Variety (Mar 1939)

Wednesday, Mareb 29, 1939 PICTURES VARIETY 19 Hi Peskay's Majestk Exdiaiige; llieatreaanges^DistribDoms Los Angeles. Hi Peskay and Sam K. Decker ac- auired control of the Majestic Distri- bution Corp. Peskay was formerly exchange manager for Grand T^a- tional. Gordon Hewitt reopened Fox Cali- fornia theatre, Glendale, damaged by Are three weeks ago. John Wentworth, West Coast ad art director at United Artists for thre years, resigned to devote full time to Cinema Center, has new or- ganization. Outfit spedalizes in com- mercial films for business uses. AoUi, MaUen Upped Pittsburgh, March 28. Nestor F. Autb,' for last year floor manager at Penn theatre here, upped to asBstant managership of Loew's Broad, Columbus, picked for job by district Chief Mike Cullen, former manager of Penn. Albert MuUen' promoted from ushers' staS to Auth's post. Joe Kaliski, G-B's last , exchange here, named head of Grand National office in Boston. More recently Ka- liski has beep handling West Vir- ginia distribution for 'Birth of a Baby.' Theatre building at 1910 Beaver avenue, on Northside, will be offered for sale by Allegheny cotmfy. sheriff on April 3 to satisfy a judgnvent of $20,15«. ' Listed owner is Albert J. Eber. Harris Amus. Ca - transferred Henry Miller, manager of Family, East Liberty district, to Strand, Youngs- town, O. Miller was recently upjped to Family manager^p from assist- ant's post Harry Segal comes in from Voungstown job to take over his successor's spot. Fenyveasy, Jr„ Indie Rochester, N. Y., March 28. Albert Fenyvessy, Jr., youngest of the brothers who recently sold four theatre to Schines, and Alexander Dunbar, former manager of the Mon- roe, have taken over the Arnett, 700- seat nabe, from Max Fogel. It is un- derstood that under the contract with' Schines, All>ert is the only one of the brothers permitted to operate com- peting housti. . Jacob Weisenbom, Saturday (25), reopened the renovated Sun, nabe, dark for 10 years. Ben Neivert former manager of West End, selling autos for Chev- rolet. ■f- E. E. Benham Ont Sacramento, Calif., March 28. E. E. Banham has retired as dis- trict manager of the National Thea- tre Co. in the Yuba City area, ac- cording to announcement by Dom P. Isabella, assistant general manager of the theatre company. Benham formerly was operator of Smith's theatre in Yuba City and became manager of the company's interests there when that theatre was acquired by National. Benham is succeeded as. manager of the State, Marysville, by Harty Brown, for the past two years man- ager of the Liberty, Marysville. Harry Hunsaker, publicity and ad- vertising manager of the State, takes over the management of the Liberty. David Peterson wiU take over the manager's post of the Smith's thea- tre in Yuba City, succeeding Edward Benham, Jr. Peterson has been man- ager of the Shasta theatre. Mount Shasta City. New' S. C. Bouse Opens Spartanburg, S. C, March 28. New State theatre opened at An- derson, S. C. Dave Garvin moved from Spartan- burg to High Point, N. C, as Caro- Ima manager there. Was assistant manager at local Wilby-Kincey house. PhlUy Delngs Philadelphia, March 28. Warner Bros. Keystone closed for 20 days for complete remodeling. A new house is being erected in NorristoWn by Dave Milgram's Af- filiated Theatres Circuit Ira Turner, formerly with WB, named manager of the Tioga tlieatre. Warners Market Street theatre had Its clearance cut last week as a step in the general revision here. Will get product ^ven to 14 days ahead Onliwon Paper Towels ECONOMY WASHROOM SERVICE CLINTON HOTEL lOth Streat, Below Spruce PHILADELPHIA, PA. 8«Tea BtorlM. Elsvator Service neniir toralihcd and decorated. Bnn- BlBK nater In all noma. Boobu iritli tath. SjMcla] Thcatileal Bates b7 Jhw or Week, tnm per Dayj »«.0» per Week. of what it was getting previously. Al Garfield, Keith's, awarded $200 top prize by Warners last week in fourth annual business-building