Variety (Sep 1938)

4, VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, September 20, 1938 PAR IN N. E. AND JOE SEIDER ON LONG ISLAND HARDEST HIT BY HURRICANE Eastern Cloudburst Denting Both Theatre Outfits Up to $200,000 Each—Heavy Damage in New England to Other Theatre Operators Damage to theatres caused by the •astern-New England hurricane will run high based on checkup so far obtainable, this not excluding the loss of playing time, never to be re- covered, but some circuits and in- dividual operators got 6ff luckily, whether covered by insurance or not. Many were not covered by any kind of insurance that was valuable in this case while some of the operators •were covered mostly, but not com- pletely. Of the major chains affected, Para- mount bears the brunt of the damage inflicited by the big blow and flood- ing, while among the independents, Joseph M, Seider and associates in the Prudential circuit on Long Island, are by far the heaviest suf- ferers. Y. Frank Freeman, vice president of Paramount, estimates that the damage to Par theatres and those of its partners will run from $150,- 000 to $200,000. Seider, whose cir- cuit' Of around 35 theatres blankets most of Long Island, fears his loss finally may add to $200,000, also. No other operators came within miles of taking such a licking by the storm. Whereas RKO was forced to close only one house, Warner Bros, only four and Loew's but three, a total of as many as 30 Par directly-owned or affiliated theatres were shuttered. In many cases lack of power, a state of martial law or flooded basements and auditoriums forced closings rather than physical damages from the storm. A few houses are still shut down, including in Providence •where Etj Fay (indie) was hardest hit, New London, Springfield,. Paw- tucket, Norwich and some lesser towns, but generally operations are being rapidly restored, it is reported. Complete Destroyal The greatest loss to any single the- atre was the complete destroyal of Seider's Greenport <L. I.) house, loss being estimated on that alone as from $65,000 to $75,000. Seider had no insurance covering hurricanes and in addition to Greenport, he was struck hard in Easthampton, South- ampton, Center Moriches, West- hampton and Patchogue. The stage of his theatre in Easthampton was completely blown away* Seider states he will rebuild immediately in Greenport, with John Eberson al- ready retained to draw plans on a new 800-seater, The A. H. Schwartz circuit and other operators on Long Island who are not out so far on the Island, suffered only slight damages. At the Schwartz (Century Theatres) office it was said that the circuit had to close seven theatres the night of the hurricane but were able to re- open all within 24 hours. The RKO house at Far Rockaway, seemingly a very vulnerable point, was not af- fected. RKO also escaped in Boston and Lowell but was considerably damaged and forced to shutter in Providence. However, the Albee there was reopened within 48 hours. No theatre operators or employees were known to have been killed or seriously injured by the storm and flooding, but in Montpelier, Vt, a falling tree and chimney injured two Paf amount patrons. 'Seider was fortunate in that his management at Greenport, L. I., was able to get everyone' out of the theatre there without injury before it fell apart. Few Injuries Par is covered by insurance for the two patrons hurt in Montpelier. The company is also covered on every- thing else but flood damage, which it is believed was silght. In the opinion of Henry Anderson, in charge of the insurance department in Paramount, it is a tribute to the theatres of the area affected, as well as management, that personal injury to employees and patrons was nil. Because of superior contsurction, there being slight structural dam- age, theatres were proved to be much safer than homes and many other buildings, he avers. Recently the insurance companies offered supplemental coverage talcing in a lot of miscellaneous items, in- cluding damage from windstorms. This embraced a variety of causes which could affect a theatre, and since it did not cost much, according to Anderson, Par took it in connec- tion with its fire insurance. Ander- son himself was caught in the storm near Westerly, R. I., but escaped any injury or damage. He was trying to get into Westerly by car when stymied. Par Most Affected Par operates in all the New Eng- land states but Connecticut, and was affected in all, including