Boxoffice-October.27.1951

More documents

Recommendations

Info

. . . Milton . . . . "Tembo," . . Rudolph . . , •tbti SAN ANTONIO . . . "Painting . . . Over 50,000 Tanie Cardenas, hello girl for International Amusement Co., vacationed the Clouds With Sunshine" opened Thursday (18) at the Aztec Theatre television receiving sets are now In operation in San Antonio and Bexar county . Harry Griffith has been retained as manager of the Municipal auditorium following a clash with Mayor Jack White over the bookkeeping system kept at the civic theatre. The mayor discharged Graydon L. Buck as assistant manager and appointed Ted E. Waggoner to take his place. Waggoner formerly operated the South San Theatre. The Polack Bros. Shrine circus drew near capacity houses at the Municipal auditorium for the past week ... A number of Cantinflas' film fans journeyed to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to see him (Mareo Moreno) perform in the bull ring. . . Visiting- the Latin-American exchanges were G. C. Pena and brother of the Belmita Theatre, Delmita; Benito Silvas and brother Mike Silvas, Mexico Theatre, Carrizo Springs, and Silvas Theatre, Asherton . Three new employes were added at Azteca: Olivia Ayala, file clerk; Abel Cortines, advertising clerk, and Felix Marin, inspector. Alfred N. Sack, executive of Sack Amusement & Television Enterprises in Dallas, was in the city recently on a combined business and pleasure trip . . Visiting the local film . exchanges were Frank Fletcher of the Ritz In Houston and Mr. and Mrs. Jose Suarez from the Mexico Theatre at Midland. Azteca Films is scheduled to open its new film exchange at 410 San Pedro Ave. on November 3 . . . Louis Hess, assistant manager of the Clasa-Mohme exchange here, is on temporary duty at the Los Angeles home office . . . Every theatre and film exchange in town was represented at the recent COMPO luncheon held in the Colonial room of the Menger hotel here. Margaret Douglas of Uvalde, mother of Don C. Douglas of Dallas, was here to welcome the group of Movietime in Texas Hollywood representatives at the party given for the stars and others in the Texas room of the Gunter hotel. Being a prohibitionist, Mrs. Douglas did all her toasting with soda water Overman, UA, was in town during WE HAVE IT M ! Single Bill Headline Features ! Double Bill Features — Westerns Serials — Shorts — Unusual Road Show Attractions n J(ioHN) (O. K.) ENKINS & D OURGEOIS ASTOR PICTURES COMPANY Harwood and Jackson Sta. PRospect 2408 DALLAS I. TEXAS MEMPHIS: 408 So. Second St. NEW OHLEANS: 218 So. Liberty St. the showing of "Cyrano de Bergerac," which did extra good business at the Aztec . . . Redd Harper and Cindy Walker of Hollywood, who have the leading roles in "Mr. Texas," were here for the showing of that picture in the Trinity Baptist church auditorium. It was billed as "the world's first Chj'istian western picture." Billy Graham Evangelistic Ass'n is the distributor. The Amazing Doctor X of screen and radio appeared at three of the five Statewide Drive-In Corp. theatres here recently . . . "Cyrano de Bergerac" was at the Aztec, "His Kind of Woman" at the Majestic and "David and Bathsheba" at the Texas . de la Fuente, National Theatre doorman, rounded out his sixth year with that popular west side house. Harley W. Kier of Kier Film Co. here was due back from a New York business trip . . . Ed Brady, Palace, San Benito, participated in the annual Texas Golf Ass'n senior championship played at the San Antonio Country club . which scored a big hit at the Texas for a week, was moved to the Empire . . . Curly Williams, who worked in western adventure shorts filmed in and around San Antonio in recent years, is vacationing in Minnesota. From Austin comes the news that the secretary of state has assigned the trademark name "Lucky License Nite" to the Bayou Drive-In at La Marque, Tex. This 500-car ozoner is owned by K. M. McDaniels . Recent visitors: Lloyd Munter, Eagle Pass; C. C. Chaldwell of Lubbock, who books films for the Mesa Theatre, O'Donnell; David J. Young sr., Mexico, Brownsville, who took in an art exhibition; Bob Bauer, San Miguel Allende, Mexico, theatreman; Enrique Flores, Rio, Mission; Mr. and