Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1948)

Supply Companies United at St. Louis . ST. LOUIS — The Exhibitors Supply Co. and the Cine Theatre Supply Co. here have been merged into one organization under Arch Hosier as president and general manager. J. Eldon Peek of Oklahoma City, who controlled Exhibitors Supply, and Hosier own all of the stock of the merged theatre equipment and supply concern on a 50-50 basis, it is understood. The name of the merged company has not been announced, but it will operate from the Cine Supply quarters at 3310 Olive St. R. W. Amos, who was associated with Peek in the operation of the Exhibitors Supply following the purchase of that company from Ray Colvin several months ago, continues as a member of the sales staff of the merged organization. Other key employes of Exhibitors Supply also will be with it. The telephone numbers listed under Exhibitors Supply and Cine Supply will be retained. Hosier and Peek wish to retain part of names of the merged companies, but think exhibitors may have a better idea. So they are inviting exhibitors to send in their ideas, promising that if the name suggested by any exhibitor is accepted he will be rewarded with a new screen or anything of equal value he may need and want. The quarters of the Exhibitors Supply have been closed and are to be leased soon to a well-known paint company, it is understood. At New Milwaukee Exchange Bow Shown here are views of the new $250,000 Universal-International exchange building recently opened in Milwaukee. Top left: a front view of the new building. Button left: view of the spacious interior. Bottom right: Mayor Zeidler of Milwaukee shown cutting the tape while company officials and Mr. Peterson of the mayor’s office look on. Top right: M. M. Gottleib, district manager; L. Malefronte, assistant head of branch operation; Jack Bannan, manager of the exchange, and Lou Berman get together for a round of congratulations. B'nai B'rith Cinema Lodge Elects 1948-49 Officers CHICAGO — The B’nai B’rith Cinema lodge has elected these officers and directors: Chairman of the board. Jack Kirsch; president, Norman Silverman; vice-presidents, E. L. Goldberg, Harris Silverberg, Robert Hirsch, Joseph F. Arman; corresponding secretary. Milt Blumenthal; recording secretary, Maurice Abrams; financial secretary, James Booth; treasurer, I. J. Silverman; warden, Lester Simansky; chaplin. Herb Gorney; assistant chaplain, Herbert Lustig; guard, Victor Bernstein; publicity chairman, Fred Mindlin; directors, Lou Abramson, Irving Aicuss, Benjamin Banowitz, Leo Berger, Ralph Berger, Harry Blumenthal, Herman Busch, Artur Davidson, Dr. Robert Gilbert, Marcus Glaser, M. M. Gottlieb, Sam Honigberg. Jack Irving, Si Lax, Sam Levlnsohn, K. Louis Linker, Ben Lourle, Paul Marr, A1 Simon, Manny Smerllng, George Topper, Edward Wolk, Gerald Wartell and J. J. Weiss. Pat O'Brien Is Feature Of Chicago Youth Fete CHICAGO — Pat O’Brien, star of “Fighting Father Dunn,” currently at the RKO Palace, headlined the eleventh annual Knights of Columbus barbecue and youth benefit ball Wednesday night (16), at the Chicago Stadium. More than 20,000 persons attended the dancing and entertainment program which also featured Buddy Clark, singing star;^Willie Shore, comedian, and many other stage, radio and night club players. Griff Williams and Lou Breese and their orchestras provided the dance music. Proceeds went to the Bishop Sheil underprivileged youth fund. Preceding the barbecue and ball, O’Brien made a personal appearance on the stage of the RKO Palace to spark the midwest premiere of “Fighting Father Dunn.” He was greeted by a capacity crowd, and he autographed photos for the first 1,000 patrons attending the performance. New Terre Haute Manager TERRE HAUTE, IND.— Harold Teel, Marshalltown, Iowa circuit manager, has been named manager of the Orpheum Theatre here to succeed Ted Kraft. Kraft has been appointed manager of a new drive-in between Kokomo and Peru, Ind. Chrisman, 111., Manager Resigns CHRISMAN, ILL.—Garland “Peck” Keith has resigned as manager of the 300-seat Empire, owned by George Barber of Villa Grove, due to ill health. Keith resigned just two days before completing eight years as manager there. He came here from Villa Grove to manage the theatre on June 17, 1940. The Keiths will go to Arizona next fall, in the hope that the climate will be beneficial to his health. Bob Campbell is the new manager. Murphysboro Drive-In to Open MURPHYSBORO, ILL.— William Waring jr. of Cobden, 111. hopes to have his 500-car drive-in, located three miles east of here, open for business by July 4. Work is continuing on ihe enclosure wall, the screen structure and the projection room. Roy G. Huffman is the engineer supervising the construction. Enact 4 Per Cent Tax On Decatur Theatres DECATUR, ILL. — The city council here has passed an ordinance to impose a 4 per cent tax on the gross admissions of all theatres and other amusement places in the city. Proponents of the measure say that it will bring in an additional $30,000 of revenue for the city. Owners of the six motion picture houses now operating here have announced that they will try to force a referendum vote by the people in an effort to defeat the tax. This step will be taken after Mayor James A. Hedrick signs the ordinance. The levy is scheduled to become effective within 30 days unless the necessary referendum petitions are filed before that time. Hedrick has said that the tax will boost theatre prices two' cents for adults and one cent for children. However, since there has been a decline in theatre attendance in recent weeks it is probable that the higher rates may result in a further decline in theatre attendance. 'Carriage-Trade' Theatre For Milwaukee Suburb MILWAUKEE — Ground was broken here last week for the new 1.000-seat first run house to be built by Marcus Theatres management in Whitefish Bay, “carriage-trade” suburb. The building, a two-story brjck structure, will have facilities for six stores and space for 12 offices, including circuit’s offices. BOXOFFICE : : June 26, 1948 C 67