Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1946)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, October 5, 1946 37 REGIONAL NEWSREEL riety, it will be available to approximately 200 girls each week. The camp takes its name from Stone Mountain which is plainly visible some 20 miles to the eastward. Celebrity at the game was Constance Bennett, 20th Century-Fox star, who occupied the honor box with Georgia's Gov. Ellis Arnall and Atlanta Mayor William B. Hartsfield. Miss Bennett at the conclusion of the game, presented a trophy on behalf of the Atlanta Variety Tent to the winning Brooklyn team. Miss Bennett motored to Atlanta for the game from Montgomery, Ala., with her husband, Col. Jack Coulter, Pacific war hero, now a student at the Maxwell Field University of the Air. While here they were guests of Lt. Col. John Stembler, who served with Col. Coulter. Stembler is executive assistant to William K. Jenkins, president of the Georgia Theatres Company. INDIANAPOLIS The Community Center, Carthage, Ind. has re-opened for the winter season. The house will be operated by Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Henley. Ken Maynard, the Hoosier cowboy, was a guest of Carl Niesse, owner of the Vogue Theatre over last week-end. In addition to visiting his horse, injured while playing a theatre date in Cincinnati, O., he also visited his mother who lives in Columbus, Ind. The Manly Mfg. Company, manufacturers of popcorn machines, Kansas City, Mo. has opened a branch here at 359 N. Illinois Street. M. L. l.-yons, is the Indiana representative. George L. Landis, son of George T. Landis, 20th-Fox branch manager has enrolled at Notre Dame University. Clarence Ritzier, of St. Louis, Mo., has been appointed head booker at 20th-Fox exchange, succeeding William Poppe, res.gned. Edward Brauer, Republic branch manager, went to Cleveland, O., over the week-end. Fred J. Dolle, of the Fourth Avenue Amusement Co., Louisville, Ky., spent several days in Indianapolis inspecting his holdings here. John Keller, assistant booker at Warners', has resigned to accept the head bookers position at RKO. Earl Gingery, of the shipping department succeeds him as assistant booker. C. C. Brant, who operates the Virginia Theatre, Terre Haute, Ind., was a business visitor in the city during the week. Elenor Borkes, assistant booker at RKO has returned from an extended vacation on the West Coast. While there, she visted the RKO studios in Hollywood. Claude Hare, has been assistant shipper at RKO exchange. William Sherman, PRC district manager for St. Louis and Indianapolis, was in the city on Saturday and visited the local branch where he held a conference with Sam Abrams, branch manager. Visitors on Film Row — Vance Schwartz, National Theatre, Louisville ; A. B. Thompson, Park-Ritz, North Vernon; S. H. Grove, CapitolShelby, Louisville, Ky. ; J. B. Sconce, Sconce Circuit, Edinburg; Mrs. Eva Harris, Zionsville; E. E. Smith, Devon, Francesville ; Bruce Kixmiller, Colonial, Bicknell ; R. L. Hudson, Trivoli, Richmond; Don Steinkamp, English; Grant Henley, Community, Carthage. The Variety Club of Indianapolis, Tent No. 10, after being redecorated and renovated, held its formal opening Sept. 30, for members only. In addition to a business meeting, there was a a stag party with floor show and other entertainment. VANCOUVER SHOl'V BUSINESS BOOM CONTINUES WITH INCREASE EXPECTED AS DAYLIGHT SAVING ENDS Show business continues to boom among the cinemas in spite of inclement weather and a variety of other attractions, with the ending of Daylight saving showmen look for an increase in evening business, suburbans will benefit mostly here. Al Mitchell, manager of the Paradise theatre, was presented with a desk lighter from his staff, after being promoted to manager of the Plaza by Odeon circuit. Freddy Stone, British Columbia manager for Sovereign Films 16-mm. exchange, has been hitting the tough roads of the interior, making many sales of narrow-gauge machines. Cashing in on the popularity of British actor James Mason, The Vogue, Paradise and Lux theatres are currently playing films in which the star appears. All are doing better than average business. "Wicked Lady" is on its fourth week at Vogue. Local theatres find it not so hard to get usherettes and cashiers, although it is really difficult to find one who is