Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

November 18, 1944 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 21 the Republic staff as stenographer. J. W. Taylor is Republic's new office manager. And it's wedding bells Nov. 18 for Miss Alice Black of the Republic staff. The groom is R. K. Jarrell. Miss Ruth Hardin, former secretary of the National Theatre Supply Company and now Red Cross assistaant field director stationed at the Finney General Hospital in Thomasville, Ga., is expected home to spend Thanksgiving with her mother and sister, Mrs. Walter Griffith. Bob Sullivan, office manager for Byron Adams, United Artists representative here, announces two new members of his clerical force, Miss Carol Barnett and Miss Pat Dougherty. And Angus Metzger, recently corporal in a tank corps, is back at his old post as United Artists shipper. HARRISBURG The Rio has launched its "kids program," following a series which were regular Saturday features until Sergeant Ed Smith, master of ceremonies, was called into the Army. The current Saturday afternoon feature is under the direction of Henry I. Marshall, radio comedian. Broadcast from 12.30 to one o'clock over WKBO, the programs will be somewhat similar to the former youngsters' shows so popular at the Rio, E. Gerard Wollaston, manager, announced. A stunt which proved popular with the younger element was the gift, of Wollaston, of more than a thousand color photographs of Roy Rogers, handed out to the first boys and girls in the house last Saturday, plugging the film, "San Fernando Valley," which comes in next week. Fabian Theatres, Inc., have announced that Mrs. Mary Ellen Perrigo, who was secretary to the late C. Floyd Hopkins, area manager, for a number of years, will continue in their employ. Mrs. Perrigo's headquarters will be the offices of the Colonial and Rio, where she will handle the bookkeeping and accounts. The other Fabian theatre, the State, will continue in the policy of keeping its own books and figures, as that house operates a large downtown office building, with all that entails, and in addition, must keep on record the name of every musician, artist or actor who has played in the theatre in its infrequent stage shows. John F. Rogers, manager, said this is required under Social Security laws, and his own secretary handles all these matters. The Fabian Circuit will continue to book features for the three houses, with each one listing its own shorts. Sam Gilman, chairman, and Jerry Wollaston, special events chairman, for the local WAC, have called managers of the 41 Dauphin county and Harrisburg theatres to plan the Industry's participation in the Sixth War Loan. Already a series of special programs, including bond premieres, an art exhibit, a football game, and other events have been planned. In addition to premieres in the downtown houses, neighborhoods and country theatres are planning them also, as well as free movie days. A reissue of "A Farewell to Arms" brought crowds to the newly-renovated Capitol Theatre, Mark Rubinsky reported. Louis Laucks, Lyric Newmanstown, is expecting to be called by the Army about January 1. VANCOUVER Vancouver is the first Canadian city to reach Its Victory loan goal ; has exceeded its $23,000,000 quota with another week to go. Levi Graham, who sold out his interests in the Prince George Theatres to H. G. Stevenson from Alberta, and will operate a summer resort at nearby Six Mile house, is considered the oldest theatre operator in B.C., his experience dating back to 1907 with one night showings around Vancouver and Eraser Valley. He remembers when he played three subjects on a GENERAL "IKE'S" STARS. Joseph W. Springer, general manager of Century Theatres, New York, turns over to Frederick W. Gehle, state chairman of War Finance for New York, the 4 stars received from General Eisenhower, which will be awarded to the State's best bond salesman or woman. The stars were worn by General "Ike" in the Mediterranean and European campaigns. In photo above: Mrs. Cortlandt D. Barnes, N. Y. C. War Finance vice chairman; Fred Schwartz of Century Circuit; Springer and Gehle. single reel with pictures renting for $4 a week compared with $100 for three days' showing now. Basil Horsfall, another old-timer in film business since the Mutual film period, is now a member of Canadian Picture Pioneers. Larry Bearg, western district manager for Famous Players, is a visitor in Vancouver checking up on the circuit theatres in B.C. Dave Griesdorf, Odeon circuit district manager, spent this week in Victoria and Vancouver Island district checking on their 5 theatres. The Rex Theatre here playing late runs with low admission is showing a bigger profit than other theatres showing pictures early at high prices. Joe Altmore of the Grand at Natal, B.C., is in the Calgary General Hospital recovering from a major operation. Odeon switched two managers this week. Tom Cooke of the Lux here goes to the Rio, Victoria, and Bill Calladine, of