Boxoffice-Febuary.28.1953

Des Moines Leads 3-D
Switchover in Iowa
DES MOINES—Iowa is getting ready for
three-dimensional films. Already in Des
Moines the equipment is in place at the
Des Msines Theatre and the first 3-D picture.
"Bwana Devil," is scheduled for showing
there on March 5. A new beaded screen,
which will be used with 3-D, has been installed
and is in use at the theatre, where
it serves just as well with conventional pictures.
In Davenport, at least three theatres are
making plans for 3-D. These are the RKO
Orpheum, Capitol and Coronet. James Stopulos,
manager of the Coronet, compares the
present 3-D scramble to the dizzy days of
1927 when the first talkies were coming out.
"Talkies started a revolution in the movies.
There was a tremendous effort to secure
sound apparatus, and that's what is going
on today." he said.
If the Orpheum adopts the curved screen
principle, it will mean the end of stage
shows there. Milt Troehler, manager, said.
"You can't lower and raise a curved screen,"
he said. "It has to be a permanent installation."
Theatre Closing Threat
Stirs Lyons Tradesmen
LYONS, NEB.—Henry Trysla, editor of the
Dakota County Star pointed out in his
column that Lyons "has a problem which has
all Lyons businessmen perplexed."
"The Lyons Theatre is on the verge of
closing its doors," he wrote. "A drop in attendance
has been noticed, blamed primarily
on television."
Trysla quoted Stock Samuelson, editor of
the Lyons Mirror-Sun;
"The problem which faces residents of
Lyons and people within the Lyons trade
territory is the manner in which our theatre
can be supported as it .should be. The value
of such a business is unestimable, not only
because one cannot measure the amusement
and pleasure quotient, but because Lyons
needs the drawing power of a theatre to attract
business."
The Lyons editor cited Hooper, Neb., as an
example. The theatre there closed its doors,
only to have the businessmen find how sorely
they needed it. As a consequence. Hooper's
Chamber of Commerce leased the theatre and
now is operating it satisfactorily.
Partners Plan 350-Car Ozoner
TWO HARBORS. MINN.—Work is expected
to begin in the immediate future on
a new 350-car outdoor theatre to be located
on Highway 61 between T\vo Harbors and
Beaver Bay. Final approvement of the site
by the highway department is needed. J. R.
Powers, Minneapolis, and William Holisky
are partners in the project.
Hosts Town, Block by Block
SHENANDOAH, IOWA—Something different
in the way of theatre parties has been
started here. All residents in certain blocks
are invited by Leon Hoofnagle, manager of
the Page Theatre, to be guests at his theatre
on a certain night. Seats are reserved and
popcorn is served. Before the plan is completed,
the entire town will have been invited.
C. J. Kremer, Stanton, Neb.,
Exhibitor, 69, Is Dead
STANTON. NEB.— C. J. Kremer, 69, widely
known Stanton Theatre owner, died in a
Norfolk hospital of a lingering illness.
C. J. KREMER
Kremer completed 35 years in the theatre
business at Stanton last June. He was prominent
in civic affairs and was well-known as a
sleight-of-hand performer.
He was born in 1884 at Lamar, Mo., received
his education at Alexandria, Mo., and the
University of Nebraska. He was married June
1, 1909, to Mary Willard of Alexandria.
He lived at Hastings and Lincoln before
moving to Stanton to operate the theatre in
1919. He is survived by his wife and sons
Lewis, Wilmington, Del., and the Rev. Willard.
Niagara, N.Y.
Boone, Iowa, Public May
Force Okay on Drive-In
BOONE, IOWA—Consideration of a proposal
by Central States Theatre Corp. to
build a drive-in theatre near here is still
under discu.ssion by the Des Moines township
trustees and interested members of
the community. Several weeks ago the trustees,
by a vote of 2 to 1, refused to grant
a license for the drive-in. Public opinion,
however, seems to be on the side of the
theatre company and pressure is being put
to bear on the two trustees who voted
against granting the license. C. L. Edson, the
lone trustee who cast a favorable vote, continues
to support the plan and says he is
getting phone calls and letters from all
over the county urging the trustees to change
their stand.
It is thought that another vote will be
taken in the near future with a different
outcome this time.
Tribute to Lodge Founder
OMAHA—Members of Henry Monsky lodge
of B'nai B'rith honored the memory of Mrs.
Rosalie Alberts Epstein last week with a
blood donor day at the Red Cross Center.
Mrs. Epstein, who died last month, was the
wife of Jack Epstein, who operates the
Epstein Theatre Co. Mrs. Epstein was a
charter member of B'nal B'rith.
Twin Cities Suburb
Aims at Carnivals
MINNEAPOLIS—Being watched with interest
by suburban exhibitors, and particularly
operators of drive-ins, is a move by
the suburban village of Richfield to curb the
operations of summer carnivals. Traveling
shows have long been a thorn in the side of
exhibitors, most of them set up to appeal particularly
to kid.s—and some of them getting
fees for rides and attractions that the driveins
offer free.
The Richfield village council is considering
an ordinance which it feels would correct
"abuses" stemming from carnivals setting up
in vacant lots.
It would require that one police officer be
assigned to full-time duty on the carnival lot,
his .salary t« be paid by the carnival or its
sponsor.
It would require also that the carnival or
sponsor submit the names of all personnel of
the .show to the police department when the
permit for operation is sought. All carnival
equipment would have to be listed also.
The ordinance finally requires that carnivals
must post a $1,000 bond with the village in
case there are violations of permits.
Richfield Fireman's Relief association told
the carnival the measure would have the effect
of barring carnivals altogether. Carnivals
are frequently sponsored by such organizations
for the purpose of raising funds,
and potential sponsors are among the enemies
of the bill.
If passed in Richfield, where live some
12,000 people, most of whom work in Minneapolis,
the measure would come under scrutiny
also by other, and larger, suburbs, all of
whom have the same sort of problems.
Richfield authorities say that carnivals
create traffic problems, sometimes bring undesirable
personnel into the area, and create
complaints from residents in carnival lot
areas. Theatremen add that they drain off
funds which otherwise might be spent for
theatre tickets.
They also point out that many suburban
theatres are new and expensive operations—
among them the Terrace, famed nationally as
a showplace. All provide more than adequate
parking, are well policed, and the driveins
pay for their own traffic control and have
made friends with their neighbors.
Plan 700-Seat Theatre
DEADWOOD, S. D.—A charter of incorporation
was granted in Pierre recently to
the Phoenix Realty Co., a Deadwood real
estate firm organized with $250,000 capital
stock by George R. Hunter, Edward H.
Rypkema and Dr. Frank S. Howe. A 700-seat
theatre will be built by the company on the
site of the old city hall here.
To Build at Hawarden, Iowa
HAWARDEN. IOWA—Hawarden will have
a drive-in this summer, H. J. Lankhorst jr.
of the Sioux and Comet theatres has announced.
It will have a capacity of 300 cars
with provisions for expanding to 350. The
theatre will be located on Highway 10, two
miles north of town. Work will begin as
soon as the ground is ready for grading.
The Pine-Thomas production, "Sangaree,"
will be edited by Howard Smith for
Paramount release.
BOXOFFICE :: February 28, 1953 NC 79