Boxoffice_May.09.1960

As
. . June
. . Norm
Francis Barr Named EL PASO
Ad-Publicily Chief
DALLAS—Francis Barr has been appointed
director of advertising and publicity
for Interstate Circuit, Inc., and Texas
Frank O. Starz, left, who is retiring
as advertising-publicity director for
Interstate, and Francis Barr, who is
succeeding to the position.
Consolidated Theatres, to succeed Frank
O. Starz, who becomes advertising and
publicity director emeritus.
Announcement of the change, effective
May 1, was made jointly by Raymond
Willie, vice-president and general manager
of Interstate, and W. E. Mitchell, who
holds the same position with Consolidated.
Starz, who has been in charge of the
department for 37 years, will function in
an advisory capacity for the theatres and
handle public relations activities. Barr,
with Interstate 27 years, has been Starz'
assistant the last six years.
A former newspaperman, Starz was first
with Associated Press and United Press in
middle west bm-eaus. He first worked in
Texas in Beaimiont and later in Austin,
where he joined Interstate in 1923.
Barr's first
job with Interstate began at
the age of 17 as an usher at the Capitol
Theatre here. He moved through the ranks
from chief of service to assistant manager,
assistant city manager and publicist for all
Interstate theatres in Dallas.
Gordon Bigham, Exhibitor
At Holland, Tex.. Dies
HOLLAND, TEX.—Gordon Bigham, 64,
died Friday night (April 29) in Temple
following a heart attack. Bigham was
born in Ovilla and made his home in Holland
for the last 25 years, where he owned
and operated a theatre for the last ten
years and drove a bus for the Holland
school system. He was a sports enthusiast
and on each trip to Filmrow he discussed
all the athletic events of his school and
southwest conference games. Survivors
include his wife: two sons, Lt. Com. R. G.
Bigham jr., Washington, D. C, and Asa W.
Bigham of Irving, and three sisters.
JonnAO^
BOONTON, N. J.
Jnterstate's State, managed by Al Miledi,
played host to just about every child
in the area during the double billing of
Columbia's "Barefoot Mailman" and "My
'
Dog. Buddy. an added attraction.
Charles P. "Chuck" Eisenmann and his
stage pals, three well-trained German
Shepherd dogs, were scheduled on a fourtimes-daily
basis. Each stage presentation,
running 30 minutes, featured "London."
the wonder dog, as he is seen in the film.
"Chuck" commented on the dogs in this
manner: "London" is an intellectual dog,
and being so will do what he is told, rather
than having to be shown. However,
"Thorn" and "Toro" are habitual animals
and they have to be shown before they
can execute a command. At completion of
this engagement. "Chuck" will take his
dogs directly to Hollywood to begin shooting
"Marks of Distinction." One of the
pictures on the twin filmfare, "My Dog,
Buddy," is a 100 per cent made-in-Texas
release, having been photographed in and
around Dallas. It is a production of B. R.
and Gordon McLendon.
Jill Corey and Chill Wills were guests
at the opening of the new Thunderbird
Bowling Lanes, April 30 and May 1. Miss
Corey is well-known through her recordings,
radio and television appearances, and
more recently as a motion pictm-e actress,
her initial effort being "Senior Prom."
Wills, a Texas boy from Seagoville, started
in show business with a guitar and a
couple of jokes in a medicine show. He
later went into vaudeville, night clubs and
finally came into his own as an actor.
Wills recently finished "The Alamo" for
John Wayne's Batjac Productions, shot on
location at Brackettville. The film will be
released in October.
Two screen dignitaries, Jane Fonda and
Frank Sinatra, stopped briefly at El Paso's
International Airport . 17 has been
declared "Ben-Hur Day" in Santa Fe,
N. M.. with a special showing of the Oscarwinning
epic. On display will be the chair
in which Lew Wallace, territorial governor
of New Mexico, 1878-1881. sat while he
wrote part of the novel on which the film
is based.
Pfe. Michael Bush, son of Floyd W. Bush,
local 153 projectionist, in penning his
father from Ingrandes, France, says the
Large Core
Greater Crater Area
mmom
MAXIMUM LIGHT
JIMBO'S CHILI
country Is beautiful and he is enjoying his
stay.
Mr. and Mrs. Clayton M. Garrett shuttered
their Yandell Theatre April 25 after
operating at a loss for several months. A
policy of playing foreign-made pictures at
one time was quite successful and was
patronized largely by Texas Western College
students. The house was advertised
for sale in local newspapers, but without
avail. M. J. Birdwell. owner of the El Paso
Theatre Equipment Co.. purchased the entire
projection room equipment.
Gordon Jones sr., projectionist at the
State Theatre, is on his annual vacation
Levinson, headquartered at Dallas,
spent a few days here conferring and
visiting with Bill Bohling, Ellanay manager.
Levinson is general manager of
Trans-Texas Theatres.
WGA Election May 19
HOLLYWOOD—The election of new
board members will highlight the annual
meeting of the Writers Guild of America
West May 19 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Four new board members of the screen
branch and four board members of the
television-radio branch will be elected.
OUTDOOR SCREENS
with
DEEPLIGHT
the new 'big picture' sensation
• Twice the brightness (actual readings)
• Sharper—Equals 30% increase In screen size
• Constant 'Peal(' performatKe—Guaranteed
Recommended
by:
'lire .\lliaiioe -Amusement Company, Spiros Papas, Pres.
Tile Kcra.scite« Circuit. George Kerasotes. President.
The Northeast Circuit. E S. Redstone, Director—otliers
Slior 'rhe;itre.s, Pete Palazzola, Pres. and others.
Test it yourself on your own screen
$1 Sample Test Kit Postpaid—$e