Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

Shown in front of the Plaza Theatre's Wurlitzer are, left to right: Theatre Organ Club publicity director Walt Hanlon, Interstate city manager John Paxton, organist John R. Thomas, and organ maintenance chief Jim Connor. Renovated Mighty Wurlitzer Draws Over 1,000 to Morning Concert at Theatre Over 1,000 enthusiastic listeners applauded heartily to each selection as John R. Thomas made the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ in the Plaza Theatre in El Paso, Tex., sound off on Labor Day morning after many years of silence. This response to the hour and a half concert was effective proof for the Theatre Organ Club of El Paso, which sponsored the event, and the Plaza Theatre management that pipe organs remain a drawing card at theatres. The free concert was scheduled away from movie time so that the management could get an accurate idea on the drawing power of the organ. Despite a concert time of 10 a.m. on Labor Day morning when most local people were out of town, the pipe organ still drew 1,000 persons. CONCESSIONS DO WELL “I was a little afraid to open the concession stand for the event,” said Plaza Manager Bill Chambers, “but even with a morning audience, we were most surprised and pleased to do really excellent business at the stand.” John R. Thomas, who has been playing theatre organs for the last 43 years, starting in Chicago where he played in the Chicago, Marboro and Oriental theatres and many others of the Balaban & Katz circuit, was engaged for the Plaza Theatre concert. Some of his engagements included the Fox Midwest and West Coast theatre circuits; WDAF, Kansas City, from Loew’s Midland; WJR, Detroit, and WLW in Cincinnati. More recently he has appeared on the three Dallas TV outlets, KRLD-TV, WFAA-TV, and WBAP-TV. He has held daily radio shows in Albuquerque and, in El Paso, Thomas was heard weekly on KHMS and KTSM-FM. When asked about the concert, Thomas said; “It was really a blast; the organ sang at its best and the crowd was right with me all the way. I tell you, when the console started down in the pit playing “When Day Is Done” and that tremendous burst of applause rang out and continued for several minutes, I had a lump as big as a Wurlitzer console in my throat.” The Monday morning concert marked the second time that the Plaza Theatre pipe organ was used for a concert since the instrument was restored. It had been used regularly until the beginning of World War II, when organists suddenly were no longer available. It fell into a state of disrepair and remained under cover until 1959, when restoration work was begun by Jim Connor of El Paso. Three years later, with the help of six men who became interested and donated their time and talent along with Asa Booksh, manager of the RKO Orpheum in New Orleans, and Carol Alexander, left, representative for the Alexander Furniture & Appliance store, present a new Frigidaire refrigerator to Mrs. J. E. Manning of Gretna, a New Orleans suburb, first prize winner in Booksh's promoted merchandise giveaway which he arranged for RKO Theatres Salute to Hollywood summer promotion. More than 100,000 coupons with names and addresses were dropped into boxes in the Orpheum Theatre and the Alexander store. An air conditioner, a portable hi-fi and other prizes also were given away. Connor, the organ was readied for public performance. The first organist after the restoration was Dave Schutt, who was seen and heard at the organ every Sunday evening. He left El Paso in 1960, and Don Shearer began playing the Wurlitzer. He has played it every Sunday evening since 1960. This Monday morning show, however, of marked only the second time that the ’ad organ has been used for a concert length program since the restoration. At 10 o’clock sharp, the house lights dimmed, and Thomas came out of the pit at the organ playing a rousing rendition of “There’s No Business Like Show Business.” He began his program with “Bye Bye Blues” and continued with “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “Indian Summer” and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” He played a medley of South American music and a medley of tunes in the style of Jesse Crawford which included “When the Organ Played at Twilight,” “End of a Perfect Day,” “Beloved,” “Indian Love Call,” etc. POSTERS IN MUSIC STORES The Plaza Theatre placed posters announcing the concert in all the music stores in the city a week before the concert. There were radio interviews with the organist over KTSM, KIZZ and KROD, and KROD-TV interviewed Theatre Organ Club publicity director Walt Hanlon during an afternoon program. There was a story and picture in the entertainment section of the El Paso Times a day before the concert. “We did not have to spend anything on advertising,” Bill Chambers said, “because the media felt that the item was genuine news and deserved the publicity.” ^ John Paxton, city manager for Interstate ?p_ Theatres, commented: “We have found our theatre organ to be a wonderful drawing card to the Plaza Theatre.” Here's Copy for Spooker Called Nervo-Rama! Loy Hensley of the Colonial Theatre in Canton, N.C., featured a NERVO-RAMA SPOOK SHOW on a midsummer Friday and Saturday with The Mummy, Blood of the Vampire and Black Museum on the screen. He made up heralds, printed one side on 8y2xl2 V2 color stock. Admission was “only 25 cents ... 50 cents ... 5 full hours.” Copy included: How Much SHOCK Can You Stand — 1 Hour, 2 Hours or 5 Full Hours of Savage Terror Never Before Shown to Mankind or Woman. WE WARN YOU — These Pictures Are In Color . . . The Blood Is Red — The Screams Are Yours. SEE— VINCENT PRICE, PETER CUSHING. SEE . . . MORE HORROR THAN EVER BEFORE . . . YOUR HEART WILL POUND . . . YOUR BLOOD WILL FREEZE. Horrifying . . . Blood Chilling . . . Monstrous. Medical supplies in lobby at all time. Nerve-Shattering Shock! SEE. After seeing This Monsterpiece 5 out of 6 will pull the cover over their head. Ray Sparklin of the Milford (Del.) Theatres sold a two-night benefit showing of “A Summer Place” to the Milford Hospital Student Nurses Club. • :aps School Supplies Given Away -re The Community, Walter Reade-Sterling theatre in Kingston, N. Y., staged a Backto-School matinee on the last Saturday in August. “Free School Supplies for Everyone” was advertised; also fun and prizes, plus Jo-Jo the Clown and screen entertainment. Student Nurses Rental 4 — 160 — BOXOFTICE Showmandiser :: Oct. 7, 1963