Variety (Jul 1939)

8 VARIETY PICTURES WeAaesdajr* July 5, 1939 FILM SHOWMANSHIP 'Career' Draws 75,0(K) To Des Moines Preem And 'Gateway' Finals By BABNEX OLDFIELD Des Moines, July 4. 'Career,' a B flick, was given an A fanfare here (1-2). Kicked oft with a boom, about 7S,- 000 people figuring In the initial greeting at station <1) and during the 5-mile parade, which covered the biz districts of both East Des Moines and the city proper. First day the Hollywooders figured In a luncheon at Younkers, the town's elite spot, presented trophies to winners of the national coUegiate golf tourney, were banqueted at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines, and danced with 23,oqO in Drake Stadium to Glen Gray, while on Sunday (2) there was the Jesse L. Lasky's "Gate- way to Hollywcktd' finals via CBS, with 4,700 onlookers in Shrine audir torium, and the premiere in tiie Paramount and Orpheum with af>out 3,700 laying out $2.24 each. Honors were heaped on Phil and Mirs. Stong, Joy Hodges, James Elli- son, and Mrs. Bob Palmer, wife of RKO's top caster, all lowans. Ahout 25 newspapermen, frmn as far east as Chicago and as far west' as Wichita, Kans., were on hand. Wire fllease ran close to 18,000 words on the two days. Yeoman chore was done in fanning Register-Tribune into an RKO house organ by Louis J. Allemann and Charles Levy, who were on the ground two weeks. RKO's special from Hollywood carried Jean Hersholt. Anne Shirley, Jimmy and Mrs. Ellison, Marjorle Reynolds, Peggy CarroU, Joy Hodges, Dorothy Lovett, Leon Errol, Roscoe Ates, Bob and Mrs. Palmer, Leigh Jason, Barbara Read, Jesse L. Lasky, John Archer, Alice Eden, Randolph Rogers, Lowell Thompson. Bobby and Michael Breen, Edward EUis, PhU and Mrs. Stong, David Brdekman, Ben Baranblatt, with Linn Unkerfer and Frank Healy of publicity and radio relations. Coming by way of Frisco was the CBS group, including the eight Xiateway to Hollywood' -finalists, Marilyn Louis, Robert Shackleton, Germaine Wlljen, Norman Russell, Barbara Louise Smith, Klrby Grant, Dorothy Howe, and Harry Stafford, with Ken Niles, Paul Snell, Sterling TIracy, and Gwen Streator, Patricia EllU joined the eastern contingent in Chicago to come on and 'swell the personality list In the eastern- segment were Ralph Rolan, Cresson Smith, S. Barret Mc- Connick, Arthur WUli, Walter Bran- son, Chicago; Mickey Goldhammer and Fay Dressel, Minneapolis; Sher- man Fitch, Sioux Falls; Rubs Egner, Omaha; Tommy Thompson, Kaycee, and R. V. Nolan. By John C. Flinn When Jack Cohn invited a few friends who had been In the film Industry for 25 years to meet with him and discuss the possibilities of a permanent organization, dedicated more or less to the highly commendable mission of fostering friendliness, he had in mind that perhaps a score of 'old-timers' would take to the idea. More than 100 attended the first meeting in New York the other evening at the Barberry Room, East 62d street, Tlie group formed the Picture Pioneers, with the avowed purpose of meeting informally at least twice a year, probably to acknowledge publicly the industry's debt to some of its earlier showmen. There was no special guest at the first meeting, which was a gay and ple*asant gathering. • Cohn acted as toastmaster and Joe Jlornstein provided some hilarious entertainment in the nature of an old-time stereopticon show, in course of which some -of the members saw themselves in reproduced photographs of a quarter of-a century ago. Illustrated songs of the kind sung in nickelodeons provided mirth, noise and some uncertain harmony. Speeches were brief, and several of them pleasantly nostalgic. In the cocktail room was an exhibit consisting of two -theatre projection machines, the contrast of which more eloquently told of the film industry, past Aid present, than any of the speakers were able to suggest by words. The smaller of the machines was an Edison Kinetoscope, of the type successfully used In film thea- tres about the turn of the century. It stands about 24 Inches in height, has a film-reel at iU peak from which, by hand propulsion, the film was drawn throu^ simple mechanism and discharged into a cloth bag, suspended underneath the apparatus. Near this crude machine was placed a modern film projector and sotmd repro- ducer. It. was another visualization of the 'old and the new,' the type of exhibit that has jecome familiar, but always interesting, to a generation which has lived through