The Exhibitor (1951)

NT-2 EXHIBITOR Winners of the first month of Warner Theatres’ “All-Out Sweepstakes” pub¬ licity contest were; Murray Howard, Warner, Worcester, Mass.; Jack Sanson, State, Manchester, Conn., and Julius Smith, State, Waterbury, Conn. Honor¬ able mention went to Tom Kilcoyne, Strand, Clinton, Mass.; Steve Barbette, Palace, Lawrence, Mass.; Jack Harvey, Palace, Danbury, Conn., and Ben Beck¬ man, Commodore Hull, Derby, Conn. In order to compete for a slice of the $3,100 to be awarded over the year, managers must submit campaign books, tearsheets, photos, etc., of their monthly ballyhoo stunts, (merits of which) are judged by company district and zone managers. Film Rowites were hepped up about the prospective visit by filmstar Doris Day only to have the bubble burst when the gal appeared here, and was dis¬ covered to be a representative of a New York fashion house. It seems there’s moi’e than one Doris Day. New Haven Crosstown Theatres have been discussing the feasibility of closing on Christmas Eve this year because of it being on a Monday night. . . . Phil Saslau, Fish¬ man Theatres, was recently reelected president. Camp Laurelwood Association. . . . Abel Jacocks will be host again to East Haven kiddies at his Capitol on Dec. 24 for the annual Christmas party. . . . “Tales of Hoffmann” received bally¬ hoo for its engagement at the Crown. School tie-ups and music shop angles were used, according to manager Herb Platcow. . . . Humphrey Grant, assistant manager. Grand, has been ill. . . . Sid Kleper’s exploiteers at the College arranged for some nice promotional ideas for “Fort Defiance” and “Hotel Sahara.” . . . Dan D. Cummings, Para¬ mount, handled the electrical wiring and lighting for the religious “Nativity” display at the Center Green. . . . Whitney had the AAUW scholarship benefit show. . , . Mildred Deleware, Whitney, is recuperating from an operation. , . . Truman Ferguson, Whitney manager, gets mail regularly from various past employees. . . . Manager Morris Rosen¬ thal, Poli, was busy with plans for his sponsored Christmas kiddie show. . . . Ed Lynch, former Roger Sherman manager, has been postcarding friends that he is enjoying sun, golf, and bathing in Florida. Meadow Street Various exchanges, arranged for Christmas parties. Columbia plans having its get-together at the Baybrook, on Dec. 13. . . . Among those present at the Connecticut Labor Commissioner’s theatre hearing in Hartford were: James Darby, Harry F. Shaw, Morris Mendlesohn, James Brackin, Ray McNamara, Ted Jacocks, Herman Levy, and others. Among theatres giving the youngsters Christmas shows will be the Colonial, Walnut Beach; Cheshire, Cheshire; East End Community Club party, Hamilton, Waterbury; Capitol, East Haven; White Way, and others. . . . Bridgeport stage employees and projectionists held their annual dinner. Variety Club Tent 31, New Haven A fine social program, was arranged for the installation of officers party. Activities were to begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., and later the members and guests were to have enjoyed a smorgasboard. . . . International officers were expected to attend. Galen Willis, FBI chief. New Haven area, was to be one of the main speakers. He is an honorary member. . . . The new clubrooms are an ideal place for social functions. They include a reception room, lounge, and main meeting hall, while the card room and other recreation area are in the rear of the building. Monday is a popular social night at the tent, although the club is open to members every night in the week. In keeping with the holiday spirit, a large Santa Claus is in the reception room with the friendly quotation, “Holiday greetings from your international officers.” Exhibitors and other folks interested in visiting the club may con¬ tact any of the members on a Monday night, and see the tent and also get particulars on joining. Connecticut Bridgeport The Colonial is now on a Saturday and Sunday operation policy. Hartford Mike Piccirillo, manager, Rialto, resigned. Frank B. Ramsey, ex-manager, Lenox and Rialto, is now managing Fox West Coast’s Stadium, Los Angeles. Ray McNamara, Allyn, had two models walking through downtown traffic, plugging Paramount’s “When Worlds Collide.” Private First Class John F. Sullivan, Jr., ex-Bushnell stagehand, and son of the Palace stagehand, is now stationed at Fort Bragg, N. C. . . . Sergeant Patrick J. Bucherin, formerly manager, Rialto, is now with the entertainment section of the 43rd Infantry Division in Germany. The marquee at the E. M. Loew’s was redecorated. . . . Earl Sidney was pro¬ moted at the Colonial. Thomas Guinan, Rene Pelleiter, joined the Farmington Avenue house. . . . Lee Feigin, Palace assistant, and Mrs. Feigin, observed their first wedding anniversary. . . . Mrs. Fred R. Greenway, wife of the Palace mana¬ ger, is convalescing at home. Middletown Mr. and Mrs. Sal Adorno, Sr., AdornoMiddletown Theatres, was honored at a family dinner marking their 51st wedding anniversary. Torrington Jack Scanlan, Sr., Warner, gave away free comic books. Waterbury Frank McWeeney, manager, closed down the Pine Drive-In, on the Waterbury-Bristol Road. Maine Bangor Leon P. Gorman, retired theatre and ballroom operator, died at Fort Lauder¬ dale, Fla., while playing golf. Gorman came to Portland, Me., in 1920, and became one of the leading theatre men in the east. Portland On a whirlwind tour, Broderick Craw¬ ford packed in a full day arranged by Nat Silve, manager. Strand. Coming to Portland in connection with “The Mob,” he was accompanied by Milton Young, and George Atkinson. Arriving at the airport, Crawford was escorted by police to the Eastland Hotel, where he made his headquarters. He attended a meeting for the volunteer workers in the City Hall, made several wire recordings for radio interviews, met members of the press and radio in his suite, and was made honorary police chief at the local police headquarters. He wound up his afternoon visiting the local newspapers. He also was entertained at a lobster dinner in the Columbia Hotel before his appearance on the stage of the Strand. Matinee prices have been extended to 7 p.m., and free checking has been added for Monday and Tuesday evenings through December at the Strand. . . . A wide vision screen has been added to the State. New Hampshire Concord The Capitol announced that it is changing its program on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, instead of on Sundays and Thursdays. Keene Maurice N. Wolf, Boston, Metro, was guest speaker at a meeting of the Lions Club. Manchester Edward James Fahey, manager. State, was married to Miss Esther M. McTiernan. Miss McTiernan was formerly office manager, Arrow Needle Company, and Fahey is city manager. State Operating Company. Nashua City officials and the clergy were given a special showing of “Because of Eve.” They attended a public hearing later on whether the film should be banned and whether a censorship board should be organized to preview all pic¬ tures. It was voted at the meeting to consider a proposal that the city establish machinery to preview motion pictures, and censor them before they are shown in the city. It was also voted that only adults be allowed to see “Because of Eve,” which was agreed to by Arthur M. Rosenbush, managei-. Park. December 12, 1951