Boxoffice-May.03.1952

ST.
LOUIS
prank Plumlee of the Edwards & Plumlce
Theatres, Farmington. and Charles Weeks
jr. of Dexter were here to take their Scottish
Rite degrees at the U4th consistory reunion
at the Scottish Rite cathedral . . . A. B. "Buzz"
Maparian had a prominent part in the Ainad
Temple of the Shrine program in East St.
Louis
A. B. Jefferis of Piedmont. Mo., president
of the Midcentral Allied Independent Theatre
Owners, presided at a forum of film rentals
at the convention of Iowa-Nebraska Allied
held recently in Omaha . . . George Jessel.
actor and motion picture producer, got the
Jewish welfare fund drive for $2,500,000 away
to a fine start at Hotel Chase the night of
April 20 when a special gift dinner obtained
contributions of more than $920,000.
Exhibitors seen along Filmrow: Rani Pedrucci.
feature booker, and Johnny Giachetto,
short subjects t)ooker for F^isina Amusement
Co.. Springfield; Frank X. Reller, Wentzville;
Bill Williams. Union; Ed Fellis, Hillsboro;
Leon Jarodsky and Mrs. Jarodsky, Paris; Herman
Fergu.son. Maiden; Bernie Palmer. Columbia
Amu-sement Co., Paducah; Izzy Weinsheink.
Alton. District Manager Publix Great
States; Joe Goldfarb. Upper Alton; Gus Boemler.
Altwood Drive-In Theatre, Woodriver;
Bill Collins, DeSoto; Martin Operle. Ste. Genevieve;
Bud Mercier, Predericktown, and
Charley Beninati, Carlyle.
. .
The Lyn Theatre was the scene of the
Washington U. Quadrangle club's annual
comedy. "Not Transferable." the night of
April 25 and 26 and the afternoon of
The Congi-egation Hahavath
April 27 . . .
Achim of America soon will unveil a memorial
bronze plaque to the memory of Harry Kahan.
film delivery pioneer, who died some weeks
ago. Funds for the plaque have been donated
by friends of Kahan . Sarah Blocher of National
Screen Service has announced her engagement
to Norman W. Rudman of Abilene,
Tex.
Ruby S'Renco, owner of the Art Theatre,
used for many of the tradescreenings here, is
convalescing at his home after undergoing an
operation at the Jewish hospital . . . Margaret
Herrick, executive dii'ector of the Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has
been in Columbia for a series of six lectures
at Stephens college and the annual conference
of the college's audio-visual advisory
Ben J. Kalmenson. general sales
board . . .
manager for Warner Bros., and Bernard R.
Goodman, supervisor of exchanges, visited the
local exchange.
. . Carson Rodgers,
Joe Benedick, booker, and Gladys Katz,
secretary to Hall Walsh, prairie district manager
for Warners, were on vacation. Walsh
and his wife returned AprU 20 from a trip to
Texas and old Mexico .
./OC>OOOOOOOS-BOOa-S-=-BQ«^
EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE
62
St Louis Theatre Supply CompaRy
Azcll Hosier
3310 OUt* Sticet, St. Louis 3, Mo.
Telephone lEflerion 7974
MANAGKK MKETS STAR—Howard
Young, manager of the Rialto Theatre,
Peoria, 111., played "The Battle at Apache
Pass" recently day and date with the
Chicago premiere at the State-Lake in
Chicago. Young and his wife drove to
Chicago for the premiere and posed with
actor Jeff Chandler backstage at the theatre.
The picture ran in the Peoria Star
for a timely publicity break. In the
photo Chandler is at left.
president of Rodgers Theatres, Cairo, returned
from Florida where he visited his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Rodgers.
. . .
National Theatre Supply recently sold a
Moviecone freezer to Bill Waring for his Ritz
Theatre. Cobden Jack Schlaifer. sales
manager for Realart Pictures, called on Eddie
Arthur, president of Fanchon & Marco. The
combination of the original "Frankenstein"
and the original "Dracula." currently in their
fifth week at the Victory Theatre, New York
City, opened at the Shubert Theatre (2) for
a weelc's run.
