The Exhibitor (1956)

MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR Femme Exhibitor Dies; Was Member of ITOO AKRON^ O— Mrs. Helen Halter Smith Russell, 56, widely-known ex¬ hibitor, died in St. Thomas Hospital here last fortnight. She had been hospitalized for five weeks and was the wife of Judge Hoy L. Russell, Millersburg, O., theatreman and pro¬ bate judge. After the death of Wilfred Smith, her former husband, Mrs. Russell continued to operate the former Majestic, South Akron, O. She was a past pi'esident of the Akron Theatre Owners and Managers Association and a member of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio. Surviving are her husband, two children, two brothers, two step¬ children, and six sisters. Rivoli after extensive remodeling. . . . Workmen are completing the remodeling of the entrance of the Hartman, a legiti¬ mate theatre. . . . Robert Zanger, exploi¬ tation representative, Columbia, was here in advance of “Port Afrique” and “The Solid Gold Cadillac.” . . Governor Lausche has proclaimed Doris Day Week in honor of the star of MGM’s “Julie,” which will have its world premiere in the RKO Albee, Cincinnati, today (Oct. 10). Miss Day and her husband, Marty Melcher, producer of the picture, will be in attendance. . . . James A. Beidler, Sr., 87, one of the oldest exhibitors in the country, died at Toledo, O. He was asso¬ ciated with Martin Smith in the operation of several Toledo theatres. Cleveland Dan C. Cowhig, nearing his 68th birth¬ day, resigned from RKO, after 36 years with the firm, because of poor health. . . . Smith Management Company, Boston, is taking over the Palace, Akron, O., from the Akron Palace Corporation, headed by Ted Gamble. . . . Tom Simon reopened the Palace, Continental, O., according to word received here. . . . Columbia divi¬ sion manager Sam Galanty was in to con Exhibitor Smith Feted For 43 Years Service Columbus, O. — A testimonial dinnerhonoring Martin Smith’s 43 years of service to the industry will replace the traditional annual banquet of the state convention of the Iqndepenedent Theatre Owners of Ohio in the Deshler-Hilton Hotel here on Nov. 13, it was announced by Robert Wile, ITOO secretary. “Mr. Smith has just relinquished another of his theatres,” said Wile, “and members of the association felt they wanted to felicitate him while he is still in business. Mr. Smith declined the honor of a dinner in Toledo, his home city, believing that having it in conjunction with the state convention would be a good idea, organ¬ izationally.” Smith is past president of the Ohio association. Speakers who have accepted invitations to address the two-day meeting include Abram F. Myers, National Allied general counsel; Irving Dollinger, Allied treas¬ urer; and Hugh McLachlan, Y and W Circuit, Indiana. Wile announced the fol¬ lowing convention schedule, Tuesday, Nov. 13, luncheon at 12:30, to be followed by first the business session, and the Smith testimonial dinner at seven p.m.; Wednes¬ day, Nov. 14, separate film clinics for neighborhoods and sub-runs, small towns, and drive-ins, with adjournment set for four p.m. fer with branch manager Jerry Safron and others. . . . Frank Murphy, Loew Theatres division manager, will be host to Doris Day this week when she appears in Loew’s State on behalf of MGM’s “Julie.” . . . All Associated Circuit managers were in to attend the annual clambake in Schluter’s Restaurant. Dallas Jane Russell and Bob Hope were to be here last week as featured entertainers for the initial fund raising project of the Women’s Adoption International Fund. The organization was founded by Miss J. A. Beidler, Sr., Pioneer Ohio Exhibitor, Mourned _ TOLEDO, O. — Funeral services were held here last fortnight for Janies A. Beidler, Sr., 87, pioneer Toledo the¬ atre owner who, with the late A. J. Smith, head the Smith and Beidler Circuit, now operated by the second generation, James A. Beidler, Jr., and Martin G. Smith. Beidler was active in the conduct of business until his retirement the first of this year. His first theatre was the People’s, Starr Avenue and Main Street. He and Smith built the Japanese Garden, Toledo’s first outdoor theatre. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery following services in the Garner Mortuary. Russell in 1953 to unite homeless chil¬ dren in other lands with parents in this country. The Dallas Chapter, organized in May, was to have a charity ball in the Statler Hilton Hotel the night of the stars’ visit. . . . W. J. Zeidlik, Altec divi¬ sion manager, will move to Beverly Hills, Cal., to engage in research and develop¬ ment of new sound equipment. No re¬ placement has been announced. . . . New telephone numbers go into effect here next month, as well as new telephone exchanges. . . . A. O. McNlain, city man¬ ager, Rowley United Theatres, Hillsboro, Tex., was at the home office to confer with John Rowley on arrangements to replace the screen tower at the Hill Drive-In, recently blown down by a storm. . . . C. D. Leon’s Hampton Road Drive-In has closed temporarily for dam¬ age repairs caused by a storm. . . . Sam Schwartz was in from Eagle Pass, Tex., to purchase equipment for his Del Cenizo Drive-In. Schwartz is one of Texas’ oldest exhibitors. . . . Edward W. Fadal has reverted to his regular art policy. . . . R. B. Miller, manager. Video Theatres, Cleburne, Tex., is trying out dusk-todawn showings at the Chief Drive-In. . . . W. W. Spurlock, owner. Elk, Italy, Tex., has taken a job as a professor of chem¬ istry at the Daniel Baker College, Brownwood, Tex. Mrs. Spurlock will continue Theatres Donate Facilities For Cancer Symposium CLEVELAND — Nine local, widelyseparated neighborhood theatres were to offer a cancer symposium this week, under the sponsorship of the Ameri¬ can Cancer Society, for women only. A 14-minute film in color, “Breast Cancer Self Examination,” was to be shown on the screens and leading surgeons who specialize in cancer were to amplify the film with lectures on the subject. The project was set up by Sam Schultz, Allied Artists branch man¬ ager, who, in recognition of his work in this field, has been made a member of the board of directors of the Ameri¬ can Cancer Society. Use of the the¬ atres is being donated by their owners, while the projectionists and stage hands are donating their services. Participating theatres are the Home¬ stead, Beach Cliff, Broadvue, Parma, Jewel, Lake, Union Square, Mapletown, and Center-Mayfield. YOU ARE INVITED to attend MOTION PICTURE THEATRE OWNERS of ARKANSAS, TENNESSEE and MISSISSIPPI On Monday and Tuesday, October 22 and 23 At the GAYOSO HOTEL in MEMPHIS, Tenn. / A MOST FRIENDLY AND ENJOYABLE MEETING ^ \ OF OLD AND NEW FRIENDS. \ INFORMATION AND IDEAS TO HELP BUSINESS. \ ENTERTAINMENT AND FUN GALORE. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW Direct to the Gayoso Hotel October 10, 1956