Boxoffice-January.07.1950

'
m-
reissue
D E S
MOINES
Meivest change on Pilmrow here is the name
on Paramount's window — Paramount
Film Distributing Corp. The announcement
was made in a dramatic way when all employes
gathered in the screening room last
week, and, by way of a special telephone
hookup, heard New York executives explain
the new setup. An additional celebration at
Paramount occm-red when- Pearl Robbins was
rewarded for his 25 yeai's service to the exchange.
R. M. Copeland, former manager
and longtime friend of Robbins, gave the
salesman a pin in recognition of his 25th
anniversary. Guests at the branch were Mi's.
Don Hicks, wife of the exchange manager,
and Mi's. Robbins, who was given a corsage.
Dorothy Van Buren, Columbia stenographer,
is back at her desk after an illness
. . . Bill Dutton of Iowa Film reports that
one of the company's trucks turned over after
going in a ditch near PeUa. Fortunately, the
di'iver escaped with minor bruises . . . Fog
and sleet prevented many exhibitors from
making weekly booking trips here.
Employes at Paramount have reorganized
the Pep club, organization of all exchange
employes. Dues will be collected and parties
will be planned. Chuck Elder, booker and
office manager, is president of the group;
Alberta Collins, inspector, secretary, and
Madeleine Sherman, stenographer, treasurer.
Universal sneak-previewed "Francis" at the
Paramount and the picture met favorable
comment from all who saw it . . Evelyn
.
Tellis, Universal, had a fine holiday season
because her son was on leave from navy
duties and was at home with her . . . Wilma
Prace, U-I inspector, is back at work after
an illness.
Claudie Frueh and Dee Hymes of Republic
spent the New Year's weekend at their homes
in Afton and Winterset, respectively . . .
Joanne Hurduin, Universal has new diamond
ring. Her fiance is Marion Witzenburg.
No date has been set for the wedding.
Gopher Sale Reported
Near in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Amusement
Co. is expected to conclude a deal within
the week disposing of the Gopher Theatre,
a dowaitown first run B house. It is the only
local Loop theatre from which MAC must
dispose of under consent decree terms.
Trade circle reports, unconfirmed by Harry
B. French, Minnesota Amusement Co. president,
have the theatre winding up in the
hands of Ted Karatz, local film equipment
manufactiuer and dealer and a holder of considerable
realty here. The initial sale will
be
COMPLETELY
made to Sim Heller and associates. Grand
NEW
Rapids, Minn., circuit owner, who will, in
HORKY'S CAFE
turn, sell it to Karatz, according to the reports.
Bigger and Better Than Ever
— Featuring 'Delish' Steaks
1202 High St. Des Moines, Iowa The Minnesota Amusement Co. does not
"Where Filmrow Friends Gather"
Open Doily at 4 p. m.
own the building or fee and is selling only
the equipment and its lease which has 45
months to run. For this it is reported Heller,
et al, is paying $45,000.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE COMBINATION ENTRANCE
and ENTRANCE DRIVEWAY FLOODLIGHT
Heller and his associates recently bought
the two Valley City, N. D., theatres from
Also available with Exit Panels
Arrows may be either right or left.
John Filler. They also own theatres in
Grand Rapids and Northfield, Minn.
ONE Thing You
CANNOT Do Without
• is your projector . . . it's the heart of your business,
SO be sure it is in the best possible condition. Our experienced
servicemen and a complete stock of parts can
be relied upon to keep your equipment operating smoothly.
Call us today for a complete "check-up."
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
National
Mohawk Carpets
Carbons
:il-23 High St. Phone 3-6520
Heywood-Wakefield
Seating
Projector Repair Service
Des Moines, Iowa
—
'Outlaw' and 'Idol'
Best in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY—Despite a sudden shift
from one extreme to another in weather
shortly after the turn of the year, trade at
first nms here zoomed to its highest level
in recent months. "The Outlaw," dualed with
"The Threat" at the RKO Missouri, set a
new record for the house and paced downtown
theatres. "The Fallen Idol" at the
neighborhood Kimo opened to record-breaking
business. "Sands of Iwo Jima," day and
date at the Tower, Uptown and Fairway,
gave the three houses their best grosses in
recent months.
(Average Is 100)
Esquire—Hide 'Em Cowboy (U-I); Way Out West
(MGM), reissues £5
Kirno—The Fallen Idol (SRO) 300
Midland—On the Town (MGM); Chinatown at
Midnight (Col) 165
Orpheum—Prince oi Foxes (ZOth-Fox), 2nd wk 115
Paramount—The Great Lover (Para), 2nd wk 155
RKO Missouri—The Outlaw (RKO); The Threat
(RKO) 210
Roxy—And Baby Makes Three (Col); Joe
Palooka in the Big Fight (Mono), 2nd wk
Tower, Uptown, Fairway—Sands ol Iwo Jima
85
(Rep) 165
'Great Lover' With 175
Is Twin City Leader
MINNEAPOLIS — Big holiday takings
helped swell totals the past week. Leading
Loop houses boosted admissions to $1 for
New Year's eve. "The Great Lover" led the
field, but fine takings also were chalked up
by other newcomers, including "The Fallen
Idol," "The Outlaw," "Lady Takes a Sailor"
and "Quartet," the last-named in its second
dowTitown run.
Aiter Desert Command (Mono), reissue;
Apache Chief (LP) 100
Gopher—Savage Splendor (RKO); Master Minds
(Mono) 90
Century—Dancing in the Dark (20th-Fox), 2nd wk- 90
Lyric Duck Soup (Para); Animal Crackers
(Para), reissues, 2nd wk. 110
Pix—Quartet (EL). 2nd run 125
Radio City—The Great Lover (Pard) 175
RKO Orpheum-Bagdad (U-I) _ 105
RKO Pan—The Outlaw (RKO), 3rd run _ 140
State—The Lady Takes a Sailor (WB) 100
V.-orld-The Fallen Idol (SRO) 150
"Foxes' Takes Slight Lead
In Omaha Grosses
OMAHA—All Omaha downtown houses did
,
well on holiday business, but none really
was a standout as in past years.
"Prince of Foxes" at the Paramount Theatre
scored slightly the best. Temperatiu-es
remained above normal and there was no
snow or rain.
Omiha—Sword in the Desert (U-I); Last oi the
Wild Horses (LP) 110
Orpheum—Fighting Man ol the Plains (20lh-Fox);
Bomba the Jungle Boy (Mono) 120
Paramount—Prince oi Foxes (20th-Fox) 130
RKO Brandeis—Holiday Aifair (RKO); Riders oJ
the Sky (Col) 105
S'tale-The Blue Lagoon (U-I); Movie Crazy
(MPSCO) 120
Town—The Fighting Redhead (EL), Saigon (Para);
Betrayed (20th-Fox) 115
Showman's Uncle Performs
Clarke Gable Ceremony
PERRY, IOWA—Al Hansen, manager of
the Perry Theatre, was surprised greatly
when he learned that his uncle the Rev. Aage
Moller, performed the maiTiage ceremony
for Clark Gable and Lady Ashley.
Reverend Moller also married the Hansens
back in the days when he was a minister
in Nebraska. Hansen said his uncle
now is minister of the Danish Lutheran
church at Solvang, Calif.
BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950