Rhode Is- land, the Goldstein Bros, chain, Mul- lin & Pinanski group and the Maine & New Hampshire Theatres Co. Though no theatres were severely damaged in Boston, Par's Fenway theie and the Oriental were reported most hurt. Both RKO and Loew's escaped but for very minor items. Reported there that the roof of the Ritz hotel was blown off. Ritz roof was to have closed Oct. 1, anyway, so it's not being rebuilt in any great hutry. A vaudeville show had to be cancelled in New Haven, while in some other spots attractions had to be diverted or set back. For both RKO and Loew's, though theatre damage was comparatively slight, interruption of operations in Greater New York Wednesday night (21) affected both materially as lights in theatres on A.C. current failed. At the Fordham (RKO), Sol Schwartz, manager, was putting on an amateur show when things started going black. Partly with a view to avoid- ing panic, with show ready to go on, he had the exit doors thrown open and hired taxis quickly to drive up so that their headlights could be thrown into the theatre. As a result, only a few refunds .were necessary .here. Three iLQew houses forced to shutter in New England were Provi- dence, Hartford and Springfield, last two due to lack of power. RKO suf- fered slight damage in both New Haven and Bridgeport. Warners also suffered in New Haven, Hartford and Norwich, Conn. Flooded Basements Mostly Much of the damage resulting to Par, RKO, WB, Loew's and indies, aside from flooded basements and auditoriums or lack of power, was in broken skylights, windows, damaged marquees, box offices, store fronts, lobby material, signs and the like. On top of the physical damages in- flicted, the loss to shuttered theatres, Par again suffering much heavier than others, was in loss of playdates and the estimated gross that would have been done under normal condi tions were houses open. In many cases it was difficult to effect film de- livery to houses remaining open or those reopening, but in no instance did film exchanges feel anything but slightest injury. Exchange points in the path of the storm, outside of New York city, were New Haven and Bos ton. Storm didn't reach to Portland, another branch point. Hartford's Spot Hartford, Sept. 27. The State, situated in the lowland east side of this city, was forced to shutter Wednesday (21) when ris- ing waters from rapidly rising Con- necticut River inundated the dress- ing rooms and theatre, rising to a height of 38 inches over the top of the stage. Three thousand of the 4,200 seats in the house were re- moved to the lobby before the wa- ters could reach them. The Chick Webb orch., playing at the house for the week, was sent back to New York. A three-day date for Anton Scibilia's 'Hawaiian Nights,' skedded for the first three days of thfc week, was cancelled. The theatre w;ll reopen Wednes- day (28) with a special midnight show for the relief of flood sufferers of the eastside and open for busi- ness Thursday (23) with Paul White- man. Damage to the house was slight. Power failure in the city Friday (23) shuttered the New Palace, the Allyn and E. M. Loew's theatres for the day. They were able to reopen Friday through the use of emer- gency circuits. . With waters from the Park River, in the center of the city, lapping within a few inches of its stage, Loew's Poli was able to remain open through the continued use of pumps. Power failure failed to close the house due to its ability tq immediately connect to an emer- gency electric circuit. Providence Hit Hard Providence, Sept. 27. Damage by flood waters to Provi- dence's first-run houses, which are all situated in the most seriously stricken area, has been unofficially set at more than $100,000. The recently redecorated Fay's theatre and adjoining Strand were the most seriously hit. Others in the stricken area were the RKO Albee, the Carlton, Loew's State and the Majestic. The second-run Empire suffered damage to the extent of $20,000. Lack of electric power is all that is keeping the Majestic and Albee from reopening. Four hundred new seats are being installed at Loew's State. Danger of fire has kept au- thorities from resuming electric power in the downtown section. Negotiations are being made by Ed Reed of the Strand to take over the Metropolitan, a house on the other side flood area, until necessary re- pairs are made to the Strand. Little disorder was faced at the height of the storm when the man- agements of the various