Variety (Apr 1939)

Wednesday, April 19. 1939 PICTURES VARIETY 29 BANKORACKET EXPOSE J AH^ 2 FILM BOOKING CHART (For in/ormation of theatre and film exchange bookers, Vabdett presents a complete-chart of feature reXeases of an the American distributtnff companies for the current quarterly perto<I. Date of reviews as ffiven in Vabiett and tht runnintt time of prints are included.) Milwaukee, April 18. A young Milwaukee woman and her fiance admitted readily to Mil- waukee police Thursday (13) that they had a hand in an ingenious scheme by wliich a $500 bank night award in a Janesville (Wis.) theatre was 'won' several weeks ago. - They are held on warrants' charging :oI>- iaining money under false pretenses. Their |200 share of the $500 prize has been put away ias a nest egg for their intended June wedding, and t^ere. is some doubt, legal officials of Janesville say, that the money can' be recovered because the question of lottery, as it might involve the- atre bank nights, has not been definitely adjudicated. Meanwhile, Detective Capt Adolph Kraemer questioned the Milwau- keeans, Agnes Gerek and Theodore I,asky, her fiance, ahout the scheme. They implicated an employee of the Jeffris theatre in Janesville, as Lasky told Kraemer: "My job as a plumb- ing supply salesman took ine to Janesville. I knew one of the the- atre employees and he approached me with the idea that we could makie a few dollars in the theatre bank night The theatre- employee asked . me to get some one to do tiie d^aw' Ing at the bank night March 30 when the pot was $500. I took Miss Gerek' there.' Then, Iissky continued, the theatre employee suggested how the scheme , would work. Lasky was given a ticket stub for thie pool drawing, he said, and Miss Gerek was given the part of the ticket wtilch ordinarily goes into the barrel for the drawing, They sat in different i»arts of the theatre and when the drawing was to be made the theatre worker called for judges to supervise the drawing. Miss Gerek, by prearrangemeht, stepped to the stage as one of the judges. Her good looks, Idsky blush- ingly admitted, helped to persuade the judges that she should do the drawing.' Her hand, holding the stiib of lasky's ticket, went into the barrel. After she fumbled in the thousands of number stubs for a moment, she came up with the Vinning' ticket It was, of course, the one she -had in her hand when it went into the barrel, Laslcy's friend, the theatre em- ' ployee, handed the winning stub to George Gllman, operator of the p.a. system. He called off Lasky's name and he claimed the $500 pot LasI^ said. The award was to be made the following week and Laslcy kept $200 and gave the theatre employee $300, But the schemie was exposed be- cause Gilman, from his perch, saw Miss (Derek's clenched fist go into the niunbers barrel. He watched Lasky and the yoimg woman leave the theatre together and took the license numlier of their car. Then Gilman went to the sheriff's office at Janesville and Police Chief W. H. Ford and Dist Atty. John Matheson were called in. Through the license number, poUce appre- hended Laslcy and Miss Gerek. Ford and Matheson came here to get the • couple. Before leaving,-Lakky said: 'I've got my share salted away in anticipation of our marriage June 10. If I have to give the money bade, I'll do so.' 2/3/39 2/10/39 Fiddle Up, Jascha Hollywood, April 18. Jascha Heifetz returns from his concert tour next Monday (24) to complete his work in Samuel <3old wyn's 'Music School' for United Ar- tists release. ■Violinist who recorded a number of pieces for the picture last fall, will be here three weeks. THAI'S PIC HOUSE PICKETING First picketing by the Theatre Managers, Agents & Treasurers of any New York house using film is the Cina Roma on Broadway. Theatre varies its policy between Italian pictures and Italian vaude- type shows. Two in. the Saddle Hollywood, April 18. Bob Baker goes into the. top bracket with Jolmny Mack Brown in a series of westerns for Unlversal's 1939-40 program. For the last two years Baker has been doing westerns for the Trem Carr uiUt which recently washed up Its releashig agreement with V. COFIBKBT, US*. BX yABEETV. DIO. /OX BIGHTS BESKBTED la Tar.