The Independent Film Journal (1954)

DES MOINES (cont'd.) mutual benefit of both. . . . Byron Shaprio, Columbia branch mgr., is handling booking in this territory for the U. S. Army release, “This Is the Army.” All exhibitors are urged to get in touch with Shapiro and make arrangements to show this film. DETROIT ^ illiam H. Green, midwest director of exploitation for Cinerama, has been named the new president of Michigan Showmen’s Association. . . . Ilazen P. Thorn, operator of the Ecorse Drive-In, died of a heart attack while hunting. . . . John Shuff of the Mariner Theatre at Marine City was guest of honor at the anniversary banquet held by IATSE Local 735 in that town, and received a gold card representing his 42 years in show business. . . . Alice Gorham of United Detroit Circuit made a flying visit to Boston to attend the MGM work¬ shop. Charles Howard, mgr. of the Ric Theatre at Richmond, booked two special school day matinees with coojoeration of local educators for “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’ ’ . . . W. J. Thick owner of the Bogar Theatre at Marshall’, has been hospitalized. . . . Anthony Eugenio is doing general redecorating jobs on the Rex and Seville Theatres for Sterling Cir¬ cuit. . . . Dave Korman, circuit operator, is putting a new protective cover for drive-in speakers on the market. . . . Nathan Schreibei, head of Midwest Theatres, just cele¬ brated his 70th birthday. . . . The Baldwin Theatre at Baldwin, operated by Milton Kreig was destroyed by fire. . / . James Nederlander of the Lafayette Theatre is incorporating the Rivera Theatre Co. . . . I rank Upton, mgr. of the Music Hall, trav¬ eled to Chicago and Minneapolis to inspect Cinerama operations there. . . . Leonard G ray, lately of Denver, is the new exploiteer I oi Paramount m this territory. . . . Emery Williams succeeds Robert Brutell as mgr. ot the Dawn Theatre for Kilbride Circuit. . . . alter P. Conlan is back in his old post as mgr. of the Globe Theatre, succeed¬ ing veteran Basil Julian, who has gone into the painting business. Albert Dezel has set “Duel in the Sun” for city-wide showings, opening Dec. 12, at United Detroit, Cooperative, and other theatie circuits. . . . Ashmun Brothers are Watch These Dates! Dec 29: Chicago — Allied Theatres of Illi¬ nois 24th anniversary celebration — Chez Paree. Jan. 13: New York National Conference of Christians and Jews, Brotherhood Dinner — Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Jan. 18: Philadelphia — Motion Picture As¬ sociates dinner — Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. Jan. 20: New York — Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, amusement and allied in¬ dustries luncheon— Hotel Sheraton Astor. Feb. 8-9: St. Louis — National Allied DriveIn Theatres convention — Chase Hotel. Feb. 28-March 1: Oklahoma City — Allied Theatre Owners of Oklahoma convention — Skirvin Tower Hotel. March 1-2: Columbus— Independent Thea¬ tre Owners of Ohio convention — DeshlerHilton Hotel. Actor Ray Milland (left) receives a long-awaited opportunity to direct with signing of a contract to star in and direct one of Republic's largest budgeted films, "The Gunman." He is shown here with Herbert J. Yates (right). Republic pres., and Jack E. Baker, v.p. in charge of studio operations. completing a new drive-in at Saginaw, to be opened in the spring. . . . The Bel-Air drive-in at Jackson, being built for Nusbaum and Phillips, is also scheduled for early spring completion. . . . White Pine, booming copper town in northern Michigan, is looking for an exhibitor to open a theatre. . . . Jack Sage, mgr. of the Michigan Thea¬ tre, offered free admission to any Detroit ladies able to use the “countess” title, for engagement of “The Barefoot Contessa. ” KANSAS CITY A drive-in permit has been issued to E & S Theatre Enterprises for an 800-car ozoner on a 34-acre tract at James A. Reed Rd. and Highway 40. Louis S. Sutter is pres, of the organization made up of Geo. and Chris Ellis and Alex Shniderman. . . . Fred Mounds was transferred from UA’s St. Louis office to succeed Jack Frost as salesman. Mounds has been a booker. New officers of Loge 2 of the Colosseum are John Weinberg, RIvO, pres.; Geo. Regan, 20th Fox, v.p.; Gene Jacobs, Paramount, sec., and Earl Dyson, RKO, treas. Regan and Weinberg were delegates to the na¬ tional convention in Chicago. . . . Wayne Love is new mgr. at Commonwealth ’s Town Theatre, Garden City, Kans. