The Exhibitor (May-Aug 1948)

NT-2 Clifton Forge; Henry Clark, Virginia, Harrisonburg; Frank Shaffer and Ed¬ ward Purcell, Dixie and Strand, respec¬ tively, Staunton, and Ralph Daves, State and Lyric, Lexington. Speaking before the National Council For Community Improvement, Harry M. Warner, president, Warner Brothers Pictures, had this to say last fortnight, in part; “A theatre in a community is a social unit designed to do the greatest good for all. There are things which THEATRE MANAGERS and OWNERS We thank all theatre owners and managers who cooperated with us by putting return trailers in the proper addressed containers and for wrapping and address¬ ing all return advertising. We can serve all theatres better if they give us a copy of their program Tuesday each week. IMPORTANT Don't put your return film in the lobby until all your patrons have left after the last show. HIGHWAY EXPRESS LINES, INC. 236 N. 23rd Street Philadelphia 3, Pa. 1239 Vine Street Philadelphia 7, Pa. LOcust 4-0100 MEMBER NATIONAL FILM CARRIERS, Inc. JACK SEIDMAN : : : BERNARD SEIDMAN Paramount Decorating C<L |nc. STAGE SETTINGS : DRAPERIES CARPETS : PAINTING AND DECORATING 311 North 13th Street Philadelphia, Pa. THE EXHIBITOR the motion picture theatre can do and has done well to fulfill this community objective, fund raising, morale building, dramatic presentation of vital informa¬ tion, motion picture activities aiming at the community objective for the greatest good. This topical outline of the purposes of this conference is specifically relevant to my discussion of the place of the motion picture theatre in the community, because it mentions such items as ‘Sound Com¬ munity Programs’ and ‘Neighborhood Needs of Emergencies.’ As part of, and beyond, its primary function of provid¬ ing entertainment for the people of the community, the motion picture theatre and the productions it shows has been a key factor, along with the church and the school, in furthering community programs. When we understand each other’s work better, we understand each other better. The motion picture helps to make the jobs of lots of people in the community easier. It creates an interest in great literature It creates an interest in science and art. When motion pictures come to a community, the library and the schools become busier; the whole pace of community activity steps up. The motion picture theatre has a unique identity in any community. It is a social and recreational meeting place. It is a spur to sound business on main street. It fulfills a community need for a good reci’eation outlet. And, even while it entertains, it also often renders a patriotic and educational and public service.” MARYLAND Baltimore Mrs. Pearl Kessler, secretary to Wil¬ liam K. Saxton, Loew’s city manager, resigned to devote her time to duties of a housewife. . . . Jack Sidney, handling publicity for Loew’s Theatres, spent a couple of days in Washington, confer¬ ring with Dan Terrell, assistant adver¬ tising executive, Loew’s, on “Arch of Triumph,” Century. A visitor was Sol Handwerger, who handles advertising for the MGM record division. . . . Mayor Thomas D’Alesandro appointed William K. Saxton, Loew’s city manager, on a committee to form plans for combatting juvenile delin¬ quency. . . . Miss Marie Easter, Loew’s Valencia, recently enjoyed a vacation in North Carolina. . . . Bob Burns, student assistant manager, Loew’s Century, was enjoying a vacation. Mrs. Charles McCleary, wife of the Loew’s Parkway manager recovered from her recent illness, and returned home from the hospital. For the recent engagement of Mono¬ gram’s “The Strange Mr. Gregory”, Hiway, Essex, Md., manager Robert J. Marhenke arranged this street bally, which netted excellent results. TRADE SCREENINGS RKO (306 H. N. W.) June 14, 2:00, “Melody Time.” Three robberies occurred recently in the offices of the Apex, Patapsco, and Victory. The magazine, “Where to Go in Balti¬ more,” instituted a new feature, “Movie of the Week,” which will be displayed as one of the leads on the front cover, and George Browning, publicity repre¬ sentative, Stanley, will handle the re¬ views. J. M. Alderson, Centre manager and news commentator for WFBR, was the subject of a story in the June issue of Radio Mirror. The Maryland, which has housed grand opera, legitimate plays, musical comedy, vaudeville, and motion pictures, and owned by Mrs. Hilda Hicks and Mrs. J. E. Baker, will be sold at public auction on June 23. Leonard McLaugh¬ lin, who managed the house for years, left some time ago for another business. Lou Fenwick resigned as assistant to Herb Thatcher, Town, and has been succeeded by John Williams. . . . Variety Club, Tent 19, decided to discontinue publication of its monthly newspaper “Hey Rube,” for the summer months. Bert Claster arranged a fine tie-up contest with The News Post for I. M. Rappaport’s Town in connection with “Funny Business,” on the same program with “Berlin Express.” Contestants tint¬ ed comic strips, and sent them in to be judged for awards. The Lafayette was robbed. . . . Fred C. Schanberger, Jr., was given a testi¬ monial dinner at the Variety Club head¬ quarters by a number of film men of the city, and a goodly crowd was there to enjoy the festivities. James M. Hepbron acted as toastmaster. S. G. Waitsman, manager, Radio, returned to his work after an absence due to a heart attack. Lauritz Garman and Meyer Leventhal, president and director, respectively, MPTO of Maryland, Inc., returned from Denver. Leventhal who is also an Allied director and eastern regional vice-presi¬ dent, went on the California for a visit. — Jacques Shellman Leonardfown Marie Russell is the recently appointed aide at the New. She replaces Peggy Jarboe. . . . Manager Ray Trumbule had an attention-getting lobby display on 20th Century-Fox’s “The Iron Curtain". His wife, Mrs. Ray Trumbule, who cele¬ brated another birthday recently, has been busy these days building a rock garden. . . . The New installed another extra profits candy case. . . . Lucille Sterling, St. Mary’s, is busy these days taking a course in designing in Washing¬ ton, D. C. Mary Theresa Sterling, her sister, pinch-hits for her at the theatre on week-days. . . . The Clinch Mountain Boys of Radio Station WWVA, Wheeling, W. Va., sponsored by Stoney Cooper and his wife, Elma Lee, played at St. Mary’s. This group plugged several songs by George Morgan Knight, Jr., The Exhi¬ bitor correspondent. ... A successful benefit for the various Catholic baseball teams in the section was held recently at St. Mary’s. Buses brought the teams and their fans in to see the show. . . . Personnel is being trained at the New for the theatre Jack Fruchtman is build¬ ing at Lexington Park, which he expects June 2, 1948