Boxoffice-December.20.1952

Texas Trade Leaders
See Year of Progress
(Continued from preceding page)
tion into this new and dynamic method of
screen presentation. A similar period of readjustment
should be anticipated that was
experienced in the change from silent to
sound film."
H. J. Griffith, president of Theatre Enterprises:
"COMPO has demonstrated great
organization in the campaign for elimination
of the 20 per cent federal admission tax.
A successful outcome will mean the salvation
for thousands of theatres and a more stabilized
industry. We must give great credit to
exhibition for presenting the tax problem to
legislators ... it is my personal opinion that
their efforts will be rewarded during the new
year with a 100-cent dollar instead of an
80-cent dollar with which to operate."
Claude Ezell, president of Ezell & Associates
and president of Texas Drive-In Theatre
Owners Ass'n: "Drive-ins are headed for
the most prosperous year in their history.
Since the drive-in operation is totally different
from the conventional theatre, and
caters strictly to the family, drive-ins can be
either an incalculable asset or a menace
to the industry. A few owners can start a
vicious cycle by demanding bid buying and
unreasonable availabilities. Our experience
has proven that availabilities following those
of the conventional houses are singularly more
profitable by virtue of better film buys."
Phil Isley, president of Isley Theatres and
president of Allied Tlieatre Owners of Texas:
"The industry had many problems during
1952, one of which was the government lawsuit
against the major film companies for
release
of current film product for television.
We still insist, let television run its business
and we shall run ours. TV films are
not suited for our theatres, and our pictures
are too detailed for TV. Where it seems advantageous
for us, we shall sell our pictures
by trailers on TV, which has its place in our
society, but let's use it right. From this
inequitable act of the Justice department
has come a greater unification in our ranks
to combat the forces that would compel us
to go out of business by competitively showing
our pictures free."
Julius Gordon, president of Jefferson
Amusement Co.: "I look forward to the newyear
to bring better understanding between
exhibition and distribution. It is high time
that TOA, Allied and other exhibitor organizations
get together with distribution and
once and for all determine a fair and
equitable arbitration setup. The quicker this
can be done, the better."
Henry Reeve, president of Theatre Owners
of Texas: "Surveys conducted by Texas
COMPO in 1952 have indicated that exhibitors
should assume a more positive attitude
in their thinking and actions with regard
to their theatre business. In 1953 we shall
all gain materially by taking an active part
in community activities and associating our
theatre with important civic affairs. We became
.spoiled in the lash war years, and subsequently
it was easy to assume a defeatist
attitude when the going became rough. Indications
point to the fact that good business
can still be obtained with positive thinking,
planning and action."
Paul Short, divisional manager for National
Screen Service and official spokesman for the
executive board of Texas COMPO: "Pi-osperity
is derived from unity, confidence and
faith in the future.
Unity has been achieved
by intelligent thinking, planning and a
mutual understanding among ourselves resulting
in the many successful projects that
have emanated from Texas COMPO.
"Among some of the major accomplishments
have been the Texas COMPO conference,
the Movietime, star tours, the tax
repeal campaign, extensive research, the 'incentive
selling program,' the speakers bureau
activity and other special event.s, all of
which have served to build
confidence in our
efforts for the coming year. If we fail to
made 1953 the best year financially and
spiritually, then we will have dissipated our
vast facilities and talents."
Dallas Variety Barkers
Dine With 80 at Ranch
(Continued from preceding pagei
our other boys to feel this is home, and it is
good to have them back for Christmas."
He introduced Joe Bagby, fine football
START SALES POPPING
Louis Charninsky dressed as Santa
Glaus distributed the gifts to the boys at
Boys Ranch.
CQUIPMENT DISPLAY SAllS
WAREHOUSES
AJiO(l«IE0 W««tHOU$l, IJ09 tomm.r,., Mou.lon
HOUSTON— 1?09 Commmf
OKIA. IHI«I«f SUPPLY to.. 6J9 W. C.ond, Oklo. Cily
BEAUMONT— SSO Main Slr««l
iOUIHEASIKN fOUIPMtHI CO., ?14 S. L,b,,l,, K., 0,(.o„>
LUBBOCK— I40S Avrnur A
SAN ANTONIO-Mpfchonts and Florel
player, who made All-State, Emmitt Herod,
and Robert Leonard, who is going to Baylor
university. The football team, which finished
second in the district, was caUed upon to
stand.
The large chorus of boys, directed by Mary
Adelia Current, then sang "Walking in the
Winter Wonderland," "O Night Divine." and
"Silent Night."
Then followed the highlight of the evening,
the presentation of gifts to the delighted and
thankful boys. The Fort Worth St.ar-Telegram
presented a beautiful set of Encyclopedia
Brittanica to the ranch.
'Bwana Devil' Due to Open
At N. O. Saenger January
NEW ORLEANS— "Bwana Devil," the
three-dimensional film that has created a
sensation on the coast, is scheduled to open
at the Saenger Theatre the latter part of
January, according to Gaston J, Dureau jr.,
president and general manager of Paramount
Gulf Theatres, Inc. The circuit will piny the
picture in 20 other cities later. Holland M.
Smith, manager of the Saenger, is already at
work on plans for a big premiere.
i'
74
BOXOFFICE December 27, 1952