The Exhibitor (Nov 1941-May 1942)

18 THE EXHIBITOR Albany C. J. Latta, Warner theatres’ zone chief, with assistant Charles Smakwitz, hopped to New York for a special AMPA lunch¬ eon at which time Arnold Stoltz, manager, circuit’s Avon, Utica, was honored. . . . Joe Tanski, Warner contract office, and Henry Billingley, Strand, reported for their physicals. . . . Danny House, Strand, was on the sick list. . . . Entire slate of officers of the “Friday Nighters,” film row club, was re-elected, with Neil Heilman, presi¬ dent; Herbie Newman, secretary; Moe Grassgreen, treasurer. . . . Leon Herman, UA, challenges the Variety Club official gin rummy champion, C. A. Smakwitz. . . . Jim Wotton, Warner theatres’ maintenance engineer, was called to Batavia. Binghamton Delna Fahner, main office, Strand, is all prepared for the gasoline rationing. She’s bought a bicycle with a big basket on the handlebars. . . . Bette Agan, Capitol, has been given the moniker of “Hard-Boiled Egg-an.” . . . All the theatre folks were shocked when they learned of the death of Jerry Burke, manager, Star. . . . Cap¬ itol has a new modernistic double window box-office and are Jules Buchmeire and Bette Agan happy. . . . Rocco Testani, Riviera, is slated for a trial with a pro¬ fessional baseball team. . . . Lost: A Cadillac right fender skirt. If found re¬ turn to Ned Kornblite. . . . Strand op¬ erators want to know if the Capitol operators still see Dots? . . . Why is Strand operator Don Minckler called “Two Gun Don?” — F. D. R. Buffalo Eddie Selette, Albany, week ended in Boston. . . . Warners’ “Kings Row,” in a pre-release in the Strand, Albany, broke records. Picture had a big campaign, and then moved into the downtown Ritz, at the same prices. . . . C. R. Roseberry, Knickerbocker News critic, is buying seeds and tools for a giant Victory garden. . . . Lou Golding, Fabian circuit, was in New York. . . . Gene Vogel, Metro, stepped on a scale the other day and broke it. Sid Stocktown, Metro office manager, had some week end visitors. . . . Things look very serious with 20th Century-Fox booker Dan Houlihan. . . . Frank Bonomo, theatre artist, took a vacation in New Rochelle. . . . Artie Newman, Republic branch head, covered, Oneida, Gloversville, Utica, Bennington, Vt., and New York, all in one week. . . . Welden Waters, Para¬ mount salesman, has joined an evening golf course here, and says it doesn’t im¬ prove his divot -digging. He’ll still take the sunshine and air on the golf course. Leo Rosen, Troy, Troy, commutes to Al¬ bany, as does colleague Irving Liner, Proctor’s. . . . Ralph Stitt, 20th CenturyFox exploiteer, was in on “Roxie Hart,” Fabian’s Palace, lining up a seven-day contest with the Times-Union. Harold Rodner, Warner circuit home office, was in for conferences. . . . Phil Engel, Warner exploiteer, was in. . . . Ed Wendt, chief operator, Fabian circuit Grand, is met at the theatre every day, according to Claude Watkins. . . . Rubber shortage has cut down the number of vis¬ iting exhibitors. . . . Dave Rosenbloom, Capitol, Elizabethtown, came in by bus. Others in were Mr. and Mrs. Jerry LaRocque, Warrenburg; Frank Weitung, Cobleskill; Johnny Gardner, Schenectady; Kingsley Ryan, Ausable Forks, Keesville; Frank Williams, Schine-Benton circuit booker; Leonard Rosenthal, State, Troy; Walter Wertime, Chestertown; Ward Kreag, Catskill. First quarter winners in the Warner circuit’s Award of Merit drive were Arnold Stoltz, Avon, Utica; Murray Laf¬ ayette, Haven, State Olven. . . . Ben Smith, Pam-O-Films, was in New York. . . . Abe Van Deusen, RKO bookeroffice manager, had a cold. . . . Charles Ost, formerly with National Screen, is expected back from Florida. . . . Dick Struwe, Warner sales¬ man, made the territory swing. . . . Fabian Palace has been recarpeted, with the War¬ ner Strand getting the same treatment. . . . Dave Miller, U district manager, was ex¬ pected in for conferences with branch manager Jerry Spandau and a trip to Gloversville. . . . Nate Sodikman, Mono¬ gram branch head, went to Buffalo, as did Joe Weinstein, Warner booker. Frank Schwalbert informs that Local 233 gave a farewell party to Donald Cav¬ anaugh, Mercury, being inducted into the armed forces. . . . Projectionist Russell Cooke, 20th Century, who used to do his squads right with the 77th Division in France (World War I) is now on a local draft board. . . . Ed Wall, Paramount ex¬ ploiteer, was in town. The Jake Lavene testimonial dinner held at the Variety Club on March 16 was attended by exhibitors, distributors, and local officials. Mayor J. Kelly was toast¬ master, and E. K. O’Shea, Metro eastern division sales manager, acted as master of ceremonies, with Chief City Judge John D. Hillery, City Judge Michael E. Zimmer, Harry Zimmer and Christy Buscaglia, Vin¬ cent R. McFaul, general manager, Shea theatres; John Maloney, Metro district manager; Ed Wall, Paramount district ex¬ ploiteer, were guests. Jake was formerly Chief Barker, and was instrumental in directing the Variety Club to its present position. Frank Maxwell, former film man, joined the film table at Laubes, after two years in San Diego. . . . Syd Samson screened “Shores of Tripoli” for the Western New York Marine Corps Recruiting office and a group of exhibitors. . . . 