Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1945)

February 17, 1945 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 29 tive in getting a fire regulation bill introduced at the last legislature but the measure failed to pass. The Allied Bulletin claimed that HF147 as introduced took the rigid requirements of the previous bill for new theatres and applied them to existing theatres, making no mention of new building or remodeling. _ It also pointed out the new bill would prohibit anyone under 18 years of age to operate while the previous set the limit at 16 years. "And to top it all off HF147 almost entirely excepts traveling exhibitors or jack-rabbits and entirely excepts churches, schools, clubs and halls from its provisions." Leo Wolcott, president of the Allied-Independent theatre owners of Iowa and Nebraska, reported iri the organization bulletin that some exhibitors are contemplating closing down one or two days a week in order to conserve on fuel and power. He reported his theatre at Eldora had shut down to one show per night Monday through Friday without any ill efifects. The Capitol Theatre at Dubuque has been sold to Virgil C. Gebbie of Davenport, by Ned Fretus, the former owner who has moved to Bellevue, la. Gebbie formerly was associated with an oil company at Davenport. Policy of the theatre will remain unchanged. Cedar Rapids theatres collected a total of $4126.79 during the March of Dimes campaign it was reported by Harry Moore, manager of the Paramount Theatre, who served as chairman for the six Cedar Rapids theatres. NEWARK Arnold Eisen, assistant contact manager of Warners' North Jersey office, has resigned to become associated with his old colleague, Don Jacocks, former Warner North Jersey zone manager, who recently acquired his own circuit of theatres in New England. Arnold was with the Warner organization in Newark for the past 16 years. More than sixty of the top Warner managers and other executives gave him a testimonial banquet at Martan's Cafe. Frank J. Damis, North Jersey zone manager, was toastmaster. Leo Goldman, former manager of the Globe, has been promoted to the management of the Savoy, a larger house. Howard Hall, relief manager for Warners, is the proud father of his fifth child, a daughter. Prudence Anne, born in St. Michael's Hospital. Fred B. Dressel, former manager of the Savoy, has been named manager of the Ritz, succeeding Danny Cudone. Jack Smolen, manager of the Lyric Theatre, Summit, overcame a problem of a lack of a trailer for the "March of Dimes" campaign, when he received a letter on Thursday, immediately following the Wednesday, on which the drive was scheduled to conclude, asking that the collections be continued over the week-end and requesting his continued cooperation. Jack had sent back his "Dimes" trailer, along with the rest of his show, early Thursday morning. So, he hot-footed it around town and got himself a bevy of speakers from the American Legion, Red Cross and other civic organizations, to make the "Dimes" appeal from the stage. So successful were the results of the local speakers that Jack was able to turn in total collections topping the 1944 results. Edward Dunn, formerly of the Stanley staff, was promoted on the battlefield, according to word received by his friends here, and is now a second lieutenant. Lt. Dunn is a member of the 117th Reconnaissance Squadron, which, according to prisoners taken from the German Second Panzer Division, is the best Allied unit they yet have had the misfortune to meet up with. Cpl. Abbie Citron, formerly of the Regent staff, is now in the thick of the fighting in the Philippines, he writes his friends. Sgt. Murray Krilov, formerly of the Embassy, Orange, is with the Third Army on the western front. Pvt. Walter Molosh, formerly of Warners' 'IT'S IN THE BAG.' Fred Allen, who returns to the screen in the Jack Skirbali production, "It's in the Bag" for United Artists release, is photographed with two UA men at the party In New York which preceded a showing of the picture. Left to right: Sam Lefkcwitz, district manager; Jack Ellis, New York branch manager, and the stage, radio and screen star. Newark maintenance department, formerly stationed in Arkansas, is happy that he has been transferred back to Fort Monmouth, in his home state. New Jersey. Pfc. William Cluen, formerly of the Ritz, who has been ill at the Rhodes General Hospital, Utica, N. Y., where he is stationed, is recovering. Johnny Lambert, formerly of the Ritz, Elizabeth, is in line for promotion to signalman. Bob Trombley, Jr., also of the same house, is now stationed at the Naval Hospital, Great Lakes, 111. Robert Pryor, formerly of the Cameo, South Orange, paid his friends a visit during his furlough from the Naval Training School, Great Lakes, III. Jerry Rose, popular former manager of the Hawthorne and Savoy, has been promoted to corporal. Samuel Jenefsky, of Warners' Newark office, has been given an honorable discharge from the Army. COLUMBUS Columbus theatres had no second dark Monday, since the fuel crisis passed its peak before the