Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

December 2, 1944 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW 15 OMAHA Following redecoration, modernization and with new equipment, the Winn Theatre reopened as the Fortieth Street. The opening saw the inauguration of a new low admission policy which the theatre will pursue. H. W. Jasperson, attending a national convention here, stopped along Film Row to book pictures for the Nebraska State Reformatory. E. J. Browning has taken over the theatre at Danbury, Iowa, and has renamed it The Victory. Businessmen of the town originally were to have run the theatre. More than a thousand tickets to a big Thanksgiving Eve bond premiere at the Paramount Theatre were handed out on the opening day of sales here. Tickets were obtained by the purchase of an E or individual series bond, one ticket being given with each bond sold. Salesmen out of the Omaha exchanges who travel in Iowa are co-operating with the Iowa bond committees in the "pin-money" bond movies being staged in that state. Betty Stair, cashier at Monogram, celebrated her 21st birthday Saturday. Al Yohe, Broadway Theatre manager, sums up the excitement in his life this way: Once doubled for Gibson; once broke an arm roller skating; and one time was on the same show with Rudolph Valentino. Jack Rachman heard this one a street car: "Let's go to the theatre. The popcorn's better." H. E. "Dad" Rowland, for 40 years _ stage electrician at the Orpheum, is shown in the local press ready to open a bottle of coins he had been saving for two years. He was one of the first visitors at the Orpheum bond booth. Jesse McBride, branch manager of Paramount, notified Omaha bond leaders this week that his company would buy $100,000 in bonds to be credited to this area in the Sixth War Loan drive. This is four times the sum subscribed by the company in any of the previous drives for this territory. Capt. Allan Kohan, former Omaha newspaperman before joining the armed forces, said here this week he would join Warner Bros, as an exploiteer after being placed on the inactive list Dec. 1. NEW YORK A special meeting was called Tuesday by the Motion Picture Associates at the Hotel Astor here. On its agenda was the all-important change in their by-laws raising the death benefit from $250 to $1000. By Friday of the previous week the secret ballots had practically all been mailed from its 530 odd members, and indications pointed to the unanimity of carrying this resolution. Also under consideration was a plan for hospitalization, and plans for a victory dinner dance this Spring. It is no mere coincidence but the sound judgment of its financial committee that the bulk of its funds have been placed in Government bonds. The MGM exchange reports every member has subscribed to the 6th War Loan and has purchased at least one additional bond. Anne Friedel, booking clerk at MGM and Abe Pelner, defense worker in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, plan to be married in Brooklyn Dec. 17th. Bob Friedman, shorts and news booker for MGM, for the past year and in the service as a pilot with the Air Force in the United States for 14 months until he was medically discharged, will resume his studies at Columbia REGIONAL NEWS INDEX Boston 21 Charlotte 21 Chicago 16 Cincinnati 18 Cleveland 16 Denver 21 Des Moines 18 Harrisburg 18' Indianapolis , 72 Memphis 20 Montreal 15 New York 15 Omaha 15 Ottawa 20 Palm Springs 15 Philadelphia 22 Pittsburgh 57 Portland 21 San Antonio 16 St. Louis 20 Tulsa 16 Vancouver 21 Washington 18 the first of next year for a master's degree. He already has a B.A. from New York University. Friedman is 23 years old. Stafif Sgt. Joseph Eraser, MGM booking clerk until he entered the service, sustained a shrapnel wound while in action overseas with the 180th Infantry. He was on the sick list for a few weeks and has returned to action. The thrill that comes "once in a lifetime" pervaded Mrs. Dorothy Benson, MGM booking clerk, when scanning one of the metropolitan tabloids she saw her soldier-husband's picture opening a Christmas parcel she had sent him. Sidney Stockton, office manager, and Ralph Pielow, New York salesmanager of the MGM exchange will celebrate their birthdays Dec. 5th. MGM's Exchange Pep Club Party of 125 members will hold their annual Christmas