the industrial revolution. XRVENTIVE PIOITEEBS Edisoa invented the Kinetoscope In 1693, and in the same year that he filed patents in Washington, IjOuIs and August Lumiere invented the^r Cinematographe in France. An English inventor, Robert W. Paul, in 1696, perfected a projector ^hich hie called the The- atrograph,'later the Animatograph. These were the pioneer machines. It was Interesting to listen to comments of American film men, many of whom professed intimate acquain- tance with the Kinetoscope. Some of them gave prac- -tlcal deAionstration of their familiarity with the mechanism by illustrating the manner in which in- genious early theati'e operators made improvements to suit peculiar needs. All agreed that it was iteces- sary to borrow a few clothespins from the family laundry which were used to capture the loose film ends before the strips disappeared in the cloth bags. Thus the operator, leaving his position near the crank, was able to speed up the rewinding, meanwhile having PARAMOUNT UKES THE SPECIAL PREEM IDEA Special premieres of high-bracket pictures on the 1939-40 schedule, In selected keys and along lines of the 'Union- Pacific' opening in Omaha though probably not on such an elaborate scale. Is planned by Para- mount Bob Glllham has taken the matter up on the Coast and. on ar- riving In New York today (Wed.), Is expected to further the special premiere plans with Nell F. Agnew ' and others. New season's pictures that are presently figured for special preems in a selected key include "Ruler of the Seas,' 'Geronimo,' 'Disputed Passage,' 'Starmaker' 'and probably 'Beau Geste.' Booklet of Stills Popular Oklahoma City, July 4. Termed by E. A. Patchen, adver- tising manager of Standard Theatres as the most popular giveaway the firm has used, is a new 'Souvenir - Scenes' booklet showing stills from forthcoming summer pictures at Standard houses. Patchen noticed .that patrons kept the booklets to take home after being given them at the theatres as none was found strewn on city streets. Reason was neat size, 3x6, and ex- cellent printing job on heavy coated stock. slipped Into the aperture a glass slide reading, 'One Minute, Please.' Not a bad text for the present day streamlined film Industry to Qpntemplate. 'One Minute. Please,' mi^t be devoted profitably to measure the distance picture business has traveled since the Kinetoscope first created the illusion of motion in photography. One might marvel at the technical excellence which has brought the medium to current development, that has made it possible to displace the nickelodeon by the modern film theatre. Gigantic.is the business structure, but greater Is the contr^utlon of films to the national life, to the en- lightenment' of millions and to international under- standing. In view of the trend In world affairs, per- haps, too much might be said for films as a pacifier of nationalistic greed and ambition, but hone will deny the potency of the medium. TALZINa A COAST BRANCH . Had the Picture Pioneers been founded in Hollywood '(Cohn declared a branch of the organlzatton will be set up there soon), talk at the tables no -doubt -would have revolved around the early days of production. Despite the fact that film producing began ^ in New York and Chicago before the California sunshine in- trigued CoL Bill Selig, Francis Boggs and Tom Parsons, who went to the Coast In 1907. to. make some exterior shots for 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' reminiscence at- the New York meeting was confined chleOy to the birth and growth of exhibition. From the beginning the store-show thrived in big city neighborhoods. The 'firmly established and higher priced legitimate theatre flourished in downtown sec- tions of cities. 'Vaudeville houses had main stem loca- tions. Films went to the customers In outlying sec- tions. Hie fbundatipn.of the business was built solidly on American family trade. It rests on that buttress to- . day. half a century since the first Kinetoscope clicked ' smoothly. Scanning more recent years, one views with some misgivings the current trend in the business where most emphasis is placed on the prodrdng of films, and the fine art of theatre showmanship has been rele- gated to a-secondary position. It was not always so, and a true estimate of the con- tribution which some of the earlier exhibitors made to the industry has yet to be properly valued. Sid Grauman, In California, and