The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

27 NEW YORK CITY Crosstotvn Mort Singer was in from Chicago for a week’s visit. After returning to Chi, Mort (he recently took off 20 pounds) ships out for a coast visit. . . . The Hollywood, former showcase for Warner specials, got another dose of legit when the Princeton Triangle Show was staged there. . . . P. A. McQuire, director of advertising and publicity for International Projector Corporation, was home ill. Henry Armstrong, the sepia leather pushing champ, threw in a plug for Leo Brecher’s Harlem Apollo via a national radio hook-up last week. After kayoing Jimmy Garrison in Cleveland, Armstrong apoligized into the mike for his inability to attend the Apollo premiere of his picture, “Keep Punching.” . . . Entire orchestra and mezzanine of the Astor have been taken over by the Outdoor Cleanliness Association for the December 21 evening showing of “Gone With the Wind,” two days after the film opens. Governor and Mrs. Lehman, the Astors, the Morgenthaus, and practically all of the town’s “400” will attend. . . . Raymond Gram Swing, one of radio’s top word-tossers, did the commentary on Willard Picture’s “Recovery Road,” a one-reeler dealing with the work of the Children’s Aid Society. Meeting of bookers was held this week in connection with the possible formation of a bookers Club similar to those functioning in other cities. . . . The Neely Bill was the topic of conversation at the AMPA luncheon last week, with speakers preceding a discussion. . . . E. J. Smith filed suit against Imperial Pictures, Inc., for $8,457 alleged to be back pay. Following a hearing before the State Labor Meditation Board last week Walter Underhill, projectionist, was declared entitled to immediate reinstatement at the Brooklyn Grand. Underhill is a member of Empire union, the dispute being between that body and the United Theatrical Service Employees Union. Having reported a few weeks ago that the Shuberts were taking over the Cine Roma for the presentation of legis, it now appears that somewhat of a general swapping of situations has resulted. Pietro Grafolo, head, Cine Roma Company, doesn’t intend calling it quits on first-run Italian product and is moving his company over to the Ambassador, long a showcase for legitimate productions, around Christmas time. Ambassador has been converted into a movie house by National Theatre Supply technicians who December 20, 1939 have installed Simplex Sound, projection equipment, screen, et cetera. House will be known as Cine Roma in its new spot and the Shuberts are calling their newly acquired theatre by its original appellation, Broadway. Metro Premium’s tossing a Christmas party for the employees at the home office. . . . Mrs. A. J. Polosier, sister of Metro Preem prexy Irving Zussman. gave birth to a little ’un last week. . . . Douglas Amusement Corporation, reported elsewhere as a circuit, is an individual organization which recently took over the operation of the City Hall. Max Suderov and Gus Rubinstein are the principals. The New York Museum of Science and Industry at Rockefeller Center has engaged the recently-produced Nobel Science Award film, “Dr. Langmuir.” Picture, released by Garrison Films, Inc., is set to run twice a day for a minimum run of three months for special audiences. Transatlantic Films closed a deal with S. S. Krelberg whereby the Belmont becomes a first run for the company’s French imports, with “Last Desire” the opener. . . . City Hall was leased by the Douglas Amusement Corporation. House had been closed. C. L. Davis, manager, Comerford’s Enjoy, Johnson City, was a local visitor. . . . Ditto for Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom who was seen ambling along Broadway. Sam Kaplan, once Local 306 head, is running for a spot on the executive board at the December 27 elections. There are 10 vacancies, with three Kaplanites also in the campaign. Joseph D. Basson, president leader, is opposed by Michael Berkowitz for the presidency. Speaking of French Films, Martin Lewis, operator of three local houses specializing in Gallic celluloid, had a swell yarn in a recent issue of the Sunday Times. . . . Among those present at W. G. Van Schmus’ cocktail party for Metro’s beautiful Ilona Massey at Mr. Van’s Radio City Music Hall studio apartment were Gus Eysell, Howard Dietz, Lief Jorgensburg, Charlie Muller, Radie Harris, A1 Simon, Hazel Flynn, Si Seadler, Bernie Sobel, Benn Jacobson, Irving Hoffman, Leon Leonidoff, J. Robert Rubin, Jimmy Sileo, Milton Weiss, Edwina Hecht. Russell Downing, and a host of others. . . . Alice Faye is spending her Christmas holidays in New York Word comes to us of Harry Lewis’ plans for building a beauteous theatre in Norwich, Connecticut. 