The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

8 THE EXHIBITOR Shapiro Case Postponed PHILADELPHIA — Hearing on the application for a temporary injunction in the anti-trust suit filed by exhibitor David Shapiro against the distributors, Robert Lynch, Stanley Warner and others was postponed last week-end by agreement. It was scheduled to have begun January 29. Reports had Shapiro agreeing to the delay in order to let some of the executives who have been subpoenaed get away for vacations scheduled before they were served. Later, rumors were heard that a settlement might be arranged. The Harry Fried anti-trust suit against the distributors and Stanley Warner is scheduled to begin February 5, but reports were current last week that this might also be settled. George Ritch Feted Stamford, Connecticut — Theatre owners, managers, city and town officials meet in Old Greenwich tonight (January 31) for a farewell dinner to George C. Ritch, managing director, Strand, Palace, whose resignation became effective today. Among the speakers scheduled are Barney Pitkin, branch manager, RKO, New Haven; Edward Ruff, Paramount branch manager, New Haven; Ben Simon, 20th Century-Fox branch manager, New Haven; Edward J. Peskay, president, Twin Theatre Corporation; Clarence Loewe, William Brown, associates with Peskay in the operation of the Strand, Palace; Nicholas Trimboli, Lester Smith, Joseph Longo, representing the stage hands and projectionists, others. Committee in charge of arrangements for the dinner included William Michalson, manager, Plaza; Judge Joseph I. Davidson, William McHugh and Dr. David W. Sloman. Nat. Board Plans Announced New York City — “Fifty Years of Films" will be the main topic of discussion at the Sixteenth Annual Conference of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, at the Hotel Pennsylvania, February 1-3. Delegates and friends of the Board’s affiliated groups and councils from all parts of the country will listen to addresses by authoritative speakers. Concluding event of the conference will be the 25th annual luncheon at the Hotel Pennsylvania February 3 to be attended by stars and other personalities of the sound and silent screen. They will include Miss Alison Skipworth, Burgess Meredith, Harry Carey, Barry Fitzgerald, Van Heflin, Bert Lytell, Ezra Stone and Miss Sara Allgood. New York Bows Soon New York City — Name chosen for the new Consolidated house being constructed on Broadway at 43rd Street, was announced last week as the New York. Equipped with RCA sound, the 600-seat house is incorporated as Waybro Theatres, Inc., with Max Richter and Lawrence Bolognino as principals. It is expected to open on March 1. Charity Luncheon Big New York City — A record turnout was recorded for the fourth annual luncheon of the Amusement Division of the New York and Brooklyn Federation of Jewish Charities January 26 at the Hotel Astor. Ex-Mayor James J. Walker was guest of honor, with George Jessel and Ben Bernie toastmasters and John Golden chairmen. David Bernstein and Major Albert Warner, are co-chairmen of the amusement division, with B. S. Moss treasurer. Over $85,000 was raised at the affair. Another Theatre Burns New York City — Mardi Gras, 1,000-seat Coney Island house, operated by the G and A Holding Corporation, was destroyed by fire last week. George Asemacopoulos is listed as owner of the little movie house, where the show was free because patrons all sat at metal-topped tables and had hot dogs and beer. Suit Asks Accounting New York City — A suit was filed last week end in state Supreme Court against Majestic Pictures Corporation, Major Film Laboratories, Herman Gluckman and Thomas W. Evans by Phil Goldstone Productions for $35,000 and an accounting. It involves alleged transfer of 16mm. rights on certain pictures. New Bloomsburg House Scranton, Pennsylvania — John Nolan, general manager, Comerford circuit, announced last week end that the circuit would build a new house in Bloomsburg, erection to start soon. Associates Meet New York City — The Motion Picture Associates directors were to have met yesterday (January 30) to consider the recent election in which Jack Ellis was re-elected president, defeating Morris Sanders by one vote. THE EXHIBITOR Volume 23, Number 12 January 31, 1940 Better Management 16, 20 Coming Reviews 14 The Check-Up (The Exhibitor’s Servisection) Yellow Section Editorial Page 3 Hints on Newspaper Advertising 18, 21 Late News Highlights 7, 8 National Mirror 9X 10 National Mirror Picture Pages 11, 15, 17, 22 National Release Date Guide Inside Back Cover News of Territory 23 et seq. Our Mr. Mentlik 13a Production Happenings 13, 13a Territorial Highlights 5 The Tip-Off 19 Warren Stokes Hollywood Newsreel 13 Material contained on this and the preceding page often represents new developments in stories to be found on other pages of this issue. If the reader will bear this in mind, it will avoid possible confusion. This section of THE EXHIBITOR goes to press last, with latest developments within the industry, where available. Linden Case Settled BALTIMORE — Finis was written to the local anti-trust case of the Linden versus major distributors, Frank H. Durkee Enterprises, et alii, when a “satisfactory” settlement was effected, it was announced January 26 by Philadelphia lawyer Harry Shapiro, attorney for the plaintiff. Shapiro would not state how the case was settled (it had been set for trial January 29) or what were the terms. "GWTW” in Philly Record Philadelphia — It was reported authoritatively last week end that “GWTW” will play to over 500,000 people in its current engagements at the S-W Earle and S-W Boyd. Advance sale is $96,000. Unique way of settling a difficulty saw Lou Formato and John Turner, S-W bookers, tossing with Lyle Trenchard, William Goldman circuit executive, to see who would get the picture in Hanover, Pennsylvania. The S-W boys lost, and sent a wire to the local Warner zone chief Ted Schlanger, collect, telling him about it and wanting to know if they were still working for S-W. Warners Show Profit New York City — Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., and its subsidiaries, in a report for the 13 weeks ended November 25, 1939, released last week, showed a net operating profit of $642,129 after all charges, including amortization, depreciation and Federal income taxes. Profit is equivalent, after allowing for dividend requirements on the preferred stock, to 14 cents each on the 3,701,090 shares of common stock, after deducting shares held in the treasury. The net operating profit of $103,805 for the corresponding 13 weeks of 1938 was equal to $1.01 each on the 103,107 shares of preferred stock. Mrs. Kaplan Injured New York City — Word was received here last week end of an automobile accident in North Carolina in which Mrs. Elliott Kaplan (Ruth Newman), secretary to Eddie Dowden, Brooklyn Loew publicist, was seriously injured. Two blood transfusions were given her in Raleigh, North Carolina, hospital. NTSC Managers Meet New York City — All week’s convention of National Theatre Supply Company managers was held here last week. Speeches by executives and visits to plants were highlights. Brandt Loses One New York City — Dave Frankel and Ernie Prince announced last week that the Brandt office is no longer booking for their Rex. Pavone with Universal New Haven, Connecticut — John Pavone, recently with Warners here as branch manager and salesman, last week joined Universal here. January 31, 1940