The Exhibitor (Aug-Nov 1948)

THE EXHIBITOR NT-1 jVIDWS or THK Boston CROSSTOWN A proposed state minimum wage schedule for 10, 000 to 15,000 employes in amusement and recreation business occupations was opposed as “arbitrary, unfair, and unbalanced” by spokesmen for Massachusetts theatres at a hear¬ ing conducted by a minimum wage com¬ mission. Speaking for the Independent Exhibitors, Inc., which he said rep¬ resented 252 of 407 theatres in the state, Emanuel Kurland warned that the proposed order “contains the seeds of a great deal of trouble for em¬ ployers and employes alike”. Under the order, regular employes would be paid a minimum of 62‘/2 cents an hour, \^ile casual employes would get a minimum of 55 cents. Among other pro¬ visions, it would obviate require¬ ments that employes buy their own uniforms. Kurland said 180 of the the¬ atres he represents are individually owned, and are located in smaller communities. There usually is “family participation”, he explained, with members of the family of the owner acting as doormen and cashiers. Ushers are “transitory employes”, he said, and ‘are being paid what they deserve to be paid. They do not serve too useful a function”, he added. In asking that the minimum wage schedule be rejected, Kurland declared that the independent theatre owners “have not had their day in court” until now. He contended his clients should have been represented on the board which brought forth the proposal, or at least, should have been asked their opinions. The problems of the major theatres in the metropolitan area are different from that of the small owners, he said. Julian Rifkin op¬ posed a minimum wage for ushers that would be higher than now in effect for cashiers and candy girls. Others speaking against the proposed order included Harry Smith, Henry Needles, Edward Laventure, and Henry G. Bowen. As part of the publicity campaign set up by Joe DiPesa, Phil Engel, and Jim Shanahan, United Artists and Loew’ s played host to a prominent group of jurists, sociologists, and psychologists at a special screening of “The Pitfall”, Loew’ s State and Orpheum. Joe Levine and Joe Wolf, Embassy, are now leasing the Olympia, Cam¬ bridge, Mass. The theatre was Closed for an indefinite period to permit complete renovation of the house. Phil Engel, publicist, UA, and Lew Newman are working out a publicity campaign for “Urubu.” The boys plan to use real live jungle animals caged in circus wagons, which will be drawn through the streets in parade fashion. In addition, the most unique jungle front will be made for the picture. Richard Powers, coordinator, be¬ tween MGM’ s music companies and studio, spent last weekend visiting his mother. Paul Anglim announced that the ad¬ vance sale for “Hamlet” was very heavy. Both Harvard and Massachusetts State College requested large blocks of tickets for their summer students, and other schools, opening in the fall, sent in inquiries. About 150 invitations for opening night were sent to distinguished persons both in and out of the theatre. FILM DISTRICT Summer took its last crack, we hope, at the district. Any theatre that wasn’t air-conditioned might just as well have closed its doors. Even the salesmen traveling found it difficult to talk business with the exhibitors. However, Spero Latchis, circuit owner, reported from Brattleboro, Vt. , that it wasn’ t too hot for a softball game. This contest between the Lions and the Kiwanis,, proceeds for “The jimmy Fund”, was played while the temperature stood at 90 degrees. As usual, there was a ringer brought in from outside. It can now oe revealed that this unscrupulous individual was John G. Draddy, a salesman for United Artists. The game was called after the end of the fourth inning with the Lions leading 20 to 15. Our hero made two homers and a double in one inning. Perhaps the Braves could use him. Slugger Draddy’ s brother, Gregory C. Draddy, was up visiting his brother while attending the opening of the new Crawford Hollis store. He hails from New York. Ken Robinson, salesman. United Artists, was in Albany, where he at¬ tended the graduation of his youngest son. A night ball game between the Red Sox and Cleveland brought several surprises. One was the appearance of three of U-I’s staff, Myer Feltman, branch manager; Henry Walper, office manager, and Joanna Long, secretary to the district manager. The surprise was that none of them knew that the other was going, and all landed at the same place. Wedding bells are due to ring out on Sept. 12 for Gloria Di Lucci, as¬ sistant cashier, U-I. The lucky man will be announced later. Both Mr. and Mrs. Phil Engel extend through this column appreciation to all their friends for the many kind wishes expressed to them following their recent marriage. • One of the few visitors in the dis¬ trict was Dave Garbose, York, Athol, Mass. , and his right hand man, Oscar Mercer. (Continued on next page) TRAVELLING AROUND WITH LEW HERB (Lew Herb continues with his travels through the New England territory. -Ed. ) Our next visit in this area took us to the ".hust ling-bustling city of Bridgeport, Conn, whdre we found most downtown theatres predominantly under the Loew banner. Three of the four large houses in the sector come un¬ der this category, while the other house is operated by War¬ ners. Dropping in first at the Loew’ s Globe, we chatted with mana¬ ger Alfred L. Domian, who has been associa¬ ted with th@ organiza¬ tion since 1934. Although apparently still in his early 30’ s, he was con¬ nected with the business when Poli operated the houses, and stayed on during the transition to Pox ownership, and then on to LoewPoli. Inasmuch as his house operates mostly on a hold¬ over policy, he devotes much of the time he would ordinarily spend on exploitation toward seeing that his patrons are well cared for, as to their comfort and convenience. Here we learned that some of the industry which has built Bridgeport is begin¬ ning to trickle but of the state and into the south. One of the manufacturingj concerns employing about 1500 people has already announced that it is moving its machinery to Texas, and is taking practically all of the key people along, and any of the rest who wish to go have been promised employment in the new location. The Loew-Poli, largest and most pretentious house in town, is under the able direction of Matt Saunders. We were informed by assistant John Di Bendette that Saunders was on vaca¬ tion, and Di Bendette, who has been with the organization for the past six and a half years, graciously showed us around. This is one of the several old Poli-Palaces which dot the New England landscape, and which have furnished much of the entertainment for New England’ s patrons for many years. Although none of these Loew houses in Bridgeport are air-condi¬ tioned, as yet, all indications are that they will be. Loew’ s Majestic practically adjoins the Poli, and is under the direction of Harry Rose, who came here about 10 years ago from Philadelphia, where he was connected with Warners. He has the job of selling the action and “B” product that hits the downtown screens, and although handicapped by local ordinances which prohibit the use of ballyhoo stunts on Bridgeport streets, does a good job, nevertheless. The fourth Loew theatre, the Lyric, is currently closed for the summer. Dur¬ ing the winter, it operates on a varied schedule, furnishing Bridge¬ port with stage and variety attrac¬ tions. Lew Herb September 8, 1948 New England