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Thor Hauschild, Usher in Davenport As Boy, Now Runs Big Toledo House hrom Mideast Edition TOLEDO—Thor Hauschild, newest addition to the circle of local theatre managers, has been in theatre business all his life and Is not in the least pessimistic about the fMture of motion pictures. Now manager of the 3,400-seat Paramount, largest house in Toledo, Hau.schild said: "Tlie .spirit of showmanship has to be revived and .should percolate through every person in the theatre Thor Hauschild from the janitor up— so that their enthusia.sm for the industry becomes contagious. Everybody connected with show business should get out and sell the business." In line with this belief, Hauschild keeps copies of BOXOFFICE and other film papers in the employes' dre.ssing rooms, and suggests that rather than read a comic book or a magazine, personnel spend some time daily learning about the state of the industry. "This gives the employe an awareness of the importance of the entertainment business in our economic life and a feeling of 'belonging' to that world," he said. AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGNS NEEDED "When television burst into bloom, it caught most exhibitors flatfooted, counting the money coming in. They had fallen out of the habit of going after business," Hauschild said. "That oldtime enthusiasm has to be reborn from the manager down and, though it has been said before, I firmly believe there is nothing wrong with the theatre business that good films and aggressive campaigns won't cure." Hauschild said managers would have to sharpen their campaigns to meet the competition of other forms of entertainment if the industry is to progress. One way is to keep theatres attractive and comfortable, since television forces the theatre to compete with the pleasures of staying at home. "The seats in a theatre .should be just as enticing as those in the living room," he declared. "The theatre should be kept neat and attractive, with the atmosphere as comfortable as good heating, ventilating and air conditioning can make it, and everything should be done to make the patron feel welcome." STARTED IN DA\TNPORT Hauschild got his first job while going to grade .school in Davenport, Iowa. He was only 12 years old, and the duties were to change the one-sheets at a neighborhood theatre and to serve as porter in the evenings in tile men's room. The pay was free admission to the show and since the theatre changed its attraction every day, this did not seem like a bad deal to young Thor. He recalled that those were the days when the exhibitor didn't know what he was going to show until he opened the can of film, which also contained the posters. Wliile going to high school, he got his first paying job, as an extra usher in the Grand Opera House in Davenport. For this he got 25 cents an hour and saw the performances of the stock company from his balcony post. He could thank his brother Clayton for the job. Clayton Hauschild, now living in Texas, was also in the theatre business, with Paramount-Richards in Gulfport, Miss. The next job Thor Hauschild had was in the Capitol, an RKO house in Davenport, working up to relief doorman in the two years he was there. He then crossed the street to the Columbia, operated by A. H. Blank Corp., as service director on the main floor. This was just when sound films were being introduced and the Capitol was the first theatre in Davenport to offer .sound films. MANAGED DAVENPORT GARDEN After he was graduated from high school, he was named manager of the 435-seat Garden Theatre in Davenport, becoming the youngest manager not only in Davenport but in the entire Publix organization. (The Blank circuit had become part of Publix by this time.) He became assistant manager of the Colfax in South Bend, Ind., where his lifelong friend, the late H. L. "Shake" Davidson, was manager. When Davidson became a district manager for Publix, Hauschild was transferred to manage the newly opened Paramount in Steubenville. At the Paramount, one of the employes who worked as secretary and part-time cashier was a girl named Marian Winters. When Davidson introduced her to the new manager, a spark of antagonism was kindled. After Hauschild was there three months, he decided to fire her: he just couldn't get along with her! But about a year later he encountered Miss Winters again, and his response was entirely different. He courted her for three months, and she became Mrs. Hauschild. After their honeymoon in Detroit, he went to the Paramount in Marion, Ind., as manager. WENT BACK TO FARM It was while they were there that the bank holiday was called and in its wake two theatres closed, including the Paramount. The newlyweds, jobless, went back to the farm at Wintersville, near Steubenville. They printed and edited a weekly giveaway tabloid for theatregoers of Steubenville, called the Weekly Screen News. This was financed by theatre and store ads, with all editorial matter about the theatre industry. All the work of getting the ads, writing the copy and preparing the makeup was done on the farm, with Mrs, Hauschild at the typewriter. Finally the clouds lifted and just to get back in the theatre business, Hauschild took a job as backstage doorman in Akron at $18 a week. He was at the Palace, then operated by Monarch Theatres, New York, for two years, going from doorman to