Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

Ben B. Reingold, 20th-Fox Manager 20 Years, Retires and Goes West HONOR BEN REINGOLD — Exhibitors from all through the territory turned out in St. Louis March 22 at a dinner for Ben Reingold, retired manager of the 20thFox exchange. Pictured here at the head table are, left to right: Seated, Clarence Hill of Columbia Pictures; Reingold; Edward B. Arthur of Fanchon & Marco Theatres, who served as toastmaster; Thomas James of James Theatres, and Joseph C. Ansell of Ansell Bros. Amusement Co. Standing, Fred Wehrenberg of Wehrenberg Theatres; John Giachetto, Dominic Frisina and Dominic Giachetto of Frisina Theatres; Jack Keiler of Keiler Theatres; Fred Souttar of the Fox Midwest circuit, and Ray Noland of RKO Radio Pictures. By DAVID F. BARRETT ST. LOUIS — Benjamin B. Reingold, who recently retired after 20 years as local manager for 20th-Fox, sat in the Crystal room of the Coronado hotel here Monday last week and heard men from various branches of the industry briefly express their regret that Filmrow had lost one of its hardest working men and a fellow you liked because he was so human — faults like all of us, but so many good points you somehow forgot the others. Eddie Arthur of Fanchon & Marco was toastmaster, pinch-hitting for his brother Harry who had to pass up the testimonial. Those who spoke briefly included Dominic Frisina, John B. Giachetto, Fred Souttar, Tom James, Joe Ansell, Fred Wehrenberg and Clarence D. Hill. After Hill spoke of his long friendship for Reingold, he presented to him an engraved scroll, carrying the personal well-wishes of all present, and a $1,000 savings bond. Joe Feld, on behalf of the employes of 20thFox, presented his former boss with a check for $100 and a message signed by all of the exchange personnel. Ben was visibly touched as he expressed his thanks. He also took advantage of this opportunity to introduce his successor, Gordon Halloran. He said that he was very pleased Halloran was selected as his successor “rather than some smart young aleck who thinks he knows all about the film business.” Mrs. Reingold did not attend but she was sent three orchids with a note that read: “From Benny Reingold’s many friends, with best wishes.” Reingold had been in the film business 30 years. His first seven years were spent with the Goldwyn Distributing Co. in Chicago and Cincinnati and for a brief period he was with MGM in Cincinnati. He joined Fox Films in Omaha 23 years ago and later was manager for that company in Des Moines. In January 1928 Reingold came here to succeed George McKean as manager for Fox. Mr. and Mrs. Reingold plan to motor to California, leaving here on March 31. At the head table for the luncheon were Fred Wehrenberg, John B. Giachetto, managing director of the Frisina Amusement Co.; Dominic Frisina, president of the circuit; Clarence D. Hill, Columbia manager; Tom James, chief barker of the Variety Club; Joseph Ansell of Ansell Bros, circuit and vice-president of Southern California Pictures; Ray Nolan, RKO district manager; Jack Keiler, vice-president, Columbia Amusement Co., Paducah, Ky.; Dominic Giachetto, treasurer of Frisina, and Fi-ed Souttar, Fox Midwest district manager. Out-of-towners present included Jack Keiler, Paducah; Dean Davis, West Plains; L. L. “Buck” Lewis, Rolla; Forrest Pirtle, Pirtle Amusement Co., Jersey ville. 