The Exhibitor (1952)

NT-4 EXHIBITOR Buckeye Lake Billy Mitchell returned after a winter season of travel with Hallmark films. During the summer months, he is in charge of Hallmark’s boats and large resort cottage, “Intermission,” on the south shore of Buckeye Lake. Many Hallmark employees, film men, exhibi¬ tors, and their wives enjoy vacations and outings at “Intermission” cottage as guests of Kroger Babb, president, Hallmark. Columbus Lou Holleb, former manager, Majestic, has been named manager, Uptown. . . . Mrs. Elnora Wiggins, secretary to Robert Wile, Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio executive secretary, has taken a leave of absence to await the stork. Her place is being filled by Patricia Whitacre, former secretary to Congressman John Vorys. Charles Williams, student assistant, Loew’s Broad, has been appointed assistant manager. . . . Fred Oestreicher, Loew’s publicist, is vacationing in Florida. William A. Carroll, general manager, National Allied Caravan Committee, will conduct a film clinic at 4 p.m., on May 19 at the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio convention at the Hotel Hollenden, Cleveland. Robert Wile, ITOO secre¬ tary, announced that Janis Carter will be a guest during the convention. Crooksville The Starlite Drive-In, Six Mile Furnace, O., had its screen wrecked in a severe windstorm. Dorman Law is operator of the drive-in. Dayton Among those registered at the Variety Clubs International convention in Las Vegas, Nev., were: Mr. and Mrs. Wil¬ liam Clegg, Fred J. Krimm, Thomas H. Ryan, Dr. C. B. Simson, Rev. M. H. Hinssen, and Mr. and Mrs. Roy E. Wells. Perrysburq City Council repealed the three per cent admissions tax at the request of R. E. Young, Palace, who pointed out he was the only merchant in the village paying the tax, and that his theatre is open only on weekends. In Newark, O., managers of the Arcade, Midland, and Auditorium filed requests with City Council to repeal the three per cent municipal tax on gross admissions. Springfield Chakeres Theatres increased its holdings by the purchase of the Melody Cruise-In from Raymond K. Stout, Dayton, O., at a reported price of $200,000. An expansion program will be undertaken. Toledo Aldo Ray, new Columbia star, was in in connection with “The Marrying Kind,” Rivoli, Pennsylvania Altoona A. N. Notopolous, president, Altoona Publix Theatres, flew up from his winter home in Florida to transact some busi¬ ness. He stayed but a few days, and then went back, taking one of his sons, Victor, manager, Capitol, with him for two weeks. . . . Jake Silverman, Blair, Hollidaysbui'g, Pa., shifted his favorite winter vacation spot to California. He reports he is still in considerable pain from an acute bursitus in the right shoulder. Bud Allison, Allison Circuit, is taking flying lessons. He is also identified with a group of investors who have secured valuable acreage in the Leidy Gas Field, Renova, Pa., and ax-e in the process of drilling eight holes for gas. Bradford The Dipson Circuit, now operating all three houses, closed the Shea. The Mc¬ Kean, in parttime use, will run full time as does the Dipson. Top product will now play the Dipson. Robert Gannon is city manager. Butler A legal wrangle is holding up the opening of the Butler Drive-In. George Notopolous was in town to confer with manager Harold Reddick, who oversees the Notopolous Circuit houses here. An announcement regard¬ ing the now closed Capitol was expected. Clearfield Mid-States Circuit made a tieup with the Stoehman Bread Company, Altoona, Pa., to find the girl who looks most like the “Sunshine Bread Girl” used by the baking company in all advertising. Con¬ tests will be held in all the circuit’s theatres, with a trip to Hollywood, bonds, and other prizes for the winners. The bread company will cooperate by using billboards, radio, and newspaper advertising. William Way, assistant to Mae Shively, Mid-States general manager, is trying to shake off the after-effects of the flu. Emporium Bud Andrews, Emporium, is now re¬ covered from a major operation which kept him in a hospital for thi’ee weeks. Erie The Folly closed again after a twomonth try at full time operation. Pre¬ viously, it was closed for two years. Present owner is Anthony Iaruzzi, who leases the building from B. G. Neyland. Herman Lorence, owner, 18th Street, is back after an extended vacation in California. Regis Burns, home office executive, Blatt Circuit, and drive-in district man¬ ager Don Buecher were in inspecting the three drive-ins operated by the circuit. Leo Guerrin, Hllicrest owner, an¬ nounced that he will operate the thea¬ tre weekends only. It is rumored he will enter the real estate business. Local showmen were talking about the sensational campaign staged by Charlie Bick, Plaza, for U-I’s “Steel Town.” Franklin Ray Woodard, manager, Kayton and Orpheum, was notified by the local authorities that “Bank Night” is now considered a lottery and would have to be discontinued. It is expected that the Kayton Amusement Company will go to court for a ruling. Johnstown The Westmont Drive-In was sold for $147,500. County Amusement Company, Somerset, Pa., purchased the 1,000-car spot from Westmont Enterprises, Inc. E. W. Troll, Jr., representing County Amusement Company, said $10,000 will be spent on new equipment and furnish¬ ings in the main concession stand. County Amusement Company also operates the Richmond Drive-In, Geistown-Elton Road. Kane Cliff Brown opened his New York State Drive-In, Limestone, Pa., between Bradford, Pa., and Olean, N. Y. The Ideal Drive-In, being built across from the Kane Country Club, won’t be ready to open until July. New Kensington Now that the new bridge is open from Tarentum, Pa., to Route 56, Zay Bass, Family Drive-In, expects an increase in patronage from the Brackenridge, Pa., Natrona, Pa., and Tarentum districts. Renova George MacFadden, Rialto manager, was one of the first fishermen to hit the streams when the season opened, and he reported the limit of eight trout within 30 minutes. He is re-carpeting his theatre. Children’s prices have been re¬ duced two cents and adults raised five cents, with no complaints. Saxton Tom Hickes, Jr., bought a new home. His youngest child is in the hospital in Altoona, Pa., with a skin infection. Springboro Paul Remaley, Erie, opened his Maple Drive-In. He is contemplating using stage shows, with the roof of the con¬ cession building being used for a stage. Titusville Arthur Kuhn, Auto Drive-In, reports heavy sales and demand for french fried potatoes, a new item in the concession stand. Vandergrift Harold A. Lee, Woodland Drive-In, is drilling for gas on the land behind the theatre. May 7, 1952