Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1939)

$76m0 Will Rogers Gilt To Okla. University J^ECENT VISITORS; Manager Eddie Bremer, Kirby Theatre, Houston, Tex., and Carlos Rojas, Mexican film star, Mexico City, D. F. Manager Johnny T. Floors of the Texas Theatre, hit the local society pages again here when he recently gave the bride away at the John William Fielder-Mary Hampton Bassett wedding. Joe Morin of KTSA played the nuptial march on the organ and Monette Shaw, WOAI vocalist, sang “Because.” Groom is well known in Texas radio and theatrical circles as a stagehand leader, and the bride is featured songstress with his orchestra. Speaking of the blissful bounds of matrimony, Claude “Cookie” Cunard, assistant engineer on the State Theatre staff, and Miss Lela Kraut, nonpro, are now united for life. The happy couple are now spending their honeymoon-vacation in Monterey, Mexico. Boxoffice wishes them health, luck and continued happiness. Add vacationists: Mrs. Doris Wise Sideman, personal secretary to Bill O’Donnell, Interstate city manager here, and her hubby, Jules, are having a wonderful time down in romantic old Mexico City. “Big” Whitehouse, singing master of ceremonies, has been doubling between the Joy Theatre and the Nite Spot Cabaret during the past week. The forthcoming marriage of E. Adkins Lenoir jr., manager of the Plaza Theatre, Sayi Marcos, to Miss Sara Irene Rowe of this city, has been announced locally. The wedding is to take place the early part of July. Southland Industries Notes: Miss Jean McGraw, a distant relative of the late John J. McGraw of baseball fame, is the latest addition to the office staff. The grand opening of Interstate’s new Broadivay Theatre in Alamo Heights was aired over KABC (Alamo Broadcasting Co.) with Jerry Fisher at the mike. More vacations: Tom Caraway, manager of Valley Film Service in New York Denison — New projection and sound equipment has been installed in the Rialto. The theatre also was treated acoustically. Devine — Tlie Majestic front has been redecorated, neon lighting being installed. Gilmer — Cranfill Cox jr., associated with his father in the Crystal and Strand, has been elected secretary of the chamber of commerce. Twenty years ago several of and Pennsylvania: Skipper Ralph Labutis of Texas Film Service, to Dallas then Chicago; W. S. Rogers, driver for the same film service, visiting Des Moines, la., and Searcy A. Lacey, office man, back from Vernon where he went to see his first sweetheart, his mother. Adding another milestone June 23 was Mrs. Lola Harris, chief inspectress at the Paramount exchange here, who celebrated with a house party the following Sunday. The Edinburg Morning Valley Review is running the complete daily programs of McAllen, Mission, Donna, Pharr, San Juan, Mercedes, and Weslaco theatres on its first page, six columns wide. This is something unusual for any newspaper to do, especially in south Texas, and the lower Rio Grande Valley, as well as Edinburg programs. Larry J . Pico, the former theatre organist, asked us what were the four greatest words in the English language. We looked no7i-plussed but agreed when he piped “enclosed please find check.” 10 Years Ago IN SANTONE ^HE new Majestic Tlieatre, Interstate deluxer, opened in June, 1929 . . . Your correspondent was spending his vacation in Hollywood . . . Clarence Moss was pressagenting for the Empire, then an independent house . . . C. H. Stewart was managing the old Rialto Theatre on Houston St. for Paramount-Publix. The Universal Exchange at 610 Soledad St. was ramrodded by Theo Roudtt . . . Tire Paramount exchange skipper was a Mr. Blackburn . . . The late Gaston Phillippe, one of San Antonio’s pioneer film exchange managers, had the Independent Film Supply Co. on Tliird St. here. Sackamuse Enterprises were domiciled in the Newton Bldg, on Main Ave. . . . Beverly Spillman, theatre architect, was working on the new Coca-Cola plant on LaFitte St. . . . Lawrence J. Pico, organist, was doing solos at the Palace console. Gladewater — Edwin M. Moorman is now manager of the Cozy here after his transfer by East Texas Theatres from Gladewater. Three Rivers, Tex. — T. R. McGee is now manager of the Rialto Theatre here, succeeding Sam Schewitz. McGee comes from the Rialto at Sinton and Schewitz has been transferred by the Hall circuit back to BeeviUe. Oklahoma City — ^A check for $76,000 has been delivered to the board of regents of the University of Oklahoma by Jesse H. Jones, as a living memorial to Will Rogers, Oklahoma’s celebrated humoristscreen actor. Jones was accompanied to Norman by Mrs. Betty Rogers, widow of the humorist. The fund is to be used to help worthy students with their education and will make a total of $125,000 for Oklahoma from memorial funds raised to honor Will Rogers. The fund includes $25,000, which goes to Bacone Indian School at Muskogee, Okla., and the funds already spent on the Will Rogers memorial building at Claremore. Flanagan's New Arlyne Opened at Longview Longview, Tex. — The new Arlyne, heralded as Longview’s ace theatre, formally opened recently. It was built by Tracy Flanagan, a Texas exhibitor for 25 years, who became a partner locally with Jefferson Amusement Co. when the East Texas oil field came in. Besides his theatre interests, Flanagan made a fortime in his oil holdings. The Arlyne, derived from Mrs. Flanagan’s first name, represents a large investment with buiiding and all new modern equipment. Special ceremonies at the opening carried out the Hollywood idea. Okla. Showman Plans Sherman, Tex., House Sherman, Tex. — Max Burger, who . formerly operated theatres in Ardmore and Enid, wiil start remodeling a building ; in June, on which he has a reported i long-time lease. Opening is planned late in the month. The location is two doors north of the Ritz. Bryan Circuit Will Build Theatre Following Suit ' Bryan, Tex. — Settlement of a suit by i College Hills Estate Co. vs. Bryan Amuse • ment Co., charging the concern breached t its contract by failure to build a theatre at ■. College Station on a lot purchased from i the real estate company, has been settled. ' Remodeling Progress Albany, Tex. — Remodeling and thorough i modernization of the Aztec Theatre is al 4 most completed. New equipment is be { ing installed. The house is owned by H. S. iS Leon of Haskell, who owns and operates u several other west Texas towns. i Installs New Cooling System Emory, Tex. — Theo Miller has installed a new cooling system in the Rains Theatre, first motion picture house ever to be opened in this community. Borger — Tom Davidson, local Griffith manager, has opened the State and closed the Circle, the same directors elected C. H. Cox sr. to that position from which he stepped into show business. 70-D BOXOFFICE ;; July 1, 1939