175 Persons Attend Dance
Of Indianapolis Loge
INDIANAPOLIS—The local Colosseum of
Motion Picture Salesmen celebrated its fourth
annual dinner dance recently at the Indianapolis
Athletic club. Bob Hall was the emcee.
Approximately 175 persons were there, including
exhibitors and friends from all parts
of Indiana. There was an elaborate floor
show, dancing and other entertainment. The
women were presented corsages, and ten
valuable door prizes were given away.
Art Perry in Burlington
BURLINGTON, KAS.—Art Perry, district
supervisor for Dickinson Theatres and part
owner of several houses in the circuit, has
been here redecorating the Plaza Theatre
marquee. "Let's Go to a Movie" signs were
put up some time ago and new neon lighting
will be installed along with a coat of
paint. Perry is also making minor repairs in
the house while here.
Princess to Kerasotes
PEORIA, ILL. — Kerasotes Theatres of
Springfield, 111., has taken over operation of
the Princess Theatre, downtown subsequent
run house as of May 1. The theatre was acquired
from the Harris estate, which had been
running the house since tlie death of Edward
Harris, longtime local independent exhibitor.
Meeks Close Maysville
House After 18 Years
MAYSVILLE. MO.— R.
H. Meek has closed
the Tlieatre Anne after 18 years of continuous
operation. He gave as his reasons the lack
of customers, increased operating costs and
heavy taxes. The newspaper called the closing
of the popular showplace a real loss to
tlie community. The Meeks and their son
Pete also operate the Star at Union Star
and will continue it.
The Theatre Anne was opened in the Swike
building March 4, 1934, and celebrated its
18th anniver-sary this year. In 1943, Meek
entered the army and the late P. J. Gordon
operated the theatre in his absence. Mr. and
Mrs. Meek remodeled the building in 1949
and built an entire new front, installed new
seats, lobby and restrooms. In spite of their
efforts to maintain the best possible theatre,
attendance had been very light in recent
years, they said.
Al Tourtillot Opens New
Holiday in Seneca, Mo.
SENECA. MO. — Manager Al Tourtillot
opened the new Holiday Theatre last Friday
(25). Finishing touches the week before included
placing of 322 seats, approximately
the same number as the burned-out Grand
Theatre but there is no balcony in the Holiday.
The modernistic house has a cryroom, carpeting
in the aisles and lobby blending with
the pastel color of the walls and the red
plush and plastic seats. The stage is draped
with gold curtains. Ticket booth is located
outside the main door, with the concession in
the lobby. The front is of brick and glass
brick, with neon lighting and a large neon
upright over the entrance.
Artie Kempf Transferred;
F. Edwards in Fredonia
two cities.
FREDONIA. KAS.—Artie Kempf, who has
managed the Kansas Theatre since he came
here from Brady, Tex., in August 1950, has
been transferred by Midcentral Theatres to
Osawatomie, where he will manage the
Osawa and also the circuit's house in Paola
along with supervision of the new drive-in
which Midcentral is completing midway between
the
Francis Edwards comes here from Paola to
succeed Kempf as manager of the circuit's
local
situation.
Yhe Shutters Lyric
NEWBURG. MO.—Fu-e damage to projection
equipment caused the Lyric Theatre to
close for several weeks recently. The blaze
occurred when the film was being tested
for a performance. Chfford Hough, owner,
out of town at the time of the accident, said
he expected to reopen by the end of April.
Chase Candy Co. Expands
ST. LOUIS—The Chase Candy Co. of St.
Louis has purchased the Shotwell Manufacturing
Co. of Chicago, a candy-making concern,
for more than $500,000. The local force
is to be increased by about 200 within six
months.
Run the Cerebrol Polsy campaign troiler. Availoble
May IS to July 1.
BOXOFFICE :: May 3, 1952