Boxoffice-January.07.1950

. . Scores
T. J. Hickes Observes TOLEDO
30 Years in Theatre
SAXTON. PA.—T. J. Hickes observed his
30th anniversary as an exhibitor here during
the yearend. Clean,
w liolesome p ic t u r e s
iiave been supported
luring these 30 years
md the Broad Top
Bulletin featured a
iour-page section in
its Clu'istmas edition
to salute "Tom" and
his wife and son T. J.
jr., manager of the
Aldlne.
On September 7,
T. J. Hickes
1919, Mr. and Mrs.
Hickes heard remarks
that Saxton needed a theatre and they made
initial plans the following day to enter into
the motion picture industry. On September
11, only four days later, work began on the
old Liberty and on Christmas eve, that same
year, the theatre was opened to the public,
Norma Talmadge starring in the initial feature
pictm'e to be presented. Only one projector
was used as only one could be purchased.
In April 1920, the second projector
was delivered and installed.
The Liberty was kept in continuous operation
until June 26, 1935. At that time it was
destroyed by fire along with the meat and
grocery business which occupied the basement
of the same building and which was
an enterprise of the Hickeses.
The day after the fire plans were begun
on the present Aldine and this theatre was
consti-ucted and opened within five months,
the opening picture being Dick Powell in
"Thanks a Million." Tom Hickes has been
a member of Allied MPTO since 1920.
Hickes officially greeted and welcomed the
traditional couple, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus,
to the community the Friday before Christmas.
Twenty-five hundred kiddies attended
the party, which was the largest ever staged
in Saxton or in the area. The day was celebrated
as Hickes' 30th anniversary as the
community's well liked exhibitor.
Hickes is one of the most progressive businessmen
in Bedford county, participating in
many charitable events, drives and organizations.
Outstanding was his contribution to the
Bedford County hospital campaign last year.
M'ew Year's day was particularly happy for
Jack Sahlman, manager of the Guild,
Toledo's new art house, because liis wife and
20-month-old son moved here from New
York to join him. Sahlman managed to get
a comfortable apartment in the same building
where the Frank Manentes live. Manente
is manager of the Esquire.
Abe Ludacer, manager of the Valentine,
will make a quick one-day trip to Philadelphia
January 25 for a meeting of officials
of PAL, Inc. Ludacer is president of the
Toledo chapter, which is planning an outstanding
boxing card to raise funds for boys'
welfare and recreational needs . . . Milt
Tarloff recently returned from a visit to New
York City.
Flora Ward Hineline is bringing the Four
Piano Ensemble to the State, de luxe neighborhood
house, January 9 for a one-night
concert stand . of shoppers saw
Albert Granstaff, 54, die December 27 of a
heart attack as he was changing Christmas
decorations to New Year's greetings in the
front of the Paramount Theatre, where he
was an engineer. A sister in Charleston,
W. Va., survives.
Howard Feigley, manager of the Rivoli,
has been elected to the board of trustees
of the Chamber of Commerce.
John Tucker Battle has been signed to
screenplay "Etemolition Expert" for 20th-
Fox.
Jack Fontaine With Para.
For Quarter of Century
PITTSBURGH—Jack Fontaine, head shipper
here for Paramount, is celebrating his
silver anniversary with the company next
week. Officially, Joseph O. Fontaine, Jack
was first employed by Paramount (Famous
Players Laskey Corp.i in 1924 as shipper at
the Cleveland branch, transferring to Pittsburgh
the next year. He was promoted to
head shipper here in 1926 and two years later
headed the ad sales department, a post he
held until accessories were removed from the
company's supervision.
Jack was born August 5, 1901, at 'Washington,
and attended school at 'Washington and
Baltimore. In 1917 he enlisted in the navy
for four years and served in World War I.
During 1922-23 he was employed by Potomac
Electric Power Co. at Washington. He was
married in 1929 and is the father of two
daughters, Eleanor, 19, and Rheta, 12. His
favorite sports are fisiiing, wrestling and
swimming and his two great hobbies are
promoting athletics for youngsters and feeding
wild life.
J. B. Veblin Joins Firm
DETROIT—John B. VebUn of Garden City,
Mich., is joining the West Way Film Library,
established here at 5290 Lumley avenue two
years ago by Richard E. Scanland, as a partner.
The firm is expanding operations to include
the roadshow field, specializing in merchant-sponsored
shows in small towns. Scanland
said that the 16mni library service will
be continued.
THE WORLD'S FINEST, LOW-COST1
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Lund Circuit Joins Star
PITTSBURGH—The Lund Directed Theatres
circuit now is represented for licensing
and booking by Star Distributing Agency,
managed by Vincent J. Corso. The circuit,
with units at Carmichaels, Bobtown, Clarksville,
Mather and Marianna, Pa., and Buckhannon,
W. Va., is operated by John Lund
and son Werner "Fuzzy" Lund.
Set for 'Crisis'
Teresa Celli has been set for a role in the
Gary Grant vehicle, "Crisis," a Metro film.
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BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 69