The Independent Film Journal (1954)

Showmen arrive for the 20th-Fox regional screenings emphasizing the improved CinemaScope and product lineup. L. to R.: In Pittsburgh (top), T. O. McCleaster, central div. mgr.; Morris Finkel, Finkel Circuit and board member of National Allied; Saul Bragin, Stanley-Warner; A1 Levy, branch mgr.; John McGreevey, Harris Amuse. Co.; Bill Zeilor, mgr. of J. P. Harris Theatre. In Louisville (bottom), Herman Hallberg, Fox salesman in Indianapolis; Roger Daly and Charles Krebs, Fourth Ave. Amuse. Co., Louisville; Lou Arru, Twilight Drive-In, Louisville; Bill Studebaker, Logansport, Ind. PHILADELPHIA (cont'd.J Fannie E. Harrison ease against the majors. Harrison had claimed that the majors dis¬ criminated against the Bryn Mawr Theatre by not giving it correct clearance. . . . Bill Whyte leased Jack Greenberg’s Star Thea¬ tre in Camden, N. J. and resigned as super¬ visor of Neil Heilman’s drive-in. A. M. Ellis Theatres is operating the Olden in Trenton, N. J. for Olden Theatre, Inc. Edward Culliton, former asst, is now managing the house while Brock Whitlock resigned to go into another business. . . . Ray Meyers is back as mgr. of William Goldman’s Randolph Theatre. . . . Booker Anthony Lomonaco was one of 17 Para¬ mount distribution employees to be in¬ ducted into the firm’s “100 Per Cent Club.” . . Work has started on redectoration of Variety Club’s new showrooms. . . . Meyer Adleman has placed new trucks in his fleet at New Jersey Messenger Service. . . . Allied Motion Picture Service is now serv¬ icing the Rialto and Embassy in Lewistown, Pa. Bernard Lynch has gone from managing the Ritz in York to the Capitol, while John Toomey mover over from asst. mgr. of the Capitol to the same post at the Strand following promotion of Richard W. Crist to mgr. of the Ritz. . . . Ed Lachman, pres, of Lorraine Carbons, Inc. of Boonton, N. J., announced the appointment of Superior Theatre Equipment Co. of Philadelphia to handle its products in this territory. . . . The new Towne Theatre in Levittown and the Studio Theatre recently had fire scares when smoke caused by short circuits was detected. Respective managers Mrs. Mary Hawkins and Bill Kanefsky efficiently handled the situations and kept their audi¬ ences calm. PITTSBURGH John Novoney has succeeded the late Leo Wayne as head booker at the Paramount exchange. . . . The Charlie Comars — he’s personnel director for S-W Theas., cele¬ brated their 22nd wedding anniversary. . . . “Three Coins in the Fountain” doing mag¬ nificent business in the unair-conditioned Fulton Theatre — there seven weeks at this writing. . . . Edith Herskovitz, M-G-M booker, married to Martin Girson, is honey¬ mooning in N. Y. PORTLAND-SEATTLE Art Adamson, head of Favorite Theatres, has the first outdoor CinemaScope installa¬ tion in the Pacific Northwest in his Canyon Drive-In, Portland. . . . Mrs. G. I. Ritter ordered modem equipment for her Florence Theatre and Drive-In at Florence, Ore. . . . A seamless screen and new projection lenses were installed in the Blue Mouse Theatre, managed by Paul Forsythe. . . . White’s Drive-In at Salem, Ore. suffered its second robbery within two months with the loss of $3,500. Previous loss was $1,500. ... A. W. Baron, Warner salesman in San Francisco for many years, has joined the Portland sales staff where he replaces Carl Miller, transferred to San Francisco in sales capacity. A1 Oxtoby, Warner branch mgr., anounces an “A1 Oxtoby Week” Aug. 8-14, for inten¬ sive sales efforts. . . . Ed Metzger, operator of the Auto Drive-In near Moscow, Idaho, has under construction a 544-seat indoor theatre at the site of the ozoner, to be used during the winter and in bad weather. The new unit is expected to be ready about midOctober. . . . Harry H. Schmidt, asst. mgr. of the Paramount, Seattle, has been named mgr. of the State in Spokane, to succeed James M. Leslie, who resigned after 16 years with