houses noti- fied patrons of the danger. Several of the houses allowed the stranded theatregoers to remain in the houses all night. All theatres in the stricken area have been dark since Wednes- day (21) at 5:15 p.m., when the power was shut off. Present reports indi- cate that service may be resumed by Wednesday (28). Full reports con- cerning extent of damage are still unavailable. Freddie Storm-Tossed Hollywood^ Sept. 27. Storm on the Atlantic coast caused a rearrangement of Freddie Barthol- omew's p.a. tour. Under the new schedule he opens at Loew's State, N. Y., Oct. 13, instead Of Providence. Other dates are: Earle, Philadel- phia, Oct. 21; Stanley, Pittsburgh, Oct. 28, and Providence, Nov. 4. Fears for the safety of James Cag- ney, whose farm on Martha's Vine- yard was in the path of last week's hurricane; were set at rest over the weekend when he was reported un- harmed. His farm was damaged, however. Communications with the island were impossible during the storm. Hoblitzelle Back Karl Hoblitzelle returned Monday night (26) from Europe and will con- fer with Y. Frank Freeman and other Paramount h.o. execs before shoving off for Dallas. Bob O'Donnell, his associate, and John Moroney, Inter- state counsel, came up to meet Hob- litzelle. Also on for h.o. confabs is Abe Blank, midwest Par partner, and his g.m., Ralph Branton. Latter ar- rived yesterday (Tues.), Blank com- ing oh ahead of him. George Walsh* upstate N. Y. oper- ator for Par, checked in Monday (26) on one of his frequent trips to head- quarters. Radio Casting Bureau Sells Juve to Cinema CBS Artists Bureau has set Charles Powers, radio and legit juve : with RKO Pictures for a part in the latter's forthcoming 'The Pure in Mind' which rolls Oct. 15. In addition to radio work Powers has had parts in stage productions of 'Dodsworth,* 'Tell Me Pretty Maiden,' 'Bright Honor,' and 'Little 01 'Boy.' He leaves for the Coast next week. AUG. 19% TAXES 3D SMALLEST TiflS YEAR Washington, Sept. 27. Summer slump sent U. S. Treas ury's grab from 10% admissions tax down nearly $200,000 in August and put year's collections to date back nearly to 1936 levels. Take was the third smallest this year and below any month of 1937. Reflecting further decline in July box office receipts, the Federal slice of the amusement outlay was only $1,425,062. This -was $174,180 under the figure for the corresponding month of 1937 and $193,751 smaller than payments on June admissions. Fifth month-to-month drop during 1938, while the dip in comparison with 1937 was the second sharpest. Eight-month total was $12,390,634, which is $461,708 below the 1937 figure but still $1,200,738 better than the 1936 pace. Newsreels Kept On The Jump Covering The Flood Regions Hurricane and high water near New York kept the five newsreel companies operating at top speed last week, story growing- after about 4 p.m., Wednesday (21), until by late Thursday newsreel editors realized that it was a national disaster. Nearly all reels specialed the story before the week was over as photographic stories poured in from Long Island and New England "states while death and damage toll grew. Because newsreels turn out their midweek issue on Wednesday, few were prepared for such a sweeping story right at their doorsteps. Par amount gambled on the hurricane storm warnings and left space in regular issue so that storm footage could be added, not realizing at the time (Wednesday afternoon) of ter- rific story that was about to break. All reels had camera crews grab- bing sights in and about New York Wednesday as the rain continued and wind velocity increased. By Thurs- day they were out in airplanes grab- bing footage of damage on Long Is- land and up the New England coast, arriving over New London in time to obtain aerial pictures of big blaze there while it still was smouldering. Universal's cameraman was on the job Wednesday night at New London securing night views of same confla- gration. 