The Exhibitor (May-Aug 1948)

16 THE EXHIBITOR Hint Theatres Involved As Philly Investigates Amusement Tax Thefts Philadelphia _ Rumors were current last week that the investigation into the collec¬ tion of the city amusement tax might lead to theatres, with a possibility that some exhibitors might be implicated in alleged frauds, which some say may reveal more than a half million shortage. Although many theatres pay their city amusement taxes by check, many pay in cash, and because of this it was reported that there had been a chance for collusion with those responsible for the discrepancy. The invest.gation started when a suicide note was discovered, naming those alleged to be responsible for the thefts. Since then, one other man named in the alleged con¬ fession died of a heart attack, and several clerks in the amusement tax division have been suspended. It was pointed out that switching of ticket rolls would have made possible collusion with anyone responsible for the shortages. Williamson Memphis CB Memphis — Ed Williamson, branch man¬ ager, Warners, was last week elected Chief Barker, Variety Club, to replace Dave Flexer, theatre owner, who resigned. Williamson was named unanimously by the club’s board to serve until next January, and he took office immediately upon being selected as Flexer had offered his resigna¬ tion a couple of weeks ago. The new Chief Barker was authorized to appoint two new members of the board to fill the vacancy caused by his elevation to chief, and the resignation of Thomas M. O’Ryan, Baron Collier office. O’Ryan re¬ signed due to ill health, and Flexer due to pressure of his own business interest in Arkansas. Flexer stated that he was taking over the new 650-car Twenty-two Drive-In, Fort Smith, Ark., nearing completion. He says he expects to have five drive-in the¬ atres operating in the mid-South before the end of the year. Levy-Lightman Memphis — Miss Jean Lightman, daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Lightman, Sr., was married to Herbert Raymond Levy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Levy, New York City, on June 6, in a ceremony in the spacious garden of the Lightman home. The bride was given in marriage by her father. Mrs. M. A. Lightman Jr., attended the bride as matron of honor, and her two small sons, Stephen and Michael, were ring bearers. M. A. Lightman, Jr., and his brother, Richard, were among the grooms¬ men. A reception and buffet supper in the garden of the Lightman home followed the ceremony, after which the young couple left on an extended honeymoon. "Broadway" Bow Changed New York — A series of important key city day-and-date openings on 20th Cen• tury-Fox’s “Give My Regards to Broad¬ way” will complement the world pre¬ miere of the Technicolor picture at the RKO Memorial, Boston, on June 16, it was announced last week by Andy W. Smith, Jr., general sales manager for the com¬ pany. The Boston premiere was set back from June 9 in order to launch the picture simultaneously over the country, taking full advantage of an intensive advertising and publicity campaign Stewart Leaves Kansas Allied Post Kansas City — It was announced last week by O. F. Sullivan, president, Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Kansas, that Jack Stewart, who came to the Kansas-Missouri association as general manager on Feb. 15, and who has served in that capacity since that time, had tendered his resignation to the board of directors. Sullivan announced that this would not affect in any way ,the continued func¬ tioning of the Allied office in Kansas City for the Caravan service and other services to its members will continue through the services of the office manager. The asso¬ ciation is making plans to put in effect the buying and booking service in the Kansas City office as outlined and approved in the spring convention. Calumet Stipulation Filed Chicago — Stipulations for dismissal of the anti-trust suit by Harold Leiber, Calu¬ met, Hammond, Ind., were filed by film company defendants attorneys last week in Judge William Campbell’s court. Sey¬ mour Simon, Leiber’s attorney, said the terms of settlement gives the plaintiff’s house improved playing time. Attorneys for the defendants are Myles Seely, Vin¬ cent O’Brien, and Edwin Johnston. SWG Files Suit New York — The Screen Writers Guild, Inc., and members of the Authors League of America, Inc., last week filed suit against the MPAA, SIMPP, Eric Johnston, and seven majors, asking for an injunction preventing the defendants from black¬ listing employes, and effecting an “antiCommunist” hiring policy for writers. Thurman Arnold is counsel. Mandates To District Courts Washington — The federal district courts involved in the cases last week received the U. S. Supreme Court mandates in the Paramount, Schine, and Griffith cases. The mandates direct the lower courts to reopen the cases on the basis of instruc¬ tions from the high court as outlined in the recent decisions. Attorneys in the Justice Department said they expected to submit their proposed order in the Para¬ mount case this week. Barney Balaban Honored Boston — Barney Balaban, Paramount president, was last week presented with a citation for outstanding service in pro¬ moting good will at the annual dinner of the Massachusetts Committee of Catholics, Protestants, and Jews. Toast¬ master at the Hotel Statler affair was Judge Abraham Pinanski. Mull Plan To Invite Indes To Great Britain NEW YORK — Eagle Lion’s Robert S. Benjamin and Jock Lawrence, J. Arthur Rank Organization, Inc., went to Washington, D. C. last week to con¬ fer with Abram Myers, general coun¬ sel, Allied States Exhibitors Associa¬ tion, regarding J. Arthur Rank’s plan to invite a group of American inde¬ pendent exhibitors to Britain as his guests. The Rank executives explained the idea to Myers, asking him to consider the best plan under which this could be done, this summer, if possible. It was expected that they will receive Myers’ suggestions within the next two weeks. Business Average In B'Way First -Runs New York — Business was about average for this time of year in most of the Broad¬ way first-runs last weekend. According to usually reliable sources reaching The Exhibitor, the break-down was as follows: “SILVER RIVER” (WB). Strand, with stage show, claimed $18,000 for Friday through Sunday, with the third and last week bound to exceed $36,000. “ARCH OF TRIUMPH” (UA). Globe re¬ ported a $6,000 Saturday and Sunday, with the seventh week heading toward $15,500. “A NIGHT AT THE OPERA” (MGM) . Marx Brothers reissue was said to have done $10,000 on the fourth week. “THE IRON CURTAIN” (20th-Fox). Roxy, with stage show, did $36,000 from Wednesday through Sunday, with the fourth and last week anticipated at $45,000. “THE PIRATE” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall, with stage show, hit $79,000 for Thursday through Sunday, the third week sure to do $122,000. “THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE” (UA). Mayfair garnered $35,000 on the second week. “THE BRIDE GOES WILD” (MGM). Capitol, with stage show, opened to $45.000 for Thursday through Sunday, the first week heading toward $90,000. “HAZARD” (Para.) . Paramount, with stage show, claimed a $65,000 first week. “UP IN CENTRAL PARK” (U-I) . Cri¬ terion reported $15,000 for the second and last week. “MELODY TIME” (RKO). Astor had a $45,000 second week with this Disney feature. “RIVER LADY” (U-I). Winter Garden claimed $8,000 for the third and last week. “ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST” (U-I). Rivoli reported $15,000 for the third week. C. P. Skouras, Jr., Graduated West Point, N. Y. — Charles P. Skouras, Jr., was graduated from the U. S. Military Academy here on June 8. He was to be commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force. June 9, 1948