Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

(Continued from page 35) tentative for Eagle-Lion in this territory. . . . The Mount, Ocheydan, has been sold ,by Ray Van Gelder to Vernon Monjar and Leonard Taylor of Cincinnati. . . . The Moravia, Moravia, has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. William Gardner to Arthur Van Dorin of Mystic. . . . Distributors of motion pictures and film products would be required to obtain annual permits costing $1,000 each and pay a fee of $1 for each reel of film shown for profit in Iowa under .a bill filed for introduction in the house by Harvey J. Long (Rep., Clinton). . . . Iowa's spendable income in 1946 was the largest in history: $2,869,240,000. . . . Des Moines theatres turned in $6,567.44 to the March •of Dimes fund last week. . . . Screen Guild Productions of the Midwest has been incorporated here with the following officers : Julian H. King, president ; Julian H. King, Jr., vice president, and Margaret L. King, secretary. . . . The Casey at Casey has been bought by Bill Lyons, Clear Lake. HARTFORD Holdovers in the Connecticut territory last week included: "Shocking Miss Pilgrim," second week, at Loew's Poli-Palace, Hartford, and Loew's Poli-Globe, Bridgeport. . . . "Nora Prentiss" held for a fortnight at Roger Sherman, New Haven, and Loew's Poli-College, New Haven, held "Lady in the Lake" for a second week. . . . Columbia's "Jolson Story" finally pulled out ■of E. M. Loew's, Hartford, after a recordDreaking eight weeks. Picture broke all attendance records for past 17 years at that theatre. "Dead Reckoning" is now playing at the E. M. Loew's. . . . Connecticut's capital city Hartford had quite a few visitors last week, in conjunction with premiere of UA's "Carnegie Hall" at Bushnell Memorial. . . . George E. Landers, manager of the E. M. Loew's, Hartford, has been on -vacation in Florida. . . . Bucky Harris is the -new field exploitation man at the RKORadio New Haven branch, replacing Jack Quirk, who has been transferred to New Orleans. MEMPHIS Memphis first run houses advertised two world premieres this week: "The Private Affairs of Bel Ami," at Loew's State, and "The Beginning Or the End," at Loew's Palace. Malco had "The Jolson Story," Warner "The Beast With Five Fingers," and the Ritz "The Man in Grey." The weather was warm and clear and all managers reported very good business. . . William Barry, assistant state attorney general, made an official ruling that the state's -new two per cent sales tax, which goes into effect April 1, does not apply to theatre tickets which Berry decided were "service and not a transfer of tangible property." . . . Mid-South exhibitors swarmed to Memphis Film Row to catch up on bookings and shoppings. Visitors included: Paul Myers, Belinda, McCrory, Ark. ; Earl Vandiver, Ritz, Kenneth, Mo.; Bob Kilsrore, Harlem, Union City, Tenn. ; D. , F. Blissard, Okolona, Okolona, Miss.; J. C. Mohrstadt, Missouri, Hayti, Mo.; Orris Collins, Capitol and Majestic, Paragould, Ark. ; Leon Roundtree, Grand, Walter Valley, Miss. ; R. R. McCormick, Gloria, Senatobia, Miss. ; Ned Green, Princess and Legion, Mayfield, Ky. ; G. H. Goff, Rustic, Parsons, Tenn. ; Louise Mask, Luez, Bolivar, Tenn.; Emma Cox, Gem, Osceola, Ark.; and Neely Bradson, Ritz, Selmer, Tenn. MIAMI The Rosetta opened a soda-snack bar in its foyer. It is the first of its kind. . . . The Miami theatre will be completed soon. . . . "The Best Years of Our Lives" will open at the Royal March 13 after a number cf weeks of road showing at the Colony. The showing of "Her Sister's Secret" at the Royal and Variety theatres is drawing large crowds. . . . Cold weather, exceptional for February, has kept the theatres full. MINNEAPOLIS "California" ran off with the week's honors, doing a $25,000 gross at Radio City. "The Jolson Story" had a good second week at the RKO Orpheum, with $15,000, while "Lady in the Lake" pulled $13,500 at the State. All were held over. . . . Two new posts were created at Minnesota