Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1947)

58 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, January 25, 1947 REGIONAL NEWSREEL (Continued from Page 36) Company in upper Michigan Under the new management of the Rhinelander circuit a newprice standard is being set up under which grade and high school students will be admitted at reduced prices. It is the intention of the new operators to remodel the two show houses and make many improvements. The State Theatre, the old Waupaca Theatre remodeled and redecorated, was opened Jan. 5 with "A Night in Casablanca." Irving Ashe is the manager. New signs have been installed at the front of the structure and there are few things left to indicate that the State is the old Waupaca. At Antigo, in northern Wi cousin, the Palace Theatre has been leased to Mrs. Lucille Forbes of Merrill, Wis., who assumed charge early in January. Mrs. Forbes operates the Cosmo in Merrill as well as several theatres in other Wisconsin cities. The retiring operator, Harvey E. Hanson, has been in show bu iness in Antigo for about 40 years. He and his wife intend to spend some time in California. The Gem Theatre at Cornell, Wis., has had n w lighting equipment installed, which is reported to be of the latest high intensity arc variety. A new and larger screen has also been installed. After being closed for remodeling for some time, the Town Theatre at Darlington has been re-opened. It has a new fireproof cement floor, new rugs and carpeting as well as a steam heating plant. A fire which started in the basement, among paper and cleaning rags, at the Badger Theatre at Stoughton, Wis., did not cause much damage, but the matinee had to be cancelled. Manager Charles Guelson said that smoke did enough damage to make redecoration necessary. PORTLAND M. H. Mesher has been named general manager of Hamrick-Evergreen Theatres' Portland trade area, including houses in Vancouver, Wash., and Eugene, Ore. Mesher came to Portland in August, 1935, as director of advertising and was later advanced to assistant general manager. Prior to joining Evergreen he was associated with Sterling Theatres in Seattle. During the war Mesher was chairman of public relations committee and was active in all bond drives. Recently he was elected to the Portland board of censors. A. O. Jones, 75, connected for some years with operation of old Rivoli Theatre (now Newsreel) and suburban theatres, died at his home from a heart attack. "The Motion Picture in Visual Education" will be subject of address of Ted R. Gamble at Portland public library. Lloyd V. Lamb announces the sale of his PRC Pictures distribution franchise for Seattle and Portland back to PRC which has been buying similar franchises over the country. The Lamb franchise is the last of the group and completes the company's purchases. Lamb, who has been distributing PRC pictures since September, 1941, is well known in Pacific Northwest, and it is likely that he will retire but temporarily from "Voice of Theatre Speakers" JOE HORNSTEIN has llf Ohm Cities Mesy Tax The Ohio legislature this week had before it a bill to repeal the state three per cent tax on amusement admissions — but only in order to authorize municipalities to levy such a tax of their own. While the state tax is limited to three per cent and yields about $2,900,000 annually, it is thought that the plan is to authorize the municipalities to levy as much as 10 per cent. the distribution of pictures in this area. Wallace (Wally) B. Rucker has been branch manager for Seattle and Portland. He was formerly salesman for MGM in Seattle. He will assume his new Post Jan. 27. Recently the newly formed Eagle-Lion Pictures completed arrangements for the release and distribution of its product through PRC. L. E. (Nickey) Goldhammer, west coast sales manager for PRC, was here last week completing the distribution deal for Seattle. Ted R. Gamble, well known bond executive and Pacific Northwest theatre chain operator announces the acquisition of the 400-seat "Downtown" theatre. Due to changes by First National Bank, Gamble has obtained the house on a longterm lease, and will operate it in conjunction with his Capitol and Bagdad theatres in Portland and houses at Vanport, Hood River and Coos Bay, which now rate him as the largest small-chain operator in Oregon. Don McGregor, RKO Radio exploiteer, while en route over icy roads from Portland to Astoria, to put on "The Kid from Brooklyn'' at Parker's Liberty