Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

exchange, accompanied salesman Connie Dreher on a business trip through western Texas. Pranconi was making contact with representative showmen to learn first hand what the outlook is for coming months . . . S. G. Fry and his Joy house manager, Earl Cason, were here on a routine visit and to work out additional facilities for the film truck line which they and four other exhibitors own and jointly operate. F. _E. Sidle, owner of the Victory Theatre in Bangs, near Brownwood, was on the Row recently following Ms unanimous election as city councilman . . . Howard Bland, Robb & Rowley partner in Taylor, was here to confer at the home office on new equipment and new construction. He said Howard Hoke, his partner for many years, has retired and has been inactive for some time and that his condition remains fairly good. Bland was asked about the Taylor mian who is making national headlines for eating nothing but grass and thriving on it. Bland said the man eats grass, all right, but that he (Bland) hadn’t gotten around to the new fad as yet. L. B. Jones, owner of the Jonsey Theatre in Normangee, was here buying and collecting mdscellaneous supplies. He formerly owned a theatre in Altus, Okla., which he leased to Griffith and recently he sold Griffith the building. He is figuring on another Texas theatre investment . . . J. R. MacEachroii, former city manager for Malco in Jackson, Tenn., is about to go to work for Jefferson Amusement Co., we were told. He has been staying in Raynie, La., for several weeks. Joy Houck’s Queen Theatre on Elm street, whioh built its reputation by offering new double bills daily and charging only 10 cents admission, but which raised its price during the war, has reduced prices again to a dime plus tax. The children’s price is 5 cents . . . R-obta & Rowley’s Rosewin Theatre has started using Ringo to build up' its Saturday kid shows. Comic books and toys are among the prizes . . . P. G. Cameron’s Ervay Theatre and L. B. Crow’s Sunset Theatre have joined in the independent neighborhood theatres’ cooperative advertising campaign, increasing the number of participants to 19. J. M. “Soda” Reynolds and his wife enjoyed a few days in Houston . . . C. M. Cooper of the Queen in Mart drove to Dallas to pick up his daughter, a senior at SMU, and take her home for Mother’s day . . . Prank Benson of the Majestic in Bowie was on the market and reported he has completed a spring renovating program at his house . . . Wallace Walthall, National Screen Service veteran, underwent surgery in Medical Arts hospital for a stomach condition. He was reported making a good recovery soon afterward. Organizing Radio Network PALESTINE, TEX. — Gordon McLendon, owner of radio stations KNET here and KLIP in Dallas, is president of a new broadcasting network now being organized as the Liberty Broadcasting System. It will cover Texas and several adjoining states. McLendon is a son of B. B. McLendon, owner and operator of the Tri-States theatres circuit. Mount Hope to Slothowers MOUNT HOPE, KAS. — Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Slothower, operators of several Kansas theatres, have taken over the Community Theatre here from Chet Christianson. M. R. 'Duke' Clark's Uptilted Cigar Is a Dallas Filmrow Trademark DALLAS — The handsome and genial gentleman in the accompanying picture is the background for one of the most distinctive trademarks on Dallas’ Filmrow. The holder and cigar tilted at a 60 degree angle from the mouth of M. R. “Duke” Clark, Paramount district manager, can be seen at the same precarious angle any time you see “Duke,” whether it be in his office, on the street, at the Variety Club, banquet table or elsewhere. Friends say he has carried the four-inch holder and five-inch imported Havana at this angle so long a niche has been worn in the holder and the angle never varies as much as one degree. The plaque in the background was given to Clark as one of the founders of Tent 2 of the Variety Club in Columbus, Ohio, in 1930. Clark also helped organize Tent 25 in Los Angeles some years later and was assistant national chief barker eight years. He was elected property master of the Dallas club soon after he arrived here and has held the post for two terms. This year he also was made chairman of the house committee. Clark lives with his wife in a home they purchased at 6855 Casa Loma Ave. soon after moving to Dallas. Clark was branch manager in Cleveland at one time, later was district manager in Los Angeles, went back to Cleveland as district manager, and came here in the same capacity three years ago. He now — Photo by Da'n Hulse jr. DUKE CLARK boasts he is a “native Texan” and on occasion can be seen wearing a ten-gallon hat. San Antonio Cow Belles Vie on Theatre's Stage SAN ANTONIO — Thirty-five of the Alamo City’s loveliest young women competed in the semifinals of the local contest to select America’s Most Beautiful Cow Belle Monday evening at the Texas Theatre. The winner will go to Bandera on May 21, 22 to compete with other contestants for the national title. Monette Shaw acted as mistress of ceremonies at the local contest judged by three convalescent veterans from Brooke General hospital at Fort Sam Houston. The young miss winning the title will compete for the following prizes at the Bandera Stompede: An all expense paid trip to Hollywood, a $500 western outfit, a wrist watch, a custom made pair of boots and silver inscribed cowbell designating her as “America’s Most Beautiful Cow Belle” and autographed by Zeke. Finals in the local contest were held Tuesday evening (11). Select Being Rebuilt MINEOLA, TEX. — Robert Hooks is coming along nicely with the rebuilding of his Select Theatre here. It is being modernized and enlarged and will reopen June 15. Bob added quite a bit of new equipment to his booth and to the house in general, with Modern Theatre Equipment of Dallas furnishing the supplies. Oklahoma Report Shows Enterprise on Increase OKLAHOMA CITY— The Oklahoma tax commission reports a gain in business enterprises in operation for the first quarter of the calendar year 1948. The report, released this week, shows 2,731 new businesses; 2,500 quitting business, and 1,103 changes of ownership. This is a gain in new business of 231. THEATRE SEAT INSTALLATION 20 experience — Satisfaction guaranteed. Write or Phone 5327 Johnnie Boutwell Temple, Texas BUFFALO OOOLIliO EQUIPMENT lOthFL 2nd Unit SaataFe Bldg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING COv INC. Dallas, Tex. BOXOFFICE :: May 15, 1948 95