The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

14 THE EXHIBITOR More "Wind” Dates New York City — Breaking every alltime house record in each one of the two dozen new key spots where it opened one week ago, “Gone With the Wind” continues to set entertainment history in all parts of the country, the company said last week. With announcement over the week-end by Metro of 51 additional “Gone With the Wind” engagements, total bookings thus far scheduled for the film are 300 in 279 cities. In 48 of the new situations the picture will be shown twice daily on a reserved seat basis. Some of the bookings are February 1; Roxy, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania: Sherman, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; February 23, State, Nanticoke, Pennsylvania; Comerford, Carlisle, Pennsylvania; State, Nashua, New Hampshire; Park, Hanover, Pennsylvania; February 26, Capitol, Danville, Virginia; Maryland, Cumberland, Maryland. Legit Film in Stamford Stamford, Connecticut — This city, long noted as a tryout town for Broadway plays, will once again view stage shows, with the announcement last week end from Edward J. Peskay, managing director, Strand, Palace, that arrangements are being completed to bring Broadway attractions to the 2500 seat Palace. “Kiss the Boys Goodbye” opens February 21, with a feature motion picture to boot at regular movie prices. Peskay, in announcing the plan as more or less of an experiment for Stamford, has in view bringing at least one play of note to Stamford each month. He took over management of the theatre last week, succeeding George C. Ritch, who resigned to resume his affiliation with Skouras. GN Hearing Continues New York City — Hearings in the GN financial situation continued last week before Referee Peter B. Olney, Jr. Among those heard were F. G. Holleran, vicepresident, National City Bank; Earle W. Hammons, and others. Hollander and Bernheimer were designated to collect GN assets in Great Britain. Union Plea Heard New York City— Application was heard February 4 by Supreme Court Justice Samuel I. Roseman for a preliminary injunction which would decree that suspension of Local 258, United Theatrical and Motion Picture Service Employees Union, from the United Retail and Wholesale Employes of America, CIO unit, is void. Davidson Receiver New York City— James A. Davidson was last week end named receiver for Educational Pictures, Inc., under $5000 bond. He was appointed on application of Lloyd Wright, trustee of the estate of Grand National Films, Inc., a creditor. "Westerner” to UA New York City — Samuel Goldwyn’s production of “The Westerner,” will be released by United Artists, it was announced last week. "Young Tom Edison” Opens New York City — “Young Tom Edison,” with Mickey Rooney portraying the noted inventor as a boy, will have a special preview February 10 at three theatres in Port Huron, Michigan, Edison’s boyhood home. Film was produced by Metro, now making a second picture, “Edison the Man,” starring Spencer Tracy. Mickey Rooney will be guest of honor at the triple opening of the film, and will make personal appearances. He will also take part in the specially charted run of Henry Ford’s “Edison train” from Detroit to Port Huron earlier in the day. This is one of the actual wood-burning trains on which Edison worked as a boy as “Candy butcher,” nearly 80 years ago. One hundred and thirty guests will make the trip, among them Edsel Ford, Louis B. Mayer, Governor Luren Dickinson of Michigan, other governors and mayors, and the representatives of some great corporations. Bravery Prevents Panic Somerville, Massachusetts — Arthur Vianno’s Teele Square had a small fire last week, confined to the furnace room and brought under control easily by firemen, but manager Robert Schoonover played a heroic part in preventing panic among audience of 700. Schoonover suffered burns and was blinded by smoke when a heater, directly under the stage, exploded while he was regulating the temperature. In spite of his injuries, he crawled up stairs to stage, calming persons who had become alarmed by smoke seeping through, directed the ushers to different sections of theatre, who supervised orderly exit of audience. "Wind” Suit Launched Birmingham, Alabama — Petition for an injunction to restrain a local theatre from showing “Gone With the Wind” was filed in Federal District Court last week end by Miss Ann R. Davis, Montgomery, administrator of the estate of Miss Susan Lawrence Davis. It charges that copyright material in “An Authentic History of the Ku Klux Klan, 1865-1877,” written by Miss Davis and published in 1924, was used without authorization in the motion picture. Warner Men Promoted Chicago — Among the highlights of the Warner sales meeting here last week end was the promotion of Dick Hyland, publicist in Dallas, Texas, to work in the Central District, under district chief Bob Smeltzer, Washington. Sid Dennenberg Passes Hollywood — Passing of Sid Dennenberg, 43, who died last week, was mourned. Dennenberg, who came here for his health several weeks ago, was formerly with Warners and Paramount. Merrill RKO Treasurer New York City — W. J. Merrill was last week end elected treasurer of RKO, at a meeting of the board. William Mallard resigned from the board but stays as general counsel. Brown Produces In East New York City — Rowland Brown, Hollywood writer and director, revealed last week that he is contemplating producing “Young Man of Manhattan” at a local studio this Spring. Lead roles will be played by Joel McCrea and Frances Dee and the picture will be budgeted between $400,000 and $500,000, according to Brown, who added he now is negotiating a distribution agreement with Paramount. A spokesman for Paramount admitted that the company was discussing a distribution deal with Brown, but said no contracts had yet been made. John Stahl Conferring New York City — Arriving in town to discuss his deal with United Artists on his first independently produced picture, John Stahl has been in daily conference with executives of the home office, it was announced last week. Current discussions revolve around signatures, story material and casting. Stahl will personally direct and produce a big name feature, and plans to start production immediately on his return to Hollywood. New Radio Program New York City — A new sponsored radio program which will broadcast programs of all metropolitan motion picture houses twice daily makes its bow here early in March, it was reported this week. Program has met with success in other cities. Listeners who send in one label from sponsored product will receive one pass to their nearest theatres. Further information is not available at present. Imperial Alliance Deal Boston — Hary Segal, Imperial Pictures, anounced last week end that an agreement has been completed with Ben Rogers, Alliance, whereby Imperial will distribute Alliance films. Distribution of Alliance films will be handled in Boston by Segal and in Connecticut by Hyman Levine. Rocker-Freidberg New York City — Engagement of Sidney Freidberg, associate of the firm of Phillips and Nizer, film attorneys, to Miss Benice Rocker was announced February 3. Freidberg studied law at Yale, while his fiancee was educated at Ethical Culture School, Vassar College and Packard. Wedding is planned for early Fall. Sherman Conquers Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia — Columbia’s single reel, natural color film, “The Threads of a Nation,” was the feature of the annual midwinter meeting of the officers and directors of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, February 4 at the Biltmore Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. Columbia Plea Denied New York City — Federal Judge William Bondy last week end denied application of Columbia to vacate notices of examination of Harry Cohn, Jack Cohn, and Abe Montague, executives. Examination of the first will take place in Los Angeles or this city. February 7, 1940