The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

B’Way Back to Normal As Grosses Slip a Bit Eastern Production Sees Dunphy on the List Former Paramount Exec Lines Up Program New York City — Christopher J. Dunphy, former executive of Paramount announced last week the formation of a finance company to produce two Class A motion pictures in a New York studio at a total cost of not less than $600,000. He said that with most of the arrangements made — except for the important one of a studio equipped to take care of the production of two films to cost about $300,000 each — it was hoped that the shooting of the pictures would be begun not later than March 22 to April 1. Dunphy declared that the producerdirector with whom he was dealing had made arrangements to have the pictures distributed by one of the major companies— assuring a national distribution. Later, Dunphy announced that Marion C. Gering would head the production company. First picture will be “Bricks Without Straw,” to be followed by “Song On Your Bugle.” Zukor Off for S. A. New York City — Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board of Paramount, sailed last week end on the Grace liner Santa Elena for a business tour through South America. Asked if he thought there was any likelihood of the moving picture industry transferring its operations from Hollywood to New York, as was suggested recently by Mayor La Guardia, he replied: “You can bring the stars to New York but you can’t transfer the technical equipment just like that.” No Providence Burlesk Providence — Burlesque is out as far as this city is concerned. Replying January 12 to Antonio A. Romano’s application for a license to present burlesque at the Playhouse, the Bureau of Police and Fire entered a denial of the application and Bureau secretary Samuel Gee said that the Bureau felt there had been no improvement in this type of entertainment since the Bureau last banned it here. Two Close in Boston Boston — The Lieberman Circuit Repertoire and the local Newsreel were closed January 11 by the State Banking Commission. January 17, 1940 Jersey Justice Rules “Bank Night” Illegal Contracts Made in Such Connection Are Void East Rutherford, New Jersey — Judge James S. T. Ely ruled last week in Second District Court that “Bank Nights” at theatres are illegal and that any contracts made in connection with them are void. The 17-page decision climaxed more than three years of litigation in which an amusement company demanded payment of $112.50 from a Ramsey, New Jersey, theatre which had contracted to hold “Bank Nights” and failed to fulfill the terms of the contract. Ely ruled that since he considered “Bank Nights” illegal, the contract was null and void and the plaintiff would be unable to enforce the contract. He held that “Bank Nights” are contrary to New Jersey public policy of outlawing gambling. The plaintiff in the case, the Barclay Amusement Corporation, first started suit December 19, 1936. The Supreme Court later reversed the decision in favor of the defendant on the ground that the evidence warranted affirmative action. The retrial took place in East Rutherford January 4 of this year. Col. Actions Consolidated New York City — State Supreme Court Justice Samuel H. Hofstadter last week end granted application of Columbia to consolidate five stockholder actions brought against the company, officers and directors. Court directed an amended complaint to be filed within 30 days and an answer in 30 additional days. RKO Receivership Ends NEW YORK CITY— A hearing will be held January 18 on an order signed by Federal Judge William Bondy directing the Irving Trust Company as trustee of the Radio-Keith-Orpheum Corporation to transfer all of its assets to the new company formed recently in reorganization proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act. All creditors and others interested in the new RKO corporation were informed that the final act of the reorganization will take place in Judge Bondy’s chambers at 2:30 P.M. THE EXHIBITOR Music Hall, Capitol, Astor Head Business List New York City — Business returned to normal, with the exception of a few spots, a survey of week-end grosses showed. Following is the report on the week-end business of the principal theatres, as compiled by The Exhibitor from usually authoritative sources: “FOUR WIVES” (Warners) — At the Strand, opened December 28, with Abe Lyman & His Band, and stage show, did $29,300 on the third and final week, good. “GONE WITH THE WIND” (Metro) — At the Astor (road-show), opened December 19, $21,000 on the fourth week, very big. “ GONE WITH THE WIND” (Metro)— At the Capitol (three-a-day) , opened December 19, did $55,000 on the fourth week, big. “GULLIVER’S TRAVELS” (Paramount) — At the Paramount, opened December 20, with Glen Gray & His Casa Loma Orchestra, and stage show, did $25,000 on the fourth week, good. “HIS GIRL FRIDAY” (Columbia) — At the Radio City Music Hall, opened January 11, with the stage show, did $63,000 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, heading for a $100,000 week, very good. “INVISIBLE STRIPES” (Warners) — At the Strand, opened January 12, with Shep Fields, and the “Dead End Kids” (“Spike” Gorcey, “Goofy” Hall, Bugs Dell, “Fats” Punsley) headlining the stage show, did $25,000 on Friday, Saturday, Sundav, very good. THE LIGHT THAT FAILED” (Paramount) — At the Rivoli, opened December 23, did $18,500 on the fourth week good. “MY SON IS GUILTY” (Columbia) — At the Globe, opened January 13, did $2,600 on Saturday, Sunday, fair. “RAFFLES” (United Artists) — At the Roxy, opened January 12, with stage show, did $20,000 on Fridav, Saturdav, Sundav. fair. “SANTA FE MARSHAL” (Paramount) and “LOST ON THE WESTERN FRONT” (Standard)— At the Centra', opened January 13, did $1,700 on Saturday, Sunday, fair. Charles Einfeld Arrives New York City— Charles Einfeld, Warner Brothers’ vice-president in charge of advertising and publicity, arrived in New York last week end from the company’s West Coast studio. He revealed that “Virginia City,” the company’s big special, would get a sendoff similar to that given “Dodge City” last vear, with a special train taking stars from the studios and another taking the eastern contingent to the Nevada town. Reade Managers Change New York City— Week-end shifts in the Reade circuit found the following changes: Nick Schermerhorn to be manager of the Community, Morristown, New Jersey; Joe Localle, Kingston, Kingston, to become manager of the Community, Saratoga; John Gutteridge, Savoy, here, to manage the Kingston, Kingston; Richard Mooney, Lyric, Asbury Park, New Jersey (closed) to assist at the Savoy. George Walsh Testifies Boston — Further hearings in the MorseRothenberg anti-trust suit found George Walsh, Poughkeepsie, New York, circuit operator, on the stand for several days of testimony. Conn. Exhibs Meet New Haven, Connecticut — Both exhibitor units, the MPTO of Connecticut and Connecticut Allied were to have met in separate session here yesterday (17). QUAD.