Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1941)

" Wind, ” "Hudson ’s Bay, ” "Arizona ” Smashers Interslate Settles With 0. B. Bridges Dallas — The Interstate circuit has effected a settlement out of court in the O. B. Bridges anti-trust suit against it and the eight majors. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but were described as “a figure satisfactory to Mr. Hoblitzelle and Mr. Bridges.” The Bridges suit had been pending for some time and was instituted by the independent exhibitor when he operated the Palace in Houston. It charged price fixing on the part of the circuit to the detriment of Bridges’ operation. The settlement winds up all pending damage suits against the circuit. Hear Interstate Motion in Torgenson Suit Monday Dallas — Hearing on Interstate’s motion before Judge W. H. Atwell in federal court to have the jury verdict in the Jorgenson damage suit set aside in favor of an instructed verdict for the defendants, has been delayed until Monday. In case the instructed verdict is not realized, Interstate will ask for a new trial, it is believed. Jorgenson recently was awarded $4,500 damages in a suit involving price restrictions and availability. Robb & Rowley Transfer Two Operating Heads Dallas — Shifts of operating heads in two Robb & Rowley-United towns have just been made. Sam Stokes, after many years as manager in McAlester, Okla., goes to Corpus Christi where he will relieve Bruce Collins as city manager. Collins, it was said, will devote his time to R&R real estate in the boom city and will also look after personal holdings. He remains, however, as partner of the circuit in Corpus. To McAlester goes Alex Blue, formerly assistant to J. P. Jones in Palestine. Blue’s place is filled by John Callahan, a brother of Dave Callahan, who is the R&R manager in Waxahachie. Shorthose and Interstate Building in Paris , Tex. Paris, Tex. — W. F. Shorthose, local business man, is starting remodeling work on a new independent theatre here which he expects to open within the next few weeks. He secured a lease on the location a short time ago and has purchased equipment for it. Last Monday, however, the Interstate circuit started remodeling of a store location they recently acquired which will make their fourth theatre here. The Shorthose show will make the total five. Thurman Lumpkin Promoted Fort Worth, Tex. — Thurman Lumpkin, formerly of the Palace service staff here, has been named assistant manager of the Camp Bowie Theatre at Brownwood, Tex. New Orleans — Decree or no decree, the public is tearing down the doors over the excellence of the films shown in all houses. “GWTW” came back to Loew’s after a seven-and-a-half week run at more than top prices — but this time at 50 cents top and packed them in. It will go to the neighborhoods at a slight advance after the protection period. “The Philadelphia Story” is underlined. At the Orpheum, “Arizona” proved that Southerners go strong for the westerns. “This Thing Called Love” is being held for a third week at the Liberty, another Mort Singer theatre. Over at the Saenger, “Hudson’s Bay” brought a touch of snow and ice, saved a new world and reunited two lovers to be followed by “Second Chorus,” with “Victory” as a midnight show. Business has been good all over the city. (Average is 100) Globe — Bitter Sweet (M-G-M) 95 Liberty — That Thing Caled Love (Col), 2nd wk. .100 Loew’s— Gone With the Wind (M-G-M) 250 Orpheum — Arizona (Col) 200 Saenger — Hudson’s Bay (20th-Fox) 200 Tudor — Escape (M-G-M), 2nd wk 90 " Santa Fe Trail " Is Most Potent Draw in Dallas Dallas — Grosses held up on Elm Street with “Santa Fe Trail” taking the honors for the week. However “GWTW” opened Friday at the Palace and this was given credit for bringing them downtown during Isley Builds in Mineral Wells and Brownwood Dallas — Theatre activities of Phil R. Isley continue to attract attention here. He started construction Monday on a 1,000-seater in Mineral Wells across the street from where Resort Amusement Co. (Robb & Rowley), have a new theatre under way. Isley also started construction Monday on a new theatre in Brownwood where he opened the new Plaza about 90 days ago. On February 6, he opened the new Bobby Walker in Abilene. The house was named for his grandson. Hear Boyce House Waco, Tex. — Boyce House, widely-read Texas newspaper columnist who served as technical director for M-G-M’s “Boom Town,” addressed the Junior Chamber of Commerce membership on the subject, “How I Took Hollywood by Storm.” His speech was a humorous take-off on his experiences while in the film capital. the weekend rain, the first part being fair, however. The Capitol put in another double, including an Autry, after trying it single the previous Saturday. Detail for week ending February 1: (Average is 100) Capitol — Phantom Submarine (Col) 90 Played Tuesday and Wednesday. Capitol — Michael Shayne, Private Detective (20th-Fox) 90 Played Thursday and Friday. Capitol — San Francisco Docks (Univ) ; Kalin* on a Rainbow (Rep) 115 Starting Saturday going through Monday. Majestic — Santa Fe Trail (FN) 125 Held over at the Tower. Palace — Second Chorus (Para’t) 100 Rialto — Lady With Red Hair (WB) 100 Played three days ending Thursday. Rialto — No, No, Nanette (RKO) 110 Played four days through Monday. Tower — Philadelphia Story (M-G-M), 2nd wk ..110 Rain Dampens Attendance For O. C. First Runs Oklahoma City — Rain for almost the full week cut grosses down last week with indications of attendance having forecast exceptionally good business had it not been for the dripping weather. Detail for week ended February 1: (Average is 100) Criterion— Philadelphia Story (M-G-M) 135 Liberty — Here Comes the Navy (WB); The Great Profile (20th-Fox), 95 Midwest — The Son of Monte Cristo (UA) 90 State — Foreign Correspondent (UA) 130 Tower — Gone With the Wind (M-G-M) 110 Fourth local week on this run; two at Criterion. Dallas — Republic Pictures Corp. of New York has purchased their Texas franchise from W. G. Underwood and C. C. Ezell, who thereby retire from distribution after being in that end of the game since its earliest days. James R. Grainger, Republic president; J. E. McMahon, company attorney, and Frank Soule, special representative for Herbert Yates, were here several days at the Adolphus Hotel working on the deal which was finally closed Monday night. Lloyd B. Rust, who continues as local Republic manager, said there would be no changes whatever in the Dallas branch in either personnel or service. Underwood operated Specialty Film Co. here for many years. In June, 1935, he joined forces with Ezell and as a team they built up a prospering business. When Bank Night came along, they added vastly to their coffers. Today they are devoting their full time to building drive-in theatres in Texas and to other theatre interests. Desguin Installs Sound Punta Gorda, Fla. — L. V. Desguin is installing RCA sound in his New Theatre. Underwood and Ezell Sell Republic Texas Franchise BOXOFFICE : : February 8, 1941 S 67