Variety (Jan 1949)

24 PICTIJRESI tTednesJay, January 26, I949 Cfips from Film Row NEW YORK George J. Fisher upped by Metro to salesman working out of Dallas. Fisher stepped up from boolter. Jack J. Jorgens: joined company as student salesman in Minneapolis. BOSTON Ernest Zuretti, manager of Lex- ington, Lexington, reentered the Army as a liieutenant and goes to Japan on extended active duty. His uncle, Bill Viano* owner of Lexington, picked his brother, Fred Viano, for vacated spot, A permit for a new drive-in ha.s been granted to Joseph Stanzler, Providence exhibitor^ who will erect an attractive 470-car ozoner In North Attleboro, Mass., at Washington street and Cumber- land avenue. Work has already started for an early spring opemng. Ei Harold Stoneman, head of Interstate TheatreSj and wife, are spending ten days on West Indies cruise. , , Irving Sisson, of Boston, took over the Lyric, Fitchburg, on long- term lease and will operate as soon as remodeling Is completed. Clayton Eastman joined Filtp Cla.ssics as manager of Boston office, effective Jan. 17, replacing Nat Beier Who has been given another territory. . Jack Martin, Republic salesman, celebrating his 30th consecutive year in Boston .film district., _: At annual election of Cinenia Club Charles Wilson^ Monogram was elected prexy; MINNEAPpUS Jerry Gruenberg, of Eagle Lion, here on NBC national network radio program, "Where There's Life," featuring his brother, Har- old, who made remarkable recov- ery from infantile paralysis. "Birth of a Nation" revived at Hamline university campus the- ■ 'atre. , "Hy" Chapman, Columbia branch manager, back at his desk after long sick leave of absence. Fred Bunkelman, Universal South Dakota salesman, out of hos- pital following recovery from ma- jor operation. "So Dear to My Heart" given sneak preview at RKO-Pan. Booth operators in independent neighborhood houses will receive substantial scale boost in new con.« tract now being drawn up. , Bennie Berger, Independent cir- cuit owner and North Central Al- lied president, and wife .sail on Queen Mary for Europe, including visit to Palestine. : Bill Wood, Columbia office man- ager, in hospital for major opera- tion. ■ Glenn Straley, once with • RKO, new United Artists'. salesman, re- placing Jim Flaherty, who* re- signed. , Edward Nelson new owner of Menahga theatre, Menagha^ Minn. W, R. Frank to N,,Y. to arrange for tie-ups on his "Great Dan Patch. BiU Elson, independent circuit owner, and the wife on a South American jaunt. . Hy Chapman back at his Co- lumbia branch manager post after long leave, fully recovered from illness. Eddie Burke back on 20th-Fox sales staff. Minnesota Amus. Co. obtained renewal of its. Watertown, S. D-. theatre licenses, held up by city council because circuit; refused to reopen one house, .tbe Metropoli- tan. It is a victory for Minnesota Amus, because it still will not reopen this house. Don Riley and Al Lee, of. Rich- field Theatres, vacationing in Mexico. Jerry Gruenberg, Eagle Lion salesman, back from trip to Holly^ wood to appear on Ralph Edwards broadcast about the life of his brother, a polio victim. Grounded by storms, .Gruenberg arrived there an hour.after the broadcast. Northwest Variety club to, spon- sor Minneapolis Lakers - Boston basketball game in March as club benefit. E. R. Ruben, head of Welworth circuit, and Mrs. Ruben bound for vacation in Switzerland. THE SHOWMAN'S FRIEND 500 Modem Rooms with bath, end radio "ForcfflOif .eii ih« Caoil" ALEXANDRIA HOTEL Fifth at Spring: * Los Angelt* FRANK WALKER, 6*h«ral Matiagar Formerly at Olmsfad, Clavaland, O. t Oh the Oeeat.... IMI ^MI lEACM I Now Speci'aliting) in Re/reshment Service for DRIVE-IN THEATRESi INDIANAPOLIS Since no Ft. Wayne film house plays foreign films, the Unitarian Society of Fort Wayne is sponsoring three outstanding foreign-made plx in the Indiana U. Extension build ing starting yesterday (Tuesday). Associated Theatre Owners of Indiana board set June 21-23 date of annual summer