treasurer, to assistant manager, to director of publicity, advertising and public relations. From there he returned to the Paramount in Marion, Ind., which was by that time part of the Balaban & Katz operation. After six years in Marion managing the Paramount, he entered the advertising business, and moved to Columbus. He later joined Murphy and Jackson, which had a seven-house circuit in Columbus. He became manager of the Olentangy and the Alhambra and later was promoted to manager of the Uptown and advertising and promotion manager for all seven houses. He joined the Schine Theatre Corp., Gloversville, N. Y., serving for six months as manager of the Strand, Amsterdam, N. Y., then transferring to the Arcade and the State in Cambridge, Md., and staying there for almost four years. From the eastern shore he went to the Piqua in Piqua, Ohio, where he served as manager for four years until joining the Carl Schwyn circuit, which operates the Paramount and State in Toledo, the Maumee in suburban Maumee and several other houses and drive-ins in northwestern Ohio. Hauschild is an accomplished magician and finds this comes in handy for special kid shows where he is billed simply as "Thor." He is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and Dayton Magic club Ring 5, and has performed for numerous church, hospital and children's home groups in the Miami valley area. Another hobby is woodworking, which dovetails nicely with his love of magic, since he builds all his own magic equipment himself. He has also transformed pairs of bronze sheep bells into dinner bells which harmoniously chime in some two-dozen homes of friends throughout the country. HAS FLAIR FOR ART WORK Hauschild has a flair for art work and prepares all the art work for the newspaper ads, designing the borders, doing the printing and laying out the copy. His ability has made the ads for the State, Paramount and Maumee outstanding on the theatre page of the Toledo Blade. He is a devotee of golf and deep-sea fishing. He has a permanent tan, and never wears a hat—winter or summer. His many years in the theatre business have not dimmed his enthusiasm, but he says if he were a circuit owner, he would make a consistent effort to attract young blood to the industry. "Many times I have seen a district manager give too much responsibility to a young man before he was ready for it, thus spoiling a career before it could really be started," Hauschild said. "The problems would be too much for him and he would quit." Hauschild thinks that employes who have a feeling for the theatre and an awareness of exploitation values should be encouraged into activities which will develop this ability. "Too many circuits are not hiring theatremen these days, but rather, somebody who can carry out orders from headquarters," he declared. "A secretary or bookkeeper performs necessary duties, but a theatre manager should be permitted freedom from detail so he can go out and get business and make people aware of the theatre. "We have to go back to the fundamental principle of showmanship, and we also have to train new blood to carry on the industry. Given a consistently good product from the studios, and capable personnel to promote this product, the theatre business should go on to new heights of prosperity," Hauschild predicted. The Mowrys Buy Theatre RIVER FALLS, WIS.—Miner Amusement Co. of Rice Lake sold the Falls Theatre here to Mr. and Mrs. John and Agnes Mowry of Minneapolis, effective June 1. 32 BOXOFFICE June 28, 1952
He Firemen's Ass'n Lists Four S. D. Exhibitors YANKTON, S. D.— The list of exliibilors on the roster of members attending the State Volunteer Firemen's Ass'n fire school indicates that theatremen also are highly civic minded. Among the representatives were these showmen: Merle Burns of Menno, AI Vero of Parkston. EMdie Petrick of Avon and Eddie Metzger of Tyndall. Metzger is in his 40th year on the fire department and has served 30 years as chief. Cecil Noecker, Bob Miller Settling in Northwest SLEEPY EYE, MINN.—Cecil Loecker and his son-in-law, Robert Miller, who have been operating a drive-in at Muskogee, Okla., have sold their business there and will purchase an indoor house in 'Wisconsin or Minnesota, they said. Noecker formerly operated the Pix Theatre here. J. O. Siegel Buys Theatre CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA—J. D. Siegel of Cedar Rapids has reacquired the Town Theatre from the K&L Co. of Des Moines. The house now will be operated strictly as a family theatre, specializing in western films. Children under 12 will be admitted free, when accompanied by their parents, each day except Saturday and Sunday, Siegel said. H. O. Beck Buys Blackstone NEW ROCKFORD, N. D.—H. O. Beck, former owner of the Coast-to-Coast Store in Fargo, has purchased the Blackstone Theatre here from Carl Linberg and took over the operation earlier in June. Beck went to Fargo in 1950 and bought the store, selling out last October. This will be his entry into show business. Melrose Theatre Sold MELROSE, WIS.