The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

Metro Office Men Hold Sessions Here Kreisler Open House Attracts Hundreds Universal Branch Mecca For Filmnten Exhibitors from far and wide April 24 aided B. Bernard Kreisler celebrate "open house” at the New Universal exchange in Washington. F. A. McCarthy, division manager, was unable to attend at the last minute. A. J. Herman district manager, however, was on hand to aid in the open house festivities. More than 30 telegrams poured into the exchange heaping congratulations atop congratulations to the new manager. Elmore D. Heins, from his vacation in Hot Springs, Arkansas, took time out to send a threepage wire. Among those present were: H. Elmo Holloway, R. Wade Pearson, Teddy Shull, William G. Myers, E. M. Flaks, T. Nathan, Harry Brown, Lou Rome, A. E. Lichtman, Ed Haley, Dr. William P. Herbst, Olmsted Knox, Al Folliard, Janet B. Reining, Harry Reining, Jr., Fred Rippingale, Jack Fruchtman, Goleum Ketchunt, Ben Oletsky, Rudy Berger, J. H. Hiser, T. Earl Taylor, Dave Kamsky, Bill Jones, Bill Fischer, Clark M. Davis. Arthur A. Jacobson, George Nathan, Dick Doyle, Harry Bachman, Philomena Bachman, R. L. Lewis, Ethelyn V. Dale, Harry Sargent, Lillian Talkins, Abe Tolkins, Dorothy S. Fairfax. W. B. Fairfax, Dr. I. Pelzman, Sadie Cohen, Mrs. C. Long, Sam Mellitts, Helen Ulrnan. Mrs. Bright, Miss C. Lane, Louis Tunick, Leon Back, J. L. Schanberger, Frank Scully, Harry Cohan, Mr. Walderman, Sidney Nathan, Mrs. J. Kreiselman, Edith Lindeman, Kathleen Fagan. Sam Wheeler, Glen Morris, Joseph M. Cohan, Bill Hoyle, Charles Stofberg, E. L. Dick, Fred Sapperstein, William E. Russell, Vince Dougherty, Al Miller, H. R. Westerman. Independent May Releases Among the independent pictures set for release during May, as of April 2 5, were: MONOGRAM — Boy’s Reformatory; Wolf Call; Prison Born; Riders of the Rio Grande. REPUBLIC — Man of Conquest; Blue Montana Skies; Three Texas Steers; Frontier Pony Express. TRIO1 — Raw Timber; Code of the Cactus; Orphans of the Pecos, Million Dollar Racket. Belasco Opens for Weekends Jack Thoman, who refuses to give up the possibilities of Belasco, last week reopened the Lafayette Square playhouse for week-end showings. “Remote Control” Ends; Trio Takes Preferred Gill Also Negotiating Further In the first major shift in Washington’s independent film exchanges in many years, Preferred Pictures, Inc., with its business office at 135 K Street, Northwest, last week came under the control Trio-Preferred’s George J. Gill The "remote control” teas ended of George J. Gill, well known in the territory as the manager for Trio Productions, Inc. The move is a divorcement of the Washington office from that of Philadelphia, presided over by Murray F. Beier. Beier will continue to supervise the Quaker City activities, while Gill directs the company’s destinies in the National Capital. At press time, a second change was being negotiated: the acquisition by Gill of the control of Trio Productions from Louis ("Pop”) Korson, who operates Philadelphia’s Masterpiece Film Attractions. For the present, Gill told The Exhibitor, no changes are contemplated in personnel, although the Preferred office will be shifted to that of Trio, at 203 Bookers , Office Managers, Auditors, Checkers Meet Meeting at the Shoreham Hotel for their own national” convention, bookers, office managers, auditors, checking supervisors of Metro in this territory April 29 heard home office officials tell of the improvements in the office technique of the company, as well as new ideas in the field. Members of Metro’s Washington, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia were present at the meeting. Alan h. Cummings, in charge of Metro’s exchanges, spoke on the system of branch operation, gave everyone an opportunity to speak on the technique utilized in his own work. Also present from the New York home office were J. S. MacLeod, in charge of exchange maintenance; M. L. Simons, editor, The Distributor, Metro’s house organ; Arthur Lacks, new-contract department; Charles K. Stern, exchequer; I arke D. Agnew, booking supervisor; Bill Brenner, Rose Klein, Irving Helfont, Ira Martin, Charles Quick, Banks Hudson, Jay Zimmerman, J. P. Hanna, C. J. Sonin. All present at the convention, including the entire Washington personnel, were feted at a banquet at the hotel Saturday night. Entertainment was supplied by Loew’s Capitol orchestra, as well as the current stage attraction. Present also were Rudolph Berger, who acted as master of ceremonies; Carter T. Barron; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Bell; Howard Burkhardt; Mr. and Mrs. Orangelo J. Ratto; Frank Taylor; Mr. and Mrs. Phil Lampkin; Mr. and Mrs. David Sadel. As the meeting adjourned, all were of one mind: that 1939-1940 is for Metro! I Street, Northwest. Gill, for the time being, at least, plans no corporate change, carrying on the present contractual agreements in force by both companies. The "remote control” of the Trio and Preferred exchanges has in the past not been too beneficial for the two companies, and it is expected that the present consolidation will result in vastly improved service to the territory exhibitors, and that, when the Gill-Korson negotiations are completed, a still better organization will be effected. To the exhibitors of the Washington exchange territory, George Gill needs no introduction, nor does he need to be assured of the best wishes of the exhibitors he has served so distinguishedly for many years, for both hold each other in high regard, personally, as well as in their business associations. May 3, 1939 NAT