Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

chased a new suit at a downtown store, then forgot it at Berber Bros, on the Row. He had the new raiment on for this visit, however. Asked about the welfare of Harry Boynton, who owned the Strand during silent days, Stroud said Harry is postmaster, having held the commission for the past several years, and that he seems to be doing a good job and is prospering in that set-up. J. II. Stagner of the new Van Theatre in Van has been sick but latest reports are that he is improved. In the interim Mrs. Stagner has looked after the show and made the necessary contacts with exchanges and equipment houses . . . Mrs. C. W. Matson and her daughter Gladys were here from Rockdale on a routine booking trip. They stayed an extra day, however, as their new custom-built sedan was put in the hands of factory distributors for a checkup. Mrs. Matson said she and her husband regretted they were unabie to make their scheduled trip to Miami for the Variety convention. They had to cancel the trip because their new drive-in theatre was nearing completion. They were in Mexico City for the convention two years ago. Anita Colby, Paramount studio executive, was treated royally during her weekend visit here to promote “The Emperor Waltz.” Duke Clark, district manager, arranged a party for her and newspapermen in the Variety Club. Interstate circuit had the former cover girl at limch Monday in the Dallas Athletic club, where more reporters and advertising men of the circuit were present. Miss Colby left by plane Monday evening for New Orleans. Walter Armbruster, Universal’s office manager, will open his new Lagow Theatre on Second avenue June 1 . . . Johnny Blevins, owner of the Majestic in Dublin, was here for booking purposes . . . Hans Smith didn’t go to the Kentucky Derby this year because he was going through a medical clinic. He said he is getting ready to start building his new theatre in Irving, Where he lives and operates the Irving and Rio theatres. L. S. Abraham, booker in the Long Theatres office, is father of a baby boy, born in St. Pauls hospital . . . Both Herbers at the Herber Bros, store had a go at the mackerel run at Port Aransas. B. G. and his folks brought back a deep freezer full two weeks ago and E. P. and his wife retuimed with enough to make deliveries to the homes of friends . . . Andy Sisk, his wife and two boys were in a few days ago for their last shot of tetanus serum. A dog near their home in Lewisville bit one of the boys. Andy said plans for his new theatre using quonset construction are ready and preliminary work begun. Duke Clark is back on the job with new vigor after taking massive shots of penicillin. The Paramount district manager said the drug was all they have claimed for it in his case . . . L. C. Dennis said he will open his new Hi-Ho drive-in theatre in Gainesville the latter part of this month. Truman Hendrix walked hurriedly along the Row Friday afternoon with a new fishing rod. He and Heywood probably gave the crappie and bass a run. for their money over the weekend. This pah is said to be among the experts in bringing in game fish. Shirley in 'Escapade' The femme starring role in “Baltimore Escapade” has been given to Shirley Temple, borrowed by RKO from David O. Selznick. EL PASO ■Tolin Paxton, Interstate city manager, got '* in a few licks against daylight saving time in the local news. Taking a stand in the current discussion of fast time, Paxton declared it would be confusing, especially to tourists and would have an adverse effect on local theatres. “Evening moviegoers,” said Paxton, “do not like to go to a show when the sun is still high in the sky.” Paxton also was quoted in the editor’s column in the Times on a statement that more and better films are due here soon. Louis Vaughn, who was substituting for Bill Bohling while the latter is on vacation at a New Mexico ranch, has left the Pershing. Pinch-hitting for the pinch-hitter is N. P. Rand. Rand has returned to El Paso after a stint with Uncle Sam’s army . . . The Del Norte Drive-In is battling the lure of other spring attractions with a new summer program. On Saturday night a late preview is shown after the second show at no extra cost. The program began April 17 with “The Haunted House” as the bonus feature. Fire Destroys Texas LONGVIEW, TEX. — A Monday midmorning conflagration destroyed William Morrow’s Texas Theatre and five adjoining buildings. First reports said its origin was in the empty theatre but the fire chief said he wasn’t sure. Equipment from four towns was called in to fight the holocaust, which continued most of the day. Morrow also owns the Colonial drive-in theatre here. 'Dallas' for Early Production “Dallas,” an original story by John Twist, has been purchased for early production for Warners. GLEN D. THOMPSON, Oklahoma City, Okla. — Owner and operator of 15 theatres located throughout Oklahoma — writes : “RCA Service is a good business investment for keeping my sound systems in fine shape.” To get the benefits of RCA Service —write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY, INC., Radio Corporation of America, Camden, New Jersey. Adv. Dallas Grosses Led By 'Apache/ 'Slate' DALLAS — “Fort Apache” nosed out “State of the Union” as the most popular picture on Elm street this week, but both enjoyed good business. Business was better than it has been in weeks for the Capitol, which double bills westerns and other low-budget pictures for split-week engagements. Advertising lineage was up on the top first run programs and this may have accounted in part for their nice showing. (Average Is 100) Capitol — Black Hills (EL); Speed to Spare (Para), split with Overland Trail (Mono); Women in the Night (FC) 100 Majestic — Fort Apache (RKO) 120 Melba — State of the Union (MGM) 115 Palace — Sitting Pretty (20th-Fox) 90 Rialto — Fighting Mad (Mono); Eternally Yours (UA), reissue, split with Congorilla (SR); Borneo (SR), reissues 70 Telenews — Magnificent Obsession (U-I), reissue.... 70 Tower — The Naked City (U-I), 2nd d. t. wk 100 W. H. McLemore jr. Buys Melrose Theatre in Waco DALLAS — Arthur Leak, theatre broker, announced the sale of the Mehose Theatre in Waco to W. H. McLemore jr., of this city. The former owners, Annie Louise Coleman and her brother Tom R. will move to Comanche temporarily to be with their mother, who is ill. McLemore, who is now operatmg the house, owned and operated the Palace in Plano before and during the war. After serving with the armed forces he returned and bought the Lucas Theatre, which he sold within a few months. His father is office manager of the 20th-Fox exchange and ovraer of that exchange building. BEST IN QUALITY FILMACK Spadai TRAILERS BEST IN SERVICE THREE NEW YORK 245 West 55»h St. COMPLETELY EQUIPPED PLANTS LOS ANGELES 1574 W. Washington • CHICAGO 1327 S. Wabash IS YOUR THEATRE FOR SALE? We Have Buyers With Cash "JOE" JOSEPH THEATERS Let "Joe" Sell Your Show Theatres bought — sold' — equipped — fire inventories — consultant and equipment. 2409 Sunset Dallas, Tex. Phone Yale 2-7650 BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT 10th FI.. 2nd Unit, Santa Fe Bldg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING COv INC. Dallas, Tex. BOXOFFICE :: May 8, 1948 107