The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

EXHIBITOR 36 THE HOME OFFICES Film Alliance Nat Wachsberger, vice-president and general manager, and Norman Elson. newly appointed sales manager, left for an extended tour of key cities that will take them to the coast. They will visit the present 15 exchanges of Film Allliance and also set up additional distributing agencies in other exchange centers where the company is not now represented. Gold wyn Sam Wood, whose most recent directorial achievement was “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” arrived following the completion of his latest picture, “Raffles.” Wood expects to remain in New York about two weeks. Metro The home office contingent, headed by W. F. Rodgers, sales chief, hopped to Chicago last week-end for the “Gone With the Wind” sales meeting. Monogram Among those in the publicity office when the cyclone hit were Martin Sheridan, Steeve Broidy’s publicity man in Boston, and exploiteer Paul Benson. . . . Manny Reiner’s still stuck with his car. RKO-Radio John Farmer, executive in the office of President George Schaefer, rolled into a tie for high game in the RKO bowling league, Farmer, who for three years was a star first baseman at Princeton University, hit 255 to tie Warren Angus for the top game. Wildcats, composed of Gavin, Sniderman, Havens, Falz and Sevy, are JOE JOEL SAYS: Among Other Things . . . Harry Doneger, well known Jersey exhibitor, is pleased to announce that his son, Walter, a junior writer, Metro, has had his contract renewed. . . . The Comet Amusement Company has taken back two popular game s — “Whirlwind” and “At the Races.” . . . Barney Feingold, Alden, Jamaica, Long Island, has been doing well as conductor of new-f angled quiz contests at his theatre. He is considering a change of billing, a direct result of a patron’s remark. Having heard of Dr. I. Q., the cash customer suggested that Barney call himself Dr. I. S. Q. Barney asked what the initials stood for and the wisenheimer sallied with accents heavy, “I esk you.” . . . Miss Davis, Premium Products, has returned to her office after suffering with a severe cold. . . . The Exhibiting Poster Company, third floor, Film Center building, has some very beautiful holiday greeting displays at reasonable prices. It will pay exhibitors to visit them. . . . Syndicate is very busy these days as exhibitors and many of the leading circuits are booking “Beast of Berlin.” It is playing at the Globe to a crowded house. . . . Rosanna Kennedy, telephone operator, RKO, returned to work after an illness. And her friends welcomed her back. . . . I want my friends to excuse my short column this week on account of my being very ill for almost a week. But I have fully recovered and will be on the job good and strong next issue. leading the league composed of eight teams, RKO Theatre and RKO Radio Pictures employees. Forham University Night was celebrated at the Fordham. The Rams’ football team, university band, and students howled. Republic Musical director Cy Feuer’s mother is in town from the coast on a tour of relative visiting. Universal Mavbe this appeared somewhere else, but it just came to our attention. “Do-do” Blumberg, prexy Nate’s daughter, appeared as an extra in “Rio” and received the regular daily wage. Her salary was turned right over to the Motion Picture Relief Fund. Warners Bryan Foy came in from the coast for conferences. . . . Gradwell L. Sears, sales head, left for a tour of the southern branches. Father of Herman Starr, vice president, died last week, leaving a widow, six sons and a daughter. Maurice Black. 70. retired New York business man and father-in-law of Joseph Bernhard, president and general manager Warner Brothers Theatres, died last week. NEW JERSEY Bergen County Two-day benefit show was held at Grant-Lee, Palisade, for Mayor’s Christmas Basket Fund Committee of Cliffside Park. . . . Special kiddie show was held at Pascack, Westwood. . . .A table tennis exhibition was presented on the stage of the Rivoli, Rutherford. . . . Mechanical talking Santa Claus in lobby of Park Lane, Palisades Park, is attracting much attention. . . . Oritani, Hackensack, is presenting 20-minute program featuring stars of silent films each Friday night for 10 weeks. Community singing also is a feature, with lyrics screened. . . . Matinee for benefit of Thanksgiving baskets for needy of Palisades Park was held at Park Lane. Children were dismissed early from school to attend and were admitted upon presentation of articles of food or canned goods. — P. C. Bergenfield Rivalry between Dumont and Tenafly High Schools flamed to fever pitch on eve of annual football game between schools and resulted in attempt by Tenafly students to storm manager Louis Stahl’s Palace, where many Dumont fans were attending semi-finals of a dance band contest. . . . Theodore A. Gatty, assistant manager, who called police, said the students held an informal rally in theatre, singing their school songs and cheering. Clinton Heights Roger Harmon has taken over Fireman’s Hall here. He has houses in Rensselaer and Delmar. Cranford Newell Stepp was recently busy at the Cranford’s Cranford with plans for an annual free show for children. ’Twas set for November 24 and children were to bring usual contributions of canned goods and other goodies for distribution to local charities. . . . Children’s Saturday shows are going good at this house. Elizabeth Mrs. Florence Herman, resigned, is succeeded in the cashier’s booth, Regent, by Miss Isabelle Fredericks. . . . Vaudeville, amateur night, kiddie pictures, are helping at the Liberty, says George Nichols. . . . Restraint is use of films, radios, etc., in matter of public questions, such as European war was urged by Representative Donald H. McLean in address to Elizabeth Council for Better Films. . . . Manager Clem T. Murphy, Ritz, tried to have RKO make “Swiss Family Robinson” premiere in Elizabeth, because Tom Mitchell, in lead, is a home-town boy. . . . Gayety, which, with Strand and Royal, make a local circuit, will have to be razed, being in line of Federal Housing project. Sid Stern and Louis Buer are renovating their State. The entire front is being stuccoed, a new box office, doors, and Stanley Frames are being installed. Seymour Kutinsky represented National Theatre Supply in the deal. Hackensack A goat, lizard, rabbits, dogs, cats, turtles and a guinea pig were entered in pet show at Fox. In addition to the show, a Hackensack boy was awarded a bicycle and was so surprised when manager Harry Fuchs called his name. All the animals were held on their laps during matinee but some who brought animals too large to sit on laps had to sit in the aisles. Occasionally during the show would come a resounding yawn from the section where the animals were sitting but as it was a special occasion, manager Fuchs did not object. Theatre also held Country Store Night under the manager’s direction. Hoboken Firemen were summoned to the Fabian when a billboard on the west side of the building took fire. It was put out without doing any damage to the building Jersey City Through co-operation of manager Fred Weiber, Lincoln High School held football rally on stage of Tivoli in preparation for game with Dickinson High School. . . . Gifts on display in lobby of the Cameo for past five weeks were distributed. . . . Old-time films are being shown weekly at the Ritz. . . . Organist Ted Meyn at Loew’s Jersey City is called “The Star Maker” because of his discovering so many potential stars. Orpheum vaudeville draws some record crowds. Dave Kane, manager, announces. Instead of running a dual bill he has substituted five acts of vaudeville and a m.c. Kane made a personal appearance and thanked the audience for their patronage and asked if they wanted vaudeville back. Vote was unanimous in favor of it. . . . State employees share in a cash award given by George Skouras for finishing in a top position in the drive for service and maintenance in he playhouse. $10,500 was distributed to various theatres. . . . Many of the neighborhood houses awarded turkeys. Bill Goodman, State, lost the bet of a hat to Reilly of the Stanley. . . . Goodman did some excellent work on “Mr. Smith.” He had 1,000 postcards mailed from Washington plugging the picture and used a rubber stamp on the super-market bags plugging the show in the State. Bill had a special lobby display on “First Love.” Display was equipped with sound and it played recordings of Deanna’s songs. . . . Whitey Egbert had a miniature circus set up in the lobby for “At the Circus.” November 29, 1939