The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

THE EXHIBITOR 25 John Sitterly are entertaining a guest from New York. . . . We do not like to see any of our fellow workers leave our midst and it was with sincere regret that we looked upon the closing of the Grand National. . . . All hands at United Artists working overtime these days on the Stern Testimonial Drive. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Nell Lyons, Gammel circuit, whose father passed away last week, after a brief illness. Nell’s mother died a week ago Wednesday and the following Wednesday her father died. . . . Construction has been started on a new theatre at Trumansburg. . . . Ed Schnitzer, district manager, Warner Brothers, spent three days at the local exchange, conferring with branch manager Charles Rich. . . . Madelon Moore, red-headed stenog, Columbia, is taking riding lessons. . . . January 29 RKO is having a special preview at the Court Street at 10.00 P. M. for exhibitors, the press and leading civic leaders of “Abe Lincoln in Illinois.” . . . Ray Pashley, Lakes, Interlaken, is looking around for an apartment in Buffalo. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Joe Montesano, Mount Morris; Joe and Sarah Tantillo, Cary Petrillo are leaving January 24 for an extended visit to Florida. . . . Vernon Grey, RKO publicity man. took an extended trip through the Buffalo and Albany territory, laying a campaign for RKO’s “Swiss Family Robinson.” . . . Murray Whiteman joined the film table after a protracted absence. . . . Howard Lurie, Lincoln, Rochester, reopened the Phelps, Phelps, January 19. . . . Syracuse salesmen were unable to get to Buffalo one day as they were completely snowbound. . . . Alex Weissman, Rochester salesman for Metro, spent a week end in town with Eva, who is recuperating from a recent illness. . . . Dolores Hayes, Shea’s Buffalo cashier, went to the Sisters’ Hospital for treatment to her hand. Congrats go to Dick Walsh and George H. McKenna, Lafayette, who split a $300 prize between them in Columbia’s “Only Angels Have Wings” contest. Local industry was interested in the recent decision in the Schine case, which allows the circuit to go ahead with expansion plans pending outcome of the government’s suit. Last week provided the Phil Engel, Warner field representative and his coworkers with plenty of activity here. Four WB first runs were playing simultaneously: “We Are Not Alone,” Hippodrome; “Invisible Stripes,” Great Lakes; “Four Wives,” Buffalo; and “A Child is Born,” Century. Plans were also made, at the same time, for the “Fighting 69th” campaign. Biggest thing ever to strike this town in the way of a motion picture is, of course, “Gone With the Wind.” With tickets going on sale three weeks in advance at George Mason’s Shea’s Great Lakes, the overwhelming demand necessitated the installation of three new telephones, two new box offices and the full services of six men to handle reservations. ... At the Cataract, Niagara Falls, it was necessary for the management to take over a store in the building to take care of reservations. . . . George Gammel, Gammel circuit, is up and around again, having recently recovered . . . A1 and Lydia Behling, Ellen Terry, have taken an apartment at the Fairfax for the winter. . . . Variety Club, Tent No. 7, will have the annual installation of officers January 20, followed by a buffet supper. . . . Mrs. Jack Bellman, wife of Republic’s branch manager, arrived from New York to spend the week end with her husband. . . . Clara Jones, Shea’s Buffalo matron, is on the road to recovery after having been confined to the General Hospital. . . . Lights in the RKO exchange are burning nightly in preparation for the launching of the Ned Depinet Drive. First meeting with home office executives is scheduled for January 31, with drive leader Herb McIntyre and lieutenant Harry Gittleson conducting. . . . Mike Crato, Lafayette bowling team paced his team to a clean sweep over the Shea office team in the Theatres Bowling League. . . . Emma Clark is temporarily working at Universal in the inspection department. Mike Wolfish, former head, poster department, RKO, wants it known that he is available now. . . . Sydney Samson, branch manager, 20th Century-Fox, held the first meeting for the Division Managers’ Drive, which will run from February 4-April 27, honoring division manager William Sussman. . . . George O’Brien, Shea’s projectionist, has