Warners

. . The
. . "Hopalong
SPRINGFIELD
'This city rolled out the red carpet for the
Hungarian countess. Klara de Corba.
Drought here by Eagle Lion as part of the
promotion for "Guilty of Treason." The countess,
personal friend of Cardinal Mindszenty.
was interviewed by press and radio
representatives, and was hosted at a society
tea at the Hotel Sheraton in her one-day
stand in this city. Handling the affair were
Andy Sette. manager of the Capitol, which
will play the Mindszenty picture, and Sid
Newman, of the Boston Eagle Lion office.
The theatre industry's fight for the repeal
of the wartime amusement tax was given a
boost here when W. Harley Rudkin. theatre
editor of The Daily News, devoted his entire
Saturday column. Off Stage, to a comprehensive
account of the situation as outlined in
the brochure prepared by Ernie Emerling,
Loew's top ad and promotion executive.
"Jolson Sings Again." making its first return
appearance at popular prices, failed to
jell at the Bijou boxoffice and was yanked in
favor of a Cinecolor western after only four
days . Art Theatre has a new operator,
Ernie Bengle. who replaces the late John
McDermott.
Meriden Drive-In Hearing
Slated for February 13
HARTFORD—A hearing on an application
by James A. Holmes of Soutliington for permission
to build a drive-in on the Meriden-
Waterbury road, will be held February 13 at
state police headquarters here.
In an earlier hearing on the Holmes application
last week. Holmes was ordered to
amend his application to include a 1929 federal
court conviction on a charge of transporting
liquor \vithout a permit. The order
was issued after Holmes had admitted under
cross-examination that he had neglected
to include in the application his arrest at
Darien. and fine of $100 in U.S. district court
here on a charge of transporting liquor during
the prohibition era.
'Sands' Draws 43,626
PROVIDENCE — Some 43.626 persons
jammed Loews' State during the first week
of "Sands of Iwo Jima." It was held over a
second week. It is expected that "All the
King's Men" coming in to the local Loew's
house will draw near-record audiences.
There is no time to lose I Act today on
repeal of the amusement taxi
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REVISITS HOMETOWN AREA—When
Wendell Corey visited Springfield, Mass.,
his hometown, one of the persons he
called on was Mrs. Margaret Ellis, assistant
principal of Trade School there,
who 14 years ago urged Corey to take
part in his first school play. In top
photo Corey autographs a picture for
Mrs. Ellis. Bottom photo: Robert Sternberg,
left. New England Theatres district
manager, and Hy Fine, also a NET district
chief, chat with Corey at a Boston
cocktail party given for the star of "Thelma
Jordon."
State Department May
Make Hampshire Film
CONCORD, N. H.—The possibility that
New Hampshire may become "location" for
an educational film to be produced by the
international motion picture division of the
State Department was revealed here January
18 following a conference between Gov.
Sherman Adams: Louis DeRochemont of
Newington. the film producer; a representative
from the State Department, and several
prominent Granite state residents.
DeRochemont agreed to associate himself
with the endeavor. Originally, it has been
planned to produce a film for New Hampshire
alone, but DeRochemont and Dr. Arthur
S. Adams, president of the University
of New Hampshire, called the officials' attention
to the federal film venture. Then
Governor Adams and Edward J. Ellingwood,
director of the state planning and development
commission, were shown one of the
State Department's films depicting the Westchester
county government's operations in
New York. As a result, steps were taken to
have the New Hampshire state government's
operations filmed under the same program.
Cy Howard has been signed by Producer
Hal Wallis to screenplay "That's My Boy"
for Paramount release.
NEW HAVEN
/^arl Goe. Warner manager, will be officially
out of the film business February 25. after
which he says he will travel awhile in southern
climes before settling down. All efforts
to plan sendoff dinner and celebration for the
resigning manager were halted by his insistence
on "slipping out quietly." Best wishes
of the district go with Goe. whose successor
should be announced shortly . . . The surprise
of the week was the announcement that
United Artists exchange would stay on in
Nev,- Haven after the abrupt announcement
early in January that it would close its doors
and Connecticut would be served out of the
Boston exchange.
The Strand, Seymour, recently was redecorated
in modernistic fashion—covered with
stainless steel on the outside, adorned with a
new marquee, reseated by American Seating,
recarpeted by National Theatre Supply and
equipped with Voice of the Theatre sound.
The reopening was played up with co-op ads
of leading merchants, topped by picture of
the renovated theatre.
Tom Duane, SRO. was in town . . . Bernie
Maxwell. Eagle Lion exploiteer. was here for
the screening for clergymen and other key
citizens of "Guilty of Treason" at the Cameo.
West Haven, and will work on the world premiere
in various spots here . . . Billy Pilot of
the Colonial, Southington. won a $25 government
bond given by 20th-Fox for his exploitation
of "Father Was a Fullback."
Drive-ins are starting their buying activities
on the street in anticipation of April 1
opening . Cassidy" shows are
planned for February 18 a. m. in Bridgeport,
Worcester. Waterbury and Norwich with
giveaway autographed Cassidy folders and
prizes promoted from local merchants. The
Poll. New Haven, will offer Circus Days show
on the same date, with over $100 in gift certificates
promoted with the cooperation of Eli
Moore, children's shop here, by Manager Morris
Rosenthal and assistant Tony MasseUa.
Bob Elliano of the Colonial, Walnut Beach,
went to Tampa ... A wild west act is set for
the Rivoli. Dixwell. and Community. Fairfield.
February 18 . . . The Harry Fishmans left on
an annual vacation in Miami Beach, preceded
by a visit from son Elihu. who is studying
dentistry at Temple university . . Sick list
.
includes Mrs. Joe Reed (Washington), who
recently was taken to New Haven hospital for
observation, and Lou Phillips, still recuperating
at home after a lingering pneumonia
attack.
Gloria Moalli, 20th-Fox. was off with a cold
. . . Zelig Fishman. elder member of the circuit,
is recuperating from heart attack at
New Haven hospital, where his brother Jack
is recuperating from surgery . . . Visitors on
Filmrow included Vincent and Edward Lord
of Norwich. Leon Ricci of Meriden and Jack
Schwartz, Bridgeport.
Ed Ruff Buys Franchise
BOSTON—Edward Ruff, local district manager
of the Motion Picture Sales Corp.. has
acquired the New England franchise rights
to its
product from Neil Agnew and Charles
L. Casanave. president and vice-president respectively.
84 BOXOFFICE :: February 11, 1950