The Exhibitor (1951)

NT-4 EXHIBITOR When W. E. Gross came to Lebanon Junction, Ky., recently to take over the managership of the St. Clair, coowned by Otto Marcum, Louisville, Ky., he brought with him his knowledge of ad¬ vertising and general promotion work in the theatre. One of Gross’ latest stunts is one in which the theatre and mer¬ chants have joined forces to present free passes to students for outstanding achievement. Gross selects a particular town each month and gives the outstand¬ ing students, as well as their teachers, passes to the theatre. Ohio Columbus Following a suggestion of Norman Nadel, theatre editor, The Columbus Citizen, about 22 neighborhood theatres of the Academy Circuit, Fred Rowlands Theatres, H. and S. Theatres, and Miles Circuit launched a 60-day trial “main feature at 8:30 p.m.” policy. The Victor, Miles Circuit neighbor¬ hood, was damaged by fire, and was ex¬ pected to be closed for a week, according to Walter Miles. . . . Robert Sokol, man¬ ager, Loew’s Ritz, Pittsburgh, for two years, has been named manager, Loew’s Broad. He succeeds Carl Rogers, pro¬ moted to manager, Loew’s Dayton, O. Cecil B. De Mille testified on behalf of a “right to work’’ bill before the Ohio Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. The bill would outlaw union shops in Ohio industries, and has the support of P. J. Wood, secretary, Independent The¬ atre Owners of Ohio. Milton Hale, Paramount exploitation director, Detroit, and Walter Kessler, manager, Loew’s Ohio, greeted De Mille. RKO Palace is conducting a contest with The Ohio State Journal to identify “The Thing.” Drive-in theatres are “fighting a battle for survival” because of television com¬ petition and high operating costs, said Jack Armstrong, Bowling Green, Ohio, before the House Taxation Committee. “The drive-ins are in a serious condition. Competition from TV, which is for free, is becoming terrific. A majority of the drive-ins would show no profit whatever except for their refreshment conces¬ sions,” said Armstrong. He pointed out that the state’s 200 drive-ins can operate only a few months a year because of in¬ clement weather. The committee was con¬ sidering the proposal to permit town¬ ship trustees to levy an admissions tax. Armstrong is a member of the taxation committee of the association. Others who appeared include Mrs. Ethel Miles, Horace Shock, James Dempsey, and Car¬ los Crum. Six cities and seven Ohio counties have outlawed “Bingo” following the Ohio Su¬ preme Court’s decision refusing to re¬ view rulings by the Common Pleas and Appeals Courts, Cuyahoga County, which had declared invalid a Cleveland ordi¬ nance requiring “Bingo” operators to pay a license fee. At least 19 cities still permit the game. Cities which have banned “Bingo” include Cleveland, Can¬ ton, East Liverpool, Steubenville, Ashta¬ bula, Painesville, and Massillon. The game has been outlawed in the counties of Cuyahoga, Mahoning, Lake, Lorain, Geauga, Jefferson, Columbiana, and Pickaway. Franklin County drive-ins increased their admissions to 60 cents, an increase from the 50 cents charged last season. So far, the only two drive-ins to open for the season were the South and the National Auto, both of the Academy Circuit. The Miles Auto Theatres and the Frank Yassenoff-Harold Schwartz drive-ins were expected to be open soon. The RKO Palace is cooperating in the WLW “Star Seaich” with finals to be held on the Palace stage. . . . Loew’s Ohio and the Fred Astaire dance studio staged a contest to find the best local samba dancers. Pennsylvania Baden Phil Smith, Boston, who operates the drive-in near here, named William Pow¬ ell manager. Bradford Mary L. Sanders, veteran theatrical promotion man, for the past eight years connected with the Dipson Theatres Cir¬ cuit, resigned to manage the Seneca Drive-In, Geneva, N. Y., owned and operated by the Seneca Drive-In, Inc., Louis Drew, president-general manager. Esther Sanders, Sanders’ wife, who has operated the concession stand at the Dipson Bradford for the past year, goes to the new location as manager of the drive-in concession for Tri-States Auto¬ matic Candy Corporation. Butler James Geibel, who has been running a 16mm. drive-in for several years on the mad to Chicora, purchased 35mm. ma¬ chines from National Theatre Supply, and added 75 speakers, making 175 in all. Erie The wife of B. G. Beyland, Folly, was seriously ill with the flu. . . . J. Kenneth Blakely, Keller’s, Northeast, Pa., and the Grand, Westfield. N. Y., is about after convalescence following a heart attack. He expects to be back at his office in two weeks. . . . Charles Bick, Plaza, dressed his entire house staff in typical “Valen¬ tino” costumes as an advance plug for the picture. Grading and other work on Pete Camerlo’s proposed drive-in on Route 19 five miles from downtown Erie has been dis¬ continued. . . . Joe Gold and William Coleman were in lining up bookings for the opening of the Lawrence Park and Star Drive-Ins. Franklin Mr. and Mrs. Ray Woodard, Kayton and Orpheum, returned from the vaca¬ tion they won from MGM at Sun Valley, Idaho. Johnstown The Westmont Drive-In will open on April 17 under new management. George R. Gartland. who also owns the Roxy, Johnstown, Pa., will be the new operator. Meadville Fraternities at Allegheny College staged their hazing of pledgelings dur¬ ing Holy Week, and, in turn, helped Lee Conrad advertise his attraction at the Park. The program showing was “Pre¬ historic Women” and “Rogue River.” One student carried a sign on his back stating that “ this film was banned in Boston.” The Pickard Construction Company, Buffalo, is transforming Ralph Shadely’s Academy into a beautiful theatre. The entire job is expected to be through by May 15. The theatre is staying open during the modernization by closing weekday afternoons only. Richland Township Marco Ranalli, Ranalli’s Drive-In, completed a beautiful brick home over¬ looking the drive-in. From one large living room window, the entire family can watch the show with the aid of spe¬ cial installed speakers. West Virginia Clarksburg Although he said an opening date was uncertain because of the weather, Clar¬ ence Snyder, owner, Snyder’s Drive-In, was getting the outdoor amusement cen¬ ter ready for the spring kickoff. An artificial lake has been added during the winter, and will be illuminated at night. A shipment of new animals, for the children’s zoo, was expected to arrive for the opening. Snyder’s was the only Clarksburg theatre to feature the popu¬ lar pony range last season as well as several kiddie promotions. Of the other Clarksburg ozoners, the Warner Skyline opened, and the Sunset was expected to open on April 6. The Twilite Drive-In was one of the first West Virginia outdoor operations to kick off for the new season. The Starlite, Fairmont, and the Friendly, Mont¬ rose, W. Va., opened also. Elkins “No foolin’, we’re opening April 1,” was the copy used by Gray Barker for the Elkins Drive-In, which opened on All Fool’s Day. The outdoor operation is owned by Bretsel Lang and Harold Tal¬ bott, Elkins. D. E. Lovett, owner, Lovett and Company, Clarksburg DeVry Equip¬ ment firm, attended the opening with his wife and secretary, Virginia Howell. Several other exhibitors and trade repre¬ sentatives were in attendance, including Mr. and Mrs. William Kisner, owners, Bartow Drive-In, Bartow, W. Va., were to open on April 12. Grafton The Grafton Drive-In opened with a new gimmick, giving orchids flown from Hawaii to the first 100 ladies attending. Candy was given to all children, and S. O. Summers, manager, reported a successful opening. Newest addition is an electric attraction board, constructed by the Clarksburg Neon Company, and featuring Wagner glass and letters. Gray Barker books and exploits the outdoor situation. April 11, 1951