Variety (Dec 1939)

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12 VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, December. 13, 1939 lliomas Reafigns wiA Mono as Pard b 3 Exchanges: Personnel Switches Ctal by which.Harry H. Thomas re-assoeiated himself with Mono- gram last week makes him a partner with the company in operation ot its exchanges in New York, Philadel- phia and Washington. He is imder- etioed to have put coin into the outfit to ac<|uire his interest in the ex- changes and will share in whatever pcoAts they show. Thonias, in addition, will act as g.m. of the branches in a supervisory capacity, with Harry Chapman, who lias Jong been associated with him. as his assistant. There will be no intei-lerence, however, with Joe Fel- .^er, who handles the New York ex- change territory, or any of the other personnel in the three offices, it was Original Mono franchi.se-holder in New York and Philly. Thomas has 'b««n associated with W. Ray Johns t«n, Mono prez, in various companies met 1920. For a time he ran his «-wB distribution setup. First Divi- sion, and more recently was con- nected'with John E. Otterson in Tri- Kational. Latter organization; it is said, will be dis.<:olved shortly, al- though Thomas has been out ot it for Mine months. New York, Philly and Washington exchanges were the only ones Mono operated itself, all the others being franchised out. The three offices represent about 2.5% of Mono's busi- ness in the United States. Johnston completed the Thomas deal before leaving for Phoenix last ■Wednesday (7) for preem of 'Gen- tleman from Arizona,' which- was made in Arizona with native capital and which Mono will handle. Johnston continued to the Coast from Phoenix and will remain in produc tlen confab until about Dec. 20. by a host of local exhibs on the oc- casion of the opening of his new theatre, the Wood, Woodbury, N. J., Thursday night 17). The Allied Independent Theatre Owners ot Eastern Pennsylvania holds its annual membership and election Jan. 9. Believed the entire present board will be reelected with- out any serious opposition. $18,000 Theatre Fire Mrlakoft, Tex., Dec. 12. The Dodd demolished by a fire, whicli al.so damaged two other build- ings. Damage estimated at $18,000. Fire's origin is unknown. WB'» Albany Farty Albany, N..Y., Dec. 12. More than 300 persons, including delegations from all Albany ex- changes, executives of rival chains, and exhibitors, attended the banquet and ball of the Warner Club in the Hendrick Hudson Hotel Saturday night (9). Max Friedman, chief War- ner booker upstate, was general chairman. Reopen AValerlown Savoy Milwaukee, Dec. 12. Fox-Wisconsin Amus. Corp. has reopened the Savoy, Watertown Wis., on a four-day-a-week basis, Ed- ward Kuenzi manager. Circuit also operates the Classic there. Philip Trianno named assistant manager ot the Capitcl, Madison, Wis., succeeding Louis Worth, re signed. L. Roy Pierce, manager ot the downtown theatres here for Fox, has taken over duties of late Charles Lowenberg, who was circuit's ad vertising manager. Reopen In Watcrvllel, N. Y. Watervliet, N. Y., Dec. 12. The Empire, situated near a bridge leading to Troy, reopened under the management of Yowachak & Monti- cup, new to the picture business. House, which has been refurbished. vtas unused for several years except -on auspices shows of Ukrainian, Italian and other foreign films. Watervliet, experiencing a boom due to heavy employment at the v. S. Arsenal, has three other thea- tres, Grand, in northern part of the City, Family in center, and Strand lit southern sector. T* Raze Nixon-Grand, Philly Philadelphia, Dec. 12. The shuttered Nixon-Grand thea- ti-e in North Philly will be de molished in the near future to make -way for a group of stores. A group ot South Jersey distribs flanning to build a new house in ennsgrove, N. J. Ben Am.sterdam, former Chief Barker ot the 'Variety Club, honored Sprucing Up 2 Haoseit Lincoln, Dec. 12. Two closings here this week, the Lincoln, a J. H. Cooper spot, which will be spruced up with new seats, rugs and general equipment, and the Kiva, a Nebraska Theatres, Inc. spot