111.; Izzy Weinshank, Publix Great States, Alton; Carson W. Rodgers, I. W. Rodgers circuit, Cairo; Ted Lending, Kirkwood Amusement Co., Kirkwood; Lou Davis, Evansville; D. E. Williams, Union; Eddie Rosecan, Hannibal; Harry Miller, Festus; Vic Karbsfeld, Cape Girardeau; Joe Lyman, Whitehall, 111.; E. H. Wiecks, Staunton, 111.; John Dickson, St. Elmo, 111.; John C. Miller, Quincy, 111.; T. J. Price, Oblong, 111.; Herschel Eickhorn, Mounds, 111.; Charley Beninati, Carlyle, 111.; William Zimmerman, Warrenton; Joe Sike, Springfield, 111.; Ed Clarke, Mattoon, 111.; Sam Hamburg, East St. Louis, 111.; Lyle Pilcher, Jimmy Frisina, John B. Giachetto, Dominic Frisina, Dominic Giachetto and R. A. Pedrucci, Frisina Amusement Co.; Julian King, Kansas City; John Rees, Wellsville; Joe Goldfarb, Upper Alton,; Robert C. Cluster, Salem, 111., and Tonamy Tobin. East St. Louis. 'Timberlane' Buoyant; Rest of Loop Sinks CHICAGO — First run receipts were noticeably down here last week, as is customary during Holy week. The weather was good and children out of school for the week helped matinee business, but chnrch seats were filled day and night. Two new entries, “Treasure of Sierra Madre” at Chicago and the reissue of “The Fighting 69th” at Roosevelt did only fair. Outstanding among holdovers was “Cass Timberlane,” which had a record second week, with holdouts at all hours. The Oscar winner, “Gentleman’s Agreement,” at the Apollo, had another good week, and “Shoe-Shine,” at the World Playhouse, did okay in a seventh week. (Average is 100) Apollo — Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox), 19th wk 100 Chicago — Treasure of Sierra Madre (WB) 95 Garrick — The Voice of the Turtle (WB), 2nd d. t. wk.; The Wreck of the Hesperus 90 Grand — Panhandle (Mono), 2nd wk 90 Monroe — Good News (MGM), 3rd wk 90 Oriental — Killer McCoy (MGM), plus Clyde McCoy bond on stage, 4th wk 90 Palace — Bambi (RKO), reissue, 2nd wk 100 Roosevelt — The Fighting 69th (WB), reissue 90 State-Lake — ^Merton of the Movies (MGM), plus disk jockeys on stage, 2nd wk 95 Studebaker — Citizen Saint (Elliott); Rome Vatican Choir (Elliott), 2nd wk 100 Studio — The Art of Love (Dezel); Bedroom Diplomat (Dezel), 5th wk 85 United Artists — The Sign of the Ram (Col), 2nd wk 90 Woods — Cass Timberlane (MGM), 2nd wk 150 World Playhouse— Shoe-Shine (Lopert), 7th wk 100 Reissue of ‘Robin Hood' Big In Lackadaisical Indianapolis INDIANAPOLIS — Except for the reissue, “Adventures of Robin Hood,” all of the first run pictures did far below average business during Holy week. The low was the reissue of “Song of Bernadette” at Keith’s. Business was reported fair to good at the neighborhood houses. Circle — Adventures of Robin Hood (WB), reissue; Slippy McGee (Rep) ISO Indiana — The Naked City (U-1), 2nd wk 85 Keith's — The Song of Bernadette (20th-Fox), reissue 60 Loew's — To the Ends of the Earth (Col) 90 Lyric — My Girl Tisa (WB); I Became a Criminal (WB) 85 Oscar Product in Milwaukee Brings All Grosses Over Par MILWAUKEE — Easter brought an influx of new films that pulled patrons out of their Lenten absence. “Gentleman’s Agreement” at the Wisconsin, was top, with “A Double Life” at the Towne running a big second. “Miracle of the Bells” was pitching for strong patronage at the Riverside. Alhambra — Bambi (RKO), reissue; Rocky (Mono). .135 Palace — The Tender Years (20th-Fox); The Prince of Thieves (Col) 130 Riverside — The Miracle of the Bells (RKO) 140 Strand — Son of Frankenstein (U-l); Bride of Frankenstein (U-l), reissues 120 Towne — A Double Life (U-l) 140 Warner — April Showers (WB); Campus Honeymoon (Rep) 135 Wisconsin — Gentleman's Agreement (20th-Fox) 145 Remodeled Allen Theatre Reopens in Franklin, 111. FRANKLIN, ILL.— 'The New Allen Theatre, a 250-seater, reopened recently after it was remodeled and redecorated. The improvements include acoustical treatment on the walls, a new RCA sound system, and complete new booth equipment. The show is featuring a bargain night every Tuesday with the charges 19 cents for adults and 9 cents for children. On Saturday and Sunday there is a matinee at 2 p. m. 60 BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1948