The Exhibitor (1954)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR NT-1 xliws OF rnii: New York City Crosstown Seven hundred fifty New Englanders for the fourth consecutive year came to New York aboard a special New Haven Railroad show train to witness Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas show. A semi-annual event on the New Haven since 1951 when New England Music Hall fans first began coming in such large scaled groups to see iDoth the thea¬ tre’s big yuletide and Easter stage shows and screen programs, the train this year was sold out to capacity, carrying thea¬ tregoers from as far north as Massa¬ chusetts to the Radio City showplace. Harold Hecht and James Hill, execu¬ tive producer and producer, respectively, arrived from Hollywood in connection with UA’s “Vera Cruz.” They plan going to London to begin preparations for “Trapeze,” next Burt Lancaster starrer. Leon J. Bamberger, sales promotion manager, RKO, became a grandfather for the fifth time when a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Bloksberg, Bridgeport, Conn. . . . Murray Scher, assistant print department manager, 20th-Fox, and Doris Gabor, employed in the company’s contract department, were married. Charter of incorporation has been granted Brad Theatre Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., listing capital stock of 100 shares no par value. Filer was Isi¬ dore Katz, and directors are Harold Kafko, Jacob Needleman, and Arnold Skalky. Nicholas M. Schenck, president, Loew’s Inc., returned from the coast after attending the funeral of his sisterin-law, Ruth Selwyn Warburton. . . . Leonard Hirsch, home office assistant to Rudy Berger, MGM southern sales manager, returned from a visit to the southern exchanges. Spyros P. Skouras, president, 20thFox, returned from Europe after an extended business trip surveying cur¬ rent film industry conditions and the Oscar Hammerstein, II, was recently named chairman of awards of the Amusement Industry Division, Feder¬ ation of Jewish Philanthropie’s second annual “Mark of Achievements” lunch¬ eon, to be held in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Sheraton Astor on Jan. 20. progress of CinemaScope overseas. . . . A display of photographs, theatre pro¬ grams, and memorabilia from the period of actor Edwin Booth is being arranged by the Players Club as part of a spec¬ ial tribute to “Prince Of Players,” 20thFox film premiering Jan. 11 at the Rivoli. A distinguished audience of New York’s leading social figures were guests of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at a screening of 20th-Fox’s “There’s No Business Like Show Business” at the company’s Little Theatre. A cocktail party preceded the showing. Robert F. Blumofe, vice-president. United Artists, in charge of west coast operations, left by air for Europe to survey the company’s production abroad. . . . D. A. Peterson, Altec Service Corporation western division manager, arrived from San Francisco for a series of important conferences with company officials. Lilli Rose Brunner was married to Howard Allen Kalmenson, Warners vice-president in charge of distribution, in the ballroom of the Hotel Ambassa¬ dor. The groom is account executive and merchandising manager for Amer¬ ican Broadcasting Company’s local TV station. The noted playwidght Moss Hart, who wrote the screen play for 20th CenturyFox’s “Prince of Players,” in CinemaScope, has arrived in New York for a series of promotional activities in be¬ half of the romantic drama opening Jan. 11 at the Rivoli. Hart, whose actresswife Kitty Carlysle is starring on Broad¬ way in “Anniversary Waltz,” will par¬ ticipate in a series of newspaper inter¬ views and appear on leading TV and radio shows to discuss the filmization of Eleanor Ruggles’ best-selling book. Jerry Lewis, starred with Dean Martin in Paramount’s “Three Ring Circus,” Loew’s State, arrived for a vacation, accompanied by his wife and children. . . . It was learned from Paris, France, that ballerina Renee Jeanmaire had wed her former dancing partner Roland Petit. They intend to honeymoon here. According to reports, the Criterion rang up the largest gross in the history of the theatre with Paramount’s “The Country Girl,” $67,123. . . . “This Is Cinerama” announced its last six weeks at the Warner. New Jersey Newark The annual Christmas party for the employees of Stanley Warner Manage¬ ment Corporation, Jersey Zone, was held at Mayfair Farms, West Orange, N. J. A delicious buffet luncheon was served, with dancing and music being enjoyed. A gift was presented to each employee, and drawings were held for door prizes. . . . Many of the Stanley Warner Jersey theatres ran sponsored kiddie shows for Christmas. The Ritz, Elizabeth, N. J., had a toy giveaway in conjunction with a kiddie show. Helen Mulligan, who w'as connected with the contact department of Stanley Warner Jersey Zone for many years, re¬ signed. Mrs. Mulligan plans to stay at home and was the recipient of beautiful gifts from her fellow employees. Frank Damis, zone manager for many years, Stanley Warner Jersey Zone, who has resigned, was feted at the Westwood, West Orange, with a dinner by the executives of the office and his many friends. Damis was the recipient of a gift from the entire group. Charles Smakwitz, who succeeds Damis, was Among those seen attending the recent benefit premiere of United Artists’ “Romeo and Juliet,” Sutton, New York City, were, left to right, Oleg Cassini, noted fashion designer; star Grace Kelly; Arthur B. Krim, president, UA; Robert S. Benjamin, chairman of the board, UA; and Mrs. Benjamin; and Herman Becker, co-owner, Rugoff and Becker Circuit; and B. G. Kranze, UA general sales manager. Full proceeds of the benefit went to the March of Dimes. January 5, 1955 umw YOU