The Exhibitor (Aug-Nov 1948)

NT-4 THE EXHI BITOR seven to five cents, and also allows a discount of one and one-half per cent for prompt payment of all taxes due from July 1, 1948. Crescent, on its part, agreed to pay the back tax which started on Oct. 1, 1947. The circuit court had previously upheld the city’s right to levy the tax. MIAMI Wometco Theatres announced that it will build three modern drive-ins. Work has begun on the Tropicaire Drive-In, located in the southwest section of greater Miami, west of Coral Gables, and is being constructed by W. L. McComas, Miami Beach, andWood Kirkpatrick, Miami. The site consists of approximately 13 acres of level land at the northwest corner of Bird and Palmetto Roads. A heavy duty mesh or chain link fence will surround the grounds, which will be lined with hedges and tropical vines, thus getting away from the more conventional board or solid fence. The grounds will be lavishly landscaped to give the ap¬ pearance of a park. Construction on the project, estimated to cost more than $150,000, will be rushed. The Tropicaire is said to be the first drive-in to be built in the Miami area since the old Miami Drive-In, owned by E.M. Loew, was built about 10 years ago. Another drive-in, which started almost at the same time as the McComas-Kirkpatrick project, is being erected by Wometco about 10 miles north of the city. TAVARES The Lake opened with impressive ceremonies at which Mayor E. Irving Burleigh spoke with Mrs. C.B. Tradway, president. Chamber of Commerce; County Judge A.S. Herlong, Jr., and Hugh G. Martin, Sr. , M and M Theatres. Karl Lehmann, secretary. Lake County Chamber of Commerce, was emcee. Manager of the Lake is Bill Stevens. Bill ,P. Cumbaa is district manager for M. and M in Central Florida, with offices in Lees¬ burg. Georgia HAWK I NSV I LLE The new Thompson, which opened on Aug, 9, is the largest in the well known Martin and Thompson group of theatres, and one of the most beauti R. F. Branon, RKO' s Charlotte branch manager, recently received a plaq^ue from vice-president Robert Mochrie, right, after the exchange copped fourth j)lace in the company's 1948 Ned Depinet Drive competition. ful houses in the state. The magnifi¬ cent new house has risen from the ashes of the old Princess, which was destroyed by fire more than a year ago. It was the wish of the late Roy Martin, Sr., Columbus, Ga. , that this house be named in honor of his part¬ ner, J.H. Thompson, who has contributed so much to the success of the theatres that are located throughout the state and who served so loyally as president. The city commission declared Aug. 9 a legal holiday, and flags lined the streets of the business section. Ap¬ proximately 100 motion picture execu¬ tives from Georgia, Alabama, and Loui¬ siana were present for the opening, which took place in the evening, L.H. Browning acting as master of cere¬ monies. Following the opening program, a buffet supper was held at the beau¬ tiful home of Mr, and Mrs. J.H. Thomp¬ son, with the visiting film executives, the city commission, and representa¬ tives of local organizations as guests. South Carolina LAURENS Paul C. Posey has opened his new Harlem for colored patronage. ... Jack D. Davis has opened a new drive-in. Tennessee CHATTANOOGA The Brainerd, 1,000 seat house in the Brainerd business and residential district, was officially opened on Aug 4 with features designed for the entertainment and convenience of children as well as adults. The newhouse, first in-door theatre in the 40,000-resident Brainerd area, is operated by Independent Theatres. Organized 35 years ago. Independent Theatres now operates 10 hoilses, the Capitol,. Riviera, Park, American, Cameo, and Brainerd, Chattanooga; Ritz, Rossville, Ga. , Rivoli, East Chattanooga; Park,.Trion, Ga. , and Liberty, Chickamauga, Ga. Abe Solomon is president; Jay Sadow, vice-presi¬ dent, and Jay Solomon, secretary. Even babies were remembered in the planning of the new Brainerd, which has a special “cry room” for 15 mothers and their babes-in-arms. The "cry room” opens off the ladies lounge and rest room, and free diaper service is provided. A private party room, seat¬ ing 24 persons, supplements the “cry room” on the second floor. Parties will be catered to by the theatre, and refreshments will be served. Youngsters have their own special drinking fountain, only 22 inches from the floor. The outer lobby has mirrored walls and chartreuse leather wall seats, with green plants in builtin flower beds. Patrons will be served coffee “on the house”) while waiting to enter or leave the theatre. The inner lobby features red leather wall seats and a modern candy and popcorn bar in addition to a soft-drink, machine which serves its product in paper cups. The completely fire-proof building has an adjoining lot to ac¬ commodate 200 automobiles. Direct news broadcasts from WAGC’ s Associated Press wires will be presented each evening. Miss Helen Plemmons, manager, Capitol, downtown Chattanooga, for the past six years, manages the new air-conditioned Brainerd. Gill and Bianculli was the architectural firm for this city’ s newest and most modern theatre, while Collins and Hobbs served as general contractor. LOUDEN The Lake closed due to poor business. JOHNSON CITY George Deavours, former manager. State, Kingsport, Tenn. , moved over as manager, the Liberty, succeeding Louis Hamly, who resigned. A.B. Covey, who has been city manager for WilbyKincey Theatres, Kingsport, succeeded Deavours as manager. State, Kingsport. Tampa, Fla,, will never forget Universal-International's "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid'' after the sensational bit promotion by manager Elmer W, Hecht, Park. Hecht arranged for a 16-year-old "mermaid" from Weekiwachee Spring, Mary Ann Zeigler, to don special fins, which cost U-I $20,000, and glide about in a portable water tank in front of the local Court House as the citizenry watched in amazement. Also present was Nancy Tribble, who doubled for Ann Blyth in some of the film's water sequences. The shots from left to right showt Miss Zeigler perched atop the tank, being carried from the tank after an aquatic performance, and Misses Tribble and Zeigler chatting with onlookers. August 18, 1948