PONDERS TAFT-HARTLEY WAL

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Yarmouth Likes Newcomer Carleton;
Community Spirit Wins for Theatre
BOSTON— Newcomer In the exhibition
field is Marshall Carleton. owner of the
Yarmouth Theatre, a 300-seat house in a
small coastal town of the same name. When
he took the theatre over 18 months ago.
several skeptical industryites said: "We'll
give you three months before you fold."
Recently Carleton had an offer of several
thousand dollars more than he paid for the
house. "I love this town," he said, "'and my
wife and I are proud to be considered solid
citizens here. We're not considering giving
up this opportunity of serving our newly
found friends."
Yarmouth has a population of 2.500, with
a draw of about 2,000 more from surrounding
towns and villages, but it is almost entirely
residential. It has one cotton mill employing
45 workers but its main industry is fishing.
It is 12 miles from Portland, Maine's largest
city, and is humorously known as "Portland's
back bedroom." In the summer the population
is increased by 20 per cent.
To this setup came Carleton and his wife
as perfect strangers 18 months ago. He first
sold himself to the townsfolk, demonstrating
that he had true community spirit and that
Models Attend Breakfast
For Hartford 'Egg and I'
HARTFORD—Jim McCarthy. Warner
Strand manager, promoted an "Egg and I "
breakfast at the Hotel Bond, sponsored by
the egg trade of Hartford and the Connecticut
Poultry Ass'n. for the opening of the
U-I comedy.
McCarthy tied up with Celles modeling
.school here for models to appear at the
breakfast. One of the girls was named "Miss
Good Egg of 1947. " Numerous state and city
officials attended the affair after which they
were invited by McCarthy to a .screening of
the picture at the Warner Theatre.
Film Appreciation Courses
Suggested for Schools
HAHTKOIJD
Hciiinunciuliilidn that school
systems launch "a cour.se in evaluation of
movies." has been put forward by Charlie
Nlles. theatre columnl.sl for the Times.
"With vacation around the corner, we'd
like to leave curriculum-makers with .some
food for summer thought— the idea of putting
into the .school systems a cour.sc in
evaluation of movies." he wrote. "A movie
appreciation course. In other words.
"When he graduates from school, little Joe
Is equipped to look a painting .squarely In the
»<
he and his wife were in accord on all civic
affairs.
One of his first activities was the holding
of a benefit for the local Sportsman's club, a
newly formed group organized to back up the
young people's baseball club and other
athletic contests. To this worth-while cause
Carleton offered his theatre for a benefit
performance, giving 100 per cent of the receipts.
Later the Boy Scouts wanted to raise
funds and again he turned over his theatre.
He did the same for the Girl Scouts. When
the Community Chest drive started. Carleton
immediately offered the theatre for a benefit.
At that time, the minister of the largest
church urged his congregation to back the
Community Chest benefit and added that
when the management of the only theatre in
town showed such true community spirit,
that he .should be given continual support
from the townsfolk.
Yet Carleton has never been asked to give
his theatre for a benefit performance. The
suggestion has always come from him.
A dynamic personality, Carleton has proved
that the theatreman is an integral part of
the community life of a town. His friendly
and cooperative attitude has paid dividends.
face and offer an appraisal, though it may
be a silent one. and not too profound. Little
Joe knows a thing or two about music and
he will not be entirely ignorant of the drama.
He has had. you see. art and music appreciation,
an exposure to Shakespeare as well, possibly
by a conscientious teacher of literature.
"But what is done to prepare Joe for the
awesome cinema which he will come against
every Thursday or Saturday night for the
rest of his life? Comparatively little.
Peskay Gives Highlights
Of Coast Variety Meet
NEW HAVEN—The new Variety Club of
Connecticut at its first open meeting, with
Chief Barker Barney Pitkin, presiding heard
Edward Peskay of New York and Greenwich
discuss the highlights of the national convention
held in Los Angeles. The meeting
was to acquaint potential members with the
purpose and program of the club.
Sutton Drive-In Opens
SUTTON. MASS.—A new drive-in. the Motor-In.
has been opened here. The outdoor
spot has a 500-car capacity, with ramps declining
toward the .screen to offer perfect
vision for all occupants of cars.
WAHOO
America's finest Screen Came
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT COMPANY
831 South Wabash Avenue • Chicago, Illinois
Indep'dent Exhibitors ;
Into Larger Quarters
BOSTON—Independent Exhibitors. Inc.of
New England has signed a long lease for new
quarters at 31 Melrose St.. and will move
into the new space August 1. taking the entire
second floor at the new address. The new
quarters provide a reception room, consultation
room, three offices and a general meeting
room. The space involved is about three
times the size of present quarters at 20
Shawmut St.
Independent Exhibitors has long been an
active group of small theatre owners and
independent circuit heads. More than 250
theatres are members, including personnel
of the ITO of Rhode Island. Inc.. Meyer
Stanzler, president. Leonard Goldberg j.'-
president of the New England organization,
with Daniel Murphy and James Guarino
vice-presidents; Julian Rifkin. secretarj-; Leslie
Bendslev. treasurer: Walter Mitchell,
chairman of the board and Nathan Yamins.
national delegate. Ray E. Feeley has been
bu.siness manager for the last two years and
has been largely responsible for bringing
the group up to it« present strength.
The organization, an affiliate of National
Allied, is more than 30 years old. Past presidents
have been Frank Lydon. Nathan Yamins.
Francis Perry and Walter Mitchell.
Hartford Circuit Employs
Introductions to Trailers
HARTFORD—Ernie Grecula. director of
advertising and publicity for the Hartford
circuit, is using in the circuit's five neighborhood
houses a new introduction to all
trailers, carrying personalized date strips.
At the Colonial. Grecula is utilizing the
theatre's old vaudeville side announcement t
boards. Lighting effects have been set up
behind the boards, and lights go on during
running of trailers. On the boards are plugs i
for forthcoming films.
Gevaert Reduces Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN. MASS.—Fifty persons
have been laid off at the Gevaert Co. of «
America, manufacturers of motion picture)
film, in a move which company officials i
termed "only temporary." The layoff was
described by Leo Stuckens. vice-president,
and Renee Aert.s. treasurer, as being duei
mainly to the late spring. However. boUlt
officials stated that additional orders arei
being received which surpass all former)
orders.
Hobby Horses Go West
HARTFORD—Dean Barrett,
former manager
of the Rialto and Astor. has left Con-(
necticut for a business trip with Maurice Zelll
to San Francisco. Barrett and Zell are han-t
dling Theatre Hobby Horse promotion units.t
Barrett said their address will be: Zell &
Barrett. 742 Market St.. San Francisco.
Stage Benefit Show
HARTFORD— Strand Amusement Co.'S.
State in Torrington featured a stage showt
for the benefit of the West Torringtori bulld-f
ing fund.
'Hucksters' Opens July 3
HARTf^ORU—"The Hucksters" has been'
hni.kid 111 open at Loew's Poll here July 3,
Lou Colu'ii. manager, said recently.
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BOXOFFICE :: June 28, 1947
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