The Exhibitor (1954)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR NT-1 ivi'WS OF rnis Boston Crosstown What is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of people in the industry to ever attend a luncheon will be on hand at the Penthouse of the Hotel Bradford on Nov. 9 when the Variety Club will honor “New Faces in New Positions,” it was announced by Walter Brown, chief barker. MGM’s Benn Rosenwald will be chairman, and all exchange managers are serving on the committee. Tickets for the luncheon are $5. They are available at all the film exchanges and the Variety Club in the Hotel Statler. Guests of honor are James Connolly, 20th-Fox; John Feloney, 2()thFox; Joseph Gins, U-I; Francis Dervin, RKO; Herbert Schaefer, Walt Disney Productions; Ralph lannuzzi, Warners; John Moore, Paramount; Jack Brown, Paramount; William Madden, Metro; and Judson Parker, Republic. Eliminations announced by the Bureau of Sunday Censorship included “Africa Adventure,” parts 1 to 8 (Deletions — Eliminate scenes showing women’s bare breasts during dance., in part 4), RKO; “The Fast And The Furious,” parts 1 to 8 (Deletions — Eliminate dialogue, “Where are you two staying tonight or should I ask,”, in part 6), Embassy; “Rogue Cop,” parts 1 to 10 (Deletions — Eliminate dialogue, “It’s a little late to start fighting for your honor,” in part 3), Loew’s; and “Suddenly,” parts 1 to 8 (Deletions — Dialogue, “Rape? No, No, not rape,” in part 7), United Artists. Sympathy goes to Henry Kamuda, owner. Grand, Indian Orchard, Mass., in the death of his mother, Mrs. John Kamuda, widow of the original owner of the Grand. Because of the success of the first annual industry golf tournament held at the Woodland Country Club, Auburndale, Mass., which attracted a large number of industryites, it was voted unanimously to hold the second annual tourney at the same spot next year and to retain the same working committee. Fifty golfers turned out to compete in the afternoon tournament while an added 25 non¬ golfers joined later for cocktails and dinner. Congratulations were being re¬ ceived by the committee, co-chairmanned by Larry Herman and Jim Mahoney, with Joe Cohen, Mai Green, Dick Dobbyn, Ralph lannuzzi, and Bill Koster, who worked to make the evening a success. The low gross prize was won by Jerry Govan, New England Theatres, Inc. The handicap prizes were won by Vincent Canavan, Dick Cummings, Cohen, Henry Price, Maurice “Fishy” Green, Nate Oberman, Lloyd Clark, and Tom Dawson. The two door prizes were won by “Red” Pierce and Jim Mahoney. Due to the hit of the first affair, this industry social function is bound to be looked forward to in years to come. This city will be the sixth out of seven cities to be visited by Ginger Rogers and her husband to exploit “Twist Of Fate,” distributed by United Artists. Joe Mansfield, UA publicist is setting up a press luncheon at the Ritz Carlton Hotel for Nov. 17 for the stars. She will appear on several radio programs during her two-day visit and he will also appear on a TV program. Phil Bloomberg, Orpheum, Danvers, Mass., was in the district and stated that he has given up his option on the new' drive-in to be built in Georgetown, Mass., on Route 133. Another rare visitor w'as Lon Vail, who operates the Warren, Warren, R. L, and the Pastime, Bristol, R. 1. Second place honors in the September Fabian Fabulous Forty Contest in Stan¬ ley Warner Theatres was divided among Stephen Barbett, manager, Warner, Lawu'ence, Mass.; Guido Luminello, Palace, Lawwence; and Bob Howell, Port, New'buryport, Mass., all under Joseph Liss, district manager in Massachusetts. The managers of New England Thea¬ tres, Inc., are hitting on high gear for the “Profit and Prestige Campaign” now' in effect for the final quarter. The managers themselves are conducting the drive under the supeivision of the home office executives, w'ith the campaign devoted to promoting bigger and better business for October, November, and December. Each theatre district in the circuit has one special representative to whom other managers in his district sub¬ mit promotional and exploitation plans. He discusses them with special repre¬ sentatives from the other districts at w^eekly meetings, w'here the best and most practical ideas are