The Exhibitor (1952)

EXHIBITOR NT-3 Mrs. F. Jacob Baker, widow of the veteran Fox and Metrotone News cameraman, died in St. John’s Hospital. Three sons and two daughters survive. . . . Word comes from Mount Sinai Hospital that Joe Leavitt is recovering from a major operation. Leo F. Samuels, head, Walt Disney’s east coast sales department, was in when “Story of Robin Hood” was shown to the national convention of the Inter¬ national Milling Company, makers of Robin Hood floor. International Milling is planning a country-wide promotion tying in with the picture. Samuels also participated in an “opinion-maker” screening of the picture, to which news¬ paper, radio, TV, school, and church representatives as well as exhibitors were invited. A complete program was arranged for the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio convention, with the May 19-21 schedule calling for film clinics, forums, dinners, style shows, luncheons, etc., with the banquet due to have Janis Carter, Abram F. Myers, Maurice Bergman, and others on hand. Nat Wolf, an industry veteran of 40 years and for the past 20 years Warner Theatres’ Ohio zone manager, announced his resignation from the organization at a general meeting of all Ohio managers. He and Mrs. Wolf will leave for Ger¬ many soon after his resignation becomes effective on June 1 to visit their son, Lieutenant Donald Wolf, stationed in Mainz. Upon his return, he plans to enter business for himself. After serving in World War I, Wolf got into the dis¬ tribution end of the industry, and wras with First National and Educational in the Chicago area. He came to Cleveland in 1932, since when he has participated in many civic activities. For the past four years he wrote, directed, and pro¬ duced the annual official Red Cross reel shown in every theatre in Greater Cleve¬ land during the Red Cross membership drive. Currently, he is on the mayor’s safety traffic committee. Wolf is a charter Variety Club member. He has served two terms as Chief Barker, Tent 6. Detroit Construction of the Hollywood House by the Variety Club is now underway. The Hollywood House will be awarded, and all proceeds will go to the cerebral palsy campaign fund. Adolph Goldberg, Chief Barker, is in charge of the project. J. Oliver Brooks retired recently after 28 years with the Butterfield Theatres of Michigan Circuit. Ollie, as he is often called by friends in the business, started out as booker for Butterfield. Later, he became chief publicity and advertising executive for Butterfield. The Cinema, first-run art house, was ordered closed by the Martin Cinema Corporation, headed by Samuel Baker, which operates the theatre. Neil Tailing, manager, did not indicate why the thea¬ tre was closed. Tailing believed the house may be remodeled, and reopened again this fall. Frank I). Emano, noted Detroit crimebuster and former chief of police of that city, recently conferred with Alvin Josephy, Jr., writer of UA’s “The Captive City.” Allied Theatres of Michigan has sent a formal protest to Representative Gerald Ford, Michigan, regarding in¬ crease in postal rates on third class matter to be effective on July 1. Ernest T. Conlon, executive secretary, Allied, said that the hike will work a direct hardship upon patrons of small town and rural theatres. Mail advertising may be discontinued by exhibitors in small towns if the raise becomes effective, thus “denying residents of rural routes and others from being informed as to enter¬ tainment programs established for their enjoyment,” Conlon declared. At the Allied board of directors meeting, the hike was discussed. Plans for the annual convention were also discussed. Indianapolis Republic plans a state premiere for “I Dream of Jeanie” at the Circle on June 5. Mickey Gross, director of studio publicity, was in, and announced the appearance of four stars who will appear, Bill Shirley, Ray Middleton, Muriel Lawrence, and Eileen Christy. Elmer Schowe, New Albany, Ind., is now booking and buying for the SkyLine Drive-In, Madison, Ind. . . . The Madrid, Akron, Ind., closed. . . . Fletcher Brewer, State, Lafayette, Ind., motored to Arkansas to visit relatives. . . . F. D. Moore, Moore, district manager, Warners, was in talking to salesmen, and holding a conference with manager Claude Mc Loew’s Stillman, Cleveland, recently had a square boxod-in platform built in front and to one side of the boxollice in which a barker was used for Paramount’s “The Greatest Show On Earth.” Kean. . . . Joe Goldberg, Realart, Cin¬ cinnati, was a visitor. Goldberg plans to devote some time in Indianapolis and the surrounding territory in the interets of Realart releases. Joe Barr, manager, Williston Circuit, announced the arrival of baby girl, his first child, born at Coleman Hospital, named Elizabeth, weight, seven pounds, two ounces. She arrived on election day, and dad was nominated on the Demo¬ cratic ticket for State Senator. ... A letter from Earl Cunningham, manager, Fountain Square, now convalescing in North Miami, Fla., says he expects to return back home in June. Cunningham was stricken with a heart condition. . . . Jack Howard is the new assistant man¬ ager, Indiana. He comes from the Den¬ ham, Denver. . . . Frank Parrish is at home following a heart attack. Salesman Kenneth L. Dotterer, 20thFox, left for a three-week motoring trip to Los Angeles and San Francisco. . . . Exhibitors visiting Film Row were: Fletcher Brewer, State, Lafayette, Ind.; J. F. Griffis, Boswell, Boswell, Ind.; Walter Weil, Weil, Greenfield, Ind.; Matt Scheidler, Hartford, Hartford City, Ind.; William T. Studebaker, Logan, Logansport, Ind., and J. E. Elliott, Jr., Cardinal, Hodgensville, Ky. Theatres closed in Indianapolis are the Lincoln, Tacoma, Strand, Dream, and Mecca. Pittsburgh In preparation for the mid-June re¬ issue of “King Kong,” RKO exploitation head Terry Turner has moved into the Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincin¬ nati, and Indianapolis areas sending out sound trucks with a towering reproduc¬ tion of the monstrous beast clutching a doll-like blonde in his gigantic arms. Tabloid heralds, ads, trailers, TV, and radio provide the rest of the promotional punch. The extensive TV and radio tieups include WKRC-TV and radio, Cincinnati CBS outlet; WBNS-TV and radio, Columbus, 0., CBS outlet; WHIOTV and radio, Dayton, O., CBS outlet; WFBM-TV and radio, Indianapolis NBC outlet; WTAM-TV and radio, Cleveland NBC outlet; WDTV-TV, Pittsburgh Dumont outlet; WCAE radio, Pitts¬ burgh ABC outlet, and WXYZ-TV and radio, Detroit NBC outlet. The city was slipping into high gear for its annual “Welcome Week” of festivities which will be set off on May 31 when a group of Republic film stars arrives in the first commercial plane to land at the new Greater Pittsburgh Airport to attend the gala world premiere of Republic’s “I Dream of Jeanie.” Fly¬ ing in will be Ray Middleton, Bill Shirley, Eileen Christy, and Muriel Lawrence. The world premiere will be held at the Fulton on June 4 following a sequence of ga<a events arranged in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce. Jamie Smith, star of “Faithful City,” was in for interviews and appearances. The picture opens at the Manor. Smith was born in Pittsburgh. May 21, 1952