Variety (Aug 1939)

2ft VARIETY PICTURES Wednoadaj, August 23, 19:)9 Manager to Essay Writing Career; Theatre-Exchange Personnel Moves has taken over at Linwood. Jack WiiininBham returns to assistant manager at Uptown, Jimmy Chap- man is new manager at Waldo. Omaha, Aug. 22. E J ward Forester, theatre man- a^<?r and e.\hibitor in Nebraska for II yours, has quit as manager of Tri- Stafes' Omaha to enter the writing licld. He has had several stories printed in national magazines the past year. Forester and his family will move to California Sept. 1. John V. Maddox, owner of the Loow. Scotia, Neb., sold the house to R. W. Dailey of Scotia. Art Olsen new treasurer at States' Omaha, replacini; Arthur Ofe, re- signed. Chester Washburn moved to chief of service. Joe Rosenberg, RKO salesman, re- signed to join Monogram sales. Ed Stengel moved here from RKO ex- change, Minneapolis, to . replace Rosenberg. Four local exchanges getting a face-lifting in pi-eparation for new sea.son's biz. Monogram is moving t=) larger quarters while Republic, Columbia-and Universal being en- larged and redecorated. Sork-Blork Swap Houses Philadelphia, Aug. 22. E.xchan3e of houses by the Sork- Block interests occurred last week. Th4 Sorks take over the Rio, Read- ing, while the Blocks get the Rio, Schuylkill Haven, Pa. Other houses in the string not affected. Deal whereby William Greenfield take.^ over the Baltimore and Sher- wood from Joseph Forte is said to be a leasing arrangement for 10 ynar.^. Harry Chertcoff has acquired two houses in Middlelown, Pa., owned by Aaron Palmer. They are the Elks and the Majestic. New Jewel closed by Iz Borowsky for alteratio|j<;,.. Warners open two hew houses to- morrow (Wednesday), They are the Stale, Chester, Pa., and the Levoy, Millville, N. J. The Holme, Philadelphia, as well as store space and the ground, has been sold to Melvin J. Fox, Marion Sablosky Fox, Lewis Sablosky and Sadie Sablosky. House, seating 1,800, is under lease to Stanley Co. of Arherica (Warners), Property, aS' sessed at $147,000, was held for sale at $225,000 and was disposed of, sub ject to a mortgage, for $125,000. Lionel Friednian 4c COj»-tepresenting Lee Si Co., ha'n'dlcd the sale. Tancey's Theatre Plans St Louis, Aug. 22. William L. Yancey, Brookfleld, Mo., has taken bids for new 700-seater to be erected in BrookHeld. The 400-seater operated by C. W. Gordon of Bloomfleld, Mo., at Dexter, Mo., destroyed by fire of unknown origin. House opened in April. The Lory, 500-seater, operated by Herbert Lory at Highland, III., taken over by Louis and Gus Keresolas, Springfield, III. Egyptian Amu.s. Co., Harrisburg, III., which operates houses in south- ern' Illinois, acquired the Capitol, 200-seatcr, Rosiclare, III., front Mrs. W. E. Dimick. C. T. Dusinberre. fornter RCA sound engineer, is building new 300- seater in Red Bud, III., opening planned for Sept. 1. Jack Harris has added the Stale. Alton. III., and a new theatre in Hull. 111., to string for which he books films. The new Clark. Barry. 111., skedded for late August opening. Sol Goldbarb having his Rilz, East Alton, III., face lifted. Buck Lewis who quit the exhibi- tion field to become the head of au- tomobile agency for Rolla and Le- banon. Mo., has sold si'e in Rol.i to the Gasconada Amus Co.. which plans to erect a 500-ser.ter. Comoany also operates the Rolla, same town. Rosen Heads GN In Mpls. Minneapolis, Aug. 22. Eph Rosen, formerly with RKO, appointed Grand National branch manager here, succeeding William Crystal, resigned to become North Dakota salesman with RKO. Mldwesco Moves Kansas City, Aug. 22. Change of managers in several Fox Midwe.st K. C. houses. Jerry Baker and Lewis - Sponsler. managers of local suburbans, left their assign- ments to carry on a special promo- tion campaign throughout the mid- west territory. Charles Barnes moved from Lin- wood, here, to the Granada, Kansas City, Kan. Harry Bederman, former- ly assistant at the first run Uptown, New York Theatres RKO CeieMAxiie/i YEAR of HITS R.AIHO crrv MUSIC HALL "FIFTH AVENUE GIRL" Spectacular Stage Productlont BOB BURNS In Fariiinount'ii "Our Leading Citizen" m PERSoy Jimmie Lunceford A>'D HIS ORCU PARAMOUNT TIMR.S "WHEN TOMORROW COMES" with- rH.%l(I,KS BOYER—IREKK DVNNE I'NITKD ' DTirOTf BroailHajr AKTI.ST9 nlVUia at 40(11 sf, Ooort Onen SM A.M. MIDN1TE SHOWS BETTE DAVIS MIRIAM HOPKINS BRENT ^ IN PIIIOH ■eaaci HEIDT An III MVIICAl IRISITi 25r Alr-CondUloned TIMftl (0 ToJay on .Scre?n Andy Httrlly Gets Sprlnc i'ever" On Slage Georr« JeBWl Jcweptiine Hunt^n and othen ThumOajr •THK MAN IN THE IRON MASK" On Slase Bunuy BorlKen & HlH | Orcli - Otilf rif I Alr-Condltloned »- V <ipt '< tnminrW Mil 6UI Strf^ "WTZAHD OF OZ " Cnat o( 91M Tn Pnraon Mlck«y KOU.NKV j Judy 4i.AHI,ANl S Mliowii Ua||}' Alr-Condltloncd ntlniious from 10 i.i. 