The Exhibitor (Nov 1941-May 1942)

22 thuses over "Swamp Woman,” which just completed its second week at the Mercury. He also reports the trial run at the Majes¬ tic, Hornell, of "Beast of Berlin” proved a big success. . . . Frank McCann, manager, Strand, Niagara Falls, became a benedict last week. . . . Jim Bailey purchased the Tarbox interest in the Little Hip, which Tarbox operated since 1938. In towners included Carrie Perriello, Sara Tantillo, Martina circuit; Angy Scura, Andy Geitner, Geitner, Silver Creek. . . . Harry Egert, division manager, National Screen, back from Florida, reports few exhibitors there. . . . Sigmund Sweitzer took over the Strand, Syracuse, opening with a stage show week ends, and straight pictures Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. . . . Bill Sherman, whose home is in New Haven, Conn., has the well wishes of film folk in his new assignment as Rochester salesman for Universal. Bill was formerly connected with U at Omaha. . . . Virginia Callahan, Metro staff, re¬ turned after a six week bout with rheu¬ matic fever. Jack Flynn was in. . . . Mike Wolfish, Equity booker in Washington, is pinchhitting until a new booker arrives after which Mike returns here as PRC booker. . . . Bernie Mills, partner of J. B. Berkson, was in from New York. . . . Stan Kozanowski, Variety Club Chief Barker, announced March 16 as the date set for testimonial to Jake Lavene, former Chief Barker, ill for several years. Bernie Mills, PRC, reports “40,000 Horse¬ men” now breaking in all subsequent run houses. . . . Arthur Greenblatt, general sales manager, PRC, stopped here. . . . Holbrook C. Bissell, for many years asso¬ ciated in the film business as salesman and branch manager, and for the past four years heading his own advertising agency, has returned to the fold, and is now repre¬ senting Universal in Syracuse as salesman. — M. G. Gloversville Schine Home Office News J. Guy Selmser, back from a trip to Ashland, O., says the new Schine Ashland is rapidly nearing completion, with open¬ ing date tentatively set for March 27. Selmser’s maintenance and construction department has also been busy renovating the Scotia, Scotia. Seymour Morris, head, publicity department, has visited the house, and, with Sander Lazar, is arrang¬ ing special heralds announcing its re¬ opening. Gus Lynch, former booker in the Buffalo territory, has been transferred to Wash¬ ington to take the place of Frank M. Boucher. Lynch will be Schine booker for the Washington territory. . . . Lou Gold¬ stein, assistant film buyer, is spending two weeks at Hollywood, Fla., with his wife and son. Lou risked his tires to make the trip by auto. . . . Irving Feldman, former assistant manager, Glove, now in the Navy, writes he will visit his theatrical asso¬ ciates and friends here as soon as he gets his first furlough. He is stationed at New¬ port, R. I. . . . Gus Lampe, eastern zone chief, made a business trip through the Maryland territory. Circuit has acquired the Scotia, Scotia. House is situated on the town’s main street just over the Scotia-Schenectady bridge from the big General Electric plant. The 800-seat structure is being thoroughly renovated by the Schine construction de¬ partment. It is to be re-painted, re-ceilinged, and given improved projection as well as a new screen. Jack Hamilton, former assistant manager, Keith’s, Syra¬ cuse, has been made manager. He will in¬ stitute Schine policies. THE EXHIBITOR Schiners’ Club is still talking about its very successful snow party, and plans are being made for another soon if the snow holds out. This time, however, Marion Nelson must ski, and not spend her time in a parked car with her handsome hubby, say members. ... In connection with “Young America,” Guy Hevia, new man¬ ager, Hipp, staged a two-day 4-H Club stage show. Every 4-H Club in the county took part, and more than 600 tickets Were bought by 4-H’ers under pre-sale plans. . . . For "Ball Of Fire,” Lou Hart, Glove manager, turned out 100 scorching counter¬ cards which he placed in stores all through the area. Stressing the sex angle through¬ out, Lou's stills brought plenty of “ohs” and “ahs.” He also distributed 500 en¬ largements of an eye-catching scene be¬ tween Gary Cooper and Barbara Stan¬ wyck to factories and offices, as well as arranging a compelling lobby display. — J. B. Rochester Raid precautions for theatres shaped up rapidly recently as Jay Golden, theatre defense co-ordinator, met with his com¬ mittee to map a standard program of pro¬ cedure for all theatres. Functioning with him were Lester Pollock, Loew’s; Bud Sil¬ verman, Schines; Mike Mungovan, stage employees; Fred Boekhout, projectionists. Manager Arthur Krolick, Century, stressed the book angle in promotion for “All That Money Can Buy” with special displays and reading tables in bookstores, and distribution of bookmarks in schools, stores, and libraries. Jay Golden brings back organist Tom Grierson to lead the songfests at midnight defense workers’ shows. . . . Loew’s em¬ ployees signed up 100 per cent