NOVEMBER

Lachman
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Harold
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Sanford
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: hoped
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founder
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Takes Over
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As Head of Tent 35
NEW YORK—Edward Lachman was elected
chief barker of Variety Club Tent 35 Monday
• 10) at the annual
nu-inbershlp meeting.
A slate of officers presented
by the nominating
committee was
accepted without discussion
and one ballot
was cast.
Other officers: First
assistant chief barker,
Edward L. Fabian;
.second assistant, Martin
Levlne: property
master, Ira Meinhardt;
Edward Lachman
doughguy. Harold J.
Klein: canvasmen, Bernard Brooks, Ru.sseU
V. Downing, Nathan F\irst, Jack Hoffberg,
Martin Kornbluth, Jack Levin, Charles E.
Lewis, Harold Newman, Walter Reade jr..
Rizzler. Burt Robbins, Morris Sanders.
Bert J. Sanford, Cy Seymour, David
Snaper, Saul Trauner, George Waldman and
Max Wolff.
reported the tent now has 514
Ipatd-up members, of which 470 are regular
members. 20 press members and 13 life members.
Twenty-three new members were elected
[during 1952.
Trauner reported that the treasury balance
made up of bank accounts and bonds totaled
S33,214. but that a bill of S4.600 is still due
the Astor hotel. Sanders said about S3.000
was paid out for welfai-e work last year.
William J. German, retiring chief barker,
admitted frankly that the tent had been
dormant during most of 1952. but said that
It had been "kept alive."
Lachman pointed out that the new officer
lineup was on the youthful side and said he
enthusiasm and energy would put the
tent back on its feet. He hopes to find a
imeeting
place.
Honor Chas. C. Moskowitz
. NEW YORK—Charles C. Moskowitz. vice-
![,J president and treasurer of Loew's, Inc.. and
and first supreme master of the
I.Mpha E^silon Pi fraternity, was honored by
his fellow alumni at a testimonial dinner at
the Hotel Pierre on November 13.
MPEA Pact With France
Okayed for One Year
New York—The Motion Picture Export
.-Vss'n board Friday (14 1 approved a
one-year pact with France negotiated by
Eric Johnston, president, providing for
110 import permits for member companies
for the current year ending July 1, 1953.
No provision was made for permits for
independent companies. Previously, the
French government had reduced the
number of permits for all U.S. companies
from 121 to 90. The new deal also provides
for "close cooperation" with French
producers.
Johnston left the following day with
Robert J. Corkery of the international
division for South .Vmerica on film busi-
( ?«1 ness. His first stop was Rio de Janeiro.
Drive-ln Theatre Owners
Convene in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH— More than 30 drlve-ln theatre
owners attended a ".sea&on's end" meetlnK
last Sunday afternoon and evenInK at a Filmrow
office. All were booklnK account.s of the
Hanna Theatre Service. Plans for 1953 were
outlined, advertl.slng and promotion deals
were explored and ix)llcy changci were considered.
Among tho.se present isome with
their
wives I
Rolph Fclton
Joe Bordonoro
Gorlond West
Hudion McMurtrtc
Jomcs Gcibcl
Chorles Pittcogcr
Jed Wiljon
John DcAngclis
John Rossino
Romeo Chcoppme
Mounce Fruhlinger
Ken Fletcher
Dick Sparks
John McKool
Al OeMichelit
Bert Fettcrrron
Chorles R- Stcwort
Thomos Cowell
J. A. Orgon
Merle Altmon
Morco Ranalli
Joe Forrell
Clyde Piccirillo
John Betters
Paul Remalcy
Harold Lee
Mr. and Mrs Ben While
Joe Yokos
Representing the Hanna Theatre Service
were Lou and Joe Hanna and Prank "Bud"
TTiomas. Guests included Ken Hoel and Bob
Klingensmith.
NEW DE\1CE DISCUSSED
One of the exhibitor accounts discussed a
special promotion for a product which he
manufactures. Complete plan will be announced
to Hanna members at a later date.
Another outdoor theatre owner discussed a
new drive-in device which will eliminate
certain present necessary equipment. It has
been patented.
