The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

10 Walker for Arbiter NEW YORK CITY — Any move within the industry to appoint an arbiter as No. 1 industry man on problems arising in the trade cannot be completed without considering James J. Walker, ex-mayor of New York City. Walker has a splendid reputation. During his industry days he made a name for himself as a fearless, fair square-shooter, and any consideration of an arbiter must include him. If those who are sponsoring the arbiter move want a real man for the post, one who will be respected by all sides, let them remember Walker. — J. E. "Wind” Continues as Smash New York City — Solid sellout business prevails, at the end of the fourth Broadway week of “Gone With the Wind,” it was announced last week both at the Astor and Capitol Theatres capacity houses have greeted every performance, the Astor, with reserved seats, showing $22,700 for the week, and the Capitol, on an unreserved seat policy, just over $80,000. Completing the fourth and final week at the Loew’s, Reading, and Loew’s, Harrisburg, “Gone With the Wind” registered $58,300 for four weeks in the former location, and $50,700 in Harrisburg for the same period, almost double the best previous record for each Pennsylvania house. With announcement by Metro of 12 more “Gone With the Wind” engagements, total bookings to date for pictures are 127 in 114 cities. Loew Boardmen Re-Elected New York City — Members of the board of Loew’s, Inc., were re-elected at the annual meeting of stockholders last week, with an attempt to add two names defeated. Several stockholders were present who asked for further information on salaries paid executives, stars, etc. J. Robert Rubin, counsel, said that revenues for the last quarter would be affected by the loss in September and October revenues abroad, but that business was normal again in England. He said that the effect of the Neely Bill on the company would not be big. All officers of the corporation were reelected by the board following the stockholders’ session. Neely Hearings in February Washington — Hearings on the Neely Bill must wait until those on the transportation measure have ended, it was announced last week. This is taken to mean that the motion picture bill discussion will be sometime in February. Franklin to RKO NEW YORK CITY — Harold B. Franklin was reported last week end about to step into an executive berth with RKO. THE EXHIBITOR Dietz Optimistic On Return from Coast Outlines Forthcoming "Big Ones” New York City — Metro pictures now in various stage of production, and which will be nationally released during the next two months, comprise the most powerful group of box-office “naturals” in some time, in the opinion of Howard Dietz, director of publicity, advertising and exploitation for Metro, last week. Dietz, who has just returned from a three-week visit to the Culver City studios, where he saw the new product, also revealed plans for advertising and exploitation campaigns on several of these films. He was especially enthusiastic about the recently completed “I Take This Woman.” Dietz also had highest praise for “The Shop Around the Corner” and “Congo Maisie,” current releases, and “Strange Cargo,” “Northwest Passage,” filmed in Technicolor; “Broadway Melody of 1940” and “Young Tom Edison.” Both “Young Tom Edison,” in which Mickey Rooney has the title role, and “Edison the Man,” with Spencer Tracy carrying on as the man who ushered in modern progress, will be publicized in advertisements for the first of the two pictures, thus stressing a continuing story rather than two separate films. Only a month will be between the release of the first and the second. First bows in at Port Huron, Michigan, February 11. Town was Edison’s childhood home. “Northwest Passage” gets its first showing at the Penny, Boise, Idaho, February 23, with other openings later. Dietz praised William Ferguson, exploitation head, and staff for their swell “GWTW” job. “Gone With the Wind” is exceeding every expectation, and the advance sale in all cases where tickets have gone on sale equals twice the gross taken by the complete run in those theatres of their previously most successful pictures. Pascal Joins UA Group New York City — Gabriel Pascal becomes a producer for United Artists under an exclusive three year contract concluded last week with Murray Silverstone, head of world-wide operations of the company. The Pascal-George Bernard Shaw relations, will continue in his first UA production, which is to be “Major Barbara.” Wendy Hiller, who had the leading role opposite Leslie Howard in “Pygmalion,” will be seen in “Major Barbara.” So will Robert Morley. “Major Barbara” will be produced in England. Pascal’s second UA production, to be selected from a list that includes the three George Bernard Shaw works, “The Doctor’s Dilemma,” “The Devil’s Disciple” and “Caesar and Cleopatra,” will probably be made in Hollywood. Ed Grainger with Warners Hollywood — Edmund Grainger has signed a production contract with Warners, it was announced last week. Schines Win Victory GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK — Notice was received here last week by the Schine Enterprises, Inc., that Federal Judge John Knight, Buffalo, had denied a preliminary injunction sought by the government to restrain the five-state chain from acquiring additional theatres. The Schines may go ahead with their expansion plans pending trial of the government’s antitrust suit, Judge Knight ruled. The Court also allowed 22 demands in the Schine application for a bill of particulars, and gave 40 days, after service, to answer the new bill. J. Myer Schine, president of the circuit, was enroute home from New York City and could not be reached for comment. Louis W. Schine was in Montreal on a business trip. Other home office sources would not comment except to say “off the record" that the initial decision appeared highly favorable. Inde Poster Men Meeting New York City — Independent poster renters from the entire country will attend the annual convention of the National Poster Service Association to be held February 9, 10, 11, in New York City. Simon Libros, president of the independent poster men’s association since its inception 10 years ago, in an interview stated that his organization was “ready to cope with any situation created by a concern which claims to have contracts to distribute posters for two or three producing companies.” The poster renters association, with a Warner Brothers contract — the first of its kind in the industry — under its belt, is conducting negotiations with the remaining film companies for the manufacture and distribution of their posters. It is expected that these contracts will be signed within a few weeks. Jack Warner East New York City — Jack Warner, head of Warner Brothers production, was due this week to attend reunion of the 69th Regiment January 24. Company’s “The Fighting 69th” will be screened. Pat O’Brien and George Brent accompanied him. Dinner is one of many throughout the country being held at the same time by 69th Regiment men everywhere. Special air plugs, etc., were arranged. The picture will have 365 simultaneous openings during the week of January 26, it was announced, as part of the tieup. "Pinocchio” Bows Feb. 2 NEW YORK CITY— World premiere of Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” will take place at Rockefeller Center February 2. Opening will be strictly formal. Picture runs 75 minutes. January 24, 1940