The Exhibitor (1951)

NT-4 EXHIBITOR New England disc jockeys Bob Perry, WLAW; Kay Dorey, WHDH, and Norm Prescott, WOKL, salute Doris Day on the occasion of Boston’s recent celebra¬ tion of “Doris Day’s Day” held in con¬ junction with the opening of Warners’ new Technicolor musical, “Lullaby of Broadway” at Paramount and Fenway. Lowell Arthur Keenan, manager, Strand, and Mrs. Keenan were hosts at the wedding reception following the marriage of thendaughter, Miss Dolores M. Keenan, to Edward W. Haley. . . . The Tyngsboro Drive-In, Tyngsboro, Mass., was the first of the neighborhood drive-ins to reopen. . . . Norman Glassman, owner, Rialto, is chairman of the annual Kiwanis “Star¬ let Show.” Latest movie reviewers are students of Lowell Textile Institute, who review screen offerings in their weekly news¬ paper, The Lowell Text. . . .Mrs. Floyd Beharrel thanked managers of theatres for their splendid cooperation in the American Red Cross drive for funds. . . . Scotty Callahan, stage manager, RKOKeith’s, has been named a member of the board of trustees of Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Lynn Joseph Comeau, Capitol staff, now in the army at Camp Edwards, Mass., re¬ turned on a furlough to marry Barbara Fillian. Leland Perry, veteran member of the Lynn fire department, succeds Comeau at the theatre, and will be an assistant to Charles Corson, 82, the old¬ est theatre fireman in New England. Henry McDermott, Paramount, re¬ turned after illness. Salem Work on -Loew’s new Salem has been held up until new plans can be drawn. ... A petition for a change in the zon¬ ing laws, filed in City Council by Ernest Belleau, who proposes to erect an open air theatre on Highland Avenue, will be given a public hearing and will meet with opposition from Lynn property own¬ ers as well as Salem citizens. Springfield A poll of Springfield and Western Massachusetts exhibitors has revealed that television has not affected local at¬ tendance to any great extent in the past year. There are one or two exceptions, however. Harry Smith, general manager, Western Massachusetts, noted that on “fight nights” the attendance dropped off. Smith also added that the recent Kefauver investigation telecasts from New York affected business. Charley Hurley, manager of four Rifkin houses, agreed, but noted that “Born Yesterday” was showing at the Phillips the night of a big fight, and “we had to turn them away,” he said. Rifkin — Earl Hanna is the new Liber¬ ty head. . . . The Strand, Jefferson, and Liberty are featuring kiddie shows on Saturday afternoons. . . . Herman Rif¬ kin, and George Roberts, chief booker, toured the circuit. Roberts was back from a month in Florida. . . . Armand Yvon, maintenance man, was repainting the Liberty lobby, having just finished the Phillips. . . . Dave Howard, former assistant to Jim Altree, Jefferson, heads the Strand. . . . Charley Hurley, Phillips, was back from New York City. New Hampshire Concord Enactment of a new one per cent sales tax with no exemptions, together with increases in present taxes on liquor, beer, tobacco, and racing, was recom¬ mended by Governor Sherman Adams to raise $5,800,000 a year in additional an¬ nual revenue to balance the New Hamp¬ shire state budget. An alternative pro¬ gram, without the sales tax, also was outlined by the governor. This would include the same higher rates of taxes on liquor, beer, tobacco, and racing but, instead of the sales tax, would add: a 10 per cent admissions tax, a five per cent tax on all meals costing a dollar or more, and a tax on soft drinks at the rate of one cent per nickel bottle. Laconia Inaugural ceremonies for city officials were held at the Colonial. Rhode Island Cranston The Cranston Auto Theatre was open¬ ed with H. Raymond Caine continuing as manager. Johnston The Pike Drive-In opened for its first full season since conmplete remodelling and rebuilding with a policy of two changes of double features weekly. Lew Breyer, general manager, hearlded the opening with large newspaper ads, and mailed programs. The theatre opened in time to gain the spotlight by contributing $100 to The Journal-sponsored fund for a young amputee, and by planning a benefit performance for the youngster. Breyer is being aided by George Card as manager. Pawtucket Private funeral services were held in Edgewood, R. I., for Martin R. Toohey, 63, manager, Leroy, for the past 13 years. Beginning his theatre career as a helper at the old Keith, Providence, he had appeared in vaude for some time as a member of the team of Toohey and Lafoye, and had been a member of the Scenic Stock Company. In 1913, he be¬ came asociated with the Emery Brothers, operators of the Carlton, Majestic, Rialto, Modern, and Capitol, and con¬ tinued for two years when Edward M. Fay assumed the Emery properties in 1926. He had held one of the first projectionist licenses in the state. The Center was damaged heavily by smoke as result of a fire originating in curtains in the rear of the house just before the theatre was to be opened for the first of a series of religious services at noon. The blaze was discovered by Edward Lilly, janitor, who attempted to extinguish it while Mrs. Dan Hyland, concession manager, summoned firemen. The theatre was reopened two days later. Providence Loew’s State, Maurice Druker, man¬ ager, reverted to stage and screen policy for one week. Dave Levin, manager, RKO Albee, tied in with the Arthur Murray Dancing School and a music store for “Bird of Paradise.” The dancing school gave cer¬ tificates for lessons in a “Bird of Para¬ dise Waltz,” and the first 75 boys at¬ tending the Saturday performance re¬ ceived ukeles. Vermont Newport Richard Marshall, Peterborough, N. H., has been appointed manager, Burns, to succeed Joseph Hackett, who resigned to enter goverment service in Honolulu. Marshall formerly was with the Para¬ mount, Newton, Mass., and Egyptian, Brighton, Mass. Randolph Twin sons, weighing three and four pounds, were born to Richard Fowler, projectionist, Playhouse, and Mrs. Fow¬ ler. Rutland The Grand gave a special late after¬ noon showing of “Macbeth” for high school literature classes and other stu¬ dents. Variety Club Tent 31, Connecticut Herman M. Levy was installed as Chief Barker, Variety Club of Connec¬ ticut, Tent 31, in the Race-brook Coun¬ try Club, Orange. Others installed were: Ben Simon, First Assistant Chief Bark¬ er; George M. Wilkinson, Jr., Second Assistant Chief Barker; Sam Germaine, Dough Guy, and Henry Germaine, Prop¬ erty Master. Lou Brown presented the retiring chief barker, Ray Wylie, with a gift in behalf of the club. Speakers were Colonel William McCraw, Texas; Hy Fine, Boston, and C. E. Lewis, New York. Those at the head table included Charles Smakwitz, Albany, and Maury Weiss. Arthur Lockwood, Boston, was toastmaster. There were 125 people in attendance. Among these were a large group from Boston, including Ben Rosen¬ berg, Harry Browning, Chet Stoddard, Ed Cuddy, Lou Gordon, E. Sternberg, and others. April 11, 1951