to buy defense bonds. . . . Manager Arthur Kro¬ lick, Century, is redecorating the house, recovering the seats. . . . Maurice Glockner, Schines real estate and promotion rep, was in. . . . Peggy Holfoth is new at the Century. . . . Don Stevenson, Rivoli. ex¬ pects a call to the Army before April 10. . . . Mrs. Harmon J. Smith has returned from New York. Carol Fenyvessy is one of few here¬ abouts sporting a new car. It was ordered before Jan. 1. . . . Loew’s girls are sport¬ ing attractive new uniforms in two shades of blue, plus a bit of makeup for that rxtra lift. . . . Sol Shafer, Liberty, switched his vacation habitat to Florida when his avia¬ tor son was transferred from Texas. Mrs. Herbert Gordon, returning from a two weeks’ visit with her mother in Phila¬ delphia, said she missed Ginger (the dog) . . . . Wallace Folkins, manager, Capitol, ran a Saturday kids’ show with extra car¬ toons and contests. . . . A. J. Radamacher, Altec Service Corporation manager, vis¬ ited. Howard Partridge, assistant, Century, passed the draft physical exam. . . . Eliza¬ beth Placerean resigned, and Viola Weighill became a new aide at the Century. . . . Mike Mungovan, business agent, stage¬ hands and theatre service employees, has moved to improve conditions for candy stand girls in theatres. . . . Howard G. Carroll, Strand, is tinkering with prices. . . . Mrs. William Decker, wife of the Mad¬ ison chief, returned from visiting her folks in Pennsy. Manager Lester Pollock, Loew’s, had an attractive revolving cutout of Melvyn Douglas and Norma Shearer dancing in the lobby with a card stressing the romantic aspects of “We Were Dancing.” . . . Don Stevenson, Rivoli, doubled business by giv¬ ing away two tons of coal. ... Jay Golden contributed the use of the Palace for a ceremony presenting certificates to 2,000 school traffic safety patrons. Syracuse Avon is scheduled to re-open soon after extensive redecoration. . . . Strand re¬ opened with Sigmund Schweitzer, manag¬ ing director, and Harry C. Stowell house and musical director. Policy calls for stage presentations and first-run pictures Friday through Sunday, with subsequent run pictures with Monday and Wednesday changes. Jack Kerly wants no part of the Cayuga scenery after the walk back on George Brown’s snow trip. . . . Amos Leonard has been lucky in not having much snow to shovel this winter. . . . With the lamp houses still upright, it could not have been a cyclone that hit Bill Van Wagner’s booth. . . . Thanks a lot Jack Hamilton, for the nice letter. . . . Jack Meaney is reported on his way to Charleston, S. C„ Navy Yard (not to New York with a blonde) . Dick Sawyer must have gotten out in the snow at Phoenix, but the cold is better now. . . . Recent heavy snow fall had film salesmen marooned in Rochester and Syra¬ cuse. . . . Walter League transferred his Exchange Club membership from James¬ town to Syracuse. . . . Louis Boyd was out doing the Saturday afternoon shop¬ ping. Walter Scarfe says married life just cannot be beat. . . . Tom Donagan, former assistant manager, Eckel, flew in from the Virginia army base to see the boys. . . . Feeling need of more exercise, Frank Lindkamp, Paramount assistant, tried the “Y” swimming pool. . . . George Raaflaub is taking his annual monthly vacation. . . . Boy Scouts remembered Scoutmaster John Meaney with a gift of a ring on his de¬ parture for the south. . . . It’s tough when one has a bird in one hand and wants one in the other, to let it slip through one’s fingers (a certain projectionist, please note) . Louis Goler, Rochester, is a combination human time table, raiser of funds, par ex¬ cellent, for worthy causes. . . . Fay Wood¬ ford is now booking a concert tour with his records. . . . Johnny Eccles wonders if the woodpecker found in the booth was waiting for Bill Doss. . . . Lionel Wilcox, Bert Barton, Joe Cecile, and Jack Bartle are happily back in the Strand booth. . . . Adolph Den Haese is reported thinking of using the snakes on his farm to start a medicine show. . . . Melvin Denny has the Humpty-dumpty circus working full blast now. . . . Bert Barton gave a belated Christmas present. . . . Even at a buck and a quarter for lunch, William Maxon says the Empire State Express tour is woolworth the money. Robert Sardino is reported building an indoor swimming pool (at no cost). . . . We hear that Eddie “Snowshoe” Whitford put over a fine speech, only in reverse. . . . Note to Gum Lampe from Ray Roe: “No use arguing with J. J. S. as to when the first of April comes” (trout season opens on that day) . Snapshot: Richard Feldman was born in Little Falls, N. Y„ attended the University of Pennsylvania, and received his degree, bachelor of Science in Economics from Syracuse University. He is a member of Zeta Beta Tau. Dick, as he is generally known, spent 15 years in the banking busi¬ ness in Boston and New York, but never had time to get married. He came to Syra¬ cuse to work in the Schine houses, and is now manager, Paramount. Hobbies are dancing and movies. — J. J. S. March 18, 1942