Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1946)

10 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, March 9, 1946 Strong Field Setup to Aid Theatremen Red Cross Blazes Over Broadway Launching of the 1946 Red Cross Drive in New York was marked by the blazoning of the drive symbol and slogan on the giant "Wondersign" fronting the RKO Palace Theatre on Broadway. Viewing the display, illustrated above in two photos showing the change from symbol to campaign slogan, are Red Cross Workers Margaret Cribben, Aileen Ergenzanger, Elaine Kirschenbaum and Jennie Propos. (Continued from Page 8) and while we appreciate that everyone has been giving until it hurts for years, we believe that the great majority of theatre folk and members of our audiences remember that we're so much better off than the rest of the world that it is up to us to help better that rest of the world." Manta and Rose Circuit Chicago, 111. "We've never entirely approved of passing the hat in the theatre, but we think the public will cooperate in this and we therefore plan to make collections a practice throughout the Red Cross Week Drive, We recognize the fact that the theatre has a community function and it's part of our community function to maintain charities and social services. "The chief difficulty in the New Orleans at the moment is that the public has been hit pretty hard for contributions and that the drive will come after Carnival where a lot of money is going to be spent. That's a regretable but undeniable fact. *'We will use if possible trailer time to try to get the public in the mood and a well produced and presented short causes them to reach down in their pockets. We have the experience of the past to demonstrate that. Where lobby space is ample, we will use either Red Cross posters or other display material to get the idea over that those who can must help those who can't help themselves." Mrs. Henry Lazarus Henry Lazarus Theatres, Inc. New Orleans. La. "We've signed up to work with the theatrical end of the Red Cross drive again this year because we're convinced that the Red Cross is not only a vital world need, but that it is good business for us to be in community activities and to emphasize the fact that our theatre is a community center. "It may be a bit difficult to keep quotas up right now since the public has been on the giving end for quite some time, but we think it can be done with the aid of lobby displays, trailers and general good will." Morris Jacobson Strand Amusement Co. Bridgeport, Conn. Urea Meets Planning for Drives fo Make Public Rware of Red Cross Appeal {Continued from Page 8) March 20-26. Plans will be announced shortly by the co-chairmen for a special drive among all the first run houses in the Times Square area and other Broadway theatres. NEW ORLEANS — Regional Exhibitor Chairman E. V. Richards, Jr., will conduct the first meeting of more than fifty showmen to make plans for the Motion Picture Industry's Red Cross Week, March 20-26, in tliis area. Plans for displays, advertising and publicity, and manner of collections will be discussed. .Assisting Richards will be Luke Connor, Area Distributor chairman, and Maurice F. Barr, Red Cross Week activities coordinator. CHICAGO— Representing all the major theatre circuits and all the independents, thirty showmen met here to complete plans for this region's Red Cross Week drive, March 20-26. Co-chairmen Jack Kirsch and James E. Coston sponsored the meeting at which it was decided to have local Red Cross workers assigned to each theatre to help handle collections. LOS ANGELES — In a pre-campaign luncheon at Perino's, motion picture exhibitor and distributor regional officers for the industry's Red Cross drive, March 20-26, laid plans for the coming campaign. 100 per cent cooperation was promised by Pacific Coast Exhibitor Regional Chairman George Bowser as he keynoted the meeting by emphasizing that maximum time and energy will be put forth by every member of the industry to achieve the '1946 goal. NEW YORK— More than sixty of the city's leading exhibitors and distributors met at the Hotel Astor on Thursday, March 7, to discuss plans for the Metropolitan New York campaign for the Motion Picture Industry's Red Cross Drive which gets under way March 20 and lasts until the 26. It is anticipated that a record number of theatres will pledge support of the drive by agreeing to run the special trailer starring Tyrone Power. Cochairman Samuel Rinzler and Associate Chairman William A. White presided. ST. LOUIS — Martin Moskowitz, assistant National Distributor chairman, has named Ben B. Reingold to replace R. J. McCarthy as St. Louis Distributor chairman in the industry's Red Cross Drive. DENVER— E. J. Garland and B. J. Dugan, Exhibitor and Distributor Chairmen respectively, presided over the meeting of district and branch managers, salesmen and exploitation men, on March 4th, in the laying of plans for the Red Cross Drive work in this area. Citation for Showmen An elaborately prepared, three-color Citation, measuring 8^2 by 11 inches, will be awarded to all showmen who participate in the Motion Picture Industry's Red Cross Week for 1946. Printed on an exceptionally fine grade of parchment paper, the Citation reads, "Motion Picture Industry Red Cross Week Committee Citation Awarded to (Individual) in sincere appreciation for meritorious services rendered during the Motion Picture Industry Red Cross Week."