The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

26 THE EXHIBITOR sel, is back at his desk after a siege of the grippe. Several theatres in and around Newark have been presenting as an added attraction old-time movies tabbed “Flicker Frolics.” Use of a “nickelodeon style” pianist and ancient song slides have served to create atmosphere and laughs. Subjects are being handled by Dorothy T. Stone. . . . Use of a group of Indians who spent last summer at the World’s Fair has been reported by a number of local theatres. Indians’ representatives of the major tribes, demonstrate ably the ceremonial dances of their people. Idea is especially effective when employed with features having Indian backgrounds such as “Drums Along the Mohawk” and “Geronimo.” Summit Eddie Kane, manager, Summit, worked off 30 pounds at golf last summer and, what’s more, hasn’t gained back a pound. Passaic Bill Weiss, Capitol, is back on job after illness. . . . Max Kroll, ex-manager, Orpheum, is now business-manager of the Clifton Journal. . . . Joe Lefkowitz, Clifton, is doing nicely with “Komedy Kwiz” Wednesday nights, in hook-up with an auto dealer. Montauk, Capitol and Playhouse have tied their phones in on a single switchboard to handle all calls. This will eliminate jamming of patrons calls during the phone rush hours and will enable patrons to get all programs by calling the one number. Paterson A food sale was held in the lobby of the Clifton, Clifton, Joe Lefkowitz, by the St. Catherine Guild of St. Peter’s Episcopal church. . . . Benefit movie was held at the Colonial, Pompton Lakes, Adrian Ettelson for the benefit of the fund for hot lunches for Oakland school children. A dinner was planned for Charles Dooley, district manager, Warners, by the managers of the district. . . . William Stanton is a new usher at the Garden. . . . Edward Scherer, head doorman, Fabian, Cameron Dooley, is expecting. . . . Joseph Baker, head doorman, Regent, Eugene Genthon, smiles at the girls more frequently now. Union City Roosevelt, managed by Dan Lee, is doing nice job on a dish giveaway. Roosevelt has started giving away pie plates. . . . Lincoln is using billboards in eastern Bergen County to advertise coming attractions. NEW YORK STATE Albany Allie Mallory, Star, Corinth, celebrated his 32nd anniversary in show business. . . . Vedder Peters’ printing plant has been swamped with ticket orders on “Gone With the Wind.” . . . Dick Struwe, Warner salesman, was snowbound i n Watertown. . . . Other salesmen reported occasional difficulty with snowdrifts. . . . Joe Miller, Columbia, made a trip to Gloversville to present that check for $1,000 to Sid Holland, first prize in the national exploitation contest on “Only Angels Have Wings.” . . . Mrs. I. Barker has made improvements to the sound at her Cambridge Theatre, Cambridge, according to manager Charles King. M. A. Silver, Si Fabian, and Lou Golding were on the committee of the “March of Dimes” campaign for infantile paralysis victims. Bernie Kranze arranged a trade showing of RKO’s “Abe Lincoln in Illinois,” January 29 at Warner’s Madison. ... A goodly turnout of exhibitors and circuit officials was expected to attend. . . . Vivian Sweet, Salem, Greenwich, has been busy building a summer camp, despite the arctic weather. . . . Frank Bonomo, theatre artist, is grateful for the narrow escape he had from a serious accident. When Dennis Paul was locked in the State, manager Bob Rosenthal was routed out of bed at 3 A. M. by the police to open up the theatre and free the unwitting prisoner. Payoff: Paul wanted a readmission pass to see the picture (“Drums along the Mohawk”) through which he had slept. Last summer, it may be recalled, the State’s ladies’ room was used as an “OB” ward, with the baby being middle-tagged Bob in the manager’s honor. In the present case, Rosenthal is wondering what rental should be charged. Dick Hayes’ daughter Joan was sick abed. . . . Ernie Wolfe reported a threeday snowstorm, with bittercold winds, at Lowville, where he operates the Avalon. . . . Paramount salesman Welden Waters encountered temperature of 25 below up north. . . . Newton K. Smith is managing the State, Glens Falls, in the absence of Fred Mausert, vacationing in Florida with Mrs. Mausert. . . . Jules Curley, Warner theatres’ advertising manager, was off on a two-weeks’ tour of circuit’s houses in Ralph Crabill’s western district. . . . Fashion note of the week — Georgette Bingham, Columbia, looking ravishing in a new pale blue dress. . . . Jack Armm, Columbia salesman, will see both of his daughters married within three months. . . . Wedding bells will ring out in May for daughter Irma, who will be married to Ben Sillberg, Albany. . . . And in July for daughter Jean, whose groom-to-be is Ernie Mankoff, Newark, New Jersey. Harry Bei'kson, Monogram