Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

'Citizen Saint' Is Magnet At Carnegie Music Hall PITTSBURGH — “Citizen Saint,” produced by several Pittsburgh area exhibitors, scored a great success in a dozen exhibitions in Carnegie Music Hall here last week. Several thousand people were turned away the final evening and police had to be sent from the Oakland district to handle the crowd. Present at the shows and active in the management of the engagement were Andy Dattiston and Werner Lund. Except for Bm1x)n Holmes travelogs, “Citizen Saint” is the first motion picture to be presented in Carnegie Masic Hall in many years. Bennett-Branch Dispute Is Settled Amicably DETROIT — The arbitration action brought against Ray Branch, operator of the Barry and Strand theatres in Hastings, by C. W. Bennett, owner of the Arcade Theatre in Middle ville, has been settled by agreement before reaching the hearing stage. The agreement provides that the Branch houses will play pictures faster. Bennett charged that delays in showing pictures at Branch’s theatres made it difficult for Middleville to obtain adequate films. Award Contract for House At Camp Campbell, Ky. HOPKINSVILLE, KY.— Gardner Construction Co. of Nashville has been awarded a government contract to build a theatre at Camp Campbell. Work on the project is expected to start about May 1. The theatre is designed to accommodate 1,004 persons and will be built at a cost of $317,675. No announcement has been made on the future status of the wooden wartime-erected theatres at the camp. Ground Is Broken in Celina For Chakeres-Dwyer lob CELINA, OHIO — The Knowlton Construction Co. of Bellefontaine has broken ground for the new Chakeres-Dwyer Theatre here. The theatre, in the planning stage for several years, will be a modem functional structure, fireproof and air conditioned. Exhibitor Directs Drive JOHNSTOWN, PA. — Max Bloomberg, area exhibitor, is Cambria county chairman for the security loan drive now under way to promote the sale of U.S. savings bonds. He is urging a revival of the pay roll savings plan for employes. Institute May Show Films AKRON — 'The Akron Art Institute is conducting a poll of its members and others interested in films to learn whether they want to see “art” movies on Monday nights during July and August. Textileather Head Names Aide TOLEDO — J. K. Weidig has been appointed assistant to Jules D. Lippmann, president of the Textileather Corp., effective June 1. Weidig previously was general manager of the Zapon-Keratol division of Atlas Powder Co. 20 Years Ago: Allen Unwanted lor Show From New England Edition Bridgeport — An item in the Twenty Years Ago coiumn of the Bridgeport Post says: “Matt Saunders, manager of Poii’s Paiace, sent two bus loads of vaudeville performers to the 42nd annual celebration of the Cupheag club in Stratford last night. Fred Allen, who was on the Palace bill, acted as master of ceremonies.” Today Manager Saunders recalls that after the performance club members “scolded” him for sending over “that guy Allen.” They didh’t just “cotton” to the actor and told Matt never to let Allen get on their shows again. Today they probably couldn’t get Allen, the ace radio comedian. What a difference 20 years can make in show business. Little Expansion Seen For Ontario Drive-Ins From Canadian Edition TORONTO — Drive-in theatres had a belated start in eastern Canada because of war’s restrictions on construction and there were only five in operation in Ontario at the end of the 1947 season. With construction and equipment difficulties continuing, little expansion is in prospect this year. Two more drive-in projects have been announced for the Toronto district, one of these to be built by the Ochs group of Cleveland who opened the first drive-in at Toronto last year. Eastern Ontario may have its first automobile theatres if two projects go through in Ottawa, but the latter city is already plainly overseated. One unit was started late last fall by a group of nontheatre people for an Ottawa suburb, but since that time there have been fresh restrictions on the import of projection and soundi equipment. The province of Quebec has clamped a complete ban on the construction of any drivein theatres. No reason was given for the decision. Three of the five drive-ins already open have been acquired by A. E. Silverwood, prominent dairyman of London, Ont., who purchased a controlling interest in the units at Windsor, London and Stoney Creek. The drive-in near St. Catharines, Ont., is operated by businessmen of that city and Northeast Drive-In in Toronto is the property of the Ochs interests. The summer season in Ontario is a short one and this may prove to be a deterrent on drive-in theatres in the long run. Bronson Project Readied BRONSON, MICH.— E. J. “Bob” Pennell is preparing to start construction of a theatre on East Chicago street. It will be known as the Coliseum. Pennell said the project would cost about $125,000 and that he hopes to have the theatre open in September. Thomassy Fails to Win Nomination McDonald, pa. — Fernand A. Thomassy, local exhibitor, was defeated at the Republican primary election in his effort to retain his seat in the general assembly. Thomassy trailed A. L. Phillips, East Washington burgess, and John Mazza, Houston, in the three-man race in Washington county’s first district. Percentage Suits Started in Detroit DETROIT — Universal, Paramount and Loew’s each filed a separate percentage fraud action in federal court May 10 against Jeff Williams, C. A. Ruedisueli and Kenneth D. Newton, co-partners operating the East Detroit Theatre, East Detroit, and the Roseville, Roseville. Each complaint alleges a conspiracy to defraud the respective distributor by rendering false returns on percentage pictures. American Legion Opens Theatre in Tompkinsville TOMPKINSVILLE, KY.— The American Legion has opened a theatre in its new building here, just off the town square. Pictirres are being shown nightly. Buy South Solon House SOUTH SOLON, OHIO— Willard Tobin of Cedarville and Paul E. Perkins of Dayton have purchased the Community Theatre here from Nelson Creswell, owner of the Cozy at Cedarville, and Pearl Fannon. Courtesy to Baby Sitters PITTSBURGH — Warners’ Kenyon, northside, issues passes to baby sitters when adults attending the theatre turn in the sitter’s name and address. New Theatre Opened VALLEY HEAD, W. VA.— The new ’Tygart Theatre was opened here recently by 'Troy R. Swecker. It is a cement block building, seating 250. Gilding the Lilly LILLY, PA. — The Lilly Theatre is being remodeled and newly painted by Mike Single, veteran exhibitor, and his son George. New Projection to Gallon State G ALIGN, OKLA. — The $7,500 Simplex soimd and projection equipment, originally ordered for the new Gallon, has been installed instead in the State. Erection of the Gallon has been delayed by inability to obtain materials. Juggle Feature Times in Akron AKRON, OHIO — The Highland is showing its main feature only once, in the middle of the evening. Patrons had complained that the A features were shown either too early or too late on most neighborhood theatre programs. Chakeres Buys Logan Building LOGAN, OHIO — The Chakeres Realty Co. has purchased the modern brick building of the Masonic lodge here for $170,000. The deal constituted the largest financial transaction in real property in Logan’s history. Visiting in Greece ERIE, PA. — Mr. and Mrs. J. Galanis have departed for a six-month visit in their native Greece. They operate the Erie restaurant and the Aris Theatre here. BOXOFFICE :: May 15, 1948 86-C