The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

9 “YMDD” Topping Stem At Strand and Globe Repeaters at Music Hall, Paramount Holding Well New York City — Opening at the Strand after the Board of Regents approved, "Yes, My Darling Daughter” started off with a bang. To supplant "The Lady Vanishes” at the Globe, "Devil’s Island” was set, but diplomatic objections caused its withdrawal, with "Blackwell’s Island” the substitute. This other island was, apparently, also jinxed, and finally a second print of "Yes, My Darling Daughter” was obtained, unspooled. The week-end summary: CAFE SOCIETY (Paramount)— At the Paramount, opening February IS, with stage show headed by Hal Kemp and orchestra, with Tony Martin, took $20,000 on the Saturday, Sunday of the second week. HONOLULU (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) — At the Capitol, opening February 22, did only "fair.” MADE FOR EACH OTHER (United Artists) — At Radio City Music Hall, opening February IS, with Eleanor Holm heading the stage show, did $6 S ,000 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the second week. PYGMALION ( Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) — At the Astor, opening November 2 S , in its 14th week, did an estimated $12,500. WIFE, HUSBAND AND FRIEND (20th Century-Fox)— At the Roxy, opening February 24, with stage show headed by Henny Youngman and orchestra, did $27,826 Friday, Saturday, Sunday. YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER (Warners) — At the Strand, with Kay Kyser and orchestra headlining the stage show, did $20,3 50 on Saturday, Sunday. At the Globe, to handle the overflow crowds, did between $5,500 and $6,000 on Saturday Sunday. YOU CAN’T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN (Universal) — At the Rivoli, opening February 18, did $1 5,000 on the first week. N. Y. Censors Okay ‘YMDD’ New York City — "Yes, My Darling Daughter” was granted a license February 24 by the New York State Board of Regents after ordering only minor dialogue deletions in a revised print. Censors, however, were upheld in the case of "The Puritan,” whose ban was sustained. GB Set on Television New York City — Ian Javal, commercial director of Baird Television, controlled by GB, arrived in America last week to make arrangements for entering the American Television field both in the theatre and the home, will actively investigate the possibility of manufacturing in this country both theatre and home Television receivers, under the Baird patents, so that sets may be offered here at a reasonable price. Negotiations are now under way to acquire a Broadway theatre for the demonstration of Baird theatre Television during the forthcoming New York’s World’s Fair. Javal believes the current function of television in the motion picture theatre is to take the place of the second feature with the televising of news events as they occur. In answer to a pointed question he estimated the cost of television equipment for the average theatre on a lease basis to run between $4000$5000. However, he admits, the cost to the exhibitor will be somewhat higher than the cost of the second feature. To counteract any possibilities of those persons having home sets tuning in on the theatre shows, there will be special wave length shunted directly to the house equipped for the reception. Theatres in England are interested, he said, because they remember what happened when sound first came in, want to be in on the ground floor this time. He is in America now to make a survey of the attitude of the exhibitors, the public as far as television in theatres is concerned. Ask Divorcement Dismissal Washington — Counsel for Paramount was scheduled February 27 to ask that the Supreme Court dismiss the litigation involving the constitutionality of the North Dakota affiliated theatre divorce law following the repeal of the measure by the state legislature. Sam Hacker Resigns New York City — Sam Hacker has resigned as manager of the Republic contract department and assistant to Morris Goodman. 20th-Fox Meets April 3 Chicago — 20th Century-Fox will hold it annual convention here April 3 for three days. Foreign meetings abroad will follow. Atlas RKO Names Submitted New York City — Executive staff of the reorganized RKO, as submitted by Atlas Corporation to Judge Bondy for his approval last fortnight, included: president, George J. Schaefer; vice-president, Ned E. Depinet; secretary, William Mallard; treasurer or assistant treasurer, William Mallard. After consultation with and approval by substantially all interested parties the following have also been submitted as directors of the reorganized company: Ned E. Depinet, Thomas P. Durell, Ferdinand Eberstadt, Frederick L. Ehrman, L. Lawrence Green, James G. Harboard, Conde Nast, Floyd B. Odium, John E. Parsons, N. Peter Rathvon, George J. Schaefer, W. G. Van Schmus, Lunsford P. Yandell. Floyd B. Odium, on the request of the major interests involved, has consented to serve as chairman of the board for a limited period following reorganization, giving such of his time as is available to general policy matters. He will be assisted by N. Peter Rathvon, who will act as chairman of a working committee of the board. Weekend Previews New York City Hollywood — Caught in the weekend previewing whirl by JEP reviewers were ROLLIN’ WESTWARD (Monogram)— Tex Ritter, Dorothy Fay. 56m. Tex again wins the girl in a fair entrant. BLONDIE MEETS THE BOSS (Columbia) — Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, Larry Simms, Daisy. 70m. This is better than the first Blondie in comedy and production values. As such it is good family fare. BLACKWELL’S ISLAND (Warners)— John Garfield, Rosemary Lane, Dick Purcell, Victor Jory, Stanley Fields. 71m. Old King of the B’s Bryan Foy has done it again with a saleable, exploitable meller of prison life on the former New York City prison isle. This is swell meller program. SPIRIT OF CULVER (Universal)— Jackie Cooper, Freddie Bartholomew, Timy Holt, Andy Devine, Henry Hull, Gene Reynolds. 90m. Tops family entertainment, this is intensely exploitable, with names that can mean much, emerging as high rating program. MURDER IS NEWS (Warwick) — John Gallaudet, Iris Meredith. 5 5m. Nabe dualler is okay for the action houses. Alice Faye Off Air Hollywood — Exhibitors, already pleased to note action of Darryl Zanuck and Metro on Tyrone Power and "Good News” respectively, greeted the announcement that Alice Faye would be kept off the air by Zanuck with acclaim this week. Third Pact Draft on Way New York City — A third, revised draft of the trade parley plan is soon to be submitted to exhibitors, it developed last weekend. Attorneys for the distributors are working on it. March 1, 1939 TRI