Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1943)

40 SHOWMEN'STRADEREVIEW July 24, 1943 REGIONAL NEWS FROM CORRESPONDENTS ( Coiitiiiiicd from Page 39) NEW YORK MEMPHIS Mrs. Margaret Lee Moseley, a projectionist for Paramount exchange, died last week. Mrs. Mosely had been with Paramount for the past 20 years, and in years of service was one of the oldest employes on Film Row. The grim reaper has struck twice in the theatre families of Memphis. The second popular showman to die last week was Mike Cianciolo, owner of the Luciann and Rosemary theatres, two of the most popular in the city, for he had contributed their use and profits often for charitable purposes. Mr. Cianciolo came to Memphis 45 years ago with his parents from Italy. He first engaged in a produce business but, a showman at heart, he soon, turned to developing neighborhood theatres in which he took great pride. He leaves a wife, five daughters and two sons. After a two-week run of "Constant Nymph," which opened its second week to packed houses, Warners Theatre will close for a week to make extensive repairs, remodeling and painting, according to Howard Waugh, zone manager for Warner firos. The theatre will reopen with "This Is the Army" Aug. 6. It is probable that the opening picture will continue at Warner for a month, said Mr. Waugh. All details of the opening have ndt been completed, but it is expected that some special feature will be staged in the way of a hoop-la, and that the prices will be upped, as a large share of the proceeds from the picture go to Army Relief. Tlie Perfect LEARN TO LOVE WITH FINESSE IN THE PARISIAN MANNER / DANIELLE' DARRIEUX: ..•kALBERT PREJEAN a. ^ NATIONAL DISTKIISl 'l'(»KS ^ ALBERT BEZEL ROADSHOWS 1325 S. WABASH AVE. CHICAGO (5), ILL. SiEilflmfllLEIlS UJHER VOU /^AME DAY SERVICE^ m fl n T ^^^^ Important It Is 0^ To Give You Prompt Service So T H t m ! ( We Never Disappoint... Try Us IIJiACK TRAILER CO. t327 Sow WdbashAve., Chicago The RKO exchangemen were looking forward to seeing the newly-completed "The Fallen Sparrow' during the sales convention last week. A print was being flown east. On the last day of the convention Ned Depinet said it would surely be here by tomorrow and the boys could see it anyway. Then word came that the plane had grounded at Alberqerque, N. M. Result is no conventioneers saw it and there were wisecracks going around to the effect that "The Fallen Sparrow" has grounded. Howard Totten, booker for the Port Jefiferson Theatre, L. I., has enlisted in the Mavy Sea Bees and expects to go by the end of this month. Fred Lichtman, of the Suffern, Suffern, N. Y. ; Elton Lewis, of the Rockland, Nyack, N. Y. ; and Leo Ardivany, of the Broadway, Haverstraw, N. Y. — all of Skouras — are in the midst of a concerted advertising campaign to get over their new prospectus of attractions to their patrons. Campaign, did we say? It's an attack. Ben Levine, head booker at UA, who says he likes to dunk his torso in the briny ocean on weekends, is now enjoying his favorite sport daily for two weeks. Lou Solkofif, former commercial shorts salesman, dropped in on film row last week. He's on furlough from camp down in Augusta, Ga. — the Army Engineers. George Waldman, former Warner salesman, has been transferred to the film buyer department in the Philadelphia office. George JefTreys, UA up-state salesman, was in last week and reported that business on "Stage Door Canteen" was "terrific." Since Harry Seed has been promoted to Warner Bros, midwest district manager, his office in the New York exchange has been taken over by Clarence Eisenman, N. Y. Metropolitan manager. Harry H. Lowenstein, prexy of Allied of N. J., and his family are spending their vacation at Schroon Lake, N. Y. Promoted this week to Lieut. Commander, U. S. N. K., is former March of Time assistant Producer Thomas Orchard, who has been with the MOT since its start in 1934. Paramount Exchange jottings: Terrific reception of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" has the local exchangeites big-chested . . . Company's district manager-exploitation men's meeting at the Pierre was attended by D. M. Kusell and ad-guy Sid Mesibov . . . New high in hair-do's is booker Charlotte Solomon's, which some say looks like an animated trailer for blonde bagels — king's size . . . New high of another color is salesman Eddie Ugast's sunburn— a lulu and very "ouch." Speaking of "For Whom," as who isn't?, Producer-Director Sam Wood scored a solid hit with the press boys at that luncheon in his honor by Paramount last week . . . frank, interesting. Judging by general reaction at the "sneak" preview of "Heaven Can Wait" at the 23rd Street Theatre the other night, Tom Connors and his cabinet at 20th-Fox made no mistake in setting trade shows of the Lubitsch prizepackage for combination "previews" for the public and exhibitors. OMAHA The Roseland Theatre, with a $3.50 average per seat, is the early leader in the July war bond contest. A. H. Colnn of that theatre also holds the lead in the individual sales division. Faye Neilsen, assistant cashier at the Paramount, has left on a two-week vacation. Benjamin Harding of the Liberty, Council Bluffs, la., has been hospitalized for an eye operation. The Variety Club's annual theatrical jam FUN FOR FIGHTING MEN. The portable RCA photophone outfit pictured above is bringing sound pictures to the wildest reaches of Australia and other Pacific battle sectors. Especially designed for travel in rough country, the theatre on wheels covers thousands of miles to bring picture shows to the men of action against the Japs. boree turned out to be a walloping success. Film star Jane Wyman sold $107,200 worth of war bonds to Allan Hupp, representing the Omaha Associated Retailers. The all-day affair at Peony Park also netted $3500 for the club's charities, the Hattie B. Monroe Home for Convalescing Children and the new wing for crippled children at St. Joseph's Hospital. More than two thousand guests and the Variety Club members turned out for the evening program which began with Paul Moorhead's band, followed by Morton Wells' boys and clima.xed with Herbie Kay's music and stage show. Miss Wyman, the club's guest of honor, also participated in the evening performance. The afterjioon was filled with games, comic athletic events and swimming. Five hundred dollars in war bonds were also given away to the people who came out to "Meet the Show Business,'' the picnic's theme. General chairman of the event was Ike Rubin. Chief Barker Joe Kinsky was in charge of talent. The city council has passed a new city safety code for places of public assembly requiring free certificates of occupancy be obtained annually by any public gathering place accommodating more than 50 persons. The ordinance, an aftermath of the Boston fire last Winter, provides strict regulations for fireproofing of decorations, tenance of exit doors, passageways to exits, placing of fire extinguishers, posting of notices as to capacity and direction to exits and quarterly inspection by fire department officials. Violators would be subject to penalties up to a $100 fine and 90 days in jail for each offense. Omaha's city council has at last adopted the curfew law which provides that children under 16 must be off the streets between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and making parents liable if they assume responsibility. Aimed at checking juvenile delinquency and vandalism, the ordinance carries penalties from $1 to $100 for each conviction and a jail sentence if the fine is ignored. PHILADELPHIA Bob Pryor, Charlie Zagrans and Ely Epstein, some of the RKOites who were at the New York sales convention, are back in town full of enthusiasm about the coming season. In uniform and on furlough, more and more men are back in town visiting the scene of their former triumphs. All the way from California and North Carolina, respectively, came Al Blumberg, former manager of the Midway Theatre, and Morris Goldberg, former manager of the Harrowgate Theatre. Bennie Motz, former Earle Theatre stagedoorman, some 45 pounds lighter, and toned down somewhat in manner.