Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

Pre-Trial Settlement Reached By McLendon and Majors Dallas — Suit of B. R. McLendon against eight major distributors asking an injunction restraining them from holding up pictures for his Atlanta, Tex., theatres until 30 days after runs in the ParamountRichards theatres in Texarkana, was dismissed without prejudice in federal court here Tuesday. McLendon’s complaint was settled out of court through negotiations between George Wright, attorney for the distributors, Pat Russell, attorney for the plaintiff, and the plaintiff himself, McLendon also being a licensed attorney. The dismissal without prejudice means that McLendon may refile his suit at any time if he elects to do so. The settlement provided that there will be no protection of Texarkana over Atlanta on the part of any of the distributors named in the suit. It also provided that pictures will be available to the Atlanta theatres promptly. It is understood McLendon is going ahead with a trial of the new agreement. OKIILAIIHIIOMIA ClITY, JN JUST about two weeks, we understand, a party of state theatremen are going to cast gross worries behind them and hie off to Lake of the Woods in Canada for a two-week fishing trip. Just so you’ll know of whom to be envious, here’s the party: L. C. Griffith, general manager Griffith Amusement Co.; Claude O. Fulgum, district manager Griffith Amusement Co.; Alvin Powell, Guthrie; W. L. Berryman, Bartlesville; Adam Hornbeck, Shawnee; W. T. Spears, Altus; Jack Wilbern, Duncan; Arlie Crites, Lubbock; Carl Benefiel, Pampa; Frank Norton, Okemah; Frank Fonville, Oklahoma City; Foster McSwain, Ada; Tom Reed, Oklahoma City, and Paul Shipley, Oklahoma City. Death came last week to Malcom Cook, 33, Griffith partner at Okmulgee, who had many friends all over the state. He died following an operation. He went to Okmulgee in 1934 following operation of his own open-air theatre in Capitol Hill of Oklahoma City. Consolidated Theatres, Inc., through its subsidiary, Lindsey Theatres, has purchased the Broadway and Lyric theatres from Andy Maulden and the Cactus Theatre, all in Lubbock, Texas, giving the firm six houses there. Already set were the Lindsey, Palace and Texan. Consolidated Theatres, Inc., is building a new house in Sapulpa, Okla., to seat 522 persons. Jimmy Zartuludes is a partner in the enterprise. Hurricane Paris is rebuilding Lewis Barton’s Cozy Theatre at Stroud, Okla., and is contemplating producing a color newsreel of Disney, Okla. Sam Caporal has gone from double to single bills at his Mayflower Theatre here. Will spot more short subjects on the single bill programs also. “Souvenir Scenes” from “The Big Pictures of 1939’s Midsummer Season,” booklet distributed by Standard Tlieatres, 30 YEARS' Experience in Building Projection Equipment Why Experiment With Untried and Unproven Equipment? Make it SIMPLE All the Way and Take Advantage of that Thirty Years' Experience. NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY CO. ATLANTA — DALLAS — MEMPHIS — NEW ORLEANS — CHARLOTTE OKLAHOMA CITY proved to be the best giveaway in a long spell, according to Pat Patchen, advertising manager, who based his opinion on fact none were found strewn on local streets after having been given out in theatre lobbies. Jack Tunstell, assistant manager of the Criterion Theatre, is back from a two weeks’ vacation trip. Pauline Johnson, private secretary to Walter Shuttee, Standard general manager, off to the New York World Fair for her vacation trip. A. L. Smith, treasurer of Standard Theatres, surprised all and sundry by getting himself tied up in the marital knot. His former suave indifference has been replaced by a look in his eye indicating wojider where the next joke about it is coming from. The young lady who now shares Smith’s worries was Miss Margaret Searing of New York City. A bit of price cutting in our midst — when the Liberty, first-run double bills came down to 15 cents for its first matinee, the rival State Theatre, same status, across the street, pushed its price to same figure until 6 p. m. giving priceconscious customers four hours more than the Liberty. It was Tarzan week here starting last Friday — Midwest put on “Tarzan Finds a So?T’ new Metro picture with Johnny Weissmuller, while the State, on a double bill, offered Herman Brix in “Tarzan and the Green Goddess” while just around the corner Morris Loewenstein’s Majestic was offering “Tarzan’s Revenge” with Glenn Morris. Cecil Davis’ new Coronado Theatre at Putnam City opened June 28. It features a lighted 300-car parking lot. The State Theatre received a good publicity break last week. A local photographer demonstrating some new tricks in the photo art decided to take a shot of the business block wherein the State stands out like a sore-thumb. His picture was so good the Oklahoma City Times ran it four columns wide, ten inches deep — with the State leaping out of the picture because of its topnotch sign. Earl Barrett jr., who was operating the Ritz at Madill, and who was accidentally shot while handling a gun, has been succeeded at the Ritz by Levine Moore. New Santone Censor San Antonio — Mrs. Dove Vincius was named as the new city motion picture censor at a monthly salary of $80. Mrs. Vincius will take the position formerly held by Mrs. Hugh B. Rice. "Winkle" to Passer Hollywood — Monogram has assigned Rolf Passer to script “Rip Van Winkle,” to be produced on a high-budget scale. Years^ of KxDerienoe Has Tauerht Us How to Serve You Peterson "Freezem" Mfg. <& Sales Co. .SKi Southwest Hlvd. Kansas City, Mo. 66 BOXOFFICE :: July 1, 1939