The Exhibitor (1956)

20 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR NEWS OF THE TERRITORIES . . . Veteran Returns To Indie Operation Albany — A veteran industryite returned to the distribution scene when Arthur J. Newman, for many years Republic branch manager and, prior to that, branch man¬ ager for Grand National, incorporated Newman Films, Inc., to handle indepen¬ dent product in the Albany and Buffalo territories. Newman, whose career dates to 1918, retired as Republic chief here in April. Ke then entered the outdoor field, pro¬ moting United Drive-In Theatres, Inc. The company first proposed to build an automobiler in the town of New Bruns¬ wick, N. Y., near Troy, and then in Waterford, N. Y. Local objections, how¬ ever, stymied both projects. Recently, Newman has been selling product for television. In his new venture, Newman is upstate franchise holder for Astor Pictures, UMPO, and several other independent distributors. The Astor franchise had been held by Sylvan Leff, Utica and Watertown exhibitor who also is building a drive-in at Pittsfield, Ms*ss. Albany Kallet Theatres reseated the downtown Olympic during a pre-Christmas close¬ down. . . . Attorney Lewis A. Sumberg, former first assistant chief barker, Variety Club, and a member of new crew, is directing the annual Denial Drive for Camp Thatcher. . . . RKO fieldman Joe Longo beat the drums for “Bundle Of Joy,” holiday attraction in Fabian’s Pal¬ ace. He worked with division manager Elias Schlenger and house manager Wil¬ liam With. . . . Leo Rosen is returning to exhibition after several years as a tele¬ vision consultant for Fabian Theatres and then as general manager of the Schineowned WPTR station. He has purchased Rock Hill Drive-In, Monticello, N. Y., from Lamont Theatres and will open the ozoner under the corporate management of Cinema Drive-In, Inc., next spring. Atlanta Herman Rhodes, drive-in exhibitor in Georgia and Alabama, was host to film ex¬ change branch managers and bookers at an affair in the Variety Club. . . . Howard Wallace, former owner, Howard Film Ex¬ change here and now special Florida TEASERETTES are catching on fast F Use 'em for • P R E VU E TRAILERS •CROSS These short, snappy t< trailerettes are just what you've been waiting for. No contracts, no returns. Write for information! PLUGS • ADVANCE FILMACK 1327 S. WABASH CHICAGO. ILL Acting Mayor of Boston, Edward McCormack, is seen recently with the four Japan Airline hos¬ tesses MGM is touring to exploit "The Teahouse Of The August Moon." representative, Alexander Film Company, has moved his family to Miami. . . . Thomas N. Carnahan, 76, retired theatre owner of this area, died recently in Sul¬ phur, La. . . . McLendon Theatres closed the Clayton, Clayton, Ala., according to head booker Phil Richardson. , . . Bert Middlebrooks is the new owner, Barbour Drive-In, Louisville, Ala. . . . H. F. Brown closed his Phillips, Eagleville, Tenn. . . . George Rosser, U-I booker, has been pro¬ moted to office manager, New Orleans. . , . Fred Storey, Storey Theatres, was named to the new National Development Committee of the Family Service Asso¬ ciation. . . . Owen Vaughn, Buena Vista office manager and booker, has resigned, effective Jan. 1. . . . The Lam Amusement Company opened the new North 53 DriveIn, Rome, Ga. Boston The world premiere of Gina Lollobrigida’s “Beautiful But Dangerous” was called off by the Keith Memorial because of possible censor trouble, it was reported.' The star came to town, however, to help to raise money for the Hungarian Relief Fund, under the auspices of the Boston Italo-Americans, and the money will be distributed through the Italian Red Cross. . . . The Childrens Cancer Research Foundation is $2,000 richer thanks to James Cagney, who donated that amount Philip and Samuel L. Lowe, Jr., owners. Theatre Candy Company, Inc., recently made a holiday contribution to the Variety Club of New Eng¬ land's Children's Cancer Research Foundation in the name of their customers and friends, who will be sent special Christmas cards from the Jimmy Fund. Parties Welcome Christmas Season Albany — Exchange and Variety Club parties brightened the Christmas season. The Colosseum of Motion Picture Sales¬ men led off with a Saturday night affair in the Petit Parisian for members and their wives. James Moore, RKO, was chairman of the arrangements committee. The 20th-Fox Family Club held its cele¬ bration in the Fountain Restaurant, with head shipper Wayne Carignan as chair¬ man, while the U-I Pep Club made merry at Murray’s Inn, a night club, with Kath¬ ryn Raibou and Catherine Burke as cochairmen. The MGM Pep Club partied at a Central Avenue spot, selected by a committee of which Helen Wisper was chairman. Variety Club scheduled two special events, a screening and supper snack for barkers and their wives, and a Sunday afternoon cartoon show, with refreshments and gifts, for children. Both affairs were held in the Sheraton-Ten Eyck Hotel. Norman Weitman, Universal branch man¬ ager, and Jack Hamilton, Berio Vending Company branch manager, served as cochairmen. The Club will observe Open House on New Year’s Eve. through the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists of the motion picture industry. Last June, Cagney was toastmaster at the Jimmy Fund dinner sponsored by the Variety Club of New England. . . . Frances Greenberg, secretary, Embassy Pictures Corporation, selected March 17 for her wedding to Ben Rubin. . . . Norman Glassman, Lowell, Mass., exhibitor, was awarded a distinguished service plaque at the second annual building drive of the Edith Nourse Rogers Chapter 25, Disabled Veterans of Greater Lowell. The inscrip¬ tion praised Glassman for outstanding service to children. . . . Effective Jan. 1, there will be a new rate for Sunday licensing for theatres in the city of Boston. Instead of the former $10 weekly fee, the new license is to be $100 annually. . . . The Middletown, R. I., Town Council re¬ cently granted a permit for a Kiddieland, to be operated by Harry Minassian in connection with the Newport Family Drive-In. The rides will be free to chil¬ dren accompanied by adults. . . . Indepen¬ dent Exhibitors, Inc., of New England sent a letter to Ernest Hoftyzer, advertising manager of the Hearst papers, protesting the five cent differential in the proposed increase in ad rates for drive-in theatres over conventional theatres. NEW HAMPSHIRE NEWS— The Coniston, Newport, will continue under the management of Ersley A. Blanchard, it is stated by the new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Howland. . . . The result of an editorial in the Manchester Union Leader, in which it was threatened to ban all theatre advertising unless reasonably good taste was shown, was a barrage of letters praising the newspaper for taking such a stand. Gale winds caused serious damage to the Plaistow Drive-In, Claremont. . . . Michael Bruno, manager, Tilton, Tilton, gave passes to those making the largest collec¬ tion during the Tilton-Northfield Recrea¬ tion Center tag day. December 19, 1956