Variety (Sep 1942)

Wedn^sdaj, Septeniber. 16, 1942 PIGtUBES n Inside Stuff-Pictures Indie exhibs in the Lo8 Angeles area are registering heat over the m- lendcd showing of 'Mrs. Miniver' in the Fox-West Coast deluxers, decUr- inn it constitutes an exclusive run. They declare the picture is being milked in the district before it will be shown in the subsequent rum. Film is going into its eighth week at the Carthay Circle and Metro refuses to siiy when it will break in,the 40c theatres. Before it started at the Car. thay, the feature played an initial flve-theatre week and a second week Bl three other houses. All of which, the indies charge, is upsetting normal clearance. Independent Theatre Owners of Southern California is op- posed to the flve-theatre plan on the ground that it establishes a dangerous precedent. They declare the boxoSlce value to the indies is lost when a fllin is held up too long. Ketti Fring.-;, ex-newspaper gal, who authored 'Came the Dawn' for Paramount, and whose first play, 'Mr. Sycamore.' is in rehearsal by the Thciilrc Guild, is also on a double film-writing assignment for Hunt Strom- berg and David O. Selznick. For the latter she's masterminding 'Jane Eyre' and for Stromberg it's 'Dishonored Lady.' She's working on these front New York, in between concentration on the Guild show. It was Miss Frings who insisted upon Stuart Erwin for the male lead, afier Ernest Truex and others had first been proposed by the Guild. Her play is a dramatization of a story by Robert Ayre. published in Story niag in 1937. John Pecre Miles, publicity chief for Arnold Pressburger, filed a pro- test with Kathleen Norris and ColUer's magazine against the use of 'An Apple for Eve' as the title of a current serial. It was used, Miles asserts, as the title of his own play, produced in 1936 at the Hollywood Writers cinb and later by various little theatre groups. Pressburger has offered him $1,000 for the title if he can establish priority. Despite denials by Max Gordon and Eddie Small, anent a possible play- picture production partnership, there have been discussions with director Edmund Goulding attendant to such possibility. Uncle Sam's Roll Call sContliMied from pace 4^ years, has resigned to Join the WAACs. She reports to the WAAC headquarters, Des Moines, Imme- diiitely. Bill Landsburg, of the ParaiLOunt humeolTice exploitation departreent ar.d formerly district advertising manager for the company in Kan- sas City, has joined the Army. He reported yesterday iTuesday) at Ft. Leavenworth, Kans. Eddie Maillard, manager of the Colony, Livingston, N. J., and for- merly a member of the Warner sales fo:c«, has joined the U. S. Army glider school at Pittsburg, Kans. All in one week the Hotel Bel- mont Plaza's Glass Hat, N. Y., lost Joel Shaw, piano player in Bobby Parks' orchestra; Manor (and Mig- non), dancers, and Johnny Brooks, bartender, to the Army. ^ Frank V. King, manager of the Midland and Auditorium theatres in J>Iewark, O., now a Chief Specialist in the Navy. Thii is his second hitch in the Navy; last time being in World War I. Wilbur Neustein, assistant man- ager of Loew's 83rd St, N. Y., in- ducted in the Army. He enlisted. Dick Fishell, sportscaster of WHN, New York, left last week to take a First Lieutenant's commission in the Marines. He will be stationed at Quantico. Richard Darf, of the sta- tions FM department, Joined the Army. Roland Hamcl, of the WHN pub- licity department, resigned to take a war production Job at the Phila- delphia Navy Yard, and Ray Winters, announcer, went to Chicago to await Army call. Sid Walton, formerly an announcer at WHN, has rejoined the station'i spieler staff. Jerry Gross, p.a., Army. chant marine, Ru.ssell in air force, and Athur in Navy. James Castelli, of Park theatre in Library, Army. Two brothers, Da- rio and Danny, are already