Boxoffice-Febuary.18.1956

. . Lewis
BUFFALO
T\ick Smyth, who has been treasurer at the
Paramount Theatre, has been named
assistant at the Center, also a Paramount
operation in downtown Buffalo. Fran Kinzie
has succeeded Smyth as treasurer at the
Paramount. Leo LaVigne, a former Paramount
usher, has been named treasurer at
. . .
the Center. Mrs. Margaret Bailey,
Jack
assistant
Goldstein,
at the Center has resigned
former manager for National Screen
here and for the last several years a salesman,
has resigned and has started a "Pennysaver"
type newspaper in Fort Erie, on the
Canadian border across from Buffalo. Goldstein's
son is publisher of a similar newspaper
in Hamburg, N. Y. Goldstein sr. recently
returned from a motoring vacation in
Florida . . . The Lone Ranger (Clayton
Moore) was due here Saturday (18) to make
a single appearance on the stage of the
Center for a special showing of "The Lone
Ranger."
Lester Pollock, manager of Loew's Theatre
in Rochester, is president of Rochester tent
of Circus Saints and Sinners. The other
day the members of the tent entertained 360
orphans at Loew's with a film, candy and
gifts by Marty Sher.
Virginia Callahan, booker at MGM, left on
a motor trip to Florida . . . Harold Bennett,
manager at National Screen, left on a
month's vacation at Plantation Key, Fla. He
will have been with National Screen 30 years
The Arnett theatre in
on August 1 . . .
Rochester has cut down to Friday, Saturday,
Sunday and Monday.
. . .
A burglary investigation at the State in
Rochester has turned into an arson investigation.
Detectives say they found ashes
where fires had been started in a ticket
booth and the women's restroom. Both fires
burned themselves out, apparently from lack
of oxygen, the detectives said. Police added:
"There is nothing to steal there. Apparently
kids went in and started the fires." The theatre
has been closed several months
Charlie McKernan. manager of the Seneca,
a UPT community house in South Buffalo
and Bill Colson, manager of the Niagara,
also a UPT neighborhood operation, both
reported capacity audiences at their special
Lincoln's Birthday matinee Monday ... It is
reported that the Shea Amusement Company
of Jamestown has purchased the Pic 17
Drive-In on Chautauqua Lake's north shore.
. . . Evelyn
The Kensington, 525 Grider St., has been
sold by the Kensington Theatre Corp., of
which Menno Dykstra is the head, to Ireland,
the Plumber for an undisclosed price. The
plumbing company will remodel the building
and use it as a service center
Kraft, bookkeeper for Variety Tent 7, has
prepared a statement for 1955. It shows the
club to be in a good financial condition.
Stanley Kositsky, manager at UA, is all
set to try and grab some of that $50,000
prize money to be offered during the company's
37th anniversary drive. It will be a
drive for collections, billings and playdates.
Good luck, Stan! . J. Lieser, former
head of the Lieser Film Distributing Co., has
joined IFE. He will take over the Buffalo
and Pittsburgh areas from Sal De Gennaro.
who has moved to the Washington IFE office.
Character actor Jesse White will portray a
gangster in RKO's "Back From Eternity."
IN FOR LIFE—Elmer F. Lux, chief
barker of the Variety Club of Buffalo,
presents a lifetime gold membership card
to Joe McCarthy, the famous former
major league manager who now resides
near Buffalo. The occasion was a luncheon
in honor of McCarthy in Tent 7's
Delaware avenue headquarters.
SYRACUSE
John McGrail, U-I publicist, was here for the
showing of the new Cornell Borchers picture,
"Never Say Goodbye," which will introduce
the European star to American audiences
in her first Hollywood picture. The
showing at Schine's Paramount at a sneak
preview Tuesday (14) was the only test presentation
in the east.
