Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

Steak Dinner Kicks Off SW Found Money Drive MILWAUKEE — A regional meeting held at the Steak Ranch here recently by Stanley Warner Theatres kicked off an SW Pound Money promotion drive extending from March 1 to May 31. Harry Goldberg, seen seated at left, circuit advertising-publicity director, conducted the meeting. Seated at right is Herbert Copelan, mid west zone manager. Copies of a brochure full of promotion suggestions for increasing income on special occasions were distributed at the meeting. Attending were Paul Rich, zone contact manager; Herbert Wheeler, Illinois-Indiana district manager; Harry Mintz, Wisconsin manager; David Goldman, Wiscon sin film buyer; Aaron Shlesman, Illinois film buyer; Paul Smith, Bill Bingel, Jim McCarthy, Ted Rasch, Dennis Finkler, Stan Gross, Stan Gere, Bill Jeffries, Lawrence Stewart, Dave Evans, Ralph Shallu, Bob Tauscher, Pete Pisana, Herb Frank, Bob Kennedy, Ornie Sekatis, Gabe Guzman, and George Beek. Sheldon Grengs Dead; Eau Claire Exhibitor EAU CLAIRE, WIS. — Funeral services were held here for Sheldon Grengs, 50, theatre operator who died at the Variety Club Heart Hospital in Minneapolis from complications following heart surgery. Grengs had been hospitalized since December 12. He had been in theatre business since 1930. His theatre interests included the Granada at Duluth and the Hollywood Theatre and Stardust Drive-In at Eau Claire, operated in partnership with his son Gene. Grengs was a member of the Variety Club of the Northwest and North Central Allied. Survivors, in addition to his son, Gene, include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Grengs of Spooner, Wis.; a sister, Mrs. Kathlyn Benson, Spooner, and a brother Donald of Spooner. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Variety Club Heart Hospital. Infringement Suits Filed By Six Distributors FRESNO, CALIF. — Copyright infringement suits have been filed here against William E. Foley, of Kerman, Calif., by six film companies, charging the complainant with selling and offering for sale 35mm and 16mm prints of the plaintiffs’ copyrighted pictures. Among the pictures allegedly involved were Columbia’s “Our Man in Havana,” Warner Bros.’ “Onionhead,” Paramount’s “Run for Cover,” Walt Disney’s “The Littlest Outlaw,” United Artists’ “Nightmare” and Universal’s “The Perfect Furlough.” Each of the companies was a plaintiff. The complaints asked damages, injunctive relief, seizure and impounding of the prints. The plaintiffs were represented by the Los Angeles law firm of Freston & Files and the New York law firm of Sargoy & Stein. Realignment by Maco Prior to Century Opening MINNEAPOLIS — In preparation for the reopening of the Century Theatre here April 13, several managerial changes have been announced by Minnesota Amusement Co. Charles Zinn, former city manager in Minneapolis and manager of the State Theatre, has been named city manager in St. Paul and manager of the Paramount Theatre there. Tom Martin, former city manager in St. Paul and manager of the Paramount there, has been named manager of the Century. Francis “Bud” Wiggins, manager of the Lyric, Minneapolis, becomes manager of the State here. Robert Thill, former house manager of the State, has been promoted to manager of the Lyric. Arlo Van Syckel, former assistant manager of the Paramount, St. Paul, has been promoted to manager of the Riviera there. Ronald Kuharski, former assistant manager of the Lyric here, has been named manager of the 7-Hi Drive-In, Minneapolis. Don Alexander, manager of the Riviera, St. Paul, is being recalled into the advertising department of Minnesota Amusement Co., and will be reassigned as advertising director of the Century to handle the opening and subsequent campaigns. George Schaefer to Film Three for Paramount HOLLYWOOD — Producer director George Schaefer has been set to make three motion pictures for worldwide distribution by Paramount Pictures, according to an announcement of the agreement made jointly by Jack Karp, vice-president in charge of the studio, and Schaefer’s newly formed Compara Films, Ltd. Properties are now under consideration as Schaefer’s initial production under the pact, which runs for four years. For several years, Schaefer has been considered a top-flight producer and director in the fields of television and the legitimate stage through Compass, Inc. MILWAUKEE Recording star Bob Karnes is open for promotion deals. Karnes recently opened studios at 4310 West Forest Home Ave., and told the writer that his first objective is to secure engagements where there are likely to be large crowds, which will enable him to demonstrate the organ. “Exposures,” he calls them, anticipating that some will “rub off” in the form of eventual sales. Promotion-minded exhibitors may call Karnes at Evergreen 4-8633, to get in on this ballyhoo approach. Monte Blue, complete with his ten-gallon hat and Texas approach, was in the city helping to plug the Shrine circus. He had a good chance to swap experiences of the old silent movie days with numerous exhibitors along Filmrow . . . Ray Boyle of the Swan Theatre announced personalities to appear here soon include Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, Hugh O’Brian, Don Ameche and Betty White. Samuel A. Barrett, former director of the Milwaukee public library-museum, is racing against time to record on film, ancient practices of western American Indians. Barrett, who is 82, is investigating Indian culture for the University of California. “Show me an Indian doing something anywhere, and I’ll be there to get it in film,” he said, adding; “My observation is that if you want to kill a person off in a hurry when he retires, get him to join the rocking chair fleet.” —ORDER YOUR NEXT — SPECIAL TRAILER I IN DOUBLE I I WITH CONFIDENCE FROM FILMACK 1327 South Wabash Chicago, Illinois BOXOFFICE :: February 26, 1962 NC-1