The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

Batavia Arthur Raylor, doorman, Family, resigned. . . . Ralph Booth, Family, is presenting several acts on his stage. Binghamton Jerry Burke, manager, Star, and niece, Joyce Freije, are still raving about the horse show. . . . IVErs. Lciiira. Getter, cssh— ier Symphony, spent the Armistice weekend at Buffalo. ... Ned Kornblite, Carl Winters, Jeanne Meeker, Buddy Kornblite and your correspondent took in the Syracuse-Colgate game. . . . Usherettes are frequently holding secret bowling practice, at mid-afternoons. . . . Marian Knight, main office, Strand is on vacation. . . . Tom Walsh, local Comerford booker, appeared as interlocutor in the most successful number of the recent Kiwanis Minstrel show at the dark Binghamton. . . . Consistent strikes by Billy Vetrino, Symphony, gave the doormen the edge over the managers. . . . Novelty window display in local window of leading music store, was used on “First Love for the Riviera by J. L. Fitzpatrick and Tom Carey. . . . Pat Stevens, Frances Parmley, Capitol, have taken up horse-back riding. . . Buddy Kornblite, Suburban, and John Tighe, Strand, are the friendliest rivals in bowling. . . . An actionful looking front was built by Jake Ruppenthal, sign artist, for “Mutiny In The Big House,” Capitol. — F. D. R. Buffalo George and Dorothy Gammel, U. S. A. Theatres, journeyed to Rochester. . . . Mary Fridrich, Shea office, knows now how it is to be a celebrity. Mary was mistaken for a member of Horace Heidt’s troupe. . . . Vincent R. McFaul, general manager, Shea circuit, announces Gene Krupa as the next orchestra listed for a personal on the stage of his Bufflo. . . . family were among the first nighters at Nikitas Dipson, Dipson-Basil chain, and the Erlanger for the performance of Paul Muni’s “Largo.” Misses Gross, Dickman, and Pappalardo, Shea office staff, were also spotted, as was Jack Read, Hollywood, Gowanda; Mike Simon, Paramount. . . . UA’s Mat Sullivan tells us Stanley Kozanowski, Rivoli, is still the soup king at the film table. . . . Among filmites spotted at the LaSalle-Canisus football game were Bert Freese, Nat Marcus, Harold Raives, Phil Fox, Charles Rich, Judge Crater. Jerry Spandow, formerly of the Buffalo office, Universal, now branch manager, Des Moines, is reported doing well after a sinus operation in Omaha. . . . Jules Levy is at present recuperating from an operation performed at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. . . . Jack Schmitzer, RKO home office representative, arrived in Buffalo, but was called hurriedly to Cleveland. . . . Bill Lee, former local booker for Gaumont British, writes us that he is now connected with GB in the visual education department. . . . Barkerettes of Variety Club of Buffalo, Tent No. 7, held a luncheon, mah jong and card party in the club rooms November 15, well attended. . . . Among the out-oftowners in were A. D. Gould, Franklinville; A1 Gilbert, Abe Corrin, Sam Slotnick, Syracuse; Tom McCleary, Mrs. Thomas Ranee, Jack Karp, Syracuse; just recovered from a recent illness. . . . Bill Gehring, central division manager, 20th Century-Fox has returned to work after a recent minor operation. . . . Dave Miller, Universal’s district manager, stopped for a day in the Buffalo office. . . . While on the THE EXHIBITOR subject of Millers: Mrs. Dave Miller, won $1,000 in Cleveland at a “Keeno” game. So excited she could not call out “Keeno,” finally she made the stage to claim her winnings, her knees giving way. . . . H. G. Dillemuth, Broadway Lyceum, was the victim of thieves recently. . . . Condolences go to Jim Holden, former Grand National branch manager, on the sudden passing of his wife. . . . It’s a girl (their second) at the Bert Buchanans, Colonial. Wife and infant are both doing well. Girls of Shea’s Buffalo office got quite a thrill when Horace Heidt stopped in. . . . Mary Bischoff, for many years conected with the Lafayette, is pinch-hitting for Finnie (Feinsinger) Lewis, Metro, as stenographer during her two months’ leave. . . . Charlie Hayman, general manager. Lafayette, is making extensive plans for his Christmas party at the Fillmore Hotel. Charlie Boasberg is collaborating. . . . Nan, daughter of Universal’s John and Mrs. Scully, is visiting friends in East Aurora. John, Jr., and Peter, both of whom are engaged in business in Philadelphia and New York City, respectively, are scheduled to return home for the Thanksgiving holiday. . . . Alice McCarthy, that blonde bit of pulchritude, Shea office staff, is sporting a new leopard hat and muff. . . . Film row was well represented at the Statler lounge November 11. . . . Bill Britt, house manager, Shea’s Buffalo, tells us Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights broke all records. . . . Rumors are afloat that the Amherst, formerly the Park, will re-open under management of George Williams. . . . Ruben Farber and wife, who operate the Commodore, are at