scheduled second week "darkout." Both Mayor James A. Rhodes and Governor Frank J. Lausche declared that it would not be necessary to request a second closed day. Gov. Lausche announced that individual communities were free to handle the situation as the local conditions dictated. There was considerable criticism in Columbus on the first closed Monday because liquor-selling establishments remained open while retail stores, theatres and other amusements were closed. An ordinance licensing pinball machines, other amusement devices and penny arcades, passed Feb. S by the Columbus city council, becomes effective March 5. The ordinance sets license fees of $5 for one and two-cent machines, $10 for five and ten-cent machines and $175 a year for penny arcades. It also prohibits children under 17 years of age from playing the machines unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult relative. This section was inserted to combat complaints school children have been spending lunch money to play the machines. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boettger had a preValentine gift from heaven with the arrival of a baby boy on Feb. 5. Roettger is manager of the Boulevard, a neighborhood theatre. Ken Renaud, United Artists exploiteer, in town in advance of opening of "I'll Be Seeing You" at Loew's Ohio. When too many wives of members of the Variety Club became ill from winter colds, the men stepped in and staged the annual "Ladies" annual Valentine ball at the club. Capt. Robert Crawford, composer of the official Army Air Corps song, in town in conjunction with "Winged Victory." Capt. Crawford sang his song in two appearances at Loew's Ohio, was guest at a press luncheon and broadcast on local interview programs. One local neighborhood theatre beat the fuel shortage by having lobby poster announcing "This theatre is unheated. If you want your money back, ask at the box-office." The audience, bundled well in overcoats, didn't seem to mind. There were few requests for refunds. Governor Frank J. Lausche, Mayor James A. Rhodes and Bishop Michael J. Ready, newly installed as head of the Columbus Catholic diocese, are new honorary members of the Variety Club, Tent No. 2. Hubert Scott, former manager of Loew's Broad, now exploiteer for United Artists in the Midwest territory, was a local visitor. CHARLOTTE Exhibitors in town this week: Sammy Trencher, manager of the Colonial, Kannapolis, N. C; W. J. Allen, Allen, North Wilkesboro, N. C, and W. J. Workman, Hollywood, Woodruff, S. C. George Roscoe, Columbia manager here, has returned from a business trip to Charleston, S. C. The March of Dimes drive refuses to end for Max Bryant, manager of the National Supply Co., who served as chairman in the city and county for the Variety Club, which assumed responsibility for the campaign here. Bryant reports that checks continue to come in, though the campaign is officially over. At the last counting the amount received had reached nearly $40,000. The goal set was $25,000. Mrs. Mary Henderson, secretary to Mrs. Blanche Carr, office manager at MGM, has returned from Memphis, Tenn., where she visited her husband, Sgt. Russell Henderson. Sgt. Henderson was wounded in France and is now hospitalized in Memphis. Lt. Maxwell Holder, former booker for MGM, is home after two years in New Guinea, and will report to Miami soon for reassignment. Miss Ruth McMillan is the new secretary at 20th Century-Fox. Lt. Frank Lowery, former booker at the 20thFox exchange, who was wounded in France on D-Day, recently visited his friends at the exchange. Charlie Minzey, cashier at 20th-Fox, announced the birth of a daughter. The new board of directors of the Theatre Owners, Inc., will hold their first meeting in Charlotte Feb. 19, with the new president, A. G. Sams, Jr., of Statesville, presiding. W. D. Joyner, manager of the Gay Theatre in Gibsonville, N. C, which was closed in January due to damage by fire, has not yet been able to secure supplies for rebuilding, but hopes to do so at an early date. CLEVELAND Motion picture theatres here along with other places of amusement, schools, department stores, etc., are back on regular operating time. There was no fuel holiday this week. Mayor Thomas A. Burke announced that last Monday's shutdown was successful in tiding over the coal shortage. A break in the weather also speeded transportation. Unless another storm ties up freight, another holiday will not be necessary in the Greater Cleveland area. However, there are closings this week in towns outside Cuyahoga County. Warners' Madison and Ritz, Mansfield, were closed on Tuesday ; the Lima theatres on Thursday ; the Strand, Akron, the Ohio Sidney and all of the Springfield houses on Monday. The one-day Cleveland closing cost the exhibitors 90 per cent of their regular Monday business, the subsequent-run theatre owners report. Downtown houses say they were able to recoup to a greater extent. Leroy Kendis, who has severed his connection with National Screen Service to become affiliated with Associated Circuit, as assistant {Continued on Next Page)