Boxoffice-January.07.1950

fAL NET PAID CIRCULATION EXCEEDS 23,000 

/ lolimi Ixjcuvm 

Modern 

Theatre 

Presents 

INTERIOR DECORATING H 

of the new $250,000 Arlington Theatre, Indiapapolis 

t^

' 

HONOR ROLL 

"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME 

"LITTLE WOMEN" 

"COMMAND DECISION" 

"THE BRIBE" 

"THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY" 

"THAT MIDNIGHT KISS" 

"NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER" 

"THE STRATTON STORY" 

"IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME 

"ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY" 

"THE DOCTOR AND THE GIRL" 

"THAT FORSYTE WOMAN" 

" 

"ADAM'S RIB 

"ON THE TOWN" 

and many more M-G-M triumphs!

! 

! 

! 

WAIT! DON'T CLOSE 

THE BOOKS YET!" 

A GREAT FINISH 

TO A GREAT YEAR 

Our Anniversary Year was brimful of M-G-M Box-office 

hits, but Leo always finishes in a blaze of glory! Look! 

ON THE TOWN" iTechmcolor) 

Sets all-time record for biggest week in 17-year Music Hall history! Terrific nationwide! 

BATTLEGROUND 

New special pre-release engagements confirm New York and Los Angeles verdict of box-office smash! 

EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE 

Launched to the nation at State, N. Y. socko World Premiere 

ADAM'S RIB 

Continues its top spot as one of M-G-M's Biggest grossers of the year! 

AMBUSH 

Twenty holiday pre-release dates forecast big biz for M-G-M's BIG Western 

KEY TO THE CITY 

Coast Preview riotously predicts "best Clark Gable hit in years! 

THE REFORMER AND THE REDHEAD 

Wow! Press-time flash! Another Preview! Another M-G-M comedy sensation! 

• 

SURE! IT'S M-G-M NIFTY IN 1950!

From 1RN[R BROS! ItieCooipaoyM'sf 

/' W«j7Lj*^S]rY HEART ^ 

"MMW p^nwCM NOl^. RICHARD TODD 

* 

-^ J^ 

, 4 

> 

^^«»;TAKeS A SAILOR 

*«ra« BfRlf 

WRfilNM M/iro 

-K 

* ^ 

:'^"'^'««-W«««(l«P4RKER- 

^.^ 

^wffW WMU*BOR|j DAY 

S^--^^

m to Beat every program in its 

history! 

^^S^^*"^ 

1^ 

-J ^f^r 

i( > 

f^'f/

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

PDBllSHtD IN 

NINE SECTIONAL EDITIONS 

BEN SHLYEN 

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher 

JAMES M. JERAULD ...Editor 

NATHAN COHEN Executive Editor 

JESSE SHLYEN...- Managing Editor 

IVAN SPEAR Western Editor 

KENNETH HUDNALL-Equipment Editor 

RAYMOND LEVY.-...GeneraI Manager 

Published Every Saturday by 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 

Editorial Offices: 9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, 

N. Raymond Levy, General Manager; James M. 

Y. 

Jerauld Editor; Chester Friedman, Editor Showmondiser 

Section; A. I. Stocker, Eastern Representative 

Telephone Columbus 5-6370, 5-6371, 5-6372. Cable 

address: "BOXOFFICE, New York." 

Central Offices: 624 South Michigan Ave., Chicago 

5, Jonas Perlberg, Manager; Ralph F. Scholbe, 

111. 

Central Representaiive. Telephone WEBster 9-4745. 

Western Offices: 6404 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 

28 Calif. Ivan Spear, Manager. Telephone GLadslone 

1186. 

Washington Offices: 6417 Dahlonega Road, Alan Herbert, 

Manager. Telephone, Wisconsin 3271. Filmrow: 

932 New Jersey, N. W. Sara Young. 

London Offices: 26A Redclifle Mews, John Sullivan, 

Manager. Telephone FREmonlle 8906. 

Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 

I, Mo. Nathan Cohen, Executive Editor; Jesse Shiyen, 

Managing Editor; Morris Schlozman, Business Manager. 

J. Herbert Roush, Manager Advertising Soles 

and Service. Telephone CHestnut 7777-78. 

Other Publications; BOXOFFICE BAROMETER, published 

in November as a section ol BOXOFFICE; 

THE MODERN THEATRE, published monthly as a 

section ol BOXOFFICE. 

ALBANY—21-23 V/alter Ave., M. Berrigan. 

ATLANTA— 163 Walton, N. W., P. H. Savin. 

BIRMINGHAM—The News, Eddie Badger. 

BOSTON—Frances W. Harding, Lib. 2-9305. 

Audubon Drive, Snyder, Jim Schroder. 

BUFFALO— 157 

CHARLOTTE—216 W. 4th, Pauline Griffith. 

CINCINNATI—4029 Reading Rd., LilUan Lazarus. 

CLEVELAND— Elsie Loeb, Fairmount 0046. 

DALLAS—4525 Holland. V. W. Crisp, J8-9780. 

DENVER— 1645 Lolayette, Jack Rose, TA 8517. 

DES MOINES—Register

J-lu Ayulu fit llu yv lotion /Ulctutc

— 

PERCENTAGE SUITS UPHELD 

IN FEDERAL COURT RULING 

Judge Nordbye Holds 

Against View They 

Are Unenforceable 

MINNEAPOLIS — Percentage suits are 

enforceable and distributor plaintiffs are 

entitled to inspect defendants' books, according 

to a ruling of U.S. District Judge 

Gunnar H. Nordbye. The section on the 

enforceability of percentage contracts is 

regarded as an important precedent by distributors. 

William and Sidney Volk, exhibitors, 

brought suit against eight major distributors 

the day after four of the distributors had 

filed separate percentage fraud suits against 

them in the same court. They made a motion 

for separate advance trial, of their action 

for a declaratory judgment that percentage 

fraud claims are unenforceable and 

for an injunction restraining the distributors 

from attempting to enforce such claims. 

INSPECTION PERIOD ALLOWED 

In rejecting the Volk brothers' action, 

Judge Nordbye granted a cross-motion of 

the distributors for an inspection of the theatre 

records of the plaintiffs, not only for 

the period after the statutory court decision 

in June 1946, in the antitrust case, but also 

for the period from September 1941, as well. 

The Volk action was similar to the 24-exhibitor 

so-called Roth case just settled in 

Pittsburgh. 

Last month, by agreement of counsel, the 

percentage suits of the distributors against the 

Volks were merged with the latter's suit for 

declaratory judgment and injunction, and 

each of the distributor-defendants at the 

same time filed counterclaims with their answers 

for damages based on alleged underreporting. 

Judge Nordbye's decision follows the lines 

of the Roth case in 1945 and the decisions of 

U.S. Judge Stone and U.S. Judge Moore in 

1949 in the Miner cases in Wisconsin and 

the Rogers and Shore cases in West Virginia. 

Pointing out that there was no contention 

that the distributor-defendants are now violating 

the antitrust law. Judge Nordbye said: 

"It seems clear that plaintiffs' only purpose 

in seeking a declaratory judgment is to forestall 

if possible defendants' request for an 

inspection." 

USE OF FINANCIAL DATA 

As to the exhibitor-plaintiffs' claim that 

financial data disclosed by the inspection 

might be used by the distributors. Judge 

Nordbye said: "Certainly, if these plaintiffs 

are not guilty of fraud, they need not be 

greatly concerned about the investigation of 

theft- books and records, except the inconvenience 

which may result and may be found in 

any type of inspection under Rule 34 " 

The motions were argued December 20 and 

21 before Judge Nordbye by David Shearer 

of the MinneapoUs law firm of Shearer, 

Byard, Trogner & Peters, representing the 

distributors, and by Benedict S. Deinard of 

Leonard, Street & Deinard, representing the 

exhibitors. Sargoy & Stein of New York were 

counsel for the distributors. 

Separated Para. Firms 

Are Now in Operation 

9 a. m. December 31. 

In his statement. Balaban said: "Although 

the consent judgment in U. S. vs. Paramount 

provided that the reorganization be completed 

by March 3, 1950, I am happy to an- 

The final signing of papers that made two separate companies of what was formerly 

Pairamount Pictures, Inc. Left to right: Leonard Goldenson, president of United Paramount 

Theatres; Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board for Paramount Pictures Corp., 

and Barney Balaban, president of Paramount Pictures Corp. 

NEW YORK—Paramount's new corporate nounce that it was consummated more than 

setup went into effect December 31. On December 

30 Barney Balaban made a formal 

announcement on the dissolution of the old 

Paramount Pictures, Inc., and the formation 

of Paramount Pictm-es Corp. and United 

Paramount Theatres. 

The two new companies are so completely 

separated that the theatre unit has a new 

telephone number—LOngacre 3-1100. Paramount 

Pictures retains the old number 

BRyant 9-8700. These went into effect at 

two months before that date." 

Goldenson, as president of the new theatre 

company, announced that the ending of joint 

interests with certain co-owners of various 

theatres, required by the consent judgment, 

was still ahead of schedule. He said progress 

was "highly satisfactory." 

Because of the purchase of 1,057,720 shares 

of common by the company on the open market, 

the new distribution company started 

with 3,263,276 shares. All the stock, purchased 

between Nov. 11. 1946, and Dec. 30, 1949, was 

canceled. The new theatre company's securities 

are called certificates of interest for the 

present. The total is the same as those of the 

Paramount Pictures common. 

Protestant Council Reports Films 

'More Wholesome and Worthwhile 

NEW YORK—Of 322 features previewed 

during 1949 by the Protestant Motion Picture 

Council 233, or 72 per cent, were classified as 

suitable for both adults and young people. 

Eighty-two were also singled out as recommended 

for children. 

The council states that this proves that 

the industry "is succeeding in its endeavor 

to give the public more wholesome and worthwhile 

pictures." 

Foreign as well as domestic films, documentaries 

and those directly or indirectly 

concerned with religious subject matter were 

considered. 

The council also chose 12 features, one for 

each month, as "bests" for the year. They 

were: "The Snake Pit" (20th-Fox), "Joan 

of Ai-c" (RKOi, "The Boy With Green 

Hair" iRKOi. "Command Decision" iMGM». 

"Down to the Sea in Ships" i20th-Fox). "The 

Stratton Story" (MGM), "Home of the 

Brave" (UA\ "You're My Everything" (20th- 

Fox), "Lost Boundaries" iFC\ "Christopher 

Columbus" (U-Ii, "Jolson Sings Again" (ColK 

and "Samson and DeUlah" (Para>. 

Exceptional merit ratings were given to the 

following: "Nanook of the North" (Royal 

Pictures I, "Day of Wrath" (George Schaefer 

Assoc, Inc.t, "Scott of the Antarctic" (EL), 

"The Quiet One" (Mayer-BurstynK "The 

Guinea Pig" (Variety Films), "Night Unto 

Night" (WBi, "In the Good Old Summer 

Time" (MGMi. "Roseanna McCoy" (Goldwyn-RKO). 

and "Savage Splendor" (RKO>. 

8 BOXOFFICE Januarj' 7, 1950

. . Keep 

. . Mr. 

. . Hollywood 

. . Some 

. . The 

. . Movies, 

what the Press Is Saying About U. S. Films 

Editorially, there is 

much evidence of an appreciation of the motion picture industry 

WASHINGTON — The American press is 

showing evidence that it is both recognizing 

and appreciating the role of motion pictures 

in selling the American story abroad, as a 

cultural influence and, as spearhead of a 

campaign to fight censorship. This was reported 

this week by the Motion Picture Ass'n 

of America in a special release "What the 

Press is Saying." 

The daily press has been particularly vocal 

on the role of American films in selling democracy 

as a way of life. The association also 

quoted Irving Brown, European representative 

of the American Federation of Labor, in 

a special release which received widespread 

editorial and columnar comment. 

Printed here are some of the comm.ents on 

the industry as reported by the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America: 

AMERICAN FILMS ABROAD 

In an editorial, the Hinton (W. Va.) "News" 

said that "it is no secret that American 

movies are immensely popular with European 

audiences . Brown rightly warns 

that the introduction of conscious propaganda 

into Hollywood products would greatly lessen 

this appeal. It is the picture of American life 

which emerges as a by-product of making a 

good film that really carries conviction." 

The Scottsbluff (Neb.) "Star-Herald" editorialized 

that "In the countries behind the 

iron curtain the motion pictures produced in 

the United States are attracting capacity 

audiences while motion pictures produced in 

Russia are being shunned by paying customers. 

The reason is obvious. Soviet films are 

made for propaganda and nothing else: 

American pictures are made for entertainment 

. the films as pure entertainment, 

let them show the true American way 

of life and nothing else—and we'll be making 

some fine progress in the direction of a better 

world." 

ON BETTER PRODUCT 

Quotable Quotes on the Industry 

RuiLAND, Vt. Herald: Some of the most effective American propaganda 

behind the iron curtain is so eagerly welcomed that people pay to see it. To 

them, it is not propaganda but entertainment of the most exciting kind. It 

opens to them vistas they have never seen, and represents a way of life that is 

strange to them. Tlie great impact of American films abroad places a tremendous 

responsibility on the motion picture industry in this country because the 

films it produces not only entertain but play a part in selling the American way 

of life to the world. 

Springfield, Mass. Republican: More is being done in this country these 

days to imbue children with culture than ever was done anywhere else. The 

Motion Picture Ass'n of America has been conducting a Children's Film Library 

since 1946 making the film versions of clas.sics and favorite juvenile stories available 

to young folk. Participation in such foniis of entertainment and enlightenment 

does more than keep boys and girls out of mischief at the time. It gives 

them something to look forward to, and something worthwhile to think about 

afterward. 

Norman, Okla. Daily: Censorship is disliked and distrusted by Americans. 

(Commenting on the Tennessee supreme court decision on the banning of 

"Curley".) The real question isn't whether the board has the right to ban the 

movie. Rather, has it or any state or local board the right to exist at all? The 

movies are surrounded by censors ... Of these, only the Johnston office is in any 

way necessary . is at last starting to deal with today's problems 

in an intelligent and entertaining manner. But thousands of Americans don't see 

the results because two or three men on a local censor board don't think they 

should. The people are the best judge of what they wish to see. 

(111.) "Herald" said that Breen "has a point 

when he says that American film critics and 

some moviegoers have developed a sort of 

snobbery 'which seeks to make it fashionable 

to sneer at American films'." 

ON CENSORSfflP 

The press of the country continued to 

applaud 

the industry's fight for freedom of the 

screen and the abolition of political censorship. 

Paul S. Nathan, in "Publishers Weekly," had 

this to say: "Whether the screen is in the 

process of shaking off its old shackles or Is 

about to gain a whole assortment of new ones 

The association, in several releases, quoted 

Joseph I. Breen as saying Hollywood is producing 

some of the best films in its history. 

Breen, who is vice-president of the association 

is a tough question to answer. ProbabTy the 

in charge of the Production Code Ad- 

strongest blows for freedom right now are 

ministration, also described as a "kind of being struck by the exhibition of such pictures 

snobbery" the attitude "which seeks to make 

as 'Lost Boundaries,' 'Pinky,' 'Intruder 

it fashionable to sneer at American films and in the Dust,' and 'Home of the Brave' in 

laud to the skies those that come from whole areas of the South — and the North 

abroad." 

too — where no censorship issue has been 

Columnist Harold Heffernan said that raised regarding them. The breaking down 

Breen's remarks have been "applauded so of taboos, even without any attendant legal 

loudly by thoughtful members of the industry restrictions, is valuable in extending the range 

that he is being urged to repeat it over a of screen expression." 

nationwide tour," "In no uncertain terms," The Auburn (N. Y.) "Citizen- Advertiser" 

Heffernan said, "Breen tore into that segment commented editorially that the action of the 

of moviegoers—fans and critics—who look Memphis Board "will undoubtedly excite attention, 

down their noses at everything turned out by 

the result of the appeals it 

since . . . 

Hollywood while applauding the output of may evoke will decide whether film censorship 

foreign studios." 

constitutional." 

is 

The Harrisonburg (Va.) •'News-Record" "Most everyone in the north," the editorial 

commented that "A run of poor films get said, "and, we hope, quite a few in the south, 

people out of the custom of steady patronage, anxiously await decisions . feel that 

while good ones lure them back and even add they may be taken as a direct index to American 

to the regular clientele ... It is interesting to 

enlightenment." 

know that Hollywood recognizes the need for 

better movies, and for fewer propaganda 

films." 

CHILDREN'S FILM LIBRARY 

The Children's Film Library was organized 

Columnist David V. Felts in the Decatur in 1946 under the direction of Eric Johnston 

BOXorncE January 7, 1950 

to make available to theatres throughout the 

nation films specifically suitable for children. 

In recent weeks the program has drawn widespread 

favorable comment in editorials. 

The Wakefield (Mass.) "Item" said that a 

"new force in the motion picture industry 

has been organized and brought into 3,500 

theatres throughout the country ... In addition 

to the 54 films which are a part of the 

Children's Film Library, established by Eric 

Johnston, 150 other films have been added to 

the rapidly growing stockpile of top-notch 

entertainment for children ... Its effects 

can be nothing but salutary." 

Columnist Gita Packer in the Ft. Worth 

(Texas) "Star-Telegram" described the Children's 

Film Library as "a service of the motion 

picture industry which enables millions 

of kids in America to see specially selected 

movies." 

MOTION PICTURES AND CULTURE 

Commenting on this contribution of the 

motion picture, the Springfield (111.) "State 

Journal" said that "in one of its regular and 

frequent dispatches, the Motion Picture Ass'n 

. 

reminds us that the cinema is a strong ally 

Hollywood stresses the 

of the library . . . 

visual selling power of the motion picture in 

making literature alive . . . We encourage the 

Hollywood colony in its efforts to produce 

movies of lasting value and with cultural 

depth road ahead is long, but It is 

comforting to see Hollywood is looking up to 

scan It." 

Columnist E. J. Dias, in the New Bedford 

(Mass.) "Standard-Times" commented that 

"too many of us sometimes are inclined to 

overlook Hollywood's beneficial influences on 

the American scene . in many cases, 

(Continued on page 10)

— 

Congress Is Cautious 

On Cutting Ticket Tax 

WASHINGTON—The senate bogged down 

on the Formosa question late in the week 

Ask Supreme Court Ruling 

and failed to get around to excise taxes 

and there was a rising suspicion in many On Ambridge, Pa„ Suit 

quarters that Congress would go slow in repealing 

the wartime amusement tax as well asked this week to set aside a circuit court 

WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court was 

as other of the so-called luxury taxes. ruling upholding the suit of Harry Norman 

MeanwhUe, senate Democrats decided, as Ball, Ambridge, Pa., distributor, against the 

predicted, against supporting any excise rider majors. Paramount, 20th Century-Fox, 

on the oleomargarine tax repeal bill which Loews and RKO are defendants in the case, 

seems to throw the whole thing back to the along with the Pennware Theatre Corp., in 

administration and the house ways and which Paramount is a partner. 

means committee. 

The high court has been asked to overrule 

Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia who leads a decision by the circuit coiirt making the 

the Southern conservative Democratic group defendants responsible for proof that they 

indicated that he would oppose any slicing are not guilty of conspiracy to freeze out 

of the excise taxes until enough appropriation 

bills had been passed to show what tax The Penn was formerly operated by Penn- 

Ball's Perm Theatre, in Ambridge. 

needs for the year would be. As this group ware, which decided to build a new house 

could hold the balance of power in the when a higher rental for the Penn was demanded. 

Ball took over operation of the 

senate, such a position on the part of Byrd 

and his followers could delay action on the Penn and went to court to try to block the 

amusement tax until late spring. 

booking of product into the new theatre, 

There also was the somewhat unfavorable called the State. 

statement of Senator Scott Lucas, senate majority 

leader, that he prefers to let the house but the circuit court found a conspiracy by 

The district court turned down Ball's suit 

ways and means committee take the initiative 

on cutting out excise taxes. 

Ball and enjoined any further discrimination 

the defendants, ordered a damage award to 

The week also brought the first bill to repeal 

the wartime amusement tax. Daniel did not succeed in his attempt to win a ban 

against Ball in the booking of product. Ball 

Reed, New York Republican who is his party's on the operation of the State. 

highest ranking member on the ways and 

means committee, introduced a bill to cut the 

tax and to slice other excise levies. Congressman 

Gary L. Clements of New York 

TOA Midwinter Meeting 

Dated for January 11 

offers a bill to wipe out the amusement tax 

completely, and Congressman Davenport NEW YORK—Theatre 

of 

Owners of America 

Pennsylvania offers 

officers 

still another bill on 

and directors will hold their annual 

amusement taxes—one to slice the tax 10 per midwinter meeting January 11-12 at the 

cent. 

Mayflower hotel, Washington, D. C, and 75 

At week's end it looked like there would be 

are expected to attend, according to Gael 

continued waiting by theatremen for a cut 

Sullivan, executive director. There will be 

in the ticket tax, even with the concerted a private dinner the evening of January 10. 

effort by many opponents of the levy to get To date, the agenda includes ratification 

rid of extra lug. 

of TOA participation in the Council of Motion 

Picture Organizations, mapping of strategy 

toward winning passage of an excise tax 

relief bill at the new session of Congress, 

and a plan on theatre television. 

Selznick Appoints Stone 

Executive Assistant 

NEW YORK—David O. Selznick has made 

Louis Walcott Stone, New York attorney, executive 

assistant and will send him abroad 

soon to work out production details on two 

pictures. Stone's departm-e will follow a conference 

at Hollywood with Selznick. The pictures 

the producer will make will be filmed 

in England and France. 

Stone has been assistant resident counsel 

of Ascap. His work has dealt chiefly with 

problems bearing on the public performance 

of copyrighted music in the entertainment 

field. He has been working recently on preventing 

any performances of the music from 

the forthcoming Selznick release, "The Third 

Man," until its general release. 

During the war. Stone was connected with 

general staff work on war intelligence for the 

war department. He was later in charge of 

liaison with British intelligence and also commanding 

officer of the European theatre 

command of the office of director of intelligence. 

What Press Is 

Saying 

(Continued from page 9) 

do have a laudable cultural effect on American 

life." 

The Rutland (Vt.) "Herald" said that 

"credit must be given to the educational influence 

of some of its (Hollywood's) pictures, 

particularly those based on the classics. Each 

time a Shakespearean play is presented on 

the screen, reports the Motion Picture Ass'n 

of America ... it stimulates the demand for 

his plays by readers . . . this is a cultural 

achievement worth mention." 

In the Rochester (N. Y.) "Times-Union," 

Columnist Amy H. Croughton noted the increased 

demand for books following a movie. 

"No matter whether the story of the film is 

taken from Shakespeare," she wrote, "or from 

the latest comer in the field of whodunit 

fiction, the release of a picture brings an immediate 

demand for the book." 

Ferguson Quits MGM; 

Terrell Succeeds 

NEW YORK—William R. Ferguson, who 

has been with MGM for the past 30 years, 

most of the time as exploitation 

director, 

will retire within the 

next few weeks, according 

to Howard 

Dietz, vice - president 

and director of advertising, 

publicity and 

exploitation. He will 

be succeeded by Dan 

S. Terrell, who has 

been assistant to 

Ernest E m e r 1 i n g , 

Loew's Theatres advertising 

and exploitation 

W. R. Ferguson 

head. 

John Joseph, who joined MGM last March, 

will assume charge of the publicity activities 

in the east, taking over the post formerly 

held by Herbert Crooker, who will be 

given special assignments on specific big 

pictures. Joseph, who has been serving as 

special aide to Dietz since he joined the 

company, arrived from the coast January 5 

to start his new duties. 

With these changes, Dietz' staff now consists 

of Silas P. Seadler, advertising manager; 

Howard Strickling, studio publicity 

head; Joseph, in charge of New York publicity, 

and Terrell, director of exploitation, 

who will assume his new duties February 1. 

Ferguson, who will devote his future time 

to his own private interests, is one of the 

best known men in the motion picture promotion 

field. Under his supervision, the 

MGM field exploitation staff has assisted 

theatremen all over the nation. Among the 

promotions he directed were: the MGM 

Traveling studio, which visited cities and 

towns throughout the U.S.; the traveling 

MGM screen tests, the "Marie Antoinette" 

museum tour and the "Trackless Train" of 

1924. As president of Ampa in 1934-35, Ferguson 

inaugurated a series of showmanship 

luncheons that became the talk of the industry. 

Commenting on Ferguson's retirement, 

Dietz said: "We are sorry that Bill Ferguson 

is leaving us. I have been associated with 

him for more than 30 years and consider 

him the outstanding exploitation director in 

the industry." 

Terrell has supervised advertising and publicity 

for Loew's Theatres outside New York 

for the past four years. He joined the Loew 

organization in 1940, as Washington advertising-publicity 

director. 

Emerling said no successor will be named 

for Terrell, but that Edward C. Dowden will 

serve as assistant for both New York and 

out-of-town advertising, publicity and exploitation. 

Toxes' Leading 'Pinky' 

NEW YORK — "Prince of Foxes," is running 

ahead of "Pinky" in the first 58 engagements 

reported to the 20th Century-Fox home office. 

It also is ahead of "I Was a Male War Bride," 

one of the company's top 1949 grossers." 

RKO to Show 'Cinderella' 

NEW YORK—RKO will hold simultaneous 

tradeshowings of Walt Disney's cartoon feature, 

"Cinderella," in 32 exchange cities January 

17. 

10 BOXOFnCE January 7, 1950

FROM COAST TO COAST! 

"Best picture of year." 

Winner, Annual Award N.Y. Film Critics 

" 

Most exciting film tliis year." 

Life 

mag. 

"Year's best picture." 

Washington Star 

"Rates all 

Oscars for year." 

L. A. Daily News

— 

Vhonevision Is Shown 

Monogram to Release 

For Studio Executives 

HOLLYWOOD—What its 

proponents claim 

is the logical catalyst to meld two entertainment 

giants—motion pictures and television 

so that both can enjoy continued prosperity 

was demonstrated for a number of studio 

executives when a film outlining the workings 

of a suggested "pay-as-you-see" home rideo 

plan was unwound by Eugene McDonald, 

president of the Zenith Radio and Television 

Corp. 