in the service. A fourth, Jerry, is running the house. Joseph A. Pemberton, U shipper. Army. Gordon Kearsey, asst. mgr. at Ful- ton, into Navy as an aviation cadet. Film Recruit*^ Hollywood, Sept. 19. Dudley Early, film reviewer. Navy. John Alton, cameraman, Signal Corps. Donald Duke, film booker, Navy. William Tracy, screen actor. Army Air Force. Joe Valentine, cameraman. Army. Milton Pickman, band manager. Army. Sam Zagon, film attorney, Army Air Corps. Joe Wrcnn. actors business man- ager, Army Quartermaster Dept. James Lane, studio location man- ager. Army Air Force. Sam Clark, film exploiter. Army. Roy Loggins, Jr., studio tech- nician. Army. Perc We-stmore, makeup chief, Coast Guard. Milton Serolte, studio technician, Army. Ted Weisberth, cameraman. Army Air Force. Dwight Breeze, studio technician, Navy. More From Pitt Pittsburgh, Sept. 15. Grace White, private secretary to John H. Harris, head of Harris Aniusement Co., into the WAACs. Carl Eagle, son of Stanley man- ager Charlie Eagle, promoted to line sergeant in ballistics ordnance de- partment and shipped from Aber- deen Proving Grounds, Md., to a base in California. Richard Koch, announcer at WISR in Butler, Navy, and Orland Tamburri, operator at same station, ditto, Billy Kelley, publicity chief at st.ition WCAE, Army. Corp. Jim TruUinger, former p.a. at William Penn hotel, now picture and make-up editor of new publica- tion. The Sky Watch,' at Fort Eustii, Va. LeRoy McConnell, veteran oper- ator at Senator theatre, has three sons in the service, George in mer- NOW AVAILABLE—THEATBE SruUng l.;oa In hmrt of Newark, >. 4. Fur Htuirr production or motion lilriiirro. Nfwljr misrarated. E«c»l- Irni ruiiillilgn. Co-opcratlon wHIi lirntliirrr air Hla<'k rompany. I. Saio- ui-l StMliinlrk. \tt'r, U Commerce »t., ■NfMiirli, N. ,1. Blf Denver Ceotlnfent Denver, Sept. 19. Jack Cramer, city manager for Fox Theatres at North Platte, Neb., has left for the Army, and is being followed by Vern Austin, his suc- cessor, who was set into the North Platte post temporarily. Austin leaves in a few weeks. The J. H. Cooper Enterprises (Publix) has lost about 90 to the armed forces since Pearl Harbor. They include Robert Dunn, Jimmy Smith, Merton Mauring, David Dan- iels, Richard Love, Eddie Cole, Richard Hagan, Glenn Cree and ROy Javine of Colorado Springs; James Mason, Leslie Graves, Morris Shan- strom, William Strawn. Harold Bry- ant, John Ferguson, Joe Fetguson, John Alexander, Alden Rupe, Ken- neth Rupe, Clatence Strawn, Ray- mond Galza, Ed Thompson, Harvey Traylor, Roy Borden, William Milne and Newell Hall, Pueblo, Colo.; Loren A. Weaver, Floyd A. Towns, Elvern Garber and Donald Fream, Grand Junction, Colo.; Roy Ander- son, Don French and Tom Trammel, Greeley, Colo.; and from Lincoln, Neb., these men were called or en- listed: Ralph H. Ayer, Dean Poh- lenz, Lester Collier, Arthur Eacker, Everett Bindy, Taylor Hale, Craig Miller, Tom Cavanaugh, Robert Stoke, John Kuhl, Vincent J. Di- Fiore, Luke Smith, Dr. Q. Q. Quay, Lieut. Leo Drennan. Bruce Middle- ton, Bill Steen and Dick Svoboda. Canada's Dimoot OtUwa, Sept. 19. Show bit lighting in eastern Can- ada goee under enforced dlmout orden on Sept. 20 In government wartime effort to conserve 140,000 horse-power (or munitions industry. In an area which includes most of Ontario and Quebec (Toronto, Ot- tawa, Montreal, too), all advertising signs and highway lighting goes off and outdoor rinks douse the lights at 10 p.ip. RODGERS'POLL ON FUTURE OFUMPI Preparatory to a meeting of the committee of the whole of the United Motion Picture Industry, of which he is chairman, William F. Rodgers, general sales manager of Metro, has drafted a two-page letter which was to go out late last night (Tuesday) or some time today (Wed.) to all' members of the committee soliciting their opinion as to the