Boxoffice-March.04.1950

. . Sidney
. .
. . Minnesota
. . After
MINNEAPOLIS
lyjGM's "Intruder in the Dust" started its
Twin city first run at the World here.
Radio spot announcements were used to exploit
the film . . . Actors Henry Daniell and
Henry Stephenson appeared with Katherine
Cornell in "That Lady" at the Lyceum .
Ben Blotcky. Paramount manager, returned
from a vacation in Mexico. Accompanied by
his wife, he motored and found the going
strenuous but enjoyable.
Bennie Berger, North Central Allied president,
was written up again in the Sunday
Tribune, this time as one of the owners of
the famed Minneapolis Lakers, professional
basketball team. He and his wife left on
another vacation—this time to Florida. They'll
be back March 10. They went to California
Exhibitors visiting Filmrow included
before . . .
Pete Campbell. Val Halla, N. D.; Fred
Deuth. Heron Lake, and Ralph Swanson, Ely.
Don Buckley, Redwood Falls exhibitor, is
back from a strenuous 15-day hunting trip
in the wilds of Old Mexico. He and his party
were met by a 24-mule and horse pack train
on their arrival and conducted to the jungle.
They bagged mountain lions, wild boars, etc.,
and Don expects to have his lion mounted
and on display soon .
Volk, independent
circuit owner, returned from a Florida
vacation.
Local RKO exchange still is crawling upward
in the Ned Depinet sales contest. It's
now in fifth place nationally . . . "Sands of
Iwo Jima" broke the five-year opening day
house record at the State and finished its
first week with a tremendous gross. A big
. . . Bill
exploitation campaign by Don Alexander of
Minnesota Amusement Co. publicity staff
helped to swell the picture's take
Woods, Columbia office manager, has moved
into his new home.
Jimmy Nederlander, manager of the Lyceum,
legitimate roadshow house, is promoting
a plan to revive the road for legitimate
attractions. Pointing out that nearly
everybody wants to see "South Pacific," he
has proposed to its producers that they send it
on tour as one of a number of subscription
season attractions next season. The public
would subscribe to the entire season or package
of offerings and Nederlander is sure
"South Pacific" would be a sufficient bait to
lure a substantial number of subscribers.
AH the local 28-day houses grabbed "All
the King's Men" as soon as it broke ... A. A.
Schubert. RKO home office manager of exchange
operations, was a visitor . . . The
Golden Valley, independent suburban house,
is continuing its fight for 28-day availability
and its counsel L. B. Schwartz expects to
make a trip to Washington to confer with
Department of Justice officials regarding the
demand.
Malina, who had one of the leading roles
in the film "Mexican Hayride." with Abbott
and Costello, is there currently . . . John
Ried was an addition to the Monogram sales
staff. A June drive will be dedicated to individual
salesmen.
Zora Fini Month Set Up
To Fete Mono Booker
DES MOINES—Monogram has launched a
tribute to Zora Fini, booker, who will leave
the exchange in May to marry Bev Mahon,
Complete Sound Systems
HOHiGHenmuTy-yir
COSTS cess
No equipment offers more in value for
such low cost. Complete sound systems
are avaibhie for theatres of every
size, shape ami seating capacity. They
consist of a two-way horn system, pair
of soundheads, and either single or
dual channel amplifiers.
Norm
Maintenance Co.
1017 E. Franklin St.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Complete Theatre Equipment & Supplies
72
Kalph Cramblett. United Artists district
manager, was a visitor . . . MGM disregarded
ZORA FINI
the protest of North Central Allied against
owner of the theatre at Pella, Iowa. Zora
its percentage terms for "Battleground" in
even the smallest grossing situations and Fini month will be observed May 1-May 31,
subsequent run houses. The company points and is being heralded with banners, letters,
out that W. F. Rodgers, in various statements
etc.
and at the time when he promised to
sell flat to the small-town and other low grossing
Miss Fini came to the Monogram exchange
seven years ago as stenographer and, a year
accounts, qualified the promise by stat-
after her arrival, was named booker. At the
ing that infrequently there might be outstanding
time she was the youngest booker ever to hold
pictures for which percentage would that position on Filmrow here.
be asked. In a special bulletin North Central Well known to exhibitors all over the state
Alhed has asked the independents to reject and to the personnel of the exchanges in Des
the percentage deal.
Moines, Zora leaves with all the best wishes
of many friends.
Released in a few key spots of the territory
in advance of the Twin cities, "Mrs. Mike"
has been doing sensational business, equaling
or exceeding that of "Red River" in most
instances, according to Eddie Stoller, United
Artists manager .
Amusement
Co. has appointed Ray Niles. southern Minnesota
district manager, captain of its 1950
Fall Happiness drive May 7-June 17 . .
.
Eddie Aarons. 20th-Fox district manager, was
a visitor.
. . . H. M.
The 80-year-old uncle of John and Warren
Branton. Minnesota Amusement Co. buying
and booking manager and 20th-Fox salesman,
respectively, died at Clark's Grove, Minn.
They and another brother G. Ralph Branton
of Des Moines, Blank circuit general
manager, attended the funeral
Besse, Altec-Lansing vice-president, was a
visitor . . . Herb Greenblatt. RKO district
manager, was in town . a brief whirl
at 23 days, the Minnesota Amusement Co.
northeast neighborhood Arion went to 42 days
so that it could drop its admission back
from 60 to 50 cents.
Frances Langford is coming in person to
the Hotel Nicollet Minnesota terrace. Luba
Buys Madison, Neb., Theatre
MADISON. NEB.—Arthur Goodwater of
Madison will take over the Capitol Theatre
here from John Noffsinger April 1.
Have you written to your congressmen and
senators about repeal of the unfair amusement
tax?
YOU
DONT
KNOW
WHAT
YOURE
MISSING...
TIL YOU TRY
'
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BOXOFFICE :: March 4, 1950