Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

MORE THAN 7,000 DELEGATES ATTEND VARIETY CONVENTION At Oklahoma City Governair Parley Representatives from NTS branches in three states, exhibitors from four states and representatives of the Governair company assembled in Oklahoma City for a three-day training institute, a total of 30 delegates registered. Front row, left to right: J. H. McDowell, St. Louis; Hal Moore, NTS, Dallas; Dick Logan, American Theatre, Charleston, Mo.; Ollie Bland and B. R. Bugbee, NTS, Memphis; S. M. Berry, NTS, Dallas. Second row: A. M. Keyser, Oklahoma City; Pete Medley, Malone Theatre, Sikeston, Mo.; Gordon Hutchins, State, Corning, Ark.; Conrad Bach and Chuck Sumner, NTS, Memphis; Jim Dohrman, NTS, Dallas; Paul Maxey, Honey, Indianola, Miss.; R. L. Bostick, NTS, Memphis. Third row: Hugh B. Ginn, W. E. “Red” Storey and Howard Wortham, all of NTS, Oklahoma City; Lyle Richmond, Richmond Theatre, Senath, Mo.; Jake Watkins, NTS, Oklahoma City; H. Smith, Imperial Theatre, Pocahontas, Ark.; Dutch Koneman, NTS, Dallas; Buster Quinn, Oklahoma City. Fourth row: Ted Wilson, Joy Theatre, Hoyte, Mo.; R. M. Hamilton, New, Dewitt, Ark.; Felson Osborne, Rialto, Eldorado, Ark.; Lloyd Crites, Richmond, Senath, Mo.; George Hale, NTS, Memphis; John Wilson, Princess, Lexington, Tenn.; Bill Segar, Eureka, Batesville, Miss.; Burris Smith, Imperial, Pocahontas, Ark. Miami Entertains Leaders Of Show Business of Three Nations MIAMI — Variety Clubs International demonstrated Sunday, preconvention opening day, in a small but significant way that “the heart of show business” is not limited to the theatre. A group of delegates to this 12th annual convention were speeding to Miami Beach with a motorcycle escort. At a main intersection one of the motorcycle riders, R. R. Hedemark, was involved in a collision with an automobile. Damage was negligible — about $40, but Variety insisted that the organization pay the bill. It was a fitting prelude to the convention opening, which brought here approximately a thousand members from 33 clubs in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. They arrived on special trains from New England and Texas. Others came by plane and still others by automobile. Pretty girls in cowboy outfits, bathing suits, silk hats, and shorts, boarded trains bringing delegates to Miami. The girls coronet models, and members of the local tent welcomed the visitors with orange juice, grapefruit juice and other refreshments which are native to Florida. One of the pretty models, Shirley Modell, was so enthusiastic in her greeting assignment that she boarded the wrong train in Hollywood, a town a short distance north of Miami where delegates were met by the advance local guard. * * * Tom Connors was greeted right and left when he appeared at the Roney Plaza, which was entirely taken over for the convention. Conners, former 20th-Fox sales chief, was in Miami to interest Variety Club members in the showing of advertising reels which he is handling as a new enterprise. Part of Wednesday morning’s business session in the Surf room was devoted to a showing of “Tobacco Land.” This film, the first of the group, is a Chesterfield cigaret short subject which is currently playing in Fox West Coast and National Theatres houses. Under the plan, theatres playmg the subject receive $10 per thousand tickets sold. All the revenue, or a percentage, may go into the treasuries of the local Variety tents. Connors expects to handle six or more advertising reels a year. * * * At Variety International initial dinner in the Alcazar hotel headquarters of the host tent. Mayor Robert L. Floyd, of Miami, lauded the local tent for its recent contribution of $50,000 for children’s charities. The mayor was introduced by Mitchell Wolfson, general chairman. Marcie Leiberman, mayor of Miami Beach, also spoke briefly. The reception was held in honor of international officers, canvasmen, and chief barkers from the 33' tents represented at the convention. * * ^ Tuesday’s top billing for wives of delegates was the luncheon-fashion show in the garden of the Roney Plaza at the edge of the ocean. It was put on by Hartley’s, a Miami house. and was coordinated by Jeanne Davis, stylist. The wives were able to do their sun tanning while enjoying the entertainment given in their honor. On display to the delighted gathering were all types of resort wear from bathing suits, through afternoon clothes, and ending with a spectacular wedding scene. Ensembles were selected that would be just as appropriate in other states as they are now in Miami. Due to the warm, sunny weather, and the setting of the show, most of the women attending the show looked with envious eye at the sunbacks and beach togs. $50,000 Damages Asked As Result of Talse Arrest' MEMPHIS — Charging “malicious and false arrest,” L. E. Ragland, 51, filed suit for $50,000 damages against J. C. Alexander jr., individually, and as a partner of Dixie Film Service, and J. C. Alexander sr., and H. O. Powell jr., doing business as Dixie Film Serv Ragland charges he was arrested April 3 and released April 5 with the apologies of police when Alexander sr., refused to sign a warrant to support “his original and false accusations that Ragland had embezzled funds from Dixie Film Service.” Greenville Strong Against Show Tax GREENVILLE, S. C. — Amusement activities are not an appropriate field for local city taxation, the local newspaper stated in a recent editorial approving the rejection by the city council of a proposed levy on theatres and other forms of recreation. The editorial : ‘"The Greenville city council, we think, has acted with sound wisdom in its rejection by an overwhelming vote of the proposal to levy a city tax on admissions to amusements and recreational events. This is a field of taxation which has already been very thoroughly occupied by both the federal and state governments. An attempt at municipal taxation of such enterprises and activities would place a further unjust burden upon these events, probably force the suspension of some of them and perhaps cause the removal of some commercial amusement activities beyond the city limits. 'This seems very clearly not an appropriate field for local city taxation.” BOXOFFICE : : April 17, 1948 SE 95