Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

DES MOINES jyjonday, December 16 marked the “seventh day” of Paramount’s crosscountry screening of the upcoming bellringer, “Seven Days in May.” The red-carpet screening at the Capri Theatre in Des Moines on that date met with enthusiastic response and applause from the invited audience. It would seem safe to say that the public response to this precision-perfect production will be something the industry can put in its billfold. It is a film of great value, both in theme and execution — a real barn-burner ! Rvery kid in town, no matter what age, is happy with the progress of A. H. Blank’s zoo. Children in one Des Moines school wrote letters of thanks to the film industry philanthropist for his gift to the city of $150,000. One moppet also expressed hope “that you have enough money for this, Mr. Blank.” Procedure is moving in the legal areas regarding city procurement of government land. The zoo is scheduled to be opened in 1965 in the old Ft. Des Moines area. Roaring good idea of the Lions Club meeting at Hastings, Neb., was one by Central States Manager Fred Teller. Showman Teller, invited to speak to the service group, brought the Lions to his theatre for the talk, showed movies and even gave them popcorn ... It was a long season for the drive-ins, but the first blast of real winter ushering in December saw all but the yeararounds shuttering till crocus time. Real Christmasy again this year is Columbia’s Filmrow office, with Santa, tree, tinsel and all the trimmings in place. The staff did a bit of yuletide partying on the premises Thursday the 19th . . . Meanwhile, next door at Paramount, there was a Christmas party the same day. Yule party for Des Moines buyers, compliments of Meyer Stern, AIP of Omaha, was at Johnny and Kay’s restaurant on the 11th. The annual event was enjoyed by all attending. marks the Santa spotlight! Applause to the WOMPIs who participated in the local Salvation Army doll dress-making contest, with the dolls to be distributed to needy children for Christmas. Four hundred well-dressed dolls were entered. There were seven top winners and two of the seven were WOMPIs. Dorothy Probst, United Artists staffer and WOMPI president, and Betty Hemstock, past president, from Central States, were honored for their chic designing and needlework. M rs. R. G. “Betty” Olson of Paramount passes on to the Brave New World the discovery that Pepsi-Cola makes a terrific hair spray. Betty came upon this revolutionary finding while working the concessions counter at Variety’s annual Christmas party. Seems a clumsy customer spilled his purchase of Pepsi and Betty got a carbonated bath, plus a well-set hairdo. J^fter more than six months in port at the Ingersoll Theatre here, “Cleo’s” barge will shove off in early January from Des Moines . . . Residents at Laurens are attempting to light up their theatre again, through subscriptions in a community wide effort. CJincere Good Wishes to All for a Merry Old-Fashioned Holiday! Southern Exhibitors Group Appeals For More and Better Film Prints From Southeast Edition MEMPHIS — A protest against what is termed “a pennywise and pound foolish” economy practice regarding the number of film prints supplied to each exchange, and their inspection has been forwarded to tradepapers and film distributors by the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Arkansas-Tennessee-Mississippi over the signature of Bruce Young, retiring president, following the association’s convention held here recently. “Exhibitors at the 54th annual convention of the Tristate Theatre Owners November 12-13 held at the Chisca Hotel in Memphis generally agreed that definite action should be taken in respect to the indifferent attitude of a number of major film companies regarding the number of prints supplied the exchanges on feature pictures,” Young’s open letter reads, “and also regarding the condition of the prints that are being received by the theatres in the Tristate area. “While a few of the companies are still inspecting their product 100 per cent, the major portion have curtailed inspection considerably. This, coupled with the indifference by National Screen on rendering service particularly in the smaller situations, has affected the boxoffice dollar considerably. “Our committee took the print situation up with Memphis Film Service, which advised that they are only following the instructions given them by the distributors and they have no discretion increasing or decreasing the amount of inspection; that Memphis Film Service is acting as a shipping room employe of each distributor for whom they do backroom work, and as such is compelled to abide by all instructions issued by the employer-distributors. “Our committee also reported that there has been some possibility of a further reduction in inspection, if this were possible. “This pennywise and pound foolish economy is the reason for the Tristate Theatre Owners action. We certainly cannot find fault with economy but when it reaches the stage of forcing theatres to close due to the lack of print supply, and causing late dates when the prints are in such bad condition that they cannot be run, we feel the film companies should not economize to the extent of closing our businesses. “We humbly seek and openly request your help in correcting this situation before it becomes too late.” HERE’S YOUR CHANCE to get in the BIG MONEY As a screen game, HOLLYWOOD takes fop honors. As a box-office attraction, it is without equol. 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 Oakton St-. * Skokie, Illinois DES MOINES © & i I 1 i jSs 1 i i 1 I I Seasons Greetings PAT COONEY BOXOFFICE REPRESENTATIVE Des Moines I I I sencf /r>e □ 2 years for $5 □ 1 year for $3 □ Remittance Enclosed □ 3 years for $7 □ 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. BOXOFFICE : : December 23, 1963 NC-5