The Exhibitor (1951)

NT-6 EXHIBITOR The L. A. DistrUt Is Again Covered (When Lew Herb was in Los Angeles ter-itory, he filed this report. — Ed.) We next found ourselves at the Motion Picture Center where the offices of the Main Street and Eastland Theatre Cir¬ cuits are located. Harry Popkin, Inde¬ pendent producer, associated with both circuits was in New York so we chatted with Ben Peskay, associated with Popkin in the Main Street houses. Peskay is a veteran of over 20 years in the trade, and at one time operated five houses in this area, which he disposed of upon entering military service in 1942. He opened the Film Classics branch here, and for several years has also been connected with production. Of the eight houses under this operation, two are now closed. The Eastland Circuit, has been operat¬ ing about a dozen local houses, with new offices at Beverly and La Brea. Their destinies are controlled by Jack and Izzy Berman, who, in addition, are partners with Popkin in some situations. The Beverly Canon was the scene of our next visit, and we chatted with Greg Carter, of the firm of Adler, Boos, and Carter, who jointly operate this house plus the Paris, Riveria, and Newsreel. In business for 15 years. Carter is well versed in exploitation, and handles the the Beverly Canon. Out-of-town, just over in Glendale, we said “hello” to Grover L. Smith, who operates a half-dozen houses, of which a couple are temporarily closed. The FWC organization also operate several houses as does United Artists Theatres. Another brief journey took us to Long Beach, Cal., where Cabart Theatres, headed by Milt Arthur, has offices in the Towne. We visited Johnny Bannerman, film buyer, and Ely Somerville, district manager. In addition to six in Long Beach, Cabart also operates two houses and a drive-in at Santa Ana, Cal. Back in town, we drove out to the Picwood, Phil Isley’s beautiful theatre, for a chat with general manager Jim Haynes, who also oversees the operation of the four other Isley houses. A native of Kansas City, Haynes has been with Isley for 22 years, and came here from Texas six years ago. In addition to the Picwood, under the personal supervision of Maurice Willows, Isley also operates the Lankership, with Abe Rosewall in charge; the Meralta, with Boyd Lowe at the helm; the La Tijera, which Chuck Barnes manages, and the Imperial, un¬ der A1 Schlader. Haynes’ son, Billy, though still tender in years, is following in his dad’s footsteps, and helps out at the concession department. Back on Film Row, we noticed a new business. Motion Picture Engineer Com¬ pany, 1973 South Vermont. From owner C. 1. Russell we learned that this new shop services and repairs projection equipment. A veteran of 20 years in this field, Russell was formerly with National Theatre Supply for about 15 years in a similar capacity, and worked with both the B. F. Shearer Company and John P. Filbert for about two years each before going into business for himself. Russell has a complete machine shop set up to handle all repairs, and, in addition, de¬ signs booths, and installs equipment. Another call took us to Hollywood where the Paramount is the home of the F and M Circuit. We sat down with Bob Holt, tub-thumper for the organiza¬ tion, who introduced us to Marco Wolfe, the M in F and M. Originally a talent b oking outfit, it was headed for many years by both Marco and his sister Fanchon, who is now Mrs. William Simon, wife of the famous restauranteur. Besides the Hollywood Paramount, F and M also operates the downtown Para¬ mount, under the personal direction of Rube Wolf; Southside Theatres, local houses, under Roy Wolf, and is affiliated with Milt Arthur in Cabart Theatres, besides having extensive holdings in St. Louis. Our next call took us to the offices of Metzger-Srere Theatres, which operates three local houses, plus three in the San Diego, Cal., Coronado, Cal., area, and we chatted with O. N. “Bill” Srere, vicepresident of the firm headed by Gus Metzger, who also serves as chairman of the SCTOA board. In exhibition since 1928, Srere got his start at the Forum, from whence he “came up the hard way.” He is also very active in exhibitor affairs, and, in addi¬ tion, is vice-president, Wilshire Boule¬ vard Temple. Continuing, we journeyed next into the western section of town, where we dropped in at Western Amusement Com¬ pany, headed by Ted Jones, who also heads Jones Enterprises. This organizaticn operates theatres in California, Colorado, Oregon, and, along with