The Exhibitor (1953)

NT-6 EXHIBITOR Shirley Booth, star of Hal Wallis’ Para¬ mount production, “Come Back, Little Sheba,” is seen in New York City re¬ cently accepting from Leo Mishkin, motion picture editor, The Morning Tele¬ graph, and chairman, New York Film Critics’ Club, the group’s “best actress” award for her performance. several months ago. Arnold Leapard, who took over during the absence of man¬ ager Payette, has been assigned as Warner Theatres’ city manager at the Frederick and Tivoli, Frederick, Md. . . . John M. Hersh returned to be house manager, Maryland. — L. Me. W. Leonardtown Mrs. Ray Trumbule, wife of the pro¬ motion manager, Southern Maryland Theatres, had the flu. New Jersey Camden The Tower closed on Feb. 4. It has been sold for commercial purposes. Trenton Assemblyman Arnold M. Smith, Pater¬ son, N. J., offered a bill in the lower House of the legislature to require thea¬ tres or other places of amusement ex¬ hibiting telecast of boxing or wrestling performances to obtain an annual license from the State Athletic Commissioner, and pay tax equal to 10 per cent gross admission receipts or 10 per cent of monies paid television station or spon¬ soring agency if no admission is charged. Pennsylvania Harrisburg For “Thunderbirds,” B. J. Bispeck, Senate, had window displays in promi Dave Garroway holds up some Toulouse Lautrec posters for the TV audience while Colette Marchand relaxes during her recent interview on “Today,” NBC-TV program. Miss Marchand ap¬ pears in United Artists’ “Moulin Rouge.” TRADE SCREENINGS Philadelphia RKO— (250 North 13th) Feb. 17, 10:30, “Port Sinister” (James Warren, Lynne Roberts); 2:30, “Count The Hours” (Theresa Wright, Macdonald Carey). Warners — (230 North 13th) March 4, 2, “The Blue Gardenia” (Anne Baxter, Richard Conte, Ann Sothern). nent locations at department stores with posters and National Guard equipment. One hundred cards 22x28 were distribu¬ ted, special army equipment was displayed outside of the theatre six days before opening in cooperation with the National Guard and Army Air Force, including army tanks, anti-aircraft guns, jeeps, etc., and a special convoy parade dis¬ playing “Thunderbirds” play date on large cards, which passed through town each day ending at the square in front of the theatre. The mayor signed a proclamation for “National Guard Day” in conjunction with the opening day, and this resulted in photo art. A special live radio broadcast ceremony on opening night plugged the film with speeches delivered by two generals. A big banner front outside included a special lobby idsplay. A large 15-foot screen was placed on top of the marquee, and upon this was projected a National Guard film and the “Thunderbirds” trailer, with sound equipment. Mildred George Gatta’s Mildred burned down in a fire that destroyed many other properties. Reading Most theatres here helping “The March of Dimes” 1953 campaign were complet¬ ing their reports. . . . The Park, Emanuel Rosenberg, manager, is holding a series of Saturday morning feature shows for children, with prizes. A unique dual celebration took place at Fabian’s Embassy on Jan. 23 when Paul E. Glase, manager, celebrated a birthday and on the same date marked his 40th year of theatre activities here. Glase started his theatre activities in 1905 as producer of local minstrel and musical entertainments, continuing until 1913, when he entered publicity work for most of the houses then in town. On his birthday, Glase was surrounded in his office by a group of employees, who gifted him with a gold wrist watch and band. Later, he received a leather brief case from the managers of other thea¬ tres, all close friends, including Larry Levy, Loew’s; Birk Binnard, Warner, and Lester Stallman and Paul H. Easterly, Schad Theatres. He was greatly touched. Theatres will be asked to help in the annual campaign of the Reading-Berks Heart Association to raise $10,000. Virginia Richmond Bob Eagan put on one of those spook shows at the National, the “Ray-mond Voodoo Show.” . . . Charlie Smith sold out his florist business, and is now work The Variety Club of Washington, Tent 11, recently presented a check for $2,000 to the Metropolitan Police Boys Club on the Mark Evans TV show over WTOPTV. Seen, left to right, are Evans: Mor¬ ton Gerber, chairman, Variety Club’s welfare committee; Vice-President Rich¬ ard Nixon; Major Robert V. Murray, District police chief, and Ralph D. Pitt¬ man, president, Metropolitan Police Boys Club. ing full time in the State booth. . . . George Peters played the first of the MGM revival shows at Loew’s, “Grand Hotel” and “Weekend at the Waldorf.” . . . Howard Powers, Colonial boothman, and Fitz Anderson, Loew’s, were both out with the flu. . . . Sam Pulliam, Grand manager, was confined for several days with the flu. . . . Bob Eagan, National manager, was taking part of his vaca¬ tion resting at home. . . . The premiere of “Never Wave At A Wac’? at the Byrd and State was big. . . . Sympathy is extended to Grover Finch, retired National projectionist, who lost his wife. . . . The Twin Pines Drive-In is the sole outdoor theatre in operation in this section. . . . Burglars broke into the Grand, and stole “The March of Dimes” and Will Rogers Memorial Hospital col¬ lection jars. . . . John Z.enner, former manager, Westhampton, is now asso¬ ciated with the McKimmie Motor Company. — S. T. Roanoke A furnace fire did slight damage to the basement of the Salem building. Variety Club Tent 13, Philadelphia “The Hitch-Hiker” was screened through the courtesy of RKO. Richard Conte, accompanied by his wife and son, recently arrived in New York to aid in the promotion of his recently completed U-I feature, “Desert Legion.” February 11, 1953