The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

12 THE NATIONAL MIRROR Outlining what the body has done, the message ends with a plea for checks to be sent to treasurer Herman Blum in Washington. A form of bill enclosed puts a $5 contribution as the request from every theatre. RKO Re-Organization Okay Believed Ready A probable okay on RKO re-organization plan is expected December 2 in Federal Court in the Southern New York district following indication by Judge William O. Bondy at the hearing November 22 that he would render a decision at the later date. It is expected the present amended plan will be favored. “Fortune” Gives Hays, MPPDA the Onceover Will H. Hays, the MPPDA entered the ranks of industry "big business” this week when the December issue of Fortune magazine appeared devoted to Hays, the MPPDA, the industry code, other regulation problems familiar to industryites. Those who read the article thought it complimentary, detected a slight tonguein-cheek scrutiny occasionally, noted that nothing was said about any Hays accomplishment along intra-industry lines, trad: problems, etc. That Fortune’s readers will be highly interested was apparent. Industry Now Looks to Dec. 8, 9 Parley Confab With December 8,9 as the dates when the next meetings involving exhibitor organization, distributor representatives would take place, the trade this week awaited further developments in the all important parley. Generally, it was thought that the boys would be out of the trenches by Christmas. UA Shows $148,743.37 Among the companies reporting their financial statements last fortnight was the following: United Artists — Net income of $148,743.37 is shown for United Artists Theatre Circuit, Inc., for the year ended August 31. Week-End Grosses Reported by Wire Snoiv Affects Business; "Angels” Sets New High Business on new pictures opening in key cities over the weekend, together with comments generally on special pictures, as reported to the Jay Emanuel Publications by direct wire from horn: offices, theatres, included the following: ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES (Warners): did $33,000 (with stage show) over the week-end at New York’s Strand; all-time opening-day record set at Memphis’ Warners; best opening in six years at Philadelphia’s Fox; SRO at New Haven’s Roger Sherman, Pittsburgh’s Penn; smash draw at Cleveland’s Hippodrome; topped "The Adventures of Robin Hood” in 44 other spots. THE COWBOY AND THE LADY (United Artists) : Thanksgiving take at New York’s Music Hall (with stage show) was $20,610; with $70,600 for the Thursday-through-Sunday take. DRUMS (United Artists): broke all Thanksgiving, also opening day records at Boston’s Keith’s Memorial. Preview performance, opening day take was $6,330. THE GREAT WALTZ (Metro): Business excellent (with stage show) at New York’s Capitol, picture being held over. LITTLE TOUGH GUYS IN SOCIETY (Universal): at the Rivoli, New York, "just fair” for a $7,500 take on the week. OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS (Metro): opened Thanksgiving day, notwithstanding the weather, to "the most sensational business in six years” throughout the Loew circuit. SUBMARINE PATROL (20th Century-Fox): took $20,114 (with stage show) over the weekend at New York Roxy. Because of the weather over the Thanksgiving weekend, business in general was just fair in New York. 20th Century-Fox Execs Confer on Coast Dec. 12 Home Office , Sales Heads Travel to Parley 20th Century-Fox executives will meet on the coast December 12 to discuss organization, sales policies, with an eye toward any possible economies, it developed last week. Led by Herman Wobber, sales chief, the New York home office crew include Sidney R. Kent, Charles E. McCarthy, William Sussman, William C. Gehring, William J. Kupper, Jack Sichelman, Martin Moskowitz, Jack Bloom. Others going from the New York area are Harry H. Buxbaum, Joe Lee, J. P. O’Loghlin, The district managers attending are Edgar Moss, Tom H. Bailey, George A. Roberts, Ward E. Scott, Harry G. Ballance. Some western exchange heads will be present also. HOLD PRESS Headline News of the Weekend Earle W . Hammons is re-elected president of Educational; other officers also returned to posts. Warners confer on 1938-1939 production plans in New York. Jeffrey Bernerd leaves GB to become head of Grand National United Kingdom distribution. Adolph Zukor’s departure to English Paramount post is postponed until just before Christmas. Warners show an operating profit of $1 ,929,721 for the year ended August 27, comparing with $5,876,18} for the same period last year. Harry H. Thomas will distribute TriNational Films in eastern area on partnership arrangement . Suit of Herb Elliott, Philadelphia exhibitor, against Sfanley-W arner, major distributors is reported settled with pooling arrangement of Elliott’s Fern Rock, S-W Colney, with Elliott operating, a split of profits. William Goldman, Eastern Pennsylvania hide circuit operator, is reported filing suit against St anley-W arner on an anti-trust charge involving his Philadelphia Bandbox. Closing of S-W Earle, Philadelphia, is averted when St anley-W arner makes new deal with musicians. Companies Report Shifts Several important changes in personnel of leading companies were reported as follows last week: Republic — Charlie Ford has resigned as a producer. Monogram — Dorothy Reid has been named story head, succeeding Arthur Fitz-Richards, resigned. Grand National — Sig Wittman is assistant to president Edward Alperson. VolGT IZ’-t MONTGOMERY AVE. PMILA.PA DECORATIVE LIGHTING | DRINKIMG FOUNTAIN/ DIRECTION XIGN/ r.\ NIC! Cl UK! you doing y«ur besl lo avoul them '! ON YOUR DESK EVERY WEDNESDAY November 30, 7 93 X