party Dec. 22nd at the Hotel New Yorker. Carmen George of MGM's service department left for a week's vacation. Of 30 now in the Armed Forces from the contingent at MGM's exchange, one is a marine. She is Inez Carloni, stationed at Arlington, Va. Anthony Agoglia, former booker in the United Artists exchange, was a casualty as a result of action in Belgium with the 110th Infantry, Company E, according to advices received from the War Department. Herman Kram, 70 years old, a former traveling representative for the foreign department of 20th Century-Fox, is reported seriously ill at the New York Hospital. Funeral services were held last week for Gus Koeningswald, 50, who died in an upstate institution after a long illness. Eighteen is the estimated number of persons in Uncle Sam's forces from the New York Columbia exchange. Catherine Becker, New York and Bronx booker at Columbia, returned after a week's illness. Joseph Burke, office manager of the 20th Century-Fox exchange, was elected president by acclamation last week of the Fox Family Club, comprising the employes of the New York exchange, simultaneous with a celebration at the Zanzibar. All employes of the 20th Century-Fox exchange anticipate a three week's bonus around Christmas time. Pvt. Morton Sanders is the second son of Moe Sanders, 20th Century-Fox exchange manager, who left for overseas duty. Cpl. T/5 Morris Sanders is stationed in Paris. Before entering the service Cpl. Sanders showed promise both as baseball and football player. PALM SPRINGS Dorothy Lamour, the center of attraction at The Dunes, signing autographs for a group of service men, with Joe Marino's music furnishing an improvised obligato. Anna Sten sunbathing in the Colonial House's beautiful patio. Arthur Richards, theatre owner from Bay Cities, in town with his pro for a few days of golf. Sam Levin, Northern California theatre magnate, here on a quick trip to close a deal for acreage on which he plans to build a swank dude ranch immediately on the availability of materials. Howard Hughes blue room dining at Chi Chi's. Lana Turner in lugubrious mood when informed the Colonial House was filled to capacity with a long waiting list. Lily Pons seen taking additional medication at Torney General Hospital prior to her overseas trip to entertain the armed forces. Fibber McGee and Molly seen strolling down Palm Canyon Drive. Charles Winninger, staying at the Lone Palm, stopping his car to greet the Chamber of Commerce's executive secretary. Hank Goldenburg, San Francisco exhibitor, opening his new home for the season. With him, Mrs. Goldenburg and youngster, who is taking advantage of the excellent desert schools. Prominent tennis players in evidence at the Racquet Club last week-end : Gilbert Roland, Paul Lukas and Randolph Scott. Enjoying the hospitality of famed Lone Palm, Orchestra Leader Gus Arnheim and Showboat's Charlie Winninger. MONTREAL Oscar O. R. Hanson, president of Monogram Pictures of Canada, held a farewell reception at the Mount Royal Hotel for Commander Arthur Jarret, guiding light of A.B.C., large British producers and distributors, before he left by plane for England recently. Many local theatre executives were present. A recent visitor to Monogram was S. A. Doane, chairman of the Board of Censors for Nova Scotia, who was in town on a general business trip. The marriage of Faye Gold, former Regal Films Ltd. cashier, spells loss to Regal and gain to "Hy" Singerman, the groom. The ceremony took place in Saint John, New Brunswick. Regal's Montreal salesman, H. B. Millar, left for his semi-annual six-week trip through the Maritimes, to keep the Easterners interested in vitamin MGM. Tommy Trow of the Imperial, Three Rivers ; George Beaudry, owner of the Arena, Jolliette; R. Valley, of Sherbrooke's Primier, and George Champagne, from Shawinigan, all in town looking after their bookings, have folded their tents, and like the Arabs, silently stolen away. P. C. Taylor has acquired the Border Theatre in Rock Island. E. N. Tabah, general manager of Confederation Amusements, was host at a buffet reception held recently in the offices of Frank Makarios, manager of the Empress Theatre, following commemoration services for the boys who served and fell during the last world war. The Confederation boys held their annual {Continued on Next Page)