Louis F. Long, in Arizona. In show business over 32 years, Jones was at one time associated with the R. E. Griffith organi¬ zation, which operates houses in Texas and New Mexico. A live-wire, Jones has surrounded himself with other capable men, including Henry Lockhart, Tom Blair, Wayne Patterson, A1 Lohman, Bill Jenkins, and the many exhibitor part¬ ners and managers who look to him for leadership. Believing wholeheartedly that every one needs some incentive to bring out his best talents, Jones relies heavily on his long experience in directing the policies of the circuit, and, as an added incentive to both partners and managers over the coming summer months, is awarding to the manager or partner who earns the most points, based on perform¬ ance, etc., an all-expense paid vacation, for one week, on Catalina Island. This includes the man’s family, as well, and all expenses are paid from the time he leaves his town until he returns there after spending a full week on the Island, at the company’s expense, and which could cost the company as much as $750. Our next port of call was Cal-Pac Drive-In Theatres, largest outdoor thea¬ tre operator in the area, with 16 of the open air theatres within a radius of 30 miles. The organization is headed by C. A. Caballero, who serves as president. Gus C. Diani'^nd is film buyer and vicepresident, while John H. Tingle serves as secretary treasurer. William R. Fore¬ man, another board member, heads other interests in the northwest. An outgrowth of the first successful drive-in in the country, opened by the late Seth Perkins in 1934, built at the corner of Pico and Westwood, and 10 years later acquired by Cal-Pac, and moved to a new location at Olympia and Bundy, the organization has endeavored to be leaders of commun¬ ity service, and has made all of its thea¬ tres available for church services on Sundays, in addition to helping out Uncle Sam. Around Christmas time, when the Post Office Department needs help, it allows the theatres to be used for sort¬ ing parcel post, etc., and, according to President Caballero, all the theatres are available for any worthwhile community project. We journeyed next to the offices of EdLyn Enterprises, where we visited with Ed Shanberg, general manager and part¬ ner of Mrs. Jacquelyn Shlaes, daughter of the late Lou Metzger, in the operation of three theatres in San Diego, Cal., the Tower, Spreckles, and Broadway. A former native of Kansas City, Shanberg started out in exhibitor in 1917 in Junc¬ tion City, Cal., in a house operated by his brother who owned the Midland Cir¬ cuit. Mrs. Shlaes is a talented designer, and is in that field in the east. She de¬ signed the very attractive extra profits departments for each theatre, also. Another call took us to Herbert Rosener, who operates several art thea¬ tres, including the Vagabond, Laurel, Esquire, Sunset, and Studio, plus several in San Francisco and Portland. Rosener also distributes several films, leaving much of the theatre operation in the capable hands of his general manager, Sid Linden, ex-Scottish Highlander, who still carries a warm burr in his speech, and, prior to entering exhibition, spent many years with the British Broadcast¬ ing Company. The publicity department is in the hands of Bill School, ex-New Jerseyite, who trekked here about six years ago. Seattle (Continued from preceding jxige) Vic Gauntlett, publicity director. Ever¬ green Theatres, was ordered to Virginia Mason Hospital for observation. . . . Edna May Mappin, Sterling Theatre staff, left on a vacation to Illinois. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Divis, were here from Brewster, Wash., while Mrs. Divis was in Swedish Hospital for observation. They operate the Rio, Brewster. . , . Joan Trospek resigned from the contract department, 20th Century-Fox. . . . Edith Rockwell, Eagle Lion Classics, joined Mary Carey, Army Motion Picture Serv¬ ice. . . . Ernie Piro, recently resigned as salesman for United Artists, left for San Francisco. . . . Frank L. Newman, president. Evergreen Theatres, returned from a conference with Charles Skouras in Los Angeles. . .' . Evergreen is re¬ decorating and renovating its Rex, Wenatchee, Wash., and the McDonald and Rex, Eugene, Ore. State exhibitors on The Row included : Russell Miller, Chief, Manson; Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Darby, Naches and Top-Hi, Toppenish; Martin Brown, Yakima; Ralph Stout, Granger; Paul Volkman, Wapato, and Keith Beckwith, North Bend. May 9, 1951