The Exhibitor (1954)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR NT-1 OF THF Chicago Philip Dunne was in for a series of promotional activities on behalf of 2()thFox’s “Prince Of Players.” He engaged in several press interviews and TV and radio appearances discussing the pro¬ duction. “The Ticket,” film participated in by . police “actors,” including a woman on the force, was made to instruct rookie cops how to ai'rest speeders and handle the resulting paper work. . . . The City, Granite, Ilk, closed for two years, was relighted by St. Lmuis Amusement Company. . . . John G. Heywood, 71, veteran theatre operator, Richmond, Wis., died. Mrs Tom Flannery, wife of the pres¬ ident, ‘ White Way Electric Sign and Maintenance Company, Balaban, wife of the B and K chiefta m, attended a reunion of wartime bud¬ dies” who were pioneer volunteei work ers at the Servicemen’s Center, which o-ave Chicago the rating of the G1 s Heave.n” during World War II. . • Mr. and Mrs. Wendall Stead reopenec. their Ford, Griggsville, Ilk, following improvements. The County Board will ask the Illinois legislature for power to censor motion pictures in unincorporated areas, wl^ch means showings at the ^^^'ins. ^ censorship, according to William N. Erickson, chairman ot the board s leg slative committee, would be handRd by a group consisting of the sheriff, tl ^ chief of county highway police and three citizens, one of whom ^would e a clergyman. “This is a must, declared Erickson. “A large proportion of drive in theatregoers are children and young persons who should be shielded lom salacious films.” He mentioned show¬ ings last summer of “The French Lme banned in Chicago. John E Babb sheriff at the time, attempted to forbid showing of the picture in unincorporatrd districts but found himself without authority to do so. His protests availed, however, and the film was eventually withdrawn. Perry Hoefler closed temporarily his Oriihi'um, Quincy, HI. . . . Bell and Howell named John P. Buchan co.ntrol1,M', succeeding Lee C. Andrews, resign¬ ed ’ and John N. Lattner, assistant conIrcd.ler. . . . Harry E. Hoag, 65, Momence owner, Momerrce, Ilk, and formMomenc-' councilman, died in his honi''. His wdfe survives. Louis (Props) Hemrich, 86, theatre property man for 56 years, died. A son survives. . . . Max Brodsky, U-I coun¬ try salesman, was given a farewell jiarty and gifts on his retirement. . . • Fred M. Young received the cooperation of the Commercial Club to keep open the Norton, Mascoutah, Ilk . . . Producers Bill Perlberg and George Seaton came for the “Bridges of Toko-Ri” priwiew. Manufacturer Bill MacDonald flew to California to sponsor golf tourna¬ ments for benefit of the Motion Picture Relief Fund. . . . Reggie Dombeck was named by the local U-I office for special inomotions for “So This is Paris” in department stores and on TV. . . . Publicist Max Cooper and his wife chose Puerto Rico for a vacation. Edward F. Mooney, 64, projectionist at the Bel-Park since its opening about 28 years ago, died after four months illness in the hospital. His wife and a son survive. . . . John Clark, salesman for Allied Artists Pictui'es of Illinois, Inc., visited a son in Marysville, Cal. . . . Jim Reavy was named manager, re¬ opened Esquire, Springfield, Ilk B and K topped the spirited bidding for “The Country Girl,” scheduled to open at United Artists in February. . . . Having handled successfully the liuptials for Jack Webb and Dorothy Towne, Frank Casey, Warner press agent, is taking a long vacation. Officers and directors of Variety Club of Illinois, at a recent meeting, decided on scheduling regular monthly meetings of both the membership and directors. This is in line with one of the aims ex¬ pressed by Jack Kirsch, chief barker, to help encourage greater membership interest in Variety Club’s activities for the 1955 season. Installation of 1955 Variety Club officers and directors wdll be held March 7 in the Congress Hotel, and arrangements are now in the hands of a committee headed by Nat Nathanson, first assistant chief barker. The Chicago Council, Boy Scouts of America, which is conducting its 1955 campaign for funds has again appoint¬ ed Jack Kirsch, president. Allied Thea¬ tres of Illinois, chairman of the theatre and amusement division in the drive. In a letter to all branches of the local amusement industry he pointed out the important year around activities of that organization which, he said, results in a magnificent job for the youth of America. Reports from Governor Stratton’s office in Springfield, Ilk, indicate that his proclamation of “Go to the Movies in January” is spreading across the nation. The governor said motion pic¬ ture theatres of Illinois “represent an important and uniciue activity, not only as progressive enterprises, but also as a community service.” Will Snow' was named Washington Square manager, Quincy, Ilk . . . Tom Thompson wms transferred from EUvood, Ind., by Syndicate Theatres to manage the Columbus Drive-In, Crump, Mode, and Rio, Columbus, Ind. With a gross of $2,500, 000 to date, “This is Cinerama” is continuing at the Palace w'ith large blocks of sales to conventioneers. . . . George Askounis reopened the remodeled Tow'ne, Mid¬ lothian, Ilk, w'hich had been closed for a year, w'ith William Nixon and Wil¬ liam Kane as managers. Filmack Laboratories granted its technicians and cartoonists a 10 per cent w'age increase retroactive to Sept. 1, 1954. . . . Adam Goelz, hailing from Chattanooga, Tenn., w'as named Roxy manager, F'ranklin, Ind. . . . Officials of Alliance Theatres Corporation, including Pete Panagos, Robert Bachman, Dino Tukekis, and Herb Sullivan, w'ent to Anderson, Ind., to confer with Edvv^ard Kennelly on the sales drive in that territory. Chicago may be starting to return to its past glory as a picture producing center. The Kling studio, occupying a former armory, with 85,000 square feet of floor space, is as exciting as a Holly¬ wood studio. The company is starting the first of three major films for 1955. The picture, “Miracle at Santa Anita,” stars Jack Carson, in SuperScope and color, and is directed by David Butler. Kling Picture Productions is an outgrow'th of the Kling TV film produc¬ tions. It acquired the former Charles Chaplin studio, w'ith 122 buildings and four sound stages, in Hollywood. Mrs. Kate Lipstein, 82, mother of the late Louis Lipstone, general musical director for Paramount, died. She w'as an active member of several charitable organizations. Survivors are a daughter, a brother, and a sister. Interment w'as in Rosehill cemetery. . . . Max Roth, Capitol Film Company, w'as accorded a “Martin Luther” franchise. Dallas H. C. Houston, 81, veteran showmian in Texas, died. The shock of the news ramount central division manager Bryan D. Stoner, former Quartermaster First ss l^SN recently held a luncheon preceding the special preview of I aramount s le’ Bridges At Toko-Ri” for 2500 Chicago civic leaders, publicity contacts, and eft to right, are Captain V. Counihan; Captain J. Homey; Stoner; ■y, Chief of Naval Reserve Air Training; (aplain U. 'I'aylor; and ridges libitors. Seen, left Imiral D. Gallery Januarp 26, 1955 MIDWEST-WESTERN