Boxoffice-December.25.1948

Theatre Licensing
Repeal Is Upheld
TOPEKA—That the city of Topeka acted
within its legal right in repealing an ordinance
licensing theatres, and that Topeka's
theatres, therefore, are within their legal
rights in
•
denying admittance to Negroes,
were rulings of the Kansas supreme court.
In a decision written by Justice Parker, the
court unanimously affirmed action of Judge
Magaw of the Shawnee county district court
in sustaining a demurrer to a petition by
Arthur Lee and Ava Louise Stovall seeking
to force admittance of Negroes to local motion
picture theatres.
Under a Kansas law, any city which provides
a licensing system for theatres is barred
from restricting admittance of patrons because
of race, color or creed.
The city of Topeka repealed its theatre
licensing ordinance several years ago. Recently
the Stovalls were denied admittance
to a theatre. In the absence of a licensing
system, the supreme court decision declared,
the theatre in question was within its rights
in refusing admittance to the couple.
Abolition of the ordinance by the city of
Topeka gives theatres there, and in view of
the supreme court decision those in other
cities similarly situated, the right to define
their own rules and pohcies regarding admittance
of patrons.
Another Obstacle Faces
Betty Secrest License
MINNEAPOLIS—Another obstacle has
been placed in the path of Mrs. Betty Secrest,
former exhibitor, who has been trying for
more than a half-year to obtain a license.
This time the council roads and bridges
committee voted to recommend the Secrest
license, but conditioned its issuance on the
question of whether the proposed site would
create a traffic hazard in connection with
the route of a new highway to be built in
the vicinity. This has the effect of holding
up the license for another minimum of 90
days.
The alderman agreed that after the highway
route is decided upon Mrs. Secrest is
to have first preference for a theatre license,
with the showhouse location, however,
to be subject to approval of traffic
engineers, the city planning commission and
other regulations.
S. D. Kane, North Central Allied executive
director, appeared before the council
committee to oppose the Secrest license.
Allied is fighting all new theatre construction
here.
Plan 6-Week Season
MINNEAPOLIS — A six-week dramatic
stock season has been underwritten by civicminded
Minneapolitans and will start January
10 with "The Front Page," offered by
a cast including many local newspaper people
and the Hennepin county sheriff playing
their prototypes in the comedy drama. The
venture has been promoted by Don Stoltz
who operates the Old Log. strawhatter where
"The Front Page" was presented similarly
last summer to great success. Plays will be
presented at the Lyceum, legitimate roadshow
theatre, but not on consecutive weeks. Stoltz
plans an equity company and guest stars.
Fightin' Mayor and Circuit Schedule
Peace Parley in
MINNEAPOLIS—Minnesota Amusement
Co. officials will meet with Mayor G. A.
Gilbert of Watertown, S. D., and town
council members in an effort to end the
feud that has caused the council, ostensibly
at the mayor's instigation, to refuse to
renew the circuit's licenses for the Lyric
and Plaza theatres.
The feud is due to the circuit's refusal
to reopen the Metropolitan Theatre at
the mayor's request. Circuit officials contend
the house is too dilapidated and the
location is poor. They are remodeUng the
Colonial, which will be called the Plaza,
and they do not believe the town could
support three theatres. The Lyric is the
only theatre novv in operation.
Before the meeting. Mayor GUbert declared
that he still would insist on the
reopening of the Metropolitan. The MAC
now controls the town, but the mayor
threatened that if the circuit fails to act.
Bill Elson Will Be Guest
At Variety Club Dinner
MINNEAPOLIS—Northwest Variety Club
will give a party next month for Bill Elson,
retiring chief barker. Elson, who has held
the post three nonconsecutive terms, also is
retiring as a director so that both Harold
Kaplan and Sol Torodor, who were tied in
the voting on new directors, may both become
board members. At its next dinner the
club will show pictures of last season's Minnesota
football games.
New Arc Lamps at Tama
TAMA, IOWA—New arc lamps have been
installed in the projectors at the Mills Theatre
here.
Feud Over Theatre
he will reopen and operate the Metropolitan.
•With only one theatre in operation during
recent months, city officials have
charged that the MAC is depriving the
town of "adequate motion picture entertainment."
They accuse circuit officials of
"stalling" in getting the Colonial remodeled
and opened. On their part, circuit
officials explain the delay has been caused
by difficulties in obtaining building materials.
The Watertown Public Opinion, daily
newspaper, has come to the Minnesota
Amusement Co.'s defense and lambasted
the city officials for what it calls "a badly
timed move that has put the city on a spot
from which it will have to retreat in disorder."
It points out that the license refusal
action was taken at a star chamber
council session and accuses the aldermen
of acting under the mayor's orders.
W. R. Frank to Minneapolis
To Sell 19-Theatre Chain
MINNEAPOLIS—W. R. Frank has returned
here from Hollywood to sell the 19-theatre
circuit, the territoi-y's largest independent
chain, which he heads. Nine of the theatres
are in the Twin cities.
Frank says he already has a $3,400,000 offer
among several dozen others, and is hopeful
a deal will be closed before the first of
the new year. While he'll devote himself
largely to film production at Hollywood after
the sale of his circuit, Prank said he still
would retain his holdings in several drive-ins
in the territory and probably will build more
such theatres.
Frank's "The Great Dan Patch" is now in
production in Hollywood. It will be released
through United Artists.
NEW REFRESHMENT SERVICE LAUNCHED—Publicized by special newspaper
advertising which referred to the event as a "world premiere," a new refreshment
counter was opened December 15 at the Paramount Theatre, Kansas City, Mo. Shown
left to right, in the accompanying picture taken during the "premiere" are M. D.
"Babe" Cohn, Paramount Theatre manager; Ben Rittmaster, Manncraft Display Co.;
James B. Killian jr., sales engineer. National Theatre Supply Co.: Ray Green, office
manager. National Theatre Supply Co.; D. L. "Doc" Hartley, motion picture editor,
Kansas City Star, and Tommy Gialde and C. W. Moore, Commercial Candy Co.
BOXOFFICE December 25, 194« MW 63