franchiseholder, dropped off for a few minutes. . . . Joe Engel’s Universal forces are pounding away in a determined effort to wind up in the money in the Bill Scully Drive. . . . Tony Ryan braved the worst storm of 30 years while on a two-week trip. . . . Artie Newman, Republic, made a week-end visit to New York to attend the wedding of his brother, Herbert. Returning to New York, Artie made record time, doing the 150 odd miles in two hours and 50 minutes. . . . Wayne Carrignan, 20th Century-Fox shipper, is reported engaged, or “nearly-engaged.” . . . Joe Miller, Columbia, threw an “appreciation party” to celebrate the fine spirit of cooperation shown him by the staff. . . . All exchange employes and their wives were invited, the festivities taking place at Joe’s new home. . . .H. L. Ripps, Metro salesman in the New Jersey territory, who was formerly with Ralph Pielow’s local Leo office, returned to his former stamping grounds on his vacation, spending thre days with the Arthur Newmans, then heading for Lake Placid where he and Mrs. Ripps planned to look over the winter sports situation in earnest. Laura Denneau, Fabian circuit home office, New York, is leaving for a Miami vacation February 7. . . . Sidney Denneau, same office, has made his plans for two weeks at the southern beaches, the latter part of February and first of March. . . . Johnny Milligan, Schuylerville, is an other Florida vacationist, with his family. . . . Phil Baroudi, North Creek, made a visit to the row, arriving at exactly 8 A. M. ... W. I. Tyler, Adelphia, Chittenango, was on the sick list. . . Harry Savette’s Strand, Cape Vincent, now operates five days a week. . . . William Fisher has replaced Seth Fields as Schine circuit short subjects booker. Binghamton A special preview showing of the Dempsey-Willard fight pictures for all local sports writers and radio announcers resulted in plenty of newspaper space and radio plugs for the Capitol. . . . Tom Cary, Riveria, is making frequent trips to Scranton to see his mother, who is quite ill. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Ned Kornblite are in Florida. . . . Marie Davis, Capitol, usherette, dreads going to the dentist. . . . Plenty of co-operative ads were secured by Tommy Hannifan, manager, Strand, for “GWTW.” . . . One act vaudeville show was put in at the Suburban for two days. Tommy Hannifan, Strand, is mighty proud of his 150 bowling score. . . . Elliott Foreman, Metro exploiteer, is pinch hitting locally for Jack Gilmore, on “GWTW.” . . . Jerry Burke, manager, Star, says that the Binghamton Comerford Theatres Managers Bowling team is ready to meet theatre managers team in New York State or Pennsylvania. . . . Charles A. Ryan, Scranton Comerford executive, was a visitor. . . . Jerry Gilroy, Tom Walsh’s booking office, will soon say “I Do.” . . . George King, owner, Lyric, is on the sick list. . . . New side wall and ceiling neon lights have been put in at the Symphony, Endicott Strand. — F. D. R. Buffalo Mr. and Mrs. Perriello, Naples, Clyde, left for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. . . . Mike Wolfish, who had been employed in the poster department of RKO for the past five years, is now employed by Advertising Accessories, Inc. . . . Due to the severe snow storm, Jack Bullwinkle, Columbia Rochester salesman, called into Buffalo for a sales meeting, was stranded. . . . Several of the film boys were noticed at the Statler Ad Club Ball, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bork, Universal; Mr. and Mrs. George MacKenna, Lafayette; Mr. and Mrs. George Ferugson, Columbia; Mr. and Mrs Jack Davis. Mr. and Mrs. John Scully attended with Mr. and Mrs. William Goocker, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ohlan and a party. . . . Lew Leiser, Jim Fater, Bill Bork, Universal sales force, are way up in standing in the sales drive. . . . Bert Seelbach, Universal cashier; Gerry Lipow, Universal accessories manager, and Carl Heerdt, booker and office manager, were spotted lunching. Madeline Moore, Columbia stenographer, is no asset to “Old Spain” since she took up horseback riding, because of the sugar problem. . . . Mrs. Phil Fox, wife of Columbia’s branch manager, is recovering at the Buffalo General Hospital from a recent operation. . . . Basil Brothers signed contracts for dinnerware for their LaSalle, Niagra Falls, distributed by John Sitterly, 505 Pearl Street. . . . Pete Bifarella, Joylan, Springville, is suffering from a chest injury sustained in an auto accident. . . . Sydney Lehman, Jack Zurich, Teddy Hammer and Nate Sodikman have received their first degree in the Orpheum Masonic Lodge, Rochester, and February 6 they will receive their third degree. Immediately preceding the degree, a dinner will be given them at the Sagamore Hotel, at which January 31, 1940