The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

THE EXHIBITOR 33 the canary. . . . seems he’s all excited over the prospects of that RKO special, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” (P. S. — Bernie, how about that exhibitor who says he can’t see Laughton as a football player?). . . . Auditor Louis Litchenstein paid a visit to Moe Grassgreen’s 20th Century-Fox office. . . . Mrs. Harry MacNamara has closed her Bay, Alexandria Bay, for the season. . . . Paul Krumenacker, Warner branch manager, announced December 21 as date of the exchange’s annual Christmas party, to be held this year in the Palm Room of the Ten Eyck Hotel. ... A little birdie tells us the Jimmie (Vitagraph) Moores are infanticipating. . . . T. Hammer, Warner exchange checking supervisor, checked in from Buffalo. . . . M. A. Silver attended the Warner theatres zone managers meeting in New York, presided over by general manager Joseph Bernhard. Bernie Kranze arranged for a personal appearance of Kay Kyser at Lake Placid in connection with the showing of “That’s Right, You’re Wrong,” at Ernie Dodd’s Palace. Kyser will be crowned “King of Winter” by the winter sports committee. . . Charlie Gordon, Olympic, Utica, was a visitor. . . . Mrs. M. A. Silver directed a pageant presented by the sisterhood of Temple Beth Emeth, “The Jewess Through the Ages,” which won such enthusiastic acclaim an extra performance had to be given. Mrs. Silver arranged the musical score. . . . John Augello, who had closed his Lyric, Utica, has reopened it for trial operation week-ends only. . Joe Miller, Columbia branch manager, is studying road maps in preparation for a winter vacation in Florida. . . . Lou Weinberg, Columbia home office executive, was in town, conferring with Joe Miller and booking offices of Fabian and Warner. . . . Jane Breen, Metro cashier, was on the sick list. . . . “Gone With the Wind” area premiere has been pushed back a week, (according to Leo’s Ralph Pielow) at Fabian’s Palace. . . . Bernie Mills, B. and M. Pictures, is back in town for a brief visit between conferences on distribution deals for “Ten Nights In A Barroom.” . . . Lois Sponer, Vitagraph inspectress, has returned to her duties. . . . Mary Anita, daughter of Paul Krumenacker, Warner branch manager, will be home from Seton Hall College to spend the Christmas holidays. . . . Holidays will find Ralph Pielow in a merry mood, with both Christmas and New Year weeks at Fabian’s Palace being booked with Metro pictures— “Judge Hardy and Son” and “Another Thin Man.” . . . Walter LaPata, Star, Poultney, Vermont, has moved to a new home. Binghamton Connie, daughter of Bud Shelton, manager, Enjoy, is rapidly recovering . . . Ned Kornblite, general manager, and T. J. Walsh, booker, attended the Variety Club affair in Philadelphia. Buddy Kornblite, Suburban, felt badly when he recently missed a house record by 36 people. . . . Charles A. Ryan, Scranton Comerford executive, was a recent visitor. . . . Doormen took over the managers 2 to 1, recently at the Legion Bowling alleys. . . . Harry Balin, manager, and doorman Archie Cayaffa, were kept on the side line due to injuries. . . . A1 Zalis, Globe Poster, subbed for Balin. Your correspondent has done a little spooning and found out what the theatre folks would want for Christmas; Pat Stevens wants a one way ticket to Florida; Frances Parmley wants a marriage license; Carl Winters wants a ticket to the Rose Bowl Game; Jake Ruppenthal wants something to make his mustache more prominent; Nick Romano wants to be a regular deputy sheriff; Marge Shea wants more room in her box-office; E. C. Nickolas is hoping that it’s a boy; Earl Tutle wants an elevator to the booth; Cecily Reynolds would like some sunshine in her box-office; John Tighe wants June Fundis; Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Charlier want to live closer to town; Marian Knight wants a left-handed pencil; Helena Holloran wants to be a jitterbug; Tom Hannifan wants a new desk; Delna Fahner wants an office high chair; Bunny Merritt wants to roam the range again; Jerry Gilroy wants a cigarette; Ned Kornblite wants the same license plate number; Marie Lake wants to say “I do;” Tom Cary wants more office room; J. L. Fitzpatrick wants a new jalopy; Tom Walsh wants better pictures to book; Jake Lalley wants a window in his office; Jerry Burke wants a bullet-proof vest with his westerns; Archie