-,4«¥l«wad la Tailetr . Kty t» TW* AUrwItUm B. T. Ula.—BoanlBf Time la H—Helodramai C-:-Coined7i CD—Comedy-Dfamai TT—Wcstera: D—Dnmat Ha—Uoslcal tUaatw mim FIRE DESTROYS 2 THEATRES WEEK .OP - RELEASE 2/17/39 2/24/39 3/3/39 3/10/39 3/17/39 3/24/39 3/31/39 4/7/39 4/14/39 4/21/39 4/28/39 5/5/.39. Bev. In Var. 2/1 3/15 2/8. 2/8 11/9 4/12 12/23 3/8 2/15 3/22 1/25 1/18 2/15 3/22 2/1 2/1 1/18 2/15 4/6 1/25 2/8 2/15 2/22 3/1 2/22 2/22 4/12 2/15 10/26/38 2/22 2/15 2/8 4/5 2/8 9/7 4/12 2/8 3/8 3/1 2/15 2/8 3/29 3/8 3/8 3/8 3/29 9/30 4/12 3/1 4/19 10/5/38 3/1 3/15 3/22 4/12 3/22 3/29 4/5 3/1 3/22 4/5 3/15 3/8 3/8 11/30 3/22 3/8 3/8 4/19 4/5 3/22 3/22 3/29 4/12 3/29 4/5 4/19 3/22 3/15 3/22 4/12 3/29 4/12 4/5 4/19 4/5 3/8 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/12 4/19 4/12 4/12 4/5 3/15 3/15 4/12 4/5 1/25 4/19 TALENT E. Powell-B. Yeong T. BUter-D. Fay-C. King L. Nolan-D. Lamonr B. Breen-L. Carrillo J. Wlthers-L. CarrlUo K. Tayler-B. Hudson G. Farrell-B. M a cL i ne ■ C. Starrctt L Meredith. B. Fnmess-J. Cral; M. Roeney-W. Connolly G. Withers-F. Wray-D. RrblnsoB L. OVerraan-J. C. Nalsh A. Shlrify-A. Daniel F. Inescort-H. WUeoxon G. Aatry-S. Bnmette A. Faye-C. Bennett-C. Farrell C. Lombard-J. Stewart G. Brent-O. de HavUand B. Montffomery-B. BnsscII H. Booney-B. Bellamy C. BngEles-M. Beland C. Grant-D. Fairbanks, Jr. D. Ameehe-Blts Bros.-B. Barnes A. Menjon-D. Cestcllo W. C. Fields-Edgar Bergen B. GranvlUe-J. Utel H. Fonda-M. O'SvlUvan Nelson Eddy-V. Briiee W. HoU-M. Hont S. Sidney-L. Erlokson W. B«yd-C. Synters p. Kelly-J. Lang L.-Ball-A.. Lane L. Barl-J.- Gale-G. WUIfams P. Foster-I. Hervey P. Lane-J. Lynn- L. Heward-W. Hiller B. Karlolf-D. Tree Bt CarreU-F. HaoMnrray B. McLane-B. Boberts B. DIx-L. Ball-J. AIdridre L. Yennc-W. Baxter C. Trevor-J. Wayne G. Hwpby-D. Kent . B. Betan-J. LItel P. Slngleton-A. Lake J. Crawford-J. Stewart J. Trent-P. A. Yonng C. Langhton-E. Lanehesler B. Bosers-M. H^rt-R. Hatton G. Sanders-N. HamUtni M. Wlialen-J. Rogers C.Lnelialre-E. Best J. Cooper-F. Bartholomew J. Cagney-B. Lane BlU Elliott B. Hnsscl-J. KIng-P. KeUy A. H. Wong-A. TamlrofI S. Temple-A. Devlne B. Cabot-H. Hack B. Towne-W. Gargan jr. Holt-D. Costello W. Bcery-A. Cortls-T. Brown Jack Bandall C. Colbert-D. Ameohe J. L, and B. Gleason D. Corrlgan-A. Appleby G. O'Brlen-L Keith J. Pronty-B. Gleason D. Darbln-C. WInnlnger J. Garfleld-B. Lane F. Bainter-L Lnpino C. Blekford-J. Parker W; Pldgeon-V. Bruee-Carrlllo C. Bnggles-M. Bambean W. Boyd-B. Bogers J. Ellbon-H. Wood G. Antry-S. Bnmette B. Green-W. Barrle ■ H. Herbert-jr. Hodges M. LIndsay-J. LItel J. MaoDonald-L. Ayres S. Dean-B. Gleason Bob Bnms-G. George L Dunne-C, Boyer P. Lorre-J. HershoK B. CrosbyrJ. Blondell M. Oberon-L, Oliver E. Flynn-O. de HavUand W. Abel-B. Boberts D. O'Keefe-F. BIce-B. Johnson Jackie Cooper J. Howard-Heather Angel M. Raye-B. Hope-E. Cossart S. Ellers-A. Lane J. Wayne-R. Rogers D. Ameohe-L. Yonng-Fonda . K. Francls-W. Gargan H. Rooney-L. Stone-F. Holden J. Stevenson-B, Lynne W. Ford-A- MacMahon L. Traey-P. Shannon B. Bogers-M. Hart-B. Hatton T. Martln-G, Stuart G. Harker-A. SIm-H.. Williams O. Hardy-H, Langdon-B, Bnrke B. MacLane-E, SnlUvan B. Davls-G. Brent C. Storrett-L Meredith L. Ayres-L. Barryraore ' Frankle Darro Tex Bitter G. BattrE. Drew-H. Herbert G. Autry-S. Burnette F. Astalre-G. Rogers K. Holt-J. Shaw-V. Weidler W. Baxter-I^. Barl J. Lang-R. Kent M. Wllson-J. Davis H. Bogart-G. Paige-B. Halop D. Costello-M. Whalen M. Ley-R. Taylor-J. Allen Hovlta-J. Carroll B. Stanwyck-J. McCrea G. O'Brleu-M, Reynolds . P. Foster-L.: Barl-W. Vernon. B. Ahern'e-V. HcLaglen H. Carey-F. Thomas E. G. Boblnson-F. Lederer