The Exhibitor (1952)

EXHIBITOR NT-1 rows OF TM Philadelphia Crosstown A hunt for a “kidnapped” child ter¬ minated at the S-W Model where she had fallen asleep, and was still peace¬ fully sleeping curled up on her seat when police summoned the manager during an all-out search. . . . The S-W Ogontz was burglarized. . . . Mike Caman and Mrs. Caman returned from a threeweek Florida vacation. They stopped at Lee Kline’s Wilson Hotel, Hollywood, Fla., and recommended it highly to all who contemplate a trip south. Fire Commissioner Frank L. McNamee advised that in 1951 there were 187 theatres in the city, motion picture and legitimate, licensed by the Fire Marshal’s office. In 1952, there have been 166 thea¬ tres, motion picture and legitimate, licensed by the office, indicating a de¬ crease of 21 theatres from last year. Louis Devon, cousin of Bernard Haines, Selvil, Sellersville, Pa., and for¬ mer reviewer for The Evening Public Ledger, is having his latest book, “Aid To Glory,” published. It should be in the book stores in the fall. Tom Lazarick will close the New Ritz on May 31. The S-W Mastbaum closed for one day for the steel workers’ convention. Olsen and Johnson brought in a stage review for the, stage presentation. . . . The S-W Wynne is now on three-day a week operation, and the S-W Ogontz is on the list to close. Vine Street Henrietta Weinberg, Republic, re¬ signed her post as business agent, Local F-7, IATSE, after holding the office for many years. She has been succeeded by Janet H. Lewis, UA booker. Returning from vacations were Sam Diamond, 20th-Fox branch head, from the south, and Joe Leon, U-I branch head, from a cruise. Lest some people be confused that 20th-Fox’s “Viva Zapata” is a Mexican instead of a Hollywood-made production, Sam Diamond, 20th-Fox branch man¬ ager, advised that some new ads have been made up emphasizing the line, “The Tiger On The White Horse,” and point¬ ing out that the picture is a 20th-Fox production made in Hollywood. The new ad numbers are 103, 207, and 305, and are available through National Screen Service. If they are not, Diamond says to advise the branch, and they will be sent off at once. Don Gillis, son of Max Gillis, Mono¬ gram branch head, has been awarded a Root-Tilden scholarship to New York "Movietime" In Eastern Pa. But Not In Quaker City PHILADELPHIA — “Movietime, U. S. A.” was spreading through¬ out the territory this week, with the exception of this city. The caravan was to start at Trenton, N. J., and then follow into Pennsylvania spots, including Easton, Allentown, York, Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Carlisle, and Hazleton. Included in the unit were to have been Don DeFore, Ella Raines, Joyce Mackenzie, William Campbell, writer Agnes Christine Johnstone, director Bert Granet, producer Har¬ riet Parsons, Carlton Carpenter, and Vanessa Brown. The schedule called for them to appear at Kiwanis and Lions Clubs, Chamber of Commerce luncheons, other affairs, and in public squares, etc. They will not make any personal appearances in theatres. Ward Farrar, Trenton, N. J., and Jack Mahon, Scranton, Pa., were in for the meeting along with S-W up¬ state managers and others who will handle details in their towns. University’s law school, a three-year term. Currently, Gillis is a student at Oxford on a Fullbright fellowship. Burt Stanley, now a patient at Mont¬ gomery County Home, Box 300, Royersford, Pa., would appreciate some summer clothing and especially shoes, size 12 EEEE or 13; shirts, size 48, and socks, size 12. Oscar Forman, well known as a for¬ mer exhibitor, is now a host in Atlantic City, with rooms available at 59 South Sovereign Avenue. He says he will give a special break to industryites. He also has an apartment available for rent for the summer, and Memorial Day reser¬ vations are now being taken. Write him for further details. Michael Licenti, “Mike,” the barber, known to Vine Streeters for the past 20 years or more, died in Veterans’ Hospital. Circuits Stanley-Warner Ronnie Gillam, publicity department, is still recovering after seeing Betty Hutton at the Palace, New York. . . . Fourth floor secretaries had a double celebration on account of Adele Plechner and Hortense Shalita. Both had birth¬ days. It was a gala party with ice cream and birthday cake courtesy of two handsome gentlemen. . . . Jerry Crescenzo, stenographer in the contact department, left the company. . . . Back at their desks after being on the sick list were Irv Blumberg, publicity department, and Harry Kaplowitz, book¬ ing department. Bill Brooker, Columbia, wrote that he was on his way westward again. . . . Charles Tobias and Peter DeRose, two of the nation’s top song writers, were in for radio and press interviews in the course of their tour of leading cities in This recent shot of kids at the Cen¬ tury, Philadelphia, should be obvious proof of the drawing power of the Roy Rogers trick lasso contest, a promotion of Knox-Reese Manufacturers, 503 North 62nd Street, Philadelphia. The contest is being conducted on a national scale, with the grand prize a college scholarship or $2,500 in cash, plus numerous other prizes. behalf of “About Face.” This team has contributed such hits as “Deep Purple,” “Wagon Wheels,” and “Zing Zing, Zoom Zoom.” District of Columbia Washington The first talkless movie in 25 years got under way when Clarence Greene and Russell Rouse started the camera rolling on “The Thief,” starring Ray Milland. Authors Greene and Rouse, doubling as producer and director, re¬ spectively, for the Harry M. Popkin production which United Artists will release, started the picture at the Washington Airport. Actors Milland, Martin Gabel, and Rex O’Malley were used for the first day’s shooting. High level conferences with State Department officials took place, arranged by Tony Muto, Washington represen¬ tative, 20th Century-Fox, in connection with “Diplomatic Courier.” Aiding in the planning was Stirling Silliphant, pub¬ licity manager, who joined Muto for the meetings. Third of the MGM five regional sales meetings got underway at the Wardman Park Hotel with 32 branch, district, and division managers from the field, in addition to salesmen and nine home office executives, in attendance. Charles M. Reagan, general sales manager, con¬ ducted the three-day session which took in six eastern branches under the super¬ vision of Rudy Berger, southern chief¬ tain, with headquarters at the local exchange. Supplementing Berger from the local branch were manager Jerome Adams, Paul Wall, Sidney Eckman, Francis M. Sharkey, Pete Prince, and Tom Baldridge, exploiteer. With Reagan from the home office were E. M. Saunders, assistant general sales man¬ ager; H. M. Richey, exhibitor relations head; Jay Eisenberg, legal liaison be¬ tween sales and distribution; William B. Zoellner, head, short subjects and news¬ reel sales; M. L. Simons, home office assistant to Richey; Leonard Hirsch, home office assistant to Berger; Dan S. Terrell, exploitation head, and Joel Bezahler, in charge of bidding. May 21, 1952 PHILA.-WASH.