The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

8 THE EXHIBITOR Metro’s “Tom Edison” Bows at Port Huron Fete Bigwigs, Others At Celebration Detroit — Converging here last week end were notables from coast to coast to participate in the “Edison Days” celebration in connection with the special preview of Metro’s “Young Tom Edison” at three theatres in Port Huron, Michigan, February 10. Among those on hand were Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Mayer, John W. Considine, Jr., producer; Mickey Rooney, star; Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Rodgers, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Dietz, W. R. Ferguson, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Wickham and Reverend Edward J. Flanagan. A cavalcade of cars took the celebrities to the Ford Motor Company, where Louis B. Mayer was the special guest of honor. Special homage was paid to Mayer. With more than 300 listening to an eloquent talk by him that stressed the need for tolerance and love of man as his central theme. Mayer recounted some personal experiences that gave him the broad outlook on life that permeates his relations with associates, friends, and business connections, and spoke for even better relations and reasons to justify and earn the title of “The Friendly Company.” His humorous references to the Neely Bill, percentages, and other subjects pertinent to the industry, were received with applause. Mayer breathed optimism in the outlook for his company when speaking of future plans and stressing the importance and value of so-called reserves in the production department, consisting of stars, players, story properties, physical equipment, but above all an organization of men whose production brains are considered the greatest in the industry. Mayer announced that the 70 percent sales policy for “GWTW” was a success. William F. Rodgers, sales chief, was given credit by Mayer for instituting the policy of a profit guarantee with the plan. Mayer said there were a few situations where Metro had to pay back money to make good the guarantee. The gala program of events, marking the biggest celebration in Port Huron history, was ushered in by the running of one of the original wood-burning trains on which Edison worked as a boy from Detroit to Port Huron. Accompanying it was a special excursion train. In New York City, Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison, son of the late inventor, and Governor A. Harry Moore of New Jersey were guests of honor at the luncheon at the Hotel Astor of the Edison Pioneers, commemorating the 93rd anniversary of the birth of Thomas A. Edison. At the same time the Manhattan luncheon was taking place, a second luncheon was held in Port Huron. Speakers at the Port Huron gathering included Governor Luren Dickinson of Michigan, Premier Mitchell Hepburn of Ontario, Canada, Mrs. Minna M. Edison Hughes, wife of the famous inventor, Mayer, Rooney. Brandt in NE NEW YORK CITY— Week-end reports indicated that the independent theatre circuit headed by Harry Brandt, ITOA head, would be expanded to cover 11 more New England towns, including Pawtucket, Providence, Rhode Island; Putnam, Danielson, Bridgeport, Darien, Danbury, Connecticut; Southbridge, Milford. Great Barrington, Plymouth. Massachusetts. Houses, according to report, will be along Colonial lines, and equipped for television. Gil Josephson Host New York City — Prior to the first screening of “The Baker’s Wife” with preems at the World Cinema February 26, Gilbert Josephson, World, hosts tradepaper and periodical reviewers at a luncheon in the Champlain Restaurant today (February 14). Mobeel Suit Ends New York City — A stipulation was filed last week end in Federal Court ending the suit of Mobeel Enterprises, Inc., against the majors, Republic, Century circuit and Monogram. Plaintiff had filed for triple damages in amount of $75,000. Boston Meet Moved Boston — Meeting of Independent Exhibitors, Allied unit, scheduled to have been held February 13, was moved back to February 20. Week-End Arrival New York City — It’s a girl, Judy, at the Charles Levys. The arrival to the family of the RKO publiciteer came February 9. Wolfe Comes East New York City — Wallace Wolfe, chief RCA engineer in Hollywood, is on a twoweek business trip to the Photophone laboratories here and Camden, New Jersey. THE EXHIBITOR Volume 23, Number 14 February 14, 1940 Better Management 20, 21 Coming Reviews 16, 18 The Check-Up (The Exhibitor’s Servisection) Yellow Section Editorial page 3 Hints on Newspaper Advertising 22, 22a Late News Highlights 7, 8 National Mirror 9, 10, 12 National Mirror Picture Pages 15, 17, 19, 22b National Release Date Guide Inside Back Cover News of Territory 23 et seq. Production Happenings 14, 16 Territorial Highlights 5 The Tip-Off 13 Warren Stokes Hollywood Newsreel 14 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. Bad Weather Affects Grosses on Broadway "Pinocchio” Fast After Slow Start New York City — Reports of first-run theatres, after a meteorologically inauspicious week end, from usually authoritative sources, follow. After a comparatively slow start, “Pinocchio,” at the Center, began to show the benefit of the rave reviews and hold-out crowds became the rule over the week end. "BRITISH INTELLIGENCE” (Warners) — At the Globe, opened February 10, did $2,700 on Saturday, Sunday, fair. “BULLETS FOR RUSTLERS” (Columbia) and “HORRORS OF WAR” (Merit) — At the Central, opened February 10, did $1,300 on Saturday, Sunday, fair. “THE FIGHTING 69th” (Warners)— At the Strand, opened January 26, with Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra, Joan Edwards, the Four Modernaires, and the Sax-Soc-Tette headlining the stage show, did $24,500 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the third week, very good. Second week : $49,600, swell. “GERONIMO” (Paramount) — At the Paramount, opened February 7, with the stage show headlined by Matty Malneck & His Orchestra, Van Alexander & His Orchestra, Cass Daley, Frank Paris, and Roberts & Douglas, did $15,200 on Saturday, Sunday, good. “GONE WITH THE WIND” (Metro)— At the Astor (Road-show), opened December 19, did $21,000 on the eighth week, excellent. “GONE WITH THE WIND” (Metro)— At the Capitol (“continuous”), opened December 19, did $70,000 on the eighth week, excellent. “THE GRAPES OF WRATH” (20th CenturyFox)— At the Rivoli, opened January 24, did $41,000 on the third week, very good. “LITTLE OLD NEW YORK” (20th CenturyFox)— At the Roxy, opened February 2, with the stage show, did $19,500 on Friday, Saturday, Sunday of the second week, good. “PINOCCHIO” (RKO-Radio) — At the Center, opened February 7, with no accurate figures available, but holdout crowds were noted over the weekend after a slow start. “SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON” (RKO-Radio) — At the Radio City Music Hall, opened February 8, with the stage show, did $54,000 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, fair. Walker Set on WHN New York City — Former Mayor James J. Walker will take over the helm of the WHN Amateur Hour and preside over the program when it resumes on the air February 26. It will come directly from the stage of Loew’s State every Monday night from 9 to 10 P. M. This is the first time the broadcast will come from Loew’s State where patrons of the theatre on Monday evenings will witness the program in addition to the regular stage and screen shows. Two Phillyites Stricken Philadelphia — Sam Lefko, RKO salesman, was stricken with appendicitis while traveling in upstate Pottsville February 9. He was given an emergency operation. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nat Levy (he is the RKO district manager) also suffered an appendicitis attack the same day and was operated on. Lederer with Merit New York City — Otto Lederer, veteran exhib-distrib, once with Harry H. Thomas in First Division, joined Merit Pictures here this week to participate actively in the business along with Jerry Wilson and Etta V. Segall as co-associates. February 14, 1940