Boxoffice-March.04.1950

Springfield Drive-In
To Commonwealth
SPRINGFIELD, MO.—Commonwealth Theatres
of Kansas City has purchased the
Springfield Drive-In located near the junction
of highways 65 and 166 here. The circuit
will begin work immediately to put the theatre
in first-class operating condition. It will
be modernized with landscaping, improvement
of buildings and a change in the entrance
area. Picture policy will be announced
soon and it is hoped that the drive-in can be
opened not later than April 15.
Commonwealth now has 15 drive-ins either
in operation or under construction. The circuit
owns or operates ozoners in Kansas City,
Columbia. Sedalia and Joplin, Mo., Lawrence
and Goodland, Kas,, and Fayetteville, Ark.
Additional drive-ins have been announced
for Clinton and Fulton, Mo., and Harrison,
Batesville and Searcy, Ark.
Purchase of the ozoner here will mean
that Springfield will have two drive-ins in
operation soon. George W. Fuller, Frank
Carswell and Associates have started a drivein
to be known as the Sunset on Highway 66
at Nichols junction four miles west of the
Gillioz Theatre.
Grading started last December but was
not completed because of frozen ground and
bad weather. It will be resumed as soon as
weather permits and precision grading and
compacting and work on buildings and screen
will be rushed so the drive-in may be opened
about May 1.
Fuller was manager and district manager
for 20th-Fox at Kansas City, Atlanta and
Washington before entering the drive-in business.
Carswell, who is associated with Fuller,
is president of Midwest Precote Co., Kansas
City. His firm has done much highway paving
and bridge construction work in Springfield
area and throughout Missouri and adjoining
states. This firm will complete grading,
compacting, surfacing and drainage.
Arnold J. Simmons to Open
Lamar Drive-In April 14
LAMAR, MO.—Arnold J. Simmons, local
showman who now is building a new drivein
on Highway 160, has offered the Lamar
Business and Professional Womens' club a
liberal commission for selling tickets to the
drive-in opening. The drive-in. which will
be known as the Barco Starvue, will open
April 14.
Small Fire at Bagdad
KANSAS CITY—Oil overflowing from a
furnace at the Bagdad Theatre here resulted
in a fire February 24 which caused damage
e.stimated at $25 by the district fire chief.
No patrons were in the house at the time.
The theatre is owned and operated by Lester
Silverman.
Post to Robert Fuller
ROCHESTER, MINN.—Robert Puller has
been named manager of the Empress Theatre
here and assistant manager of the Chateau,
according to Harry Salisbury, Chateau manager.
Fuller began his theatre work at Fargo,
N. D.. and after a year there, managed a
theatre at Sioux Falls, S. D.
Polio Plaque Will Be Presented
At Kansas City Ass'n Meeting
KANSAS CITY—A plaque awarded by the
National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis
to the recently organized Motion Picture
Ass'n of Kansas City for participation in the
March of Dimes drive, will be presented at
the initial luncheon of the association Monday
(6) at the President hotel here. John
J. May. treasurer of the Jackson county
chapter of the foundation, will make the
presentation.
The association, of which Elmer C. Rhoden
is president, is dedicated to public relations
and public service. Membership is open to
persons active in production, distribution and
exhibition of films, delivery services, theatre
supply companies, the lATSE and other
crafts connected with the industry and members
of the press and radio whose work may
relate to motion pictures. The annual membership
fee is $5.
Ralph Morgan Becomes
Lippert Staff Member
KANSAS CITY—Ralph Morgan, associated
nearly seven years with the local Monogram
branch, joined the Lippert Pictures sales staff
Monday (27>. Morgan began his film world
career in March 1943, when he became a salesman
for Monogram. The franchise at that
time was held by the late Lon T. Fidler.
Morgan was appointed branch manager in
October 1948. After Fidler died in March
1949, Monogram took over operation of the
branch and Morgan remained as salesman
until his change this week. Harry Gaffney is
Lippert branch manager here.
Wall Lake, Iowa, House
Bought by L. Z. Henry
WALL LAKE, IOWA—L. Z. Henry, operator
of the Lake at Lake View, Iowa, has acquired
the Rio here. He will change the name of the
house to the Lake. Henry formerly operated
the Lyric at Plattsburg, Mo.
Colby Airer to Open in May
COLBY, KAS.—The unnamed 350-car drivein
under way here for Don Phillips of Colby
is slated to open May 23. The ozoner was
designed by architect Truman Schlupp of
Kansas City, Kas. Grading work is being
done by M. W. Watson Construction Co..
Topeka. Sound equipment for the drive-in
will be RCA.
D. E. Fitton, 76, Dies
HARRISON. ARK.—D. E. Fitton, 76, for
many years an exhibitor and widely known
in film circles, died Wednesday (1). He had
been associated with the Commonwealth circuit
in operation of the Lyric and Plaza theatres
here.
New Sound for Lyric Theatre
TEKAMAH, NEB.—A new sound system
has been installed at the Lyric Theatre here.
The house is operated by Harold Qualsett.
One of the important subjects to be discu.ssed
following the luncheon Monday will
be methods by which a maximum of enrollments
may be obtained as rapidly as possible
.so that the association may launch its
program of activities. Lou Patz, National
Screen Service district manager, has been
appointed membership and finance chairman.
The yearly $5 membership fee fund will be
used only for actual operating expenses of
the new association. Patz said. Money which
may be needed for charitable projects or other
activities to be undertaken by the organization
will be raised by benefit performances
or other means approved by the officers and
members.
Members of the membership and finance
committee headed by Patz will be appointed
later.
Iron Range Legislator
Favors Repeal of Tax
DULUTH—The drive to repeal the admissions
tax appears to have gained another recruit
in Congressman John A. Blatnik, young
Democrat-Farmer-Laborite from Minnesota's
eighth district.
In his widely published Capitol Chats
weekly report to his constituents, Blatnik declared
last weekend: "I know from personal
observation that present excise rates are
detrimental to movie theatres and community
symphony orchestras, for example. Today,
when business conditions are tightening up
and consumer purchasing power is declining,
it seems logical that excise taxes should be
reduced to give a break to both business and
consumers."
The effect of such taxes is to hinder retail
trade, in Blatnik's opinion. He considers the
excise tax "nothing more than a hidden sales
tax ... It is no secret that any sales tax
falls most heavily upon the lower income
group, on the people least able to pay heavy
taxes."
Blatnik said he testified before the house
ways and means committee February 15 in
favor of cutting admissions and all other retail
excise taxes to prewar levels immediately.
Present rates, he declared, impose an "undue
hardship" on both consumers and businessmen.
At a recent meeting of all Minnesota Iron
Range theatremen (all located in Blatnik's
district), the congressman was urged to take
a similar stand.
Council Bluffs, Iowa, Site
Purchased for Drive-In
COUNCIL BLUFFS. IOWA—A site for the
new drive-in here has been purchased by Tri-
States Theatre Corp. A total of $23,970 was
paid for the land bordered by Highway 275
and South 11th street. Construction of the
theatre on the 633x1. 100-foot tract is expected
to begin by April, according to William Mlskell.
Tri-States district manager here.
Miskell .said the drive-in will accommodate
between 750 and 800 cars and will cost between
$75,000 and $100,000 to build.
BOXOFnCE March 4, 1950 MW 63