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Schul bought a grocery store at Longton, Kans. for conversion to a thea¬ tre. . . . Midcentral’s State at Manhattan, Kans., celebrated 47 years in business with oldtimers of the city as guests. . . . Wm. T. Powell is mgr. of Midwest’s Glen and Bev¬ erly at Overland, Mo., both equipped with new wide screens. . . . Chas. Chilkct’s Rex Theatre, Joplin, Mo., has new wide screen and lenses. Hank Doering, operator of Peoples’ The¬ atre at Garnett, Kans., was re-elected to state legislature. . . . Clark Rhoden opened a push-button popcorn plant at Tarkio, Mo. . . . Lee Theatre at Clinton, Mo. reopened after remodeling, and Verne Peterson, mgr. of both, has made the GoSho a week-end theatre. . . . Steven Miller, mgr. of Dick¬ inson’s Owen at Branson, Mo. held a Lucky Seven party to celebrate his 7th anniversary there. Ritz at Keytesville, Mo. closed for re¬ modeling. . . . John and Betty Brandt of the Lyric at Plattsburg, Mo. observed their 25th wedding anniversary. . . . Betty Davis, daughter of Don Davis, RCA div. mgr., was f homecoming queen at the University of , Kansas. . . . Cashier of the Isis in K. C. was f robbed at gun point while totaling receipts.! . . . Coin machines at Riverside Drive-In i j was robbed by prowlers entering through1 j concession stand window. . . . Blvd. ozoner . plans to stay open week-ends this winter. MIAMI A1 Weiss of Florida State and Sonny]; Shepherd of Wometco were again chosen 1 co-chairmen for the 7th annual “Show of 1 Shows, ” to be held Feb. 12 for benefit of | I Variety Childrens Hospital. . . . Herman Silverman, Wometco booker, welcomed a baby girl named Flora Ann. . . . Louis Finske and Lamai Sarra in from Jackson¬ ville to look over the Florida State houses here. . . . Variety Tent #33 moves into new quarters shortly at Biscayne Terrace Hotel. . . . Edward Claughton, owner of the chain, , is out of the hospital. . . . “Hansel and Gretel” to open here with “Lend A Hand” ! campaign for underprivilaged children. . . . Wometco employees annual Xmas party in i the studios of WTVJ Dec. 18. Next day Mrs. Mitchell Wolf son will host children of em¬ ployees with Santa and trimmings. MILWAUKEE Oliver Trampe is the new chief barker of Variety Tent #14, with Edward Johnson as 1st asst. ; Morris Anderson as 2nd asst. ; Joe Imhof, property master, William Pierce, dough guy; and Ben Marcus, outgoing chief barker, as International Canvassman. . . . Ken Brechler of the Towne Theatre in Darl¬ ington, is no longer connected with Unity Theatres. He will do his own booking and buying. . . . G. B. Porter, Classic theatre [ in Waupun, will be doing his own booking and buying. . . . When lease on the Granada theatre here runs out with Stanley Warner Theatres it will not be renewed. Present plans call for converting the theatre into a store next spring. Otto Settle has taken over the Pulaski theatre from Mrs. F. Ziehm, who has been in the business over 26 years. Settle also has a theatre in Seymour, Wis. . . . Ben Marcus, is leaving for a vacation in Miami, Dec. 17, returning around Dec. 30. . . . Vera Mellin, secretary in the Wisconsin Allied office here, was on the sick list, but is doing nicely now. . . . Carl Schmidt, booker at the Warner exchange, is bragging about his new baby boy. MINNEAPOLIS Lyle Carrish leased the Wayzata, Wayzata, Minn., a Minneapolis suburb, to John Mowry, former operator of the Time at Kenyon, Minn. Walter Leistico is new owner of the Time. . . . W. C. Adelman installed high intensity lamps in his Rocket at Lake Crystal, Minn. . . . Saul Malisow, 20th-Fox branch mgr., vacationed in Florida. . . . Herman Frajola, operator of the Lyceum at Gilbert, Minn, passed away. . . . Dick Kolling, booker at Columbia, is back at his desk after being hospitalized for an opera¬ tion. . . . The Little America at Carthage, S. D., closed for the winter months, accord¬ ing to C. N. Munger, mgr. . . . About $150 in cash was stolen from the Bismarck thea¬ tre at Bismarck, N. D. Don Fradet is sponsoring a “Take A Chance” night every Wednesday at the Paramount Theatre, Brainerd, Minn. Pic 24 THE INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL— December 11, 1954