Mrs. F. Lynn "Red" Fetz, Denver, Colo., and Sammy Jones, Rio Theatre, Brownfield, Tex. Tower in Corpus Christi Open After Renovation CORPUS CHRISTI—The Tower Theatre, 1647 Alameda, one of the theatres operated by Corpus Christi Theatres, was closed 12 days for redecoration which included new draperies, carpets, lighting, and plushcovered cushioned seats. It reopened October 14 with "Flying Leathernecks." Jack Trench, formerly connected with Midway Theatre in Dallas, has been made manager of the Tower by Bruce Collins, president of Corpus Christi Theatres. Trench was once a catcher for the Corpus Cliristi Aces. Victor Young is writing the score for "Scaramouche" for Metro. Splendid North Central Texas Theatre situation available. $70,000 to handle. Address P. 0. Box 752, Dallas. BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT lOth Fl., 2nd Unit. Santa Fe Bldg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas. Tex. One-Man Committee Gets New Rio Theatre NEDERLAND, TEX.—A greatly improvet Rio Theatre will be reopened here, probabl; this week or next, after being closed tw( months, it was announced by Earl Gish chairman of the Nederland Chamber of Commerce theatre committee. Gish has been £ one-man committee that has worked hours on negotiations with Jefferson Amusement Co. officials on reopening plans. Workmen moved in the last of September to begin their job of renovation. The building will have a new front, the interior will be cleaned and remodeled, there will be new, carpet on the floor, seats worked over, new boxoffice, snack bar, repainted floors, new screen, repair of sidewalls and the construction of a beam ceiling. One of the important changes will be the scheduling of first run pictures for the Rio, Gish stated. They will come here immediately after playing at the Jefferson in Beaumont and the Neches in Port Neches. Melvin Wilson, Midcounty theatre manager, said that this week the company probably would have a complete announcement as to the manager, policies, etc. Plains at Lockney, Tex., Open After Renovation LOCKNEY, TEX.—The new Plains Theatre, remodeled and redecorated, reopened recently almost complete. Manager J. B. Seale said one or two small items in the renovation program would have to be completed after the reopening. The entire front of the theatre was changed, with the boxoffice moved to the north side of the entrance, three slab doors replacing the old type and a green tile front and brown tile floor laid in the entrance and across the front. A stairway was built at the north side of the building leading to the offices upstairs and the balcony for colored people. A marquee was added to the front, built in a circular shape. The entrance to the auditorium was changed completely and the lobby was textoned and finished in pale pink. Murals with a western theme now decorate the walls, one of them depicting Texas longhorns at a windmill and the other a ranch camp scene. Bestrooms are to the right and left and a glassedin cryroom and smoking room are provided. The lobby floor is partially covered with tile and the remainder leading into the auditorium is carpeted. The auditorium itself was redecorated with floral scenes on the walls. New lighting was installed. The remodeling left room for seating to be added and 53 more seats were installed. Adult prices will be 44 cents at the Plains and' Saturday matinees are being discontinued. The town's other theatre, the Mesa, will show on Friday night, Saturday matinee and night. Reel Drive-In Improved ROCKDALE, TEX.—The Reel Drive-In Is now featuring individual car speakers. C. W. Matson. owner of the theatre, .said he now has 186 speakers installed and ready for use and, when completed, the installation will be provided for 350 cars. fr^lt 74-B BOXOFFICE : : October 27, 1951
