Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

United Book'n Service Is Opened in Dallas DALLAS — United Theatre Service Corp., with offices at 308 S. Harwood St., has begun operations. The new unit is patterned after buying and booking offices in other areas and embraces innovations in this type of service which will be applied initially in Texas. Ed V. Green, buyer and booker of long experience, trained in theatre operations, has resigned as branch manager of Favorite Film Corp. of Texas to become general manager of United. John L. Franconi is president. A group of established film men completes the roster of stockholders. Green has just returned from visits to Bert M. Steam and Harry E. Long, Pittsburgh, operators of Cooperative Theatres Service, Inc., and to Milton L. Mooney, Cleveland, of the Cooperative Theatres of Ohio. Green studied the methods of these two units to incorporate their best phases into the developed plans of United. ED V. GREEN Dom Buffo's New Interests: Son and Bogota Theatre DEPORT, TEX. — Dom Buffo, who acquired the Deport Theatre a year ago from Ray DeVinney, has two new interests to look after: Dom jr. and the Bogata Theatre seven miles from here. Dom jr. was born last month a couple of days after Buffo had gone to Louisville, Colo., for his health. Dad covered the 900 miles home in 18 hours and arrived on August 16 to find his wife and son doing weU. Buffo purchased the theatre in Bogata from Mrs. Effie Blankenship and has installed Johnny Gill and his wife as managers. Mrs. Gill is a niece of Buffo. Buffo came here September 1, 1946, from Hartshorne, Okla., where he owned and operated the Liberty Theatre for 27 years. Local Angle for 'Father' In Oklahoma Showing OKLAHOMA CITY — Warners’ new bigbudget picture “Life With Father,” which moves into the Midwest September 17, has a local angle for exploitation. Russel Crouse, co-author with Howard Lindsay of the Pulitzer prize-winning play, was known as Mike Crouse when he lived in Enid from the time he was 13 years old until he finished high school. His father was editor of the Enid Daily News. Harry Waldron to Launch Lindsay House Sept. 24 LINDSAY, OKLA. — Harry Waldron plans to open his new theatre here September 24. It will be known as the Waldron. Trade Properties COMMERCE, OKLA. — John Carter of the Lyric has traded his theatre to his brother George in exchange for George’s shows in Bokoshe, McCurtain and Keota. Over Dozen New Theatres In Dallas Exchange Area Close Up lor a Month To Enjoy Vacation Wakita, Okla.-— Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Ausherman solved their vacation problem by closing the Wakita Theatre and taking off for distant parts. They closed the house August 2 and left the next day to visit in Washington, Oregon and California. The returned August 31 and reopened the theatre September 3. Theatre Chain Is Sued After Fall in Lobby OKLAHOMA CITY — Thompson Theatres, Inc., was sued Monday by Nola M. Bailey for $25,000 damages as a result of injuries she allegedly received when she slipped on a tile floor in the lobby of a theatre owned by the corporation in Britton. She charged the theatre company with negligence in not providing a rubber matting and alleged that the lobby was dark when she emerged so she could not maintain a footing. Thompson Theatres, Inc., is owned by Glen Thompson of Oklahoma City. Mrs. B. M. Smith Renews Liberty in Quinton, Okla. QUINTON, OKLA.— The Liberty is having its face lifted. Mrs. B. M. Smith, owner, is remodeling the house throughout, giving it new seats, booth equipment, a new front and other improvements. W. O. Kemp Remodels POTEAU, OKLA.— W. O. Kemp is remodeling the Kemp Theatre into a de luxe house which he will use for roadshow pictures. The theatre will have new seats and equipment. DALLAS — More than a dozen new theatres have opened, or will open in the next few months in this exchange territory. Interstate, which opened the Garden Oaks in Houston recently, intends to launch the Fulton there September 26. The Fulton will seat 1,000. Interstate also will open the Cactus, 600car drive-in at Albuquerque on or near September 20, the new Circle here September 15 and the 950-seat Esquire in Amar.'llo early in November. The Circle will seat 1,000. Theatre Enterprises recently opened the El Morro in Gallup, N. M. W. W. Barclay opened the 300-seat Melba in Melvin, Tex. Lawrence Fontana opened a new colored house in Port Arthur called the Hollywood and seating 850. Eddie Joseph opened his South Drive-In at Austin. W. D. Adwell launched his new Ranch Theatre in Ozona, Tex. R. M. Shaw and E. E. Gothrie have opened the Star, a 350-seater, in Turnertown. E. C. McConnell recently opened the Latin American in Wichita Falls, and H Ford Taylor the new Ford in Ballinger, Tex. J. H. Crump and W. W. McNatt premiered their new Oak in Lone Oak, Tex. Ted Robbins will open his new 460-seat Crest Theatre in Dublin, Tex., around October 1. Earl W. Pitman will be the manager. One-Two in the Hospital For Mr. and Mrs. Freel VALLIANT, OKLA.— R. L. Freel, local exhibitor, and his wife have been keeping the doctors busy at the Idabel hospital. Freel underwent an appendectomy and the day he returned home his wife entered the same hospital with an acute attack of appendicitis. She also underwent surgery. DEPINET IS GODFATHER — Ned E. Depinet, left, RKO executive vice-president, beams at his new godchild, born to Ben Y. Cammack, right, RKO southern district manager, and Mrs. Cammack. Mrs. Claude Ezell, wife of the general manager of the Underwood & Ezell circuit, was godmother. She is holding the infant. The christening was held at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Dallas. BOXOFFICE :: September 13, 1947 SW 117