ARBITRARY FEE IS SET 

Long under discussion by both film and 

TV toppers, the Zenith scheme would require 

a linkage between the nation's telephone systems 

and home TV viewers, with television 

audiences selecting the programs they wish 

to see and asking their local phone companies 

McDonald 

to complete the necessary circuits. 

has set an arbitrary figure of $1 per feature 

picture, but this amount would be subject to 

approval by the Federal Commimications 

commission—w^hich also, of course, must give 

its blessing to the project in its entirety. 

McDonald made a brief trip here in an effort 

to interest Hollywood production moguls 

in supplying him with films to be used in a 

test-run in the Chicago area next month, provided 

FCC approval is secured. The initial 

demonstration of Zenith's "Phonevision" was 

staged for studio toppers including Marvin 

Schenck and E. J. Mannix, MGM; C. B. De- 

Mille and Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount; Al 

Lichtman, 20th Centurj'-Fox; and George 

Slaff, representing Samuel Goldwyn. The 

Zenith executive planned to return to Hollywood 

within three weeks to meet with other 

studio officials and hold further demonstrations. 

CLEARANCE CONSIDERED 

McDonald explained that the arbitrary $1 

fee would be split among the producers of the 

televised films, the various telephone companies 

and video stations. "Phonevision" 

would not necessarily demand first run films, 

he declared, but would make a pitch for features 

after they have reached the subsequent 

run stage. 

The upcoming Chicago test is to determine 

how many times a week a family would want 

to view films and how much they would be 

willing to pay. McDonald said all arrangements 

witli telephone companies have been 

finalized and FCC approval is the next major 

step to be taken. 

Arthur Sachson Resigns 

As Goldwyn Sales Head 

NEW YORK — Arthur Sachson, general 

sales manager of Samuel Goldwyn Productions, 

resigned, effective January 4. He had 

discussed plans for leaving the company with 

Gold\^7n for several weeks. 

Sachson has supervised Goldwyn product 

sales through RKO for four years. He left 

the millinery business to become a real estate 

sale.-iman in 1923, then joined Warner Bras, 

in 1925. That company named him manager 

of the sales and contract departments in 

1931 and assistant general sales manager 

in 1943. No successor has been named. 

Two General Managers 

For Intermountain 

SALT LAKE CITY—Appointment of 

Ray M. Hendry and Sidney L. Cohen as 

associate general managers of Intermountain 

Theatres, Inc., succeeding the 

late Tracy Barham, was announced midweek 

by Leonard H. Goldenson, president 

of the company, from his offices in 

New York in a wire received at Salt Lake 

City headquarters. Hendry and Cohen 

had been serving as executive assistants 

to Barham, with Hendry as assistant 

general manager and Cohen as booker 

and buyer for the circuit which operates 

27 theatres in Utah and Idaho. All managers 

of the circuit were called for a 

meeting in Salt Lake City Thursday for 

formal announcement of the appointment. 

Will Consider 481 Films 

In Oscar Sweepstakes 

HOLLYWOOD—A grand total of 481 motion 

pictures are eligible for Academy Award 

consideration for achievements during 1949, 

according to a tabulation disclosed by Charles 

Brackett, Academy of Motion Picture Arts 

and Sciences, as plans for the upcoming 22nd 

annual Oscar sweepstakes advanced. 

As in the past, any film exhibited in the 

Los Angeles area in a commercial showing 

for a period of seven consecutive days is automatically 

entered for consideration. 

Nominations ballots will be mailed January 

19 to members of the crafts for which awards 

are to be handed out, with a period of nine 

days allowed for voting. Nominations will be 

announced February 13 and presentation of 

awards will take place March 23. 

20th-Fox, RCA Renew 

Large-Screen TV Pact 

NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox and 

RCA have signed a new cooperative research 

contract for joint advancement of largescreen 

television. This is a renewal of an 

agreement reached two years ago. 

Several new RCA equipments, including one 

of the first commercial-type instantaneous 

systems and the first production model of 

the new intermediate film apparatus are to 

be delivered. 

Earl I. Sponable will continue as technical 

director for 20th-Fox. He carried on the 

negotiations for the new pact with Barton 

Kreuzer of the theatre and fUm recording 

unit of RCA. 

MGM Releases New Shorts 

NEW YORK—MGM Will 

release four short 

subjects duj-ing January. The quartet consists 

of two Tom and Jerrj' cartoons, "Little 

" 

Quacker and "Saturday E\'ening Puss," produced 

by Fred Quimby, and two Pete Smith 

specialties, "Pest Control" and "Crashing 

the Movies." 

'Our Gang' Reissues 

HOLLYWOOD—Monogram, which heretofore 

has placed little emphasis on short subjects, 

is invading the briefie field on a large 

scale with the acquisition of 26 two-reel and 

13 one-reel reissues of the "Our Gang" comedies 

originally made and released by MGM. 

The comedies will be distributed as the 

"Little Rascals" series by Monogram, with 

releases probably to be spaced out over the 

next two years. The shorts were obtained by 

the company from Auerbach Film Enterprises, 

which originally purchased them from MGM. 

Distribution wUl begin March 1. New 

prints, posters, lobby cards, stills and pressbooks 

are being prepared for the series, in 

which Farina, Dickie Moore, Jackie Cooper, 

Mary Kornman, Joe Cobb and Mickey Daniels 

are featured. 

Only two other shorts have been distributed 

by Monogram—a documentary, "Thunderbolt," 

with narration by James Stewart, 

and an Academy Award winner, "Climbing 

the Matterhorn." 

Emil Jannings, 63, Dies; 

Famed Silent Film Star 

STROHL, AUSTRIA—Emil Jannings, 63, 

leading German film star who won the first 

"Oscar" award of the Motion Picture Academy 

of Arts and Sciences, died at his home 

at Lake Wolfgang January 2. Jannings was 

born in Brooklyn, the son of a well-to-do cutlery 

manufacturer, but his family moved to 

Eui'ope when he was one year old. 

When the world's finest silent films were 

being made by UFA in Germany, Jannings 

won fame as the star of "The Last Laugh" 

and "Variety." He refused many offers to 

come to Hollywood but finally signed with 

Paramount in 1926. He won the award for 

his first American picture, "The Way of All 

Flesh," and followed this with "The Last 

Command," "The King of Soho" and "The 

Patriot." After his return to Germany in 

1929, he appeared in "The Blue Angel," which 

made Marlene Dietrich a star. After the rise 

of the Nazi regime, Jannings continued to 

make films, including the propaganda pictures, 

"The Old King and the New" and "Ohm 

Krueger." After the war, when some of his 

unfinished films were found in UFA files, he 

was formally investigated by Eric Pommer, 

pre-Nazi director of UFA reinstalled by 

American Military Government. He was de- 

Nazified in 1946 and moved to Austria. 

Jannings is survived by his third wife, the 

former Gussy Lee Holl, and a daug-hter, Ruth 

Maria. 

Bill Would Ban Drive-Ins 

Within Mile of Church 

BOSTON—A bill 

that would ban construction 

of any drive-in theatre in Boston within 

a mile of any church or school was filed Tuesday 

(31 b>' Rep. Joyce Dorchester. The bill 

would include any structure not finished by 

Jan. 1, 1950, and has as its target former 

Mayor Curley's last-minute grant of two 

drive-in permits to Michael Redstone to erect 

ozoners in West Roxbury and Dorchester. 

Redstone's office announced construction 

started on Neponset Bridge Dorchester drivein 

on Friday at 3 p.m.. two hours after Curley 

signed permits with West Roxbury to start as 

soon as contract bids are returned. 

12 BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950

-y 

^M 

THE ACCLAIM AND THE GROSSES 

AS ALL RECORDS FALL IN THE 

FIVE THEATRE LOS ANGELES 

PRE-RELEASE ENGAGEMENT! 

^mnBlG 

Why 

TÛttUC'Se, f/c 

CENTURY-FOX

; 

lfCe*t €utd S(^^€*t^ 

Back to the Country 

THE big trek back to the country, both by 

theatres and stores, to get away from 

parking problems and traffic snarls, is continuing. 

The National Suburban Centers 

of Boston, backed by a group of financiers. 

proposes to build shopping centers throughout 

the east and in the middle west. 

Its latest project is an $8,000,000 to $12.- 

000,000 project in Westchester county. New 

York, which will cover 75 acres between the 

Sawmill River Parkway and the Taconic 

State Parkway at Hawthorne Circle. 

Because these shopping centers are attracting 

theatres, both closed and drive-ins, 

it may be of interest to would-be drive-in 

operators to know some of the formulas 

used by the Boston group. 

Krst, the backers want to be near express 

highways and a drawing population 

of 1,000,000 within a radius of ten miles. 

According to Huston Rawls, president of 

National Suburban Centers, surveys show 

90 i>er cent of housewives are willing to 

drive 30 minutes to reach a place where 

they can have varied shopping facilities. 

Suburban populations will continue to be 

an increasing segment of the population. 

Rawls says. 

What he says fits in with obvious tendencies 

in the three states of southern New 

England, and also New York, Pennsylvania, 

Ohio, Maryland, North and South Carolina 

where drive-ins are mushrooming. 

Tax Maneuvers 

yjJHEN the U.S. Conference of Mayors 

advised its members last week to start 

pressure on individual members of Congress 

for cuts in the admission taxes it 

joined an ever-growing army of tax opponents, 

but not for the purpose of cutting 

taxpayers' expenses and stimulating business. 

The mayors want the federal government 

to get out of the excise tax field so 

they can take it over. 

Almost at the same time that the mayors 

were letting their latest move become 

known Abram F. Myers, chairman of the 

COMPO legislative and tax committee, issued 

a statement that the outlook for favorable 

action was good, but that there 

were so many unpredictable factors that 

nobody in this industry should relax. 

The house ways and means committee 

will be the central target when hearings on 

new taxation begin. That is where tax 

measures originate. If the committee favors 

a reduction, the prospects of getting 

it through both branches of Congress will 

be really bright. 

Business Booms 

ytZHAT with "Samson and DelUah" at the 

Paramount and Rivoli, the Christmas 

show at the Music Hall and "Prince of 

Foxes" at the Roxy business boomed just 

before Christmas on Manhattan and continued 

to roll upwards the following week. 

All the schools were closed and it was 

difficult to get through Rockefeller Plaza 

without losing a coat button or getting 

-By JAMES M. JERAULD 

pushed around. The lines completely surrounded 

the Music Hall and those around 

the Roxy went east as far as Sixth Avenue 

where they were across the street from the 

beginning of the Music Hall line. Some 

waited nearly three hours. At the Rivoli 

and Paramount there were more long lines. 

Even if the other houses had had weak attractions 

they would have benefited, because 

tired parents and their offspring had 

to go some place to sit down. 

It was remarkable—like the wartime 

days. 

Local Newsreels 

pROM time to time the national newsreels 

have included subjects of regional 

importance designed for showing only in 

certain areas. Also, many individual theatres 

have made up 16mm subjects of 

purely local interest and the regular projectionists 

have run them off. These have 

been increasing in number and have been 

found to be boxoffice stimulants. 

Now. for the first time, a company has 

been organized on a statewide basis to 

furnish this material. It is in Califor!iia 

and is called Town and Country Topic 

Productions. It claims to have more than 

80 theatres signed up, although it also will 

furnish service for television and commercial 

use. 

This experiment undoubtedly will be 

watched closely, because scattered television 

stations are using this type of film material 

and it has been found to be competition. 

Local exhibitors may want to meet 

this threat by using their own coverage, 

if a way can be found to do it without 

jumping the overhead. 

History Repeats 

TT WAS the finding of a baby girl in the 

Sheridan Theatre, Pittsburgh, Oct. 24, 

1928, that caused the founding of the first 

Variety Club by a group of showmen. They 

adopted the girl, named her Catherine Variety 

Sheridan. She is now grown up and 

married. Her distracted mother was made 

happy and the imagination of sympathetic 

people the world over was captured. 

Christmas night, 1949, history was repeated. 

A six-pound boy was found in the 

powder room of the Strand Theatre, Holyoke, 

Mass. Samuel Goldstein, president of 

Western Massachusetts Theatres, Inc., 

immediately sent a check for $50 to the 

Holyoke Transcript-Telegram with the hope 

that a fund would be started to take care 

of the child. 

New England already has a Variety Club 

with headquarters at Boston. Another act 

of compassion like that in Pittsburgh could 

be a great thing for Variety and for this 

business. 

'King's Men' Is Honored 

NEW YORK — The February issue of 

Esquire magazine, on the stands January 6, 

named "All the King's Men" (Col> "the man's 

movie of the month." 

Chairmen Are Named 

For NCCJ Campaign 

NEW YORK—Forty-five industry leaders 

will serve as company coordinators and exchange 

area distribution chairmen during 

the campaign of the National Conference of 

Christians and Jews—February 18-28. A. W. 

Schwalberg, vice-president in charge of distribution 

for Paramount, is national distributor 

chairman. 

The company coordinators are: 

Lou Brager, Film Classics; Harry Buckley, 

United Artists; Mike Dolid, Warner Bros.; 

Pete Friedhoff, Monogram; William Gehring, 

20th Century -Fox; Al Grubstick, Screen 

Guild; George Josephs, Columbia; Al O'Keefe, 

Universal; H. M. Richey, Loew's, Inc.; Burton 

Robbins, National Screen Service; A. E. 

Schiller, Republic ; Jack Schlaifer, Eagle Lion 

A. A. Schubart, RKO, and C. J. Scollard, 

Paramount. 

The exchange area distribution chairmen 

are: Paramount—Jess McBride, Milwaukee; 

John Moore, Boston: Heywood Simmons, 

Dallas; Ulrik Smith. Philadelphia; 20th Century-Fox—Charles 

F. Powers, Portland; I. J. 

Schmertz, Cleveland; J. E. Scott, Omaha; Ben 

Simon, New Haven; Loew's—Albert L. Adler, 

Kansas City; Herbert Bennin, St. Louis; Poster 

B. Gauker, Indianapolis; Saal Gottlieb, 

Pittsburgh; RKO—Jack Chinell, Buffalo; Joe 

Emerson, Denver; Sam Gorelick, Chicago; Joe 

Smith, San Francisco; Warner Bros.—James 

Abrose, Cincinnati; Art Anderson, Minneapolis; 

Fred Greenberg, Los Angeles; Don 

Woods, Detroit; Columbia—Clarke Baker, 

Des Moines; Herman Chrisman, Memphis; 

Duke Duvall, New Orleans; Dewey Gibbs, 

Oklahoma City; Universal—J. W. Greenleaf, 

Charlotte; E. Vogel, Albany; United Artists 

—John Bachman, Atlanta; Carroll Trowbridge, 

Salt Lake City; Eagle Lion—Wallace 

Rucker, Seattle; Fred Rohrs. Washington; 

Republic—William P. Murphy, New York City. 

TOA Names 18 Area Heads 

For Brotherhood Week 

NEW YORK—Eighteen TOA members have 

accepted appointment as exchange area cochairmen 

for the Brotherhood week campaign 

to be held February 17-25, Gael Sullivan, 

national exhibitor co-chairman, has reported 

to Ted R. Gamble, national chairman of the 

motion picture division. 

TOA exhibitor co-chairmen, who will serve 

in each exchange area with an Allied and 

distributor co-chairman, are: 

Saul J. Ullman, Albany; Louis M. Gordon, 

Boston; James Eshelman, Buffalo; John Balaban, 

Chicago; Jack R. Keegan, Cinciimati; 

Julius Gordon, Dallas; Earl Hudson, Detroit; 

Ken Collins, Indianapolis; Dale Danielson, 

Kansas City; Harry Viimicof, Los Angeles; 

M. A. Lightman jr., Memphis; Harry French, 

Minneapolis; N. L. Carter, New Orleans; 

Morris Loewenstein, Oklahoma City; Robert 

R. Livingston, Omaha; Roy Cooper, San Francisco; 

Frank L. Newman, Seattle, and Frank 

Boucher, Washington, D. C. 

MGM Shifts Tradeshows 

NEW YORK—MGM has set tradesbowings 

for foiu' new pictures and has canceled 

one previously set for January 19— "Shadow 

on the Wall." The four new pictures and 

dates are: "Black Hand," January 18; "Nancy 

Goes to Rio," January 31; "Key to the City," 

February 2, and "Conspirator," February 6. 

14 BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950

RCA Offers Complete 

Drive-In Planning 

CAMDEN — A service to help exhibitors 

plan and construct drive-in theatres has been 

devised by the theatre equipment sales division 

of the Radio Corp. of America. It is a 

comprehensive "packaged" sales plan which 

the company says offers the prospective 

drive-in exhibitor economies and freedom 

from multiple-contract worries by grouping 

all requirements except the site and the operating 

personnel. There are recommendations 

having to do with design, construction, 

equipment and servicing. 

The "package" includes; 

1. Planned layout specifications adapted to 

topographical requirements of the site. 

2. Construction, including drainage, grading, 

ramping, screen tower, projection booth, 

ticket booth, concession stand, entrance, 

parking area, entrance and exit roadways, 

electrical installations, underground wiring, 

display sign and other items entering into the 

erection of a modern drive-in. 

3. Equipping of the theatre with the latest 

RCA drive-in projection and sound equipment, 

designed to meet individual needs. 

4. An RCA drive-in service plan providing 

for periodic inspection maintenance and 

emergency service for sound and projection 

equipment. 

Arrangement 5. of financing plans adjusted 

to individual requirements. 

J. F. O'Brien, manager of RCA theatre 

equipment sales, said the plan offers great 

economies in both time and money, eliminating 

costly mistakes and confusion and giving 

the public the best in physical layout. RCA 

theatre supply dealers are now taking orders. 

British Lion Gives Loss 

As $3,272,747 for Year 

LONDON—British Lion Film Corp., which 

produces and distributes about 20 features 

a year, has reported a loss of $3,272,747.20 for 

the fiscal year ended March 31, 1949. It said 

that without financial support from the government 

it would have been in receivership. 

The report noted a loan of $4,200,000 from 

the government. 

J. Arthur Rank Organization recently reported 

a $9,380,000 production loss for the 

fiscal year ending June 25, 1949. A financial 

report of Sir Alexander Korda's London Film 

Productions for 1947, recently issued, showed 

a profit of $794,164, but secured and unsecured 

loans were given as $198,976, liabilities 

to contract personnel $786,058 and bank overdraft 

$413,240. 

Autry Troupe Will Tour 

22 States During 1950 

NEW YORK—Gene Autry will visit 22 states 

and part of Canada during his 1950 personal 

appearance tour which will open in Pueblo, 

Colo., January 7. Thirty-six bookings are 

already set and 34 more are being negotiated. 

From Pueblo, Autry will tour Kansas, Nebraska, 

South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, 

Indiana, Michigan, Ontario, Massachusetts, 

Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania and 

Connecticut. He will also probably go down 

the eastern seaboard and into Texas. The 

star and the 27 members of his troupe wUl 

play auditoriums from where his Columbia 

network program, "Melody Ranch," will be 

broadcast each Saturday evening. 

Cleveland Outlook Good, 

Particularly Deluxers 

By ELSIE LOEB 

CLEVELAND—The theatre outlook for 1950 

is good for the de luxe houses and only fair 

for tihe subsequent run houses of older vintage, 

in the greater Cleveland area, according 

to owners of theatres in these classifications. 

The first run downtown houses know 

from experience that the right kind of picture 

does the right amount of business. 

Ray Essick of Modern Theatres circuit sizes 

it up like this. "If employment continues at 

its present level and if each theatre is operated 

in accordance with its individual 

needs, then I can't see anything but a successful 

year ahead of us. The rubber companies 

announce they are upping their production 

20 per cent. That means more automobiles, 

more employment, and more gasoline 

sold. It means cash in the pay envelope. 

And given good pictures, we should get our 

fair share of the gains. However, in my opinion, 

1950 is the year of the de luxe theatre. 

WANT MODERN CONVENIENCES 

"I think the day of the small neighborhood 

theatre aroimd the corner is waning," he 

added. "For the same, or perhaps slightly 

higher admission, a patron can attend one 

of the new de luxe houses where there is 

beauty, comfort and parking space as well as 

the same entertainment furnished by the 

small house. 

"Pictures are still top entertainment with 

the public," Essick went on to say. "We can 

prove this out at our Mayland Theatre, a half 

million dollar new theatre that has not yet 

celebrated its first birthday. Although we 

play many A pictures 21 days after the first 

run, we have found it financially successful 

sometimes to pass up an A picture that is 

playing around town in favor of a B picture 

that isn't being generally shown. Here in 

Cleveland where a majority of first run neighborhood 

houses all play the same picture on 

its break day, with a B picture on the screen 

we often fill our Mayland Theatre with patrons 

who either have seen the picture in 

current release generally or who are looking 

for something different. 

"Television hasn't done us any good, and 

for a time I think it will prove heavy competition," 

says Essick. "But even with this 

competition, I believe our circuit business 

hasn't dropped more than 10 per cent from 

that of 1948." 

TELEVISION HASN'T HELPED 

Ernest Schwartz, president of the Cleveland 

Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n, speaking 

for the smaller subsequent run houses 

thinks the outlook for 1950 is "not too bright." 

"The picnic is over," Schwartz says. "People 

aren't making less money. They are 

spending it more carefully. They are 

choosey' in their purchases. And this includes 

their entertainment shopping. 

"In addition, with the television growth in 

this area, there is a tendency to stay at home 

and see what TV has to offer. Many people 

who used to go to the movies once a week 

now go only occasionally. They go only when 

there is an outstanding piotiu-e." 

"The 1949 pictm-es have not been good 

Providence Business 

Both Up and Down 

PROVIDENCE—A survey of business 

conditions at Providence theatres published 

here this week shows that of 30 

theatres checked, 12 reported business was 

up in 1949, another 12 reported a drop 

and six said 1949 boxoffice remained at 

the 1948 level. 

Of seven first run houses, three managers 

said business was up, three others 

said it was down and one reported no 

change. Of the downtown second runs, 

five theatres were ahead of a year ago 

and three said receipts were off. Five of 

the ten neighborhood theatres checked reported 

business was up, four reported 

receipts down and one unchanged. 

Considerable unemployment and unusually 

hot weather during the summer 

months were given as the principal reasons 

for the drop in receipts in those 

theatres reporting a decline. 

enough to meet this competition of tight 

money and TV. They have not appealed to 

the masses. What we need is more pictures 

like 'Battleground,' 'I Was a Male War 

Bride' and 'Come to the Stable.' Television 

was no competition to these pictures. We all 

did business with them. 

"How can be bring 'em back to the theatres 

and keep 'em coming back? Make strictly 

entertaiiunent pictures," Schwartz states. 

"People want to be amused. There have 

been too many psychological, psychiatric, and 

problem pictures this past year. Also, the 

pictures have been too long. Columbia has 

the right idea in limiting the running time of 

a feature to 90 minutes. Patrons of the subsequent 

run houses like double features. Two 

90-minute pictures are just about right. Any 

more is too long. Patrons get tired out instead 

of being entertained. 

"What type of pictures are our members 

clamoring for? More stories about homespun 

life and less glamor—epic westerns in 

color and musicals with plot in color. 

"It has been proven, in this area at least, 

that fans turn out to see the pictures they 

want to see and they don't care how far they 

have to travel to see them," Schwartz concluded. 

Television has hurt theatre business during 

the past six months, aU local theatre owners 

agree. With four fuU time TV stations serving 

this area, there is enough variety of program 

to appeal to the vast number of TV 

set owners. One exhibitor expressed his attitude 

toward TV like this: "The quicker the 

TV sets get on the market, the better for our 

industry. Owners stay home for the TV 

programs only so long as the novelty lasts. 

BoxorncE January 7, 1950 15 

After that they become selective, just as in 

radio. They stay home for certain programs. 

The rest of the time they seek entertaiiunent 

out of the home and principally at the theatres."

: 

7iâÂc»i^ta«€ 

PHE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE is presently 

disposed to proceed with the hearing 

slated for January 17 in the antitrust 

suit against the majors. Argument on the 

details of divorcement and other questions 

left open by last summer's decision is scheduled, 

and there is no certainty at this point 

that any of the three remaining major defendants 

will have retired from the case by 

then via the consent decree route. 

It now appears to be almost a certainty 

that Warner Bros, will be out by then, but 

it could take until after the hearing for the 

conclusion of the agreement. It now seems 

unlikely that 20th Century-Fox will be out of 

the case by then, and so far there is no indication 

that Loew's will agree to a consent 

judgment at all. 

Although it is generally thought that the 

20th-Fox case can be negotiated to a settlement 

out of court and that Loew's will then 

try to work out a conclusion, the government 

is still working on the theory that the hearing 

wiU go on as scheduled. The fact that 

the hearing has been held will not affect the 

legal position of the two parties in terms of 

their right to agree to specific proposals. If 

a judgment were to come down from the 

court before a consent judgment was signed, 

however, the judgment would automatically 

be controlling. It generally takes from several 

weeks to several months before such 

judgment issue, however. 

THE SUPREME COURT has been asked 

a second time to hear the appeal of Fifth & 

Walnut Amusement Co. from the lower court 

rejection of its damage suit. The company, 

operator of a Louisville theatre, has been rebuffed 

in its efforts to have the court accept 

the findings and judgments in the New York 

suit as prima facie evidence of conspiracy 

êftont 

By ALAN HERBERT 

by the major companies. 

The high court turned down the request 

that it take jurisdiction last month, and the 

majors hold that there is nothing new in the 

case now to cause the court to change its 

mind. 

Fifth & Walnut argues that the course of 

some 93 pending private suits against the 

inajors may be greatly affected by what the 

high court does in this case. 

THE FEDERAL COMMtHVICATIONS 

commission refused last week to take emergency 

action okaying the transfer of radio 

and television properties in Chicago and New 

Orleans from Paramount affiliates to the 

new United Paramount Theatres. Approval 

by the end of the year—or at the least a provision 

approval—^had been asked by the company 

December 22. 

The commission refused to be hurried, however, 

and said it would not be hastened simply 

to permit Paramount to live up to a time 

schedule it had voluntarily set itself. The 

stations included the video and FM stations 

belonging to Balaban & Katz, in Chicago, and 

the AM and PM stations belonging to Paramount-Richards, 

in New Orleans. 

THE STATUS OF THE CAMERA3IAN in 

the United States Capital has advanced another 

notch, it appeared this week as the new 

house chamber was opened to the public. 

For the first time, the house itself is now 

the owner of lights adequate for the use of 

newsreel, still and television photographers. 

A special battery of lights was purchased from 

Hollywood supplier Mole-Richardson, and 

will be available on call when cameramen 

desire to shoot in the house chamber. Until 

now they have had to set up their own lighting 

each time. 

