The Exhibitor (Nov 1944-May 1945)

THE EXHIBITOR 4a WAC Asks Payments PHILADELPHIA — The local War Activities Committee revealed last week that 195 territory theatres had not yet paid their WAC assessments. Since the assessment is only $5 for theatres with seating capacities of 500 and under, and $10 for those with seat¬ ing capacities of 500 and over, it is re¬ quested that those who already have not done1 so send in checks at once CURFEW OBJECTIVES NOT REACHED LOCALLY Philadelphia — Although it was admitted that the ‘brownout’ had resulted in a financial saving for theatres of the territory, it was indicated last fortnight that the mid¬ night curfew had apparently failed to ac¬ complish all the objectives for which it is supposed to have been designed. The fuel saving has been negligible, said coal and fuel oil dealers, operators of night clubs, bars, and theatres, and offi¬ cials of the Solid Fuels Administration for War. Layoffs of workers due to earlier clos¬ ings and their subsequent placement in war jobs have failed to materialize, a War Manpower spokesman admitted. The city’s transportation still is oper¬ ating at its peak, said a spokesman for the Philadelphia Transportation Company. The absenteeism rate in important war plants generally has remained the same, an average of seven per cent, War Pro¬ duction Board and WMC officials reported. In addition, a petition signed by ‘swing shift’ workers at the Navy Yard was sent to Washington and to the StanleyWarner Company protesting that the curfew had cut them off from all entertainment morale building, and suggesting that since no one wishes not to abide by the curfew, their needs might be taken care of if one the¬ atre in the city remained closed one day a week, and then remained open all that night to fit in with their unusual hours. "Bingo" Bill Defeated Harrisburg — The House of Representa¬ tives last week defeated the “Bingo” bill by a vote of 100 to 93. The measure was sponsored by Repre¬ sentative George F. Dougherty, Chester, Democrat, and proposed that county com¬ mon pleas courts issue permits, after hear¬ ings in open court, to fraternal, church, labor, volunteer firemen’s, and veterans’ organizations to conduct “Bingo” games for their own benefit, upon payment of license fees ranging from $50 for Philadel¬ phia to $5 in small townships. William Gabriel Retires Philadelphia — William Gabriel, well known and popular Metro booker, is retir¬ ing next week after being with the com¬ pany over 24 years. He has been in the business over 35 years, and helped move the industry to Vine Street. He plans a short vacation, but his future plans are unknown. Dave Titleman moves up to Gabriel’s post, w'th student booker Harry Short taking Titleman’s spot. SALVATION ARMY DRIVE FOR $750,000 STARTS Philadelphia — Highlights of the Salvation Army Maintenance Fund Drive for 1945 in the Greater Philadelphia area, which will continue through the month of April, were explained last week by William F. Brooker, chairman, motion picture division, who termed it the most important in the entire history of “The goal aimed at this year is for $750,000,” stated Brooker, “and, as the approach of victory increases, the need of Salvation Army services on all fronts, be¬ cause of the additional thousands of serv¬ icemen and women to be cared for, and the vast expanse of territory to be covered, has likewise increased. “One has only to ask the question of any man or woman in uniform: ‘What about Salvation Army?’ to get the unani¬ mous reply — ‘Boy, they’re tops!’ “Multiply by a hundred fold the Phila¬ delphia story of The Salvation Army, and one will have some idea of what this organization dedicated to help humanity is doing for soldiers, sailors, Marines, and Merchant Marines throughout the entire world. “The Salvation Army overseas is serving on all fronts through more than 3,000 can¬ teens. It is serving in the Greater Phila¬ delphia area through 24 agencies. Over 7,000,000 servicemen have been the guests of The Salvation Army’s clubs and mobile canteens in this area. The canteens and mobile units are on a 24-hour-a-day duty, and average a total of 200,000 free servings each month. The Salvation Army has also distributed thousands of knitted gar¬ ments and other necessities through six Red Shield Clubs in Philadelphia. “The peacetime activities,” continued