Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1943)

October 23, 1943 S Fl O W M E N • S TRADE REVIEW 33 176 feet, was put up by the Girard Trust Company, as trustee, for the estate of Israel Morris, and leased to the William Fox Entertainment Company for 50 years. The theatre, with a seating capacity of approximately 3000, is at the present time operated by Warner Bros. Philadelphia, where the United States Marines were born as a unit, 168 years ago this November 10, was selected as the site for the world premiere of the 20th Century-Fox picture, "Guadalcanal Diary," to take place on that date. Ben Green of the Town Theatre was the innocent victim of his own good nature the other evening, when a car caught fire in front of his theatre. When he saw the fire, he rushed to his booth, got a fire extinguisher, slung it on his back, and raced to the car. By the time he got there the fire department had already put out the fire, and poor Ben had strained himself with all the efTort and someone had to lift the extinguisher off his back. Herman Comer, manager of the Capitol Theatre, lias been transferred to the Allegheny Theatre in the Kensington, which this past week went into a policy of presenting stage shows in conjunction with their films on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Charles Ramb, present manager of the Family, moved to the Capitol when Comer moved to the .Allegheny, while George McHugh, a new Warner employe, became manager of the Family. Ed Kapner of the Upsal Theatre is having operator trouble and is thinking of closing three nights a week. Harry Gammett of the Globe Theatre in Bethlehem celebrated his sixteenth year with the .A. R. Boyd circuit. From "Somewhere in Australia" comes word from Harold Brason, that he has been promoted to Staff Sergeant in his Military Police Unit. He was formerly manager of the Diamond Theatre. When Sam Lefko, RKO salesman, accompanied Margo on her recent trip upstate, they stopiied off to see and have lunch with Ed Stiles, of the Y.M.C.A., Coatesville, where the RKO pictures are played. While they were discussing "Rising Sun" Lefko asked the highest price ever asked for RKO product, and Stiles almost collapsed when Margo said; "I object to you giving the product away." George Gomperts, 20th Century-Fox exploiteer, celebrated his seventh wedding anniversary this week. Sidney Samuelson, business manager of the Allied Theatre Owners of Eastern Pennsylvania, says that his organization has unanimously gone on record for the immediate discontinuance of production of "unnecessary" short subjects. He emphasized, however, that the action does not refer to Government short subjects. With the retirement of Mrs. Billie Burke, veteran telephone operator in the Warner Theatres main office, a new operator by the name of Mrs. Frances Skeffington has been hired. Mike Scioli, doorman at the Mastbaum Theatre, goes into the Army on the 30th. Sylvia Silverstein, a bookkeeper at the Warner Film exchange, was married Sunday to Sergeant Richard Bookbinder, of the restaurant family. Word was received on Vine St. from Lt. John Scully, Jr., former Universal salesman, from a German prison camp. Joe Rossheim of the Midway Theatre in Allentown and the Lehigh in Bethlehem got stuck in his car on the way to Philadelphia. His wife came along in her car, tried to give him a push, and smashed both cars. PITTSBURGH The 23rd annual convention of the AMPTO of Western Pennsylvania, held at the Roosevelt Hotel here October 18-19, had the largest attendance since its inauguration. Approximately 165 members, non-members and guests were on hand for the luncheon and opening session the first day, and more than 200 attended the ban (|uet which closed the convention on Tuesday evening. Brian McDonald, Chief Barker of the local Variety Club, has joined the "Icecapades of 1944" as master of ceremonies. He has been succeeded as Chief Barker of Tent No. 1 by William Finkel, who operates the Arcade and Colonial theatres. Fred LaBelle, personnel director for Warner Bros, theatres in Pittsburgh zone, was elected president of the Warner Family Club. Harry Peters, son of the veteran exhibitor, S. A. Peters, who operates the Paramount Theatre, Sisterville, W. Va., leaves this week for training as an air cadet. The following promotions have just been announced by the local Warner Bros, theatre circuit : Paul Williams, transferred from the Melrose to the Harris ; Arthur Letender from the Model to the Boulevard; James S. Laux from the Boulevard to the Melrose ; Edward Johns has been made manager of the Model ; Ruth Knee, former secretary at the Stanley, has been made assistant manager of the Ritz. H. A. Doman, manager of the Harris Theatre, DuBois, Pa., is now a grandfather, his daughter having just given birth to a baby girl. Fred Hart, head shipper at the local Republic exchange, has just left for military training. Just recently he became the father of a son. The Rivoli Theatre in South Fork, Pa., for many years operated by R. Allison of the Allison Circuit, has been taken over K. A. Vaveris, who operates other theatres in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Gus Vaveris are the proud parents of a baby son, born in the Johnstown Hospital. The father operates the Strand. Malcolm J. Lowe, son-in-law of the veteran exhibitor, N. C. Burwell, of Parkersburg, W. Va. is now stationed in North Africa and has been appointed manager of a number of theatres for Uncle Sam. {Continued on Page 34) m WlLOCATS \