Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1947)

SHOWMEN S TRADE REVIEW. February 1, 1947 33 REGIONAL NEWSREEL lack of Technicolor prints, are expected to be almost completely eliminated by the middle of February in the Minneapolis film zone, according to M. A. Levy, 20th-Fox district manager. There is still a shortage of prints of "Wake Up and Dream," Levy disclosed. Republic's "I've Always Loved You" set an all-time record at the Isis. Fargo, X. D., both in length of playing time and box office receipts during its 23-day run. Fay Dressell, RKO branch manager, and Frank Mantzke, head of a buying combine, are recuperating at heir homes after hospitalization. Burglars took $100 in change hidden in a desk at the Hollywood. Minneapolis neighborhood house. E. Z. Zimmerman is the new owner of the Roxy. Xorthwood, X. D. S. R. Xotham has purchased the Vogue, Remsen. Iowa, from Allen Banks. James McPherson is the new owner of the Montrose, Montrose, S. D. PITTSBURGH Bert Stearn, head of Cooperative Theatre Service, who suffered a heart attack last week enroute from Pittsburgh to Cleveland, where he makes his home, is reported on the mend after being in an oxygen tent for eight days. He is confined to Mount Sinai Hospital in Cleveland and it will most likely be six weeks or two months before he will be able to return to his desk. Sam Rocco, who has operated the Xewell Theatres, Xewell, Pa., since it was built 28 years ago, has sold it to C. D. Weiser, who also has a theatre in Altoona. Rocco, who is 77 years of age, has been in poor health which is his only reason for disposing of the theatre. The Variety Club post of the American Legion gave a testimonial dinner for James G. Balmer, retiring commander and an executive of the Harris Amusement Company here. Balmer has been in show business for 38 years, having started with the Harry Davis Enterprises, which later became a part of the Harris Amusement Company. More than 200 legionnaires. Variety Club members and personal friends attended the dinner. I. Elmer Ecker and Joe Hiller were co-chairmen of the affair, and on the committee were John H. Harris, head of Harris Amusements, M. A. Silver, zone manager for Warner Theatres, Perry Xathan, John S. Stahl. Jr., and Mike Gallagher. Miss Katherine Mariousis, daughter of the veteran exhibitor, Speer Mariousis of the Penn Theatre, Xew Castle, Pa., and Peter G. Petrides were married on Sunday, Jan. 26, in St. George's Greek Orthodox Church in that town. HARRISBURG With the inauguration of Governor James H. Duff last Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Legislature is ready to begin its session in earnest. Among the bills talked about for presentation are several tax-raising ideas, including a possible amusement tax for theatres. While Duff plans to economize as much as possible during his administration, powers-that-be indicate some means will be necessary of increasing the State's revenue, and the amusement levy is receiving favorable attention except by theatremen who are opposing it. The measure is not expected to come up until several weeks after the session gets under way. trons. The Xew Star is the only neighborhood house to play continuously from 1 o'clock until midnight. Gerry Wollaston brought in Dr. Xeff's Madhouse of Mystery as a special stage entertainment last Wednesday at midnight. An advance ticket sale did well, he reported, and the "goblins really rode riot in the theatre." The midnight show followed the last showing of the regular movie feature. Jack O'Rear, manager of the Colonial Theatre, and WHGB, the local ABC radio outlet, co-sponsored a private screening of "Johnny O'Clock" at a reception last Sunday afternoon in the Colonial. The film moves in Wednesday for regular run. MAP CAMPAIGN PLANS. I. G. Goldsmith (left), Eagle-Lion Films producer of "Bedelia," confers with Alfred W. Schwalberg, E-L vice-president and general sales manager, on campaign plans for the picture. First engagements of "Bedelia" began this week in Reading and Harrisburg, Pa. The continuous-show policy instituted some time ago at the Xew Star has done very well. Bill Whyte, owner-manager, reported, as he announced another idea. Instead of the doublebills which have been featured. Bill tried out a threefeature bill, with a real variety of films. His first included a western, a mystery and a musical comedy, and was well-received by pa HARTFORD Lou Cohen, manager of Loew's Poli, Hartford, and Mrs. Cohen, are back in Hartford, following a one-week vacation. Dan Finn, Warner circuit executive, was at the Warner Strand, Hartford, last week, conferring with Manager James F. McCarthy. The marquee at the Rialto, Hartford, has been renovated. Voice of the Theatre has been installed at the Center Theatre, Hartford. A theatre party, was held at the Glastonbury Theatre, Glastonbury, on Jan. 29, in conjunction with the March of Dimes drive. The party (Continued on Page 34)