—The Rose Theatre has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. Rucker to Floyd Hodds of Wisconsin Rapids. The sale includes the Rose cafe. Hodd formerly owned a theatre in Abbottsford, Wis. The Rose was opened by Rucker six years ago. Rucker will continue his theatre decorating business. New Marshallto'wm Manager MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA—Marvin LleweUyn of Nebraska City, Neb., has been named manager of the Strand by Neal Houtz, manager of Consolidated Theatres here. Llewellyn has had 11 years experience in theatre work in Kansas, Missouri, California and Nebraska. In 1941, he worked with Houtz at the Mainstreet in Kansas City. Admission Taxes Decline MINNEAPOLIS — Reflecting the sinking boxoffice, Minnesota federal admission taxes for May declined $16,000 from the corresponding 1951 month. They totaled $371,000, compared to $387,000 for May 1951. The taxes are mainly derived from film theatres. Lake'ville Theatre for Sale LAKE'VILLE. MINN.—This town's only theatre, the State, has been permanently closed by its owner and offered for sale. 'Sell It While It's Hot; Offered As Secret of Butter Corn Sales From Southwest Edition DALLAS—Tlie third regional meeting of the National A.ss'n of Popcorn Manufacturers held in the Adolphus hotel here. con.sldered various theatre promotion problems in connection with conce.s.^lon operations. Di.scusslons Included talks upon the development of hybrid corns, merchandising Ideas at the concession stand, drive-in concession operations, maximum returns from candy stands, the 1951 corn crop acreage, yields and available supply and the 1952 corn crop forecast. The committee responsible for the program, headed by Charles E. Darden, included Ralph W. Thorniley, A. J. Schmitt, J. E. Davis, Glen A. Beard, Dan Lawson, Stormy Meadows, Bob Warner, Fred Han.sen and D. Leon Peavy. Dale Grissom, agronomist in charge of popcorn research at the Texas Research Foundation, Renner, spoke on "Hybrid Popcorn; Its Development and Relationship to Texas Agriculture," and dealt with the problems of the farmer, the part played by the processor and the importance of an improved poppingvolume corn for the distributor. L. M. Rice, local attorney and member of the Variety Club board of directors, discussed "The Distributor's Place in the Concession Field" and told of the many ways popcorn distributors could be of invaluable aid to the retailer. Kendall Way, merchandising manager for Interstate ciixuit, described his circuit's luck with hot buttered popcorn, which has gained customer acceptance in practically every theatre where it is being sold. To successfully sell butter corn, he said, the popcorn should be as hot as possible. If the corn is hot and the butter applied when the sale is made, people do not mind paying an extra dime for it. "Just how much more additional profit can be obtained by .selling butler corn depends almost entirely on the uggres-slveneti*. salesmuiLshlp and enthusiasm of the person .selling " the product urged the theatremen to have their conce.sslons girls use only the word "buttered?" when patrons a»lc for popcorn at the conce.ssloas stand. He said the use of the one word at thcalre.s In hl« circuit had brought splendid resulUs. Joe S. Caffo, merchandlalng manager for Theatre EnterprLses, said that cleanllne.s.s In personnel and area are of first importance In theatre concession operations. He described the TEI plan for standardization of conce.sslons Items and explained that managers are urged to take Into cortslderatlon what they can add In the way of Items without increasing their overhead. Abner Horn, concession manager, Southern Amusement Co., Lake Charles. La., spoke on •Getting Maximum Returns from Concessions Operations." He .said that candy should be displayed in its unit of .selling with dollies and other items to make the display as attractive as possible. F. A. Starr, president of the Jayhawk Popcorn Co., spoke at some length on the problems involved in dealing with the farmers and anticipating certain production figures. He told of problems of processing and storing. Bill Smith, representing the processors, was called upon to give a "1952 Popcorn Crop Forecast." He said that 90 per cent of the crop was harvested within a 60-day period and added that contracting is behind last year's levels. "We have just enough first generation -seed available to plant a normal crop," he said, "but the catch is that much seed Ls in the there Is a shortage hands of the processors, .so of first generation seed. Be certain of your source of seed supply or test It thoroughly. Be very cautious of the type of corn you purchase." Here's Something You've Been Looking For! SENSATIONAL NEW 4-HOLE DRINK CARRIER strong, rigid, flat. Requires no set-up $10 50 folding. All cups fit it. Per Itiousond.. U Hot Dog BAGS Attractively printed, regulor or split side. Sandwich BAGS Handsomely printed, split side or regulor. Paper CUPS Cold or Hot cups. All popular sizes, styles. Combination Cup and Sandwich Tray (above) regular size, per t,000.... Super-size, per 1 .000 $22.50 $1895 HYBRID POPCORN Finest In50-lb. moistur,- colcd cans. Flov-O-Nut SEASONING YellowPop SEASONING Qualitv pt'unuT oil sMth c-L' Popcorn BOXES It'l ond 2-ouncc sues. I I'j oi Automatic Bottoms Popcorn SACKS Complete line, all aza Also pillow type Write for samples and prices NOW For the BEST in service ond mcrctiarxlisc, look to POPPERS SUPPLY COMPANY 114 W ISttl St KOnsos Cit> Mo BOXOFFICE :: June 28, 1952 83
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Meet to touncfi the industry^ tax r
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7 WORLD PREMIERE CONFIRMATION 'IVAN
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% J JA / 5 #'* lirMf mil STARRINT.
