The Exhibitor (1951)

NT-2 EXHIBITOR Shown in Washington, D. discussing the forthcoming premiere of Republic’s “The Fighting Coast Guard” at the War¬ ner are George Crouch, Warner zone manager; Frank LeFalce, director of advertising and publicity for Warner Theatres, Washington; Republic branch manager Jake Flax, and James R. Grainger, Republic executive vice presi¬ dent in charge of sales and distribution. Warners, on the occasion of his 35th year in the industry. He was gifted with a crystal bowl, A. Julian Brylawski making the presentation. MGM— Dorothy Small, who does con¬ tract work, is recovering from a virus infection of the spine. . . . Betty Carter, biller, is back after having a battle with a cold. . . . Mary Suxnabick is the new assistant in the southern division office. . . . Paul Wall, assistant branch man¬ ager, returned after being ill. 20th-Fox — David Rosenthal, formerly with ELC, is now a salesman here. . . . February 22 was the birthday of Doris Curran. . . . The two O’Leary children, Maureen and John, Jr., auditioned for the Paul Whiteman show. RKO — Agnes Turner had a birthday on Feb. 20, and the office celebrated with morning coffee and cake. . . . Seymore Poe, a representative from Sol Lesser, spent a day in the office. . . . Hugh MacKenzie, publicity representative, was also in. . . . Joe Kushner is back after being ill, and the office was hoping that Herbie Doherty would follow Kushner’s example, and return minus his cold. Monogram — A1 Wheeler is the new office manager-booker, and Lois Holt is a new biller. John G. Broumas, left, Roth Circuit gen¬ eral manager; Charles Lipton, center, 20th-Fox field representative, and Meyer Keilsohn, Roth district manager, are pictured in Washington, D. C., as they recently met to plan the Roth Circuit’s campaign for 20th-Fox’s “The Mudlark.” Nat. Allied Chiefs At Phila. Meeting Philadelphia — Trueman T. Rembusch, president, National Allied; head of Allied of Indiana, and chairman, Al¬ lied’s national television committee, gave a technical explanation of television and its future effect on theatres as a feature of the 13th annual membership meeting and luncheon of Allied Independent The¬ atre Owners of Eastern Pennsylvania, Inc., last week. Rembusch said that Allied’s TV com¬ mittee’s plan was to get channels allo¬ cated in ultra high frequencies for theatre TV from the Federal Communi¬ cations Commission before these are gobbled up by other interests. He said that RCA patents were a stumbling block, that ridiculously high prices were being asked, and indicated that any and all large scale theatre TV including color TV, was a matter of several years away. He indicated exhibitors should United Artists — Lois Dean, office manager’s secretary, is going to New York to make her new home. . . . Lillie Rabe has just started taking over the duties of the branch manager’s secretary. Republic — Three gals were home com¬ plaining about the weather that gave them colds; Claire Cunningham, Jean¬ nette Adams, and Benita Meek. . . . Gladys Jackson came avisiting. She was a former Republic employee. Kay— Mr. C. Joseph De Mayo and his wife celebrated their 25th wedding anni¬ versary. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Carl Argent, Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Di Blasi, Sr., Mr and Mrs. F. P. Di Blasi, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Jacobson, Mr. and Mrs. George Nathan, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wells, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Williams, and Mr. and Mrs. Clement T. De Mayo. Warners — Mrs. Elaine Farmer is the new booker steno. . . . Catherine Davis had a birthday on Feb. 23. Theatre Advertising — Ben Siegel made a trip to Norfolk, Va. . . . Mrs. Louise Lewis’ girl Friday around the office has been home sick. Sandy — Sylvester Sandy was in Char¬ lotte, and Fred Sandy returned from a very successful trip to New York. Valley Enterprises — -Sam Roth is taking a much needed vacation in Flor¬ ida with his family. Hardie Meakin, Keith’s, after a seige in the hospital, is back in the swing of things. Maryland Baltimore J. L. Schanberger, Keith’s, arranged for the personal appearance at two per¬ formances on the opening day of “Bed¬ time for Bonzo,” of Diana Lynn, Jesse White, and Bonzo. In addition, Bonzo was taken to the University of Balti¬ more, where he came through a series of psychological tests with flying colors. ( Continued on next page) have no fear of Zenith’s Phonevision or Skiatron or several theatre TV systems being tried on temporary permits by larger circuits in larger cities. He stated that television stations were today op¬ erating in the red, and said he did not know how long they could keep up their very expensive experimentations, etc. He ruled out use of coaxial cable as entirely too expensive, and indicated that when the FCC takes off the freeze on “very high frequencies,’’ there will be theatre TV, and not before, and it is to protect itself against such time that the Allied television committee is on guard. Abram F. Meyers, general counsel, National Allied, gave the 115 theatremen, representing some 350 theatres, a message of courage, and pointed to the fact that all of the ills of the business today can not be traced to television. Rather, he said, that while business is failing while all other businesses are flourishing might be traced to install¬ ment selling, mortgages on homes, car carrying charges, etc., all cutting into boxoffice receipts. He indicated that the saturation point in these things had about been reached, and indicated that wartime economy was always okeh for the industry. Myers also stated the wave of adverse publicity the motion picture has received in books, in newspapers, on television, etc., had also hurt consider¬ ably. He said motion picture critics should realize they have a service to their readers and to the industry, and said exhibitors had to fight the current fad of panning pictures. Myers said he noted an improvement in the quality of product recently, and that The Wall Street Journal carried an article on the industry’s upturn. He also said that he had received reports of a waning interest in TV in heavily satu¬ rated TV territories. He concluded with a plea for a revival of effort and show¬ manship, promotional operations, etc., to revive public interest, and get the people back into theatres. Introduced by Sidney Samuelson, gen¬ eral manager, were A1 Myrick, presi¬ dent, Allied of Iowa and Nebraska, and Charles Niles, treasurer, National Allied. A film clinic, including Caravan Re¬ ports, followed, and the board of gover¬ nors met at the close of the session. The morning meeting featured annual reports and an election to the board of governors. Named from Philadelphia for a threeyear term were Ben Fertel, Milton Rogasner, and Morris Wax; from up¬ state Pennsylvania, Jack Greenberg and Larry Woodin, and for alternate gover¬ nors for one-year terms, Alfred J. Davis, Ardmore, Pa.; Max M. Korr, Allentown, Pa.; Mark Rubinsky, Harrisburg, Pa.; Lester J. Stallman, Reading, Pa.; Thomas P. Thomas, Taylor, Pa., and Thomas Lazarick and David Moliver, Philadelphia. The board of governors approved all actions of National Allied except COMPO, on which Eastern Allied re¬ solved to maintain its original position of the Oct. 17, 1950 resolution. It was decided that no action be taken one way or the other in connection with the inde¬ pendent poster companies vs National Screen Service suit until the next meet¬ ing on March 13. February 28, 195 j