Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

WORCESTER pauline Burns of the Park has returned from a visit in Buffalo, N. Y. . . . The Strand in Southbridge had to cancel a matinee when a heavy downpour flooded streets and cellars in the business section . . . The mother of Dave Levine, operator at the Greendale, died. Mary Moriarty of Loew’s Poli is back from Brant Rock, sporting a heavy tan . . , The father of Bill Brown, manager of the Park and Greendale, has been a hospital patient in Springfield for five weeks . . . New oil burners have been installed at Loew’s Poli. Manager Harold Maloney reports. Mary Thomas, caslrier at the Greendale, has been on vacation . . . Noella Peloquln, Worcester singer, has entered the cast of "Brigadoon” in New York. ZaSu Pitts came into town to guest star for a week at the Playhouse in “The Late Christopher Bean,” but was held over for a second week. She said Frances Marion and Anita Loos are writing a new play for her which she plans to tour this winter . . . Manager Bob Portle of the Elm Street reports a holdover on “Mother Wore Tights.” The exterior signs at the Greendale have been redecorated . . . Arthur Rosenbush, formerly manager of the Modern in Marlboro, is now handling the Orpheum in Somerville . . . Oil has replaced coal at the Park, Manager Bill Brown reports. Resignations from the Park include Harold Latour, Joseph Bowse and Frank Koza . . . A chain store in Leominster sponsored a Back to School party at the Plymouth in that city . . . The interior of the Greendale has been repaired preparatory to Installation of new carpeting. The Shrewsbury drive-in plans to get in on the new popularity of midget automobile racing. With the track in Westboro drawing huge crowds at every program, the Shrewsbury theatre has filed a petition with the selectmen for a midget track to be built near the theatre. Warren Campbell of Winthrop, manager, said plans are in the preliminary stages. Nate Goldberg, manager of the Plymouth, grabbed newspaper space when he revealed that Gloria Henry, playing the lead in “The Keeper of the Bees,” is a former Worcester art student . . . Alec Davis, manager of the Warner, reports a holdover of “Cry Wolf.” Don Dudley, former orchestra leader at the Plymouth, is maestro at the newly reopened Blinstrub's club in Boston . . . The mother of Frank Lyon, Playhouse, was stricken seriously ill in East Hampton, Conn. New highways now pass in front of Loew's Poli, the Warner, Plymouth, Royal and Family as a result of the city’s big road surfacing program . . . Elmer R. Daniels, for many years manager of the Capitol, came up from Miami to spend a few weeks here, and renewed many friendships with the theatre fraternity. Maine Islanders in Dither; 20th-Fox Crew Arrives BOSTON — The natives of Vinal Haven, Me., a picturesque island a few miles off the Rockland coast, are in a dither over the appearance of a complete picture-making crew from 20th-Fox, who have taken over the island. Henry King, well-known director from the Fox studios, has arrived with a large retinue of workers to start filming the feature production "Deep Water,” formerly entitled “Spoonhandle,” starring Dana Andrews and Jean Peters. The one resort hotel on the island is remaining open after the Labor day holiday to accommodate the actors and working crew. Localites are clamoring for an opportunity to play bit roles and extras. “Deep Water” is listed as one of the top 1948 productions on the 20th-Fox schedule. HOSPITAL BENEFITS — Ralph Banghart, RKO New England field representative, presented a check for more than S3,000, proceeds from the mock trial staged in Boston in connection with “The Long Night” opening, to representatives of the Children’s Hospital of Boston. Left to right are Banghart, Dave Shurtleff of the Yankee network, Barbara Louise Murphy of the hospital and Parkman D. Howe, treasurer of the hospital. The mock trial was broadcast over the Yankee network. Hartford Area Theatres Utilizing Slogans Now HARTTORD — Going into the fall season, area theatres are increasing advertising space in newspapers. Interesting to note also is the fact that a number of managers never previously using slogans are now utilizing catch phrases to plug their houses. Russ Ordway, Webb Playhouse, Wethersfield, a Lockwood & Gordon house, has started to use the line, “Plan to attend early evening show for choice seats,” in daily ads. Other theatres in the territory have such lines in ads as: “The Family Theatre,” “The House of Hits,” “The Comfortable Theatre,” etc. Managers who have stressed slogans over a long period of time report that countless patrons come to associate the thetre with the slogan thus upping house goodwill. Shea at Turners Falls Given Renovation Job TURNERS FALLS, MASS.— Installation of new RCA projection machines and sound euqipment has been completed at the Shea Theatre. New carpets have also been installed and a candy booth, erected a few weeks ago, has a new popcorn machine. On order is a new screen, expected shortly. Manager Daniel Sheiffer reported. Included in the program are 1,000 new seats, but because of ■ material shortages it will probaby be a year or two before they can be installed. The theatre is owned by Max Zalen of Boston, who purchased it from Mrs. Ina B. Shea in April. Report National Circuit In West Hartford Deal HAR'TFORD It was reported here last week that a national circuit is negotiating for space for a theatre in a building at Farmington and Prospect avenues. Irving Katz and others own the property. New House for Hampton HAMPTON, N. H.— A new theatre is planned here to replace the present Hampton, now located in Grange Hall. Bernard Stevens is the new owner. The theatre will be a quonset type, seating 500. Construction will start some time this month. Free Show for Kids ROCKVILLE, CONN.— The Princess Theatre last week ran its second annual free children’s show. There were two performances, at 9:30 and 11:30 a. m., featuring a western and cartoons. Many Resorts to Remain Open CONCORD, N. H.— The State Planning and Development commission has announced that many resorts will remain open through October 12 this year instead of closing immediately after Labor day as formerly. Among the resorts to remain open are the Franconia Notch tramway, the Belknap mountains recreational area, the Benson wild animal farm at Hudson, the Chinook dog kennels at Wonalancet, the Franklin Pierce homestead at Hillsborough, the Lost River reservation, the Mount Washington cog railway, the Polar caves at Rumney, the Saint-Gaudens memorial at Cornish and White mountain glacial park at Thornton. 114 BOXOFFICE :: September 13, 1947