Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1945)

Press Reception ?or "Tree Grows" Members of local radio stations and newsj&pers were invited to a special reception in lew Haven for Betty Smith, author, and James |»unn, star, in connection with the opening by -eorge Freeman of "A Tree Grows in Brookm" at the Poli theatre in Springfield, Mass. This resulted in advance and follow-up stories jp each of the local newspapers. In the main window of Johnson's Book Store xi attractive display was planted featuring the 7 by 41 gelatins painted by Boris Chaliapin. "here were six of these and they were surounded by numerous copies of the book plus a ard in the center giving playdates, theatre, etc. A picture of Betty Smith, James Dunn and Treeman, taken in New Haven, was planted in .he local dailies in advance and during the ■howing of the film. Ben Sweet of Station ;VMAS who was also present at the reception lid a 15-minute broadcast concentrating on he picture. A picture of Dunn, plus advance .tories in the Springfield Union, Republican tnd Daily News both on the movie page and in :he main section were planted on the film. A counter display was used in Forbes and vVallace book department lying in the book ,vith the film and a 40 by 60 photo enlargement oi Ted Donaldson, Joan Blondell and Peggy A.nn Garner was used two weeks prior to the opening in the theatre lobby. Quigley Awards Contenders The men and women listed below have submitted evidence of showmanship within the past fortnight which justified their names being placed on the list of outstanding showmen. Stand-in Helps Sell "Powder" When it was discovered that a WAC stationed in a camp nearby the Albee theatre in Cincinnati had been a stand-in for Laraine Day, one of the stars of "Keep Your Powder Dry," playing currently at the theatre, Nathan Wise hiked over to the post and secured an interview. This resulted in a three-column story with two columns of art work. JOSEPH BOYLE Broadway, Norwich, Conn. ELLIOT L. JOHNSON Malco, Memphis, Tenn. JACK M. SCHERZER Parthenon, Brooklyn, N. Y. TED BARKER Loew's State, St. Louis, Mo. NORMAN KASSEL Essaness, Chicago, III. SAM SHUBOUF College, New Haven, C onn. GERTRUDE BUNCHEZ Century, Baltimore, Md. MELVIN KATZ Hippodrome, Pottstown, Pa. SOL SORKIN Keith's, Washington, D. C. WESLEY F. BROWN Florida, Vero Beach, Fla. JAMES KING RKO Boston, Boston, Mass. C. T. SPENCER Capitol, Hamilton, Ont., Can. H. S. BOESEL Palace, Milwaukee, Wis. PAUL O. KLINGER Strand, Waterbury, Conn. MICHAEL STRANGER Loew's, White Plains, N. Y. LOUIE CHARNINSKY Capitol, Dallas, Tex. LARRY LEVY Colonial, Reading, Pa. BOYD SPARROW Loew's, Indianapolis, Ind LARRY COWEN Palace, Albany, N. Y. NORMAN W. LOFTHUS California, Santa Barbara, Cal. WAYNE SWEENEY LaPorte, LaPorte, Ind. BOB COX Kentucky, Lexington, Ky. ABE LUDACER Loew's Park, Cleveland, Ohio J. G. SAMARTANO Loew's State, Providence ROBERT DYKES Ritz, Tulsa, Okla. MARIE MEYER United Detroit, Detroit MOLLIE STICKLES Palace, Meriden, Conn. SAM DE FAZIO Harris, Pittsburgh, Pa. H. S. MORTIN Loew's State, Syracuse, N. Y. JOHN SMEARMAN Circle, Annapolis, Md. TOM DELBRIDGE Loew's, Nashville, Tenn. BILL MURRAY Rialto, Atlanta, Ga. EVAN THOMPSON Strand, Plainfield, N. J. ARNOLD N. GATES Stillman, Cleveland, Ohio RITA MORTON RKO Albee, Providence, R. 1. EVERETT VAIL Vogue, Sydney, N.S., Can. LOU S. HART Glove, Gloversville, N. Y. MIKE NICHOLAS Patio, Brooklyn, N. Y. BROCK WHITLOCK Loew's, Richmond, Va. KEN HOEL Harris, Pittsburgh, Pa. CHARLES PINCUS Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah LEN WORLEY Madison, Peoria, III. MEL JOLLEY Marks, Oshawa, Ont., Can. CARL ROGERS Broad, Columbus, Ohio CHARLES A. ZINN State, Minneapolis, Minn. Radio Coverage Obtained for Double Horror Show Cliff Hall at the Hippodrome, Gloversville, N. Y., had a very successful snowing of the double feature horror show, 'The House of Frankenstein" and "The Mummy's Curse." Special spot announcements were used in the local radio station, a series of teaser ads was run, and six outstanding window displays did a good job of selling this double bill. Cliff also had a special display board in front of his theatre. A "faint check" was sold to a local insurance agency, all of which made a swell campaign. AVAILABLE PRESENTLY EMPLOYED Highly experienced theatre manager; advertising expert; 18 years with Major circuit. Excellent references. Reliable. Married. Three dependents. Steady. Sober. Seeking connection with DEFINITE FUTURE. East preferred. What have ;/ou to offer in operations, advertising, promotions or supervisory work. Inquiries will be treated confidential. Box 1852, Motion Picture Herald. Jack Mitchell, manager of the Majestic theatre in San Antonio, Texas, tied in with local newspapers and obtained excellent publicity for the theatre in connection with the national waste paper salvage drive. San Antonio had the distinction of having the national Queen and state King as local residents. Mitchell arranged a coronation on the theatre stage which was sponsored by the Evening News, at which the Mayor and WPB salvage officials awarded citations to the winners. Pictured above are the principals during the ceremonies, with Mitchell at the microphone. The performance drew a capacity audience of juveniles. • • y Colt Trailer Makers Tor America's Leading Showmen! Makers ■ mica's ■ m en! am mnrmm aye. . . Chicago ljll MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE, APRIL 21, 1945 53