Boxoffice-March.04.1950

William Walker Dies;
Exhibitor at Crafton
PITTSBURGH—William J. Walker, 51.
Crafton exhibitor for nearly a score of years,
died Sunday (26) in
Presbyterian hospital
as the result of a heart
attack. In poor health
in recent years, he suffered
a heart condition
and some months
ago was dangerously
prior to and following
ill.
two
operations.
Three Antitrust Suits
On Cleveland Docket
CLEVELAND—Two antitrust suits against
distributors are on file in federal court here
and a third soon will be filed. Two suits
filing, is by the Tuscarawas Amusement Co.,
headed by the Wintner Bros, of Cleveland
and involving the State Theatre, Uhrichsville.
Named as defendants are all distributors and
the Shea's Theatre of New Philadelphia.
Motorist Ruins Theatre Lawn
AKRON—An errant motorist tore up the
lawn of the Lyn Theatre. G. A. Spayne,
owner, said the motorist apparently lost his
way and drove around the lawn and landscaping,
making ruts six inches deep and
causing damage estimated at $200.
Independent Theatremen
Seek Voice in TV Heating
Nightingales Hold
25th Banquet-Ball
DETROIT—The Nightingales, pioneer bowling
organization of Filmrow, celebrated Its
25th anniversary at the Labor temple with
a banquet and ball. Scheduled at the traditional
midnight hour, after the Nightingales
finished work, it drew a good turnout of
members and friends.
Associated with the
for theatre television.
amusement industry
Morris F. Finkel, western Pennsylvania
for a quarter-of-acentury.
Walker was
chairman, made reports on the recent na-
Allied president, and Fred A. Beedle, board
William J. Walker ^ son of the late Harry
tional Allied directors meeting. Norman Mervis,
grievance committee chairman, discussed
C. Walker, who used the name Harry Williams Event was entirely informal, with no
on the stage and as operator of the old Academy
of Music here for many years. An Al-
National Screen prices, services and contracts
speeches. A number of guests were introduced
by President Welber Haartge
and reported that 70 local exhibitors have
in the only
lied MPTO director for a number of terms.
formal part of the evening. Guests included
allowed their trailer and accessory contracts
Bill was a stage entertainer in his youth. His
to Roy Ruben,
expire without renewal.
secretary of lATSE Local 199;
brother Harry, who had been his partner in
Mr. and First exhibition of the Zenith phonevision
Mrs. George McArthur; Clarence
business, was killed in an automobile accident
several years ago.
Williamson, manager of National Theatre 16mm reel was revealing to many of the
Supply; W. C. Kunzmann, National Carbon
theatre owners. The picture shows how television
In recent weeks Bill had made nearly daily
Co., and two guests from
cut into theatre receipts and how
Cleveland—Tom
visits to the film market. From all appearances,
his health had been greatly improved. of Local 160, and Michael television, Sawdo,
Fitzgerald, secretary of the bowling league
phonevision, a combination of telephone and
plans to bring unscrambled motion
vice-president
of the local.
Walker owned and operated two theatres at
pictures into the homes of telephone subscribers
who are equipped with television
(Safton and was a partner with Harry Rachlele
in operation of two theatres at Sharps-
Russell Johnson Theatrical post, and from receivers.
Wires of congratulation were read from
burg. Surviving are his wife Elizabeth and Mrs. Harry Brewer, widow of the first president
of the club. Dancing followed until
a son William H., associated in the theatres,
who is coftipletlng his senior year in the law nearly daylight, to the music of Fred Crissey's
orchestra.
school at the University of Pittsburgh. Services
were held March 1 In his home, 59 Bradford
Ave., Crafton, and burial was in Union at the first banquet a quarter century ago
There were ten members who had been
Dale cemetery.
and who are still active as members—Floyd
H. Akins, Elmer C. Biehl, Ray W. Gagnon,
Sherman J. Lambly. C. C. Moroney. Houston
S. Morton. James W. Padfield, Joseph A.
Sullivan, W. J. "Pop" Stolz and N. J. "Mike"
Oreel. Committee for the event included
Edgar Douville, chairman, Leo Brooks and
Jack Yelllch.
have been filed by drive-in owners and one
by the owner of an indoor theatre. All seek
"equitable clearance" and charge monopoly Court Orders Inspection
In Harlan Theatre
nials of clearance.
Case
The Castle National Theatres Corp., headed LEXINGTON, KY.—An order permitting
on the part of the distributors through de-
by Horace Abrams, filed suit several months
ago in Chicago naming eight distributor-defendants.
inspection of the defendant's theatre records
by attorneys for distributors has been signed
In the suit the Euclid Drive-In by U.S. Judge H. Church Ford in three per-
on Route 20 and the Fairview Drive-In in centage suits brought by Columbia, United
Pairview Park Village seek the availability Artists and U-I. The court dismissed a defendant
currently granted to neighborhood houses, 21
motion to dismiss the suit for lack
or 35 days downtown first run. The action of federal jurisdiction and to compel more
was transferred to the court here at the request
particulars on the claims.
of the distributors.
An order also was signed by Judge Ford
The second suit was filed by the Maumee
Drive-In, Maumee, Ohio, .seeking .second run
consolidating the three cases as having common
questions of law and fact.
availability 28 days after first runs in Toledo.
The defendant is P>rice Coomer, operator
The third action, in preparation for of the New Harlan Theatre,
Harlan.
Filmmen at Monroe
Answer Check Charge
MONROE, MICH.—Harold Erickson, director,
and Ray Pierson, producer of Miramar
Films, Inc.. returned from Los Angeles with
Prosecutor R. N. Sawyer and a deputy sheriff
to face a charge of is.suing a non-funds check
in connection with the filming here last year
of "The Spark," starring Harold Lloyd jr.
and Cathy Downs.
PITTSBURGH—More than 100 independent
theatre owners, attending a meeting at
Allied's Filmrow headquarters Tuesday afternoon,
authorized Abram F. Myers and John
P. Clagett to represent them as counsel in
applying to the Federal Communications
Commission for the purpose of being heard
in connection with allocations for channels
Operation of Theatres
Denied Kentucky Cities
FRANKFORT, KY.—Cities in Kentucky
lack the authority to operate motion picture
theatres, according to a ruling by Assistant
Attorney General H. D. Reed jr. He wrote
Mayor G. W. Wallace of Hartford that cities
have only the powers granted by the general
assembly. Kentucky's lawmaking body has
never given its cities authority to go into
the motion picture field, he said.
Mayor Wallace had written that the Hartford
lease of a first floor of the city hall to
a theatre operator was about to expire. He
added that municipal ownership was being
considered.
Jim Salmans Wins Award
In Warner Contests
CLEVELAND—Jim Salmans, manager of
the Sixth Street Theatre, Coshocton, won the
January award, a Gruen automatic wrist
watch, in the three-month exploitation and
promotion Warners Ohio zone contest. The
prizes are awarded on the basis of increased
gross over the corresponding month of the
previous year with manager's promotional effort
taken into consideration. Judges were
Nat Wolf, Ohio zone manager; J. Knox
Strachan, publicity director, and R. H. Knepton,
contact manager.
Film Firm to New Offices
DETROIT—Detroit film prodvicer Henning
& Cheadl-- , which specializes in television and
other commercial outlets, has moved to new
quarters at 1060 West Fort St. The new location
gives them 12,000 square feet of space,
including a 3,500 -square foot stage, located
so that cars may be driven on it for automotive
films.
BOXOFFICE :: March 4, 1950 ME 77