Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1940)

52 MOTION PICTURE HERALD April 27, I 940 ANOTHER ROUND OF GALA PREMIERES (Continued from preceding page) Fabian, Interboro, Seider, Brecher, Consolidated, Skouras, Brandt, Casey & Wheeler, Stein and Rosenblatt. In most cases the picture is booked for only part of the circuit, to play in houses least affected by prior runs of the film. Edward M. Saunders, MGM western sales manager, conferred with Balaban & Katz officials in Chicago on a deal under which "Wind" would play at three B & K neighborhood houses, the Rivoli, State and Tower, after the first runs at the Oriental and Woods. The deal will not be closed until the date for the termination of the first-run engagements is determined. Circuit executives then will decide what potentialities the film has in the territory before signing. Over 700,000 persons have paid about $600,000 to see the picture in the first 13 weeks at the Oriental and Woods. The Selznick picture continues in its 24th week at the Astor theatre on Broadway. Week-Showings in Neighborhoods The picture began week-showings in neighborhood and suburban houses in the Pittsburgh area two weeks ago. Previously the picture played nine weeks at the Warner and grossed almost as much as the house did in 1939 with its first run dual and holdover policy and compared favorably with a season's receipts at the Nixon, the city's only legitimate theatre, 301,911 persons paid $243,303 at the 190 performances. Only six second-run showings for "Wind" have been set in Philadelphia, opening May 8th at three Warner houses — the Uptown, 69th Street and Colonial and at three independents — the Rockland, Erlin and Keswick. No additional subsequent bookings are to open before May 23d or 24th, according to S. E._ Applegate, MGM sales manager in Philadelphia. The first American showing outside the United States will be at the Hawaiian premiere at the Honolulu theatre, Waikiki on May 11th. "20 Mule Team" Trek MGM's "20 Mule Team" caravan this week visited Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Fort Wayne. Enthusiastic crowds and official receptions have greeted the caravan everywhere, MGM reported. The tour is being made in cooperation with the Pacific Borax Company and 25,000 _ borax dealers throughout the country are said to be active in exploiting the Wallace Beery picture. The picture and the tour also are being advertised on the Borax radio program, "Death Valley Days." "Lillian Russell" Opens May 15th Twentieth CenturyFox has announced _ a double world premiere in Pittsburgh and Clinton, la., on May 15th for "Lillian Russell." On May 17th the picture will open at the Roxy theatre in New York. Stars will attend both openings and Western newspaper men will be entertained at Clinton, and eastern critics at Pittsburgh. Lillian Russell was born in Clinton and spent her last years in Pittsburgh. The premieres will be held at the Capitol theatre in Clinton, and the Alvin in Pittsburgh. "Lillian Russell," which runs two hours and twenty minutes, is the longest film ever released by 20th Century-Fox, but Darryl F. Zanuck said it could not be shortened without impairing the entertainment qualities. The cast includes Alice Faye, Henry Fonda, Don Ameche, Edward Arnold, Warren William, Leo Carrillo and many others. Earl W. Wingart of the home office publicity department has gone to Clinton to make arrangements for that premiere. Rodney Bush, TOP COLLEGE MEN FOR FILMS: CROMWELL Since other large industries and professions seek the top college graduates each year the picture business should fall in line with the same policy, John Cromwell, film director, told students and professors of the University of Southern California this week. He said Hollywood would thus be assured of a constant flow of new talent in all lines of production. The film industry, he said, should inaugurate a system of apprenticeships in the various crafts and trades and said the logical source of supply is the colleges and universities. The director's remarks highlighted the first demonstration of practical cooperation between studios and the university's Department of Cinematography. Mr. Cromwell has been appointed special lecturer at the Universtiy. exploitation and publicity manager, and Christy Wilbert are at Pittsburgh to handle the opening there. Don Ameche and Lynn Bari are to go to Clinton and Alice Faye and others to Pittsburgh. Northwest Premieres for "Irene" Ned E. Depinet