DECEMBER

. . Various
. . The
. . . Frank
. . John
. . Natalie
. . Sam
. . Jack
PITTSBURGH
IJarry C. Bondurant, manager of the Caledonia
Park Drive-In near Gettysburg, was
a Filmrow visitor. He said the doughnut machine
at the concession building brought in
the dough . . . Kiddies attending the Saturday
shows at the State in Washington, Pa., received
coupons which entitle them to attend
a Christmas party at the theatre December
Mary Ann Theatre at Burgettstown
20 . . .
will stage a free pre-Christmas show for
kiddies in cooperation with the VFW, and
between Christmas and New Year's this theatre
will present its annual free show for
Catholic school children.
Closed for a month or longer, the Brookside,
ABC. Green Garden and Dependable
outdoor theatres keep their names before the
public by the purchase of newspaper advertising
for community funds, etc. Latest copy
urges readers to "save with U.S. defense
bonds" ... In the test case brought at Philadelphia
by Lewis Sablosky and members of
his family, who trade as the Norris Amusement
Co., the 1951 Pennsylvania realty transfer
tax has been upheld by the state supreme
court.
Leo Wayne, who withdrew from the film
industry after a quarter-of-a-century to enter
the tavern business, was a recent Filmrow
visitor. He has sold his tavern interest and
is considering his next step, which may be a
return to the film industry . promotions
featured Anniversary week at the
Embassy in Johnstown. Women in attendance
received roses from a floral shop, Berlo Vending
furnished candy, Chesterfield had free
cigarets for men and kiddies received free
popcorn. Admission was free to anyone celebrating
a birthday or an anniversary.
Liens for withholding taxes, totaling $1,105,
have been filed here against Howard C. Benson,
former operator of the Dixie and Grand
theatres at Carnegie ... An advance prevue
was offered Thanksgiving eve midnight at the
Basle in Washington as "a management guaranteed
attraction," William C. WiLson, manager
of the Basle, advertised the presentation
as "Stars and Stripes Forever," charging regular
admission price.
A far-reaching decision, as it pertains to
the collection of a business privilege tax as
enacted by various municipalities throughout
Pennsylvania under the 1947 tax anything
law, was handed down in the Blair county
SAM FINEBERG
TOM McCLEARY
JIM ALEXANDER
84 Van Broom Street
PITTSBURGH 19, PA.
Phone Express 1-0777
jjovies Are Betttr Than Evtr - How*; Your EquipmeiiHl
courts when Judge John M. Klepser ruled
that the tax as applied to Altoona was not
levied equally and was unconstitutional. If
the ruUng is upheld, the city stands to lose
$100,000 in tax this year. Likewise, if the
ruling is upheld by the state courts, many
city, borough and township ordinances, which
call for a similar tax, will be nuUilied.
Morris Finkel, local Allied board chairman,
described the city's 10 per cent amusement
tax as a 10 per cent sales tax. He told city
council that many theatres have been forced
to close; others are operating on a parttime
basis and ready to close permanently
unless some rehef is granted. He said theatre
owners cannot pass along increased costs to
customers since admission prices already are
"beyond the limit of public acceptance."
Among local people who attended the Pioneers
dinner in New York were Andy Battis-
.
ton. Max Shulgold, Ben Amdur, Bert Stern,
Moe Silver and Bill Finkel Manos
circuit is staging a big Christmas award in
cooperation with merchants. Grand prize is
a new Cadillac and the first to ride in the
car with Ted Manos were Joe Rost, Warner
exchange office manager, and your correspondent.
In advance of the opening of MGM's "Plymouth
Adventure" in Loew's Penn, several girls
dressed in colonial costumes rode around the
downtown area in a new Plymouth auto.
They presented an album of music from the
picture to Veterans hospital in Aspinwall . . .
Pittsburgh city council enacted its FEP ordinance
which forbids discrimination in employment
of people on the basis of race,
Santa Claus
religion or national origin . . .
made his initial appearance last Friday at a
cartoon show in the Liberty at New Kensington.