otheniiti; L, i Movielime Message To Schoolteachers FORT WORTH—Frank Weatherford, city manager for Interstate Theatres in Fort Worth, with offices in the Palace Theatre building, for several years now has been mailing circular-type letters to city and regional school teachers twice a year concerning pictures. The unusual promotion has been found very effective. He sent out a separate letter during the early Movietime campaign. It reads as follows: "IT'S MOVIETIME IN TEXAS—U.S.A. "Now that you have weathered the first onslaught of children returning to school, may we suggest that you take time out to enjoy a movie. This letter is your invitation to be our guest at any Fort Worth Interstate theatre. "Too, we are anxious to express our appreciation for the spirit of friendliness you have shown us on the occasions we have requested your cooperation. "Showmen in Fort Worth, all over Texas, and throughout the country have launched a campaign to tell the public in a straightfrom-the-shoulder manner the important role the movie theatre plays in each and every community. Millions of families have accepted movies as their main source of relaxation and entertainment. However, it is the teacher who forms the nucleus of that small minority who realizes the importance of motion pictures as a medium of education. "Under the label of entertainment, large portions of art, music . . yes, and inspiration, are consumed daily by the showgoing public without being conscious of their enlightenment. When it becomes a more secure financial risk to present these elements to the public in a forthright manner, Hollywood is prepared to produce an increasing number of fine films of 'The Red Shoes' and 'Of Men and Music' stature. They are eager to bring to life on the motion picture screen other great classics as 'Hamlet' and 'Cyi-ano de Bergerac' ." . . The letter then mentions outstanding product during Movietime, and concludes: "So, at your convenience, select a movie of your choice and be our guest. This letter when presented at the boxoffice of any Fort Worth Interstate theatre will serve as admission for you and one, except on special road show attractions." C. C. Caldwell Adds Airer To O'Donnell Holdings O'DONNELL, TEX.—C. C. Caldwell of Lubbock, owner of two theatres here, said he has bought a block of land from A. H. Koeninger just west of the city park on the Wells road for erection of a modern drive-in that will "seat" 250 cars. Work began this month but Caldwell declined to estimate the total cost, only saying that theatres of this type are expensive. There will be a snack bar similar to those in neighboring towns. All technical equipment has been purchased. Hervey Gardenshire is manager of the local Caldwell theatres. Advertising Films in Netherlands Good advertising motion picture films made in the Netherlands, it is said, can compete favorably with those of any foreign country. Bullington-Lee-McMahon Airer to Have Enclosure WICHITA FALLS. TEX.—Tht- new drivein being constructed by Bullington-Lee-Mc- Mahon at 3006 Grant will be limited in size and capacity by government restrictions controlling copper. "It will hold from 200 to 250 cars, however," said L. B. Lee, one of the members of the firm that now owns and operates the Twin Falls and Scottic drive-ins. "We would have made it some larger but there were restrictions allowing only so much copper to be used in construction work. Copper is the wiring that equips the cars with speakers," he said. Actual construction began about October 1 but the property for the project was bought a year ago. The theatre is being built at a cost of $7,500 and will be ready by December 1. Though smaller in size, the new drive-in. as yet unnamed, will be unique in having a glassed-in seating arrangement for spectators not in cars. The enclosure will be equipped with heating and air conditioning. Dallas Tent to Elect Crew November 5 DALLAS—The board of directors of 'Variety Tent 17 has set Monday (5i as the date for the election of the crew for 1952. The meeting will be held in the club rooms, with a dinner at 6 p. m. and the election at 7, at which time a report will be made by the nominating committee. Only regular barkers, whose 1951 dues are paid and who are in good standing, are eligible to vote. Associate barkers are welcome to attend, but may not cast votes. Twenty-two nominees have been submitted by the existing crew of which 11 will be voted upon for the 1952 crew. