The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

WEEKEND NEWS HIGHLIGHTS IN THE INDUSTRY NBR Speaker Raps Censors NEW YORK CITY — Immediate abolition of the Will Hays office, the motion picture production code, the Legion of Decency and all other censorship groups was advocated by Professor Sawyer Falk, Syracuse University, speaking at the 15 th annual conference of the National Board of Review here. Other speakers also rapped the self-inflicted censorship within the industry. The sessions closed Saturday, with a luncheon at which principal speakers were Metro’s Howard Dietz, March of Time’s Louis deRochemont, NBR executive secretary Wilton Barrett opened the affair, turned it over to Langdon W. Post, the toastmaster. The annual conference was generally credited with being the NBR’s most successful. Quiz Attendance Clarified NEW YORK CITY— The MPGY committee last weekend announced that those interested in finding out the winners of the $2 5 0,000 Movie Quiz contest will not have to attend theatres to hear the result as news services will carry the winners’ names. This is to avoid any misunderstanding between patron and theatre. Companies Quit Italy NEW YORK CITY — American motion picture companies have officially ceased business in Italy, Will H. Hays, president, MPPDA, announced. He indicated they had no other recourse, because of government policy. $2,979,943 for Loew’s NEW YORK CITY— Loew’s Inc., showed $2,979,943 for the 12 weeks ended November 24, 1938, it was reported. This compares with $2,917,409 for the same period last year. Bren Leaves UA for RKO HOLLYWOOD — Milton Bren, executive producer for UA’s Hal Roach, has left that company to join RKO, it was reported last week. 92,816 Theatres in World WASHINGTON, D. C.— As of January 1, 1939, there were approximately 92,816 motion picture theatres in 96 countries throughout the world as compared with 89,097 theatres on January 1, 193 8, according to a world survey announced by Nathan D. Golden, Chief of the Motion Picture Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, an increase of 3,719 theatres for the year. Wired theatres during the year 193 8 have increased by 3,3 5 8. On January 1, 1939, 66,362 theatres were wired as compared with 62,89 5 theatres wired as of January 1, 193 8. Out of the total number of theatres operating in 193 8, Europe accounts for 63,043 as of January 1, 1939, with 37,578 wired as against 59,187 theatres with 34,819 wired and operating on January 1, 193 8. It must not be overlooked that most of the 3 0,000 so-called theatres in Russia are nothing more than workers’ clubs and halls where motion pictures are shown. Latin America too shows an increase in theatres operating as of January 1, 1939, as of that date 5,239 motion picture theatres have been reported open, of which 4,571 were wired for sound films as compared with 5,174 theatres of which 4,3 5 5 were wired on January 1, 193 8. Golden’s survey shows that on January 1, 193 9, 6,201 theatres of which 5,796 were wired for sound were doing business in the Far East. This is an increase of 3 67 theatres and an increase of 927 theatres installing sound equipment during the year 193 8. Canada, too, shows an increase. On January 1, 1 93 9, 1,224 theatres were operating all of which were wired for sound as compared with 1,0 89 theatres on January 1, 193 8. Tyrone Power Off Radio NEW YORK CITY— Darryl F. Zanuck announced last week that Tyrone Power was cancelling his radio broadcast. Zanuck intimated exhibitor sentiments regarding radio broadcasts of screen stars has a lot to do with it. Starting February 12, Charles Boyer will be heard in the Power spot on the "Hollywood Playhouse” program. Neely Bill Group Named Named as a subcommittee of the U. S. Senate’s interstate commerce committee over the week-end to hold hearings on the re-introduced Neely Bill were Kentucky’s Smith, chairman; Kentucky’s Barkley, West Virginia’s Neely, New Hampshire’s Tobey, Maine’s White. “Gunga Din” Tops Main Stem But “James” Still Strong NEW YORK CITY — Business on current Broadway productions as reported to the Philadelphia office of the Jay Emanuel Publications included the following: GUNGA DIN (RKO-Radio): At New York’s Music Hall, with a stage show, did $102,000 on the first week, with $3 8,867 on the Saturday, Sunday of the second stanza. IDIOT’S DELIGHT (Metro) : At New York’s Capitol, starting February 2, had the biggest opening matinee since "Mutiny on the Bounty” ( 1 93 5 ), with steady hold-out crowds over the week-end. JESSE JAMES (20th Century-Fox): At New York’s Roxy, in its fourth week, with stage show of Nick Lucas, Three Swifts, the Del Rios, Sunny Rice, Gae Foster Girls, did $26,3 57 for Friday through Sunday. Totals through February 5: admissions, 417,315; take, $217,316. THE LADY VANISHES (Gaumont British): At New York’s Globe, did $4,200 on Saturday and Sunday. PARIS HONEYMOON (Paramount): At New York’s Paramount, with Bob Crosby and orchestra on the stage, did $14,000 on the Saturday and Sunday of the second week. PYGMALION (Metro) : At New York’s Astor, in the eighth week, will do an estimated $12,000. SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (Universal): At New Yorks Rivoli, $1 8,500 is the estimate for the week. WINGS OF THE NAVY (Warners) : At New York s Strand, with Artie Shaw and orchestra on the stage, did $28,000 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Withdraw “Snow White” NEW YORK CITY — Effective April 3 0, all English versions of "Snow Whit: and the Seven Dwarfs” will be withdrawn from the U. S. and Canada, RKORadio announced this week-end. Foreignlanguage versions of the Walt Disney masterpiece, however, will continue to be available. Money Games Restored SYRACUSE, N. Y.— Following a stormy battle, Allied Theatres of New York over the week-end finally succeeded in restoring money games to local theatres when Assistant District Attorney Clarence Unckless declared that these games could not be permanently stopped. Early Pact Action Seen NEW YORK CITY— With the somewhat sooner than expected return from Florida of 20th Century-Fox’s Sidney R. Kent, the trade at the week-end foresaw early efforts to bring the trade-practice agreement to a quick and successful conclusion. Divorcement a Demand WASHINGTON— That divorcement of production, exhibition would be demanded as "a primary object” of the government suit was re-affirmed over the week-end by Assistant Attorney General Arnold. February 8, 1939 TRI