Boxoffice-March.06.1948

V. U. Young Stricken
Ai Home in Florida
INDIANAPOLIS—V. U. Young, pioneer
motion picture theatre operator here, died
at his home in Miami Beach last week.
He was 70 years old, and returned to
Florida recently after an operation at the
Mayo clinic in Rochester,
president of the Y&W Management
Minn.
Corp.,
He was
operators of 27 theatres in Indiana, with offices
in Indianapolis. He began his career
in the entertainment business in 1907 at
Gary, Ind., formerly his home, and had retired
about five years ago.
Survivors include the wife, a daughter,
Mrs. Roy Clore of Gary: one son Robert of
Indianapolis, and three brothers.
Kato Film Delivery Trucks
Start Running in Kentucky
INDIANAPOLIS—The Kato Theatre Service,
operated by Andy Anderson. Kentucky
exhibitor, is now picking up film at local
exchanges and making door deliveiy in remote
parts of Kentucky served from Indianapolis.
Before the organization of this
sei-vice, exhibitors had to rely on express delivery,
which was vei-y unsatisfactoi-y. Trucks
pick up and deliver thi-ee days each week.
Indiana ATO to Convene
At French Lick July 26
INDIANAPOLIS—The midsununer meeting
of the ATO of Indiana will be held at
French Lick hotel, French Lick, Ind., July 26
aiiu 28, it was announced by William Carroll,
executive secretarj'.
Charles A. Mast Dies
ST. LOUIS—Charles A. Mast, who joined
the St. Louis Theatrical Brotherhood Sept.
8, 1892, and who worked for various times
in practically every theatre in St. Louis, died
of the infirmities of age February 24. He
was born July 28, 1869. His most recent employment
was at the Grand Opera House
early in 1945,
Joe Burke Redecorates
BATAVIA, ILL.—The Capitol Theatre
closed for three days recently to permit the
completion of a redecoration project. Joe
Burke, who has operated the theatre for 21
years, said the theatre has been given new
carpets and furniture, except for theatre
seats, which were renovated: the walls have
been redecorated, and the exterior repaired
and improved. The work cost between $5,000
and $6,000. Roses were given to all the
women patrons when the theatre reopened
with "Golden Earrings."
Plan Soo Renovation
SAULT STE. MARIE. MICH. — The Soo
Amusement Co. has plans to redecorate the
Soo Theatre and remodel the Temple this
spring, according to Joseph DePaul. manager.
The marquee on the old Colonial
Theatre here was recently removed and it
is likely the property will be converted
to other than theatre use.
BOXOFFICE : : March 6, 1948
Bottler Suggests Coin
Between Dime, Nickel
MILWAUKEE—Here's a new thought for
theatre operators who sell -soft drinks.
A new 7';; cent "convenience" coin was
advocated here last week by Edward W.
Mehren, president of the Squirt Bottling
Co.. Beverly Hills. Calif. Speaking before
the 33rd annual convention of the Wisconsin
Bottlers of Carbonated -Beverages, Mehren
said:
"It is evident the nickel has become a
dodo in the soft drink industry. We cannot
junk millions of dollars worth of bottles to
change sizes in tune with changing nickel
value. So. the price must go up. And the
next convenient coin is a dime.
"We need a new convenient coin, a coin
of les.ser value than a dime, to save people
money, to give us greater production, and
to give thousands of bottlers a profit they
need to stay in business."
Mehren asserted the use of a 7'-: cent coin
would make raising the price of nickel .soft
drinks to 7'j cents feasible, because the
industry has become strong on one-coin
sales.
Navy Cites Bryn Griffiths
For Photography in Battle
MILWAUKEE—Bryn Griffiths, former Pox
Wisconsin public relations director and theatre
manager, received a belated war honor
last week when the navy announced that he
is among a group of men to receive the
presidential unit citation.
The citation was awarded to inembers of
the crew of the USS Lunga Point, aircraft
carrier on which Griffiths served for two
years during World War II. The carrier
participated in the Leyte, Iwo Jima, Luzon,
Okinaw^a and Third Fleet operations against
Japan.
Stage Show Is Cancelled
In Dispute With Union
INDIANAPOLIS—The Circle Theatre last
week canceled a stage show because of a
dispute with the American Federation of
Musicians. AFL. over hiring of standby musicians.
The theatre has not hired standby
musicians since the Taft-Hartley act became
a law. The show was to consist of Harry
Cool's orchestra, the Harmonicats and other
acts. "If You Knew Susie" was substituted
for
the stage attraction.
Fred Reeth Vacationing
MADISON—Fi-ed Reeth. manager of the
Capitol, and Mi-s. Reeth left February 27
for a four week's vacation trip to the west
coast. They will visit relatives in California
and will also visit Hollywood studios. Tlie
trip is being made by automobile. Ray
Rackow. manager of a Warner house in
Sheboygan and former manager of the
Majestic here, is managing the Capitol during
Reeth's absence.
Crack Theatre Safe
INDIANAPOLIS—Yeggs roUed a heavy safe
from the office of the Rivoli Theatre and
hammered it open in an aisle. The strong
box was destroyed and two days' receipts
were taken. The loss w^as not estimated by
Walter Pursley, manager.
Variety Club to Benefit
From Ansell Picture
ST. LOUIS- Receipts from the local premiere
of the An.sell Bros, production, "Woman
in the Night," will be turned over to
the heart fund of the Variety Club, according
to Tommy James, chief barker.
The picture will open the night of March
30 in the Fanchon & Marco Fox Theatre.
James al.so disclo.sed plans for a series
of midnight shows to be held in local theaties
to help boost the charity fund. The
first of these will be at the Esquire Theatre.
Joe Smith, booker of floor shows here, will
supply the talent.
Another money-raising venture of the
local tent will be a hor.se show here in the
spring. Club leaders hope to net from $3.-
000 to $5,000 through this promotion.
Between 30 and 50 new members are to
be initiated into the club at the March
meeting. A guest at the last session was
Gordon Halloran, former chief barker of the
Des Moines Variety Club, who recently came
here as succes.sor to B. B. Reingold as manager
of 20th-Fox exchange.
Gordon Craddock Joins EL
As Indianapolis Manager
INDIANAPOLIS—Gordon C. Craddock has
been named Indianapolis branch manager for
Eagle Lion by William J. Heineman. vicepresident
in charge of distribution. Craddock
has held various sales posts with Universal,
including branch manager in Indianapolis
and Portland and home office sales
executive.
Drive-In Plans Rebuffed
CHICAGO — Efforts of a group of Chicagoans
to force the village of Skokie. suburb
north of here, to issue a permit for construction
of a drive-in theatre have been
rebuffed in court. Judge Paul McWilliams
of Litchfield. 111., sitting in superior court,
ruled that there was some doubt that the
Chlcagoans had complied with an ordinance
requiring them to submit plans and specifications
to the village and for that reason he
ruled the village need not issue a permit.
Promotions in Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY—A shift of managers
of two of the local theatres in the Durwood
was announced by Arnold Gould, city
circuit
manager. Howard Griffen. who has been
manager of the Roxy, has been promoted to
manager of the larger State. He succeeds
Robert Howard who is returning to his home
in Phoenix, Ariz. Raymond Spencer, who
has been assistant manager of the Roxy.
has been upped to manager for that house.
Albyn England Dies
GARY. IND.—Albyn England, manager of
the Gary Theatre and advertising manager
in this district for the Y&W Management
Corp.. died here recently of a heart attack.
He was 47 years old. Before entering service
England was city manager for Y&W in
Richmond. Ind. He came to Gary three
years ago. Surviving are his wife and three
brothers.