con- test for managers'. Stanley Benford, formerly of Boyd, was the leader in' the deluxer group; Marty Aninsman, Wynne, in the city zone, and L. M. Jones, Washington theam, Chester, in the out-of-town zones. District leaders were Harry Tarrante, Aldine; Al'Blumberg, Midway; Nathan Wat- kins, Avon; Sol Getzow, Ogontz; Abe Werner, Savoy; Ed Fmn^, Savoy, Wilmington; Herb lliatcber Hamil- ton, Lancaster, and Abe Binnard, Lyric, Camden.' Cm.'s Switches Hollywood, March 28. Wayne Ball has been moved by Columbia from Denver to manage the Los Angeles exchange in place of Harry Weinberg, Robert Bl, Salt Lake manager, is made supervisor of the Salt Lake area. W. G. Seib, Salt Lake salesman, is upped to manager there. V^iener to Dea Haines Omaha, March 28. I. M. Weiner, formerly branch manager of Columbiai has Joined Universal in the Des Moines office. The . Strand, Pierce, Neb., pur- chased by Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Crai£, Seymour, la., from Ortell Hamer. Craigs plan extensive remodeling of house. Suits V8. Films (Continued from page S) in a single basket The supplemental Actions would be related indirectly to the pending New York suit, al- though technically independent, pro- ceedings aimed at specific situations. StUl a chance the- initial steps will be taken soon. Senate normally is more sympathetic toward the trust* busters and can insert the item which was rejected by the House. Since the time is short, however, it is generally expected no attempt will be made to over-ride the lower chamber. PhiUy'i WB Peeve Philadelphia, March 28. Warner Bros, exchange here was cited last week to the Department of Justice by a group of exhibitors for alleged monopolistic practices. Let- ter of complaint was at the same time sent to William Mansell, manager of the exchange. Basis of the beef is WB refusal to allow exhibitors to take out the cost of premiums before figuring the per- centage of gross due the exchange. Exhibs declared that every other ex- change agrees to such a practice. They base their monopoly charge on wha t they maintain is the fact that 'WB houses using premiums are al- lowed this subtraction privilege. N. Y. Salt Federal Judge William Bondy in New York on Thursday (23) for- mally signed the order requiring the U. S. to furnish 'a bill of particulars within 60 days to United Artists Corp. In connection with the Gov- ernment's anti-trust suit against UA and the other majors. UA has 20 days to answer the bill, when filed. That portion of the request which asked that the part of the complaint .referring to UA as a producer be stricken from the complaint was de- nied. Examination of Edward C. Raftery and Harry Muller of United Artists was postponed on Monday (27) in N. Y. federal court until April 5. Paul Williams, special assistant at- torney general, who had expected to conduct the negotiations received a phone call from attorney Raftery requesting the postponement, as he was working on a new Selznick- International contract with UA and to leave Hollywood now would have been very difficult Sources close to the Department of Justice revealed yesterday (Tues- day) that Paul Williams, special as- sistant attorney-general, prosecuting the anti-trust action against the major companies, plans to file a bill of particulars on his arrival in New York from Washington on April 5, Newark Indie's Trust Suit Against Majors A triple damage anti-trust action for $150,000 was filed in the N. Y. federal court yesterday (Tuesday) against the Motion Picture Producers St Distributors of Ame.ica, Inc., Co- lumbia Pictures, Metro, MGM Dls- PAR BW CORP. LOST $235,307 NET IN '38 The Paramotmt Broadway Corp., controlling the Paramount building in New York, of which the Par, N. Y., is a part, for the year 1038 showed a net loss of $235,307, with the deficit at Dele. 31i "38, increased to $537,364, as compared with a deficit of $440,143 at the ehd of 1037. A deduction of $147,085 was made for 1038, including discount on bonds purchased, amounting to $171,731, and bond discount and ex- 'pense applicable to bonds purchased at $24,645. Paramount Pictures, of which Par- B'way is a subsidiary, paid rents in advance during '38 of $7,830, while others in the rent coluinn are listed at $165,179.. M&mm Net for'38. a Bit Uder Previous The 1938 profits of 20th-Fox were slightly under previous year, ac cording to the annutd report for the SS-week- period,, ended Dec. 31, 1938, Statement showed a net bf $7,252,466 after all income, surtax and foreign exchange- adjustments. This com- pares with total of $8,617,114 net for 1937. Company's share of National Theatres dividends for 1938 was only $882,000 as compared with $1,134,000 from this source in 1937. Drop in revenue last' year oc- curred princ^ally in final, quarter, when earnings were $2,030,374 as compared with $3,718,000 for the fourth quarter in 1937. The com- pany maintained and paid dividends on its preferred stock of $1.50 per share and $2 per share on common, with $4,809,218 having been paid out during the year. Outstanding capital as of Dec. 31, 1938, was 938,745 shares of preferred and 1,741,984 common. Earnings of National Theatres Corp. in 1938 were $2,617,663, compared with $2,988,228 in 1937, and earnings in the first year's operation of the Roxy theatre, N. Y., in the period of 51 weeks up to Aug. 25, 1938, showed a net op- erating profit after taxes of $110,- 095.62. Consolidated balance sheet As of Dec. 31, 1038, shows current assets of $31,275^08, including cash of $6,- 502,168 and current liabilities of $6,- 211,515. Principal investments in affiliated companies, as of that date, stand at $3,737,568.68 in United American Investing Corp. and the Metropolis & Bradford Trust Co., Ltd. (holding companies for the Gaumont-British investment); $8,- 859,886.76 representing 42% invest- ment in National Theatres Corp.; $893,636.66 in Roxy Theatre, Inc.; $372,000 in Hoyts Theatres, Ltd., and $608,619.90 in Movietone News, Inc. Trans-Lux's Beport Net profits of Trans-Lux Corp. in 1938 were about $200,000 less than in the preceding year, according to the report mailed stockholders last week. Company showed net of $133,717, or 18V&C per share, as against $349,382, or 48c per share reported in 1937. Only 10c was paid in dividends last year, as compared. with 30c in 1037. Trans-Lux statement blamed the small volume of business on the N. Y. Stock Exchange and Curb Exchange for the small profit shown by the Movie Ticker affiliate. tributing Corp., Ijoew's, Inc., Para- mount United Artists, Universal, Big-U Film Exchange, Inc., Warner Bros, and 'Vitagraph, Inc., RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., RKO Distrib- uting Corp. and 20th Century-Fox by the Lenrose Amui.. Corp., owners and operators of an Independent pic- ture theatre at 127-29 North Seventh street, Newark. Suit charges that the defendants,- through, unlawful restraint of trade, have discriminated against the plaintiff and other independents, re- sulting in price fixing and stifling of trade and the creation of a monop- oly. Specifically as to their own griev- ances they charge short forcing, block booking, blind buying, fixing of run and clearance, etc. It is lastiy aUeged that ths Hays office is dominated and controlled by the producers and that that office, fixes contracts and controls the Film Eoerds of Trade in key cities. Coast Exhibs See fanpending Price War Due to Theatre Mdnig Orgy Los Angeles, March 28. Unprecedented new film theatre building which has enveloped the Southern Calitomia territory,, par- ticularly in Los Angeles past few years, has industry observers pre- dicting an admission price war, such as prevailed locally in 1929-31, when prices were, forced down to . lowest levels in yestfs. Conservatively es-^ timated that close to 100,000 seats have been added in this area, in past three years, with nothing