The Film Daily (1936)

THE 12 2^3 DAILV Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1936 SEATTLE B, 0. GAINS FOR *36 AT 25 P. C. Seattle, Wash. — A year that so far is running: approximately 25 per cent ahead of attendance records of the preceding 12 months is drawing: towards its close in Seattle. Moreover, recent months have been marked by considerable progress in theatrical reconstruction and improvement. July was by far the heaviest month of the year — greatly exceeding: the 25 per cent average increase so far this year. The National Shrine Convention, Fleet Week, and thousands of tourists and visitors in town swelled B. O. receipts to tops. Fall gains were reduced by the shipping: strike situation. Several hundred thousand dollars have been expended in Seattle in various improvements during: the first 11 months of the year. The Hamrick-Evergreen theater circuit of large first-run houses recently reopened the Music Hall. The Sterling: circuit expended about $40,000 for the opening: of the Palomar Theater and is reconditioningthe Winter Garden, recently purchased. * Dark houses in Seattle and other state cities reopened during the year. The only major new construction activitv on Puget Sound is that planned "by the Tower Theater Co. for Bremerton, Wash., which will erect a 1,000-seat, $250,000 theater. At Grand Coulee, where the Federal government is building a gigantic dam, a new theater will be constructed for Manager Dick Lucas. Cinematography Institute Will Convene Dec. 18-19 WUl Coast Bureau of THE FILM DAILY Hollywood — Industry leaders will meet with educators for the fourth annual session of the American Institute of Cinematography on Dec. 18-19, in connection with the Institute of World Affairs at the Mission Inn, Riverside, it is announced by Dr. Rufus B. von Kleinsmid, director. Motion pictures, society and school will be discussed at the first session on Friday, Dec. 18 along with the subject of teaching movie appreciation in the public schools. A special preview of "Maid of Salem" will be held for the delegates through the courtesy of Paramount and Mrs. Thomas G. Winter of the M. P. P. D. A. Oliver Hinsdale, drama director at M-G-M studios, will be guest speaker at the annual banquet on Friday night, speaking on the "Influence of Motion Pictures on Speech." Discussion of the objectives and courses of study of motion picture appreciation and its integration with the present curriculum will be held Saturday, Dec. 19 with Dr. C. C. Trillingham, assistant superintendent of Los Angeles county scho< '■;, as chairman. Ralph Jester of Paramount studios will be speaker at the luncheon, and will display a demon Little Rock. Ark. — Bids will shortly be opened on the new Crittenden Theater, West Memphis, Ark., to cost about $40,000. The house will be operated by the Crittenden Amusement Co. Wils Davis, Memphis attorney, is president. Toronto. Ont.— A $50,000 theater is under construction at 356-364 Col i lege Street, for M. H. Lipton, 514 Confederation Life Building Toronto. Ottawa, Ont. — Plans for a new $30,000 theater are being prepared for theater on Somerset Street West. Owners are Empire Amusement Company, Ottawa. Springfield, Mass. — William E. Kennedy, manager of the Arcade here announces that the theater will be renovated. New Orleans, La. — Ed Frenkel will open his old Crescent Theater which has been modernized and will probably bear the title 20th Century. Detroit — Crescent Theater, reopens Friday night, following redecoration and installation of Cleveland Sound Engineering equipment. Lincoln — C. Fraser, Havelock, Neb., is the new owner of the Havelock, having bought the lot and property. House was being run in opposition to him by Bob Wintersteen. Fraser also has the Joyo. Havelock is a Lincoln suburb. Wintersteen has come back to the Lincoln, J. H. Cooper house, where he was formerly house manager before going on his own. St. Louis, Mo. — R. Horwitz, owner of the Red Wing Theater has awarded a contract to Morris L. Rosenbloom Co., for extensive alterations. Plans were prepared by William J. Schlesinger, architect, improvements will cost about $20,000. Indianapolis, Ind. — F. A. Warford, has acquired the Royal Theater at Fairmount, Ind. Greene Files Appeal in St. Louis Amusement Sale St. Louis — Arthur Greene, Chicago investment man who sought to buy the St. Louis Amusement Co. stock of Skouras Brothers Enterprises, Inc., and other assets of the latter corporation after the public auction sale of Special Master Nelson Cunliff had finally resulted in the approval of the transfer of those