The Exhibitor (1950)

EXHIBITOR NT-1 The 1950 Independence Savings Bond drive was recently launched in Massachusetts by a rally, left, on historic Boston Common, featuring the unveiling of a Liberty Bell replica, symbol of the drive. Participants in the ceremonies, staged by the industry in cooperation with the Treasury Department, were, at right, from left: Francis Burke, director, Massachu¬ setts bond drive; Leslie Bendslev, co-chairman, exhibitors’ committee; Colonel Charles Sweeney, aide to Governor Dever; Father Francis Diskin, Governor Paul A. Dever, A1 Sheehey, Treasury Department; Rabbi Judah Nadich, national chaplain, Jewish War Veterans; John McGilvary, representing Mayor Hynes, and, in front, Larry Goldstein, famed army hero’s son. news or the Boston Crosstown A single performance of the one-act melodrama, “The Monkey’s Paw,” was presented at the Orpheum, Danvers, Mass. Phil Bloomberg, owner-manager, interested in the venture, is providing a show case for the venture for the benefit of theatre managers interested in seeing how the production will work out. Plans have been announced for the construction of a new theatre in Salem, Mass., by E. M. Loew. A block was pur¬ chased next to the Empire, Salem, which will be razed to erect a new modern theatre. Plans call for a Colonial exterior. There will be 1400 seats. Larry Lasky. partner of E. M. Loew, announced plans for three new drive-ins, and advised that with the completion of these theatres, the Lasky-Loew Circuit would include 15 drive-ins in Lynn, Methuen, Springfield, Canton, and Kings¬ ton, Mass.; Bangor and Augusta Me.; Portsmouth, N. H.; Providence, R. I.; Newington, New London, and Milford, Conn.; Glenburnie, Md.; Alexandria, Va., and Miami Fla. Tom Griffin, Abi¬ lene, Tex., is handling construction on the Bangor and Augusta spots. Griffin is under contract to E. M. Loew to build all new drive-ins for the circuit. More than 500 people attended the dedicate n of the $300,000 Yamins Re¬ search Laboratory of the Beth Israel Hospital on June 4. This laboratory is the gift of Nathin Yamins, Yamins Cir¬ cuit, Fall River, Mass., and Mrs. Yamins. Samuel Pinanski, president, American Theatres Corporation, and national pres¬ ident, Theatre Owners of America, was recently awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of the Art of Oratory by Presi¬ dent Delbert Moyer Staley, Staley Col¬ lege, Brookline, Mass., at the institu¬ tion’s golden jubilee commencement exer¬ cises. The degree, the highest to be con¬ ferred by the college, was for Pinanski’s “distinguished record of achievement in great humanitarian causes,” and in rec¬ ognition of his “meritorious service as national chairman of the U. S. Savings Bond Drive for the motion picture industry. . . . Lew Herb, Exhibitor travelling representative, was a visitor last week. Film District Tony Boschetto, manager, E. M. Loew’s Universal, Fitchburg, Mass., has been transferred to the Center, Paw¬ tucket, R. I. The Universal will reopen following extensive renovations. . . . Vince O’Brien is now managing E. M. Loew’s Olympia, Olnyville, R. I. . . . William Riseman will handle the com¬ plete alterations of E. M. Loew’s Strand, New Bedford, Mass. . . . With the in¬ definite closing of ATC’s screening room, A1 Reith, veteran projectionist, has taken this opportunity to visit with friends at Atlantic City. Hartford’s Willie Pep, world’s feather¬ weight boxing champion, and his son, Willie, Jr., recently aided manager Lou Cohen and assistant manager Norman Levinson, Loew’s Poli, Hartford. Conn., in advance exploitation for MGM’s “Annie Get Your Gun.” Natural tieups were based on “Champion of the Ring Meets Champion of the Movies theme.” Miss Marian Saphir became the bride of Leon J. Levenson, manager, ATC’s candy and vending department. George Swartz, well-known member, variety Club, Tent 23, has been asked by Eddie Cantor to help him arrange a Symphony Hall booking for Sept. 28. Mrs. Elina Bolduc, Majestic, Conway, N. H.; A. MacLaughlin, Town Hall, Littleton, N. H.; and Fred Astle, Village, Whitefield, N. H., were among the outof-town visitors booking at Affiliated Theatres. Astle, new owner of the Vil¬ lage, is a newcomer to the industry, and recently took over the lease from George Gould. His other interests include both a hardware and furniture store in Whitefield. . . . Helen Helvitz, contract clerk, Affiliated, resigned. . . . Stan Far¬ rington, booker, Affiliated, and Mrs. Far¬ rington left for an early summer vacation in Bedford Grove, N. H. Far¬ rington will head the board of judges for the annual “Miss New Hampshire” beauty contest. . . . Billy De Wolfe, Paramount star and native Bostonian, in on a personal appearance, left for the Paramount studios on the west coast to begin shooting in “Dear Mom.” . . . Ray Feeley, business manager, Independent Exhibitors of New England, Inc., was back after attending the National Allied meeting. A complete report of the activ¬ ities has been sent out to all members. Feeley was impressed by the reception given by the local populace to stars. Ken Prickett, MGM field press repre¬ sentative, is back following some ex¬ tensive travelling in the past weeks. After working on “Annie Get Your Gun,” Prickett vacationed in Miami, Fla., and New Orleans, and flew to New York for MGM’s “Say It With Music” meeting at the Astor Hotel. Upon his return to Boston, Prickett handled the personal appearances of the Navajo Indians in connection with “Annie Get Your Gun” in addition to special handling for “Stars in My Crown.” Evelyn Kelly, is the new secretary to Ken Prickett, MGM field press repre¬ sentative, replacing Jane Hutchins, on a leave of absence, who is instructing in a summer camp on the Cape. June H, 1950 NEW ENGLAND