'P. ?rlces. 35e to I p.m. ImtaMMoiM L,u Show ll:30iira Niihlltl ■ Robert Donat in M-G-M's| GOODBYE MR. CHIPS [with Grcur Unraun • 4tli MONTIll Ed Boss, an Apt Pupil Wilmington, Del., Aug. 22. Kdwin Ross, manager-director at Robin Hood theatre, Arden, Del., started one Sunday morning to learn how to fly an airplane. By that mid- afternoon, under direction of John Benedict, he had received his solo papers. Flew solo from Bollanca Field to Carrcrpft eight hours after starting to learn. Ross previously had been in a plane only twice, as a passenger. Hanson's Injonctlon Lincoln, Aug. 22. District Judge Fallobn granted a temporary injunction to Oscar W. Hanson to restrain Dorwin L. Frank and Lewis M. Billings from inter- fering with him in. operation of the Plaza, Humboldt, Neb, Hanson said he bought the house from the de- fendants last June, Contract gave them the right to repurchase the property by naying him $4,500 on or before Jan. J, 1940, his petition re- lated. He alleges the defendants have taken possession of the thea- tre without complying with the terms of the contract. Bailey's 8th and 9th Atlanta, Aug. 22. C. Tom Bailey, operator of colored theatre chain, boosted his local string to nine last week when he bought Harlem and Lincoln from Mike Schainc. Schlne Shifts Syracuse, Aug. 22. Wholesale changes in the Syra- cuse RKO-Schine setup announced by Gus Lampe, managing director. Erie Wright, manager of Paramount, goes to Strand, reopening after sum- mer shutdown. Pat McGee, man- ager at Eckel, succeeds Wright at Par. Irving Cantor, chief of service at Keith, to Strand as ass't manager, and Gregory Peggs, chief of service at Paramount, becomes assistant at that house, Joe Goldstein, assistant manager at Paramount, gets same post at Eckel, and Richard Whitaker becomes chief of service at Keith'is. House Reviews CAPITOL, WASH. Patterson Takes Over Los Angeles, Aug. 22. R. G. Patterson took over Sunset from Carroll Blake, who continues operation of his Clinton theatre. Rube KuUa's Star, closed a' month ago, reot^ens Sept. 1. Burke & Bayless remodeling their Nuart, Sawtelle. Work also starts within three weeks on their new Bee-Bell theatre in L. A. Bill Braman, in association with Cabart Theatres, reopened Temple, San Bernardino. Now the 20th Centnry Buffalo, Aug, 22. The Century, formerly operated by Shea (Par), renamed the 20th Cen- tury by Dipson-Basil, present opera- tors. William Dipson, son of N. K. Dipson, is manager of the theatre with Don Harpole; formerly of the Capitol, Wheeling, W. Va., assistant manager, and Jerry Westergren han- dling publicity. Jack Beirkowitz, former Buffalo Republic franchise holder, will be given a testimonial dinner at Hotel Statler Sept. 25. Anthony Celeste erecting a new theatre at Johnson City, N. Y. Buffalo Variety dubrooms being refurnished and redecorated under contract with Gus Machares. (Continued from page 18) on encore to warble 'Dreams Come True' as line goes through semi- tango ballet, highlighted by appear- ance of Evelyn Foster, 'Miss Wash- ington. 1939,' in scarlet soangled bathing suit, skull can and slippers for effective toe workout. Gerrits introduces her as beauty winner, and, after four-way patter with Mur- ray and Walsh, brings on Robert Youman!;, whose vibraphone thump- ing obtains good hand and encore, Fague Springman, who looks like authentic 'Virginia farm boy,' fol- lows to put hands in his pockets and tear off 'Water Boy' and 'Annie Laurie' in ^ bariton-. that is solid in results. Catholic University German Band, seven hras. looters who really give, troupe on next with line of four boys in 'Dead End Kids' cos- tumes. 