The Exhibitor (1959)

26 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR July 15, 1959 ALBANY Motion Picture Investors, Inc., a Missouri corporation, filed a statement designating the Secretary of State for the service of papers in New York. . . . East Patchogue Auto Theatres, Inc., has been authorized to con¬ duct an amusements business with office in New York. . . . Sharbar Theatre Corporation has been authorized to conduct an enter¬ tainment business in Queens County. Ad¬ dress is Arion Theatre, Middle Village. . . . Movie Tele-News has been formed to con¬ duct a news service in New York. . . . Joe Miller was preparing to celebrate his 40th anniversary in the industry. He now operates the Menands Drive-In, and recently received a salute in the Catholic diocesan weekly commending him on his conduct of the place. ATLANTA Tom Lucy, co-owner, Exhibitors Service, is back home after an emergency appendec¬ tomy at a local hospital. . . . W. O. William¬ son, Jr., Warners division manager; and branch manager Carroll Ogburn are back after attending a company sales meeting in Hollywood. . . . Pete Dawson, associated with George Hoover, Miami, Fla., has taken over the buying and booking for the Nat Williams circuit with headquarters in Thomasville, Ga. . . . Lex Benton, president, Benton Brothers Film Express, is back at his office following a check up at a local hospital. . . . Rudy Lehman has returned to represent Kay Films in this territory after two years absence from Film Row. . . . The wife of Johnnie Harrell, Martin Theatre Circuit, was in a local hospital for treatment. . . . Bill Thrush, owner, Easley Drive-In, Easley, S.C., who suffered severe burns on a trip to Florida, has returned to his Easley home after three weeks in a hospital. BOSTON The Strand, Canton, Mass., reopens Aug. 1, with two newcomers taking over the lease. They are Robert Aaron and Eli Corman who are now redecorating the house, instal¬ ling new seats and repainting and refurbish¬ ing the theatre. Joseph G. Cohen of Boston is handling the buying and booking. The policy is matinees Saturdays and Sundays and evenings only. . . . When Eddie Sokolowski gave up the lease on the Royal Theatre, Lowell, owner George Vurgaropolus placed his projectionist Kenneth Whittemore in charge. Whittemore is also handling the buy¬ ing and booking as well as the booth. The house is open from 1 to 11 P.M., with three changes weekly. . . . Mel Davis, Mel Davis Films, has been elected secretary of the Boston University Varsity Club, an alumni organization of about 250 former “letter men.” . . . Six members of the Boston “work¬ ing press” flew to Detroit to take in the world premiere of “Anatomy of a Murder” with John Markle in charge of the arrange¬ ments. . . . The 2,000 car garage to be built under Boston Common is to be a reality after all with work starting August first for a January 1961 completion. This project which has been on again, off again for the past 12 years has long been awaited by downtown theatre managers as a step forward in re¬ lieving congested parking conditions in the downtown sector. The garage will be ad¬ jacent to the Rialto. . . . All area exchange publicists and theatre press agents met at the offices of New England Theatres Inc., to lay groundwork for the advertising and promo¬ tional campaign plans to launch the new films coming here from Labor Day through December. Massachusetts Governor Foster Furcolo, left, recently presented silver plaques to Joseph N. Welch, Boston attorney, and Lee Remick at a luncheon at Boston's Sheraton-Plaza Hotel honoring the stars of Columbia's "Anatomy Of A Murder." Miss Remick is a native of nearby Quincy. PROVIDENCE, R.I., NEWS — Permission to show the Brigitte Bardot film, “Love Is My Profession” was recently granted the Avon by the Providence Bureau of Licenses. Arthur J. Levy, attorney for Thayer Amuse¬ ment Corporation, operators of the theater, told the Bureau that scenes would be deleted from the film which were found objection¬ able by Lt. George P. Blessing, city amuse¬ ment inspector. . . . William J. Trambukis, Loew’s State manager, was instrumental in arranging an art display, aimed at attracting more residents to downtown Providence. Trambukis, a director of the local Junior Chamber of Commerce, and with fellow workers, set up a display of some 500 paint¬ ings by local artists and students of the R. I. School of Design, directly in front of the railroad station. More than 100,000 persons visited the display. . . . Condolences are ex¬ tended to Phil Nemirow, RKO Albee man¬ ager, and his wife, upon the recent passing of his daughter, five-year-old Eva Sue. . . . The Leroy, Pawtucket, has shuttered for the summer. Outside of a couple of neighbor¬ hood situations, the Strand is the only sur¬ viving motion -picture house in this city of approximately 100,000 population which at one