44th Street UNIVERSAL: Officers of the newly organized Big U Social Club are: President, Leo Simon; vice-president, Eva Backer; secretary, Julia Gaffney; treasurer, Harry Tissot; sergeant-at-arms, Harold Saltz; publicity, Harry Fellerman; board of directors, Sam Phillips, Max Cohen, Rose Gonzales; board of trustees, Max Cohen, Merry Christmas Happiest tidings and best holiday wishes to all. From Charlie Mersereau, Lewis S. Mentlik, and field representatives Baltin, Brady, Carroll, Coakley, Curley, DeRado, Fox, Gabelle, Gueth, Kelley, McIntosh, Myers, Record, Schoem, Schuyler, Wurgaft, Palumbo and Wooley. THE EXHIBITOR Nat Goldberg. . . . Branch manager Dave Levy is tossing a Christmas dinner and party for the exchange employees December 22. . . . Eva Backer recently announced her engagement. MERIT: Sam Brown is a grandfather again; this time it’s a boy, the first grandchild of that sex. 20th CENTURY-FOX: Employes Club holds its annual party at the Congress December 21. Staten Island Art Lane, manager, Fabian Strand, staged a La Conga night; the first held hereabouts. . . . Sid Deneau was in . . . Harry Black, general manager, Fabian Staten Island theatres, set New Year’s Eve midnight shows for the Paramount, Saint George, Ritz and Stadium. . . . Edgar Goth, publicist, Fabian Staten Island theatres, working with John Firnkoess, manager, Paramount, arranged for Staten Island table tennis champs to appear on the theatre stage. . . . George Trilling, manager, Fabian Ritz, is busy these days booking worthy opponents for the Ritz White Caps, champ all-girl basket ball team. Games are played on Ritz stage every Friday night. . . . George Evans, manager, Saint George, acted as m.c. during the second week of the Island wide Talent Quest contest conducted by the Fabian theatres. Committees have been chosen for the first anniversary dinner-dance of Fabian theatres January 6, in the ballroom of the Elks Club. . . . The attendance will be limited to the personnel of the organization, wives and friends. Entire staffs of the Fabian houses will attend. . . Occasion will mark the first anniversary since Fabian interests assumed management of the seven theatres. Committees named include: Reception — John Firnkoess, George Evans, Roy Sherkey; Tickets — George Trilling, Francis Hicks; Advertising— Edgar Goth, John Solimando; Entertainment — Art Lane, A1 DeFazio; Transportation — Michael Garzetta, Bill Keeley; House — Elihu Glass, Sig Kasse, James Teehan. List embraces managers and assistants in the different theatres. Interboro Trylon, Forest Hills, opens its doors to the public the day after Christmas. Loeiv’s Loew houses in Louisville, Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans were visited by Oscar Doob before he finally trekked to Atlanta for the preem of GWTW. . . . Two thousand Catholic nuns, teachers in local parochial schools, were the guests of the circuit at the Ziegfeld for a special screening of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips.” . . . Chief of projection and sound Lester Isaac was out of town. RKO -Radio J. J. O’Connor, RKO theatres head, was host to the division managers last week at a dinner and show. Among those present were James Brennan, Russell Emde, W. B. England, Max Fellerman, Louis Goldberg, Tom Gorman, Nat Holt, William Howard, Malcolm Kingsberg, Charles Koerner, Harry McDonald, Fred Meyers, John J. O’Connor, Mort Singer, Sol Schwartz, Major Leslie Thompson. R andforce Wally Goldstein was given a sendoff to marriage by film friends at a stag party in Brooklyn’s Little Oriental. NYS.