Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1945)

32 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW February 17, 1945 REGIONAL Continued town and one of the most luxurious houses in the Tri-State area. It was built at a cost of $1 million in 1923. Warners also operate the Virginia in Fairmont. The Dixie Theatre, one of the five houses operated by Dr. C. E. Herman in Carnegie, Pa., was also destroyed by fire the early part of last week. Damage was estimated at $20,000. George Petroplos, former manager of the Rex, Wheeling, W. Va., is home on his first furlough after serving 33 months in China and other parts of the Orient. MONTREAL Two young men were fined $5 with an alternative of spending 8 days in jail after pleading guilty to charges of ill behavior in a Quebec City theatre. Chief of police Gagnon told the court there had been numerous complaints lately from theatre managers and patrons that escapades involving immoral conduct had become too frequent. The Robert Bros, operating the Rialto Theatre in nearby Three Rivers in conjunction with Famous Players-Canadian are looking for another house as a result of a fire which completely gutted the structure. Damage was estimated at $70,000. Jerry Chernofif who recently went to Toronto for PRC has returned to Montreal to join Alliance Films as local manager. Irving Sourkes, local manager for Monogram, is confined at the Royal Victoria Hospital with eye trouble. He was the recent victim of an automobile accident. Romeo Chavalier, Warner-Vitagraph shipper has returned to work after being on the sick list for three weeks. He has been with the company for 22 years. Mrs. M. Brais will celebrate the 25th year of her association with the Warners organization. Irving Goldsmith is still leading in the Film Row Bowling League. Goldsmith is with Superior Theatres, recently affiliated with the Rank interests. DENVER Jack Bruno, manager of the Park and Sterling, Greeley, Colo., has turned writer and producer. He is writing most of the script for the Greeley Kiwanis minstrel show, which will be staged at the Sterling Theatre March 19-20. Bern Mariner, former United Artistsalesman, has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on Saipan. Duke Dunbar has been named general chairman of the committee that will arrange for "Days of 49," to be put on by the Rocky Moun WE SAY You Can't Jeat SPECIAL TRAILERS 7av On Ypv r Ijext Orcter ondf See 1327 S. WABASH AVE, . . CHICAGO 5, IIL| — ADV. What Are Your Needs? Joe Hornstein Has It tain Screen Club March 16 at the Brown Palace Hotel. He will be assisted by the complete entertainment committee, headed by Robert Hill and Ralph Batschelet. Homer Ellison, former theatreman, with Red Cross film service for three years, and Sam Reed, former RCA sound equipment expert and also with the Red Cross film service for a year and a half, have formed the Ellison-Reed Visual Aid Service, and will specialize in 16-mm equipment, projectors, cameras, and other equipment and repairs. They have located at 2161 Broadway, on Film Row. O. K. Leonard, Central Theatre, Central, N. M., is opening a new theatre at Bayard, N. M., to be named the Bayard. Exhibitors Poster Service is moving to 2081 Broadway, and their location will be added to the Clasa-Mohme exchange, next door. Out-of-town exhibitors observed on the Row included Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Vilnave, Buffalo, Wyo., Theodore Jamison, Pinebluff s, Wyo. ; O. K. Leonard, Central, N. M. ; J. C. Parker, Dalhart, Texas; John Roberts, Ft. Morgan, Colo., and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Jung, Holyoke, Colo. INDIANAPOLIS Film salesmen in this area are finding it quite difficult to call on exhibitors in the northern part of the state because of ice-covered roads. Driving a car is hazardous, and film deliveries too are being detained because of dangerous driving. Snow and ice have covered Indiana highways for the past 40 days. Lillian M. Craig, wife of Guy Craig, manager of Columbia exchange here, died Feb. 10, following a heart attack. Film Row was saddened by her death. Paul Leatherby, head booker and office manager at RKO is confined to his home as a result of a throat infection. His condition, however, is not serious. Russell Brcnllinger, RKO manager, spent the week in Southern Indiana territory on business. Margaret Hoeltke is a new addition to Warners' billing department. Exhibitors booking and buying on Film Row the past week include: Morris Blacker, Rco Theatre, Cloverport, Ky., and State Theatre Clay; J. B. Stein, Garfield and Swan theatres, Terre Haute; Maurice Reinking, Idaho, Terre Haute; Roy Coons, Star, Geneva; Roger Scherer, Wayne, Ft. Wayne, and Joe Schilling, Connersville. T. N. Luckett, French Lick exhibitor, was stricken with a heart attack Feb. 3. According to the last report he is on the mend. Variety Club's official family met Feb. 5 to discuss plans for the year's activities which will be presented to the board of directors at their next gathering for approval. The installation of newly elected officers is also being planned for the near future. Carl Niesse, who operates the Vogue Theatre here, is on the sick list. Also reported sick aie Joe Cantor, of the Cantor Circuit, and Milton Ettinger, Universal salesman. Bob Ungerfelt, of Universal's home office publicity department has been assigned as exploiteer for the Indianapolis and Cincinnati areas. MEMPHIS J. B. Underwood, district manager at Dallas for Columbia, was a visitor to the local exchange last week. Joe Simon, manager of Warners' Theatre,, has put his friends on notice as to his whereabouts next week. "There will be a circus at the auditorium," Joe said. Simon was with the big 'tops for some 20 years before settling down at Warners. Howard Waugh, WB district manager, will probably wonder about his theatre staff, for Bob Courtney is also a former "big top" man. Courtney is the genial doorman. Eugene L. Boggs, of the Jackson Theatre, Jacksonville, Ark., was a visitor on Film Row last week. Old home week was celebrated last week at the MGM exchange welcoming former employes, now in the service who were on furlough. Lt. Douglas H. Johnston, Army Air Corps, and former postal clerk, has been in the South Pacific. Lt. W. B. Mallory, Navy, and former chief booker is on his way to his new station at Cherry Point, N. C. Mrs. Elizabeth Mitchell, office manager, had a little private celebration of her own when she received word that her husband, Claude Mitchell, who has been in the European war theatre for more than a year, was promoted to first Lieutenant. All of that rated a party, and the MGM personnel put the big pot in the little one at the Variety Club. New at this exchange, is Mrs. Corinne King, in the bookkeeping department. Cupid really took over at the Memphis Malco office last week, when wedding bells rang for two feminine members of the staflf. Miss Gladys McLellan wed Capt. W. D. Sanders, Army Air Corps. They will live in Washington, D. C. Miss Melba Rhinehart became Mrs. Joe E. Wood. Ensign Wood will be stationed in New Orleans where they will make their home. The new inspectress at 20th-Fox is Mrs. Hutton. THEATREMEN HOLD MEMBERSHIP MEETING. The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Ontario met recently in Ottawa to appoint Ray Tubman chairman and Morris Berlin secretary for 1945. Members attending the meeting were (seated, l-r) : Bea Pacaud, Rexy Theatre; Bill O'Reagan, Laurier & Francais Theatre; Morris Berlin, Somerset; Sam Hebscher, Nola; Bob Martin, Avalon; 1944 Secretary Isser Singerman, Imperial; 1944 Chairman Steve McManus, Elgin; Gordon Beavis, Centre; Eddie Warren of Torcnto, representing the Parent Association; Ray Tubman, Capitol, and Mrs. Warren. Standing (l-r): Al McGuire, Somerset; Jack Hewson, Dominion sound engineer; Stan McNeil, Capitol, Smith's Falls, Ont.; Ambrose Nolan, Little Theatre, Hull; Henry Marshall, Regent.