The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

5 Harry Hunter Finally Arrives in U. S. Return of Former Paramount Head Hailed Harry Hunter, formerly Paramount branch head here, but now Australian manager for the company, arrived in this country last week for the sales meeting and confabs. Hunter’s return to this country was welcomed by his many friends in the territory. During the time he was branch manager with the company he made an enviable record. Prince Heads Softballers Pete Prince, Metro booker, last week was elected captain of Film Row’s softball team, which will participate in one of the many twilight leagues in Washington. League, officially named Commercial Twilight, begins operations May 3, when the film boys line up against a local favorite. Each player on the team has been taxed $1.50 for the necessary entrance fees, etc. Under sponsorship of Variety Club, the team includes Pete Prince, Metro; Ira Sickelman, Blackie Collins, 20th Century-Fox; Jack Fruchtman, Russell Ricker, Paramount; Danny Rosenthal, Donald McCann, Columbia; Sigmund Meek, Eddie Ajello, Les Walleigh, Vitagraph; Larry Lucas, D. C. Poster; Doc Reynolds, Paul Keyser, Don Burling, Horlacher; Melvin Long, National Screen Service. Jake Flax Injured in Accident Jacob Flax, younger member of the Republic Washington office, was painfully injured recently while driving to New York to attend the annual meeting of his firm. The accident, which occured on a New Jersey highway, brought injury to only one of the four member party from the local office. Flax, who received face lacerations, is recuperating very nicely in Sibley Memorial Hospital, Washington. He received first aid treatment from a New Jersey physician. Film Men Turn Out for Kreisler Party New Universal Exec Officially Installed Film officials, exhibitors, friends rallied round B. Bernard Kreisler to welcome the newly-appointed branch manager of the local Universal office April 24. Invited to the "Open House” at the New Universal exchange, 913 New Jersey Avenue, Northwest, were all local branch managers, drama critics, members of the trade press, exhibitors from the entire territory, personal friends. Not since Universal "house warmed” its present quarters with the gastronomies taking place where National Screen Service is now located) has the Row seen such a gathering of the trade. Kreisler himself was in top form, playing the genial host in a superb manner. Exhibitors from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware were on hand to dine with the Universal office force, who really played a large part in the success of the affair. Fitzpatrick to Tint FDR? President Roosevelt may be photographed in technicolor for the first time in a Fitzpatrick Travelog in the Nation’s Capital, it was revealed last week by James P. Fitzpatrick. The stocky, bronzed Fitzpatrick, whose travel pictures, have brought much pleasure to theatre-goers the world over, arrived in Washington last week to plan the colored picturization of this city. He said he hoped the President would permit the picture. Walderman, Rosen Have Monroe Joe Walderman announced last week that he and Morton Rosen, a Baltimore attorney, were the interested parties in the new Monroe, West Pratt and Monroe Streets, Baltimore. He said he would continue to do the bookings for Aaron Coplin’s Booker T., Fremont, which he formerly operated. Walderman said the house would open within the next few months. Territory Theatremen Active in Renovation Modernization Shows Increased Activity Reports from the territory this week indicated an increase in renovation. Among these were: MARYLAND. — U. Hollingsworth closed the Laurel, Laurel, for several weeks, during which new seats were installed. VIRGINIA. — Benjamin T. Pitts, Fredericksburg, announced a renovation program for the following theatres: In Leesburg, a $2,500 marquee, RCA sound, air conditioning, redecoration, recarpeting, new drapes; in Charlestown, a new marquee, air conditioning, decoration, carpets, drapes. D. H. ("Spud”) Query expects to open the new Rialto, Marion, in the near future. William Jones, Warsaw, is continuing to improve his theatre. Curt Smith, Grundy, expects to start building a new house in Grundy. Guy Flanary, Richlands, expects soon to start construction of a new theatre in Grundy. Bernard Depkin, Jr., is redecorating the lobby of his Salem theatre. Mrs. F. W. Carper is redecorating the lobby of the Roxy, Martinsville. R. B. Clark, Keysviile plans to install a new, complete air conditioning system in the New. WEST VIRGINIA. — William Johnson, Berkley Springs, is planning to install air conditioning at the Berkley. Delaware Prices Slashed New low Spring prices arrived in Delaware last fortnight after the opening of the New Plaza, Milford, Delaware, by the Schines. Capitol, Dover, now gets 3 5 cents for adults, night, with the same schedule as the Reese, Harrington, and the Plaza, Milford. Kopf Cops Schine Trophy Herman Kopf, manager, Music Hall Easton, Maryland, has been declared the winner in the recently closed 10-week testimonial drive conducted among the Eastern Shore theatres on the Schine circuit, it was announced last week by district manager Marsh Gollner in Salisbury. To Kopf went a cup for the honor. Metro Regional Here Meeting here April 29-3 0 for the conference of Metro office managers, bookers, checking supervisors will be representatives of Charlotte, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and local representatives. Henry Lichtman Passes The industry mourned recently the death of Henry Lichtman, nephew of A. E. Lichtman. Ill for several months, Lichtman died here was buried in Union City, New Jersey. April 26, 1939 NAT