Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

October 7. 1939 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 9 Jack Arthur's recent promotion to supervisor of Famous Players Canadian put the spotHght on a showman who ranks among the greatest in picture theatre history. There's no better picture show town anywhere than Toronto and it was there that Jack Arthur unleashed the dynamic energies that have made him one of filmdom's outstanding showmen. His record as a Toronto theatre manager goes back to 1916, as manager of the Regent, first house built in the Canadian city expressly for pictures. Zip, sparkle and a dash of spice are coming back into theatre advertising. This week's displays for current Broadway picture palaces have a liberal amount of the zip. The Capitol's headline for "The Women" is "Third and final scandalous week," and especially eye-taking layouts for the Roxy's "Eternally Yours" and the Music Hall's "Intermezzo" bills recall that nifty Si Seadler pulled in retort to a psychologist who complained that "movie ad illustration always shows a man and woman in the same position," with the howl-provoking remark: "I'd like to ask if it isn't so that a man and woman have been in the same position since the Garden of Eden." But, back to the Broadway showselling. The story of it wouldn't be complete without mention of the sure-fire invitation for the public to buy tickets at the Strand in the display for "Dust be My Destiny" with added attraction Ted Weems and, to quote, Ann Sheridan "Also in person — and What a Person!" Branch Reiterates Appeal For Code at Michigan Meet Says That Presented at Minneapolis Was Unacceptable; Group Talks Problems "I still think we need a code for this industry," declared Ray Branch, president of Allied Theatres of Michigan at the organization's convention in Kalamazoo this week. He advocated continued negotiations with the^^^ same group completing the task HUMMEL TO HEAD WB FOREIGN DEPT Maverick Decrees Pic Censorship in Texas City San Antonio — Mayor Maury Maverick has decreed municipal censorship of films. Pictures will be classified in four categories by the board headed by Mrs. S. A. Vincius: For adults, for young people, for children, for family entertainment. already started. Branch said that the Code as presented to the National Convention in Minneapolis was unacceptable and said that he was not disappointed at its rejection there. Abram F. Myers, Allied Board chairman and general counsel did not attend the convention but sent a statement in which he discussed the now defunct code. He declared that if the Government's suit or the Neely Bill were withdrawn, the present conciliatory attitude of the majors would cease. He attributed to the suit a stoppage of theatre construction and acquisition by the major companies. The Michigan Convention discussed eight main points as follows: 1. Stronger support for the Neely Bill; 2. The menace of free shows, with special attention directed to those sponsored by merchants in theatreless communities; recommendations were made that the established exhibitors take over the operation of theatres in these towns; 3. Protect against distributors making their own trailers with the proviso that if they do continue they should be given away free; the group favored the present policy of National Screen Service; 4. The problem of double features; 5. Protest against excessively long screen credits with "Wizard of Oz" cited as an example; 6. A more intensive regional set up in Michigan with more meetings of regional groups in the state; 7. The threatening tax situation; 8. A central purchasing plan for lamps. Important Dates Oct. 1-7 : Industry's Golden Jubilee. Oct. 2-4 : Allied Theatres of Michigan annual convention, Burdick Hotel, Kalamazoo. Oct. 16-19: SMPE Fall Convention, Hotel Pennsylvania. Oct. 2.3-24: MPTOA Board of Directors meeting, Green Briar Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Oct. 23-24; ATO of Indiana annual convention, Antlers Hotel, Indianapolis. Oct, 23-24: MPTO of Western Pennsylvania convention, William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh. Oct. 28-29: Variety Club football game and dinner, Pittsburgh. Nov. 25 : Washington Variety Club banquet, Willard Hotel. Nov. 29 : Motion Picture Associates dinner-dance. Hotel Astor. LONDON Observations by Jock MacGregor It has taken a war for the London County Council to permit Sunday afternoon opening for West End cinemas . . . Though closing at 6 p.m. they report excellent business . . . Most film companies have returned from their country hide-outs to Wardour Street . . . they found that many of the arrangements that they made were impracticable . . . Publicists were never evacuated . . Somehow we had suspected that renters did not think so much of them . . . Certain illiterate critics have become literary critics . . . Highlight of the war to date, v/e are told, is the sights of the London correspondent of your favorite trade paper directing trafTic as a Special Constable . . . They tell us that he is doing very nicely . . . ALEXANDER KORDA is carrying on with "The Thief of Baghdad" in a camouflaged studio and is also making a government propaganda picture, "The Lion Has Wings" with MERLE OBERON arid RALPH RICHARDSON ... it will deal with National Service . . . Business is pretty well back to normal except everybody goes about with a gas mask . . . They are not jittery, just prepared . . . But, of course, many familiar faces are away from the Wardcur Street pubs doing their bit. Richmond Managers Organize Bowling Group Richmond, Va. — A midnight bowling league which started a 28-week season Monday night has been organized by theatre managers here. Teams from the following theatres are represented: Colonial, Park, State, Grand, Lee, Carillon, Loew's and BrooklandBellevue. George E. Jones, bowling alley manager and former manager of Loew's, was elected president. U's Chicago Branch To Seek Indie Deals Chicago — On the return of Peck Gomersall from conferences in New York, Universal's Chicago exchange will concentrate on deals with independents in the local territory. Besides closing deals with all down-state circuits, the U branch here has also signed Warner, Essaness, Alliance and Indiana and Illinois circuits. Appointment of Joseph Hummel to head all foreign distribution for Warner Bros., exclusive of Continental Europe, was formally announced this week by Major Albert Warner, vice-president. For 15 years Hummel has been assistant to Sam E. Morris, head of foreign distribution, who is resigning because of ill health. Robert Schless will continue to oversee the operation of the European field of Warner Bros. Morris became head of Warners' foreign department in 1932, being appointed to that capacity after serving as head of distribution. 6 Regional Premieres for "Hollywood Cavalcade" "Hollywood Cavalcade," 20thFo.x Technicolor special, received six regional premieres this week. The film opened Tuesday in Los Angeles, then on Friday in Philadelphia, • Cincinnati, Houston and Omaha and on Saturday in Dallas. Trade showings were also held throughout the country. The picture is set for release Oct. 13. HOLDSERVICESTO HONOR LAEMMLE Friends and former associates of the late Carl Laemmle held services in his memory at the West End Synagogue, 160 W. 82nd St., Friday evening. Rabbi Nathan Stern officiated. The honorary committee in charge included Leo Abrams, Barney Balaban, Nate J. Blumberg, Jack Cohn, Ned E. Depinet, James R. Grainger, Hal Hode, Red Kann, Jules Levy, B. S. Moss, Herman Robbins, E. M. Saunders, Nicholas M. Schenck, Pete Siebel, Herman Stern. A similar service was held the same evening in Chicago. World Gets Standard Franchise in N. Y. C. Metropolitan area franchise of Standard Pictures has been acquired by World Pictures, with the Standard pictures to be released by World including "Mill on the Floss," "Lost on the Western Front," "Spy of Napoleon," "Prisoner of Corbal" and "The Headlevs at Home."