developed, and passed along to all the managers. A colorful and highly practical brochure has been created by the committee and is now in the hands of the managers. Every possible angle of theatre sales, showmianship, and merchandising is being covered by the group. According to reports of the enthusiasm being generated by the managers, this fourth quarter business could easily make history for the circuit. The organiza¬ tional committee for the “Profit and Prestige Campaign” includes president Martin J. Mullin, Hy Fine, Robert Sternburg, Jerry Govan, Chester Stoddard, Harry Browning, H. W. Glidden, Joseph Plunkett, Jack Saef, Bill Romanoff, and George Moffitt. Representing the field men for October w'ere managers James Davis, Leo Lajoie, and Max Nayor; for November, Larry Burke, Mel Morrison, and Marvin Huban; and for December, Arthur Keenan, Ray McNamara, and Ben Greenberg. Congratulations are being received by Mr. and Mrs. Rene LeBrun, ow'iiersmanagers. Star, Limestone, Me., on the birth of their third child and second daughter, Andrea Mary. Phil Zimmerman, head, real estate department, Stanley Warner Theatres, and C. P. O’Toole, head, engineering department, were here on routine business. Film District Ken Hamilton, New York State sales¬ man, w'on first place in the Manley merchandising contest recently con¬ cluded out of the Boston office. Hamilton and his w'ife left to enjoy a week’s vacation at the Caribe Hilton Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico, as guests of the Manley Company. The contest was con¬ ducted in division manager Lyman 0. Seley’s district, which includes New England, New' York, New Jersey, Penn¬ sylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. A point system w'as set up by Seley to determine the winners, by w'h'ich a cer¬ tain number of points w'ere aw^arded to each salesman for equipment sold, new accounts added, and increases in business with old accounts. Hamilton had been running third until the last tw'o days of the contest when three accounts he had been w'orking on materialized in time to push him ahead of the field. Second honors w'ent to John Stone, selling in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and eastern Massachusetts, and Irving Dunn placed third, selling in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York City. Nathan Buchman, vice-president, American Theatres Supply Company, and head, candy and vending departments, resigned to enter the theatre conces¬ sions business for himself. He is leaving ATS on Nov. 15 and w'ill shortly announce his new' headquarters. He joined American Theatres Corporation in the accounting department 20 years ago and became head of the vending department in 1942. A year ago, w'hen American Theatres Supply Company combined the merchandising w'ith the buying of concessions into one depart¬ ment, Buchman headed the merger. His place at ATS will be taken by Benjamin S. Conviser, w'ho has been with American Theatres Corporation since 1949 as head, maintenance and con¬ struction. He has been associated with Samuel Pinanski, head of the circuit, since 1932, w'hen it w'as M and P. After Nov. 15, when Conviser takes over, the maintenance, supply, and vending depart¬ ments of ATS will be combined into one department w'ith Conviser’s headquarters at 646 Washington Street in the home office building and w'ith the w'arehouse and shipping offices continuing at 78 Broadway. Conviser is also a vicepresident, American Theatres Supply Company. Major Theatre Equipment Company, successor to Joe Cifre, Inc., recently installed the Motiograph equipment at E. M. Loew’s Route 128 Drive-In and a Motiograph mixer at ATC’s Oxford Drive-In, Oxford, Mass. The company added a huge sew'ing room for theatre stage draperies and curtains, supervised by Howard Alcorn, for 50 years a member of the industiy. Alcorn is presently engaged in the making of the stage accessories for the Natick, Mass., High School, which has a proscenium arch opening of 60 feet in width and 22 feet tall. Mack Paul, one of the coowners of Major, has added a business builder for night clubs to the audio-visual department. He takes 16mm. informal shots of guests at the 5 O’Clock night club in wSalisbury Beach, Mass., and the November 3, 195U NEW ENGLAND