The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JOHN C. BOLTE, Jr., son of John C. Bolte, Sr., owner, Wakefield, and Laconia, Bronx, New York, Is currently stationed at Camp Crowder, Mo. Cleveland and Boston, the other coming in from Toledo. Floyd Hallicy is back as as¬ sistant manager. . . . Winfield Thompson, assistant manager, Regent, in addition to his war job at Stromberg-Carlson, trans¬ ferred to the RKO Palace. Downtown theatre managers were mak¬ ing preparations for handling any possible emergencies on V-Day by holding staff meetings, preparing screen trailers and arranging for radio connections to make sure of adequate news reports. Manager Lester Pollock, Loew’s, has a direct wire linked to WSAY and Jay Golden a wire from WHEC connected with the Palace speaker system regularly used for “minute news” announcements. Charlie Harris, manager, Capitol, was planning a late September vacation in New York. . . . Bill Selman, Schine city manager, expects to utilize radio advertis¬ ing next month. . . . Hazel Wixted, Regent, has been so busy she forgot a dental ap¬ pointment. The Mattina Circuit opened its new Park theatre in Franklinville (remodeled Mor¬ gan Hall) and permanently closed the Adelphi. . . . John Hack, manager, Schine’s Regent, Geneva, for the last two years, was shifted to the Elmwood in Penn Yan, suc¬ ceeding Paul Young, who resigned to enter the used car business. Lester Pollock is redecorating stage with new curtain, drapes, valences, in dressing up for the occasional band units on the stage. . . . Horace Heidt outfit gave a radio party for root beer distributors in the area followed by a buffet dinner at the Shera¬ ton. . . . "Major” Bowes, Fox publicity rep, was in ahead of “Wilson” to assist Century manager Francis Anderson in promoting a “Hollywood” premiere. Lieutenant Ira D. Beck, former assist¬ ant manager, Loew’s, wrote Lester Pollock from France: “I am sitting in a ditch against a hedgerow while writing this. I am healthy and greatly enjoying this ad¬ venture.” Jay Golden ran a “sneak” preview of “Music In Manhattan” at the Palace to get audience reaction and he reported the audience was exceptionally enthusiastic. . . . Wide variety of Eastman Kodak activi¬ ties was indicated by revelations that it is manufacturing cannister shot for use in jungle areas and conducting a school for industrial dietitians. — D. R. (For additional News of the Territory please see next page) Stage and Wall Drapes JOE HORNSTEIN has it! September 13, 1944 THE EXHIBITOR EYEING THE EXCHANGES with Bob Goldberg New York — The other day, leaning my frail frame against the desk of Moe Rose, Metro’s dynamic city booker, I placed a cigarette between my lips with the inten¬ tion of lighting it. However, before I could place the match to the tip of the cigarette, I felt a firm hand on my shoul¬ der. Turning around, I discovered that it was attached to the “long aim of the law.” “Don’t you know that it’s against the law to smoke in here?" Fireman Joseph L. Melody, Division of Combustibles, bel¬ lowed into my ear. I managed to stammer some excuse but Fireman Melody, who has been in the service for the past 33 years, continued to reprimand me severely. After he had fin¬ ished, I decided to get the low down on this fire prevention stuff, and I told Joe, who I was now calling by his first name, that I would appreciate it very much if he would take me on a cook’s tour of the exchanges, and show me exactly what fire precautions are being taken. Going into Metro’s shipping department, he showed me the various storage vaults, which are not unlike a line of paddocks at Belmont. “When a fire starts here,” my guide ex¬ plained, “this lead fuse melts, and causes an alarm to go off down at headquarters. Also, this metal door swings shut, the sprinkler system starts, and the overhead air vent opens, allowing the fumes to escape to the outside.” We ambled from one exchange to an¬ other, seeing how this system is incorpor¬ ated in all of them. After finishing our tour, I thanked my guide profusely, and solemnly promised that I would never smoke in any exchange again. As every good story has a moral, this one is no ex¬ ception so here we go: “Smoke at home,” The inspector said, “But at the exchange, Chew gum instead.” (Editor’s Note: Any similarity of the above to poetry is purely coincidental.) Metro Mirror: The Metroites were greatly shocked last week when Dorothy Francis, supposedly on vacation, showed up at the exchange with the news that she was go¬ ing to be married. The lucky boy is Corporal Henry Benson, stationed in North Carolina. . . . Inez Carbone, former secre¬ tary to Moe Rose, city booker, stated in a recent letter that she is stationed at Arling RADIO TECHNICIAN THIRD CLASS HAROLD MATE, son of David Mate, owner, Oxford, Little Falls, N. }.„ Is currently stationed at Treasure Island, Cal. NT-3 JUNE STOREY, who arrived in New York recently for radio work, recently visited the Republic pro¬ jection room to see her latest film, "End of the Road." on, Va., and likes the service very much. In the Marines, she has only one com¬ plaint to make, and that is that the Marine uniform is killing her figure, but she prom¬ ises to return to her familiar sweater after the war, which should make a few Metro¬ ites happy. . . . Ralph Pielow, well liked branch manager, was the victim of a severe cold, but, from the latest reports, he seems to be doing nicely. Universal Undercurrents: Alice Messik, telephone operator, returned from the Harbor Hospital last week where she had been confined after injuring her shoulder in an automobile accident. . . . Benny Gins¬ berg, head shipper, is confined to his home with a very severe eye condition which may result in the loss of sight in one eye. . . . Johnny Cronin, romantic assistant shipper, recently unveiled his hand, which had been caught in a rewinding machine. With several stitches taken, he said that his hand is better than new. . . . Mildred Lafferty, film inspectress, left Big U last week after 15 years of faithful service. She is contemplating taking a job as a hash slinger. . . . Joe Agnetsch, assistant ship¬ per, is now a man with a very fat bank¬ roll. Considered the top notch bowler in the exchange, he stated that he had won in the neighborhood of $500. A very nice neighborhood. The Seeing Eye: Evelyn Cohen, former Columbia steno, recently resigned from her position to take a Civil Service job. . . . Hilda Zeiderman, United Artists’ as¬ sistant cashier, is very excited over the fact that her GI boy friend, who has been overseas for the past 13 months, returned last week on a much deserved furlough. . . . Lillian Vallon, former biller, will take Jack Finklestein’s place as booker for RKO. ... In a recent letter from Seaman First Class Phil Levine, former booker for the Brandt circuit, it was revealed that he is stationed at Bananna River, Fla., and will graduate from Radar School on Sept. 18. . . . The group of exchangeites, who, during lunch time, used to loll in front of Paramount, complained last week that due to the pigeon situation, they were forced to choose a new roocting place. The group is contemplating taking the matter up with the SPCE (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Exchangeites) . Paramount Paragraph: Kay Gilbert, sec¬ retary to Jack Perley, head booker, re¬ signed from her position. ... Ed Bell, likeable Jersey salesman, returned well browned from his vacation last week. . . . Sale-man Bill Novak is now eligible for the Pacers Club as hb wife gave birth to a nine-pound baby last week. . . . Birth¬ day candles shone brightly in Paramount’s booking department with celebrators in¬ cluding Jack Perley, Charlotte Goldwyn, and Natalie Lipschitz.