Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1961)

MILWAUKEE Palladino, U-I publicist who has been busy in this area, wound up his promotion of “The Last Sunset” with a press luncheon for Regis Toomey, star of the film. The photographer didn’t show up until nearly everyone had left, and Palladino didn’t get the shots he planned, but did receive a stiff bill. It was one of his bad days. Dennis Morgan will star in the Circus Days celebration at Baraboo June 29 through July 1. Morgan was born at Prentice, and attended Carroll College in Wauhesha. The Circus Museum in Baraboo was opened in 1959 with a big parade featuring Rhonda Fleming, whose picture, "The Big Circus,” opened at the same time in the Ringling Theatre there. A movie fan wrote a letter to the Milwaukee Journal's People Forum. He said some people were always wailing about the low moral standards portrayed in motion pictures, and added that no one forced people to attend these shows. He concluded with the thought that if those same people would attend the family pictures they were constantly yelling for, Hollywood no doubt would come through with more of them. Bob Groenert, for the past two years the manager at the Downer, is now managing the Varsity. Wally Rieck, for three and a half years manager at the Varsity, has been shifted to the Downer. At the Varsity, Groenert found a new canopy, sound system and air conditioning, so he figures there’s something “in the wind’’ . . . Eddie Gavin, manager for AIP here, made the rounds the other night of theatres playing his pictures. At the Times Theatre, he had two running, “Beware of Children,” and “Portrait of a Sinner.” Mighty good turnout too, as the writer happened to drop in in making his rounds, also. Veteran showman Gene Van Norman (85) was on the job, as peppy as ever. awai+s \^ou wfien plaij WAHOO is the ideal boxoffice attraction to increase business on your "off-nights". Write today for complete details. Be sure to give seating or car capacity. HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO. 3750 Oakton St. Skokie, Illinois He’s the oldest exhibitor in point of service in this area. "McWilliams, then me,” says Van. Martin F. Brueggmann, 95, tour guide and goodwill ambassador at the Schlitz brewery, died at his home here recently. He led thousands through the brewery, and apparently had thousands of friends . . . Danny Kaye was featured at a benefit performance Thursday (15) at the Riverside theatre, sponsored by the local Variety Club. Tickets were 50 bucks a copy, with all proceeds going to the epilepsy center at Mt. Sinai Hospital, the club’s main charity. Invitations were sent to 500 civic leaders. The event began with a dinner at the Wisconsin Club, where the speakers were Kaye, Ben Marcus of the chain bearing his name, chairman of the event, and Bernie Strachota, chief barker of the Variety Club. After the dinner, patrons were taken in chauffeur driven limousines to the Riverside for a preview of Kaye’s new movie, “On the Double.” Columbia Contract Offer As Contest Grand Prize MIAMI — Sonny Shepherd, vice-president of Wometco Enterprises, and Ted Zalles, sales promotion manager of Food FailStores, have announced they will jointly sponsor a contest with a variety of awards. The grand prize will afford an opportunity for a local person to win a Columbia Pictures movie contract or for someone he designates to appear in the Jerry Bresler production, “Diamond Head,” and includes a trip for two via United Air Lines DC-8 jet to live with the stars in Hawaii, where the film is to be made. The contest is in connection with the Columbia picture, “Gidget Goes Hawaiian,” which has opened at the Carib, Miami, Miracle, 163rd Street theatres here and the Gateway in Fort Lauderdale. James Darren also was here for the ballyhoo of the picture in which he stars. In addition to the main prize, 2,088 other prizes will include an expenses-paid vacation for two at the Sheraton’s Hawaiian Hotel in Honolulu, an acre of land in Norman Inaba’s Royal Gardens on the island of Hawaii, Boya guitars, Hallicrafter short wave radio receivers. Rose Marie Reid swimsuits, ukeleles and longplaying albums. Shepherd and Zalles pointed out that every effort has been made to keep the contest details simple so as to enable anyone to enter. All that is required is to complete the last line of “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” jingle. Official entry blanks are available to everyone at all Food Fair Stores and are to be deposited at the theatres anytime during the engagement of the film. Industry Trio Visits Hartford HARTFORD — Harry Kalmine, general manager of Stanley Warner Theatres; Robert M. Sternburg, president of New England Theatres, and Sperie P. Perakos, general manager of Perakos Theatres Associates, were local visitors. Six-year-old Tracy Stratford will play a role in MGM’s “Bachelor in Paradise.” New Holiday Drive-In Opens in Washington LYNDEN, WASH.— The Holiday DriveIn, just off Highway 99 at the corner of the Birch Bay-Lynden and the Haynie roads, is the latest addition to the long list of entertainment spots to be found in Whatcom County. Construction was started in May 1960 using local workmen and materials whenever possible, and neither time nor money has been spared to make this theatre a place of entertainment of which the whole community may be proud. The Holiday owners, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Cook and Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Dent, announce appointment of Edward J. Bowling as manager of the theatre. The projection and sound equipment is the most modern that could be obtained. Ramps provide excellent viewing from any position on the spacious 500-car parking area. The screen, one of the largest north of Seattle, will accommodate widescreen films. The surface is especially treated to show a clear and glare-free picture to patrons. The screen is slightly tilted to provide the proper optical angle. A space 60 by 65 feet is occupied by the main building which houses the snack bar and the restrooms on the main floor and the offices and projection booth on the upper floor. The snack bar is pleasingly lighted and decorated and will provide a variety of snacks and soft drinks and confections for all ages. Bottle warmers will be available for the very young guests. Joy Houck, L. D. Powers Open Joy in Texarkana TEXARKANA, ARK. — Texarkana moviegoers are enjoying the latest in theatre seating comfort since the formal opening of the new Joy Theatre in the 300 block on Olive street by owners Joy Houck and L. D. Powers. The owners have equipped their new theatre with velveteen upholstered rocking-chair seats. There are 520 of these seats in the richly carpeted theatre. The screen is 38x16 feet and the stage drapes are electrically controlled. The exterior is faced with Formica; the lobby is paneled, being considerably larger than that of the old Leo Theatre, which the Joy replaces. Carpeted and smartly furnished with leatherette upholstered chairs and divans, the lobby has a gold plasticcovered column in the center. To the right of the entrance is a modern concession stand with the latest in drinking fountains for theatres. The Joy Theatre has its own ice machine for the cold drinks sold there along with popcorn and candies. Behind the concession stand are Powers’ office and the storage rooms. To the left of the entrance are the restrooms. The women’s lounge is furnished in decor similar to that in the lobby. Art House in Middletown HARTFORD — Mike Adorno, genei-al manager of the Adorno Theatres, has reopened the long-shuttered Middlesex Theatre, Middletown, on an art film policy Thursdays through Sundays. NC-2 BOXOFFICE :: June 19, 1961