'Beer Barrel Polka,' with band .'blasting and kids hooflnr with brooms and long loaves of Vienna bread, leads into appearance of Guthridge and Dorgan, two young- sters who roll out two small barrels for character tap with jitterbug finale that scores solidly. Gcrrits and Murray each introduce somebody they 'found out in the alley,' Cerrits being Joe Johnson, midget Willard hotel bcll-hop for strong-man gag, and Banks' being James Evan.s. who gets out of a strait-jacket in 20 seconds, each ade- quate, but nothing more. Sylvia Kaplowitz and Accordion Ensemble, seven gals in evening gowiis, pump out 'Play, Fiddle, Play,' 'La Cumpra- sita,' 'Chopsticks' and 'Dinah,' fea- turing swell vocals by Bernadette Crouch, attractive bloiid. . Gerrits finally takes it alone for some story-telling, and everybody on for the finale. Biz oke. Craig. HIPP, BALTO Baltimore, Aug. 19. Rochester ^Eddie Anderson), Bettv Grnble, Franlcie IVfaster's Orch, Bobby Lane & Edna Ward, Marian Francis, Jay Matthews, Buddy Hughes; 'Blind Alley' (RKO;, $25,000 Theatre Fire WichiU, Kan,, Aug. 22. Fire completely destroyed the Kansas theatre, owned and operated by Charles Barron, who had only re- cently, redecorated and remodeled it, at Pratt; Kan., Thursday night (10). The 600-seater was the smaller of two houses owned by Barron in Pratt, who also has two in Anthony, Kan. Loss, including building, which was leased, estimated at $25,000. A fireman, fighting the blaze, which was thought to have been caused by lightning, fell from the building and was seriously injured. Hart, Boncher Upped Gloversville, N, Y., Aug. 22. Lou S. Hart, manager of Hippo- "rome for last 11 months, appointed nanager of the Glove, succeeding ■''rank M. Boucher, district manager. Tor Schine Enterprises, Inc. Latter assigned executive position, and will act temporarily as manager of the Hipp until new manager is named. Spokane's Price Cuts Spokane, Aug. 22. First admission price cuts in three ve.ars took effect last week when Evergreen lopped a nickel off after- noon pi-ices at the State and Fox. New price for both theatres is 25c; evening continues at 40c. ONE ON THE FIRE LADDIES Omaha, Aug. 22. The theatre at Dodge, Neb., is owned and operated by the town's volunteer firemen. The house was-recently struck by lightning and almost completely de- stroyed before the fireladdies knew anything about it,. Loss only partly covered by insurance. Patterson's Acquisition Marion, O., Aug. 22. H. C. Patterson, Blanchester, O.. acquired the Oakland, subsequent run here, from L, J, Flautt, Colum- bus. Scheduled to reopen Sept. 1, as unit of Bowman Theatres, Inc. Strongest layout presented here In moons reflecting Itself in biz with s.r.o. from opening to close. Marquee strength of names holds up in play- ing with fast entertaining doings all the way through. Fronting his smooth combo in pleasing fashion handling the emcee stint as well as intermittent vocals, Frankie Masters presides in showmanly fashion, main- taining a smart pace throughout. Opening number, a fast working out of 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game.' starts matters; 'South Ameri- can Way* follows for quick change of pace. Sends Masters in with his audience and strikes the proper mood. Over-emphasized lighting ef- fects could be dispensed with inas- much as they detract from the real business at hand. Fast hoofery in jitterbug fashion by Bobby Lane and Edna Ward, youthful boy-and-girl duo, follows briefly but effectively; tumbling and aero stuff of male building to a sock finish of head spins. A decided sock resulting in a beg-off. Marian Francis, band's femme vo- calist, essays 'Comes Love,' nicely re- ceived, and just right for Buddy Hughes, next. Ojjening with some tricks with handkerchiefs, Hughes brings on his pooches for clever bal- ancing and a novel interlude that fits in here at just the right time. Nifty introduction by Masters and his crew brings on Bett.y Grable for satisfactory vocals of *It's All Yours,' 'Don't Worry 'Bout Me' and 'Lady's in Love.' Closes latter with some hoofery which earns a return sans the evening gown which comoletely covered up the publicized underpin- ning. Makes for strong ' encore builder and a speech to get off. ' Nice novelty by Masters and his aggregation, "Ten Little Bottles,' em- ploying chromatically scaled bottles puffed at by bandsmen for caliope elTccl. makes good flash and sets spot for Jay Matthews. Latter steps down from trumpet chair for some spot- lighted triple ton>!uing, all in the correct groove and timed right for introduction of Rochester next. Stooge of the Benny air show oro- ducas a howl on his entrance which has him wearing a mangy white fur coat: He gives out some effective talk and crossfire with an off-stage voice in imitation of his mentor. Two routines of hoofery. the second as presented in 'Man About Town,' score heavily and tie matters up tilhlly. Does just cnouch and leaves his auditors in the right frame for a final curtain announced by Masters with a'reihtroduclion of the princi pals and a closing musical sic. BUrm. EMBASSY, N. Y. (NEWSBEELS) This