The Exhibitor (1966)

Coca-Cola Co. Constructing New Headquarters As Growth Continues -illiliSSi a=Ss*S35ii Kerasotes Acquires Six From Rodgers Circuit SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — Kerasotes Theatres i! announced the acquisition of six theatres from Rodgers Theatres, Inc., Cairo, Ill., effective Jan. 1, 1967. The theatres are located in j southern Illinois and southeastern Missouri. They are the Rodgers indoor and Rodgers Drive-In, Poplar Bluff, Mo.; Gem, Cairo, Ill.; Rodgers indoor and Rodgers Drive-In, Anna, Ill.; and Varsity, Carbondale, 111. The Kerasotes firm has a heritage of 57 years in the motion picture theatre business, having opened its first theatre in Springfield, the Royal, in 1909. The statewide expansion of the firm began in the late 1 930’s when the leadership of the company was assumed by its current president, George G. Kerasotes, and : it now numbers 61 theatres. In a. statement on the inclusion of the six theatres purchased from Rodgers Theatres, Inc., Kerasotes said: “Our objectives are to provide the finest of motion pictures, at early booking dates so that the movie goers in our communities see the new productions ‘first’; to render courteous and friendly service to all of our patrons at all times; to maintain the highest standards of projection, sound repro¬ duction, and physical comforts as related to seating, climate control, decor, and cleanliness. We encourage our local management to be¬ come a part of the community and participate in its day to day affairs. The movie theatre in any community, properly managed, proves to be a magnet which attracts people into town, thereby stimulating the economy and the so¬ cial activities. . . . The new high quality of the pictures now being produced has created a new upsurge in theatre attendance. We plan to establish our operational policies in all of these theatres so that they will be a credit to the cities in which they are located. We are asking all of the local managers and employees to join our firm and do not plan to make any j changes in the present personnel.” Mrs. Grace S. Rodgers, president of Rodgers Theatres, Inc., said: “I have known George Kerasotes for many years. The Kerasotes or¬ ganization of which he is president has long been noted for its progressive attitude in the operation of their theatre circuit and they I enjoy an enviable reputation in the motion picture industry. I am sure they will bring many improvements to the theatres they have acquired from my firm.” Mrs. Rodgers stated that her firm was re¬ taining their interest in the Blytheville, Ark., operation of a theatre and a drive-in. AIP Names Branch Execs HOLLYWOOD — In a general expansion of its domestic network of completely owned and operated film exchanges across the nation, American International completed establish¬ ment and executive personnel appointments in its newly created Los Angeles, San Fran¬ cisco, and Seattle branches, it was announced by Leon P. Blender, AI vice-president in charge of sales and distribution. Executive appointments designated C. L. Newman, formerly with 20th Century-Fox, as manager of the Los Angeles branch, with Isidaore, previously with UA as office man¬ ager and head booker. Hal Gruber, formerly with Favorite Films, was announced as branch manager of the American International San Francisco offices, while J. R. Beale, a Colum¬ bia veteran in the Seattle territory, was named to head up the branch in the Washington city. Lew Tomlinson, formerly with Favorite Films, was set as office manager and head booker of the AI Seattle branch. ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Company an¬ nounced that construction has begun on a new 12-story home office building here. It is esti¬ mated that the facility will be completed in 1968. The building will be constructed on a site adjacent to the company’s present home office building. In addition to the office tower, plans call for a two-story auditorium-cafeteria build¬ ing and a combination warehouse and indoor garage designed to accommodate over 500 automobiles. The office tower and auditoriumcafeteria building will add approximately 300,000 square feet to the company’s present office facilities. The reason for the growth of the home office personnel, according to J. Paul Austin, presi¬ dent, is that the company has enjoyed unprece¬ dented growth in the last 10 years. Until a little more than a decade ago, the company marketed only one product in a single package. Today, it manufactures more than 250 differ¬ ent products in the soft drink, citrus, coffee, and tea fields. In the time span, the company has acquired Minute Maid and Duncan Foods Companies. The Coca-Cola Company’s Atlanta head¬ quarters houses the main executive offices of the company and most of the central adminis¬ trative and marketing activities for carbonated soft drink products on the national level. High Point City Council HIGH POINT, N.C.— ’ The City Council here postponed “indefinitely” consideration of an ordinance which would license companies providing CATV service in the city, and which has been opposed by theatre interests and other parties. It decided to put off action on a request by Cablevision of High Point after hearing a report from chairman Roy Culler of its Utility Commission. Culler said his committee had studied the proposal and could not recommend passage or denial of the proposed ordinance “because of the uncertainty as to what regulations and what control the federal government will have on CATV, and if these controls are estab¬ lished, if they will be in the best interest of the citizens of High Point.” He said, “The committee does not, by any means, want to be understood to be in opposition to establish SPC Cancels Milestone Fete HOLLYWOOD — In a move to conserve its energy, time, and money for other functions more nearly related to its burgeoning image as a labor collective bargaining agency, the Screen Producers Guild has voted to pass up its 1967 Milestone Awards Dinner along with its attending awards, it was announced by SPG president Louis F. Edelman. The annual event in former years, in addi¬ tion to the Milestone Awards, has been gen¬ erally recognized as one of the most important and distinguished industry gatherings of the year and probably second in prestige to the Delays CATV Decision ment of CATV in High Point. But we believe until these regulations are more defined, we should not proceed with the franchising of any concern for the purpose of CATV.” Theatre interests and other opponents — in¬ cluding local television repairmen, antenna in¬ stallers, retailers, radio and television stations, the Jaycees, and the Merchants Association — were present at the meeting, but Cablevision of High Point was not represented. Cablevision of High Point is backed by Jefferson-Carolina Corporation, which hopes to supply CATV service in Greensboro, and five per cent of the stock in the High Point com¬ pany has been offered to High Point College as a “gift.” Arthur Corpening, an official of the new company, has said that the company plans to extend service to Thomasville, Lexington, and Salisbury after it is established in High Point. annual Motion Picture Academy Awards. The yearly extravaganza embraced awards for the best theatrical film, best produced television show, and the best college campus film. With one exception, the affair has been staged yearly since its 1951 inception. Those receiving the Milestone Award in the past have been General David Sarnoff, Alfred Hitchcock, Arthur Freed, Bob Hope, Irving Berlin, Jack L. Warner, Adolph Zukor, Walt Disney, Cecil B. DeMille, Samuel Goldwyn, Darryl Zanuck, Louis B. Mayer, and Jesse L. Lasky. December 28, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 9