Newsreels, Short Subjects Targets 

For Attack by New Jersey Allied 

NEW YORK—Newsreels and short subjects 

are the targets for a ton of verbal bricks in 

the latest bulletin of the New Jersey Allied 

unit. 

On the newsreels problem, the bulletin says 

"At a recent meeting of newsreel men, there 

was a great deal of argument against the 

tendency of newsreels to propagandize personalities 

and individuals for their own 

benefits. 

"Newsreels, themselves, have become just 

another single on your screen and not a good 

one. Between newspapers and television, even 

pre-release newsreels are now nothing better 

than reading last week's papers. 

"For many years exhibitors have over-paid 

for this six-seven minute subject and it is 

about time they either cut the price or cut 

them out." 

Turning the ammunition toward short subjects, 

the bulletin says: "Many companies look 

upon short subjects as unwanted children, but 

fail to realize that many exhibitors, especially 

those with single feature poUcies, look to 

short subjects to make a good program just 

as a double featme man looks to a second 

feature to prop up his show. 

"The art of making good two-reelers has 

been lost. Comedies, as they are called by the 

producers, fail, in most instances, to get a 

ripple from the audience. There are a few 

good single reels being made, but the majority 

seem to be dull, unimaginative, and, in 

general, do not help the program." 

Report Reynolds Tobacco 

Backing Florida Chain 

TAMPA—Persistent reports have been cropping 

into trade circles in recent weeks that an 

important new circuit of Florida theatres, 

financed by the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. 

of Winston-Salem, N. C., will come into being 

in 1950. The press here has been quoting 

"unusually reliable" sources in Miami. The 

published report indicated the circuit was 

planning to build in Orlando, Miami, St. 

Petersburg, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, St. 

Augustine, Daytona Beach and Tampa. 

Arnall May Run Again 

For Governorship 

NEW YORK—The industry will 

watch few 

of this year's political campaigns more closely, 

at least in their early stages, than that 

for governor of Georgia. The reason is that 

Ellis Arnall, president of SIMPP, is believed 

by many observers to be planning to run 

against young Herman Talmadge, present 

incumbent and son of Gene Talmadge, whom 

Arnall defeated. That would mean his resignation 

from SIMPP of which he has been 

a vocal and successful representative. 

Newspaper "dope" stories have had Arnall 

interested in regaining the governorship. 

The latest apparent confirmation of his interest 

came the other day when Arnall asked 

Eugene Cook, state attorney general, for an 

opinion on his eligibility to run this year. 

Arnall particularly wanted to know if he is 

disqualified because dm-ing his dispute with 

Herman Talmadge after the election, he 

stayed in office five days beyond his allotted 

time. 

BOXOFPICE recently asked the ex-governor 

of Georgia if he would run again. 

Arnall laughed and replied : "If I intended to, 

I wouldn't tell you, and if I didn't intend to, 

I wouldn't, either. Anyway, the election isn't 

until fall." 

The industry's attitude toward Arnall is 

mixed. He has been active in instituting 

legal action in behalf of SIMPP, which has 

considered him a valuable representative of 

its interests. Others have criticized Arnall 

for public statements considered harmful in 

a public relations way. 

Ai-nall has replied, in 

effect: "In this industry, as in any other, 

you have to raise your voice to be heard." 

Emma Cox of Arkansas, 

Exhibitor Leader, Dies 

OSCEOLA, ARK.—Emma Cox, a onetime 

bank cashier, who took over a theatre with 

$60 in cash and indefatigable energy and became 

one of the state's best-known exhibitors, 

died here this week. She owned and operated 

the Gem and Joy theatres and was a 

director of the Tri-States Theatre Owners 

Ass'n. 

In the 1930s, while working in a bank she 

was asked to assume management of the Gem 

Theatre when the owner defaulted on a $1,000 

note. She did, but the bank also went broke 

and she bought the theatre with her small 

savings. She had the theatre running profitably 

in no time and then added the Joy Theatre 

to her holdings. 

As an exhibitor and civic leader, she was 

extremely popular in the community. St. 

Matthews CathoUc church was too small to 

accommodate the crowd for the funeral and 

a special altar was erected in the Gem Theatre 

for the services. 

Albert Gebhart, 63, Dies; 

Was N. J. Allied Secretary 

EAST ORANGE, N. J.—Albert Gebhart, 

63, executive secretary of Allied Theatre 

Owners of New Jersey, collapsed on the street 

here Wednesday (4) and died en route to the 

hospital. His home was in Sparta, N. J. 

Gebhart was salesman for Paramovmt in 

New Jersey for 26 years. He resigned two 

years ago to join Allied. He is survived by 

his wife, Bonnie Bell, and a son, George N. 

Gebhart. 


Thelma Jordon 

Is Something 

To Talk About 

She's the central figure in 

a triangle spiced with murder. 

— says The Exhibitor 

And Stanwyck's full-blooded 

characterization is fascinating. 

/i — raves Hollywood Reporter 

In melodrama with the polish expected 

in a Hal Wallis production. 

— comments Daily Variety 

y/ENOELL 

produaio« 

una 

To which 

PARAMOUNT 

proudly adds: 

She starts the year off in a blaze of excitement 

that grows with great, great, great product 

like "SAMSON AND DELILAH", "THE 

HEIRESS", "DEAR WIFE" and many, many, 

many more— to make exhibitors everywhere say: 

'Today more than ever-lf It's a Paramount 

Picture, It's The Best Show in Town!"

JANUARY PRODUCTION SPURTS 

WITH 38 SUBJECTS TO ROLL 

HOLLYWOOD—It could hardly be classified 

as a boom, but in comparison with 

the dismal low point recorded in 1949's 

final month, the productional outlook for 

the early days of the new year appeared 

surprisingly promising—at least in the eyes 

of those studio workers harassed by unemployment 

and uncertainty during an unlamented 

12 months when the entire picturemaking 

structure was marked by 

near-hysteria, widespread economies and 

a generally laggardly pace. 

Blueprinted for camera work during January 

were 38 subjects, a healthy boost over the 

meager 25 which, slated for launching during 

December, registered an alltime low for the 

year. At the same time, however, the projected 

January output was considerably under 

1949's best month—October—when a bumper 

crop of 52 features hit the cameras. 

Of the 38-picture total listed for the month, 

27 are newcomers to the lineup, three others 

hit the sound stages late in December, and 

the remaining eight were carryovers from 

previously-set starting dates. 

The lineup, by studios: 

Columbia 

Reflecting the general productional upsurge, 

this studio landed in a three-way tie 

with Monogram and Republic for first place 

as concerns the quantity of celluloid output 

projected, with five subjects on the docket. 

A late December starter was "One Way Out," 

co-starring Glenn Ford and Broderick Crawford, 

with Jerry Bresler as the producer, 

Henry Levin directing. The prison melodrama 

casts Ford as a man sent to the penitentiary 

for manslaughter and Crawford as the district 

attorney who, after obtaining the conviction, 

later becomes warden at the prison 

where Ford is serving his term. In the tradition 

of last season's successful "Fuller Brush 

Man" is its comedy sequel, "The Fuller Brush 

Girl," which has Lucille Ball in the title role. 

Nat Perrin produces and the megaphonist is 

Lloyd Bacon. Three other scheduled starters 

—all newcomers to the lineup—^had one thing 

in common at month's beginning: None was 

equipped with a cast or a director. Producer 

Milton Feldman accounts for two of them,' 

"The Firefighters" and "David Harding, 

Counterspy." The former is described as a 

character study of a group of men working 

in a fire station, dealing with their conflicts 

and problems; the latter is a film adaptation 

of the network radio show. The third is 

"Atom Man vs. Superman," a 15-chapter 

serial to be produced by Sam Katzman. 

Eagle Lion 

Slated for release through this company is 

"Deadfall," an outdoor action drama projected 

by Producers Alan LeMay and George Templeton, 

with Templeton doubling as the director. 

Starring John Barrymore jr., Kristine 

Miller and Chill Wills, the vehicle is the second 

to emanate from the LeMay-Templeton 

combine, which recently finished "The Sundowners," 

also for EL distribution. The new 

offering, to be photographed in Technicolor, 

is slated to go into work on location in Texas. 

PREMIERE PLANS SET—DetaUed 

plans for the world premiere of "Francis" 

were completed when Lieut. Col. Joseph 

F. Goetz (center), chief of the entertainment 

division of the U.S air force, met 

with David A. Lipton (left), Universal- 

International national advertising and 

publicity director, and William Goetz 

(right), production executive. Elaborate 

plans for a planeload of stars and press 

to attend the first world premiere of a 

picture since the war, were outlined by 

the trio. The "Francis" premiere is 

scheduled to be held January 21 in Wiesbaden, 

to be followed by another premiere 

in Berlin and similar showings in other 

military establishments. Wiesbaden is 

headquarters for the USAEF In Germany. 

Independent 

No distribution arrangements have been 

announced for "Destination Murder," a copsand-robbers 

melodrama which hit the sound 

stages late last month under the banner of 

Prominent Pictures, an independent unit in 

which Edward L. Calm and Maurie Suess are 

the productional partners. Cahn also is the 

megaphonist and the cast is headed by Hurd 

Hatfield, Myrna Dell and Stanley Clements. 

Lippert Productions 

will be "Operation Haylift," marking the first 

productional try for the veteran character 

actor, Joe Sawyer, who also authored the 

original. It's a topical yarn about the U. S. 

air force and how it flew in feed to keep 

thousands of cattle from starving to death 

during the heavy blizzards which swept over 

the northwestern states last winter. Air force 

cooperation has been secured but, as the 

month got under way, no cast had been 

selected. William Berke will meg. Also on 

the Lippert docket is "Highway Patrol," action 

melodrama about the state highway poUce, 

which was being readied by Producer Barney 

Sarecky and will be megged by Sam Newfield. 

Like "Operation Haylift," it, too, was 

minus a cast. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Moyer 

Four subjects—two new to the lineup, two 

in the holdover category—will materially assist 

in keeping Leo's sound stages busy during 

1950's first month. Newcomers to the dodket 

are "To Please a Lady," co-starring Clark 

Gable and Barbara Stanwyck, and "Right 

Cross," in which Dick Powell, June Allyson 

and Ricardo Montalban are to be toplined. 

The Gable-Stanwyck vehicle has an automobile 

racing theme, with Gable cast as a veteran 

driver, and will be produced and directed 

by Clarence Brown; "Right Cross" Ukevnse 

is concerned with sports — this time 

pugilism—with Powell portraying a sports announcer 

and Montalban a prizefighter. The 

boxing yarn, to be produced by Armand 

Deutsch and directed by John Sturges, has a 

New York background. The holdovers are 

"Father of the Bride" and "The Crisis." 

"Father," starring Spencer Tracy, concerns 

the trials, tribulations and complications confronting 

a proud parent in marrying off his 

attractive daughter—Elizabeth Taylor—and 

is a Pandro S. Berman production. Vincente 

Minnelli du-ects. "The Crisis," co-starring 

Cary Grant and Jose Ferrer, is on Arthur 

Freed's productional docket, with Richard 

Brooks slated to dh-ect. In it Grant portrays 

an American doctor trapped between the 

forces of a dictator and revolutionists in a 

Latin American country, and who performs 

a delicate brain operation on the dictator, 

although bitterly opposed to everything the 

strong man stands for. 

Monogram 

Five starters—a healthy total, indeed—are 

blueprinted for January on tliis lot, running 

the gamut from comedy to sagebrush and 

outdoor adventure to musical. Four are carryovers 

from previously announced starting 

dates—"Square Dance Katy," "Henry Does 

It Again," "The Courage of Captain Plum" 

and "Border Renegades"—while a newcomer 

to the lineup is "Jiggs and Maggie Out West." 

Producer Lindsley Parsons is supervising 

"Katy" and "Captain Plimi," the former a 

This production-distribution organization hillbilly musical featuring Jimmie Davis and 

is tapering off from the picturemaking Phil Brito, the latter an outdoor opus adapted 

tempo estebUshed by it during December, from a yarn by James Oliver Curwood and 

with two starting subjects scheduled as compared 

to the four which were sent before the director's services early hi the period. Like- 

toplining Kirby Grant. Both were minus a 

cameras last month. First to get under way wise sans megaphonists were "Henry Does It 

Again," tliird in the Latham Family comedy 

series being produced by Peter Scully and featuring 

Raymond Walburn as the small town 

know-it-aU, and the new "Jiggs and Maggie" 

offering emanating from Producer Barney 

Gerard. The latter finds Joe Yule and Renie 

Riano in their accustomed roles as the characters 

made famous in George McManus' 

widely syndicated Brmging Up Father comic 

strip. "Border Renegades," a sagebrusher 

toplining Johnny Mack Brown, will be produced 

and directed by Wallace W. Fox. 

Paramount 

A contribution from Independent Hal 

Wallls and two others from the studio's own 

18 

BOXorncE January 7, 1950

salaried producers will bring the Marathon 

St. lot's starting total up to three for the 

period. Wallis will gun "My Friend Irma 

Goes West" as a sequel to his recent "My 

Friend Irma," and reuniting the cast topliners 

of the original, Marie Wilson, Diana 

Lynn and John Lund. It's based, of course, 

on the network airshow created by Cy 

Howard, and which also has Miss Wilson in 

the title spot. Also on the docket are "Montana 

Rides," a high-budget western to star 

Alan Ladd, and "Union Station," with William 

Holden and Wanda Hendrix. The 

Ladd opus is discussed in detail in the box 

on this page; "Union Station," a Jules 

Schermer production to be piloted by Rudy 

Mate, is concerned with a kidnaping and how 

the criminals are apprehended. Much of the 

action transpires in a large railway terminal. 

Its genesis is a Saturday Evening Post serial 

by Thomas Walsh; in the cast, in addition 

to Holden and Miss Hendrix, are Nancy Olson 

and Barry Fitzgerald. 

RKO Radio 

Contributions from independent producers 

comprise the bulk of the Howard Hughes 

organization's January lineup, three of the 

four scheduled entries being in that category. 

Moreover, two of the quartet are carryovers 

from December, when — for one reason or 

another — they failed to get before the 

cameras as had been scheduled. The independents' 

contributions are "The Story of a 

Divorce," a Jack SkirbaU-Bruce Manning 

production; "A White Rose for Julie," emanating 

from Westwood Productions, headed 

by Irving Cummings jr. and Irwin Allen; and 

"Nobody's Safe," to be co-produced by Collier 

Young and Ida Lupino for Filmakers. Rounding 

out the list is a studio-sponsored entry, 

"Code 3," which is on the agenda for Producer 

Herman Schlom. Both "Divorce" and 

"Julie" originally had been slated to roll in 

December. The former, starring Bette Davis 

and Robert Young, tells of a wife who, realizing 

her marriage is breaking up, reviews 

her past and discovers her own weaknesses 

brought about the situation. Curtis Bernhardt 

is the director. "Julie" will co-star 

Robert Mitchiun and Faith Domergue, with 

John Farrow at the megaphone. It is a 

romantic melodrama centering around a 

young interne, a nurse who loves him and a 

wealthy young widow who almost ruins his 

career. The Young-Lupino contender, "Nobody's 

Safe," was uncast as the month began; 

Miss Lupino will direct the semidocumentary 

about runaway girls, the story line of which 

is taken from tho files of the Los Angeles and 

New York police departments. "Code 3" is 

cops-and-robbers stuff; Richard Fleischer 

holds the directorial reins and Charles Mc- 

Graw has been set for the lead. 

Republic 

Paced by one offering, "Sleep All Winter," 

which got under way in the latter days of 

December, this valley lot has carded a gr&nd 

total of five starting vehicles for 1950's opening 

month. The above-named opus is a 

western, an independent offering from 

EUiott-McGowan Productions, starring Wil- 

Uam Elliott and being produced by Stuart and 

Dorrell McGowan, in association with the 

actor and William J. O'SuUivan. The Mc- 

Gowans, who wrote the script, are also serving 

as co-directors. Elliott's supporting cast 

includes Marie Windsor and Walter Brennan. 

Two other sagebrushers on tap are "The 

Vanishing Westerner" and "Hills of Okla- 

Paramount, 20th-Fox and Universal 

Starting Three Super-Westerns 

When three top stars, whose appearances 

in super-westerns have been rarities 

heretofore, don cowboy garb and begin 

ridin' thataway — all in the same 

month—it is of more than passing interest, 

and a concrete reaffirmation of the 

industry axiom that sagebrushers will be 

with us as long as there are movies. 

The players involved are Alan Ladd, 

Tyrone Power and James Stewart; they'll 

head for the open spaces in, respectively, 

Paramount's "Montana Rides," 20th Century-Fox's 

"Rawhide" and Universal- 

International's "Winchester .73." All are 

of the high-budget, semihistorical variety 

and together they constitute a significant 

signpost to indicate that westerns will 

undoubtedly continue to occupy, in 1950, 

the important niche they have already 

gained for themselves as production and 

exhibition ventures. 

homa." The former, toplining Monte Hale, 

is to be produced and directed respectively 

by Mel Tucker and PhU Ford; the latter stars 

Rex Allen, with Franklin Adreon producing 

and B. G. Springsteen as the director. Uncast, 

early In the period, were "Women Prom 

Headquarters" and "Faces in the Sun." 

Stephen Auer produces the first-named, a 

melodrama about policewomen, with George 

Blair set to hold the megaphone ; Allan Dwan 

draws producer-director credit on the latter, 

a costume piece about Mississippi in the 1850s, 

the story of a scheming girl who marries her 

sister's fiance, ruins their lives, falls in love 

with a gambler and ultimately wipes out her 

mistakes by committing suicide. 

20th Century-Fox 

star power highlights the brace of offerings 

being blueprinted by the Westwood studio for 

camera work in January, with Dana Andrews 

and Gene Tierney lined up as the co-stars of 

"Where the Pavement Ends" and Tyrone 

Power and Susan Hayward booked for the 

toplines in "Rawhide." Otto Preminger produces 

and directs "Sidewalks," a portion of 

which will be filmed on location in New York. 

A melodrama of big-city crime, it is adapted 

from William L, Stewart's novel, "Night Cry," 

and was scripted by Ben Hecht. Rights to 

the property were acquired by 20th-Fox some 

time ago from an independent unit. Colony 

Pictures, which thus tabled plans to make the 

opus imder its own banner. "Rawhide," a 

Samuel G. Engel production, is in the historical 

western category and, with Paramount's 

"Montana Rides" and Universal- 

International's "Winchester .73." is discussed 

more fully in the box on this page. 

United Artists 

The best that could be mustered up productionwise 

by filmmakers distributing under 

the UA banner was one starting subject for 

the month—that one emanating from Producer 

Seymour Nebenzal, who was readying 

a remake of "M," which he first filmed in 

Europe in 1933 as a starring vehicle for Peter 

Lorre. For the new version, as the month 

began, no cast nor director had been rounded 

Ladd, Power and Stewart are not, of 

course, complete strangers to the saddle; 

Ladd most recently brandished a six-gxm 

in "Whispering Smith," Power had the 

title role some years ago in "Jesse James," 

and Stewart toplined "Destry Rides 

Again." 

"Montana Rides," a Mel Epstein production 

in Technicolor, is backgrounded 

in Texas and New Mexico in the 1860s. 

"Rawhide," which Henry Hathaway will 

meg for Producer Samuel G. Engel, is laid 

in the Arizona territory, with Susan Hayward 

cast as Power's leading lady. "Winchester 

.73," an Aaron Rosenberg production, 

wiU be directed by Anthony Mann, 

and lists Shelley Winters as Stewart's 

leading lady. It's described as a panoramic 

story of the old west dealing with 

the important part played by the historic 

Winchester rifle in pioneer days. 

up, however. The story is a psychological 

study of a congenital killer who, despite all 

his efforts to control his murderous tendencies, 

cannot resist the overwhelming urge, 

and is ultimately tracked down and captured 

by the law. 

Universal-International 

Of three projected starters for the period, 

one — "Winchester .73" — rates more than 

passing attention as an entry from this valley 

studio and, therefore, is treated in greater 

detail in the box on this page. The 

remaining two, "Panther's Moon" and "Rose 

Queen," were both being readied by Producer 

Ralph Dietrich and, at month's beginning, 

were uncast and minus directorial services. 

"Moon," adapted from a novel by Victor 

Canning, is a story of espionage in the post- 

World War II era, laid in Italy and Switzerland, 

while "Rose Queen" is a glamorization, 

on celluloid, of the world-renowned Tournament 

of Roses which is staged on New Year's 

Day each year In Pasadena, Calif. 

Warner Bros. 

Maintaining the same pace as was established 

in the final month of 1949, this Burbank 

lot laid plans to launch two new films 

during January—one a comedy, the other of 

melodramatic content. Danny Kaye wlU have 

the starring role in "Stop, You're Killing 

Me," in which the carrot-topped comic finds 

himself involved in adventure and mystery 

as he is pursued by a beautiful feminine 

private eye, Lauren Bacall. Harry Kurnitz 

wrote and will produce the offering and Philip 

Rapp, a scenarist, will make his debut as a 

director thereon. The other starter is "Lightning 

Strikes Twice," first American starring 

fiUn for Richard Todd, the young Irish actor 

who rose to prominence in Warners' Britishmade 

"The Hasty Heart." King Vidor will direct 

the Henry Blanke production, in which 

Todd portrays a man acquitted of the murder 

of his wife and who, although innocent in the 

eyes of the jury, is guilty in the opinion of 

the townsfolk. Not until he ferrets out the 

real slayer is Todd exonerated by the people 

of the community. 

BOXOFnCE January 7, 1950 19

. . . Republic 

. . 

. . Other 

— 

'fôUcfiiMMd êfoont 

New Year Looks Promising 

In Aiding Independents 

It was grim, mighty grim, for many an 

Leon Goldberg Leaves RKO 

For New Duties at U-I 

After 15 years with RKO Radio—the last 

six of them in Hollywood—Leon Goldberg 

has wound up his affairs as vice-president 

and studio manager and assumed new duties 

as a vice-president and treasurer of Universal-International. 

He'll headquarter on the 

U-I lot for two weeks and then head for Manhattan 

to function as the company's chief 

financial officer in the east . . . Owen Mac- 

Lean, former casting director at Eagle Lion 

and a talent executive at U-I for the past 

three months, has checked out of the post 

handed Scripter John K. Butler 

a new one-year ticket. He's currently developing 

"Fair Wind to Java," from the novel 

by Garland Rourke. 

Eight New Warner Films 

Start Early This Year 

There's some measure of cheer in Warners' 

announcement that during the first few weeks 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

and Virginia Mayo in starring roles; "Sugarfoot," 

from a story by Clarence Budington 

Kelland, toplining Randolph Scott, with Edward 

L. Marin directing for Producer Saul 

Elkins; a Bryan Foy entry, "Roadblock," 

which Andrew Stone will direct; "Elmer the 

Great," starring Jack Carson; "Murder, Inc.," 

a contribution from Milton Sperling's United 

States Pictures; and "The Breaking Point," 

from Producer Jerry Wald. The British 

starter will be "Captain Horatio Hornblower," 

with Gregory Peck in the title role and Raoul 

Walsh megging. 

Already before the cameras in Burbank are 

"Pi-etty Baby," with Dennis Morgan and 

Betsy Drake; "Bright Leaf," a topliner for 

independent filmmaker in search of a bankroll 

back in 1949. But one indication, at least, 

that the cui-rent year may be somewhat more 

promising in that regard comes from Gordon 

W. Levoy, filmdom attorney, with his disclosure 

that he now is representing a group 

of New York financiers—not heretofore connected 

with motion pictm-es—which is prepared 

to invest in package deals on budgets 

ranging from $350,000 to $750,000. 

For somewhat obvious reasons Levoy isn't 

prepared to reveal the identity of the members 

of this financial syndicate, but did make Gary Cooper and Lauren Bacall; and "Storm 

Center," co-starring Ginger Rogers and Ronald 

it clear that his principals are looking for 

packages containing a good star name, screenplay 

Reagan. 

and megaphonist. 

Speaking of independent production, the 

early days of 1950 should see at least two 

Only Four Literary Sales 

entries in this category going before the As the New Year Begins 

cameras. Co-producers Paul Sloane and 

Film scriveners had little about which to 

Helen Rathvon—she is the wife of N. Peter 

celebrate as the new year began, since only 

Rathvon of the Motion Picture Capital Corp. 

a meager four story sales were recorded diu'- 

—are planning to gim "The Sun Sets at 

ing the Auld Lang Syne period. Aubrey Wisberg 

and Jack PoUexfen sold their original, 

Dawn," for Eagle Lion release, with a cast of 

film newcomers including Sally Parr, Philip 

"Horn of Plenty," to Rene Williams, film 

Shawn and Lee Fredericks. At about the 

financier and producer, who will make the 

same time the newly organized Broadway 

subject in Italy with Alfred Zeisler directing 

. . . Producer Seymour Nebenzal acquired 

Productions will launch "Dark Horizon," 

based on an original by Peter Brooke and 

"Mine Sweeper," by Actor John Howard, and 

Larry Klein. Headquartering at General 

based on Howard's experiences in the U.S. 

Service studios, the outfit comprises a group 

navy during World War II . . . "Personal 

of Rocky Mountain state exhibitors, Stanley 

Column," a mystery novel by Jean Lewis, went 

Neal, industrial film producer, and Attorney 

to Republic, with Stephen Auer assigned the 

Oscar R. Cummins. No releasing arrangements 

production chores . . . "So You Want to 

have been set. 

Move," by Robert C. Houser, went to Warners, 

where it will be included in the "Joe 

McDoakes" two-reel comedy series stan-ing 

George O'Hanlon. 

Maxwell Shane Assigned 

First 20th-Fox Chore 

As his first assignment under a recently 

set writer-director ticket at 20th Century- 

Fox, Maxwell Shane is doing the screenplay 

and will meg "Sense of Guilt" as a starring 

subject for Susan Hayward and Hugh Marlowe. 

Shane and Jules Buck—who draws 

producer credit on the opus—are due to take 

off for Quebec to select locals and supporting 

players for the feature, which they will 

shoot almost entirely in Canada. 

