Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

16 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW December 2, 1944 REGIONAL Continued Oyster Party on November 30, at Rialto Hall. Present, along with directors and officials of the company, were George Ganetakos, the Tabahs and other local film executives. D. O'Connor, Huntington's Member of Parliament, made ^n excursion to the city, looking for material and equipment to dress up his theatre in Huntington, an Army centre. It appears that the increased traffic has played hob with the furnishings. Annual party of the Canadian Picture Pioneers, whose members must have at least 25 years' service in the industry, is scheduled for December 2. Each member will be expected to turn back the pages of time and supply a yarn or skit, illustrative of the "good old days." Leo Choquette has purchased and will run the small theatre in Longeuiel with a seating capacity of about 200, which he expects to open shortly after minor repairs. We're not yet sure of the new name. Henry Moss, the fellow who grinds out yards of reader weekly for Consolidated, recalls that "Abie's Irish Rose," which opens at His Majesty's Theatre December 4, ran in this city for nearly 16 weeks, 'way back in the early 20s. Tommy Cleary, Consolidated's press agent, beginning to feel ship-shape after four operations and considerable treatment for varicose veins. CHICAGO Three of the circuits here display a total of 16 gold stars in bereavement and recollection of those who gave their all in defense of their country : B & K, 12 ; Essaness, 2 ; and WB, 2. CPO Samuel J. Berger, USN, former Chicago theatre executive, has been placed in charge of motion picture service units in the Southern Pacific area, according to word received by Jack Kirsch, Allied president. Berger has 1500 machines under his supervision and has organized a personnel service whose efficiency is demonstrated by a schedule whereby his crews systematically hop ofif by plane to any island spot in the vast Pacific with the required equipment and repair facilities to keep theatre units operating. The Studio Theatre in the Loop, Ellisburg circuit house, is featuring triple features on the current bill. The films are "Souls in Pawn," "Adolescence" and "I Accuse My Parents." The Empress Theatre has given up its stage show policy and returned to an all-film program. The B & K Christmas party will be held Dec. 16th, with Charles Cottle of the State Lake acting as chairman. A large tree with gifts for the children is planned. Emil Stern, Essaness president, returned to his desk after a short absence due to a severe cold. Thomas Murray's million dollar damage suit against the film distributors before Federal Judge Holly was scheduled for hearing Mondav, Nov. 27th. Balaban and Katz denied rumors of purchasing the Essaness circuit which have prevailed since the death of Sidney Spiegel. Jack Flynn, MGM Western manager, and Sam Shirley. Chicago manager, returned from the Cincinnati meetings. George Hickey, Pacific Coast manager, will return west after a holiday visit with relatives in Toledo. Sid Blumenstock and Jules Fields of 20th Century-Fox returned to New York headquarters following a "Winged Victory" meeting at the Blackstone Hotel. The Allied Theatres' booking circuit celebrated its second anniversary with a stag dinner for Jack Kirsch, president, at the Blackstone Hotel. The Piccadilly Theatre's anti-trust case against the film distributors has been postponed by agreement of counsel. The case will be called when the attorneys are ready for hearings. Carl Leserman, sales manager for United HOLLYWOOD CAME EAST. John Garfield, arriving in Philadelphia for background scenes for his next Warner Bros, picture, "This Love of Ours," is greeted by Irving Blumberg (right), publicity director for Warner Theatres in Philadelphia, and Chuck Hansen, unit manager. Unit has since returned west. Artists, was a visitor here over the weekend, conferring with Rud Lohrenz, district manager. Paul Mosher, publicity director for Kay Kyser, declared in a statement that Kyser asked Columbia to postpone the starting date of his next film, so that he can play more Army dates in the Northwest territory. Kyser and his band played from the Navy pier last Wednesday in behalf of the 6th War Loan. The Stromberg Carlson sound system has been installed along State Street by the State Street council, thus giving it a complete unit which can be regulated by the engineers block by block. Theatres on State Street are cooperating. Herb Lyons, special events publicity director for Balaban & Katz, will also handle the publicity for television station WBKB. Lt. James Fennell, former Warner theatre manager, is hospitalized at the Gardner Hospital here. Marshall Hollander, son of William