The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

9 EVENTS Variety Members Elect as Dinner Plans Progress As committee members of the Variety Club made final plans for the gala dinner dance November 19, other barkers were scheduled to take time out November 1 5 to elect a new slate of officers, a national committeeman. Meanwhile, A. E. Lichtman, general chairman of Variety’s greatest social event of the year, said the seating capacity for the affair had been increased from 5 00 to 5 75. As was announced in the last issue of The National Exhibitor, seats had been set aside for barkers who had failed to signify their intentions of attending the affair. Shortly after requests began to pour in, it was necessary to find more available space in the huge main ball room of the Willard Hotel. Barker Harry P. Somerville has not spared a thing in making his hotel in readiness for the film folk, famous guests, friends, who will converge on his hostelry Saturday night, have the time of times. As was announced recently, jolly Johnny Perkins, who has been declared the permanent master of ceremonies for Variety, will again be on hand. And as a delight to all persons who will attend the event, it is with pride the Varieteers announce they have engage the music services of Johnny Dorsey. Hardie Meakin, in charge of entertainment, is to be congratulated for the splendid program he has arranged. Due largely to the work of Sidney Lust, his committee, office force, a grand program has been completed. On the seating arrangements front, Harry Brown promises "there isn’t a bad seat in the house.” Some lucky person attending the affair will leave early Sunday morning with an order for a beautiful 1939 car. The new Chief Barker will be presented his chair by the present Chief A. Julian Brylawski at the banquet. This year, for the first time the Chief Barker will be elected by the entire membership. Blind to Benefit from "The Citadel” The trade heard last fortnight that the National Library for the Blind will be the beneficiary of the proceeds of a special midnight premiere showing of "The Citadel,” scheduled for November 2 3 at Loew’s Capitol. The premiere is both sponsored by the National Library for the Blind, of which the former Senator Gore is national head. EXHIBITION Parking Problem Studied to Aid Theatres Within the fortnight the new District Engineer Commissioner David McCoach, Jr., came forth with the suggestion that overnight parking on the streets be abolished. He also said the parking problem in the downtown area would be aided if more garages were built. Meanwhile a special committee of District officials are preparing a report on a survey begun earlier this year regarding downtown parking. It was the hope of former Commissioner George E. Allen to make available parking for 10 cents a day in the downtown area. If such a scheme is worked out, it will undoubtedly aid the downtown theatres. Building Continues in Local Area During the past week, the following developments were noted in the field of new theatres, remodeling: Richmond, Virginia. Benjamin T. Pitts opened his new East End November 14. Crozet, Virginia. William H. Haden expects to open his new house here (about 10 miles west of Charlottesville) in three weeks. Appalachia, Virginia. William A. Byers, Norton theatre operator, anticipates a pre-December opening for his remodeled State. House was formerly called the Cumberland. Callao, Virginia. Ed Cumberland opened the new Wardley November 2. The 2 8 8-seat theatre, a credit to all those connected with it, is modern in every respect, is equipped with Western Electric sound. Washington, D. C. Without closing the theatre, Warners’ recently acauired Takoma was completely remodeled from cellar to ceiling, inside, out. Boonsboro, Maryland. Harold Low, Charles Walter, operators, Thurmont’s State, will re-open the Stanley. ORGANIZATIONS Norfolk Men Back Red Cross Drive With William F. Crockett, president, MPTO of Virginia, present, the Norfolk Theatre Managers Association November 7 heard progress of the industry parley, endorsed the local Red Cross Drive, made up a distinct unit of theatres to work on the drive’s behalf with Pierre Boulogne as major. Present were Roscoe Drissell, Pierre Boulogne, Graham Barbee, Jack Lichtman, Jeff Hofheimer, Bobby Hofheimer, Sydney Gates, Langhorne Wieford, Stanley Barr, Edward Levine, E. L. Collamer, George Lefferts. C. H. Oliver Continued as ATO Head Allied Theatre Owners of the District of Columbia, meeting November 10 reelected original president Charles H. Olive, managing director, Atlas, Princess, to his fifth term; John H. Hiser, ownermanager, State, Bethesda, Maryland, to his fifth term as treasurer. Other officers elected were Ashley’s Ashley Abendschein, vice-president; Lido’s board of director’s chairman; W. R. Gingell, secretary. A report on the recent national board meeting was read by President Olive, approved. Other action: William E. S. Wilcox, whose Seco, Silver Spring, Maryland, was recently acquired by Warners, resigned. Fred S. Kogod, Atlas owner, joined. Theatre owners in near-by Maryland, Virginia will be invited to join. DISTRIBUTION Drive Honoring Jimmy Grainger Started by Republic Following meeting of Republic District managers recently at which it was unanimously decided to honor president James P. Grainger with a sales drive. Samuel M., Jacob E. Flax, Washington Republic office, held a meeting with their sales force to make plans for immediate fulfillment. Republic Pictures Corporation has been stepping since James R. Grainger became president, stated the younger Flax; that it will step further, even faster, that they propose signalizing the progress made to date by giving president Grainger a real sales drive was the older’s sentiments. (The National Exhibitor inadvertently assigned Grainger to another company in the last issue, when this drive was first announced.) November IS, 193S ON YOUR DESK EVERY WEDNESDAY NAT