Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1938)

Open Five Houses In Oklahoma Area Oklahoma City — Five theatres in this area have opened and one is due to start operation soon, according to latest reports from the field. Openings include the Tivoli at Afton, a 250-seat house owned by Miss Johnnie Garner; Ritz, Morris, Okla., owned by W. F. Gilmore; Earl Barrett’s 300-seater at Atoka; Best, Broken Bow, owned by Buffum and Doty; Moore, Deport, Tex., 350seater, operated by Ralph Moore. Set for early operation is the Jewel at Ardmore, with 400 seats. The Oklahoman at Hobart, owned by Charles Mahone, has been reseated. Considerable new equipment also has been installed. King Studios Distributing Conti-Glo Paint Line Dallas — The King Studios has been appointed sole distributor for Conti-Glo paints in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, it has been announced by W. B. King. Demonstrations of these paints have been going on in the King offices for the past few weeks. A picture, or design on the wall, painted especially for the effect, appears to be one thing under ordinary light and changes to an entirely different picture with different coloring because of a black light playing on the Conti-Glo paints. Clyde Booth, who has been in Oklahoma the past few seasons, has joined King Studios in the distribution and sale of decorations with the new line. The bigger night spots are being contacted now and uses for the theatres are being worked out. A Sunday Referendum Is Asked in Lebanon Lebanon, Tenn. — Lebanon is seeking a vote on the question of Sunday shows and the city council has asked the election commission to arrange a referendum on the subject. The local post of the American Legion has sponsored Sunday movies in Lebanon for the past three months, 25 per cent of the receipts going to the care of crippled children. The attendance has been very satisfactory. Sales Gouge Drops Oklahoma City — The first three months of the present fiscal year show collections of $2,486,113.55 as compared with $2,793,147.48 for the same period last year on the two per cent retail sales tax. Charles Helms Managing Theatrical Printing Co, Dallas — Appointment of Charles Helms as manager of the Texas Theatrical Printing Co. office here has been announced from the Atlanta headquarters of the company. He succeeds Harry Holmes, resigned. A graduate of the Atlanta Tech high school, Charlie joined Theatrical immediately upon graduation, working his way Charles helms up through the shipping department and composing room. He married Hazel Williams, formerly secretary to Thomas A. Brannon, president of Affiliated Producers, Inc., of Atlanta. S A M T O M IE CJEVERAL of the Paramount Pictures exchange employes are taking in the weekend football games, both local and state. Some of the boys are even going as far as Oklahoma just to see the gridiron men pass the pigskin. Nick Stuart and his Band followed Ramona’s Music into the Olmos last week. Nick will be remembered as a former motion picture cameraman and screen star. Sign on an Alamo Plaza Theatre last week read: “Condemned Women” — “The Marines Are Here.” Figure out your own answer . . . The Empire revived “All Quiet on the Western Front” last week to satisfactory biz. . . . New Azteca Film release for this week is tagged “La Tierra del Machaini,” which played to a nice turnout at the National Theatre here. Walter Knoche, manager of the Palace Theatre, Fredericksburg , Tex., was a recent caller at Independent Film Exchange, purchasing equipment and supplies from R. W. Barron, manager of the Commerce St. firm. Ralph Calderon of Azteca Films Co., El Paso, and J. J. Jimenez of Latin-American Film Exchange here, took off for Kansas City and Chicago last Sunday on a business trip. This marks the Senors’ first trip east, together. Santone 20 years ago this month: Clara Kimball Young was showing in “ The Savage Woman” at the old Grand Opera House Theatre . . . Thirty-five years ago this same old opera house was presenting the Ewing-Taylor combination in ‘‘The Three Musketeers” to capacity audiences; this repertoire company also presented the ‘‘Everlasting Devil’s Auction,” in the days long before the talking picture held full sway. BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT 315 s. HARWOOD BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas. Texas Tally Loses Suit Over Ritz Theatre Dallas — After a brief partnership of Gidney Talley with G. Birdwell in the Ritz at McCamey, Tex., operating in competition to Oskar Korn, Birdwell, after a disagreement, sued Talley and got judgment with the court ordering Talley to turn over his interest in the theatre to the plaintiff. Talley lost by default as he did not appear but plans to appeal the case, according to news reaching Dallas. A Proclamation Invites To Memorial Dedication Oklahoma City — Governor Marland will issue a proclamation for all Oklahomans to aid in the dedication of the Will Rogers Memorial at Claremore, November 4. He will send about 5,000 invitations to governors and notables in other states. No invitations will be given to persons in Oklahoma. John Garner, vice-president, and Jesse Jones, chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corp., have been invited to speak. Arrangements are being made for NBC coverage of the ceremonies. Arrangements may be made for brief talks by President Roosevelt, Eddie Cantor, George M. Cohan and Fred Stone, by remote control. A program will start at 9 a. m. on the memorial grounds, but the dedicatory services will be at 12 noon or 1 p. m., depending upon broadcasting arrangements. The dedicatory program will be simple. Arrangements will be made for about 20,000 persons to be accommodated on the sloping area in front of the memorial. Donald Cannon Is Named Manager at Greenlield Greenfield, Tenn. — Donald Cannon, former operator of the Palace Theatre, has assumed duties as manager of the house, succeeding Shelby McCallum, who has been promoted to management of the newly-acquired Ruffin Theatre at Benton, Ky. Fred Grooms succeeds Cannon as operator. Improve in Reidsville Reidsville, N. C. — The Rockingham Theatre has completed several improvements. New draperies and curtains were hung in the foyer and mezzanine floor, and new lighting and stage decorations were installed. The improvements add much beauty to the house. Standard-NSS Deal Oklahoma City — B. F. “Dinty” Moore has concluded a deal with the National Screen Service branch in Dallas whereby he will use that company’s accessories exclusively in Standard Theatres houses. 118 BOXOFFICE :: October 15, 1938