efficient and will By Jock MacGregor According to "World's Press News," J. Arthur Rank's chief publicist, John B. Myers, made some surprising remarks about U. S. showmanship at a recent lunch. After claiming that British film publicity was ousting Hollywood pictures off the U. S. front pages, he allegedly stated: "The Americans have two bins — sex and sensation — from which to draw their publicity material. The people in this country do try to think out some reasonably intellectual approach to a film." Well, well ! * * * The pleasantest receptions these days are those run by RKO Radio. Bob Woolf is always the genial host, invites representatives from all branches of the industry, and the press branch representatives never worry about a "story" — these are social occasions. The Ned Depinet-Phil Reisman reception at Claridges was no exception and there was an excellent turn out of industry leaders. Many had travelled from further than Wardour Street to pay their respects. Herbert Wilcox and Anna Naagle come from their country home. Randolph Richards was up from Eastbourne. B. T. Davies, vice-president of the CEA, journied from Birmingham for Television talks, and came along with W. R. Fuller, rarely seen at such functions these days. It was good to see that R. C. Bromhead had recovered from his illness. Jim Majorell was having a look at how we do these tilings here. MGM's Sam Eckman, Jr. dropped in. Dave Griffiths who in addition to his International alliance, is chairman of the new RAF film, was another we noted. Fay Allport came from the MPAA office. Independent circuits were represented by Lou Morris and Alf Shipman. stay on the job, turnover is a problem to the downtown theatres more than the outside houses. The Canadian premiere of "Meet the Navy" will be held at the Orpheum Theatre in October. This is the British screen version of the Royal Canadian Navy revue. The former Beacon will be renamed the Odeon-Hastings theatre and is expected to be open early in November. It will be one of the Pacific Coast's finest theatres when completed, Odeon heads here say. On the sick list here are Jack Donnally, Lyric ; Ray Hansom, Broadway ; Bill Clayton, Dominion ; and Robert Foster, business agent •-if Projectionists 348. 'Bill O'Neil, secretary-treasurer for Paramount pictures in Canada, is a Vancouver visitor on a routine inspection trip. Paramount week was a record breaker in the Dominion this year, he reports. Allan Mattson of the Famous Players Art Shop was passing out cigars on the birth of his second daughter. Iras Gartrell is a new addition to the F-P art shop, she was formerly in charge of the display department at the Capitol Theatre, Penticton, B. C. Frank Scott, manager of the Monogram, was elected President of The Calgary Film Board. From the studios came Pat Roc with David MacDonald, who is directing her in "The Brothers," and Trevor Howard who, because of his part in "So Well Remembered," was sporting three days' growth. ^ ^ 4: Another pleasant reception was organized by Praesens, producers of "The Last Chance," for Betty Smith — author of "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" — who was on her way to Switzerland to write a script. She knows little of the project but gathers that it will be a sort of "democratic documentary" which Leopold Lindtberg will film in Brooklyn next year. * * * Had John Myers enthusing over the phone about the success of "The Magic Bow" at the Cannes festival, which, incidentally, is likely to establish these Intemational contests as something worthwhile. * * * Londoners hope that Paramount really arc weather forecasters. Since "Searching Wind" opened at the Carlton, there has been unrelenting storm. Paramount is following that one with "Blue Skies." * * * "This Modern Age," J. Arthur Rank's "March of Time" style short, made its debut this week with "Homes for All" and "Scotland Yard." Slick, workmanlike, they are insular in outlook, but may get by in special spots overseas as reflecting conditions in Britain. * ♦ ♦ Russell Holman, Paramount's iElast Coast producer, who has been in town looking at talent and plays, found himself alibing Hollywood for its idea of England as reflected in "Love Letters" and "To Each His Own." LONDON OBSERVATIONS American PA's Slipping, Dear, Dear! Bob Woolf One Of Town's Top Hosts; Rank's New Shorts Make Debut