Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

Page 18 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW November 9, 1940 The Talk of the Tents Up and Down the Land ^arietp Club Jlote* JOHN H. HARRIS, NATIONAL CHIEF BARKER Weekly Get-Together of Filmdom's Good Fellows Tent No. 1Pittsburgh Barkers Busy on Election . . . Open House After Chaplin Premiere . . . Many Barkers Eye Travel Folders. The Sunday Movie vote was up in a number of Pennsylvania towns, and many Variety Club barkers were up to their ears in an attempt to win Sunday movies for their towns. The Variety Club held Open House on Friday night after the gala premiere of Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator." Over one hundred fifty members were on hand. Many of the local barkers are beginning to eye travel folders of the southland. Florida will have a big representation from film row this year. Barker George Tyson has taken over the managing director's post with the "Ice Capades" show. Jerry Mayhall has been appointed musical director. It will have its premiere in Pittsburgh early in November, after which it will take to the road for a nation-wide tour. Barkers Harry Kalmine and C. J. Latta officiated at the opening of Warner Bros, new Whitehall Theatre in Brentwood. Barker Chuck Shannon has been appointed manager. Barker Harry Seed's missus is off for Miami to spend six weeks with their daughter Vicki, who is a student at the University of Miami. Barker Tony Stern is always receptive to any wager that involves his alma mater, Ohio State. So far, Tony has been taking all comers. The Warner Club tossed a smoker for the Pittsburgh managers and assistants last Saturday evening. Barker Harry Thomas prepared the "feed." Barker Harry Koch, South Hills Theatre manager, has started a series of book review matinees for his patrons. Prominent club women will conduct the bi-monthlv sessions. Barker Jim Balmer looks as fit as a fiddle these days. Jim's been watching his diet very carefully. Tent No. 3 — Cincinnati Tyrone Power and Annabella Visit Cfubrooms . . . Open House Election Night . . . Annuo! Banquet, Dec. 2. Jim Grady, local tycoon for 20th-Fox, did an excellent job in escorting Tyrone Power and Annabella on their recent visit to Cincinnati for the World Premiere of "The Mark Of Zorro." This being Tyrone's home bailiwick he had many places to go and many people to see. And he did them all with equal grace. For his visit to the Tent's clubrooms he had to don his best smile and sense of humor as it was way past midnight when he arrived, and it was also Hallowe'en and the place was packed. The picture opened in two nouses simultaneously, the Shubert and Albee with Power, Annabella and Kate Smith making one personal appearance in each house. The picture remained at the Albee for its run. Open house at the clubrooms on election night, Tuesday, November 5, and a large crowd attended. The boys were all in to do some tall and fancy voting. The Tent's annual election will take place on Monday, November 18, at which time the board of trustees will be chosen, who in turn will select the officers for the ensuing year. The annual banquet at which time the officers elected for the coming year will be inducted into office will take place on December 2. Bert Yamin, of the Cincinnati Artists Bureau is the new member with the gratified smile seen around the Tent headquarters these days. The annual Florida pilgrimage will soon start and many are the local barkers who will go down for their winter suit of tan. This column challenges all of them to some good and rough fishing anywhere on the Florida coast. And we do say that fishing beats lolling on the sand a million to one. Tent No. 5 -Detroit Pre-Efection Party a Big Success . . . Butterfield Announces New Battle Creek Theatre. Big event of the week was the election of officers at the annual session of the entire membership — an event held too late to give results for this issue. Pre-Hallowe'en Party, on Saturday, was a well-attended event, with plenty of special surprises arranged by Tom McGuire, entertainment chairman — costumes, noise-makers, favors, refreshments, and a special program. Ed Beatty, Butterfield president, announces plans for a new 800-seater at Battle Creek — fifth house there for the circuit — whose first theatre was the Bijou of the same town. New construction is necessitated by the big addition of army personnel at nearby Camp Custer. John Howard, Assistant Chief Barker, is host Thursday at a trade screening way up at Saginaw, Mich., for state exhibitors — Paramount, which he bosses, carries on its upstate screening policy with this second event at Bill Cassidy's Michigan (first was two months ago, at