Boxoffice-October.07.1968

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GOLD MED.AL—Mary Horine, an
employe of Chakeres Theatres Inc.
since 1943, is presented a gold medal
for her 25 years of service by Phil Chakeres,
president of the circuit. Miss
Horine has been cashier at the Leeds
Theatre for 34 years, beginning when
it was owned by S. I). Lee.
$250,000 Gift Saves
The Warner Theatre
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO — Scheduled
razing of the historic downtown Warner
Theatre was canceled when Mr. and Mrs.
I dward W. Powers donated $250,000 for
the purchase of the theatre, giving the
money to the Youngstown Symphony Society
for the deal. Powers is a senior partner in
Butler, Wick & Co.. a stock brokerage firm.
RK.O Theatres closed the Warner last February
27.
Symphony Society officials said because
of needed repairs to the building, they would
proceed with plans to use the Stambaugh
Auditorium this season, but expected to use
the Warner for the 1969-1970 concert season.
Binama Realty Co.. which has held an
option on the theatre since last April L
planned to demolish the theatre and convert
it into a parking lot. Some of the seats had
already been loosened, but not removed.
The Warner Theatre was built by the
Warner brothers, who lived in Youngstown
before moving to Hollywood and film producing.
Powers said. "The Warner is a beau-
I tifiil showplace for good entertainment. It
seemed a shame to my wife and me that
just
it was going to be torn down."
The Binama Realty Co. had bought the
property from Van Curler Broadcasting
Corp., a subsidiary of Glen Alden Corp.
and RKO Theatres. Tax stamps on the deed
transfer indicated a purchase price of .S181,-
000, not including real estate and legal fees.
William Reardon, an owner in Binama, said
the price paid by the symphony. $246. .SOO.
was in line with the total cost to Binama.
The closed circuit TV and projection equipment
was not included in the purchase price.
Redstone Obtains Permit
For New Construction
DHTROir— Redstone lhc;ilrcs ol HoMoii
has finally secured a permit to build a new
2.5()()-car
twin drive-in complex on the outskirts
of Lansing, Mich.
Plans were announced last tall hut opposition
to the new construction developed and
the governing authorities have only now
okayed the project, according to William
Clark of Clark Theatre Service, film buyer
for Redstone.
The location will he northeast of Lansing
in Meridian Township, at the intersection
of Newton Road and Highway 78.
Extensive Remodeling
For State Theatre
ZANESVILLE, OHIO—The State Theatre
will be extensively remodeled, according
to George Shea, president of Shea Theatre
Corp. in New York. The remodeling is expected
to extend the theatre's life another ten
A new glass-doored front will be tacked
onto the current structure and will lead to
an inside boxofficc. In the longer lobby, updated
with all new wood paneling and new
carpet, will be a modern concession stand.
The installation of a new seating arrangement
with 44 inches between rows will cost
the theatre some 171 seats but result in more
comfort for moviegoers. New seating capacity
for the theatre will be 415.
Manager Dale Tysinger said the State will
have a new booking policy this fall. Longer
runs are planned beginning November 4 with
"Gone With the Wind," which will play four
weeks. Also on tap are "Finian's Rainbow"
and "Dr. Dolittle."
Tysinger. who also manages the Liberty
Theatre, said that when remodeling is completed
on the State a similar program will
he started on the Liberty.
Rivoli and Palace Sold
To Urban Renewal Agency
TOLEDO. OHIO—The Rivoli and Palace
in downtown Toledo, operated by Skirball
Investment Co., Cleveland, for many
years, will show their last features Thursday
(31). The Toledo urban renewal agency has
purchased the two buildings and is taking
over possession on November 1.
Ken Shaw, president of the American
Theatre League of Toledo Inc.. which has
scheduled five stage shows at the Rivoli
between now and March 5, 1969, said urban
renewal officials indicated that the theatre
would be available for them. The ATI. series
includes "Cactus Flower," "The Star-
.Spangled Girl," "The Apple Tree," "Fiddler
on the Roof" and "Black Comedy." Rivoli
has about 1,700 scats.
The Palace is the older of the two houses,
having been built in the 1890s. It was a center
of legitimate offerings for many years.
The Rivoli, built in the early 1920s, was
used primarily as a vaudeville house until
sound films were offered.
Twin Theatre Planned
By Midland Theatres
Nl WARK. OHIO— Midland Theatre (u.
has announced plans to construct an L-
shaped twin theatre on Granville Road.
Conslruclion is to begin shortly and comp
eiion is expected early in 1969.
The $.150,000 theatre will he named
Cinema 1 and 2. The larger auditorium will
seat 750 persons and be used for long run
features, according to R. W. Cannon, manager.
The smaller auditorium will seat 450
persons and be used as an art theatre.
Cannon, who also is manager of the downtown
Midland and Auditorium theatres, said
tentative plans are for the exterior of the
S.OOO square foot structure to be finished in
ledwood. The theatre will have a paved and
lighted parking area for 300 cars in front
and another smaller parking area in the
rear. A large concession area will be located
I elween the two auditoriums.
Mrs. Herbert U. Smith of Marietta is
president of Midland Theatre Co. which also
owns both downtown houses. The theatres
will be operated by Shay Theatre Corp. of
New York.
Interfaith Committee
Names 'Laugh' Films
COLUMBUS—Laughs are needed more
than ever in these tense times, with "happy"
movies playing an important role in giving
patrons "good old-fashioned belly laughs,"
notes the Interfaith Committee for Better
Entertainment in its current bulletin.
The committee reported that film comedies,
particularly those which bridge the
generation gap, have been doing well at the
boxoffice.
A notable example of this type of film is
"Yours, Mine and Ours," said the committee.
Other films in the "happy" category include
"Dr. Dolittle," "The Happiest Millionaire."
"To Sir, With Love," "Thoroughly Modern
Millie," "Never a Dull Moment." "With Six
You Get Eggroll," "Jungle Book," "Around
the World in 80 Days," "The One and Only,
Genuine, Original Family Band," "The
Sound of Music," "The Secret War of Harry
Frigg," "The Odd Couple," "Half a Sixpence,"
"What's So Bad About Feeling
Good?" "For Love of Ivy" and "How Sweet
It Is!"
The bulletin concluded: "In a sermon in
a downtown church recently, the minister
suggested that everyone try to have a good,
old-fashioned belly laugh."
The Wayne Cinema Guild
Opens Fall Film Series
DETROIT—The Wayne Cinema Guild is
opening a fall
series of two-day presentations
of outstanding films at Wayne State University
with "The Collector."
Films to follow include "The 400 Blows,"
"Breathless." "The Bicycle Thief," "Blow-
Up," "The Endless Summer," "Village of the
Damned," "The Maltese Falcon." "Rush to
Judgment," and "Square Root of Zero."
Admission is 50 cents.
IBOXOmCE :: October 7, 1968
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