The Exhibitor (Nov 1939-May 1940)

24 circuit last week. . . . Assistant manager Schwartz and reelboy Henry Schatzman, Willard, staged a laugh-provoking spaghetti eating contest last week. House promoted spaghetti and prizes. . . . The basketball winners are sporting new hats, seeing as how Charlie Moskowitz won his bet to that effect with Herman Robbins. Staten Island Arthur Lane, manager, Strand, on behalf of American Legion, will present a plaque to local member of “The Fighting 69th.” . . . Mike Garzetta, manager, Staten, is getting his arm in swing for a mammoth spaghetti party for Fabian managers. . . . Elihu Glass still can not believe that he is a proud poppa. . . . Mrs. Lorenti Goth, mother of the publicity director, from Cleveland, Ohio, spent one week here. . . . George Trilling, manager, Fabian Ritz, taking boxing lessons from his 12 year old son, “Slugger Trilling.” . . . Sid Deneau, general booker, Fabian theatres visited. . . . Mary Reilly, beauteous cashier, Staten, New Norp, models for Earl Moran, famous calendar artist, when not punching out tickets. . . . John Solimando, district office secretary, has a new suit. . . . Police and detectives are hunting for license plates stolen from district manager Harry Black’s automobile. . . . John Firnkoess, manager, Paramount, has been snubbing friends since he broke house records with “Grapes of Wrath.” NEW JERSEY Bergen County Norman Gluck, manager, Teaneck, Teaneck, is giving 50 passes to Teaneck Police Department each week and members of the department give passes to motorists who demonstrate by their driving that they abide by safety laws. . . . Manager George Djemos, Plaza, Englewood, always sees that theatre lobby is brightened up by floral display. . . Captain Jack Abrams, in charge of recent safety drive in city, thanked Djemos and Skouras Theatre Corporation, owner, for co-operation during the week. When “Grapes of Wrath” played at theatre, members of women’s societies of city churches sold tickets with part of proceeds going to Council of Women for Home Missions, national organization. . . . Another theatre that goes in for floral displays in lobby is Fox, Hackensack. — P. C. East Orange Vincent Fleming, operator, Ormont, expects to go shopping for a baby carriage sometime in May. Hackensack Jack Maher, manager, Oritani, effected an Easter Egg Hunt tieup in co-operation with the Bergen Evening Record and the Packard-Bamberger store. Prizes were awarded children who retrieved hidden eggs. Over 800 competed in the hunt. Irvington Irving Dollinger, former prexy of Jersey Allied and head of Associated New Jersey Theatres, has taken over the Liberty. House was formerly operated by Harry Doniger. THE EXHIBITOR JOE JOEL SAYS: Among Other Things . . . Harry Klein, who has been with the Cocalis circuit for the past 11 years, is now district manager for the New Jersey theatres. Harry was formerly manager of the Rahway and Roselle Park. He has my best wishes for success. . . . Charles, one of the pioneers in the film industry, is now handling “The Birth of a Nation” for the eastern territory. . . . Mrs. Garfinkel, popularly known as Pauline Walden, long associated with Rapf and Rudin circuit, became a mama March 30. All in the industry congratulate her. Baby weighed six pounds and 10 ounces. Birth took place at the Jewish Hospital, Brooklyn. . . . Phil Lewis is now managing the Valley, Spring Valley, New York. . . . J. L. Geller, one of the most popular pioneers in the motion picture industry, is now president, Gala Cosmetic Company, Inc. He informed me that the company is meeting with great success. May Ellis, telephone operator, Metro, spent a week’s vacation at Montreal, Canada. . . . Following employees of Metro returned from their vacations: Charles Wittner returned from Washington; Mrs. Leppert is back from Florida; Miss Freidman spent her vacation on a Caribbean cruise. There was another, whose name I will not mention, who said he went to Florida. I learned that he went to Florida, New York. . . . Charlotte Clancy, telephone operator, Metro, is about to take that beautiful step May 12 with Bob McDonald. Wedding is to take place at Holy Innocence Church, Brooklyn. . . . Frank Schwartz, Tompkins and Comet, Brooklyn, has been with the same lady for 25 years. He celebrated his silver wedding anniversary April 6 at