Boxoffice-December.02.1950

Ludwig Sussman Revives Program
Of World War II for Servicemen
CHICAGO—Ludwig Sussman, veteran theatre
operator, is again giving servicemen and
women a boost by offering a program lie began
in World War II. Servicemen and women
are seeing programs in his theatre, the
Adelphi. 7074 N. Clark St., without charge.
Many theatres gave service personnel reduced
rates or distributed blocks of free
tickets. Sussman went one better. During
World War II, 60.000 service personnel were
admitted free.
Beginning last week, admission was reduced
for persons who bring a package of
cigarets to the theatre to be given to hospitalized
veterans for Christmas. Sussman,
who will be 63 next March 25, has been a
civic booster in Rogers Park, Chicago, since
he bought the theatre in 1927.
He frequently has turned it over to
churches. The Rogers Park Baptist church
held services there for nine months after its
church burned. Christian Scientists often use
the theatre for lectures. Temple Mizpah
uses it for high holiday services.
Bood
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During World War II Sussman was civilian
defense commander for 86 blocks in his area.
His theatre sold $250,000 worth of war bonds.
For many years his theatre collected more
money for the infantile paralysis fund than
any other in the Chicago area. The theatre
matched contributions of patrons.
He often gives free shows on Christmas
eve, and in depression days gave free matinees.
He gave 7,000 quarts of milk to needy chilfzatt
on
larth,
For the sake of your children,
buy and use Christmas Seals.
Thanks to Seals, children today
have a far greater chance of escaping
TB than you did.
To give them a still better
chance, send your contribution
today, please.
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Christmas
Seals
BOXOFFICE
dren during the depression. During thac period
he accepted groceries for admission,
with which he aided between 200 and 300
families for two or three years.
On one occasion he gave one-third of a
week's receipts to the needy in the neighborhood,
a total of $895.
Sussman came to Chicago from St. Joseph,
Mo., in 1916 with 40 cents in his pocket. He
went to work for a grocery chain until he
was able to save and borrow enough money
to buy a delicatessen. He has been a member
of the Rogers Park-Clark Street Business
Ass'n for many years and is a past president.
He has a son Melvin, and a grandson, Steven.
Canadian Industry Up
OTTAWA—The expansion in film production
facilities in the Dominion is reflectced in
a report of Graeme Fraser, secretary-treasurer
of the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers
and Laboratories of Canada. The organization
now has 21 member companies
across the country, Fraser pointed out, saying
that several new enterprises had been
welcomed into the fold.
Sell Theatre Stock
ASHTON, ILL.—A drive is under way here
to complete sales of an authorized $25,000 in
stock in the Ashton Theatre Corp. The theatre
building is under construction with the
front to be of dimension stone and dark green
structural glass. The leasing of the theatre
has been discussed by stockholders but no
decision has been made.
Benld Grand Reopened
BENLD, ILL.—The Grand Theatre, 450-
seater, operated by Joe Katz, was opened on
November 18 after having been dark from
October 17 due to a dispute between the management
and the projectionists union. Details
of the settlement were not announced.
To Bid on First Runs
HANNIBAL, MO. — Eddie Rosecan, owner
of the 600-seat Rialto, has notified film companies
that he plans to bid for fh-st run product
in competition with the Frisina Amusement
Co.'s 1,500-seat Tom Sawyer and 900-
seat Star, commencing about January 1.
St. Louis Airer Still Open
ST. LOUIS—The Airway Drive-In, St.
Charles Rock road near St. Ann's Village, St.
Louis county, is one of the few drive-ins in
the St. Louis trade area that continues in operation.
The Airway is operated by the Phil
Smith interests of Boston.
Installs New Equipment
PACIFIC, MO.—Tile Royal Theatre, operated
by L. Lieber and H. M. Hirth, has installed
Simplex projectors, Hertner generators,
Magnarc lamps, X-L soundheads and
a Walker high intensity screen, purchased
from National Theatre Supply.
Funeral Services Held
For Maurice Bentley
ST. LOUIS — Funeral services were held
here for Maurice William Bentley. advertising
and public relations man for Skouras
Theatres Corp., who was one of the 77 persons
killed on November 22 in the Long Island
raih-oad wreck in New York.
Bentley was employed by Skouras Bros.
Enterprises, including the St. Louis Amusement
Co. and Theatre Management Co. for
several years prior to moving to New 'Vork
in 1934.
Mrs. Bentley is the daughter of Mrs. L. K.
Hill, 6164 Per.shing Ave., St. Louis. In addition
to his wife, he is survived by four daughters
and a son. They range in age from 2
to 17.
SPRINGFIELD
pirst run theatres in Springfield have all
now increased first run admission prices
from 60 cents to 65 cents including tax, the
same first run prices that prevailed in nearby
communities of comparable size, Decatur
and Perio. Kerasotes Theatres raised prices
from 48 cents to 50 cents in all central Illinois
circuit houses about two months ago.
Roy Rogers and his traveling company
made a one-day appearance in Springfield,
sponsored by the Cathedral Boys high school.
Delegates from Roy Rogers Riders clubs sponsored
by exhibitors in other cities attended
the Springfield show, with the largest group
from Chuck Duncan's Alhambra in Decatur
which has over 4,500 members enrolled in his
club. Peoria selected a king and queen of
the Beverly Theatre club who were escorted
by Manager Frank Larkin and assistant Ivy
Warren. Gene Autry is scheduled for a similar
appearance in the same auditorium on
January 25.
Alex Worth is composing the score for
the Warner picture, "A Streetcar Named Desire."
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90 BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950
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