Boxoffice-March.06.1948

: March
Auburn Studies Tax;
750-Seater Planned
AUBURN. ALA.—Just as the city council
announced it was considering adoption of an
amusement tax, a local firm announced plans
for construction of a new theatre and cafe
at a cost of more than $100,000.
Robert Sims, president of the Auburn Theatre
Co., announced plans for the 750-seat
theatre, w-ith an adjoining cafe. Other officers
of the firm are Walter Gilbert, vicepresident
and Charles A. Flowers, secretarytreasurer.
The building has been designed by Paul
W. Hofferbert, Gadsden. Batson & Cook is
the contractor. It is hoped to have the theatre
ready in six months.
On March 10. the city council will meet
to determine public sentiment on the amusement
tax. Proceeds of the tax. if imposed,
would be used for school improvements.
Top Officials to Attend
Birmingham Party
BIRMINGHAM—International officers will
be honor guests when MPMO Local 236 celebrates
its 36th birthday here March 21.
Ralph A. Root sr.. business agent for the
union, said that Richard F. Walsh, international
president, and William P. Raoul,
secretary-treasurer, would come here from
New York for the event. Also expected to
attend are three international representatives,
A. S. Johnstone, New Orleans: John N.
Spearing. Jacksonville, Fla.. and Eddie Miller,
Houston. Tex.
Invitations have been extended to Big Five
representatives in Atlanta. Nashville. Chattanooga,
KnoxviUe and Memphis, as well as
members of locals in nearby Alabama cities.
Twigg Theatre Destroyed
JEFFERSONVILLE, GA.—The entire business
section of Jeffersonville was threatened
February 23 by a fire which originated in
the T\^'igg Theatre. Mrs. Josh Wimberly. wife
of the manager, said none of the 35 persons
in the theatre was injured. However, more
than an horn- was required to bring the blaze
under control and additional fire fighting
equipment was called from Dublin and
Macon. The fire threatened an adjoining
bank and a large cotton warehouse. Mrs.
Wimberly was unable to make an estimate of
fire
losses.
Name Kiddy Shows
MEMPHIS—Kiddy matinees annoimced by
Better Films council for this week include:
Rosemary Theatre, "Copacabana" and "Trail
to San Antone"; Peabody, "High Conquest"
and "Susie Steps Out." and Airways Theatre.
"Blondie's Anniversary" and "Trail to San
Antone."
EXTRA ATTRACTION—A nice
for eoing to the Star Theatre in Fort
Walton, Fla., is that you are greeted there
by this beautiful young manager. She is
17 -year-old Marcelene Kelly, a postgraduate
student at the Fort Walton high
school. She has been managing the theatre
for a year and is very good at it, too,
says the theatre owner, Neal Robinson.
Free Shows for Children
Stir Interest in Red Cross
TUSCALOOSA, ALA.—Foiu' theatres in the
Tuscaloosa district gave a free show Saturday.
February 28, for school children to
create interest in the Red Cross drive.
The shows were presented for students of
the thii-d thj-ough ninth grades at the Bama
and Diamond theatres in Tuscaloosa, the Alberta
City Theatre in Alberta City, and the
Disney in Northport. Children were eligible
to attend if they wrote a thente of 40 or 50
words on "Why We Should Give to Red Cross."
B&L COATED
Court Rules Theatre
Can Alter Entrance
BIRMINGHAM— U.S. District Judge Clarence
Mullins has ruled that the city's action
in revoking a permit for converting the Birmingham
Theatre into an all-Negro house Is
nuU and void.
Judge Mullins said that the action of the
city commission in denying the permit
when the Panta Theatre Corp. qualified
by law was unconstitutional. Judge Mullins
read from a U.S. supreme court zoning
case to support his ruling that the city action
was taken ".solely because of color."
The city had expressed fear that peace
would be disturbed by "the co-mingllng of
whites and Negroes in large numbers in that
area."
However, there are no immediate plans for
the actual conversion of the house. A. H.
Borisky, president of Southeast Amusement
Enterprises Corp,, explained that he wanted
a court ruling so that he could be guided
in the future. Borisky leased the theatre
from Panta Theatre Corp.
The Birmingham is located at 17th street
and Third avenue in the downtown district.
The theatre had proposed to close its present
Third avenue entrance for whites, and use
the 17th street entrance for Negroes exclusively.
L. W. McClintock Leaves
For Rest in California
MEMPHIS— L.
W. McClintock, manager at
Paramount, left March 3 with Mrs. McClintock
for Ukiah. Calif., his home town, for a
rest of several weeks. McClintock recently
suffered a heart attack. He is on leave of
absence from Paramount. After several weeks
in Ukiah, Mr. and Mrs. McClintock plan a
torn- of the Pacific northwest and the Dakotas.
Tom Bridge, sales manager of the Dallas
district office, is here as acting branch manager.
HIGH SPEED LENSES
afford maximum light transmission.
Let us demonstrate how
they improve your projection.
Wounded Manager Recovering
GADSDEN, ALA.—Benton Pierce jr., 29,
manager of the Gadsden Theatre who was
seriously wounded in a recent holdup attempt,
has been taken from Holy Name of
Jesus hospital to his home, according to D. B.
Dixon of Crescent Amusement Co. He plans
a trip to Florida soon to recuperate and
hopes to be back at work within another
month.
ATLANTA, GA.
•Erpry thing tor the theatre except film"
BOXOFFICE :
6, 1948 SE