convention at French Lick; S. T;^Goodman resigned as Para- mount salesman to operate the Dream, Corydon, recently acquired by his father, S. W. Goodman, of Poseyville, from Gilbert May. Stuart Parsons, for years box- office man at English, former legit house here, now working as relief manager for Greater Indianapolis Amus. theatres. .Monte Blue stayed over several days after brother's funeral here visiting friencts.': CINCINNATI Bill Onie, who recently sold his share of the Monogram franchise here to stay on in Cincy as an indie distributor, was honored by Variety Club Tent 3 at a dinner Monday (24) .in clubrooms at Neth- erland Plaza. Testimonial is in rec- ognition of his lengthy service as an officer and for his activity in the tent's social welfare work; DALLAS L. Barrow reopened the Eutex •t Eustace; he's a former projec- tionist at a Dallas nabe. Griffith Consolidated Theatres moved Bill Hurd, now at Cleburne, to Seminole, Okla., as manager. Clyde , Young goes ta, Cleburne. Finis Stilwell; now at Lubbock for Griffith, •will go to Ada, Gkla , as manager. J. J. Ahea, of Norman, Okla., succeeds Clark Abbott at Lubbock, latter going on leave of absence because ill. Karl Hoblitzelle,' prez ' of . Inters state theatres,- has ' given $50,000 additional donation tp the Texas Research Foundation, which he was chiefly instrumental in estab- lishing. Foundation was established for agricultural and soil experts mentation. E, H. Rowley, C. V. Jones and L. M. Rice, all of the Robb & HELLO JOE: I see where Jan August loughs ofF the concep- tion of his piano magic as shown in last week's 'Vacifity.' I still insist the guy's phenomenal. AL Rowley circuit, have hit oil on a well on lease near here. Lindsey Theatres s^)ent more than $50,000 to modernize the old- est theatre at Lubbock, . Tex. Known as the Palace since 1924, When opened, it will have new name, the Cliftoj., in memory of the late Clifton Lindsey, first man- ager of circuit. H«ai Theatres purchased the Texas and Leon at De I-eon from A. R. Parsons. Paul J. Poag, owner and man- ager of Val Verde Theatres, Inc., operators of houses in Del Rio, named governor of District 129 of Rotary International for coming year. New operators of Texas and Leon at De Leon are Jack W. and Leonard H. Scales^ who bought the houses from A. R. Parsons. Group of bookers and buyers for various circuits with headquarters here flown to Hollywood for special screening of "Tulsa," Eagle Lion film. Premiere showing of "El Paso" Is scheduled for El Paso March 28 in arrangements completed by Paramount and R. J. O'Donnell, of Interstate Theatres. The Midway,, operated here by Robb & Rowley has been reopened after being closed for three months; house was given a face- lift. Karl Hoblitzell, head of Inter- state Theatres, will serve as 1949 campaign chairman of Texas di- vision, American Cancer Society. bands to play for shows. B&K will use local outfits when they are not part of the stageshow. First in is Lionel Hampton band. i City council here nixed any lur-, ther theatre marquee erection along State street. New ordinance does not prohibit use of signs if placed against the building, but they can't be flashing or variable type. Rialto will try a new policy with all pics in for a single week. James Gregory and Pete Pano- gos, Alliance theatre circuit top- pers, back from Washington state after huddles on remodeling of their 21 houses there. Harold Stevens, Paramount branch manager, bedded with flu. ST. LOUIS Bob Weigel, formerly on San Francisco sales staff for RKO, now the sales rep of Lippert Pictures in ;St. Louis; Kansas City territory. ■ Pirtle.Amus. Go., Jerseyville, 111., has lighted its new Abbey, Abing- don, 111. Owners of 10 drive-ins in St. Louis trade area are skedded for a powwow with Andy Diez, man- ager of Co-operative Theatres, Inc., on booking films jointly. Syndicate headed by Maurice J. Schweitzer, former St. Louis branch manager for Paramount, took over Qrpheum, 700*seater in Ft. Madison, la.. House, formerly