The Exhibitor (1949)

THE EXHIBITOR NT3 La.; A1 Crook, Arrow and Jeff, Shrewsbury, La.; Rev. Carl Wethers, East End, Baton Rouge, 0. ; J. Gaude, Magic, Port Allen, La.; E. W. Ansardi, Burris, Burris, La.;, and L. D. “To-To” Guidry, Rose, Opelousas. Guidry recently opened another theatre, the Jan, Ville Platte, La., which brings his holdings up to five houses. Charles Levy, owner, Harlem, Thibodeaus, La., also visited the row, and reported that his mother, Mrs. Lydia Levy, who has been ill for past month, is now recuperating at the Hotel Dieu. Work is being rushed on the Park, Houma, La. , which had the misfortune to have the ceiling fall, injuring 39 people. Much credit has been given to the steel-backed seats in that they were responsible for preventing much more serious injuries. Mrs. Jerry Jernigan, Memphis, visited New Orleans, and stopped off on Film Row. She and her husband now operate the Screen Guild office, Memphis. The regular monthly meeting of Allied of the Gulf States was held at the Jung Hotel on April 26, with many exhibitors present. A delegation was appointed to attend the National Allied board meeting at Dallas on May 28 -29-30. This is to be a double celebration, as the annual meeting of the Allied group in Dallas is to be held on June 1, and, at the same time, the Gulf States group is celebrating its second anniversary. Plans are underway to have as many members from the New Orleans territory attend as possible, and a big celebration is planned, which will honor Colonel Cole, founder of Allied. STATES Alabama ANDALUSIA John Bowers, Wing, Ala., will soon start work on his new airdome. The spot will cost approximately $25,000. BIRMINGHAM Cecil Harwell, city manager, Wilby-Kincey Theatres, deserves a word of praise for donating the use of the Ensley for a benefit show for Alfred J. Nichols, police officer, who was paralyzed after being stabbed in the line of duty over a year ago. The show raised $1,300. All members of the theatre staff donated services. BRUNOI DGE Charlie Johnson, manager, Brundidge, as a good will gesture, furnishes free copies of the local newspaper for each room in Pike county Hospital. He has continued the practice for over a year. DOTH AM Rufus Davis, Jr., city manager, Martin Theatres, announced that construction of a $100,000 drive-in is now under way. EAST GADSDEN The Coosa, closed since March, reopened under the management of Alaga Theatre Corporation, Charles S. Pittman, president. Manager is Mrs. Ailene Hudson, formerly associated with the Pittman, Gadsden, Ala. ELBA While in Germany in 1945, Dozier Roberts, manager, Elba, mailed a saddle from Nuremberg. It just arrived. FLORALA With the new Martin completed, an early opening was anticipated. FLORENCE The four theatres owned by Muscle Shoals Theatres contributed a total of $1,299 to The March of Dimes. GADSDEN The new drive-in ran into trouble with the churches. A petition pro¬ testing it was presented to City Council. It is argued that the drive-in will encourage “wrong doing”. MONTGOMERY The Charles was host recently to carriers of The Montgomery Examiner. After the show it served the boys ice cream. MOBILE Giddens and Rester, who operate three theatres in this city, are currently building a new drive-in. RUSSELLVILLE Rookwood Amusement Company, Nash¬ ville, Tenn. , announced that it ex¬ pects its Roxy, costing approximately $150 , 0 0 0, to open on or about June 15. TALLADEGE The City Commission tabled a referendum to vote on the showing of Sunday movies. Arkansas JONESBORO Jonesboro’ s first open air thea¬ tre, the Skyvue, will be opened soon, Robert B. Lowery, vice-president and general manager, Skyvue Theatres, Inc., announced. The site is being graded in order on Highway 39 in southwest Jonesboro. Modernization of the Strand is moving forward. The interior is being completely remodeled, and the front will also have a face lifting. W. L. Mack, Malco Theatres’ manager, said other features will be added. LITTLE ROCK Ginger Prince, 6, star of “The Lawton Story”, was made an Arkansas Traveler. The certificate was pre¬ sented to the little girl by Governor Sid McMath. Only persons of “distinc¬ tion and achievement” are eligible for the coveted Arkansas Traveler award. Governor McMath made the award on the stage of the Pulaski Theatre here before the premiere crowd attending the new film. Ginger, who was on the stage, curtsied as she received the certifi¬ cate from the governor. Paul Ketchum, advance man for Hallmark Productions, Inc., producer of “The Lawton Story”, said the little star was the youngest person to receive the award. MGM played host to about 200 thea¬ tre owners at a luncheon at the Marion Hotel preceded by screenings of “The Stratton Story” and "The Secret Garden” at the Heights. Area branch manager Louis G. Ingram, Memphis, outlined MGM' s production plans for the coming year. The Center, Arkansas’ s newest thea¬ tre, opened last fortnight. Rebuilt on the site of the old Royal at 407 Main Street, the Center seats 1, 252. The completion of this completely remodeled house, featuring airconditioning and all latest devices, marks the end of a four-year con¬ struction program of the Arkansas Amusement Company, which started with the building of the Heights, and later the Asher Drive-In. Florida JACKSONVI LLE M. C. Moore, former owner. River¬ side, announced his candidacy for city treasurer in the May Democratic p rimari es. M I AMI Mitchell Wolfson, coowner, Wometco, and Mark Chartrand, publicity direc A general view of the recent Joy' s Theatres managers meeting at Alexandria, La. , shows circuit executives standing on the right, left to right: Fred Houck, con¬ cessions department; Vi. A. Hodges, general manager; Joy Houck, owner and ex¬ ecutive head; W. A. Prewitt, partner; Lee Bounds, partner: William Cobb, Exhibi¬ tors Poster exchange, New Orleans, and Willis Houck, head, booking and buying. May 4 1949