Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

OMAHA number of personal matters, in addition to laying the groundwork in connection with the handling of promotion and publicity for pictures slated for this area. Just tell ’em to remember that I broke all records on the circus picture, for boxoffice and ink throughout the state. I feel fine and am all set to break a few more records. Tell ’em to give me a buzz.” Ben Marcus of the circuit bearing his name, the Pfister Hotel, etc., can take another bow. Both Milwaukee papers have been harping on the need for cleaning up, brightening up, painting, remodeling, new building, more hotels and so on for the city. Since Marcus took over the Pfister Hotel, crews have been working day and night in restoring the edifice to its former brilliance. The Journal noted the matter in an editorial. Boxoffice receipts on stage plays at the various legitimate houses here have been slipping to the point where “something’s got to be done about it.” So, station WISNTV proceeded to look into the matter for a solution. Interviewed on the program which appeared Wednesday (5), from 7-7:30 p.m., were: Paul Shyre, Fred Miller Theatre; Alan Furlan, Sunset Playhouse; Father John J. Walsh, S. J., Marquette University; Clair Richardson, Skylight; Ray Boyle, Swan; Ray Mitchell, the Pabst, and yours truly, Boxoffice. All sorts of excuses were given for the lack of attendance, from bad shows, insufficient interest, to the need for the papers to get into the picture by giving free publicity. Yours truly told ’em to get on the ball and promote, but from all indications, that sort of language they don’t understand. What’s more, if the motion picture exhibitor were given the support and financial assistance those legits have been receiving, the little exhibitor would be in clover. Joseph Smith, a partner in the S&M Film Service and one of the motion picture veterans in this territory, was one of four Omahans who were honored by the 'Ti’avelers Protective Ass’n for 50 years of continuous membership at a banquet at the Castle Hotel . . . Carl White of Quality Theatre Supply Co. was to return home over the weekend after a successful operation at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minn. Russell Acton appears to have the ball rolling at a good clip at Avoca, where he took over the theatre which had been closed for a number of years. Russell has a couple of young men who have been making personal calls through the area talking to farmers, housewives and businessmen and they have been getting good reaction. He reopened on a seven-day-a-week basis . . . Del Sayles, exhibitor at Malvern and former Omaha theatre manager, has been receiving excellent support editorially in the Malvern paper. Harmon Grunke announced he will run the O’Neill Drive-In again next year. The layout is owned by a corporation and Harmon said it has been leased for four years . . . United Artists were pleased with comments after a special screening at the Military Theatre of “Taras Bulba,” which will be the Christmas offering at the Admiral, Chief and the Sky View Drive-In combination owned by Ralph Blank. A Nebraska adventurer and writer, Dan Liska of Niobrara, took part in the filming in Argentina. Liska was on his way home from a motorcycle trip from Nebraska to the tip of South America when he was signed on by United Artists. Ed Opicensky, owner of the Strand Theatre at Newman Grove, has decided not to go on a yearend vacation and instead will continue operation of the theatre right through the holidays . . . Mel Kruse, exhibitor at Pierce, lost out in his race for clerk of the district court by only a few votes. He is not sure what activity he will get into after the first of the year . . . Reports are that Cecil Waller has sold the equipment of the lowana Theatre at Red Oak to the bank . . . Bob Hirz and Betty Roberts were busy clearing the path in the Warner Bros, office for painters. Bill Barker of Co-Op Theatre Service, who has not been more than a few steps from his office for many, many moons, says the time has come — he is planning a Christmas trip to Texas ... Ed Christensen, veteran exhibitor at Ord, on his visit to the Row last week claimed that the darkness around one eye was caused by “knuckle poisoning” — it was heard the infection was caused by an inebriated customer at a midnight show . . . Lillian Danielson of the Allied Artists staff and her sister are settled in a new apai’tment. A. G. Miller, veteran theatre owner and former postmaster at Ainsworth, was called to Youngstown, Ohio, by the death of his brother Robert, 74, a native of Atkinson . . . “Castaways” will be the Christmas holidays offering at the State . . . Bill Wink, Allied Artists office manager, received a letter from an outstate exhibitor addressed to “Chief Snow Artist, Allied (Snow) Artists, Omaha.” Wink’s comment: “That’s strange, we haven’t had any snow yet.” OMAHA Holiday Greetings From NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE 1508 Davenport Street IZADORE SOKOLOF U OMAHA I Merry Christmas I OMAHA BOOKING OPHCE WARNER BROTHERS Bob Hirz Betty Roberts 525 Omaha Building & Loon Association Bldg. WISHING YOU THE BEST AND A WONDERFUL 1963 MEYER L. STERN American-International Pictures 1508 Davenport Street P I I The Omaha Personnel of Allied Artists Productions Extend Hearty Christmas Greetings To All Our Nebraska and Iowa Friends ^ Sol Francis, Manager ^ Bill Wink, Office Manager & Booker ^ ^ Helen Newman, Cashier ^ % Lillian Danielson, Secretary t BOXOrnCE :: December 17, 1962 NC-7