Boxoffice-October.27.1951

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Leo Jones Tests Public Sincerity
In Demanding Top-Grade Pictures
UPPER SANDUSKY, OHIO—Leo Jones,
who has established a reputation as an independent
thinker and deviating from regular
industry practices, is
f
inaugurating a new
trial policy at his Star
Theatre to determine
whether the public is
sincere in demanding
outstanding pictures as
a condition of theatre
attendance.
During October and
November Jones will
play only A pictures.
And he will play them
Leo T. Jones on a single feature policy,
with two changes a week. This is in contrast
with his long established policy of showing
top pictures, single feature, the first half
of the week and B pictures, double feature,
the last half of the week.
Double Bills Return
To Toledo First Runs
TOLEDO—For several months three of the
four first run theatres here have been showing
single features, but early in October they
went back to double features and expect to
remain on that basis for a time. The managers
claim they do more business with double
features, despite the claims of filmgoers that
they don't want to waste time on a lesser
attraction.
Ruth Elgutter, theatre editor of the Toledo
Times, pointed out, "The only way to
show appreciation of a single feature is to
patronize it, providing, of course, that the
picture is worthy of patronage. That is the
inescapable responsibility of the theatre and
the producer.
"But surely such pictures as 'Angels in the
Outfield,' 'Saturday's Hero.' 'Force of Arms,'
'Red Badge of Courage' and 'Rhubarb' should
have enough patronage to stand on their own
merits ... To put a weak sister with it only
detracts from whatever appeal a main feature
may have."
Natural Gas Rates Raised
PITTSBURGH—Added to high cost of living,
increased trolley and bus fares, upped
federal income taxes, etc., etc., is the new
schedule of rates filed with the state PUC
by the Peoples Natural Gas Co., raising rates
to 215,000 domestic and commercial customers
on December 15, estimated additional yield
gross revenue being $2,625,000. The increa.se
amounts to 18 per cent since 1941.
Leonard Penn and Nick Stewart have been
oast as heavies in Columbia's "King of the
Congo."
OUTSTANDING
CRAFTSMANSHIP AND CNCINECRINO
"If the public is sincere in stating that it
wants to see only top-grade pictures, then
our new, experimental policy will click at the
boxoffice. If, on the other hand, it is not
sincere in attributing its nonattendance at
theatre to the quality of pictures shown, then
we'll soon find it out.
"To put over our new picture policy we
also have inaugurated a new publicity policy.
A special campaign will be developed for
each picture and every change will be handled
as an individual unit. It is our belief that,
inasmuch as we are catering to the public,
it is up to the public to let us know what
pictures it wants to see on our screens rather
than for us, as exhibitors, to present pictures
of doubtful public interest and then try to
create public interest in these pictures. We
think the new policy will at least show us
whether or not the public knows what it
wants to see on our screens."
There is no change in price for the policy.
Flat Rock, Mich., Citizens
Thrilled by Movietime
FLAT ROCK, MICH.—The policy of bringing
screen celebrities out to meet the hometown
people, which has characterized the
operation of Movietime in Michigan, was epitomized
in the appearance of author-director
Stephen Longstreet and starlet 'Yvette Dugay
in the high school auditorium here, arranged
by Joha Vlachos, owner of the 600-
seat Flatroc Theatre there.
Flat Rock is a little community of 1,800
in the southern end of Wayne county, known
to most Michiganders and tourists only as a
spot where they have to slow up on the highway
between Detroit and Toledo, because
there are a couple of traffic lights and a
state police post.
Vlachos figured out the star caravan would
be passing along the highway enroute between
the bigger cities, and put in his bid
for a local appearance. Then he went out
and told the townspeople by word of mouth
that he figured they would be along about
4:30 on a certain afternoon—a week ahead of
time. Actually, the caravan arrived early, at
3:45, before they were expected and just after
school let out.
The youngsters from the school and faculty
gathered—about 500 of them, together with
about 200 townspeople who could be reached
quickly and were able to get over to the auditorium.
Longstreet gave an informal chat on Hollywood
and about the celebration of the golden
jubilee. Miss Dugay talked about recent pictures,
giving little-known inside facts which
found a responsive audience.
Large Screen Theatre TV
For Toledo First in Area
TOLEDO—The Rivoli, first run Toledo
theatre is installing RCA instantaneous large
screen theatre television. This will be the
first in any theatre between Cleveland and
Chicago, said Howard Feigley, manager.
Installation will cost an estimated $35,000
and Feigley hopes to have the work done in
time to offer a football game November 3.
Drive-In Popularity
Forces Sunday Vole
PITTSBURGH—More than 50 political subdivisions
within the Keystone state of Pennsylvania
will have the opportunity of accepting
or rejecting Sunday showings of motion
.
pictures at the general election November 6,
when voters in the cities, boroughs and townships
will decide the issue by ballot. The
popularity of the outdoor theatres has brought
about the referendums in the small communities.
Among the larger communities which will
decide the issue are Butler, Berwick, Danville,
Norristown, Shamokin, Somerset and Lewisburg.
In western Pennsylvania, Sunday shows,
after 2 p. m., will be voted on in these counties:
Allegheny— Bellevue.
Armstrong—Rural Valley.
Beaver—Brighton township.
;
Bedford—Bedford township; Everett.
Blair— Antis township.
Butler—Butler; Butler township; Fairview township;
Summit township.
Cambria—South Fork.
Centre—State College; College township.
Clcnon—East Brady.
Clearfield — Bradford township; Osceola Mills;
Philipsburg.
Erie—Wayne township.
Franklin—Green township; Washington township.
Lawrence—Neshannock township; Shenango township,
Mercer—Greenville; Mercer.
Somerset— Somerset.
Union—Lewisburg.
Washington—Claysville.
Westmoreland— East Huntingdon township.
In eastern Pennsylvania, voting on Sunday
shows will be at the following:
Adams—Franklin township; Oxford township.
Berks— Birdsboro.
Chester—Kennett Square.
Columbia—Berwick; Scott township.
Dauphin—Middletown.
Delaware—Birmingham; Springfield township.
Lehigh—Hanover townshiD; Upper Milford township;
Upper Saucon township.
Lycoming—Loyalsock township; Montgomery.
Monroe—Hamilton township.
Montgomery— Lonsdale; Norristown.
Montour— Danville,
Northampton—Lehigh township.
Northumberland—Milton; Mount Carmel towTiship;
Northumberland; Shamokin.
S'chuylkill— Schuylkill Haven.
Snyder—Selinsgrove.
Pioneer Sandor Klinger
Dies at 80 in Cleveland
CLEVELAND—Funeral services were held
October 17 for Sandor Klinger, 80, a pioneer
in the motion picture exhibition field and
former owner of the Ritz and Ambassador
theatres in partnership with Morris Berkowitz
and Oscar Stotter. Prior to entering the motion
picture business he operated a liquor
store.
First theatre acquired by Klinger was the
Alvin, an old silent house, long dismantled.
A member of many benevolent organizations,
he was made a life member of the Eagles
when he was cited for rescue work in the
San Francisco earthquake.
'Perry' Drey Retiring
WEST UNION. W. VA.—B. P. "Perry" Drey,
veteran exhibitor here, retires November 1,
having sold the Regent to J. W. Vogeding,
owner-operator of the Elizabeth at Elizabeth,
W. Va.
Toledo Books 'Hoffmann'
TOLEDO--"Tales of Hoffmann" will start a
roadshow engagement in the Palace November
7.
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84 BOXOFFICE :
: October
27, 1951