the chairman, “of The Salvation Army con¬ tinue in spite of the unusual demands of war work on an ‘as usual’ basis. One of the most important of these agencies is the Salvation Army Nursery. Here, more than 10,000 days care and over 28,000 meals were served to children whose parents are en¬ gaged in war work. “Of this total goal of $750,000, only $15,000 has been asked from the local motion pic¬ ture industry. It seems to me,” declared Brooker, “that this should be a very easy task if all of us will pull together, dis¬ tribution, exhibition, and theatre supplies. It is my sincere hope that every member of our industry, whether he be an execu¬ tive, salesman, booker, manager, projec¬ tionist, clerk, shipper, etc., will take this cause to his heart. “I should like to feel,” said the chair¬ man, “that every person in our industry would make of himself a self-appointed assistant chairman to participate actively in the drive, and to talk The Salvation Army cause to everyone. “Pledge cards are now going out. If by any chance you do not receive your card, or if you require additional cards, please telephone the chairman at Paramount, and they will reach you immediately. It is re¬ quested that you mail your contributions together with the pledge cards to William F. Brooker, chairman, motion picture divi¬ sion, The Salvation Army drive, in care of Paramount Pictures, 248 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, 7, Pa. “It is also requested that your checks or money orders be made payable to The Salvation Army, who will acknowledge them to you. These contributions should be cleared through the motion picture divi¬ sion chairman, rather than directly to The Salvation Army, in order that the motion picture industry may receive full credit.” For Up to the Minute News On What Pictures Are Being Released, Consult the National Release Date Guide. The Salvation Army. READING RC CAMPAIGN BREAKS 1944 RECORDS Reading — The Reading-Berks Red Cross campaign was a brilliant success, it was announced last week. The general organ¬ ization here exceeded its $328,000 quota by several thousand dollars, but the theatre men, with a margin of $1,130 over their quota, reached a proportionately much higher total. C. G. Keeney, chairman, city-county theatre men’s campaign organization, re¬ ported a grand total of $13,130.74 against a $12,000 quota. The quota was the same as in 1944, when the amount raised by the theatre division was $12,260.05. This year’s grand total was $870.69 better than in 1944. Reports from individual theatres, with two county houses not yet reported, fol¬ low: Reading — Embassy, $2,740; Loew’s, $2331.77; Astor, $1,696.99; Rajah, $852.25; Park, $817.05; Strand, $810.13; Rirf, $318.70; Rio, $214.34; Orpheum, $186.84; County, Boyertown, $1,411.20; Fleetwood, $196.10; Laureldale, $180.01; Community Hall, Bernville, $159.13; Shillington, $143; Penn, West Reading, $142.49; Topton, $104.41; Robesonia, $95.41; Birdsboro, $62.40, and Mt. Penn, $13.53. Hamburg and Kutztown will be reported later. High marks in the respective divisions were made by Paul E. Glase, Embassy, and George H. Kline, State, Boyertown, in the county. V-E Day Ceremonies Outlined Philadelphia — The Mayor’s Philadelphia Committee for Victory, Thanksgiving, and Rededication announced last week that in the event of the defeat of Germany the city’s air-raid sirens will signal the arrival of V-E Day with six blasts, each of five seconds duration, and a pause between each blast of five seconds; the ‘A’ observ¬ ance will be held in Independence Square three hours after official word is received of cessation of hostilities in Europe (if the news is received after 7 P. M., the observ¬ ance will be held at 11 A. M. the next day.) Sell War Bonds In Your Theatre Every Day, Every Week, Every Month, and Help Shorten the Time to Vict ry. Local 307 Buys Property Philadelphia — Local 307 Motion Picture Machine Operators Union, IATSE, AF of L, announced last week the purchase for $25,800 in cash, clear of all mortgages, the property at 1315-17 Vine Street. The union will occupy the second floor, last used by the defunct Showman’s Club, upon completion of extensive alterations, moving from present quarters at 123) Vine. Film Classics will continue to occupy the first floor. April 4, 1945 SALVATION ARMY DRIVE 1945 APRIL 2-30 PHI.