Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1927)

1952 Motion Picture News Michalove Assumes Duties as "U" Theatre Chief Chain Expansion Will Be Policy; Willard Patterson New Southern Division Manager EXPANSION of Universal theatre activities in many states, with 23 theatres now beino; built, and 270 in operation, will be continued vigorously. Dan Michalove, late last week, assumed his post as <::eneral manager of the entire Universal chain in the United States and Canada. Mr. Michalove told trade paper representatives that the policy M'ould be "the l)uying or building of houses anywhere we are convinced money can be made." "We are in the theatre business to make money," he added. While Mr. Michalove stated that no definite program had been adoj)ted, it is understood that vigorous expansion will bo pursued. Willard C. Patterson, of Atlanta has been appointed by Mr. Michalove as head of Universal theatre activities in the South, filling the position of Southern disti'ict nuinager vacated by Mr. Michalove Avhen he became general manager of the Universal chain. Discussing some of the Universal theatres in detail, Mr. Michalove said that several deals had been made in Indiana, one with former Gov. Goodrich for a house at Marion; another for two to be built in Indianapolis; and negotiations for a third at Thirty-Eighth and Meridian streets. In Wisconsin, Universal has houses under Avay in Racine and Kenosha, and Avill l)uild in Sheboygan. At Atlanta, Mr. Patterson will open on June 27 the Capitol, a de luxe house, one of the finest in the country. The Madison, suburban theatre opens June 20, another is being built at Lakewood Heights and a site for a third has been bought on Georgia Ave. At Grand Island, Neb., what Mr. Michalove termed the first "baby" atmospheric theatre in the U. S. — the Capitol, seating 1,600 — has been opened. A house was recently opened at Norfolk, Neb. Universal theatres in Milwaukee will be reconditioned at a cost of $91,000, and $1.35,000 will be spent to improve the Hostettler circuit in Iowa and Nebraska. In Brooklyn, the Universal, a 2,400 seat house at 46th St. and New Utrecht, opens Aug. 1. Northwest M.P.T.O. Meet Five Hundred Theatre Owners Attend; Corporate Name Changed and Steffes Re-elected as President APPROXIMATELY five hundred exhibitors of Minnesota and the Dakotas attended the Motion Picture Owners of the Northwest convention til is week which was held in the St. Paul Hotel, St. Paul, Minnesota. Al Steffes, of Minneapolis, was re-elected president of the organization which, owing to a merger of the Northwest M. P. T. 0. with the Twin C'ity Theatre Managers' Association, had its ruime changed to Theatre Owners of the Northwest, Inc. Some of the highlights of the convention were the decision of the body to take steps to head off a proposed ten per cent gross receipts tax which is scheduled to be considered at an extra session of the South Dakota legislature; also it was announced ttiat plans have been perfected whereby the theatre owners' association would cooperate with the Dunwoody Industi'ial Institute of ^liinieapolis in the creation of a school of projection which any operator or person interested may attend to study the latest development in projection and lighting. The convention was opened by ilayor Hodgson, of St. Paul, and addresses were made by civic and business executives of the city and M. L. Fiukelstein and Theodore Hays of the Pinkelstein and Ruben circuit. The delegates attended a ball and cabaret entertaimneiit in the T'alm Room of the St. Paul hotel on Wednesday nigiit, Avith entertaiiiinciit ])rovided by performers al the various Twin City theatres. The convention closed with a l)an(|uet given to the delegates by the Universal Film exchange in behalf of Carl Laemmle, president of the Universal Pictures Corporation, who had planned to l)e present at the convention, but who was unable to attend. Sunday Show Referendum in Minneapolis Postponed Residents of five districts in the Twelfth Ward of Minneapolis have been defeated in their efforts to conduct a special referendum at the May primaries on the question of permitting a moving picture theatre to be built in that district. The proposed referendum was to have been unofficial, and for the purpose of instructing the two aldermen how to c-ast their vote on the proposition in the city council. Other residents of the ward protested, however, because they had been neglected in the referendum plans, and as a result the referendum will be jjostponed until the election in June. To Remodel Auditorium, Kansas City's Old Theatre The Auditorium, Kansas City, Avliich has been thought of recently in the light of its bygone days, Avill not fall a victim of a wrecking creAV, as recently was expected, but Avill be remodeled into an up-to-date 1,800 seat motion picture theatre. The theatre was sold this week by Robert Taubman to John Dillon, Samuel Carver being retained as manager. The theatre Avas opened in October, 1887, Avhen Booth and Barrett appeared in "Othello." Mr. Carver has obtained a 10-year lease on the building at an annual rental of $5,600. Rothacker To Get Post at First National? FolloAving the resignation of M. C. Levee as executive business manager of the First Xational Studios at Burbank, Calif., it is understood Watterson R. Rothacker Avill take over the post vacated by Mr. Levee, who goes to United Artists in a similar capacity. It is expected official announcement of the appointment of Mr. Rothacker Avill be made at the First National convention at Burbank next Aveek. Mr. Rothacker is at present in Europe, but Avill return shortly. Construction Under Way on Two Minneapolis Houses Excavation is nearing completion for the two new theatres Avhich are already under consti'uction in Minneapolis. The Puhlix house, at La Salle and Ninth is progressing ra])idly, but it Avill undoubtedly be a year before-the structure is complete. The excavation for the $125,000 house being built at Lake street and Thirty-fifth avenue for the [jake Amusement Company, Avill be finished tliis week, and it is expected that the building will be ready for occupancy in about three months. John HamiueU, New Mid West Division Manager for Paramount. May Tax Ohio Amusements to Make Up State Deficit Wind has been received that the prol>osed tax on amusements, cigarettes and recording of mortgages will l)e acceptable to Governor A. Y. Donahey, of Ohio, as a means to balance a state deficit. The bill calls for a ten per cent tax on admissions.