All exhibitors present stated they were "on
the ball" in the campaign to abolish amusement
taxes.
Indications were that several more drive-in
theatre owners would plunge into the speedway
field next spring, operating half-mile
tracks for stock car races. Several outdoor
exhibitors expect to add .swimming pools on
their properties. At least two exhibitors
present have erected gas wells on their land.
A few exhibitors who are required by union
locals to employ two projectionists denounced
such practice and stated that they must have
rehef.
The Valley Drive-In at Indian Head will
face a new- 10 per cent amusement tax when
it reopens next .spring.
NEWS ABOUT EXHIBITORS
Hudson McMurtrie of the Garland West
Enterprises stated that he was entering the
air force this week.
John McKool of the Silver Drive-In at
Windber opened the new Silver Bar on the
Windber road, in front of the outdoor theatre.
November 8. His exhibitor partner Maurice
Fruhlinger somehow missed attending the
opening of the bar, a rustic log cabin, and he
came in for some jesting. John said he could
have used the service of another bartender.
Charles R. Stewart reported that Mrs.
Harry Battastini of Punxsutawney, wife of
the theatre ow-ner and former theatre operator,
was seriously injured in an auto accident
late November 8. The accident occurred between
Punxy and Indiana when her car went
out of control and turned over a number of
times, smashing into a parked automobile.
Lieut. John Betters, owner of the Roof
Garden Drive-In near Somerset, flew his
own plane here from Lockport. N. Y.. to
attend the meeting. He iiald It took him rr :-^
lonKrr to land than the time conjiumed !.
Paul Kemuley of the Maple at Sprtngooro
greeted friend.i. dLicusiied hu busineM and
then departed to attend a Steelers football
game. John Raulno and Romeo Cheapplne
of the El Rancho at Brldgevtlle are brothentin-law.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben White of Warren will
depart for Florida after ChrL^tma.^
Tommy W. Cowell, owner of the Cowell
Amusement Co. at Eire, received condolences
on the recent death of his father. Prank L.
Cowell. 75. Tommy and Sally are expected to
attend the Allied convention In Chicago.
Harold Lee of Lee's Woodland at Vandergrift
started butchering turkeys right after
he clo.sed the outdoor theatre. He's a turkey
rancher and has other Interesta.
Pay Dispute Settled
By RKO,AFL Union
NEW YORK—The AFL sign, pictorial and
display Local 230. bargaining agent for RKO
home office employes, has won double .severance
pay for two publicists who were let out
when the new management took over in
October. Becau.se RKO classed the dismissal
of George Held, formerly assistant publicity
manager, and Fred Norman, former radio-TV
contact, as due to "economy reasons." the
former will get 12 weeks pay and Norman
will get 18 weeks.
The AFL union's one-year contract with
RKO expired October 30 and negotiations for
a new contract have been delayed due to the
RKO personnel changes.
Meanwhile, the lATSE motion picture
home office employes Local H-63 has made
overtures to the RKO staff to represent them
in wage negotiations. Local H-63 now represents
the Paramount home office staff while
Local 230 represents Loew's Theatres and
Loew's International.
An arbitration award which gives Pathe
Laboratories the right to reduce its i>ermanent
staff "without being required to obtain permission
from the union to do so." was handed
down by Sidney A. Wolff, arbitrator. November
8. The award settles a dispute between
Pathe and the laboratory technicians Local
702. since Pathe notified the union that it
planned to lay off 300 union members last
January. The arbitration hearings have been
going on since July. Pathe wanted the right
to trim its pajTOll. according to requirements,
but does not necessarily contemplate largescale
dismissals. Some laboratory employes
have since left of their own volition. Pathe
reports.
Grilfis Tells Film Story
NEW YORK—How Stanton G^lffl.^ helped
American lilm distributors to bre.sk down
barriers to imports in Spain during his term
as ambassador Is related in his new book.
"Lying in State.' which Doubleday & Co.
wiU publish November 20.
Sov.i
IBOXOFFICE :: November 15, 1952
35