The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

E NATIO Ml RRO WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY Loew’s Cuts Prices NEW YORK CITY— A revision in the general scale of admission prices for the week-ends has been scheduled in several Loew theatres, according to an announcement by C. C. Moskowitz, general manager of the theatre circuit, last week. For the "early birds” on Sundays and holidays (from opening to 2 o’clock), new lower prices will be in effect at Loew’s Kings, Boro Park, Oriental, 46th Street, Alpine, Coney Island, Sheridan; and in addition to this there will be a reduction on Saturday, Sunday and holiday evenings at Loew’s Rio, Loew’s 175th Street theatres, with another cut at Loew’s 17th Street from Monday to Thursday evenings. The cuts will amount to from a nickel to a dime, with half of the latter the federal tax where the nisffit price reverts to 40 cents instead of 45 cents. M. E. Comerford Stricken MIAMI, FLORIDA— M. E. Comerford, head of the Pennsylvania and New York circuit bearing his name, was stricken with a heart ailment here January 2 8. It was also reported that a pneumonia condition had developed. The aged independent circuit leader, one of the most prominent in the entire country, was stricken a few years ago but recovered. Quiz Delivery Simultaneous NEW YORK CITY— It is announced arrangements have been made so that the list of winners of the $2 5 0,000 Movie Quiz Contest will be delivered to theatres who participated in the Motion Pictures’ Greatest Year Campaign promptly at 8 P. M. February 20 throughout the United States and Canada. Neely Hearings Set WASHINGTON — Hearings on the anti-block booking measure introduced into the Senate by Senator Neely were ordered last week by the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee. From Here and There BALTIMORE — Two of six persons charged with gambling by maintaining and operating a "Bingo” game at the Linden was found guilty in Criminal Court. All six were acquitted in charges of maintaining a lottery. Harry Silver, president, and Frank R. Boucher, manager, were found guilty. A motion for a new trial is expected. State Senator John G. Callan has already introduced a bill at Annapolis to eliminate the game from the list of state prohibited forms of gambling. PHILADELPHIA — Employees of four houses catering to negro trade voted to be represented in collective bargaining by Local B-I00, IATSE, in a State Labor Board election. House, with 32 employees, are the New Jewel, Joy, Pearl and New Douglas. Standard employees rejected the union. PHILADELPHIA— Sale of the Admiral from David Shapiro to Frank Gladdeck was reported dropped last weekend after the deal was all set. Shapiro, before the sale was reported, was rumored starting a clearance case against Stanley-Warner and other defendants. NEW YORK CITY— Al Reid, manager, Fabian’s Brooklyn houses, will be tendered a birthday dinner by the employees of the Brooklyn Paramount, Fox, Strand, February 8. Delegations are expected from Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, Middletown, Schenectady, Newark, Paterson, Westfield to swell the total attending to 200. NEW YORK CITY — Loew’s Ziegfeld is changing to a single feature policy February 9, after a test run. A statement from C. C. Moskowitz, theatre head, stated that the theatre showed signs of preferring singles, although most other Loew towns like the dual policy. NEW YORK CITY — Bad weather cut into grosses throughout the entire eastern territory last week end. Cold spell, followed by plentiful rain, affected business sharply. ALBANY, NEW YORK— Dinner given to Harry Black, promoted to the Fabian home office in New York City, was a big success here January 3 0. Black, reported as having taken the Staten Island supervisorship, will work in the Fabian home office, instead. Weekend Previews HOLLYWOOD — Previewed during the weekend were: WOMAN DOCTOR (Republic) — Frieda Inescourt, Henry Wilcoxon, Claire Dodd, Sybil Jason, a conventional story of the clashing loves of two women for the same man, with a surprise twist, rated a top dualler with femme appeal. (6 5m.) WOMEN IN THE WIND (Warners)— Kay Francis, William Gargan, Victor Jory. Francis’ last for Warners, this is just program, saleable because of the air angle. (63m.) HONOLULU (Metro) — Eleanor Powell, Robert Young, George Burns and Grade Allen, Rita Johnson, a pleasant comedy with music, that should please generally. Title, presence of star values and selling angles, all should help. (8 5m.) “Gunga Din” at Music Hall Highlights Weekend Grosses NEW YORK — Business on current Broadway motion pictures, as reported to the Jay Emanuel Publications’ editorial offices, included the following: GUNGA DIN (RKO-Radio) — At Radio City Music Hall, opening January 26, with a stage show did $66,000 Thursday through Sunday, playing to 92,5 00 people. House experienced a hold-out foyer crowd at the Saturday midnight show, a record. SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (Universal)— At the Rivoli, starting January 26, business was reported "very good.” JESSE JAMES (20th Century-Fox) — At the Roxy, with a stage show, from Friday through Sunday on the third weekend, $29,897, a total of 62,612 people, bringing the total attendance thus far to $372,189, the gross to $170,319. THE LADY VANISHES (GB-20thF) — At the Globe, in its fifth week, did $4100 Saturday and Sunday, decidedly good business. PARIS HONEYMOON (Paramount) — At the Paramount, with Bob Crosby and Band headlining the stage show, opening January 25, did $17,000 Saturday and Sunday, very good business. PYGMALION (Metro)— At the Astor, in its eighth week, did on its seventh, "near capacity” business, $1 5,000. STAND UP AND FIGHT (Metro) — At the Capitol, starting January 26, "held up despite the weather,” indicating fair business. THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL (Warners) — At the Strand, with Leo Reisman and Orchestra headlining the stage show, in its second week, did $18,000 Friday through Sunday, with $42,000 for the full week before. PACIFIC LINER (RKO)— At the Rialto, $2,000, "good,” Saturday and Sunday. GIRL DOWNSTAIRS (Metro)— Criterion, only average business. Weather was brutal all week end, the intense cold being followed by rain all day Sunday. Warners Profit Announced A profit of $103,704 for the 13 weeks ended November 26, 193 8, is shown in the report of Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., announced last week. This is equal to $1 each on $103,107 shares of preferred stock outstanding. After allowance for dividend requirements on preferred stock, earning available for common stock amounted to $4,564. Dividends in arrears on December 1, 193 8, were $26 a share. For 13 weeks to November 27, 1937, net income was $1,865,5 99, equal, after preferred dividend requirements, to 43 cents each on 3,701,090 common shares then outstanding. February 1, 19)9 TRI