Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1951)

One Theatre Manager — And Ninety-Nine Smart Girls Larry Woodin, manager of the Arcadia tlieatre, in Wellsboro, Pa., has long been interested in contests, and especially the "Miss America” competition, for which he is contest director in the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. There are lUOO preliminary contests throughout the Lh S. and each year, 25,000 girls take part. Of these, 51 girls get in the finals at Atlantic City, and 15 are winners. Over the years, Larry has staged 115 of these contests, and including this past season, ninety-nine girls have won four-year college scholarships as a result of his promotion. This year, "Miss Pennsylvania” won a scholarship at University of Pennsylvania, and ‘‘Miss West Virginia” is now a student at the University of West Virginia, in Morgantown. It’s really a wonderful record. Jack Foxe Enters Capitol Campaign on "Bathsheba" Jack Foxe, advertising and publicity director for Loew’s Washington theatres, enters a substantial exhibit as his campaign for “David and Bathsheba,” which includes the personal appearance in the nation’s capital of Francis X. Bushman, Walter “Goliath” Talum, and Carol ( direct descendant ) Woods. It all made such an impression that they turned out the Movietone newsreel crew to record the events. Jack’s campaign book of pictures and press clippings is a worthy example of how to put over a big picture in a big situation. "Pickup" Your Guest Tickets, It Lucky Jack Harvey, manager of the Palace theatre, Danbury, Conn., prints a few telephone numbers at the bottom of his newspaper advertising for “Pickup”, and if it happens to be your number, bring a recent telephone bill to prove it, and pick up your guest tickets for the show. Another good stunt is to jot down license numbers of cars parked along Main Street, put these numbers in your advertising and award lucky winners who come with license identification to claim tickets. Columbia fieldman William Brooker receives a $10,000 bill from bank cashier J. S. Seacat, as Elliot Johnson, manager of the Malco theatre, Memphis, looks on.. It's exploitation for "The Magic Face," and you can do it in your town by application to your local bank, and mortgaging the theatre. SHOWMEN The Round Table is really spinning this week, going round and round with so many good friends in New York for the National Allied convention at the Biltmore. We apologize in advance for errors of omission or commission, in this week’s book. T Willis Vance and Elstun Dodge, an old friend and a new one, from Cincinnati, visitors at this desk, with news of their activities, on a search for information while in New York. ▼ Leo Jones, from Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and owner-manager of all the movie theatres in Wyandotte County, is another to celebrate with, at Allied conventions. Leo is Vice-President in charge of. ▼ Martin Smith, our traveling companion over many miles and years, past president of Allied and permanent president of Ohio Independent Theatre Owners, recovered from two serious operations and smiling through convention activities. T Too many familiar faces and old friendships to recite fully, and still two days to go with our greeting as this Round Table goes to press, so no more personals in this column. ▼ It seems they didn’t give out 5,000 blue veils at the opening of that picture on Broadway. Only 1,000 and some for disc jockeys, and press people, from coast to coast, who will look jjretty funny wearing them while at work. V Joe Boyle, manager of Loew’s Poli theatre, Norwich, Conn., celebrated "National blower Week” by promoting ten corsages ])er day for lucky ticket holders, and free flowers for feminine members of his staff. ▼ .Sonny Shepherd, Bill Dock and the Miami contingent of the Round Table, delighted with their very fine Movietime, U. S. A. schedule, which hit a record. Hollywood caravan pleased all, and were pleased vhemselves, with their reception. ▼ Mori Krushen, United Artist,-, exploitation manager, plannin’ a rootin’, tootin’ world premiere for "Fort Defiance” at the Paramount theatre, Denver, November 6, complete with Indians, covered wagons and plenty of shootin’. ▼ Jack Sidney, publicist for Loew’s Baltimore theatres, bui’ding advertising kiosks for "An American in Paris” as a variation of lobby disp'ays, and happy to do it. T Max Cooper, manager of the Skouras Cove theatre in Glen Cove, N. Y., got newspaper publicity with his idea of giving guest tickets to any whose family name began with “M” and contained “Five” letters, for Columbia’s shock double-bill. IN ACTION George Peters showing some newspaper ads for "Angels in the Outfield” at Loew’:theatre, Richmond, that we can’t remember seeing in the pressbook. Very striking. ▼ Ira Tulipan, one of the 2Uth Centur}'Foxes, sends us a photostat of a terrifi: "Hotpoint” co-op ad page for "The Day t'.ve Earth Stood Still,” in the Wichita, Kansas, Beacon, w'hich we know is to be credited vj Elmer Rhoden’s busy bees at the Fox Midwest Orpheum and Boulevard theatres. T Vince Capuano, manager of the Elm theatre, West Hartford, Conn., had good newspaper cooperation for his support of the local merchant’s traditional shopping event. "Elmwood Day,” as an annual promotion involving the theatre. T Arnold Gates, manager of Loew’s Stillman theatre, Cleveland, was one of the four lucky ones to get the national premiere of “An American in Paris,” and really done himself proud. T Plarry A. Rose, manager of Loew’s PoliMajestic, Bridgeport, Conn., rated a news picture in local papers when he greeted Ezio Pinza in a personal appearance with “Mr. Imperium.” ▼ Mack Herbert, manager of the State theatre, New' Britain, Conn., puts out card throwaways w'ith lucky numbers. That long green stuff will make you forget ’em! Take the cure! pCA/ UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL’S Tfie Week End that Shook the World ' LAOGtffi^' MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE, NOVEMBER 3, 1951 43