Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1938)

Wometco Managers Ten Days of Above Par Takes Take "Time" Tests Enjoyed by Houses in Dallas Miami — Coincident with its signing of another contract for the “March of Time” releases, Wometco theatres are questioning all of their houses on the “Current Affairs Test,” which is being used for school contacts in place of last year’s “Photo Reporter.” Walter Klements, Wometco booker, requests all theatre managers to have all of their employes take the test following the showing of No. 1 of the new series of “March of Time,” and to continue to stage such tests with each month's release. Results of the tests are to be sent in to Klements’ office to be compiled for us in contacting school principals and teachers. These tests offer a solution to the problem of bringing back into the theatres much of the junior patronage lost when school reopened, Klements believes. Their own “tests” will come in the children’s admissions on days when the “March of Time” is playing, Klements concludes. Wometco secured a sufficient number of advance tests, so that every employe in the circuit can answer the initial questions, which are presented — like the movie quiz — as four possible answers to each of 24 questions. A T 1IL ANT A pRANK BRYAN, owner of the Clay Theatre at Green Cove Springs, Fla., and his brother, Bob, were Row visitors this week. They are sons of the former UA branch manager here. John Jenkins, district manager, Million Dollar Productions, has returned from a 3,000 -mile tour of the southern territory. He said exhibitors welcomed him with a nice reception toward “Gang Smashers.” Jack Lamont, Grand National division manager, recently completed a 5,000-mile trip in the southern territory, closing three circuit deals and deals in several key cities. “Exhibitor reaction to Grand National this year was more favorable than ever,” he said, “and with such encouragement we expect to deliver the goods.” Ray Whitley, RKO cowboy star, ivas a recent visitor to the Atlanta exchange. Name Contest Monticello, Miss. — Z. A. Foshee jr., manager of the new theatre here, announced the name of the house will be chosen by votes of patrons. Dallas — The trade here has experienced above par business the past 10 days, the spurt starting Armistice Day and lasting through the following week. Thousands downtown for the parade wound up the afternoon in theatres. Pictures enjoying healthy attendance were “Men With Wings,” “Three Loves Has Nancy,” “Youth Takes a Fling,” “Suez,” “Mysterious Mr. Moto” and “Rhythm of the Range.” All theatres showed a profit during the period. The Roller Derby at Fair Park, attracting thousands nightly, and in which Interstate is reportedly interested, did not seem to have any noticeable effect on downtown show business. A Projection Booth Fire Loss at McGehee $1,500 McGehee, Ark.— Fire in the projection room of the New Theatre here Saturday night caused damage estimated at $1,500. Loss in the projection room is estimated at $1,200 while smoke and water damage to the auditorium is about $200. Two films valued at about $200 were also destroyed. Mrs. B. Baradel is owner of the New. "Waltz" Prize Winners Are Named in Atlanta Atlanta — The local “Great Waltz” contest was held here recently before a large crowd in the Henry Grady Hotel, with Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Thompson of Atlanta, winning first prize of $25 and a chance to compete in the state finals, December 1. Second prize, $15, was won by Doris Jean Golden and Reynolds Clark. Mrs. E. D. Rivers, wife of the governor, and her son, E. D. Rivers jr., led the grand march. Numerous prominent citizens were in the grand march. Emil Velasco and his orchestra played waltz numbers exclusively. Springfield. Ga Theatre Opened by Shearhouse Springfield, Ga. — Talmadge Shearhouse’s New Theatre has opened, and he reports good business. Personnel includes Margrette Hinley, cashier; Ruth Ingram, assistant cashier, and Paul Dutton and T. E. Addy, machine operators. Charlotte Visitors Charlotte — Seen on the Row: Maurice Le Gendre and S. D. Trincher of Summerville, S. C.; P. J. Caudell of the Capitol at Fairmont and C. H. Caudell of Wallace, Dave Cook, of Kings Mountain and G. L. Faw of Biscoe. SPEAKING OF HIGH INTENSITY \\^ UighftlnlmsLty Simplified High Intensity at Near Low Intensity Cost! Theatre owners who have Brenkeri ENARC in their projection rooms, gratefully state that this lamp is in a class by itself for clear intense white light, simplicity of operation, and dependability. WIL-KIH 150 Walton St., ATLANTA Phone WALnut 4613 321 S. Church. CHARLOTTE Phone 8620 “ Everything for the Theatre Except Film” BOXOFFICE : : November 19, 1938 83