Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1932)

52 MOTION PICTURE HERALD November 5, 1932 DICK KIRSCHBAUM'S LOBBY LAFFS! Far be it from us to criticize the younger generation for the curiosity registered in this cartoon, for all these wild women from Borneo, Bali and other poin+s south must certainly be making the boys wild, too. To all appearances, Cartoonist Dick Kirschbaum has skillfully portrayed the thought advanced by "Parana." SAM FRIED TREATING RIDGEWOOD PATRONS TO RARE ATMOSPHERE The cycle of animal pictures has been instrumental in giving the theatre patrons in the Ridgewood section of Brooklyn, N. Y., some rare and foreign atmosphere, according to reports on the activities of Sam Fried, manager of the Parthenon Theatre there. Not long ago we reported that this Randforce showman earned a medal or two for his work in connection with the circuit's campaign on "Bring 'Em Back," which was enhanced by live animals, atmospheric fronts and whatnot, and on top of that arrives a couple of snapshots showing exterior and interior displays constructed for the showings of "Congorilla." The snaps will not show to any particular advantage if reproduced, owing to profusion of detail and lack of sharpness, hence we are omitting them this time. However, it's easy to see from the originals that Fried again brought the jungle to Ridgewood, according to decorations atop and on sides of the marquee. The inner lobby was likewise decorated with hanging vines and reed growth and a huge frame featured a big head of a gorilla and many scene stills from the picture. So we know that Sam is still hitting the ball out his way. Thanks to Monty MacLevy for sending in this information, and we'll be on the lookout for other news concerning the men in the Frisch and Rinzler crew over in Brooklyn. Range jer Club Activities At the first inter-district meeting of the Buck Jones Rangers Club in Greater New York, some 150 representatives of the 75 local units gathered a short time ago at the office of Columbia Pictures Corp., sponsors of the organization. Harold Davos Emerson, national chairman, presided over the meeting. It took Buck Jones Rangers to chisel two shows out of as many Brooklyn, N. Y., theatres a few weeks ago. On an early Saturday in September the Shore Road wanted to put over a big show for the boys, but had no stage. However, the Dyker, a short distance away, had one, and the two managers cooperated to the extent of admitting the boys who had bought their tickets at the Shore Road. After putting on their tap dancing, singing, etc., they returned to the Shore Road and horned in on another show — all for the sum of 10 cents. As a means of keeping name of Ranger Club and theatre before the eye of the public many managers are using a Ranger book cover, which bears a Club seal and information as to when the Club meets, etc. The back cover carries the Ranger pledge and laws. Most managers are aware of the value of the book cover as a means of tying up theatre and school. The average cover in use fits most any book and there's always space for a theatre imprint. NAT HOLT SENDS US WORD OF BIG REVUE HELD IN RKO, DAYTON We are obligated to Nat Holt, divisional director for RKO in Ohio, for sending the Club a news account of the "Fashion Revue and Big Stage Show" held recently at the RKO Keith's Theatre, Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Holt, accompanied by Mrs. Holt and Abe Lipp, the latter representing the Heisingsfeld interests in Cincinnati, was present at the opening. The Revue was put over in cooperation with a leading local newspaper and Dayton merchants and a six-column photo of the crowd of people on hand for the first show is described by a visiting New Yorker as in keeping with the vast throng that greeted the opening of the Roxy. As the guests of honor arrived at the theatre they were welcomed by two newspapermen and their names were broadcast over loud speakers. They were also asked to pause a few minutes under the bright Kleig lights while a few feet of motion pictures were ground out. The stage show and the Fashion Revue were combined for presentation; that is, portions of the stage show were put on while the 16 models provided by the newspaper were displaying the latest in fall fashions. The models consisted of a dozen young women and four young men. At the close of the show most of the audience remained to see the feature picture. According to a batch of tear-sheets we have at hand both newspaper and merchants supported the event in a whole-hearted way, with all of the large ads giving prominent mention to the theatre. While the Keith's manager's name is omitted in the newspaper story, we'll give credit to James Weed, whose name is listed in our files, for his share of the work. Thanks to our good friend Nat Holt for passing along the information. ROUND TABLE BIOGRAPHIES Like many a member of this organization, Burges Waltmon, assistant to general manager John Boswell, in charge of the two Warner houses in Owensboro, Ky., began his career in showbusiness as an usher ; in fact, he even started a notch lower as extra usher during evening shows at a theatre owned by the Columbia Amusement Company. From that extratime job he secured a job as regular usher ; then doorm a n, and subsequently the post of assistant manager of the Arcade and Orpheum Theatres in Paducah, Ky. From there he went to his present post, when Warner Brothers took over the house about a year or so ago. Waltmon was born in Cunningham, Ky., Aug. 14, 1909, and received a high school education in a Paducah institution. He started his career in showbusiness at the age of 17 years and he's in it today because he likes the game. He's a member of the Chamber of Commerce in his town, and still a single man — that is, up to the time we gathered this information. Burgess Waltmon