Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

SHOWMEN PERSONALS In New Posts: Gabriel Rosenthal, Culver, Brooklyn. X. Y. E. W. McManus, Allen, Akron, 3hio. H. L. Drennan, Paramount theatre, Atlanta, ja. Art Smith, district manager, Savor Amusenent Co., southern New Jersey. R. J. Coyle, Savar heatre, Camden, N. J. kEd Lewis, Cross theatre, Juneau, Alaska, George ofiFman, Normandy, St. Louis. James B. Conway, ij^binson, Richmond, \ a. Harold Miller, Walker, Richmond. ' W. K. Conklin. RKO Lincoln theatre, Trenton, J. Arnold Leopard, Broad. Newark, N. J. Frea Leidich, Earle, Jackson Heights, L. L Morey Schayer. Midway, Brooklyn, N. Y. Eugene Woodtams, Rainbo. Detroit, Mich. Sol Reuben, ParlKier Park. Highland Park, Mich. M. D. Cohn, jXJptown, Kansas City, Mo. [ Assistant Managers: H. Stone, Olympia, Miami. 'John Morgan, Eckel, Syracuse, N. Y. Stanley Binstock, Benson theatre. Brooklyn, N. Y. Marjgaret Gullato, Paramount, Syracuse, N. Y. Spencer Steinhurst, Loew's State. Syracuse, N. Y. Joe Anthony, Apollo, Chicago. Charles Chaple, Loew's, tRichmond, Va. Sidney S. Schwartz, Warner's Beverly, Beverly 'Hills, Calif. \'incent Aldert, Loew's Penn, Pittsburg, Pa. Barney Hohenstein, Trv^on, Charlotte, X. C. Junior Showmen: Henry Shields, 3rd, to Mr. land Mrs. Henry Shields. The proud father is the publicity director of Loew's Capitol, Washington, p. C. Joel Bennett, October 19th to Mr. & Mrs. {Robert R. Deitch. Daddy manages Warner's DeWitt theatre, Bayonne, N. J. Happy Birthday: Harold Lloyd Mac McCarthy, Julius Myska, John R. Ludy, Harry Knoblauch, Melvin Aronson, Reinhold Wallach, M. J. Cruz, Howard JBerg, F. W. Zimmerman, H. Paul Fasshauer, William Markwell, Marvin R. Rosen, Murray Lafayette. James A. Knox, V. W. Fisk, Joe Ruddick, Ed•A-in Calvin, J. F. Camp, Harold King, Melvin Bourassa, Robert F. Etchberger, Harland Rankin, J. Aladdry Wallace, Harry Abbott, George R. Carter, Mac Goldstein, Howard Jaggers, Cecil R. Atkinson, Lafayette Moore. John P. Joneck, William N. Redmond, Cecil Ward, Thomas Corradine, Walter Chenoweth, C. V. Bells, E. T. Sizemore, Dick Offenbacher, Irvin Shulman, Flynn Stubblefield, Jack Reis, Joseph F. Enos, Charles F. Weisbecker, John J. Tkach. Edward J. Mooney, Fred Nelson, Joseph G. Greene, Henry Lowry, Charles A. Boshart, Ken C. Simons, Edward J. Shea, Ralph E. Wallace, Conrad Tapia. Billings Booth, Maurice M. Corkery, Emma Cox, Leo Kulick, William C Powelson, Melvin B. Grundy, James W. Bergen, Claire Kromish. Tillie Freedman, Ted Turrell, Forrest F. Shontz, Fred D. Arnn, Joseph Kalusky, Ralph Biamonte, Ronald Sutton, Robert G. Wilson, Harry Schwartz, Donald N. Fuller. John M. Lehane, L. F. Eick, C. W. Mills, Edward Goodman, Terry Leung, Wilbert Brizendine, Leroy Martin, Charles S. Bruscato. Erving B. Conant, Earle W. Willbern, Harry C. Valentine, John W. Godfrey, Charles P. Carroll, Jennings McDonald, Morris Epstein, Derald Hart, John C. Hart, Harry J. Ellis, Lawrence Capillo, Fred Walton. Tieup With Zoo For 'Mark Twain ' j Through a tie-up with the Staten Island Zoo, iH. Spencer Bregoff at the Palace in Port Richimond landed a large sign on a display in the 'zoo, which plugged the picture and engagement. In addition, Spence worked out a "personal iappearance" gag in the theatre lobby for a "Holh-\vood Star, 'Flash', the world's champion • jumping frog." Advance stories were had in 'the newspapers with photos. A reception at I the theatre on opening night by engraved inIvitation to selected guests honored "Flash's" ; personal appearance with advance stories covering the reception. A frog jumping contest for kids was also arranged, with the Zoo curator acting as judge. The contest, which was sponsored, more than paid for prizes and special advance trailer. .Menus in leading restaurants featured "Frogs 'Legs a la Mark Twain," with a plug for the , picture, and a personal letter signed by Bregoff :went to all principals, emphasizing the educational value of the picture. Schwartz Has Spent Entire Career Here with Loew's Joining Loew's as an usher in 1935 at the Spooner theatre, Irving I. Schwartz, now at the Boston Road