Boxoffice-May.03.1952

Majestic's 31st
Birthday
Karl Hoblitzelle (K). Interstate's president
and Bob O'Donnell engage in some fond
reminiscences of early show business for tlie
Majestic patrons.
Observed in
DALLAS—A spontaneous feeling of goodwill
and a festive atmosphere that literally
crackled through the capacity audience
marked the gala thirty-first anniversary celebration
Thursday evening (24) of the Majestic
Theatre in Dallas, flagship of the
Interstate circuit.
Unequalled in Southwestern theatrical history,
the one-performance, three-hour stageand-screen
program was attended by longtime
loyal Majestic pati'ons, including leading
merchants, bankers, oil men and the
young and the old. Introduced from the audience
was a couple, Mr. and Mrs. D. D.
Dunning of nearby Arlington, Tex., who have
attended either the Majestic in Dallas or Fort
Worth on every wedding anniversary since
the theatres were opened.
The traditional red carpet was rolled out
on the Majestic lobby floor and a two-block
long line of patrons began forming as early
Veterans help greet patrons in the
lobby. L to R: Jake Elder, construction
chief; P. K. Johnson, head
booker; E. J. Solon, secretary-treasurer;
Charles J. Freeman, veteran
stage show booker.
Great Style
as 6 p. m. for the 8:15 show.
While revolving searchlights pierced the sky
and newsreel cameramen photographed the
event. Interstate officials formed a welcoming
line in the lobby and foyer to welcome the
patroas. With Circuit President Karl Hoblitzelle
and R. J. O'Donnell. vice-president and
general manager, were Raymond Willie, assistant
general manager who was in charge
of the celebration and responsible for its
planning; E. J. Solon, the circuit's secretary
and treasurer; Charles J. Freeman, veteran
Interstate stage sliow booker; Frank O. Starz,
publicity and advertising chief; James O.
Cherry, theatre city manager; Ted DeBoer,
treasurer-controller; P. K. Johnston, head
booker, and Jake Elder, in charge of the
construction department.
Dozens of baskets of flowers were banked
along the theatre's walls, sent by friends of
Mr. Hoblitzelle, a pioneer Texas showman who
opened the first Majestic in Dallas in 1905.
And on a huge display board in the lobby
were telegrams from scores of well-wishers.
The celebration gave the patrons something
of the past, present and future. It brought
the sentimental trimmings of yesteryear in
duplicating the features of the original opening.
The modern touch was supplied with the
presence of some of today's Hollywood stars
Rory Calhoun, co-star with Susan Hayward
in "With a Song in My Heart," which was the
evening's screen attraction; Robert Mitchum,
William and Lucille Demarest, Lita Baron
(Mrs. Calhoun) and Billy Daniel, who staged
the dances in the film of Jane Froman's life.
With Hyman Charninsky conducting a 20-
piece pit orchestra, the program was opened
with the national anthem, followed by an
overture of a medley of tunes from "With
a Song in My Heart." While the orchestra
played "Moonlight and Roses," the audience
was showered with rose petals dropped from
the auditorium ceiling. This was a reenactment
of an episode in the theatre's original
opening festivities, and was given an
added touch by rose perfume which permeated
the air thi-ough the cooling system.
Entertainers for tlie evtning included
Lita Baron, who is wife of Rory Calhoun,
and Billy Daniel, dance director, who
created the dances in "With a. Song in
My Heart," the picture of the evening.
Rory Calhoun stars in the film and he
was on hand, too.
74
The line of patrons formed at the Majestic three hours before showtime.
BOXOFFICE :: May 3, 1952