrs. Bender hosting 16 guests at a dinner honoring Arden Kirkpatrick and his bride who was Dee Bowlin . . . Rippe’s cafe, nationally famous, is about to be reopened and under the ownership of a very popular showman . . . Fred Ford, publicity man for RKO exchange, this week greeted his wife who came in from Memphis . . . J. T. Sheffield driving back from Portland and reporting a good trip . . . Mike Newman, publicity director from the Columbia studios, in for the “Arizona” campaign. Scripts "Improper Relations" Hollywood — Samuel Hoffenstein is scripting “Improper Relations” at 20thFox from an original story by Victor Heerman and Sarah Y. Mason. GREETINGS MY FRIENDS . . . "And May This Be the Lousiest Year in History For Everything Detrimental to You" IN THE SHOW BUSINESS POPCORN SMITH Seattle, Washington Representing MANLEY, INC. Formerly Burch Manufacturing Co. IIM RILEY Pacific Coast Theatre Supply Sends Greetings to All of His Friends 250 Golden Gate Ave P. San Francisco 38 BOXOFFICE :: December 21, 1940