Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1952)

SHOWMEN IN ACTION Rivalry Ms Rampant On The Rarder Over that friendly Canadian border, there’s a lot of friendly rivalry between two competing circuit operations, both of which extend from east to west, across the Dominion. \Ve refer to Odeon theatres, with a chain of new theatres, running opposition to Famous Players-Canadian, where showmanship is a practised art. In the mail, and by express, and messenger, down from Toronto, come bundles of ballyhoo, packages of promotion, complete campaigns on current pictures, as entries in the fourth quarter for the Quigley Awards. Notably in the crop of contenders at hand is A1 Jenkins, manager of the Vogue theatre, Vancouver, who bears out our theory that Vancouver is a city of showmen. There must be something in that breeze off the Pacific that blows up showmanship. Al’s campaign on “The Magic Box’’ is one of the most extensive, and his treatment of “The Marrying Kind’’ is equally good. There are many fine displays and good photographs that we’ll lift out of the books, after the quarterly judging which comes up soon. “Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair,” “Wait ’Till the Sun Shines, Nellie” and “Cyrano” are also represented among his separate entries for the Awards. Art Graburn’s campaigns from the Plaza theatre, Vancouver; Elliott Brown’s book on “My Six Convicts” from the Odeon, Victoria; Steve McManus’ recent contributions to showmanship, and Ernest W. Flatfield’s “Bedtime for Bonzo” from the Capitol, Yarmouth, are also entered and will be treated with respect by our judges. Double Promotion Runs Into Dough Joseph Tolve, manager of Skouras Capitol theatre. Port Chester, N. Y., accomplished a double promotion for “The Thief” which runs into considerable cash-on-theline, as promotions go. If you had to buy it, that is. He promoted a Meilink Safe for lobby display, and then went out and promoted a 1952 Aero Willys as a prize for anyone who could open the safe ! Professional safe crackers excepted, of course. Joe had both of these expensive considerations on display in his lobby and we have a snapshot to prove it. At that, the Meilink Safe people could have guaranteed him against finding a winner ! Get Stock Dividend Alex Barclay, manager of the Strand theatre. Trail, B. C. (a new town on our map!), is the winner of the 12-day, allexpense tour to Hawaii, given by Jack Fitzgibbons. Jr., president. Theatre Confections, Ltd. Runners-up received shares of Famous Players-Canadian stock, something worth saving for I John Bassolino, assistant manager of Loew’s Premiere theatre in Brooklyn, sends us snapshots of his colorful lobby displays, but wishes he could send color photographs ( not for engraving, John, we can't make lialltones from them!). T The world’s largest manufacturers of band instruments, the C. J. Conn Company, of Elkhart, who have outfitted 35.000 high school bands, are working in harmony with 20th Century-Fox for the exploitation of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Y Charles Reynolds, owner-manager of the Marco theatre, Waterford, Calif., where we threaten to stop over some month or so, is a new reader of the Herald and member of the Round Table. ▼ Famous Players Canadian Corporation have sent us a Citation (man hites dog!) for Showmanship, in Dan Krendel’s Ballyhoo contest, signed by J. J. Fitzgibbons, Morris Stein, and Dan Krendel — we thank these esteemed gentlemen — -and the evidence will be on view in this office any time. T Gorge FI. Wilkinson, Jr., president of COMPO in Connecticut and owner of the W'ilkinson theatre, Wallingford, uses arrows to point to time of pictures in his daily ads. Y Allen M. Widem, genial critic, and friend of movies, has a time with visiting stars, and he missed no bets in entertaining the visiting “Million Dollar Mermaid’’ in Hartford. She was Julie Dorsey, 22-year-old daughter of Jimmy Dorsey, and a $1,000,000 Mermaid if we ever saw one ! Y Andy IMcDonald, manager of the Ridgeway, Stamford, Conn., uses limericks and other verse to get greater attention in small space for added attractions. Y Sam Cornish, manager of the Niantic (Conn.) theatre, pushes the “deluxe” idea in his advertising, and mentions especially, “rocking chairs” as distinctive furnishings. Sid Kleper, manager of Loew’s College theatre. New Haven, filing a current campaign on a double bill — “Two Lost Worlds” and “Unknown Island.” Y William Saxton, manager of the Four Star theatre, Los Angeles, had a 45-foot model aircraft carrier as lobby display for “Flat Top,” but sends a much better picture of actress Phyllis Coates, who made a personal appearance. Y Dale Smiley, manager of the Del Paso theatre. North Sacramento, Calif., has won a Quigley Award citation in each quarter this year, and is he anxious to make it four and top it ! Y Arthur A. Fabrizio, manager of the Norbury theatre, Ellenville, N. Y., made a fine Santa Claus as part of a special Christmas display, with an authentic message addressed to his patrons from the North Pole. Y Normaii Wrobhs, manager of the RKO Orpheum theatre, St. Paul, Minn., got plenty of attention with “Miss Montana Belle” posing in costume in front of the theatre (they make a nice couple! ). Y H. S. Phillips, manager of the Congress theatre, Marcus Hook, Pa., whose house programs are always good, sends us further proof of his promotional abilities. Y MGM Records, in their press releases on “Tom and Jerry” are sending out stuff of high interest value to editors of newspapers, as part of “Disc Data” including photographs and publicity stories. Y Tony Masella, manager of Loew’s Poli Palace theatre, Meriden, Conn., also among the early entries in the 20th Century-Fox $7500 Showmanship contest on “Something for the Birds.” Y George Peters, manager of Loew’s theatre, Richmond, Va., submits a substantial campaign on “Plymouth Adventure” which follows that Pilg'rim trail in promotion. More pictures of prize winners getting their presents! M. A. Silver, Warner's zone manager in Pittsburgh, presents George Neff with a $1,000 check as part of Warner Theatres "Big 3" promotion drive, as Jack Kahn, head of the Pittsburgh zone advertising department, looks on. And, at right, George A. Crouch, Washington zone manager, gives Claude Land, manager of the Silver theatre. Silver Springs, Me/., his check as first prize winner in Worner's 1952 "Best Summer Showman's Drive." It's a pleasure to present these winners! MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE SECTION, DECEMBER 27, 1952 47