JUNE

. . Monte
Feud Over Premiere
Settled in Georgia
ATLANTA—Florida Clmmber of Commerce
officials and Georgia civic and stalt dlRnitaries
this weelc joined the "all-in-fun" feud
over the forthcoming world premiere of 20th-
Fox's "Lure of the Wilderness" in this area
next month.
Gov. Herman Talmadge was made a referee
in the feud between Waycross and Atlanta as
to which city was to get the premiere of the
film, which was made In the Okefenokee
swamp near Waycross. Will Cox, a native of
the swamp, along with Mayor Sam Odum,
called on the chief executive. Cox was armed
with an eight-foot snake, a double-barrel
shotgun and a gallon of swamp water. He
marched into the governor's office, took off
his shoes and propped his feet up on Uie
chief executive's desk.
"We've cum here to git the world premiere
of thet picture," Cox told the governor, "and
we aim to git it."
Talmadge agreed that Waycross deserved
the break on the premiere since the film was
made on location in the swamp. Mayor
Odiun, Cox, Liston Elkins, executive manager
of the Waycross and Ware county Chamber
of Commerce, then called on J. H. Harrison,
executive at Wilby-Kincey Theatres, owners
of the Fox. and placed their demands on his
desk.
Later, the Atlanta and Waycross factions
reached a tentative agreement permitting
Waycross to premiere the film at one minute
after midnight July 17. The Fox Theatre
here would hold its premiere about 20 hours
later at 8 p. m. on July 17. Stars Walter
Brerman, Jean Peters and Jeffrey Hunter will
be flown into Atlanta from Waycross immediately
after the opening there.
Meantime, the Florida Chamber informed
20th-Fox that Florida has "as much right to
the premiere as anyone else.
"After all," Chamber officials said, "there's
more of the swamp in Florida than there is
in Georgia."
Center Theatre Is Sold
KINGSPORT. TENN.—The Center Theatre
has been sold to the Nu-Strand Corp.,
operators of the Strand, Rialto and Gem
theatres here. L. J. Pepper, owner and manager
of the Center will remain in Kingsport
as representative for all four Nu-Strand theatres.
W. A. Tison Sells Dreka Interest
DELAND, FLA.—W. A. "Bill" Tison, for
the past 15 months owner-manager of the
Dreka Theatre, has sold his interest in the
house and will enter the used car business.
Tison has been connected with the Florida
State Theatre chain for a number of years,
and about 15 months ago became part owner
of the Dreka. He will retain his Interest in a
drive-in near Cocoa.
CHARLOTTE THEATRICAL PRINTING CO.
223 West Second Street
Charlotte, N. C.
Carl Lowry Frank Lowry
MIAMI
'plorida Stut«'!t downtown Florida and the
Miiimi Beach Colony offered the .same
film tor the fifth week: "Skirts Ahoy!" . . .
Martha Raye. retuniliig to her Miami Beach
home after a New York visit, sulci .she was
one of the last person-s to .see the late John
Gai-field alive. Garfield had been up to the
apartment of Martha and her husband Nick
Condos at Hamp.shlre House to discuss plans
for his appearance In "Golden Boy" at the
Miami Beach Cumeo, leased by Condos and
Sandy Scott for summer legitimate shows.
When he left the apartment to go to the
Gramercy Park flat where he died he was
in "a very good mood." Mi.ss Raye declared.
She will appear at the Cameo in "Annie Get
Your Gun" beginning July 15.
"Pat and Mike" was a hold-over at the
Olympia. The Flamingo has the Miami Beach
.showing of the same picture . . . The opening
date for live network TV for Miami has
been stepped up one day to June 30, according
to Lee Ruwitch. general manager of
WTVJ. A 30-minute ceremony will precede
the opening, to be presided over by Miami
Mayor Chelsie Senerchia and Mitchell Wolfson.
. Olympia Theatre show regulars who have
missed the music and the loud jackets of
Les Rohde since vaudeville departed will hear
him at the Saturday night public dance at
Bayfront park, first of a summer series.
Rohde will bring his 12-piece band to the
. . Patrons
podium each week. He also has signed for
some television work with his band .
at Claughton's Embassy and Roosevelt
theatres who saw "Lydia Bailey" can see the
cockfight dance "in person" at a local night
club which features the film's Clyde Booker
presenting this specialty.
The Cinema Theatre has adopted a low
summer schedule with a 60-cent top and a
25-cent children . Blue, who took
an active part in the recent Shrine convention
here, was an "in-person" treat to patrons
who had just seen him on screen at the
Lincoln and Town in "Rose of Cimarron."
The Flager was showing "La Bien Pagada"
and "Una Viuda Sin Soten" . . . While in
this city for the Shrine meeting, former
screen star Harold Lloyd confirmed that "a
very attractive offer" has been made him
by Columbia Broadcasting System to supervise
TV comedy, but he hasn't decided whether
or not to accept. He .said CBS wants him to
supervise, direct and narrate a television
comedy program, occasionally playing roles
in it.
Back on the job after a serious automobile
accident is George Bolden. Claughton pub-
. . . "Lydia
licist. Bolden suffered a bad gash close to
one eye, rib and back injuries, but declares he
is "nearly back to normal." Bolden found that
some tie-ins had been made and a campaign
on "Scaramouche" begun. Scheduled to open
within days, a change in plan put off the
opening for two weeks which left time for
some advance ballyhoo. The film will open
at the newly acquired Roosevelt. Miami Beach,
and the downtown Embassy
Bailey" has been playing in three of the
Claughton houses, two first runs and a neighborhood.
In all three, according to the management,
business has been excellent. Lack
(Continued on next page)
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BOXOFFICE June 28, 1952 71