The Exhibitor (1950)

NT-4 EXHIBITOR air theatres would more properly come within the jurisdiction of two other agencies, either the town’s zoning com¬ mission or the State Police Commissioner. The Bowl Outdoor Theatre Corporation filed with the State Police Commissioner an application for a certificate of ap¬ proval to operate a projection machine in a drive-in on property owned by the Waverly Construction Company and Clarence Blakeslee at the above location. After action on the application was de¬ ferred, there were filed with the Select¬ men petitions asking the board to pro¬ hibit the erection of the drive-in. These petitions, bearing 540 signatures, were filed with the board by Dr. J. B. Fish¬ man, Rivoli Theatre Company, and Anthony Terrazano, Forest. Wethersfield Manager Ben Lamo, Webb Playhouse, announced the appointment of Alan Fer¬ guson as maintenance manager. Manager Ben Lamo, Webb Playhouse, had eight horses and riders in a parade for “Riding High.” Maine Portland The first 50 mothers who attended the matinee performance at the State on Mother’s Day were guests of the man¬ agement. Ralph Tully, manager, also presented them with flowers. . . . The Civic is installing a 100-ton air-condi¬ tioning apparatus. ... A special morn¬ ing show for the children was presented at the State. Harold Cai.1, film critic for the Port¬ land papers, left for a tour of Holly¬ wood. Windham The Windham Drive-In opened May 27. Several improvements are being made. Massachusetts Fall River Paramount’s “The Lawless” had its New England premiere at Nathan Yamin’s Center following a widespread promotion campaign. A reception for William Pine, co-producer and Eduard “Lalo” Lois, one of the featured artists, was held in Boston. Publicity was also given the special screening for educa¬ tors, child and juvenile agency person¬ nel, political personnages, and the press held a week prior to the grand opening. Dave Berger, Paramount press repre¬ sentative, was present for the Center opening. William S. Canning, was pres¬ ent at the Pine party held at vhe Copley Plaza, Boston, with film writers and trade magazine representatives present. Hearing is to be held soon on the ap¬ plication of Manuel C. Perry for a permit to build an open air theatre in Westport, Mass. Perry, an automobile dealer with offices and showrooms in Westport, plans to build the theatre on Union Street, near the State Road. Plans call for accommodations for 750 cars on an 11-acre tract. Donald Buka, featured in Columbia’s “Prowl Car,” recently arrived in New York from Hollywood for a schedule of eastern summer stock engagements. Nathan Yamins asked the Westport, Mass., Board of Selectmen to transfer his outdoor theatre permit to a new lo¬ cation near the site which he recently acquired, a part of the Borden Estate. This site is being used for the construc¬ tion of a home and business center. Yamins plans to build the theatre a short distance east on the Fall River, New Bedford, Mass., Highway. Joan Madelina, Eileen Tessier, and Eleanor McNally, Empire, members of the Sacred Hearts Academy Glee Club, appeared recently in a recital both at the Academy and before service clubs. . . . New on the Academy staff are Miss Violet Chadwick and William Botelho. Haverhill Eugene Fanning, supervisor of driver education, Registry of Motor Vehicles, spoke last week at a dinner meeting of the Haverhill Safety Council, and re¬ ferred to “The Last Date,” safety short, shown at the Strand in cooperation with the Council and the Registry. Springfield Business and entertainment circles were shocked by the sudden death of Walter Vincent, 63, Westfield, Mass. He had been manager, Loew’s Poli real estate, for the past 22 years. C. E. Patch, manager, Broadway, gave “Cheaper By The Dozen” an added fillip by offering series of prizes to the first baby born the day the picture opened or the first baby born during the threeday run. . . . Florence Carrington, Broadway, left, replaced by Mrs. Ruth Owen. . . . Starting this month, all chil¬ dren under 12 and accompanied by their parents may see the Sunday Broadway shows free. Harvey Greene will be summer man¬ ager, Majestic, West Springfield, Mass., while owner Elihu Glass and his family are at Gloucester, Mass., where he will operate a summer stock enterprise. Paramount, Ed Smith, manager, was impatiently waiting for the painters’ strike to end in order that the marquee might get its scheduled face-lift. Loew’s Poli: The new $100,000 cooling plant went into operation just as ther¬ mometers were setting new early sum¬ mer highs. . . . J. R. Vogel, Loew’s vicepresident in charge of theatres, and Harry Shaw, New Haven office, were in. . . . Ben Joel, Loew’s New York booking office, was in Springfield and Northampton, Mass., for the graduation of his niece from Smith College. ... A new candy stand, with all the latest innovations, is being installed in the foyer. Joseph S. Boero, retired contractor, announced plans for construction of a 700-car capacity drive-in at Round Hill, Mass., at an estimated cost of $250,000. Westfield Fire threatened the Strand when a reel of film burst into flame in the pro¬ jection machine operated by Horace Bassett, who escaped injury other than inhaling some of the toxic fumes from the burning film. The flash of film nar¬ rowly missed his face. Bassett immedi¬ ately summoned the Westfield Fire Department. Deputy Fire Chief John Clark said that the fire was confined to the projection booth, and the principal damage was done to the film and the projection machine. New Hampshire Dover Children and adults alike were of¬ fered seats at a low-price to see the special showing of “Circus Days” at the Strand. Nashua The Daniel Webster presented a cook¬ ing school in conjunction with three stores and a gas range manufacturer. Rhode Island Arctic Funeral services were held last fort¬ night for George W. Bullock, who died in a Plymouth, N. H., hospital at the age of 77. Members of the industry from throughout the area were among those attending the service and the burial. Pascoag Approximately 100 patrons of the Star left in an orderly fashion recently when fire broke out in the projection booth shortly after the start of a Saturday night performance. Rudolph St. Pierre, projectionist, escaped with singed hair and clothes. The flames spread to a bench over the film storage cabinet but were quickly quenched by firemen re¬ sponding from a station across the street from the theatre. James P. Callahan, manager, said jamming in one of the machines caused the blaze. Regular per¬ formances were resumed the following day. The theatre was the scene of a $30,000 fire in Janauary, 1947, and since then has been remodeled with fireproof facilities. Wickford Wickford Players, Inc., is scheduled to open an eight-week run at the Wick¬ ford on July 4. Jack Stanzler is business manager of the venture; Robert Cook, technical director and president, and Miss Barry Wharton, publicity director. June 21, 1950