SLUM PREVENTION 1^ The BEST REMEDY I^K for slipping grosses I M^^ is intelligent, well- J|^ planned promotion ^^ — based on best ideas, tested by practical showmen take it now! READ and USE the SHOWMANDISER Section (every week in boxoffice) Scores of seat-selling stunts that build business and keep paying patrons happy .... Easy to file in a ring binder. • ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW AND INTERESTING • 62 BOXOFFICE :: March 10, 1951
$310,000 Theatre Honors E.R. Rogers, W-K District Head in Chattanooga CHATTANOOGA, TENN.—Wilby-Kincey's new $310,000 Rogers Theatre was opened here Friday (2). The 1,257-seat Rogers, the only first run house to be built in Chattanooga in 30 years, is named in honor of EMMETT R. ROGERS Emmett R. Rogers, now Chattanooga district manager for Wilby-Kincey and a member of the theatre industry in this area since 1917. All 1,257 staggered seats of the Rogers are on the main floor. Other features include a Cycloramic screen, largest in the city; projection machines with Ashcraft water-cooled lamps, a contour curtain, indirect lighting and an emergency power system. Murals on both sides of the auditorium were designed by Rogers. R. B. Wilby of Wilby-Kincey paid this tribute to Rogers: "Emmett Rogers has had a very great part in the development of the motion picture theatre from the day of the small 'store show' to the present standards. His influence has been industry-wide. No one better typifies the imagination and sense of public service which has gone into the development of the modern theatres scattered throughout America." Wilby was one of a group of theatre executives attending opening day ceremonies. Others were J. H. Harrison, J. R. Redd and Emil Bernstecker, Atlanta, and H. F. Kincey, Charlotte, N. C. A congratulatory scroll, signed by every star on the MGM lot, was given to the theatre by C. E. Kessnick of MOM'S office in Atlanta. Rogers is a native of Chattanooga, son of the late Mr. ^nd Mrs. T. A. Rogers. The elder Rogers was city editor of the Chattanooga Times at the time of his death In 1941. After starting what promised to be a great newspaper career and after becoming a first lieutenant in World War I, young Emmett Rogers joined the Signal Amusement Co. in 1917. Owned and operated by the Prank Dowlers, Judge Wilkers and others, the circuit had theatre properties in east Tennessee. This later became Tennessee Enterprises, afilliated with Southern Enterprises of Atlanta. It was this company that conceived and began the construction of the Tivoli in 1919. The Tivoli was opened, under Rogers' management, to the public March 19, 1921. In those early days of the industry, Rogers introduced to the south the first poster work in lobbies; the first pretentious lobby displays and theatre fronts; the first uniformed ushers, and made the first use of pipe organs, pit orchestras and stage presentations keyed to the then silent pictures. He personally designs the set pieces and posters in the Tivoli lobby and lays out the theatre's newspaper advertising. WITH FAMOUS PLAYERS In 1923 Rogers became a district manager for the Famous Players-Lasky Corp., operating theatres in most of the key cities of the nation with extensive holdings in the south. The company later became known as Paramount-Publix. He continued with Paramount-Publix as a district manager covering Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia until 1931. During this period, Rogers produced the Alex Keese stage band shows at the Tivoli and similar shows in Birmingham and Atlanta, introducing in the south the moving band stand. Among the performers appearing in these shows were Ginger Rogers, Ray Bolger and Mitzi Mayfair. In 1931, the Wilby-Kincey Service Corp. of Atlanta took over a large part of Paramount holdings in the southeast. A CIVIC LEADER Rogers has always taken an active interest in civic affairs and numerous organizations. He has served as a member of the Little Theatre board, of the Civic Chorus board, and the Chattanooga Philharmonic board, with which he is now active. He has helped in many drives for Red Cross, bond sales, Community Chest and similar groups. For years he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce executive committee. He was president of Chattanoogans, Inc., for three terms, and is now on the Visitors and Information Bureau executive committee. He was president of the Rotary club in 1947-48. He belongs to the Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain and is a member of Fairyland club. Manager of the new Rogers is Dunlap Henry, 34, who has had 18 years experience with Wilby-Kincey. Assistant manager is Clarence MeDade. Henry formerly was manager of the Enzor Theatre in Troy, Ala. He has been replaced there by Milt Newsome, who had been manager of the Tivoli here. J. W. Powers Is Mayor CEDAR BLUFF, ALA.—J. W. Powers, local theatre operator, is now mayor of Cedar Bluff. Powers, who came here from Leeds, Ala., in 1937, succeeds Alderman Ed Arnold, who took over after the sudden death of the former mayor last October. Here Is a preopening scene at the new Rogers Theatre in Chattanooga. Two Drive-Ins Okayed, One Is Denied by NPA MIAMI—Applications have been granted by the National Production Authority for the building of a $110,000 drive-in by the Liberty Ass'n, Inc., at Miami and to George H. Mercer of Shreveport, La., for construction of a $90,000 outdoorer. Among the applications turned down by NPA were: Gulfport, Miss., drive-in, Realart Pictures of New Orleans, $75,000. Alvin Sexton Promoted By Moffitt Theatres PRATTVILLE, ALA.—Alvin Sexton, manager of the Lyric here, has been promoted to booker and general assistant to John Moffitt, president of Moffitt Theatres in Montgomery. His successor at the Lyric is Frank C. Brock, who has been in the theatre business since 1921. Brock has been connected with many of the larger circuits in the south and also owned and operated a theatre of his own in Okolona, Miss., for several years. Theatre Receipts Drop BIRMINGHAM—November theatre receipts in Alabama were down three-tenths of 1 per cent as compared with October. The figure is based on sales tax receipt reports compiled by the University of Alabama bureau of business research. Receipts in November 1950 were off 2.9 per cent when compared with the same month in 1949. Showman Ends Vacation FORT PAYNE, ALA.—The HamUton Drive- In here reopened after a vacation of six weeks for its owner-operator, D. P. Hamilton. Hamilton has been operating the theatre since his son, Cpl. Mack Hamilton, went to Korea with the national guard. BOXOFFICE :: March 10, 1951 i SE 63
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Errol Flynn and Dean Stockwcll in a
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UP! "THE GREAT CARUSO" One BIG M-G-
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l(bur Next Demonstration of the Pow
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I I THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY Publis
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No Shortage of Carbons Seen by Manu
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I I I I I Independents Confident Of
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Independents Confident Of UA Succes
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...Easter , * . The PARAMOUNTS VERY
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ITS 34.928.741 READERS THE w im EXC
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Hughes, Government File Stock Brief
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- Page 31 and 32: aucer-Director Clarence Brown's age
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- Page 35 and 36: CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
- Page 37 and 38: I Tadi( adio Contests Spark New Hav
- Page 39 and 40: It The army brought up its heavy ar
- Page 41 and 42: ' beside Doyleslown, Pa., Key Seeks
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- Page 45 and 46: I6th MMPTA Is Opposing Booth Standa
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- Page 57 and 58: 'Hornblower' Debut In London April
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- Page 63 and 64: . . Edward PHOENIX nctress Virginia
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