Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1947)

Z8 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, February 1, 1947 REGIONAL MEWS REEL {Continued from Page 27) Lawrenceville, 111., a Frisina house, recently cleared the theatre of 300 persons when the film in the projectionist's booth caught fire. The fire department had to use a respirator to revive J. D. Farrell, the projectionist, who was overcome by gas and smoke. Stevens' quick action prevented any confusion or accident in emptying the theatre. J. Sanlleben of Kewanee, 111., has leased the Moose Lodge building which he plans to convert into a 225-seat film theatre. Herbert Newman has sold his Dixie Theatre, Linneus, Mo., to Dwight Christ of Unionville, Mo., who also operates a house in Green City, Mo., in association with Basil Fogleson. Eddie Zorn of Pontiac, 111., president of United Theatres of Illinois, attended the recent meeting of the MPTO convention here. Bill Thomas, Jr., son of the 20th-Fox booker here, is a member of the local sales staff of Cinema Supply under Lou Walters. Jacqueline Cooper, assistant manager of the Will Rogers Theatre, St. Louis, became an aunt recently with the birth of a nephew, Michael Peter Mannisi. Harry C. Arthur, Fancon and Marco general manager, has given his enthusiastic support to the Youth Cinema Club of St. Louis, four units of which are operated in cooperation with the management of the Shady Oak, Rio, Manchester and MafTitt Theatres. Betty Hensel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil R. Hensel of St. Louis and Beverly Hills and a former Powers model here, is a visitor. She is wearing a diamond ring given her by Cary Grant but she insists it is not an engagement ring. A movement is underfoot to hold a World's Fair in St. Louis in 1953 marking the 150th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. Representative Harvey Dow, Republican, Pettis County, has introduced a bill calling for the repeal of the Missouri income tax law which would include theatrical personnels. The State Amusement Company of 6 East 11th Street, Kansas City, has received a certificate of incorporation to operate theatres, the CONGRATULATED. Albert E. Schiller (center), whose appointment as head of Republic branch operations was recently announced, is congratulated by Walter L. Titus, Jr., the company's southern division sales manager. A. E. Fox (next to Schiller) has been appointed Schiller's assistant in branch operations. atre buildings, etc., with 400 shares of no par value stock. Miss Luella Miller is in St. Louis preparing for the showing of Samuel Goldwyn's "Best Years of Our Lives." Recent St. Louis visitors included John Sturm and Russell Hoag, managers for the Frisina circuit, and B. Temborius of the Alamo, Lebanon, 111. Hall Walsh, Prairie district manager for Warner Bros., visited in Kansas City. Bill Sherman, PRC district manager, is expected here this week from Indianapolis. B. B. Reingold, 20th-Fox manager, was a visitor in Cairo and Herrin in Southern Illinois. OMAHA Omaha theatres are currently undergoing rigid inspection by fire department specialists. On their first round they recommended steps the management should take. Now comes the follow-up to see if their preventive orders have been carried out. R. K. Stonebrook has resigned as manager of the Omaha Theatre to move to Iowa Falls, HAIL! HAIL! THE GANG'S ALL HERE. And so it was at last week's world premiere of Eagle-Lion's "It's a Joke, Son!" at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas. Shown above are the Hollywood stars and celebrities upon their arrival to participate in the gala celebration which marked the opening of the film. Let's begin at the left: Benny Rubin, E-L's dialog director; Eddie Norris, Steve Brody, Lois Andrews, June Lockhart, Peggy Ryan, Jimmy Cross, Guy Kibbee, Sheila Ryan. Dorothy Douglas, Kenneth Farrell, Jane Darwell, Una Merkel, Herman Bieresdorf, E-L sales manager for the Dallas area, and Bryan Foy, E-L's production chief. The Mexican Naval Band saluted the stars. la., and enter the flower business. Stanley Blackburn, Tri-States city publicist, will succeed him. Leo McKechneay, Tri-States treasurer from Des Moines, was here on business. William Miskell heads the March of Dimes drive in Omaha theatres. Esther Quass, Universal inspectoress, has been ill for sometime. William Flultz, Warners Brothers salesman at Des Moines, moves over to become a Columbia salesman. He replaces Pat Jolly. William Barker, Columbia salesman who has been ailing six weeks, has returned to his position. Pen and pencil sets went to E. I. Rubin, Jess McBride and Max Rosenblatt at the Variety Club farewell party for the three. The following crewmen, who will elect 1947 officers, were named : H. B. Johnson, Edward Shafton, Frank Hannon, Jerry McGlynn, Jack Renfro, Glen Rogers, Don Shane, Meyer Stern, Gene Blazer, Ted Emerson and Donald Shane. Jean Rushing is the new RKO stenographer. Theo Artz, MGM, is working again after recovery from an operation. Paul Back, RKO home office representative, is in Omaha. Frank Westbook is the new Paramount salesman. He comes here from a similar position in Kansas City, Succeeding E. I. Rubin. Gene Rich, MGM exploiteer, who has sought in vain for housing for months, has purchased a home. John Matis' assignment as RKO salesman is now definite. He was formerly in charge of publicity. Marian DeVinney replaces Joyce Anderson as secretary to the branch manager at United Artists. Edward Shafton, R. D. Goldberg Theatres' general manager, was to wed Marian Morgan of Omaha on the 26th. Film row friends held a rousing stag party for him on the 22nd at the Highland Country Club with Henry McGrath in charge of arrangements. INDIANAPOLIS An Indiana Avenue theatre employe, Eugene Jackson, of the Lido Theatre (colored) was held on a first-degree murder charge Thursday after he fatally stabbed a 17-year old patron. Police said Jackson admitted he attacked R. J. Johnson, after he accused the youth of creating a disturbance. Jackson said he ordered the youth into the lobby to "quiet him." He said Johnson grabbed him, and Jackson jerked a knife from his pocket and stabbed the youth under the left arm. Johnson died in the lobby of the theatre. The Ritz Theatre has announced a new time schedule for its Saturday children's show. The first matinee show will start at 11: 10 a.m. According to the management, the schedule change has been made because many children have been arriving at the theatre nearly an hour before opening time. The new schedule will obviate the children's waiting outside in the cold. The Vivian Theatre, Carlisle, Ind., was destroyed by fire Jan. 23. The house was recently re-decorated and equipped with new seats. The loss is estimated at $15,000. John Allison recently took over the house. Carl Harthill, Monogram manager, spent sev(Continued on Page 30)