Boxoffice-April.07.1958

I Continued
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114 THEATRES RELIT SINCE JAN. 1;
MANY UPDATED FOR OPENINGS
58.214 Seats Are Added
For Movie Patronage;
29 States Involved
By PHIL HANNUM
KANSAS CITY—Theatre investors, encouraged
by the steady flow of better product
since last Christmas, reopened longclosed
indoor theatres from Maine to California
during the first quarter of this year
at the rate of better than one a day.
230,000 SEATS AT THAT PACE
BOXOPFICE correspondents reported the
relighting of 114 conventional theatres in
29 states in the 90-day period ending March
31, retm-ning a combined capacity of 58,214
seats to active industry service. If this reopening
pace is maintained, it could mean the
recovery by exhibition of around 230,000 seats
in now shuttered theatres by the end of
this
year.
The reopenings were realistic displays of
confidence by 87 independent investors and
21 cii'cuits that motion pictm'e exhibitors are
moving rapidly into an era of more profitable
operation as big pictures come along regularly.
The remaining six theatres opened in the
year's first quarter were being backed by
community sei-vice groups in small towns
which had suffered tlu-ough a theatreless
period long enough to become fully aware
how vital a motion picture theatre is to a
town's economic and social health.
In Massena, N. Y.. the Schine circuit reopened
its luxuriously updated Massena Theatre
with a booking schedule typical of those
encoui-aging investors to put their money in
exhibition enterprises. The Massena's opening
feature was "A Farewell to Arms," to be
followed by such attractions as "The Sheepman,"
"Merry Andrew," "The Brothers Karamazov,"
"The Young Lions," and "The
Bridge on the River Kwai."
TOP RENOVATING JOBS
With the boxoffice appeal of such pictures
promising a prompt, steady return on money
invested in theatre property, independent
operators and ciixuits were going in heavily
for front-to-back renovations of the darkened
house prior to inviting patrons back for
the brilliant, exciting new era in motion
picture entertainment. New carpeting, allnew
seating, air conditioning, expanded concessions
areas, larger, better screens, updated
boxoffices and glass and aluminum fronts
were items mentioned in nearly every reopening
story printed dm-ing the quarter. New
booth equipment, remodeled auditoriums, redesigned
stage areas, new drapes, redecora-
Uon of foyer, lobbies, lounges and theatre exteriors
were the magic touches converting
many drab, long-neglected properties into
showplaces attractive in their own right.
Big city first-run situations, such as the
Boston Copley, which was converted into
the luxurious Capri, and the Tulsa Rialto
were among theatres relighting in the sui-vey
period. In Chicago, the 2,000-seat Pantheon
on page 14)
BOXOFFICE April 7, 1958
Theatres Reopened During First Quarter of 1958
Following is a state-by-state tabulation ot mtloor
theatres reported reopening by BOXOFFICE correspondents
in the first quarter, 1958, with name of
owner or operators:
ALABAMA
Foyette—Fay, Mrs. Sam Ewing sr. and Som Ewing )r.
Frisco City— Frisco, McLendon Thcotres.
Wctumpko—Cooso, James R. Holley.
ARKANSAS
Crumrod—Ferguson, R. P, Beith.
De Witt— New, Ray Wilson, owner.
DierkS'— Pines, E. K. Holder, owner.
Leponto—Strand, W. C. Sumpter.
North Little Rock—Ju-Roy, leased by Robert A.
Kroft, closed since last May.
Rector—Ford, Tom F. Ford, owner,
Yetlville—Theatre reopened by T. A. Roy, February I
CALtFORNIA
Antioch—El Campanil, George Stomm, owner.
Dinubo— State, 1,400 seats, Lippert Theatres, acquired
from George Mann Theatres.
Yucoipa—Yucoipa, W. R. Alford, manager.
CONNECTICUT
Glostonbury—Glastonbury, Mario Aronne, owner. Has
been closed five yeors.
Middletown—Capitol, Capitol Operating Co.
Cove
ILLINOIS
in Rock—Ohio, 290 seats, Tom Partoin, new
owner; remodeled.
Chicago-—Garden, F. Grappio, owner.
Chicago— 'Pantheon, 2,000-seat house; Solomon Klein.
Chrisman—Empire, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley R. Kent;
dark since Nov. 2, 1957.
Eureka—Eureka, local citizens group, reopened on
six-month trial bosis.
Moweaqua—Lyric, W. F. Miller, owner.
Oglesby—Times, Mr. and Mrs. Potocnik.
Rockford—^Auburn, J. J. McForland Theatres.
Warren—Warren, Herman KripF>endorf, owner; house
was closed Nov. 20, 1957.
INDIANA
Albion—Albion, Ted Frymier.
Columbia City—Columbia, John Hancock jr. and
Robert Walker, after complete redecoration; closed
since Nov. 1 , 1 957.
Greensburg—Tree, W. F. Easley, owner.
Kewanna— Key, Joe McPherson, closed Nov. 28, 1957.
IOWA
Anthon—Stor, Cy Schulte.
Correctionville—Ritz, Eddie Osipowicz, manager, representing
local merchants; closed since Aug. 1 957.
Creston^Strand, 800 seats. Commonwealth Theatres,
of>ened after complete renovation.
Des Moines—Upton Film Art Center, Tri-Stotes Theatre
Corp.; closed in January 1957.
Hartley—Capitol, Jim Travis.
Mallard—^Mallard; Mallard Commercial Club selling
tickets to help promote patronage.
Sidney—Sidney Theatre.
Traer—Eddie Molino reopened theatre with backing
of local Commerciol Club.
West Union—Avalon; C. W. Grimes, banker, and
Donald Stoessel, oil dealer, new owners.
