The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

22 teaser campaign in Albany papei'S on Metro’s new Gai'bo film, “Ninotchka,” Fabian’s Palace. . . . Wife of Bud Morrill, Paramount assistant shipper, undei'went and appendicitis operation. . . . A1 La Flamme, Madison, is mourning the death of his father. Friends extend condolences. Irving Mendelsohnn, assistant booker, Paramount, is happy that his wife and daughter are again with him in Albany; they had been visiting Boston relatives. . . . Joe Engel, Universal, is anxiously waiting for a print of “Destry Rides Again.” He predicts it’ll be a real surprise smash. . . . Neil Heilman, Paramount Royal, and Artie Newman, took in the Union-Williams game at Williamstown, Massachusetts, rooting for Union, which once again emerged undeafeted, to the delight of Bernie Mills, whose son, Myron, is on the team. . . . Artie Newman is working hard to end up in the money in Republic’s playdate drive, which ends January 27. . . . Joe Sternberg, Franjo, Boonville, went deer-hunting — and got just as many deer as he got pheasants a couple of days later — zero! Batavia Sick list included Ralph Booth, the grippe; and Joe Florio, infected throat. . . . Jack Eischen, service staff, Family, has been away from duties with illness. Arthur Weber has been subbing. Binghamton A few of the managers and doormen finally got together a fortnight ago and the first bowling game was held. On the managers’ team were Bud Kornblite, Bus Shelton, Harry Balin, Frank Garrison, Jake Ruppenthall, Fred De Rado. On the doormen, were John Tighe, Eddie Charlier, Archie Cayaffa, Roger Edwards, Billy (Two-Ton Gallento) Vetrino and John Pugh. Jeanne Meeker, Mrs. Fred De Rado, Mrs. Bud Shelton and Mrs. Eddie Charlier made up the “cheering section.” Ed Renton, Capitol, Waverly, was spotted along the main stem. . . . Walter Stanzel, manager, Colonial, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, came to town with his big new 1940 car. . . A newspaper editorial in the Binghamton Press, which panned “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” brought big smiles to the Riviera box office. . . . Pi'ojectionists Earl Tuttle, Strand; Ed Parry, Capitol; Jerry Marsh, Regus, spent three days at the Adirondack North Woods hunting for deers and came back empty handed. . . . Stagehands Carl Winters, Yeo Curry, Ralph Schyndler and James Willour journeyed to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton to see new theatres, old friends and also Charles A. Ryan, Comerford executive, who OK’d the new 1940 contracts. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Kornblite and Jerry Burke, manager, Star, took in the Army-Notre Dame game. . . . Tom Walsh, booker, journeyed to Ithaca to the Cornell-Fordham game. . . . Four men wheeling baby carriages with appropriate copy was used for “The Women,” at the Symphony by manager Harry Balin. — F. D. R. Branchville Branchville is closed. Buffalo It was with a great sense of loss that exhibitors and distributors received the tragic news of the death of Nate Sauber in Washington November 2. Nate, who was branch manager of the local Universal exchange for four years, left here a little over a year and a half ago to take up the duties as Universal’s branch THE EXHIBITOR manager in Washington, his home town. He had only been there a few months, when he was taken seriously ill and was forced to spend most of his time in the hospital until his death last week. His host of friends in the Buffalo area extend to Mi's. Sauber their deepest sympathy. . . . T. D. Hammer has taken up his headquarters in the local Warner exchange as checking supervisor, having charge of the Albany and Buffalo territories. . . . Eddie Meade, Shea’s Buffalo, came back with a vengeance in the weekly football pool with Bob Mui’phy. . . . Phil Engel, Warners publicity represenetative, working in Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, assisting with the advance campaign on “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex,” blew into town to lend support on the local campaign for Shea’s Buffalo. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Bert Stern, district manager, United Artists, came in town. Mrs. Stern remaining for the week as guest of the Sydney Lehmans and Bert flying down to New York for a conference. . . . Phil Fox, Columbia’s branch manager, tells us that Mrs. H. Belinson, Little, Rochester, intends to play “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” for an extended run. . . . Shea’s Buffalo conductor, Ken Sisson, spent the week-end with his family in New York. . . . Ida (Voak) Smith, formerly cashier, Columbia, visited the local exchange looking very fit. . . . Edith Mauei-, Shea office, is on the sick list. . . . Leland LaTart, Strand, Dundee, made one of his very infrequent trips to film row. Thei'e were 70 guests present at the stag dinner sponsored by the Variety Club November 6 in honor of Stanley Kozanowski, Rivoli, whose marriage to Edna Rose takes place soon. Following the speech-making