assets to the Bondholders Protective Committee of the Central Properties Corp. by Referee in Bankruptcy Hope, has appealed to the U. S. District Court for the Eastern Division of the Eastern District of Missouri from the referee's order. In the new petition filed Greene contends that the referee was without authority to refuse to permit a review of the order of sale. Greene further asks that the court declare him to be the successful bidded for the Skouras assets if a new public sale is not ordered. The principal assets of the Skouras company are 52 per cent of the stock of the St. Louis Amusement Company, operator of 22 second run and neighborhood theaters and also the West End Lyric theater property. Greene, who is associated with a company that operates five theaters in Chicago and Wisconsin, has stated that he has sought control of the local houses as an individual. Joe Kahn Dead Memphis, Tenn. — Joe Kahn, 63, connected with Memphis theaters for more than 40 years in various capacities, died following a long i illness. suation teaching film based on "The Plainsman." Loew's London Theaters Reports Net of $11,105 London, Ont. — Loew's London Theaters Ltd., show net profit of $11,105 for year ending Aug. 27. This is equal to 33 cents per share on 33,741 shares of 7 per cent preferred stock of $10 par value outstanding and compares with net profit of $5,208, or 15 cents per share, in preceding year. Preferred dividends of 3% per cent were passed, leaving arrears of 32% per cent as at Sept. 30. In addition to preferred shares there are 50,000 shares of $10 par value outstanding, while earned surplus stands at $4,838. The annual meeting will be held on Dec. 18 in Toronto. Snake Bite Kills San Antonio— John H. Heiligman, theater billposter, 47, died from a rattle snake bite received while on a hunting trip in South Texas Dec. 9. His mother, daughter and widow survive. Pre-holiday visitors included — Brad Sears and Doak Roberts, Warner Bros., Dallas; R. E. Griffith, Oklahoma City; Jack Pickens; Don Hanna, Phoenix, Ariz.; Mrs. Al R. Lever and Mrs. Weldon Parsons, Houston, Tex., Nancy Coppock, Austin, Tex., and others. Sunday Films Sought Greenwood, Miss. — Petitions are being circulated asking for Sunday shows and will be presented to the city council at the next meeting. The Junior Chamber of Commerce has indorsed repeal of the blue laws. RULINGS IN 2 STATES HIT CASH GIVEAWAYS I Continued from Page 1) Theater. Suit had arisen over contention that Shancell's minor son, Joseph, held the winning number to a drawing on the night when the theater refused to sell him admission and that for this reason he lost $105.00. The court decision will be final unless appealed to the Supreme Court before Dec. 22. E. J. Myrick, general manager of United theaters, said he would have to consider decision. Allied presiident Henry Lazarus said: "I think the elimination of bank night will hurt small exhibitors. They're dependent on it." Chicago — Attorney General Otto Kerner has formally ruled that cash drawings in movies are lotteries and illegal, according to a statement issued by Ernest Palmer, director of the Illinois State Insurance Department. Kerner's opinion cites the Federal Court of Iowa, Southern District, which held bank nite contrary to public safety. The decision of Colorado District Court was also quoted. An insurance company wanting to issue guarantees for Bank Night was the reason for Palmer's statement. Still another angle to the local controversy over cash drawings was the statement issued by the Chicago Better Business Bureau to the effect that two major film houses not using such devices had formally demanded the City of Chicago enforce local ordinances banning lotteries. Bridgeport — At the close of a Bingo hearing, Prosecutor D. Harold Cotter ordered operation of the games to cease under the State lottery law, but suggested to charitable organizations that they attempt to secure exemption at the coming session of the Legislature. Lincoln, Neb. — While ignoring bank night, Attorney General William H. Wright has issued a warning to Nebraska merchants against giving lottery chances with merchandise purchases. Jefferson City, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court is scheduled to hear final argument in the Bank Night case on Jan. 7. Bank Night Too Popular, Basketball Games Put Over Perryopolis, Pa. — The popularity of "bank night" at the local theater staged on Tuesdays has caused officials of the Perry Township School to postpone its four basketball games, originally scheduled for that night, to Wednesday.