which will relight, Jan. 1. Liberty, a 1,000-seater, is giving vaude a test this week, the Nebraska Theatres, Inc. spot being the first with a live show here in nearly two years. York, York, Neb., has reopened after being dark a year and a half Runs half-weeks, according to man ager Carl Rose, made an imsuccessfiil attempt as a newsreel house, and shot in new.s- .shorts policy, renamed it Newsreel- Palace and house has been clicking nicely. East Liberty site will be called the Newsi-eel-Family. Sliovlage of product, together with usual pre-holiday lull, shut down Shea-Hyde Fulton, llrst-run down- town site, on Sunday (10), for two- week stretch. Spot relights Dec. 23. Although legit house closings right before Xmas are expected, this is lir.st lime here a film site has ever (lone it. Grand, in nearby Corry, Pa., clo.sed many year.s expected to re- open within next couple of months. Blatt Bros., also operating Rex in same town, run it. Pool in Kitanning, Pa., between Nikitas Dip.<!on, who runs Lyceum and State there, and C. F. Dcrry's iiycec Corp., which owns Columbia, has just been arranged. Elective this moiith and will have Andy Gib- son, associated wilh Dip.son; as book- ng head and C. F. Dcrry as resident manager of three spots. At MG exchange, John Freinstein has been upped from clerk to assist- ant booker and Tony Semplicc moves nto his spot from advertising-poster department. Marjorie Kintner has joined booking oftice at 20th-Fox, succeeding Margaret Schlareth, re- signed to take Government position. Coast House Embreilcd Los Angeles, Dec. 12. Suit to terminate a sublease on the Marcal theatre was filed by Mark M. Hansen against Galston St Sutton Theatres, Inc. Hansen claims the operators have failed to live up to' the terms ot the lease, which include $500 monthly rental and graduated percentages based on receipts. New Tower opens in Fresno Thurs day (14) as link in Fox-West Coast chain; 900-seatcr. Fox-West Coast reopens Valley after remodeling. North Hollywood hou.se has been dark for two month.s. Ivan Hansen signed new 12-year lease as operator of Cairo, subse- quent run hou.se. Harry Denny moved to San Fran- cisco to open new branch exchange for Majestic Pictures, indie distrib- uting outfit. Lift Stock Shots Ban . ronUniied from pace S_ i miltee. Protest has been withdrawn 'since Arnold's blast. Other SAG by-laws and rules are being checked to a.scertain if they conflict with ruling.s of attorney- general's office. SAG leaders stale they are dcsirou.s ot providing all the work possible for both Class A and Class B members, but that neither the board ot diroclors nor ducers were planning to cut dou n or eliminate use of extras who nredcit no 'skill or experience,' and who.<:e usefulness was the .same as an.v mi- grant field workers.' 'The Association of Motion Picture Producers has informed the Screen Actors Guild that neither statement is true. And the Screen .Actors Guild now serves notice that its Clfl.«s the membership desires to violate B members, the extras, are not 'the any of the laws governing operation ! same as migrant field workers." To of labor organizations. | ."!o classify them is to store up Grapes Elimination ot stock .shoLs will re- ' of Wrath, suit in a big saving in both tinie ' 'In the statistical department ot and money for producers. Hereto-j the Guild are more than 1,000 ela.s.<:|. fore when a racetrack scene was flcations.of extras—neccs.sary because the producers themselves recognized shot for a special prodiiction it could not be used in another pic- ture. Now, the.se shots will be tiled in a .special library and worked into any pictures where they will fit. Pix Unions started taking stock of setup when Arnold stated that under certain circumstances threats ot labor lops to caU strikes, where the iiisues were not clearly defined or did not involve wages, hours or conditions, would place them in jeopardy ot conspiracy. Rulings of Arnold are being studied by other pix unions to ascertain what, if any, changes should be made in their operations. Thomson Reporls Kenneth Thomson, SAG exec- utive secretary, . announces 100% compliance by film agents in apply- ing for licenses under the franchise agreement between the actors and the Artists Managers Guild. License No. 1 goes to M. C. Levee, prexy of the AMG, with No. 2 is- sued to the Berg-AIlcnberg agency I as a courtesy to Bert Allenberg, who : was chairman of the committee ' which negotiated the agreement with the actors. Others licen.