course to be pursued with respect to UMPI. While Rodgers does not feel he should make the letter public at this time, it is believed that in it he strongly urges the continuance of UMPI. Length of the letter is thought to be due to a review of the events with respect to UMPI up to the present time, plus the industry advantages to be gained in saving it from doom. The Rodgers communication goes to both distributors and exhibitors, as well as attorneys, who are mem- bers of the committee of the whole. Based on a survey of exhibs, the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of V:rginia has instructed its president, William F. Crockett, to vote in favor of retaining UMPI. Others, not as yet reported, are doing the same or ultimately will, including various units of both the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America and its rival national body. Allied States Assn. Officials of Allied, who are mak- ing a tour of the country to discuss high rentals, increased admissions and other complaints, are meantime said to be sounding out local units on UMPI. Since Allied has been strong for UMPI from the start, be- lieved the majority of its units will want to keep it. Harry Brandt, president of the Independent Theatre Owners Assn. of N. Y., is also a staunch advocate of its retention. Both he and Crockett are members of the UMPI exhibitor subcommittee. Pitt s Late Monday Nite Shopp ers Also a Boon for Theatres, Cafes PitUburgh, Sept. IS. Monday nights, usually the poorest of the week in downtown theatres, have in past few weeks boomed spectacularly with introduction of after-dark shopping on Mondays y the big department stores. Ni Changes were noticed during the first couple of sessions, but with the plan now well established, pix houses have been able to check past and present Monday evening grosses and report a sharp uptrend, in some cases as much as 50%. Although nabe biz for same night has fallen off a bit, difference hasn't been very great and in every case only a small percentage of the gains in Golden Triangle. Stores are just open until 9 p. m. and after that rush at film places is terrific since majority of shoppers are from the suburban districts and come In to make a night of it. Nlteries and bars are. also cashing in by the in- flux. Night shopping has been so suc- cessful, in fact, that Retail Merchants Association locally is said to be con- sidering adding another night, Thursday, a move that would have the whole-hearted approval of the theatre owners. Although Thurs- days are generally all right, there's room for improvement and boys can see that extra cash. Since stores don't open until noon Mondays, shopping crowds are conspicuous by their absence but mat biz downtown in last year has been off anyway and doesn't hurt any. In St. Leab Toe St. Louis, Sept. 19. Flicker houses are enjoying a once-a-week b.o. hypo through the agency of 1^ large department store.<; anc]^niunerous retail shops which now are remaining open every Monday night until 9 o'clock. Sev- eral months ago. Mayor William Dee Becker asked all retail establish- ments to open at noon and close at 9 pjn. to enable workers in defense plants to do their shopping. The suggestion fell on deaf ears for several weeks but, finally, execs of the Stix. Baer & Fuller and Scruggs. Vandervoort Si Barney dept. stores announced they would follow Hizzoner's suggestion. Im- mediately a flock of smaller shops hopped into the bandwagon. Allied's 4 Caravan In PhiUy Yesterday Philadelphia, Sept. IS. More than 100 exhibs represent- ing, approximately, 225 theatres. At- tended a meeting this afternoon (Tuesday) at the Hotel Broadwood sponsored by Allied, protesting against high film rentals. The meet- ing was closed to the trade press. After the sessions, which lasted more than three hours, M. A. Rosen- berg, National