MPAA

. . Eph
Booth Fires Darken
Two Iowa Houses
GALVA. IOWA—Fire starting in the projection
room gutted the Galva Theatre here
and the apartments over it during a recent
Sunday evening show. A crowd of more than
100 persons left the buUding when the warning
was given. About ten Galva firemen were
in the audience. Also fighting the blaze were
fire companies from Holstein and Schaller.
Two families living in the apartments above
the theatre escaped through the windows and
climbed down fire ladders. The theatre
equipment, destroyed by the fire, was the
property of the Galva businessmen, organized
as the Galva Theatre association. The group
says it plans to rebuild the theatre. The
building was owned by the Hoops estate. Herman
Grimes is manager of the Galva.
RICEVILLE, IOWA—Fire broke out in the
projection room of the Iris Theatre here causing
damage estimated by owner Cliff Freeman
at $2,500. The fUm broke, caught fire,
caused the camera to explode and threw
flames all over the booth. The second show had
ten minutes to go when the blaze started and
a number of patrons were in the house. All
reached the outside in safety. Frederick
Bodenham, operator, suffered singed hair in
fighting the blaze. The film "Linda Be Good,"
running at the time of the blast, was
destroyed as well as a second film ready for
the double feature. The building owned by
the Masonic lodge, will need considerable redecorating
as a result of the fire and blast.
Minneapolis Colosseum
Re-Elects All Officers
MINNEAPOLIS—The local chapter of the
Colosseum of film salesmen re-elected all of
its officers at its amiual meeting. They are
Paul Weiss, president; Don Halloran, vicepresident;
George Fosdick, secretary-treasurer,
and Clyde Cutter, sergeant-at-arms.
In recognition of their contributions to a
recent dinner-dance which netted the club
a substantial profit, pens were presented to
Morrie Steinman and Pat Halloran.
Robert W. Smith Rites
KANSAS CITY—Funeral services were held
here last Monday (16 1 for Robert W. Smith,
77, pioneer drygoods wholesaler and father
of Robert M. Smith, operator of a drive-in
at Osage Beach, Mo. He died following a
heart attack during the opening of the
drive-in May 13.
M. G. Rogers to New York
OMAHA—M. G. Rogers, owner of Film
Ti-ansport, and his wife flew to New York to
attend the Film Depot and Carriers convention.
They also will have a brief reunion with
their daughter and son-in-law, who live in
Washington.
Ray Kennedy Is Manager
LAKE VIEW, IOWA—Ray Kennedy of
Waukee has been named manager of the
Lake Theatre here. He replaces Harry
Arthur.
BOXOFFICE : : May
MINNEAPOLIS
II large North Dakota delegation attended
at the North Central Allied convention
here. Some of the Dakotans sighted were
Mrs. Helen Lehman. Enderlin; Walter Saylor,
Wishek; Bill Brightbell. Cando: Don
Tracy, Carrington; Paul Ayotte, Drayton;
Mr. and Mrs. John Piller, Valley City; Mike
Ccoper. Grand Forks; Ralph Christianson.
Watford City, and Mr. and Mrs. K. E.
Broossmann, Oakes. Some of the Minnesota
exhibitors at the meetings were Paul Snyder,
Warren; Joe Carrier, Hallock. Bill Cameron,
for many years an MGM salesman and now
owner of the theatre at Waterville; George
F. Westerman, Grac«ville, and Clarence
Quinzer, Wadena.
The opening session of the Allied convention
provided a good laugh when President
Bennie Berger had a memory lapse
in introducing Mayor Eric G. Hoyer and
forgot the mayor's name for a few moments.
He covered up by explaining to his honor
that it was only the latter's "initials" that
had slipped his mind.
President Berger announced that the body's
present membership is 400. This exceeds
that of any other previous independent exhibitor
organization in this territory . . .
The Reid Ray Film Industries of the Twin
Cities hosted a cocktail party for members.
Most of the members also attended the
Northwest Variety Club's banquet for past
chief barkers.
The Minneapolis public library is showing
shorts Tuesday nights free to the public . . .
. . For
A. J. O'Keefe. U-I assistant general sales
manager, was in town for a routine visit
with LeRoy J. Miller, local manager .
Saturday and Sunday matinees only, the Orpheum
here is having a cartoon and short
subject carnival in addition to its feature . . .
Another Twin City drive-in theatre, also an
enterprise of the MEE, comprising leading
Twin City independent exhibitors, opened
this week, making four in all.
Additions at Paramount are Ann Anderson,
a new secretary, and Tom McGinty, a
booking department assistant . . . Mike Sal-
Ion, Republic home office auditor, was a
visitor . . . Louis Orlove, MGM exploiteer,
was in from Milwaukee for ten days . . . Jack
Heywood. New Richmond, Wis., exhibitor:
Ted Mann, independent circuit owner, and
George Turner, MGM salesman, were among
these who saw and enjoyed "Finian's Rain-
. . Ralph Cramblett, United
bow," the Broadway musical comedy booked
at the Lyceum .
Artists district manager, was in from Chicago.
J. F. Cubberly, onetime F&R circuit executive
who has lived In Los Angeles since his
retirement, paid his annual visit to Minneapolis.
At the age of 70 he drove from Los
Angeles to Minneapolis with no relief at the
wheel.
W. L. Grouse, Eveleth exhibitor who recently
brought a clearance suit against the
Minnesota Amusement Co. and major distributors
for $1,500,000, is planning to build
theatres at Virginia and Hibbing where there
are now Minnesota Amusement Co. and independent
houses . Rosen, MGM Twin
City salesman, is in Asbury hospital for a
checkup.
John M. Thomas Manages
Cedar Rapids Drive-In
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA—Cedar Rapids'
first outdoor theatre is being readied for its
opening. John M. Thomas has been named
manager. The theatre, which will hold 650
cars, will be the first new Tri-States ozoner
to be opened this spring. Thomas, a native
of Beacon, began his theatre work as an
usher at the old Capitol in Des Moines. He
worked his way up with A. H. Blank enterprises
and was a representative for Blank
theatres with National Screen Service when
he joined the army during the last war.
After service he spent two years as booker
and assistant manager for the Fox Intermountain
theatres in Denver. A year ago he
became general manager of a chain of theatres
in Denver and vicinity.
Golden Valley Prohibits
Drive-In Construction
MINNEAPOLIS—The town council of
Golden Valley, local suburb, has indicated it
will prohibit the construction of any drive-in
in the town. Three applicants have appeared
before the council seeking drive-in licenses.
Joe Powers, who is building a 800-seat conventional
theatre in Golden Valley, opposed
the drive-ins on the grounds that they would
"ruin his investment." This, however, was
not the determining factor with the council
members, according to their statements. The
principal influencing factor, it appeared, was
a doubt about the projects desirability.
K. t». I'.KlLivS- Owner and Manager,
Lyric Theatre, Emporia, Kansas—writes:
"RCA Service, over a period
of 15 years, has proved its
value to us in consistently good
sound quality and trouble-free
operation. We are 'RCA All
The Way.'
To get the benefits of RCA Servicewrite:
RCA SERVICE COMPANY,
INC., Radio Corporation of America,
Camden, N. J.
Adv.
Quality
iRAIiiRS
mDIIDfl PICTURE SERVICED
I
12S HYDI tT. Jan ^rancnto rCalif
28, 1949 63