was Fox Midwest Amus. Go. unit. Shuberf, midtown indie theatre, discontinued weekday matinees. St. Louis . and Missouri, operated by Fanchon & Marco: discontinued earlybird shows several months ago. Better Films Council of Greater St. Louis in co-op with' Fanchon & Marco Service Corp., and St. Louis Amus. Co^ staged Xmas party for inmates of city institutions at F&M's Missouri Ifist week. Sheldon Lending, Kirkwood, Mo., signed a 15-year lease with Troy, 111., Civic Improvement Assn^, to operate a new house there about $100,000 having been earmarked for project. Frank Glenn, Tamaroa, 111., opej-ator of several Southern Illi- nois houses shuttered his Melody drive-in near Duquoin, 111., for sea- son. Admish scale at St. Louis film' houses will be reduced from 2c to 3c by virtue of 5% amusement tax repeal that has been in effect since last January. More than 500 aged people from St. Louis eleemosynary institutions were guests at Xmas party staged by Better Films Council of Greater St. Louis in co-op with Fanchon & Marco and St. Louis Aihus. Co. George B. Cbrbett will shutter his Bond, 450-seater, Decatur, 111., until house is remodeled. Although biz at Fred Wehreb- berg's indie nabes in St Louis county has skidded 20%*25% in the past year, 150 employees in Its 10 bouses were given Xmas bonuses ranging from $5 to $2,000, a total of $13,230. John Reyner, of St. Louis Metro exchange, elected head of Local BI, representing employees ih lo- cal picture exchanges. James Bradford, salesman for Columbia here, released from a hospital after a major operation.' CHARLOTTE Annual convention of Theatre Owners Assn. of North Carolina and South Carolina will be held here Jan. 30-31, Feb. 1. LOS ANGELES E. P. Cooper bought Bitz, 520- scater. Long Beach. New owner Is son of late: A: 6. Cooper, eastern exhibitor. Sherrill Corwin took 10-year lease on Forum; theatre, recently sold by Warners, to syndicate of Los Angeles real estate operators. Idea is to eiitablish Forum as a firstrun if suitable pix are availa- ble. Regina theatre, on Wllshire boulevard, will be renamed the Fine Arts and operated by Fox West Coast as a small class house with $2.40 top. First film is "Red Shoes." Bay theatre, new IjlOO-seater, opens in the Pacific Palisades Feb. 1. with J. D. Chaffiin managing for, William Fulton. Al Marten shifted from Fox West Coast to take over the Woods theatre, Chino, Cal. House is the first of four to be built in that territory under the Same manage- ment. PITTSBURGH Ruth Aaronson, formerly with Metro,joined EL office staff; re- places Alice Murawski, who quit to get married. Laskey Bros., Inc., owner of Strand, Brownsville, closed it for six months for remodeling. Marty Shearn,'who started with WB several years ago as publicity department office boy, named manager of circuit's Fairmont, W. Va., theatre. Replaces Arthur Pearce, on a leave of absence be- cause of poor health. . Mark Goldman, former GaU' mont-British and Monogram man- ager here, appointed to sales post In latter company's Cleveland' ex- change. Don Trepicone has acquired the Heights, operated until recently by Bert Steam, head of Co-Op book- ing combine here. Mike Manos, head of theatre circuit which bears \ his name, ap- pointed a director of AMPTO of Western Pennsylvania in advance of organization's 28th annual con- vention at William Penn hotel, Feb. 21-22. DETROIT Harry Hayes named co-manager of Roxy. Gil Richards named manager of the Capitol. Alfred Hamlin and Thomas Ar- nold of the Colonial in Essexville are now independent bookers. Sam Brown announced sale , of Belmont (o Krim Bros;, who al- ready operate in Highland Park, where the Belmont is located. Senate resumes amateur stage- shows Feb. 4 after an absence of two months. Charles Shafer, manager of Sha- fer Theatre Co., elected Wayne County Board of Commerce prexy, Detroit Consolidated Theatres launched cash giveaway program in tiein with radio station WJLB. George Rossman, formerly with Warners and