The Exhibitor (1953)

EXHIBITOR NT-1 mrw% of m rial nh In V Philadelphia Crosstown Area exhibitors were disappointed when the Waterhouse-Andrews bill, de¬ signed to relieve theatres from payment of a 10 per cent local tax, was referred back to committee in a purely political maneuver. The trade mourned the death of Oscar Libros, 65, in Atlantic City. Eight years ago, he retired from National Penn Printing Company, with which he had been associated for four decades. He is survived by his widow and one son, Harold. The deceased was a member of the Variety Club, Motion Picture Associates, and B’nai B’rith. Burial services were in Roosevelt Cemetery. Condolences were extended to Lyle Trenchard, general manager, William Goldman Theatres, upon the death of his mother, Anna. Paul Klieman, general manager, Pearl, was in Hollywood, combining business with pleasure during a series of studio visits. While on the Columbia lot, he met Van Johnson, and when the actor heard that Klieman came from Phila¬ delphia, he said: “One of my fondest memories of Philadelphia is eating some of that good Philadelphia scrapple.” When Klieman returned, one of the first things he did was to see that some was dispatched to the actor at his Beverly Hills, Cal., home via air mail. The Fox held a preview of 20th-Fox’s “The Glory Brigade.” Harry Knoblauch, manager, SW Lane, was quite cooperative when a newspaper reporter rushed into the theatre, and asked to use the phone. Campbell allowed him to enter. The reporter, Larry Campbell, astounded that the manager would so willingly let someone in to see the show free on such a flimsy excuse, revealed his identity, and asked Knoblauch how come he was so trustful. As it turned out, the Lane was playing a 3-D film, the reporter couldn’t have seen it without the special glasses, and he couldn’t have gotten the glasses without paying an admission. The amusement tax bureau of the City of Philadelphia last week stated that if and when the federal 20 per cent admissions tax is ended, the city law states that roll form tickets must still be numbered consecutively from one to one million and then one-A, one-B, etc. It was also explained that actually the city tax increases when the federal tax goes, off. For example, on a $1 base, this was previously established as a price of 77 cents plus eight cents city tax plus 15 cents federal tax. If the federal tax goes off, the base becomes 91 cents plus 10 cents city tax, or $1.01, which the city expects will be actually worked out to 90 cents base plus 10 cents city tax, or $1. However, the bureau indicated that there is a possibility that the city tax may also be dropped. vice-chairman from $4,500 to $5,000. . . . Condolences were extended to MGM branch manager Lou Formato upon the death of his mother, Angela. William Goldman’s neighborhood Esquire, was reported closing. It was understood that the closing is due as a result of a dispute with the landlord over the cost of installing 3-D equipment. Goldman’s lease on the property runs well into the 1960’s. James A. Michener, author, UA’s “Return To Paradise,” a resident of Doylestown, Pa., was honored by the City as an outstanding Delaware Valley resident at ceremonies in the mayor’s reception room. He was presented with a certificate of recognition and a framed print of Independence Hall. UA exploiteer Max Miller made the arrange¬ ments in connection with the opening at William Goldman Circuit’s Midtown. A1 Davis, Fried Circuit executive, went on the sick list last week, and was laid up at his home. The World is due to reopen today (Aug. 5). . . . The Model is on a twoweek closing notice. Vine Street John Golder, the Jam Handy man, is back in action again after convalescing from an ailment, and will take to the road again soon. The legislature increased the salary of Mrs. Edna R. Carroll, chairman, State Board of Motion Picture Censors, from $5,500 to $6,000 annually and the The trade was sorry to learn that G. F. Wui’tele, father of Lester Wurtele, Columbia branch manager, had suffered a heart attack. . . . U-I salesman Francis Charles, who was taken seriously sick while upstate, went home to New Eng¬ land to recuperate. . . . RKO booker John Phelan was back part time follow¬ ing a lengthy illness. Exchange Locals F-7, front office, and B-7, back room, came to a settlement with distributors’ negotiators on a new contract, which calls for a $4 increase back to December, 1952, an increase in minimum pay for new employees, and an increase when the employee becomes a union member after 60 days, instead of the former 90 days. Mae Greenus, 20th-Fox booker, under¬ went a minor operation at Temple Hos¬ pital. . . . Myra Lukoff, 20th-Fox bookers’ stenographer, announced her engagement to Morty Margolis. . . . Jack Forscher, 20th-Fox booker, was on the sick list. . . . Lillie Rosentoor, 20th-Fox booker, was back from her vacation. On vacation at 20th-Fox were office manager’s secretary Florence Resnick, booker Ethel Rudick, biller Anna Kreal, Ginnie Owens, contract clerk, and Hattie Fox, bookers’ stenographer. . . . Para¬ mount salesman Herman Rubin was again on the very sick list. ... The National Screen Service-Independent ORDER NOW! A prompt order will reserve your New and Improved 3-D POLALITE glasses and insure delivery for your future dates! Samples Now Available Orders now being taken by HIGHWAY EXPRESS LINES, INC. 1638 Third Street, N. E. Washington, D. C. DuPont 7-7200 236 N. 23rd Street Philadelphia 3, Pa. LOcust 4-0100 August 5, 1953 PHILA.-WASH.