The Exhibitor (1956)

26 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR Drive-In Construction Approved By Court Hartford, Conn. — The State Supreme Court of Errors stated that circuit chief E. M. Loew is entitled to a permit to con¬ struct a concession stand for a proposed outdoor theatre at New Haven, Conn. Loew still must obtain permission from the State Traffic Commission here, how¬ ever, before proceeding with stated in¬ tention of erecting a theatre. He already has five outdoor theatres in Connecticut. The city of New Haven had opposed granting the Loew permit because, it charged, he must first get permission from the Traffic Commission. However, the high court said there is nothing in the law saying in what order one must get a building permit and approval from the Traffic Commission. The court, in denying the appeal, upheld a decision of Superior Court Judge John R. Thim ordering the city to grant a permit to Loew. Minneapolis Virgil Edmundson is the new owner, Time, Kenyon, Minn. He also operates the Delano, Delano, Minn. . . . Charles Pryce closed his Alma, Alma, Wis., because of high operating costs, increased film rent¬ als, and lack of patronage. . . . Mrs. C. J. Dressell, 51, wife of the RKO branch man¬ ager, died of cancer. . . . Herman Stern, 77, father of A1 Stern, office manager, RKO, died. . . . William Adcock, Cin¬ cinnati, brother of Myron Adcock, branch manager, Warners, died. Services were held here. . . . Kathryn Gordon is taking Earl Feinblit’s booking post, Paramount, as Earl is heading for California. Roland Yatckoske has been promoted from book¬ ing clerk to booker, and Bill Anda is the new booking clerk. . . . Charlotte Silverman is replacing LaVerne Zachman, re¬ signed, as secretary to the assistant branch manager, MGM. A1 Fitter, United Artists western divi¬ sion manager, and Mike Lee, UA dis¬ trict manager, were in. . . . Herb Greenblatt, RKO western sales manager, and Sam Gorelick, RKO district manager, also were here. . . . Appointment of two new assistant managers was announced by Harry Weiss, RKO Theatres district man¬ ager. They are Guy Hagenstein, RKO Orpheum here, and Joseph E. Hiltz, RKO Virginia, Champaign, Ill. . . . Ben Berry is the new assistant manager, Gopher. . . . North Central Allied will hold its next annual convention April 2-3 in the Nicollet Hotel here, Stanley D. Kane, ex¬ ecutive counsel, announced. . . . The Lyceum will be remodeled inside and out as part of a $900,000 remodeling program for the theatre and an adjoining building. New Haven ■ Vandalism is on the increase and ' the¬ atres again are having their share of troubles, especially from teenagers. The Lincoln had an usher hurt in a tussle with several youngsters, who were later arrested. There have been some thefts re¬ ported, also. . . . Irving Hillman, Roger Sherman, set two benefit Christmas shows, a canned goods event with the coopera¬ tion of a furniture store, and a Saturday kiddies’ show sponsored with W. T. Grant. Eugene Picker, vice-president and general man¬ ager, Loew's Theatres, and Max Rosenberg, producer of the new rock 'n' roll musical, "Rock, Rock, Rock," for DCA release, recently discussed exploitation on the forthcoming break of the film in 45 New York theatres. . . . Morris Rosenthal, Poli, had the Sar¬ gent and Company Christmas show on a Saturday matinee. HARTFORD, CONN., NEWS— Allen C. Morrison, former owner, Majestic and Princess here, died at Palm Beach, Fla., recently. In 1932, Morrison was plaintiff in a $1,000,000 damage suit against four film companies and distributing firms. He claimed the defendants illegally with¬ held films from the Majestic and porduced a purported lease dated in 1927. Defense attorneys defeated the claim, however, after it was proven through the watermark of the paper that it was not manufactured until 1928. . . . Peter G. Perakos, Sr., president, Perakos Theatre Associates, New Britain, Conn., will offer two perpetual football scholarships to two senior members of the New Britain High School team. He will set aside $500, to be divided equally, going to a lineman and a backfield man selected by a