Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1948)

NEWARK T V. Stlark, manager of the Regent, and his * family are vacationing at Asbury Park . . . A1 Hart, operator at the Embassy, has returned from a vacation in Manisquam . . . Joseph Geller, manager of the Hawthorne, is a new committee member of the Hawthorne avenue merchants ass’n. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Denby held a confirmation reception for their son Richard. Denby is manager of the Treat in Union. A new front will be installed there this summer . . . For additional revenue David Beehler, manager of the Central, offered a free drink to patronizers of the beverage dispensing machine who were lucky enough to draw a paper out with a star on it . . . Joan Caulfield, screen star, appeared in “The Voice of the Turtle” during the third week of the Princeton drama festival. The annual New Jersey Warner Theatres outing was held at Mount Bethel in the Watchung mountains. Activities included swimming, baseball and dancing . . . Moe Berenbach, manager of the Avon, and his family plan to vacation at the Jersey shore July 18 . . . Emma Hummell, former cashier at the Capitol, is new cashier at the Avon, replacing Hattie Franke, who retired. Herbert Shaindlin, former assistant at the Laugh-Movie, has taken over as manager of the Essex . . . Considerable interest was aroused at the Essex by two barometers displayed in the lobby prior to the Louis-Walcott fight. Patrons cast their ballots for the winner. The barometers kept tabs on the neighborhood vote. The fight pictures were billed with the film “The Fight Never Ends” in which Louis takes part. The Capitol, Belleville, which opens at 5:30 p. m. in the winter, is now running on its summer matinee policy . . . With the usual slump in summer business some exhibitors are wondering whether or not it would pay to close neighborhood houses part of the summer in order to stimulate patronage on reopening. Sunday closings in years past often resulted in a big business on Mondays. Sister Agelia, daughter of William J. Schell, manager of the Lincoln, Kearny, received her master of music degree from Catholic university in Washington and will teach in Baltimore . . . Newest projection and sound equipment have been installed at the Drive-In Theatre in Union . . . Three theatres in North Jersey including the Walter Reade house at Asbury Park, the Regent, Kearny, and the Rivoli, Newark, were one step ahead of other houses in showing the Louis-Walcott fight which was televised directly to these on the day it occurred. Luncheon for Eisenhower Set for Next Thursday NEW YORK — The New York committee of the American Overseas Aid-United Nation Appeal for Children will hold a luncheon in the Waldorf-Astoria ballroom Thursday, July 8, in honor of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, honorary national chairman. This will be Eisenhower’s first public address since he became president of Columbia university. Spyros P. Skomras and other industry leaders are active in the campaign. Benedict Joins U-1 Press, To Sub for J. Livingston NEW YORK — Lowell Benedict has joined the publicity staff of Universal-International. He will temporarily replace Jefferson Livingston, who will go on the road to publicize “Hamlet.” Benedict was formerly magazine contact for the MGM press department, and recently handled publicity for the pianist, Vladimir Horowitz. At U-I he will do general publicity and contact work. Name Successor to C. J. Latta ALBANY — Charles A. Smakwitz has been named chairman of the Heart Fund committee of the Albany Variety Club to succeed C. J. Latta. BUFFALO goxoffices here are being affected by the hot and humid weather, which is sending thousands to parks and beaches while other thousands are leaving town for vacations. Competition is at a peak, with harness racing at Hamburg, circuses, thrill shows, auto races and the many radio prize programs. The Starlite Drive-In has been opened across the river, and another new ozoner is operating on Lake Shore road . . . Good business is reported at the new Batavia house operated by the Mancuso brothers . . . The Plaza played the famous Golden Gate quartet as a benefit for the Buffalo Negro Civic Rights league. Dr. Anatole G. Lindsay, chairman of the cinema division at Fordham university, in an address here advocated a special course in the appreciation of motion pictures for our educational system . . . Caley A. Wakefield, 60, projectionist at Shea’s Teck, died last week. He formerly worked at theatres in Bridgewater. Sixty reels of safety films were presented by the local Variety Club to Police Commissioner Thomas J. McMahon . . . Doors at Basil’s Lafayette Theatre have been closed so that workmen may complete a modernization program. HARRISBURG garter Barron, Loew’s district manager, visited Loew’s Regent Manager Sam Gilman . . . Edgar Goth, Fabian publicity and advertising director, and his family have moved to their new home in Country Club hills, Camp Hill . . . E. G. Wollaston, Fabian city manager, returned home after an appendectomy at Keystone hospital. Midge Funk Brennan, former Senate cashier, and sister of Gen Funk, Colonial secretary, was en route from Oceanside, Calif., for a visit with her family . . . Among convention visitors in Philadelphia was Mrs. Wilma Todorov, wife of State Assistant Spasia “Spike” Todorov. Mrs. Todorov is president of the Council of Republican Women, Mechanicsburg . . . The Amusement Digest, originally scheduled for weekly publication, has been decreased to every other week because of increased costs, publisher Hy Resnik said. Dawn Blue, State cashier, has returned from Salt Lake City . . . Betty Crouse, State, doubled at the Rio while Mrs. Bertha Olsen was on leave . . . Other vacationers were Foster Napper, State; Ruth Powley, Colonial; Paddy Ryan, State; Katie Furjanic, Senate . . . Robert Moore has been named manager of the Canon Theatre, recently opened in suburban Duncannon. An interesting advance notice for “Romance on the High Seas” at the Colonial, was arranged by Jack O’Rear, manager, tieing in with the Columbia Record Co. At every break during showings O’Rear announced, “You are about to hear Doris Day, the sensational new screen discovery, sing, ‘It’s Magic,’ a Columbia recording, one of the six big song hits from the Technicolor musical ‘Romance on the High Seas’ with Jack Carson, Janis Paige, Don DeFore, which will be the screen attraction at the Colonial starting next Wednesday. Take a tip from us. Don’t miss this picture, it’s terrific.” Spa Opening July 3 ALBANY — The Spa Summer Theatre at Saratoga Springs was scheduled to open July 3 with a try-out of a musical revue, “Without Rhyme or Reason,” starring Bert Wheeler of stage and screen fame. MARGARET IN WASHINGTON — Margaret O’Brien takes time out from a busy whirl about Washington to discuss exploitation possibilities of “Big City” with MGM salesmen and exhibitors. Left to right lare: Exhibitor Hal Lyons, Franklin, Va.; salesman Fred. Rippingale, Roanoke, Va.; exhibitor Vince Daughtery, Miss O’Brien, salesman Pete Prince, K&B circuit’s Fred Kogod, and MGM Assistant Manager Paul Wall. BOXOFFICE :: July 3, 1948 63