Columbia, joined Screen Cruild here as booker and in charge of city sales. CHICAGO Fight to prevent Chicago resi- dential district drive - in reached Mayor Kennelly's office. Over 600 residents protested the granting of a building permit to Fink and Gandel, outdoor theatre operators, on grounds that land was needed for additional housing. Ansel Winston replaces Lou, Mayer as Chicago RKO theatre: district manager, moving here, from N. Y. 1 Regal theatre, south side col-1 orcd B&K lead house, returns to ' vaude show policy Feb. 11, after! nixmg AFM request . for local SAN FRANCISCO _ Robert Broadcast is new a.sslst- ant to North Coast Orpheum Thea- tre manager, Al Dunn; Eddie Deal made relief manager for all North Coast Market Street houses. MILWAUKEE In, a cash purchase, Orto Thea- tres Corp. acquired the 2,260-setat Oriental and 1.560-seat. Tower here. Both are deluxe first-run nabe houses. Theatres will be managed by the St Cloud Amus. Corp, DENVER Ross Bluck made head booker at Universal, succeeding Dick Staf- ford, moved to Kansas City. Quarterly board meeting Allied Rocky Mountain Independent The- atres ratified Allied convention's action condemning forced percent- age films and asking for disciplin- ing of stars that overstep propriety. Asked theatres to dispense with March of Dimeis collections, but to give either matinee or night dm. ceeds or one full day to campaian With transportation crippSi during recent blizzard some thiJI atres ran the same film all week with some picking up film from nearby towns and getting okay bv phone. . Gordon, Neb., snowbound nine days, but got film by planes hired by Black HiUs. Amus. Co.; owner of theatre. ALBANY Sid Sommers; manager of the Troy, at Troy, promoted to Warner city manager. He will supervise the Lincoln, American and Grij. wold, and manage the Troy, Television-set advertising, show- ing scenes from feature pictures soon to be released and listing the producing company and local the- atre where the films will be shown proved so su- ^essful when used by Dev Bros.' Department store of Syracuse, In tieup with Schine's Paramount, that the same plan will be employed as a pattern of co- operative advertising throughout the whole Schine circuit. WASHINGTON The Sidney Lust chain of neigh- borhood houses is reported nego^ tiating to lease its old Arcade thea> tre in Hyattsville, in nearby Mary- land, for use as a dramatic school. House has' been closed the past two years. Previously it was oji- erated as a film theatre. GREENSBORO Leonard Frick of Columbia, S. C, is new manager of remodeled: Elm theatre, here; succeeds Chester R. Glenn, who moved to Wadesboro recently. Blue Ridge Theatres, Inc., owned by A. Fuller Sams, leased the Reeves and State at Elkin. Carl Jordan resigned as bouse manager at Paramount theatre, Burlington, to-return to Graham theatre as manager. Leonard Frick, of Columbia, S. C, resigned as manager of Elm here; Fogleman, State manager, will manage both houses. MONTREAL Odeon Theatres (Canada) Ltd., opened its newest theatre in th* Dominion In London, Ont„ with ceremony that brought theatrical officials from all parts of eastern Canada. This l,496^ater cost $500,000. JOAN OF ARC (tarring INGRID BERGMAN A VICTOR FUMlMfi fMDUCTtON ^coioit irTCCHMicoioii rcAsr w mow/ \ wtMJOUmilER'FMNCISL SOlllVAN> J, CMHOL (lAliH • W nip StItUOWICK * HUM HATriElD* BINE LOCKHAni'JC iCORCC COULOUmS* JOHN IRILAHD antf CECIL KEUKWMV, SHimH ■"' ...—.. .."„„ iniLnnv "nm 1,11.11. "'■•■'."MS;...,, ™, ..„ ™. ,vJO •» (.OT<»iiMi- by MAKWtU AN0E1IS0N Maw X«T br MAXW[lI«ND1»0H aoJ A»4DMW tOLT. an ilHMliM>f ' ' liiCHAIIDOAV 'rilrMlarsf »h*1t|ia^TiOSirH VAl(NtlNI,A.I.C. - , rn^ttf %i WAITEK WAKGEX liriitW hy VICTOR FtEMINS iri hy MHA PKIUMS. h«.*r*U«iMl tWl **t» 0 nCIUMt 12thVVEEK!i DAN DAILEY • CELES-TE HOLM 'CHICKEN EVERY SUNDAr A 20fh CentltryFox picture On Variety StaKe-^TONY MARTIN BKATRICK KBAFT DKAN MUHPHT On Ice Stase—"JUAMtVEKAUE" 8fnrrinK ". 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