Allied president, an- nounced that the exhibs 'were in complete harmony' in regards to the plans of the Allied Caravan to ob- tains "relier for exhibitors. •The largest amount of money ever pledged in Philly to any movement was pledged at this meetin|,' Rosen- berg said. He refused to disclose the figure raised. This was the fourth stop of the Caravan. Previous meet- ings have been held at Minneapolis. Chicago and Detroit. New Yeric Theatres POUCE PROBE ARSON AHEMPT IN MASS. Springfield, Mass., Sept. 19. State police are probing a frus- trated attempt to fire the Holyoke theatre, formerly the Opera House, early Wednesday (0) morning. It was the second attempt in this area this month to set fire to a motion picture house, the (Calvin in North- ampton having been saved two weeks ago when a home-made 'Are bomb' burned itself out. The Holyoke, closed since last spring. Is owned by the Cjlmore As- sociates. When Holyoke police dis- covered a break in the playhouse, they found seats removed from the balcony and tossed into the orches- tra pit. Papers were scattered aiound the floor and turpentine bad been poured in the aisles, according to the Fire Department, Lending credence to the vandalism theory, the motion picture projec- tion room was badly damaged. Griffith B. Thompson, v.p. and general manager of WBYN, Brook- lyn, to Special Service Division of the U. S. Army as a captain. Metro the Winnah! Hollywood, Sept. IS. Battle between 'No Surrender' and 'Never Surrender' ended peacefully, with Arnold Pressburger and Fritz Lang, indie producers, surrendering their 'Never' to Metro's 'No.' There were threats of carrying the title fight to the Hays office and even to the courts, but the indies conducted a masterly retreat and are offering (100 in war bonds for a new tag on their war story. THIBD WEEK HUMPHREY BOGART m Wimif BrM. Jit-M«Mlai StDutUn "ACROSS THE PACmC In Person DICK JUAQEN8 AND HIS OBCHESTBA Alio Ljaa, Ro7C« A Taaja Waltor NUIaaa Air CoadllloDOd STRAND f,S:'« 47(h St. SALt'TK IN BEFTEMBEBI ■uy • Itr mm Mtliir'i ua la mtvIm PARAMOUNT PRESENTS 'WAKE ISLAND' With BRIAN OONLEVY MACOONALD CAREY ROBERT PRESTON RI VOLI Broadway and 49th Street JOHN Mirm TICTOB PAYNE GRABLE MATURE 'Tootlight Serenade** riai a «• R O y V 1th At*. (Ma«e Show « * » « s«th f St. Heldaver Third A% Week! CLARK QABLK LANA TURNER "SOMEWHERE ITJ. FIND YOU" CAPITOL .TO PALACE B W A V 6. 4 711. Htarta Tomorrow Monty WOOLLEV * Rod4y HcDOWALL "PIEL PIPER" —and— LEON ERROL • LUPE VELEI 'Mexican Spitflre'i Elephant' Crime Doc's Lead Hollywood, Sept. 19. Columbia signed Margaret Lindsay to share the lead with Warner Bax* ter in the mystery series, 'Crime Doctor.' Picture.<!, based on the CBS air .series, wilt be produced by Ralph Cohn. JAMES CACNEY As George M. Cohan in "Tankee Doodle Dandy'' Warnsr Broa. Succeas HOLLYWOOD THEATRE All aaaH KMontf — Tata Dally, tvtS-tM Air C—MXl—tt. rmur, ilii M. CI. 7-9S4S. SALUTE IN 8ErTE.UBER t •yy a kMi Ur mry mitm't wa li tamlc* SIP,"' MUSIC HALL HELD OVEB "TALK OF THE TOWN" Spectacular Stage Productient LOEWS STATE N Lut TIM WED. ■LADY IN A JAM' In PriMD MIMmH Am Onk Arria t Sn^lik CIM. H—im Cardial Tit, Ta» A Tm «twt« Tkar. attl. IT TltM' MvlwU MAIN taia rim AIlM HatMANON •ana rETERt la Fcnaa FRANK FAV UNA MERKEL ANNE NAGEL SETTY KEAN ■BRILLIANT—A Nir—Aai<r*M, Jtn.-Aa, 50c $1 & $1.50 {at. NliMt Oahf M. «* tlM riaf Tai Boat* Utolt tc Arlhuc M. Wlrta |ir«Ki)t A NEW MC8ICAL W.ETSLW STARS ON ICE. CENTER THEATRE, Ritlitfeller C«Bttr CO. 9-S474 Anwrlca'a Onlr Ic« Tliratra Evfi. lati. •wi.8:M Matt. We«.,Sat. and San. Mali Of««ra rraBvUy Fllle«—Nt. Maa. Faff. SAMUEL COLOWVN rRESENTS GARY COOPER in THE PRIDE OF THE YANKEES (Tin Llta af Laa Oahrli) Ralaitai Tkraaik RKCRaila FIcturaL li Air AGIYIR S'vay ratular Frli Caalta «3AW» a Mih HMaliM C ae t laaaat rarfariaaatai