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- Billtor: , Mnrris • 1303 îW!
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PUBLIC GETS ITS FIRST LOOK AT EIDOP
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Latia furncr ana ner co-star hernan
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w • w— \\ -w IET"T 'i:ij )!>l '
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^ REAL Ba I* PBm\0 Swinging to new
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Sales Forces to Ask Tax Aid of Thea
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KING TEAR'S ÔFFICE! owners are sho
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^1 , Betty || Profit INotes From I
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€iS is Back' ...and theArmys GotH
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e"...PIentyofSell! Packed with plen
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II A Walter Gould Presentation •
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Baby Sitter Deluxe Gets the Busines
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LETTERS TV Competition in a Small T
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CHESTER FRIEDMAN EDITOR HUGH E. FRA
Page 35 and 36: Gloria Swanson Makes Headlines for
Page 37 and 38: ) Public Relations Week in A Star's
Page 39 and 40: I Paper Sets Precedent And Uses Dis
Page 41 and 42: HOW TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE PINPOINT
Page 43 and 44: .. Albany Grand Is For Fight Teleca
Page 45 and 46: New Attempt to Weaken N. Y. Censor
Page 47 and 48: . . Eddie I luce- ten days we can a
Page 49 and 50: . . T. Cumberland Amuse. Co. Buys T
Page 51 and 52: . . Dorothy PHILADELPHIA Jellied is
Page 53 and 54: NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CE
Page 55 and 56: Jean Simmons' Claim Against RKO in
Page 57 and 58: Protests Postpone 2 Spokane Ozoners
Page 59 and 60: . . The . . Stan . . John . . . . H
Page 61 and 62: I BOXOFTICE Para. Details Plans For
Page 63 and 64: Salute to Eddie Coffee For Kid Show
Page 65 and 66: WB Caravan Dedicates Will Rogers Hi
Page 67 and 68: WB) . . . The . . . The . . John .
Page 69 and 70: SOUTH CAROLINA H-BOMB AREA NOW BOAS
Page 71 and 72: . , Other . . Pat JACKSONVILLE . TJ
Page 73 and 74: . . Judson , . Rose . . . . Bob is
Page 75 and 76: . . Monte Feud Over Premiere Settle
Page 77 and 78: 1,200-Car Twin Airer Opened in Hous
Page 79 and 80: Palace at Dallas Marks 31st Year DA
Page 81 and 82: Epstein Bros. Start Deluxe Omaha Ai
Page 83 and 84: ' . . Janet 'Scaramouche' Takes 130
Page 85: i Sues County Trustees For Drive-In
Page 89 and 90: TV of Big Title Bailie On 3 Detroil
Page 91 and 92: . . Kitty . . Ann Sizzling Cincinna
Page 93 and 94: . . Clarence . . Victor . Atlanta.
Page 95 and 96: . . Frank . . . Howard . . Jimmy .
Page 97 and 98: Two Trustees Named To Cancer Founda
Page 99 and 100: . . Eva . . Jim . . Lou . . Fred .
Page 101: Odeon Managers in Ontario in Head O
Page 104 and 105: . . Ameen . . Myer MONTREAL Cam lof
Page 106 and 107: ; The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY (Contin
Page 108 and 109: REVIEW DIGEST Very Good; • Good;
Page 110 and 111: ; iiK. ! Man I Disc 1 ©Wild 1 Gold
Page 112 and 113: Jnhn I I Brlle ' Jnhn ! Ail.m Kirlu
Page 114 and 115: . 4-28-52 .11-2451 6-16-52 . 10-20-
Page 116 and 117: : ..arly . Who . . Laughs . . Marin
Page 118: i 1600 «^" ê* ^°^ tie* ^" perlc^
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JUNE

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