Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

lAn international association of showmen meeting zveehly 'n MOTION PICTURE HERALD for mutual aid and progress IHESTER FRIEDMAN, Editor GERTRUDE MERRIAM, Associate Editor ^Loyalty Goes Out of Bounds Last week in New York a theatre manager was fined $250 in lieu of a 30-day jail sentence for overcrowding. This should forever put an end to all doubts that the theatre nnanager is the most loyal and unselfish devotee in the industry. hlere is a vivid demonstration that nothing can dampen his ardor I when bigger receipts of the theatre are in sight. And there is no end to the sacrifice he will make in behalf of the owner, with , little or no thought of extra personal compensation. An analysis of the facts reveals that, in spite of the court's verdict, the unfortunate manager but for some divine guidance and good fortune might have beeri answering charges of a different nature. hHad tragedy struck at the time he was concerned with crowding the stairways and aisles with additional standees, he might be even now languishing in jail awaiting the preparation of charges of criminal negligence and perhaps manslaughter. The amusement industry would have an opportunity to consider how forgotten were the lessons to be learned from the Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston a few years ago and the more recent circus tragedy at hiartford. To most observers, the industry is presently enjoying an era of great prosperity. It is doubtful whether any theatre owner would . want to jeopardize the current healthy situation by encouraging ! or tolerating overcrowding. There Is so much going on In the world today, with the natural reaction to over-wrought nerves, that any slight incident could convert a theatre crowd Into a howling, raging, panic-stricken mob. The condition Is frought with enough peril without needless aggravation through overcrowding, not to mention the resulting inconvenience to the public. AAA Pacific Paradise Theatre managers subject to the frequent trial of being pleasant and cordial to patrons deserving of other treatment may find comforting reflection from a letter received from Lt.(j.g.) Leon Back. Lt. Back, formerly connected with the Rome Theatres in Baltimore, is now stationed In the Pacific in charge of a Navy outdoor theatre. He finds that getting patronage of the servicemen (all are admitted free) is simplified and the main concern Is trying to discourage a portion of the potential audiences. A program from the Navy theatre for October 27, mimeographed on a sheet of paper 2I/2 by 1 I inches, furnishes the following Information: ''The movie tonight — 'Rainbow Isle' with Dorothy Lam our. "I am not in position to advise you ivhether the movie is good or rotten — yoji'll have to see for yourself. "The {censored) theatre is operated primarily for the entertainment of the majority of battalion personnel. If you don't like the shotv or the manner in tuhich it is presented, keep it to yourself — we are not interested in your comments. "If you have any suggestions for the improvement of our theatre or its operation, submit them to our revolving caretaker, Harve 'Tom Edison' Beatty, and you may rest assured that your suggestions ivill not be considered. "I don't know what is on at the show tomorrow, so don't ask." AAA Honor For Norfolk Roscoe Drissel, manager of Loew's State theatre, in Norfolk, Va., Is properly proud of the fact that, although he may not be in the finest or largest theatre, he . certainly serves the most generous audience in the country. Figures recently published reveal that during the Red Cross Drive last March and for the March of Dimes collections in January the State theatre, with a capacity of only 2, 1 00, topped every house in the nation except three of New York's Broadway de luxers. The Music Hall (6,200 seats), Roxy (6,000 seats) and the Capitol (5,500 seats) were the only ones to exceed the Norfolk house during the Infantile Paralysis Drive. On the Red Cross collections, the Paramount theatre replaced the Capitol In third place, leaving Mr. Drissel and the Norfolk patrons with the honor of contributing the greatest amount in the Loew circuit and again fourth nationally. —CHESTER FRIEDMAN MOTION PICTURE HERALD, NOVEMBER 25, 1944 51