S. L. (Roxy) Rothafel, In New York,' raised the standards of exhibition to such heights that the task of keeping pace with marketing was a spur and inspbation to evety producer. During the. period when films made their greatest bid for pub- lic recognition and support, the theatre man held -tiie dominant place In the business. Picture Pioneers promise much constructive good as a forum for exchange of liberal thought and ideas of the film biz. An organization committee was appointed consisting of Marvin H. Schenck, George J. Schaefer, Herman Robbins, Joe Hornstein, Harry Brandt and Harry D. Buckley. Next meeting some time In the autumn. Golf, Baseball Parade; Bob Hope a Busy Actor Minneapolis, July 4. Local record for number of theatre tie-ups was smashed during the Bob Hope engagement at the Orpheum, with Bill Sears, theatre manager, and Mack Millar, ahead of Hope, taking the bows. Hope participated in an exhibition golf match at the Trans-Mississippi women's tournament tossed out the ball at a benefit baseball game that drew a 9,000 attendance and appeared on a number of radio programs. The American Legion met him on his arrival and paraded to his hotel with him. They had a night for him at the theatre and he was their guest of honor at a banquet Local newspaper columnists were exceedingly generous in their men- tions of Hope. United Artists Seeks Kitchener Veterans United Artists used the public notices section of the N. Y. Times last week to herald the metro- politan opening of Alexander Kor- da's Tour Feathers, which is due in- to the Music Hall in August. 'Stunt was in the form of a two- inch advertisement asking for names and addresses of surviving veterans of the British Expeditionary Force In Egypt in 1898 and also for Fu- siliers and Grenadiers who served with Lord Kitchener at Khartoum. Veterans will attend the opening In uniforms they wore 40 years ago. Talent Search in Wichita Wichita, July 4. Civic theatre has imported Gran-, ville Hull from Chicago to handle a 13-week series of talent auditions. Final winner will be sent to Holly- wood for a series of film tests at the Paramount studios. Each Tuesday, night's winner at the theatre receives $10. Stunt has proved a solid hypo to the boxoffice. BLONDES Smi HAVE THAT BOXOFHCE PUU Minneapolis, July 4. . Males blocked the traffic to get a view of blondes entering the Cen- tury theatre after Charlie Zinn an- nounced through the press that the first 100 of the fair-tressed maidens entering his showhouse the first day of 'Maisle' (M-G) would be admitted free. It was quite a show outside the theatre for members of the sterner sex who .apparently prefer blondes and stood around the box-office get- ting eye-fulls. Par to Sbow Xhizen' To Nation's Governors Lincoln, July 4. Par plans to boot 'Leading Citizen' into national notoriety the l^st week in July by a series of special preview showings in the 46 state capitals with each state's governor as the honor guest Arrangements are being made by exchange managers, who know the Inside on the politico situash, and in which houses to spot the previews. In some cases, as here, it will mean the house honored will be a second run spot which will hot get pic on the screen imtil 90 ddys after the first run. Happens in this instance, and probably will in others, that the second runner is the Industry's lob- byist and sits at the governor's right hand. Ashcraft's Stunt Backfires Philadelphia, July 4. Jim Ashcraft Metro exploiteer, thought he had a great Idea for a stunt on 'Mr. Chips.' He invited the city's 10 oldest school teachers to be his guest at a showing of the film at the Boyd. Stunt flopped, however. The 10 oldest oldies wouldn't reveal their ages. Midwest Badiing Girls Compete for A.^. Test Kansas City, July •». Advent of the swimming season has given Jim Long, of the Plaza, deluxe subsequent run house, chance to cash in on the good old standby bathing beauty contest Staged one with girl entries last week and an- other with male contestants foUow- ln|^ Contest involved tie-ups with'other nabe houses, of the Fox Midwest cir- cuit which also operates the' Plaza, in conjunction with national contest with finals in Atlantic City. Larger Fox nabes had earlier preliminary contests, seven of whom competed at Plaza for title of 'Miss Kansa^ City.' Winner later competes in con- test for title of 'Miss Missouri' who will represent state in the naUonal strut Juanita Duncan, 17-year