Boxoffice-11.11.1950

Friday Owl Shows Spread to 'A' Runs
MINNEAPOLIS—Special midnight shows
on Fridays, a double feature, have spread
downtown from the independent neighborhood
houses. The first run RKO Orpheum
now is offering a second unadvertised feature
in addition to the regular screen attraction
on Fridays, the second feature going on at
midnight. The second features will be revivals,
or. in other words, reissues. Neighborhood
houses generally have new pictures for
their second features.
In an effort to revive declining grosses, the
Orpheum and many neighborhood houses are
resorting to many devices that haven't been
in evidence hereabouts for years. Both the
Orpheum and the other Loop first run. the
RKO Pan, recently reduced its early admission
from opening to 1 p. m. on weekdays,
from 50 to 35 cents, without similar action
by the Minnesota Amusement Co. and other
downtown first run opposition.
The Orpheum, too. is also engaged in a
drive to line up organization theatre parties.
For such parties the theatre offers a discount
of 12 cents a ticket when bought in large
lots. A screen trailer is used to advertise
the offer.
About 30 Twin city neighborhood and sub-
urban houses are banded together to hold a
joint weekly Bank night with a jackpot starting
at $1,000. There's also more double featuring
both downtown and in the neighborhoods,
with the latter even twin billing A
pictures for the first time. In this single
feature territory this latter development has
been disturbing to the trade.
In connection with the Bank nights, distributors
are turning a deaf ear to exhibitors
asking for film rental reductions for those
nights. Branch managers generally tell the
theatre owners they'd rather not have their
pictures playdated on those nights.
Recifield House Started
By Rapid City Concern
REDFIELD, S. D.—Construction has been
started on a new theatre here for the State
Theatre Co. of Rapid City. Harold Spitznagel
of Sioux Falls is architect. The building,
to replace the present State Theatre.
will have a frontage of 50 feet and a depth
of
165 feet.
First Drive-In Closes
OMAHA—Tri-States Theatres has closed its
first drive-in in this territory, the one at the
Hastings.
The Grand Island Drive-In closed this
week, and the Council Bluffs, Iowa airer will
shut down next week. The Omaha drive-in
will continue to operate.
Star at Ute, Iowa, Sold
UTE, IOWA—Tim Elliott has purchased the
Star Theatre here from Archey Mahoney.
Mahoney will enter the armed forces December
1.
Bar to Hamilton Till
HAMILTON, MO.—A soft drink fountain
has been installed in the lobby of the Til)
Theatre here for W. L. Presley, owner.
New Seats at Wilson House
WILSON, KAS.—The Opera House Theatre
here has installed 210 new automatic
swing back chairs.
I just can't wait to see the "BUSINESS BREVITIES"
we're running for the Local Merchants this week*
awfe;..,vv^.. '0,^^V^«ii^
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BUSINESS BREVITIES
LOCAL SCREEN ADVERTISING OF QUALITY
FILM INDUSTRIES, INC.
IS IT ACTION YOU WANT?
Possibly more theatres are sold through our
offices in the areas in which we operate than
most other mediums combined. No listing
fee— Multiple service.
HARRY BUCK
804-05 Pence Bldg..
t^inneapolis 2, Minn.
HARRY SAVEREIDE
509 Securities Bldg.
R. M. COPELAND HABHY BUCK
1012 Baltimoie. Suite 415 1217 Blum Bldg.
Kansas City, Mo. Chicago 5. Illinois
SAVEREIDE THEATRE BROKERS
Largest Exclusive Theatre Brokers in Amencit
2269 FORD PARKWAY
ST. PAUL, MINN.
208 SO. LASALLE ST.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
DRIVE-IN THEATRE IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS
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DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. Ki^'^l'i'iiTMo
60 BOXOFFICE November 11, 1950