The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

5 “Bingo” Legislation Sought in New Measure Motion Picture Bookers To Elect Officers Jan. 22 List of Nominees Announced by Group New York City — Nomination of officers highlighted the meeting last fortnight of the newly-organized Motion Picture Bookers’ Club at the Hotel Lincoln. Officers to be elected at the January 22 meeting will be chosen from the following nominees: President — Harold Klein, Cocalis; Myron Starr, Moscato; Ted Krasner, Cinema circuit. Vice-president — Jack Meltzer, Associated Theatres of New Jersey; Alec Arnswalder, Metro. Financial secretary — Eddie Susse, Metro; Moe Rose, Metro. Treasurer — Ben Levine, United Artists; Sam Phillips, Big U. Recording secretary — Pete Saglembeni, Warners; Dora Fried, Producers Distributing Corporation; Pearl Goldstein. Republic. Sergeant-at-Arms — Herb Richek, UA; Ruby Greenberg, Paramount. Trustees (two to be elected) — Lou Fischler, Belle; Dan Ponticelle, Warners; Bernie Brooks, RosenblattWelt; Sammy Lake, Paramount; Joe Inzber, Brandt; John Cunniff, Metro. Board of directors (four to be elected) — Sam Berns, Bolte; Leo Simon, Universal; Eddie Richter, Metro, Harry Margolies, Metro; Max Fried, Warners; Henry Suchman, Silver; A1 Blumberg, Warners; Harold Weisenthal, Universal. Lefkowitz Upped at Warners New York City — Sam Lefkowitz was last week upped from office manager of the local Vitaphone exchange to metropolitan branch manager. Sherwood Macomber, former head booker, moves into the office manager spot. Exchange will operate, temporarily at least, without a head booker. Minna Gold Rosen Chosen Buffalo — Minna Gold Rosen was last week named secretary for the Buffalo Allied unit, following appointment of a local grievance committee which included Herman Lorence, Cattaraugus, chairman; Paul Grummitt, Circle; Marvin Atlas, Capitol, Niagara Falls; Herbert Hoch, Ray Pashley, alternates. January 17, 1940 Schine Shifts Find Silverman in Rochester Managers Moved About By Circuit Rochester — Schine employees at Rochester welcomed January 8 a new city manager, Bud Silverman, formerly district manager in Ohio under Colonal Louis Lazar. Silverman is to have the supervision of Schine houses in Rochester, East Rochester and Fairport. Louis Levitch, former city manager, remains as manager of the Madison, while Gene Curtis, Schines’ Rochester publicity director, moves to Syracuse, where he will take over a special publicity assignment. Curtis is to have his office at Schine’s Paramount. Pat McGee, Syracuse Paramount, has been promoted to district manager in Lazar’s Ohio zone, while Jim Levine, Ohio district manager, is resigning to take a theatrical post in New York City. In connection with the shifts, Lee Stern, manager, West End, Rochester, goes to the Empire, Glens Falls, as manager. Harvey Cocks, former manager, Hipp, Gloversville, is still unassigned, but may move in to the Rochester territory. Counterfeiting Film Screened New York City — Another innovation in the Treasury Department’s educational campaign to stamp out counterfeiting was announced here last week by James J. Maloney, supervising agent of the Secret Service in this State. Maloney held a preview of a 19-minute sound picture. It will be shown to the 386,000 children in the public high schools and junior high schools. Presentation of the picture will be accompanied by a brief talk by a Secret Service agent, who will also answer questions. Schines Promise $1,000 G LO VERS VILLE— All Schine houses, it was revealed here last week, are insured against the $1,000 that is given away by a Tuesday night radio program, because “if you are not at home, but at a Schine theatre when that important phone call comes,” the announcement reads, you will be paid the $1,000. “Therefore, there is no occasion to miss a fine evening of motion picture entertainment on any night of the week.” THE EXHIBITOR Games Could Be Played On Restricted Plan Albany — Legalization of “Bingo” is sought in a bill introduced in the Assembly last week by Aaron F. Goldstein, Democrat, Kings. Legalized “Bingo” would be subjected to strict regulation by local police authorities and could be conducted and operated only under the sponsorship of charitable, civic, educational, fraternal, veterans’ or religious organizations or by volunteer fire departments and granges. Bill sets up a system of local permits, issued by the police department or the town clerk in localities not having a police department. Organizations allowed to conduct “Bingo” games under the bill, however, must be in existence at least two years prior to their application for a permit. In addition, the bill prohibits the granting of cash prizes and limits the value of all prizes, which must be merchandise or personal property, to $250 in one day of playing. It also outlaws repurchase of prizes for cash by the operators of the game, as well as providing that only members of the organization conducting the game may participate. The bill would create a graduated system of permit fees and provide that moneys collected from fees be used by the individual localities for any purpose they see fit. In other legislative matters affecting the industry proponents of dog-racing were said to be planning to attempt to tie in legalization of that sport with the horseracing pari-mutuel bill. Opposition is expected to be determined, however, not only theatre interests, but also businessmen generally being joined by civic, social service and religious leaders in fighting any such measure. Governor Lehman’s opposition to dogracing is unwavering. Additional legislation of interest to exhibitors is a bill for regulation of billboards, which once again has the active sponsorship of Governor Lehman, the full -crew booth bill — and especially the sales tax, which would mean an additional tax on admissions. The sales tax was pigeon-holed in the closing days of last year’s legislative session, but, according to present indications, has a good chance of being passed in the present session — unless stronger opposition is aroused. More "GWTW” Bookings New York City — “Gone With the Wind” will open at the Metropolitan, Brooklyn, February 1; State, Newark, and Loew’s, Jersey City, January 25. Usual details of the engagement will obtain. MP Associates Elect New York City — Officers of the Motion Picture Associates were to have been elected yesterday (January 16) at a luncheon session at the Astor. NYS.