Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1948)

Bob Montgomery Dies In Wichita Falls Home WICHITA FALLS, TEX.— R. B. Montgomery, well-known theatreman, who operated three local theatres during the war years, died at his home following an illness of more than a year. His wife, a sister, a niece and his partner for 30 years. Jack McCollum, were at the bedside. The body was sent to HashBrouck, near Jersey City, N. J., for burial in his native home. McCollum and the close relatives went by plane and were met in Dallas at the airport by a group of Montgomery’s friends, including Chas. E. Darden and wife, Walter Penn and Wallace Walthall. Montgomery and McCollum were partners in a group of Oklahoma towns for many years. Just before the war they began to sell them off. Their best town, Ponca City, went to Griffith Amusement Co. They then moved to Texas at about the time V. E. Hamm had his Texan and Roxy theatres, local grind houses, for sale. The two partners bought the two houses and soon afterward built the de luxe Tower Theatre of more than 1,000 seats. Then the war come and the Tower, because of nearby army camps, was a gold mine for four years. Montgomery and McCollum began buying apartment and resort property in Corpus Christi, both looking to retirement there. After the war boom ended and Montgomery’s illness had set in, they sold their three houses to three men, C. C. Parfet, Dr. Gaylord Schwartz and Garrett Parker. Montgomery visited eastern clinics and underwent treatment in Scott & White hospital in Temple. When he realized his time had come he returned home to be as comfortable as possible to that hour. His last wish was for his wife, sister, niece and McCullom to take a month’s rest away from home and suggested it be in Canada. He was a member of the Variety Club of Texas. New Idabel Lyric Opens IDABEL, OKLA.— B. R. McLendon’s Tristate Theatres, with headquarters in Dallas, opened the new Lyric Theatre here, replacing a house of the same name formerly operated in a rented building. The new Lyric is a B theatre and the State is the A house. New Drive-In at Corpus CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX.— C. A. Richter is building the Texas Drive-In here a short distance from the present and original drivein of the same name, which probably will close when the new one opens in September. Filmack ni GIVES YOU THE BEST VALUE IN SPICIAL TRAILERS I THREE COMPLETELY I EQUIPPED PLANTS Don Cole Relinquishes Franconi Affiliations DALLAS — Severing his connection with various John L. Franconi enterprises, Don Cole has resigned as special representative in Texas for Screen Guild and Oklahoma manager for Favorite Films of Oklahoma. At the same time he has disposed of his stock interests in some affiliated companies in the Franconi set-up. Cole lately underwent surgery in a local hospital. He will recuperate in his home in Oklahoma before he announces further business connections. Modernized Poche Will Reopen in Fall NEW ORLEANS — Irwin Poche, New Orleans No. 1 impresario and operator^ of the Poche Theatre here, has been invited to join the Lambs club of New York. Poche’s membership in the famous club climaxes ten years of bringing the world’s leading footlight personalities to this city. The Poche at 533 Baronne St. is undergoing a $200,000 remodeling job, and will open for the season October 11 with “Oklahoma!” Poche hopes to have organized by that time a group of theatregoers and stockholders in a Poche first nighters organization. Remodeling includes air conditioning and heating, new concrete floor, new chairs, new orchestra pit, now oak stage floor, complete revamping of dressing rooms, new marquee and many other innovations. The Monte Carlo ballet, Blackstone the Magician and Arthur Rubenstein are among the attractions booked, together with five Theatre Guild shows. The theatre will again intersperse its stage attractions with the presentation of J. Arthur Rank motion pictures and some Fine Art films which have not been shown in New Orleans. Included in the motion picture bookings are “Mourning Becomes Electra,” “Hamlet,” “La Traviata,” “L’Elisir D’Amore” and “Macbeth.” Officers of Poche Enterprises, Inc., include Poche, president and managing director; George S. Farnsworth, vice-president; Lawrence M. Williams, treasurer; Frank B. Richardson, secretary, and Marlon J. Green, assistant secretary. REMODELING-DECORATING Drapes — Frames — Lighting Fixtures LOWEST PRICES LUPE ROMERO 4222 Lafayette DALLAS 4, TEX. T-0060 11 » « THEATRE SEAT INSTALLATION 20 years experience — Satisfaction guaranteed. Write or Phone 5327 Johnnie Boutwell Temple, Texas SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY Your Deal Handled Personally 27 years experience We Cover the U. S. Market Arthur Leak Theatre Sales Exclusively 3422 Kinmore Dallas 10, ~ Phone T3-2026 Texas Polio Is High; Theatres Not Hurt DALLAS — One of the worst polio years on record in Texas is coming to a close with theatres feeling less effect from it than in previous years of lower incidence. There was a total of 1,100 cases reported in the state. Hidalgo county had the highest number of cases for any county in the state. Theatres operated by C. A. Richter in that county seat of Edinburg, did not suffer too much after the first public fright wore off within a few days. H. B. Leathers of the Palace in Paducah closed his house for two days when the epidemic hit there, but reopened after businessmen, including himself, pitched in to clean the town spotless and give it a thick spray of DDT. Other small towns that were hit performed in about the same way. Houston and Fort Worth had the highest number of cases for cities, but any slump in receipts was not attributed that that. Three or four years ago the annual polio scare temporarily paralyzed the show business in various parts of the state, but this year polio wards were quickly set up, the National Foundation aides came in to supervise treatments and public excitement was reduced to a minimum. Abbott-Costello Jinxer At Midnight Hits Peak DALLAS — An all-time record for a midnight performance was set here Friday the 13th when the crowd was so great for the advertised Abbott and Costello Jinx show at the Majestic that the Palace, Melba and Tower theatres had to remain open to run the same show to satisfy the oncoming mobs. The picture was their latest, “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.” Recent pictures made by these stars have not done phenomenal business at regular runs downtown in comparison to their earlier releases, but last Friday’s quadruplet performance was the best of its type that Interstate circuit has seen. UNITED THEATRES SERVICE CORPORATION There Is a reason why . . . many large and small eihiJjitors are signing for United buying and booking service. Let us, without obligation give you complete Information, show you how United service and efficiency will perform for your situation. 2nd Floor Film Bldg. Telephones Central 8055— Central 8056 303 S. Harwood St. Dallas, Texas Westerns-Features-Serials Tower Pictures Co. HAROLD SCHWARZ 3021/2 S. Harwood St. Dallas 1. Texas Phones C-7357 and R-3998 BOXOFFICE August 21, 1948 SW 79