Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

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22 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW December 2, 1944 REGIONAL Continued Al Gold, who sold his theatre interests in Calgary but retains his interest in the Roxy have gone into the cafe business with the purchase of the Oyster-Bar in the heart of the amusement section. Jimmy Patterson, manager of 20th CenturyFox, leaves this week to attend a sales meeting in New York. Leslie Plottel, manager of Empire-Universal Films, and Harry Woulfe, manager of UA, are away on sales trips. Cpl. Jack Laidlaw, formerly with the Variety, Calgary, has been reported killed in action. It was good news for two local projectionists, Len Brewer of the Paradise and Tom Winchester of the Dominion, that their sons, reported missing in air operations, are prisoners of war. Sam Glasier has been named promotion representative for 20th Century-Fox in Canada. The job was formerly handled by the New York office. Famous Players will celebrate its 25th anniversary in January and will honor the 33 employes who have been with the company since its inception — Jan. 23, 1920. The Canadian Picture Pioneers B. C. branch will hold its 1944 meeting and banquet on Nov. 29th, on the same day as the larger gathering is held in Toronto. The Dominion Theatre, Winnipeg, first of the first-run houses in Winnipeg for large productions before the coming of talking pictures, has reopened with a double bill of second-run top pictures and is reported to be doing well. It is learned that Commander John Farrow, who retired from the Canadian Navy to return to Paramount as a director, will head a Canadian production company to be given the support of Dominion members of Parliament and the Arthur Rank interests. Many top films are caught in bottleneck here. An abundance of good product leading to extended holdovers' has forced distributors in many instances to delay release dates of some top pictures. An example is the pulling of "Since You Went Away" after five weeks' big grosses at the Vogue — it could have held. The chains control first-runs here, and some of the minor companies are having plenty of grief in getting an outlet for their films. ^ The Orpheum Theatre here is celebrating its 17th anniversary this week; and had personal appearances of local folks who are making good in Hollywood. At least the local theatres are one place you can go these days and know that the boss isn't hiding his choicest goods under the counter for a few favored customers — as is the case at candy, cigars and liquor stores. Better weather and top-flight films proved a boon for downtown playhouses. Current bills are in the upper brackets with the Orpheum hitting the top with "Irish Eyes Are Smiling," and close behind is "Mrs. Parkington" at the Capitol. The Orpheum had a stage and screen "Ghost Show" held midnight, Sunday, with the Francisco Spook Frolic appearing in person and "Mark of the Whistler" on the screen. A boom for theatres and manufacturers in the Dominion is the announcement from Ottawa that in making out their tax statements they can claim double depreciation on new capital investments for construction. Plenty of new theatres are planned. PHILADELPHIA Irving Blumberg, Warner ad chief, and Mike Weiss and Si Freedman, 20th-Fox exploiteer, were in New York last week to attend a meeting formulating plan for the campaign on "Winged Victory." Benny Harris of American Film Company is tickled pink with the business done by his "King of the Sierras" at the Capitol Theatre on Thanksgiving Day. A tie-up conceived and carried through by Mike Weiss and Si Freedman of 20th-Fox, resulted in the distribution of 50,000 throwaways which carried the message, "If you're mailing Something for the Boys to insure delivery for Christmas, please mail it before :" then listed the dates for the different States. Bucky Harris, RKO's new exploiteer, arrived in town last week, to take over. An extensive tie-up arranged between RKO and WCAU for "The Master Race" resulted in six 15-minute programs arranged in advance of the opening at the Stanton in Philadelphia, and in out-of-town theatres on the same date. War Bond premieres are taking precedence over other theatre activities. In addition to a premiere held on Monday, Nov. 30, at the Model Theatre, sponsored by the South St. Business Men's Association, the Bromley will hold a Bond premiere on Dec. 12, sponsored by the Police Department; the Boyd on Dec. 11, sponsored by the Navy League; the Aldine on Dec. 14, sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of Hadassah; and the Astor on Dec. 19, sponsored by the Girard Avenue Business Men's Association. Junior Bond Premieres will be held at the Strand and Sedgwick on Dec. 12, the Keystone Theatre on Dec. 13, the Lindley on Dec. 14, and the Ogontz Theatre on Dec. 20. Herb Elliott, one of the town's veteran ex Index