Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1938)

Los Angeles Hardly Hears of Quiz's End, Naming of Judges Los Angeles — Coupled with the announcement that the Hollywood committee representing the “Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment” drive and its running mate, the $250,000 "Movie Quiz” contest, will shutter its offices and cease firing after December 1, this area, in general, maintained its apathetic reaction to the all-industry boxoffice stimulator as word was received locally judges for the “Quiz” contest had been selected in New York. Tire campaign’s largest local subscriber to the campaign — Fox West Coast — continued to manifest a conservative brand of enthusiasm on improved boxoffice takes, however, as a spokesman for Charles P. Skouras, FWC president, reported the circuit head had expressed satisfaction with the selection of the “Quiz” judges and had gone on record as indicating the campaign will be substantially beneficial. Skouras is general chairman of the committee of theatremen and exchange operators which have been participating in the MPAYBE drive throughout southern California and Arizona. Tacitly admitting that commerce in the paraphernalia had reached a probably permanent stalemate, the Paramount exchange again reported that no sales of “Quiz” booklets or drive accessories had been made during the week. The last bulk order — for 10,000 “Quiz” folders — was placed three weeks ago. Details in connection with the judging of the “Quiz” contest will be handled in New York by the National Contest Co., a firm specializing in such work. Judges will begin their task early in January. ID) IE N V IE R pRED GLASS, manager of the southern district of the Intermountain division of Fox theatres, has been promoted to district supervisor out of Salt Lake City, and will have charge of the district booking out of there. He is succeeded as southern district manager by Robert Garland, booker. No successor for the Garland berth will be picked until after the return of Rick Ricketson, division manager, from Montana. Comment of a columnist in the Silver and Gold, student newspaper at the University of Colorado: “Double-feature shows are the third stage of movie evolution. First they had silent ones, the next group talked, and now the ones they show in double bills smell!” L. C. Snyder, who recently opened the latest addition to his chain, is planning on opening another at Ft. Collins. In both these towns Fox has been exclusive for several years. Sam Cain has reopened his Avalon at Pueblo, Colo., following considerable remodeling. 500-Seater for Eloy Eloy, Ariz. — Louis Long, operator of an independent circuit in this state, has begun construction of a new 500-seat house here. It will be open shortly after Christmas. Plaza Theatre L H ICillingSTorth, Owner Hokliburg. Can Odt. 13th, 1937. ,rr. L. C. Dench te, Eerkeley, Calif. Dear ,fT. Denehle: Vlell I af happy to admit that you certainly did me a great favor In staying with me until you finally convinced me that you were not exaggerating the amount of business that I would do with one of your Burch Popcorn machines. I presume that I was like many other prospect «»/ skeptical as to Its success but now that I tiave been operating It for three weeks find that your prediction was VERY consertatlve. The amount of corn that I have been selling has certainly exceeded anything that I dreamed of and my only ?egret la that I didn't buy It two years ago when you first approached me. The most pleasing part of the entire set up Is that the siles continue to Increase end the public like each box better that the last one they bought. Any exhibitor that hasn't a machine Is certainly depriving himself of a lot of easy money. If you have any prospect that was In the same frame of mind that I was before buying my machine I will consider It a pleasure to advise them In detail as to the success that can be had In operating one. Again thanking you for your klrdness In convincing me that I could send my boy through college with the profits from this machine, I am Yours very truly. “NO EXAGGERATION” It is regretable that exhibitors should allow themselves to be deprived of good cold bankable cash of hundreds of dollars annually because they can't believe it's TRUE. LET THE SUPER SHOWMAN SHOW YOU L. C. DENEHIE BURCH MFG. COMPANY 2441 Haste St. Berkeley, Cal, S IE A T T IL IE JI^RMISTICE DAY found L. J. McGinley officer of the day at the Northwest Film Club. Mac gave a slide lecture in the afternoon, for men only, on his experiences in the French army during the World War. It was a young riot. At 5 o’clock the doors were open for the ladies and at 6 came mess call. At 8 o’clock another slide lecture was presented which wound up with community singing of war songs . . . Frank Christie, head booker for Fox-Evergreen, gave a dinner party at the club quarters in honor of Willard Coghlan, his assistant, who has been transferred to the Fox Theatre in Spokane. About 20 guests were on hand. Mrs. Al Bloom is still in the hospital after a severe attack of ptomaine poisoning . . . Congratulations to the Zaluskey family upon the birth of a daughter, Carol Rosalie. Papa is connected with National Theatre Supply. The family is fine after a lot of trouble trying to handle papa . . . In toivn for a week is Hugh Bruen, who owns the 45 th Street Theatre here and also three houses in Whittier, Cal. Hugh attended the New York trade parleys. He was one of the California delegates representing the independent theatre owners of the south. Paying a visit to Jim Hone was Bill Wilkins, chairman of the state parole board. Bill is attorney for the MPTO of the Northwest . . . Joe Roberts, editor of the Amusement Guide and other publications, is once again successful in obtaining a seat in the legislature . . . The blue and white uniforms on the usherettes at the Liberty Theatre are the smartest in town. Cecelia Schultz, operator of the Moore Theatre, has slated a theatre ball within the next couple of weeks. Idea is to give the customers a chance to actually rub elbows with the stage cast. Following the performance of the San Francisco Opera Ballet, everyone seated on the lower floor will be invited to come up on the stage for a dance period. A special orchestra will provide the music and the formally clad members of the audience will mingle with the costumed male dancers arid ballerinas of the cast. The house is already sold out for the occasion. Visitors: Sid Dean, from Tacoma; Cecil Miller, Ritz Theatre, Spokane; Charlie Laidlaw, Dayton; Duncan MacPherson, Mason City; Joe Rosenfield, city manager for Fox in Spokane; Harold Murphy, Olympia; W. B. McDonald, Olympia, and Bill Ripley, Longview, who has just returned with L. O. Lukan from the national convention of the MPTOA in Oklahoma City . . . Seen at a special talk on “What Would Teddy Roosevelt Do Today,” by the Rev. Warren Hastings: Mr. and Mrs. L. J. McGinley, Mr. and Mrs. Al Oxtoby, Jim Hone, and Mr. and Mrs. Morris Segel. Burch “SUPER SHOWMAN" Facts Smart Exhibitors greet the kids at the popcorn machine. ‘‘Where friendship begins” POPCORN SMITH. BOX 284. SEATTLE 46 BOXOFFICE :: November 19, 1938