Boxoffice-March.06.1948

. . Eugene
: March
. .
in the 20th-Fox building, having recovered
from an attack of gall bladder trouble.
Max A. Davis, a former St. Louis furniture
dealer, died in Houston of a heart attack.
He was an uncle of Louis Davis, who
operates the Vernon. Mount Vernon, Ind.,
and Maiu-ie Davis of the Will Rogers. St.
Louis . Abelin. 23, trer.surer of
Fox Theatre, is recovering at Barnes hospital
from a bullet w'ound received February
15th in an attempted holdup at his office,
William "Red" McKenzie, 49, pioneer jazz
band leader and recording artist who started
his musical career while a bellboy at the
Claridge hotel here in 1919, died of a liver
ailment in New- York City recently. He appeared
at various St. Louis theatres during
his career . . . Harold Postman, assistant to
Alan F. Cummings, in charge of MGM exchange
operations, was a recent visitor. His
schedule also included visits to Kansas City
nnd New Orleans . . . John B. Giachetto of
the Fi-isina Amusement Co., Springfield, has
resumed his duties after being home with
a heavy cold.
Sol Francis, district manager for Monoyram,
arrived recently on a tour of his district
. . . "Paghacci" is being shown nightly
at the St. Louis Music university. Free
tickets are being distributed thi-ough the
school. The run to end March 6. The
is
hall is just around the corner from the
Shenandoah Theatre.
Most Patrons 19-Year-Olds
Says Public Relations Chief
BEAVER DAM. WIS.—The largest theatre
audience comes from the 19-year-old
group, and this is the group producers
naturally try to please, according to Estelle
Steinbach, public relations director for Fox
Wisconsin. Speaking at a PTA meeting on
motion pictures here February 19. Miss Steinbach
said only 19 per cent of the audience
is made up of the age group under' 12.
C. Lorbeck, district supervisor of Fox Wisconsin,
and F. J. Bickler, manager of the
local Odeon, also spoke briefly. It was announced
that the Odeon will present special
matinees for children Saturday afternoons,
to continue as long as patronage
warrants.
Pressnel in Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, ILL.—Dave Pressnel ;s
the new manager of the Fox Midwest Plaza
here. He formerly was assistant manager
under C. C. Murray at the Lincoln in Springfield.
He was succeeded at the Lincoln by
Donald Foss, former chief of staff.
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For free estimate, phone: WENworth 4277
BOXOFHCE :
6, 1948
from the BoxoFFicE Files
(Twenty Years Ago)
in the U.S. and Canada a motion picture
theatre, with from 3,000 to 5,000 projection
machines being required. Later, when labor
becomes firmly entrenched in the exhibition
field, the production and distribution of pictures
for display in the labor theatres will
be given serious consideration,
Harry Redmon, managing director and
part owner of the new Majestic Theatre
on CoUinsville avenue near Missouri avenue,
East St. Louis, now under construction, announces
that the $1,000,000 pictine palace
will open this week. Harry Hynes, formerly
manager of the St. Louis Film exchange,
is now handling St. Louis city sales for
Universal.
Chester Graber of the Miners Theatre,
ColUnsville, 111., and Nat Steinberg, president
of Premier Pictures Corp., have become
inventors. They have patented the Lin-D-
Bow tie, which is tied up with aviation,
being shaped like the propeller of an airplane.
More Playgrounds Seen
As No. 1 Chicago Need
CHICAGO—Chicago ought to have fewer
blood and thunder comic books and objectionable
motion pictures and more playgrounds,
according to first retm-ns from
questionnaires sent Parent-Teacher Ass'n
groups by the Juvenile Protective Ass'n.
The association, which sent out approximately
2,000 questionnaires last fall, reports
that over 1,000 have been returned. Both
parents and teachers thought the need for
playgrounds the most important step in combating
juvenile delinquency. Also high up
on the list of corrective measures were suggestions
that the comic books be cleaned up,
with the accent taken off crime. A surprising
niunber of parents also registered
objections to motion pictures, complaining
specifically about crime films and films in
which sex was overstressed or handled in
blunt fashion.
Harris Dudelsoii Heads
Cleveland UA Branch
CLEVELAND—Harris Dudelson. until re-
Biler . . .
.
O. HURLEY has purchased the Joyland
J^ cnlly division manager for Screen Classics,
Theatre in Bloomfield, Mo., from John
last week moved into
The Wilson, St. Louis, is now
the local United Artists
under the management of C. A. Zuehkle.
exchange as manager.
B. Castelli formerly operated this house This post has
W. C. Calhoun is reported to have purchased
been officially "to
the Princess, Franklin, 111., from H. L. Hamilton.
let" for the past six
months. The appointment
Mrs. Louise Hamilton is opening a
new theatre in Franklin to be known as the
was made by
Moe Dudelson, district
New Palace . . . C. C. Cravens has transferred
the Rex, Lilbourne, Mo., and the Lyric,
manager, who also
Portageville, Mo., to L. B, Cravens . . . L.
announced the resignation
Remey is the new district manager for Fox
of Joe Krenitz
in the St. Louis territory.
as salesman covering
the Toledo area. Har-
Coal miners and operators in southern Harris Dudelson j-jg Dudelson is well
known in this territory, having at one time
Illinois have failed to reach a .satisfactory
been United Artists branch manager in Cincinnati.
settlement, so motion picture exhibitors in the territory are all set for a gloomy
He also was manager in St. Louis
season ahead after a very unprofitable winter. at one time. He joined Albert Dezel about
a year ago, serving at first as district manager,
Organized labor, it has been learned in
and later as division manager. He
made frequent trips to Cleveland in both
St. Louis from a soiu-ce high in the councils
of the American Federation of Labor, plans capacities.
to organize in every branch of the motion
picture industry, including production and
distribution. Organized labor contemplates
making every labor temple and meeting hall
Fox Wisconsin Reopens
Rialto in Marinette
MARINETTE. "WIS.—The Rialto Theatre
has been reopened here by Fox Wisconsin
circuit after a $45,000 overiiaul. The house
was almost completely done over. It has 600
new seats, new carpets, new projection, heating
and ventilating equipment, a new screen
and a new vending stand. The interior was
redecorated. Charles Nelson is manager.
Fire Ruins Ace Theatre;
Loss Exceeds $15,000
PIPER CITY, ILL. — The 214-.seat Ace
Theatre here was destroyed by fire February
22. Damage was estimated by Manager E. O.
Quick as between $15,000 and $20,000.
For Greater Profits
Manleq
Supplies
Manley's Supreme Popcorn
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Manley's Cocoanut Oil
40c per Lb.
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F. O. B. St. Louis Warehouse
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