The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

NEWS OF THE TERRITORY 13 Richmond A committee of Richmond theatre managers appeared before the City Council Finance Committee, succeeded in their opposition to the city leasing the Administrative Building, the cattle barns at the State Fair Grounds to HARRY GOLDSTEIN at a rental of $3,000 per year. Goldstein had planned on spend. ng $70,000 o.t the development of an indoor sports center, provided he could get a ten year lease on the buildings. Opposition to the plan was as follows: The city would be turning over an $80,000 building for the nominal rental of $3,000 a year to go into competition with local business concerns that have spent hundreds of dollars in the erection of amusement places and are now paying heavy taxes on the same. Committee who appeared before the committee included MORTON G. THALHIMER, A. FRANK O’BRIEN, SAM BF.NDHEIM, JR., HAROLD WOOD, CHARLES A. SOMMA, WALTER J. COULTER. Colonel ROBERT BARTON, counsel for the MPTO of Virginia, represented the theatre interests. All local theatres really got into the holiday spirit. BOB COULTER, CLAUDE WILSON are still receiving plaudits for their tree and decorations in the Byrd lobby. A. B. HOLMES did a very nice decorating job at the Colonial, National. STEWART TUCKER carried out the Christmas spirit at the Westhampton with a decorated tree in front of the fireplace in the parlor at the Westhampton. At the last moment, THOMAS PITTS had tj postpone his wedding to MISS MARGARET BASLER, Suffolk. JOE VOGEL, OSCAR DOOB, Loew’s, New York, were in. ALLEN SPARROW, genial manager, Loew’s, underwent an apendectomy at the Johnson Willis Hospital, getting along fine. BOB ETCHBERGER, Norfolk manager, is up, substituting. We regret to announce the sudden death December 20, of JAKE EDELSTEIN, projectionist, National. BILL ROBINSON, New York, Hollywood, always remembers his home town around Christmas time with a check for the Christmas Mother. This year he sent $200. JOE MULLEN, manager, Bellevue, went hunting, last fortnight, returned with two rabbits, five birds. VIRGINIA SNEAD is very happy and justly so, as her fiance, JULIAN CHOCKLEY, United States Navy, is spending the holidays in Richmond. An all-day Christmas "open house” was held at the home office of Neighborhood Theatre with a Christmas tree, gifts. FRED BEIERSDORF, Warner Washington manager, was here, also FRED ROHRS, United Artists’ manager. MR., MRS. PETE LICHTMAN visited his mother in New Jersey. Lichtman’s Booker T. gave its annual Christmas party for underprivileged children December 27. FRANK WOLF, JR., is now district manager of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, for Alexander Film Company. Neighborhood Theatres gave all employees a week’s salary for a Christmas bonus. Following Richmond managers attended the Lichtman theatres’ annual meeting in Washington December 18: GEORGE H. CLARKE, city manager; JOHN VAUGHN, manager, Booker T; WALTER SHIVERS, manager, Walker; LORENZO FELS, manager, Hippodrome; EUGENE ANDERSON, manager, Globe; HOWARD LUCAS, manager, Robinson; DAVID CROSS, LORENZO MINOR, relief managers. A. FRANK O’BRIEN had as his guests during the showing of "A Christmas Carol” orphans from St. Joseph’s Villa, Methodist Orphanage, several others. Hippodrome gave free admission to anyone bringing food for the underprivileged December 20. WESTERN JAMBOREE. Western fans and Miss Koleman will be enthusiastic over the new Republic-Gene Autry entrant. A tribute to the memory of the late MOSES STEIN, widely known musician, was paid in resolution adopted by the members of local No. 123. LOUIS MAGALIS, projectionist, Venus, Westhampton, is sick. MR., MRS. PETE LICHTMAN will announce the engagement of their son, BERNARD, to MISS ESTHER ASBEIL, Petersburg, New Year’s Day. — S. B. T. Roanoke Among the Roanokers attending the ArmyNavy football game at Philadelphia last month was H. D. SCHOLTZ, secretary-treasurer, National Theatre Corporation. Recent visitors included SAM TABOR, PAUL BARON, Universal; JOE WALSH, Columbia; FRED M. SANDY, United Artists. That your Merry Christmas may continue through the New Year as your most prosperous, happy twelvemonth is our season’s wish for you, you, you. — H. H. Suffolk Fire in the Cavalier projection room destroyed 6,000 feet of "Imitation of Life,” painfully burned CLARENCE MATHEWS, operator, about the hands, arms and face. Pulled from the booth, h? was back on the job next night, when the repair; had been made and the show went on. J. E. MATHEWS, Chadwick staff, who happened to be in at the time, turned in the alarm. Small late night crowd was ushered calmly to safety. Winchester Capitol, TOM BALDRIDGE, manager, had 1,200 kids at annual party sponsored by Empty Stocking Guild. To all the readers of this highly favored trad.' journal, your correspondent sends best wishes for the most prosperous and happy of New Years. WEST VIRGINIA Shepherdstoivn Good attendance was recorded at toy matinee held at Opera House. VARIETY CLUB Tent No. 19, Baltimore Last Variety Club luncheon of the year 193 8 was held December 21 at the Hotel Belvedere with J. LOUIS ROME, chief barker, presiding. Work is going forward full steam on the Variety Dinner. EDDIE SHERWOOD was in charge of the Christmas night dance in the club rooms. On behalf of the membership, chief barker J. LOUIS ROME extends the entire trade, the club’s friends best wishes for the most prosperous of New Years. BOWLING Richmond "POP” WILLIAMS rolled 146 and set of 3 61 to set two new records as the Grand took three from Brook-Vue with a record set of 1 5 3 8. League standing: Won Lost Percent Byrd 25 ii .694 Grand 24 12 .666 Westhampton . . . 21 15 .583 State 21 15 .583 Brook-vue 20 16 .55 5 Capitol 14 22 .388 Ven-ton 12 24 .333 Office 7 29 .194 League records: High individual game, Williams — 146. High individual set, Williams — 3 61. High team game, State — 5 66. High team set, Grand — 1 53 8. HAWK OF THE WILDERNESS. Republic’s new serial with Herman Brix, others will mean heap big wampum at box offices, company says. December 28, 19)8