Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1944)

What the Key City First Runs Are Showing During Holiday Week Depinet to Honor WAC Chairmen Ned E. Depinet, retiring Chairman of the liitributors division of the War Activities Committee, announced last Friday that each of the |i strict chairmen and distributor chairmen, not •reviously honored, would receive before the end »f the year a citation and plaque commendatory of eir war activities. The plaques are similar to ose distributed several months ago by William ^. Rodgers and William Scully, previous Distribu)or Chairmen. Those who will receive th^ plaques are Ralph Pielow, Ben Abner, Ed W. Ruff, John Moore, M. \. Brown, Sam Gross, M. E. Lefko, J. B. Brecheen, Harry Dudelson, Maury Orr, M. Dudelson, John E. Holston, J. B. Underwood, J. J. iiogers, C. A. Gibbs, W. E. Banford, W. H. ^Vorkman, Don Woods, Harry Hynes, Jack -angan. Lou Lev>% H. B. Johnson, Tom Bailey, J. Davison, Vete Stewart, Al Oxtoby, Al Shmitlen and Fred Greenberg. District chairmen who will receive the awards »re: Jack Bowen, A. M. Kane, R. J.. Folliard, fack Goldhar, Paul Wilson, J. B. Underwood, Sam Shirley, Claude McKean, J. E. Garrison, J. Herbert Maclntyre and Harry Herbel. The list includes all distributors and district :hairman except E. V. Landaiche of New Orleans, rred R. Dodson of Atlanta and C. G. Eastman &f Albany. They were honored previously by either Mr. Rodgers or Mr. Scully. Claude R. Collins, newsreel coordinator in KVashington, also will receive a plaque in recog"lition of his work in behalf of the distributors division. Back Zoning Rule Change In New York Charter A proposed amendment to New York's City Charter, which would empower the Board of Estimate to over-rule the City Planning Commission on zoning changes by a simple majority vote, won support last Wednesday from 15 representatives of business groups. The change was suggested at a hearing before the City Council's Finance Committee. Theatre and other business interests unsuccessfully opposed the recent zoning amendments restricting the ground coverage of future buildings, v.hich automatically became law December 2 because a three-quarter majority of the Board, 12 out of 16, did not reject them. Sponsored by Hugh Quinn, Queens Democrat, the suggested amendment would alter the charter provision that zoning action taken by the Planning Commission is effective within 30 days unless modified or disapproved by a threefourths vote of the board. To become law, the new charter amendment must be approved by the council, the board and by the voters in a referendum. 20th Century-Fox Schedules Three in Block No. 6 "Keys of the Kingdom," written by A. J. Cronin, and "The Way Ahead" will be released by Twentieth Century-Fox in January, it was announced last Friday by Tom Connors, vice-president in charge of sales. The three films comprise block No. 6 of the company's 1944-45 product. "Keys of the Kingdom," written by A. J. Cronin, was produced by Joseph Mankiewicz and directed by John M. Stahl. "The Fighting Lady" was produced by the United States Navy entirely in Technicolor and is being distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox. "The Way Ahead" was produced in England by Two City Films. Norman Walker and John Sutro produced and Carol Reed directed. Miss Schreiber in New Post Ida Schreiber, who recently resigned as office manager of the ITO of Southern California and Arizona, a post she held for 10 years, has joined the _ Southern California Theatre Owners Association as assistant to Albert J. Law, executive director and general counsel. BOSTON Metropolitan: "Here Come the Waves." A special lobby celebration on Christmas Eve and Day. Loew's State and Loew's Orpheum: Film not set. There will be singing of Christmas carols in the lobby and a special War Bond show emphasizing the giving of Bonds for Christmas. RKO Boston: "Sweet and Lowdown." Count Basie and band on stage. Carols will be sung and films suitable for children shown. RKO Memorial: "Princess and the Pirate." Carols