The Exhibitor (1954)

NT-2 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR following week presents these pictures on a screen at the club with a tape recorder and sound track. Judson Parker has been appointed branch manager at Republic replacing Herbert Schaefer, who resigned to join Buena Vista for the New England territory. Parker has been in the industry since 1938 except for two years’ service with the marines. He started as a shipper at WB, went to United Artists as a booker, transfen-ed to U-I as a sales¬ man, and more recently was head booker and salesman for Screen Guild. He lives in Sharon, Mass., with his wife and three sons, 6, 11, and 14. Jeanne Flatley, secretary to office manager Max Berlone at United Artists, announced her engagement to attorney Thomas Fleming, Holyoke, Mass. Mrs. Doris Flanagan, bookkeeper, 20th-Fox, resigned to await the stork. She was given a farewell dinner by the office staff. Paulin Valias, same office, spent the holiday weekend enjoying the outdoor sports at the Jug Inn Barn, Pittsfield, Mass. Phil Lamport, for the past 10 years a poster clerek at National Screen Service, resigned to join G. Fred Geisler, Motion Pictures Sales and Service, as an operator for the 16mm. service. New Haven Crosstown Manager Morris Rosenthal obtained fine exploitation for “Brigadoon.” One of the tieups was a news photo in The Register showing former Nev^ Havener Dody Heath with Virginia Rosier and Hugh Laing, who were making their initial debut in “Brigadoon.” . . . The Whalley scheduled a benefit show for The Grace New Haven Hospital Alumnae Association. . . . The Whalley had a special preview. Tickets sold by the National Council of Jewish Women were also honored at the Whalley. Meadow Street The new proposed drive-in up Hart¬ ford way is on a tract of 25 acres adjacent to the Veterans Highway in the North Meadows. . . . Also upstate, the Middletown Drive-In on the Old Saybrook Road, owned by the Adornos, is progressing. . . . Charles Lane has received an okeh from the State Police for a drive-in on the Branford Road. . . . The Portland Drive-In scheduled “Buck Night” again. . . . The East Hartford Family Drive-In had a Hal¬ lowe’en party. . . . The Bridge Drive-In gave a free toy to every child attending the cartoon carnival. . . . Various thea¬ tres throughout the state had Hal¬ lowe’en parties. . . . The Palace, Middletown, had a special Polish show. Congratulations were in order to Harold Tabackman, Bostwick, Bridge¬ port, and Mrs. Tabackman on their re¬ cent wedding anniversary. . . . Mrs. Herman Levy, wife of TOA executive Herman Levy, was hostess at a reception honoring members of the Greater New Haven Chapter of Sponsors. . . . Arthu)' Peter G. McGuinness, 12, winner of the recent Boston Post coloring contest on UA’s “Heidi,” is given a sendoflF at Logan Airport before he left for Switzerland with his father. Left to right are seen Peter’s father, James H. McGuinness, Peter, Joe Mansfield, UA publicist who assisted in the contest, Peter’s two brothers, and his mother. Greenfield, former U-I branch manager, and now in charge of the Seattle office, was a visitoi’. . . . Ralph Mauro, National Theatre Supply, went to Chicago to attend the TOA convention. . . . Bill Canalli, RKO salesman, returned from his vacation. . . . This month, Herman Miller and Leon Jakubson are now 25 years with MGM. . . . 2()th-Fox branch manager Herman Hirschhorn was in New York. He recently acquired a residence on Whitney Avenue. . . . Leo Ricci, Capitol, Meriden, has a new car. . . . Paul Tolls, Meriden, Meriden, has a new station wagon. . . . Joe Faith, upstate exhibitor, was writing friends from Europe. . . . The Plaza, Windsor, and Webb, Wethersfield, arranged special PTA shows for the kiddies. Circuits Loew Poll Managers were busy lining up some nice campaigns for “Brigadoon.” Variety Club Tent 31, New Haven At the Nov. 1 meeting, a slate of new officers for 1955 was to be set. Connecticut East Hampton Leonard Siebert, 90, operator of the first motion picture theatre here, Siebert’s Opera House, died following a long illness. Hartford A. J. (Jack) Bronstein, principal backer in the East Hartford Family Drive-In, South Windsor, disclosed plans for start of construction in January on the world’s largest drive-in on a 25acre tract adjacent to the Veterans Highway in the North Meadows section. Car capacity will be 2,010, with screen to measure 140 feet by 65 feet. Bronstein’s counsel, attorney Bernard E. Francis, said that an application already has been filed with the State Police Commissioner for authority to con¬ struct the theatre. Cost of construction is estimated over the $500,000 mark. Bronstein is aiming for an April 1, 1955, opening. Francis added, “Unique fea Norman Bialek Heads Conn. Allied NEW HAVEN — Norman Bialek was elected president. Allied Thea¬ tre Owners of Connecticut, succeed¬ ing Dr. J. B. Fishman. Other officers include Maurice Schulman, Seymour Levine, Jack Post, and Mike Alperin, vice-presi¬ dents; Maxwell A. Alderman, secre¬ tary; and Joseph Schulman, treasurer. The board includes all officers and Fishman, Maurice Bailey, Barney Tarentell, Bernie Menschell, Robert Elliano, and Sam Rosen. _ tures of the project will include a modernistic, six-lane cafeteria building, swimming and wading pools, and exten¬ sive playground facilities, situated in two sections.” Blake McVeigh, UA exploiteer, had street ballyhoo for Loew’s Poll opening of “Sitting Bull.” . . . Lockwood and Gordon is now' operating only Fridays through Sundays at the Sky-Vue DriveIn, Torrington. Paul W. Amadeo, general manager. Turnpike Theatre Corporation, ran a “Mystery Bonus Nite” at the Pike Drive-In, Newington, with stunts includ¬ ing distribution of passes and also admittance of the fourth person in a car as guest of the management. Bob Gloth, Waterford Drive-In, ran a tw'o-night benefit for the Waterford Fire Company, with nine merchants participating. Free gifts were given to the children. Barbara Dolgin, daughter of Joe Dolgin, Pine Drive-In, and Mrs. Dolgin, joined the Merry Go Rounders, pro¬ fessional dance troupe. Massachusetts Framingham The Cinema, operated by Smith Man¬ agement Company, formed Framingham Artists Guild w'ith membership totaling 43. Weekly exhibits of the canvases of the members and outside artists are being showm in the inner lounge. The Cinema w'as one of the first neighborhood thea¬ tres to play MGM’s “Julius Caesar” at regular prices. Manager Lloyd Mills contacted 26 high schools for special student admissions. New Hampshire Kingston The Brentwood Auto Theatre contrib¬ uted the entire proceeds of a showing of “Gone With the Wind” to the Walter Plumer Fund, a trust fund set up for 14-year-old Walter Plumer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Plumer of Lee, N. H., who was injured early this fall in a diving accident. Rhode Island Providence Among the neighborhood houses offering all-kiddie programs on Satur¬ day afternoon are the Hollywood, East Providence, R. L, and Community, Centerdale, R. 1. November 3, 195 J4.