Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1956)

Marvin Reed, formerly manager of Loew’s Grand theatre in Atlanta, has been appointed manager of the new Loew’s Riviera in Miami. Albert B. Lourie, who recently acquired the Brunswick (Me.) drive-in theatre from George Gould, now has four theatres, including one indoor, and has formed the A1 Lourie circuit. The other drive-ins are the Bowdoin at Brunswick, Me., and the Kitter\--York, at Kittery, Me. The indoor theatre is the Adams in Dorchester, Mass. Dick Smyth, who was treasurer for the past few years at the Paramount theatre in Buffalo, N. Y., has been named assistant manager at the Center theatre there. Frank Kinzie has succeeded Mr. Smyth at the Paramount, and Leo LaVigne, a former Paramount usher, is now treasurer at the Center. Richard Campbell, who leased the Sylvan theatre, Sylvania, Ohio, from Ernest Walters recently, installed equipment for CinemaScope projection prior to reopening last month. George Engelking is the new manager of the Midtown theatre, St. Paul, Minn., and the 7-Hi drive-in, Minneapolis, replacing Ray Colihan, who resigned. Lyle Carisch has sold the Tonka theatre in suburban Excelsior, Minn., to George Jonckowski, former operator of the Falls theatre, River Falls, Wise. Amos Savoie has been appointed general manager of the Rebstock theatre, Golden Meadows, La., and the Jet drive-in. Cut Off, La. The former is owned wholly by Lefty Cheramie, who is associated with Richard Guidry in the latter operation. Tony Andrioli and Lou Stassi have taken over operation of the Holland theatre in Old Forge, Pa. BRITISH AND MEXICAN Pepfile 0^ tkeTkeatte AUD OF BUSINESSES SERVING THEM • Joseph (“Chet”) Philbrook has been appointed manager of the Smith Management Company’s Meadows drive-in, Hartford, Conn., succeeding Harold Cummings, who resigned to join Stanley-Warner Theatres in Springheld, Mass. Mr. Philbrook was formerly at the Route 46 drive-in, Saddle River, N. J. Jason Theatre Enterprises has reopened the Palace theatre, Torrington, Conn., which had been damaged by floods, following extensive remodeling. John J. Scanlan III is resident manager. Nick Mailers has reopened the Lake theatre, Warsaw, Ind., following thorough renovations, which were necessitated by a boiler explosion last October. Floyd Jessup has remodeled the lobby of the Granada theatre, South Bend, Ind., employing a New Orleans motif with wrought-iron grille work. Mac Wood, a veteran of 41 years in the theatre industry, has been appointed city manager in Cushing, Okla., by Video Theatres. Located in Frederick, Okla., the past three years, he also has managed theatres in Hominy, Wewoka, and Seminole, Okla. COMPANIES MERGE J. Arthur Rank's British Optical & Precision Engineers Ltd. has concluded a new agreement with Deksa, S. A., distributors of all Gaumont-Kalee theatres and film studio equipment in Mexico, whereby the British firm obtained a S0% interest in the Mexican company, which will now operate as an equal partner with the Rank outfit. The agreement was worked out by S. Stieglitz and J. Datschkovsky, directors of Deska, who flew to England for the purpose, and are shown above in the center with H. R. A. de Jonge, joint managing director of G. B.-Kalee Ltd. With them are R. W. Potter (left), export manager, G. B.-Kalee and R. J. Whytock (right), G. B.-Kalee export sales manager. Arrangements are being made to represent the British company on the board of Deska while the present directors will continue to manage the company's affairs. Mr. Datschkovsky has returned to Mexico to direct developments and appoint additional sales personnel in the new expansion program. George Mullare, formerly manager of the Clarion theatre. Clarion, Iowa, has been appointed manager of the Collegian theatre in Ames, Iowa, by the Grebach-Central States circuit. Bob Nicholson, formerly manager of the Eagle Grove theatre, has been transferred to the Clarion to replace Mr. Mullare. E. S. Gullett, of the Benoit theatre, Benoit, Miss., died last month of a heart attack at his home in Benoit. Mr. Gullett was a civil engineer and had charge of the building of several drive-ins in Mississippi. The Marion theatre, Marion, Wise., has been reopened with Harvey Britten as operator. J. J. (“Jap”) Morgan, for 30 years manager of the National Theatre Supply branch in Denver, and Mrs. Louis Ferguson, office manager for the same period, recently were presented with wrist watches as a mememto of their service. The Iowa theatre, Madrid, Iowa, has been reopened under the management of William Farrell. The former operators, Mr. and Mrs. Loti Lepovitz, have moved to Texas. Martin Storholm has purchased the Mondovi theatre, Mondovi, Wise., from H. G. Sletter. Dale Davis of Okmulgee, Okla., a manager for most of his 19 years with Video Theatres, has been manager for Video-Wilbern Theatres in Duncan, Okla. His assistant is Jim Barton, who also moved to Duncan from Okmulgee. Mr. Davis succeeds Morgan Duvan, and Mr. Barton takes over the position formerly held by Bob Porterfield. The Grove theatre, Groveton, Tex., Las been purchased by Darwin Creasy from Mr. and Mrs. Louis Nelms. The theatre will continue to be operated under the same name. Milton Scholsberg has sold the Coatsville drive-in, Coatesville, Pa., to A. M. Ellis Theatres. The circuit will enlarge the theatre to an 850-car capacity. C. E. Deppe, manager of the Star theatre, Vandalia, Mo., has announced reopening of the house, which had been closed since early September. Tom Edwards, theatre manager in Eldon, Mo., has been elected president of the Eldon Chamber of Commerce for 1956. Thomas Gandy has been re-elected president of Local 304, Waterbury (Conn.) Projectionists’ Union. Ralph DiPietro was named business agent for his ninth term. Also named were Joseph Mazeika, vice-president; Frank Carey, secretary-treasurer; Francis LaFlamme, recording secretary ; to the executive board : Mr. Gandy, Mr. DiPietro, John Rabbott, Mr. Carey and Mr. Mazeika; board of trustees: Mr. DiPietro, Mr. Rabbott, Mr. LaFlamme, A. Fondilla; and Harry Berger, sergeant-at-arms. Charles Sngarman, who recently leased the Indianola theatre, Columbus, Ohio, from Frank Marzetti, has announced that he will operate it under an “art” policy. The theatre was recently refurbished by Mr. Sugarman. The Beach drive-in. Lake George, N. Y., closed for the past three years, will he reopened in May, according to Joseph Mirasola, who operates the Warren, an indoor theatre in Warrensburg, N. Y. 36 MOTION PICTURE HERALD. MARCH 3. 1956