old North- east high student carried oft honors as 'Miss Ashland,' and becomes 'Miss Kansas City.' Zoo Lions Yawn At Tarzan, But That's Copy Pittsburgh, July 4. Most unusual preview site on rec- ord was picked by WB In connection with showing of Tarzan Finds A Son' at the Stanley when publicity department decided to screen the picture at the zoo here. Audience consisted of two lions, a couple of psychologists and a few newspaper- men. Idea was to see what reaction kings of jungle showed to some of the film's more exciting sequences. From that standpoint the stunt was a fiop. Lions simply looked, didn't come through with a single roar and just sat back on their hind legs and yawned. However, from a publicity angle, the behavior of the lions was all to the good. Gave the stunt a humor- ous twist made better reading and theatre collected several columns of space on the disinterested lions in the local gazettes. Talbert Making Bid For Family Trade By Careffll Booking Spartanburg, S. C. July 4. Exploitation at four Wilby-Kincey houses Is bitting a new high with hopes hot weather lull won't strike at the box office as heavily as pre- vious. Carolina and State are stepping out with major portion of stunts and good will build-ups. Policy of Bob Talbert city man- ager, is to keep shows on clean, wholesome basis with a strong slant toward family entertainment Such pix as "Hardy' and 'Jones' series and others of similar type get stout bill- ings and favorable play dates and cream of Disney and other animated cartoons are being booked, also 'March of Time,' 'Strange .as It Seems' and musical shorts. Stage shows are being booked steadily again but Talbert .always takes a prior gander .at some out-of-town spot and cuts down on blue stuR heavily, applying wraps it needed. Buddy Turner, assistant manager, successfully used two Great Danes with an appropriately costumed keeper In. charge for an about town parade advancing 'Hound of th« Baskervilles.' Stunt was very effec- tive, man and dogs attracting much attention in business districts. N. Y. FAR TRffS AS PRIZES TO AIMNCES Ohio Paramount theatres, operated by TVacy Barham, will give away 12 round-trip, all-expense tours to the New York World's Fair, under a Ue- up with local merchants, as a box- office stimulant With the plan in mind recently, Barham decided to make a survey of ' his territory to determine the In- terest locals had In going to the Fair He had his managers- sound out. people, mostly persons they knew, to get a line on what was planned for vacations this summer. Star- tling result of the'survey<- 'was that less than 2% were planning to visit the'N. Y. Fair on vacation. Barham decided to go ahead any- way. Under the tieup with local merchants, coupons are given with purchases which when presented with an admission to the theatres entitles the holder to a chance in the drawings. Good Campaign Ideas In Daughters' Press Book stunts, stories, ads and accessories are contained in a large press book on Warner Bros.' 'Daughters- Coura* geous' which the home office adver- tising and publicity department is distributing to exhibitors this week. Cover of the book illustrates the handling of the art title and selling copy as related to the previous 'Four Daughters.' Inside are trade press quotes which point to the busi> ness potentialities of the picture above that of 'Four Daughters.* Highlights of the New York Strand's campaign are presented. Because of the success of the 'Four Daughters' serialization, it was decided to incor* porate one on 'Daughters Courageous^ in the campaign. An easy six-day contest which points up several situation highlights of the picture and is an interesting newspaper feature, is also outlined. The remainder of the book proper carries ac^sessories and posters for displays and general ballyhoo. A twelve page advertising section presents a variety of ads for use in all situations and for large and small budgets. The ads play up the 'Four Daughters' cast with special em- phasis on John Garfield, the Lane Sisters and Gale Page. Ripley 40 Years in Biz soston, July 4. Ralph Ripley, manager of the Cod- mon Square theatre in Dorchester, Mass., observed his 40th year in show business and his 40th wedding anni- versary as guest of honor at a testi- monial luncheon in Cohasset, Party was thrown by the M & P home office execs and a group of theatre managers. Harry Wasserman, the district. manager, was toast- master.