Boxoffice-January.07.1950
claims Modern Films Neglect Mirth From New England Edition PROVIDENCE—Bradford P. Swan, motion picture critic for the Providence Journal- Bulletin, contended in a special article recently that modem films are neglecting mirth. Taking the text of his article from Ecclesiastes 8:15: "Then I commended mirth, because man hath no better thing under the .,'• Swan said. "There's no better time sun . . to commend mirth than when the Marx brothers are frolicking on a film screen, for "'PACKAGED" Drive-In Deal you've been waiting for is en page 41 Modern Theatre Section here, we can learn what mirth really means and how much we need it in this day and age." He pointed out that while he once greeted the trend toward serious filmmaking with considerable enthusiasm, and while he was not trying to discourage the trend to realism, "it's no excuse for forgetting how to laugh." Swan emphasized that we have become, in a sense, a divided people, with one group yowling for all of us to take a serious view of current problems, to beware the awesome potentialities of the atomic age. The other group refuses to heed this advice and goes on its carefree way, whether that may be the way of the social butterfly or the way of an ignorant hoodlum. Swan's theory is that we should display this diversity of tastes within the individual, not within the people as a whole. He said: "A man ought to spend a certain share of his time in mirth, just as surely as he should be able to take a serious view of this grave, old world. A good laugh clears the head and refreshes the mind. It may also result in a clearer vision." Swan pointed out that motion pictures of late have done little to cultivate a proper appreciation of mirth. "Abbott and CosteUo," he continued, "offer a thousand 'yaks' for the 'goons' for every genuine laugh they serve up to intelligent audiences. Hope and Crosby are certainly not TICKETS MACHINE FOLDED ^ ^A-eGUR-AeY- SPEED RESERVED SEAT wJ TICKETS SOUTHWEST TICKET & COUPON CO. 2110 CORINTH STREET DALLAS (H.7185) TEXAS TICKETS BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT lOth Fl.. 2nd Unil, Santa Fe Bldg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas, Tex HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
. . Manager . . Paul . . Eight . . Spike . . The SAN ANTONIO Murals Are Feature Tnterstate's second vaudeville show of the season opened at the Majestic Theatre December 29. There were six bigtime acts on the stage with "Free for All" as the screen attraction ... As the old year closed, several of the war cycle pictures were brought back for subsequent runs at drive-ins and downtown houses. They were "Task Force" at the Alamo, Mission and Fredericksburg road drive-ins; "Fighter Squadron," Palace; "Guadalcanal Diai-y," Prince, and "Wings Over Honolulu," Uptown. Tommy Powers has been appointed treasurer at the Majestic Theatre . . . Roland Taylor, MGM salesman for the south Texas territory, was on a deer hunting trip during the holiday season . Norman Schwartz played "Dear Wife" as his New Year's eve midnight show . other theatres held New Year's eve owl shows; namely, the Texas, Woodlawn, Broadway, Palace, Highland, Harlandale, Upton and Star. The last five named had double horror pictures. Visitors to the film exchanges just before New Year's were T. J. "Stout" Jackson of Robstown, Kingsville and Falfurrias; Don Galvan, who operates theatres in Passas, Coahuila. Mexico; J. E. Greene, Texas, Poth, and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Parker, IGmm film operators, Campbellton, Tex. . J. Poag, R&B city manager, Del Rio, is now in Grace Lutheran sanitariiun here for treatment. Paul R. Rodriguez, assistant shipper at Clasa-Mohme, was released from army hospital after period of several weeks observation Rubin Ayala, for a stomach disorder . . . head of the poster, shipping and inspection departments at Azteca, is runding out his 13th year with that firm as the oldest employe in length of service . . . George Edwards, Dallas architect who designed the Beach Theatre, Corpus Christi, and brother of Edward G. Edwards, Clasa-Mohme chief booker here, was recently married to Merle Stokes of Dallas. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Monterey, Mexico. Mrs. Edwards is an interior decorator. Genaro G. Garcia, Empire projectionist, was elected president of MPMO No. 407, succeeding Gordon Dyer. The new business . . . representative for the local is Johnny Dennis, Grace who succeeds Bill Keeler Gamez, front office clerk at Clasa-Mohme, is wearing a new sparkling engagement ring, and is planning a wedding in April . . . Fernando Obledo, head booker for Azteca Films here, has been squiring a lady doctor around town. . Wonder why they call James Omeals, Azteca bookkeeper-auditor, "the colonel"? . . . Robert Shelton is the new assistant manager of the Mimicipal auditorium, succeeding Henry McMahon. resigned Jones and his City Slickers will go into the auditorium for a one nighter January 22. Of Lamesa Palace LAMESA, TEX.—Wall murals depicting the early history of Dawson county are among decorative features of the Palace Theatre which recently was reopened here following extensive remodeling. The interior decoration was supervised by Perry Nichols, Dallas designer, and the murals were painted by Russell Lewis, Dallas artist. The murals were placed on a red clay background, blending with red carpeting in the house. Indirect lighting has been installed in the theatre. The ceiling is built in sections to obtain the desired effect. An automatic heating and cooling system maintains a constant temperature at any seasonal level. A cycloramic screen has been installed. The stage is draped with gold damask curtains. A new candy bar has been installed off the lobby. Restrooms have pink plaster and tile walls. Conveniences for patrons include a cry room. Audrey Cox owns and operates the house. Winnipeg Theatre Stand On Fast Time Backfires From Canadian Edition WINNIPEG—Efforts of city exhibitors to defeat daylight savings time in a referendimi taken during the civic elections failed, and publicity measures of the campaign backfired. Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors' Ass'n tried to fight fast tim.e by fostering united actions of all forces opposed. One of the means used by the showmen was a series of trailers shown in the theatres urging opposition to fast time on the part of the public. The shorts were not particularly effective, and caused many patrons to let loose with indignant letters to the editors of the dailies. The comments blasted the trailers as "an unwarranted imposition on the patience and good nature of theatre patrons," and lashed out at what the writers said was an attempt by the industry "to disguise its rampant commercialism to masquerade as public servants." LET US BUILD YOUR There is a reason wtiy we ore build ing more ond more theatres fo individual owners as well as lorgi circuits. We furnish plans and com plete engineering service. Ou equipment is all modern includes heavy earth-moving mo chinery. All personnel are expert in their field. We have theotri designs in the price range of thi smoll town. TELEPHONE DALLAS Oene Autry, western film star, arrived here last Wednesday (4), went to Fort Worth Thursday to inspect his oil properties and returned here Friday for conferences with Pericles Alexander, his press agent. Alexander left Friday for Denver to begin preparations for another tour to be made by Autry and his cast of entertainers. Autry addressed a Rotary club meeting Friday in Phoenix. Jimmy Wakely, cowboy film star, was here Friday en route to Fort Worth for an appearance at the North Side Coliseum there. He was to appear in two performances at the Sportatorium here Sunday . Christmast and New Year holidays were a boon to show business generally here and througohout the state, according to Raymond Willie, assistant to R. J. o'Donnell, Interstate general manager. New Year's eve shows at both downtown and neighborhood houses drew fine business. Tallulah Bankhead will appear in three performances of "Private Lives" at the Melba Theatre here January 9, 10 in connection with the run of "Tell It to the Judge" at the Melba, daily prizes of dancing lessons were offered to patrons for the best letters in answer to the question, "Have you ever been embarrassed by any incident associated with dancing?" Ten daily awards were being made, and a grand prize winner vnll receive additional lessons. The contest was inspired by the rhumba sequence by Rosalind Russell in the film. C. D. Leon Theatres has announced its new 850-car drive-in will be ready to open around the last of February. It is located just beyond the Circle of the Denton highway. C. D. Leon reports he has sold two of his Amarillo theatres, the Star and Rex, to Lester Dollison of Sherman, but he still Is operating his third house there. Bill (Hopalong Cassidy) Boyd was grand marshal at the Beverly Hills centennial parade December 29. J. T. BOUTWELL INSTALLATION COMPANY Contractor of Theatre. School and Church Seating We iTistall any Chair lor anyone at any place. For information, write Box 325 or Call 6976, Temple, Texas P - 7 2 1 2 1 HARVEY A. JORDAN THEATRE BUILDERS • DRIVE-INS A SPECIALTY 2013 V& YOUNG ST., DALLAS, TEXAS BOXOFnCE January 7, 1950 89
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claims Modern Films<br />
Neglect Mirth<br />
From New England Edition<br />
PROVIDENCE—Bradford P. Swan, motion<br />
picture critic for the Providence Journal-<br />
Bulletin, contended in a special article recently<br />
that modem films are neglecting mirth.<br />
Taking the text of his article from Ecclesiastes<br />
8:15: "Then I commended mirth, because<br />
man hath no better thing under the<br />
.,'•<br />
Swan said. "There's no better time<br />
sun . .<br />
to commend mirth than when the Marx<br />
brothers are frolicking on a film screen, for<br />
"'PACKAGED"<br />
Drive-In Deal<br />
you've been waiting for<br />
is en page 41<br />
Modern Theatre Section<br />
here, we can learn what mirth really means<br />
and how much we need it in this day and<br />
age."<br />
He pointed out that while he once greeted<br />
the trend toward serious filmmaking with<br />
considerable enthusiasm, and while he was not<br />
trying to discourage the trend to realism, "it's<br />
no excuse for forgetting how to laugh."<br />
Swan emphasized that we have become, in a<br />
sense, a divided people, with one group yowling<br />
for all of us to take a serious view of<br />
current problems, to beware the awesome potentialities<br />
of the atomic age. The other<br />
group refuses to heed this advice and goes<br />
on its carefree way, whether that may be the<br />
way of the social butterfly or the way of an<br />
ignorant hoodlum. Swan's theory is that we<br />
should display this diversity of tastes within<br />
the individual, not within the people as a<br />
whole. He said: "A man ought to spend a<br />
certain share of his time in mirth, just as<br />
surely as he should be able to take a serious<br />
view of this grave, old world. A good laugh<br />
clears the head and refreshes the mind. It<br />
may also result in a clearer vision."<br />
Swan pointed out that motion pictures of<br />
late have done little to cultivate a proper<br />
appreciation of mirth.<br />
"Abbott and CosteUo," he continued, "offer<br />
a thousand 'yaks' for the 'goons' for every<br />
genuine laugh they serve up to intelligent<br />
audiences. Hope and Crosby are certainly not<br />
TICKETS<br />
MACHINE<br />
FOLDED<br />
^ ^A-eGUR-AeY-<br />
SPEED<br />
RESERVED SEAT wJ<br />
TICKETS<br />
SOUTHWEST TICKET<br />
& COUPON CO.<br />
2110 CORINTH STREET<br />
DALLAS (H.7185) TEXAS<br />
TICKETS<br />
BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT<br />
lOth Fl.. 2nd Unil, Santa Fe Bldg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas, Tex<br />
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
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