Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1937)

News in Brief K. C. Kansas Clearance Gains Political Aspect Kansas City — The political implications of the Kansas City, Kas., drive for day and date first runs with Kansas City, Mo., are increasing. With the front page of the Kansan articulating the demands of Kansas City, Kas., exhibitors and city officials, the movement is being carried on at present almost entirely on the political level. From distributors it is understood that no formal outline of Kansas City, Kas., demands ever has been presented; that a committee of the Kansas City, Kas., TOA simply called on exchange managers individually and told them Kansas City, Kas., wanted first runs for the Electric and Granada, and second instead of the present third run for the 10 other Kansas City, Kas., houses. Members of the committee told distributors, it is understood, that they were simply voicing the demands of city officials, business men and other Kansas City Kansans. Chamber of Commerce Brief The Chamber of Commerce, through a part of its directors, several days ago forwarded to Rep. U. S. Guyer, on his request, a seven-page outline of the clearance in Kansas City, Kas., and the desire of the city for first runs. The brief prayed Congress to pass laws or do whatever else was necessary, including the proposed investigation of m. p. distribution practices, to stop "this discrimination.” Guyer is pushing House Resolution 160 which calls for a probe of movie distributor practices in general, and the Kansas City, Kas., situation in particular. Last week the Kansan brought Gov. Walter A. Huxman into the picture. It published a story May 25 relating the "chagrin" of Kansas City, Kas., friends of the governor and his family because Mrs. Huxman and their daughter. Miss Ruth Huxman May 20 had to go to Kansas City, Mo., to see a movie. The governor was making a speech in Kansas City, Kas., and the Kansan story related, his wife and daughter were forced to go to Kansas City, Mo., because the shows in Kansas City, Kas., theatres already had played Topeka, Kas. Records of distributors show that the Electric and Granada programs had not played Topeka, Kas., by May 20, and that the governor’s wife and daughter could not have seen them in Topeka. Since the Kansan published its story about the brief, which stated Milton Feld, president of the Chamber of Commerce, had signed it, Feld has denied the statement. He asserted that he and another director opposed the brief and did not sign it. Would Mean Admission Hike Kansas City, Kas., says it wants first runs in order that visitors will not have to go to Missouri to see pictures, although three weeks ago Mayor Don McCombs took a party of children to Fairyland Park in Kansas Radio Station to Aid First Run Drive Kansas City, Kas. — Beginning Friday, June 4. the Kansan put on the air over its radio station KCKN a \Q-minute program, Monday, Wednesday and Friday which will augment the newspaper's campaign for first runs day and date with Kansas City, Mo. E. E. Horton, radio editor of the Kansan, will broadcast news comment on the city’s campaign for quicker release of pictures, its objective. etc.; will interview prominent locals about the situation; will talk with Kaiisas City, Kas., exhibitor or two about it, and possibly interview “John Q. Public," to find out what he thinks about the city's effort to get first runs. Kansas City, Mo., to entertain them. One observer points to the fact that while Kan.sas City, Kas., says other cities of Kansas, all smaller than it, plays pictures ahead of its own theatres, Wichita, the second largest city in the state, pays more than twice as much for first runs with higher admission prices < the Electric and Granada are tops in Kansas City, Kas., with 25 cents), and Topeka first runs pay almost one-fourth more for first runs. It is said here that Kansas City, Kas., probably could get first runs if its theatres are willing to pay more money, which would very likely necessitate a hike in admissions, by negotiating with national distribution headquarters. KANSAS SALES TAX OMITS ADVERTISING Topeka, Kas. — Because advertising is not "tangible personal property,” the two per cent sales tax in Kansas, which became effective June 1, does not apply. In case an exhibitor wants to send out pamphlets, circulars, and the like, free of charge, he must pay the tax to the printer. The commission has ruled that where these "are distributed free of charge, the one printing the trade publications, advertising pamphlets, circulars, etc., is the seller thereof and must collect the tax.” KMTA Convention Set Kansas City — The annual convention of the Kansas-Missouri Theatres Association is slated for June 22 and 23 at the Kansan Hotel in Topeka, Kas. Further details will be announced next week. ■pED KARATZ of AIR-LOC SEAT INDUSTRIES, INC., attended the Allied Convention at Milwaukee and reports that a most enthusiastic reception was given by exhibitors present to the new model and style of DeLuxe AIR-LOC full-upholstered chair displayed at the convention. Mr. Karatz also states that he received many contracts for chairs from exhibitors there, one of which was from Mr. William Heineman at the Peerless Theatre at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which calls for installation on or about June 10th. * * * AIR-LOC SEAT INDUSTRIES, INC., during the last week received a contract for about 800 DeLuxe AIR-LOC full-upholstered chairs from the Ogliette Brothers for their new theatre at Leechburg, Penn. * ★ ★ Mr. George Rauenhorst has let contract for his new Fulda Theatre which is being constructed at Fulda, Minnesota. Mr. Rauenhorst 's present Crystal Theatre is to be dismantled and made into a store. Mr. Rauenhorst was in Minneapolis during the last week, during which time he contracted with CINEMA SUPPLIES, INC., for all of the necessary equipment for his new Fulda Theatre. The equipment is to consist of new booth equipment as well as deluxe AIR-LOC full-upholstered chairs, new screens, carpets, drapes, etc. Mr. Rauenhorst further states that his new Fulda Theatre is scheduled to be completed in time for opening on or about August 1st. ★ * * Mr. George Nicol announced the opening of the Nashua Theatre at Nashua, Mont., and has let contract with CINEMA SUPPLIES, INC., for complete booth as well as other equipment for his Nashua Theatre, which is scheduled to open to the public on or about June 15th. * * * Approximately forty or more Northwest exhibitors left by train, car and plane to attend the Allied Convention in Milwaukee. Included in this group were Bill Prank and Oscar Woempner of the Franklin Amusement Company, who in addition to attending the convention were also looking for ideas to incorporate in their beautiful new Avalon Theatre in Minneapolis and new State Theatre at Hutchinson, Minn., which are now in the process of construction. The new Avalon Theatre in Minneapolis is scheduled to be completed on or about the 15th of June, and the theatre in Hutchinson about one month later. Both of these DeLuxe theatres will be equipped with AIR-LOC full-upholstered chairs. — Adv. 76 BOXOFFICE :: June 5, 1937.