<;es will be issued as rapidly as possible in the yVB RelingulslilDg One Sandusky, O., Dec. 12. The Plaza, operated by Warners, will be taken over by the Alden Seitz Amus. Co., when the Warner lease expires Jan. 1. The other house remains WB. PiU Newsrcelcr Clicks Pittsburgh, Dec. 12. Encouraged by success ot their newsreel theatre venture downtown, Harris circuit is converting another hou.se, nal>e Family in East Liberty. Spot has been a twin-bill subsequent for years and goes into Trans-Lux policy this week for month's trial. Just a few weeks ago, Harrises took small-seat Palace in downtown sector, which 10 years before had IntcrsUte's Addition San Antonio, Dec. 12. Interstate Circuit opened the new Wichita in Whichita Falls, Tex., last week. ■v. E. Hamm has opened Roxy, Electra, Tex. Besides his new hou.se he also operates three hou.ses in Wichita Fulls and one in Vernon. New York Theatres Vppinc Tlvoli Winnipeg Winnipeg. Dec. 12. Frank Kershaw, ot Western Thea- tres, Ltd., announces that effective Christmas Day the Tivoll will be boosted to the top nabe ot the chain. Leno Turoldo, manager of the class nabe Uptown, boosted to manager's chair at the Tivoli, effective with the change. Will be replaced at the Uptown by E. A. Retalick. THERE'S A BETTER SHOW AT THE BETTE DAVIS ERROL FLYNN in "THE FBIVATE LIVES OF Elizabeth and Essex*' IN PERSON AL DONAHUE STRAND B'wair4 47 SI. ""Cnniiti Dr. nnUn In iMsl danitrtn ■rfvtntur«l "The Secret of Dr. Eildare" Lew AVHKH • I.loDCl HAHKYMORK Stills Tliurf., DM. I4lh—'<REMEM8ER7' RtlMit Taylir, firw GulM, Liw Asirti "THE GREAT VICTOR HERBERT'* A I'aniiniiiiBt Pirturc HRI.D OVKR Mary MARTIN Allan JONES Johnny GREEN and His Orch. PARAMOUNT TrMKn 8«)UARB "Destry Rides Again" with MARLENE DIETRICH JAMES STEWART UNITED DTVrkTT AK'MSrS WVOLI Dam Oatn g:30 A.M. MIDNITE SHOWt Hmadffay at 4««h Bt. RADIO em MUSIC HALL "BALALAIKA" Spactacular Stag* Praduetiona Chaliares Acqolres t ' Columbus, Dec. 12. Chakares Theatres, Springfield, acquired the Regent and Broad in St. Marys. Owner Tom Broad is retiring from the field. Phil Cha kare.s, president of the circuit, an nounces remodeling both houses prior to opening under the chain's banner. The Empres.s, Che-sbrough chain, incorporated separately for $17,500. House manager Bill Ingram is prexy of the new corporation, Ethel Ches. brough Miles, circuit boss, is score tary-treasurer. John and Frances Robinson bought the Bremen at .sheriff's sale, and re- modeling the 300-seater for Xmas opening. The Robinsons operate a chain ot small Ohio houses. Grand opening of the new 'Vinton theatre, McArthur. likewise set for the holi- day. W. C. Smith is owner of the 400-seater. the need tor skilled and experienced extras. Good motion pictures always will need extras^extras with skill and experience. •The Screen Actors Guild is em- barked on a long-range program lo increase the economic securily ot the extra and to assure the producer competent extra players. False state- ments do not contribute to the so- lution of the recognized problem.' The SAG is now drafting demands ' for 15% pay hike for extras and re- classification of all extra wage brack-,, et:. Air scripters have started a move lo ban speculative writing in radio. If successful, the campaign, is cer- tain to be extended to the film in- dustry, because of the close working alliance between the Radio Writers Guild and the Screen Writers Guild. The RWG also has gone on record as being opposed to writers signing away all rights to story material. The RWG has adopted the follow, in.; resolution on spec writing: 'That no member of the Radio Writers Guild shall write ordered or solicited synopses, scripts or any written material gratis. He shall be order in which applications were re- P'""'*! "P°" delivery at least one-half ceived. Only the first two i.