Motion Picture Herald (1954)

SALUTE TO AN OLD SHOWMAN Ben Mindlin, who has been a Round Table member for many years, permits us to use his picture above, and his personal story, to illustrate a point which is important in these meetings. Ben is now retired, after 16 years with the Century Circuit, and they have given him a lifetime pension. He is 66 years old, and also getting his Social Security, which adds up to a fair and reasonable compensation for 48 years in film business. He lives alone; is footloose and fancy-free, and as the saying goes — "Has tux, will travel." Because he doesn't want to loaf — that's his word for it — and "doesn't want to be a bum" — which is synonymous with him for "loafing" — he wants a job, one that won't be too hard at his age, but will keep him busy. We suggest a small-town theatre where he would have few matinees and get home early nights. There must be such an opportunity for such a good showman, somewhere beyond the big cities. So, this serves as an unclassified ad, with editorial prerogative, for others are interested, along similar lines. If Ben finds what he wants, we'll follow him, someday, to the same kind of retirement in just such a small town theatre. — W. B. The Grand Prize winning float in the Labor Day parade at Lead, South Dakota, was designed by Frank Bertolero, manager of the Homestake theatre, operated by Black Hills Amusement Co. For 35 Years the Leaders \*IN SERVICE AND QUALITY .With Showmen Everywhere! o lumen in Louis Lutz, manager of the 6-Mile Uptown theatre, Detroit, says he picked up an idea in the Herald and put it into use, so he reports 4.000 announcements distributed by the Parent-Teacher’s Association and parochial schools, and a local paper write-up with 20,000 circulation, with front page stories of his children’s shows. V Tom Williams, manager of Schine’s Margie Grand theatre, Harlan, Ky., tied in with Nehi Bottling Company to give each patron a free bottle of R.C. Cola, as they left the theatre. The Nehi folks also sponsored the cooperative herald, advertising the show. V Lou Hart, city manager of Schine’s theatres in Watertown, N. Y., has lined up double-sponsorship for two Christmas shows, one with Sears-Roebuck and the other with New York Air Brake. No brakes on these Schine promotions — and ALL the breaks ! ▼ Sol Sorkin, manager of RKO Keith’s theatre, Syracuse, had a voluptuous — and voluminous — campaign on “Star Is Born,’’ and we can’t decide which word is most fitting and proper. Use your own dictionary, and see what we mean. The tear-sheets show the distinction in his style. V Bob Walker reports that the Ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society made a profit of $86 for their share in the sponsorship of a two-day showing' of “I Confess’’ at the Unitah theatre, Fruita, Colorado. Bob says “We both came out okey.’’ F. J. O’Kelly, formerly manager of the Rialto theatre, Amsterdam, N. Y., who has resigned from the Schine circuit after 21 years, passing through New York on his way to Europe for a six-weeks’ vacation. He will visit his son in Torquay, England, where we have other Round Table members. V Harry Wilson, manager of the Capitol theatre, Chaham, Ont., sends tear sheets — full-pages — of his cooperative advertising and “scramble contest” for “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and he headlines $30,000,000 worth of upcoming attractions in the “Famous Fall Festival.” V Ed Linder sends in a release issued by American Indians, Inc., an organization of Indians and non-Indians married to Indians in the twin cities, who publish “The Peace Pipe” — which he uses for promotional purposes for the Gopher theatre, Minneapolis. ▼ Len Gouin, manager of the Capitol theatre, Peterboro, Ontario, visited every Catholic parish within 25 miles and talked to the clergy about “Secret Conclave” — with excellent results. Local cooperation extended to cost-free heralds, paid for by a sponsor — and good radio and newspaper publicity. ▼ Irving Hillman, manager of the Sherman theatre, New Haven, emphasizes the fact in his ads that “Private Hell 36” and “Black Shield of Falworth” are strictly adult fare. Another ad tells of his 20-cartoon kiddie show for Saturday with free records. Maurice Hensler, manager of the Auburn and Dale theatres, Auburndale, Florida, has General James A. Man Fleet, national chairman of the drive for Korean relief, as a friend, neighbor and regular patron. In the picture above, left to right, General Van Fleet, Congressman Haley, Don Perlman, of the VFW Post spearheading the local drive, and Maurice Hensler, in the lobby of the Auburn theatre. MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE SECTION, OCTOBER 30, 1954 39