The Exhibitor (1950)

EXHIBITOR NT-3 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gruver, Gian and New Gian, Glenburnie, Md., an¬ nounced the birth of a son, making three boys in that family. Mrs. J. Harry Gruver, owner of the two theatres, is now a grandmother of three. The Variety Club, Tent 19, Rodney Collier, Chief Barker, held its stag din¬ ner, with 150 members attending. Ed¬ ward J. Raftery was the guest speaker. Entertainment was furnished by Peter Donald, formerly on the Fred Allen show. Raftery appealed to the industry to unite against threat of extermination by increasing anti-trust suits. He as¬ serted that the triple damage provision of anti-trust suits should be eliminated. “While attending to business in a bank, John Hawkins, long associated with the Lord Baltimore as a projectionist and a pioneer member of Local 181, died from a heart attack. Sincere sympathy is ex¬ tended the family. On June 22, Rex Allen, Republic, will be the guest of honor at the Variety Club, Tent 19. Allen will appear on the stage in 14 theatres to give his act, and a feature picture with him as the star will be shown. Rodney Collier, managing director, Stanley, announced the installation of two improved projectors. They embody the Ashcraft super-high intensity light, the new Kollmorgan fast lens, and new projector mechanism. The soon-to-be-opened Silver Drive-In, Windber, Pa., will be managed by Mau¬ rice Fruhlinger, for a long time manager, Met, Schwaber Circuit. —Jacques Shellman Leonardfown MGM’s “Annie Get Your Gun,” St. Mary’s, is being heralded by much fan fare. . . . Norman Norris is new at St. Mary’s. . . . Barbara Yates is new at the New. . . . Two St. Mary’s Theatre Inc. aides graduated with honors from St. Mary’s Academy, Marianne Candela and Rosemary Crump. . . . General man¬ ager K. B. Duke, Sr., St. Mary’s Thea¬ tre, Inc., was reelected mayor. . . . Manager Bob Wentworth, New, had quite a time escorting the original “Johnny” of the Philip Morris cigar¬ ettes around town. Wentworth used him in connection with “Bright Leaf,” and accompanied him to a tobacco fair held near the theatre, where he also made a personal appearance, telling of his var¬ ious experiences. New Jersey Atlantic City The Atlantic Drive-In, sixth for the Walter Reade Theatres organization and first in the Atlantic City area, opened on June 16. Located on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township less than eight miles from Atlantic City, the the¬ atre has a 900-car capacity, and covers 15 acres. It is a deluxe installation with an extensive play area, including pony rides and televisions, which will be open An effective attention-getter for 20thFox’s “Cheaper By The Dozen” was this attractive display recently devised by A1 Boyd, and seen at the Boyd, Chester, Pa. to the public free during the day. The theatre is equipped with in-car heaters. Township officials and mayors of all nearby communities took part in the tape-cutting ceremonies. Band music, broadcasts over WFPG and WBAB, free popcorn to every patron, and a reception for guests of honor were among the activities. Jack Hamilton has been trans¬ ferred from the circuit’s Woodbridge Drive-In, Woodbridge, N. J., to manage the new theatre. Pennsylvania Gettysburg Sydney J. Poppay, manager, Majestic and Strand, recently received one of the Armed Forces Day certificates presented to those on committees which assisted general chairman Burgess William G. Weaver in the observance. . . . The drive-in at Cross Keys, outside of Gettys¬ burg, Pa., was set for an opening. Harrisburg Passing of Albert P. Yost, 32, assist¬ ant manager, Penway, was mourned. A theatre is included in the $400,000 shopping center planned near the John Harris High School, as proposed by J. W. Kline. Sam Gilman, manager, Loew’s staged an extensive promotion of “Stars In My Crown.” A special screening was held under the auspices of the United Churches of Greater Harrisburg and Dauphin County after which the min A capacity audience witnessed this re¬ enactment of the Iwo Jima flag-raising staged recently at the Maryland, Cumber¬ land, Md., by manager Ray Light for the run of Republic’s “Sands Of Iwo Jima.” BURLEIGH MEARS, JR. IN HIS BEAUTIFUL, NEW IDLE HOUR THEATRE BELLE HAVEN. VA. Joins the BIG PARADE of Old, Experienced Showmen in SWINGING OVER TO RCA in all of his equipment. ★ 680 RCA — International Chairs A Brient — Decorating and Drapes ★ Brient — Air Conditioning Installation A RCA — Projectors ★ RCA — Brenkert Lamps ★ RCA — Sound System ★ RCA — Carpet ★ Brient — Superior Marquee ★ Brient — Theatre Planning Service YES ! ! THE BIG SWING IS TO RCA ALL THE WAY! ELMER H. BRIENT & SONS, INC. 12 H Street, N.E., Washington, D. C. ORDER Y OUR COPY OF THEATRE CATALOG NOW! PROGRESSIVE ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION CO., Inc. 240 N. 13th STREET • PHILADELPHIA 7, PA. THEATRE INSTALLATIONS and MAINTENANCE PHILADELPHIA SIGN COMPANY SIGNS-MARQUEES 305 BROWN STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA PHILADELPHIA DECORATING CO. Interior Decorating and Painting DRAPERIES, MURALS, 218 N. 13th STREET WALL COVERING, PHILADELPHIA 7, PA. STAGE SETTINGS BETTER YOUR THEATRE WITH A BETTER CHAIR— IRWIN JOHN P. MORGAN CO., INC. 317 N. 13th St., Phila. LO 4-0226 June 21, 1950