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. Those nominated are Ray Beall, Jack Corgan, Charles E. Darden, C. A. Dolsen. Don C. Douglas, Paul M. Evans, John J. Houlihan, Phil R. Isley, Harry L. Kaplan, Alex C. Keese, Sam B. Landrum, C. D. Leon, Wilbur L. Marshall, R. I. Payne, J. A. Pi'ichard. Meyer J. Rachofsky, Clyde W. Rembert, A. H. Reynolds, L. M. Rice, Harold Schwarz, P. L. Stocker and Ken Way. Frels Circuit Sells Its New Braunfels House NEW BRAUNFELS, TEX.—The Capitol Theatre this month went under new management and promised the public a revitalized entertainment policy. J. 'V. Theatre Enterprises assumed ownership as of October 7 and General Manager Kenneth Lemke said the house henceforth will show a better grade of pictures with a stage show once every two weeks. The purchase price was a reported $95,000 and owner of the company is Gerald Ebeier of San Marcos, who operates the King Drivein there. Purchase was made from the Frels Theatres of 'Victoria. The latest manager of Frels, H. C. Cox, who has been here since June, will go to Victoria to supervise the four Frels situations there. Lemke, originally from Milwaukee, will manage the Capitol and make his home in the apartment on the second floor. Mrs. Lemke will join him here shortly. Crimand Hartgrove Obtain Telenews DALLAS—Telenews Theatres will turn over the Dallas Theatre to the new lessee. Greater Texas Theatres, owned and operated by L. N. Crim jr. and Robert Hartgrove. effective November 1. The first film under the new management will be the American premiere of the Alexander Korda Technicolor production, "Bonnie Prince Charlie." starring David Niven. According to Hartgrove, the U.S. release on the film will be effective about 30 days later when theatres in Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities will get it. Hartgrove and Crim plan to rename the theatre, redecorate and remodel, closing for about a week in December. Remodeling will include a new sign, front, renovation of seats and a mural for the downstairs lobby. The mural will be painted by H. R. McBride, muralist for the Cowtow-n Drive-ln, Fort Worth, also owned by the Greater Texas Theatres. A policy of top fare films and first runs has been announced by Crim and Hartgrove, and "The Wooden Hor.se," another British film starring Leo Genn, is slated to follow "Bonnie Prince Charlie." Sylvan Goldfinger, division manager for Telenews, was to arrive Friday to make final arrangements for turning over the theatre to the new lessees. Mexican Films Second To U.S. in Colombia From Eastern Edition WASHINGTON—The present motion picture market in Colombia would be amply covered with about 350 to 375 feature films, 200 to 250 short subjects and 200 newsreels annually. During 1950 a total of 407 feature films were released, of which 250 were United States films, 22 were British, 60 Mexican, 20 Argentine, 20 Spanish, 18 French, 16 Italian and one was a German film. The principal competitor of United States films in Colombia are Mexican films. The wider distribution of Mexican films throughout the small towns and rural areas contributes to a greater income per film than is achieved by United States productions. Of total estimated gross boxoffice receipts of 40.000,000 pesos in 1950, United States films accounted for 19.000,000 pesos and Mexican films for about 11,000,000 pesos. lOne peso equals about 40 cents in U.S. currency. It is estimated that there are approximately 550 motion picture theatres showing 35mm films in Colombia having a total seating capacity of 375,000. The average weekly theatre attendance is estimated at about 1.000,000. Admission prices range from 30 centavos in suburban and rural theatres, to 60, 70 and 80 centavos in second and third run metropolitan theatres, and 1.00, 1.20 and 1.50 pesos in first run theatres. In the metropolitan areas the audiences generally prefer films with heavy melodramatic and romantic themes, and next in order there is a preference for comedies in Spanish ichiefly of Mexican origin). In the rural areas there is a greater acceptance of adventure films, but again the stress is on heavy melodrama. Musicals (except those featuring Latin music) and detective themes have very little audience appeal. BOXOFFICE : : October 27, 1951 74-C
Page 1 and 2:
*^7Jie luAe h/ me /P/&&^rL 7
Page 3 and 4:
THE BRIGHT ! LIGHTS >w SPELL M-G'M!
