Boxoffice-April.07.1958

. . . Joe
. . And
Minnesota Showmen
Urged to Fight DST
MINNEAPOLIS— Attenlioii of Minnesota
exhibitors is called by Gilbert Nathanson,
secretary of the business buildins Rroup. to
the battle ahead of them to try to knock out
daylight saving time when the state legislature
next convenes in 1959. Nathanson urges
that exhibitors cultivate then- legislators'
friendship and those organizations which also
oppose fast time in order that a strong united
front can be presented.
"We note in the newspapers that a group
already has been formed to campaign in
favor of DST." Nathanson pointed out.
"These proponents represent a small segment
of selfish individuals who wish to play golf
at the great many's expense, especially at
the expense of those whose investments are
being jeopardized.
"It is difficult to name one business that
is helped by DST. More than ever, however,
it becomes apparent that each and every
Minnesota exhibitor must show his state
representatives and senators the light."
However, the Minneapolis city council last
week unanimously adopted a resolution calling
upon Gov. O. A. Freeman to change his
order terminating DST September 2. nearly
a month earlier than last summer. Tlie aldermen
want it to continue again to September
29. the same as last year.
Also, the Ramsey County (St. Paul) Young
Republic League, meeting last week, adopted
a resolution in favor of DST and KSTP-TV
on its important 10 p.m. newscast seldom fails
to pound away in its favor.
It's being pointed out that the propaganda
boosting DST invariably tries to create the
impression that it's general throughout the
U. S. where actually it prevails in only a few
states.
Twin Cities Downtowners
Oifer Free Parking
MINNEAPOLIS—Free downtown parking
for theatre patrons is becoming more general
in the Twin Cities, putting the Loop first-run
houses on an equal basis in this respect with
the outlying subsequent-run situations.
RKO Theatres, which recently started the
gratis service at the local Orpheum, also
now is offering it for ticket buyers at its
other downtown house here, the Pan, and at
the St. Paul Orpheum. This makes a total
of thi-ee Minneapolis and five St. Paul downtown
first-run theatres to provide the free
parking. The other house here is the independent
400-seat World where it was
started more than a year ago. In St. Paul
the two Minnesota Amusement Co. theatres,
the Orpheum and the independent World
and Strand provide the service. There's still
no free parking downtown at the three
Minneapolis MAC first-run theatres or at
Cinerama's "Search for Paradise" and
Todd's "Around the World in 80 Days" at
the Century and Academy, respectively.
None of
the downtown theatres own their
parking lots, as do most neighborhood houses.
They have aiTangements with nearby parking
lot opei-ators.
OMAHA
irj()n Cuiiipbell, Central City exhibitor, said
farmers in the east central area of the
state are able to navigate out of the mud at
last—but more rain was forecast for the
week . Fred Schuler, Humboldt exhibitor,
observed that belated oats planting
is finally under way in the .southeast sector
Jacobs, Columbia manager for Des
Moines-Omaha, is slowly making pix)gress at
his home after an operation . . . Ray Hudson,
20th-Fox custodian, .said his wife is recovering
from pneumonia, but no thanks to his
cooking. He even burned up the oatmeal.
Sunny skies brought a big contingent of
exhibitors to town: Harold Struve, Deshler
and Hebron: Don Campbell, Central City;
Sonny Thacker and wife. South Sioux City;
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schuler, Humboldt; Oscar
Johnson. Palls City; Howell Roberts. Walioo;
W. W. Austin, Plainview: Jack McCarthy,
Louisville: Charles Thoene, Lyons; Scotty
Raitt, Genoa; lowans Elmer Svendsen, Alta;
Ed Osipowic, Correctionville; Frank Good
and Dick Johnson, Red Oak; Jamie Booth,
Harlan; Bob Miller, Alton.
Ann Schreiber, owner of the Royal Theatre
at Wisner, was reported to be doing
satisfactorily after several weeks' illness with
pneumonia. She planned to reopen her theatre,
shuttered for a couple of months, on
Easter, depending on her condition . . . Opal
Woodson. UA office manager, w^as laid up
with a badly sprained ankle and possibly a
chipped bone. She was injured in a fall at
her home.
Mrs. C. N. Johnson, Red Oak. Iowa, exhibitor,
is really getting around during her
European tour with Dorothy Houghton, Red
Oak resident nationally prominent in women's
affairs. They have been introduced before
royalty in several countries, they had an
audience with the Pope and Mrs. Johnson
wrote her son, Richard, she has even become
fond of snails as served by European chefs.
Quentin Chapman has taken over operation
of the Sidney Theatre at Sidney, Iowa,
from Earl Cowden, an exhibitor there many
years. Film Transports are leading the Filmrow
Bowling League, followed by Renfros
and Boosters. Only about five games separate
the first five teams, with approximately five
weeks of league rolling remaining . . . Regina
Mill re (I. liiiiiier 20th-Fox office manager now
111 , li.iiLT ,,f movies for WOW-TV, and her
si>iii Mai If have moved into a new home.
. . . Bill Barker,
Howard Howell is now the operator of the
Table Rock, Neb., Theatre. The former owner
was Ernest Grundemann
Co-Op Booking Service, hoped to be dismissed
from Lutheran Hospital by the weekend
after an operation.
'Butch' DeFrenne Dies;
In Industry 49 Years
DES MOINES—William F. "Butch" De-
Frenne. who had been in the theatre business
49 years, died of a heart attack here
March 22. DeFrenne, 65, was stricken while
working in his garden at 6808 University
Ave. Services were held March 25.
DeFrenne is survived by his wife Irene;
three .sons. William, Gilbert and Raymond, in
California, and six grandchildren. A native
of Prairie du Rooher, 111., he had lived here
22 years. He was owner of the B&I Booking
Agency and a member of St. Theresa's Holy
Name Society, the Dowling club and Variety.
Butch started as an exhibitor in 1909 and
had been engaged both as an exhibitor and
distributor ever since. Just a few weeks ago.
Butch, who founded the B&I agency in 1949,
announced an expansion program that
included situations in the Omaha exchange
territory.
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POSITION..
Charlton Heston who will have the title i
role in MGM's "Ben Hur" is abroad to begin r
work in the giant film.
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BOXOFFICE AprU 7, 1958 NC-3