Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

DES MOINES Congratulations to Scott Houtz, born recently to a set of most imaginative parents, Mi\ and Mrs. Neal Houtz of New Hanrpton. Neal cleverly announced the blessed event on the marquee of his Firemen’s Theatre. But to Mrs. Houtz goes credit for a highly successful tiein — she had the baby on the opening day of “The Interns ! ’’ John Ballin, United Artists traveling auditor, has been working in Des Moines for a spell and now has moved on to Omaha. John says his friends have been keeping track of him since 1937 through the “city” columns of Boxoffice . . . Joe Jacobs, Columbia manager and area chairman for the Will Rogers memorial, urges that any still holding back their contributions send them in. E. C. Lund, exhibitor at Viborg, S. D., is completing his eighth year as mayor there and has served on the city council since 1939 . . . The inside of the concessions building has taken on a “white castle” look at Lloyd Hirstine’s Capitol Drive-In, Des Moines. It is sparkling white all the way . . . B. C. Marcus, Columbia midwest division manager, was scheduled to come in early in December to discuss forthcoming releases with the circuits. WOMPI’S Christmas party will be at the Latin King restam’ant Wednesday (12) . . . The Strand Theatre at Ackley closed December 1 and will i-eopen January 6 . . . Louise Curtice, formerly of the UA exchange ^BSfilmack IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY ORDERED YOUR HOLIDAY MERCHANT Greeting TRAILERS Sand It To FILMAGK, You’ll Get It In Plonty Of Timo. here, brought her baby girl in to meet the staff. “The Longest Day” will open in Des Moines at the Ingersoll Theatre Feb. 21, according to Tony Abramovich, Tri-States city manager . . . “The Lion” will open December 25 at the Des Moines Theatre, with “Gypsy” the Chi'istmas show at the Orpheum and “Jumbo” at the Capri. Fred Teller, manager of Central States’ Strand, Hastings, Neb., took part in a recent high school Career Day there by giving 11 senior students a theatre tour and discussing with them the opportunities offered in the entertainment business . . . A. H. Blank is serving as honorary chairman of 13 -county campaign conducted by the Tall Corn Area council of Boy Scouts. The goal is $439,746 to expand camping facilities at Mitwiga and other Boy Scout camps in the area . . . Exhibitor Art Sunde was in Des Moines from Papillion, Neb. Sympathy to Doraian Bundling of the Capitol Theatre, Newton, whose mother, Mrs. G. P. Hundling, died November 18. She was a retired music teacher and Newton resident for 40 years . . . Frank Smith of the Wayne, Corydon, spent Thanksgiving here with members of his family. Mary LeWarne of the Columbia office was hostess at a dinner-dance honoring her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe LeWarner, on their 25th wedding anniversary . . . Marilyn Blaine, secretary in the MGM booking department, has a new Chevy convertible— black and white. After a smash run on the MGM Operetta Series, which has been playing on Tuesday nights at the Varsity Theatre here, exhibitor Bob Fridley planned to bring in “The Jolson Story” for the Tuesday night following the last operetta. Bev Mahon also has been showing the operettas on Wednesday evening at the local Holiday Theatre. The Mason City Palace has been designated as a fallout shelter in that area . . . Dick Day’s new secretary at Central States is Judy Ellis. Her predecessor, Dorla sefi€f/ne □ 2 yeors for $5 □ 1 yoar tor $3 0 3 years for $7 □ Remittance Enclosed □ Send Invoice THEATRE STREET ADDRESS TOWN ZONE STATE NAME POSITION THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 52 issues a year 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo. Mason, is training to be an airline hostess with Braniff. Don’t forget the December 10 Variety Christmas party — 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. To the previously announced top prize of two days and three nights’ hotel accommodations and meals at the Desert Inn, Las Vegas, has been added $100 in cash to be used to get you there, or as a sinking fund at the dice table, whichever you wish. In addition, there is a multitude of other attractive prizes. But come early to avoid SRO! No need to wonder any longer “where the yellow went” — it’s all in the Capri Theatre’s new neon signs! Seriously, the two yellow script Capri signs are beauts and shine like beacons of good taste in the garish blur of red and blue neon on nearby establishments in the uptown business district. Sam Rich, head Paramount booker, attended a bookers meeting in Chicago November 26 on new billing procedures. The session was conducted by John Simonelli, Paramount home office representative. Carl Sokolof, National Screen Service representative, and his wife had a giantsize Thanksgiving. With son-in-law and daughter, 1st Lt. and Mrs. Meyer Cohen and 18-month-old Debra here from Hawaii, grandpa got his first look at Debra. Lieutenant Cohen’s Hawaiian duty has ended and he will be stationed at Letterman General Hospital in California. Also home for the Sokolof holiday were their daughter, Mrs. James Maske, her husband and baby Sandra. In all there were 24 on hand and the Sokolofs had a festive Thanksgiving dinner at the Standard Club. Joe Ancher, WB office manager, and his wife Mary visited in Chicago with the Bob Dunbars. Dunbar is WB Chicago manager but formerly headed the branch here . . . Bill Proctor of the Town Drive-In was called to California by the death of a brother-in-law . . . Jerry Bloedow, manager of the West-Vue Drive-In at Des Moines, and his wife vacationed in Minneapolis. MINNEAPOLIS ■phat unpredictable old soul the weatherman again made the biggest news providing mild temperatures in the high 50s for the entire weekend. Such mercurial bliss imdoubtedly got Mill City moviegoers out of their homes and into the theatres, bringing them out in droves for the second straight weekend. This columnist attended a Saturday night late show at the Lyric and found a packed house, veiT unusual for this time of year. Ah, sighed Twin City theatremen, if only evei’y night could be Saturday night, and people could Christmas shop for movies ! Outstate visitors along the Row were few — Mrs. Bernard Larkin, Medelia; George Jonkowski, New Prague; Percy King, Adrian and son Judd King of Dell Rapids, S.D. . . . Wedgely Todd, Miimeapolis’ No. 1 movie fan, sat through “Shoot the Piano Player” every one of its seven nights at the Campus Theatre, a Mann unit, and pro NC-2 BOXOmCE December 10, 1962