bill offers a generally strone average of newsworthy clips but there isn't a single smash item in the assortment. That's somewhat sur- prising, because the week's news in- eluded a number of standout hap- penings—and usually the reels mir. ror the news. Not precisely new and given only partial coverage for obvious censor- ship reasons, the Fox clips of the Reich's Siegfried Line, counterpart of France's Maginot Line, are never- theless fairly instructive and ab- sorbing. Same company's shots of Japanese airbombing Chunking lacks the graphic impact of the Shanghai pictures of two vears ago, but they're grimly arresting. Metro offers a clip of the New York luncheon for the studio's juve stars, Mickey Rooney and .Judy Car- land, that demonstrates the difficulty oi youngsters to retain their balance and character in f^ce of the public- acclaim &nd phony display they're forced to undergo. Paramount's treatment of the Siqualus raising is ingeniously pre- pared, carrying out the standard .set by the same company in handling the same subject before. Paramount also clicks with shots of Ralph Gul- dahl winning a recent pro golf tour- nament in Pittsburgh. Pictures are notable for the nujnber of missed putts the cameramen managed to catch. It's a shrewd switch from the perfection theme such views nor- mally carry. , Pathe flubs the po.ssibilitie^ on the subject of crop rotation - develop- ments in Tennessee, offering shots of farmers at work and collecting the prize awards for their eft'orts. But the diagramic representation of the actual monetary gain and other tang- ible benefits from crop rotation is neglected. Clip might have been a genuine standout, but it's little move than routine. Paramount's coverage of the Nevada trainwreck is also an example of missed opportunities. While Pathe's shots of the wheat harvest in the northwest olTers only a suggestion of the mighty scope of the subject. There are fewer po.<cd publicity and stock shots, beauty pa- rades, etc., than usual in the balance of the bill. 'Birth of Movies.' made by Alli- ance, a British producing company, rounds out the bill. It is the English conception of how motion pictures developed from before Thomas Edi- son's invention until the pro.<cnt-day super-productions. Two-roel short doesn't extend itself giving Ameri- can inventors a break and is a bit tedious in explaining pioneer film technique. Earlier shots include an- tique scenes of Mary Pickforri. the initial plane flight over the Engli.sh channel, Sarah Bernhardt and Tom Mix. Included are some official motion pictures taken 6f the World War with the explanation that this con- flict forced all British studios to close down. The.se serve as a medium for introducing 'the clever English comedian,' Charles Chaplin, in well chosen clips from 'The Champion.' Rudolph Valentino is shown merely by means of a still photo, with vocal tribute to his ef- forts. Work ot Marlene Dietrich and Emil Jannings in the film that "brought them success in lilmdom brought out considerable footage. Sound is only sketchily treated, with a lame effort made to explain scien- tifically. Hol^e. Projectionist's Suicide In Booth Stalls Show Vinson Prompted ■ Opelika, Ala., Aiig. 22.' A. T. Vinson, Jr., with the Martin here, as assistant manager, promoted to manager of the Strand, another Martin tKeatrCi at.Elojala,.Ala'. Bo^art Out of 'Trouble' Hollywood, Aug. 22. Wayne Morris replaces Humphrey Bogart in top spot in Warners.'Float ing Trouble,' with GeOrge Amy di- recting. Bogart is needed for 'Invis- ible Stripes." Jane Wyman Is opposite Morris, Flint, Mich.. Aug. 22. While a near-capacity audience whistled and shouted for the show to begin, Dorus Forshee, projectionist in the Dixie theatre here, committed suicide last week by hanging him.'iclt from a water pipe in the projection room. Start of show was held up for 30 minutes while sub could be ob- tained and police completed their in- vestigation. Mrs, Alice Ingram, owner of thea- tre, said she gave For.<!hee the usual signal, ring of bell, to start screening. When nothing happened for .some time, she went to the booth to find Forshee dead. Forshee, 34, left sev- eral notes in the booth one addressed to fellow union members a.sking that he be buried with 'a union button in my lapel and a paid-up card in my pocket.' Coroner L. H. Lambert attributed the suicide to drink and despond- ency. Now pinylnir RlnKllni-ll. II. ('Irrim HORTENSE CHRISTIANf TROUPE 4 ARCARDIS 4 SIDNEYS THE WALKMIRS Vlii X.\T XA/.AIt.HO NKW VOIIK