Variety (Jul 1939)

Wednesday, J.iily 26, 1939 PICTURES VARIETY 25 Commonwealth Takes Over All 4 Houses in One Town; Theatre Moves Kansas City, July 25. ( Commonwealth Amus. Corp. or Kansas City has taken over super- vision of all four theatres in Law- rcncc, Kans. Formerly two of^ the houses belonged to the Gnflith- Dickinson chain which now has houses in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kan- sas and Nebraska. Lawrence houses will operate as a unit Independent of the parent K.C. company although technically mem- bers of the Commonwealth circuit. Actual operation of the houses is directed by corporation of 35 Law- rence businessmen which leases them but books through Common- wealth. ■ More than 40 houses in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Arkan- sas are controlled by Commonwealth. C C. Schultz, interested in the local Republic exchange franchise, is chief ol Commonwealth. Expected that changes similar to those ifi Lawrence will soon be made in about six other cities where Dick- inson and Commonwealth are both entered in the situation. Likely that three towns will be given over to ' Griffith-Dickinson with Common- wealth gaining complete control in three others. Forthcoming changes are likely to involve straight sale of interests rather than a related cor- poration such as now exists in 'Lawrence. . Lawrence is site of Kansas Uni- versity and is located about 40 miles west of here. Shea Acquires Two More Canton, O., July 25. Shea Theatre Corp., operators of the Bexley, Dover, took over the Nugent and State tliere under terms of an- agreement whereby they se- cure a lease that has six years to run from next Sept 1. Shea purr chased the lea.se and equipment from Roscoe Spidell and Chester Huprich, latter to remain as manager of the two houses. In accord with the SpidcU-Huprlch schedule, the Nugent has been closed for the sum- . mcr. The Grand, only dark house here, will be reopened in early fall: House for several years maintained a burlesque policy and last winter housed repertoire for 16 weeks. Policy for the new season is still in- —definite:— ' — --^—---^ The Empress. Whitehouse, opera- ' ted by F. J. Sipher, closed lor re- mainder of summer. Recently remodeled Olentangy theatre, Columbus, formerly the Pic- cadilly, reopened under banner of Virgil A. Jackson, and John Murphy, who also operate the Uptowji, Goodale and Wilmar there. be completely air-conditioned and remodeled according to E. F. Brady, manager. New film house, to be built at Bracketville, Texas, will seat 950. Rex, Alice, Texas, to be enlaiged' to seat 900. Hendricks to Texas Lincoln, July 25. Alvin Hendricks, formerly man- ager of Varsity, resigned and went to Texas. Will be replaced (1) by Harold Hellerich. Hellerich's leav- ing the Lincoln Theatre Corp. to go to the opposish resulted in Harvey Tiaylor moving from assistant at Nebraska to top spot at Lincoln. F. E. Klein, Shelby, Neb., has clo.'sed the Sun for the summer. He recently sold his Muse, Osceola, Neb., to J. B. Logan here. Mrs. Leola Schuler. Humboldt, 'Neb., .sold half interest in her Hum- boldt to Oscar Hanson, former RKO salesman. Together they bouglit the Plaza. Humboldt, from D. I. Franks and clo.ied It indefinitely. Ralph Ol.son, former RKO sales- man in Omaha, also with Universal, has been shipped to Des Moines for RKO. ■Mechanics lien was- slapped on Lincoln Theatres Corp. (J. H. Cooper's Co. here), Western & Southern Life, as operator and owner of the Nebraska, for $6,155.67, plus 6% from 'April 5. Contractor, W. J. Assenmacher Co.. claims al- terations contract was for $21;400, of which all but 15% was to be paid upon completion of job. ~ Rest was to come in within 30 days. • Assen- macher re-did the old- Orpheum, which opened early this year as the Nebraska.' W. N. 