Boxoffice-March.04.1950

was
Simplex Equipment Goes
To 17 Drive-In Theatres
KANSAS CITY—Simplex projection equipment
lias been purchased from the National
Theatre Supply here by Commonwealth Theatres
for use in six drive-ins and eight conventional
houses to be operated by the cii'cuit
in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas, by the
Fox Midwest circuit for one of its houses
here, and by the builders of two open air
projects now under construction in Kansas,
according to Arthur DeStefano, branch manager.
Commonwealth drive-ins in which Simplex
equipment will be used include projects at
Joplin, Clinton and Fulton, Mo., and Batesville,
Harrison and Searcy, Ark. Conventional
houses of the circuit in which Simplex equipment
will be placed include a yet-unnamed
theatre in Great Bend. Kas.: Uptown. Columbia,
and Lee. Clinton, Mo., and Melba. Batesville;
Lyric. Harrison, and Rialto. Searcy,
Ark. Two other undisclosed theatres also
will receive new projectors.
Other Simplex installations have been ordered
for the 300-car Starvue Drive-In being
erected by Barron-Droz Theatres, Inc., near
Anthony. Kas.. and the 500-car Trail Drive-In
now being built by Sol Frank near Wellington,
Kas. The Fox Midwest theatre here
which will receive new equipment has not
been disclosed.
EL to Handle Korda Film,
'Jackie Robinson Story'
NEW YORK—Eagle Lion has closed releasing
deals for two new features, one an
Alexander Korda production, the other to be
produced by Diamond Corp. in Hollywood,
according to William J. Heineman, EL vicepresident
in charge of distribution.
The Korda production is "The Winslow
Boy," the film version of the London and
Broadway stage success, starring Robert
Donat with Margaret Leighton, Francis L.
Sullivan and Sir Cedric Hardwicke and with
Neil North in the title role. The Hollywood
film is "The Jackie Robinson Story," based
on the life of the star of the Brooklyn
Dodgers, with Robinson in the leading role
and other stars of the Dodgers in support.
This will go into production in February
under Alfred Green's direction. It is scheduled
to be released in May at the beginning
of the baseball season.
Trails Will Open in May
ABILENE. KAS.—The new Trails End
Drive-In under construction here for H. F.
Strowig & Sons is slated for opening about
May 1. The drive-in will accommodate 310
cars and will cost more than $50,000. Brenkert
projectors and RCA sound have been purchased
for the open-airer.
Custom Mddc
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{AN FRANCISCO (2>
At 'Sundowners Debut in Wictiita
WICHITA—Boxoffice receipts at the Fox
Midwest Orpheum and Boulevard theatres
here were boosted for the "The Sundowners"
by the personal appearance of two of the
stars. Chill Wills and John Barrymore Jr.
The two stars made three appearances at
the Orpheum and the house was packed each
time with about 200 people standing. Wills,
who had appeared on the Orpheum stage
some 27 years ago in a little vaudeville act,
had the audience laughing its head off at
his wisecracks. Barrymore also pleased with
his interpretation of the third soliloquy of
Hamlet.
Arrival of the two stars was well publicized
by the local newspapers and radio stations.
The welcoming committee met Wills and
Barrymore in Newton with a fleet of new
Dodge cars and police escort.
Speed Martin, Orpheum manager; Paul
Amick, Boulevard manager, and City Manager
C. C. Murray were hosts at a luncheon
for the two stars. Among the guests were
state and local representatives of the Kansas
peace officers, the mayor, several film representatives
and members of the newspaper
Fire at Tama, Iowa, Mills
Brings Hazard Charges
TAMA. IOWA—A small fire at the Mills
Theatre here brought a series of visits from
firemen and fire marshals to determine
whether the Mills constitutes a fire hazard.
Inspectors said they found six five-gallon
cans of popcorn oil stored in the rear of the
stage. Local firemen said they thought this
constituted a fire hazard. Earlier in the week
townsfolk circulated a petition asking for
action concerning fire dangers at the theatre.
Wes Mansfield, who operates the house,
said he plans to build a new theatre in the
spring. The fire which brought matters to a
head was extinguished quickly. It started on
the roof. The theatre was nearly fuU at the
time but there were no casualties.
Bankruptcy Case Closed
MOBRIDGE, S. D.—The bankruptcy case
of Clarence Ernest John.son. former operator
of the Fox Drive-In here, has been closed
by district court at Sioux Falls by reason
of no assets. The theatre, located a mile
east of town on Highway 12, closed late last
summer after only a few months" operation.
Order your taxation trailers today!
and radio press. The guests of honor were
presented the key to the city, and were made
honorary citizens of Kansas and of the Kansas
peace officers.
In addition to their theatre appearances.
Wills and Barrymore visited the children's
hospitals. Veterans ho.spital, the Institute of
Logopedics and made several radio appearances.
The young "Profile" also was guest
editor for Teen Daze column on the Beacon.
"The Sundowners " held over for a
second week.
The photo shows Wills and Barrymore being
presented with police courtesy cards by
Wichita Chief of Police George Shepard.
Among those pictured are George Wallace,
Wills' manager; H. N. Addison, tour manager;
Lieutenant Clark of the city police; Giles
Crampton, secretary of Kan.sas Peace Officers
Ass'n: Wills, George Shepard, Barrymore and
Prank Daniels, Eagle Lion advance man; Mr.
and Mrs. Gene Snitz, EL manager at Kansas
City; Mr. and Mrs. Al Lies of Wichita, EL
salesman; C. C. Murray, Fox City manager;
Speed Martin, Orpheum manager, and Paul
Amick, Boulevard manager.
IS IT ACTION YOU WANT?
Possibly more theatres are sold through our
offices in the oreas in which we operate than
most other mediums combined. No listing
fee—Multiple service.
HAHRY BUCK FLOYD R. PUFFER
8D4-0S Pence Bldg.. 509 Securities Bldg.
Minneapolis 2, Minn, Des Moines 9, Iowa
R. M. COPELAND
415 Baltimore Bldg.
Kansas City 6. Mo.
V. E. GORHAM
SAVEREIDE THEATRE BROKERS
Largest Exclusive Theatre Brokers in America
Theatre Design, Construction and
Remodeling
F. A. McMICHAEL & SON
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Osborne, Kansas
NEO-SEAL BURIAL WIRE
Solid or Stranded
Thfalres 10-2 - 12-2 -
Delivery — From Stock
Fof Driveln 14-2
Immediate
DRIVEIN THEATRE MFG. CO. K^nL^clli^'Mo'.
BOXOFFICE :: March 4, 1950 75