The Exhibitor (Jun-Oct 1939)

THE EXHIBITOR 25 Fall River Possibilities of an anti-Nazi stunt here grew in the minds of many residents and visitors passing the Durfee, BILL BROWN, manager, May 12, when they encountered two "pickets” carrying sandwich signs with the following notices "Don’t see Confessions of a Nazi Spy — Unfair to Hitler.” NATHAN YAMINS, owner, told The Exhibitor the "picketing” was a publicity stunt to advertise the picture, and conceived when he saw members of the National Maritime Union picketing gasoline stations here. In order to picket his own theatre he was forced to obtain a permit from the police department. He said "I’m almost willing to bet it’s the first time in history that a man has obtained a permit to picket his own theatre.” Fitchburg MRS. ALFONSE COUTURE, Strand, is recup¬ erating from a very serious illness. Forge Village ABBOTT HALL, owned by EDWARD HAN¬ LEY, will be closed. Greenfield CLAUDE FREDERICK, Garden, exhibited papers used in conducting hard of hearing tests in the public schools by the state department of health in his lobby in conjunction with the showing of "The Story of Alexander Graham Bell.” DOUGLAS "WRONG-WAY” CORRIGAN paid a surprise visit to Greenfield while on his way to western Massachusetts to fish and rest. Hingham DAN MURPHY, Loring Hall, has been down with arthritis. Hudson Selectmen last week ordered the demolition of the Elm after a special committee, including the Fire Chief, submitted a report in which it termed the structure a fire hazard and a danger to public safety. Committee said the false front and the chimney were in danger of collapsing and the floor was in a hazardous condition. "Movie Queen” film is being made here with co-operation of Chamber of Commerce. Lawrence Cashier HELEN BELL, Modern, will be a June bride. CY O’TOOLE, New Haven, and KING ALD¬ RICH, Belmont, sound engineers, were in town. Projectionist FRED SWEET, Palace, finally got around to buying another car. HAROLD BAILEY, manager, Methuen, be¬ gan last week awarding white enamelware. FRED LAFFEY, WLAW announcer, earning himself a reputation as a sidewalk-interviewer via the broadcast during which theatre passes are issued. Local theatremen’s nomination for best adsetter goes to ERNIE LIVESEY, Lawrence Daily Eagle. CHARLES (SCOOPIE) SAMPAS, Lowell’s Exhibitor correspondent and Sun columnist, is getting himself "plugs” from the local news¬ paper gossipers. Passing through Lawrence: JIM O’LOUGHLIN, manager, Strand, Amesbury, accompanied by attractive BARBARA SNOW, that town. Leominster Both Metropolitan and Plymouth are pre¬ senting special stage shows on Saturdays only. Lowell EDDIE SOKOLOWSKY, manager, announces the appointment of WALTER J. SARGENT, Lowell, as advertising manager of the theatre, through ROY E. HEFFNER, president, Tower Amusement Company. Sargent has worked under such executives as NAT SILVER, ARTHUR J. KEENAN, CHET STODDARD, JIM DEMPSEY, DAVE PERKINS. Tower, incidentally, is dis¬ continuing its vaudeville program for summer. Plans under way for a joint theatre managerfourth estate outing sometime in July. Theatre chieftains from Boston area to be guests of honor. New V-shaped super de luxe Strand marquee was completed May 20. NAT SILVER, manager, won the drum-beat¬ ing contest with CHARLIE CARROLL, local automobile merchant, at the Mount Pleasant Country Club. Friends and associates ran a big party to decide which of the two was the best drummer. Tower will continue its regular weekly "Bank Night.” Marlboro Manager JAMES T. McMANUS, Marlboro, donated use of theatre for annual Memorial Day exercises of Marlboro High School. Millbury Another step in legal complications of new theatre here was taken when DOMENIC TUR¬ TURRO, Worcester, petitioned in Superior Court for mandamus proceedings against Selectmen relative to issuance of license by them to BER¬ NARD FELDMAN, Winchendon, to build and operate film theatre here. New Bedford MORRIS SIMMS, manager, Olympia, attended the reception held at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston, for the "Union Pacific” train. SIMON BESEROSKY, manager, Allen, pre¬ sented "Better Housing News Flashes,” Federal Housing Administration film. As a feature of the "New Bedford Follies” at the Baylies Square during the week of May 29, LEW GARVEY, dance director from Hollywood, will select "Miss New Bedford.” Group will be presented by ARCADE MARCOUX, JR., manager. Newburyport China give-aways Tuesdays and Fridays is boosting business for manager JAMES TOBIN’S Premier. Rockland Manager NODHEISER reports success with amateur shows at the Strand. Salisbury Drive-In opened with installations by the Capitol Theatre Supply. Taunton For the second time in as many months, a false cry of "fire” almost caused a riot at the Park, action of ushers prevented trouble when two 14year-old youngsters set up the dread cry in a crowded balcony in the afternoon. Ushers promptly corralled the pair, quieted patrons nearby, and turned the culprits over to special officer WILLIAM BRANTON. There is a pos¬ sibility court action may follow. West Warren JOSEPH J. BARON, Grand, is remodelling the 1,040-seat house. Worcester R. GOWAN, Plymouth, hopped to the World’s Fair, attended the RKO lounge. Tying up with a florist, manager HAROLD H. MALONEY, Loew’s Poli, distributed roses to first 100 mothers attending performance on Mother’s Day. It was CHET GAYLORD who won first cribbage tournament backstage at Plymouth, not DINNY SULLIVAN. Manager BOB PORTLE, Loew-Poli Plaza, in¬ vited everybody in Worcester named Higgins to attend "My Wife’s Relations.” MAURICE DRUKER, Loew’s Poli assistant manager, gets up at 6.3 0 A. M. to ride his hoss up in Leominster wilds. MAURICE RADIN, named MISS LOUISE MORIARITY to preside over new candy stand in main lobby, Loew’s Poli. Spring is officially here, with box office at LoewPoli Plaza moved from inside lobby to sidewalk, allowing cashiers MARGARET VILNAVE, PAULINE MORIARTY, STACIA LOZOWICKI to sniff that Front Street ozone. Playing "Let’s Pretend We’re Sweethearts,” featuring LOLA LANE, manager BOB PORTLE, Plaza, mailed out 5 00 postcards to male patrons, suggesting a date at theatre to see show, and signed "Lola.” Next day a harassed husband telephoned, beseeched theatre to explain to his angry spouse it was only an advertising stunt. Assistant manager MAX NESVETSKY, LoewPoli Elm Street, arranged special Saturday morn¬ ing showing of "The Hardys Ride High” for 15 00 newsboys. EXILE EXPRESS Anna Steti, Alan Marshall, Irving Vichel, and others may be seen in the Grand National spy story. May 24, 19)9