Amusement Company. George C. Shepherd was named sales and merchandising director and Robert J. LaPiner became director of special events. . . . John Pillar, operator of two theatres at Valley City, N. D., was in town for several days to make bookings. . . . Jens Nelson has purchased the Jasper, Jasper, Minn., from Fred Deuth, who took over the Lake at Heron Lake, Minn. ... A booth fire in the Rex, Ruthton, Minn., caused $500 damage. . . . Henry Eiler is the new owner of the Date, Proctor, Minn. . . . W. J. McFall has resigned from the sales staff of the Minneapolis Monogram exchange. . . . "The Best Years of Our Lives" goes into the RKO Pan March 12. NEW ORLEANS The Fox theatre at Marksville, La., was formally opened February 12. It is owned by William Johnson and Howard Lacass. . . . The Fran theatre at Winoan, Miss., recently burned after being open only a short while. . . . Sidney J. Naquin, for many years an exhibitor at different points on the Byou La Fourche country, died last Sunday at his home in Algiers, La. . . . Exhibitors visiting Film Row: Joe Williams of the Star, Pascagoula, Miss. ; James Tringas of Fort Walton, Fla. ; Nick Lamantia, Bogalusa, La. ; Ernest Delahaye, Maringouin, La. ; O. J. Gaude, Port Allen, La.; L. E. Downing, Brookhaven, Miss. ; Don George, Alexandria, La. ; Doyle Maynard, Shreveport, La. ; Leo Bounds, Texarkana, Texas. OMAHA Weather was bad and the box office receipts not too good. . . . Bill Tammen has closed his Moon theatre at Yankton, S. D., for remodeling. . . . Salesmen in this territory reportedly are forming a union. . . . G. V. Fleming, of Glenwood, la., plans to open a theatre in Lynch, Neb., in midMa*rch. . . . The Omaha Cardinals will play Western League baseball across the river in Council Bluffs, la., instead of here. Park difficulties explained the shift. Sixty-five night games are scheduled. . . . Douglas County Hospital is offering a weekly picture show for patients. . . . Shows are still illegal on Sundays in Iowa, according to an old "blue law" never removed from the books. . . . Harry Sarver, Western Theatrical Equipment Company, San Francisco, stopped here for a short visit. . . . Oscar Hanson, independent booker, has been in the hospital and still has not returned to work. . . . Evelyn Larby has joined the Republic force. PHILADELPHIA "The Jolson Story" at the Stanley and the "Fabulous Dorseys" take the lead in box office activity this week, with ony the weekend snows keeping business down. . . . Bill Kanefsky, assistant manager at Warners' Earle and an original member of the theatre's staff, left the company to join the William Goldman circuit here as a rotating manager. . . . Popular theatre will be reopened by the Warner circuit, following extensive alterations, with a policy of foreign films. . . . Morris Gerson, independent circuit head who died January 29, left a $25,000 estate to members of his family with other sums to local charities. . . . Fred Leopold, manager of the Ambler, is hospitalized. ... A $300,000 fire in Columbia, Pa., destroyed the Opera House operated by Harry Dembow and associates. . . . The effect of the 9 :30 curfew on attendance is being watched by theatre men at nearby Pleasantville, Pa. . . . Atlantic City, N. J., got another first run house when the Shore, formerly the Empress, was opened February 28 with Max J. Chasens as manager. . . . Eugene Minier, who operates a circuit of independent houses in upstate Pennsylvania, is redecorating and remodeling his Wyalusing in Wyalusing, Pa. . . . Alfred Lowenthal has resigned as manager of Warners' Ritz, in Wilmington, Del. SAN ANTONIO Interstate theatres here have increased their radio advertising time on all local radio stations some 700 per cent. . . . "The Razor's Edge" moved into a third downtown week at the Texas, being held over after a terrific week at the Majestic. . . . Jack Chalman, a Navy veteran and chief (Continued on page 40) 38 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, MARCH 8, 1947