The Exhibitor (1950)

NT-4 EXHIBITOR i;\mT(ir the New York — It has been bruited about in the industry that the days of patrons just falling into the theatre are gone, and what is needed is some real old-fashioned, healthy exploitation and showmanship. Jerome Scher, manager, 1,160seat New Laconia, sub¬ sequent-run house, Bronx, has been con¬ ducting such a cam¬ paign since the com¬ plete refurbishing five months ago made it what the management claims is “The Most Beautiful Theatre In Walt Pashka The Bronx” and a particularly noteworthy promotion was that accorded “When Wil¬ lie Comes Marching Heme.” Choosing a Thursday night, the “dead” night of the week, Scher worked out tieups with the local baker, and florist to back up a pre-selling garnered by advertising and a flooding of the neighborhood with pla¬ cards, window cards, streamers, and ban¬ ners. An American Legion band, drum majorette, and Boy Scout troop headed a parade welcoming “Willie” home, and a local dancing school provided entertain¬ ment gratis. Donuts were distributed to the patrons from the candy “canteen,” and a double capacity audience saw a good show, and had some fine things to re¬ member and tell their friends. The Laconia and the nearby Wakefield, operated by John, Edith, and Peggy Bolte, thus con¬ tinue a policy of showmanship and serv¬ ice established by the founder and late pioneer exhibitor, John C. Bolte. MGM: Booker Moe Rose became a twodecade man on April 24, and was pre¬ sented his pin by sales manager Ralph Pielow in a ceremony recorded by the house organ photographer while staff members offered congratulations. . . . Rich¬ ard A. Harper celebrated his birthday on April 24. . . . Susan McGuiness, accounting department, was a year older on April 23. U-International: Donald Liebert, form¬ erly with Warners and Film Classics, was welcomed to the shipping department. . . . Abe Rotner and Morris Craven, Monroe and Winthrop, Brooklyn, respectively, were around. ... Joe Horner, traveling auditor, was in. . . . Visitors included Leon Rosenblatt and Sam Einhorn, Rosenblatt and Welt; Maurey Miller, Hecht Circuit; Tony De Sabato, Park, South Plainfield, N. J.; and Harvey Elliott, Sunrise Drive-In, Valley Stream, L. I. Screen Guild: Elias Camhi, New Gar¬ den, Brooklyn, was in, and related that while playing SG’s “Grand Canyon” in which Mary Beth Hughes is featured, the star and her husband entered the theatre, and had a pleasant, informal chat. . . . Busty Eileen Adler was happy over serv¬ ing as SG representative in squiring the “Irish Cowboys,” Russ Hayden and Jimmy Ellison, around town. Paramount: Biller Eva Cohen returned after recovering from an illness. . . . Sundel Frank is no longer with the staff. . . . John Fiorvanti, Dunellen, Dunellen, N. J., and Ed Brown, Fly-In Drive-In, Farmingdale, N. J., were in. 20th Century-Fox: Division sales man¬ ager Martin Moskowitz was a visitor at the Schine Circuit, Gloversville. . . . Anne Buchdahl, secretary to head booker George Blendermann, and her husband, Joe, celebrated his birthday on April 25. . . . Assistant branch manager Alex Arnswalder was happy that his son, Steve, was recuperating. ... A romance that blos¬ somed was culminated recently although one of the principals has since gone to Warners. Jerry Goldstein, nephew of Bess Goldstein Allen, became enamored of Olga Batnik, and perhaps her transfer some 200 feet down the block accelerated things, for she recently was the happy recipient of a bridal shower. Ramblin’ ’Round: The Film Center building received its spring attire re¬ cently as the halls, walls, and doors were daubed a deep green, and many a visitor gave thanks for clear wet paint signs. . . . Jack Hoffberg and Mannie Meyer were elated awhile ago when Jack Meyer and Joan Hoffberg Meyer became the proud parents of Steven Allen Meyer. . . . A1 O. Bondy returned after a New England tour. . . . The Brookside Drive-In, New¬ burgh, operated by A1 Suchman and Monroe Stein, which has a 750-car capac¬ ity, opened. The newly installed RCABrenkert projection and sound equipment were purchased through Capitol Motion Picture Supply Corporation, sales engi¬ neer, Jack Schaeffer. . . . Frances Rispoli, RKO, celebrates her birthday today (May 10). . . . Lou Solkoff, Bell, and his family celebrated