The Exhibitor (Nov 1941-May 1942)

EDITORIAL ? fl f Reg:. U. S. Pat. Office Volume 27, No. 24 April 22, 1942 A Jay Emanuel Publication. Covering the film terri¬ tories in the Metropolitan East. Published weekly by Jay Emanuel Publications, Incorporated. Publishing office: 1225 Vine Street* Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. New York City office: 1600 Broadway. Representatives in Washington, D. C.; Albany, Buffalo, Boston, and New Haven. Jay Emanuel, publisher; Paul J. Greenhalgh, business manager; Herbert M. Miller, managing editor. Rates: Each edition, one year, $2; three years, $1. Address all communications to the publishing offices, 1 225 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3n ZJkis 3 5 Sue SECTION ONE Arbitration Cases 12 Editorial Page . 3 In the Newsreels 12 In the Spotlight 10b Late News Highlights . 7, 8 National Mirror 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 National Legion of Decency List 12 The Score Board 11 Territorial Trade Screening Guide 11 The Tip-Off 16 SECTION TWO Reviews (The Exhibitor Pink Section) SS-l-SS-10 “Ship Ahoy,” (Metro) ; “Sunday Punch,” (Met¬ ro) ; “Tarzan’s New York Adventure,” (Metro) ; “Arizona Roundup,” I Monogram) ; "The Corpse Vanishes,” (Monogram); “So’s Your Aunt Em¬ ma,” (Monogram); “Dawn Express,” (PRC); "House Of Errors,” (PRC) ; "Men Of San Quen¬ tin,” (PRC) ; "Shepherd of the Ozarks,” (Repub¬ lic) ; “S.O.S. Coast Guard,” (Republic) ; “Suicide Squadron,” (Republic) ; “Moontide,” (20th Cen¬ tury-Fox) ; “The Man Who Wouldn't Die,” (20th Century-Fox) ; “Whispering Ghosts,” (20th Cen¬ tury-Fox) ; "My Gal Sal,” (20th Century-Fox) ; “The Mad Martindales,” (20th Century-Fox); “About Face,” (UA) ; “The Spoilers,” (U) ; “In This Our Life,” (Warners) ; “Lady Gangster,” (Warners) ; “Murder In The Big House,” (War¬ ners) ; “Guerrilla Brigade,” (Artkino) ; “The Pasha’s Wives,” (Better Films) : “Four Flights To Love,” (English). Material contained in the Late News Highlights section 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 EXHIBI¬ TOR goes to press last, with latest developments within the industry, where available. Wat ch 20th Century-Fox When a company acquires a new president, that’s news, but when a company takes on a leader who has the exhibition experi¬ ence belonging to Spyros Skouras, that’s good news, and also the reason why exhibitors throughout the country are pleased with the selection of the head of National Theatres to become No. 1 man of 20th Century-Fox. The Exhibitors also endorse the top sale spot given Tom Connors, a veteran of many years with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and likewise are in accord with the other executive moves, bringing in Wendell Willkie as chairman of the board, and greater powers for production chief Darryl Zanuck and William M. Goetz, among other things. As ONE OF the industry’s great companies, 20th Century-Fox has long been the backbone of many a theatreman’s product, and any change which is certain to be directly reflected in the organ¬ ization’s product is one of dollars and cents to exhibitors. That is what the elevation of Skouras to the No. 1 post means. It indicates that in yet another instance exhibition has been recognized, and the exhibition viewpoint becomes all-important. Universal found it out, to its financial advantage, when Nate Blumberg became head ; RKO, with Charles Koerner at the studios, is experimenting; Warners brought in Joseph Bernhard’s experi¬ ence in his top executive spot, and we see no reason why in every case the entrance of exhibition slants into the top sphere of a company can not be of profit to it and its customers. There is no need for us to bestow further plaudits on Spyros Skouras. He is one of the country’s great showmen, and we must not forget the glorious work he has done for Greek Relief. Such a man not only brings honor to exhibitors but also to the Greek people, who must also be proud. Twentieth Century-Fox has been through some trying times. It was hit hardest of all companies through loss of the foreign mar¬ ket. The illness and final demise of Sidney R. Kent, the passing of Truman Talley, and the sudden death of W. J. Hutchinson has meant the loss of three able executives. But the elevation of Spyros Skouras, combined with other moves, election of Tom Connors to be vice-president in charge of sales, Wendell Willkie’s appointment, and other corporate changes will make for a more solid organization. Led by these men, 20th Century-Fox should go far to retain its rightful place in the industry sun. companies. Watch 20th Century-Fox. QUAD.