Page 5 and 6:
Ôll,^^ VIRGINIA \ RUTH ,.A^ , OMAN
Page 7 and 8:
— ' •'^n^Kfrnmrnmrnmovm" " "-^"
Page 9 and 10:
- MAJOR FILM MERCHANDISING CAMPAIGN
Page 11 and 12:
Boxoffice Article Used To Sell MPAA
Page 13 and 14:
IIAT STORMED THEIR LIVES! sîr .y'
Page 15 and 16:
Rllil h dahq.it^ I V / \ / otttsirf
Page 17 and 18:
THE CROWDS ARE i BACK THANKS TO 20t
Page 19 and 20:
LETTERS A Plan for Studio Visitors
Page 21 and 22:
j0> Millions Hear Bob's NBC Plugs F
Page 23:
k theatre on the field, but they li
Page 26 and 27: . . The . . Jack *fôU
Page 28 and 29: Republic Will Appeal Roy Rogers TV
Page 30 and 31: BOXOFFICE BAROMETE This chart recor
Page 32 and 33: At the SMPTE Convention: Three-Dime
Page 34 and 35: ' Merchant Co-Op Page For 'Annie' U
Page 36 and 37: Front Given Frenchy Atmosphere For
Page 38 and 39: Lucky Star Night Is Cued to Birth D
Page 40 and 41: . . Grace . . Benay . . . . BROADWA
Page 42 and 43: . . . Jack . . . Mike . . Gerard .
Page 44 and 45: . . Edward . . : ALBANY TXTarner Th
Page 46 and 47: 1 Macy Executive Reviews Advertisin
Page 48 and 49: ' ' ' a ' STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES Clef
Page 50 and 51: ' sôndoft êfiont Q,EORGE MINTER s
Page 52 and 53: . . Dave . . Roy . . . . . Betty .
Page 54 and 55: Montana ITO Session At Butie Nov. 1
Page 56 and 57: . . . The . . . . The Around the Mi
Page 58 and 59: KANSAS CITY 13ube Melcher, head of
Page 60 and 61: . . . Frank . . Dod . . Doris —
Page 62 and 63: y CA5E STUDY NO. I: 88 Carloads Her
Page 64 and 65: '' i i "5 is chief bookkeeper for t
Page 66 and 67: ; ! Despite Movietime Postponement
Page 68 and 69: g HART D. MARTIN said Martin Theatr
Page 70 and 71: . CHAP :''i ,.j»-^-- a.*««" ,jfi
Page 72 and 73: Patrons Request Year-Round Airer MA
Page 74 and 75: . . Volney . . Max ' '• OKLAHOMA
Page 78 and 79: : How Can America Produce 4f/ the S
Page 80 and 81: . . Word . . Children ST . LOUIS Ty
Page 82 and 83: - staff under the late George "Dad"
Page 84 and 85: . . Mrs. . . The PITTSBURGH ^XTilli
Page 86 and 87: . . Variety . . . Serge . . Sherwin
Page 88 and 89: ' Leo Jones Tests Public Sincerity
Page 90 and 91: — . . Broderick .1 CLEVELAND "The
Page 92 and 93: BOSTON Caul Simons, salesman at Col
Page 94 and 95: . . . Maureen . . . United . . Madg
Page 96 and 97: . . 20th-Fox . . Support I MONTREAL
Page 98 and 99: TORONTO m 1 m m 1 fm m >m •:•:
Page 100 and 101: | The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY (Contin
Page 102 and 103: REVIEW DIGEST ++ Very Good; + Good;
Page 104 and 105: W. I Fingerprints I Savage I Bandit
Page 106 and 107: D. FEATURE UNITED ARTISTS CHART rr]
Page 108 and 109: .10-13-51 . ..Jean SHORTS CHART 630
Page 110 and 111: . . The . . The I I . . . These . .
Page 112: k SPECIAL SERVICE FOR EXHIBITORS..
show all

Boxoffice-October.27.1951

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?