Van Heflin Gets Release 

From Contract at MGM 

It's back to the stage and a free-lance film 

career for Van Heflin, who asked for and received 

a release from the balance of his MGM 

contract after ten years on the lot . . . Move 

over for another Fi-ench import—one Gaby 

Andre, Gallic actress who was booked to a 

. . 

of 1950 the company will send eight new pictures 

onto the sound stages—seven of them 

on the Burbank lot, one in England—to supplement 

term ticket by Warners and will make her 

Charles 

the three already in work. 

American debut in "Roadblock" . 

To be filmed locally are "Stop, You're Coburn and Charlotte Greenwood snagged 

Killing Me," a comedy with Danny Kaye and two of the starring roles in U-I's "Rose 

Lauren Bacall, Harry Kurnitz producing, Queen," which has the famous Pasadena 

Phil Rapp directing; "Lightning Strikes Tournament of Roses as its background . 

TY'ice," a Henry Blanke production to be Adele Jergens grabbed the stellar femme role 

megged by King 'Vidor, with Richard Todd opposite Charles McGraw in RKO's "Code 3." 

Varied Animal Films 

On U-I, EL Slates 

Fast becoming an annex to the Griffith 

Park zoo is the Universal-International 

lot, which allowed but a brief span 

of time to elapse between completing 

"Francis," its comedy about a talking 

mule in the Burma campaign during 

World War II, and launching pre-production 

work on "Bedtime for Bonzo," 

another comedy—this one about a monkey. 

Assigned to Producer Michel Kraike 

who, incidentally, was — given an option 

hoist at the same time "Bonzo" is an 

original by Raphael David Blau and Ted 

Berkman, and concerns a young couple 

who purchase a monkey to experiment 

with their theories on child -training before 

they have a family of their own. 

Pictures about animals are, of course, 

no novelty—but horses and dogs have, in 

the past, been most in the limelight as 

concerns such offerings. A new and 

somewhat exotic trend is reflected in 

U-I's employment of simians and linguistic 

mules and Producer George Pal's 

upcoming Eagle Lion release, "The Great 

Rupert," in which a squirrel, no less, has 

the title role. 

Schaefer Warns Producers 

To Heed Foreign Market 

As bad as the foreign outlook is now, it 

probably will get worse—and American companies 

therefore should begin immediately to 

pay more attention to their foreign sales activities. 

That's the word from George J. 

Schaefer, sales manager for Stanley Kramer 

Productions, currently in the film capital 

after a lengthy European junket. Hollywood, 

he declared, faces growing competition from 

increased foreign production, which will result 

in narrowing markets for celluloid emanating 

from the U.S. 

Germany, Italy and France all plan to 

boost their filmmaking schedules this year, 

the sales executive reported. 

To Combine Two Yarns 

Into One at 20th-Fox 

Producer Fred Kohlmar at 20th Century- 

Fox has been assigned to merge two story 

properties, "Call Me Mister," the Broadway 

musical, and "Cat^," story of the Civilian 

Actors Technicians service, into one opus 

under the "Call Me Mister" title. Story will 

be laid in Japan right after the close of 

World War 11 and Albert Lewin and Burt 

Styler are working on the script ... On the 

same lot Julius and Philip Epstein are collaborating 

on the screenplay of "Take Care of 

My Little Girl," which Anatole Litvak will 

meg . . . Richard Wallace has been booked 

to direct "The Man With My Face," a starring 

subject for Macdonald Carey, to be 

filmed independently by Jess Smith Productions 

Aben Kandel is scripting "Winter 

. . . Kill" for Warners, where it will be produced 

by Hugh King . new WTiting assignments; 

Waldo Salt to "St. Columba and the 

River," for Norma Productions (the Burt 

Lancaster-Harold Hecht independent) ; 

Rip 

Van Ronkel to "When Worlds Collide," 

which is on Producer George Pal's docket. 

20 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950

. . to meet CINDERELLA. . 

. your boxoffice 

sweetheart for 1950 . . . and to date her for 

plenty of your best playing time. 

RKO RADIO PICTURES, Inc., 

TRADE SHOWINGS 

ALBANY, Fox Screening Room, 1052 

Broadway, Tues., January 17, 8:00 P.M. 

ATLANTA, RKO Screening Room, 195 

Luckle St., N.W., Tues., January 17, 

2:30 P.M. 

BOSTON, RKO Screening Room, 122-28 

Arlington St., Tues., January 17, 10:30 

A.M. 

BUFFALO, Mo. Pic. Operators Screening 

Room, 498 Pearl St., Tues., January 

17, 2:30 P.M. 

CHARLOTTE, Fox Screening Room, 308 

S. Church St., Tues., January 17, 2:00 

P.M. 

CHICAGO, RKO Screening Room, 1300 

So. Wabash Ave., Tues., January 17, 

2:00 P.M. 

CINCINNATI, RKO Screening Room, 12 

East 6th St.,Tues., January 1 7, 8:00 P.M. 

CLEVELAND, Fox Screening Room, 2219 

Payne Ave., Tues., January 17, 2:30 

P.M. 

DALLAS, Paramount Screening Room, 

412 South Harwood St., Tues., January 

17, 2:30 P.M. 

DENVER, Paramount Screening Room, 

2100 Stout St., Tues., January 17, 2:30 

P.M. 

DES MOINES, Fox Screening Room, 

1300 High St., Tues., January 17, 1:00 

P.M. 

II 

DETROIT, Blumenthai's Screening Room, 

2310 Cass Ave., Tues., January 17, 

2:30 P.M. 

INDIANAPOLIS, Universal Screening 

Room, 517 N. Illinois St., Tues., January 

17, 1:00 P.M. 

KANSAS CITY, Paramount Screening 

Room, 1800 Wyandotte St., Tues., 

January 17, 2:00 P.M. 

LOS ANGELES, RKO Screening Room, 

1980 So. Vermont Ave.,- Tues., January 

17, 2:30 P.M. 

MEMPHIS, Fox Screening Room, 151 

Vance Ave., Tues., January 17, 2:00 

P.M. 

MILWAUKEE, Warner Screening Room, 

212 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tues., January 

17, 2:30 P.M. 

MINNEAPOLIS, Fox Screening Room, 

1015 Currie Ave., Tues., January 17, 

2:30 P.M. 

NEW HAVEN, Fox Screening Room, 40 

Whiting St., Tues., January 17, 2:00 

P.M. 

NEW ORLEANS, Fox Screening Room, 

200 S. Liberty St., Tues., January 17, 

10:30 A.M. 

NEW YORK, Normandie Theatre, 53rd 

St. & Park Ave., Tues., January 17, 

10:30 A.M. 

OKLAHOMA CITY, Fox Screening 

Room, 10 North Lee St., Tues., January 

17, 10:30 A.M. 

OMAHA, Fox Screening Room, 1502 

Davenport St., Tues., January 17, 1:00 

P.M. 

PHILADELPHIA, RKO Screening Room, 

250 N. 13th St., Tues., January 17, 

2:30 P.M. 

PITTSBURGH, RKO Screening Room, 

1809-13 Blvd. of Allies, Tues., January 

17, 1:30 P.M. 

PORTLAND, Star Screening Room, 925 

N.W. 19th Ave., Tues., January 17, 

2:00 P.M. 

ST. LOUIS, RKO Screening Room, 3143 

Olive St., Tues., January 17, 2:30 P.M. 

SALT LAKE CITY, Fox Screening Room, 

216 E. 1st St. South, Tues., January 

17, 1:30 P.M. 

SAN FRANCISCO, RKO Screening 

Room, 251 Hyde St., Tues., January 

17, 2:30 P.M. 

WALT DISNEYS 

SEATTLE, Jewel Box Screening Room, 

2318 2nd Ave., Tues., January 17, 

2:30 P.M. 

SIOUX FALLS, Hollywood Theatre, 212 

North Philips Ave., Tues., January 17, 

10:30 A.M. 

WASHINGTON, Fox Screening Room,' 

932 New Jersey Ave., Tues., January 

17, 2:30 P.M. 

Co/or by TECHNICOLOR

— 

Theatre Construction, Openings and Sales 

CONSTRUCTION: 

Auburn, Calii.—600-ccrr, $35,000 drive-in under 

way on Auburn-Grass Valley highway. 

Augusta, Kas.—Remodeling oi Isis begun by D. A. 

Bisogno. 

Bollinger, Tex.—Jack W. Scales to build $40,000, 

300-car drive-in on Bronle highway near city limits. 

Battle Creek, Mich.—Harlem, 400 seats, under 

construction for Fred C. Weymon, to open late in 

March. 

Beatrice. Neb.—Central Amusement Co. building 

500-car, $80,000 Sunset Drive-In on Route 3. 

Beloit, Kas.—Beloit undergoing remodeling by 

Theatre Enterprises, Inc. 

Beltendorf. Iowa—New $40,000, SOO-seat Iowa Theatre 

to be built soon by John A. Beckman and 

D. H. Richey. Site still to be chosen. 

Brighton. Mich.—Bill Shulte plans to construct 

50O-car drive-in. 

Chesnee. S. C.—Mrs. George Ward building new 

drive-in to open April 1. 

Compton, Calif.—Pacific Drive-In Theatres, Inc., 

plans to construct 1,000-car drive-in at 124th and 

Central. 

Dearborn, Mich.—1,000-car drive-in planned by 

James Clark and brothers to open April 15. 

Defuniak Springs, Fla.—E. L. Goodwin is building 

200-car drive-in. 

Denver. Colo.—Wolfberg circuit planning to construct 

area. 

tJio 

Eddyville, 

1,000-cccr, $200,000 drive-ins in this 

Iowa—Kedecoration of Valley is under 

way. 

Geneva. Ind.—Lew Whorley 

plan to build new theatre. 

S.—FPC 

and Dave Walker 

Halifax. N. plans to construct SOO-seat 

theatre at west end of Halifax. 

Harlingen, Tex.—Valley Drive-In remodeled. 

Havre. Mont.—Orpheum being remodeled by Mrs. 

Elizabeth Moore. 

Huntington Park, Calil.—W. D. McClintock building 

Pctrk Theatre, nearing completion. 

Eeiser. Ark.—Lynn closed for remodeling by owner 

Roy Bolick. 

Liberty, started on Liberty Theatre 

Ky.—Construction 

by Ralph Cundiff and John W. Weddle. 

Louisville. Neb.—Louisville Theatre being remodeled 

by Jack McCarty. 

Moisball, Mo.—William J. Biggs is planning a new 

thecrtre. 

Memphis. Tenn.—Mctlco Thec^tres to construct 

1,300-seat Crosstown Theatre with Bruggemon S 

Swain as architects. 

Milledgeville. Ga.—Martin Theatres has started 

work on 300-car drive-in on Spctrtd-Sanderville road. 

Minneapolis, Minn.—Bill Levy plans to construct 

1.000-seat, $200,000 theatre. 

Moncton. N. B.—Work to start soon on 1,200-seat 

theatre for FPC. 

Newman, Calil.—Westside Theatres to construct 

new $65,000 theatre near Crows Landing. 

New Woteriord. N. S.—Construction under way 

on SOO-seat theatre for Famous Players Canadian. 

Omaha. Neb.—R. D. Goldberg circuit plans to 

remodel recently purchased North Star Theatre. 

Orange, Tex.—$250,000 MacArthur Drive-In under 

construction for Jefferson Amusement Co. 

Ottawa, Ont.—Strand Theatre closed for remodeling. 

St. Anthony, Minn.—Work begun on 992-seat theatre 

as port of $1,100,000 shopping center for group 

headed by Lotiis Gainsley. 

Temple, Okla.—Majestic Theatre being renovated 

by L. D. Burns. 

Yoakum, Tex. Construction to start socm on $100,- 

000, l.OOO-seol theatre. 

OPENINGS: 

TRADE SHOWS 

JAN. 18'" 

M-G-M brings you the 

powerful story of the man 

who was not afraid of 

the terror that stalked 

the land. A great 

exploitation 

picture 

CorvalUs. Ore.—Majestic reopened c ety after 

renovations. 

Detroit, ^ch.—Family opened after renovation. 

Fort Smith, Ark.— 1 ,000-seat Temple reopened by 

Temple Theatres, Inc., after $100,000 renovation. 

Heomnond, Ind.—Remodeled Reo reopened as Pix 

by Calumet Theatre Corp. 

Hopkins. Minn.—Star reopened after renovations 

by Engler Bros. 

Jackson. MisB.—Air base Theatre opened by J. A. 

Drane. 

Jacksonville, lU.—SOO-seat Majestic opened by Fox 

Midwest. 

Eewanna. Ind.—SOO-seat Key opened by Joe Mcpherson. 

Lincoln, III.—400-seat Illinois reopened by Fox 

Midwest circuit. 

Meriden. Conn.—Poli reopened by Loew's Poli 

circuit after renovation. 

Pompa. Tex.—Rex Theatre reopened after remodeling. 

Pomona, Calil.—United Artists Theatre, 1,200 seats, 

reopened after $100,000 renovation by United Artists 

Corp. 

Richmond, Tex.—266-seat theatre opened for Cole 

circuit. 

Rotan, Tex.—748-seat Lance opened by Lance M. 

of owning company. 

Davis, principal stockholder 

Salt Lake City, Utah—The new Villa, $350,000, 

,300 seats, to open for Joseph L. Lawrence and 

1 

David K. Edwards. 

Sheffield, Ala.—Carver opened by part-owner 

Jimmy Roden. 

Silver Spring, Md.—926-seat Flower to open immediately 

for K-B Amusement Co. 

West Frankfort, 111.—SOO-seat Roxy opened by Fox 

Midwest circuit. 

West Palm Beach, Fla.—Florida opened by Florida 

State Theatres. 

Weyburn, Sosk.—Soo to open soon for Phil Bodnoff, 

WilUston, N. D.—800-seat, $150,000 Snyder opened 

by J. C. Snyder and sons Jack and James. 

SALES: 

Abilene, Tex.—Metro Theatre to M. M. Buchanan. 

Reopened by him after remodeling. 

Brighton, Colo.—E. K. Menagh has purchased controlling 

interest in Kor-Vue Drive-In. 

Chicago, 111.—Otloir Co. purchased one-third interest 

in Loop Rialto from Yale university for 

$167,000. 

Detroit, Mich.—Grant Theatre to Louis Spahn by 

Saul Kormon circuit. 

Fort Pierce, Fla.—Fort Pierce Drive-In purchased 

by Sunrise Theatres, Inc. 

Indianapolis, Ind.—Princeton Drive-In Corp. purchased 

Princeton Drive-In. 

Jacksonville. Fla.—Air-Base Drive-In purchased by 

Lahoca Theatres of Jacksonville. 

Mansfield, La.—Beauford Strange acquired Victory 

Theatre from Southern Amusement Co. 

Miami, Ariz.—Lyric taken over by Nqce circuit 

from Souris-Nenes. 

Miami. Ariz.—Harry L. Nace circuit has taken over 

Grand from Souris-Nenes. 

Montreal, Que.—Seville sold to Universal Theatres, 

by United Amusement circuit. 

Ltd. , Omaha, Neb.—North Star to R. D. Goldberg -circuit. 

Pierson, Iowa—Gordon Hortin sold Pier Theatre to 

Earl Wilson. 

Pine Island, Miim.—M. W. Bretzke purchased Pine 

Theatre from Lou Hummel. 

GENE KELLY'S 

FIRST BIG 

DRAMATIC ROLE! 

Great cast 

including 

J.CARROL NAISH 

and an exciting 

NEW beauty 

Teresa Celli. 

CITV 

_J

: January 

CHESTER FRIEDMAN 

EDITOR 

HUGH E. FRAZE 

Associate Editor 

8mm 

SECTION 

PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 

TWO MORE ASSISTANTS JOIN 

RANKS OF BONUS WINNERS 

3. Norman Sippel 

iTk 

J. p. Foley 

Two assistant managers joined the final 

ranks of BOXOFFICE Bonus winners during 

1949 by adding their names to the distinguished 

list of showmen whose exceptional 

ideas and promotions have earned cash and 

an Honor Citation. Eight theatre managers, 

one a Canadian, were also cited for outstanding 

showmanship endeavor during December. 

Each received a $10 BOXOFFICE Bonus 

plus a Citation of Honor. 

Frank Hambidge, assistant at the Wicomico 

Theatre in Salisbury, Md., scored with 

a cooperative newspaper ad which had several 

innovations to interest newspaper readers. 

A. P. Thomas jr., assistant at the Ozark 

Theatre, Fayetteville, Ark., was recognized 

for an all-around campaign on "Father Was 

a Fullback." 

An original idea conceived and carried out 

In connection with Halloween earned a Bonus 

for H. S. Clough, manager of the Chimes 

Theatre, Oakland, Calif. 

A Tourist Center launched by Greig Jones, 

manager of the Capitol and Empress theatres, 

Moncton, N. B., Canada, won the support and 

backing of civic officials and the Kiwanis 

club and the general plaudits of the citizens 

of the community. Jones earned the Bonus 

for public relations. 

A newspaper ad built around a local interest 

angle earned a Bonus for Ed Sharp, manager, 

Rialto, Missoula, Mont. 

Big time showmanship in a small rxural 

community attracted special attention from 

BOXOFFICE appraisers who unanimously 

voted a Bonus to W. F. Shelton, manager of 

the Louisburg (N. C.) Theatre. Normal Sippel, 

manager of the Mayfair in West New 

York, N. J., earned a Bonus by submitting a 

window display he arranged for "I Was a 

Male War Bride." 

Ed Holland, manager of the Strand, Clarksville, 

Ark., broke into the circle of top exploiteers 

for December with a unique lobby 

display. Holland did all art work and lettering 

himself. 

Jim Barnett, manager of the Florida Theatre 

in Miami, was rewarded with a Bonus for 

an atmospheric front he helped to create for 

"Savage Splendor." 

J. P. Foley, manager of the Weddington. 

Pikeville, Ky., earned his Bonus for a citywide 

ballyhoo which brought in extra business 

on "The Story of Seabiscuit." 

Edward Holland 

At right, 

Jim Barnett 

cJLoohina tor ômethlnaC 

Need an idea? Looking to put the old hypo to your business? 

Could yon use a public relations promotion to win more 

friends for the theatre? Want to use a different selling approach 

instead of those suggested in the pressbook? Got a 

merchant tieup in mind which needs a good angle? Need a catchline 

to attract the rural folk on a picture which is a bit too 

sophisticated for your audience? 

Brother, you've got it. Everytliing to help solve your busincjvs 

problems. Almost 500 distinctive ideas to sell more tickets 

and create better relationship between the theatre and the 

public. Campaigns to sell every conceiveable type of audience on 

370 features and short subjects. 

It's all in 452 pages of the Showmandiser section published 

in BOXOFFICE from Jan. 2, 1949 to Jan. 1, 1950 ... 452 pages 

crammed with effective merchandising ideas developed by exhibitors 

. . . 452 pages of the most complete, thorough, productive 

and up-to-the-minute theatre sales promotion. 

For easy reference to this amazing exploitation handbook, 

the complete 1949 Index will be published next week. Watch 

for it. Use it. It's a shortcut to bigger boxoffice in 1950. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser 

: 

7, 1950 — 1 — 23

MUSIC TIEUPS HIT NEW PEAK 

SELLING JOLSON SINGS AGAIN' 

In key locations throughout the nation. 

Columbia field exploiteers working with lo;al 

theatremen have been garnering innumerable 

music tieups in connection with "Jolson 

Sings Again." Sparked by a national tieup 

with Decca record distributors, radio and 

store promotions have accounted for extra 

splurges of publicity and advertising on a 

cooperative basis. 

For the Hollywood Theatre booking in Atlantic 

City, exploiteer Milt Young, and Jack 

Waxman. publicist for the theatre, set up a 

contest on the Al Owens record program over 

WFPG. Owens invited listeners to send in 

the names of their favorite Jolson tunes. Promoted 

Decca albums were given to those who 

sent in the best letters explaining why these 

songs were so popular. The Jolson transscription 

and the Tex and Jinx interview recordings 

were aired on the program. Owen 

introduced local flavor wath recollections of 

stars who had performed with Jolson. 

OPENS WAY FOR TIEUPS 

The recordings and Jolson tunes were 

aired by Bob Ardrey over WMID and WBAB 

also was productive for numerous plugs. The 

Decca distributor opened the way for music 

tieups with all leading stores and department 

stores through displays of posters and albums 

in windows and on counters. 

Downtown restaurants featured the title 

and theatre dates on menus; 300 window cards 

were distributed in choice locations and 3.000 

heralds were handed out in affiliated theatres 

in Atlantic City. The affiliated theatres also 

showed trailers and displayed lobby posters 

plugging the Hollywood playdates. 

At the Regent in Grand Rapids. Mich., 

Manager Louis Lutz and exploiteer Roy Jones 

teamed up to land valuable radio tieups with 

stations WOOD, WFUR and WJEF. The 

campaign was launched at a screening attended 

by disk jockeys, Decca dealers and 

newspapermen. 

Warsburg's department store sponsored a 

contest on its daily Man on the Street program, 

offering two albums daily to interviewees 

giving the correct answer to the 

query, "Who Plays Al Jolson in 'Jolson Sings 

Again'?" The theatre received several plugs 

each day. All radio stations featured Jolson 

hit tunes and mentioned the Regent booking 

for a week prior to opening. 

ZENITH SPONSORS CO-OPS 

Zenith dealers sponsored several co-op 

newspaper ads with inclusion of the Regent 

playdates, jukeboxes were plastered with signs 

calling attention to Jolson records and the 

theatre dates, and streamers were displayed 

by all dealers in the area handling Kellogg 

products. 

A novel diversion was created for opening 

at the Colonial in Dayton, Ohio. Manager 

Carroll Crist set a contest with radio station 

WING which elicited more than 700 phone 

calls during the two-hour broadcast. Albums 

and theatre tickets were offered to listeners 

who called in to give Al Jolson's real 

name. The stunt attracted so much attention 

it was extended over a six-day period by 

the radio station. 

Mutual Record Co. ran two co-op ads in 

Singing troubadours entertain patrons with Jolson song hits during the engagement at 

the Madison Theatre, Detroit. Stunt was also a street ballyhoo. 

the daily papers with full credits and the 

Dayton Herald ran a fashion layout to 

publicize the dates in addition to the usual 

advance breaks. 

Similar radio tieups proved successful for 

Allan Schrimpp, manager of the Broadway 

Theatre, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Schrimpp 

promoted record albums and sent them to 

disk jockeys at six radio stations in Council 

Bluffs and Omaha. Window displays were 

promoted with music shops and stickers were 

placed on jukeboxes. Two hundred grocery 

stores displayed streamers via the Kellogg 

This sound truck was used in Boston by publicist 

Jim Shanahan to ballyhoo "Jolson" opening 

at the State and Orpheum Theatres. 

tieup. 

A florist donated 100 long-stem American 

Beauty roses which were presented to the 

first- women who attended the opening matinee. 

The giveaway was advertised in newspaper 

underlines, a trailer, lobby display and 

merchant window sign. 

A local ahiateur comedian served as an effective 

street ballyhoo. 

In blackface makeup, 

"Jolson" perambulated the downtown area, 

mimicking Jolson. A portable victrola provided 

music for his antics and an announcement 

card called attention of passersby to 

the Broadway playdates. 

In Detroit, where the picture opened at 

the Madison Theatre. Alice Gorham, publicity 

director for UDT and Ralph Stitt, field man 

for Columbia, put over a novel promotion 

which reaped extra publicity that reached 

television audiences. 

IMITATORS ON STAGE 

In conjunction with WXYZ-TV, a call was 

put out for local Larry Parks imitators doing 

his imitation of Jolson. Detroit papers 

carried stories under the heading "Calling 

All Mammy Singers." Contestants were instructed 

to appear at the Michigan Theatre, 

anotlier UDT house in Detroit. About 30 

showed up for elimination contests on the 

stage. Five finalists were selected to appear, 

one each night on the TV show, "Sing for 

Your Supper." An exclusive photo of the 

five finalists afforded the picture a fivecolumn 

break in the Detroit Times. The 

winners w-ere also booked on special amateur 

shows at two UDT houses to provide more 

publicity for the Madison playdates. 

Detroit disk jockeys and headline entertainers 

at all leading restaurants and cabarets 

featured Jolson songs and included mention 

of the opening. A screening for the press 

and a special theatre front covering the tenstory-high 

building facade of the Madison 

helped current ballyhoo. 

Has Headless Ballyhoo 

To exploit the Italian produced comedy, 

"The Headless Boy." Mike Piccii-illo. manager 

of the Center Theatre, Hartford, had an usher 

walk through the dowiitown section with a 

trick costume and a dummy head under his 

arm. Copy on a sign he wore read, "I 

laughed my head off, etc., etc." 

24 — 2 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser January 7, 1950 

; :

Here Are 4 Proven Package 

Combinations That Will Solve 

Your Booicing Problems! 

DON BARRY 

SHEILA RYAN TOM BROWN 

MARGIA DEAN 

- 

JOSEPH CREHAN 

nd inlroduc.ng JOEY ADAMS TONY CANZONERI-MARK PLANT 

WATCH fOR ..."THE BARON OF ARIZONA" ... hb's 

tcrrific! 

OQ EXCHANGES in Key Centers to serve you LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS 

Û HOME OFFICE: 255 Hyde St.. San Francisco 2, Calif. • FOREIGN SALES DEPT: 723 7tli Ave., N. Y. C. 19. N. Y. • CANADIAN OEPT: 700 Bay St., Toronto, Ont. Ca

Town Is in a Dither Over IT; 

Just a Prank for 'Mighty Joe 

A sympathetic newspaper editor with a 

sense of humor and a dearth of good local 

news went along with Bill McSpedden, 

manager of the Palace Theatre, Greenville, 

Ky., on a gag which had everyone in 

town and in several nearby communities 

wondering about a behemoth monster 

which apparently was terrorizing the staid 

citizens of the area. 

The newspaper picked up McSpedden's 

first cue with a story of "IT," a tremendously 

proportioned mythical beast, which 

allegedly made its appearance after dark, - 

and was as Ukely to turn up at a revival 

meeting, or school, or at a civic meeting— 

and was always seen with a partially consume

School cheer leaders help to enthuse 

audience in "Father Was a Fullback" 

at the Weslin Theatre, Mossillon, Ohio. 

Lower photo is a vievr of the parade 

which preceded the stage rally- 

Ballyhoos 'Jesse James' 

John Harvard, manager of the Strand, 

Winder, Ga., used a fom--wheel trailer 

equipped with a public address system to 

ballyhoo "I Shot Jesse James." Harvard had 

the vehicle well bannered with signs. 

