Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1945)

R. P. Dawson Directs Fleet Film Office MEMPHIS — Lieut. R. P. Dawson, an official at Universal here before entering the R. P. DAWSON service, is back at the job as a film distributing official, but he has branched out. Instead of the midsouth as his “trade field,” he now has the entire Pacific. Lieutenant Dawson has been assigned as officer in charge of the fleet film exchange at San Francisco. The navy obtains more than 300 pictures a year, including all A films. More than 20 copies of each film are distributed by ship and plane to the fleet and its island bases. This big job is “right up his alley,” he admts. Dawson has just returned from two years service in the central Pacific war zone. His new job requires offices on Filmrow in San Francisco. Having been overseas himself he knows first hand how the American sailor aboard ship or stationed on one of those tiny, isolated islands looks to nightfall and the movies. Some 30 circuits have been set up in the islands, all working in collaboration with the ships so that a troop or warship arriving in the Philippines, for instance, can “trade in” the films they have exhibited en route. Dawson, a graduate of Georgia Tech, class of 1930, operates one of the largest film exchanges in the world. Women's Council for Peace Views "Watchtower" Film NEW ORLEANS — The first of a series of bimonthly movie discussion meetings was held here June 13 at the Rabouin School, under auspices of the New Orleans council of the Women’s Action Committee for Victory and Lasting Peace. The photoplayshown was “Watchtower Over Tomorrow.” Dr. Vernon X. Miller, dean of the law school of Loyola University, reported on the progress of the San Francisco conference. Mrs. Joseph Friend, chairman of the coun-„ cil, said the meetings are being conducted “to prevent eight senators from again balking the will of the American people to join with the other nations of the earth to set up international law with power to enforce it.” Flames From Film Fatal to Booth Man COVINGTON, OKLA.— R. T. Scott, 30, died in an Enid hospital of burns received Tuesday night (5) when motion picture film ignited in the projection room of the local theatre where he was projectionist. Scott, son of the Rev. L. L. Scott, Baptist pastor here, suffered the fatal burns in attempting to put out the flames, which subsequently were extinguished by firemen. There was no damage to projection equipment. Third Civic Office For Lamar Swift MACON, GA. — Lamar Swift, city manager of the five Lucas and Jenkins theatres here, recently was elected to the board of directors of the Boys’ Club of Macon. This is the third civic office assumed by the theatre executive within the past month. Swift recently was elected president of the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the public relations committee for the Macon Chamber of Commerce, separate organization. He is the only theatre man to be named to the directorate of the boys’ Club which is made up of local business and professional men interested in juvenile welfare. Complete Plans for Theatre ST. STEPHEN, S. C.— Plans have been completed for a new 360-seat theatre to be built here by W. S. Funk. A NEW Popcorn Seasoning SENSATION USERS REPORT THAT IT Saves 20% to 35% of your Oil and Shortening Increases Sales Tenderizes the Popped Corn AND IS NOT RATIONED _ Distributed by Chas. E. Darden & Co Improves the Aroma Enriches the Flavor FILM EXCHANGE BLDG. 308 S. Harwood St. DALLAS L TEXAS BOXOFFICE :: June 16, 1945 87