T. BUn. 85 83 85 71 69 M 58 57 69 88 62 69 7* 65 68 83 9» 88 78" 66 7» 120 71 88 7S ' 67 69 87 62 W 67 64 64 67 70 8S 9« 69 88 62 63 79 95 66 ;_61 75' 81 60 86 65 64 61 «8 89 80 Atlantic City, AprU 'lQ. Plans for the rebuilding, of the two big Wildwood amusement en- terprises, William C. Hunt's Casino theatre and the Blaker's theatre, de- stroyed by fire Thursday (13), at a loss of more than $300,000, are al- ready under way and a new house is expected to be erected on the ^t to be ready for the summer season. Hunt had already approved plans for a. new Blaker's which now he will transfer to the plot of the one destroyed and in all probability will rename it the New Casino. The fire which threatened the en- tire amusement area of this neigh- boring resort was discovered sliortly before the evening show of the Ca- sino. Fianned by a stiff breeze the flames quickly spread and before firemen could do anything a block, consisting of the two theatres, a bowling alley, cigar store, motor- drome, and roller skating rink were blazing. ' Hunt's Ocean Pier across the Boardwalk from the spot was saved by the quick work of firemen. 66 65 66 93 58 58 62 78 61 92 63 73 61 87 71 65 68 77 60 66 64 78 60 62 111 65 77 87 70 90 103 100 70 73 55 80 67 62 80 58 61 71 105 75 75 ProJceUen Boom Starts Blase Moorhead, Miss,, April 18. Fire which started in the projec- tion room badly damaged'the Strand here, and will necessitate the dosing > of the theatre for some time. Patrons escaped without any injuries. $30,000 Theatre Fhre. New Orleans, April 18. Fire of undetermined origin caused $30,000 damage to the Ace theatre here Thursday (13). Blaze was said by firemen to have originated in the projection room. Policemen petrol- ing beat at 2 a.m. saw smoke billow- ing from upper floors of building and turned in alarm which had to l>e re- peated twice as filling station next door was threatened. Extra, ap- 'paratus rushed to scene to prevent spread. Theatre is operated by Bijou Amus. Co. REP. FRANCHISES IN 3 KEYS MAY BE SWITCHED Republic Pictures in the Albany, Buffalo and Detroit territories may not be handled this coming season by Jack Berkowitz, Bercie Mills and Sam Seplowln, . present franchise holders. Although- product is stlU going through these distributors, it Is understood the.y have refused to consummate a new franchise oh dis- tribution percentages ' wliich have been drastically cut Trio did not attend the Republic convention in New ITork last week. Jack Bellman, Republic eastern isales manager, maintains the situation is still in status quo, but it is known that new franchise deals for the three territories are o- 'ig discussed with other distributors. 12 Copyright Mastenninding» Prelim to Brussels Conv. Committee for the Study of Copy- right of the National Committee of the U. S. on International Intellec- tual Cooperation is nearlng the end of a series of conferences on. copy- right legislation. Importance at- tached to these huddles is seen I>e- cause the United States has been asked to attend the Diplomatic Con- ference in Brussels late this' year when revision of the Berne Conven- tion will be discussed. Included among national asso- ciations studying the copyright bill is the Hays office which.has a spe- cial committee sisslgned to this task. Robert W. Perkins, Edwin P. Kilroe, Gabriel L. Hess and Edward A. Sargoy have been active in delibera- tions of the subcommittees on for- malities in the creation, preserva- tion and-transfer-of rights under - copyri^t, remedies for infringement of copyright, reprinthig of single copies of out-of-print works, end. the problems of mechanical recordation rights for copyrighted musical com- positions, as well as the right to copyrlghtabillty generally for a. sound track containing work of a literary, dramatic or musical natured, captured in the form of a special performing rendition thereof for audible communication.'