undergone an appendectomy. . . . Visitors along film row were Howard Carroll, Strand, Rochester; Lou Pressler, Hornell; Charles Martini, Albion; Clyde Lathrop, Dunkirk; Ray Pashley, Interlaken; Richard DeToto, Clifton Springs; A. Scura, Mount Morris; Max Vogel, Rochester; Morris Zimmerman, Majestic, Rochester. . . . Edna Kozanowski, wife of Stanley, Rivoli, is a school girl again. . . . We understand that Bert Buchanan, Gammel’s Little Seneca, had an accident, in which he broke his teeth. . . . George Roberts, district manager, 20th Century-Fox was in. . . . Plans are being made for a farewell dinner in honor of Lou Blumenfeld. . . . Carl Polvina, formerly operator, Phelps, Phelps, is now back with the Martinas. . . . Phil Fox, branch manager, Columbia, left for a trip to Albany, Binghamton and Elmira. . . . Mina (Feinsinger) Lewis, secretary to branch manager Ralph Maw, Metro, who has been confined to her home for the past two months, is well on the road to recovery and expected by at her post. . . . Arthur Pfleger, shipper, Warners, is on the sick list. . . . Laura Parker, 20th Century-Fox, dashing down Franklin Street looking very smart in her new mink-trimmed coat. . . . Myron Gross, booker, Metro, was confined to his home with the grippe. . . . Bert Freese, Syracuse salesman, Republic, is the proud owner of a new car. — M. G. Delmar Roger Marmon, Marmon and Playford, Delmar, is showing movies of holiday decorations of public buildings and homes in the three villages of Delmar, Slingerlands and Elsmere, taken under his supervision. Dunkirk Jane Ostryne, service staff, Capitol, resigned. . . . Elizabeth Anglim takes her place. . . . Dalton Burgett, Capitol, will use a car giveaway. . . . Dalton Burgett drove to Jamestown for a conference with district manager Ralph Crabill and Allen Newhall, Palace. . . . Dalton Burgett is bringing back all request programs second run, for one matinee per week. Ellenville Pioneer Engine, one of three fire companies in Ellenville, weighted down by the maintenance cost of its large headquarters, Norbury Hall, has effected the lease of the ground floor for a 700-seat movie house. Company will continue to use the upper floor. It had received $275 a year rental for village use. Theatre will be called the Norbury. Elmira Employees of the Warner Brothers’ Keeney, Strand, held their anual Warner Club midwinter party. . . . Committee in charge of arrangements included Paul Shay, refreshments; Donald Edwards, food; Mel Conhaim, hall; Paul Johnson, decorations; Frank Turner, entertainment, and Daniel Decker, invitations. Officers of the club include Alden Allen, president; Byron Danks, vice-president; Daniel Becker, secretary. Board of directors includes Eddie Yarbrough, manager, Keeney; Mel Conhaim, manager, Regent; Ray Fahrenholz, Strand manager. Extreme cold and bad roads prevented out-oftowners from other theatres attending. Nellie Carlton replaces Doris Wager, Regent. . . . Sid Brown is the new artist at the Regent. . . . “Bank Night” suit brought by George C. Whitman, October 15, 1937, against Warner Brothers’ Elmira theatres, Keeney, Regent, Strand, was settled out of court for an undetermined amount. . . . Eddie Yarbrough, Keeney, is trying good stage show bookings every two weeks. . . . James Brennan, IA representative from New York, was in Elmira for conference with Paul Shay and others. . . . Mel Conhaim, Regent, was happy about those “Child is Born” grosses. . . . Eddie Yarbrough, Keeney; Ray Fahrenholz, Strand; Mel Conhaim, Regent; have been busy formulating Lenten plans. . . . Regent will continue with Community Singing and guest organists. . . . Challenge: John McAuliffe, artist. Palace, Jamestown, wants to take Alden Allen, assistant, Keeney, off that pedestal of ping pong champ and high bowler. Hornell Max Landman, owner, Hornell, besides having interests in many other city established businesses has just paid $10,000 for a silk mill. . . . Jimmy Maoris is running “Circus Store Night” at the Majestic and as a grand prize after four weeks running will give away a kitchen stove BINGO CARDS MADE ON CARD — NOT PAPER] WITH PUSHOUT TABS — LARGE 1,000 COMBINATIONS— SIZE 4V2x5 M 9C PER THOUSAND JOSEPH FITZER 104 GORLAND AVE. SYRACUSE. N. Y. ■LltTtf'lC'V The ONLY AND— GUARANTEED BIIOO ' Theatre Qames! DENNIS GAMES, Inc. N. E. Cor. 13lh and Race Streets, Philadelphia RUSS COHEN, 353 W. 44th Street, N. Y. C. “ Pioneer of Theatre Qames” January 24, 1940