daughter Marie Joan’s second birthday on May 8. Columbia: Branch manager Saul Trauner returned from New Orleans. . . . Frances Steiglitz, secretary to office man¬ ager Curt Parker, was sidelined with a serious illness. . . . Staff members were talking about the Radio City Music Hall run of “No Sad Songs For Me.” Eagle Lion: Morris Weinstein, formerly of the New Haven exchange, was wel¬ comed as the new salesman. Marty Washauer resigned, and is reportedly a sales¬ man for 20th Century-Fox in Washing¬ ton. . . . Ruth Starr returned from her honeymoon. United Artists: Zelda Rosenbaum was bereaved over the loss of her grandfather. Motion Pteiure Booksrs Club Henry Unger, 20th Century-Fox, was recuperating nicely after a long and hard struggle in the hospital, and was expected to be around shortly and back at work. . . . Jen Dennet, Republic, was out with a siege of virus, but was expected back soon. . . . A1 Trilling, Eagle Lion, was happy that his daughter, Sharon, had her tonsils extracted. . . . Window cards and heralds proclaiming the forthcoming bookers’ affair are currently available, and on dis¬ play in exchanges, etc. . . . The popular “bake-a-cake” and “the baby” themes were cleverly utilized on same to remind all the date is May 28 at the WaldorfAstoria. Tickets are still available. Rochester ( Continued from, preceding page ) The Rochester Drive-In, the city’s old¬ est, is marking its eighth season. . . . Don Stevenson, Starlite Drive-In, now claims the largest concession stand in this area. . . . Gradon Hodges promised a number of innovations at the Empire Drive-In. . . . Friends were sorry to hear that Bill Tishkoff, Central Drive-In, was handicapped by ill health. Rochester chapter, American Association of University Women, had “Alice In Won¬ derland” as the last of its children’s shows at the Little. . . . Edmund Howard was added to the list of regular Exhibitor readers. . . . Connie Milano, the cute candy girl at the Dixie, missed seeing her name in this column. Projectionists’ Corner: Joe Pandina and Bill Belcher went to the Empire Drive-In. . . . Ted Jones moved from the Grand to the Capitol. . . . Walter Knopf was back on the job after five and one-half weeks’ absence for an operation, said the nurses were beautiful, and had many cards and callers. . . . Mark Harloff celebrated his 25 ih wedding anniversary with open house tor some 300. . . . Louie Goler is still look¬ ing for a cheap used radio. — D. R. Syracuse Harry Weiner, for many years with Fox West Coast Theatres recently with Smal¬ ley’s, Johnstown, is now manager, Schine’s Eckel, taking the place of Max Rubin, who moves in as manager, Palace, a spot left vacant by Kenneth Stephany, who went to manage Schine’s Palace, Oneonta. . . . Mrs. William D. Lee, Buffalo, and daugh¬ ters, Deborah and Marjorie, were in for the Christian Brothers Academy musicale at Grant Junior High School, in which her nephew, David Hanley, son of Mrs. Rich¬ ard Feldman, participated. . . . All trips to Tully have been cancelled since Jack Crowe, assistant manager, Schine’s Para¬ mount, accepted delivery of the new 1950 Pontiac blue convertible. Louis W. Schine, Lou Goldstein, Bernie Diamond, Dewey Lederer, Seymour Mor¬ ris, and Bill Kraemer, Schine home office, Gloversville, were visitors. . . . Mrs. Harry H. Unterfort was busy assisting Mrs. Sid¬ ney L. Grossman, chairman, women’s division, UJA, in the drive for funds. . . . Mrs. Pat Harding, secretary in Harry Unterfort’s office, is looking forward to a very busy fishing season for her hubby. The new marquee, fabricated and erected by Artcraft-Strauss, New York, at Loew’s State, is a handsome piece of work. Being of latest design measuring 40x19x15 feet, it affords five channels for letters, and supplied house electrician George Steves with 14 days’ work in wir¬ ing. . . . Once again, we met our old friend Frank Allen, Allen, Solvay, at the Masonic Temple, where he participated in the Consistory work. Manager Richard Feldman, Schine’s Paramount, made a tieup with the Clark Music Company in which it ran a street window Liberace “South Sea Sinner” music contest. Grand prize was a theatre party for six to see the production, with next 12 runners-up receiving miniature piano ash and cigarette trays. — J. J. S. May 10, 1950