The Exhibitor (1954)

NT-2 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR As part of a recent extensive promotional campaign on MOM’s “Beau Brummell,” Loew’s State, Providence, R. I., manager William J. Trambukis, arranged a stunt which featured the presentation of a “Beau Brummell” statuette to William P. Gorman, general manager, Sheraton-Biltmore Hotel, on the popular “Breakfast At The Sheraton” live television show, which is telecast over WJAR-TV. Left to right are Johnny King, m.c. of the show; Gorman; Trambukis; and Nancy Dixon, star of the program. Bill Murphy, assistant manager, Allyn, Hartford, Conn., recently greeted local Boy Scouts, who appear in Exploitation Productions Incorporated’s “Jamboree,” prior to a local showing. In a tieup with the scouts, 25,000 heralds on the film were distributed. Bradford Motors, Cohn had kiddies shows during Christmas week. . . . Dixwell recently installed new improved CinemaScope lenses. . . . Whalley had four special kiddies’ shows during the holiday. . . . New dinnerware deal started at the Lawrence. . . . Morris Rosenthal set some nice bally for “There’s No Business Like Show Business” at Loew’s Poli. Meadow Street In addition to making a play for the New Year’s Eve business, theatres throughout the state also had programs appealing to the younger trade. Matiness for children were scheduled for Dec. 31 with special gimmicks being used to draw the kiddies trade. Stanley War¬ ner houses had “Kartoona Scope Shows” with cartoons. In some SW theatres, pencil boxes were given. Among SW houses which sponsored the “Kartoona Scope Shows” were Empress, Danbury; State, Waterbury; Commodore Hull, Derby; Capitol, Ansonia; State, Man¬ chester; Roger Sherman, New Haven; Cameo, Bristol; Palace, Norwalk. . . . Other kiddies shows were held at the Strand, Winsted; and Arch Street, New Britain. Doug Amos, district manager, Webb, Wethersfield, Norwalk Drive-In, and other theatres, flew to Puerto Rico for a vacation trip. . . . Sheldon Tromberg, who recently took some training at Re¬ public, has -been transferred to the Lou Cohen and Norm Levinson, Loew’s Poli, Hartford, Conn,, recently had this modern juke box on display in the lobby as advance bally for MGM’s “Deep In My Heart.” Philadelphia Republic branch where he’s now student salesman. . . . Crown, Hart¬ ford, Conn., is reported closed. . . . New student trainee at United Artists is Gilbert Ellis, from New York. . . . His dad is also in the movie business. John Thompson is the free lance ex¬ ploitation representative who did a splendid job of ballyhoo assistance for “Vera Cruz,” when the United Artists production was in Bridgeport, Conn., and New Haven. . . . Charles Lane is progiessing with his plans for a twin drive-in on the Branford Road. . . . Carberry, Bristol; Luxor, Unionville; and Mayfair, Terryville, all in Con¬ necticut, are now equipped for CinemaScope. . . . Strand, New Britain, Conn., is continuing to get good exploitation co¬ operation from Birnbaum’s store. . . . Large display advertisement in news¬ paper and lobby of the new Magnavox television brought bally for “Young at Heart.” . . Mara Coi'day, actress, was in New Haven to publicize UniversalInternational’s “So This Is Paris.” Alex Schimel, U-I branch manager, arranged a press, radio, and TV luncheon for the star at Kayseys and the result was plenty of publicity for the film. Robert Taylor was due in for the local premiere of MGM’s “Many Rivers To Cross,” Loew’s Poli. He will also visit Boston and other New England cities for personal appearances and help exhibitors participate in “MGM’s 11)55 Motion Picture Theatre Celebi'ation.” This huge reproduction of the famous novel by Thomas B. Costain was used recently in the lobby of the Metropolitan, Boston, in advance of Warners’ “The Silver Chalice.” Circuits Loew Poli Plans were being made for the world premiere of “Many Rivers To Cross” at the Loew’s Poli on Jan. 26. An ela¬ borate two day program is being set up with one of the highlights being the appearance of Robert Taylor at the Poli in a ceremony in conjunction with Winchester’s. . . . The First National Bank and Trust Company took posses¬ sion of the Bijou Theatre Building in the sale involving $200,000. ... In Meriden, Conn., Tony Masella arranged with The Meriden Record to have a first baby of 1955 contest and received a full page display in the paper pub¬ licizing “Desiree.” Connecticut Bradford Charles Lane, owner. New Haven Drive-In, North Haven, has disclosed plans for a drive-in theati'e on a newlyacquired 47-acre tract of land here. Hartford George E. Landers, Hartford division manager, E. M. Loew’s Theatres, is back from a vacation. John Sillverwatch, man¬ ager, Hartford Drive-In, Newington, Conn., handled the downtown E. M. Loew’s during Landers’ absence. . . . State Treasurer Joseph A. Adorno, re¬ tiring from the State post, received a silver service set from his staff as a parting gift during a department party at the State Capitol. He is a son of Sal Adorno, Sr., general manager, M and D Theatres, Middletown, Conn. Lou Cohen, Loew’s Poli, wired local newspaper editors, “We’re starting off the 1955 season with a bang!” Remainder of teleg am listed stars and properties s’ated for local showings. . . . Mara Corday, star of U-I’s “So This Is Paris,” met the pi'ess at a Statler Hotel lunch¬ eon, hosted by Jean DuBarry, Stanley Warner Strand, and Bill Breoker, U-I exploiteer. Mike Adorno, assistant general managei', M and D Theatres, reopened the Middlesex, Middletown, Conn., following installation of high fidelity sound. . . . Ray McNamara, Allyn, was in Boston on New England Theatres business. Janiiury 12, If) 5 5