Barlow— Lyndel,
KENTUCKY
410 seats, C. D. Jor>es.
LOUISIANA
Baton Rouge—McKinley, Bijou Amusement Co.
Franklinton— Hollywood, Edword Eagle; dark one yeor.
Many—Many, Southern Amusement Co.
Patterson—Arcade, Burke Saucier, on lease from
owner Aubrey Lasseigne.
Eastport—Wilbur,
MAINE
Mrs. Mar)orie Nutt, closed since
Nov. 30, 1957.
Lubec— Lubec, Ronald Warren, closed since Nov. 1957.
Madison— 'State, William Staples, Winslow,
Princeton—
manager.
Lakeview, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus McDowell.
MARYLAND
Easton— Avolon, updoted by new owners, A. Bowdle
Highley and Douglos Honks.
Easton—Easton, Elmer Fox; theatre had been closed
frequently in last three yeors.
St. Michaels—Miles; bought by West Tolbot Improvement
Ass'n from Schine circuit.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston—Capri, formerly the Copley Theotre, reopened
by Benjomin Sack os downtown first run.
Holyoke—^Mojestic, Henry Turcotte.
MICHIGAN
Chelsea— Sylvon, Dillom Wolverton.
Coopcrsville—Century, Eleorv>r McGinnis.
Detroit— 'Priscilla, Joseph Worford.
Detroit—Victory, E. B. Dudley.
Flint—Capitol.
Goylord—^aylord, W. James Olson.
Houghton Lake— Pine, W. James Olson
Port Huron—Riviero, Michoel Chargot, who had been
out of exhibition several yeors.
Soginow—Court, Ed Johnson.
St. Charles— Roxy, James Longston, new owner.
St. Clair Shores—Loke (former Lokeview), Floyd and
Waunetto Chrysler, closed four years ogo.
Swartz Creek—Creek, 400 seats, Art Sills.
Three Oaks—Three Oaks, Fred McGroth, owner.
MINNESOTA
Hoyticld— -Hoyfield Theatre.
Lake City— Loke Theatre
MISSISSIPPI
Colhoun City—Mart, J. M. Mounger.
Cleveland—Joy Theotre.
Glostcr— J. J. Warren, reopened on 90-doy trial.
Jackson—Alamo, Orkin Bro^.
Liberty— Liberty Theatre, W. A. Rotchff.
State Line—Stoteline, H. C. Auvil.
MISSOURI
Bonne Terre—Odeon, 600 seats, Edwards and Plumlee.
Campbell—^Missouri, J. B. Horper; closed in January
without any prospects of reopening.
Lilbourn—Rex Theatre.
Overland— Holiday, Dick Fitzmaurice and associates.
Union Stor—Star, Mr. and Mrs. Don Thompson.
Wellsville—^Regol, 375 seats. Burton W. Smith; dork
since March 1956.
MONTANA
Missoula—Campus, George Lourbis.
NEBRASKA
Humphrey—Coronodo; C. J. Wittier bought equipment
from John Preston; operating in cooperation
with members of Lions Club.
NEW YORK
Schenectady—Colony, Nicholas Pol lotto.
Syracuse—Cinema, Morry Slotnick; formerly the
Astor.
Woylond—Legion, Legion Community Center, Inc., as
community service.
OHIO
Edgerton—Chorve, Rhys Cook and Richard Beals.
Hubbard—Charles and Robert Brown.
Swonton—LaFrance, Mr. and Mrs. Carrol Harris.
Whitehouse—Town, Mr. and Mrs. Carrol Horns; theotre
hod been closed five yeors.
OKLAHOMA
Crescent—Ritz, Crescent Amusement Co.
Rush Springs—^Ritz, T. E. Hutchens.
Tulsa— Rialto, 1,080 seats, R. Vernon McGinnis, os
downtown first-run theatre; closed since Oct. 1957.
Yale—^Rex, Mr. and Mrs. George Lederer.
OREGON
Portland— -Academy, Fred J. Tenny, new owner; theatre
remodeled.
PENNSYLVANIA
Apollo—Strand, John Oglietti.
Bristol—GrorxJ, Barney Sockett, foreign film px>Iicy.
Conemaugh—Town and Country, formerly the Pervi
Theatre, Joe Averi.
Phoenixville— Phoenix, Lewen Pizor.
Punxsutowney—Alpine, Stanley Worner Corp.
Punxsutowney—Jefferson, Stanley Worrier Manogement
Corp.; renovated and reopened after local
theatre tax was repealed.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Sioux Falls— Strand, former Granada, Morris K. Olsen.
White—White Theatre.
TENNESSEE
Dresden—Uptown, W. O. Taylor, owner.
Elizobethton—^Betsy,
Kingsport—
S«vier Theatres.
Fox, H. H. Allsbrook and Thomos Assold;
closed about one yeor.
TEXAS
Miami— -Miami, R. B. Carson, weekend operation.
WASHINGTON
Lynden— Liberty, Mr. and Mrs. William Cory, Susmon,
owners; theatre closed sirKe August 1956.
WEST VIRGINIA
Huntington— -Waco, William Venture.
Keystone—Keystone Theatre.
WISCONSIN
Barron—Majestic, Charles Stokke and Robert St.
Vincent, lessee.
Crondon— -Crondon, RicKord Coriwoy; theotre closed
last fall.
Green Bay Vic, former Orpheum, Victor McCormick,
owner.
Princeton Princeton, Princeton Theotre Corp.
South Milwaukee—Grand, reopened as G&W Heorts
Theatre, featuring ort films.
Thorp—^Ttiorp, Frank Kirxjs, closed "permanently"
January 21
Woupun---C lassie, Marcus Theotres, new owrwr.
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