The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

5 NYC Assessments Listed by Tax Group Bookers Organization Not “Union” Says Kline Clears Atmosphere at Recent Meeting New York City — Emphasizing that the newly-formed New York Bookers’ Club is for purposes of fraternization and benevolence and that it definitely has no intention of ever becoming a union, Harold Kline, the organization’s first president, keynoted the installation dinner meeting attended by more than 100 persons at the Cafe Loyale here last week. In his short talk, Kline refuted charges of “unionism” by saying, “I deny unequivocally that this organization was formed to start a union of bookers in this industry ... I will set up my offices as a bulwark against unionism.” Preceding Kline on the speaker’s platform was Dave Levy, Universal branch manager, who claimed “If you have started an organization with the real definite purpose of hurting no one, I’ll be very glad to help you in any way I possibly can.” Ted O’Shea, Metro, praised the group and then added, “In the spirit of the organization, I would like to become a member.” Arthur Greenblatt, Alliance, was toastmaster. He introduced the first slate of officers as well as the speakers and Charles Stern, UA; Clarence Eisman, UA; Monroe Steins, Cocalis; John Benas, Skouras; Max Fellerman, RKO; Morris Epstein; Republic; Irving Wormser, Columbia; Ben Abner, Metro; Moe Streimer, UA. Those installed were Kline; A1 Arnswalder, vice-president; Ed Susse, financial secretary; Ben Levine, treasurer; Dora Fried, recording secretary; Herb Richek, sergeant-at-arms; Bernie Brooks, Dan Ponticelle, trustees; Eddie Richter, Max Fried, Henry Suchman, Harry Margolies, board of directors. Strausberg Foresight NEW YORK CITY — Fifteen years ago, Samuel Strausberg, president, Interborough Circuit, Inc., bought a site on Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, anticipating improvements in that section, but the area declined. However, he maintained the plot for 15 years to learn last month that the new Brooklyn Navy Yard district improvement takes place a block away. As a result, a 1200-seat stadium type house will be built. February 14, 1940 Theatre Cleared in Local Robbery Action Decision Important to NY Houses New York City— A ruling of the Appellate Division in Brooklyn of importance to all theatres in the state last week held that a theatre is not responsible for the assault and robbery of a woman patron in its secluded ladies’ room even though no matron or usher is assigned to furnish protection. Miss Cora L. Hart, Brooklyn, was held up and robbed of her pocketbook in the ladies’ room in the Paramount February 21, 1934. She resisted and was punched several times until she fell, releasing her hold on her pocketbook. The hold-up man fled. The Appellate Division upheld a lower court’s dismissal of Miss Hart’s suit for $3,000 damages upon the ground that the motion picture house had no reason to anticipate the assault. The court wrote: “To assume that the presence of a matron in the ladies’ room would have prevented the assault is merely to speculate upon the degree of criminality possessed by the thief. Human experience proves that the presence of two or more women does not prevent a thief from plying his calling, nor protect from assault and injury one who courageously attempts resistance.” The court added that the assault upon the plantiff could not have been foreseen nor could it be said to be “the reasonable or probable consequence of the absence of a matron from the ladies’ room or of an usher from that particular passageway.” Gloria Injunction Denied New York City — A motion for a temporary injunction made by the 395 Amusement Corporation, operator of the Gloria, Brooklyn, in a suit charging Randforce, five of the majors and others with restraint of trade was denied last week by Judge Grover Moskowitz, Brooklyn Federal Court Justice. No date for the trial has been set but the court said that an immediate trial is possible so no injunction was necessary. Charges of combination in restraint of trade was made by the plaintiff, denied by the defendants. The charges said that the defendants favor the Clinton, built by William Yoost, but acquired by Randforce. THE EXHIBITOR Theatres in Five Boroughs Named New York City — Tentative assessment valuations were announced last week by the City Tax Commission. The following are the theatre and allied properties listed: BOROUGH OF THE BRONX Grand $1,090,000 Keith’s Fordham 775,000 Paradise 1,300,000 Valentine . 570,000 BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN Fox . . 3,863,000 Loew’s Kings ... . 1,115,000 Loew’s Meiba 426,500 Loew’s Metropolitan . 1,015,000 Oxford . 114,000 Saint George .....* . 187,000 Star . „ . . 255,000 Tivoli . 412,000 BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN Ambassador * 510,000 Astor „ 1,750,000 Biitmore . 360,000 Boot’n-Shubert . . 1,200,000 Broadhurst „ „ 460,000 Capitol . 2,350,000 Center Theatre and U. S. Rubber Bldg. 6,500,000 Criterion 6,700,000 Empire . 845,000 Forrest 400,000 46th Street . 575,000 Gaiety . .. . 2,210,000 Globe . 1,150,000 Hollywood 1,125,000 Loew’s State 4,100,000 Lyceum . . 535,000 Majestic 640,000 Mayfair 1,800,000 Music Hall and RKO Building 11,700,000 New Amsterdam 1,000,000 Palace 1,325,000 Paramount Building and Theatre 11,850,000 Playhouse * 365,000 RCA Building 23,500,000 Rialto 3,000,000 Rivoli 1,625,000 Roxy 4,100,000 Strand 3,200,000 Times-Apollo 1,475,000 Windsor 435,000 BOROUGH OF QUEENS Alden 483,000 Keith 788.000 Lasky Famous Players Studio 735,000 Madison 642,500 Merrick 875,000 National Carbon Company 925.000 Valencia 1,060,000 BOROUGH OF RICHMOND Paramount 350,000 Saint George Theatre and Office Bldg. 620,000 More Jersey Measures Trenton — Additional measures introduced in the New Jersey legislature February 5 of interest to theatre owners and exhibitors of New Jersey were as follows: Assembly 174. Introduced by Samuel S. Ferster, Newark. An act to limit and regulate child labor. Referred to the Ways and Means Committee. Assembly 178. Introduced by William J. Hanna, Paterson. An act to prohibit espionage during labor strikes and disputes; regulates private detective agencies. Referred to the Ways and Means Committee. RKO Suit Settled New York City — It was disclosed last week that the $164,751 breach of contract suit of RKO against Center Music Hall, Inc., and Rockefeller Center, Inc., had been settled. A stipulation was filed in Federal Court. Contract violation was charged. NYS.