Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

MINNEAPOLIS newspaperman from the Minneapolis Tribune recently said that movie exhibitors often complain about newspaper film reviews and don't realize that there are actually no tougher critics than theatremen themselves. As exhibit number one, a copy of the North Central Allied Theatre Owners newsletter was cited in which was printed a devastating review of Fox's “Of Love and Desire” in language that was bitter and to the point. All of which goes to prove only what we have known all along: no one is more perceptive about a commodity than the man who lives with it and sells it. An unusual marquee advertising technique is used by the local Gopher Theatre when, as it often does, the house is playing an Elvis Presley or Walt Disney picture. The bulk of the theatre’s large marquee space is devoted to a huge announcement of the Presley or Disney name, with the picture's title appearing only in small letters on the bottom line. It really works, too, as witness this week’s 200 per cent returns on Disney’s “Incredible Journey.” A Filmrow oldtimer said that it reminds him of the old silent picture days when a house could be filled merely by standing a lifesize cutout of Charlie Chaplin outside the boxoffice with only the words, “I am here today.” The crowds came out in droves, not even caring what the title of the pic As a screen game, HOLLYWOOD takes top honors. As a box-office attraction, it is without equal. It has been a favorite with theatre goers for over 15 years. Write today for complete details. Be sure to give seating or car capacity, HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO. ... 3750 Ookton Sr. * Skokie, Illinois ture happened to be. Maybe things haven’t changed so much in the business after all. Speaking of the Gopher, a nice writeup was given one of the theatre’s regular boothmen, Jim Sauer jr., in Sunday’s Tribune. A movieman through and through, Jim spends much of his spare time projecting films at the Shriners’ Crippled Children’s Hospital and at the Minnesota Masonic home for old folks. “They deserve a widescreen, decent sound, bright color movie that doesn’t stop to sell anything. I decided they were going to get it,” Jim was quoted. Whether hustling up equipment or running the projection booth, Jim’s activities are solidly in the tradition of community service by theatremen and our hat is off to him. A by-product of Mill City attorney Keith Stidd’s sensitivity to “gambling,” aimed primarily at local supermarket “TeleBingo” games, has resulted in the Minneapolis Tribune’s refusal to allow the neighborhood Cedar Theatre to continue advertising its regular Wednesday night “Spin-O-Cash” giveaway in the pages of the publication. The house has used the game as a promotional device for the past 14 years and will continue to do so without the cooperation of the Cowles papers. But the incident is just another in a long-lived attitude of uncooperativeness exhibited toward theatremen by the publications . . . “Lilies of the Field,” which recently enjoyed a fine week at the Gopher, had a combined gross of $5,841 for its first four days at Twin Cities first-run theatres — proof that a good, humorous and sympathetic film can be a success without resorting to controversy or sex . . . Producer Edward Small has purchased film footage of the recent King Turkey Day at Worthington for use in his upcoming feature film, “Frankie and Johnny,” giving many Upper Midwesterners a chance to be “stars.” LINCOLN ^^hat with football games and routine visits, a number of filmmen from Omaha have been around town this month, some with their wives. Attending the Nebraska-Kansas game on the 9th were Bob Hirz of Warners, and Myer Stern of AIP and his wife. Earlier in the week Pat Halloran of BV and Ralph Olson of Universal made the rounds of local theatres. Halloran POSITIVELY THE MOST POWERFUL PROJECTION LAMP The NATIONAL VENTARC National THIATRf SUPPLY COMPANY Brings Indoor Theatre Quality Projection to the Largest Drive-In Call or write your nearby N.7.S. branch . . . KANSAS CITY 8. MO.. 223 W. 18th Street MILWAUKEE 3. WIS.. 1027 N. 8th Street MINNEAPOLIS 3. MINN., 56 Glenwood Avenue is an Omahan; Olson headquarters in Des Moines. Walt Jancke is usually walking the sidelines during an NU game. This is his favorite way of seeing the NU team win. Jancke, Nebraska Theatres city manager, dropped plans to join a scheduled flight on a plane chartered by the NU Alumni Ass’n to see the Cornhuskers meet Oklahoma State in Stillwater. He was opening “McLintock!” at the Varsity and thought he better stick around for the launching . . . Gene Burdorf of the Varsity is sure winter is not far away. Gene had to take a morning off at the request of his wife to put up the storm windows! The Irwin Dubinskys went to Boulder, Colo., to keep a Thursday-Monday date to help celebrate the University of Colorado’s annual Parents Day with their daughter Bonnie, who is a student there . . . Don Flanagan, manager of the 84th & O DriveIn, and his wife are writing a new title on letters going to their son Dan jr. He’s now a machinists mate, second class, on the USS John Hood. Ed and Connie Jancke, son and daughter-in-law of the Walt Janckes, will be packing their belongings and Holly, the dog, into their car for a move to San Bernardino before the month is over. Ed, former university art major, who’s been getting some related experience on a billboard job, hopes to enroll in the Brooks School of Photography in the California city in January. M/LMM UKE_E ^■he Point Theatre’s official grand opening was held on the evening of November 13, with all the fanfare of a Hollywood affair, including lights piercing the sky, cocktails and a buffet luncheon. Circuit officials, Filmrow and other related dignitaries were present. The film was “Lawrence of Arabia.” About a month ago, the Point actually opened, with the Mayfair Theatre opening with a gala Hollywood fanfare, complete with cocktails and buffet lunch, the following night. These theatres are the first houses to be built in the Milwaukee area in more than 12 years. Two more are already under construction and will open next year. The Wisconsin Theatre is closed while the auditorium is being converted into two separate theatres. Except for one day in 1956 when the electricians union went on strike, this is the first time the theatre has been closed since its grand opening by the Saxe brothers in 1928, with Eddie Weisfeldt as the first managing director. Congratulatory wires from Hollywood’s Rock Hudson, Sandra Dee, Tony Curtis, Cary Grant and Gregory Peck were read at the Milwaukee Press Club’s 78th anniversary Sunday (10), which wound up with a dinner-dance. Entertainment was furnished by Cliff Burmek’s Talent Agency, presenting the Lens Sisters, and Jack Pyle. Door prizes were provided by Joe Reynolds, Towne Theatre; John McKay, Riverside Theatre; Jack Lorentz, 20th Century-Fox, and Pat Halloran, Universal. Highlights included Matty Kappl of Baker-Johnson & Dickinson, and George Dundon of the City’s Vital Statistics doing the hula; and Pyle dealing out big poker hands to continue his astounding talents, which followed his amazing memory feat. NC-4 BOXOFFICE :: November 25, 1963