The Exhibitor (May-Oct 1945)

NT-8 THE EXHIBITOR AMONG THOSE SEEN at the recent reception to Perc Westmore, head, makeup department, Warners' studio, at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel, New York, were. among others, Westmore, Paul Hunter, Mort Blumenstock, John Dali, and Nancy Walker. Eyeing the XCHANGES Bob Goldberg New York — It was around the begin¬ ning of December, if our memory serves us, that talk of a new booking and buying combine began to be heard. The organi¬ zation was referred to by various names, ‘Independent Buyers Service,’ ‘Independ¬ ent Theatre Buyers Service,’ and, finally, ‘Independent Theatre Service.’ ITS marked time for a few weeks, and Dave Snaper announced that the combine would have a three million buying power. About the third week or fourth week of January, it was revealed that ITS would pull up anchor, and get under way in a week or two. It was learned that Irving Dollinger, Snaper, and Lee Newbury would be holding the reins. Although the organization was at the starting gate, so to speak, no announce¬ ment as to the choice of buyer was made. Monroe Stein had begun his duties as legal adviser for the group. Later the following report was issued as to the theatres embraced by the com¬ bine: The Associated Theatres of New Jersey (18), David Snaper (4), Raritan Theatres (5), Lee Newbury (11), Hilinger Enterprises (8), Dollinger (2), Dr. Henry Brown (3), Harry Hecht (4), State, Boonton, N. J.; Denville, Denville, N. J.; Dunellen, Dunellen, N. J., and Rivoli, Newark. Then Brandt took over control of three of the Associated Theatres of New Jersey’s houses, and the ITS ranks were reduced. White Plains ( Continued from preceding page ) who spoke in support of the forthcoming Seventh War Loan were: chairman Wil¬ liam H. Evans, White Plains War Finance Committee; Joseph E. Muson, vice-chair¬ man, Mount Vernon War Finance Com¬ mittee; Mrs. Aranya Smart, Yonkers War Finance Committee; Frederick Ingalls, New Rochelle War Finance Committee; G. Clifford Jones, Port Chester War Fi¬ nance Committee; Kenneth Henry, Skouras Theatres, and Charles Gaa, Pruden¬ tial Theatres. Yonkers Central recently signed a renewal for Altec Service. Stage and Wall Drapes JOE HORNSTEIN has it! Finally, the much-sought-for buyer was found. A1 Suchman, formerly of the Schine Circuit, took the post at what was reported to be a salary of $20,000 plus a percentage. Then, another house left the organiza¬ tion. At the present time, ITS has 45 houses. Who Am I? — I was born on April 16, 1895, to be exact, in Granville, N. Y. I entered Granville High School, graduated, and then chose N.Y.U. as my alma mater. I left college after a year, and took a position with Universal in 1917. After 10 years with the company, I became man¬ ager of the St. Louis exchange. The fol¬ lowing year, I joined the Kansas City office, remaining in the same capacity. New York, however, was my first love, and in December, 1929, I hopped a train for Grand Central Station, and resumed my managerial duties here. I have been president of the Film Board of Trade, and, at the present time, am branch manager for a large accessory distribution company. Well, now you tell me, Who Am I? (An¬ swer will be found at the end of this column.) The Seeing Eye — We were chatting with one of the Ninth Avenue Rover Boys the other day in front of the Film Center Building when suddenly a pretty young thing dashed madly around the comer desperately trying to recapture her hat which had blown off her head. “That gal is from the country,” a fel¬ low spectator remarked. “And how can you tell that?” we asked, knowing that we were leaving ourselves open. “Well, you can always tell a country girl from a city girl if there’s a good wind,” he replied. “A country girl grabs her skirt ... a city girl, her hat.” Sam Stiefel is convalescing from a broken hip and arm which he received from a fall downstairs. However, he is continuing business from his home. . . . Ben Levine, UA’s witty head booker, re¬ cently celebrated his birthday. However, he refused to inform this reporter as to his age, but from his extremely sunny countenance we assume that he has seen many summers. . . . George Kraemer, trav¬ eling auditor for UA, is making New York his home for the next few weeks. William Schutzer is reported home with a cold. . . . Samuel Rifkin reports that his son, Ira, was in on furlough last week. He has just finished his training, and has received his wings as a flight officer. Irene Silverberg, that former luscious member of UA’s booking department, has been replaced by Sandra Rotkin. Irene, now married to Lieutenant Sheldon Green¬ berg, Air Corps, stopped in at the office, gave the wolves a big smile, and left (with her husband, of course) for her honey¬ moon in Atlantic City. Sergeant Bernard Levine, nephew of Ben ‘The Wit’ Levine, is reported to have returned from overseas for a lengthy furlough in this country. He was with the 104th Division of the 9th Army in Germany, was wounded at Aachen, and is now recuperating at Fort Devens, Mass. A1 O. Bondy, veteran industrial film distributor, returned from his New Eng¬ land sales trip. . . . Staff Sergeant Herb Richek, former office manager, visited last week. He is stationed at West Palm Beach, Fla., and is a member of the Army Transportation Corps. (The answer to ‘Who Am I?’ is Leo Abrams, branch manager, National Screen Service.) c ^rS^G,finr °r the 'YPe'?rlter speed contest held in connection with the showing of Warnei dfrectahr y?nS.^-k'n(9, 2? hvC|? y-' Buffal°' recently were, standing, left to right: R. T. Murphy, managi. Business l S u w vice-president, 20th Century, and Fred E. Peters, president, Chown School Business, seated, left to right: W. J. Chown, vice-president, Chown School; W. Smith, regional manager. Unde wood Typewriter, and George L. Hossfield, 10 times world's professional champion typist May 9, 1945