in sight to indicate a letup. Independents during past 10 or 12 months have added close to 30,000 seats to an already vastly over- seated territory, mostly 15c. and 20c. subsequent run houses. Fbx W-est Coast 'and WAmer circuits have re- mained aloof from expansion, but former is now faced with no alter- native but to go in with its partner, Dave Bershon, in ammediatie erec- tion of new 900-seater at Grenshaw and Santa Barbara blvs. New the- atre, it is contended, is-necessary to protect circuit interests in that area of Los Angeles. . During depression days average admission price to filmeries here- abouts was 15c. Fox West Coast led the upward movement with result that prevailing average price is around 34c. Most: of circuit houses are operated at 30c. to 40c. minimum admission, excepting first runs which have a standard 55c. gate. Charlotte^ N. C, March 28. Construction on a new house, to cost in the neighborhood of $100,000, will start at Wilson in a few weeks. Newest of the North Carolina Thea- tres, Inc., of Charlotte, will be the largest theatre in Wilson. George Washburn of Shelby will erect a $30,000 theatre building there; J. A. Reynolds, Carolina thea- tre, Shelby,-has signed a long-term rental lease. Salinas, Callt, 4th Boose Sacramento, March 28. Construction of a-new theatre, 620 seats, on' Main street Salinas, Cal., will be started immediately, it was announced after the awarding of the construction contract for the sum of $26,500. H. I. Tegtmier and Frank McAfee will operate the new house. The building, which will cost $75,- 000 when completed wiUi fixtures and equipment,. will be reinforced concrete on modern theatre architec- tectural lines. Will' be- the fourth in Salinas. A fifth is contemplated for a suburb. Fred Coleman's New One Atlanta, March 28. East Point Amusement Co., Fred C. Coleman, prez, lighted up Fulton the- atre, its No. 4 suburban house, Thurs- day (23). Bill Yarbrough is mgr. This is second new theatre opened by this outfit this month. Sylvan, with Ashftcid Yarbrou.^ as mgr., getting, going on March 14. Both houses cost around $30,009 apiece. Firm also- operates Fairfax and CoIle.i;e Park. Coleman is brother-ln-la.w of H. B. Wilby. Tom GormaiL Lsoks Set for RKO Bastos Spo^ Kcenier West Tom Gorman, with RKO in Ciii- cago and over the Palace there, is reported the most likely candidate to succeed Charles Koemer as dis- trict manager of the RKO New Eng- land theatres. Koerner has been shifted to the West Coast to assume charge of the division , formerly headed tor years by Cliff Work. The Gorman assignment may be set today (Wed.) or tomorrow. A successor to his post in Chicago is not mentioned. • Fctcinr Koemer Boston, March 29, Show biz friends. of Charles W. Koemer, division manager for BKO Theatres here, will throw a farewell party for him at the Cocoanut Grove Sunday (2). Koemer leaves later that week to take over the Coast di- vision of RKO theatres. 'DR, X' BACK Holl3rwood, March 28. 'Return of Dr. X* is in the final scripting stage and goes into the Bryan Foy unit at Waimers for pro- duction on the 1039-40 program. Boris Karloff gets tlte lead role, aa he did in 'Dr. X.' New York Theatres THERE'S A BET TER SHOW ^ THE THEnTRE5 "YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITK MURDER" HUMPHREY BOGART A Warner Broe. Picture la PenoB JIMMY OORSEY and ORCH. QTRAMn BBOADWAT BiMdwarV 61rtBtn«t n "SERGEANT (MADDEN" "SOCIETY LAWYER" Vlrilnt* BroM • WtHer PMiM ^ VeaVil aaeietpjfcelal PUSUI NONWIOinB^rnud Shaw's TGMALION I7th Bli W«tl .AeM-tWHh ST* (TO DAY OM IT "madTfor each other" Thanrdar 'HONOLSI.D' ENewr PmH ItaM. VtiMi ■mi ft AIM ToBf Oaleato| la run "3 SMART GJRLS GROW UP" UMITKO ABTIBTS Bnii 0>m A.M, RIVOLI jws: MIBNITE 8H0«r» PARAMOUNTe'""^ IeqvABK BADIO CITY MUSIC HALL THE STORY OF VERNON and IRENE CASTLE Spectacular Stage Productions Ttb Av. * Mtb BL ROXY AIX OCe TO SEATS' "Alexander Graham BeD'' —On the SUce— New SUee Show