Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1940)

....AW, SHUCKS!.. From the Tall Corn— By KEN and RENE CLAYTON J^AY BALTZLEY and Mrs. Ray have a different name on their Iris at Bussey, la., these days. It’s the Rayola, now. The first three letters are from Ray’s name, the last three from his wife’s first name . . . but that wasn’t revealed. Most of the houses around the state stick pretty closely to the Strand-RialtoPalace-and-Princess school, but we’ve noticed a few which have broken away. There’s A. P. Ludwig’s Riada at Adair, for instance. It’s simply the name of the town spelled backward. And there’s W. B. Franke’s Humota at Humboldt, which includes both Humboldt and Dakota City in the title and keeps all prospective patrons happy. Now we’d like to know the stories back of Johnny Heubner’s Maylew at Roland; Wes Mansfield’s luka at Tama and Welting at Toledo: L. Barlett’s Tyke at Titonka, and Beulah De Nune’s Toy at Tipton. How about the lowdown on those? Bob Pulton of the Paramount at Waterloo and his Rose made that Canadian trip with the Stoltes. Art’ll have to be careful about his fish stories now. Hal Sheridan of the Cedar Rapids Paramount headed east last week. Hal expected to visit in Toronto, Canada, and pick up a concentrated rest in New York state before his return. Johnny McCray has left the LeClair at Moline, 111., we hear, and Francis Gillian is keeping things going smoothly there now. Joe Kinsky must be gunning for Leo Wolcott’s title as the most enthusiastic golfer in the Iowa theatre flight. Joe, TriStates’ Mississippi River district manager, has been keeping his driver hot with practice swings at the country club course while Leo’s been burning up the Pine lake course at Eldora. Paramount Exploiteer Bill Lansburg rolled that big blue sports job into Davenport . . . and discovered that he and Dale McParlin, Tri-States city manager there, were old Sioux City schoolmates. “’Tis a small world,” comments Bill, “in a Buick.” The opening of Bob Bernau’s new Iowa Theatre in Lake City, July 31, is scheduled to be such an event in that locale, that they’re opening the newly paved Highway 151 there at the same time. We trust that means smoother sailing for Bob. Roy (One Horse) Hill of State (One Horse Town) Center would have paid plenty for that horse’s head that decorates Bob Hildreth’s sign factory, but Bob was no horse trader. The horse is still hitched to the wall instead of the hood of a midget automobile, and Roy has one more “Pride of the Blue Grass” publicity stunt consigned to the limbo of it-mighthave-been. Roy Lepovitz is working his Iowa Theatre claim at Madrid, la., after a session of prospecting for gold out west. If things didn’t seem quite the same aroimd the Strand in Ackley, la., July 20, perhaps it’s because R. C. Schrodt was pacing the hospital halls in Iowa Falls, awaiting delivery of the new baby girl he ordered. Clyde King’s Plaza at Monona is reported in receivership. Despite reports that Jack Tuchek would have that Cresco entertainment emporium open by July 1, it’s gonna be nearer the August sheet on the calendar when the turnstiles start swinging. Sitting’s easier in the Grand at Decorah since H. Engbertson had the Des Moines Theatre Supply put new chairs in the 650seat house. Some of the Iowa exhibitors who forecast hot weather after the late spring, collected on their foresight when the heat wave hit last week. Among those who installed cooling systems this summer are J. W. Davis of the Monte in Montezuma It's Reunion — It turned out to be something of a family affair when Toby Stewart (left), of the Mayfair in Shenandoah, la., visited the “Moon Over Burma” set at Paramount. His daughter, Kay Stewart, a studio starlet, was on hand to introduce the showman to Robert Preston, star of the film. and Mr. Newcomb of the Burg in Williamsburg. Cherokee’s ready for a heavy rim of late summer and fall film customers, with both D. R. Golde of the American and Norman and Kueck of the Empress remodeling this summer. Add golfers (expert) : Lee Henry, the Gene Sarazen of Stuart. Most of that $6,000 fire in three buildings at Walnut, la., Monday morning was chalked up against the Strand Theatre. The John Tramm garage and a vacant building next to the film house drew some of the flames, too, however. lowans who have been glimpsing reports from Hollywood about the way Kay Stewart and Bill Procter are doing the town are gambling that Shenandoah’s Toby Stewart is slated to have some soap in the family — but not soft soap. Siebenthaler Acquires Triplett's Film Lab Kansas City — Charley Siebenthaler, who has been with Independent Poster Exchange and its successor. Advertising Accessories, Inc., for 11 years, has taken over the Missouri Film Laboratories at 110 West 18th Street from Milan E. Triplett. Triplett has operated the company for the past two years. Siebenthaler plans to continue Missouri Film Lab at its present address, but will improve service and expand operations. Arthur Siebenthaler, Charley’s brother, will assist him in the new venture. Stebbins Theatre Supply Has New Chair Agency Kansas City — Stebbins Theatre Equipment Co. is now distributor in Kansas and western Missouri of theatre chairs manufactured by the American Desk Manufacturing Co. at Temple, Tex., according to an announcement made by the manufacturers. Arrangements for this distribution were completed by C. H. Badger, vice-president and manager, W. A. Porter, assistant manager of Stebbins, and by Forrest Dunlap, sales manager of the manufacturing company. August 2 Opening Date Is Set lor Empress Kearney, Neb. — George O. Monroe’s new Empress, being constructed on the ashes of the old house which burned last winter, has been set for opening August 2. It was built over plans by Ed Sessinghaus, and equipped by the Scott-Ballantyne Co. of Omaha. One of the most costly recent structures in Nebraska, the Empress, which will be managed by George “Hodge” Wright, is in the $35,000 class. Randall Into DeSoto DeSoto, Kas. — Horace Randall, who operates the Community at Spring Hill, Kas., has opened the DeSoto here. 48 BOXOFFICE :: July 27, 1940