The Exhibitor (1964)

ministry. . . . Bailey Theatres’ 81 Theatre has been tom down. ... R. J. Bames, Knox¬ ville, Term., exhibitor, returned from Ohio where he attended his brother’s funeral. . . . Signing of the civil rights bill brought few changes to Savannah, Ga., where downtown theatres had been integrated last October after demonstrations. A slight decline in white patronage has been noted, but the situation has remained peaceful. BOSTON Sam Richmond Films has taken over the film properties of Second National Pictures, which has gone out of business. Richmond has taken over distribution of MGM reissues and Medallion Pictures, which were former¬ ly handled by the defunct Second National. Richmond, who was formerly general mana¬ ger of Sack Theatres and a film exhibitor in Lawrence, Mass., before entering inde¬ pendent distribution under his own banner, is distributing Gorton Productions’ “Panic Button” in the New England territory. . . . American International Pictures’ branch here and WBZ radio station are running a search for talent contest through Aug. 8 with the winner to receive a role in the new AIP pic¬ ture, “Pajama Party,” with Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello. The contest is being pro¬ moted in conjunction with the latest AIP release, “Bikini Beach,” set for opening on multiple run in mid-August in the New Eng¬ land area. Bruce Bradley, WBZ radio disc jockey, is handling the radio promotion. Har¬ vey Appell, AIP branch manager here, is supervising the promotion. BUFFALO Following meetings and concerts in Toronto and Buffalo, a large delegation from the American Association of Theatre Organ Enthusiasts went to Rochester, pur¬ suing their hobby at the RKO -Palace and Eastman, where tile old organs were dusted off and played for the visitors’ benefit. A concert was given one evening on the organ of the First Universalist Church, the second organ built and installed in America by Robert Hope-Jones, who pioneered in the construction of the advanced giant organs for theatres and churches. Tom Grierson, long a prominent theatre organist in Kodak Town, played. The visitors also heard the Eastman organ, reported to have been the largest thea¬ tre pipe organ of its time, at a private con¬ cert. ... A Disneyland-type project may be in the planning stage in Niagara Falls fol¬ lowing a trip to Washington by Mayor E. Dent Lackey, counsel James Milne, and Nate Wyncoff, Hollywood planner, to meet officials of the Area Redevelopment Administration. Wyncoff is one of the original officers of Walt Disney Productions, Inc. ... A long-standing argument among foreign film fans was to be settled by an imaginative move on the part of Fred Keller, manager of the Circle-Art theatre, on whether the dubbed-in or sub¬ titled feature film is the most popular. The Italian reissue “8V2” opened at the theatre Friday night and Keller planned to run both the dubbed and sub-titled versions of the film during its three-day engagement. “We have wanted to try this experiment for a long time,” Keller said, “but this was the first time we could get both prints. Frankly, I tend to favor sub-titles myself, but we will know in a few days which attracted more theatre-goers.” . . . There was a lot of ex¬ citement around the Granada when “Fall of the Roman Empire” had its western New York premiere, which was sponsored by the Buffalo Junior Chamber of Commerce. . . . The following new board of directors of Allied Theatres of New York State, Inc., has been elected: Marvin Atlas, Sidney J. Cohen, Sam Gandal, Rube Cantor, Syracuse; Charles Finnerty, Jamestown; Dewey Michaels, Gasper Mendola, John Martina, Rochester; Jake Stephanor, Joe Warda, A1 Wright, Sam Sunness, Binghamton; and the following from the Albany area, Leonard Rosenthal, Sylvan Leff, Sam Rosenblatt, Joseph Miller, and George Thornton. This new board of directors will elect the new officers of the New York unit at the Con¬ cord convention, when Allied Theatres of New York and New Jersey will hold a com¬ bined pow-wow. CHARLOTTE Bill M. Rawls, house manager of the Am¬ bassador, Raleigh, N. C., for the past five years, has been named manager, Center, Rocky Mount, N. C., succeeding Douglas Cooper, who has been transferred to Fayetteville, N. C., as manager, Boulevard Drive-In, an¬ other unit in the North Carolina Theatres chain. CHICAGO Joseph Sugar, 20th-Fox distribution chief, was here showing film trade latest product for fall and winter distribution. . . .Wentzel Projector Company has been acquired by Edward Wolk, Inc. Wolk supplies the industry with replacement parts. . . . S. J. Gregory, president of Alliance Theatres, and John Doerr, secretary, are on a trip to Seattle where they will make a survey of the Midstates Circuit of the company. . . . Michael Todd and Cinestage management has closed the two features which opened in April. “The Fall of the Roman Empire” was shown at Michael Todd and “Becket” at Cinestage. Plans are in the offing for new filming open¬ ings. . . . Robert Hugel has reopened Taze¬ well, Washington, Ill. . . . Free Summer Fun Shows for children and mothers will be offered at seven neighborhood and suburban Balaban and Katz theatres. The shows will be shown on weekdays, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pro¬ grams will feature films, cartoons, short sub¬ jects, games, contests, and prizes. A master of ceremonies will be in charge of each show. Neighborhood merchants will distribute tick¬ ets and offer the prizes. . . . Mike Reilly has opened his Ritz, Genoa, Ill. . . . Mayer Stern and Associates opened their new Tee and See Drive-In, Aurora, Ill. In conjunction with this new theatre is a golf range. . . . Technicolor Corporation has named Burton Neuberger as director of sales and Huntley Briggs as assist¬ ant general manager. . . . Jack Silverman named to executive staff of Essaness Circuit. . . . Balaban and Katz Circuit paid common stock quarterly dividend of 50 cents. . . . Hillside, under Brotman management, cele¬ brated its second anniversary. All women patrons received orchids. . . . Louis Corrington, president, Merchantile National Bank Building, reports that other exchanges will follow 20th-Century Fox’s move into the building this fall. A projection room has been slated for the fourth floor. . . . Herb Martinez named manager of Universal exchange for this territory. He comes from Detroit ex¬ change, where he will be succeeded by Harry Bubaum, former Chicago exchange manager. CINCINNATI Theatres in general, drive-ins especially, made “hay” along with the farmers, having about the strongest array of product in many a “harvest moon.” . . . E. B. Radcliffe, En¬ quirer movie critic, wrote a feature, “Run for your money,” on his movie page. He was wondering if it was good business to play so many firstrun films in suburban houses instead of allowing for extended runs in the downtown theatres. He decided that movie fans will answer that question who ordinarily don’t break down doors for second-runs, no matter where they are played. . . . Shake¬ speare followers are pleased to have the privilege to see Richard Burton’s version of “Hamlet,” which is to play the RKO houses Sept. 23-24. If the idea succeeds, a whole new field for motion picture theatres will be opened up, much to the delight of managers Joe Alexander, Albee; J. E. Jones, Interna¬ tional 70; and Florence Kipp, Grand, who anticipate a nice boxoffice jingle during the upcoming “Hamlet” rim. . . . Paramount ex¬ change is scheduled to move into more stream¬ lined quarters within the next six weeks, in the same building, 1632 Central Parkway. . . . Dan Acito, interior designer of the re Seen at recent opening of the new Evergreen Theatres One and Two, Evergreen Park, Chcago, were Jack Eigen, NBC radio interviews, left; actress Arlene Dahl; Chicago Daily News movie columnist Sam Lesner, center; and theatre owners Raymond Marks and Martin Rosenfield. Their conversation was taped and played later on a radio broadcast. J 6 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR August 5, 1964