and the varied entertainment, Stanley was presented with a beautiful set of flat silver and a scroll. . . . Joyce Mayers, secretary to the advertising manager, Paramount, succeeds Mary Schumacher, resigned. . . . H. Panepinto, brother-in-law of Charles Martina (Martina circuit), has leased the Star, Middleport, from T. Amerose and will open it November 19. . . . Jack Zurich, Syracuse, and Howard Minsky, Rochester, attended a sales meeting at the local Warner exchange. . . . Charlie Taylor, Shea ad chief, reports the Nestle Hot Chocolate free drink to patron stunt is going over with a bang in Shea’s Buffalo. . . . Heard along film row: “Harry Berkson, Monogram’s branch manager, sure likes fruit salad — he partakes of it with each course.” . . . Ohman, Lyons, recently completed a smart publicity stunt on “The Star Maker,” giving away a number of bushels of apples to school children in the vicinity as a plug for the hit “An Apple For the Teacher.” . . . Carl Heerdt, Universal’s booker, is confined to his home. . . . George Ferguson, salesman, Columbia, and Emmy Dickman, salesman, 20th Century-Fox, braved the rainy weather to attend the CanisiusBonaventure football game. . . . Minna (Feinsinger) Lewis, secretary, Metro, and husband Bernie will be a threesome come January. Mrs. Sydney Lehman, wife, United Artists branch manager, gave a lovely buffet supper in her new home in honor of Edna Rose, fiancee of Stanley Kozanowski. There were 30 girls present, bearing gifts of all descriptions. ... It is rumored that Jim Wallingford, former exhibitor, and well known along film row, is planning on re-entering the exhibition end at the Orpheum. . . . Maurice Chasen, Republic office, is quite a bowler, having attained the high single at the bowling alley, which, if it holds up, will give him a sea son pass to the Bison Stadium. . . . Mr. and Mrs. A. Charles Hayman celebrated their 25th anniversary November 3. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Nick Basil, Basil circuit, have closed their home in Sheridan Drive and have taken an apartment at the Commodore. . . . Bill Rosenow, head booker, Paramount, has just completed a tour of all streets between the Rivoli and Genesee — quite a trip, with new sights. . . . Jack Bellman, branch manager, Republic, spet the weekend in New York attending a sales meeting and then on Sunday, he and Mrs. Bellman, formally announced the engagement of their daughter, Marjorie, at a cocktail party at their home, at which 200 guests were present. Jack tells us that lovely Marjorie is coming to Buffalo. . . . Maurice Love, formerly with the Artistic, is now representative of the Movie Cash Coupon Company. . . . Nan Scully, daughter of John, Universal’s branch manager, attended the Cornell-Columbia football game at Ithaca. . . . Paramount screened “Our Neighbor — The Carters” for exhibitors and guests at the Court Street. . . . That was a very clever announcement Jack Berkowitz, former franchise holder, Republic, sent to the trade, changing his name to “Berkson.” . . . We noticed Ralph Crable, Max Friedman, George Tooker, Ray Pashley, Messrs. Davis and Keith, Clyde Lathrop, Lou Pressler, Bill Tischkoff, Max Vogel, Don Stevenson and Don Wittington in town booking. — M G. Elmira Tom Roberts, Colonial, held a benefit on “The Mikado.” . . . Fred Schweppe, Capitol, has a full week of money giveaways. . . . Mel Conhaim, Regent, went hunting for the first time. . . . Anthony Ventemiglia, projectionist, Regent, has taken that fatal matrimonial step. . . . Fred Schweppe, Capitol, completed the new marquee. . . . Edwond D. Yarbrough took up his duties as manager Keeney, Elmira, upon the resignation of Franz Westfall, who has taken a position in the East. Yarbrough was manager of RKO Capitol, Union City, New Jersey for the past five years. Warner managers of Hudson County welcomed Yarbrough into the organiaztion with a testimonial dinner. Friends and associates will greatly miss “Doc” Westfall. Fredonia Merton Osborne, Winter Garden, put on an Anniversary Week. . . . Rumors are current in Fredonia that a new theatre estimated at approximately $55,000 entirely modern, air-conditioned, etc. will be constructed in the city of Fredonia. Those interested in the project we were advised are Herman Lorence, Cattaraugus, Cattaraugus; M. Keith, B. M. Garfield, New Randolph, Randolph, and J. Dixon. Gloversville Schine Home Office News Frank Boucher, Harold Sliter and Lou Hart were reaping praise here all last week for the marvelous premiere arranged for “Drums Along the Mohawk.” Premiere brought to the city a host of 20th Century-Fox executives headed by Rodney Bush, and also two Hollywood starlets, Joan Davis and Arleen Whalen. Lynn Bari, slated to be present with them, was under a doctor’s care after falling in the Union Station in Albany and fracturing a bone in her left arm. . . . Premiere here was featured by a welcoming escort of motorcycle police, a luncheon given by the Chamber of Commerce at the Kingsborough hotel, two personal appearance November 15, 1939