The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

9 TERRIT HIGHL wBI A Bi , . r i » | ar-M ■« pH iiM i?*y| Baltimore Variety Club Holds 1st Annual Dinner Chairman Durkee , Aides Set New Standard Some 3 50 members of the Variety Club of Baltimore, Maryland, and their guests gathered January 21 at the Monumental City’s swank Belvedere Hotel to participate in the first annual dinner of Tent No. 19. Under the general chairmanship of Frank H. Durkee, the attendees were treated to as fine an affair as any had ever attended. With chief barker J. Louis Rome (who onetime held a similar capacity in Tent No. 11, Washington) ex-officio member of all committees, the chairmen who led their respective cohorts in bringing the affair to its most successful conclusion were C. Elmer Nolte, vice-chairman; Samuel Diamond, financial chairman; Joseph Young, secretary; Nolte, program; Joseph P. Grant, dinner; Edward Sherwood, entertainment; Edward Kimplc, Jr., tickets, also out-of-town reservations; William Hicks, reception; Rodney Collier, publicity; Owen D. Weems, decorations. Other actively participating in the arrangements, particularly in the program work, were W. Spaulding Alberts, Leon B. Bach, Howard A. Burman, Oscar B. Coblentz, Jr., H. C. Dusman, Richard Eyring, Dan Fedder, N. C. Haefele, Claude B. Heilman, Edward Jacobs, Norris C. King, Walter D. Pacy, Edward F. Perotka, Harry C. Phillips, Fred C. Schmuff, Jerome E. Ullman, Paul J. Vincent, Maxwell Weinberg, Al Zalis. Further details of the dinner will be found in The National Exhibitor of February 1, when James Meriwether ("Little Jacques”) Shellman will survey proceedings, reveal the who’s who and the what’s what of this first annual affair. Hornstein’s Passing Mourned Film men in Baltimore, Maryland, and other areas mourned the passing January 1 3 of Isaac L. Hornstein, who died in Miami Beach, Florida, from a heart attack. Funeral services were performed at his home in Baltimore. Burial took place in the Tfiloh Congregation Cemetery in Baltimore. He is survived by his brother Simon, also in the film exhibition business, a daughter, Mrs. Barry Goldman, whose husband manages the Regent, Diane, Lenox; a sister and several other brothers. Hornstein was a pioneer in the film exhibition business in Baltimore, had conducted several theatres besides his real estate and building activities. "Ike” as he was called by his host of friends, was beloved by all who knew him. Virginia MPTO Heads Meet on Trade Proposals Expect Discussion at February 6 Convention Committee representing the MPTO of Virginia met with distributor leaders and other exhibitor organization heads in New York City last fortnight in the matter of the industrial proposals. Press releases from the distributors and Ed Kuykendall, president, MPTOA, later indicated an optimistic tone of mind as regards future clarification of the proposal’s wording. Discussion of the status of proposals is expected to be a highlight of the meeting of the Virginia MPTO February 6 in Washington at the Willard. Plans are progressing for a big get-together with distributors from the home offices in New York likely to be present. Roanoke Houses Aid Lunch Fund Cooperating in an effort to provide lunches for underprivileged children, the American, Roanoke, Park, Rialto, Jefferson, Grandin, Roanoke, Virginia, have been raising about $100 a month during recent months, it was announced th.s week. Boxes have been placed in the various lobbies. Contributions have been placed in these. The lunches have been served at the schools by a committee functioning in cooperation with the theatres. The campaign has done much to arouse the public to the need among the underprivileged children, according to Elmore D. Heins, vice-president-general manager of the National Theatre corporation. Baltimore Cases Heard Chance games cases in Baltimore, Maryland, involving playing of "Bingo” at the Linden, Royal, were scheduled to b; heard January 2 5, it was indicated last week. The case followed the alleged "Bingo” game on December 19, when Harry Silver. Frank Boucher, William I. Buckingham, Helen Wilenski, Margaret Mataci, Samuel Kramer, David Kaiser were charged with violating the anti-gaming statute. Distributors Ready for 1939 Sales Drives Schaefer , Paramount, Columbia Honored Three Washington exchanges — RKO, Paramount and Columbia — were proceeding full speed with their drives this week. In tribute to George Schaefer, RKORadio Pictures announced recently a drive in his honor from January 2 8-June 2. Similar to the 193 8 Ned Depinet Drive, namely, to deliver an extraordinary amount of billings during the period, the George Schaefer Drive will have Midwest District Manager Walter Branson as its captain as did last year’s major liquidation activity. Captain Branson began his first of three complete circuits of the branches January 24. Accompanying him on his first trip was Harry Gittleson, editor, Radio Flash. The slogan of the George Schaefer Drive is "We’re Going Places.” In Washington, branch manager Robert J. Folliard, highly elated over the recent bonus awarded his staff in the recent New Season Bonus Plan, began plans for the grand drive. An attractive booker’s holiday calendar, a super-imposed picture of Schaefer in the calendar spaces from January 2 8 to June 2, is also ready for distribution. Meanwhile determined to repeat th? splendid results of last season’s drive for more business, Paramount is launching this year’s sales drive based on film delivery. Already the boys under branch manager J. Edward Fontaine are drumming up business, so they may have a good start when the drive begins February 26. Drive ends May 27. W. Vincent Dougherty, Harley Davidson, who last year wound up the campaign among the first 10, are raring to go, as are the other salesmen. Columbia’s personal achievement campaign is well on its way and hugely successful. according to Sam Galanty, district chief. Local exchange is carrying banners for each of the salesmen, bookers, suggesting to visitors to aid the "boys alone.” Salesmen C. A. Wingfield, Joe B. Walsh, Owen D. Weems, Ben Caplon. bookers Joe Kushner, Jack Share are listed in the campaign. Dates are January 9-March 18. New Lynchburg House The 18th link in the Dominion Theatres, Inc., chain, headed by Hunter Perry, became a reality, when last week, the genial Charlottesville, Virginian, announced that ground had been broken in Lynchburg for a new 1,000-seat, 5 Ox 136 -foot modern cinema. January 25, 19)9 NAT