The Exhibitor (1953)

WKWS OF TUB <—■■11 — — MM Boston Crosstown Three artists from the Walt Disney Stud'os will soon arrive to begin a month’s tour through New England, where they will make appearances cov¬ ering the 200 playdates set up for “Pinocchio.” The artists, billed as “chalktalkers,” a:re Roy Williams, Disney’s story editor and chief animator; Dave Detiege, who has been with Disney 15 years; and A1 Bertino, young cartoonist who has been in Disney’s employ eight years. Traveling separately and work¬ ing seven days a week, they will cover all situations possible within the period of their tour. They will make personal appearances at theatres, appear on TV and radio programs, perform in schools and hospitals, and at club and associa¬ tion meetings, and visit newspaper offices and civic officials. They also will make personal appearances in many of the First National Stores, the food chain that has tied in with one of the most elaborate campaigns in its history. The chain is distributing free to its custom¬ ers a million Pinocchio cutouts and masks, and is advertising the fact with store posters and displays, page adver¬ tisements in 83 major New England daily newspapers, and over TV and radio stations. One of the largest custom-built Manley Popcorn machines has been installed in the lobby of the State, Manchester, N.H., through the Boston office, Lyman 0. Seley, manager. Ordered according' to specifications by Edward Fahey, district manager, Shea Circuit, operator of the State, the machine has a 24-ounce kettle for high production of popcorn. The bcttcm part is on a frame of the SuperStadium model, and the top part has a double glass case enclosure. Patrons of the State are enthusiastic in their praise, and the popcorn sales have increased greatly since its acquisition, according to Fahey. The State has 2,300 seats. The engagement of Sonia Zarsky, Interstate Theatres Corporation, to Charles G. Waxman, a chemical engineer, who lives in Danvers, Mass., has been annrunced. She is secretary to James Mahoney, general manager. Interstate, but will resign her position shortly before the wedding, set for early summer. She has been with Interstate for several years and is a sister of Freda Zarsky, Inter¬ state receptionist. Harold Case, president, Boston Uni¬ versity, announced that on Feb. 24, the C-evshwin. Theatre Workshop will formally open the Esquire, newly acquired by the Universary, with a modern dress production of Shakes¬ peare’s “Hamlet.” The theatre, formerly owned by American Theatres Corpor¬ ation, had been closed for several months before it was sold to the University. Martin J. Mullin, president, left, and Harry Browning, district manager, right, recently unveiled a banner announcing the New England Theatre, Inc,, drive, “Top The Score For ’54”. Also seen are managers Raymond T. McNamara, Allyn, Hartford, Conn.; James E. Darhy, Para¬ mount, New Haven; John Patno, Jr., Paramount, Springfield, Mass.; and Leo A. Lajoie, Capitol, Worcester, Mass. The City block on Main Street, Brock¬ ton, Mass., is expected to undergo tre¬ mendous changes following the mortgage sale on Feb. 8. The Universalist Fund, which holds the mortgage, was unable to state at this time whether the City itself would be torn down and the front part of the building modernized. Just prior to the out-break of the Korean V/ar, Morris Pouzzner, Boston, an¬ nounced the acquirement of the City block, including offices and stores ad¬ joining the theatre, anticipating the establishment of a modern supermarket, theatre, and stores, at a cost of $1,000,000. Plans had been drawn up to reno¬ vate the City, which had always played vaudeville and stock, but a snag hit the project and Pouzzner did not go through with his plans. Since that time, he severed his Boston connections and moved his family to Connecticut, where he operates the Victory, New London, as well as a house in Westerly, R. I. The Universalist Fund has foreclosed the property and is offering the building and premises for sale on Feb. 8. The November manager’s contest for exploitation for Stanley Warner Thea¬ tres for New England was won by Irving Hillman, Roger Sherman, New Haven, with second honors going to Murray Howard, Warner, Worcester, Mass., and £ f Eastern district managers J. J. Scully, left, and Pete Rosian, right, recently conferred with division manager P. T. Dana, center, on strategy for the “Charles Feldman Drive” in the east bungalow at the U-I coast studio. Boston Theatrical Bowling League STANDINGS All Stars Won Lost 27 27 30 31 Independents Warners . Affiliated . MGM . S2 Harry’.s Snack Independents . Warners . All Stars . . . . Bar . . . . 4 . 3 Harry’s Snack Affiliated .... MGM . 33 Bar . 1 . 3 . 1 High single. (first half): J. Freeman — 137. Hij-rh team single, (first half): MGM-^511. High three single (first half): J. Sandler— 334. High team three, (first half: Harry’s Snack Bar— 1448. INDIVIDUAL AVERAGES J. Freeman . 95.9 Almon . . .. 88.6 Kirchick . . . . 94.9 Parker . . . . 88.0 Field . Owens . Serra . lodiee . Sandler . . . , . 93.4 Choukas . Hy Young . . 92.8 Rahilly . . . . 86.2 Segal . . 92.5 Larson . . . . 85.8 Bradley ... . 92.4 J. Young . . . . 85.3 Gntes . . Glazier . . .. 85.2 Hill . . 91.4 L. Freeman . . . . . 85.0 Smith . . 91.4 Armando . . . . 82.9 Byrne . . 91.2 McCarthy .... . .. 82.0 Farrington . . 89.3 Lynde . . .. 80.5 Katz . Cohan . . .. 80.0 Prager . . 88.8 Rowe . MeSorley . . . . 77.1 Alternates B. Choukas . 93.3 Moulaison . . . 85.8 Zacchini . . . . 86.5 Simi . Fairbanks . 81.9 third place to Bob Howell, Port, Newburyport. Mass, Incidentally, Howell is receiving congratulations on the birth of a daughter, the second child. The Strand, South Boston, operated by Smith Management Company, signed for a contract with Goodwill Award as a weekly attraction. New England Theatres, Inc., is con¬ ducting a “patronage drive” to run 13 weeks. All managers are competing in this first managerial contest to be held by the circuit. Richard Smith, vice-president. Smith Management Company, is the father of a daughter and first child named Amy Joy, born at Beth Israel Hospital. Grand¬ parent honors go to Phil Smith, presi¬ dent, Smith Management Company, and Mrs. Smith. Eliminations announced by the Bureau of Sunday Censorship included “Gerald¬ ine,” parts 1 to 9. (Deletions: Dialogue, “Dear child, what could you tell me about women that I haven’t already taken ad¬ vantage of?”, in part 8). Republic. “Pro James M. Connolly, 20th-Fox branch manager, Boston, campaign chairman for 1954 for the Suffolk County “The March of Dimes,” is seen here upon a recent visit to Massachusetts Governor Hertner in the latter’s office. January JO, 19 SU NEW ENGLAND