Boxoffice-November.24.1951

J..._
Montana Theatremen
Hold Annual Confab
BUTTE, MONT.—The largest convention
of the Independent Theatre Owners of Montana,
attended by some 92 members, was
held here last week and heard a prediction
that television would bow in the Rocky mountain
states on a network basis within the
next two years.
Rotus Harvey of San Francisco, secretary
of the Pacific Coast Conference of Independent
Theatre Owners, of which the Montana
organization is an affiliate, spoke at
the opening business session on a wide variety
of business problems, including those in
the legal and legislative fields, film buying
and booking, film transportation, showmanship,
exploitation and public relations and
management of drive-in theatres. Reports
from committees delegated to examine problems
which formed the basis for Harvey's talk
also were given. Committee chairmen are
Carl Veseth of Malta, Frank Faust of
Forsyth. Elmer Jackson of Plentywood, John
Moran of Billings and Clarence Galder of
Great Falls.
"An American in Paris" was screened at
the morning session the second day and a
luncheon for salesmen, distributors, supply
dealers and exhibitors was given at noon.
R. C. Schultz. theatre equipment representative
of RCA. San Francisco, spoke at the
afternoon session and said that "we don't
bslieve that home television, when it comes,
will hurt theatre television." He said theatre
business is on a "solid, substantial basis" and
that television could be expected to play a
major role in the expansion of theatre business.
'1 stopped in Salt Lake City on my way to
this meeting and talked with Frank Sawyer,
head of the Mountain States Telephone &
Telegraph Co. there." he said. "I asked him
when, in his opinion, television could be expected
on a network basis in the mountain
area.
"He told me. 'If two years ago anyone had
suggested that Denver and Salt Lake City
would have television by now, I would have
said they were too optimistic.
" 'Now I wouldn't attempt to say when TV
will be networked in the mountain region, but
I would say it will be a lot sooner than most
people believe.' "
"The advent of network television in the
mountain country will depend on the telephone
people—when they will be able to
supply the cables and so forth," Schultz said.
At the closing business session the delegates
adopted thi'ee future objectives: an
adjustment of high film rentals, industry
unity and a stronger organization with in-
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WESTERNS ARE FAVORITES — A
carnival atmosphere plus a western-type
film brought excellent business to the
Big Bear Theatre in Big Bear Lake,
Calif., recently when "Texas Carnival"
played the 750-seater. Manager Bill
Meyers and his staff went all-out on the
film, with flags, balloons, popcorn and
anything that would put the patron in
a carnival mood before seeing the picture.
The small resort town, some 7,000
feet above sea level in the southern Califfornia
mountains, is a favorite tourist
haven. Cattle are brought up to it for
summer grazing. As part of the campaign
on "Texas Carnival," a best-dressed
cowgirl was named—Madeline Birdsell,
at left above—and posed with "Ginger"
Taylor, center, guide at the Pine Knot
stables, and Coy Brown, six-foot six-inch,
265-pound constable. The Big Bear Theatre
is an Earle Strebe theatre.
creased membership. Accomplishments the
organization hopes to attain were hsted as:
Better understanding between exhibitors
and distributors.
Increased understanding of the membership
relative to individual and industrywide
problems.
To keep improving and informing the theatregoing
public that films actually are getting
better and better.
There was no election of officers at this
meeting, which closed with a banquet. Current
officers and directors are Fred Arnst.
Fort Benton, president; J. M. Suckstorff.
Sidney, vice-president; Clarence Colder.
Great Falls, secretary-treasurer, and Arthur
F. Lamey. BiUings. general counsel. Directors
are N. M. Stubblefield. St. Ignatius: Tom
Grady. Shelby; Rex Flint. Baker: D. E. Lockrem.
Circle; E. M. Jackson. Plentywood; J.
H. Moran. Laurel; Herb Bonifas. Chinook:
Frank Morgan. Livingston, and E. R. Munger.
Helena.
Gooding to Consolidated
GOODING. IDAHO—New owner of the
Gooding Theatre is Consolidated Theatres,
Inc.. of Salt Lake City. N. H. Beamer. former
owner, announced the change. H. E. Gibson
will be manager of the local situation and
also the one in Ketchum.
To Build Three Ozoners
CASA GRANDE. ARIZ.—Long Enterprises
has started construction work on three other
Arizona drive-ins and also anticipates a December
opening for this trio of outdoorers.
The theatres are being built on the outskirts
of Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.
f DENVER
Y
Irank Freeman jr., co-producer of "When
Worlds Collide." visited Denver last week
and interviewed DunninKcr on the possibility
of using him in a forthcoming Paramount
film. While here Freeman also visited with
Dave Cockrill. manager of the Denham, and
Ward Pennington, Paramount branch manager,
and many other friends . . . Tom Smiley,
general manager for Realart. stayed at home
a few days with a case of pinkeye. He got It
from one of his children, who picked it up at
school.
.•\1 Anderson, Paramount shipper, vacationed
by doing some work around home . . .
Dorothy Swing, RKO cashier, underwent surgery,
and expects to be away from the job for
about eight weeks . . . Because of poor busi-
the Rio at Do-
ness Ray Benham has closed
lores. Colo.
. .
Harry Ashton, Spokane, Wash., has moved
to Golden. Colo., where he will manage the
Golden, according to C. U. Yaeger. president
of Atlas Theatres. "Sfaeger promoted John
Krause from the Golden to the managership
of the Santa Fe. Denver, job which has been
open a couple of weeks .
"Elopement" will
have a world premiere at the Denver December
10 as part of the money-raising campaign
for Loretto Heights college. Several stars are
expected in for the event.
Filmrow visitors included Kenneth Powell.
Wray; Neal Beezley, Burlington: Mrs. Marie
Goodhand. Kimball. Neb.; Mr. and Mrs. Don
Monson. Rifle; Elden Menagh. Fort Lupton;
E. C. McLaughlin. Las Animas: Robert Smith,
Steamboat Springs; Merle Gwinn, Benkleman.
Neb.; James M. Williamson. Palisade,
Neb., and Hugh Haynes. Fowler.
John Henry Reopens Grand
SEATTLE—John Henry, former owner of
the Grand Theatre, has reopened the house.
It has been completely redecorated, with new
foam rubber seats and improved ventilation.
It will have a policy of three changes a week.
Now . . . RCA ready
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EQUIPMENT CO.
337 Golden Gate Avenue
Son Fronrcisco 2, California
BOXOFFICE November 24, 1951 43