The Film Daily (1939)

22 Tuesday, March 21, 1939 WEHRENBERG RENAMED ST. LOUIS MPTO PREXY (Continued from Page 1) 111., and Sam Konn of St. Louis; secretary and treasurer, L. C. Hehl of St. Louis, and Sergeantat-Arms, Walter Thimmig of St. Louis. Members of the board of directors are: Harold W. Evans, Maury Davis, Victor Thein, D. M. Pappas, Frank Speros, Tommy James and Fred Sutter, all of St. Louis; Lou Menges of East St. Louis, L. A. Mercier of Fredericktown, Mo., Harry Miller of Festus, Mo.; Noah Bloomer of Belleville, 111.; Jake Siepker of Webster Groves, Mo. Ed Kuykendall, national prexy of the MPTOA, declaring that the industry today is in one of the most uncertain stages of its entire history, warned against the menace of governmental regulations through professional meddlers and self-appointed reformers that have swooped down on the industrv since the passing of national prohibition. In this connection he stated that the industry was well on the way toward the elimination of various trade evils through self-regulation before the Department of Justice suits were ever aimed, saying that 65 per cent of Uncle Sam's suggestions for trade practice reform were included in the MPTOA 10-point program four years ago. Touching on the recent Supreme Court decision in the Dallas case, he said it would have very little effect on the industy, adding that one of the most foolish statements he ever heard was one by a so-called leader in the industry that the decision avoided clearancse of all kinds and that the industry needs no clearance. Contending that the industrv must have reasonable clearance and fair admission scales if it is to survive, he also stated that he can see no benefit in the so-called theater divorcement bill and that he would rather have opposition from a producerowned chain than an independently operated chain. He also repeated his opposition to the Neely Bill. Atimisli Tax to Be "Last Resort" in Pa. Hamsburg, Pa. — Proposal for an amusement tax, estimated to yield $7,000,000 a biennium, will not be pushed through the Legislature "unless we really have to do it," it is announced by Rep. Edwin Winner, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. The Winner-sponsored measure would place a one-cent tax on every 25 cents spent for amusement. Anti-Bank Night Campaign Brings Threats, Says Judge Madison, Wis. — Circuit Judge Robert S. Cowie, La Crosse, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee here at a hearing on the Paulson bills to prohibit giving of prizes by lot, chance or drawing as an inducement to attract people to theaters, stores, taverns and auchions, that he had been "threatened with blackmail and bodily assault" as a result of his campaign against Bank Night in theaters. Besides Judge Cowie and Sen. Oscar H. Paulson, Deputy Inspector Hugo Goehlen of the Milwaukee police department appeared for the measure, while F. Clinton McCarthy, Milwaukee, Bank Night counsel, and Charles F. Puis, Jr., representing Standard Theaters, Milwaukee, spoke against the bill. Conn. Two-Men-in-Booth Measure Again Rejected Hartford, Conn. — The two-men-ina-booth bill masquerading under Senate Bill 250 Judiciary and House Bill 596 Public Health and Safety, was rejected by the Senate and House respectively. Senate Bill 277, the Bingo bill sponsored by Senator Cole CDBridgeport) was recalled by the judiciary committee for reconsideration. This is the last Bingo bill to be acted upon at this session, all others having already been rejected. The judiciary committee gave the bill an unfavorable report but SenatorCole rallied enough support in the Senate to upset the committee's report. It is expected however, that the bill will be rejected in the House. Theater Inspection Bill Before Maine Legislature Augusta, Me. — Back-stage conditions in some Maine theaters were described as "simply terrible," by William Gladstone of Raymond before the Legislative Mercantile Affairs and Insurance Committee. Gladstone favored passage of legislation, providing annual inspection of all theaters by the State Insurance Department, with a penalty for failure to provide sufficient fire exits. Ernest L. Goodspeed, representing the Maine and New Hampshire Theaters Company, opposed the measure as being "hastily and loosely drawn." He said another measure dealing with the granting of cinema licenses would cover the matter. Blank-Para. Partnership In Hotel Business, Too Hastings, Neb.