The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

5 “Man of Conquest" Given Trade Shows Flax Brothers Arrange Gala Pre-Vieivs Republic’s Flax Brothers — Samuel M., Jacob E. — completed all arrangements last week for the gala trade screening of "Man of Conquest” in Baltimore May 12. More than 1,000 guests — including Baltimore’s Mayor Jackson, School Superintendent Weglein, District Attorney Wells — are expected at the screening, to be held in the Auditorium. As is the usual Republic custom, refreshments will be served. Last Sunday, the Richard Dix triumph was screened on the Eastern Shore for the territory exhibitors at the New, Salisbury, Maryland. Arrangements were made by salesman Edward Martin. The Flax Brothers have spared no expense to make the coming screening the best so far. The picture opens in Baltimore at Keith’s May 20. Publicist Fred Schanberger was hired by the Flax brothers to assure adequate exploitation of the event. Washington will get its first glimpses of the picture May 19, when it opens at Warners’ Earle, Ambassador. Thomas J. McSpadden, publisher of the Lexington, Virginia, Gazette, is the sponsor of the Flouston Memorial Park project, it was announced in Washington last week by Samuel M. Flax, coowner, Republic exchange. In this connection, Publisher McSpadden is anxious to make contact with all of the exhibitors in the Shenandoah Valley, from Roanoke to Winchester, who will play "Man of Conquest.” Balto. Ticket Law Okayed The amendment to allow ticket sales in all places of amusement before 2 P. M. Sundays, which was placed on the ballot in the May 2 mayoralty election in Baltimore, Maryland, passed by a good majority. Mayor Howard W. Jackson was reelected. Motion picture people contributed to his campaign, and he had good backing from the industry. Kaliski GN Manager) As Harry Brown Leaves Ex-GB Chief Announces New Releases Ready Joseph Kaliski, former Gaumont-British Washington branch manager, more recently branch manager of Grand National’s Boston office returned to Washington last week to head the local GN office. Announcement, made by Sol Edwards, GN sales manager, followed the resignation of Harry S. Brown, for many years the local GN branch manager. Brown had not completed negotiations for a new assignment as this issue of The Exhibitor went to press. It was learned, however, that Brown would probably take a brief vacation. Kaliski, well-known to this territory’s exhibitors, left Washington several months ago. Kaliski announced he had two pictures ready for release: Anna Sten in "Exile Express,” Charlotte Wynters and Leon Ames in "Panama Patrol.” Mrs. Kaliski will join her husband here. NSS Territory Enlarged Enlargement of the territory serviced by the Washington office of National Screen Service was announced here last week by Arthur A. Jacobson, branch manager. All of the new territory acquired by Jacobson is in West Virginia. Territory will be covered by George Nathan, territory representative. Meanwhile, Jacobson, who recently returned from a three-weeks’ rest in Florida, began a tour of the Virginia circuit to secure new contracts. Added theatres follow: Bradshaw, Bradshaw; Community, Keystone; Pine, Pineville; War, War; Pocohontas, Welch; Wyoming, Mullens; Alpine, Marlinton; Omar, Omar; Kimball, Kimball; Freeman, North Fork; Victoria, Parsons; Temple, Welch; Colonial Bluefield; Rialto, Mullens; Russell, Alderson; Grand, Ronceverte; the theatres in Newhall, Bramwell, Hinton, Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs, Durbin, Thomas, Davis, Wardensville. Educational Month Spurred by 20th-Foxites Annual Drive at Hand Again Samuel N. Wheeler’s 20th Centuryfox office last week acclaimed the announcement of the fifth annual Educational Anniversary Month campaign which gets under way this week, runs for five weeks, officially terminating on June 3. Between this week and June 3, the 31 20th Century-Fox exchanges will be straining every effort to run up a new record for volume of playtime obtained and revenue earned. Branch manager Wheeler said available for ammunition in this important campaign will be two-reel and one-reel Educational featurettes, comedies, novelties, travelogues, cartoons. The $1000 prize money is the gift of Earl W. Hammons, president, Educational. The four prizes, in which winning branch managers, salesmen, members of the booking departments share in according to their salary, follow: first, $400; second, $300; third, $200; fourth, $100. Hurley to II, Vice Spinks Charles Hurley, former chief shipper for Clark Film, last week became affiliated with Universal as ad-sales manager, according to an announcement made by branch manager B. Bernard Kreisler, following the departure of Clem Spinks, 10 years with the firm. Hurley, who, before joining the Universal ranks, had two weeks’ experience with Preferred Pictures as a salesman, comes well qualified to his new job. At the same time, it was learned Jules Share, would return to Republic after a short absence. $100 Daily Norfolk Fee Tent shows and carnivals playing in Norfolk, Virginia, now have to pay $100 license fee daily following a session last fortnight between the Norfolk Theatre Managers Association and city manager Borland. The old system had the city manager waive the license fee if a portion of the proceeds went to charity, but the Council changed this by striking out th • clause. Duffus Subs for Bell Carlton Duffus, Metro’s Washington Charlotte exploiteer, last week assumed the publicity duties of J. Raymond Bell, who departed May 2 for Paris (on the S.S. Normandie) on a free ticket won in the Metro "Marie Antoinette” contest. May 10, 19)9 NAT