The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

5 WB Managers Shifted in City-Wide Juggle Metropolitan’s Smith Upped After Years Downtown John J. Payette, general zone manager, Warner Brothers theatres, Washington territory, announced last week a group of promotions. Following the customary policy, elevation from the ranks was the order of the day that made one new manager, shifted to larger houses four assistant manager, made a new student manager. Nelson Smith, after many years with the company, has been made manager, Ffome. Earl Heatwole, assistant manager, Tivoli, has been appointed to Smith’s former post as assistant manager at the downtown Metropolitan under Charles V. Grimes. Other changes include: Raymond Burch, from assistant manager, Ambassador, to assistant manager, Tivoli, under James W. Root. James Thompson, from assistant manager, Calvert, to assistant manager, Ambassador, under Robert Etris. George Page, from student manager, Takoma, to assistant manager, Calvert, under Alan J. Bachrach. Eugene Wilson, from chief of service, Tivoli, to student manager, Takoma, under J. William Cleveland. Independents' February Releases Productions of independent companies set for release during February, as of February 1, included the following: Grand National — Ride ’Em Cowgirl; Renfrew of the Royal Mounted in "Crashing Through”; Renfrew of the Royal Mounted in "To the Rescue”; Exile Express; Rhythm on the Range; Empire of the West. Monogram — Little Pal (re-issue of The Healer) ; The Star Reporter; Sundown on the Prairie. Republic — Home on the Prairie; Woman Doctor; The Lone Ranger Rides Again (serial) ; Forged Passport; I Was a Convict; The Higgins Family, No. 2. Trio — Rebellious Daughters; Hard Rock Harrigan (re-issue). Legislators Aim At Okay for “Bingo” Catholic Leader Batts Games In Parish Two moves to legalize "Bingo” in Baltimore, Maryland, were inaugurated last fortnight, when Senator John G. Callan, Baltimore, and Delegates E. A. Freburger, H. D. Grube and W. M. Hudnet, Sixth Baltimore District, sponsored measures in the Senate and House at Annapolis. In the latter, the prizes would not exceeed $10 in value and would be merchandise, not cash. Meanwhile, under orders from Archbishop Curley, all "Bingo” in Catholic parish gatherings have been stopped. Schine Drive Honors Sliter Harold F. Sliter, newly named manager of the Schine circuit zone including the theatres of the Del-Mar-Va peninsula, was elevated last week to stardom when he was selected to play the title role in district manager Marsh Gollner’s stupendous production, entitled "Greater Grosses for Sliter,” which went into production on February 6, is expected to go into the can 10 weeks later, April 15. All the Schine houses of the Eastern Shore will participate in the undertaking, with suitable prizes being posted for thi top men, theatres. As the drive started, all the managers had elaborate plans under way to make Del-Mar-Va’s first big-time business drive a thing to be remembered. RKO Drive Heads Hold Meet Captain Walter Branson, of the George Schaefer Drive, accompanied by Nat Levy, eastern-central district manager; Harry Gittleson, Flash editor, paid the local RKO-Radio exchange the first visit since the drive opening January 2 8 for a combined "pep and sales” meeting. Keynoting with "We’re Going Places” the three pepper-uppers left the film office in a state of frenzy to deliver the goods when the drive ends on June 2. Everyone from branch manager Robert J. Folliard to the little steno pledged 100 per cent behind the drive. Virginia Exhibitors Hold Mid-Winter Meet Washington Scene of Semi-Annual Confab Members of the Virginia MPTO, other industryites were present February 6 at the semi-annual convention held in Washington, D. C., for the first time in the history of the body. Preliminary reports had several hundred attending from all parts of Virginia as well as from nearby states. The body is headed by W. F. Crockett, Virginia Beach exhibitor, while the officers list includes leaders in the Virginia exhibition field. The industry parley, other matters were scheduled to be taken up. Deadlines being what they are, a complete report of the convention will be given in the February 15 issue of The National Exhibitor. Comerford’s Passing Mourned Death of M. E. Comerford, Pennsylvania and New York circuit operator, February 1 in Miami, Florida, was mourned by localites who knew him. He was ill for a few days, although he never had completely recovered from an attack in 193 5. He was 71. His funeral was attended by leaders of all branches in the business. Baltimore Stage Show Dropped Loew’s Century, Baltimore, Maryland, eliminated stage presentations shows with the orchestra February 2. Prices were reduced to 2 5 cents for all seats to 6 P. M. and from that time to closing to 40 cents for adults. Children will be 1 5 cents at all times. Virginia Censor Question Up Question of whether or not the State Division of Motion Picture Censorship is supreme in censoring pictures in Virginia was reported as pending last week before Judge Aubrey E. Strode, of the Corporation Court in Lynchburg. Case was brought in connection with the showing of "The Birth of a Baby,” where a number of objections were registered. In Richmond, a similar case was submitted to the City Circuit Court, which ruled that the picture could be shown. In Newport News, a court ruled that the censorship division was supreme, and that the court had no jurisdiction. The censor board has submitted the record of the Richmond case to Judge Strode to study. February 8, 19)9 NAT