Boxoffice-January.07.1950

Komm Family Forms
New Operating Co.
ST. LOUIS—Samuel Komm Theati-es, Inc.,
with headquarters in the New Shenandoah
Theatre, has been incorporated by the children
of the late Samuel Komm. owner of
a number of theatres in St. Louis, Benld and
Collinsville. III., to take over Komm houses,
including the Grand. Benld; Miners and Will
Rogers, Collinsville, and the Longwood, Maryland,
Merry Widow. New Shenandoah. Peerless
and Whiteway in St. Louis.
The new corporation, authorized to operate
and conduct a general theatrical and
amusement business, will have 1,000 shares
of no par value stock. Incorporators were
listed as S. Louis Jablonow, buyer of the
circuit; Mrs. E. K. Jablonow and H. Komm.
Mrs. Jablonow and Komm are children of the
late Samuel Komm.
The Komm family also operates the 1,000-
car Motmds Drive-In, on the Collinsville
road between East St. Louis and Collinsville,
imder lease from the Pines Co., which completed
the drive-in early last year.
THEATRE
SALES
WHITEHALL, WIS.—The Pix Theatre has
been sold to Casper R. Bergene of Barron,
Wis. Possession will be taken this month.
Former manager Harold Saxlimd has gone
to the new Burg Theatre at Shullsburg,
which opened December 26. This is said to
be Bergene's first venture in show business.
NEKOOSA, WIS.—The Rialto Theatre here
has been sold by the Buchholz family, who
operated it for 22 years, to Glenn Schwartz,
formerly of Waukegan, 111., who has been in
show business for 12 years.
WAUPACA, WIS.—The State Theatre, operated
for several months by Carl Cohen, has
been sold to J. P. Adler of Marshfleld, who
owns several theatres in the state. The new
owner says he purchased only the equipment,
not the building nor the real estate and that
the State would not be reopened. This leaves
Waupaca with only two theatres. Cohen
took over the house last August.
EAU CLAIRE, WIS.—It is reported here
that Mirmesota Amusement Co. of Minneapolis
is offering its Eau Claire Theatre here
for sale.
Gene Kilburg Chief Barker
Of Milwaukee Tent 14
MILWAUKEE—Gene Kilburg of the Merchandising
Display Corp. was elected chief
barker of Variety Tent here. It was incorrectly
reported in last week's issue of
BOXOFFICE that James Kllbert of Supurdisplay
Corp. was the one chosen.
Food Show at Kendallville, Ind.
KENDALLVILLE, IND. — Nonperishable
food was the price of admission to the Lions
club's annual holiday show at the Strand
Theatre.
The food was given to the local Red
Cross for distribution in Christmas gift baskets
to the city's needy.
Harry Perlewitz Quits
Wisconsin Allied Job
Two Theatres Are Robbed
At Same Time in Chicago
CHICAGO—Two gimmen appeared almost
simultaneously at the boxoffices of two south
side theatres less than two blocks apart, got
$50 from the cashier of one and $100 from
the other, then fled. Police believe they
escaped in the same auto.
A man about 22 years old stepped up to the
ticket window of the Harper and ordered
Mrs. Loyola Soliday to "hand over the big
money." She handed him a ticket. He rapped
her hand with a revolver. Then she gave him
$50 in bills.
The second robber stepped up to Mrs.
Edana Stickler at the Piccadilly and demanded
money. Mrs. Stickler gave him bills
she estimated at $100.
St. Louis Exhibitors Win
Another Fire Law Delay
ST. LOUIS—Mayor Joseph D. Darst has
signed an ordiance delaying for another year
the effective date for new fire safety regulations
for theatres. The present ordinance
would require theatre owners to comply with
the regulations by Jan. 1, 1950, but the new
measure extends the deadline to Jan. 1, 1951,
One of the chief features of the new regulations
is a requirement for wider aisles.
Mayor Darst signed the ordinance after
telling its sponsor Alderman Louis G. Berra
that it would be the last extension of time
granted to theatre owners. Berra assured
Mayor Darst he would not introduce another
such bill.
New Highland. Theatre
Houses Post Office, Club
HIGHLAND, WIS.—The building housing
the new Highland Theatre which opened recently
includes the Highland post office
and
the American Legion club rooms, all on one
level. The theatre has 350 seats, said to have
more leg room by foiu- inches than most
theatres. Pi'ancis Hegben is manager.
A feature of the projection room is a design
which will carry any smoke in the room to
the outside of the building.
February Opening Set
KEWASKUM, WIS.—The 480-seat Kewaskum
Theatre is scheduled to open about February
10. Local businessmen are the stockholders
and the theatre will be managed by
George Hanson & Son.
The building will include
one store.
New Screen for Melrose
MELROSE PARK, ILL.—A new Cycloramlc
screen has been installed in the Melrose Theatre
here. J. G. Landfield is manager.
Holiday Party for Kids
VIROQUA, WIS.—Children of this area
were guests of the Temple Theatre at a special
Christmas party.
MILWAUKEE—Harry Perlewitz, executive
secretary of the Allied Independent Theatre
Owners of Wisconsin,
resigned effective January
1, according to
Ben Marcus, new president
of the organization.
The resignation
was prompted by pressing
activities in buying
. and booking for Thea-
^A tres Service Co.
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'-i^iiiy
Perlewitz
^^
was one of
the three original spon-
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/^HiH sors of Wisconsin Allied.
The others were
Harry Perlewitz
John L u d w i g and
Charles Washicheck. The trio started the organization
by holding regional meetings in
Madison, Rice Lake, Appleton and Beloit.
Harold Pearson, who has been field representative
for several years, was appointed to
succeed Perlewitz.
Perlewitz served on the board of directors
in the early days of the organization and in
1939, after relinquishing his interest in theatres,
he was asked to take the fulltime job as
business manager. He served in that capacity
taking part in such activities as membership
drives, the war activities committee, war
bond drives, USO, Red Cross, bond raUles,
premieres and other such events.
He also has represented the independent
exhibitors in all union negotiations in the
city, and has been a leader in the organization
for the last 35 years.
In other organization activities, Marcus
told the new board of directors that there
would be several small group meetings of
from eight to ten exhibitors held periodically
throughout the state during the year.
Marcus was elected national director to
represent the Wisconsin imit at the forthcoming
national board meeting in Washington,
February 8-10.
He also appointed committees for the coming
year. They include:
Legislative: F. J. McWilliams and Charles
W. Trampe, chairmen; Eric Brown, C. W.
Baldwin, Arnold Brumm, John P. Adler and
A. Spheeris.
Membership: Russell Leddy, chairman, and
members of the board.
Budget: S. J. Goldberg, chairman; Edward
Johnson, Floyd Albert, Russell Leddy and
Harry Melcher.
Special committee to cooperate with national
Allied: Arnold Bnimm, chairman;
John P. Adler, Charles W. Trampe, F. J. Mc-
Williams, S. J. Goldberg and Harry Perlewitz.
Vandals Damage Airer
MANITOWOC, WIS. — Vandals damaged
the Lake Vue Drive-In considerably, breaking
six doors in the main building, smashing
a mirror and taking a portable radio and
tool box from the building. Two films and
an assortment of other articles also are
reported missing. In addition, holes were shot
in the screen with a .22 caliber rifle. The
sheriff has questioned teen-age youths, one of
whom is reported to have made a confession
involving others.
BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 47