The Exhibitor (1950)

EXHIBITOR NT-1 NEWS OF THK Boston Crosstown Eliminations announced last fortnight by the Bureau of Sunday Censorship included the following: “The Laughing Lady,’’ parts 1 to 10. (Deletions: Dia¬ logue, “ — it’s not so damned expensive.”, in part 3. Dialogue, “Why damnit man you’ve cost me a fortune.”, in part 10). Four Continents. “Side Show,” parts 1 to 7. (Deletions: Dialogue, “Has she got a stinger?”, in part 5). Monogram. i One of New England’s finest drive-ins, Nat Trager’s Sky View Drive-In, Brock¬ ton, Mass., which recently opened, features an innovation in the Snack ’n Vu room. Modelled on the idea of a “cry room,” this glass enclosed, patio¬ like room, adjacent to the snack bar, has comfortable seats for approximately 50 people. Featuring one of the longest snack bars in New England, speed and efficiency are maintained by automatic coin receivers. According to manager Paul MacBeath, this has been highly appreciated by the drive-in patrons. The back of the Sky View screen, facing the heavily travelled Route 28, presents a highly effective and attractive picture, with the illusion of a moving spotlight played back and forth across the word¬ ing, Sky View, painted on a star-studded background. More eliminations announced last fortnight by the Bureau of Sunday Censorship included the following: “Congolaise,” parts 1 to 8. (Deletions: Eliminate scenes showing women’s bare breasts in parts 1 and 2. Scene showing girl with bare breasts and scanty attire leaning against post, in part 3. Scenes showing women’s bare breasts, in parts 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8). Film Classics. “My Friend Irma Goes West,” parts 1 to 10. (Deletions: Dialogue, “Although I’ve been engaged for five years, I’ve never had any children. I want to be a mother.”, in part 10). Paramount. Boston’s Mayor Hynes announced that the Board of Censorship, composed of himself and Police Commissioner Sulli¬ van, had banned “Dedee.” The mayor’s announcement followed a private screen¬ ing. This picture was also banned last year by the Sunday Licensing Board, and was heavily cut and revised before being screened. Film District In a recent bulletin sent out by Ray Feeley, business manager, Drive-In Theatres’ Association of New England, all drive-in operators in New England were urged to join with conventional theatre owners in the drive against the federal admissions tax. Urged particu¬ larly to contact Senator Owen Brewster, Maine, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, were all drive-in operators in Maine, with exhibitors in the other four New England States urged to write their Congressmen and Senators urging them to vote for a total repeal of the federal admissions tax. National Screen Service has available a trailer by which patrons can be informed of efforts to eliminate this tax. Harry Kirchgessner, National Screen Service, will cooperate. Managing director Bill Brown, Greendale, Woi’cester, Mass., ran another suc¬ cessful one-day performance of a Swedish film, “Sunshine Follows Rain.” The Greendale is in the heavily popu¬ lated Swedish area of Worcester. Fux-ther news at the Greendale is the recent appointment of Edward McKeon as manager. A comparative newcomer, McKeon was once associated with the Ken Forkey Circuit. Independent Exhibitors’ legislative committee was enlisting the aid of thea¬ tres in fighting a bill before the legisla¬ ture to raise the minimum wage of office workers, including theatre cashiers, to an eventual 75 cents an hour. Edward X. Callahan, district mana¬ ger, 20th-Fox, left for New Haven, and stopped off en route to discuss forthcom¬ ing releases with exhibitors. Local F-3 held its annual luncheon and show party on June 23. Following the luncheon at the Town House, members enjoyed “Kiss Me, Kate.” . . . The 20thFox club held its annual outing at the Mayflower Hotel, Plymouth, Mass. Hand¬ ling arrangements for the activities were Barbara Connolly and Phil O’Leary. . . . Well wishes of the