The Exhibitor (1960)

owner Clyde Hall. . , . The Filmland Drive-In, Lakeland, formerly operated by Bill Klem, became a new unit in the Floyd Theatres Circuit. . . . June Faircloth, who books films for her father, Joe Musleh, owner, Lake For¬ est Drive-In, was honored by local WOMPI members who unanimously voted her as “WOMPI of the Month.” . . . Cecil Cohen, who closed his suburban Dixie recently, re¬ opened it under the new name of the Roxy. A second Thanksgiving reopening was that of the Tropic, Leesburg, by the MCM Theatres Circuit. The Tropic was formerly known as the Fain. ... A third Turkey Day reopening was at Kissimmee, where new owner William Cornell opened the old Kissimmee Drive-In as the B. & B. Drive-In. . . . Horace Denning, district supervisor, Dixie Drive-In Theatres, announced the reopening for the local At¬ lantic Drive-In, Florida’s oldest outdoorer. The Atlantic’s screen tower was destroyed in a spectacular fire the night of Nov. 8. Den¬ ning stated that the new screen tower is of all-steel construction and that it will provide the Atlantic wih the finest CinemaScope screen among Duval County’s outdoorers. James W. Hill will continue as manager. . . . It was reported that Sam A. Newton, former local exhibitor, will take over operation of the Florida, Groveland. . . . Hugh Prince is the new manager of the Movieland Drive-In, Sanford, a tmit of Floyd Theatres. NEW HAVEN In a move similar to successful activity in Denver, Murray Lipson, general manager of Community Theatres, Inc., booked a four-day revival of Paramount’s “Conspiracy of Hearts” terming the showing the result of “popular demand. . . . Attorney Samuel I. Safenovitz, ovraer-operator, subsequent-run, downtown Yale, Norwich, Conn., has disclosed a new audience-building tie-up with Charlie’s Super Markets, Norwich, the markets to distribute two free tickets, good for admission Tuesdays through Thursdays at the theatre, to any one requesting same. . . . John DiBenedetto. Loew’s Poli, Worcester, Mass., and Mrs. DiBenedetto are parents of a baby girl. . . . Charles Tolls, Tolls Theatres, has named William Jordan and Frank Strank as resident assistant managers at the Newington, Newing¬ ton, Conn. . . . Mary Kelly, assistant man¬ ager, Stanley Warner State, Manchester, Conn, has been promoted to a similar post at the SW deluxe Strand, Hartford. . . . Robert Tyminski has resigned as student assistant man¬ ager, Loew’s Poli, Springfield, Mass., to be¬ come assistant manager. Arcade, that city. . . . Sperie P. Perakos, general manager, Perakos Theatre Associates, has started a series of four Tuesday opera film programs at the Elm, West Hartford, Conn., charging three dollars for a series ticket, or one dollar for each per¬ formance. A full hour of concert music pre¬ cedes the screening itself. . . . Loew’s Theatres Inc., has started a $100,000 remodeling pro¬ ject at the College, one of the four remaining first-runs in downtown New Haven. The move, first of its kind in many months in any major Connecticut city, will encompass a ma¬ jor overhaul. The theatre’s 1,410 seats are being ripped out, to be replaced by 1,250 new ones, with some 40 inches spacing from back to back. Other alternations include new ladies’ and men’s lounges, a new boxoffice, a new, floor, new stage drapes, new lighting and im¬ proved air conditioning. Sidney H. Kleper, manager, said the College will remain open during alterations. NEW ORLEANS Clyde Le Blanc has not closed the Star, Crowley, La., but is operating it week-ends only. . . . J. M. Kellen closed the U Drive-In, La Batre, Ala., for the winter. . . . Charles Lamantia, NSS field representative for 14 years, resigned to become Valiant Pictmes Corporation branch manager. His territory also includes Memphis. . . . WOMPI held a “Fashions of Yesteryear” show for the bene¬ fit of Catholic Daughters of America charit¬ able fund at Barnett’s Auditorium. . . . Local WOMPI’s held their monthly supper-meeting at La Louisiana Restaurant in the French Quarter. . . . Joyce Lohman returned to Allied Artists as secretary to branch man¬ ager Ben Joran after a four months’ absence. . . . Milton Dureau, Masterpiece Pictures, was confined to his home for a week with a stomach ailment. . . . The son of Thelma France, Universal staffer, and Gail Howell were married. . . . Leo V. Seicshnaydre, Howco, is recuperating at home from a heart ailment. . . . E. E. Shinn, Paramount sales¬ man, was brought back home from a hospital in Biloxi, Miss., where he was bedded for a week after an automobile accident there. His condition is satisfactory. . . . The Gaiety, burlesque house in the Viuex Carre, which had been padlocked for obscenity both in films and in the flesh, plans to reopen after remodeling and renovation with a complete change of policy. . . . Gulf States Theatres closed the Colonial, New Iberia, and the Joy, Alexandria, La., indefinitely. PITTSBURGH Henry Burger, Stanley Warner zone ad manager, made a trip to Cincinnati to set up campaign for road-show engagement at Capi¬ tal of MGM’s “Cimmaron.” . . . Charles Passinger, long-time manager, Stanley Warner’s Warner, Morgantown, was named replacement for Robert Neillson, who resigned as city man¬ ager for the circuit’s two theatres in State College — home of Penn State University. Re¬ placing Passinger in Morgantown, home of the University of West Virginia, is Ray Thome, formerly with the M. A. Lightman circuit. . . . A downtown deluxe theatre will change its name after the first of the year. The Harris, a landmark in Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle, will become the Gateway. Now operated by George and Ernest Stem’s Associated The¬ atres, the house was taken over several months ago from the John H. Harris interests. . . . “George Barker” became the 20th baby to be adopted by Pittsburgh Tent 1, Variety Clubs International, and was introduced to the club at its 33rd annual dinner. Elsa Max¬ well, famed hostess, was presented with Vari¬ ety’s Personality of the Year award. Harold V. Cohen, Post-Gazette drama critic, present¬ ed the Pittsburgh Motion Picture Critics Award for the best picture of the year to “Ben-Hur,” and Showman of the Year award to Ernest Stern, president. Associated The¬ atres. Ray Downey is the new chief barker. ST. LOUIS French Village, East St. Louis, closed. . . . WOMPIs are finalizing plans for their chari¬ table works during the coming year. . . . Mary Lou Leach was the second monthly winner in the WOMPI 50-50 club which is just one of many WOMPI fund raising proj¬ ects to help support their many charities. . . . The St. Louis will be the scene of the annual toy benefit sponsored jointly by the Better Films Council of Greater St. Louis and the United States Marines. Admission will be by a new or good used toy. . . . The Legion, Steelville, Mo., is going to a weekend oper¬ ation. . . . Melody Drive-In, Tamaroa, HI., closed its midweek operation. . . . Bebe DriveIn, Centralia, Ill., is down to a weekend oper¬ ation. . . . Montgomery City’s Ritz is down to a part time operation. . .. Bernard Temborious reopened the Avon, Breeze, Ill. . . . Jack O’Neil, husband of Fan O’Neil, MGM, died. AHENTION MANAGERS! Please check your shows no later than 10:00 A.M. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. As you know, the exchanges’ shipping room closes at noon on these days. Don’t wait until it’s too late — help us prevent any missouts! Service Is Our Joh . . . Please Help Us To Serve You. CLARK TRANSFER. INC. 829 North 29th St. 1638 Third St., N.E. Phila. 30, Pa. Washington, D. C. LOcust 4-3450 DUpont 7-7200 Formerly Highway Express LineS/ Inc. 38 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR December 21, I960