Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1947)

REGIONAL NEWSREEL B turned to his job after three years in the navy; and Betty Snow, secretary to Office Manager Joe Kronman. Warner theatre managers gathered at the Raleigh Hotel to pay tribute to District Manager Harry Lohmeyer in honor of his birthday. Sol Sorkin, manager of RKO Keith's was commended by officials of the District's Brotherhood Week for setting up a subscription booth in the lobby of his theatre, staffed by B'nai B'rith, a member organization of the Youth Conference of Christians and Jews. John Marcon, manager of Warner's Metropolitan, was also commended for being the first to report a membership subscription in the campaign. MGM Office Manager Joe Kronman recently took a two-week vacation with Home Office Auditor Carl Gentzel taking over in his absence. Warnerites celebrating 10 or more years with the company are Ervin Reid, Charles Houchis, Lawrence Snoots and Don Nichols. CHICAGO Entrance and main floor of the Great Northern Theatre are being modernized to conform to Chicago's fire laws. Judge Charles A. McDonald, master in chancery', has set the hearing in the Schoenstadt Piccadilly Theatre anti-trust case over to Mar. 6. George C. Kerasotes, manager of the Kerasotes Circuit, was operated on for appendicitis at the St. Joseph Hospital, Springfield, 111. Conferences were under way looking to the settlement out of court of the Anderson and Van Nomikos percentage cases. H. H. McDonald of the Chicago news budget of the Showmen's Trade Review, is confined to his home by illness. David J. Chatkin, 55, MGM executive, formerly an executive of the Balaban and Katz Circuit, who died suddenly in Palm Springs, Calif., was buried last week in the Anshe Maarlv Cemetery. His widow, a daughter, Roberta, four brothers and a sister survive. Jack Kirsch, president of Allied Theatres of Illinois, announced that Richard Salkin of the Jackson Theatre, Chicago, was elected to fill a board, vacancy at the recent directors' meeting. The board endorsed support of the 1947 American Brotherhood Week drive, the American Red Cross financial drive in March and the Greek War Orphans campaign starting March 8. Kirsch is national motion picture co-chairman of Brotherhood and Greek Orphan campaigns and Chicago amusement chairman for the Red Cross drive. Paul R. Foght has resigned as regional director of Young American Films, Inc., to join the staff of Ideal Films. Phil Zeller is the new assistant manager of the Woods Theatre. Steve Panagos has been appointed manager of the Pickwick, Syracuse, Ind. Allied bowlers, with Jack Kirsch as leader, head the Motion Picture Bowling League with 37 games won. The United Artists team is run Pressuring the Audience Something that looks new in giveaways was scheduled for Troy, N. Y., where the Palace, the Troy and the American Theatres were to tie-in with an idea furnished by Murray Holstein, "the man with a thousand gifts," to give away pressure cookers on giveaway nights. ner-up with 33 wins. Raymond Unger and Harry Good, co-owners of the new 476-seat Wesda Theatre, West Dayton, O., played "Three Little Girls in Blue" on the opening day and donated receipts from all performances to the March of Dimes. While no admission price was set and patrons contributed what they felt they could afford, the receipts were unusually good. Ampro Corporation President Axel Munson presented five-year service pins to 70 employes in recognition of their fine work with the company. Thirty-six employes received pins for continuous service with the company from 10 to 30 years at a dinner celebration. John Balaban and wife are in LaQuinto, Calif. Ideal Films President Bertram Willoughby will go to Honolulu to visit the company offices there. Willoughby, who has been in the Glendale, Calif., Hospital for some time, will spend a convalescent period in Hawaii. Evelyn Baker, formerly of Educational Screen, is the new manager of Ideal Films' Indianapolis office. J. D. Kendis, a Hollywood independent producer, was a visitor here last week. Jerry Geisler, a Los Angeles attorney, and his wife are visiting here. Arthritis has confined Van Gilder, film row insurance broker, to his home. Horace Long has joined the operating department of Koerner Motor Service. Ralph Kettering, recently named roadshow manager for "Carnegie Hall," says that picture will open here shortly. Ben Judell was in town last week. He operates an independent film exchange. The Charles Peterson Company of Cleveland is marketing a unique plan for selling nuts which it reports is meeting favor at theatres. The last sale made from the board entitles the purchaser to two bags of nut meats instead of one. LOS ANGELES Red Williams, genial manager of Kroehler Pushback Seats, had his day in court last week when he appeared as a star witness in a burglary case. Red helped trap the culprit who tried to rob his next-door neighbor. Pat Patterson, San Francisco franchise holder for Astor Pictures, has added Los Angeles. The local exchange is open for business at 2015 S. Vermont, with Roy Reid as manager. Jack W. Sonenshine announced that he is handling three films for the state of California, in addition to bank night for Southern California. The trio of films is "Prison Without Bars," "City Without Men" and "Jack London." Jack's latest sale on bank night was to George Finck's Coronet, San Diego; and the Tracy, Long Beach, will open next month with it. Annette Verity left 20th Century-Fox's contract department. Yvonne Hull is the new PBX operator there. While his bosses were away at the home office conclave back East, Head Booker Paul Moyer assumed charge of things. Christina Emerson, secretary to Warners' district manager, Henry Flerbel, is on vacation in her native Texas. While she has been gone, Sophie Smith, Branch Manager Fred Greenberg's girl Friday, has been subbing. Margaret Marihart, Warner inspectress, is (Continued on Page 30) THE STORY OF A GIRL AND HER STARTLING CLIMB TO SUCCESS * with Joy Hodges • Lucille Ball Walter King • Jimmy Grier and his Orchestra Gene Austin ASTOR PICTURES CORP. 130 West 46th Street, N.Y. 19. N.Y, R. M. SAVIN I, Pres.