Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

6 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, October 29^.1949 Approve Audience Collections Variety Clubs Endorse Method to Raise Hospital Funds; Back Industry Plan The Midyear Conference of the Variety Clubs International Wednesday decided to turn back to theatre audience collections as one of two ways to raise funds for the Variety ClubsWill "Rogers Hospital at Saranac Lake. The second method simultaneously approved by the conference, which met in the Hotel Astor, New York, was that of theatre premieres. The meeting also decided unanimously, after a somewhat spirited session, to endorse the allindustry public relations program born in Chicago on Aug. 30-31. Then in an unexpected burst of speed, it wound up all business before it and adjourned early Wednesday evening, canceling its Thursday session. Decision to return to audience collections, a method used by the National Variety Artists, when it managed the hospital, and abandoned several years ago, did not come as a surprise. Though such collections are frowned upon by the majority of exhibitor organizations and circuits, the conference, faced with the necessity of raising operating funds, apparently was influenced by the theory advanced that if national cooperation were possible in audience collections, the sums realized in one day would outstrip any other method of raising money. The resolution approving this method and that of theatre premieres calls upon all Tents in the organization to cooperate, either by seeking collections or giving premieres once a year. The days selected for this will be either Washington's Birthday or the birthday of Will Rogers, which falls on Nov. 4. To Study Tuberculosis The funds so raised, it was pointed out would, in addition to supporting the expanded hospital, go to providing research into tuberculosis. The conference also decided to approve the industry public relations program upon a resolution presented by A'lax A. Cohen, chief barker Elects E. K. Lane Ed. K. Lane of the Sparta Theatre, Sparta, Mich., was elected Chief Barker of the Variety Club of Grand Rapids, Mich., at the election on Oct. 19. Others elected were: First Assistant Chief Barker Orvis R. Connolly, Hotel Rowe, Grand Rapids; Second Assistant Chief Barker Joseph Busic, Liberty Theatre, Grand Rapids; Dough Guy Harry Himelstein, Creston Theatre, Grand Rapids, and the following canvasmen: Allen Johnson, Phil Osterhouse, Walter J. Norris, Karl Reynier, Ted Rosendall of Grand Rapids, and Howard Sturgess of the Grandville Theatre, Grandville, Mich. of the New York tent after the pros and cons had been considered. International Chief Barker R. J. O'Donnell, who presided at all the sessions, outlined the ways in which the clubs could assist the program. Report on Hospital Wednesday's session also heard Charles E. (Chick) Lewis, executive vice-president of the Variety ClubsWill Rogers 'Hospital, report on the operation of the hospital during the four months it has been under Variety management. Included in the improvements was installation of new X-ray equipment, laboratory improvements, neglected for many years, according to the report, amounting to $12,000, and installation of an educational, occupational and vocational therapy program among the patients. In addition, the kitchen and refrigeration equipment has been modernized. Lewis described the treatment and the freedom accorded patients and read a letter from a patient lauding the hospital plant. Earlier during the day the Midyear Conference voted to allow formation of a "Hey Rube Club" within the Variety Clubs. The club would consist of all past chief barkers and would hold its official meetings each year at the international convention. At present it plans to hold an inaugural dinner during the convention in New Orleans in 1950 at which members will be inducted. The earlier sessions also heard Joe Cifre of 'Boston report on the compilation of historical data on the Clubs since the first club sprang up in Pittsburg when a child was found abandoned in a theatre in 1929. Jim Balmer of Tent One, reported that at the year's banquet on Nov. 13 a plaque would be unveiled in the Sheridan Square Theatre to commemorate the founding of the Variety Clubs regionally. George Hoover reported on the scholarship to be awarded at Phillips-Exeter Academy to some boy found worthy of a scholarship. Denver In The ass^bled conference welcomed the new Rocky Ivfountain Screen 'Club's application to become a Denver Variety 'Club. The club's application was presented by Pat McGee. The conference opened Tuesday afternoon with O'Donnell presiding and with reports from the various committees. Important among these 'was the report of Col. William MoCraw, executive director of the Clubs, on his tours of the various tents' throughout ^he country and reports of Dough Guy George Eby, Property Master Murray Weiss, Assistant Chief's Barkers Marc Wolf and Jack Beresin, and reports of the publicity and public relations director by International Press Guy Charles E. (Chick) Lewis. The New York Tent held its induction dinner Thursday night at the Hotel Astor. Martina Drops Dipson From Contract Suit , Charles V. Martina, operating a chain of Theatres in Albion, N. Y., this week dropped Dipson Theatrical Enterprises of Batavia as parties to the $450,000 suit he has filed against Emil Muller, Rochester contractor, and others over alleged abrocation of a lease for a shopping center _ theatre. Reportedly Martina dropped Dipson from the case because of new evidence available upon which he wished to revise his pleadings. VARIETY CLUB DIRECTORS VISIT HOSPITAL. Representatives of thirty Variety Club Tents are seen in the group above at the main entrance to the Club's Will Rogers Hospital, Saranac Lake, Tuesday during their visit to inspect the institution's facilities and the improvements made under the rehabilitation program inaugurated since the organization took over the famous hospital for tubercular patients. At the mid-day dinner. Chick Lewis, executive vice-president of the Hospital, introduced the representatives to the assembled patients, staff and guests, and brief talks were made by International Property Master Murray Weiss; Heart Committee Chairman Nate Golden; Dr. Edgar Mayer, consultant to the Executive Committee of the Hospital, and the Club's Executive Director William McCraw. Following the Hospital visit, the representatives were the guests of Fred Schwartz at his Lake Placid lodge. In the group above are: Joe Cifre, Boston; Moe Sanders, New York; Sam Switow, Indianapolis; Ezra Stern, Los Angeles; Charles Smakwitz, Albany; William Elson, Minneapolis; Scott Lc(t, Charlotte; Roy Wells, Dayton; Nate Golden; Meyer L. Stern, Omaha; Nathan Sandler, Des Moines; Rabbi Bernard Birstein, New York; Col. McCraw; Herbert Kohn, Memphis; Milton A. Mooney, Cleveland; Michael Felt, Philadelphia; Murray Weiss; Owen D. Weems, Baltimore; E. E. Whitaker, Atlanta; Chick Lewis; J. Edward Shugrue, New York; William O'Donnell, Dallas; Barnev Pitkin. New Haven.