Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1948)

DARK HORSE WINS SPECIAL AWARD FOR "YOUTH MONTH" Herald Photo THE LADIES OF THE JURY! From left to right, Paula Gould, publicity director for the Capitol theatre, on Broadway; Beatrice Ross, exploitation manager for Republic Pictures in New York, and Blanche Livingston, of the exploitation and publicity department of RKO theatres, out of town. Much discussion here, the careful weighing of pros and cons, by process of elimination, before deciding on the winner. W.F. Foster, London, Given Citation For Best "Youth" Activity Overseas Georg Atton, manager of the Fox Hanford theatre, Hanford, California, was declared the winner of the first annual competition for the special Quigley Award in the national "Youth Month" program. The ladies of the jury (for this occasion on the distaff side) deliberated at length, but decided unanimously that his was the best individual effort submitted, in line with the policy and premise under which the competition was based. George was a citation winner in the third quarter for the Quigley Awards, and since transferred to the new Fox theatre at Turlock, Calif. Declared First and Best A special circumstance was carefully debated in the granting of this award. George Atton's "Youth" event took place in June, although his campaign was properly entered in the ''Youth Month" competition. In the opinion of the judges, he did all the best things first, all the first things best, in spite of the fact that he had no benefit from the national "Youth Month" sponsorship, or access to the accessories furnished, nor help from a pressbook issued to put over this activity with home office cooperation. We therefore compliment George Atton for a campaign in which civic cooperation, newspaper publicity, recognition of "Youth" and local awards for youth leaders, street parades, editorial comment, club support and official approval was not only up to the best "Youth Month" standard, but superior, and blessed with the distinction of having been done without prompting, as one manager's personal effort, with only his own initiative and energy represented. Second and Third Choice Runners-up included, as second choice, the excellent campaign prepared by J. B. White, manager of the President theatre, Manchester Ga., and as third choice, the good job done by manager John Corbett of the Park theatre, Taunton, Mass. It was a close race for these three, but the ladies argued it out around the Round Table, and the best man won. For this occasion, we dispensed with the usual ballots and asked the ladies to reach a unanimous decision. Nor can we argue with these judges, who were Miss Beatrice Ross, exploitation manager for Republic Pictures, in New York; Miss Paula Gould, capable director of publicity for the Capitol theatre on Broadway, and Miss Blanche Livingston, of the exploitation department for RKO theatres out of town, all of whom are well and favorably known to the trade. It seemed a good idea to ask the ladies to judge this special contest, and the more we contemplate the verdict, the more we are inclined to think there will be laides present next time in judging for the Quigley Awards. — W. B. While "Youth Month" is not observed abroad, it was the opinion of the judges and the director of the Round Table, that special recognition should go to W. F. Foster, manager of the Dalston Picture House, London, for his excellent and continuing effort for youth. It is not widely known in America how much thought, time and energy the English manager spends in the handling of special Saturday morning programs for boys and girls. The GaumontBritish Junior Club, of which Mr. Foster's Dalston theatre is a unit, has a total membership of over half a million youngsters. I— I Is brochure, presented in "Youth Month" is an exhibit of what Mr. Foster has been doing in the congested and busy east-end suburb of Hackney, where the streets have been the only playgrounds for children. He writes, "It is with proud pleasure that I pass on to you this campaign book." And we rise to cheer his entry, which includes so many elements in the program for youth. It is a privilege to extend to Mr. Foster a special Overseas Citation. And to some other members of the Round Table, a round of cheers, also. Our judges, God bless 'em! left us high and dry with some entries that we had picked as favorites before the race was run; notably, Harry Wiener's "Miss Gloveteen" contest from Smalley's theatre, Johnstown, N. Y., which was a "Youth" event that could take place in other cities at other times; Mildred FitzGibbons' entry from the Skouras Roosevelt theatre in Flushing, where "Youth Month" is celebrated the year around; George Hunter's elaborate report of "Youth" activity from the Fox theatres in Springfield, Mo., which the judges considered as somewhat too much the effort of a group rather than an individual, and Rudy Koutnik's "Salute to Youth" from the Fox Palace theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rudy always does a comprehensive job in the presentation of his campaigns. If there had been any betting done, we'd have lost our shirt on the foregoing selection, which proves something or other about the outcome of horse races. MANAGER?' ROUND TABLE, DECEMBER 18, 194? 43