The Exhibitor (1953)

EXHIBITOR NT-7 sponsored kiddie Christmas show. . . . The Rivoli, West Haven, also dated a sponsored show. . . . The Hamden Jewish Center benefit show was held at the Whitney. . . . The new wide-screen at the Lincoln has made an impression with theatregoers, according to Bob Spodick. Meadow Street Bob Spodick, Len Sampson, and Norman Bialek have taken over the operation of the Empress, South Nor¬ walk and also the Norwalk, Norwalk. The trio, associated in theatres in Westport and New Haven, took on the man¬ agement of the Empress immediately and will open the Norwalk after altera¬ tions and modernization. New England Theatres Circuit had the two theatres previously. The Norwalk will be re¬ opened on Christmas Day or the day following, depending on the completion of the work to be done. The Empress will be improved later. Spodick and Sampson operate the local Lincoln and Crown and Fine Arts, Westport. Bialek is manager of the Westport house. Barney Pitkin, RKO branch manager, is home after a hospital stay. . . . Perakos Theatres will hold “candy cane” Christmas kiddie shows. Every holiday since 1946, the employees of Perakos Theatres have been the guests of the management. The get-together will be held at the Eastwood on Dec. 19, ac¬ cording to Sperie Perakos, with a buffet and other activity planned. Mrs. Loretta Johlman, away from Republic for about a year, returned to George Somma’s exchange. . . . Lou Phillips, Capitol Theatre Supply repre¬ sentative, installed the Whitney and Westville screen and also had work set for the Norwalk, Norwalk. Some work has been done at the new South Windsor Drive-In, which owner Brownstein expects to have I'eady by April. . . . Gloria Ziaks, MGM booker, has been in the hospital. . . . Vincenza De Cerbo, 20th-Fox, returned from a visit to Italy. . . . All employees of Phil Gravitz’ MGM exchange will get an opportunity to share in the prizes of “30th Year Jubilee,” Jan. 1-April 29. Jack Byrne is the captain. Everyone has a chance to share in this cooperative deal, and that’s one of the reasons why the gang is anxious to get the assistance of exhibitors. The New Win, Waterbury, is operat¬ ing on a full week schedule. . . . “Pop Lolly,” the lolly pop king, was at the Webb, Wethersfield, and Plaza, Hart¬ ford. . . . Joseph A. Sauchelli was re¬ elected president, Waterbury Musicians Protective Association, Local 186. Others reelected include vice-president Carmen Magnano and secretary-treasurer Sher¬ wood Beardslee. Elected to the executive board are, Joseph Crafa, Mario DiCecco, Robert Labie, Joseph Pagano, Joseph Ranaudo, Jr., and Angelo Siconoli. James Sasso was named delegate to the Central Labor Union and Louis Derienzos sergeant-at-arms. The Grade, New London, had a special kiddie show. . . . The Fine Arts, Westport, has a new Magniglow screen. . . . The Rialto, Wind¬ sor Locks, closed for renovations. . . . James Stewart, who recently completed “The Glenn 3Iiller Story” at U-I, recently received a rare honor from the American Federation of Musicians, Local 47, Los Angeles, an honorary, life-time, paid-up membership card, which he is seen receiving, while holding Miller’s actual trombone, used in the film. At the left is ll-I musical director Joe Gershenson. Film Employees Local B-41 had a meet¬ ing and social gathering at the Variety Club. Circuits Loew PoH George Freeman, Springfield, Mass., was in Florida recuperating. . . . Dave Kaufman, krtist, plans doing some skiing during his Christmas time off. . . . Fred Greenway, Palace, Hartford, was show¬ ing improvement after a hospital stay. . . . Division manager Harry F. Shaw was master of ceremonies at the first annual citywide amateur show sponsored by the New Haven Boys Club. . . . Bob Carney, Poll, Waterbury, had good tieups for “Kiss Me Kate.” . . . Many Christmas kiddies-sponsored shows were set. Variety Club New Haven. Tent 31 A childi'en’s party is set for Dec. 19. Connecticut Bridgeport Harry Meyers, aged 65, a stage hand at Loew’s Majestic, died. The funei'al was held from the Dennis Funeral Home. Hartford Irv Hillman, Roger Sherman, New Haven, took top honors in the Stanley When Jack L. Warner and Steve Trilling recently visited the coast set of Warners’ “Lucky 3Ie,” seen, left to right, were Trilling, director Jack Donohue, Eddie Foy, Jr., Doris Day, Warner, and Phil Silvers. Warner zone promotion contest for Octcber. Other winners were Robert Bengle, Art, Springfield, Mass.; and Vic Mprelli, Manchester city manager, and honorable mention, A1 Swett, Avon, Utica N. Y., and Joe Miklos, Embassy, New Brilain. Ray McNamara, Allyn, arranged a phone interview with Mark Stevens, star of AA’s “Jack Slade,” for Allen M. Widem, The Hartford Times. Ed Lord has put a Friday through Sunday policy into effect for the winter months at his Indoor-Outdoor Drive-In, Plainfield. . . . Manny Cassaras, formerly with Stanley Warner, is now managing the Darien, Darien. Fred R. Greenway, Loew-Poli Palace manager, entered the Hartford Hospital. . . . South Windsor’s first drive-in will be in operation by April 1, according to Frances and Abraham J. Bronstein. The project, with capacity for 800 cars, will be constructed off Chapel Road, east of Route 5. Dr. Elihu Fishman, whose dad is Harry Fishman, Fishman Theatres, New Haven, opened a dental office in the Elm¬ wood section of West Hartford. New wide-screen facilities have been installed at the Stanley Warner Palace, South Norwalk. The resignation of Russell D. Ordway, district manager, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, for Lockwood and Gordon Theatres, was announced. Every taxpayer in Watertown would be adversely affected by the building of the proposed drive-in on Litchfield Road in that town. First Selectman Stuart At¬ wood claimed at the adjourned hearingbefore State Police Commissioner John C. Kelly on the petition of Fred Quatrano, Waterbury, for a permit to build the theatre, proposed for a site two miles north of the center of Watertown. The commissioner withheld decision until after he has an opportunity to view the site. Atwood’s assumption that property values would be lowered with construction of the theatre was vigorously attacked by William L. Hadden, counsel for Quatrano, Waterbury manager, John D. Sirica, associated with Quatrano in the enterprise; and Eugene H. Lamphier, WateT'town, who has optioned 24 acres of a 60 acre tract he owns to Quatrano. Hadden called on two Waterbury area realtors and appraisal experts to testify that such was not the case. John Wash¬ burn testified that the proposed theatre wouldn’t depreciate property -> alues be¬ cause there is already a trend toward commercial building in the section. Wash¬ burn introduced the results of a survey of the area he conducted at Hadden’s direction. Washburn, in the lengthiest testimony of the day, claimed that the theatre would be built in a natural de¬ pression that would be partially screened from neighboring homes by a fringe of trees. Attorney Walter F. Torrance, Jr., one of the attorneys foi those who oppose the drive-in construction, questioned Washburn closely about the residential tag he applied to sections around the December 16, 1953