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Developments in Drive-In Field
BUTLER. PA.—A Butler township theatre
licensing ordinance of 1922 failed to include
the modern drive-in theatres. The other day
owners of the Butler Drive-In on Route 68
won their appeal from a summary conviction
before a justice of the peace in a decision
handed down by Judge William B.
Purvis. The ovyners. Dr. R. B. Herrick, Meadville:
Aven B. Caldwell jr.. Evans City, and
William L. Shultz. Foxburg, upon conviction
were assessed the usual fine of $100 and costs,
which they declined to pay and took an appeal
to common pleas court, wimiing the
action.
Last October the outdoor theatre owners
made a written application for a license for
a hall used for theatre performances, picture
shows, etc., and inclosed their check for
$50, as cost for such license. The township
refused the check and stated that drive-in
theatre license would be classified under another
section of the quarter-of-a-century old
ordinance, "For all other kinds of shows
$10 a day."
DETROIT—Work started a few days ago
on construction of the Dearborn Drive-Ii.
Theatre, to be operated by the Ross Theatre
Corp. House will be located in Dearborn
township on Ford road at Kinloch avenue.
The theatre will handle 1,000 cars. It was
originally projected as either the Skyline or
the Starlight Drive-In. but the Dearborn
name has been finally adopted instead. It
is being erected by Jack Wagner as general
contractor. RCA is installing the sound system,
in-a-car speakers, Brenkert projectors
and a 52x40-foot screen. The cost is estimated
at $150,000.
The project will be personally managed
by James H. Ross, a newcomer in show
business, who is president and general manager
of the corporation. Booking will be
handled by Allen Dowzer of Mutual Theatres.
Opening has been scheduled for July 1.
ELKINS, W. VA.—The new Elkins Drive-In,
located one mile from here on the Belington-
Elkins highway, opened the evening of May 6.
Bretsel Lang and Harold Talbott, ex-service
men, are proprietors, and Gray Barker is
the film booker-buyer. DeVry equipments,
including in-a-car speakers, are featured.
ALTOONA, PA.—Blatt Bros, drlve-in on
Route 36 is in the township outside of the
city and has been fined for operating Sunevening
shows where there has been no
referendum on the issue. Township commissioners
plan to prevent any Sunday entertainments.
BROWNSVILLE. PA.—I>ugan and Sharp
Enterprises have plans for opening a drivein
between Uniontown and Point Marion.
Lindley B. Dugan states the drive-in will be
known as the York Run Open Air Theatre.
A third party to the lead is M. Danko, used
car dealer.
FAIRMONT, W. VA.—The Sunset Drive-
In, remodeled and improved, opened for a
second session May 9. Located at Meadowbrook
on route 19, the outdoor theatre has
a new screen structure and in-a-car speakers.
VANDERGRIPT, PA.—A drive-in is being
constructed between here and Leechburg by
William McMahon, Apollo, and Harold A. Lee,
Vandergrift. It is expected to be open by
midsimuner.
MEADVILLE, PA.—The Airway Drive-In
at the intersection of routes 19 and 322 reopened
for the new season May 7. Formerly
operated with central speakers, the Airway
now is equipped with in-a-car speakers.
thea-
MANNINGTON, W. VA.—A drive-in
tre is planned near here by E. C. WUson.
WB Vogue in Cleveland
To Celebrate Birthday
CLEVELAND — Warners' Vogue, de luxe
Shaker Heights house, will celebrate its first
birthday anniversary the week of May 23.
Participating will be all of the merchant
members of the Moreland-Center Ass'n who,
during the anniversary week will include with
every purchase a numbered coupon entitling
the holder to participate in the drawing for
a $300 cash prize. The merchants are also
contributing gifts as birthday present to
lucky number holders.
J. Knox Strachan, head of Warner Theatres
publicity and exploitation department,
is in charge of the birthday party. In addition"*ld
cash and merchandise prizes for the
grownups, children will receive balloons and
there will be a sneak preview during the
celebration week. Bob Lytel, manager of the
Vogue, is aiding Strachan in the promotion.
ATTENTION DRIVE-IN THEATRES!
IT
Builds Your Weekly Gross
Builds Your Weekly Concessions
Advertises Your Drive-In Theatre in your community and surrounding
territory
Costs You Nothing
Serving Drive-ins in Cleveland, Akron. Canton, Dayton. Toledo. Pittsburgh
Also all Theatre Promotions, including ZIP-O, outstanding Kiddy Promotion, at no cost to you.
THEATRICAL
Write for particulars
ENTERPRISES
402-3-4 Film Bldg., Cleveland. O. 1632 Central Parkway. Cincinnati, O.
ATM Splits Stale
Into Six Districts
DETROIT—The makeup of the six districts
and various divisions into which the state
has been divided for organizational purposes
was armounced here by Charles W. Snyder,
executive secretary of Allied Theatres of
Michigan.
By counties, the makeup of the various
areas is:
District 1—Division A, Wayne; B, Macomb,
St. Clair and Lapeer; C, Oakland, Genesee
and Livingston: D, Monroe and Washtenaw.
District 2—Division A, Ingham, Jackson,
Hillsdale and Lenawee: B, Barry, Branch, Calhoim,
Eaton, Kalamazoo and St. Jcseph; C,
Allegan, Berrien, Cass and Van Buren.
District 3—Division A, Huron, Sanilac and
Tuscola; B, Arenac, Bay and Galdwin; C,
Midland, Saginaw and Shiawassee.
District 4—Division A, Clinton, Gratiot,
Ionia and Montcalm: B, Isabella, Mecosta,
Newaygo and Oceana: C, Kent, Mtiskegon
and Ottawa.
District 5—A, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix,
Cheboygan, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego
and Preeque Isle; B, Alcona, Crawford, Iosco,
Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Oscoda and
Roscommon; C, Benzie, Clare, Grand Traverse,
Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason,
Osceola and Wexford.
District 6—A, Alger, Chippewa, Luce and
Mackinac and Schoolcraft; B, Delta, Dickinson,
Marquette and Menominee; C. Baraga,
Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw and
Ontonagon.
Theatre in Baby Contest
UNIONTOWN, PA.—The Manos here has
entered into a cooperative advertising campaign
with the Cover studio in an announced
first annual pinup baby contest, with $1,000
in prizes offered. Other merchants also are
tied in to the plan. Children are photographed
at Cover's, entry pinup photo is
awarded free and at the end of the contest
prizes will be awarded on the stage of the
Manos. Contest ends July 3.
Pitt Adds Film Courses
PITTSBURGH—New courses in motion pictures
have been added to the speecJi department
of the University of Pittsbiu^h. The
courses, directed by Buell Whitehill jr.. head
of the speech department, are planned to
meet the need in television technique. The
course includes film production. WTiting, filming
and editing the students' compositions.
Theatre Being Modernized
SEWICKLEY, PA.—The Sewickley here is
being newly decorated by the Novelty Scenic
Studios, New York. William R. Wheat III.
proprietor, has improved the theatre front
with installation of new aluminum attraction
frames.
Theatre Closed for Renovations
WELLSBURG, W. VA.—The Alpine here is
closed for two months for complete renovations,
decorations and installation of various
new equipments and fixtures. A marquee
is to be erected, according to Charles Anderson,
who directs the Alpine circuit. C. E.
Picard, Buffalo contractor, is in charge of
the modernization program.
BOXOFFICE :: May 15, 1948 ME
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