'Youngclaus has sold the Grand, Ravenna, Neb., to Dick Ly singer, who also has the Ansley, in Ansley, Neb. Youngclaus has the Empress and Island, in Grand Island Ralph Ripps in Albany Albany, N. Y., July 25. Ralph Ripps, brother of Herman Rinos, transferred by Metro from the Albany to Jersey territory as salesman, is new assistant booker at local branch. Shifted from the Midwest lo replace Ralph L4nds- naen. (.'lary's New House San Antonio, July 25. A. L. Clary signed 10-year lease on a building which will be remodeled Into theatre .at Alice, Tex., sealing 400. Lonfi-Griffith which owns the RiU ♦"d Queen, Victoria, Tex., are build- mg another house there. Work started on July 15; will scat 1,200. The -Rivoli, San Benito, Tex., will Screen Ads Back Spartanburg, S. C, July 25. Screen advertising, dropped for several months by four local Wilby- Kincey houses, has been resumed. Taxes imposed on such advertising was major factor in cancellation. Andy Hutchison, formerly Lenoir, N. C, city manager for Wilby-Kin- cey, transferred to Anderson, S. C, in same capacity. Formerly man- aged State and Strand here. C. E. Stone, former State manager, to Wilson, N. C, as Carolina head. Acquires Two In Cleve. Pittsburgh, July 25. Ben Cohen, of Pittsburgh, has purchased Savoy and Superior thea- tres in Cleveland from Myer Kap- lan, transfer becoming effective first of month. Kaplan will continue to buy and book product for two spots, at the same time retaining owner- ship of Crown, Cleveland. John Finnegan, assistant to. Bob Leiber of Paramount in Braddock, promoted to managership of Grand, Hazelwood. Both houses owned by M. N. Shapiro and Archie Fineman Nathan Rosen, city exhibitor for many - years, has moved to Coral Gables, Fla., and will make his permanent home there on account of ill health. He's been there now for about four months..,. Bosen, how- ever, is retaining his interest with Harry Hendel in the New Granada here. Bill Twig has resigned as assistant booker at RKO exchange here, re- turning to Cleveland, where he was a former film man. Strand, in nearby Zelionople, Pa„ operated for six years by Penova Theaitre Co. and only recently taken over by Alpine circuit, just been dis- posed of to William Thomas, who runs one house in Lowellsville. C, and is also in the restaurant busi- ness in New Castle. Pa. House, now closed for renovations, reopens in fall. Frank Firesfock, New Cumber- land, Pa., exhibitor, plans new the- atre there. Directors of MPTO of Western "Pennsylvania have set Oct. 23-24 for annual convention here. Group's yearly summer corn roast at exhib- itor Dr. C. L. Herman's farm in Car- negie will be held Augl 6. Plans are being made by Local No. 171, lATSE,. for big celebration in' September marking 30th anniversary of union's organization in Pitts- burgh. It was one of first' in coun- try. Just an Anxious Fan Seattle, July 25. A patron wanted to see 'Mr. Chips,' currently at the Music Box, so badly that he tried to break into the house. He was in so much of a hurry that he would not wait his turn in the line. However, Ron Kelly, house manager, informed the custbm.er with the Chip on'hiS"'shoulder that he'd have to fall in line: He retal- iated with a sock on Kelly's jaw, that staggered the manager, and then rushed past the door and down the aisle. Kelly followed, grabbed him and threw him out, to the cheers of the waiting line. John Von Herberg, Jr., new assist- ant booker to LeRov John.son, gen- eral manager of Jensen-Von Her- bert theatres here. Robertsons Adi 2 Columbus. July 25. Mr. and Mrs. John Robertson, owners of the houses in Bainbridge and Osborh, have signed leases for two additional ones. After Aug. 1 they will operate the Linda, Shaw- nee, and. the Delwyn,. New Straits- ville. The Linda, to be renamed the Shawnee, was operated by Elias Hatem; the Delwyn by Chris Davey. Bclair Reopenintr Wilmington