Zimmerman’s, 46th Street and Broadway. I extend to Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz my hearty congratulations and hope that they may celebrate their golden wedding. . . . Henry Kronstadt, connected with the Quality Premium Company, closed a deal with the Park Lane for the crimson rose set. It met with great success the first night it was distributed. Jack Cohen, manager, deserves great credit for his marvelous display. . . . One of the old Jersey City George T. Kelly, managing director, Stanley, had to open doors several hours early due to crowds when “Pinocchio” played. . . . State has new furniture. . . . Dorothy Helman, artist for Skouras theatres, was among those taking part in Easter parade. . . . Arthur Egberts, in charge of publicity at Loew’s Jersey City, assisted at “Gone With the Wind” opening at White Plains, N. Y., recently. . . . Harold Dwyer, 22, an usher at the Orpheum, died of heart attack. . . . Michael Kelly, State, together with the missus and sons, Leonard and Eugene, spent Easter in Atlantic City. . . . George Giesler, 44, collapsed while repairing an electric sign at the Stanley. He was rushed to the Medical Center where he was pronounced dead of heart attack. Palace gave away 25 pairs of roller skates to children. . . . Gus Nestle, man 42nd Street theatres closed its doors March 31. I refer to the Wallack. It was owned by the Field Amusement Corporation. 1905 — Thirty-minute show, admission 5c. 1940 — “Gone With the Wind,” three hours and 45 minutes, admission 75c and $1.10. Who would have predicted this? ... I surely must say that I never in all my years in the motion picture business met a general sales manager who is more beloved by all exhibitors and his employees than Edward O’Shea, Metro. A sign on his office door reading “welcome” would not be out of place. . . . Harry Cohen, Center Poster Company, notified me that notwithstanding the merger of some of the poster supply companies, his business is increasing. ... I expect in the next issue to be able to tell you where all those tenants who are compelled to vacate their offices and stores on West 44th Street by April 15 will have their new locations. . . . Harry Buxbaum, 20th Century-Fox, returned from his vacation. One does not have to ask how he enjoyed himself for he certainly showed it by his marvelous appearance. On April 14, my friend Milton Kronacher and Mrs. Kronacher will celebrate 33 years of married life. I wish them both well. Milton is now located at Fallsburg, at the Ambassador Hotel or box 90. He would like to hear from his friends. And here are some odds and ends about people we know: BIG “U”: Henrietta Mirsky has recovered from a recent operation. . . . Other illnesses reported in the office were those of Rose Gonzale and Tom Goff. . . . Fred Mayer was the recipient of a surprise birthday party tendered him by his wife last week. WARNERS: Publicist Phil Engel is vacation cruising. . . . Several of the exchange folk are rehearsing with the Warner Dramatic Club in preparation for the original revue to be staged some time in May. . . . Harry Decker’s in Florida. MONOGRAM: A sudden move found salesmen Charles Penzer, Irving Landis, Charles Schwartz no longer connected with the local office. REPUBLIC: Sidney Picker took his wife and mother along with him on a one-month Honolulu vacation. They planed to the coast and took the China Clipper from there to the Islands. Airlanes will also be the return trip route. ager, Lyceum, Bayonne, had an attack of laryngitis. . . . William Goodman, State, has become a horseback riding enthusiast. . . . After playing the organ for community singing for many years at Loew’s Jersey City, Ted Meyn has switched to the novachord. . . . According to chief of service Frank Feeney, even the ushers try out their vocal chords when Meyn plays. . . . New York theatre managers are attending vaudeville shows at the Orpheum to get ideas. . . . When “Young Tom Edison” played at Loew’s Jersey City, theatre conducted contest to find a Tom Edison in city. Any boy up to 16 years of age was eligible provided he could show he had creative or inventive ability along the lines of Mickey Rooney in the film. Family of the winner was guest of the theatre at the film’s showing. Each boy entering contest received illustrated book on Edison. — P. C. April 10, 1940