The Exhibitor (Jun-Oct 1939)

New Haven colleagues for his novel cele¬ bration of the 17th anniversary of the theatre. He promoted a large birthday cake for his lobby and handed out samples of it to patrons. CONNECTICUT Bridgeport Latest name guest of manager Matt Saunders was Rosalind Russell, who vis¬ ited Loew-Poli during the showing of “The Women” and was a great help in bringing the theatre plenty of newspaper lineage. Wily William Elliott celebrated another birthday directly after his sidewalk broadcast for Loew-Poli, with Otto Esposito, the publicist as master of cere¬ monies. Athen Prakas was seen admiring the new winter coat of paint on the mar¬ quee of his Rivoli. Lyric reopened with A1 Domian as guiding hand, after several months of darkness. Assistant manager Robert Munzner and Emma Uresky, Majestic, did yeomen serv¬ ice is setting up the house’s division of the Loew-Poli theatre’s cavalcade with a 50-piece band, clowns, equestriennes and banners. Otto Esposito spotted book marks in the main library and seven branches plugging “The Rains Came,” at Loew-Poli. Assistant manager Anthony Masella, Globe, added another candle to his birthdav cake. Managers Matt Saundei's,, Morris Ros¬ enthal and Harry Rose, aided by their combined staffs, did a standout job in giv¬ ing Bridgeport its most stirring parade in jmars to inaugurate the new movie sea¬ son. Nate Fieman, still famous along the local rialto for his Charlie Chaplin im¬ personations during the last war period, is in demand with his golf movie shorts. East Side parents give Michael Carroll, American, praise and thanks for the man¬ ner in which he keeps their kids out of harm’s way on Saturday afternoons. Local Communists brought a pair of Soviet cinema classics to town, showing “The Youth of Maxim” and the “Re¬ turn of Maxim.” Manager Morris Rosenthal, Majestic, adds photography to his list of accom¬ plishments. Upswing in business at the General Electric plant took doorman William Col¬ lins and usher Fred Martin from the Warner. Bonnie Jackson now heads the usher¬ ettes at Loew-Poli. Best voice heard over Jay Johnson’s mike at the Pink Elephant is that of Mrs. Harry Neigher, wife of the Herald “Nite Life” reporter. Bristol Dennis Rich, manager, Cameo, has had his house redecorated. Those intricate displays in the lobby of the Cameo were all designed by Dennis. Bristol manager Victor Morelli also has lobby dominated with striking displays on fall hits. Usher Joe Tinelli, Bristol, is back on the job after an operation. Hartford Paul Binstock, Lyric, showed his mother-in-law the town. M. Oakley (Chris) Christoph, Courant, is back from England. THE EXHIBITOR Foreign Films season at Avery Memorial starts October 8 with the Russian film, “Alexander Nevsky.” Steuben Society will sponsor German films beginning October 15. Lou Cohen, Palace, is nursing a smashed foot attained during the recent Loew-Poli greater show season parade, which was covered by News of the Day and shown throughout the circuit. — J. T. Meriden Manager Joseph Samartano announces that vaudeville at the Loew-Poli Palace starts first week in October. Joe also re¬ ports great success on the New Season official opening. Mayor signed the Golden Jubilee scroll on a platform erected in front of the Palace. Neiv Britain Capitol, closed since spring, is expected to open again next month. Lillian Prills, Strand cashier, back on job after leave of absence spent in com¬ pleting a cruise. Leona Pruchnicki was relief cashier during her absence. Peter Perakos, Palace owner, sent two sons back to colleges. Stephen to Col¬ gate; John to University of Pennsylvania. Delegation from this city and several prominent men in trade from New Haven and New York attended opening of State, Jewett City, as guests of owners, Peter Perakos and Joseph Quittner. Moodus. “Bingo” season has opened. Two licenses were taken out, paying fee of $250. Seven ran last winter. Out of town combine is talked of opening monster game at Masonic Temple. Speery Perakos, assistant manager, United States, Hoboken, New Jersey, spent part of vacation