School Tieups Promote 

'Fullback' Playdates 

Jack Mitchell, manager of the Weslin Theatre, 

Massillon, Ohio, took advantage of the 

popularity of the local high school football 

team to arouse enthusiasm in behalf of 

"Father Was a Fullback." A pep rally on the 

theatre stage was preceded by a parade of 

the school band and students can-ying signs, 

"We're all out for 'Father Was a Fullback.' 

etc." Cheerleaders and majorettes swelled the 

procession to more than 700 participants. 

Mitchell promoted announcements in the 

schools, at high school football games, and 

ran special ads in the programs distributed 

at games. Twenty-five free spots were promoted 

over radio station WAND through a 

contest in which listeners were invited to 

identify schools by the recordings of football 

songs. This received a three-day advance 

buildup and was squared with a few theatre 

tickets for the winners. 

The local newspaper sponsored a classified 

ad tieup, with free theatre tickets offered to 

readers who found their names located among 

the advertisements. 

Five thousand heralds were distributed on 

wallpaper promoted from a local business 

firm. The only cost involved on this was for 

imprinting. Copy was headed, "We're so excited 

about this show, we're tearing the wallpaper 

off the walls." A regular ad cut and 

theatre playdates were also carried on the 

circular. 

A tieup was made with the Kirby shoe 

store, offering a free ticket for "Father Was 

a Fullback" to every customer who purchased 

a pair of shoes on opening day. The 

store ran a large co-op ad advertising the 

offer and purchased 100 theatre tickets at 

full admission price. 

Window cards were placed around town in 

choice locations. A lobby display of a goal 

post and football equipment was on view a 

week in advance, and ushers wore football 

uniforms with streamers announcing the playdates. 

The local newspapers were very cooperative 

in running stories and photos of the 

parade, a pep rally, and scene illustrations 

from the film production. 

Additional publicity was obtained in a tieup 

with the schools by booking the March of 

Time release, "The Fight for Better Schools." 

School officials authorized letters to all parents 

through the PTA, and included full mention 

of the feature attraction on the program. 

Mitchell reports that the campaign was 

successful, with the picture running up an 

excellent gross. 

COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING 

PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN 

OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING 

ROBERT ROSSEN'S PRODUCTION OF 

All 

the 

King's 

Men 

Based upon the Pulitzer Prize Novel "All 

The King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren 

with Broderick CRAWFORD • Joanne DRU 

John IRELAND • John DEREK 

Mercedes McCAMBRIDGE 

JOAN DAVIS. 

THE TRAVELING 

SALESWOMAN 

with 

ANDY DEVINE 

Adele Jergens • Joe Sawyer 

• Dean Riesner 

Story and Screen Play by Howard Dimsdale 

A JOAN DAVIS PRODUCTION 

Directed by 

CHARLES F. RIESNER 

MARY RYAN, 

John Litel 

Produced by 

• TONY OWEN 

DETECTIVE 

starring 

MARSHA HUNT 

with 

• June Vincent * Harry Shannon 

Screen Play by George Bricker 

Directed bv Produced by 

ABBY BERLIN . RUDOLPH C. FLOTHOW 

GENE AUTRY 

and 

CHAMPION in 

SONS OF 

NEW MEXICO 

with Gail Davis • Robert Armstrong 

Dick Jones • Frankie Darro 

Written by Paul Gangelln 

Directed by 

Produced by 

JOHN ENGLISH 

• ARMAND SCHAEFER 

A GENE AUTRY PRODUCTION 

CHINATOWN 

AT MIDNIGHT 

with 

HURD HATFIELD 

Jean Willes • Tom Powers • Ray Walker 

and Maylia 

Written for the Screen by 

Robert Libott and Frank Burt 

Directed by Produced by 

SEYMOUR FRIEDMAN . SAM KATZMAN 

January 7, 1950 27 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : :

Candy Cane Lane 

Ten grade schools participated in radio broadcasts 

originating from Candy Cane Lane, pictured 

lelt, at the Manos Theatre in Unionlown. 

Pa. Students were interviewed by Santa and 

sang carols, wêre then guests of Manager J. F. 

Bugala at the show. Right, ballyhoo invited all 

kids to meet Santa. 

At right is a display ten 

feet high erected for 

"Blue Lagoon" at the Indiana 

Theatre in Monon, 

Ind. D. C. Murray, 

manager, promoted the 

center display from a 

local jeweler. It tied in 

well with the picture 

since the diving figures 

were animated. The underwater 

setting vtaa especially 

helpful in drawing 

spectators. 

Street ballyhoo played an important role in 

the campaign devised by Mark DuPree for 

"I Was a Male War Bride" at the Daytona 

Theatre, Daytona Beach, Fla. Pictured above, 

motorcycle stunt and theatre truck bannered 

with signs. 

This lobby piece was designed by Wannie Tyers, manager of the 

Odeon in Toronto, for "Ichabod and Mr. Toad." Ichabod and his horse 

were animated. The animation drew considerable attention. 

In England, F. W. Fowler, manager of the Commodore Cinema, Bankhall, 

Liverpool, arranged this exhibit of television and radio sets as a 

tiein for "It's Magic." The cooperating store also used a window display. 

28 —6— BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : January 7, 1950

: January 

Sons of War Veterans, 

Indians Whoop for 

Tellow Ribbon' 

Supplementing a strong newspaper publicity 

campaign for "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," 

supported by a contest sponsored by the 

I 

Syracuse, N. J., Post Standard, Sol Sorkin, 

manager of the RKO Keith's Theatre there, 

made numerous tieups and lined up unusual 

support from several different sources. 

An excellent word-of-mouth builder was a 

parade staged by the Sons of the Union Veterans 

of the Civil War post. The mayor of 

Syracuse headed the parade, and the marchers 

wore Civil war uniforms and were accompanied 

by a fife-and-drum corps. Units of 

the 108th infantry participated in the parade 

with jeeps, tanks and trucks. Indians from 

the Onondaga tribe, headed by Chief Big Tree 

who appears in the picture, also marched in 

the parade. Fine newspaper breaks were obtained 

when Chief Big Tree visited the newspaper 

offices and radio stations, and made a 

personal appearance on the theatre stage. 

Sorkin made a tieup with the Onondaga 

Historical Ass'n and obtained museum equipment 

used by the U. S. Cavalry during the 

latter part of the 19th century. The exhibit 

was set up in the theatre lobby prior to 

opening. 

Nine music stores were supplied with stills 

and cards tieing in the record of the title song 

with the playdates. Radio stations used records 

and live copy with resulting free plugs 

over WAGE, WNDR, WOLF, WSYR and 

WFBL. 

The army recruiting and National guard 

booth, located at one of the most traversed 

intersections of downtown Syracuse, was bannered 

with 40x80 displays and valances. The 

tiein here was based on the catchline, "For 

an Action Packed Career, Join the U. S. 

Mechanized Cavalry." 

The Post Standard ran daily stories announcing 

a "beau-catcher" contest, with 

prizes awarded for the best, most original, 

and novel beau-catchers submitted by readers. 

First prize was dinner and champagne 

at the Hotel Onondaga and theatre tickets for 

"She Wore a Yellow Ribbon." Runnersup received 

passes. 

Press breaks down — but $2.88 

keeps editions rolling 

Press broke down at 5 p.m., at end of evening edition's run. But this publisher 

got replacement parts in a hurry the same way he gets electros, mats, news photos 

—by Air Express. An 18-lb. carton traveled 500 miles, was delivered by 11 p.m. 

Shipping charge .?2.88. Morning edition published as usual. 

Air Express is the best air shipping buy 

to keep any business rolling, since low 

rates include door-to-door service. Answers 

your problems because Air Express 

is fastest and most convenient. 

All Scheduled Airline flights carry Air 

Express. So shipments keep moving. All 

business profits from its regular use. 

Improves customer service; manpower 

or equipment never stands idle. 

Only Air Express gives you all these advantages 

|/^ Highest Award; 

I 

possible is enthusiastic I 

public approval I 

Tonr Patrons Want 

Ton To Book 

World's fastest shipping service. 

• 

Special door-to-door service at no extra cost. 

One-carrier responsibility all the way. 

1150 cities served direct by air; air-rail to 22,000 off-airline offices. 

Experienced Air Express has handled over 25 million shipments. 

Because of these advantages, regular use of Air Express pays. It's your best air 

shipping buy. For fastest shipping action, phone Air Express Division, Railway 

Express Agency. (Many low commodity rates in effect. Investigate.) 

Rates include pick-up and delivery door 

to door in all principal towns and cities 

A service of 

Railway Express Agency and tlie 

:^^SCHEDULED AIRLINES of the U.S. 

BOOK IT NOW! 

HALLMARK PRODUCTIONS 

bâadiKiiuusuua 

^-^==^ 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : 

7, 1950 —7— 29

Radio Spots Directed 

At Holiday Shoppers 

Sell The Heiress' 

Heavy concentration of radio spots aimed 

to reach Christmas shoppers and people 

spending Christmas eve and Christmas night 

at home paved the way for "The Heiress" 

opening at Keith's Theatre in Cincinnati, 

Nate Wise, RKO publicist reports. 

Saturation plugs dominated the transit 

system several days prior to Christmas. Additional 

time was used to saturate the airwaves 

through the faciUties of WKRC, WCPO 

and WSAI. 

The Cincinnati Kaiser-Frazer distributor 

cooperated by arranging ten dealer displays 

in windows, exhibiting a new car in the 

Keith's lobby, and through newspaper co-op 

ads. A fleet of six cars was bannered with 

playdate copy and information on the national 

Kaiser-Frazer sponsored "Heiress" 

contest and used for street ballyhoo. The 

dealer also plugged the contest extensively 

via daily radio spot plugs. 

The Cincinnati Times-Star sponsored a 

local "Heiress" contest which was responsible 

for extensive newspaper publicity over a 

three-week period. Women 18 to 25 years of 

age were invited to write a 50-word statement 

on why they wanted to be the Cincinnati 

"Heiress." A board of judges selected 25 

applicants for personal interviews, from 

which the winner was chosen as being the 

most worthy and ambitious, and on the basis 

of background, appearance, poise, etc. 

The contest received an excellent buildup 

in the columns of the Times-Star and the 

paper's radio outlet, WCPO. More than $2,500 

worth of valuable prizes were presented to 

the winner on the theatre stage opening night 

of the picture. All prizes were promoted. 

Giveaway and Kid Show 

Help Pre-Xmas Trade 

A refrigerator giveaway, sponsored by a 

jeweler and an oil dealer, attracted patronage 

to the Massena (N. Y.I Theatre three days 

prior to Christmas. Valued at $300, the refrigerator 

was promoted by Manager Les Coulter. 

More than 25,000 drawing coupons distributed 

by the sponsors carried the theatre imprint. 

The giveaway also was plugged in co-op ads. 

Coulter also promoted a pre-Christmas 

kiddy show, selling the entire theatre out to 

a local beverage concern. The sponsor distributed 

tickets free to consumers and donated 

many valuable door prizes in addition 

to providing a gift for every child who attended. 

Santa Sticks Around 

To See 'Holiday Affair' 

Guy Hevia, manager of the Mayfair Theatre, 

Asbury Park, N. J., held Santa Claus 

over an extra week as a ballyhoo for his New 

year's eve program. 

A theatre employe dressed as Santa Claus 

paraded the streets from December 26 to 31, 

with a sign announcing: "I'm sticking around 

until New Year's to see 'Holiday Affair' at 

the Mayfair." 

Hevia also used a radio campaign over 

WCAP. The campaign included interviews 

with Santa Claus who was queried on his 

reasons for remaining in Asbury Park. Penny 

post cards with similar copy were mailed to 

all program subscribers. 

Santa's Visit to Theatre 

Good for News Photo 

Frank Paul, manager of the Lyric, Indianapolis, 

took advantage of the yule spirit prevalent 

among newspaper editors to acquire 

some added publicity for the theatre. 

Paul arranged for the Santa Claus from a 

local department store to visit the theatre. 

The photographer from the Indianapolis Star 

came along to take a picture of Santa talking 

things over with the 4-year-old son of one 

of the performers on the vaudeville bill. 

The Times photographer took a photo of 

Santa looking over the Christmas display under 

construction in the theatre sign shop. 

Both pictures made the news columns. 

Over 2,000 Cans of Food 

Collected for Needy 

A "canned goods" kiddy show staged by 

Manager Harry Bui-ke at the Community, 

Saratoga Springs, N. Y., early in December, 

yielded 2.000 cans of food which were distributed 

to needy families at Christmas. The 

show, an annual event, had the backing of 

the Parent-Teacher Ass'n of Saratoga 

Springs, and enjoyed the commendation and 

goodwill of the entire community. 

CLEARING HOUSE 

(Continued from inside back cover) 

THEATRE SEATING 

Discriminating exhibitors buy chairs from S.O.S. 

271 excellent veneer folding chairs. $2.95; 473 

veneers, excellent, $3.50: 347 veneer back, spring 

cushion, excellent, $4.25; rebuilt, $5.75. Tbousands 

others. Send for Chair Bulletin, Dept. C, 

S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St., 

New Yorlt lij. 

Chair-ity begins at S.O.S. \Ve*re practically giving 

'em away; 271 sturdj' veneer folding chairs, 

$2.95; 293 rebuilt panel back spring cushion, only 

$4.95; 2.000 late Araeric;m 7 ply veneers, like 

new, $5.25. Send for Chair Bulletin for complete 

list. C, Dept^ S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 

W. o2nd St., New York 19. 

Theatre chairs, many reconditioned. Trade your 

vent'ers on cushion chairs. Lone Star Film Co., 

liallas, 

Tex. 

Patch-0-Seat cement. Patching cloth, solvent, 

etc, Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Tighten loose chairs with Permastone anchor 

cement. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Chair supplies. Everything for theatre chairs. 

Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5. 

Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity 

wanted. Photographs mailed with quotation. Fensin 

Seating Co.. Chicago 5. 

No more torn seats: Repair with the original 

Patch-A-Seat. Complete kit, $6. General Chair 

Co.. Chicago 22, 111. 

Chair Parts: We furnish most any part you require. 

Send sample for price, brackets, backs 

and seats. General Chair Co., 1308 Elston Ave., 

Chicago 22. 111. 

Several thousand used opera chairs now Id 

stock. Can furnish any amount you request. Full 

upholstered back, insert panelback, boxsprlng and 

spring edge seat. Write for photo and state 

amount and incline. We also manufacture new 

chairs. General Chair Co.. 1308-22 Elston Ave., 

Chicago 22. 111. 

Many years In the seating bushiess Is your 

guarantee. Good used chairs are not too plentiful 

but we have the pick. Full upholstered, panel 

back and many other styles. We furnish proper 

slope or level standards to fit your floor. All 

size 18x21-inch chairs. Our prices are lowest. 

Write for exact photo and price. We furnish parts 

for all makes. Send sample. Good quality plastic 

coaled leatherette 25x26-inch. all colors. 55c ea. 

Cliicago Used Chair Marl, 829 South State St., 

Chicago 5, 111. 

No more loose chairs: Get "Firmastone" .\nchor 

cement, $5 per box. General Chair Co., Chicago 

Parts for all chairs. Send sample for quotation. 

Fensin Seating Co.. Chicago 5. 

Theatre chairs, 4.000 in stock, $1.50 up, exporting. 

Photographs furnished. Jesse Cole, 2565 

McClellan. Phone Valley 23445. Detroit. Mich. 

775 springedfle theatre s«aLs. 200 veneer seat* 

with %" plywood backs. Very good and cheap. 

Irving Levin. 717 Independence Blvd., Chicago, 

III. Tele. NE 8-7336. 

A real bargain. 978 new theatre chairs. RCA's 

International Model 40IA. Yours for $10.50 per 

chair. F.O.B. St. Louis, Mo. Privately owned. 

Write, wire or phone A. L. Matreci, UptowTi Theatre. 

493S DeVmar Blvd.. St. Louis 8, Mo. 

For Sale: 200 opera style used theatre seats. 

Available after January 1st. Cushion seats and 

wood backs. St. Pauls Tiieatre. St. Pauls, N. C. 

270 theatre chairs mast of them upholstered 

backs and springedge seats now being used, 

available soon. $800. L & N Theatre Corp., 

.\ntioch. 111. 

Theatre seats 800 American, good condition, 

whole nr part, reasonable. Liberty Theatre, 

Providence. It. I. 

1,300 used American Airdome seats. 800 used 

St. American theatre chairs. Louis Amusement 

Co.. St. 527 North Grand, Louis 3, Mo. 

DRIVE-IN EXHIBITORS with 

CENTRAL SOUND or POST SPEAKERS! 

CONVERT to IN-CAR SPEAKERS 

Now at economical prices beiore the seasonal rush. 

Order immediately to assure prompt delivery. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MANUFACTURING CO. 

729 Baltimote (Phone HA. 8007) Kansas City, Mo. 

Purchase J,000 Tickets 

R. E. Agle, district manager for Appalachian 

Theatres, Boone, N. C, sold a local 

business firm 500 tickets for a special kiddy 

show. The tickets were offered free to all 

children visiting the toy department of the 

store. An additional block of 500 tickets was 

sold to the Northwestern bank in Boone for 

distribution in the six largest schools throughout 

the county. 

THEATRE TICKETS 

Prompt service. Special printed roll tickets. 

100.000. $23.95: 10,000, $6.85; 2.000, $4.45. 

Each change In admission price, including change 

in color, $3.00 extra. Double numbering extra. 

City, (F.O.B. Kansas Mo.) Cash with order. Kansas 

City Ticket Co., Dept. 9. 1819 Central, Kansas 

City, Mo. 

MOR£ CLASSIFIED ON 

INSIDE BACK COVER 

30 —8- BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : January 7, 1950

20th 

Jersey Allied Unit 

Will Act on Taxes 

NEW YORK—New Jersey Allied will take 

action on the current battle for elimination 

of admission taxes at a meeting to be held in 

Trenton January 30. A full report from 

Abram F. Myers is expected on the activities 

of the legislation and taxation committee of 

COMPO. 

Alleged forcing of pictures will be another 

topic for discussion. Members have reported 

that some companies not included among the 

defendants in the antitrust case are tying 

sales of one picture to another in some instances. 

They have been notified that this 

practice is illegal for all companies and have 

been requested to report each violation to the 

unit's headquarters. 

A television analysis showing the effect of 

TV on boxoffice receipts in the New Jersey 

area is to be presented at the January 30 

meeting. 

Members have been told that "Jolson Sings 

Again" is now being sold by Columbia at less 

than 60 per cent, but the latest bulletin says 

members are refusing to make deals at the 

reduced rate of 50 per cent. 

Rhode Island Exhibitors 

Launch Paralysis Drive 

PROVIDENCE—Gov. Pastori of Rhode Island 

paid tribute to the industry for its contribution 

to many causes at a luncheon of the 

Theatre Owners of Rhode Island January 5 

at the Hotel Narragansett, with Edward M. 

Fay, president, presiding. One hundred attended. 

The occasion was the opening of the 

state campaign in behalf of the National 

Foundation of Infantile Paralysis. 

Gael Sullivan, TOA executive director, made 

a plea for support of the excise tax repeal 

campaign. Herman M. Levy, TOA general 

counsel, said that if distributors insist on 

competitive bidding, there must be equitable 

rules set up to govern it and that it must not 

be used as a device for increased rentals. 

Variety Club New Year's 

Eve Show on Television 

NEW YORK—Three National Broadcasting 

Co. television cameras telecast the New Year's 

eve celebration at the Variety Club, relaying 

to the public the entertainment staged there 

just before midnight. S. J. Kaufman, playwright, 

staged the affair which featured Paul 

Winchell and his dummy and included introductions 

of many Broadway and motion picture 

celebrities. There also was a supper and 

dancing. A capacity crowd attended. 

Samuel Marcovici Dies 

NEW YORK—Samuel Marcovici, 76, an exhibitor 

50 years, died December 29 at his 

home in Brooklyn. He was part owner of the 

Williamsburg Playhouse, Brooklyn, which is 

managed by his son Howard, and a member 

of ITOA of New York. Besides the son, his 

widow and two daughters survive. 

Myers Seeks Rein on New 

State Ticket Tax Plans 

Salvation Army Campaign 

Is Started with Rally 

NEW YORK—The Salvation Army started 

preliminaries to its 70th anniversary 1950 

drive for $1,292,000, the New York quota, at 

a rally in the Astor hotel Wednesday (4i. 

Theatre members of the MMPTA have agreed 

to show the campaign trailer again this year 

and it is expected ITOA members also will 

do so. The campaign will start January 30 

and run through February 4. 

At the Wednesday rally Edward McCaffrey, 

license commissioner: Leo Breoher, 

amusement division chairman, who is president 

of the MMPTA, and D. John Phillips, 

vice-chairman, sat on the dais. Part of the 

rally program was broadcast over WJZ. A 

group of well known stage and screen stars 

and several Broadway columnists took part 

in the program. 

'Battleground' National 

Release Date Is Jan. 20 

NEW YORK—MGM has set January 20 

as the national release date for "Battleground," 

which has concluded its eighth 

week at the Astor Theatre. It has also been 

playing special engagements in Los Angeles, 

Miami Beach, Cleveland, St. Louis, Phoenix 

and Atlanta. The company said that about 

a week after its national release date it will 

be playing in practically every key city. 

'Treason' Into 450 Spots 

NEW YORK—"Guilty of Ti-eason" (EL) 

has been booked into 450 key houses in the 

New England and Ohio territories, with close 

to 100 additional bookings expected shortly, 

according to William J. Heineman, vicepresident 

in charge of distribution. Herb 

Drake and Ed Dowden are handling the highbudget 

exploitation work on the picture, with 

more men to be assigned immediately. 

WASHINGTON—Opening the industrywide 

battle against state and local boxoffice 

levies which might result once the federal 

tax is repealed, Abram F. Myers, chairman 

of the COMPO committee on taxation, called 

upon Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York 

Friday (6i to disavow any plan to impose 

a new tax on film admissions. 

Stressing that the Supreme Court in 1948 

held motion pictures deserving of the protection 

of the first amendment, Myers told 

Dewey he felt certain Dewey would not seek 

to put a discriminatory tax on newspapers. 

By the same reasoning, he said, a tax on 

film admissions is discriminatory. 

He declared that the film industry in New 

York state and elsewhere is already bearing 

a heavy burden of taxation, "but it bitterly 

resents, and invokes its constitutional right 

to protest being singled out for discriminatory 

treatment." 

He urged Dewey to persist in fighting for 

repeal of the federal admissions tax because 

it is an evil in itself, not simply so that a 

state levy can be substituted. 

Myers' letter followed several days in which 

hope for early congressional action to lift 

the federal tax dimmed. Senate Democrats 

decided not to support any effort to lift the 

tax which was not part of an overall tax revision 

plan. This means months of delay. 

F*i-esident Truman promised to send Congress 

a special message on taxes shortly, and 

all action on the excises is probably to be held 

up until it is received, except for continued 

Republican urging that the excises be cut. 

Max Goltz, 80, Dies 

DALLAS—Max Goltz, 80, father of Joseph 

C. Goltz, foreign sales manager for Eagle 

Lion in New York, died of a heart attack at 

his home here Thursday ( 5 1 . The son arrived 

by plane for the funeral. The survivors are 

Mrs. Max Goltz, two other sons and two 

daughters. 

Two 'Whirlpool' Openings 

NEW YORK—"Whirlpool" 1 -Fox i wiU 

open simultaneously January 13 at the Roxy 

Theatre here and the Oriental in Chicago, 

according to Andy W. Smith jr., general sales 

manager. 

BON VOYAGE—Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. Schine, Gloversville, N. Y., held a bon 

voyage party on the Queen Mary following the wedding of their daughter Dorene to 

Ross Rigier of Gloversville. The newlyweds sailed for a six-week visit in England and 

on the continent. Pictured above: Mr. and Mrs. J. Myer Schine, Mr. and Mrs. Louis 

Schine. the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Jules Higier. The picture was taken on the deck 

of the ocean liner. 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 N 31

. . . Sam 

. . Walter 

. . Denise 

. . Oscar 

. . Nicholas 

. . Alan 

| 

BROADWAY 

Ctanley Kramer, producer of "Home of the 

Brave" and "Champion" for UA release, 

was the principal speaker on the first George 

Washington Carver memorial program of the 

Mutual broadcasting system January 5 . . . 

Hal Wallis arrived for conferences with Paramount 

executives and to attend the opening 

of "Thelma Jordon." which will follow "Samson 

and Delilah" at the Paramount Theatre 

Galanty, Columbia mideastern division 

manager, was here from Washington 

for home office conferences. 

John Joseph retm-ned from the coast to 

take up his new post in charge of MOM publicity 

in the east . . . Wendell Corey will arrive 

January 9 to begin a series of radio and 

press interviews for "Thelma Jordon." He 

will remain two weeks . Huston and 

his wife have returned after completing work 

in the Hal Wallis production "The Furies," 

and will remain in the east until June. 

Shelley Winters got in from California for 

a week of press interviews and radio appearances 

in connection with her U-I film, "South 

Sea Sinner," which will follow "Bagdad" into 

the Criterion . . . Thomas Hodge, director of 

films and publications division of the British 

Information Services, has left for a new post 

with the film section of foreign office and 

will sail on the Franconia for England January 

20. 

Joseph R. Voifel, Loew's vice-president, and 

Seymour Mayer, of Loew's International, returned 

from London . Darcel, accompanied 

by Tom Rogers of the MGM publicity 

department, left for Philadelphia to 

make a personal appearance . Morgan, 

Paramount sales manager for shorts and 

news, returned to New York headquarters 

from Kansas City and Chicago where he met 

with exhibitors and branch executives. 

Stanley Markham of the MGM studio publicity 

department, left for the coast after five 

days in town. Floyd Pitzsimmons, MGM exploiteer 

in Albany, has returned to his up- 

The 

•PACKAGED" 

Drive-ln Deal 

you've been waiting for 

b on page 41 

The Modern Theatre Section 

state New York headquarters after a brief 

visit 

to the home office. 

. . . 

Robert Mochrie, RKO vice-president, flew 

to the coast for a ten-day conference 

F. J. A. McCarthy, U-I sales manager, left 

on the same day for Atlanta . F. 

Cummings. MGM head of exchange operations, 

and assistant Harold Cleveland flew 

to Cleveland on business . Ray, 

RKO director, left for Boston (4) to scout 

locations for a forthcoming picture. 

