Boxoffice-November.24.1951

Movietime Reports
To Okla. Exhibitors
OKLAHOMA CITY—The local Movietime
In Oklahoma office this week mailed out to
exhibitors throughout the state a booklet on
the recent Hollywood star tours. Two styles
of one-sheets on Movietime were included in
the mailing. The booklet contains a report
on the tours with many samples of publicity
the tour was given in Oklahoma newspapers.
Ralph Drewry of Tulsa, executive director
of Movietime in Oklahoma, also sent copies
of the booklet to the Hollywood representatives
who took part in the Oklahoma tours,
Movietime U.S.A. officials, some Hollywood
studios and trade magazines.
However, he explained, there weren't
enough booklets to send to editors and radio
officials in all towns visited and asked exhibitors
to make sure that their local publishers
and radio executives see a copy.
Drewry reminded exhibitors that there are
other Movietime accessories available.
"We have plenty of 40x60s and three-sheets
and some one-sheets," he said, adding that
National Screen Service can supply other
accessories.
Crippled Children's Group
Gives Award to O'Donnell
DALLAS—In a simple but emotion-packed
ceremony in the Georgian room of New
York's Picadilly hotel, R. J. "Bob" O'Donnell
of Interstate Theatres and recent head of
Movietime U.S.A., was presented a memorial
gift by the Gonzales Warm Springs Foundation.
The gift was made to the showman, a
longtime director of the foundation, on behalf
of "the crippled children of Texas," especially
in connection with the two theatre collections
undertaken by the motion picture exhibitors
of Texas.
The memorial was presented at a recent
luncheon of the Ass'n of Motion Picture Advertisers
and polio victim Anseth Teal made
the presentation while AMPA President Harry
McWilliams presided. It was largely through
the services of O'Donnell that the theatre collections
were possible, resulting in more than
$300,000 being made available to the foundation
for maintaining and expanding the treatment
facilities. The foundation presentation
was a highlight of a session when industry
leaders paid tribute to O'Donnell for his work
on Movietime.
The memorial presented by Miss Teal, a
former patient at the foundation, consisted
of a metaUzed baby shoe and short leg brace
mounted against an ebony base. Representing
the foundation at the luncheon were directors
Richard Knight, Lynn Smith and
B. N. Peck. L. W. Killian, business manager,
and John D. Kemp, director of education and
information, made the trip to New York from
Gonzales to arrange presentation details.
Athel Boyter Observes
His 25th Anniversary
OKLAHOMA CITY -Athel Boyter, head of
a booking and buying service here, this month
celebrates his 25th anniversary in the film
industry.
Boyter started on Filmrow here as assistant
shipping clerk for Pathe. Later, he Joined
Griffith Theatres shipping department, winding
up as head of the Griffith poster department.
He then joined Paramount, working
in that company's poster department and
then in booking and selling branches. In
February 1940, he organized his own booking
agency.
Then the sidelines began. In 1941, he organized
the Independent Poster Service. In
1947, he decided to enter the exhibition end
of the business, but plans were short-lived,
when the government turned thumbs down
on construction. The plans had included a
suburban house in Muskogee with Eddie
Jones of Sand Springs.
In November 1949, Independent Poster
Service was liquidated and Boyter moved his
booking agency to its present location at
708 West Grand. He did try the exhibitor
role finally. Soon after the poster service
was liquidated he leased the Moore Theatre
in Duncan, operating it by "remote control"
for a year and one-half. He sold the lea.se
to Video Independent Theatres on October
1 more than one year ago. But, said
Boyter, from now on he is strictly a booking
and buying man for the other fellow.
The Variety Clubs-Will Rogers Memorial hospital
is Open to All in the amusement industry without
charge. Sign the 1951 Xhristmos Solute.' "Help
care tor our own."
Texas Consolidated Sells
Interest to Partnership
BHKCKKNRIUGE, TEX.—John Ed Douglas
and Seibert Worley have arranged a partnership
whereby Interest of Texas Consolidated
Theatres in the Palace Theatre has
been acquired and its operation assumed.
Douglas, who has been owner of the Buckaroo
Theatre here for the past seven years, will
now manage both it and the Palace. At the
same time, announcement from TCT through
the manager of the Palace and National theatres
stated their interest in the Palace had
been sold to Worley.
The announcement added that the National
Theatre would clo.se for an indefinite period.
No plans for dLsposition of the property have
been determined at this time, according to
information from Aubrey Van Hoy, representative
for Texas Consolidated Theatres in
Eastland and Breckenridge.
Glasscock Opens Airer
PLEASANTON, TEX.—The Trail
Drive-In
has been opened here as the latest addition
to the Glasscock circuit. It is situated in the
location formerly occupied by the Atascosa
Drive-In out on the Jourdanton road. Manager
Bell announced admission prices would
be the same as the Leon Theatre and "Paleface"
was the opening show.
James C. Wilburn Dies
LADONIA. TEX.—James C. Wilburn, 62-
year-owner and operator of theatres in Ladonia
for a number of years, died in a hospital
at Greenville I'ecently. He W'as a native
of Ellis county and retired from business
a few years ago.
WHEN YOU NEED
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WAREHOUSES
HOUSTON — 1209 Commerce at
San Jacinto St.
BEAUMONT — 550 Main Street
LUBBOCK — 1405 Avenue A
EQUIPMENT DISPLAY SALES
GARDEN WAREHOUSE. 1209 Commerce at San Jacinto Street
OKLAHOMA THEATRE SUPPLY CO., 629 We;t Grand, Oklahoma City. Okla.
SOUTHEASTERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.. 214 S. Liberty. New Orleans. La.
BOXOFFICE :
: November
24, 1951 sw 63