Ray Branch's Strand at Hastings). Earl Hudson, UDT president, just got through shifting managers of most houses in the circuit, on account of splitting the houses into three divisions respectively captained by Joe Busic, Asher Shaw and Robert Corbin. Frank W. Lloyd, Barker, who was Building Superintendent of the Detroit Times, passed away after a short illness. With a host of friends in every branch of show business, he was one of the most active in all charitable activities of Variety. Ben Cohn is starting Flicker Frolic Night out at the Kramer — using old-time movies every Saturday midnight. Tent No. 6— Cleveland Ejection Party Financial and Sociaf Success . . . Abe Bubis Chairmans Monday Night Stag Dinner. The Election Party and Jamboree, (proceeds for the Heart Fund) is now ancient history and was a financial as well as social success. Special Western Union teletypes were provided for election returns in the Allerton Hotel Ballroom. Dr. Abe Bubis is chairman of the Monday Night Stag Dinner which will be turned over to the Variety Post 313 American Legion boys for Armistice Day ceremonies. Mr. and Mrs. George Ritzier of Lima were visitors at the club, as were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Trunk, Charley Krantz from Washington and Jack Flynn from Chicago. Secretary and Mrs. Georgia Moffett are enjoying their new home and Jack Lefton is just about ready to move into his. Chief Barker Nat Lefton back from Cincinnati business trip. Rudy Norton is bragging about his fishing pool and rock garden which he has christened Rainbow Terrace. John Kalafat seldom misses those Roundtable luncheons. . . Tent No. 8— Kansas City Committees Appointed For Charity Ball, Nov. 22 . . . Earl Jameson Named General Chairman. Earl Jameson of Film Delivery, general chairman of the annual Charity Ball, scheduled for November 22 at Pla-Mor, has gotten all his committees under way, and they are preparing for the biggest affair in the series. Sam Abend of Film Delivery heads ticket sales. On the committee with him are Frank Hensler, MGM ; C. E. Gregory, National Screen Service ; Reuben Finkelstein, Byam Theatre ; Bob Withers, Republic-Midwest ; C. E. Shafer, Fox Midwest; H. J. Griffith, H. J. Griffith Theatres, Inc. ; Max Barewin, Price Theatre Premiums ; Ben Marcus, Columbia ; Finton Jones, Travelers' Insurance ; Joe Manfre, Paramount ; Fred Bredehoft, attorney. Each committeeman has ten or more "aides," members of Variety Club. Entertainment will be taken care of by Jerry Zigmond and Barney Joffee. Radio and newspaper advertising is headed by George Baker, Baker Enterprises ; Don Davis, RCA ; Lee Jones, Commonwealth Theatres ; J. W. McConnell, KMBC, and Jack Stewart, KCMO. Ward Scott of 20th-Fox will handle decorations, aided by the Cinema Club. Chief Barker Jay Means of the Oak Park is in charge of publicity, with Arthur Cole, Paramount ; R. R. Biechele of the Osage, Landon Laird and Jack Moffitt of The Star, Lowell Lawrence of The Journal, and W. P. Bernfield. T. R. Thompson, Jim Lewis, and Leon Abraham, RKO, are taking care of table reservations. Tent No. 10— Indianapolis Ken Coffins Chosen Chief Barker . . . Landes Assistant Chief . . . Five New Barkers Are Finally Initiated. Ken Collins, known as Col., presently acting as Managing Director for the Indiana Theatre, Indianapolis and associated with Fred Dolle for a number of years, was chosen to head the Hoosier Variety Club for the coming year. Ken has been an active member for years. Assistant Chief Barker for the coming year will be C. Arthur Landes, of the Landes Costuming Company of Indianapolis — a tireless worker — who has figured prominently in many splendid charitable enterprises conducted by the club; Al R. Blocher, of Theatrical Managers, Inc., was elected Dough Guy; Fred Greenberg of Warners' and former Chief Barker was appointed Property Master. Marc J. Wolf retiring chief barker, who has held this coveted job for three years (not consecutively) was selected as the tent's National Officer. Canvassmen for the coming year are : Wade W. Willman, of M-G-M ; Curtis Butler, of Columbia ; Richard Frank of United Artists ; Joe Neger of Fox: George Landis of Fox; J. H. Stevens of Paramount. Serving with these men are former chief barkers Marc J. Wolf, Carl Niesse and A. C. Zaring. It looks for a great year for this tent. All bills are washed up : the club is well on its way to becoming a well-known, respected organization of Indianapolis The Indianapolis Tent, if you will recall, figured in establishing a blood bank — in cooperation with the Indiana University Medical School, raising funds via a giant stage jubilee at the Lyric Theatre, recently. The same night of the elections, included the