The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

8 THE EXHIBITOR Yamins Dinner Postponed BOSTON — Postponement of the Nathan Yamins testimonial dinner, scheduled for the Hotel Statler yesterday (February 6), was announced last week. Morris Pouzzner, Region Theatres; Frank Perry, Orpheum, Foxboro; Wilbur Peterson, Orpheum, Somerville, committee in charge, said the testimonial will be held early next month. “Fighting 69th” Smash As Strand Record Goes "Louise,” Import, Does Big in Debut New York City — The Strand hit a new record last week, when Paul Whiteman and orchestra, abetted by “The Fighting 69th,” took in $57,300, to top by some $1,500 the former title-holder. “Louise,” at the Little Carnegie, set a new house record, with a $1,600 opening day and a $1,400 second day. The complete report follows: "THE FIGHTING 69th” (Warners)— At the Strand, opened January 26. with Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra headlining the stage show, did $29,000 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the second week ; big. First week : $57,300 ; record. “GONE WITH THE WIND” (Metro)— At the Astor (road-show), opened December 19, did $21,000 on the seventh week ; big. “GONE WITH THE WIND” (Metro)— At the Capitol (“continuous”), opened December 19, did $75,000 on the seventh week ; big. “THE GRAPES OF WRATH” (20th CenturyFox) At the Rivoli, opened January 24, did $50,000 on the second week ; big. “LITTLE OLD NEW YORK” (20th CenturyFox) At the Roxy, opened February 2, with stage show, did $28,536 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday ; good. “THE LONE WOLF STRIKES” (Columbia) — At the Globe, opened February 3, did $3,500 on Saturday, Sunday ; fair. “LOUISE” (Mayer and Burstyn) — At the Little Carnegie, opened February 3, did $3,000 on Saturday, Sunday ; big. “PIONEER DAYS” (Monogram) and “INVISIBLE KILLER” (PDC) — At the Central, opened February 3, did $1,600 on Saturday, Sunday ; fair. “REMEMBER THE NIGHT” (Paramount) — At the Paramount, opened January 17, with Enoch Light and His Orchestra, did $13,500 on the Saturday and Sunday of the third week ; good. “THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER” (Metro) — At the Radio City Music Hall, opened January 25, with stage show, did $43,000 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the second week ; good. R. I. Sunday Legit Bill Providence — Representative J. R. Cioci, this city, last week introduced an act in the General Assembly allowing Sunday presentation of legitimate show in several Rhode Island cities, Providence and Pawtucket included, pursuant to the approval of the local licensing authorities. Act, referred to the House Judiciary committee, is the first legislation affecting show business introduced at the present legislative session. Michigan Against Neely Detroit — Members of Co-operative Theatres of Michigan last week announced their opposition to the Neely Bill. Soviet Films Release Ends in This Country Indefinite Halt Scheduled By Amkino New York City — There will be no more Soviet motion-pictures shown in this country for an indefinite period, and Amkino Corporation, sole distributor of Soviet films in the United States, will be dissolved, it was learned last week. N. Napoli, manager, Amkino Corporation, said he did not know whether any arrangements would be made in the future for the importation and distribution of the films. Paul Horowitz, manager, Cameo, where Soviet films have been shown locally for several years, said that an entirely new policy has been put into effect there. Cameo ceased exhibiting Soviet pictures two weeks ago, and Elliot Weston, former manager, was succeeded by Horowitz. Levines with Brandt New York City — Marty and Bruise Levine last week became associated with Harry Brandt in the Carleton, Jamaica. New policy to be put into effect is four days of vaudeville, from Thursday to Sunday, following the Flatbush and Windsor, and three days, Monday to Wednesday, with double features. Milton Hannock Passes Miami — Passing of Milton Hannock, 50, head of the contract department at Columbia Pictures Corporation, was mourned here last week. He had been ill for several months and had been here for a period. UA Board Meets New York City — Meeting of the UA board of directors was scheduled for yesterday (February 6). THE EXHIBITOR Volume 23, Number 13 February 7, 1940 Better Management 17, 18, 20 Coming Reviews 16 Editorial Page 3 Hints on Newspaper Advertising 19, 21 In the Spotlight 6 Late News Highlights 7, 8 National Mirror 9, 10 National Mirror Picture Pages 11, 22 National Release Date Guide Inside Back Cover News of the Territory 23, et seq. Production Happenings 15, 16 Reviews (The Exhibitor Servisection) Blue Section Warren Stokes Hollywood Newsreel 15 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. "Pinocchio” Smith NEW YORK CITY— It’s a boy at the Andy Smith, Jrs. The newest member of the family of the RKO sales exec arrived February 4, and all reports that he would be called “Pinocchio” were unverified. National Screen Service Acquires Trailer-Made Company Will Service T-M Contracts New York City — Announcement was made last week by E. Schwartz, TrailerMade, Inc., that National Screen Service was taking over the company. A statement from Schwartz said in part: “I have been indeed fortunate in being able to bring about arrangements whereby National Screen Service will accept for liquidation purposes an assignment of our existing contracts with exhibitors under the prevailing terms and rentals thereof to the end of the period as specified in each contract. Naturally, it cannot be expected that National Screen will continue for an indefinite period to service your contract on terms which have been unprofitable to us. They will, however, continue to service your contract upon its present terms up to its present expiration date, but it will not be renewed beyond that date. There remains your privilege to make replacement arrangements thereafter with National Screen. “The service that they will render to you will be their own sound trailers which are acknowledged to be the best of their type in the field. This will give you better quality and a better type of service through this arrangement, which I was most pleased to find possible of consummation. Full particulars concerning service and billings will be sent you by Screen’s nearest exchange.” New NYC House New York City — A parcel of realty adjoining the Queensbridge housing project in Long Island City, Queens, has been sold and leased to an exhibitor for improvement with a motion picture theatre, it was announced last week. Queensbridge Realty, Inc., acquired the one-story factory building on the northeast corner of 10th Street and 40th Avenue, on a plot 90 by 100 feet. The present structure will be demolished and a 600seat theatre erected on a 60 by 100-foot portion of the land by Morris Kutisker, who leased the property from the Queensbridge concern. Kutisker has commissioned the Amusement Supply Company, Inc., to erect and equip the theatre, which is expected to cost about $75,000. Film Folk Injured Philadelphia — Week-end accidents took their toll of district film people. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hooper, Peoples, Shickshinny, were injured February 2 just before leaving for Florida. They were badly bruised and scratched. Mort Goldstein, local Columbia salesman, was injured the same day in an upstate snowstorm, suffering leg injury. February 7, 1940