Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1944)

20 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW December 30, 1944 ST. LOUIS Harry -C. Arthur, Jr., president and general manager of Fanchon & Marco, is expected to return here about Jan. 10, with plans for the campaign for the March of Dimes 1945 drive. Arthur is expected to give first-hand impressions of his meeting with President Roosevelt on the occasion of the industry's representation in the White House, convened to discuss the drive on their recent visit to Washington. Considerable motion picture building and remodeling activity is in prospect for this area. In addition to the rebuilding of the Wellston and the Gem theatres, recently destroyed by fire, a number of new theatres are contemplated. Fanchon & Marco plan two new 1500 to 2000seaters as well as extensive remodeling and refitting of the Fox, Missouri, St. Louis and Shubert in the first-run field ; and the Aubert, Capitol, Florissant, Grenada, Gravois, Kingland, Lafayette, Lindell, Manchester, Maplewood, Show, Shennandoah, Tivoli and West End theatres among neighborhood houses, and also the Rialto and Washington theatres in Granite City, 111. Another house to come under the F & M aegis is Sam Komm's contemplated 2200-seater ; while Ansell Brothers also plan building two new theatres. Two 800-seaters are contemplated by Sam E. Pirtle, one in Abingdon, 111., and the other in Bushnell, 111. F. M. Mertz of the Mutual Theatre Supply Co., sold three theatres in Ashland, Chandlersville and Clayton to Robert Boyd and Lloyd Hutchins. The latter operate the Ohio in Leipsic. Hutchins is serving with the Army Air Forces as a corooral and chief operator of Theatre No. 1 at Hunter Field, Ga. Funeral services were held Dec. 23 at St. Margaret's Church for Mrs. Mary Flanagan, mother-in-law of Lester Bona, WB manager here. Exhibitors seen booking on Film Row : John Dickson, St. Elmo, 111. ; George Karsch, Flat River, Mo. ; and Russell Armentrout, Louisiana, Mo. Pfc. Howard Yemm, is the second soldier son of Theodore E. Yemm reported wounded here Dec. 7, in action in the Luxembourg area. The other son, Sgt. Dean B. Yemm, was wounded in action in France, Nov. 8. James J. Morgan, 17-year-old Negro, while helping his uncle who is employed as a janitor at the Ritz Theatre, accidentally pulled a fire alarm hook which he mistook for a light switch, and brought fire apparatus racing to the theatre. No performance was in progress at the time. Roy Haines, Western and Southern division sales manager for Warners, was a recent visitor to the Row. CINCINNATI Wes Huss, Jr., Associated Theatres, served Christrhas cheer and champagne to all comers at his holiday party held at Associated Theatres headquarters. All guests also found a gift under the tree. Miss Clara Duecher assisted with the hospitalities. Nathan Wise, formerly in charge of advertising and director of publicity for RKO, Dayton, succeeds E. V. Dinerman at the RKO-Midwest offices here, with the same responsibilities. Rudy Knoepfle, Republic sales representative, was elected president of the Cincinnati Cinema Club this past week. Rudy had been president since the inception of the club until last year when, due to ill health, he asked to be relieved REGIONAL NEWS INDEX Boston 21 Charlotte 24 Chicago 21 Cincinnati 20 Cleveland 25 Des Moines 25 Harrisburg 24 Indianapolis 25 Memphis 25 Montreal 24 New York 21 Omaha 22 Ottawa 22 Palm Springs 24 Portland 22 San Antonio 24 St. Louis 20 Vancouver 20 \Vashington 20 of the office and Ross Williams took over. Pete Niland, Columbia, was again re-elected secretary and treasurer. Exhibitors booking on Film Row: W. R. Schafer, Morehead, Ky. ; D. D. Brakefield, Sabina, Ohio; J. B. Weddle, Lawrenceburg, I id. ; L. J. Hofheimer, Columbus, and J. C. Shanklin, Lewisberg, W. Va. Harry Fineberg, United Artists sales department, and Mrs. Fineberg spent the holidays with relatives in Cleveland. The 20th-Fox Club collected Christmas gifts from their personnel to be distributed among the convalescents at the Air Force Hospital recently established at Fort Thomas, Ky. Bob Langer, Universal booker, journeyed to Indianapolis to be with his folks for the festivities. Independent Exhibitors Forum