The Exhibitor (Jun-Oct 1939)

7 WEEK-END NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Folly Anti-Trust Suit New York City — Folly Amusement Corporation has filed an anti-trust action in United States District Court for $75 0,000 against eight majors, Mono¬ gram, Republic, Randforce circuit (Frisch-Rinzler) , and Frisch and Rinzler personally for $75 0,000 triple dam¬ ages. Suit claims that Randforce first tried to force the plaintiff to sell the Folly, in the neighborhood of four Rand¬ force houses, and when this failed secured from the distributor defendants, special rights and privileges, etc., and un¬ reasonable clearance affecting the Folly, with the plaintiff organizing a subsidiary company affiliating itself with SpringerCocalis circuit in May, 1938, ultimately being disposed in November. Ida Shereff, secretary-treasurer, Folly Amusement Corporation, signed the complaint. Paramount Sked Announced Hollywood — Further details of the Paramount convention schedule which begins June 8 here were announced: June 8: Meeting at 9.3 0 A. M. with Neil F. Agnew, vice-president-general sales manager, chairman; roll call; address of welcome by Neil F. Agnew; introductions by Adolph Zukor, Bar¬ ney Balaban, Stanton Griffis, John W. Hicks, Jr., members of the foreign department; 100 percent Club by J. J. Unger. At 2.15 P. M. session re¬ sumes with the production department being represented by Y. Frank Freeman, William LeBaron, A. M. Botsford. June 9: Analysis of product. June 10: Talks by divisional managers. Roanoke Action Up Roanoke, Virginia — Anti-trust action filed against 10 companies, includ¬ ing two independents and M. K. Murphy and Ada B. Murphy by Byers Theatres, which operates the State, Appalachia; Bolling, Norton, seeking injunction, damages of $101,3 50, the usual fees, etc., until the action is heard, was returnable June 5. Monopoly charge is made. Fight Bill Reported Out Washington — The Barbour measure to legalize passage of prize fight films in Interstate Commerce was approved by the Senate Interstate Commerce Com¬ mittee. June 7, 1939 Another for Olive, Benton Washington — Charles H. Olive, At¬ las-Princess managing director, last week announced a John Zink-designed, 1,600seat theatre for the University Park sec¬ tion, to be operated by the Life Amuse¬ ment Company, Fred S. Kogod, presi¬ dent. Ample parking facilities will be provided. Saratoga, New York — W i 1 1 i a m Benton last week took over the Harr¬ ington Palace, which closed June 10. Monogram 12 -Feature Spurt New York — A pronounced spurt in production at the Monogram studios last fortnight brought about by the reported new financing received by the organiza¬ tion plus local gossip that the remaining 12 program and western films on the 193 8-39 schedule will be delivered as promised is bearing out W. Ray John¬ ston’s slogan that "Monogram always delivers.” Albany, Philadelphia Closings Albany — It was reported here last weekend that Schine circuit will close 12 houses for the summer, which is several more than usual for that time of the year. Philadelphia — Stanley -Warner closed their Aldine and Keith’s for the summer, with the Stanton getting a repeat run policy instead of first runs. Neely Bill Called Solution Washington — In favorably report¬ ing the Neely bill last weekend, the Sen¬ ate Interstate Commerce Committee de¬ scribed it as the "most moderate ap¬ proach possible to the solution of evils allegedly connected with the motion pic¬ ture industry.” Exhibitor Brothers — Heroes Boonville, New York — Jose Stern¬ berg, local exhibitor, and his brother, Hyman, Utica, made a heroic rescue of three persons whose boat exploded and burst into fire on Lake Oneida last week. They were fishing in their cabin cruiser when the accident occurred. THE EXHIBITOR At Pop Prices "Juarez” Does Best NYC Business New York City — Following hard on the heels of a five-week road-show en¬ gagement, Warners’ "Juarez” at the 2,75 8-seat Strand proved the top moneygetter, with $27,000 on the weekend. Second was 20th Century-Fox’s "Young Mr. Lincoln at the 5,8 86-seat Roxy, which took a similar amount for the same period. "Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” still continued strong, with near-capacity business. Other spots were weak. Complete report to The Exhibitor follows: CAPTAIN FURY” (United Artists) — At the Radio City Music Hall, opened May 25, with the stage show, "Travelogue,” headed by William and Joe Mandel, Jack Cole and His East Indian Dancers, the Music Hall Rockettes, Ballet Corps, and Glee Club, did $45,000 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the second week. "GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS” (Metro-GoldwynMayer) — At the Astor, opened May 16, did an almost-capacity business, estimated at $15,000 on the third week. JUAREZ (Warners) — At the Strand, opened June 2 at popular prices, following five weeks, two-a-day, at the Hollywood, did the Main Stem’s top business, taking $27,000 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. "THE KID FROM KOKOMO” (Warners) — At the Strand, opened May 19, did a poor $17,000 on the second week, with Ruby New¬ man, Bert Frohman, the Adrian Rollini Trio, the Three Wiere Brothers on the stage. ''THE MIKADO” (Universal) — At the United Artists Rivoli, opened June 1, is headed for a week s take of $20,000, which, while under expectations, is good. TELL NO1 TALES” (Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer) At the Capitol, opened June 1, is estimated to take $1 8,000 on the week, which is showing an improvement over recent stanzas. UNION PACIFIC” (Paramount) — At the Paramount, opened May 10, with Emery Deutsch (replacing Richard Himber), orchestra and asso¬ ciated artists on the stage, should finish the fourth and last week with $20,000. WOLF CALL” (Monogram) — At the Cen¬ tral, opened June 3, did $1,700 on Saturday and Sunday. WUTHE.RING HEIGHTS” (United Artists) — At the Rivoli, opened April 13, did $14,000 on its seventh, and last, week. YOUNG MR. LINCOLN” (20th CenturyFox) — At the Roxy, opened June 2, is estimated to have done a smash $28,000 to $30,000 on Fri¬ day through Sunday. TMAT Strike Ends New York City — Strike called by the TMAT, which affected nine houses of the Five Boro circuit, was ended when the managers returned to work and a conference to effect settlement details. Moss Raps Non-Theatricals New York City — License Commis¬ sioner Paul Moss has announced that he will not tolerate non-theatrical show¬ ing of any pictures not licensed for ex¬ hibition by the state board of censors. Union Merger Reported New York City — Reports cropped up again last weekend that a merger between Empire union and Local 3 06 was again near after a series of meetings. QUAD