Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

Single Bills in Color; Bergman, Peck Preferred by Memphis Teen-Agers 1,200-Seat Theatre to Rise In Delray Beach Soon DELRAY BEACH, FLA.— H. H. Ellenbrink is preparing to start construction at once on a theatre here of 1,200-seat capacity. It will be 204 feet long and will run lengthwise along Atlantic avenue. A parking lot will adjoin. The theatre is to be built in the John B. Reid Village at an approximate cost of $250,000. RUSKIN, FLA. — George Buchanan advises that work is progressing rapidly on the new $50,000 motion picture theatre he is erecting, and that he expects to have it ready for early fall opening. The second floor is to contain office space available for professional men, and on the first floor there will be some store space. The auditorium will have a seating capacity of approximately 500. The stage will be of such dimensions as to permit stage presentations. WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. — Building permits have been issued for two new motion picture theatres. One will be a $125,000 project at 421 East Clematis St. The other, which will cost $85,000, calls for reconstruction of the gruber arcade into a theatre to be known as the Surf. The owners are Clemco Enterprises, Inc., Tellco, Inc., an affiliate of the same company, 'who will operate both theatres. MACK JACKSON— Owner, Jackson Theatres, Alexander City, Alabama. Also president of Southeastern Theatre Owners’ Association — says: “RCA Service is perfectly satisfactory. Need I say more?” To get the benefits of RCA Service —write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY, INC., Radio Corporation of America, Camden, New Jersey. Adv. You coin get your } New York 245 West SPECIOLTRfllLERS 55th St. 1 • IN ' QQSI THE TIME 1 Chicagb 1 1327 S. ■ Wobosh BY GOING TO YOUR NEAREST riimACKi • Los Angeles 1 P ^ BRANCH j 1574 w. Washington 'State of Union' Scores 115 To Lead Week in Atlanta ATLANTA — Better pictures and springlike weather helped business in aU theatres. “State of the Union” was top scorer with 115 at the Grand. (Average Is 100) Fox — The Big Clock (Para) 105 Grand — State of the Union (MGM) 115 Paramount — Fury at Furnace Creek (20th-Fox) 100 Roxy — Slight Case of Murder (WB); Mummy's Tomb (Realart), reissues 99 Operates Telephone Quiz GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FLA. — Oscar Gemer, manager of the Cove and Clay theatres, calls ten telephone numbers in the county each week and asks whoever answers what pictures are playing at the theatres. If the correct answer is given in 20 seconds, the person answering receives two free tickets. Buys Pangburn Theatre PANGBURN, ARK.— The Pangburn Theatre has been sold by Guy Dean to J. E. Thompson. The change was effective April 10. The new owner will book for the Pangburn in Memphis. Normandy On Summer Schedule MIAMI — Nat Hern, manager of the Normandy, has adopted a summer policy of no matiness on Mondays through Fridays, showing on Sunday and Saturday afternoons. Beginning May 29 and continuing for six consecutive Saturdays, a bicycle will be given as a weekly prize to the boy or girl holding the lucky number. A tieup was made with a number of merchants in the locality of the theatre and coupons will be given at these stores to those making purchases. Each Saturday a drawing will be made on the stage. MEMPHIS — The average teen-ager here prefers single features to double bills and has Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman as his favorite stars, according to a recent poll by the Better Films council. The coimcil, headed by Mrs. Carrington Jones, queried 1,700 students between 14 and 18 years of age to learn that “Gone With the Wind” was the all-time great in motion pictme favorites by 75 per cent of the votes cast. “The Jolson Story” was second with 17 per cent. Cecil B. DeMille was the favorite director with 34 per cent of the ballots, and Barry Fitzgerald, with 19 per cent, was first choice for supporting players. June Allyson was second in the feminine star lineup with 27 per cent as against Miss Bergman’s 55. In the male standings. Cornel Wilde held place position with 12 per cent. Peck received 25. All but 31 of the 1,700 preferred color films to black and white and most picked the films they see by stars, first, and story, second. Prices Right High Quality POPCORN SEASONING SALT BOXES BAGS • Available at THE QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE, INC. I912V2 Morris Avenue Birmingham, Alabama Serving (he Southern Exhibitor ior 35 Years For BETTER Performance PROJECTORS AND MIRROPHONIC SOUND SYSTEMS ARE UNEQUALED IN TALENT See, Call or Write THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY 1021 Grand Fort Smith, Ark. BOXOFFICE : : May 8, 1948 115