Theatre, had the closest call in his career, and says that only by a miracle was he saved. Rounding a sharp turn in the treacherous road his car literally sprung from the icy pavement turned a complete somersault and crashed to the pavement, completely wrecked. McGregor was only badly shaken up. NEW ORLEANS Film theatre business, particularly in suburban and neighborhood houses, has slumped during the past two weeks due to the most unusual rainy spell the city has experienced in a number of years. Downtown theatres did not suffer to the same extent as many people were driven into them to escape sudden downpours. Quality of first-run films also was a drawing card. Actor John Carroll, a former resident of New Orleans, and Grant Withers who recently completed a role in "Wyoming,'' were visitors here for a number of days. Farris A. Jones, vice-president of the Motion Picture Advertising Company of New Orleans, died here Jan. 20 of a heart attae'e. His widow, a daughter, Lorys, his mother and a brother survive. Maxwell M. Geffen, publisher of Omnibook who bought the film rights to Harnett T. Kane's "New Orleans Woman," has left for Hollywood and will soon decide whether he will produce the film himself or arrange with a major studio to do it. His contract with the author calls for starting the production within a year. Omnibook has announced purchase of screen rights to two other novels. Jerry Jarnigan, who recently resigned as branch manager in New Orleans of Kay Films exchange, will shortly announce a new connec tion. Lynn Dunn, Kay manager in Memphis, is filling in here until a new manager is named. Screen Guild Sales Manager George Pabst has returned from a trip through the New Orleans territory. The Girls Film Row Club announced at a recent meeting that it would have a truck ride on Carnival Day at the Mardi Gras. Film row is more or less distracted by the tearing up of two blocks of Liberty Street while tracks are being laid for a street car intersection at Tulane and Canal Streets. It makes parking difficult along the film exchanges. Mrs. Gus Broeckert of Mound, Minn., is here visiting her sister, Mrs. Jack Auslet. P. T. Murphy of Waynesboro, Miss., and Claude Dorsey of Morgan City, La., were exchange visitors. S. N. Otis, Paramount salesman, has been transferred to New Orleans from the Florida area. The company also transferred E. C. Diberry from New Orleans to Charlotte, N. C. Joy Houck of Joy Theatres has reopened the Wade Theatre which he bought not long ago. He will change house's name to the Strand, same as his New Orleans theatre. J. J. Broggie of Film Classics is back from a successful trip through his territory. Among recent visitors here were Ernest Delhi of Maraguin, La., William Fox Johnson of Pollock, La., Dr. A. C. DiBartolo of Heckleberry, La. and movie Star Una Merkel who has a prominent role in PRC's Kenny Delmar picture, "It's Joke, Son" which will have its local premiere at the Joy Theatre shortly. HARRISBURG The Hershey Hotel Highlights, a weekly publication, last week listed all the movies which played at the Hershey Community Theatre during 1946. Prepared by Harry C. Chubb, manager of the theatre, the list included not only features but all the short subjects. Max Miller, of the New York office of Eagle-Lion films, is in town this month assisting Bob Sidman, manager of the Senate, in planning the world premiere of the English picture, "Bedelia," scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29. Elaborate exploitation is planned, including buying almost the entire Harrisburg Telegraph for opening day. Red McCarthy, popular orchestra leader who often assists in local movie houses, is the father of a new daughter. New at the State is Jack Trumbe, an Army veteran, who succeeds Ed Ritter, resigned. Miss Betty Crouse, veteran Colonial aide, will go to the State to fill the vacancy caused when Miss Josephine Rayner leaves to be married later this month. Recently added to the Colonial staff was Arlene Brannen. Lou Golding and J. D. Egan, of the New York office of Fabian Theatres, were in town last week-end, visiting the three Fabian houses, State, Colonial and Rio. James Maury, manager of the State, Allentown, visited his brother, Franklin Maury, assistant manager of the Colonial here, over the weekend. Rumor has it that the local operators' union has reached an agreement with the managers, but Sam Rubin, business agent, was out of the city and other operators refused to confirm it.