Boxoffice-May.29.1948

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Garage Under Common
Is Assured in Boston
BOSTON—Downtown theatremen and
managers as well as business and civic leaders
throughout the Boston area greeted with enthusiasm
the Massachusetts supreme court
decision removing all barriers to construction
of a giant garage beneath the Common
which w'ould alleviate the city's vexing traffic
problems.
The court held that the Common is free
from trusts and that the city has title to the
land. It dismissed two suits brought by Back
Bay residents who sought to block the construction.
The project had been bitterly
fought by one small group for two years.
Work will begin in three weeks, according
to Mayor Curley, who ordered the city law
department to meet at once with officials
of the First National Corp., who will build
the 4,400-car garage beneath the present
athletic field and parade ground.
The garage will have three levels with
the main entrance on Charles street with an
underpass under the public garden from
Commonwealth avenue. A pedestrian tunnel
will extend underground from the garage to
Tremont street at West street. The garage
will be built without cost to the city and
will revert to the city after 40 years. It is
said that the city will lease it for not less
than 2 per cent of the gross receipts. Parking
fees have not been decided.
With the downtown parking problem one
of the most serious menaces to evening theatre
business, the construction of the project
is hailed by managers as an important boxoffice
boost.
Work Starts in Newport
On New Latchis House
NEWPORT, N. H. — Ground has been
broken here for construction of a theatre for
Peter Latchis. Latchis operates theatres in
Claremont and Keene in this state, Brattleboro,
Vt.. and in Ma.ssachusetts.
The local house, which is expected to be
opened early in the fall, will be a one-story
building with no balcony, seating 800 persons.
Six stores are expected to occupy a wing
of the building.
Al Donovan to Manage
Mohawk, North Adams
HARTFORD—George E. Landers, division
manager of E. M. Loew's Theatres, has announced
the appointment of Al Donovan, formerly
at the Capitol, Lynn, as manager of
the Mohawk, North Adams. Donovan succeeds
David Seidman, 68, who, after some
50 years in the entertainment world, is retiring
to live in Miami Beach.
Hartford Booth Men Plan
Testimonial for Lewis
HARTFORD — A testimonial dinner in
honor of Ruben K. Lewis, Loew's Poli-Palace
stage manager and business agent of lATSE
Local 84, will be held in the Hotel Bond
Wednesday night, June 9. Lewis has been
business agent for the local 25 years.
HARTFORD—The People's Forest Drive-In
Theatre Corp. has opened the People's Forest,
on Route 44 between Hartford and Winsted.
'Vincent Youmatz of Winsted is president
of the film.
Tim O'Toole Retires
As Columbia Pilot
NEW HAVEN—Timothy F. O'Toole, affectionately
known as Tim to most New England
film people, has been retired from active duty
as Columbia manager here but will continue
to serve in an advisory capacity. He has been
New Haven manager ten years. In all,
O'Toole coimts his years with Columbia at
nearly 30, spent between Boston and New
Haven. He is shown here with his booker,
Grace Brunelle. O'Toole will be succeeded
by Walter Silverman, a Columbia salesman
here for thi'ee years. He was a booker in
Boston prior to that. Earl Wright, who has
been with Columbia in Chicago, comes back
to his native city as salesman. Dave Kramer,
former salesman here, is moving to Pittsburgh
as sales manager for Eagle Lion.
L
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BOXOFFICE :
: May 29, 1948 NE 79