Washington Tent Gives 

TV Set to George Bedell 

WASHINGTON—The Washington 

Variety 

Club gave a television set to George E. Bedell 

Jr., a patient at the Home for Incurables 

here since 1941 and an honorary member of 

the Variety Club, at a ceremony at the home. 

Present were F^'ed Kogod, Jack Flax, George 

Crouch, Paul Rich, Sara Young and Dorothy 

Kolinsky. 

Bedell, who has been confined to a wheel 

chair for many years, was instrumental in 

raising over $3,000 in the Variety Club's recent 

welfare drive. Through his connection 

with the club, he has been responsible for 

acquisition of a dental clinic, eye clinic and 

diagnostic clinic at the home, all donated 

by Variety. 

He also was instrumental, in obtaining an 

extensive shutin film program at the home, 

which the Variety Club furnishes with the 

aid of local film exchanges. 

Secretary to the famed General Gorgas in 

the surgeon general's office prior to World 

War I, Bedell later shifted to the Department 

of Agriculture until his illness forced 

him to give up his work. Bedell was born in 

New York but came here in his early childhood. 

His father established the Bedell 

Mfg. Co. 

Drive-In for Coney Island 

NEW YORK—George C. McCullough, president 

of the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce, 

has disclosed the sale of the burnt-out 

site of Luna park to a syndicate, represented 

by Leon Rosenberg of Brooklyn, for installation 

of a drive-in theatre and parking lot. 

The theatre will seat 600 spectators and accommodate 

600 cars and the parking lot will 

have a capacity of 1,000 cars. 

Adolph Zukor Is 77 

NEW YORK—Adolph Zukor, chairman of 

the board of the new Paramount Pictures 

Corp., observed his 77th birthday Saturday 

17 1. Congratulatory messages were received 

from everywhere. Zukor and Mi-s. Zukor 

celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary 

Jan. 10, 1947. 

Theatre Aid Sought 

For Brotherhood 

NEW YORK—Evei-y effort will be made 

this year to induce theatre managers to emphasize 

Brotherhood week publicity as part 

of the public relations effort on the local 

level. Brotherhood week, sponsored by the 

National Conference of Christians and Jews, 

runs Februai-y 19-26. 

Ted Gamble, amusement division chairman, 

says that if local exhibitors wiD use 

all the publicity and display material sent to 

them, and, in addition, will make personal appeals 

to civic organizations like Kiwanis, 

Rotary, Lions and the American Legion, their 

cooperation wall be hearty. The aim is to get 

ten "membership" applications from each 

theatre manager, and as many as possible 

from the civic groups. All company salesmen 

will be asked to discuss the subject with exhibitors. 

Details of the campaign, displays of 

roughed-out poster displays which are soon 

to be sent to printers, and plans for a press 

sheet were explained Thursday i5) at a luncheon 

at the 21 Club. Gamble reported to the 

committee that he is rapidly lining up his 

organization. He left for the coast Thursday 

night to secure cooperation in preparing 

trailers and other forms of publicity. 

Gamble outlined six objectives for the cajnpaign 

as follows: 

Ten memberships per theatre in the 

National Conference of Christians and 

Jews at $1 per membership. 

Special brotherhood observances in 

theatres. 

Wide promotion of this cause through 

special display material. 

Greatest use of special newsreel clips. 

Brotherhood chapters formed with the 

theatres the focal heads. 

Brotherhood week to be made a community 

event in the finest sense. 

A copy of these six objectives has been 

sent out to 18,000 exhibitors by means of a 

letter from Gamble, calling on exhibitor support 

for the drive. 

Altec Signs 420 Theatres, 

Including 41 Drive-Ins 

NEW YORK—Altec Service Corp. has 

signed sound seiwicing agreements with 420 

theatres in 44 states, of which 41 are drive-ins. 

R. W. Alcorn Meets Press 

NEW YORK—R. W. Alcorn, producer, was 

host at a tradepress luncheon at the Stork 

Club Friday (6i. He was accompanied to 

New York by Ned Crawford and members of 

his publicity staff to confer with United Artists 

executives on advertising and exploitation 

plans for "Johnny Holiday," which stars 

William Bendix. 

FOR SALE 

Simplex Mechanisms $7S0; Guaranteed factory 

rebuilt. Prices f.o.b. Chicago or New York 

iactory. 

Now installing new machines throughout large 

circuit. Contact us today. Terms ii desired. 

ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

1046 Broadway 5-5055 Albany, N. Y. 

D. A. Lipton in New York 

NEW YORK—David A. Lipton, U-I director 

of advertising and publicity, was due here 

Monday (9) after a stopover in Chicago for 

conferences on "Fi-ancis," "Borderline," "The 

Kid From Texas," "Buccaneer's Girl" and 

"Outside the Wall." 

Kramer at Carver Memorial 

NEW YORK—Stanley Kramer, producer of 

"Home of the Brave" (UAi, was guest of 

honor and principal speaker at January 5 

ceremonies honoring the memory of George 

Washington Carver, Negro scientist. They 

were broadcast coast-to-coast by Mutual. 


• Reduces film distortion due to 

high current arc lamps. 

• Full brilliance and sharper pictures 

projected without loss of 

light or wasted power. 

• Now, full illumination on the 

largest screens. 

• Equipment investment costs considerably 

reduced. 

Woter cooling is optiono/ — availabl< 

all 

mode/s al tlight exfro cosK 

No air 

blowers 

No LIGHT LOSS duo to heot^ 

absorbing glass filters 

ALBANY THEATRE 

SUPPLY CO. 

1046 Broadway 

Albany 4, New York 

Equipment manufactured by CENTURY PROJECTOR CORP., New York, 

Ask your CENTURY dealer to demonstrate this new, improved equipment. 

See him also for your needs in theatre equipment, parts and service. 

AMUSEMENT SUPPLY CO. 

341 West 44th St. 

New York 18, N. Y 

J.F.DUSMAN COMPANY 

12 East 25th St. 

Baltimore 18, Maryland 

CENTRAL NEW YORK 

THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

215 Crawford Ave. 

Syrocuse 3, New York

Music Hall Sefs Record; 'General' 

Joins 'Samson 

NEW YORK—Sensational business for New 

Year's day and the holiday that followed 

resulted in grosses that approached the nearrecord 

highs at many of the Broadway first 

nins during Christmas week. Attendance, 

naturaUy, fell off at many of the theatres as 

children went back to school January 3 but 

the stronger product continued to drawpacked 

houses. 

Again leading the field were "On the Town," 

with the Nativity stage pageant, which set 

an alltime record in its fourth week at 

the Radio City Music Hall; "Samson and 

Delilah," in its second strong week at the 

Paramount, with the Rivoli, slightly less for 

its second week; "Pi-ince of Foxes," which 

continued big in its second week at the Roxy, 

and one newcomer, "The Inspector General," 

with Vaughn Monroe on the stage, which 

went to a near-record high in its first week 

at the Strand. 

"Adam's Rib" also held up exceptionally 

well in its second week at the Capitol; "Sands 

of Iwo Jima" had a terrific first week at 

the Mayfair and another battle film, "Battleground," 

had w-aiting lines in its eighth 

week at the Astor. The eighth week of "All 

the King's Men" approached the high first 

week due to its selection as the best film 

by the New York Film Critics. Except for 

"The Fallen Idol," in its sixth week at the 

Complete Sound Systems 

COSTS USS 

No e

. . . Max 

. . Elmer 

. . The 

. . Eddie 

. . Paramount 

. . . Columbia 

. . "Montana" 

. . "The 

. . Dolores 

. . SW 

. . Harry 

. . 

. . . Columbia's 

. . Leona 

. . The 

. . Young 

. . 

PHILADELPHIA 

pour British pictures, made especially for 

children, received their American premiere 

at the Hollywood Theatre here. The 

films were made by Children's Entertainment 

Films, a production unit of the J. 

Ai-thur Rank Organization, with the cooperation 

of the British Advisory council. The 

pictures, designed for children up to the 

sixth grade, contained no crime of any kind. 

In order to study reactions of the children, 

motion pictures of the audience were taken 

during the showing . Decorating 

Co. is decorating the Fremont Theatre 

in Baltimore. 

Price Premiums will open its new line of 

china at a number of theatres Tuesday and 

Wednesday (10, 11) . . . Samuel Kahn, manager 

of Dave Moliver's Regis, is in the hospital 

. . . Principal Film's "Outcry" did such 

good business at the Princess that it was 

carried over for a second week. The Princess 

will show "The Wench" when "Outcry" completes 

its run. "The Wench" also is scheduled 

to open at the Pix in Washington. 

The new game, Quizo, will go into a number 

of large theatres the last week in January 

Miller. EL exploiteer, was preparing 

tieins with local coast guard, port 

authority and custom bureau officials for the 

first run of "Port of New York," which wnll 

have its first run in the Karlton. A special 

front display has been prepared for the 

theatre. 

. 

. 

The opening of "Battleground" at the Boyd 

Wednesday illi was heralded by large newspaper 

ads Stanley's next featiu'e, 

"Sands of Iwo Jima," is receiving advance 

publicity with a lobby display showing the 

achievements ad equipment of the marine 

corps Hollander, foiTner buyer 

and booker for Allied Motion Picture Theatre 

Service, has resigned to join the St. Cloud 

Amusement Co. as head buyer and booker. 

St. Cloud has theatres in New Jersey, New 

York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. 

Princeton's Audience Research says filmgoers 

with TV sets are 20 per cent less inclined 

to think of filmgoing as their favorite 

evening pastime than people who do 

The supreme court 

not have television . . . 

is scheduled to hear the merits of a case 

deciding whether Pottsville will have Sunday 

Wendell Corey, who 

motion pictures . . . stars with Barbara Stanwyck in "Thelma 

Jordon." will be here Friday and Saturday 

113, 14 1 to meet representatives of the press 

and tradepapers and make a series of broadcasts 

and TV appearances. 

David Yaffe of the Y&Y Supply Co. was 

in New York on business . . . A. M. Ellis' 

Doris Theatre is featuring a new policy of 

10-cent family bargain matinees on weekdays. 

However, women who desire premiums on 

gift days will have to pay the full evening 

admission . Gabriel announces that 

"Jeep Herders." a western in which the cowboys 

ride jeeps instead of horses, will open 

for its first run in Wilmington at SW's 

Grand. Gabriel also reports that the new 

East Side Kids show, "Block Busters," now 

is available for dating. 

William C. Clark, executive vice-president 

of the National Film Carrier Co. and brother 

of former Democratic City Chairman James 

P. Clark, has been mentioned for the vacancy 

on the Interstate Commerce commission created 

by the death of Carroll Miller. Clark has 

had wide experience in transportation methods 

and duj-ing the war was eastern assistant 

to James Eastman, director of the Office of 

Defense Transportation . Taylor, 

owner of the Twain Theatre in Mainsfield, 

Pa., died. Many industryites were present 

at his funeral Saturday (7). 

Jack Harris of the American F^lm Co. reports 

that "Moonlight Madness" did well in 

its first rim at the Princess and is sched- 

uled to open at major key run situations . . . 

Rosalie Garvin, who was in 20th-Fox shipping 

department for 17 years, has resigned 

Cashier Clara Kraftsow is 

spending her two-week vacation in Mioini 

Beach was previewed at 

the Earle prior to its regular engagement 

at the Mastbaum . Hasty Heart" was 

previewed at the Mastbaum on New Year's 

day . . . "Pirates of Capri" was previewed 

at the Stanton Wednesday (4) prior to its 

opening the following day. 

Denise Darcel was in town to help with advance 

publicity on "Battleground." She is 

scheduled to make a personal appearance at 

the Boyd when the picture opens its first 

run Wednesday (11) . Theatres ran 

special kiddy junior New Year's eve matinee 

shows . . . The Fox played host to 250 Boy 

Scouts. Radio station WPIL chose the Scout 

of the Month and then invited him and all 

the members of his troupe to see "Prince of 

Foxes" at the Fox. 

IVIarch 12-18 has been set aside as Bill 

Mansell week in WB's Parade of Hits drive 

which runs from January 1-April 29. Bill 

Mansell, local manager, hopes his exhibitor 

friends will honor him that week by booking 

WB features, shorts and news. 

Freddy Finkelhoffe, Hollywood writer and 

producer, was in town to study Mickey 

Shaughnessy's act at Palumbo's. Mickey is 

already set for a role in Finkelhoffe's next 

independent production, a film verison of 

"At War With the Army." Dean Martin and 

Jerry Lewis will star. Finkelhoffe recently 

completed an original screenplay called "The 

Stooge" for Hal Wallis. Finkelhoffe also has 

scheduled an independent production about 

Man O' War. He is hoping to make another 

film that has been gathering dust. It is a 

comedy called "Daisy." He is thinking about 

producing Frank Carney's "The Righteous 

and the Bold." This show, the biggest hit 

ever staged by the Abbey Players, will be a 

starring vehicle for his wife Ella Logan . 

It is rumored that Thomas Walsh will take 

over the executive duties of Comerford's John 

Nolan, who is to leave on a six-month leave 

of absence. 

"The Fallen Idol" at the Trans-Lux went 

into its eighth week . Marker took 

the place of her sister Mrs. Lorraine Olsen, 

when she resigned from the Felt Theatres 

. . . Nat Rosen, 20th-Fox sales manager, was 

recuperating from an operation in Atlantic 

City . . . Sol Getzow. manager. Colonial, died 

after a long illness. He was a member of 

many fraternal organizations and was a former 

president of the Golden Slipper Square 

club. 

Bernard Estes Quits EL 

NEW YORK—Bernard Estes has resigned 

as one of the three Eagle Lion exploitation 

men out in advance of "Guilty of Treason." 

Tlie two remaining members are Herb Drake 

and Ed Dowden. 

WASHINGTON 

TA Representative Katz was on hand here for 

the installation of new officers of Local 

P-13 at a dinner dance in the Continental 

hotel. Committee for arrangements included 

Sally Myers, Jimmy Collins and Ida 

Barezofsky . . . Ira Sichelman, salesman at 

20th-Fox, returned to the office after fighting 

a siege of virus pneumonia for several 

weeks. 

Helen Rucker, billing department, was sent 

to Doctors hospital on New Year's day. A 

bad cold turned into flu . . . May Myers, assistant 

cashier, is back at her desk after being 

out eight weeks . Gunsberg, 

percentage statement clerk, has her right arm 

in a sling, because of a muscular ailment . . . 

Booker Jack Kohler has just acquired a two 

bedroom apartment and is busy nights painting 

and paperhanging. 

The entire 20th-Fox staff, from porter to 

branch manager, received two weeks' salary 

as their share in the recently closed branch 

managers testimonial drive. The dollar delivery 

crew stands to win another week's 

salary and the bookers made over-quota in 

the recent Terrytobn drive which gives them 

an additional week's money . Glenn 

Norrises are entertaining Mrs. Norris' brother 

Walter Goodman, who is visiting them from 

North Carolina. 

Buck Stover's two sons Bobby and Bucky 

jr., have returned to school in Ohio . . . Sara 

Young's son Dick has returned to Augusta 

Military academy. Fort Defiance . . . Harley 

Davidson's son Harley jr. has gone back to 

the University of Virginia after spending the 

Christmas holidays at home . John 

Henry jr., son of the Henry Hisers, Bethesda, 

Md., has returned to St. Alban's Cathedral 

school. 

Republic has fallen in line with other exchanges 

and formed a family club, the R. P. 

Clicks. Officers are Gladys Dixon, president; 

Doris Smith, treasurer, and Esther Katznell, 

secretary. The club will hold its meetings 

on the first Tuesday of each month . . . 

Branch Manager Jake Flax has returned 

from Miami Beach, rested and tanned. 

At Film Classics, Samuel Jenkins is the 

new cashier-bookkeeper ... All salesmen are 

vacationing. Harold Levy is in Florida and 

Charlie Mendelson is cruising to Cuba . 

Mike Leventhal, Lord Baltimore Theatre, 

Baltimore, is making plans to attend the 

opening baseball game. 

The Midway Theatre, Middle River. Md., 

closed. Plans for reopening are indefinite 

Sam Galanty visited Cincinnati 

and Cleveland branches recently . . . 

Eagle Lion Manager Fred Rohrs spent several 

days in Richmond and Norfolk . . . Florence 

Cardan, Fred Rohrs' secretary, celebrated 

her bii-thday ... Ed Fontaine flew 

to Chicago to attend a meeting of the Selznick 

Releasing Organization sales force . . . 

Sally Myers, Columbia, has found an apartment 

after a six months' search. 

ORIVE-IN THEATRE STANDEE SPEAKERS 

For Front Section and Rear Ramps 

For Trucks and Overflow 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. K^^'citoriii. 

BOxorncE Januarj' 7, 1950 35

. . Paul 

. . The 

. . The 

. . George 

ALBANY 

^r. and Mrs. Louis W. Schine left for Los 

Angeles for a three-week vacation. They 

were to stay at the Schine-owiied Ambassador 

hotel . . . The son recently born to Mr. 

and Mrs. Donald G. Schine at Littauer hospital 

in Gloversville has been named Randolph. 

Mother and baby now are at their 

home in Gloversville. Donald, son of Louis 

Schine, is president of Darnell Theatres Corp., 

Buffalo. 

. 

Ben Strauss, former Saratoga exhibitor, renewed 

acquaintances on Pilmrow 

. . . Theatremen 

at exchanges included Phil Baroudi, 

North Creek, Warrensburg and Indian Lake; 

Don Violetti, Cairo; Frank Wieting, Cobleskill; 

Sylvan Leff, Utica Paramount, 

Glens Falls, screened "Dear Wife" at a New 

Year's midnight show . . . "The Inspector 

General" was the New Year's feature at the 

Strand, Albany; Proctor's, Schenectady; 

Troy, Troy, and the Stanley, Utica. The 

Strand ran a Sunday midnight preview of 

"Montana" 

. . . Harry Pendrick, Warner salesman, 

spent the holidays at his home in New 

York. 

3IiUon Kravitz, Colonial manager, has notified 

Albany's Golden Age club—men and 

women 65 or more—that they will be admitted 

free. The club was organized last year to 

promote a social and recreational program. 

Albany newspapers and radio stations have 

given space and time to its activities. H. V. 

Richey is president . 

Wallen, manager 

of the Grand, returned from a vacation 

partly spent with his father Clarence, right 

hand man of the late F. F. Proctor, in Westchester 

county. Bob Griffith managed the 

Grand in Wallen's absence. 

James WTiittemore, who plays the footfrozen 

sergeant in "Battleground," visited his 

home town of Buffalo shortly before the preview 

of the pictm-e there. Exploiteer Floyd 

Pitzsimmons met him at the airport. Whittemore, 

his wife and 14-month-old daughter 

were in Buffalo several days before he had to 

return to Hollywood to appear in a new 

Clark Gable film. His father is Buffalo city 

planning commissioner ... it has been vacation 

time for members of the Lamont organization. 

Harry Lamont left for a rest in Florida; 

his partner Gerald Schwartz went to 

Ohio, and Bob Lamont, Harry's brother, 

rested at home. 

Twentieth-Fox stai'fers attended an evening 

preview of "IVelve O'clock High." Paramount 

employes saw a preview of "Samson 

and Delilah." RKO screened "My Foolish 

Heart" . 7-year-old daughter of Arthur 

Newman, Republic manager, is wearing 

a cowboy costume sent as a Christmas present 

by Roy Rogers, western star. 

The Stanley, Utica, ran a holiday season 

morning cartoon show . Haney, 

American Seating Co. representative, visited 

Filmrow ... It was reported that Tom Harris, 

former U-I booker, would like to enter 

the television field. Tom is son of Maurice 

Harris, U-I exploiteer . . . Irwin Ullman, son 

of Saul J. Ullman, upstate general manager 

for Fabian, was one of those attending the 

New Year's eve basketball game between 

Siena and William and Mary. 

Drive-In Planning Firm 

Organized in Camden 

CAMDEN—The Drive-In Theatre Service 

Co., offering planning and engineering aid in 

construction of outdoor theatres, has been organized 

here. W. W. Smith and V. C. Smith, 

both of whom were pioneers in the development 

of the first drive-in, are partners in 

the new firm. S. Herbert Taylor is associated 

with the company as an engineering 

consultant. 

Services offered by the company to prospective 

builders include assistant in selection 

of a site, preliminary plans, grading, landscaping, 

selection of equipment, concession 

arrangements, personnel training, publicity 

and sale or purchase of completed drive-in 

theatres. 

20th-Fox Albany Branch 

Remodeling Proposed 

ALBANY—Plans for remodeling of the 

20th-Fox exchange building were discussed 

recently at a meeting attended by Frank W. 

Mulderry, representing the estate which owns 

the structure, and Clarence Hill, home office 

representative. Changes would include enlargement 

of the front offices by moving present 

partitions, addition of new restrooms and 

installation of air conditioning. With the 

present ten-year lease nearing its expiration 

date, terms of a new lease on the building will 

depend upon a decision concerning the remodeling 

work and financing of the project. 

Embassy Newsreel 

Chain to Guild, Inc. 

NEW YORK—The Embassy Newsreel Theatre 

chain, consisting of five theatres, two of 

which are feature houses, has been sold by 

Newsreel Theatres, Inc., to Guild Enterprises, 

Inc. W. French Githens, retiring president 

of Newsreel Theatres, announced that Norman 

W. Elson will head Guild Enterprises. 

Elson was vice-president and general manager 

of Translux for 12 years, and resigned 

last month. 

Elson said that acquisition of the Embassy 

chain was the beginning of a 25 or 30- 

theatre circuit. 

Sunday Stage Bill Plans 

Abandoned by Colonial 

ALBANY—Plans of the management of the 

Colonial Theatre to open a vaudeville bill 

there last Sunday ili for a thi-ee-day run, 

and to offer another variety show for five 

days through the next Sunday were abandoned 

when city authorities called attention 

to the fact that only motion pictures are permitted 

on Sundays after 2 p. m. 

The Colonial management is said to have 

based their plans on the fact that Xavier 

Cugat and his orchestra and other bands have 

played Sundays at the Palace, with various 

acts in their routines. The Colonial program 

folder listed variety shows for January 1 and 

8, but Alan Carter, emcee, annomiced from 

the stage that one bill would be offered Monday 

and Tuesday while another would be 

given Wednesday through Saturday of the 

week in question. 

'Battleground' Previewed 

At Theatre in Utica 

TJTICA, N. Y.—A preview of "Battleground" 

was given at the Oneida Square Theatre 

here by MGM, following a luncheon at the 

Utica hotel, for exhibitors, newspaper and 

radio workers, the clergy and others. Among 

those attending were Morris Slotnick, WaterviUe 

and Oriskany Falls; Donald LjTich, Port 

Leydon; Woolsey B. Ackerman, New Berlin; 

B'U Keener. Utica; 

Chris Marx, former opeiator 

of the Highland here, and Harold Lewis, 

who recently sold the Lincoln. Tlie preview 

was arranged by Floyd Fitzsinunons, MGM 

exploiteer for the Albany and Buffalo territories. 

He also arranged a preview of the 

film at the Westcott Theatre, Syracuse, with 

luncheon at the Syracuse hotel there. 

NO PERFORATIONS: 20".. More Light and Better Vision 

CYCl«RAMIC 

Custom Screen 

'Francis' Set for New Orleans 

NEW YORK—"Francis" lU-Ii will be given 

an elaborate premiere in New Orleans February 

8. It will be a territorial with immediate 

mass openings throughout the exchange 

area. New Orleans is the home of 

David Stern, publisher of the New Orleans 

Item, who is author of the book. Donald 

O'Connor, star of the film, will head a Hollywood 

delegation. 

Magic Screen 

of the future 

'Potent applied for 

Installed 

at 

CRITERION THEATRE 

Broadway & 44th St. 

By JOE HORNSTEIN, 

630 Ninth Ave. 

New York City 

Inc. 

New York City 

FOR CAPACITY BUSINESS 

HOSTESS 

A L U M I N U M W A R E 

"The year's most outstanding premium deal" 

METRO PREMIUM COMPANY 

334 W. 44th St. COIumbus 51-1952 New York 

257 No. 13th St. RITenhouse 6-7994 Philadelphia, Pa. 

36 

BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950

. . The 

. . "The 

. . The 

. . . James 

Meiselman Appeal 

In Carolina Court 

CHARLOTTE—Argument was to get under 

way here Friday in the appeal of the Meiselman 

circuit from a district court dismissal 

of its triple damage suit against the majors 

and the Wilby-Kincey circuit here. Robert 

L. Wright, who handled the government's 

courtroom battles in the New York antitrust 

suit against the majors, was to argue for 

Meiselman before the fourth circuit court of 

appeals. 

Earlier in the week Wright, in reply to a 

brief by the defendants seeking dismissal 

by the cu'cuit court, charged that the majors 

"are apparently willing to pay lip service 

to the general principle of theatre by 

theatre competition between independent 

theatres and affiliated theatres but quite 

unwilling to permit any concrete local application 

of the principle which will threaten 

a first run monopoly held by an affiliated 

exhibitor." 

Loew's alone among the majors is not a 

defendant in the suit, which is based upon 

the refusal of the distributors to grant first 

nm rights to the Meiselman Center, a new 

theatre in a suburban Charlotte area. Wright 

associated with Washington lawyers Clagett 

is 

and Schilz in the case, and with Char- 

lotte lawyer J. M. Scarborough. 

In his reply brief the erstwhUe government 

expert disputed the defense contention that 

the findings and judgments in the New York 

case could not apply here because they were 

based on facts prior to 1945. Wright recalled 

that Paramount had in December of 1948 

offered a statement concerning the existing 

competitive situation in Charlotte. 

He added that the New York court had 

accepted the government's contention that 

Paramount's proffered evidence "could not be 

regarded as proof that the defendants' monopoly 

power was ended." 

Wright also disputed the claim of the defendants 

that Loew's had lost money when 

it began to offer films on a competitive 

bidding basis in order to treat Meiselman 

fairly. He said Loew's certainly was not 

the loser when Paramoimt offered more playing 

time and higher percentages of the gross 

in order to top the Meiselman bids. 

Average rental on the five Loew's features 

on which Paramount had had to outbid 

Meiselman was $2,022.22, he said, while the 

average for the 18 Loew's features shown 

prior to the opening of the Meiselman house 

—on negotiated bids—had been only $1,634.12. 

