Motion Picture Herald (May-Jun 1946)

SUDEKUM DIES IN NASHVILLE AT 66 Sudden Heart Attack Is Fatal; Noted as a Civic Leader Many Years Anthony (Tony) Sudekum, founder and president of the Crescent Amusement Company, with headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., died suddenly of a heart attack Sunday morning at his home on Harding Road in that city. He was 66. Funeral services were held Tuesday with burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville. At present the circuit consists of approximately 150 theatres located in Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana. Fifteen of the houses are located in Nashville, where Mr. Sudekum was a pioneer film exhibitor, opening the Dixie theatre, April 11, 1907. Among the affiliates of Crescent are Cumberland Amusement Company, Bijou Amusements, Inc. and the Nustrand Corporation. At one time Crescent was the defendant in an anti-trust suit brought by the Federal government. Will Affect Court Order Ownership and management of his large property holdings will probably pass to Mrs. Sudekum and two sons-in-laws, Kermit C. Stengel and Elmer Baulch, both already associated with him in Crescent. Mr. Sudekum's death most likely will require a complete change in any previous plans to meet the order of the U. S. District Court that he dispose of his interests in all other theatre corporations except Crescent and also requiring Mr. Stengel to sever relations with more than one corporation. The court had granted an extension of six months, or until July 17, for compliance with this order. Petition for a further extension because of Mr. Sudekum's death is possible. A native of Nashville, Mr. Sudekum was educated in the schools of that city. Prior to becoming a showman, he was with his father in a bakery and ice cream business in Nashville. I . Known as Philanthropist He also became widely known as a philanthropist and civic leader, often contributing large sums of money to various charitable groups, young farmers' clubs and civic undertakings. In recognition of his "continued interest in our state institutions" the Tennessee General Assembly adopted a resolution at each of its last 10 sessions expressing gratitude to him in providing free motion pictures to various institutions. The Crescent company suffered a setback during the depression of 1919, forcing the sale of several houses in Knoxville, Memphis, Jackson and Columbia, but early in TONY SUDEKUM the 1920's the company came back with great vigor. Friends and relatives of Mr. Sudekum reveal that as a young man, he was filled with a yearning to own a circus or similar entertainment, and when motion pictures made their appearance, he invested his total savings of from $500 to $1,000 in the Fifth Avenue theatre, Nashville, which was a success from the outset with its hand-rolled film and piano accompaniment. In 1914 he established the Hippodrome Skating Rink in Nashville, which since that time has become one of the best known amusement centers in the South and has been the scene of many key sporting events such as wrestling, basketball and boxing. Planned Expansion Known as one of the greatest motion picture and amusement operators in the nation, Mr. Sudekum had plans for extensive expansion. A $150,000 theatre seating 1,000 had been considered for construction in Nashville. He served as chairman of all the industry's Bond drives, except the last two, passing the job on to his son-in-law, Mr. Stengel. He belonged to the Rotary Club and the Lutheran Church and was a Mason and a Shriner and a colonel on the staff of the governor of the state. He was also a member of the Picture Pioneers A few years ago he was presented a cup by the Nashville Rotary Club as the outstanding citizen of Nashville. Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., in 1941 conferred on him the degree of "Doctor of Business Administration." Surviving are his wife, Nettie E. Sudekum, his father, four daughters, three sisters and a brother. U. S. Removes Price Ceiling On 35nnm Equipment The Office of Price Administration, in a sweeping move this week, eliminated 35mm motion picture equipment from price control. Taking an opposite step from the "hold the line" policy reported by OPA Administrator Paul Porter's office April 12, all equipment, with the exception of sound apparatus, reproduction units, lighting and wire devices, have been completely decontrolled, it was announced. At first, "special" increases were granted by the price agency where equipment manufacturers reported a higher cost in production. Under the "higher cost" provision, several minor increases were permitted within the price control act. Production costs had to show an increase over a sixmonth period before relief was granted, however. With 35mm equipment free from control, 16mm equipment and film continues under regulation. Claude M. Alviene Dies Claude M. Alviene, 76, head of the Alviene Academy of Theatre and Cultural Arts, N. Y., died April 22 in a New York hospital. Among Mr. Alviene's former pupils were Mary Pickford, Laurette Taylor, Fred and Adele Astaire, Lee Tracy and Una Merkel. Walter S. Fischer Walter S. Fischer, president since 1923 of Carl Fischer, Inc., music publishing house, died April 26 of a heart attack in New York. He was on the board of directors of the Music Publishers Protective Association and of ASCAP. Joseph B. Totten Joseph Byron Totten, 70, writer, director and actor in stage plays and silent films, was found dead Monday in his room at the Flanders Hotel, New York. He had been suffering from heart trouble. Surviving is his sister Edythe Totten. Gates Corgan Gates Corgan, 68, theatre architect and father of Jack Corgan, also a theatre architect, died at his home in Shawnee, Okla., April 22. From 1935 until his retirement two years ago, he was architect and contractor for the Griffith Amusement Company. Alexander Hamilton Services for Alexander Hamilton, 54, were held in Norwalk, Conn, April 24. Mr. Hamilton had been in the theatre business in Norwalk for 40 years. At the time of his death he was manager of the Empress. Antonio H. Provenza Antonio H. Provenza, pioneer operator, died last week following a heart attack suffered while at work at the Hippodrome theatre, Baltimore, Md. He was business agent of Operators Union, Local 181, Baltimore. 32 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. MAY 4, 1946