The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

6 TERRITORIAL HIGHLIGHTS York, to abolish games through License Commissioner Paul Moss would be the start of a citywide cleanup. Referring to Abram Myers, Brandt said that in his opinion even if the Allied leader got everything he wanted in regard to the industry memorandum, he still wouldn’t make a deal. He called Myers an opportunist. Brandt said that he (Brandt) would appear as the first witness for the government in the government suit because he had been hurt, but that if the industry parley resulted in a plan being developed containing the points he wanted, he would not testify. He preferred mediation to legislation, he said. Brandt also predicted that if such a fair plan were approved, individual Allied units would fall in line even if Myers did not. He said, however, that in his opinion neither Sidney Samuelson (New Jersey and Philadelphia Allied) nor Colonel H. A. Cole (Texas Allied) would shift from Myers. Brandt paid tribute to Ed Kuykendall, MPTOA president who was present, as a sincere individual, even though he thought that Kuykendall’s organization had two masters and could not get anywhere on that account. The new board of directors includes Charles A. Somma, Richmond; C. L. Abercrombie, Danville; Sam Bendheim, Jr., Richmond; W. A. Byers, Norton; Sam Craver, Roanoke; W. F. Crockett, Virginia Beach; J. Frank Falls, Danville; Sydney Gates, Norfolk; Nat Glasser, Washington; Elmore Heins, Roanoke; A. E. Lichtman, Washington; Ellison Loth, Waynesboro; A. Frank O’Brien, Richmond; R. C. Overbey, South Boston; Hunter Perry, Charlottesville; Ben Pitts, Fredericksburg; W. H. Rippard, Farmville; Charles Roth, Harrisonburg; Herman Rubin, Petersburg; Allen Sparrow, Richmond; Morton G. Thalhimer, Richmond; I. Weinberg, Lexington; Otto Wells, Ocean View; William S. Wilder, Norfolk; Harold Wood, Richmond; Leonard Gordon, Newport News; Frank B. Stover, Alexandria. Exhibitors who attended the business meeting were: Nat Glasser, Dave Siddell, Harold Wood, D. Barney, Mrs. F. W. Carper, Alex Ravdin, Horace Jones, Robert Levine, V. H. Nusbaum, Jesse R. Skinner, F. J. Mclntire, Stanley Barr, Leonard Gordon, William Rippard, N. Wasserman, Car er Barron, E. T. Warner, D. H. Covington, A. Frank O’Brien, S. G. Adams, Eddie Cumberland, Pierre Boulogne, W. F. Crockett, Herman Rubin, Morton Thalhimer, A. E. Lichtman, William Michalove, Harry Roth, Sam Roth, Charles Roth, Ben Pitts, J. C. Caldwell, Harry Brandt, J. H. Webster, W. T. Culpepper, H. A. Creef, Ellison Loth, Wade Pearson, Elmo Holloway, Sam Gordon, Robert Coulter, Stewart Tucker, Garrett Leahey, Allen Brown, John Garst, I. Jacobs, Sydney Gates, Roy Richardson, Elmore Heins, Frank Parsons, E. S. Horne, Allen Sparrow, Colonel Robert Barton, Sam Bendheim, Jr., David Kamskv, T. E. Wilson, Hal Lyons, L. G. Gullen, A. Julian Brylawski, Ed Kuykendall, Dave Palfreyman, William Ballenger. Md. Realty Taxes Unchanged Of interest to theatre owners in Maryland was the budget for the biennium ending 1941 submitted January 24 to the legislature by Governor Herbert R. O’Conor. Budget — although the largest in the state’s history $(95,400,000) — leaves untouched present taxes on real estate. • SPRING — ^ IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER Then SUMMER!! • NOW Is the Time to get our plans and proposal on your air conditioning — write for details. Richmond Theatre Supply Co., Inc. 1207 E. Main Street, Richmond, Va. Representing (j. S. AIR CONDITIONING CO. Virginia Censors Upheld by City Court Appeal Taken From Lynchburg Decision The Virginia censors were upheld last week in a decision by Judge Aubrey E. Strode, Lynchburg, that cities do not have the power to prevent showing of films certified by the board. Picture concerned was "The Birth of a Baby.” An immediate appeal will be taken by the city authorities, who asked a 30-day stay order. Whether the picture would be shown pending the appeal was not known Among those most interested in the proceedings was Joseph Kaliski, who is handling the picture in