The Exhibitor (Aug-Nov 1948)

NT-4 THE EXHIBITOR recent “Freedom Train” exposition. Amphitheatre patrons who bought tickets for the “Ploradora” opening were privileged to take their grandparents along as guests upon payment of the tax. The convention committee of the Ken¬ tucky Association of Theatre Owners met at the Falls City Theatre Equip¬ ment Company to formulate plans and outline the program for the annual KATO convention scheduled on Oct. 27-29, at the Seelbach Hotel. Present were Colonel Guthrie F. Crowe, Colonel Henry J. Stites, iVirs. Nell Borden, John T. Edmunds, Jr., E.L. Ornstein, C.D. Arnold, and Gene Lutes. Several hundred persons had to take "rain checks” at the Grand when film caught fire in the projector. The pat¬ rons were unaware of the fire in the booth, and remained in their seats until told the show would not con¬ tinue. Only damage was to the film and one projector. The Kentucky Association of Thea¬ tre Owners report they have been suc¬ cessful in selling the first drive-in on the advantages of the KATO organi¬ zation. Coming into the fold is the Sunset Drive, Bowling Green, operated by WarrenEnterprises, whoseowners are listed asJ.T. Flowers andL. B. Powell. OWENSBORO, Andy Anderson’s new drive-in will be completed within the next monthand-a-half. Delays were encountered in arrival of equipment and wiring. Ohio WILMINGTON Eighty-three members of the home office staff of Hygienic Productions, Inc. , spent a weekend as guests of Hygienic’ s president, Kroger Babb, at his summer estate at Buckeye, 0. Frank Winsor, representative for Hygienic Productions’ “Mom and Dad”, has been transferred to the company’ s newly-formed stage show unit, “The Best Is Yet To Come.” Jack Linder, well-known independent vaudeville booker, is now associated with Hygienic Productions, Inc., as advance agent. Pennsylvania ALIQUI PPA The Green Garden Open-Air finally got under way on July 31. This new theatre, which has a capacity of 400 cars, is operated by the Kullik broth¬ ers, and booking and buying is being handled by the Hanna Theatre Service. BEAVER FALLS The strike of the 112 drivers and mechanics of the Beaver Valley Motor Coach Company, which inconvenienced thousands of workers and other com¬ muters daily between Beaver, Sewickley, Rochester, New Brighton, and this community, was finally brought to an end. The strike lasted for a full seven weeks, and negotiations had collapsed just five days previously when the drivers and mechanics re¬ jected another compromise, offer, and were still holding out for a pension plan. Representatives of the strikers accepted the company’ s 11-cents an hour wage increase. In the meantime, all drivers and mechanics would return to work, which they did. The 50-day strike was a severe blow to the show business in all of these communities, as well as all other forms of business. Exhibitors throughout the Valley are confident that their personal slump will improve to the extent that they may have at least an even break during this period of off-business which all exhibitors throughout this part of the country are experiencing. BRADFORD Vincent Choate, city manager. Grand and Shea, announced that remodeling of the Grand was nearly completed, and it was expected that the theatre will open as a first-run on Aug. 15, at which time it will be operated under the new name of the McLean. BROWNSV I LLE John Dickinson, youngest sonofC.W. Dickinson, Moody-Dickinson Circuit, which operates theatres here as well as in Vestaburg, Freder icktown and Charleroi, Pa. , recently enlisted for a two-year hitch in the army, and was inducted on Aug. 2. Young Dickinson will probably take his basic at Fort Meade, Md. , and soon thereafter de¬ part for Korea, Japan, or Germany. CANONSBURG Fred A. Beedle, who, with his brother Ed, owns and operates the Alhambra and Continental, remained confined in' Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, for ob¬ servation. CHESWICH Joe Malone and his son completed the installation of the front of the new Cheswick, and it is expected that the opening will be Labor Day. IMPER I AL The new Penn-Lincoln Drive-In, lo¬ cated two hundred yards east of the “Y” , where Routes 22 and 30 separate, enjoyed a big send-off on its grand opening. This newest drive-in in and around Pittsburgh, located approxi¬ mately six miles west of Crafton, Pa. , and three miles south of here, was filled to capacity. The Penn-Lincoln is operated by Paul Trunick and Arthur Klixbull, whodid the construction and the electric installation work. Seen at the opening night were members of Lou Hanna’ s Acme Film, Bob Klingensmith, SamFineberg and Jim Alexander, Alexander Theatre Supply Company; RCA dealers for Western Pennsylvania; George Kurtz, Paramount, and Raymond Showe, Theatre Candy Company. LATROBE On July 31, the Highway Open-Air, recently constructed by Johnny Ridilla, was to have had its grand opening. This theatre is located just a short distance outside of Latrobe, and is booked by the Lou Hanna office. Ridilla is in the construction business in Latrobe, and recently built the High¬ way 71 Drive-In, operated by Outdoor Theatres, Inc., which also operate the Super 30, near Irwin, Pa., and the Super-Castle Drive-In, near New Castle, Pa. McKEES ROCKS M.A. Rosenberg, who operates the Parkway and Colony, West Park, was enjoying his annual vacation with his family at Bemus Point, N. Y. ... Morris Naft, who operates the Roxian, was also onhis annual vacation in Chicago with his wife MUNDY'S CORNERS The new Gus Vaveris Family Drive-In will be officially opened on Aug. 16. However, the drive-in will be opened to the public for inspection on Aug. 15. Souvenirs will be distributed to all. UN I ON TOWN George Silver, 46, president. Uniontown local, American Federation of Musicians, passed away following a short illness. Silver, at one time, had one of the finest Western Pennsyl¬ vania .musical organizations, and played many a successful season at Gorley’ s Lake Hotel during the time that that summer spot featured "big time” floor shows. Silver was very active in all musical affairs in this part of Western Pennsylvania, and only recently had staged a very suc¬ cessful Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion benefit dance at the Summit Hotel. Many civic leaders, as well as prominent musicians from the Western Pennsylvania territory and other leaders in the amusement busi¬ ness, attended the funeral services. West Virginia CLARKSBURG Dick Marks, Jr. , who had been con¬ fined to the Clarksburg Hospital for an appendix operation, had a close shave with the grim reaper when, about a week after the operation, it was discovered that three blood clots had formed, two in a lung and one in his leg. He was in a serious condition for some time but is now at home, where he will remain confined until some time in September. PARKERSBURG Mr. and Mrs. Ankrum, recent visitors to Pittsburgh and Film Row, were on a combined honeymoon and vacation. Ankrum is the son-in-law of Rheinie Hiehle, following his recent marriage to the youngest Hiehle daughter. Lou Padolf, owner, Virginia, was informed by his physician of a heart condition, and was warned that he must curtail his business activities. WHEELI NG The old Victoria, which, for many years, was owned and operated by the West Virginia Theatrical Enterprises, Inc., has been closed for awhile, and is undergoing extensive remodeling and reseating. Steve Manos is the new owner, and will operate the house when it reopens. Manos is reported to have spent in excess of $80,000 in the complete renovation of the property in order to make it the finest firstrun in town. Buying and booking for the house will be done by Cooperative Theatre Services. August 11, 1948