Motion Picture Herald (Nov-Dec 1946)

(Continued from preceding page) hibitors were more concerned about a noparking ordinance going into effect December 1 than about the brownout, which people seem to be taking in stride. All main thoroughfares in the city center will be affected by the restriction, intended to relieve serious traffic congestion. Film men think it will drive more people to the neighborhoods. . . . George Dillon has resigned as branch manager for Film Classics here. Ralph Peckham, formerly with Columbia, is replacing him. Dillon has returned to New York. . . . Sam Schaipin, supervisor of exchanges for Warners, left Friday for Detroit after 10 days at the Indianapolis office. . . . The Variety Club will throw a party December 9 for L. J. McGinley, general sales manager of Prestige Pictures, and Ralph Iula and Irving Fendrick, who supervised the club's recent redecoration to the satisfaction of everybody. McGinley formly was Universal branch manager here. KANSAS CITY Attendance generally over the territory is reported sagging — a condition that has existed all autumn. The point made is that business has not gone back to the normal and expected level for winter, following the decline charged to the polio situation. Exhibitors and circuit men say that retail trade generally over the territory is below expectations ; and similar reports come' from business circles in Kansas City. The coal strike and resulting regulations have further depressed the public, it is said, and added to caution in spending. A report from an analyst of business December 1 indicated that the public is reducing sharply its purchases of luxury items — one index being the cancellation of orders for furs. Thanksgiving theatre attendance in Kansas City was substantially larger than that for that day in 1945. All neighborhood theatres that usually hold matinees on such holidays did so November 28, with substantially better results than for their Thanksgiving holiday shows in 1945. . . . The dimout is being complied with generally, few infractions being reported or observed. Theatre attendance had not suffered up to the first week in December. Circuits generally gave no special instructions to managers — only requiring that local regulations be strictly complied with. MEMPHIS Very satisfactory business was reported by first runs. Closing of the football season Thanksgiving Day was followed by heavy weekend attendance at all theatres. Malco was doing a good business with "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers." Ritz kept the box office busy with "They Were Sisters." "Never Say Goodbye" followed "two ■ terrific weeks" with "Deception" at Warners. State with "Undercurrent" and Palace with "Margie" reported brisk attendance. Herb Kohn, Variety Club chief barker, announced Roy Acuff and his Grand Old Opera troupe would be presented by the club December 15 at Ellis Auditorium with proceeds going to the club's charities. . . . Mid-South exhibitors visiting on Film Row included: Roy Dillard, Dillard theatre, Wardell, Mo.; Bill Kroger, Shannon theatre, Portageville, Mo. ; Moses Sliman, Lux theatre, Luxoria, Ark. ! Dr. R. W. Johnson, Shelby theatre, Shelby, Miss. ; Orris Collins, Capitol theatre, Paragould, Ark. MINNEAPOLIS "The Strange Woman" did the top business in an otherwise below-average week for Loop theatres. "Margie" did nicely in its third week ; new business failed to draw the customers. . . . The RKO Orpheum is marking its twenty-fifth birthday with a general refurbishing and face lifting, the first since its grand opening. The project, which includes new painting, draperies, curtains and carpets, will cost between $50,000 and $60,000. John Branton, film buyer for Minnesota Amusement Co., was elected chief barker of the Northwest Variety Club, succeeding A. W. Anderson, Warner branch manager. George Granstrom was named first assistant chief barker ; Max Torodor, second assistant ; Al Lee, treasurer, and Morris Steinman, secretary. . . . John J. Friedl, Minnesota Amusement president, announced that his company will join with Minneapolis independents in making audience collections for the Variety Club's Heart Hospital Fund. About 60 out-state independents already have started the collections. . . . Michael Gisi has purchased the Roxy at Bird Island, Minn. . . . B. J. Benfield and H. M. Schenecker, operators of the Lyric, Webster S. D., have signed a 10-year lease to operate a new theatre planned for the city. . . . Howard Amusement Company of Howard, S. D., has been sold by Martin Lee and John and Roger Schram to a Madison, S. D., buyer. Blair Bruce has made improvements at his Flaxton at Flaxton, S. D. OKLAHOMA CITY Griffiith's opened their new Boomer theatre at Norman last week. It's the fourth in that college city for the circuit and this one is right on the University of Oklahoma campus. . . . All eyes are on the annual state convention here December 9-10 with top notch speakers from over the state and nation scheduled for addresses. . . . Ray Hughes has opened his New theatre in Heaver, seating 350. . .' . Galy Varnell is manager of the new May, Griffith neighborhood house here. . . . Screen Guild Productions, Inc., newest office on Film Row, at 709-10 West Grand. Carr Scott is the head man. . . . Ervin Holland latest on the staff of the Plaza here. . . . Claude York will handle western Oklahoma for PRC, and J. T. Upton the eastern half of the state. . . . Minor repairs are under way on the Tall Chief theatre at Fairfax. . . . Gene Johnson now in the shipping department at Monogram. OMAHA "Margie" was moved over to the Omaha from the Paramount in its second week, billed with "The Unknown," and scored best here with a $11,500 gross. . . . Jim McCann, MGM salesman at Des Moines, who used to be here, is working in the Omaha territory temporarily. . . . A. F. Mohler of the Colonial theatre, Hamburg, la., visited the Row for the first time in 17 years. He came to celebrate a birthday and made it a three-day stay. . . . Pat Jolly, Columbia salesman, has resigned to start his own business at Norfolk, Neb. . . . Warner Brothers will hold a Christmas party December 23. . . .Mayor Charles Leeman has promised no new city taxes at least until July. If something can't be worked out by then, "the only alternative will be an occupational levy," he said. . . . Cecelia Schmit, who spent 32 years with the Jewel theatre, Valentine, Neb., died after a lingering illness. . . . Fred Wupper now owns the Palace theatre, Clearwater. PITTSBURGH After two unsuccessful attempts to stage the affair because of striking hotel employees, the Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Western Pennsylvania will hold their annual convention in the William Penn Hotel here January 22 and 23. Morris Finkel, president, is making an earnest request for all members to attend since there is much important business to be transacted. The election of officers will precede the banquet on the final day. Joe Minsky has been named district manager for Eagle-Lion Pictures in the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia territory. . . . The father of Bill Brooks, the Paramount booking chief, died in Cleveland recently. . . . Russ Zebra, just out of uniform, has joined RKO as a salesman. Prior to entering the Army he was affiliated with Republic. . . . Richard L. Schuette, who joined MGM's exploitation staff last month, has been moved to the west coast. . . . Many of his Pittsburgh friends heard with regret of the death of Arthur Low in New York. He served for many years as treasurer of the Nixon theatre here. . . . All of the first run houses did excellent business at • midnight shows on Thanksgiving eve. SAN ANTONIO The local independent attendance officer for the San Antonio schools says that many hundreds of children are absent from classes daily and can be found in theatres here. Theatre managers could help. There is no local ordinance to prevent the theatres from selling tickets to school children during school hours Senor S. Silvas of Pear sall is erecting a new $17,000 house in that southwest Texas town. The New Silva theatre will seat 478. . . . Visitors included (Continued on page 46) MOTION PICTURE HERALD, DECEMBER 7, 1946 43