Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1956)

owmen Christmas cards arriving at this Round Table desk have contained some enclosures of interest to this meeting. For instance, from Jim and Lisl Hardiman, now with Elmer Rhoden’s National Theatres on the Coast — the announcement of “Wee Donald”^ who was born in time to celebrate Christmas in California. The firm’s name will now be signed, “J. & L. Hardiman & Son” — with our best wishes. ▼ And from Lieut, and Mrs. Delmar Sherrill, announcement of a new manager, who takes over in their house — George Robert, weighing in at 7 lbs., 14 ounces. Although Delmar is in the U. S. Air Force, based at Otis, Mass., it won’t be long now until this family will be back in film business, in Statesville, N. C. ▼ Frank Wildish, who was with Ted Gamble Enterprises in this building in 1950, and has been a theatre manager in situations in this country, sends us a Christmas card from the “Star and Garter” hotel, Deal, Kent, England, and says — “This is my pub!” He’s not in the movie game, and doesn’t miss it. It’s a fine looking place, and if wishes were Turbo-Jets, we’d be on our way, quicker than you say, “B.O.A.C.” ▼ Michael Todd’s “Around the World in 80 Days” has been selected as the best picture of 1956 by the National Board of Review’s Committee on Exceptional Films — and we’ll go along with that, as the most entertaining film of the year, for all the family, without qualms or qualifications. ▼ Palmer J. Waslien, manager of the Towne theatre, Long Beach, Calif., used that giant upright title “Giant” in big letters as the basis of a Christmas tree in appropriate colors — making a giant poster, 12 feet high and 9 feet wide. Something different that caught their attention in the holiday season. ▼ Jack M. Scherzer, manager of the Randforce Beverly theatre, in Brooklyn, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his house with caterers, a $65 anniversary cake, 3,000 pieces of hors d’oeuvres, 50 pounds of fancy cookies, 1,500 hot dogs in crispy jackets — all this and Sam Rinzler, Emmanuel Frisch and other important industry and circuit executives, as speakers and guests of honor. A tape recorder took down the remarks made, and will be played back on local air stations, with telegrams of appreciation from merchants. ▼ Mrs. Hazel Florian, manager of the Lockwood & Gordon Strand theatre in Winsted, Conn., another who had local merchants and manufacturers underwrite a free holiday show for the kiddies. Seymour Morris is the one to tell us that 20th Century-Fox have acquired a 4-part life story of Jayne Mansfield, in syndicate form (she has her own!) which may be used cost-free in cities 50 miles or more from the nearest Hearst newspaper. The story will appear in the New York Daily Mirror, concurrent with the appearance of her new film, “The Girl Can’t Help IT” — and we use the capital “T.” Inquiries may be sent to Mr. Charles Einfield, 444 West 56th Street, New York 19, N. Y. T The 35th Anniversary of Schine’s Hippodrome theatre in Corbin, Kentucky, was celebrated in great style, to prove that Lou Merenbloom, the manager who represents his circuit in Corbin, enjoys good standing in the community. It seems that Lou and the theatre are held in fond esteem by friends and neighbors — as proven by an attached complimentary and congratulatory cooperative advertisement. ▼ Loew’s State and Orpheum theatres in Boston have extensively advertised their Christmas Gift books, selling at a price that gives a 10% advantage over the box office, but with an additional gimmick — coupons in 10c denominations good also at the concession counter! You can have your trading stamps. WVETIME-Kctv ! EWE BOOKS OF ^ ^ TOflTRfc, TICKETS \ «c HifaiHDSHlPMt CHRISTMAS ; toehWWTC® • SIFT We don’t know why Allan Perkins, manager of the Roxy theatre, Midland, Ontario, and rotund member of this Round Table, hides behind this Christmas Tree in his Santa Claus costume — for he has the figure for it — he weighs 300 pounds, all of good cheer, with gifts for poor children in the Salvation Army and Catholic groups. ▼ Irving Hillman, manager of the Stanley Warner Roger Sherman theatre, New Haven, Conn., tied up with the local Lincoln Furniture Company and Philco Appliance Co. for a special morning kiddie show — admission one can of food, to be distributed to needy families for the holiday. “Prince Valiant” and cartoons were shown. Irv also sold the local W. T. Grant Store on sponsorship of two performances for the holiday season. One of our favorite showmen, whose record proves that he will win again, and for top position. Vic Nowe, manager of the Odeon theatre, Toronto, has a display of many showmanship awards, including nine Quigley award citations and scrolls of honor, and he was the winner in two quarterly judgings, since 1951, in addition to others from Odeon and British showmanship sources. MANAGERS' ROUND TABLE SECTION, DECEMBER 29, 1956 31