Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

K A Y C HE IE jgXHIBITORS on Filmrow this week included Virgil Green and Mrs. Green from Clarence and LaPlata, Mo.; Jack Johnston, McPherson, Kas.; Charles Spainhour, Greensburg, Kas.; R. B. Strickler, Craig, Mo.; Art Pugh, Fredonia, Kas.; E. B. Wright, Norborne, Mo.; Harry Musgrave, Minneapolis and Wamego, Kas.; C. A. Bessier and Mrs. Bessier from Humboldt, Kas.; Howard Meeks, Maysville, Mo.; Mrs. Lena Green, Huntsville, Mo. F. J. Barry, Columbia home office represetitative, is at the local exchange for several weeks. Mrs. Clifford L. Gilles is the vice-president of the Variety Club ladies auxiliary and not Mrs. Clifford L. Dillon as erroneously printed last week. Curley Wilson, Fox Beyer manager at Excelsior Springs, Mo., was reported this week out of the hospital and recuperating from an operation undergone about teji days ago. H. H. “Doc” Barrett of the Ritz is sporting a new Buick. William “Peripatetic” Ber7ifield was off for Denver Tuesday of the week to get Coloradoans into the spirit of “Woman Chases Man.” Fifty persons were at Forty-Hi Club last week to give Ralph Lawler, manager of the Newman, a farewell party before his departure to Toledo, where he will manage the Paramount and Princess for the B. & K. circuit. The group was comprised mostly of theatre staff members, who arranged the party. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Lehman were guests. The long-awaited golf match at $10 a hole between R. W. McEwan of Affiliated Distributors and E. L. Harris of Alexander Film Co. has been definitely set to be played at the Broadmoor golf course in Colorado Springs, Colo., Sunday, June 27. Last Tuesday both signed an agreement in the presence of Boxoffice and Exhibitor Jewell M. Gershon of St. Joseph, so it looks as if the golfers mean real business. Gretchen Brown, secretary to C. A. Schultz at Commonwealth, spent last weekend in the old home town, Brunswick, Mo. — “on Plum Street,” she says; “you know, the one that runs plumb through the town.” Add exhibitors in town: Robert Gorham, Liberty, Horton, Kas.; Ray Cook, Missouri, Maryville, Mo., brother of C. E. “Doc” Cook, who runs the opposition house; M. S. Heath, Plaza, Liberty, Mo. A nosegay to Pox Midwest theatres in Kansas City. They’re doing a “doubles of movie stars” contest this week and next to arouse interest in Colleen Moore’s doll house exhibition at Peck’s store June 4 to 19. Exhibition of the famous creation is in the interests of children’s charity of nine women’s organizations here. Two at a time, Pox houses will conduct elimination contests. Winners of these go on the stage at the Uptown June 3, and will be judged by Colleen, and representatives of the women’s groups. Peck’s is putting up (Continued on next page) Wm.Elson Promoted; Lehman to Newman Kansas City — William Elson, former RKO and Paramount division manager, owner and operator of the Seventh St. at Minneapolis, and since mid-February supervisor of the Mainstreet and Newman here for the two theatre operating companies, has been made managing director of the Mainstreet and Newman. Elson will now make his headquarters here. Since the two first runs have been operating in a pool, which they have since the Pox Midwest pool arrangement with them and the Uptown and Tower ceased functioning this winter, Elson has been headquartering in Minneapolis. Lawrence Lehman, manager of the Mainstreet ever since the house was opened, now goes to the Newman as manager. He replaces Ralph Lawler, who left Monday night for Toledo to take over the B & K Princess and Paramount there. The pool deal gives the Mainstreet and Newman first-run pictures from Paramount, Warner Bros., RKO Radio. K. C. VARIETY CLUB HOSTS 39 ORPHANS Kansas City — Thirty-nine boys and girls from five to 14 years old, whose home is St. John’s Orphanage, Kansas City, Kas., were guests of Variety Club May 21, at a showing of “Penrod & Sam” and “Popeye” and at Variety Clubrooms afterward for ice cream and cookies — and lollypops. Two or three became so engrossed in the feature picture that they screamed for help when the hero was about to lose his life. One lad, completely blind now, enjoyed the show as much as the others, just listening. Sisters Mary Remigia and Maria Theresa came with the children. June Medcalf, who gave the boys a lift as hostess, wanted to adopt a couple of the youngsters, about seven years old, Bobby Jones and Leo Sturm. Helping out were Prank Bowen, Pinton Jones, Arthur Cole, Dick Biechele, George Baker. 400 ATTEND TRADE OPENING OF lOTH ST. Kansas City — Members of the industry — branch managers, and others — theatre men of Greater Kansas City, and other friends of Ed Burgan attended his private opening for the trade May 21 of the rebuilt Tenth Street, Kansas City, Kas. Approximately 400 saw the house at the preview. The theatre is one of three operated in Kansas City, Kas., by Burgan. The house has new seats, new sound, new lobby, new foyer and front, new heating and cooling plant, new floors, walls and ceiling. The house showed to 2,000 when it opened to the public May 23. • DON • “High Fidelity” Says: Hear THE MAGIC VOICE of the SCREEN and Be Convinced of the Best in Sound Turn to Page 25 Don AVIS Telephone HArrison 6953 906 Davidson Bldg — 17th & Main KANSAS CITY, MO. BOXOmCE :: May 29, 1937. 113