The Exhibitor (May-Aug 1948)

NT-4 THE EXHIBITOR This catchy display in the lobby of Loew’s Poli, Hartford, Conn., was recently arranged by manager Lou Cohen and assistant Albert Lessow to plug MGM’s “State Of The Union.” Robert Carney, Lyric, Bridgeport, Conn., was recently host to a group of Waterbury and Naugatuck newspapermen and policemen at a private screening of Universal-International’s “Naked City”. Attending were, left to right: Harold T. Dillon. Robert Fleisher, George T. Dillon, THE EXHIBITOR correspondent, Carney, John A. Cluney, Joseph Smith, and Police Chief William J. Roach, Waterbury. weeks on Monday evenings at the Capi¬ tol. Walter Dexter and Victor Brown resigned at the Capitol, replaced by Eugene Bouchard and Harold Archibald. Several changes have been made at the Portland. Miss Helen Bobryk, form¬ er candy girl, has been appointed cash¬ ier. The Misses Flora McDonald and Theresa Powers are additions. Theo¬ dore Dor pee is a new aide, while Philip Beal, vacations. Saco The Saco Auto Theatre, Route 1 near Cascades, reopened for the season last fortnight under its new operators, a Portland corporation. Extensive im¬ provements have been made. The Port¬ land group is composed of Eugene Boragine, president; Henry J. Reheault, treasurer, and Dr. Dominico Santoro. Westbrook Richard Gorrie, Projectionist, Star, returned from the hospital. . . . Lawrence J. Capello, manager, Star, has been ap¬ pointed to the committee of business standards and publicity, Kiwanis Club. MASSACHUSETTS Amesbury Joe Bresnahan, Strand manager, long a house-hunter landed attractive dwell¬ ing for his wife and himself on fashion¬ able West Greenwood St. He came here from Lynn, Mass, when the renovated theatre opened. . . . Mrs. Ethel Murphy is now on the Strand staff as relief cashier. Julian Rifkin, vice-president, Herman Rifkin Theatres, Springfield and Hol¬ yoke, Mass., chats with Mary deJony in the Eagle Lion booth at the recent Independent Exhibitors Convention, held in Boston. Fall River A lone picket recently spent several days promenading in front of the Durfee, Paul Slayer, manager, with a huge pla¬ card protesting the showing of “The Iron Curtain.” Harry Hammond, prominent musician at one time employed in Fall River the¬ atres, died recently. Louis Metivier is new projectionist at the Academy. . . . Miss Helen Quigley and her fiance, Gordon Sweeney, were tendered a shower and stag party by the personnel of the Academy, where Miss Quigley is employed. Manager Carl Zeitz, Academy, has taken up golfing. . . . Robert Zeitz, stu¬ dent, University of Georgia, will resume his assistant manager job at the Aca¬ demy upon his return. Manager James Knight, Mrs. Dorothy Hindle, and Mrs. Albert Gagnon repre¬ sented the Yamins theatres at the fun¬ eral of Henri R. Girard, former Capitol, Park, and Strand manager. The Embassy, John McAvoy manager, returned to its original policy of first run showings, and is playing Empire pic¬ tures retained for a second week. The Embassy had recently been playing pic¬ tures booked for the Strand, which is being transformed into a stadium-type house. Repairs have been completed to the Capitol marquee sign, which had been damaged by a truck. . . . The Whalen dance studio presented its annual dance recital recently at the Empire. Framingham The Gorman, one of the Giles Circuit houses, recently completely renovated, was expected to reopen. Haverhill Maurice Sidman, Strand, revived a “Country Store” stage giveaway. ... A new drive-in opened on Haverhill-Lawrence boulevard, Route 110. It is known as the Riverview Drive-In, owned and managed by Mrs. Rose Chilypian, 564 North Broadway, this city, and her sonin-law, Sarkes Arakelian. There are accommodations for 500 automobiles. Newburyporf The new parking meter ordinance causes manager Paul Wenzel, Strand and Premier, to eye Friday night reac¬ tion. Friday is shopping night, and the meter ruling is in effect through 9 p. m. This means show patrons cannot leave cars in any spots convenient to theatres, as the regulation prevents using any one parking space for more than an hour. Some merchants consistently opposed meters. The Strand is installing a new orna¬ mental partition to minimize light nuisance when doors are open. Premier recognized the centenary of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic parishes by holding guest performance of “Vatican Chair” and “Citizen Saint” for nuns. Worcester The fourth incendiary fire in the headquarters of the American Legion Post created excitement when smoke seeped into the adjoining Olympia. There was little damage in the head¬ quarters, where the fire was in a closet, and acting Deputy Chief Edward J. Foley entered the Olympia, and assured the patrons there was no danger. New England representatives of Para¬ mount were very much in evidence at the recent regional sales meeting in New York. At top, from Boston, are: Arnold Van Leer, John Kane, branch manager John Moore, Bud Lewis, Ed Maloney, Ed Bradley, and John Gubbins. The New Haven contingent is seen at bottom, and includes: Jack Brown, branch head Henry Germaine, and Richard Carroll. June 2, 1948