Cayaffa wants a hook bowling ball; Harry Balin wants more seats; Billy Vetrino wants more days off; Frank Garrison wants a chicken farm; Bud Shelton wants a larger lobby; Joe Hazlett wants a new uniform; Buddy Kornblite wants Jeanne Meeker; Lela Merritt wants a larger stock room, more files and new account books; Harry Van Tassell wants his hair back; Owen Golden wants an automatic marquee letter changer. The Children’s Moving Picture Council of Binghamton, arranged with the Suburban, for a morning showing of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” . . . Capitol’s vaudeville policy changes to first half for Christmas week and New Year’s. — F. D. R. Buffalo Dave Ballard, an eight-footer, flew into town in the pose of the giant Gulliver, as an advance ballyhoo for Paramount’s “Gulliver’s Travels,” Christmas week attraction at George Mason’s Shea’s Great Lakes. . . . Clara Jones, Shea’s Buffalo matron, is back home. . . . Frank Averso, operator booker manager, Hippodrome, Niagara Falls, is quite proud of the complete renovation made to theatre. House now has a new marquee, new front, and lobby. Frank’s mother, Mrs. Mary Rosso, owner, is well known in theatre circles. . . . James R. Grainger, president, Republic, was spotted lunching with Jack Bellman, local branch manager. . . . Max Lavene, going great guns with his “Giftof-Fur-Night,” has tied up with many local theatres successfully. Saul Kraft, field representative, Pittsburgh home office, visited him. Max Rosing, Roosevelt, is slated to become a benedict, January 7. Max, brother of George, is well known along Buffalo’s film land. . . . Jack Berkson has now made a connection. . . . Ben Bordonaro, Glean was in town; also F. H. Tooker, Glen, Watkins Glen; Max Fogel, Webster, Rochester; Louie Beyer, Hollywood, Mattidale; M. Zimmerman, Majestic, Rochester; A1 Gilbert, Avon, Brighton, Riviera, Syracuse; Rube Cantor, Morris P. Slotnick, Acme, Syracuse. . . . Don’t mention red ink to Marge (Shea) Adrian. . . . Mary Mooney, Shea’s Hippodrome matron, received hospital treatment after a fall. . . . Henry Fruecht, Shea auditor, is suffering from a severe cut on the eye. . . . Sidney S. Kulick was in to set first runs on “Hitler— Beast of Berlin.” . . . Verne Bundrock, Shea art studio, substituted for Henry Fruecht on the office bowling team against the Great Lakes. . . . Tall, blonde and curley, David Whalen, special representative, Herbert J. Yates, planed in from New York. December 11, for a few days stay. . . . Birthday greetings go to Mary Fridrich, Shea switchboard operator. All employees of the new Lafayette held their annual Christmas party on the stage of the theatre December 19 at midnight. Gwen McDonald, “Hello” girl made up some snappy announcements. . . . Work is going along at full speed on both Shea’s Niagara and Shea’s Lackawanna, says Ed Frank, superintendent of buildings. . . . We are wondering whether or not Frank Hager, North Collins, succeeded in his recent hunting trip. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Sydney Samson, branch manager, 20th Century-Fox, were entertained at a recent dinner at the Dave Millers, Universal district manager, Cleveland. . . . Mildred Kelly, former switchboard operator, Lafayette, presented hubby Vincent with an eight-pound baby boy December 3. . . . Ken Robinson, branch manager, Paramount, returned recently from a trip to Scranton, Pennsylvania. . . . Mr. and Mrs. John Scully, Universal branch manager, entertained several friends of son Edward on the occasion of his 15th birthday December 2. . . . Jack Belman, Republic, and his entire staff are very much enthused over “South of the Border.” . . . Wonder if that Casino championship has been decided yet — suggest you see Columbia’s Phil Fox. . . . James R. Grainger, president, Republic, visited the local exchange. . . . December 21 A. C. Hayman, Lafayette, Strand, Cataract, will entertain the film folk at a party at the Fillmore Hotel. . . . William Sussman, eastern division manager, and George A. Roberts, district manager, 20th Century-Fox, spent a few days at the local exchange, conferring with branch manager Sydney Samson. ★ ★ ★ ★ DEPENDABLE THEATRE FURNISHINGS and EQUIPMENT • HIGHEST QUALITY • UNEXCELLED SERVICE • ECONOMY • PERSONAL ATTENTION Theatre Modernization Carefully Planned and Financed IE IM ENT 341 West 44th Street NEW YORK CITY Circle e-oaso December 20, 1939