New Britain committee. New Orleans Gene Barnette, WOMPI publicity chair¬ man, reports that national president Stella Poulnot, Atlanta, has appointed local members to various committee posts in the national organization, including Ger¬ trude Davis, extension committee chair¬ man; Anna Oliphant, finance; Gene Garnette, by-laws; Connie Aufdemorte, pub¬ licity; and Marie Berglund, nominating. . . . The J. G. Broggi Exhibitors Service advised that the Don Breaux, Bridge, La., operated by Dan Guidry, would close at New Officers Installed By New Orleans Varieiy NEW ORLEANS — George Hoover, Variety Clubs International executive, Miami, Fla., was here for the in¬ stallation ceremonies of the Variety Club, Tent 45, newly-elected officers. Henry G. Plitt accepted the gavel handed to him by his predecessor, Page Baker, as chief barker. Other Canvasmen seated were Harold F. Cohen, first assistant; George Nungesser, second assistant; Carl Mabry, dough guy; and William Bryant, prop¬ erty master. Members of the board at large are Maurice Barr, Dan Bran¬ don, Joel Bluestone, Roy Nicaud, Irvin Poche, and Don Stafford. the end of the month. . . . E. V. Rich¬ ards, Jr., retired circuit owner, attended the Motion Picture Pioneers dinner in New York. Maurice Barr, Paramount-Gulf vice-president, was among the 45 Pioneers inducted into membership at the dinner. . . . Abe Berenson, president, Allied The¬ atre Owners of the Gulf States, and Na¬ tional Allied director, presented honors to Colonel H. A. Cole at the national convention in Dallas. . . . Southern Amusement’s Polk, Leesville, La., was closed for extensive renovations. . . . Harold F. Cohen, hospitalized for more than three weeks, was at home recuperat¬ ing. . . . Doyle Maynard, owner, Don, Natchitoches, La., and coowner, Don, Alexandria, La., has assumed operation of the Delta, Oakdale, La., from Mrs. Isabelle Guillory. New York Jack Blum, manager, Loew’s Fairmont, has been transferred to Loew’s Boulevard, while Rene Clairmont, manager, Boule¬ vard, goes to Loew’s Rio. Harry Meyer, manager, Rio, has shifted to the Fairmount. . . . Berk and Krumgold, theatri¬ cal real estate specialists, announce that they have consummated a long term lease for the State, Middletown, N. Y., to a corporation headed by Richard D. Turteltaub, independent exhibitor, who operates a circuit in the metropolitan area and up¬ state. . . . Jean Goldwurm, president, Times Film Corporation, announced that his company had completed national dis¬ tribution arrangements for the George K. Arthur release of “Wee Geordie,” British comedy now in its third month in the Little Carnegie. . . . 20th-Fox’s “Anatasia” had a gala Broadway premiere in the Roxy with all proceeds benefitting the Judson Health Center. . . . The world premiere of Warners’ “Baby Doll” in the Victoria, was expected to net the Actors’ Studio $30,000. Leading Actors’ Studio members and supporters, among whom are Marilyn Monroe and Marlon Brando, were to act as ushers at the opening. . . . Associated Motion Picture Advertisers 40th anniversary showmanship Christmas luncheon was set for the Picadilly Hotel this week. Robert C. Rothafel, managing director, Roxy, was to be master of ceremonies. NEWARK, N. J., NEWS— Alex Moskowitz, executive vice-president, United Savings and Loan Association, Paterson, N. J., sponsored a free Christmas kiddie cartoon show in the Fabian, Paterson. Moskowitz explained, in arranging the event with George Birkner, manager, that it would bring some cheer to the 3,500 children expected to attend. Orphans in, the area also were invited. . . . Many of the Stanley Warner theatres are having sponsorerd free Christmas kiddie shows during December. . . . A1 Mann, manager, Central, was hospitalized in the Jersey Medical Center, Jersey City. . . . Diane Gordon, manager, Oritani, Hackensack, N. J., returned to her post, having recup¬ erated from surgery. Philadelphia Eddie Potash, U-I sales manager, be¬ came the father of a son, his third child, last fortnight. . . . Independent distribu¬ tor Jack Jaslow was in Temple Hospital for a check-up. . . . Paul Costello, Stanley December 19, 1956