theatre in the Bronx, was soon promoted to assistant manager at the Spooner. The following year Irving was transferred to Loew's Boulevard in the same capacity, where he remained for five years. In 1941, Schwartz went to Loew's 175th Street and then to the Burnside until 1942 at which time he was transferred to Loew's Fairmount where he remained until he was promoted to manager of his present house in July of this year. Irving, who was born in New York City, is married and the father of two children. j May Arranges Special Midnite Hallowe'en Show For his special midnite Halloween Show at j the Opera House, Lexington, Ky., Ed May ran his trailer ten days in advance. The house was , blacked out and weird back stage sound effects I were used just prior to each of the showings of the trailer. The theatre front was dressed with large cutout pumpkins over the box ofifice, and announcements were made daily from the stage. Tickets to the special show were sold out I front four days in advance, store windows were promoted, costless special heralds with merchant's ad were distributed and one-sheet displays used profusely. Chinese Missionary Stimulates "Dragon Seed" Date To arouse further interest in his date of "Dragon Seed" at the Carolina theatre, Hickory, N. C, Arnold J. Coffey promoted the loan of a collection of relics brought from China by a returned missionary, who appeared as guest of honor at the theatre and gave talks on China. The local daily came through with stories and art breaks on the talk and collection. Libraries were furnished with attractive displays and printed book markers and the librarian urged all to see the picture. Three 15minute quiz programs on China and the picture were set with winners receiving guest tickets. For a street ballyhoo, one of the usherettes dressed in Chinese garb covered the downtown area with a sign calling attention to the opening, cast, etc. Brown Exploits "Manhattan'' At Football Game Bill Brown at Loew's Poli Bijou, New Haven, had a boy cover a Yale football game carrying an umbrella imprinted with "Music in Manhattan" copy. The punch tieup effected by Bill Brown for "Music in Manhattan" at the Loew Poli Bijou in New Haven was made at the Yale Bowl a few days ahead of opening. A large umbrella painted in bright colors with picture copy and playdates was carried by a young man who walked up and down the aisles during the halves and after the game. The Sluthern Music Company of New York supplied Brown with sheet music and orchestrations for window displays. The latter were used by orchestras at the Hotel Taft, Seven Gables, Hotel Garde and the dance floors of the main YMCA, which holds 1,500 couples with two orchestras of the local Hillhouse high and Commercial high schools orchestras. Announcements were made from all dance floors. Music and record windows with stills and playdates were used in Kresge's, Loomis Music Shop, Yale University Music Shop, Everybody's Radio Shop and David Dean Smith Shop. Special display in Bond Clothes main store featured two four foot by 12 inch compo setpieces with stills and playdates. Conner Preview Holds Sneak fii I • II Janie Two weeks in advance of the opening of "Janie" at the Capitol theatre, Madison, Wis., Marl owe Conner used a Hollywood sneak preview device on the closing night of a long run picture. The word-of-mouth build up wds instrumental in making this one of his largest grossing pictures. The day after the preview, Marlowe had 14 by 17 cards placed all over town reading: "Looking for 'Janie'? You'll find her at the Capitol. 'Janie' the G. I. Love You Girl." Drugstores featured a "Janie" sundae and the J. C. Penny Co. put in a full window on "Back to school with Janie," using a complete set of stills. For his lobby, Conner used a large eight foot circle for a background upon which was placed large cutout title letters. At the base he used a life size blowup of Joyce Reynolds and Robert Hutton lying on a blanket in a beach scene. Stills embellished the display which received unusual attention. J MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE, NOVEMBER 18, 1944 63