arranged dual premieres at Portland, Ore., and Seattle, Wash., for the musical comedy "Irene." The Portland engagement opened at the Paramount theatre on Tuesday and the Seattle run began Wednesday. Anna Neagle, star, and Herbert Wilcox, producer and director, were scheduled to appear at both openings. The special premieres followed the preview at the Pantages theatre, Los Angeles on April 18th. S. Barret McCormick, director of advertising and publicity, arranged plans for the openings and campaigns with the theatres. The general release date on "Irene" is May 3d. "Typhoon" Premiere in Hawaii For the first time an American motion picture company held a world premiere outside continental United States when Paramount opened "Typhoon," starring Dorothy Lamour and Robert Preston, at the Waikiki theatre in Honolulu, Hawaii, Thursday. Dorothy Lamour went to Hawaii for the opening. Arrangements were made via transoceanic telephone by Cliff Lewis, studio advertising and public director, and Esmond Parker, head of the Consolidated Amusement Company of Hawaii. Dorothy Lamour will be featured on the Mutual Broadcasting Company program "Hawaii Calls" from Honolulu on Saturday. "Flag Speaks" at Ellis Island MGM's two-reel color short on the American Flag was given a preview showing at Ellis Island on Thursday. The showing was arranged through Rudolph Reimer, U. S. Commissioner of Immigration. The MPPDA cooperated in arranging the Ellis Island preview. "The Flag Speaks" was made following a suggestion of the American Legion to the Association of Motion Picture Producers. Officers of various patriotic organizations at tended the screening including : the General Federation of Women's Clubs, American Legion, Society of Colonial Dames, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Boy and Girl Scouts and state and military officials and a group of immigrants. "Buck Benny" in Harlem The first film premiere in Harlem was held Tuesday night when Paramount presented "Buck Benny Rides Again" at Loew's Victoria theatre. The special show was arranged in honor of Eddie (Rochester) Anderson. Those attending included Bill Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, the Peters Sisters and Miss Harlem (Cissy Bowe). The Hollywood delegation included Jack Benny, star in the film ; Mark Sandrich, who produced and directed the picture, and Fred Allen and Rochester. A parade preceded the opening, and the celebration was broadcast over WHN. Willie Bryant was master of ceremonies. After the show a reception was held for Rochester at the Savoy ballroom. "Buck Benny Rides Again" has been mentioned on a number of radio shows with stars, director and composer appearing on a number of programs. The film opened Wednesday at the Paramount theatre in New York. , Key Dates for "Dark Command" James R. Grainger, president of Republic, announced that early runs in 25 key towns for "Dark Command" have been arranged. The picture is now running at the Strand in Providence and other April dates include Earle, Philadelphia ; State, Omaha ; Fox, St. Louis ; Rialto, Tacoma ; Colorado, Pueblo ; Orpheum, Portland ; State, Oklahoma City ; Dent, Lincoln ; Ritz, Corpus Christi, and Schubert, Cincinnati. The title is to be changed. May dates arranged to date include the Stanley, Baltimore ; Earle and Ambassador, Washington ; Alvin, Pittsburgh ; Colonial, Dayton ; Liberty, Yakima ; Kino, Albuquerque, and the Heilih at Eugene, Oregon. The picture had its world's premiere at Lawrence, Kan., and following the opening played at the Esquire and Towne in Kansas City. On Milwaukee Commission Henry L. Nunn, shoe manufacturer, and Edwin A. Clauder, salesman, have been named to the Milwaukee Motion Picture Commission by Mayor Daniel W. Hoan. Mr. Nunn succeeds Senator George Hampel, resigned, and Mr. Clauder fills the unexpired term of the late George F. Lorio. Autry Personal Appearance Gene Autry will be the guest star for 10 days at the "World Championship" rodeo in the Pittsburgh Gardens, beginning April 24th, under Harris Amusement Company auspices. Acquires "Outsider" Rights Norris Distributing Company, headed by W. Lee Norris, has taken over distribution of "The Outsider" for Alliance Films in Western Missouri and Kansas. Theatre for Chicago Suburb Sam Myers, independent circuit operator, is breaking ground this week for his new theatre, the Glenwin, in Glencoe, Chicago suburb. The $150,000 theatre will be the first in the restricted residential section.