The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

7 Columbia To Honor Set Aside Injunction A. Montague with Drive In Mori-Vineland Case Annual Billing, Sales Campaign Begins New York City — As a tribute to general sales manager A. Montague, Columbia Pictures Corporation’s annual sales and billing campaign will be called the “Montague Fifteenth Anniversary Campaign,” it was announced last week. It will get under way February 17 and will continue for three months through May 10. In commenting, Jack Cohn said: “In the fruitful years that have passed and in the development of Columbia, Montague has played an important part. “Of all the executives of motion picture companies, I know of none with a better reputation for fair dealing than he has. That in itself should create an urge among exhibitors to contribute their best efforts toward making this particular campaign an unique succes.” During his 15 years of association with Columbia, Montague has been an important factor in the company’s growth to its present proud position in the film industry. In order further to stimulate unusual zeal on the part of the Columbia sales organization throughout the country, a series of bonuses will be awarded during the period of the campaign. There also will be grand awards made on the completion of the three months’ period. During the three months of the “Montague Fifteenth Anniversary Campaign,” many of the outstanding features of Columbia’s 1939-40 program will be released. Among the films designed to help make this a Columbia banner year released during their campaign are Wesley Ruggles’ “Too Many Husbands,” co-starring Jean Arthur, Fred MacMurray, and Melvyn Douglas; Loretta Young and Ray Milland in “The Doctor Takes a Wife”; the latest Blondie comedy, “Blondie on a Budget”; another in the “Five Little Peppers” series, “Five Little Peppers at Home”; “I Married Adventure,” which stars Osa (Mrs. Martin) Johnson. "Lincoln” Bows In N Y New York City — Robert E. Sherwood’s screen adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize play “Abe Lincoln in Illinois” will have its New York premiere at the Radio City Music Hall February 22. February 14 , 1940 Case Will Now Proceed To Trial Philadelphia — The Third Circuit Court February 9 set aside the preliminary injunction granted a short time ago by Judge William H. Kirkpatrick in the socalled Landis-Vineland Case, declaring that the document had been prematurely issued and so sweeping as to take on the aspect of a final court decision rather than a temporary relief measure such as was intended under the injunction law. The Circuit Court judge, however, withheld any comment on the merits of the Kirkpatrick injunction, and issued instructions to him to hold a final hearing on the matter. The case is now expected to come up for trial in March, with heads of the distribution, production and exhibition branches to be subpoenaed to appear. If need be, masters will probably take dispositions in New York City and Hollywood if the execs can not come to Philadelphia. The case, it is believed, will take at least a month. R. I. Sunday Bill Up Providence, Rhode Island — State Senator Raymond E. Adams, Republican, North Smithfield, last week introduced into the General Assembly a bill to permit the showing of Sunday motion pictures in that town. The measure also authorizes Sunday operation of skating rinks and golf courses. Poster Group Passing NEW YORK CITY— Passing of the National Poster Service Association was believed imminent here last week end following action of the members of the group at their annual meeting in approving a recommendation of the president, Simon Libros, whereby independent individual poster exchanges through the United States and Canada will sell their assets to Advertising Accessories, Incorporated. Libros and Charles Casanave have been negotiating for the past few months striving to consummate deals for their poster companies that would want them. THE EXHIBITOR Columbia Makes Deal With Ad. Accessories Is Fourth Company Joining Plan New York City — Following conferences with Jack Cohn, vice president, Columbia, and Abe Schneider, treasurer, same company, Charles L. Casanave, vice-president and general manager, Advertising Accessories, Inc., announced here last week end that Columbia has joined with Paramount, RKO and Universal in the new accessories set-up centralizing distribution of all accessories through Advertising Accessories, Incorporated whose headquarters are at 630 Ninth Avenue. It is expected that service on all Columbia accessories will begin through the new company on or about March 1. Casanave said that both he and Herman Robbins, president, Advertising Accessories, Inc., are both particularly enthusiastic about Columbia coming into the fold because Cohn was one of the first executives amongst the major producers to approve the organization and ideas of the specialty accessories company now know as National Screen Accessories, Inc., of which Robbins is president and Casanave vice-president and general manager. Republic Men Meet New York City — Republic’s eastern regional sales meeting was held at the New York Athletic Club February 9 to be followed by similar meetings in Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles. These meetings review the progress made by the company in the last quarter, and plans for the company’s operation in the next quarter are under discussion. Also under discussion are the plans for distributing Republic’s de-luxe production, “The Dark Command.” Those in attendance at the eastern regional sales meeting included Herman Gluckman, New York and Philadelphia franchise holder; Morris Epstein, New York branch manager; Max Gillis, Philadelphia branch manager; James H. Alexander, Pittsburgh franchise holder; George Collins and Sam Fineburg, Pittsburgh branch; Sam and Jake Flax, Washington franchise holders; Jack Bellman, Buffalo branch manager; Arthur Newman, Albany branch manager; Sam Seletsky, New Haven branch manager; E. M. Morey, Boston branch manager. Not less than 52 features and four serials will be included on the new season program, with $750,000 budget for each of four specials, it was announced by Herbert K. Yates, last week end. Expansion of the exchange system, wherever satisfactory deals can’t be worked out with franchise holders, was promised by him. Para Men to South New York City — Paramount executives hopped south last week to visit theatre units in the area. M. F. Gowthorpe, Sam Dembow, Jr., Leon Netter, and Leonard Goldenson were in the party. QUAD.