the territory. The Virginia MPTO and the entire state was concerned in the matter inasmuch as the decision would affect all spots. The court held that censorship is a state monopoly under the 193 0 act making the board part of the Attorney General’s office. Trade Mourns Makover, Globe Amusement Head Builder of Theatres Dies From Heart Attack The film industry mourned a fortnight ago the passing of the Globe Amusement Company’s Joseph Makover, 5 6. He died of a heart attack. As president of the company, Makover financed many local theatres, including the new Calvert for Warner Brothers, many of the theatres now operated by A. E. Lichtman. Under consideration at the time of his death was a theatre project in Hyattsville for Sidney B. Lust. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and son. Lor the last year, Makover was in direct charge of presenting the charitable entertainments provided by the Variety Club for all shut-ins, inmates at all eleemosynary institutions in, around the District of Columbia. He put on free movie shows, transporting his own sound, projection equipment. When occasion demanded, he also provided fire-proof projection booths. Kusell Visits Here Milton S. Kusell, Paramount district manager, met last week with the local office prior to the Pour Star Drive set for Pebruary 2 8-May 27. hollowing the meeting, branch manager Ed Pontaine met with his salesmen, discussed the new product, plans for making the drive a successful one. The local office is listed third on the national list for features sold. Blue Laws Ire Balto Editor Sabbath blue laws last fortnight ired managing editor William M. Baskerville, Baltimore (Maryland) News-Post, to the point of issuing the following editorial on the main motion picture page recently. "SOMEONE BLUNDERED "Groups of shivering Baltimoreans, men women and children, jumped and danced in the biting cold Sunday outside on various neighborhood picture theatres. "Just because someone blundered. "The law permits movie theatres to open at 2 P. M. on Sunday. Ever since the law became effective, the theatre managers have opened their box offices at 1 P. M. as a matter of comfort and convenience for their patrons. "The hour’s leeway enables the moviegoers to get their tickets and wait in the warm theatre until the performance begins. "And now the police have ruled that the sale of tickets cannot begin until 2 P. M. on Sundays. "Which explains why thousands of Baltimoreans, men, women and children, were exposed to the bitter cold and biting wind Sunday afternoon." Richmond Women Co-operate The study of motion pictures and cooperation with local theatres in obtaining the best films available is an integral part of the program of the Virginia Federation of Women’s Clubs, whose executive board met in Richmond last week. Mrs. E. C. Hamner, Jr., of Lynchburg, motion picture chairman of the Virginia federation, made her report to the board and at the same time recommended that a motion picture committee be a requisite part of the organization of each club. In making this recommendation, Mrs. Hamner outlined her program for the Virginia federation and suggested that it be adopted by the motion picture committee of each club. ‘Bank Night’ Decision Reserved Chief Justice Daniel J. Layton and Associate Judges Rodney, Richards and Speakman, reserved decision at Dover, Delaware, last week, when arguments were heard by the Supreme Court of Delaware en banc on the test suit of "Bank Night” in the state. The decision, when rendered, is expected to settle the moot question of whether "Bank Nights” are legal. McEvoy in Town Eddie McEvoy, RKO eastern division manager, conferred last week with local manager Bob Folliard to spur the George J. Schaefer Drive which began January 2 8. In this territory for many years McEvoy is very familiar with every single account held by RKO. Meanwhile, the sales force with the cooperation of the entire office force has pushed ahead in the drive, and has lent all efforts toward getting the company’s films sold to the exhibitors. February 15, 19)9