will be sung and films suitable for children shown. Paramount and Fenway: Film not set. Special Christmas morning matinees will be given. Toys will also be given to children attending. Laffmovie: Admission price will be by toy only, which will be given to children's hospitals. CHICAGO Apollo: "The Very Thought of You." Chicago: "And Now Tomorrow"; Johnny Long's Orchestra on stage. Downtown: Film not set; on stage, Benny Carter's Orchestra and King Cole Trio. Garrick: "The Conspirators." Grand: "Woman in the Window," and "My Gal Loves Music." Oriental: Film not set; on stage, Harry Howard's Revue. CLEVELAND Loew's State: "Kismet." Loew's Stillman: "Lost in a Harem." Hippodrome: "The Very Thought of You." Palace: "Carolina Blues." Palace: "Can't Help Signing" and "Enter Arsene Lupin." Roosevelt: "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." State Lake: "Frenchman's Creek." United Artists: "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo." Woods: "The Princess and the Pirate." DETROIT Michigan: "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay" and "The Great Moment." United Artists: "Mrs. Parkington" and "Song of the Open Road." Stage Pageant for Yeshiva The production staff of Radio City Music Hall, New York, through arrangements made by G. S. Eyssell, president and managing director, staged an entertainment and religious pageant at the annual dinner of Yeshiva College, December 10, at the Hotel Astor. The pageant, entitled "Chanukah — The Sabbath of the World," was written by Abraham Regelson and dramatized and staged by Zvi Scooler. Members of the Music Hall Corps de Ballet appeared. Sells Lewistown House Joseph M. Shverha is no longer connected with the Rialto theatre, Lewistown, Pa., announcing he has sold his interest in the theatre to Marion E. Humphries. Palm State: "Barbary Coast Gent" and "Waterloo Bridge." Capital: "Sign of the Cross" and "Crazy Knights." HOLLYWOOD Hawaii: "House of Frankenstein" and "Mummy's Curse." Hillstreet, Pantages: "Together Again." Paramount (Downtown) and Paramount (Hollywood): "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay" and "Atlantic City." Orpheum: "A Wave, a Wac and Marine;" on stage, Victor Mature in "Tars and Spars." Wa rners' Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltern: "Hollywood Canteen." NEW YORK Astor: "Meet Me in St. Louis." Capitol: "Music for Millions." On stage, Tommy Dorsey and Orchestra. Criterion: "Can't Help Singing." Globe: "Tomorrow the World." Music Hall: "Na tional Velvet." On stage, Yuletide spectacle, "The Nativity." Paramount: "Here Come the Waves." On stage. Woody Herman and Orchestra. Rialto: "House of Frankenstein." Rivoli: "Frenchman's Creek." Roxy: "Winged Victory." On stage, Jack Durant, Nicholas Bros., Joan Edwards. Strand: "Hollywood Canteen." PORTLAND, ORE. Paramount, Oriental: "Frenchman's Creek." Dr. Enna Carollers on the stage of Paramount. Broadway: "Abroad with Two Yanks" and "Destiny." Orpheum: "Playhouse" and "Together Again." United Artists: "The Hairy Ape." ST. LOUIS Christmas schedules uncertain because of strike, now ended. Tentative schedules are: Fox; "Lake Placid Serenade." Ambassador: "The Very Thought of You." Missouri: "Dumbo," "Bambi" and "Saludos Amigos." Loew's State: "Kismet." Loew's Orpheum: "Meet Me in St. Louis." Kinsler Named to Head Cincinnati Variety Club Ralph Kinsler, manager of the Shard circuit, has been elected chief barker of the Cincinnati Variety Club, to succeed Maurice White, general manager of United Theatres. Others elected were : Lou Bugie, first assistant chief barker ; Harry Hartman, second assistant, and Peter Niland, dough guy. Saul Greenberg was reelected property master. Canvasmen, in addition to the officers, are : Harry David, Harry Dudelson, Arthur Frudenfeld, Mike Greenberg, Allan Moritz and Harry Wessel. William Onie, F. W. Huss, Jr., and Mr. White, past chief barkers, automatically become canvassmen. Mr. Moritz was renamed national committeeman. MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 16, 1944 33