Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

DES MOINEJ With another big weekend snowstorm covering this area, Iowa theatremen no longer were talking about the weather — they were crying about it ! And with several drive-ins planning to reopen soon, Larry Day of Central States put out a call for snowshoes for outdoor managers . . . A report that the roof of the Roof Garden ballroom at Arnold’s Park caved in under 64 inches of snow undoubtedly sent many exhibitors topside for a safety check. Jack Slingluff, manager of the Charles at Charles City, personified the old saying that “if you get a lemon, make some lemonade.’’ Slingluff got snowed out on a recent Sunday, so, upon learning that the storm had forced the schools to close on the following Monday, he put on a special matinee for the kids. Got the word out via radio on Monday morning. Ralph Olson, U-I manager, was an honorary pallbearer at services for Carl Reese, U-I Omaha salesman who was killed in an auto crash. The funeral was in Omaha February 20. With the American Bowling Congress in full swing at Veterans auditorium, Des Moines has become a kegler’s paradise. Filmfolk involved include Frank Carbone, Paramount’s Denver booker and office manager, and Sam Rich, Paramount’s Des Moines head booker, who bowled with the Denver group in singles and doubles . . . Pat Halloran, Omaha Buena Vista manager, and his wife Mary came here with an Omaha bowling group . . . Even the nonbowlers are enthusiastic about the ABC spectacle, which l-uns through April 26. They say it’s something to see. Bowler Carbone’s trip here was delayed three hours when the train on which he and Charles Caligiuri, Paramount exchange manager, were traveling hit a semitruck. Caligiuri was returning from a business trip in Nebraska. No one was hurtjust late. OJVjAJjA gol Slominski, one of the hardier exhibitors who braved snow and ice to drive in for booking last week, was well repaid for his trip from Loup City at the expense of Bill Doebel, 20th-Fox booker. Sol and Bill resumed their bowling feud after the close of business and Bill lost, which meant he had to pick up the alley tab. One staffer tipped us that Bill was using some new equipment, too. Tony Goodman, Fox salesman, became a grandfather for the first time on Valentine’s Day. Son Johnny and his wife are parents of a boy, named Val John Goodman. The name also continues that of Tony’s brother Johnny, who is a former National Amateur golf champion. C. R. McClure of Wall Lake, Iowa, and the local Chamber of Commerce are reopening the Rio Theatre . . . Bill Lyon is getting into the swing as new city sales representative for United Artists. It is not taking Bill long to get the feel of the territory as he is a former Columbia Omaha exchange office manager . . . Lin Pitts, Paramount city sales manager, attended a meeting in Des Moines last week. HERE'S HOW . . . TO MAKE MORE MONEY Pull 'em in to your theatre. Bring 'em to the concession stand with ROMAR LAMINATED, WASHABLE SIGNS AND DATERS Proven Business Pullers ROMAR VIDE CO. CHETEK, WISC. 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. M/LHMUKEE "phe 1962 Miss Milwaukee contest this year will be held at the Eagles Club May 4, 5, sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The contest is open to single girls between 18 and 28 who live or attend school in this area. Exhibitors interested may contact the JC office at 757 North Water St. The Variety Club and the Variety Theatre were much in evidence during Variety Club Week; the former, because of its kickoff for the many things to come, chief among them the fund-raising campaign with the Variety Club-Epilepsy Clinic to be the recipient of some $40,000. Variety Theatre went into bankruptcy with total liabilities listed at $245,125 and assets of $9,823. Many a time during the week, an explanation was called for in differentiating between the two. Many people apparently thought the two were associated, which naturally cut into the net results for the week, according to a number of exhibitors. Variety Theatre, according to A. J. Serrahn, the 29-year-old promoter, “ . . . failed because people didn’t support our promotions.” So, if an explanation is called for, there it is. MINNEAPOLIS "phe Hustler” keeps picking up momentum in its neighborhood runs and has broken all records at the Westgate Theatre, where it was in its eighth week. The theatre management reports that it even brought out one customer who said he hadn’t seen a motion picture since 1932 . . . Charlton Heston was in town in behalf of “El Cid” at the Academy Theatre . . . Genevieve Donovan, cashier at Columbia, has been suffering from bursitis, and is undergoing therapy treatments. Mrs. Einar Bank is now operating the Rialto Theatre at St. Charles following the death of her husband . . . Bryon Shapiro, manager at Columbia, was in New York for a general sales meeting . . . The Vogue at Sandstone, operated by Guy Thorne, has gone to one change a week — Thursday through Sunday . . . Harold Field, president of the Pioneer Theatres, was vacationing in Florida . . . Bob Karatz, partner in the Gopher Theatre, was vacationing in Mexico for a month. The MGM staff hosted a party at the Ambassador motor hotel for Janet Magnuson, bookers clerk, and Audrey Hagel, cashiers clerk, who have resigned. ASK ABOUT FILMACK'S EXCITING NEW SALES AIDS TO HELP YOU SELL YOUR MERCHANTS X FILMACK'S NEW 1962 Drive In Merchant Ads Sales Manual FILMACK TRAILER CO., 1327 S. WABASH, CHICAGO NC-4 BOXOFFICE :: March 5, 1962