Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1938)

MPTO OF OKLAHOMA ANNUAL CONVENTION IS SET FOR DECEMBER, REPORTS LOEWENSTEIN Drive-In Planned In Texas Dallas — BOXOFFICE this week learned from reliable sources that certain interests are planning to build one — and perhaps more if the venture is successful — drive-in theatre in an undisclosed Texas situation. Prominent Men to Speak Before ITO Little Rock — J. P. Norman, president of the Arkansas ITO, announces a number of prominent speakers from out of the state will be here for the organization’s semi-annual convention at the Hotel Marion, November 20-21. Norman only recently returned from the national MPTOA convention in Oklahoma City where he talked with numerous executives of the industry who expressed interest in the Arkansas meeting. Several western film stars, including Jack Hoxie, Gene Autry and Tex Ritter, will attend the Arkansas convention. Ed Kuykendall, president of the MPTOA, probably will be one of the speakers, Norman stated. Frank Bell to Ft. Myers ; Kirkconnell to Orlando Orlando, Fla. — Prank H. Bell, manager of Sparks theatres here for the past ten years, has been transferred to Port Myers, where he will be in charge of a new house now being built. Charles Kirkconnell of Fort Myers replaced Bell here. The new $100,000 theatre in Fort Myers is expected to be completed by December 1. Start Construction Soon On New Plant City House Plant City, Fla. — Construction of the new Sparks Theatre will begin soon, Joe Sparrow, manager of the Capitol here, announced. He said contracts will be awarded within the next few weeks. The new house will seat 800 persons. The house is expected to be completed 90 days after construction begins, Sparrow said. A Single-Day Session Is Probable, But May Be Extended Oklahoma City — The annual convention of the MPTO of Oklahoma will be held here some time during December, President Morris Loewenstein announces. A definite date has as yet not been set, although it is tentatively planned to hold the convention about the second week of the month to enable delegates and wives to Christmas shop while attending the meet. It is probable only a one-day convention will be held this year. The program may be extended a second day if sufficient business warrants it. Originally it was planned to hold the Oklahoma association meeting with the MPTOA convention. The great number of matters brought before the national meeting made this plan impossible. Officers will be elected and a number of matters pending before the board of directors will be acted upon. A resume of what may be expected in the next session of the legislature, to convene January 1, will also be presented. The state wage-and-hour law as applying to the exhibition branch of the Oklahoma industry will likely be taken up. No hearings on the matter were held this year, although a number of important industries were called before the state board administering the law. Rulings were handed down in retailing, wholesaling and other industries. It is understood theatres were slated for a hearing before the board adjourned. Also up for consideration will be the probability of a divorcement bill. The MPTO, of course, will take no action on this matter in the legislature, but it is understood that a bill, modeled after the one in North Dakota, will be introduced at the next session of the Oklahoma legislature. Wilby-Kincey Shuflles Two Tennessee Heads Knoxville, Tenn. — Eugene Street, Knoxville city manager for Wilby-Kincey Corp., announces that Milton Newsom has been shifted from the Park Theatre, Knoxville, which he has managed for several months, to the Tennessee at Johnson City, with Robert C. Jackson, who was manager of the Liberty at Johnson City, coming to the Park. Newsom, who has been with the Wilby-Kincey chain for three and a half years, came to Knoxville two years ago as manager of the Riviera. Like Horror in Dallas Dallas — "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" drew overflow crowds at midnight shows recently at the Majestic and Melba theatres here. Then, as a Hollowe'en attraction at the Majestic, the combo did turnaway business. Plenty of "Firsts" In Miami Opening Miami — Mysteriously scooping the country, the new Paramount deluxer will open in a duo-colored blaze of triumph Thanksgiving Day when the strange World’s Fair lighting effect is flashed on under its marquee. This effect gives an appearance of red light as one approached it, but becomes a blazing white as one walks underneath it. It is said that the trick of this illumination stunt is so protected that it cannot be sold elsewhere until a year after the opening of the World’s Fair in New York City, Rollin K. Stonebrook, who will manage the new Paramount, told a Boxoffice reporter. Also believed to be a “first” is the week long stunt which Stonebrook has arranged for the person who will buy the first ticket when the house opens at 11:15 a. m. Thanksgiving Day. He signed a contract with “Flagpole” Kelly for that stunter to sit atop a 30-foot pole above the Paramount day and night from Thursday, November 17, to Thursday, November 24, to wait for the opening and the first ticket. The sitter’s perch will be illuminated by floodlights at night. Scarlet and grey is the color scheme being used in the interior of this new Paramount whose architecture and decorations are moderne classic. Luxurious comfort is the key to which the new seats, loges, carpets and decorations have been pitched. The house is to have a section for smokers and will be equipped with headphones for the hard of hearing. Lawrenceburg Reopening Lawrenceburg, Tenn. — The remodeled Princess Theatre reopened the night of November 16. The building has been completely modernized and redecorated, with new sound installed. Louis Ruhlander is manager. BOXOFFICE :: November 19, 1938 S 81