— TriStates Theaters, the A. H. Blank-Paramount partnership, is in the hotel business hree. The Alexander Hotel, acquired along with the Rivoli some time ago, is being renovated to be rented to the Carter Hotel Co. Dismisses Goldberg Suit Supreme Court Justice Ferdinand Pecora on Friday dismissed the $250,000 action brought by Lou Goldberg against Time, Inc., in which plaintiff alleged he originated idea of adapting the dramatized radio programs of "The March of Tme" to films. Indiana Supreme Court to Get Bank Night Test Decatur, Ind. — Bank Night test case here is headed for the Indiana Supreme Court as a result of Prosecutor A. E. Voglewede's motion to appeal, sustained by Circuit Judge J. F. Fruchte. Jury, after 17 hours' deliberation, returned a verdict of acquittal in the lottery action brought against I. A. and Roy Kalver, owners of three local theaters. Deputy Attorney General Glen S. Steckley was assigned to assist in the prosecution. Voklewede was given 60 days to file bills of exception and perfect the State's appeal. Vermont Billboard Law Revision Will be Sought Montpelier, Vt. — A bill drastically revising Vermont's billboard regulation law has been withdrawn by its author, Rep. Horace Brown of Springfield, in favor of a substitute measure to be reported by the conservation and development committee. Features of the new measure will include a flat rate of two and onehalf cents a square foot of billboard; signs of persons not in outdoor advertising business would remain at present limit of 500 feet from business advertised. A 200-foot limit had been proposed in the Brown measure. SAMSON PLANS NEW $200,000 PIX HOUSE Detroit — Plans are disclosed by George W. Sampson, general manger of the new Esquire Theater now under construction in Grosse Pointe Park, suburb, for the construction of a theater to cost $200,000, at Mack Ave. and the Nine Mile Road. Joy Theater Co., which is headed by Sampson, is to be the own* of the Mack Avenue Theater. Ex[, " *tion work will be started as early as possible in April. RKO, Warner and Goldwyn Pix on Music Hall's Card Announcement was made yesterday by W. G. Van Schmus, managing director of the Radio City Music Hall, of film attractions set for presentation at that playhouse through the Easter holiday season and the inauguration of the World's Fair. Following "Love Affair," current RKO attraction, will be successfully shown "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle," RKO; "Dark Victory," Warners'; and "Wuthering Heights," Goldwyn-UA. Easter stage spectacle will be "The Glory of Easter." St. Louis Union Asks Weber to Okay USM Band's Date St. Louis — The St. Louis Musicians Union has requested Joseph N. Weber, A F of M prexy, to withdraw his objection to the appearance here of the U. S. Marine Band at the national convention of the Elks to be held on July 10. Alpine Circuit Adds Two Cincinnati — The Alpine Circuit, Uhrling & Davis, will construct two new theaters, one at Rupert. W. Va., and one at Wayne, W. Va., for mid-Summer opening. Manos to Build Theater Minerva, O. — Construction of a new 900-seat pix theater on a downtown site here will be started within 30 days by the Manos Amusements Co. of Toronto. The Manos company operates seven other theaters in eastern Ohio. Nesro House for Wometco Miami — Wometco Theaters has started a $50,000 remodeling program for a 1,500-seat Negro theater. The building was originally designed for movies and stage entertainments, but the former owners did not complete the plans. New Chi. South Side House Chicago — Another new theater for the South Side of Chicago will soon be under way at 63rd and California Ave. with Ernest Geisller in charge of the job. From Bank Into Theater Detroit — A new theater for Allegan is reported bv Henry Carstens, co-owner in the Carley Amusement Co., affiliate of the Butterfield Theaters of Michigan. The First State Bank has been acquired and will be completely remodeled as a 300seater. The Regent at Allegan, an affiliate of the Butterfield Circuit, is also to be redecorated and modernized. $250,000 House for Augusta Augusta, Ga. — H. S. Baird, of Jacksonville, Fla., is low bidder on the general contract for the construction of the new theater for Lucas & Jenkins on Broad St. here. The bid was $163,000. When completed, the theater will cost approximately $250,000. To Rebuild at Lansing Detroit — Butterfield Circuit is closine the Gladmer Theater — dating from 1872 — at Lansing, on April 2 for complete rebuilding. New Theater for Crestline Crestline, O.— R. T. Kemper, of nearby Shelby, who represents the Kemper Theaters, Inc., has announced that a new 550-seat theater will be erected on a downtown site here.