Del.. July 25. Rialto, independent, closed for rer modeling, reopens Aug. 18. A. J. Belair, proprietor, recently obtained injunction against picketing by pro- jectionist local. Chancellor ruled there as no strike in progress since discharged projectionists had ac- cepted o'her jobs. Grove in New House Charlotte, N. C, July 25. The Dilworth, Charlotte's newest, opened July 15, seating 526. Gleiin Grove, formerly assistant of the Carolina, made manager of the new theatre, and D ner Sitton, for- mer doorman and chief usher at Carolina, prombte'l to succeed Grove. Shuberl Reiu^Died Newark, July 18. Shubert being remodeled and re- named the Adams. It was last oper- ated on a vaudfilm policv with name bands~by Eddie Sherman; now a Paramount affiliate. Atlanta's Variety Club Atlanta, July 25. Atlanta Variety Club, Tent No. 21, formally dedicated its quarters in Henry Grady hotel last week. Char- ter presentation is scheduled to take place Sept. 14, to be featured by gala ball. There are 145 charter members.. First drink across club's bar on occasion of formal opening of quar- ters was auctioned off and knocked down to highest bidder for $175. Officers are William K. Jenkins, chief barker; Harry Ballance and Charles E. Kessnich, assistant chief barkers; E. E. Whitaker, property man; R. E. Wilby, dougli guy; John T. Ezell, W. A. Finney, Harold F. Wilkes. R. L. McCoy, Walter Ander- son and Paul Wilson, directors. Phllly's Film Pioneers Philadelphia, July 25. Organization of a branch of the '25-Year Club,' which Jack Cohn of Columbla. has started in New York, is expected to take place here. Among local film pioneers eligible by reason of a quarter of a century or more in the film business are Pop Korson, Ben Amsterdam, Al Boyd, Abe Sablosky, Lou Sablosky, Frank Buhler, Earle Swcigcrt and Mike Lessy. Lownes to Syracuse Buffalo, July 25. Syracuse Strand resumes opera- tion Sept. 1. Vic Lownes, former manager of Victoria here, will be in charge. Jubilee, Cohen & Schwartz's Black Rock nabe, burglarized of candy stock and cash on hand last week. Howard McPherson has left Re- public as booker, William AUbach, former assistant booker at Para- mount, replacing hi_ . Leo Murphy has" joined Rep MTes covering Syra- cuse and Rochester. Frank Wyczalek, operator of the Artistic, closed for the summer, un- derwent an appendectomy. Nat Marcus, former Syracuse salesman for Republic at Syracuse, promoted to manag'cr of Buffalo branch office. spe... month' " h,/o.,rHom- TKe New World ICnsmible at the Ford Kxposilion ((I'M ^H^^^ MUSICAL PROGRAMS Hear Grofe's New World Ensemble at the Ford Exposition # More coinment, iiitcrcsl aad eiitUii- sidsin tliaii lias gifctcd any musical iiistniinont! 'J'liat's \that tlie llainmond Novacliord has aroused in the few short months .since it «as iiilrodiiccd. ^ou will si-arcclv believe your own eair.i « hen you hear this aiiia7:iii<; iiLStriiiiieiit producing efferl.^ siitiilarto the \ iohii, harpsicliord, fllile, cornel, cello, M au aiiaii steel guitar, French horn . . . and many others! With four iNovachords to «ork and a Hammond Or&an, Ferde Oofe ha.-; extended himself in creating arrange- ments and effects «liicli are generally admitted to he one of the high points of interest at the New ^'ork World".* Fair. Don't miss It. You've never heard any- tliing like the New World ICiisemhIe . . . and the enthusiastic cro»d« at the Ford K\|M>sition give abundant evidence of their enjoyment. Mr. (/Tofr and the Ensemble |tlay liaily, except Nfonday, from 2:00 I'. M. to r/iOO 1'. M., and from 7 till 10. /n New yorlc See and hear the Novachord at HAMMOND ORGAN STUDIOS 50 W. 57th Street • Telephone Circle 6-2290 Outside New York Ilanimoiid IiHiriiiiiriit Co., 2')t7 N. Western Avenue^ Chicago /.'/"«.«• <('// nie ii lii'ic I i iin si c and hour tin' t^omclioril. i\iimr.. Strefi.. City Slate..