Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

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Cleveland This was the week when all exchanges devoted part of a day to Christmas partying. M-G-M, RKO, Columbia, United Artists, Republic and National Screen Service held festivities within their office confines. Universal-International celebrated with a dinner at Cavolis, Paramount at the Carter Hotel, 20th-Fox at the Colonial Inn. and Warners at the Manger Hotel. . . . 32 theatres in the Cleveland exchange area closed since January 1, 1956. Six of these have been dismantled and the property converted to other uses. . . . Harold Raives, Schine Ohio district manager, was presented last week with an early Christmas present — a grandson named Gary, born in Cincinnati to the wife of his younger son, Eddie. . . . Hatton Taylor, RKO district manager and his family are spending the holidays in Toronto. . . . A1 Sunshine of Advands and Mrs. Sunshine are taking their two sons to see the sights of New York as a holiday treat. . . . Steve Vernarsky closed his Palace theatre, Hubbard. only theatre in the town, until further notice, and will spend his time selling a barbeque rotisserie. . . . Ohio theatre, Leipsig, decided not to compete with Santa Claus and was closed the entire week before Christmas. . . . Marie Roessel, U-I cashier, spent the holidays with her Buffalo family. . . . Joe Krenitz, formerly with Republic Pictures has joined the local M-G-M sales force. Columbus “Giant” established a new long run downtown record for the year by going into a sixth week at RKO Grand. . . .“Fantasia” ended its revival run at the suburban Drexel in its sixth week. . . . William Petrakis of the Rivoli, West Side neighborhood, gave a Christmas present to his patrons by holding a free show Christmas eve. . . . Charles Sugarman installed a new CinemaScope screen in the art World with new CinemaScope lenses. The panoramic screen extends practically from “wall to wall.”. . . Robert Weiler, local realtor, wrote a letter to the editor of the Columbus Dispatch, declaring himself in favor of repeal of the city’s three per cent admission tax on tickets over 50 cents. “The tax is unfair and discriminatory and for scores of theatres it is the difference between losing money and breaking even. In the city’s own self-interest, it should be repealed.”. . . . Many local neighborhood theatres and drive-ins closed Christmas Eve so that employees could spend that time with their families. Denver Theatre men are fighting the proposed five per cent amusement tax. It was proposed as one of nine new ways to raise taxes for city purposes. Among the nine proposals was one for a one per cent income tax, which will be submitted to the voters next year. . . . Hall Baetz, 56, formerly district manager for Fox InterMountain Theatres here and in Salt Lake City, died in Seattle following a heart attack. . . . Evelyn Goldfarb has been named chairman of the women’s division of Variety Tent 37. . . . Dorothy Haack, new to the business, now a secretary at Atlas Theatres. . . . Gene Gerbase, Republic branch manager, and Mrs. Gerbase, to Albuquerque, N. M., on their usual Christmas vacation. . . . The Loma, operated by Gibralter Theatres, Socorro, N. M., destroyed by fire. It will be rebuilt. . . . Bailey Distributing Co. and Denver Film Center are taking over the distribution of Distributors Corporation of America for the Denver and Salt Lake City areas. . . . A. Mike Vogel, San Francisco, publicity man for Universal, was in on the campaigns for “Written on the Wind” and “Four Girls in Town.”. . . Fred Knill, office manager for Gibralter Theatres, and Mrs. Knill, to Hawaii for the holidays, visiting their daughter. . . . Robert Sweeten, Centre manager; Paul Lyday, Denver manager, and John Roberts, Wolfberg Theatres booker on panel for new television show concerning films. . . . Tom Grilling has bought the Joy drive-in, Anthony, N. M. Des Moines The Watson theatre at Graettinger has been purchased by the business men ofthe town and will be operated under the sponsorship of the Community club. . . . O. C. Salgelid has purchased the Timetheatre in Albert City; he will convert it into a bowling alley. . . . Most Iowans think adult admission prices for amusements should start at ages 14, 15 or 16 rather than 12 as many do now, the Iowa poll reports. Many Iowans feel their children would attend more paid events if adult prices did not start until age 16. Iowans in cities more strongly favor raising the age limit than town or farm residents. The poll is operated by the Des Moines