The Exhibitor (1951)

NT-4 Recruiting services went all out recently to cooperate with “Red” King, RKO Boston, Boston, in connection with the opening of U-I’s “Air Cadet.” They pro¬ vided the above display for the lobby. As a result, attention was created. pointment of Samuel Scheckter, ex-man¬ ager, Colonial, as manager, Court Square, Springfield, Mass., replacing Gerry London. Joe Ruggerio, manager, Lyric, was appointed to the advertising-promotion committee, Park Street Board of Trade. . . . Bernie Farmer, former Allyn aide, now in the navy, dropped in to chat with manager Ray McNamara. . . . New Burnside aides are Lorraine and Pauline Demers. . . . Attorney Joseph L. Shulman, Shulman Theatres, and Mrs. Shulman are in Europe on a vacation. . . . Joe Shea, Columbia exploiteer, huddled with George E. Landers, E. M. Loew’s Theatres, and Eddie Harrison, Bijou, Springfield, Mass., on “M.” James Bernardo is the new projection¬ ist at the Rialto. . . . Bill Benn, pro¬ jectionist, Shulman Circuit, was expected back following a leave of absence. For “Lullaby of Broadway,” manager Jim McCarthy. Strand, promoted a news¬ paper coop, ad on Doris Day recordings with nine retail record stores. . . . Ray McNamara, manager, Allyn, had one of those rare coincidences of fate when playing “The Lemon Drop Kid.” An elderly woman ruptured a muscle in her abdomen while laughing at the picture. The news hit page one of many news¬ papers in this area. Lou Rogow and Frank McWeeney, Jr., Waterbury. reopened their 800-car Pine Drive-In, Waterbury, for the 1951 sea¬ son. Also reopened was the Memorial Avenue Drive-In, West Springfield, American Theatres Corporation. The trade was sorry to hear that I. J. Hoffman has resigned as Warner Thea¬ tres zone manager in the New England district. Hoffman was a veteran in the field, and at one time operated theatres with his brother, Bernard E. Hoffman. The houses were later sold to Warners, and in 1929 Hoffman became the zone chief for the company. In conjunction with U-I’s “Air Cadet,’’ Fred R. Greenway, manager, and Lee Feigin, assistant manager, Loew-Poli Palace, tied up with Captain Charlie Hadfield, public information officer, 103rd Fighter-Interceptor Wing, U. S. Air EXHIBITOR Force, stationed at Brainerd Field, for intensive promotion. Bernie Stevens, who resigned as as¬ sistant manager, Princess, to go into defense work, is back. . . . Arnold C. Greenberg, son of the Center owner, was named valedictorian of the Weaver High School Class cf 1951. . . . Edward Dailey is new at the Palace, and Mrs. Mabel Cronin was named aide at the Princess. New night maintenance man at the Prin¬ cess is John Flaherty. New Britain Ralph W. Carenza, for the past five years assistant manager, Strand, has been promoted to manager, Art, Springfield, Mass. He succeeds Jim Cotoia. Newington Redecorating of the Newington was completed. George Hudak, manager, Newington, left. Paul S. Purdy, general manager, Kounaris-Tolis Theatres, is temporarily supervising the house. Nick Kounaris, K-T partner, flew up from his winter vacation at St. Petersburg, Fla., and then went south again. Norwich The Norwich-New London Drive-In resumed operations, Bruno Weingarten again serving as manager. Joe S. Boyle, manager, Loew-Poli, planted two newspaper contests for “Father’s Little Dividend.’’ ... For the second time, the State Labor Relations Board ruled in favor of management of Lord’s against the projectionists’ union. Massachusetts Lowell Arthur Rosenbush, manager, Palace, recently made a tieup with the Fred Astaire studios during the showing of “Royal Wedding,” giving coupons for free dance analysis to all patrons. The studio advertised in the newspapers, and a display was set up in the theatre lobby. . . . Howard Given, former assist¬ ant manager, Palace, resigned. Lynn The Colony has a new manager, Hugh Cairns, formerly of Loew’s Lancaster, Boston. Manager Cairns has been with¬ out an assistant since John Cooper re¬ signed. E. M. Lcew called on Ed Myerson, manager, Capitol, to manage his local onen air theati'e for a time at least. Fred Caldwell, manager for several years, will continue as a relief man, and Rose Gluck, assistant, Capitol, will have ad¬ ditional duties. . . . The engagement of Leona Stanwood, Capitol, to Arthur Bur¬ gess has been announced. New Hampshire Concord To promote “Salerno Beachhead’’ and “The Fighting Sullivans,” Leon Dussault, manager, Star, arranged with a Two Hartford, Conn., theatremen who recently “got into the act,” and reen¬ acted a sequence from U-I’s “Up Front” as an exploitation gag are Norm Levin¬ son, left, assistant manager, Loew-Poli, and the theatre’s manager, Lou Cohen. National Guard battery to bring up heavy equipment outside the theatre while the lobby displayed machine guns and small arms. Three-sheet posters were carried on each side of the M-4 tractor, which made a three-mile trip from the state arsenal to the Star. A nine-ton 90-millimeter gun was the prin¬ cipal outdoor attraction, manned by four National Guardsmen, while a dozen other soldiers explained the other equip¬ ment. Manager Dussault designed his own jumbo sign above the marquee, and strung flags and banners around the theatre. Dover Those who attended the reopening of the Starway Drive-In received a free treat of potato chips and a soft drink. Manchester A summer sportswear show was pre¬ sented for two days at the State. Joseph T. Riley, projectionist, Palace, died following several weeks’ illness. He was a member of Local 195. Vermont Bennington The Bennington Drive-In reopened. Newport The Derby-Port Drive-In will reopen early in May. Don McNally, manager, stated. J. D. Levine, chief projectionist, is home from Florida to supervise renovations. Laurence Berry, former projectionist, Strand, now the Playhouse, was elected a Masonic Lodge officer. Frank A. Vennett, manager, Para¬ mount, has been appointed a member of the Chamber of Commerce conventions committee. Variety Club Connecticut, Tent 31 At the recent directors’ meeting, no decision was reached as to proposed quarters. April 25, 1951