Hollander, B & K publicity director, has been promoted to lieutenant. He has seen action in the South Pacific area. Cpl. Stanley Shier is here on furlough, visiting his uncle, Henri Elman, PRC franchise holder. James W. Johnston, retired treasurer of the Western Electric Co., was buried at Rosehill Cemetery last Wednesday. Pvt. John Engst, former Essaness manager, was killed in action in France Sept. 13th. He entered the service July, 1943. His father and mother survive. A memorial service will be held for him here in the near future. Pfc. Edward Stewart, son of Max Stewart, advertising agent for the Blackstone Theatre, is here on furlough. TULSA Kenneth C. Blackledge, of Bartlesville, took over the reins as city manager of the Griffith theatres here Dec. 1. The appointment was announced last week by Lew A. Chatham, divi . ' sion manager for Eastern Oklahoma, who has handled the duties of city manager in Tulsa for the past five years. Blackledge, who formerly was city manager at Bartlesville where he operated four theatres, first became connected with the Griffith company in 1928 at Stillwater. He maintained his connection with the system while attending Oklahoma A. & M. College. His first assignments in the theatre managerial field were at Ada and Pampa, Texas. Blackledge has served as special events chairman for the War Finance Committee for his district during the past four war loan campaigns. J. C. Duncan, who has been assistant city manager in Tulsa for the past five years under Chatham, will continue in the same capacity under Blackledge, who will make his office in the Delman Theatre. Chatham will continue to operate the Griffith theatres' Eastern Oklahoma division, with headquarters in Tulsa. SAN ANTONIO Interstate City Manager Albert H. Reynolds has been appointed local chairman for the motion picture division of the Sixth War Loan drive. Joe Estes, publicity manager for Interstate in the Alamo City, is the local public relations director for the bond drive. Out-of-town theatremen recently here to book Spanish language pictures included : George Waites, Texas Theatre, DeHanis ; Jack Reflogal, .A^ztec, Beeville ; Dr. L. J. Montague, Azteca and Valley, Edinburg ; Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Bishop, Reo, Mission, and Julian Suarez, operator of Mexican theatres in Charlotte, Potee and Pleasanton, Tex. The Empire has put in a new, modern screen much to the delight of patrons. Attracting quite a lot of attention these days is the "Movies at War" lobby display which has been alternating in all downtown theatre lobbies. Travelers: Albert Coppell (Azteca Films), and Gordon Dunlap (Clasa-Mohme) back from a business trip to Austin; Ramiro Cortes (stage show promoter) has returned from a theatrical mission in Mexico, and Wayne Pittinger, United .Artists sales representative, made a round trip from the Dallas branch office. CLEVELAND K. C. Blackledge The industry's participation here in the 6th War Loan drive is ahead of any previous drive. Salesmen reported 75 premiere pledges from the territory inclusive of the Warner and Publix circuits, while the Loew, Schine and Shea circuits are yet to be accounted for. Morrison Orr, WAC distributor chairman, and Meyer Fine, WAC e-xhibitor chairman, expect to leave the 5th Bond record of 83 premieres far behind before another week has passed. Manifestation of greater interest in the 6th drive to the comparable period in the 5th is gauged by the amount of advertising requested by exhibitors. Nat Barach, National Screen Service branch manager, reports that to date more advertising material has been sold than for all previous drives combined. Nat L. Lefton, who has sold his PRC franchises in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Detroit to the parent company, has announced that he is retiring from the picture business, but whether permanently or not remains to be seen. He previously retired when he sold his interests in the old Standard Film Service Company, but came back as head of the local Republic branch. When Republic took over its national distribution Lefton again sold out and retired. But in less than two years he was back with the PRC franchises in his pocket. At any rate, he has no immediate plans for the future. Mrs. Gertrude L. Tracy has recovered from a gallstone battle and is back at her job as manager of Loew's Ohio Theatre. Flight Officer John Peter Tender, owner of the Tivoli, Lorain, has been home on leave from Laughlin Field, Del Rio, Texas. Dave Miller, Universal district manager, and Mrs. Aliller entertained Pete Dana, U Pittsburgh branch manager; Bert and Pat Stearn, Harry Hendel, all of Pittsburgh, and Dave Spizell and Bob Snyder of Cleveland for Thanksgiving dinner. A surprise dinner party at the Alcazar Hotel {Continued on Page 18) t