Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

ST. LOUIS ^he New Dallas Theatre, Dallas City, 111., which was damaged by smoke and water March 15 when a fire broke out in the Bennington photo shop, reopened March 20. Justus Garard of Carthage, 111., owns both the photo studio and theatre. The fire, smoke and water losses were covered by insurance . . . Stanley Creighton, who has appeared in several motion pictures with his 250-pound lioness, is touring the country with the animal. His business manager on the trip is Lynn Fritz, former manager of the Miller Theatre in Woodstock, 111. Publix Great States Theatres, Inc., sold the East St. Louis Playdium to Johnny Perkins and his partner, Roy Bruder, March 17 for about $83,000. The building originally was the Erber Theatre, and was built in 1920 by the late Joe Erber for about $460,000, including equipment. It later became the Orpheum Theatre of the Publix circuit before being remodeled for use as Perkins Playdium, an amusement center that features bowling, a night club, etc. Anita Colby, former actress, now an executive of Paramount Pictures, arrived in St. Louis March 25 on a promotion tour of leading cities. She appeared before civic and business organizations here and on radio programs on behalf of the Red Cross drive. The best channel of publicity is paid advertising, Frank J. Ryan, assistant to the president of the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co., said March 23 in an address to the members of the Advertising club of St. Louis ... St. Louis may expect to see television shows emanating from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and Chicago by the end of 1948, the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. announced here. The American Telephone & Telegraph Co. planned to file rates for television network facilities with the FCC this week. Nat Steinberg, Republic manager, returning from a business trip to Harrisburg, 111., March 26, ran into the tail end of a tornado. He had to drive through three feet of water at a few low spots near Marissa, and had to worry with wet brakes for a portion of the journey . . . The world premiere for “Fighting Father Dunne,” starring Pat O’Brien, will be staged at Franchon & Marco’s Fox Theatre in mid-May. RKO is whipping up a gala premiere for this picture, based on the life of the St. Louis priest who devoted his life to the welfare of newsboys and other youngsters who “needed a friend.” Joe Gallagher, city registrar, who sang in most of the early motion picture theatres of St. Louis, can continue to sing second tenor in the quartet to which he belongs without running afoul of the city’s civil service rule against political activities of city employes. City Counselor George L. Stemmier ruled. Gallagher intends to file for the Republican nomination for sheriff. His singing for hospital patients and at meetings of civic groups and service clubs does not come under the heading of politics. Stemmier ruled. “Medal of Honor” is to be the next production of the Southern California Pictures, controlled by Louis K. and Joseph C. Ansell of St. Louis. Louis Ansell plays the (Continued on next page) NEW ALL-IN-ONE DRINK DISPENSER MAKES SERVING SOFT DRINKS EASY IN MOVIE HOUSES Further information will be cheerfully sent . . . just write TOL-PAK COMPANY 818 OLIVE STREET ST. LOUIS 1. MO. The bottle bugaboo and the high coat of installing carbonating units has caused many theatre operators to abandon the idea of serving soft drinks in their houses. With the All-In-One drink dispenser, this problem is solved once and for all. It makes soft drink sales in theatres not only practical but profitable as well. All-In-One dispensers are available as ice cooled or mechanically refrigerated units. Al’ units feature famous Multiplex .aucets and Temprite carbonators. THIS IS THE NEW ALL-INONE SOFT DRINK DISPENSER That promises to make serving soft drinks in theatres not only practical but profitable as well. It’s a simple matter for movie operators to utilize this machine. So simple is its operation that any person can operate and maintain it. Its beautiful stainless steel cabinet adds to the attractiveness of any setting. CHECK THESE FEATURES All-in-one unit. Has famous Multiplex faucets. Available as ice cooled or mechanically refrigerated units. Dispenses from one to three flavors of your choice. Can be constructed to fill any space. Unconditionally guaranteed for 1 year. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Anyone can install the Tol-Pak AllIn-One soft drink dispenser. It's as easy as connecting any water iountain. All you have to do is plug the unit to electricity and cormect a water line. A Tol-Pak All-In-One soft drink dispenser is ready to operate when you receive it. Tol-Pak dispensers are available as ice cooled or mechanically refrigerated units. The above is the economical ice cooled unit which features a handy bin for chipped ice. BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1948 61