Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

HARTFORD Giles Is Rebuilding Framingham Unit FRAMINGHAM, MASS. — The Gorman Theatre, owned by the Giles circuit, closed its doors August 31 for complete remodeling. The entire building will be gutted, leaving the bare walls, and a new air conditioned theatre seating 1,000 will be erected. The present house seats 775. Harry Korslund, Norwood architect, has drawn up the plans, which call for the latest devices for the comfort of patrons. An interesting feature of the design is the extension of the space by 16 feet on each side of the building for further seating capacity. Anthony Copobianco, manager, will continue on as chief of staff. The Giles circuit also operates the St. George, which was completely done over two years ago. These two houses cater to a large suburban group from several cities and towns surrounding the Framingham area. Seek Midget Auto Track At Shrewsbury Drive-In SHREWSBURY, MASS.— Officials of the Shrewsbury Drive-In have presented a petition for a midget auto track. Papers were filed by Warren Campbell of Winthrop, manager of the theatre. It is understood the track and grandstand will be erected adjacent to the theatre. It is not expected that the track will be built this fall. Town officials said no action on a license will be taken until the track is completed and inspected. Tack Simons, Center manager, vacationed in ^ Rhode Island and Cape Cod. Margaret Tilley relieved him . . . Mickey Daly of Daly Theatre Corp. will leave in October on a vacation. Mickey’s son Frank has resigned as assistant to Joe DiLorenzo, Daly district manager, to join the Hartford street department as an inspector. Miriam Brown is the new Eastwood cashier, replacing Caroline Phipps, resigned . . . Phyllis Selvin, secretary to A. M. Schuman, general manager of the Hartford Circuit, returned from a vacation along the St. Lawrence river. Mary Grady filled in for Miss Selvin. Ernie Grecula, Hartford Theatre’s ad-publicity director, reports that while on his recent vacation, he passed through Gloucester, Mass., saying hello to Pearce Parkhurst, formerly of Torrington, now managing a Rhode Island house for E. M. Loew . . . Charlie Jamison, the Colonial’s chief of staff, and his wife vacationed! . . . Lionel Caron, the Colonial’s assistant manager, is back following an extended leave. Frank Jagielski, Allyn doorman, spent his vacation taking in the ball games in New York . . . Louise Irons, secretary to George E. Landers, district manager for E. M. Loew’s circuit, vacationed at home . . . Harry Green, representative for Alexander Film Co., has been ill . . . Pauline Sanborn is new relief cashier at the Colonial. A. M. Schuman was in New Haven on a buying-booking trip . . . Ushers and doormen at the E. M. Loew’s are sporting new uniforms . . . Lorraine Frijon has succeeded Blanche Simpson as candy girl at E. M. Loew’s . . . Harry F. Shaw, Loew’s Poll circuit division manager, was in town. “The Best Years of Our Lives’’ is booked day-andi-date for the Colonial, Hartford, and the Central, West Hartford, September 16, 17 . . . Jim McCarthy, Strand manager, was in New Haven attending a Warner circuit exploitation meeting on “Life With Father.” Others there included Dan Finn of the zone office; Jim Tobin, Warner, Bridgeport; Andy Sette, Capitol, and Murray Howard, Art, Springfield; John Hesse, Sherman, New Haven; Alec Davis, Warner, Worcester. Henry Needles, Jim McCarthy, and Frank Morin were Hartford representatives at the recent Warner New England theatre managers meeting in Orange . . . Ernie Grecula of HTC attended the opening of the Ned People’s Forest Drive-In, between New Hartford and Winsted. Drop Some Matinees HARTFORD — The two Lockwood & Gordon suburban houses, the Plaza, Windsor and the Webb, Wethersfield, have dropped weekday matinees. Both theatres, however, will run afternoon programs on Saturday, Sunday and holidays, and probably on weekdays during school vacations. Bela Black Stricken CLAREMONT, N. H.— Bela Black, 71, of New York, distributor of Hungarian motion pictures, died here September 3 after suffering a heart attack on a New York-bound train. The body was sent to New York for burial. . . . POINTING TO POINTS . . . Twenty-five years of experience and the best technical brains of the industry have combined to give you the CENTURY PROJECTOR — the best buy available. 1. Improved single shutter operation — more light than with any other 90° single shutter on the market. 2. Direct drive, four bearing intermittent movement. 3. Scientific air circulation system gives cool operation. 4. Plenty of finger room for threading — wider gate opening. 5. Automatic Loop setting. 6. Gate easily removable for cleaning and inspection. 7. Film trap shoes interchangeable and reversible. 8. High speed micrometer lens focusing. 9. Simple, straightforward gear arrangement. 10. All driving shafts run in grease sealed ball bearings. 11. Main drive shaft, vertical shaft and shutter shaft all removable as complete units. 12. Fewer gears than in any other projector on the market. 13. Easily adaptable to any sound head. Distributors of the New Century-Altec Lansing Post-War Sound Systems. Mass. Theatre Equipment Company Eddie Comi Phones Lib. 9814 or 0356 20 Piedmont St. Boston, Mass. Emergency Gra. 7885 or Par. 2580M BOXOFFICE :: September 13, 1947 113