The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1941)

THE EXHIBITOR 15 Free Col. Theatre Tickets NEW YORK — Columbia Pictures last week set a precedent by inviting outof-town exhibitors visiting here to be its guests at performances of “Pal Joey” and “My Sister Eileen,” two Broadway stage hits the company re¬ cently purchased. Columbia is anxious to give exhibit¬ ors an advance idea of the outstanding film entertainment qualities in these properties. “Pal Joey” and “My Sister Eileen” are scheduled to be among Columbia’s screen offerings for the coming season. Arrangements have been made whereby all out-of-town exhibitors, by contacting Columbia’s sales depart¬ ment, when in New York, will be fur¬ nished with tickets to these shows. "Nights" Withdrawn New York — At the request of the Ar¬ gentine government, Universal Pictures last week withdrew “Argentine Nights” from circulation in the Argentine. Ac¬ cording to a spokesman for the company, the picture was produced over a year ago as a harmless comedy in which no offense to any people or nation was intended. It is not the policy of Universal, he said, to produce any pictures of controversial nature, and, in line with this policy, the company has recently created a special department in its studio empowered to de¬ lete from scripts and sets any dialogue and scenes which, by any stretch of the imag¬ ination, might be interpreted as being derogatory to the customs and feelings of foreign nations. In the case of “Argentine Nights,” he declared, the unfavorable re¬ ception was obviously inspired by un¬ friendly interests in Buenos Aires. Warners Arrange Library New York — Jack L. Warner announced last week that a Library Of the Screen, with branches in 500 theatres throughout the country, is to be established by War¬ ners next fall. Each library will be stocked with material applying to the screen. It will contain novels and historical works already produced and yet to be produced by Warners and other studios, as well as texts and histories dealing with Hollywood and the making of movies. Albums of still photographs from famous Hollywood pro¬ ductions will be available for inspection in the libraries. All facilities and resources of the lib¬ raries will be offered to the public without charge. Clark NFC Head New York — James P. Clark was re¬ elected president and treasurer of Na¬ tional Film Carriers as the organization concluded its eighth annual convention here last week. Other officers re-elected were Thomas W. Gilroy, vice-president, and Clinton Weyer, secretary. Charles W. Trampe was added to the executive com¬ mittee in place of Harold C. Robinson, and S. J. Marshall was added to the board of managers. Legislation and business matters were discussed at the final ses¬ sion. N. L. Nathanson Resigns Toronto — N. L. Nathanson, president, Famous Players Canadian Corporation, re¬ signed last week at the annual sharehold¬ ers meeting here. J. L. Fitzgibbons, form¬ erly vice-president, was elected president and general manager; an almost entirely new board of directors was elected; R. W. Bolstad became vice-president and treas¬ urer; and Noel G. Barrow was named secretary. It was reported that Nathanson resigned to join another Canadian circuit. PRC Execs Meet New York — At a meeting of the PRC board of directors last week, extensions of present contracts for long terms were given to O. Henry Briggs, president, and Leon Fromkess, vice-president in charge of operations. At the session were Briggs, George Gill, Harry Asher, Lee Goldberg, Bert Lulick, M. Lefton, William Flemion, Herbert Given, and Jack Adams, Jr. Other franchise holders attending were Jack K. Adams and Lou Lefton. Casanave-NSS Suit Set New York — The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court having held that Casanave had the right to prosecute his actions in Westchester, it was an¬ nounced last week that the suit and coun¬ ter suit of NSS and Charles Casanave will be tried in Westchester County. WB Ad, Publicity Shifts New York — Following conferences with Charles Einfeld, director of advertising and publicity for Warner Brothers, Mort Blumenstock, in charge of advertising and publicity in the east, announced last week a realignment of duties. Gil Golden will be in charge of all con¬ sumer advertising. Paul Lazarus, Jr., has been given new duties which will include trade paper advertising and trade promo¬ tion. Sid Rechetnik has been promoted to press book editor and exhibitor service. Lee Blumberg has been promoted to take charge of the field exploitation depart¬ ment. Don Gillette joins the department as trade paper contact and editor of the house organ. Morton Gerber has been promoted to head of the Vitaphone short subjects publicity department. K-A-O, Keith's Reports New York — Keith-Albee-Orpheum and B. F. Keith Corporation last week an¬ nounced net profits for the 52 weeks ended April 5 as well as the earnings for the 13 weeks ended the same date. After all charges, KAO’s 52-week earn¬ ings were $704,232.38. This is equal to $11.07 per share on 63,586 shares of cumu¬ lative convertible preferred stock. Net profit for the same period last year was $961,893. B. F. Keith Corporation for the 52-week period, showed a net profit of $469,316.51. vnu UAn a ci inr nr a nti v 1 % YOU HAD A SLICE OF ARMY BEEF IN “BUCK PRIVATES”... NOW HERE COMES A DISH OF NAVY GRAVY! m Bud ABBOTT & Lou COSTELLO DICK POWELL IN THE NAVY *ith THE ANDREWS SISTERS * Claire Dodd • Dick Foran Butch & Buddy • Shemp Howard • Sunnie O’Dea • Condos Bros. Directed by ARTHUR LUBIN • Associate Producer ALEX GOTTLIEB < A UNIVERSAL PICTURf May 21, 1941