visiting family home here. South Nonvalk Ellis Makin retired after 12 years as doorman of Rialto. Walter Gilmore suc¬ ceeded. Donald Bell replaced Daniel Covino, resigned usher. Tex Fletcher. “Lonely Cowboy,” personal-appears September 25-26 at the Rialto. W at erbury Steven Fruin, student assistant, LoewPoli, has resigned. Replacing him is door¬ man John McNamara. Joseph Sullivan, Loew-Poli doorman, has been replaced by Tommy Andrews. Another new addition to the Loew-Poli staff is Francis LaFlamme. Marian Sciascia, Loew-Poli cashier, has been inflicted with an eye infection. A recent visitor was Irving B. Hoff¬ man, New Haven. Rosalind Russell, visiting with her folks in Waterbury, accompanied them to Bridgeport to see “The Women.” Condolences are extended to Bob Witty, Loew-Poli staff, who is confined to his home with the grippe. Manager Bob Zoeller, Strand, is for¬ saking golf for the fall season, is turning all his attention to photography. Alhambra manager Carmen Mascoli is seriously thinking of installing new seats. Charming cashier of the Alhambra is Grace Rossi. MAINE Portland New uniforms have been ordered for the State staff, are due shortly. 23 An unseasonable heat wave was disas¬ trous to movie business here. Recess Time starts September 30 at the State for the second year. WCSH, Port¬ land’s NBC outlet, broadcasts the program each Saturday morning. Semi-pro football team, the Sagamores, started its Sunday football two Sundays ago, offering a new competition for Sun¬ day movies. Visitors: Mr. and Mrs. Bill Benjamin. National Screen representatives; Bill Brown, Dan Sullivan; Grove LeTarte, manager, Paramount, Fort Fairfield, who vacationed with his family at Old Orchard Beach. A. J. Moreau, popular district manager, M. and P. Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont district, was out ill. State scooped the town with special Paramount News shots of the sub Squalus’ raising and towing to the Ports¬ mouth Naval yard, which shots has pow¬ erful local interests; and also with the Athenia survivors landing in Halifax. Latter story also had special drawing power due to the fact that Guy Gannett, owner of the newspaper chain in Port¬ land and throughout Maine, sent his spe¬ cial plane and reporter to bring back Maine survivors and get their exclusive stories. S. Barret McCormick, RKO, invited local dramatic and movie critics to mam¬ moth preview of “Nurse Edith Cavell” in Boston. John Feloney, 20th Century-Fox sales¬ man, dropped in to visit with Fred Stone. Portland manager. A1 Swerdlove, from Federal Sales Com¬ pany, was in to see manager Stone. Port¬ land, to discuss various plans for new types of premiums. Morton Mack, usher, Strand, has left for Boston to enter his junior year at Boston University. Ed Coppinger and Robert Turner are new ushers, Strand. Leo Young is busy with plans for re¬ decorating his newly purchased house in¬ side and out. It is located on Washburn Avenue. (Callers please note.) Robert Duboy, chief usher, Portland, has returned to his post after an illness of about three weeks. MASSACHUSETTS Beverly Wilham Purcell’s Strand re-opened after being closed for complete renova¬ tions. Strand, Beverly, has a new marquee, installed by University Sign Shop, the genial Messrs. Joe and Dave Sawyer. Brockton Assistant manager Alec Hurwitz, Brock¬ ton, is still waiting for politician to show up with promised passes for tht Fair, even though Fair is all over. Burt “Old Hutch” Campion, stage man¬ ager, Brockton, is home from brief visit with relatives in Compton, Rhode Island. Visitor in city for the Brockton Falr was Frank W. Hollis, manager, Colonial, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who aided in judging a dog show. City again has two vaudeville houses, Strand, and manager Morris Perlstein’s Modern. Strand, Leiberman house, has novel campaign on to lure lady patrons. A lucky boy and girl receives free model planes attending manager Trask’s Keith as an added Saturday matinee at¬ traction. Seen at Brockton Fair: Frank Carroll, chief usher, Brockton; James Nelligan, September 27, 1939