time had seven theaters. . . . Father’s Day gifts were presented at the Shipyard, Pike, Seekonk and Route 44 Drive-Ins. . . . A gala celebration, with patrons receiving gifts, highlighted the third birthday party given by the Lonsdale Drive-In. Top award was a new 1959 Ford. . . . The Bay State Drive-In, just across the Rhode Island bor¬ der, in nearby Seekonk, initiated an earlyin-the-week giveaway, featuring multi-color¬ ed water goblets. The gifts are on tap Mon¬ days through Thursdays. . . . Attendance had been so brisk at the Avon Cinema during the screening of Charlie Chaplin in “The Gold Rush” that Ed Stokes held it over for a second week. . . . Loew’s State cashier, Dot Marvin, recently foiled a hold-up attempt when she ‘bluffed’ the would-be robber by simply telling him to ‘not be foolish’ when he demanded money. The thug was later captured when he made a similar demand at the Elmwood, and the doorman gave chase. Police sergeant, Leo Trambukis, brother of William Trambukis, Loew’s State manager, conducted the investigations. CHICAGO Balaban and Katz and business men of Evanston, Ill., are girding for a fight against an ordinance recently passed by City Coun¬ cil there banning flashing electric marquees and signs as a traffic hazard to motorists. . . . Smell-O-Vision is being installed at the Cinestage at a cost of $40,000. . . . Sam Meyers installed a new screen at his Glencoe, Glen¬ coe, Ill. . . . George R. Sloan installed a new marquee and larger concession stand at his Sky-Aire Drive-In, Corydon, Ind. ... The Revenue Committee turned down in the Illinois Legislature a bill which would have imposed a three per cent tax on film rentals; and another bill which would have set up a one per cent tax on theatres. . . . Thomas J. Sullivan, who pioneered in national pop¬ corn promotion and became executive vicepresident and general counsel of the National Association of Concessionaires, resigned. . . . Harry C. Swan retired as manager at the Washington, Granite City, Ill., after 25 years tenure. He was succeeded by Christ Pashoff. . . . Loyola University held its graduation exercises in the Granada as had been its practice for several years. . . . Noreen, daughter of Lou Berman, of the Universal staff, was recently married to Mike Sheperd in a ceremony at the Blackstone Hotel. . . . Dan Kellman, former Walcott, Wolcott, Ind., manager, transferred his activities to the Fowler, Fowler, Ind. . . . Eddie Seguin, B & K publicity chief, and a member of the State Street Council, was instrumental in the lo¬ cating of an information kiosk at State and Madison Streets, which will be of great help to out-of-town visitors. . . . Danny Newman, veteran publicist, has been retained by McVickers. . . . Mrs. Van Nomikos, widow of the late theatre chain owner, and Alexander Mandusich were wed. . . . Frank Fitzgibbons, son of Eddie Fitzgibbons, former Paramount publicist, is assisting theatreman Irwin Joseph during vacation from Northwestern University. . . . Harry M. Englestein, 67, who had operated the Regal before he es¬ tablished a business of his own, died in a local hospital. . . . Sol Goodman, booker for Allied Theatres, recovered nicely from a heart attack. . . . John Praught was named Bryn Mawr manager. . . . Waukegan, III., theatres participated in a 10 day celebration observing the 100th anniversary of the city. . . . John P. Dromey, Great States chief booker, recovered well from surgery. Marie West retired after 25 years with Clark Film Delivery Service. CINCINNATI National Theatre Supply recently pur¬ chased the inventory of Midwest Theatre Supply Company. . . . Jack Finberg, UA branch manager; Charles Schroeder, sales manager, with a number of exhibitors, listen¬ ed by closed radio broadcast at Station WLW to a sales talk on company’s forthcoming “The Horse Soldiers.” Speaking from Holly¬ wood were James Velde, UA general sales manager, and Roger Lewis, publicist. ... In an interview in Sunday Enquirer, Howard Odell, organ builder, advocated the return of live organ music to local houses. A survey among house managers indicated the return would be too costly. . . . Frank W. Huss, Jr., president, Associated Theatres, with four passengers in his car, escaped injury when his car was sideswiped recently by a driver of a stolen car on a Kentucky highway. . . . Margaret Woodruff, Columbia booker, was general chairman for the installation dinner of the Soroptomist and Venture Clubs in Hotel Sherton-Gibson. . . . Queries of local house managers concerning increased movie attendance after the release of the Sindinger report were in accord with the report, pro¬ vided weather and local conditions were favorable. It was noted that film quality has improved in recent years and that TV has less appeal than formerly. . . . Tent 3, Variety Club has scheduled its annual golf party for Aug. 17 at Summit Hills Country Club H