-ssued! the broadcast fee set prior to 1h* Only will be numbered. A general shakeup in the employed staff of the SAG, as well as Cen- tral Casting Corp., is certain to fol- low the SAG investigation ot job payoffs. Report of inquiry Is now being prepared and Will shortly be submitted to producers with a de- mand that the situation be cleaned up. I Following reports Ihnt Central might be closed or the use ot extras limited by elimination of scenes call- ing for atmosphere players, the S.\G issued the following statement: 'Reports have been circulated In Hollywood that producers plan to close the Central Casting Bureau and cut down or eliminate the use of extras. 'Kenneth Thom.son, executive sec- retary ot the Screen Actors Guild, informed the Guild executive com- mittee that he had been informed by the Association ot Motion Picture Producers that such reports are un- true and were not authorized by AMPP. 'In defense ot the extras, the Guild executive committee, makes the fol- lowing statement: Squash Closing Report 'The reports that extras' pay checks are going to be slaughtered have no more basis in fact than the Scot father's story to his children on Christmas Eve that Santa Claus had been murdered. These reports have taken two forms: 'That the producers were seriou.sly considering closing down Central Casting Bureau, because the extra problem is a sore .spot: that pro- Boucber's Pramotion Glover.sville. N. Y., Dec. 12. Frank M. Boucher, special home office representative for Schine En- terprises, Inc.. in the upstate terri- tory, has been promoted to booker and. divisional manager of the Wash- ington, Maryland, and Delaware ter- ritory on the circuit He leaves foi" Washington this week, where he will be permanently stationed, fte came to Gloversville from Baltimore last February. Prior to joining Schine he was v.p. and g.m. of the Linden, Baltimore, and previously Maryland district manager for Warner Bros. SUrn At Old BerUi Minneapolis, Dec. 12. A. J. Stern has returned from the sales staff to his former post as HKO office manager here. He replaces Larry Kline who. again becomes a salesman, rbplacing Bill Crystal, re- signed to join Maiestic Films. Joe LoeflFler, city salesman, will cover the southern Minnesota district which Stern had been handling. No new city salesman has been named yet. writing and mutually agreed to by writer and purchaser and, when any part or all of the script is broadcast, full fee shall be paid. Any devia- tion from this procedure shall ba requested of the Guild Council by the purchaser. Any writer who de- viates irom this procedure shall be subject to censure or di.scipline from the Council.' Peace with Publirists ' Producers have announced thai all differences with the Screen Publi- cists Guild have been ironed out and that working agreement will be signed this week. Fla' will re- ceive back pay under pact which If retroactive to Oct. 9. Following a conference with producer committee composed of Joseph M. Schenck, E. J. Mannix and Y. Frank Freeman, tha Publicists handed out the following, statement: 'The Screen Publicists Guild ex- ecutive committee met today with a committee representing the pro- ducers and reached an agreement on the final form of a contract. Attor- neys were instructed to prepare th« draft of the contract for signature. 'The Guild wishes to express its gratitude to president Joseph M. Schenck, of the Association ot Motion Picture Producers for his important contribution in bringing about the agreement and for his sympathetic understanding throughout the nego- tiations.' Statement was sighed by Bill Ed- wards, Norman Rivkin, Jack Cooper, Ted Taylor, Leslie Mason, Linn Unkefer, Don King, Lou Harris, John Woolfenden. NC TNE REMeVAL of tfcr HOUSE of SIMPSON lo its new building at <J3 West 42nd Strtet The lamc liberal and confidential loaA tctvlcct that have been identiAcd with R. Simpson and Company tincc 1837 will continue to be the basic of each transaction. R. SIMPSON * CO., In*. 133 Weal 43n<l Sircct, l^w York Cily