The Exhibitor (1949)

NT-4 THE EXHIBITOR TRAVELLING AROUND WITH LEW HERB (Lew Herb continues his trip through the mideast territory Ed.) Our next call in Louisville, Ky. , took us over to Third Street, where we visited the Falls City Theatre Equipment Company, operated by William Carrell, Sr., assisted by Wil liam, Jr. , plus J. Ray Mattingly, in addition to a few others. We found a completely stocked theatre equip¬ ment store in a non¬ exchange center city. Carrell has been in this field for the past 35 years, and carries just about everything a theatre needs, in addit¬ ion to a complete line of I6mm. equip¬ ment and many allied lines. Many out-of-town exhibitors stop over here enroute to and from Indianapolis. Plus carrying one of the most com¬ plete stocks we have ever seen as¬ sembled under one roof, Carrell has turned over a portion of the second floor to KATO for its use for meetings, complete with conference room, offices, etc,. Another portion of this same floor boasts a screening room that also acts as a display of equipment in stock. A complete repair department is another feature of the store, even to the services of a sound engineer. Prank H. Riffle, former Altec engineer, who tired of the road after about 20 years, and decided to settle down at home. Although his duties still take him out-of-town, he gets home much oftener and has more time for his family and and friends. We had the pleasure of shaking hands with Joe and Bill Reiss, both nephews of Henry Reiss, veteran local exhibitor and one of the members of Amusement Enterprises, which operates several theatres here in Louisville, including the Oak, Ideal, Park, and Tower, with offices in the Rex building. Dropping in there next, we chatted with Henry Reiss, and Louis P. Steuerle, one of the pioneers of the industry in this area. In fact, Steuerle started back in 1906 when his law business, which he first entered after being graduated from St. Xavier in 1898 and the University of Louisville in 1901, led him into this new field, through a Colonel Hopkins, who was, at that time, operating a vaudeville circuit here and an amusement center at St. Louis. He first became associated with the business at the old Liederkranz Hall, and a couple of years later opened the Broadway, which is now operated by a nephew, Eugene J. Steuerle, who is also a lawyer. Reiss entered the field at about this same time, operating an air¬ drome, one of the fore-runners of the present drive-in, the only difference being it had seats, and if it rained you got wet. Since nephews Joe and Bill took over much of the operation of the business 10 years ago, Henry Reiss has bound time to do a bit of travel¬ ling, and, up until last year, when he developed a bit of heart trouble, and did’ nt even get to take in the races at Churchill Downs, which he hasn’t missed for years, he had journeyed south every winter. He was taking it easy, though. MC KEESPORT (Continued from preceding page) The McKresport theatres put up a very good fight against the amusement tax, headed by Lou F'ordan, representative, who is the city manager for the Memorial and Victor, the Warner houses, Fordan also represented the Capitol and Liberty, operated by Joseph Weiss Theatres. The fight, however, was in vain, as Fordan presented protest petitions with thousands of names. MONESSEN This community is one of the two in Western Pennsylvania having motion picture houses threatened by under¬ ground burning coal mines. Several homes on the outskirts of town are seriously threatened and the main fire is burning towards the town it¬ self. Monessen is the site of the re¬ cently opened newest Manos. MONONGAHELA Bill Gray, ownerop era tor, Bentley, is once more making his weekly visits to Pittsburgh Film Row with his left arm in a sling, following slipping on the ice shortly after the first of the year, which caused him to suffer from a broken wrist. NEW KENSINGTON Fred Serrao, manager. Circle, received a lot of good natured kid¬ ding by his patrons following a recent appearance of a special artist type newspaper ad, advertising “When My Baby Smiles at Me’ ’ , showing Serrao dancing with Dan Dailey and Betty Grable. The Circle kiddie patrons have been informed that their giant screen party every Saturday is the largest of its type in Pennsylvania. It is not at all unlikely that early spring will see the beginning of construction of a new 1500-seat theatre. MYERSDALE Lawrence "Larry” Lowstutter and his family recently returned from a quickie winter vacation inFlorida, where they drove to enjoysome hot weather, while Larry, Jr. was on his mid-term vacation from Duquense University, Pittsburgh. NEW CASTLE LeRoy Furman, home office official. Gamble Enterprises, was in Pittsburgh recently on business. With Furman were J. Glenn Bull, Penn, and Robert "Bob” Cooney, Victor, both under operation of Gamble Enterprises. PERRYOPOLI S A planning consultant has been called in to advise this town how to spend its $1,400,000 inheritance. The president of the Community Plan¬ ning Association recently announced the appointment of Clifton E. Rodgers, Rochester, Pa. to make a survey. He will complete his economic, topo¬ graphic, and geographic study in three to six months. Michael Karolcik,who operates the Perry, is one of the leading stustees for the huge fund. West Virginia CHARLESTON West Virginia cities would be per¬ mitted to impose local amusement or admission taxes under a bill intro¬ duced in the legislature by delegate Maloney, Kanawha County Democrat. MILL CREEK The newly constructed 500seat the¬ atre, the Pictureland, built by Ralph Parrack, opened here late in January. Parrack also operates the Mountain State Theatres, southern West Vir¬ ginia circuit. LEW HERB More pictures taken by Lew Herbonhis recent trip through evelt, Bentleyvil le, Pa.; Mrs. Mary Anton, Anton, Ho the mideast territory show Steve Medve, manager, Roos nongahela. Pa. , and Sam Gould, Arcadia, Pittsburgh. February 16, 1949