The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

NEW YORK CITY Crosstotvn Local Mirror went to town against the Neely Bill recently, giving a couple of feature stories to the drive against the measure. From A1 Simon, publicity director, WHN, came this tale last week concerning Metro talent scout A1 Altman: Al, it seems, was on the lookout for another “Huck Finn type” youngster. He informed WHN movie narrator Sam Taylor of his problem, whereupon Sam broadcast a cry for boys who might fit the bill. The day following the broadcast, Taylor received 50 letters — all from the Bronx. Philip T. Hartung, motion picture editor of the Commonweal, Catholic publication, has selected “Harvest” as one of the outstanding films of the year. A major release for “Cheri-Bibi,” French prize picture, starring Pierre Fresnay, has just been closed with 20th CenturyFox Film Corporation by Edwin Fadiman, National Pictures, owners. Eddie Serlin, Hazel Flynn’s Music Hall press staff, is reaping a healthy profit from the comparatively small investment he made in “Life With Father,” the legit box-office lallapalooza produced by his brother. . . . Irwin Shapiro, head of World Pictures, was out of town. . . . World has taken over distribution of “Pocomania,” all-Negro film made by Lenwal. . . Shep Henken, former Lenwal publicist, is thinking of going into the exhibition field. . . . Ed Fadiman’s National Pictures sold the distribution rights of “I Was a Captive in Nazi Germany” for the Straits Settlements, Siam and Malay. Phil Williams was seen entering a local projection room in the company of a certain Herbert Hoover. Phil most likely was showing the ex-President the latest March of Time which deals with Finland. . . . Colonel H. A. Cole was in town last week following the Washington Allied meetings. Joe Sloan, Washington, New Jersey, exhib, was in town last week and paid a visit to Frank Walker’s office. . . . Bill Slater, familiar motion picture press agent, is handling the publicity chores for Joe Bonomo’s new publication, “Good Healthkeeping.” Dave Balch, former fan mag editor, is the new publication’s editor. . . . Metropolitan territory exhibitors mobbed the Hollywood for the local trade showing of “Abe Lincoln in Illinois.” . . . Wagner, closed for almost a decade, reopened for January 31, 1940 the showing of German product, sic. . . . Bernie Klied, National Theatre Supply, takes off for Florida where his wife is already sunning. . . . Charles Moses is back from his Key West fishing trip. . . . Speaking of Charley reminds us that Herman Pett, Saint George Playhouse chief, is enthralled by his new arm companion. Announcement of the appointment of Sidney C. Davidson as advertising and publicity director for Film Alliance of the U. S., was made last week by Nat Wachsberger and Norman Elson, vicepresident and sales manager, respectively. . . . Formerly director of exploitation for Warner Brothers, Davidson was more recently identified with a World’s Fair publicity project, and handled promotion for Motion Pictures Greatest Year under Paul Gulick. Prior to that he served with Universal as director of exploitation. E. W. Hammons, former Grand National president, has moved his offices into the Paramount Building. . . . Questioning in connection with Grand National matters continued last week, with N. C. Nicholson, general counsel, and Harold Foxe, controller, being placed on the stand before Referee Peter B. Olney, Jr., in addition to Hammons. House staff for “Pinnochio” at the Center includes Richard Condon handling exploitation, John McGeehan assisting, Douglas Whitney handling publicity, with Toni Spitzer aiding. Robert Baral, RKO home office, is contacting the trade. Syd Goldman is house manager. John K. Hyatt is managing director of the theatre. 44th Street ATLAS: Max J. Rosenberg announces that "Wild Innocence,” starring Brian Abbott and Wendy Munro, is being distributed by the company in the metropolitan area. METRO: Bert Bluhm was recently elected prexy of the Pep Club. Max Polinsky and Sam Freidel were chosen treasurer and financial secretary, respectively. . . . Moe Rose shoves off for Florida February 2. 20th CENTURY-FOX: Harry H. Buxbaum is proud of that diamond ring he received on his birthday recently. UNIVERSAL: Max Cohen is Miami vacationing. . . . Salesman Phil Winnick was out ill. . . . Condolences are extended to Howard Saltz who lost his grandfather recently. CIRCUITS Century Fred Schwartz was host last week to several film men at his Lake Placid spit. Among them were Joseph Springer, Monroe Greenthal, Arthur Baker, Charles Silverstone, Arthur Silverstone, Emanuel Silverstone, J. J. Milstein, Moe Eisenberg. HOME OFFICES Columbia Full endorsement of Columbia’s short, “U. S. Treasury,” latest in its Washington Parade series, was received from Frank J. Wilson, chief of the United States Secret Service. . . . Charles Roberts, Columbia’s home office supervisor for Latin THE EXHIBITOR America, left for Mexico for an indefinite stay. March of Time Richard de Rochemont, managing director of The March of Time, Ltd., arrived in New York January 24 for conferences with his brother, Louis de Rochemont, producer of The March of Time. Before leaving Europe, Richard de Rochemont toured the entire western front. Metro Si Seadler went to Sarasota, Florida, for a spell to rest up after his recent illness. Louis B. Mayer and Howard Strickling trained in from the Coast. William F. Rodgers is back from Miami. Paramount Arriving last week were Cliff Lewis, Y. Frank Freeman. RKO-Radio Latest of the mailing pieces from the indefatiguable mailing-piece-sender-outter Leon J. Bamberger is a multi-faceted affair — with a copy of Harold Turney’s Film Guide, a puff wire from George King, Broadway, Santa Ana, California; a ditto letter from manager M. A. Ellsworth, Rivoli, Long Beach, California; and the official report of the California Congress of Parents and Teachers. It would appear from all of that that the company has something in “Swiss Family Robinson.” Quickest exploitation visit to an out-oftown was set by Jack Level, publicity department, when he rushed off with home office delegation to cover Washington opening of “Abe Lincoln In Illinois,” taking off one day at 1:30 P.M., and returned to office the following day at 9:00 A.M., to carry on his stint for Ned E. Depinet Sales Drive organ. . . . Irving Shiffrin celebrated his birthday by buying a new hat. . . . Toni Spitzer is splitting her day’s work between sojourns at the Rutgers Neilson publicity bullpen and the “Pinocchio” ballyhoo headquarters at the RKO Center. . . . Dorothy Shea is becoming a real outdoor girl; took her first ski slide the other Sunday out Hempstead. Also is celebrating her first year in the ice-skating sport by tearing off some terrific tricks a la Sonja Heine. Republic David Whalen went to Washington with Gene Autry. Roach Walter Lobel celebrated his first anniversary with the company. (Ed. Note: Everything o.k. now, Wallie?) 20th Century-Fox Tyrone Power and Brenda Joyce came to attend the President’s Birthday Ball January 29 for the benefit of the Warm Springs Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Power arrived here before going to Washington. Miss Joyce went direct to the Nation’s Capitol but came here after the birthday celebrations to be present at the opening of “Little Old New York” at the Roxy February 2. Dorothy Lamour, Paramount star loaned to 20th Century-Fox for a co-starring role with Tyrone Power in “Dance With the Devil,” arrived for a short vacation. She attended the world premiere of “The Grapes of Wrath.” . . . Jane Darwell, who plays the role of Ma Joad in Darryl F. NTS.