Evergreen. Robert Cooley suc¬ ceeded James Keefe at the Orpheum; Dale Munkers named asst. mgr. at the State, succeeding Donald Rogers, now asst. mgr. at the Fox. Dick Carlson has been upped from booker to mgr. of the of the Allied Artists ex¬ change, Portland, replacing Jack Felix, transferred to Denver, Colo, as exchange mgr. there. . . . Mrs. Mildred Wall, Lewiston-Clarkston, Idaho, theatre owner and pioneer in the industry, passed away at 53. . . . Installation of equipment at the new drive-in recently opened at Libby, Mont, was made by R. E. McKinstry and Jack Barbar of Seattle. PROVIDENCE Rhode Island’s Hill-Top Drive-In, located on Route 1, just south of East Greenwich, recently opened. The 500-car open-airer is owned by Peter, George and Harry Erinakes, owners and operators of The Kent, and Greenwich theatres, conventional-type houses. Harry Erinakes will manage. Utilizing a screen, 45 feet x 100, the Hill-Top's booth is completely R.C.A. equipped. The ozoner boasts the largest snack bar in the state, a playground with a self-propelled merry-goround, swings, dandles, and other juvenile rides. . . . Dave Levin, RKO Albee manager, Providence, sparked an intensive exploitation campaign for “Johnny Dark.” . . . A1 Siner, Strand manager, received a potent publicity break for opening of “The Caine Mutiny” as The Providence Sunday Journal devoted the entire first page of the amusement section to the film. . . . The Route 44 Drive-In is now featuring free pony rides. ST. LOUIS Ronnie’s Drive-In at Paris, Ill., jointly owned by Leon Jarodsky and E. L. Staup, had its grand opening recently. . . . C. B. Simmons, owner of the Fairview Drive-In at Oblong, Ill., purchased the 420-seat Star in Newton from Frank Rodgers. . . . The Capitol at Murray, Ky., a unit of Columbia Amuse. Co., unveiled its new Simplex stereo¬ phonic sound system, Walker seamless screen and super Panatar anamorphic lenses. . . Donald R. Toliver purchased some new equipment from National Theatre Supply for his 460 Drive-In east of Carmi, Ill. . . . Wm. Collins plans early installation of CinemaScope equipment in his Collins Thea¬ tre, DeSoto, Mo. Shortage of new product was given as reason for summer closings of Turner-Farrar’s Orpheum at Harrisburg, Strand at Cami and Grand at Eldorado, Ill. . . . The 626-seat Lincoln at Charleston, Ill., a Frisina affiliate, closed for the summer. Frisina cancelled plans for summer closing of the 380-seater at Kincaid, Ill. After closing the State at Lawrenceville for the summer, the circuit set a new price schedule at the Avalon at 50< for adults and 20( for chil¬ dren except Tues. nights, when admission is 10< for everyone. . . . Proceeds from the benefit excursion on the Mississippi River steamer “Admiral” on July 30, will go to the Amusement Employees Welfare Fund. Alamo Theatre at Stewardson, Ill. reopened for part week operation under manage¬ ment of theatre building owner H. Gruntman. It was formerly under lease to Harold Davis of Windsor, Ill. . . . The Uptown at Fairfield, Ill. was closed for extensive re¬ modeling and installation of wide screen by Barnes and Pitner interests. It will be re¬ opened in the early fall. . . . At Pinckneyville, Ill., the Capitol, operated by Tony Beninati, will be dark Tues. and Wed. nights for balance of the summer. . . . John Kirby is selling his interest in the K-B Drive-In at Casey, Ill. to his business associate, Leroy Gaston. Midway Drive-In at Dexter, Mo. has a new 80x40 screen and stereophonic sound. . . Wide screen was installed at the Palace, Johnston City, Ill., operated by Stewart Cluster. . . . Closed for the summer: State at Morrisonville, Ill.; Grant at Centralia, Ill.; Plaza at Mt. Vernon, Ill. . . . Massag Theatre at Metropolis, Ill., headed by Eddie Clark, presented its RCA stereophonic sound system with showing of “The Robe.” THE INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL— July 24. 1954 27