Sam Gilman, manager of Loew's State, had
triple promotions under way with "Guys and
Dolls" at Loew's Strand. "Forever Darling"
due at the State, and "Picnic" being readied
to open at the State (22). John Newfield,
who has the Pelican Players at Panama City,
Fla., a summer theatre, is doing promotion
for Columbia on "Picnic" . . . Robert Sokolsky.
movie editor and radio and TV columnist for
the Herald-Journal, and Miss Nevart Apikian.
movie editor of the Post-Standard, were
among those present at the world premiere
of "Forever Darling" in Jamestown.
Sol Soridn, manager of RKO Keiths, hosted
screenings of "Helen of Troy" prior to the
opening on the 22nd.
Harry Greenfield Dead
SYRACUSE—Harry M. Greenfield, 53, of
1301 South Ave., former theatre manager in
Ithaca, and display artist for Loew's State
and Loew's Strand, died in University Hospital.
Services and burial were in Buffalo.
Surviving are his wife Martha, two sons, Alan
and Paul of Syracuse, and a daughter. Mrs.
Henry Steck of Buffalo.
Gene Heacock to DuMont Post
NEW YORK — Gene Heacock has been
named sales manager for Arnolt Communications
Service, distributors of two-way mobile
radio communications equipment for Allen
B. DuMont Laboratories. Heacock was
formerly with Westinghouse.
Buffalo Erlanger
Sold; To Be Razed
BUFFALO—The Erlanger, Buffalo's only
legitimate theatre which has been operated
for some 15 years by Dipson Theatrical
Enterprises of Batavia, has been sold by
Dipson, effective June 30, to a Rochester
real estate investor who will raze the building
at Delaware avenue and West Mohawk
street.
William Dipson said diminishing patronage
of the last few years had prompted the sale.
The new owner is the 118 Delaware Ave.
Inc., a corporation in which Isaac Gordon of
Rochester has the majority interest. The
site will be used for nontheatrical purposes.
Neither party would disclose the exact
purchase price, but it is believed to be
approximately the assessed valuation. $250,000.
Richard T. Kemper is resident manager of
the Erlanger in addition to his duties as a
zone manager for the Dipson circuit.
"Fifteen years ago," Dipson said, "when
our company acquired the theatre, we stated
publicly we welcomed the opportunity of
contributing something to the cultural life of
the western New York community. However,
for many seasons past, the operation of the
Erlanger as a legitimate theatre has proved
a highly unprofitable venture. Public interest
in and support of the attractions offered have
been insufficient to assure continued operation
except at substantial losses, while at
the same time the lack of patronage for the
productions which have been presented has
discouraged many Broadway producers from
including Buffalo in the itinerary of thenproductions."
Dipson Theatrical Enterprises, with headquarters
in Batavia, operate a large circuit
of motion picture theatres in several eastern
states.
Fast Expansion Is Noted
Of Microwave Associates
NEW YORK—Evidence of the rapid expansion
of Microwave Associates of Boston, in
which American Broadcasting-Paramount
Theatres and Western Union each have a onethird
interest, has been reported by Dana W.
Atchley jr., president.
Sales totaled $2,000,000 in 1955, an increase
of more than 40 per cent over those of 1954,
and stockholders have authorized a 20-for-one
stock split. A new building with 50,000 square
feet of space is being built for fall occupancy
at Burlington, Mass.
The company designs and manufactures
magnetrons, silicon diodes, radar components,
microwave test equipment and other electronic
devices.
Historic Edison Studios
Are Sold to Film Editors
NEW YORK—The historic Edison motion
picture studios at 2826 Decatur Ave., the
Bronx, have been acquired by a group of
film editors for theatrical and television use.
The editors are Gene Milford. Sidney Katz
and Ralph Rosenblum, constituting Mikaro
Studios. Jeffrey Selznick, son of David O.
Selznick. will be studio manager. The fourstory
building was acquired from Mrs. Dolorita
Wallace, owner, with the stipulation
that the property is to be purchased for $150.-
000 within four years. There are two sound
stages, the larger 100x75 feet.
BOXOFFICE :
: February
18. 1956 51