Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

HOUSTON LOEW’S STATE held over “Gone With the Wind” for the third week with attendance bolstered by the crowd drawn to town to see the Fat Stock Show. Recent change has Leroy Roye replacing Felix Fabian, as chief of service. Suburban Interstate houses, finding stage acts to be what they need, have continued using them at the Saturday Popeye Clubs. Miss Ruby Patton, Bluebonnet cashier, recently announced that she has been married to Zelmon Tyree of Baytown, Texas, since January 25 . . . Next Music Hall attraction is “The Man Who Came to Dinner” on February 19 . . . Johnny, the Phillip Morris boy, made an appearance with the “Sing for Dough” stage act at the Met on February 7. New LOOO-Seater Gets Under Way in Roanoke Roanoke, Ala. — T. A. McDougald, manager of the Ritz Theatre, reports construction has started on a new house, to be owned and operated by Martin Theatres of Columbus, Ga. The new theatre will seat 1,000 and will be named the Bama. It is expected to open in May. No Pine Bluff Fire Pine Bluff, Ark. — William G. Clark, manager of the Alamo here, refutes a report carried in the preceding issue of a booth fire in his theatre, with the declaration that there has been nothing of the sort in the “12 year history of the theatre.” Paramount Conference Charlotte, N. C. — Austin C. Keough, vice president and chief counsel of Paramount Pictures, and John F. Kirby, southeastern district manager, conferred with local manager Scott Lett and the selling organization regarding the consent decree. Remodel Ritz at Bruceton Bruceton, Tenn. — A new front and ticket office for the Ritz Theatre and remodeling and redecoration of the interior has been completed. The front is of structural glass. A. B. McCoy Convalescing Conway, S. C. — A. B. McCoy of the Carolina Theatre, who has been confined for some time by illness, was able to be in his office for a short time during the past week. Paradis Enters Hospital Wilson, N. C. — Jane Gregson Paradis, owner of the Oasis, has entered a hospital for observation. "Heaven Can Wait" for Miller Hollywood — Seton I. Miller is adapting “Heaven Can Wait” for Columbia from a play by Harry Segal. Everett Riskin will produce. Side Shots on a Premiere— (Continued from page 71) N. C.; W. P. Benner, Wm. Penn Theatre, Carthage, N. C. and the Village Theatre, Hemp, N. C.; Mrs. Runa E. Curtis, Curtis, Liberty, N. C.; W. H. Smith, Pal, Fairfax, S. C.; C. M. Bowden, Palace, New Bern, N. C.; Ira Smith, Breeze, Beaufort, S. C.; O. A. Hill, Y. M. C. A. Theatre, Ware Shoals, S. C.; John A. Murrary, Calhoun, St. Matthews, S. C.; F. C. Hanks, Avon, Lenoir, N. C.; W. S. Walker, Gem, Summerton, S. C.; George Ward, Colonial, Chesnee, S. C.; John O. Robinson, New, Old Fort, N. C.; A. B. Huff, Carolina, Paramount and Oasis theatres, Kinston, N. C. H. E. Wessinger, Carolina, Lexington, S. C.; E. L. Hearne, Alameda Theatre, Albemarle, N. C.; Vern and Fin Davis, Mimosa and Alva theatres, Morganton, N. C.; W. D. VanDerburgh, Pageland, Pageland, S. C.; Jeff Wilson, Biscoe, Biscoe, N. C.; Dan Holt, Troy, Troy, N. C.; N. W. Land, Gilmont, Mt. Gilead, N. C.; G. L. Faw, Dixie, Troy, N. C.; B. B. Horton of the Rialto in Greer S. C„ the Red Springs in Red Springs, N. C., the State in Inman, S. C., and the State in Concord, N. C.; J. W. Wactor and T. M. Ulmer of the Holly in Holly Hill, S. C„ and the Calhoun Theatre in St. Matthews, S. C. E. L. Carroll, Roxie, Bessemer City, N. C.; J. W. Griffin, Romina and Pastime theatres in Forest City, N. C.; R. D. McGowan, Nash Theatre, Spring Hope, N. C.; P. J. Caudell, Blair Theatre, Marshville, N. C., and Wanoca Theatre, Wallace, N. C.; J. M. Sellers, Blacksburg Theatre, Blacksburg, S. C.; George D. Carpenter of the Colonial, Valdese, N. C., Patovi, Madison, N. C., Main, Granite Falls, N. C., and C. R. Andrews, Lyric, Bishopville, S. C. Adapts “Babes on Broadway" Hollywood — Fred Finklehoffe is adapting “Babes on Broadway,” forthcoming Metro musical. "Mary Dugan" Makes Debut in Memphis Memphis — The world premiere of Metro’s “The Trial of Mary Dugan” was held here Thursday at Loew’s Palace. The first premiere in Memphis theatrical history, it was sponsored by the Press Scimitar as a benefit for Greek war relief. Tickets sold for $1. Augmenting the film program was a stage show featuring Ray Kinney’s orchestra and the Five Aloha Maids from the Hotel Claridge, and Blue Baron and his band, here for an engagement at the Hotel Peabody. Probe Cash Prize Fraud Charge in Springfield Springfield, Tenn. — Judge Dancey Fort has ordered the Robertson county grand jury to investigate the recent Bank Night fraud at the local Capitol Theatre, owned by the Crescent Amusement Co., of Nashville. Two people are waiting trial on charges of winning a $600 prize by substituting bogus tickets, but there has been official criticism of the theatre management and charges of negligence on their part. Bank Night at the Capitol has been postponed until the matter is completely cleared. The charges of negligence have been denied by the manager of the theatre. Lee Sells to Evans Memphis — W. R. Lee, who for the past couple of years has operated the Lee at Mt. View, Ark., and the Gem at Heber Springs, advised that effective February 15, he was selling his house in Mt. View to M. H. Evans. Lee will continue to operate Heber Springs. Evans is a brother of the exhibitor in Mt. Pine, Ark. The camera apparently was awed by the magnitude of the doings at the premiere in Miami of Universal’s “Back Street” and managed to wangle only a couple of shots — but good ones. Above are Deanna Durbin, who did a personal appearance at the Lincoln, and Robert Stevenson, director of the film. BOXOFFICE :: February 15, 1941 72-C