The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

Sibley Incubators Variety’s 1938 Gift Equipment Presentation Fills Urgent Need Further to exhibit her abiding interest in child health — especially babies, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt will attend December 29 the dedication of the $5,000 incubators to be installed at Sibley Hospital as the annual gift of the Variety Club of Washington to the National Capital’s institutions of public welfare. Installation will meet a long existing emergency need in the District of Columbia, vicinity— modern equipment for the care of babies prematurely born. The ceremony is to be attended by th: full membership of the Variety Club, headed by welfare chairman Rudolph Berger, Chief Barker A. E. Lichtman, Sibley Hospital authorities, other leaders of local child welfare activities. The new baby-saving equipment will also include a portable "ambulance” — an electric box which can be plugged into the light socket of any automobile or taxi, so as to provide safe transportation of a premature baby from home to hospital, or from other hospitals to Sibley. If parents cannot afford such transportation or hospital expenses, the bill will b" paid by the Variety Club. The club recently sent special nurses to Chicago for thorough training in the care of premature babies with aid of an incubator apparatus. One of them will be in charge of the installation at Sibley. The Variety Club hopes that the establishment of Washington’s first premature station will stimulate other hospitals. Barron Launches Theatre Side of FDR’s 1939 Birthday Party Early last week initial plans were laid for the participation of Washington theatres in the forthcoming President’s Birthday Ball celebrations. Eastern division manager Carter T. Barron, Loew’s, held several meetings with District of Columbia commissioner Melvin C. Hazen on the matter, to mak’ the Capital’s part of the January 30 nation-wide event the biggest, best yet. Baltimore Exhibitors Watching “Bingo” Play in Organizations Baltimore exhibitors were watching this week efforts of organizations, churches this week to continue playing of "Bingo” despite the order by Police Commissioner Robert F. Stanton that all such games be stopped, effective December 15. It is reported that five organizations, churches played the game December 16, seven played it December 17, including one theatre; five played it December 19, including two theatres. No arrests have been made; no further orders given. One Lit, One Started in Warner Celebration Ground Broken for Kennedy as Beverly Opens Following ground-breaking ceremonies last week, actual construction work has begun on Warner Brothers’ Kennedy, Kennedy Street, N. W., between Third, Fourth Streets. According to John J. Payette, general zone manager, the new theatre is scheduled to open in the early spring of 1939. Construction on the Kennedy was begun as final plans were completed for the opening December 2 3 of the Beverly at 519 Fifteenth Street, N. E. While both theatres were designed by John Eberson, noted architect, the Kennedy will mark a distinct departure from the streamlined effects utilized in recent construction. Forest green, autumn shades will be the prevailing color scheme, which will be carried out in the carpets, walls, seats, draperies. Latest type sound, projection, air conditioning equipment will be installed. Several stores will be included in the theatre building, located on the Kennedy Street side. Kennedy is being built by Harris Shanero, with actual construction work by the Mohler Construction Company. Washington owned, built, the Kennedy will use onlv Washington workmen, contractors, will be constructed under the direction of A. Julian Brylawski. Norfolk Managers Click With New Benefit System T wo Showings Sellout As Town Okays Idea Success crowned the efforts last fortnight of the Norfolk Theatre Managers Association to stage a joint show for charity. A combined show, the Giant Joy Fund Jamboree, to do away with the usual gift-of-food-fcr-the-poor-as-admission program, was the ticket. Loew’s State packed, turned people away. Offers of as much as $5 were made for a pair of tickets that sold originally for 5 0 cents each. Show consisted of more than 20 stage acts, "Vacation From Love,” donated by Metro. All performers, workers gave their services. As a result more than $1,15 0 was turned over to bring Christmas cheer to Norfolk’s needy. A similar show was held at the Booker T. for the colored folks. That too was a complete sell-out; tickets were being scalped. It also was sponsored by the Norfolk Theatre Managers Association, brought in $250. Money was given to the Norfolk Christmas Jov Fund, sponsored by Norfolk Newspapers, Inc. General chairman was Sydney Gates, manager, Roxy, president, managers association. Servin'; with him on the general committee on preliminary arrangements was Eddie Levine, Plaza; Stanley Barr, Colonial. Ticket committee: Earl Westbrook, manager, Granby; E. L. Collamer, Park Publicity committee; Roscoe R. Drissell, manager, Loew’s State; Stanley Barr, manager, Colonial; Kit Larson, The National Exhibitor correspondent; E. M. Holmes, newspaper critic; Jack Lichtman, Lichtman chain; Harry Valentine, publicity director Wilder chain. Show committee: Leo Greenwood, chairman, Pierre Boulogne, manager, Norva; Langhorne Weiford, manager, New Wells; Graham Barbee, southern district manager, Lichtman’s chain; Andy Ferry, Hughie Prince, American Institute of Music. Trailer committee; Bob Hofheimer, Byrd, Visulite; Harold Lucas, Alexander Film Company representative. Virginia Electric and Power Company cooperated, providing special buses for transportation after the show was over. Johnny Bengston, well-known pianist, provided music for the rehearsals, joined with the union orchestra under Dominic Tocce’s direction at the main show. Tutti Annarino directed the stage work, the union lent a hand, as did the motion picture operators local. Ushers, ticket sellers helped put over the affair. Colored Joy Fund Jamboree was in charge of J. E. Kelly, director, local Lichtman theatres. He was ably assisted by Joseph M. Rowley, Regal manager; Hugo H. Harrison, Booker T. staff; James L. White, Manhattan; Marc Terrell, Capitol, Portsmouth. Heins Reported in Bedford News from Roanoke, Virginia, last week indicated that the National Theatre Corporation, Elmore D. Heins, vice-president-general manager, was considering building a theatre in Bedford, Virginia. December 28, 193 8 NAT