present planning a trip to California. . . . Ted O’Shea, Metro’s district manager, and wife, Mable, were in town over the week end, visiting Rochester to see their son Teddy play football with Saint Joseph’s Collegiate team. Vincent R. McFaul, general manager, Shea theatres, announced the start of construction for the latest of the Shea circuit. New theatre, Shea’s Lackawanna, situated in Lackawanna, adjacent to Buffalo, will have a seating capacity of 1000. . . . Bobby Alberts, who for many years operated the Alberts, Lancaster, is now checker at Metro. . . . Bob Murphy, Chief Barker, Variety Club, announced that the board would meet at the Variety Club to formulate plans for their annual Christmas party. . . . Manager Kemper, 20th Century, brought his wife to town and they are taking up residence at the Windsor. Deepest sympathy to the family of Frederic Ullman, Sr., attorney and pioneer operator of theatres in Buffalo, who died last week at the age of 75, following a fiveday illness. Fred Ullman opened this city’s first motion picture house, the Edisonia. Before that he had established a nickelodeon in a converted barn. He continued his interest in theatres throughout his life, having opened the old Family on which the Lafayette is now located, also the Colonial, Genesee and Elmwood, and owned theatres in Syracuse and Youngstown. Surviving him are Frederic Ullman, Jr., general manager, Pathe News, and Richard H. Ullman, commercial manager, Buffalo Broadcasting Company, a grandson and granddaughter Richard and Abby, respectively, and one brother, Dr. Juilus Ullman, with whom he lived. For six years he was president of the Temple Beth Zion. . . . Hollywood, Lackawanna, (Dipson-Basil) will re-open shortly, and the name will remain Hollywood instead of Rex. . . . We are glad to report that Mrs. Bill Martin is up and around again after her recent illness. She will, however, 25 continue her hospital treatments until she has entirely recovered. . . . RKO’s Elmer Lux now commutes via skiis from his summer home at Crystal Beach. The RKO Board of Directors sat in meeting with all film exchange branch managers in the local MPTO headquarters November 13, to discuss film delivery service. At this meeting, A. C. Hayman, president, MPTO, appointed a committee of exhibitors to meet with a committee of exchange managers appointed by Syd Samson, 20th Century-Fox, together with a representative of Smith and Howell Film Service, Inc., and the seven local film carriers, in an effort to solve the problems of late deliveries of film to carriers. Meeting was called for November 20. Matter of games was discussed at length, but no further action was taken. . . . Helen Lehman, wife of UA branch manager, had a variety shower at her home in honor of Edna Rose, prospective bride of Stanley Kozanowski, owner, Rivoli, at the same time Stanley was being feted by filmmen at the Variety Club on his approaching wedding. Those who attended both affairs received a formal announcement of the marriage of the couple, the wedding having taken place last June 9, in Bradford, Pennsylvania. Celebrants of both parties were more than mildly surprised! — M. G. Cornwall Manager Prescott K. Thorpe, in conjunction with the American Legion, treated the kiddies to a free Hallowe’en show. Following a parade, a costume contest was held on the stage and five prizes were awarded. Dunkirk Dalton Burgett, manager, Capitol, has 16 ducks to his credit. Elmira Mel Conheim, Regent, tied up with a music dealer and has an organist present a daily program on Friday-Saturday-Sundays. . . . Ray Fahrenholz, Strand, has been busy with extra exploitation. Franklinville Arden Gould, Adelphi, ran a free show from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. Armistice Day as goodwill gesture in helping the village to celebrate the holiday. — D. R. Gloversville Schine Home Office News The Schiners club held its monthly meeting with new president A1 Marqusee in charge. Plans were made for a skit to be presented by the dramatic group of the club. It will be a burlesque on home office happenings, and advance scouts hint it will be hilarious indeed. Prominent home office figures are to be lampooned. After the business session, the club members enjoyed a preview of “The Housekeeper’s Daughter” in the private screening room. Later, a luncheon was served members in Pedrick’s. . . . Frances Barter, insurance department, went deer hunting over the week end, and his party bagged a nice buck. Sander Lazar went_ hunting also; his party bagged nothing. Sandy, however, assisted in a search for two other lost hunters, so did his good deed for the day. Dewey Lederer confined his hunting to nearby haunts, but is mum. . . . Lester Martin, Consolidated Book Company, was in for extended conferences with Harold F. Sliter. . . . Artie Newman, Republic, and Moe Grassgreen, 20th Century-Fox, had conferences with chief film buyer George V. Lynch. November 22, 1939 NYS.