The Exhibitor (Nov 1941-May 1942)

21 Crosstown John W. Rogers, son of Charles R. Rogers, and associate producer of the latter’s forthcoming production, “The Power Girls,” arrived last week to confer with his father on plans for the produc¬ tion, and interview a number of the famous Powers models for roles in the picture. For the first time, it was said last week, a new distributing company which will release only real-life films has been set up. It will be called Fact Films, and will specialize in documentaries, shorts, as well as features. Fact Films has recently ac¬ quired distribution rights to three sub¬ jects, “And So They Live,” “The Children Must Learn,” and “Valley Town.” The last named was directed by Willard van Dyke, and the musical score is by Marc Blitzstein. The Association of Documentary Film Producers presented a program discussing the use of the documentary film in educa¬ tion last week in the School of Education auditorium at New York University. Speakers included Herbert Kerkow, di¬ rector of documentary films; and Freyda Adler and Boyd Wolff, educators. A bedtime story fashion show, inspired by Columbia’s “Bedtime Story,” was sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue last week. The bedtime story fashion show introduced to the fashion press the latest in alluring negligees, lingerie, bed jackets, boudoir accessories, and other bedtime items. A1 Rylander, associated with the Tom Fizdale publicity organization for the past five years, left this week to join the Col¬ umbia home office staff. Rylander will handle special national exploitation events as an assistant to Frank P. Rosen¬ berg, recently appointed exploitation manager. Rudy Kneuer, in charge of Christmas festivities for many years, announced last week that the IPC and NTS Christmas celebration will be held today (Dec. 24). Orpheum, Trenton, N. J., re-opened on Dec. 18. It is the latest in the circuit operated by Mrs. Helen Hildinger. Mr. and Mrs. Allan Robbins are the proud parents of a six pound, three ounce daughter, born last fortnight at Women’s Hospital. Allan Robbins is the oldest son of Herman Robbins, National Screen Service president. Alexander Korda’s forthcoming picturization of Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” was last week awarded “The Editors' Blue Ribbon” by Scholastic Magazines, a group of publications aimed at the youth of America. A press preview of Arnold Pressburger’s “The Shanghai Gesture,” was held at the Astor last night. (Dec. 23) . Admission was by invitation only. Ralph L. McCoy, Warners’ southern and midwestern division manager, returned to the home office last week after visiting a number of branches in his territory. . . . Raymond Massey arrived last week¬ end. The Paramount one-reel “Puppetoon,” titled “Rhythm in the Ranks,” was last week selected by the Schools Motion Pic¬ ture Committee as marking a unique ac¬ complishment in short subject craftsman¬ ship. The 900-seat Rivoli, Brooklyn, on the northeast corner of Harmon Street, run¬ ning through to Himrod Street, was sold last week by George Giegerich to the Hartle Realty Corporation, a client of Moses H. Hoenig, attorney. House has been used for many years as a theatre, and the new owner has leased it for the same purpose to the Raybond circuit. In the sale, the consideration was cash above a first mortgage of the $16,400 and a pur¬ chase money mortgage of $18,000. The theatre change situation has been unusually quiet during the past fortnight. Among the activity noted was the to-beexpected shuttering of three Germanlanguage houses: the 86th Street Casino, 86th Street Garden, and 96th Street, all in Manhattan. President Nicholas M. Schenck, and other executives of Loew’s donated $1300 in defense bonds as door prizes for the annual dinner dance for managers and assistants of Loew’s theatres in the area held last week at the Hotel Plaza. Mr. and Mrs. Chick Lewis are the proud parents of a daughter born last week at Doctor’s Hospital. . . . Mrs. Martin Le¬ vine, daughter of William Brandt, gave birth last week to a six and one half pound baby girl. During the air raid test raid last week in the Broadway sector, employees in 1540 Broadway moved to designated floors in the building, while the Square was cleared, some even being put into the¬ atre lounges. Sam Strausberg, Interboro circuit head, announced last week that the circuit is giving defense bonds and stamps as its annual bonus to employees. About 100 get the benefits in this fashion, totalling several thousand dollars. George Pennecke, booker, and John Cronin, Universal film room, have both enrolled for defense courses as auxiliary firemen. . . . Seymour Binkoff, back from his extended vacation in Miami Beach, is now working at Metro in the contract de¬ partment. . . . Skouras and Warner of¬ ficials recently had a meeting at the City Hall, to receive instructions on what to do in case of blackouts. Carry Your Office Under Your Arm! The Exhibitor’s Service Kit! Every¬ body’s Talking About It! December 24, 1941 THE EXHIBITOR Englewood Christmas party was held at the Engle¬ wood, Englewood. Hoboken John Kuehn, assistant to Arthur Manfredonia, Fabian, has been transferred to Cleveland, Ohio, where he will manage the Doan. Jersey City Comic books were given to the first 500 children attending a matinee at the Em¬ bassy, Bayonne. . . . Complete circus with dogs, ponies, monkeys, and clowns, was a feature on the stage of New Orpheum. . . . Local 526, American Federation of Musicians, inserted large advertisements in newspapers, urging patronage of thea¬ tres, dance halls, skating rinks, grills, and night clubs that engage union musicians. It recommended patronage of following theatres: Orpheum, Capitol, Loew’s, here; Capitol, Hudson, Union City; Fabian, Ho¬ boken; DeWitt, Opera House, Bayonne. Newark Sidney G. Barclay, 60, who for 15 years had been electrician in the Branford, died last fortnight at his home here. Ed Sinderman, manager, Proctor’s, has set the keynote on defense efforts. Ed instructed his electrician to paint all vital switches in the control box bright yellow to facilitate . speedy action in an emer¬ gency. All managers and assistants in Newark territory last week attended a meeting on air raid defense and prepared¬ ness held at RKO Proctors. Representa¬ tives of the local Defense Committee, headed by Fire Chief Carey, dealt in detail with methods to combat incendiary bombs and how to prepare for blackouts and air raids. Last week, manager Bill Philips, Loews State, awarded theatre trophies to the out¬ standing football players of the local high school. Red Bank Tony E. Hunting, assistant manager, Reade’s Carlton, is an assistant air war¬ den. Union City Managers in all Warner Houses have instructed their electricians to paint all switches in the control boxes white for speedy action in case of an emergency alarm. Bowling team of the Hudson, which re¬ cently defeated the team of the Hudson County Motion Picture Operators local, took on the bowlers of the Bergen County operators and defeated them also, two games to one. Hudson was represented by Berardi, Meixner, Schertel, DeArca, DeSavino, and Guastano while Hody, Allen, Knights, Lamartin, and Rausenbaur rolled for the operators. Hody and DeSavino were high, rolling 180 each. The ONLY GUARANTEED BimtvO Theatre Qames! DENNIS GAMES, Inc. N. E. Cor. 13th and Race Streets, Philadelphia RUSS COHEN, 353 W. 44th Street, N. Y. C. “Pioneer of Theatre Qames” LUCKY NYS.