'March of Time* crews grabbed comprehensive views from land of damage at Westhampton, where virtually all reels secured their best footage from the air. Different reels rushed hurricane- flood footage out by air express. Nathanson of Canada Wants to Make Korda (UA) Give Him Drums' for Can. London, Sept. 27. N. L. Nathanson is so hot after 'Drums; Alexander Korda's latest film, that he is willing to go to court to attain control of that film in Can- ada. The picture man served a writ on London Films (Korda) on Friday (23) to get the film. It all. ..hinges on ^ whether Nathanson can make good his claim that, since the picture was started in September, 1937, it belongs, to him under an original five-year deal with London Films, for Canada, which expired in Oc- tober, 1937. Under that deal it was expressly said that Nathanson was to get all of the LF (Korda) output which was 'made' during the lifetime of the contract. Whether Nathanson can impress the court that the word 'made' means also anything that might have been completed after the expiration date of the contract seems highly improb- able. However, Nathanson, head of Famous Players-Canadian, has been feuding with UA for some time, and in addition to business reasons, he is looking for personal satisfaction in this present fuss. Under George J. Schaefer, United Artists has done better for itself in" Canada by selling away from Nathanson, which hasn't pleased him one bit. Comparatively Small Losses To Fire Is. Showfolk The showpeople's summer play- ground at Ocean Beach, Fire Island, suffered comparatively small damage against the ' other villages on Fire Island, N. Y., during the hurricane and tidal wave of last week. The house on Ocean Beach Walk (on the ocean front) in which the late George Gershwin, his brother, Ira, and Moss Hart lived in a few summers ago was entirely demol- ished. So was the house that Ar- thur Kober had that season. A lit- tle further down the ocean front the home of Herman Shumlin wasn't damaged at all. Gene Fowler's home at Sea View had a few panes of glass broken. Joe Laurie, Jr.'s place, which Is only a few doors from the -Gersh- win home, had some shingles blown off the roof, part of the foundation carried away and part of the back porch broken up. Fanny Br ice's house on the Bay Front suffered no damage at all. Eye-witnesses claim that a ter- rific tidal wave swept the dunes away in a few spots and caused more damage than the hurricane did. In all, there were only five houses entirely demolished and a dozen more suffered reparable damages. Saltaire, a Village a few miles from Ocean .Beach' (Roxy had a home here some years ago) was al- most entirely wiped out. Fair Har- bor, State Park (Rotary Club's Camp Cheerful for Crippled Kids was located here), Lonleyville, and Kismet Park were also wiped out. The Great South Bay had many houses, telegraph poles and huge logs drifting on it which made res- cue work by boats very dangerous. Loss of life totaled six persons, but none at Ocean Beach. The city fathers at Ocean Beach are already building new dunes under the supervision of an army engineer. It is. not believed that Salt Air, Kismet Park, Lonleyville, Fair Harbor *nd State Park will be rebuilt. Ocean Beach was first pegged as a spot for actors and writers by Gene Fowler, Joe Laurie, Jr., Fanny Brice and Tom McMorrow, Sateve- post author. Lately, radio artists and writers have spent their sum- mers there, mostly renters. Fowler, Laurie and Tom McMorrow are the only home-owners of the profes- sional gang. Fanny Brice, Beatrice Lillie, Jimmy Durante, Georgie Jessel, Lil- lian Hellman, Arthur Kober, Jay Brennan, Hoger Davis, Lou Holtz, Billy Rose, Herman Shumlin, Moss Hart, late George and Ira Gershwin, Dixie Hamilton, Clark and Bergman, Lou Handman and Florrie LaVere, Milton Cross, Frances Langford, Willard Keefe, George Gould, play- wright; Mr. and Mrs. Gabrilson, ra- dio writers and actors; Tift Pastor- field, Theatre Guild; Vic Guiness, N. Y. Mirror art director; Jerry Doyle, cartoonist; George Fayko, Jr., illustrator; Billy Dunham, Gracie O'Malley, Valaska Suratt, Helen Dumas, radio; Jed Harris, Tom Mc- Namara, Archie and Jerry Gottler, and Charlie O'Connor have been tenants on Fire Island, off and on. Also E. C. Mills of ASCAP. The Island has been under semi- martial law, by state troopers, deputy marshals and coast guards. There was a little looting the first few days, but it has been stopped. Farrell Tops Again Hollywood, Sept. 27. Charles Farrell, former star mak- ing a comeback, gets the male lead opposite Alice Faye in 'Tailspin' at 20th-Fox. Farrell once co-starred on the same lot with Janet Gaynor. Destry's Playback Hollywood, Sept. 27 James Stewart stars in 'Destry Rides Again,' to be produced by Joe Pasternak at Universal with a top budget. Story by Max Brand was used as a Tom Mix starrer several years ago. Assignment of Stewart is part of a triple loanout deal with Metro, in- volving Robert Montgomery and Robert Young.