Register & Tribune. . . . The Hollywood theatre at Sioux City has been closed for several weeks for extensive repairs and remodeling following purchase of its lease by Dubinsky Brothers. The Dubinsky firm also has purchased the 75 Drive-in theatre there. Improvements also are planned for the drive-in, according to Irwin Dubinsky. Vernon Carr will be retained as manager of the Hollywood. Detroit The Riviera will abandon motion pictures in March during the run of “My Fair Lady.” The theatre was bought from United Detroit Theatres by David Nedelander, owner of the Shubert, several years ago for use as a part time musical house. Plans call for four musicals a year on a subscription basis. The rest of the time will be taken with standard second-run film policy on a lease basis as in the past. . . . Michigan theatre patrons are getting a chance to choose between Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in a pop contest during the run of “Hollywood Or Bust.” . . . Anticode change rumblings continue as the Detroit Council of Parent-Teachers Associations asked an explanation of the relaxing changes. . . . Sal Mineo and John Saxon appeared Christmas Day at the Broadway Capitol with “Rock Pretty Baby.”. . .“The Ten Commandments” is being shown on the state’s first Simplex X-L curved gate-X-L sound equipment at the Madison. . . . Wilson Elliot, community minded manager of the Jewell in Mount Clemens has added a publicity chore for WBRB radio to his duties. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Earl Evans are operating the Strand at Lowell with Mr. and Mrs. Bud Engle. . . . F. Ray Forman bought the State in Lake Orion from Herman Boose and Walter Dodds. . . . John Andrews, U-I shipper moved into new offices December 17. . . . The old Dezel offices are now occupied by Edward McCauley and the National Film Services. . . . Independent Theatre Co. is now operating the Family Theatre in Jackson. . . . The Lee at Whitmore Lake has a new front. . . . The Bonton and Colonial at Jackson have joined the obituary list. Hartford Edward P. Lord, theatre operator, and president of Drive-In and Shop Inc., Norwich, Conn., has purchased buildings three and four of the J. B. Martin Company on Chestnut St. and Norwich, for an undisclosed sum. Lord’s plans for the area will be disclosed shortly. He operates the Lord and Midtown theatres, Norwich, and the Lord Indoor and Outdoor Theatres, Plainfield, Conn. . . . Another Connecticut suburb— Hamden, adjacent to New Haven — has changed its mind about outdoor theatres. The Hamden Town Plan and Zoning Commission has unanimously passed a zoning amendment which will control location of drive-in theatres. The amendment primarily defines drive-in theatres and forbids their construction in Hamden without Zoning Board of Appeals approval. Prior to the amendment, a drivein theatre could be built in any business or industrial zones, with exception of Business A, under a clause permitting buildings for entertainment. Under the new amendment, the Zoning Board of Appeals can grant authority for construction of an outdoor theatre after a public hearing has been held. . . . Hartford visitors: John Murphy, vice-president, Loew’s Theatres; Joe Mansfield, field exploitation man, U.A. Indianapolis Ray Schmertz, new chief barker of Variety, has named Tom Goodman chairman of the house committee; Bob Jones, golf; San Oshry, dues; Herman Black, membership; Morris Cantor, hospital; Sam Caplan, finance; Joe Cantor, charity; and Marc Wolf, entertainment. . . . Rufus Blair was here last week to set up plans for the opening of “The Ten Commandments” at the Lyric Jan. 30. Joe Ledlie, local press agent, will handle publicity and Johnny Stearns, manager of Keith’s, will work with special groups. . . . Dr. Marvin Sandorf and William Rosenthal withdrew petitions for new drive-in zoning variances at the plan commission meeting Thursday when neighborhood opposition developed. . . . Jack Meadows, RKO salesman, has resigned to go into the insurance business. . . . Cantor Amusements announced plans to show “Baby Doll” first run at the Esquire Christmas week, then cancelled them because of “controversy over conditions under which the picture would play.” Jacksonville Now occupying new homes on the southside are Harvey Garland, FST film buyer; Clint Ezell, NTE executive; and Mabel Leventhal, former manager of the San Marco theatre. . . . Ted Chapeau, Variety’s chief barker, announced that the club will sponsor the third annual Jack( Continued on opposite page) 26 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 29, 1956