Boxoffice-December.02.1950

'
BOXOFFICE
Minneapolis Police
Hunt Stink-Bomber
MINKEAPOLIS—At the request of Bennie
Berger, owner of the downtown Gopher, the
police department is investigating the stink
bombing of that house. Berger told the police
he wants to learn if organized lahor leaders
had anything to do with it.
The bombing. Berger says, followed his refusal
to meet the stagehands union's demand
that he employ a second stagehand full time
at the Gopher when it went to an A-picture
policy with "King Solomon's Mines." Other
Minneapolis de luxe houses have been employing
the extra stagehand. Berger, however,
has defied the union. Rather than to
submit to the demand which he calls an effort
to "featherbed." he declares he'll close
the theatre if there's more such bombing and
police fail to stop it. At the same time he has
offered a reward of $250 for the arrest and
conviction of the person or parties responsible
for the bombing which caused a large number
of patrons to ask for their admission
money back.
There was a conference this week between
Berger and the county attorney regarding the
matter and he also asked the police department
for protection for the theatre.
Twin Cities Bookers Are Guests
Harry Chapman, 47, Dies;
Paramount Salesman
MINNEAPOLIS—Harry Chapman, 47-year
old Paramount salesman, died after a heart
attack here this week. He had been with
Paramount here since 1945 and prior to that
had been with other film companies in a
sales capacity. At the time of his death he
covered the northern Minnesota territory.
He is survived by his wife, his brother Hy,
Columbia manager here, and another brother
who is a film salesman in Milwaukee.
Young Bandit Steals $72
From K. C. Vogue Theatre
KANSAS CITY — A young bandit robbed
the 'Vogue Theatre, 3444 Broadway, of $72
when he held up the cashier in the boxoffice.
Marilyn Young, cashier, said the youth shoved
an empty paper bag through the window.
Beneath the bag was a pistol. She put all
the currency she had in the bag and the bandit
fled.
Kid Thanksgiving Show
MANHATTAN, KAS. — Dave Dallas, TEI
city manager, presented a Thanksgiving party
for "Pop and the youngsters" on Thursday
morning, the idea being to relieve the pressure
at home during meal preparations. In a
two-column ad Dallas announced the show
as a film menu. A Kiddies Quiz show was
presented on the stage and pumpkin pies were
awarded the winners through the courtesy
of a local bakery.
Joseph Kinsella Named
CHARLES CITY, ICWA—Joseph Kinsella
has been named manager of the Gem Theatre
here by Royce 'Winkelman, succeeding
Mrs. 'Winkelman. He is a native of Dubuque
and a veteran of 'World 'War II.
Minneapolis circuit bookers and buyers were guests of Columbia at a luncheon
given there in behalf of the current A. Montague Sweepstaiies drive. Ben Marcus,
division manager, and Hy Chapman, Minneapolis manager, were hosts. Top panel,
left to right: Roger Dietz and Joe Beahen, Columbia bookers; John Farley, Theatre
Associates; Lorand Tritter, Columbia; Bill Donald, TA; Bob Hazelton, Independent
Theatres; Bill Wood, Columbia; Don O'Neil, Minneapolis Amusement Co., and James
Zein, S. E. Heller & Co. Second panel: Marcus; O'Neill, Zein and Tom Burke, TA.
Bottom panel: Dick Toilette, Paul Lundquist, Manager Chapman and Frank Mantzke.
All are of Northwest Theatres except Chapman.
Durwood Circuit Opens
Roxy at Kansas City
KANSAS CITY—The Roxy Theatre, downtown
house operated by the Durwood circuit,
has been reopened after a closedown
of several months. The Durwood office said
reopening was possible through cooperation
of the union.
The policy of the house will be double bill,
with two changes weekly, 9 a. m. to midnight.
The first bill consisted of "Devil's
Doorway" and "Saddle Ti-amp." 'When the
Roxy closed, it had been on a double bill
basis, playing day and date with the Plaza
Theatre, key neighborhood house of the Fox
Midwest circuit. Prior to that policy, the
house had been playing some first run product
and occasional exploitation pictures.
Downtown Kansas City now has four
houses playing second and late run pictures
in addition to its four first runs and the
Orpheum which switches between first runs
and roadshows.
Mrs. Ralph Wareham 111
MANHATTAN, KAS.—Mrs. Ralph Wareham,
wife of the owner of the 'Wareham Theatre
building, was a patient at St. Luke's hospital,
Kansas City, for several days.
3 Managerial Shifts
Made by Tri-States
DES MOINES—Frank Hague, manager of
the Eastown, will go to the Rocket, replacing
E. L. Doherty who will move to the lUini at
Moline. Dick 'Wilson, treasurer of the Des
Moines Theatre will take over the management
of the Eastown and he will be succeeded
by Richard Dougherty, chief usher at
the Paramount. Keith O'Neill, former assistant
at the Des Moines, will become manager
at the Uptown to replace Betty Hensler who
resigned. All are in the Tri-States chain.
Thief Gets Two Pencils
MINNEAPOLIS — Two mechanical
pencils
were the sole loot of a thief w'ho hid in
the 'Vogue Theatre, Sandstone, Minn., near
here, after closing, with the intention of
robbing the showhouse.
Hillbillies Booked by TEI
MANHATTAN. KAS.—Cowboy Copas and
his stars from Grand Ole Opry played a one
day's engagement at the State Theatre here
recently. Copas and his troupe are playing
the TEI circuit in this territory.
December 2, 1950 MW 59