Boxoffice-December.25.1948

Two Bay Stale Bills
Request Censorship
BOSTON—Two censorship bills have been
filed in the state house of representatives,
one calling for a state censorship committee
and the other asking a committee to
censor comic books and motion pictures for
minors.
The first bill would provide for a board of
five members chosen by the governor to
serve without compensation on the state
censorship committee. The members would
elect a chairman who would receive a salary
of $5,000 a year. Under the provisions of
the bill the committee would be called upon
to censor a film upon complaint by any five
citizens. If. in the opinion of the majority
of the committee the film is objectionable,
the board may prohibit exhibition throughout
the state. A fine of not more than $5,000
or imprisonment of not more than two years
or both would be the penalty for violation
of the board's decree.
tTnder the provisions of the second bill
the commissioner of public safety would be
the chairman with the Boston police commissioner
as clerk and other members such
as the superintendent of schools, a Catholic
priest, a Protestanc minister and a Jewish
rabbi. Each member would serve three years
without compensation but with an expense
account to be approved by the governor and
his coimcil. All motion pictures and comic
books would be passed by this committee
and any violation of its dictates would be
punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.
The present state censorship board consists
of three members from the department
of public safety who approves films for Sunday
showing only.
Educational Film Group
Is Organized in Boston
BOSTON—The nucleus of a Boston film
council which will serve as a clearing house
to help promote the use of educational films
in this sector was formed when more than
100 representatives of church, school, college,
social welfare and other groups interested
in the use of audio-visual aids to education
met at the public library here. The meeting
was sponsored by the library, Boston
university, the community recreation centers
of Boston and the public relations department
of the New England Telephone & Telegraph
Co. Those attending heard Glen Burch,
executive director of the Film Council of
America, outline the work being done by
similar councils now organized in more than
100 cities and towns in all parts of the
country. Dr. Abraham Krasker, director of
the bureau of teaching aids at Boston university,
presided at the meeting.
Sam Schubouf Substitutes
HARTFORD—Sam Schubouf.
manager of
Loew's Poll Lyric, Bridgeport, Conn., has
been shifted temporarily to Loew's Poll,
Springfield, Mass., as assistant manager,
pending appointment of a permanent assistant
for the house.
Holly Sweeney, Loew's
Poll, Springfield, assistant, has resigned to
enter the meat business. He was previously
with the Loew Theatres in 'Waterbury, Conn.,
and Hartford.
Arthur Lockwood Dinner
At Boston January 11
BOSTON—A testimonial dinner honoring
Arthur Lockwood of Lockwood & Gordon
Enterprises, who recently was named presi-
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M dfk
Arthur Lockwood Sam Pinanski
dent of TOA, will be held at the Copley-
Plaza hotel's main ballroom at 6:30 p. m.,
January 11.
A stag affair, the dinner is sponsored by
the 'Variety Club of New England, of which
Joseph Giobbia Manages
Crown Theatre, Hartford
HARTFORD—Joseph Giobbia, a veteran
of 25 years in the film industry, has been
appointed manager of the Crown Management
Corp.'s Crown Theatre here, replacing
Joseph B. La'Vista. who resigned to enter
the vending business.
Giobbia, whose home town is Brooklyn,
comes here from the Happy Hour Theatre,
Brooklyn, a P>i-esident Amusement Corp. situation.
Giobbia formerly was assistant manager
at the Metro. Los Angeles.
The new manager tied up with 11 area
merchants to sponsor giveaway of two children's
bicycles on Saturday afternoons, with
youngsters asked to secure "lucky numbered"
coupons from merchants with each purchase.
New policy of giving away free candy and
toys to kids attending Saturday matinee
performances has been instituted. New personnel
includes Patricia Stevens, candy girl,
and Sara Nelson, cashier.
Maxwell Alderman Gives
Report on Convention
NE'W HA'VEN—Alhed Theatre Owners of
Connecticut met for a Towne House luncheon
recently to hear Maxwell Alderman, executive
secretary, report on the recent national
Allied convention in New Orleans. The Connecticut
group approved and endorsed all
resolutions passed at the southern meeting,
including those opposing percentage pictures,
opposing voluntary arbitration of grievances
under the consent decree ruling and opposing
joining with TOA in conciliation boards.
The membership voted 100 per cent cooperation
with and all possible assistance to
the celebration of Brotherhood week. In addition
to Alderman, who flew to and from
New Orleans, Al Bookspan of the Fishman
circuit drove to the Allied conference and
appeared as a delegate.
Lockwood has long been an active officer.
Tickets at $10 each may be obtained from
E. Harold Stoneman, chief barker, at Interstate
Theatres, 260 Ti-emont St., or from
Bill Koster, 'Variety Club's director at the
Hotel Statler.
Samuel Pinanski is the general chairman
and working closely with him is a large committee
consisting of E. Harold Stoneman,
Joe Cifre, Martin Mullin, Murray 'Weiss,
Harry Browning, Ted Fleisher, Louis Richmond.
Samuel Marshall, John Dervin, Ben
'Williams, Max Levenson, Stanley Rothenberg,
Louis Gordon, Phil Smith, Herman
Levy. Al Kane, 'Walter Brown, Al Clark, John
Ford, Steve Broidy, Phil Marget, Arnold
Van Leer and Abe Yarchin.
A large group of out-of-towners is invited
to attend, and 'Variety Club officials
say that the list will include important names
from the "'Who's Who" of the industry. The
toastmaster and emcee will be announced
shortly.
New England Allied
Sets May Conclave
BOSTON—Plans for the 1949 convention
of Independent Exhibitors of New England,
Inc., to be held May 25, 26 at the Copley-
Plaza hotel here, were among subjects discussed
at its December meeting following
a luncheon and directors meeting here. Daniel
Murphy, president, called the meeting to
order.
_
Because of many requests that it be made
a permanent part of services rendered by the
organization, continuation of 'the Caravan
was unanimously voted by members. The
unit also voted to participate in Brotherhood
week in cooperation with the national committee
established for the observance, with
Nathan Yamins as New England representative.
Leslie Bendslev and 'Walter Mitchell, cochairmen
of preparations for the annual
convention, outlined plans for the two-day
convention. The membership was informed
of details relating to the proposed 2 per cent
sales tax, and of the introduction of two
proposed censorship bills.
Following a discussion, members voted
imanimously to combat any violations of the
recent court decree against forced selling.
mnsTER moTion picturEc
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so PIEDMOnT ST. • BOSTOn IE MH55.
BOXOFFICE December 25, 1948 77