for November, 1944 Equipment and Maintenance . Nov. 4, pp. 57-70 Exploitation Campaigns — by Pictures American Romance, Nov. 4, p. 52; Nov. 11, p. 30; Nov. 25, p. 19 Atlantic City Nov. 4, p. 52 Bathing Beauty Nov. 4, p. 51 Brazil Nov. 11, p. 25; Nov. 25, p. 16 Dragon Seed Nov. 4, p. 54 Frenchman's Creek Nov. 11, p. 25 Gaslight Nov. 18, p. 12 Going My Way Nov. 25, p. 19 Hollywood Canteen Nov. 18, p. 12 Impatient Years, Nov. 11, p. 25; Nov. 11, p. 30 Janie Nov. 18, p. 13; Nov. 25, p. 19 Mark Twain Nov. 11, p. 25 Mr. Winkle Goes to War . . . . Nov. 11, p. 30 My Pal Wolf Nov. 18, p. 13 National Barn Dance .Nov. 4, p. Si Since You Went Away Nov. 18, p. 13 Son of Dracula Nov. 4, p. 51 Song to Remember Nov. 4, p. 54 Storm Over Lisbon Nov. 4, p. 54 Story of Dr. Wassell Nov. 25, p. 22 Summer Storm Nov. 4, p. 51 Together Again Nov. 25, p. 16 Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. .Nov. 25, p. 16 Very Thought of You Nov. 18, p. 9 When the Lights Go on Again, Nov. 18, p. 9 White Cliffs of Dover Nov. 4, p. 54 Exploitation Campaigns — by Stunts Amateur Artists Contest Nov. 11, p. 30 Essay Contest Nov. 4, p. 52 Frog Contest Nov. 11, p. 25 Radio Plugs Nov. 11, p. 25 Smiling Voice Contest Nov. 25, p. 19 Soldier Contest Nov. 11, p. 26 Window Contest Nov. 11, p. 25 Money Dates for December. . . .Nov. 11, p. 24 October 1944, Index Nov. 4, p. 48 Show Builder Nov. 4, pp. 71-73 Theatre Advertising, Nov. 11, p. 28; Nov. 25, p. 22 hibitors, will leave Philadelphia shortly to live in Florida permanently. His friends will tender a farewell party at the Walton Roof on Dec. 4. Prior to an election to be made Dec. 8, at the Broadwood Hotel, the following nominations were made at a recent meeting of Local B-7 ; President-business agent, Tom Loftus, Clark Films ; Peggy Fogarty, Metro and Johnny Wagnian of Warners ; President, Janet Hallard, United Artists; business agent, James Dowling, Metro; vice-president, Jim Keating of United Artists; secretary, Peggy Fogarty, Metro; treasurer, Victoria Van Storey of RKO and Anna Green of 20th Century-Fox ; sergeant-atarms, Joe Perry of Clark Film. An announcement was made in Pottstown last week of plans to erect a new theatre on the Shuler House premises, fronting on the Reading railway concourse. Oscar Neufeld of Highway express has been appointed talent scout for this territory for Monogram Pictures, according to an announcement by W. Ray Johnston. The annual dinner of the Motion Picture Associates was held on Monday (20), at the Warwick Hotel. Jane Sherman, booker with the Atlantic Theatres, is leaving the organization to join her husband in Nebraska. Izzy Epstein, general manager of Atlantic theatres, has taken over the bookings in addition to other duties. He is also the South Jersey chairman for the Sixth War Loan drive. Moe Sherman, salesman for Monogram, has resigned. Following a meeting in its club rooms in the Bellevue Stratford Hotel, the Philadelphia Variety Club elected the following officers to serve in 1945 : Chief Barker, Clint Weyer of the Highway Express ; first assistant, Ted Schlanger, head of the Philadelphia Warner theatres ; second assistant, David Supowitz, Philadelphia architect ; doughguy, Jack E. Greenberg, head of the Film Classics exchange ; and property master, Alfred J. Davis, Monogram exchange manager. Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols of the Warner theatres' tabulating department was thrilled upon receipt of a wire from NBC that her husband would appear on the Army Hour show, Nov. 12. Through a misunderstanding, she missed the program. Appealing to the NBC, they made a record of her husband's voice and presented it to her. It was the first time she had heard her husband's voice in two years. He is Lt. Harold E. Nichols of fhe U. S. Army Artillery, stationed in France. INDIANAPOLIS Larry Shubnell, Columbia's office manager, was swamped with birthday greeting cards Saturday. He says he is just 40 and feels half that age. He was royally entertained Saturday night at a birthday party given in his honor. Harvey Cocks, Jr., the son of Harvey Cocks, general manager of the Quimby Enterprises, Ft. Wayne, Ind., is reported seriously ill in a hospital at Glen Cove, L. I. His mother, on receiving the news, immediately left for the East to be at his bedside. J. R. McPherson of the National Screen Service home office ; William Bein, district manager ; Arthur Manheimer, Cincinnati ; and Harris Silverburg of Chicago, were present at the opening of the National Screen trailer office in Indianapolis on Monday. Carl Kemp, office manager at Paramount, is enjoying his vacation at home. Robert L. Maretta, White Plains, N. Y., is in Indianapolis assisting C. Coburn, Paramount's auditor, at the local exchange. Earl Gingery, head shipper at Paramount, has resigned and accepted a similar post at MGM exchange. He is succeeded by Jack Awrad. William W rightsman, manager at Keith's {Continued on Page 57)