Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

OMAHA Walt Austin was fortunate that things turned out as well as they did at his Plains Theatre in Plain view. Neb., he reported. As the crowd was leaving after the night's performance, the theatre furnace blew up. No one was injured and the only damage was to the furnace. There was no fire. The Plains is closed temporarily while a new furnace is being installed . . . The Creighton, Neb., theatre, which had been closed, has been sold by the Largen Bros, to a group of businessmen and has been reopened. Marvin Jones, Red Cloud exhibitor, flew to Omaha for buying and booking during a sub-zero day accompanied by a driving north wind. “Nothing to it,” commented Jones, a former Air Force test pilot . . . Meyer Stern, American International representative, attended a regional convention in Chicago . . . Joe Jacobs, Columbia manager at Des Moines, was in Omaha for a checkup and treatment. Art Johnson, exhibitor at Yankton, S. D., who was hospitalized with a nerve ailment, is out and reports he is feeling fine . . . Walt Jancke of the Varsity and State at Lincoln was hit by the flu bug last week . . . Hob Hirz, former manager of the Cass Theatre at Plattsmouth, has sold his bowling alley there. His brother Bob, city manager for Warner Bros., was in bed ten days with a severe attack of the flu. Jack Klingel, city manager of the Cooper Foundation Omaha theatres, reported that the Cinerama picture, “Seven Wonders of the World,” did the most business of any picture at the Cooper since “Ben-Hur.” Tent 22 Stag on 22nd OMAHA — Variety Tent 16 will hold a stag get-together Monday (22) at the 40 Bowl. Chief Barker Don Shane said the purpose was to give new members a chance to get acquainted and map plans. A dance is tentatively scheduled late in February. Closes Afton, Iowa, Paris AFTON, IOWA — After operating the Paris Theatre for nearly 17 years, L. J. Kessler has closed the theatre and sold the building to an oil company. The final screen program at the Paris was shown December 18, the equipment then being dismantled and removed from the building. QUALITY s PROJECTION c R[ Super-Optica R c If ■ c E N K*Hreal economy s AMERICAN THEA. SPLY. CO., Sioux Falls, S. D. DES MOINES THEA. SPLY. CO., Des Moines, la. MINNEAPOLIS THEA. SPLY. CO., Minneapolis, Minn. HURLEY SCREEN COMPANY, INC. 96-17 Northern Blvd. Corona 68, N. Y. Omaha Buena Vista Going To New Quarters Feb. 1 OMAHA — The Buena Vista office will move from its present quarters to a suite of rooms in the Omaha Loan & Building Ass’n Building February 1, Manager Pat Halloran has announced. Quarters at 709 in the building are being remodeled. The location is approximately three blocks from the present office at 307 North 16th St. Halloran said the same phone number, 341-4030, will be retained. Others on the staff are Sam Deutch, booker, and Vivian Schertz, secretary. It was reported incorrectly previously that the United Artists exchange, adjacent to the present Buena Vista office, was planning to move. Buena Vista’s change will mark the second film company to locate in the OLBA Building. Warner Bros, now occupies a suite on the fifth floor. DES MOINES gympathy is extended to Bill Luftman of National Screen Service whose wife Phyllis died of a respiratory ailment. Surviving besides her husband are a son Lance; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Cohen, Des Moines, and a sister, Mrs. Ollie Silverstein, Memphis . . . Charles Caligiuri, Paramount manager, was in Lincoln calling on exhibitors ... Ed Williamson, WB division manager, was in from Dallas. Sam Keller of the Warner home office was at the Des Moines branch. Art Thiele of Des Moines Theatre Supply was home with flu . . . E. M. Garbett, Iowa United Theatres, returned to work after a hospital checkup . . . And Buck Manbeck, who weathered the big snowstorm at Iowa Methodist hospital because he had no galoshes and no way home, received a bill from his physician for $10. That, plus $26 a night at the hospital, adds up to a gala weekend ! Back from California in time for Des Moines’ bitter 17-below zero were these vacationers: Frank Rubel of Central States; Bill Proctor, manager of the Town Drive-In, and Thelma Washburn, Universal booker . . . Congratulations to Dick Glenn, Eastown manager, who became engaged recently to his cashier, Joan Buckingham . . . 20th-Fox screened “Tender Is the Night” at the Ingersoll . . . The week of the 14th saw these films staying on in the Iowa capitol city: “Pocketful of Miracles” entering its fourth week at the Capri; “Flower Drum Song” in its third week at the Des Moines, and “Second Time Around” at the Ingersoll for the fourth week . . . Renovation and redecorating are under way at the Firemen’s Theatre at New Hampton. Local 173 Elects TORONTO — Four officers of projectionists Local 173 were elected by acclamation as follows: president, Lou Lodge; recording secretary, Roy O’Connor; tyler, Richard Topping, and sergeant at arms, William Laidlaw. Elected by vote were A1 Hope, vice-president; Graydon Hulse, secretarytreasurer; Pat Travers, business manager, and Harry Brooks, Bert Hill, Bert Measures and Loren Clark, executive board. Shenandoah Theatre Destroyed by Fire SHENANDOAH, IOWA — Fire which broke out during the severe cold weather that gripped the midwest last week left the Page Theatre a gutted, ice-covered skeleton. Frank Kennedy, manager of the theatre which is owned by the Commonwealth Theatre Corp. of Kansas City, estimated the loss at least $200,000. He said it is partially covered by insurance. The fire also gutted offices of the Shenandoah police department and a record shop owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Childs. They estimated their loss at $7,500. Both were in the theatre building. Temporary police headquarters were set up in the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce office across the street. The fire broke out while the Page was showing “The Hustlers.” Patrons were hustled outside in 6-below-zero weather shortly after a theatre staffer discovered the blaze about 7:30 p.m.. It apparently started in a small room near the projection booth, Kennedy said. All were evacuated safely and no one was injured. Firemen from Clarinda, Red Oak and Essex joined the Shenandoah department in the fight, hampered by a 20-mile-anhour wind which sent sparks showering on the roofs of nearby buildings. Firemen credited a firewall between the theatre and an adjoining building which houses city and fire department offices with halting the flames in that direction. Kennedy and his mother Lillie were unable to remove any possessions from their upstairs apartment in the building. “We have only the clothes we are wearing,” said Kennedy. The city hall, fire station and jail, adjacent to the theatre, suffered heavy fire damage. Other nearby establishments reported considerable smoke and water damage. Wednesday (10), the day after the fire, Kennedy was assisted by Roy Tucker, purchasing agent for Commonwealth, and Charlie Tryon, circuit maintenance and construction supervisor, in beginning to prepare the Shenandoah State Theatre (which had been closed) for operation. The State was reopened through their efforts Saturday evening (13). Richard Orear, Commonwealth president, said, “I’m thankful indeed that no one was hurt in the catastrophe in Shenandoah. The firemen and citizen volunteers fought a gallant battle, and we are deeply appreciative. The severe loss there, as far as Commonwealth is concerned, was partially covered by insurance. It is our intention to rebuild the theatre as soon as possible.” Form Production Unit HOLLYWOOD — Irwin-O’Donnell Productions has been formed by Lew Irwin and Edward O’Donnell for the production of motion picture and television films. According to Irwin, president of the new firm, “The Addict” and “Teenage Idol — Symbol of a New Generation” have been acquired from his own independent outfit, Lew Irwin Productions. “Addict” is completed, and “Teenage Idol” will wind the end of this month. Irwin heads the production end of 1-0 Productions, while O’Donnell serves as vice-president in charge of sales. NC-2 BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1962