INCORPORATIONS 

— ALBANY — 

Ogdensburg Maples: To conduct a theatrical 

business in Ogdensburg; $75,000. $10 par: 

Gerald L. McEvoy, R.F.D. 2; Ralph A. Lalonde, 

1502 Ford St.; Frederic F. Clarke. 616 

Caroline St., Ogdensburg. 

Spa Broadcasters: Radio and television 

broadcasting business in Saratoga Springs: 

200 shares, no par: John A. Woods, R.F.D. 2, 

Saratoga Springs: Richard O'Connor, Box 

104, Slate Hill; Joseph F. Donahue, 27 Polheus 

Place, Brooklyn. 

Quality Film Laboratories: To operate film 

studios and processing laboratories in New 

York; 200 shares, no par. 

NEWARK 

ôre Schary's "Battleground" was previewed 

at the Little Theatre, when guests included 

exhibitors, newspaper men, censors 

and members of the army recruiting service. 

Lou Allerhand, branch manager for MGM, 

gave a talk about the film . . . Stephen England 

is new doorman at the Globe Theatre. 

Col. Harold J. Samsell, executive officer of 

the Essex Troop, 102nd armored cavalry regiment. 

New Jersey National guard, spoke on 

the part the troop has played in the history 

of the U. S. cavalry at Proctor's, in conjunction 

with "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon." 

Frank Damis, Warner Bros, zone manager, 

entertained circuit house managers at a 

Christmas party at Mayfair Farms, West 

Orange. 

Jackson Hurford, new manager of the Liberty 

in Elizabeth, was associated with Fox 

Theatres from 1927 to 1942, starting at the 

Fox Theatre in Washington, now Loew's 

Capitol. He was also with the Fox, Detroit; 

the Fox, St. Louis; the Fox Park-Plaza in the 

Bronx, the Gayety, Utica, and the Strand, 

Niagara Falls, later returning to the Fox in 

Washington. His military service in World 

War II included 30 months in Alaska. From 

the Fox, Detroit, Hurford came east to go 

into a private venture with Herman Starr and 

Matty Fox. 

The Liberty, Elizabeth, is sponsoring an 

eight-week talent campaign in conjunction 

with radio and television stations WAAT and 

WATV. The initial program will be staged 

at the theatre January 17 and will be recorded 

and broadcast two nights later. Winners 

from the North Jersey area will compete in 

the finals on WATV. Television viewers will 

be judges in the contest, designating their 

choices for the grand awards, by writing letters 

to the station. 

. 

Ed Kane, manager of the Regent in Elizabeth, 

has had as holiday guests his father-inlaw 

and mother-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Earl 

Andrews of Arlington, Mass. . Heiress" 

had its fii'st showing in Elizabeth at the 

Regent as a New Year's attraction . . Shirley 

. 

Temple and Roy Rogers films were dou- 

ble feature attractions at the junior New Year 

matinee there Regent will run a 

spook show for adults January 13 . . Sol 

. 

Lobianco, who has been a projectionist at 

the Regent 25 years, is visiting his son William 

Lobianco in Miami. The elder Lobianco 

thinking of making Florida his permanent 

is 

residence. 

Robert Seay, assistant at the Regent in 

Elizabeth, is working on a giveaway campaign 

to run late in January . Ritz, 

Elizabeth, did exceptionally well on its New 

Jersey state electric day campaign . . . Warners 

ran Christmas matinees for children 

throughout the Jersey circuit. Patterned 

after the junior New Year's show which have 

been carried on several years, the shows 

The Warner Club held 

proved successful . . . 

its annual Christmas party at the Warner 

An Annandale reformatory inm.ate 

offices . . . 

on parole is being held on an assault 

and battery charge after stabbing a patron 

at the Paramount Theatre. He was caught 

as he fled from the theatre. 

Proctor's held "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" 

for three extra days, before launching "Holiday 

Affair" . . . The Regent, Kearny, ran a 

special all-cartoon kiddy New Year's matinee 

Dipalo, assistant at the Regent 

here, arranged the exploitation for its children's 

Christmas party, including a quiz contest 

on the stage. The Regent colorfully decorated 

its lobby with cu-cus paraphernalia for 

its special showing of "Circus Days" as a 

junior New Year's attraction. 

Benefit for "Third Man' 

Postponed Again 

NEW YORK—The opening of Carol Reed's 

"The Third Man" for the benefit of the Lighthouse 

of the New York Ass'n for the Blind at 

the Victoria Theatre has been postponed for 

a second time due to increased interest in 

"All the King's Men," current tenant at the 

Victoria, since it won the New York Film 

Critics award. The opening was originally 

scheduled for January 4, then was postponed 

to January 18, and has now been set for 

February 1. 

The benefit will be attended by society, 

political, business and theatrical notables 

with all proceeds going to the Lighthouse, 

which serves over 4,000 blind persons of all 

ages, creeds and races. The regular run of 

the David O. Selznick release will start February 

2. "The Third Man" was recently 

named best of the year by the Film Tribunal 

of the London Daily Express, the British 

equivalent of the Academy Oscar. It will be 

nationally released in April. 

Chicago Branch Leading 

In Ned Depinet Drive 

NEW YORK—The RKO Chicago 

branch, 

managed by Sam Gorelick, led at the end 

of the first week of the 1950 Ned Depinet 

drive which began December 23. Oklahoma 

City, managed by R. B. Williams, was second. 

Dallas, under S. M. Sachs, and Pittsburgh, 

under D. C. Silverman, followed in that 

order. In Canada, Toronto, under Jack L. 

Labow, edged out St. John under Harry 

Cohen for first place. 

The midwest district, under Herb Greenblatt, 

led the other eight, with the Canadian 

district, under Leo Devaney, second. The 

western division, headed by Walter E. Branson, 

was first, with north-south second and 

eastern third. The last two are headed by 

Chaxles Boasberg and Nat Levy, respectively. 

The drive, directed by Robert Mochrie, 

general sales manager, will continue through 

June 22. 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wabosh 

fILMACK 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54rh St. 

BOXOFFICE Januai-y 7. 1950 37

Newest British Move 

Won't Aid Industry 

NEW YORK—British treasury statements 

that foreign investors can now take their 

capital, previously frozen for ten years, out 

of the countrj- caused little comment in the 

film industry, which considers its own British 

problem a specialized one. 

It was pointed out that the industry has 

never wanted to invest in British enterprises, 

that such investments as have been made 

amounted only to "peanuts," and that what 

Is wanted is an end to restrictions on film 

business. 

The British move was viewed as a "slight 

gesture" to foreign investors and one having 

political overtones, but not one aimed at 

clearing up the motion picture situation. 

One specialist in foreign affairs called attention 

to the "unique agreement" worked out 

by American and British film men which 

will come up in the near future for reconsideration, 

adding that "we will make our 

own deal." 

Another meeting of the Anglo-American 

Film council is due in London in the not 

too far distant futiu-e, but exactly when it 

will be held is not known either to MPAA 

or SIMPP. The latter has not yet selected 

all of those w-ho will represent it at the 

conference. The feeling in New York circles 

is that the U.S. industry will have to wait 

until the British labor government decides 

whether it is politically desirable to stage 

the conference before or after the British 

general election, now regarded as coming 

some time in March. 

Distributors Begin Own 

Operations in Germany 

NEW YORK—With the beginning of the 

new year, operations independent of the 

Motion Picture Export Ass'n were begun in 

Germany by Allied Artists, Columbia, MGM, 

Republic and United Artists in line with the 

decision of those companies to break away 

from the joint setup. 

Paramount, RKO, 20th Century-Pox, Universal-International 

and Warner Bros, began 

conducting sales and advertising campaigns 

out of their own offices there, but MPEA 

is handling physical distribution for them. 

The new setup will be thoroughly tested 

before decisions are made as to whether to 

retain other MPEA foreign services. The 

MPEA contract in Austria expires in August 

and there is some question as to whether it 

will be renewed. MPEA contracts with "iron 

curtain" coimtries, also expiring in August, 

probably will be renewed. These countries 

are Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, 

Russia and Yugoslavia. The same is true of 

Japan, partly because it will continue to be 

an occupied country through 1950. 

Robert Maroney Is Named 

To RKO Post in Panama 

NEW YORK—Robert C. Maroney, formerly 

head of the RKO foreign department 16mm 

division, has been named assistant manager 

to the RKO Panama office by Phil Reisman, 

vice-president in charge of foreign distribution. 

Maroney, who has been with RKO for 

four years, left for his new post December 31. 

Arthur Herskovitz, assistant to Maroney. 

has been promoted to head the 16mm division 

and Charles Belmont, a member of the department, 

has been made his assistant. 

Schimel Takes Over; 

Goldberg Delayed 

NEW YORK—Adolph Schimel officially 

took over his new post as vice-president 

and general coimsel of Universal Pictures 

Co. January 3, but Leon Goldberg, recently 

elected vice-president and treasurer, 

was still busy with production details at 

the coast studio. Goldberg is expected here 

about January 15 to asstime his hew 

duties. 

Schimel, who had been secretary and 

attorney, succeeded Charles D. Prutzman, 

and Goldberg will replace Samuel Machnovitch, 

both of whom resigned. Prutzman 

will continue in a consulting capacity. 

The resignations followed that of 

J. Cheever Cowdin, chairman of the 

board, who will leave the company after 

the annual meeting in March. There will 

be no board chairman after that, according 

to the company. 

EGA Okays 19 Films 

In Pad Wilh MPEA 

WASHINGTON—Of the 35 film titles 

proposed 

by the Motion Picture Export Ass'n 

for convertibility guarantees in the last five 

months of 1949, only 19 were foimd acceptable 

by ECA, it was revealed this week. On request 

of MPEA, the agency has decided not 

to release the names of the films accepted 

or rejected, although it will definitely name 

the films for 1950 release which will be 

guaranteed by ECA. A $25,000 per title guarantee 

will be made over the actual distribution 

cost. 

The agreement with MPEA, signed last 

week, covered releases from August 1 of last 

year through the end of December, and called 

for a total of $636,400. This includes $19,000 

each as a part of the negative cost for each 

of the 19 films okayed. All above the $361,000 

thus accounted for represents out-of-pocket 

distribution expense. 

Announcement of the films to be guaranteed 

this year in a series of contracts with the 

individual companies is expected in about a 

month. Each film approved as beneficial to 

our foreign policy and general campaign to 

be understood in Germany will be given assurance 

that marks earned will be cashed 

in to the extent of print costs and other 

out-of-pocket expenses and in addition $25,- 

000 per title. UntU the signing of the agreement 

for MPEA covering the films released 

in the latter part of 1949, the guarantees had 

covered only the out-of-pocket expenses. 

Seidelman to See Rank 

NEW YORK—Sam Seidelman, head of the 

Eagle Lion foreign department, left during 

the wêek for a two-week visit to London and 

Paris. Diu-ing his stay in England he will 

see J. Arthur Rank for production-distribution 

talks. 

Morros Sets Lehar Film 

VIENNA — Boris Morros, American producer, 

has signed a contract with Willy Porst, 

Viennese producer, to make the life of Franz 

Lehar, the Austrian composer, as a joint Austrian-American 

production, in both English 

and German versions. 

MPEA Lists Pictures 

Making Hits Abroad 

NEW YORK — "Johnny Belinda" (WBi 

proved a powerful attraction in Vienna during 

November and into December, according 

to the Motion Picture Export Ass'n. Others 

doing well there included "The Great Waltz," 

"Thrill of a Romance" and "Holiday in Mexico" 

(MGM I, "A Double Life" (U-I) and "Call 

Northside 777" and "Swamp Water" i20th- 

Fox>. Elsewhere in Austria, leading films 

w-ere "Jungle Jim" and "A Thousand and One 

Nights" fColi, "Boys Town" (MGM) and "Mr. 

Bug Goes to Town" iPara). 

In Berlin, good business was done by "Call 

Northside 777" and "Miracle on 34th Street" 

(20th-Pox), "Road to Rio" (Para), "The 

Naked City" (U-Ii. "Tall in the Saddle" 

(RKO) and "The Great Waltz." In other 

German cities, the leaders were "Arizona" 

(Coll, "The Sea Wolf" and "Johnny Belinda" 

(WBi, "Panhandle" (Mono-AAi, "The Yearling," 

"The Great Waltz" and "A Woman's 

Face" (MGM), "The Pearl" (RKOK "The 

Naked City" and "Miracle on 34th Street." 

In Poland, "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves" 

(U-I) broke MPEA records at Warsaw, Gdynia, 

Lodz and Wroclaw. "Lassie Come Home" 

(MGM) did well at Poznan, Krakow and 

Katowice. "Gulliver's Travels' (Para) had 

extended runs at Warsaw, Krakow and Katowice. 

In Japan, "Notorious" (RKO) finished a 

39-day roadshow engagement in Tokyo with 

an average attendance for the complete run 

of 98 per cent. "Seven Sinners" (U-I> ran 

13 days day-and-date at eight houses. "Julia 

Misbehaves" (MGMi seven days in five 

houses, "Man From Oklahoma" (Rep) nine 

days in five, "That Mad Mr. Jones" (Col) 11 

days in six, "Green Promise" (RKO) five 

days in five and "The Night Has a Thousand 

Eyes" (Para) seven days in five. Three 

Tokyo houses were added to the number exclusively 

playing U.S. films. 

CBS Executive Personnel 

Undergoes Many Changes 

NEW YORK—Changes in the assignment 

of executive personnel of the Columbia Broadcasting 

System became effective January 1. 

William C. Gittinger, vice-president of AM 

network sales, became senior vice-president 

and assistant to President Frank Stanton. 

Hubbell Robinson jr., vice-president in charge 

of network programs, took over general direction 

and supervision of both radio and 

television programming. 

J. L. Van Volkenburg, vice-president in 

charge of television operations, became vicepresident 

in charge of network sales, directing 

both AM and TV sales. James M. Seward, 

vice-president in charge of operations, became 

vice-president in charge of business 

affairs, network programs. 

Frank Falknor. assistant general manager 

of WBBM. Chicago, became vice-president in 

charge of program operations. Davidson Taylor, 

vice-president in charge of public affairs, 

resigned. Sig Mickelson, director of public 

affairs and production manager of WCCO, 

Minneapolis-St. Paul, and recently named director 

of the division of discussions in network 

pubhc affairs, became director of public 

38 BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 

affairs.

nEws AND VIE^VS THE PRODUCTION CENTER 

(Hollywood Office—Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager) 

1,600 Stars Appeared 

At Benefits in 1949 

HOLLYWOOD — An impressive total of 

more than 1,600 film personalities donated 

their sei-vices dui-ing 1949 for appearances in 

more than 600 patriotic and charitalDle events, 

accord ng to a yearend tally by the Hollywood 

Coordinating Committee. That number 

of players was supplied by the HCC in response 

to requests from national charity organizations, 

the U. S. government and veterans 

administration. 

Rendered aid by show business personalities 

were the National Tuberculosis Ass'n, 

the American Red Cross, American Cancer 

Society, March of Dimes, American Heart 

Ass'n, National Crippled Children's Society, 

CARE, Boy and Girl Scouts, Boys Clubs of 

America, the Community Chest, Armed Forces 

Radio Service, the treasury department and 

U. S. army recruiting services. Every one of 

117 veterans' hospitals was visited by at least 

one film luminary during the year; more than 

3Ct) stars gave AFRS performances, and players 

performed each week for a radio show 

for army recruiting and a U. S. savings bonds 

campaign. 

* * * 

Hitting the home stretch, Hollywood's fifth 

annual United Appeal campaign has reached 

a total of 16,996 subscriptions for $1,092,689. 

This represents 81 per cent of the $1,350,000 

goal. Solicitations are being continued, witfi 

the concentration now on higher-income 

potential donors. 

Group standings to date: 

Labor crafts and unions—14,656 pledges, 

$332,289; producers and executives, 387, $219,- 

871; actors, 583, $241,093; directors, 122, $72,- 

635; writers, 284, $96,504; agents, 180, $254,130; 

corporations, 24, $51,335. 

Heart of Gold to Jessel 

HOLLYWOOD — For his "humanitarian 

work during 1949," George Jessel, show business 

veteran and producer at 20th Century- 

Fox, will be given the Mount Sinai Men's 

club "heart of gold" award. Presentation will 

be made by Dore Schary, MGM vice-president 

in charge of production, at a banquet to 

be staged March 22. 

Studio Space to Thor 

HOLLYWOOD—Office and shooting space 

at Motion Picture Center studios have been 

obtained by Thor Productions, independent 

unit headed by Bert Friedlob and Director 

Tay Garnett. The outfit plans an early start 

on "Dark Challenge," for which a major release 

is being negotiated. 

Screen PubUcists Vote 

On Union Affiliation 

HOLLYWOOD—The new year opened with 

a bang for film foundry publicists when they 

were given a January 6 date by the National 

Labor Relations Board to trek to the polls 

and determine by ballots whether they wish 

to be represented on the major lots by the 

independent Screen Publicists Guild or the 

lATSE's newly formed Motion Picture Publicists 

Local 818. 

The voting plan called for balloting at Columbia, 

Republic, 20th-Pox, U-I, RKO, Goldwyn, 

Warners, Paramount and MGM. A plea 

by the SPG that blurbers on the payrolls of 

independent producers be eligible to vote was 

recently denied by the NLRB. 

An election rally meeting was held Wednesday 

(4) by the SPG. The voting brings to a 

close; officially, at least, a lengthy battle between 

the rival drumbeaters' groups. 

Jack Carson to Emcee 

HOLLYWOOD—On behalf of 

the national 

Go-to-Church campaign. Jack Carson, Warner 

Bros, comedian, was to welcome 3,000 Boy 

Scouts at an ice hockey game January 8 at 

the Pan Pacific auditorium. At the ceremonies 

Carson was to introduce Lieut. Gov. 

Goodwin Knight of California; Mrs. Marvin 

Owen, president of the Parent-Teacher federation, 

and Boy Scout leaders. 

WB Installs New Device 

HOLL"YWOOD—A new type of magnetic 

wind screen is being installed on all Warner 

Bros, microphones following its development 

by the studio sound department headed by 

Col. Nathan Levinson. The new device eliminates 

heavy, loud frequency noises which 

often are picked up during location shooting 

and dialog, it is claimed, can be recorded as 

clearly as on a studio sound stage. 

In a move designed to further relations between 

American industry and Hollywood, the 

board of directors of the Screen Directors 

Guild at its last meeting heard a report from 

Wallace Worsley, SDG delegate to a recent 

National Ass'n of Manufacturers convention 

in New York. The plan, now in formative 

stages, would call for the SDG to establish 

an advisory service on industrial films as a 

public relations gesture from the film capital 

to U. S. industry. 

Worsley, who spent three weeks in Manhattan 

discussing the project with NAM toppers, 

is preparing an outline of the service. 

The SDG board also discussed the sponsorship 

of its network radio show by RCA- 

Victor, that company having signed to sponsor 

the Screen Directors Playhouse beginning 

with the January 6 program over NBC. The 

board also approved a Christmas gift of a 

television set from the SDG to the Motion 

Picture Country home. 

Present at the meeting were President 

George Marshall, Albert S. Rogell, David 

Butler, Merian C. Cooper, Frank Borzage, 

Clarence Brown, Charles Barton, Lesley Selander, 

Vernon Keays, Richard Wallace, 

George Waggner and Ralph Murphy. 

A healthy monetary condition was reported 

in the annual financial statement released 

to the membership by the Screen Actors Guild 

covering the fiscal year from Nov. 1, 1948, to 

Oct. 31. 1949, inclusive. Assets total $603,- 

467.76, vrith liabilities of $26,394.85, resulting 

in a surplus of $577,072.91. Income for the 

12-month period was $250,950.04, while operating 

expenses, slightly higher than income, 

totaled $259,729.75. 

Film megaphonists will be honored at a 

dinner to be staged February 6 by actormembers 

of the Masquers club. Guests of 

honor will be members of the board of directors 

of the Screen Directors Guild. 

New Sound Testing Film 

HOLLYWOOI>—Designed as a final listening 

test for 35mm sound reproducing equipment, 

development of a new test film has 

been announced by the Motion Picture Research 

council. The reel, about 500 feet long, 

has picture and sound, including main title 

music, four dialog samples, piano music, a 

high level vocal selection with orchestra, and 

a sound effects sample. 

The test film can be used to check system 

frequency response, high and low frequency 

balance, acoustical response, amplifier and 

speaker output, speaker phasing and flutter. 

Lansburgh Joins Thalia 

HOLLYWOOD—Resigning as an associate 

producer for Walt Disney, after 14 years in 

the post, Larry Lansburgh has joined Juhan 

Lesser's Thalia Productions in an executive 

production capacity. 

BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950 

39

STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES 

Barnstormers 

Columbia 

SMILEY BUnNETTE, who stars with Charles Starrelt 

in the Durango Kid series, was set lor personal 

cppearances in 16 eastern and southeastern cities 

this month. 

Independent 

BILL (HOPALONG CASSIDY) BOYD was grand 

marshal at the Beverly Hills centennial parade 

December 29. 

Monogram 

KIRBY GRANT returned Irom Chicago, where the 

actor made personal cfppearances in connection with 

his starring vehicle, "The Wolf Hunters." 

Warners 

Booked into New York's Strand Theatre for cm 

e.ngagement starting January 20 was singing star 

GORDON MACRAE. 

Briefies 

Metro 

"A Wife's Life" will be the first Pete Smith Specialty 

for the new year and will star Mrs. Dave 

O'Brien, who will show the wife's side of trying 

to please a husband by the way she runs a house. 

David Barclay and Julian Harmon wrote the script 

which Barclay will direct. 

Warners 

Completed was "Seal m the Lighthouse," tworeel 

Technicolor short which Gordon Hollingshead 

produce:^- and Larry Lansbury directed. 

Cleffers 

RKO Radio 

STANLEY JONES has been set to collaborate with 

RICHARD HAGEMAN on the score for Argosy's 

"Wagon Master." 

20th Century-Fox 

HAROLD ARLEN and RALPH BLANE have completed 

six songs for use in "My Blue Heaven," the 

current. Betty Grable-Don Dailey starrer. Henry 

Koster is directing. 

Warners 

WILLIAM LAVA was set to score "Colt 45." 

Loanouts 

Universal-International 

rrowed from 20 h-Fox for a lead in 

BARBARA LAWRENCE. 

Meggers 

Fir 

slate 

KQt;r

— 

Arizona Anniversary 

To Feature Premiere 

HOLLYWOOD—Latest filnxmaking unit to 

jump aboard the premiere junket bandwagon 

is Lippert Productions, which will give its 

new historical western, "The Baron of Arizona." 

w'orld premiere treatment Februai^ 14 

in Phoenix, Ariz., tieing in with that state's 

observance of its 38th anniversary of its admission 

to the union. 

With the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce 

participating, the debut will be attended by 

state officials and local dignitaries, while the 

Lippert company will fly stars and members 

of the press to the opening from Hollywood. 

"The Baron," toplining Vincent Price and 

Ellen Drew, was directed by Samuel Puller 

and produced by Carl K. Hittleman. 

• * • 

Eight film players—Donald O'Connor, Patricia 

Medina, Yvonne DeCarlo, Gloria De- 

Haven, Jackie Coogan, Peggie Castle, Leslye 

Banning and Jack O'Connor—^have been set 

as part of the contingent to be flown by U-I 

and the U. S. air force to Germany, leaving 

January 18, for the world premiere of "Francis." 

Pianist Ray Turner will go along as 

accompanist and Hal Belfer, U-I studio dance 

director, also will make the trip. 

The party also will include Sam Israel and 

Frank McFadden of the studio publicity department; 

Archie Herzoff, studio advertising 

department official: E. V. Dinnerman, Cincinnati 

advertising man, who will handle advance 

exploitation in Germany, and Lieut. 

Col. Joseph Goetz, USAF. The troupe is 

slated to arrive in Wiesbaden January 20 

and "Francis" will be shown air force persoiinel 

in Wiesbaden, Berlin and other German 

cities during the ten-day European tour. 

New Year's eve openings in a dozen southern 

California and Arizona cities were staged 

for 20th-Fox's "Twelve O'clock High," currently 

receiving first run treatment in Los 

Angeles and Hollywood. The Gregory Pec'.< 

starrer began runs in Santa Barbara, Riverside, 

San Diego, Phoenix, Santa Ana, Long 

Beach, San Pedro, Bakersfield, El Centro. 

Tucson, Globe and Yuma. 

Republic's "Sands of Iwo Jima" was 

screened for marine corps personnel at Camp 

Pendleton, Calif., by Edmund Grainger, who 

produced. He was a guest of General Erskine, 

commanding officer. 

Three of U-I's behind-the-scenes personnel 

l.ave been dispatched on an exploitation 

tour to promote "Woman in Hiding," slated 

for its world premiere at the Lafayette Theatre 

in Buffalo January 7. Making the trek 

were Bud Westmore, head of U-I's makeup 

and hairdressing departments: Joan St. Oegger, 

chief hair stylist, and Yvonne Wood, 

fashioi. designer. They were to participate 

in advance promotion through radio and 

presf interviews and appearances in depart- 

;nent .stores, beauty shops and dress salons. 

Peru Likes U.S. Films 

HOLLYWOOD—Peruvians are completely 

sold on American films, Reno BrowTie, Monogram 

contract player, opined upon her return 

from Lima, Peru, where she was a guest of 

honor at the government fair. The actress 

said that during her stay there she saw only 

Peruvian or U.S. products. 

¥HERE is cause for thought— and perhaps 

additional worry—for the thespian and 

creative personnel of Cinemania in the 

recent important development in the Hollywood 

agency field. 

That development concerned the mergers 

of a quintet of the ten-percenter organizations 

into two new talent agency groups. 

Berg-Allenberg pooled its interests with the 

William Morris company and has begun operations 

under the name of the latter, while 

almost simultaneously the Levee-Stark, Goldstone-Willner 

and Vic Orsatti agencies 

merged their firms into the new United 

Agency Corp. 

There can be little doubt that the combining 

of the five flesh-peddling groups into two 

can be attributed, in part, at least, to dwindling 

employment in the celluloid vineyards; 

to smaller honorariums for many of the 

agencies' clients; and to other natural economic 

repercussions of lagging production 

and shaved budgets. And it seems logical 

to assume that, if current conditions continue, 

the trend toward the merging of 

agencies will manifest itself in other similar 

combines. 