district go to Prunella Hall, motion picture film critic, The Boston Post, recuperating at home following a recent illness. Greetings were received from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cifre, Joe Cifre, Inc., pres¬ ently in Coral Gables, Fla., following a trip that took them to Havana and the Keys. They plan seeing the entire state of Florida during their much-needed vacation. Cifre proudly reports that his wife reeled in a 21% pound dolphin on a fishing trip. dozen^ffoif; first BABYBORN^THllRSDAYJUNtfc CHERPER^DOZEI BroodwovTHeafJC vntiamnf tins jrtctur& pb/dam 8*cac> xAwm'toxims ttismto* mu frmttxvicfacpis to 1 tows/** $hqss wxjQim wu &*!Y -S 8AN*. account 3* Stivct ARTHUR COX FY j Souquclofflowcfs AlTKEN ftvnU 2 W; * WIW~(71 1 mauWs Miuyl Wts-;. Gift KITS t »omiH<x5sT"ll DAYS 2s>te<c*ocaArs f : 'mm®*: C«fwV»XK)itN l . I j Movie Oeck&iSC] lf9A8w/%y' C. E. Patch, manager, Broadway, Springfield, Mass., stands by a sign announcing gifts to the first baby born on the open¬ ing day of 20th-Fox’s “Cheaper By The Dozen.” The stunt was the last for the season, as the house closed for the sum¬ mer to make way for legit enterprises. A1 Swerdlove, head, Federal Film Company, Boston, announced that book¬ ings are now being accepted on 20 Zane Grey western features, all former Para¬ mount releases, which Swerdlove will handle exclusively in the New England area. Harry F. Goldstein, long-time RKO salesman, was married on June 30 to Mrs. Lillian Malkin at the Hotel Beaconsfield, Brookline, Mass. The Gold¬ steins will honeymoon motoring through the New England States and Canada, and will spend a week at Grey’s Inn, N. H., on their return from the motor trip. They will then open their summer home on Wells Island, Webster, Mass. . . . Phil Engel, field press representa¬ tive, 20th-Fox, and A1 Margolian were given much credit on their handling of the “Panic in the Streets” campaign, which world premiered at B and Q’s flagship, the Astor. Engel and Mar¬ golian arranged for the personal ap¬ pearance of Sam Shaw. Shaw acted as assistant director of photography on this picture. He spent a full day with Alan Frazer, feature columnist, The Boston American, and Frazer devoted an entire column to Shaw’s story on “Streets.” Special screenings were ar¬ ranged for a diversified group of people, bartenders, taxi drivers, hotel clerks, letter carriers, and members of the police department. Package radio an¬ nouncements were high-spotted over every radio outlet. “Streets” opened at 8:30 a.m. at the Astor. Phil Engel, field press representative, 20th-Fox, returned from a hurried oneday trip to the New York home office in connection with the world premiere of “Panic in the Streets,” Astor. . . . Char¬ lotte Weisman, head, contract depart¬ ment, RKO, is now honeymooning at Stonington, Conn., following her June 30 wedding to Robert Lerner. Ralph Banghart, field press represen¬ tative, RKO, was setting up the advance campaign for “Treasure Island” at the Strand, Portland, Me. . . . Ken Prickett, new division manager, Phil Smith’s Mid-west Drive-In Theatres, spent the first 10 days of his new position working at the circuit’s newest ozoner, Natick Drive-In, Natick, Mass. This 1300-car drive-in, complete with two de luxe cafe¬ teria style concession stands, was sched¬ uled to have opened on June 29. Engineering was handled by Warren Campbell and Charles Cifre. . . . The final meeting of the season for the Cinema Club was scheduled to have been held on June 28 at MGM. The lxxeeting was to be presided over by Cinema Club President C. Delano Wilson, booking manager, Monogram. Plans for the Sep¬ tember outing were under discussion. Sam Soroker, New England sales rep¬ resentative, theatrical division, Cole-spa, Inc., advised that installation of a threedrink dispenser and money-changer in Roy Buri’oughs Strand, Belmont, Mass. Soroker further advised that Cole-spa is introducing a new hot chocolate and coffee machine, suitable for drive-ins. July 5, 1950 NEW ENGLAND