Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1948)

Berger Predicting Percentage Doom MINNEAPOLIS — Back from the national Allied States convention at New Orleans, Bennie Berger, North Central Allied president, is elated because of the successful fight he led to get the national body, for the Bennie Berger snapped with Abe Berenson at the national Allied convention in New Orleans. first time, to commit itself to battle compulsory percentage. It was Berger who brought the matter before the convention and in an address to the members strongly urged that the action be taken. Berger now confidently predicts that the film companies “will bow to the Inevitable” and eliminate the objectionable sales policy. Next to theatre divorcement, Berger feels that elimination of compulsory percentage is independent exhibitors’ most crying need. He calls it a “vile” trade practice and one of the worst “injustices” as far as theatre owners are concerned. North Central Allied, prior to the national convention, took up arms against the recently adopted MGM compulsory percentage policy. In New York Berger conferred with W. H. Rodgers, MGM sales manager, but got no definite commitment from him regarding compulsory percentage. Rodgers, however, agreed to meet with Berger and a committee of North Central Allied in Chicago to discuss the grievance further. That meeting likely will take place within the next fortnight, Berger says. Western Supply Office To Open in Des Moines OMAHA — Western Theatre Supply Co. soon will open its first branch at Des Moines, according to P. A. Van Husan. The new office will be operated separately from the Omaha branch with Herbert Loeffler as store manager. Van Husan said. It will offer full distribution of RCA equipment. Loeffler spent 12 years with National Theatre Supply in Des Moines. Fine for Thony' Ticket OMAHA — Delbert Rosentha, 16, who according to police attempted to enter a local theatre with a “phony” ticket, was fined $1 and costs by municipal Judge Lester Palmer. Telephone Call Iniorms Owner of Fire Damage SIOUX CITY — The phone rang in the home of Abe Sadoff, owner of the Fourth Street Theatre. It was the porter at the theatre who said: “I can’t work down here, today, Mr. Sadoff." “Why not?” “I can’t see.” “Why can’t you see?” “Because of all the smoke.” “Smoke! What smoke?” “Why the smoke from the fire.” That is how Sadoff learned his theatre was one of several places damaged in a $150,000 fire. Offices of TEI Manager Moved to Lawrence, Kas. KANSAS CITY— Offices of Ed Kidwell, who recently succeeded Prank L. Plumlee as district manager of Theatre Enterprises, Inc., are being moved from the Warner Bldg, here to the Jawhawker Theatre, Lawrence, Kas., one of the 33 houses operated by the organization in this area. Eddy Erickson will continue to direct district buying and booking activities from the TEI offices here, with the cooperation of R. E. Davis, film buyer for the organization in Dallas, Tex. New sound equipment and screens installed in the Jayhawker and Varsity theatres, Lawrence, are among improvements at the two TEI-operated houses there. Ted Huntsman is city manager for the circuit in Lawrence. G. O. Dunkerson to Build At Bridgewater, Iowa BRIDGEWATER, IOWA— G. O. Dunkerson of Fontenelle, Iowa, will open a new theatre here soon, possibly this month. An existing building is being remodeled and Quality Theatre Supply Co. of Omaha will provide the equipment. Moon Theatre at Gibbon Sold to Shelton Owner SHELTON, NEB. — H. S. Conry, owner of the Roxie Theatre here, has purchased the Moon Theatre at Gibbon and will operate both houses, dividing his time between the two towns. Bill White is the former operator of the Moon. Henry Johnson, Manager WALNUT, IOWA — Henry Johnson has been named manager of the Walnut Theatre here. He will be assisted by his wife, who will have charge of ticket sales. The Johnsons succeed Mrs. James Menefee, retiring manager. The house is owned by Howard Brookings of Oakland. Treats for Newlyweds LAURENS, IOWA — Joe Smith, owner of the Elite Theatre, is offering a special treat for all newlyweds, free tickets to his theatre and a gift. All that is necessary is to stop in at the Elite and break the news to Joe. He’ll be ready with congratulations. Durwood Will Erect 3 Drlve-In Theatres KANSAS CITY— The Durwood circuit will enter the drive-in field with three outdoor theatres to be opened next spring, it was revealed this week by Stanley Durwood, vicepresident, who made public plans for erection of two ozoners in addition to one previously announced. The two new drive-in theatres will be at Jefferson City, Mo., and Leavenworth, Kas. The Jefferson City project will be located on U.S. 50 several miles outside the city. It will have a capacity of 500 cars, and construction is to be started as soon as plans are approved by circuit executives. Negotiations for the . Leavenworth project now are in progress. The deal involves the purchase of a 20-acre site on which the circuit will build another 500-car open air theatre. The initial Durwood circuit ozoner now is being built near St. Joseph, Mo., and it will be the showcase outdoor theatre of the chain, which now operates nine indoor houses. With a capacity of 1,000 cars, the St. Joseph drive-in will be one of the largest in this section of the country. Grand Island Exhibitors Will Build 500-Car Airer GRAND ISLAND, NEB.— The 500-auto drive-in that will be ready here next spring will be built and owned by William Youngclaus, Mrs. Madeline Kaufmann and TriStates Theatres, who own the city’s three operating theatres. An 80-acre tract just west of Grand Island has been purchased for the site. Robert Runyon of Toledo, Ohio, will supervise construction and the theatre will be so arranged that additional ramps and parking spaces can be added if justified. The tower will be from 60 to 70 feet high and the screen approximately 46x60 feet. Cars will be parked on a series of semicircular ramps slightly inclined. Each car will be provided with a speaker. Wally Kemp, Tri-States city manager, will manage the drive-in. Drive-In Speaker Recovered OMAHA — The West Dodge Drive-In got one of its missing speakers back this week after six months. Police picked up a 19year-old Kingsley, Iowa, youth for the theft. He had given the speaker to a man who had it in his car when police towed in the auto for blocking a driveway. Herman Fields Builds at Clarinda CLARINDA, IOWA — Construction has begun here on the new drive-in, the first in southwest Iowa. Herman Fields, Clarinda theatre operator, is building the outdoor house. It is located at the junction of highways 2 and 71. east of the Clarinda business district. Start Burlington Drive-In BURLINGTON, IOWA— Work of stripping and grading for an outdoor theatre at the southwest corner of Agency street and West Burlington avenue is under way here. The theatre is planned by the Central States Theatre Corp. and will probably be in operation by spring. BOXOFFICE :: December 11, 1948 MW 71