The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

28 THE EXHIBITOR Mr. and Mrs. Louis Frisch are sojourning in Florida where the circuit head can sop up the sunshine while convalescing from his recent illness. . . . Mannie Frisch, the Rinzler family; Jack Birnbaum, Irwin Gold and others were at Penn Station to wave them goodbye. Walter Reade While some of his stockholders were reported filing suit claiming the mismanagement of the Reade Hudson theatres, prexy Walter Reade was spending a restful week under the Florida sun. Rosenblatt -Welt For a while the higher-ups sitting behind desks in the Paramount Building offices thought it was a strike when their entire managerial staff walked in one morning. Instead, it was a surprise presentation of a traveling bag to general manager Bernie Brooks who is held in high regard by his co-workers. Gus Nestle, manager, Lyceum, Bayonne, made the presentation. Among the managerial witnesses were Ed Rowe, Orient; Dave Kane, Orpheum; Joe Polante, Plaza, Bayonne; Charlie Zolo, Star, Staten Island; H. Moses, Rex, Staten Island; J. Allen, Empire, Staten Island; Tony Degastino, relief manager. . . . Bernie Brooks announced a Christmas celebration for all circuit employees to be held at the Orpheum, Jersey City, midnight of December 23. Orpheum vaude performers and film will provide the entertainment. HOME OFFICES Columbia Rube Jackter celebrated a birthday December 12. . . . Nancy Klein has recovered from her recent setto with the sickbed and is back at work in A1 Sherman’s office. . . . Norma Cusack leaves shortly for a Florida vacation. . . . “His Girl Friday” moved her release date from Christmas to January 18. Milt Hannock, manager, contract department, is leaving for Florida to recuperate from a lingering illness. He will return in the spring. /. H. Hoffberg Expanding its distribution to service the exhibitors direct in the midwest, an office will be established in Chicago after the first of the year, with Arthur S. Benjamin heading the midwestern division and Bob Snyder, formerly with eastern sales, in charge of the sales staff. Alexander Korda Alexander Korda sailed on the Rex terminating a five-week’s visit to this country. The producer spent three weeks in Hollywood. Metro The office points with pride to Parent’s Magazine’s awarding “Peace on Earth” its award of outstanding merit. It is the first short subject to be so honored. Monogram Barbara Livingston, heartbeat of the publicity department, was a patient at the Polyclinic Hospital last week after being kayoed by a falling scaffold. . . . W. Ray Johnston will be back from the coast in time to celebrate Christmas with the local office force on December 23. JOE JOEL SAYS: Among Other Things . . . L. Abbott, vice-president, Motiograph, Incorporated, Chicago, was a guest of Joe Hornstein. He is also here on a business trip. ... I am pleased to announce that Theodore Friedman, Strand, Suffren, who was operated on for appendicitis at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, has recovered and is now convalescing at his home. Hurry up, Teddy, and get well for your numerous friends certainly miss you. ... I am very sorry to inform the many friends of Leon Rosenblatt, Rosenblatt-Welt circuit, that he is very ill at home. He may be absent from his office for sometime. I extend to him my best wishes for a speedy recovery. . Paul Sherman, formerly manager, Grand, is now supervising the Star, Grand. . . . Ted Rosoff is manager, Star, and Ben Laybow is manager, Grand. . . . A1 Metchik, manager, Empire, Brooklyn, for the past four years, has a way of his own in getting up a program. I had the pleasure of seeing him at work and it is one of the most artistic programs I have ever seen. His assistant manager is Harold Newkamp. . . . Paramount Dave Fleischer, director of Paramount’s “Gulliver’s Travels,” arrived from Hollywood where he completed the final cutting and editing of this Max Fleischer cartoon epic. He remains for the film’s premiere at the New York Paramount Theatre December 20, and then return to Miami. RKO-Radio Pathe’s bowling team, captained by George Ronan, defeated an RKO five in a special match. Bonafield, Pathe, had high average, 194. Angus led the RKO contingent with an average of 187, followed by Mulhall with 172. Dan Reilly, RKO theatres, hit a new high game of 259 in the RKO League, topping the marks of Angus and Farmer, who had scores of 255. 20th Century-Fox Alice Faye arrived to spend the Christmas holidays with her husband, Tony Martin. Truman Talley sailed for Europe to cover key spots for Movietonews. Bonney Powell, cameraman, accompanied him. U niversal Universal’s general sales manager William A. Scully, western sales manager William J. Heineman, and eastern sales manager Frank J. A. McCarthy are all back at their desks. Walter W anger With “Send Another Coffin,” now in the cutting room, Ruth Terry, the young star who has her first big role in this picture, arrived here. Warners Annual Christmas party of the Warner employees and families, 2500 of them, was held last week end at the Vitaphone Harry Stitt, Comet Games, notified me that any exhibitor using Comet screen devices or Whirlwind without his permission is a violation according to state rights. . . . Amusement Supplv Company is enlarging its store to meet the requirements of increased business. The ASC has iust finished equipping the Avon, 16th Street, Brooklyn, which was closed and have now reopened. . . . Two oldtimers in the film industry whom I have known for the past 25 years are William Appel, Decatur, Brooklyn, and his son, Bernard. They are both a credit to the industry — but they have one fault: You can’t tell which is the father and which is the son. . . . Bernie Brooks, general manager, Rosenblatt-Welt circuit, was taken by surprise on December 11 when managers Harry Allen, Port Richmond; Charles Zulli, Star, New Brighton; Elias Moses, Rex, Stapleton; Dick Whitby, Heights, Heightstown; Gus Nestle, Lyceum, Bayonne; Leo Greenfield, Boro Hall; Ed Rowe, Orient, Jersey City; Dave Kane, Orpheum, Jersey City; Joe Perlente, Plaza, Bayonne, presented him with a very handsome travelling bag. Gus Nestle made the presentation speech. Brooks thanked them all. I extend to my many friends a Merry Christmas and may the year of 1940 bring them Prosperity and may they and their families eniov that which is best of all — Good Health. Studios under the auspices of the Warner Club. Ralph Budd headed the committee. . . . Joseph Bernhard, theatres’ chief, was tendered a dinner by the zone heads last fortnight. Jacob Wilk, story department head, spoke on “The Theatre Goes American” before the Emma Mills’ Book and Play luncheon. Norman H. Moray, Vitaphone sales manager, returned to his desk. . . . Robert Schless, European general manager, has been on an inspection tour of continental branches. NEW JERSEY Bergen County Display of Christmas toys was held in lobby of Fox, Hackensack, in conjunction with city store. . . . Football awards were given to members of the Teaneck High School team at a performance at the Teaneck, Teaneck. . . . Tenafly weekly newspaper held jumbled words contest and guest tickets to Bergen, Tenafly, were among awards. . . . Queen Anne, has changed double feature policy to one of single feature with shorts and is presenting two shows nightly instead of continuous showing. It has reduced admission prices. — P. C. Bernardsville Henry Sager and Sam Cohen are installing Four-Star sound in their Liberty following a visit by National Theatre Supply salesman Seymour Kutinsky. Jersey City Color picture book was given to children attending matinee at Ritz, Jersey City. . . . Robert Deitz, manager, Ritz, has moved from North Arlington to Jersey City. . . . Nearly all Jersey City theatres are making plans for Christmas parties for children and for New Year’s Eve shows. — P. C. December 20, 1939