The Exhibitor (1953)

NT-2 EXHIBITOR local representatives Abel and Silber, with headquarters at the Girard. Abel and Silber cover Pennsylvania, Mary¬ land, Delaware, and Washington, D. C. David Altman, manager, Rialto, was robbed by a gunman outside the theatre, and lost $400 in receipts. . . . “Mom and Dad,” sex education film, goes into the S-W Earle on Feb. 28 under a sub-leas¬ ing arrangement. The theatre closes on April 4, three weeks before its per¬ manently going, dark. <;'i r Frank L. McNamee, City Fire Com¬ missioner, became president, Philadelphia Eagles pro football team, succeeding James Clark, Highway Express. The Arcadia had a preview of “The Bad and The Beautiful.” Vine Street Paramount was host at a luncheon tendered for Rosemary Clooney, soon to be seen in “The Stars Are Singing.” Attending from the exchange were branch head Ulrik Smith, exploiteer Mike Weiss, head booker Ralph Garman, sales manager Herb Gillis, and Harry Dressier, while Herb Steinberg came down from the home office with Miss Clooney. Prominent exhibitors of the city and surrounding area were on hand for the luncheon, and Miss Clooney rendered two numbers, both of which were well received. Steinberg gave a sales talk. The Milgram Circuit is in immediate need of four good managers for both in town and out-of-town work. Kindly telephone David Milgram at BA 9-2900. U-I booker Ferd Fortunate was mighty happy to have his son, Marine Corps Sergeant Joe Fortunato, home on a 30-day leave. He left Japan, after 15 months service, telephoned his father from San Francisco, and came east on a navy bomber. Before entering the ser¬ vice, he worked in the Paramount ship¬ ping room. . . . Upstate exhibitor Harry Stiefel was seen around with his son, who was getting out of the army. Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Eastern Pennsylvania scheduled its 15th annual meeting for Feb. 24 at the Broadwood Hotel. The present status of third-dimension equipment and films will be the principal topic of discussion, and plans have been made to give all attend Miss Jerry Kay, assistant to producer Arch Oboler on UA’s “Bwana Devil,” recently appeared over WAAM-TV, Baltimore, Md., in a chat with Nick Campofreda on his “Sports Parade” pro¬ gram. Rodney Collier, manager, Stanley, made the arrangements. ing the most up-to-date information on this very vital subject affecting all thea¬ tres. Additionally, the organization must take positive action on pre-release and 50 per cent film rental policies of the distributors, and conduct the rest of the annual business. Sidney Samuelson, president-general manager, urges all to attend. The race among the sex picture dis¬ tributors is getting rather heated, with the various distributors jockeying for playdates and positions. From all re¬ ports, theatres playing the sex shows are doing very well with them, with the hottest money going to the first ones in every situation. There have been some cases where local pressures have been felt against theatres booking such attrac¬ tions, but these are said to be in the minority. With the area wide open for this type of show for the first time in history, theatremen’s eyes are being opened to the profit possibilities of this kind of picture, if they feel that they can play it. Alvin Goodwin, who is back at his old stamping grounds, 1309 Vine Street, with Quality Premium Distributors, Inc., has the second floor of the building for rent. It contains 1800 square feet. The lease includes heat and light, with private entrance. Goodwin is willing to make a good deal for the complete floor. Contact him at Quality. Alan Verbin, son of Moe Verbin, Stiefel-Blumberg Theatres, enters the University of Pennsylvania this fall to take up electrical engineering. Arthur Canton, MGM eastern press division representative, was in, and also visited Harrisburg, Pa. R. M. Doherty, 20th-Fox office mana¬ ger, was on the sick list. . . . The new telephone operator at 20th-Fox is Peggy Buchy. . . . Jack Weiss was back from a southern trip practically recovered from his illness. . . . Carl Munzer’s Holly¬ wood Printing and Mailing Service is moving to 1313 Vine Street on March 1. Nate Milgram, Deluxe Premiums, is all enthused about “something new and exciting” in the giveaway line, which is fully explained in his ad on another page of this edition of Exhibitor. . . . Max Miller, UA tub thumper, was back from Baltimore, Md., and Washington, D. C. . . . All of the branch managers met in UA branch manager Johnny Turner’s office to further plan “Brotherhood Week” solicitations. . . . Hunt Enterprises gave up its Vine Street offices. Allied Motion Picture Theatre Service has added the following to the accounts: Mahoning Drive-In, Lehighton, Pa.; Mid¬ way Drive-In, Hummelstown, Pa., and Millerstown Drive-In, Millerstown, Pa. At the time of going to press, Moe Verbin, Stiefel-Blumberg Theatres, was looking for a manager for the Senate, since Jack Smith was joining Allied Motion Picture Service, succeeding Hank Goldman, who went with Jack Harris. . . . Mrs. Esther Lazar is resigning from Boxoffice to assume the duties of a housewife. Walter H. Potamkin, formerly with Norman Lewis Theatres, has joined Columbia as city salesman. He is suc¬ ceeded by Joseph Kane, who leaves Jack Greenberg, with whom he has been asso¬ ciated as manager, Star, Camden, N. J., to join Lewis. Manny Lewis will be associated with his brother, Norman, in booking the Lewis houses. ... A job for an assistant manager in a city house is open. Call Exhibitor’s editorial depart¬ ment for further details on the assign¬ ment. Circuits Stanley-Warner Daniel Kaplowitz, youngest son of Arthur Murray Kaplowitz, started first grade. Mother and Daddy are nervous wrecks. . . . “Open-the-window-Janie Netzel” had a touch of the grippe, but is back feeling better. . . . The entire organization was shocked by the sudden death of Iz Wiernik, manager, Strand. He was one of the old time Stanley Com¬ pany men, and will be sadly missed by his fellow managers and many friends. Deepest sympathy is extended. Paul Castello’s tall, blonde, and hand¬ some son, Johnny, joined the navy. . . . Ellis Shipman is back after a long siege of illness looking wonderful. . . . Esther Flicker Neiman, formerly of the billing department, had a little boy. Mother and baby are doing fine. Seen at the recent installation of officers of the Variety Club of Washington, Tent 11, are, left to right, Nathan D. Golden, International Heart chairman; Jerry Adams, 1952 Chief Barker, with the plaque he received; Jack Beresin, International Chief Barker; Victor J. Orsinger, Chief Barker; Jake Flax, international representative; Morton Gerber, a past Chief Barker, and, in the rear, Colonel William McCraw, international executive director, and Dr. Charles W. Lowry, Tent 11 chaplain. February 11, 1953