Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

OKIiLA. ClITY Interstate Circuit Into Arlington and Navasota DITA LITTLE, Guthrie, and Jim O’Donnell, Griffith Theatres assistant manager in Guthrie, will tie in this city on May 3 . . . Air conditioning will be installed in the local Metro film exchange offices . . . Metroites leaving here May 2 for the company’s sales convention in Los Angeles are W. B. Zoellner, J. N. Byrd, H. R. Gaus and Office Manager L. W. Royalty. E. L. Walker, general sales agent for K. Lee Williams Film exchange, is here from Dallas for setieral days . . . Mamie Hursh, luho resigned as information clerk for Paramount, has been succeeded by Nadine Balch . . . Sam Brunk, head Paramount booker, is on the road pinch-hitting for Jack Curry, who is ill .. . In town last week celebrating their second wedding anniversary, were Irwin Tucker and wife. Tucker runs the Sun Theatre, Pauls Valley, Okla. It’s a new Pontiac for Sol Davidson of Oklahoma Theatre Supply . . . And Griffith Booker Lester Gibbs is trying out a new casting rod . . . Lucky’s the word for Prank Love, Griffith construction. He escaped uninjured when his truck turned over on the slick pavement en route from Hominy to Vinita . . . The Ritz Theatre, Hominy, and the Lyric, Vinita, are getting goings over. Proud is Hover Jones, Alva, of his new Oldsmobile . . . Paul Page, K. Lee Williams Film exchange, spent Thursday and Friday in Enid . . . Looking things over at the local Columbia exchange, is Nat Shiren, home office representative . . . ’Tis reported Grand National, United Artists and National Screen are looking around Filmrow for more office space. While 300 patrons filed quietly out and no casualties or injuries were reported, a $150,000 dent in good hard capital was suffered when fire swept through the Ray Theatre, Snyder, and adjoining property reducing the structures to little more than ashes . . . Fires aside, Oklahoma exhibitors are worried just how deeply the popular soft-ball craze will eat into their boxoffice takes, with the rapid approach of warm weather . . . And to top off exhibitors’ worries they let people like Tallulah Bankhead and Nelson Eddy appear in competition to theatre business. Tallulah was here last week in “Reflected Glory” at the Shrine Auditorium. And Eddy, pardon, sang at the Warner Theatre. Exhibitors spotted on the Row: Pat Duffy, Mangum; Malcolm Cook, Okmulgee; D. Buffo and son, Hartshorne; Bill Jensen and the Missus, Maysville; W. T. Henderson and the Better Half, Medford; Waite Kerr, Sulphur; B. L. Smith jr., Quinton; Frank Miller, Marlow; A B. Momand, Shawnee; Mrs. Ella Mohrbacher, Prague; V. Conley, Perryton, Tex.; Harry Holt, Maude, and Ben Terry, Woodward. MAPEL EYES TEXAS FOR SEXER FILMS Dallas — Ed Mapel, who owns three theatres in Denver and who produces sex and exploitation films in Hollywood, has been sizing up the Texas territory and mingling along Elm Street’s theatre row where his picture, “Narcotic,” just finished playing the Capitol. He made “Marihuana,” “Narcotic,” which have been playing in Texas, and also “Forbidden Adventure” and “Motherhood,” which will be brought here soon. Roy Reed has been handling Mapel’s films in this territory, headquartering in Dallas for the past few months. Remodel Gilmer Strand Gilmer, Tex. — C. H. Cox jr., manager of the Strand, has completed the remodeling and decoration of that theatre during which the house was closed down for several days. The walls and ceiling were covered with acoustical board and the lighting altered and the balcony enlarged. PROGRAMS AND HERALDS That Are DIFFERENT Made by the NEW PROCESS AT A PRICE you CAN AFFORD TO USE REGULARLY SEND US YOUR COPY WE DO THE REST TEXAS THEATRICAL PRINTING CO. 2023 JACKSON ST. DALLAS, TEX. In the Heart ol Film Row Dallas — Karl Hoblitzelle’s Interstate circuit has added two smaller towns to its large theatre organization, having acquired Arlington and Navasota. A deal with the Robb & Rowley circuit for three Oak Cliff theatres and a subsequent-run downtown Dallas theatre is understood to be set but not finally closed. Johnnie Miller jr., operator of the Miller and Queen in Navasota, has made a buying and booking deal with Interstate which is said to cover a partnership arrangement with the late Johnnie Miller estate. This transaction was effective on April 24. Irving S. Melcher and associates have sold the Aggie and Texan theatres in Arlington to Interstate, effective May 1. Employes of these houses will be retained, it was reported, with the management being placed with Pierre Levy, Interstate city manager in Ft. Worth. Arlington is practically half way between Dallas and Ft. Worth. Oak Cliff Deal in Balance The much talked R. & R. -Interstate transaction whereby the latter would acquire three Oak Cliff theatres, the 2,500seat Texas, the 1,000-seat Rosewin, the (Continued on page 131) A combination that can't be beat. “U.S.G. WEATHERWOOD” for Correct Acoustical Treatment, Beauty and Economy. POPE & SHAFFER 210 South Harwood Street DALLAS, TEXAS For . , . complete Theatre Buildings, including: DECORATIONS DRAPERIES CARPETS LIGHT FIXTURES MODERN CONSTRUCTION LET US FIGURE THAT NEW THEATRE OR REMODEL THE OLD ONE Suggestive sketches available for your use. No obligations. BLANCO HOUSE NEARS Blanco, Tex.~-A new theatre being built by W. D. Glasscock is well under way and will be ready for opening at an early date. BUFFALO THEATRE EQUIPMENT 315 S. HARWOOD BUFFAlO ENGINEERING CO., INC. DALLAS. TEXAS BOXOFFICE :: May 1, 1937 129