the Rio, takes over the Lux. Pop Elliotte of the Rex, Quesnel, B.C., who recently underwent an eye operation is now fully recovered. Flight-Lieut. Winchester, son of Tom Winchester, projectionist at the Dominion Theatre, reported missing in air operations over Germany ; former Usher Joe Colver of the Orpheum Theatre, Fort William, is also reported missing in action with RCAF. Safecrackers blew the safe at the Olympia Theatre this week ; $416 missing. Amending an order-in-council covering the use and equipment of public halls in B.C., another order has been passed providing that chairs shall "be battened together and secured to the floor in an approved manner" and gives the fire marshal discretionary power, this will effect many halls who have movable seats and are used for combination dance halls and film exliibitions. INDIANAPOLIS Mrs. Bella Fronim. author of "Blood and Banquets," will make a personal appearance at tlie Indiana Theatre here in connection with the film, "The Master Race." Johnny Philliber, a native of Elkhart, Indiana who gave up a motion picture career last summer and announced that he was "going home to die," died at his home in Elkhart Nov. 6. He was 72 years old. From overseas reports comes the word that Sgt. Abe Baker, formerly in the Columbia booking department, is doing shows in Rome. Carl Anderson, Universal booking department is taking a two months leave, to be spent at his home in Portland, Mc. While in the armed forces he suffered a severe leg injury and now has to take special medical treatment. Will Hays arrived in Indianapolis Monday on his way back home to cast his vote. The president of the M.P.P.D. of A. attended a War bond meeting in the Indianapolis Athletic Club and then left with Mrs. Hays for Sullivan, Ind. Charles Rich, Warner Bros, district manager and Jules Lapidus, division manager, arrived in Indianapolis Monday and remained through Tuesday, holding a sales conference. Herbert Boss, just discharged from the Army, will return to Paramount's booking desk, his former position. Salesmen at the Warner Bros, exchange, won first prize in the Vitaphone short subject drive, and were awarded $250 each in War Bonds. Maj. Arthur True, Field Artillery, stationed in Texas, was a visitor during the week accompanied by Mrs. True. He formerly was manager of the local branch of National Theatre Supply. Elmer Donnelly, former salesman at United .\rtists, succeeds Richard Frank, resigned. Mr. Donnelly has been connected with UA for many years. Local F. 135, Exchange Employes Union, held its regular monthly meeting Wednesday night in Paramount screening room. Among the visitors on Film Row were: Leonard Sowar, Y. & W. manager for Muncie theatres; Rodger Scherer, manager for Mailers Circuit, Ft. Wayne Theatres; Arthur Gravel, Goodwin, Ind., exhibitor; Douglas Haney Albion, and Trueman Rembush, and his managers, Joe Finneran, Tom Grady, William Hanley and John Lavelle. William Haney who operates the Milan Theatre, Milan, has announced his intention to build a new theatre as soon as materials are available. Thomas Blewett, who operates the Marian Theatre, at Auburn, Ind., also announces his intention to build a new theatre as soon as equipment and building materials are available. Lieut. Leon J. Cooning, reported missing in action over Czechoslovakia, was a former employe at the Victor Division of the RCA Indianapolis plant. DES MOINES Leo F. Wolcott, president of Allied-Independent theatre owners of Iowa-Nebraska, suggested to the Iowa exhibitors that the small town theatres should not close during V-E Day. Many small towns and rural people depend almost entirely upon the theatre for their relaxation and entertainment, Wolcott said. Usually, more people come on holidays than most any other day. V-E Day will be treated as a holiday by most of these people. The best thoughts on the subject insist that the day should be one of quiet thanksgiving, not a wild orgy. People are generally quieter in the theatre than any other place. The election of a new governor for Iowa, Robert Blue of Eagle Grove, has resulted in raising the possibility the state's tax picture might be changed due to his campaign platfo rm that called for a study and revision of the state tax structure. Whether a tax revision, as planned by the governor-elect, would include the state sales' tax was not known, but if a general revision is planned it undoubtedly would face some alteration. Aside from the tax picture. Blue's legislative record is favorable to the film business. Richard A. Moore of Davenport has been appointed manager of the Webster City theatres, succeeding Fred Shadley. Moore formerly was in charge of Pioneer theatres in Sac City. The theatre at Danbury will be reopened by a group of business men after the house had been closed for the past few months. W. D. Berry will be in charge of the theatre. J. W. Carberry has been appointed manager of the Strand Theatre in Cedar Rapids by {Continued on Page 24)