held a cocktail party, Friday, at headquarters in the Keith Building, with Wes Huss, Willis Vance, Louis Wiethe and Jonas Thomas greeting theatre managers, exchange managers and sales personnel. Madeline Ciuccio traveled to Norman, Okla., to visit her fiance who is in training there with the Air Force. At Warners' Christmas party at the Alms Hotel four of the girls staged funny skits for the amusements of the celebrants. The stars making the fun were Eileen Fein, Dorothy Maxfield, Rita Goetz and Yvonne Hahn. Capt. Sam Oshrey, former Warner booker, here on furlough, and his wife, were happy attendants. Betty Speicer was in charge of all arrangements. The 20th-Fox Christmas cocktail-dinner-dance took place at the Alms Hotel with I. J. Schmertz, Bob Raymond and Sam Lichter of the Cleveland office arriving in time to join the party. J. J. Grady, district manager, was presented with a handsome pen and pencil set by branch managers and salesmen in his district. Willis Vance, who operates four theatres, was host at the 20th Century Theatre, Oakley Square, at a Christmas party for personnel of his theatres, Wednesday night. The party followed the late show and included a buffet supper and dancing. VANCOUVER The vogue here for British-made product is becoming more pronounced and its rivalry against American films will bear watching. This is manifested in the drawing power of "The Happy Breed," a British-made" film released in Canada by Empire-Universal for United Artists. Showing at the Vogue, its business has been above normal. In general, matinee business last week took a slump and the blame is attributed to pre-Christmas shopping. As a result of the death of Ira Burger, the Mirror Theatre in Alberta has been closed. It is more than likely that new interests will take over the Mirror in the near future. Theatre and film executives here attended the funeral Dec. 21 of Ivor Ackery's mother, who passed away in her 81st year. Ackery manages the Orgheum Theatre. Donald Crisp is spending the holidays here, and contemplates building a home on one of the islands in the gulf. Herb Call, Columbia's Alberta manager, is spending the holidays here with his folks. Ruling from Ottawa by the Wartime Salaries Commission eased the curb on salary increases of persons earning over $250 monthly. The Famous Players Yuletide party held at the Vancouver Hotel Dec. 22, was a huge success and everyone complimented Larry Bearg, Frank Kershaw and Frank Gow for their contribution in making it a memorable occasion. Two aspirants from the amusement world here for political honors were left at the polls by the voters. They are Howard Fletcher, of the Hollyburn Theatre, West Vancouver, and Stanway Scanlon, projectionist at the Royal Vancouver. Barney Groves, veteran showman, who introduced Pantages vaudeville to Regina, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon 30 years ago, passed away last week. WASHINGTON Variety Club publicity for the coming season will be headed by John S. Allen, MGM district manager. K-B Theatres' Fred Kogod screened "Keys of the Kingdom" for $30,000 in bonds, bought by the Jewish Community Center and the Zionist organization. Screening Room Premieres have proved quite effective in promoting bond sales for the Sixth War Loan. Fred McMillan, manager of Warner Bros. Earle Theatre arranged two premieres. The second one, with a sale of $25,000 in bonds to Leon Brill, Jr., chairman Sixth War Loan for Taxicab industry in Washington, was equivalent to $1000 a seat. Both times the picture screened was "Hollywood Canteen." Mrs. Sara Young, 20th Century-Fox booker, recently visited her family in Boston. Mrs. Joseph Kun, daughter of Universal Branch Manager Max Cohen, was a recent Washington visitor. John J. Payette and Carter T. Barron, cochairmen of the War Activities Committee in the District of Columbia, were hosts to the "March of Dimes" delegation at a cocktail party at the Statler Hotel, following the meeting with President Roosevelt at the White House. More than $10,000 in "Victory Bowl" Bond awards was given in the 21 Warner Bros. Washington theatres. Twentieth Century-Fox had a gala Christmas party for employes and their families at the exchange, with a tree, gifts, buffet supper and