The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

5 Louis Frisch Honored At Testimonial Luncheon Metropolitans Pay Tribute New York City — Louis Frisch, Randforce executive, was tendered a testimonial luncheon last week upon his return from Florida, arranged by Ed Schnitzer and Roy Haines. Present were Samuel Rinzler, Carl Leserman, John J. O’Connor, Max Fellerman, Phil Hodes, Roy Haines, Edward Schnitzer, Fred Meyers, Max Cohen, Harold Blumenthal, Dave Levy, Leo Abrams, George Skouras, Emanuel Frisch, Louis Frisch, William Phillips, Milton Weisman, Harold Rinzler, Irving Kaplan, Jack Birnbaum and Irving Goldstein. William Sussman, Harry Buxbaum, Joe Lee, Morris Sanders, William White, Sidney Deneau, Joseph Felder, Nat Cohn, Saul Trauner, Joe Hornstein, Irving Wormser, Sam Lefkowitz, Harry Decker, Jerry Schnitzer, Arthur Sexton, E. K. O’Shea, Tom Connors, Moe Streimer, Jack Bowen, Ben Abner, John Benas, Milton Kusell, Henry Randall, Bob Wolff, Herman Gluckman, Bill Moses, Marvin Schenck, Andy Smith and Eugene Picker. Samuelson Leaves Newton Newton, N. J. — Sidney Samuelson, Allied New Jersey leader, and now business manager for the Eastern Pennsylvania Allied unit, last fortnight sold his Newton to the St. Cloud Amusement Company, which has several theatres in the area. Latter is booked by the Comerford circuit. ITOA in Smoking Battle New York City — The ITOA, it was reported last week, is leading a fight to have restrictions on smoking in theatres lifted in the area. "Cue” Vote Strong NEW YORK CITY— Voting in the poll to determine pictures to be shown in the Cinema Hall of Fame series sponsored by Cue Magazine at the Fifth Avenue Playhouse for the benefit of the Boys Club of New York resulted last week in the naming of almost 500 pictures. Plans are now under way to crystallize the program and have it ready for exhibition as soon as possible. April 10, 1940 Literary Note NEW YORK CITY — A customer at one of the Brooklyn theatres which gave away encyclopedias last week returned with her book which was Part 1 and said to the manager: “I am all through with this book. I want to exchange it for Part 2.” Anti-Industry Bills Defeated in NY State Billboard Measure, Others Checked Albany — The motion picture industry escaped the brunt of law-making at the 1940 session of the state legislature, a survey showed last week. One of the principal measures, in which the industry was interested, the billboard bill, was defeated, with Assemblyman W. T. Webb, Smalley circuit manager from Sidney, active. A measure which would have made specific recommendations regarding booth conditions in small towns died, as did other bills which pertained to civic rights, admissions, etc. Associates Invite Trade New York City — Trade paper chiefs and leading exhibitors will be invited to a special meeting of the Motion Picture Associates at the Hotel Astor April 17, it was announced by President Jack Ellis last week. Purpose of the session is to appoint an exhibitors’ committee to contact producers and distributors for advertising to appear in the souvenir yearbook which will be readied for the annual associates’ dinner-dance. Kurtzman Loew Chief New York City — Charles Kurtzman, formerly with Loew’s in Pittsburgh, was last week made district manager for the company succeeding H. M. Addison. Houses in Syracuse and Rochester as well as in several New England and Canadian spots are included. Bookers’ Dance May 19 New York City — The first annual dinnerdance of the New York Motion Picture Bookers’ Club will be held at the Hotel Astor May 19, it was made known over the week end. THE EXHIBITOR Dance Hall Noise Basis of Local Suit Competition Too Much For Patrons New York City — Aciion was taken last week by the landlord of the Paras Court against Messrs. Louis Goidel and Cohen, operators of the house, for collection of rent which the exhibitors are withholding because the landlord rented the floor above the theatre as a dance hall. Sidney Freidberg and Louis Nizer, of the Phillips and Nizer office, represented the exhibitors, and defended them on the ground that the noise emanating from the dance hall interfered with the normal operation of the theatre. Witnesses were presented to show that money-back demands on account of the noise were made by many patrons. Municipal Court Judge Eppig denied a motion to dismiss a counter-claim and adjourned the trial to April 10. He instructed the landlord to take steps against the dance hall, and told both landlord and tenant to take action to have the police department revoke the hall’s license. Buffalo Trial Begins Buffalo — Trial of Old Vienna, Inc., began here last week in county court. Unit operated “Bingo” in the former Gayety in connection with film shows. Violation of the antitrust laws is charged. Johnson in Philly New York City — Lou Johnson, president of the local Exchange Employees Union, is scheduled to address the Philadelphia employees body at a meeting April 12, it was announced last week. Cortland Episode Ends CORTLAND — An apology to the State Parole board, a plea of guilty and a $50 fine ended in Municipal Court here March 29, the case against Garson M. Jaffa, manager, Cortland, who was charged with using illegal and misleading advertisements. Jaffa’s troubles grow out of “teaser ads” he inserted in Cortland papers to arouse interest in Paramount's “Parole Fixer.” City Judge Donald W. J. Yager accepted Jaffa’s plea and his explanation that he did not believe anyone would take the advertisements seriously, or construe, as did prisoners at nearby Attica prison, that the services of a “parole fixer” were actually offered. Judge admonished him to be more careful in the future, and in lieu of his explanations and his belief that his intentions were good, imposed the “moderate” fine, but no sentence. All Schine managers have been warned not to use ads from the Paramount pressbook in connection with “Parole Fixer” and to take care that nothing but the picture title and its stars are publicized. NYS.