The city council delayed re-enactment of
its 10 per cent amusement tax as a courtesy
to hear protesting exhibitors, having been
pledged to renew the unfair levy regardless
of facts concerning the case. The mayor's
nine men duplicated their act of five years
ago when they held a hearing on the amusement
tax as originally presented, at that
time also being pledged 100 per cent to the
mayor's program. Some theatre screens will
be used in coming elections to present facts
to the citizens and taxpayers.
Herb Reed is the new territory publicist
for MGM, replacing Watty Watson, who
continues on the job in the Cincinnati area
. . . David C. Silverman, RKO manager,
reports good cooperation here for the Variety
Clubs-Will Rogers Memorial hospital
fund campaign.
Mrs. Mae Elizabeth Davis Manant died
November 27 and funeral service and burial
were conducted December 1. She was the
. .
wife of Arsene Manant, former theatre owner
and exhibitor at Carnegie Warner circuit
notes:
.
Ann Russell and Marjorie Gabris
are new employes in the booking department;
Mrs. James Opperman resigned as secretary
to contact office manager R. W. Kiiepton;
various theatre units of the circuit are featuring
auto giveaways; John L. Johns, formerly
of the accounting department, is now
the Indianapolis exploitation representative
for MGM. New girls in the circuit office's
contact department include Mary Gledhill
and Evelyn Donahoe.
. . . Winnie
Thomas Michael, son of Chris and Martha
Michael of the Rex, was inducted into the
armed forces last week. An older brother
Frank graduated this year from Georgetown
university and younger brother Gus is a high
school student here and assistant manager
of the south side theatre . and
Freda Fineberg have returned to their home
in Phoenix after visiting her at the Alexander
(RCA) Theatre Supply
Manos. wife of Ted Manos, has recuperated
from a fractured knee sustained in a fall
a
number of weeks ago.
. . . Saul
William Nidetch, Claysburg exhibitor, and
Han-y Horoff, former Portage exhibitor and
a department store proprietor there, have
purchased Smithmyer's restaurant, gas station
and truck stop at Cresson
Goldberg, former Elkins, W. Va.. exhibitor |
who has resided here for many years, will |
.
i
. . .
be a divisional marshal in the Israel Bonds
|
sales to be held December 14 Dolde,
recently named manager of Loew's Ritz here,
took his armed forces draft physical examination
this week About ten merchants
at Oil City are cooperating with the Drake
Theatre there in issuing free kiddy tickets
for Saturday matinees.
Warner circuit theatres reported success
with the proxy card registration for "The
Big 3 Giveaway" . D. Walsh jr.,
Fulton manager, was at Mercy hospital. He
has had trouble with his back for a long time
"Bud" Thomas of the Acme-
Franklin-Hanna office has been on vacation
for the first time in four years. He kept
himself busy moving into his new home in
Wilkinsburg, assisted by wife Helen and sons
Jay Mark and David Terry Thomas.
Eugene Naccarato, sound engineer for Atlas
Theatre Supply, is the father of a second son.
Gene junior is aged two Julius,
.
local Allied's assistant secretary, arranged details
for the recent delegation to the national
convention in Chicago. More than 40
from here were at the sessions.
Complete Sound and Projection Service
ATLAS THEATRE SUPPLY
Gordon Gib>oii, Mor.
402 Miltenberoer St., GRant 1-4281. Pittsburoh. Pa
MOTIOGRAPH — MIRROPHONIC
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LITTLE MACHINE CO.
1114 Central Ave., Charleston, W. Vo.
PERDUE CINEMA SERVICE
36 Kirk Ave., S. W., Roanoke, Vo.
PRODUCE A BETTER LIGHT
IN ANY SIZE THEATRE OR
DRIVE-IN . . . MORE ECONOMICALLY!
CARBONS, INC. • BOONTON, N. J.
BOXOFFICE December 6, 1952
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