20th CenturyFox salesman Emmy Dickman was ob¬ served in the fourth line of the Irish parade, and right in step. Hayes Garborino, former manager. Dipsons’ Lackawanna, and John Finley, former manager, Dipson’s Amherst, post¬ cards from Parris Island, S. C., where they say they are having a great time in the Marines. . . . Carl Spavento is the new assistant to Clare Williams, manager, 20th Century. . . . Plans are under way for the organization of bowling teams composed of ushers and usherettes of the 20th Cen¬ tury. Bob Murphy, president-general man¬ ager, 20th Century, announced booking Connie Boswell and former Buffalonian Lou Breeze. . . . Byron Interbitzen, Cen¬ tral Park, has started a series of 2 A. M. shows for the benefit of defense workers. . . . Vincent R. McFaul was in New York on business. . . . Nick Sanderson, Erlanger, is spending his spare moments helping to arrange a benefit show for the Romulus club. . . . Bill Brett, house man¬ ager, Sheas’ Buffalo, announces two stage shows for April. . . . Ruth Drescher, bookkeeping department, resigned from the Shea staff to take another position. . . . Bob Moredock, Shea advertising depart¬ ment, is again contemplating moving. . . . All Shea community theatres will run a special kiddie matinee on Easter Monday featuring “Bugs” Bunny. . . . Eddie Dowden, Loew’s publicity department home office, is expected in. Walter Allen, has taken up his duties as exploitation representative for 20th Cen¬ tury-Fox. Allen was formerly connected with Schine in Lexington, Ky. and War¬ ners in Elmira. . . . Jack Bellman re¬ nounced gin rummy as a pastime as he found the competition at the 20th Cen¬ tury too keen. . . . Peter (Sullivan) Scully, Universal contract player, enlisted in the Marines, assigned to San Diego, Cal. Peter Scully is the second son of John J. Scully, Universal manager, now in the armed forces, John Scully, Jr., being in the Army, assigned to Fort Bragg, N. C. Gus Schaefer, district manager, RKO, was in for a Drive meeting with Captain Nat Levy and Harry Michaelson, sales manager short subjects. The Drive opened on Dec. 10, and ends on May 10, with Elmer Lux’s local office in 12th place. . . . George (Lafayette) Mackenna and Vera are planning to enlarge the nursery in their Niagara Falls menage as another little bundle from heaven is speeding towards Cataract City. . . . Marion (Laf¬ ayette) Walsh returned from her vacation, the first in years spent without the other Marian. A refreshing glow enlivens the petite face of little Walshie, but she is mum as to what it portends. . . . Bob Murphy holds the gin rummy champion¬ ship of the 20th Century. Second defense bond winner in the Shea organization is John Aarons, stage hand. Bill Doerbecker and Harris Lumberg were runners up. . . . Minna Zackem, former Republic booker, cancelled her Florida vacation plans, and will visit New York. . . . Dorothy Osborne, Shea’s Buf¬ falo, is also a defense bond winner, with Charles McKernan and M. Letscher com¬ ing in for stamps. . . . Plans are under way for the organization of bowling teams composed of ushers and usherettes of the 20th Century. Marge Lowry, 20th Century, has been confined with a cold. . . . Albert (Honey) Rosen has been a frequent 20th Century visitor. . . . Jack Karp, Cameo, Syracuse, back from Florida, made the stay-athomes envious. . . . Jack Flynn, Metro, was a visitor here for the first time in four years. . . . Syd Samson returned from Hot Springs with a sylph like figger (eight) and feeling in the pink. (Now we are even, Syd). . . . George Sussman, office manager, booker, 20th Century-Fox has indefinitely postponed his trip to Florida. . . . Jake Goldstein joined the Y. M. H. A., and Syd Samson, upon hearing of it, proudly displayed his membership card. . . . Jack Bellman, Republic manager, and Bob Murphy, president, 20th Century, sneak previewed Judy Canova in “Sleepy Time Gal” at the Franklin, Lackawanna. Bellman claims its Judy’s greatest. . . . Nickitas Dipson has returned from a visit to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. . . . Dolores Hayes, Shea cashier, is laid up with an injured foot. Aides of the 20th Century have donned their new spring uniforms. ... A new modernistic dressing room has been in¬ stalled at the 20th Century. . . . Variety Club staged a “Song of the Islands” night at the Club. In towners included: Lou Byer, Jack Karp, A1 Gilbert, Sam Weltman, Sam Slotnick, Rube Canter. . . . George Rosen¬ baum, Columbia exploiteer, was in to as¬ sist Dick Walsh on “The Invader,” Lafay¬ ette. . . . Bob Blotcky, former assistant Paramount booker, now in the Army sta¬ tioned at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., was recently married. March 25, 1942