Whether or not this evolution on the Hollywood 

scene will prove advantageous to the 

film capital's salaried workers time alone will 

reveal. Fewer agencies, with greatly increased 

influence and bargaining powers because of 

their larger client lists, easily could develop 

into an additional thorn in the sides of harassed 

producers—most especially the shortbankrolled 

independents—trying to hire talent 

as cheaply as possible. And to the ambitious 

newcomer with unproven abilities and 

earning capacities it means proportionately 

lessened chances of interesting a ranking 

agency in undertaking furtherance of his or 

her career. 

On the other hand, the stepped-up power 

of the larger agencies should be beneficial 

and profitable to their well-established clients 

—the actors, writers, directors, etc., for whom 

there is a steady and strong demand. 

From an overall perspective, it becomes obvious 

that the question of whether or not the 

agency-merger tendency will prove a boon or 

a curse to the filmmaking trade is largely 

up to the agencies themselves, and how they 

conduct their respective and increased businesses. 

Past performances of most of the principals 

figuring in the combines give promise 

of clean, considerate, ethical, business-like 

conduct that should benefit the industry as a 

whole. 

While on the subject of agencies, there is 

one of their established practices the elimination 

of which would remove a troublesome 

stumbling bloclt from the paths of producers. 

That is the constant bickering over respective 

screen credits for featured players. The 

need for entering formal contractual arrangements 

as concerns such credits—and the resultant 

necessary vigilance to protect himself 

against violation (hereof—is one of the 

major headaches, and a constant cause of 

expense, for the independent producer. 

It is standard practice that the agreement 

under which a featured player is hired for a 

part carries a clause which provides, with 

much legal verbiage, that the player shall receive 

screen credit on positive prints and in 

paid advertising and paid publicity, if any, 

which is issued under control of the producer 

and distributor, of a specified percentage of 

the size of type given to the star; that the 

player must have billing above certain other 

members of the cast, even if those members 

are seen in more important roles, etc., ad 

nauseam. 

During more prosperous times when there 

was plenty of work—and princely payments 

for Hollywood's middle-bracket thespian contingent, 

such career-protecting legal hocuspocus 

possibly had a place in agency-producer 

bargaining. 

But under existing conditions, when featured 

players—and good ones—are available 

in droves, and willing to take comparatively 

small parts at salaries that are but a fraction 

of their former demands, to handicap a 

producer and distributor with archaic, vanity-feeding, 

costly contractual arrangements 

over screen credits is nothing short of ridiculous. 

Extremely sensitive to the story content of 

the films for which, as United Artists' publicity 

major-domo in these parts, he beats the 

drums is Cecil Coan. On a recent evening he 

arranged a tradepress showing of "Mrs. Mike," 

which details life in the rugged, below-zero 

snow country of the Canadian northwest. 

Almost immediately thereafter Coan went 

to bed to nurse a heavy cold. 

Comes now to this desk a clipping from the 

Philippines Herald, English language newspaper 

of Manila, edited by one H. P. Vibal. 

The clipping is a review of Paramount's 

"Samson and Delilah," which was lifted verbatim 

from this publication. 

Probably it will be months before a print 

of the DeMille epic reaches the Philippines, 

and many more months before the picture 

has a booking in the islands. But that didn't 

discourage Editor Vibal; nor was his editorial 

pencil sufficiently ambitious to eliminate 

from (he review certain clauses which were 

directed to the film trade, and which would 

be meaningless to his readers unless they operated 

theatres. 

Either BOXOFFICE gets around—or Paramount 

has a very persuasive press agent in 

Manila. 

Also in the holiday mails was Vol. 1, No. 1 

of a new monthly magazine titled "Hollywood" 

and printed in Arabic and English. Its 

format provides for reproduction of content 

in the latter tongue, with the same material 

in Arabic in an adjacent column. 

What a break for such catch-as-catch-can 

space-snatchers as Maury Foladare and Arthur 

Eddy, most of whose releases might as 

well be in Arabic anyway. 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 41

^(Md(M êî^nt 

THE FIRST NEW ODEON CINEMA completed 

since the war opened last week at 

Worcester, although work was started on it as 

early as 1939. In the spring of 1940, the first 

year of the war, the government issued an 

order prohibiting all non-essential building 

and the Worcester Odeon, which was prac- 

By JOHN SULLIVAN 

tion, a tendency for actors to set up their 

own production companies and to work for 

sharing terms rather than a flat salary. 

The film is titled "She Shall Have Murder" 

and is being produced by Derrick DeMarney 

at Riverside studios, for distribution by John 

Woolf's new company. DeMarney stars him- 

tically complete except for internal fittings, self in the film, together with Rosamund 

was taken over and used as a government John, and he is primarily responsible for the 

store for aircraft equipment. De-requisitioned whole structure of the production. Both he 

early this year, work was started almost immedia'eiy 

and Miss John are working for about a fifth 

on equipping the theatre ready for of their normal salary, but they are both 

this week's opening. 

financially interested in the picture. Although 

The C.M.A. circuit, which combines Odeon 

this kind of arrangement is fairly 

and Gaumont-British, have several other common in Hollywood it is comparatively new 

large thealres which were in course of construction 

in this counti-y and is encouraged by the 

when war was declared as well as National Film Finance Corp. 

many that were bomb damaged and have not DeMarney was last seen in "Sleeping Car 

been reopened since the war. The new year to Trieste." which was shown in New York 

]?rouab"y will see many of these rebuilt or some time back, and Miss John starred in 

completed. Work has already started on the "Fame Is the Spur," which recently started 

Shepherd's Bush Pavilion, a large GB theatre a run in that city. 

which was bomb damaged and there is a 

large Odeon house in Paddington which was THIS WEEK'S OFFERING at the Odeon, 

nearly complete on the outbreak of war and Leicester Square, is the London Films production, 

which will probably open sometime in 1950. 

"The Cure for Love," which was pro- 

The Worcester Odeon is a 1,670-seat theatre duced and directed by Robert Donat and in 

—a useful addition to any circuit. The film which he stars. 

chosen to open with is "The Rocking Horse Walter Greenwood's story deals with the 

Winner," which stars the boy actor, John misadventures of an army sergeant who is a 

Howard Davies. 

A FILM STARTED WORK last week which 

hero in battle but a coward when dealing with 

women. Young Jack Hardacre comes home 

on leave to his native Lancashire to find an 

attractive young girl from London billeted on 

is typical of a new trend in British produc- 

Zaêcuiiue 

East: John Joseph, newly appointed eastern 

publicity director for MGM, returned to his 

New York headquarters after a stay of a 

week at the Culver City studio. Joseph previously 

was executive assistant to Howard Dietz, 

Loew's vice-president in charge of advertising 

and publicity. 

East: L. E. Goldhammer, eastern division 

sales manager for Monogram-Allied Artists, 

returned to Manhattan after huddling at the 

studio for a week with President Steve Broidy 

and other Hollywood executives. En route 

east Goldhammer planned to visit exchanges 

in Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland and Cincinnati. 

East: Having completed shooting on two 

new features for Paramount release, independent 

producer Hal Wallis planed for New 

York for conferences with Paramount homeoffice 

executives, helping to map advertising 

campaigns. He wiU also attend the eastern 

opening of his Barbara Stanwyck starrer, 

"Thelma Jordon." 

East: R. W. Alcorn, who makes his productional 

bow with "Johnny Holiday," for 

TTnited Artists release, planed to Gotham on 

the first lap of a projected tour of 30 key 

cities to attend openings of the feature. His 

Hdvance men on the barnstorming junket 

uill be publicists Ned Crawford and Pat Patterson 

and proceeds from the openings will 

^n4SAielen4> 

be turned over to the Kiwanis International 

fund to combat juvenile delinquency. 

West: Ellis Arnall, president of the Society 

of Independent Motion Picture Producers, was 

due in from the east for a stay of ten days 

or two weeks. He planned a meeting with 

the SIMPP executive committee and huddles 

with various of the organi2ation's producermembers. 

North: Writer-director Maxwell Shane and 

Producer Jules Buck of 20th-Fox headed for 

Montreal and Quebec, Canada, to scout locations 

for a forthcoming picture. 

East: Actress Claire Trevor, Producer Milton 

Bren and Director William A. Seiter, associated 

in the making of "Borderline," to be 

released by U-I, will leave for New York late 

next week to participate in exploitation and 

publicity campaigns for the picture. 

East: Director Joe Newman trained to New 

York en route to Europe to begin preparaations 

for filming a George Raft starrer for 

Joe Kaufman Productions. Newman was 

accompanied by his wife. 

East: David Lipton, U-I's advertising-publicity 

director, headed for New York home 

office conferences and huddles in Washington 

with government officials concerning the upcoming 

premiere of "Francis" in Germany. 

his mother. He falls in love with her, but has 

a hard timie ridding himself of a worthless 

girl to whom he got engaged before going 

overseas. Finally, he tries the "cure for love," 

that is, marriage, w^hich is recommended by 

an old crone, and marries the London girl, 

leaving his hard-boiled ex-fiancee to grab the 

nearest m.an to her. 

Lancashire and the North of England may 

enjoy this comedy, but it is almost certain 

that no other district will. The whole production 

has the air of a village concert with each 

of the actors determined to give a solo performance 

that will outshine the others. 

Donat's work is more like a music-hall tm-n 

than film acting and Renee Asherson's idea 

of a Cockney accent will make London audiences 

hoot with derision. Quite the best acting 

in the film comes from Dora Bryan who 

made a hit as the street-walker in "The 

Fallen Idol" and whose role in this film is in 

similar vein. There is also a pleasant piece 

of comedy from Marjorie Rhodes and Charles 

Victor whose middle-aged courtship is far 

more appealing than the love affair of the 

two principals. 

With about 18 minutes cut from its running 

time "The Cure for Love" may be worth 

playing in U. S. theatres as the lower half of 

a double bill, but only as a novelty for Donat 

fans. 

J. ARTHUR RANK has often stated publicly 

that a British picture will outgross an 

American in the British market and this 

statement is still true—with one important 

qualification. A good British film will certainly 

do more business than a good American 

film, but the average British "programmer" 

will not pull in the patrons unless supported 

by an American feature. In view of the huge 

crowds that one sees waiting for admission to 

such pictures as "The Third Man" and "The 

Hasty Heart" there does seem to be reason 

in Sir Alexander Korda's repeated plea that 

good pictures should be given extended playing 

time. His own production, "The Third 

Man," ran for weeks at the Carlton Theatre, 

a Paramount house in the west end even after 

it had been through its general release in 

neighborhood houses. It must have enabled 

the Carlton to meet its quota for this year 

and has now moved over, presumably for the 

same reason, to the smaller Rialto Theatre 

where again it is attracting large crowds. A 

picture that can do big business like this 

should be held over for a second week at local 

cinemas and exhibitors would then be able 

to meet their quota more easily without complaints 

as to losses. 

Eric Johnston to Capitol 

After Hollywood Visit 

HOLLYWOOD—Here for a brief stay to 

survey the production scene and huddle with 

studio executives, Eric Johnston, president 

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, was 

scheduled to check out over the weekend for 

his Washington offices. 

Johnston came in from his home in Spokane, 

Wash., where he spent the holidays. 

Among the topics discussed during his visit 

were the upcoming negotiations concerning 

the Anglo-American films agreement, which 

expires this spring. 

DRIVE-IN 

THEATRE 

Combination Ramp Identification and Driveway 

Floodlight 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. K?ns.fg!{y!'MS 

42 BOXOFHCE January 7, 1950

YOU 

get extra 

results with 

equipment 

TROUBLE-FREE Mechanisms 

OIL-LESS BEARINGS & GEARS. The CENTURY mechanism 

is so beautifully designed it needs almost no maintenance. 

Bindups just don't occur,and there are no 

oil pumps or wells to mess up film and equipment. 

SUPERIOR SOUND 

FLunER SUPPRESSOR. Used in all Century sound-heads. 

Winner of the Academy Award and one reason for 

the superior quality of Century sound. 









reduced. 

Wofer cooffng is optional — availabte 

all models at slight extra cost. 

GIRARD THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

532 West Van Buren 

Phoenix, Arizona 

WALTER G. 

Equipment manufactured by CENTURY PROJECTOR CORP., New York, N.Y 

PREDDEY CO. 

187 Golden Gate Ave. 

San Francisco 2, California 


See him also for your needs in theatre equipment, parts ond service. 

PROJECTION EQUIPMENT & 

MAINTENANCE COMPANY 

1975 South Vermont Ave. 

Los Angeles 7, Californio 

WESTERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

1923 N, W. Kearney St. 

Portland, Oregon 

WESTERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

2224 Second Ave. 

Seattle 1, Wash. 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 W 43

— 

Znd 

reissue 

7wo Jima' Pulls 200 Per Cent Gross 

And Predictions of Good New Year 

LOS ANGELES—New Year's eve trade plus 

the long holiday and a strong array of new 

product zoomed grosses in most first run 

situations to augur well for a prosperous 

1950. The standout attraction was "Sands 

of Iwo Jima," while other big ticket lures 

were "The Inspector General" and "On the 

Town," finishing neck-and-neck, and the 

second week of "Twelve O'clock High," still 

pulling in plenty of customers. 

(Average Is 100) 

Carthay Circle—Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep) 200 

Chinese, Los Angeles, Loyola, Uptown, Wilshire 

Twelve O'CIock High (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 150 

Culver, Belmont, Ritz, Globe, Studio City, Vogue- 

Bagdad (U-I); Hollywood Varieties (Lippert), 

â^ â6ien, GleanlnK^ 

of 

DRIVE-INS 

PARKING LOTS 

Use the Amazing, New 

MODERN Rotary 

POWER SWEEPER 

90 

wn, Hollywood Paramounts — The Great 

(Para); Golden Stallion (Rep), 2nd wk, ,. 

EgyptK 

Town (MGM) 160 

n, Loews State—On 

ts—The Fallen Idol 

the 

(SRO), 6th wk 90 

Music Halls, Forum—The Big Wheel (UA), 2nd 

wk,; Red Desert (Lippert) 100 

Orpheum—Mary Ryan. Detective (Col), 2nd d. t 

wk,, plus vaudeville 

05 

Pantages, Hillstreet—Holiday Aifoir (RKO); 

Blondie's Hero (Col) 100 

(Jnited Artists, Star—My Foolish Heart 

Four 

(RKO) , wk 100 

Warners Hollywood. Downtown, Wiltern—The 

Inspector General (WB) 160 

'Great Lover' Leads Seattle 

Holiday Trade With 175 

SEATTLE—Three houses opened their holiday 

attractions during the week and drew 

excellent business. "The Great Lover" at the 

Coliseum set the pace with 175. "Prince of 

while 

Foxes" at the Fifth Avenue scored 165, 

"All the King's Men" at the Liberty hit 160. 

Blue Mouse—Challenge to Lassie (MGM): The 

Castaway (Rep) , 

125 

Coliseum—The Great Lover (Para); Trapped (EL) ..175 

Fillh Avenue— Prince of Foxes (20th-Fox); Body 

hold (Col) 165 

Liberty—All the King's Men (Col); Girls' School 

_ (Col) _ 155 

Music Box—Bride for Sale (RKO); Deputy Marshal 

(Lippert), 3rd d. t. wk /O 

Music Hall—Holiday Ailair (RKO); Red Desert 

(LP) 60 

Orpheum—The 

- 

Lady Takes a Sailor (WB); The 

Dalton Gang (LP) 65 

Paramount—David Harum (20th-Fox); Steamboat 

Hound the Bend (20th-rox), reissues 60 

'Iwo Jima' Continues Lead 

In Second Frisco Stanza 

SAN FRANCISCO—"Sands of Iwo Jima," 

in its second week at the Fox, registered 

190 per cent and continued to pace the city. 

"Adam's Bib" chalked up a lusty 150 per cent 

in its opening week at the Warfield. "The 

Big Wheel" occupied the next best spot with 

140 per cent. 

Esquire—Free lor All (U-I); Abandoned (U-I), 

3rd ..120 

Fox—Sands of Iwo Jima (Rep); Belle of Old 

Mexico (Rep), 2nd wk 190 

Golden Gale—A Dangerous Profession (RKO); 

The Mysterious Desperado (RKO) 100 

Orpheum—And Baby Makes Three (Col); Feudin' 

Rhythm (Col). 2nd wk 115 

Paramount—The Great Lover (Para); Tough 

Assignment (LP) 115 

St, Francis—The Heiress (Para), 5th wk 70 

United Artists—The Big Wheel (UA) 14G 

United Nations—Same as Fox 120 

Woriield—Adam's Rib (MGM) 150 

Alexis Smith Is Sued 

For $40,000 by Warners 

HOLLYWOOD—Already on suspension because 

of her alleged refusal to accept a loanout 

assignment some weeks ago, Alexis Smith 

was the target of a $40,000 damage suit by 

Warner Bros., that amount assertedly being 

the salary she collected from the Burbank 

studio during the time when she would have 

been before the cameras. Warners also 

charges the actress with breach of contract 

and asks that her agreement be declared invalid. 

Miss Smith backed away from a loanout 

to U-I for a topline in "Shoplifter." 

Not in the script of "The Man With My 

Pace," being readied as a Macdonald Carey 

starrer by Jess Smith Productions, independent 

unit, is a $300,000 damage action filed by 

writer-producer Richard M. Blumenthal. 

Naming Smith, Thomas J. McGowan and 

Samuel W. Taylor as defendants, Blumenthal 

seeks a declaratory judgment to determine 

the respective ownership rights in the screenplay 

package. He claims to be a co-owner, 

along with McGowan and Taylor, and charges 

he had been set to produce the film. That 

agreement allegedly was abrogated, however, 

according to Blumenthal, when the script was 

sold to Smith. 

Back on the payroll at 20th Century-Fox 

went Victor Mature, who had been suspended 

some weeks ago for refusing to accept a loanout 

assignment ô :tar in RKO's "Alias Mike 

Fury." 

MODEL "W" PROJECTORS 

FAST, EFFICIENT, BUILT TO LAST 

Here's a sweeper which wdicn will pay for lor itsell itsen in no 

time at all. Sweeps 1,000 square feet per minute. 

Picka up bottle caps, metal, paper, leaves, noils, 

almost any debris. One-man operation. Swêeps 

clean up to curbs, gutters, slands and against 

buildings. 

Modem Rotary Power Sweeper is all-steel wêlded. 

Powêrful 4 cycle gas engine drives unit. Simple 

one lever speed and directional control. Available 

in twô 

sizes: 36" sweep or 48"—with or without 

operator's riding 

dolly. 

For complete money-saving details 

write or wire today to 

MODERN MFG. CO. 

160 N. FAIR OAKS AVE. PASADENA 1, CALIF. 

"Prince of Foxes' Scores 250 

To Set New Denver Records 

DENVER— "Pi'ince of Foxes," showing at 

four houses, easily topped the city in money 

as well as percentage and set new records. 

"Adam's Rib" and "The Great Lover" were 

fine in their second weeks at the Broadway 

and Denham, respectively. 

Aladdin, Tabor—Free for All (U-I); Masterminds 

(Mono) 100 

Broadway—Adam's Rib (MGM), 2nd wk 130 

Denham—The Great Lover (Pard), 2nd wk 140 

Denver, Esquire, Rialto, Webber—Prince of Foxes 

(20lh-rox) 250 

Orpheum—Holiday Alfair (RKO), 2nd wk.. 3 days 50 

Paramount—Miss Grant Takes Richmond (Col); 

Blondie's Hero (Col) ICO 

Installs New Seats 

DENVER—The Egyptian Theatre here has 

installed new seats with 32-inch spacing between. 

The installation is in line with the 

Civic Theatres policy of rehabilitation and 

modernization of all circuit houses here. 

w www 

«»«'»'• 

•'^' 

Unequ.illefl in performance at such 

low cost...X conventional, rear-shutter 

Simplex tji>e mechanism with shockproof 

gears, slip-in type gate, doublebearing 

intermittent movement, and a 

highly sensitive focusing device which 

permits moving of lens exactly to the 

slightest degree. 

Projection Equipment & 

Maintenance Co. 

1975 South Vermont Avenue 

Los Angeles. Caliiornia 

Complete Theatre Equipment & Supplies 

44 BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950

\ 

Theatre Chandelier 

Falls, Hurts Three 

LOS ANGELES—Police sought this week 

to determine what caused a chandelier to 

wrench loose from the ceiling of the Monterey 

Theatre in Monterey Park and fall into the 

audience, injuring several persons. 

Police reported the chandelier weighed 50 

pounds, but G. W. Gutstein, manager of the 

theatre, said the part of the fixture which 

dropped was principally glass and weighed 

only about half a pound. 

The manager said he believed the fall was 

caused when the welding by which the piece 

was attached to iron pipes at the ceiling gave 

way. Steven Zsinko. 71, of Alhambra was 

under observation for a possible skull fracture. 

Treated for cuts and bruises were Mr. 

and Mrs. Thomas B. Glynn of Garvey, and 

Mulia Marchese of Alhambra. 

Hal Roach Sr. Produces 

TV Subject in Color 

HOLLYWOOD—Hal Roach sr., who some 

time ago abandoned his theatrical film producing 

activities in favor of video and commercial 

film production, has turned out a 40- 

minute subject in Anscocolor for the Union 

Oil Co., which that firm will utilize as part 

of an entertainment package celebrating its 

60th anniversary. Produced for Roach by 

Sidney Van Keuren and directed by Harve 

Foster, the film will be presented, in conjunction 

with a stage revue, for the edification 

of union personnel in 33 cities, including Los 

Angeles, San Pi-ancisco, Seattle and Phoenix, 

beginning February 25. 

With its annual "Emmy" awards presentation 

dinner to be staged January 27, the 

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences will 

hand out plaques for video achievements in 

nine categories. Honors will be meted out for 

the best live show, kinescope show, live personality, 

kinescope personality, film, public 

service show, sports coverage, juvenile program 

and commercial plug. In addition, 

recognition will be paid the best all-around 

station and most significant technical 

achievement of the year. 

Thugs Kidnap Showman; 

Seek Safe Combination 

SAN FRANCISCO—Monte Crooks, 26, assistant 

manager of the Milbrae Theatre, told 

police here that he was kidnapped by two 

armed thugs and held captive for four hours 

while they threatened his life if he did not 

reveal the combination of the theatre safe. 

Crooks told police that he climbed into his 

car after closing the theatre shortly after 

midnight. The thugs were hidden in the 

back seat of the car. 

Crooks refused to give them the safe combination 

and one of the thugs took over the 

wheel of the car and drove around the peninsula 

until nearly 4 a. m. During the ride 

the thugs stole Crooks' wallet, containing $2, 

and a diamond ring, which they later returned. 

Tliey also thi-eatened his life and 

indicated they intended to harm Crooks' wife 

Constance and his 2-year-old daughter Melody 

if the theatreman failed to reveal the 

safe combination. 

Crooks said the men released him and returned 

his car keys somewhere near the 

Golden Gate park before taking off on foot. 

All of which are offered by and are immediately at 

your service from the four Pacific Coast offices of the 

A J*. Shearer CoMnpany 

MOTIOGRAPH SOUND EQUIP- 

MENT: Sound is the most important 

single item of any Drive-In Theatre. 

Let us demonstrate the Latest and 

Best. 

MOTIOGRAPH IN-CAR SPEAKERS: 

The newest improved speakers with 

concession service signal light. 

ROBIN-IMPERIAL STEDY POWER MOTOR 

GENERATORS: Built specifically for Drive-ln 

Theatre operation. 

ENGINEERING: Starting with the selection 

of the site through to screen satisfaction for 

your patrons. 

mm 

LARGE REFLECTOR ARC LAMPS: 

More light . . . Brighter Picture . . . 

Lower Operating Cost. 

MOTIOGRAPH 

From a carbon to a Complete Theatre Irtstallation 

You will 

PROJECTION 

EQUIPMENT: Experience proved to 

properly provide maximum illumination 

and picture definition. 

CONCESSIONS: Revenue producing merchandising 

equipment designed for greater profits. 

CRETORS POPCORN MACHINES—BEVER- 

AGE DISPENSING EQUIPMENT and SUP- 

PLIES. 

fir)d 

SERVICE AND SATISFACTION GUARANTEED BY 

B. F. SHEARER COMPANY 

*7Aeaite £^4tip*He*ti SpecitUiili 

LOS ANGELES: 1964 Soulh Vermont • Rochester 1I4S • PORTLAND: 1947 N. W. Kearney • ATwater 7543 

SAN FRANCISCO: 243 Golden Gate Ave. • UNdeihill 1 1816 • SEATTLE: 2311 Second «>e. • Elliott 8247 

BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950 

45

. . Mac 

. . Well 

. . . Bob 

. . Two 

. . Although 

LOS 

ANGELES 

XTeteran Texas exhibitor Verne Trembley, 

formerly with J. G. Long in the Lone Star 

state and with Louis F. Long in Arizona, has 

joined the Gene Autry organization as advance 

man for the cowboy star's forthcoming 

barnstorming tour . . . Terry McDaniel, operator 

of the Colorado in Pasadena, got a nice 

break recently when a newspaper in that city 

carried a lengthy feature yarn on his experiences 

with the long run booking of "The Red 

Shoes." 

for Om.aha, where he'll go to work for Paramount. 

of the Variety, was a Pilmrow visitor . . . Mi-, 

and Mi-s. Morris Smith of the Playhouse spent 

a few days at the play spots in Las Vegas . . . 

Sam Davis. MGM manager in Seattle and 

formerly a salesman in this area, visited relatives 

and friends here over the holidays. 

Del Goodman of the Motion Picture Sales 

Corp. took off for New York on a business 

trip . . Jerry Persell, Columbia salesman, is 

. 

back on the job after a week's vacation. Larry 

an indefinite sick leave . on his way 

toward becoming a roller-skating rink tycoon 

is Bruce Miller, who used to peddle film for 

Monogram. He's just opened his second rink, 

out in the Westchester area. 

The name and booking policy of Ray Lindsey's 

Metro in San Diego have been changed. 

Ray now calls the house the Corral and is 

featuring Hollywood-made product, abandoning 

the Spanish-language features which he 

had been using . Sinift is remodeling 

the front of his Del Mar, the plans calling 

for a new marquee and signs. 

A southland vacation didn't interfere with 

sho-ttTnanship as far as Ludwig Sussman, 

FILMACK 

Chicago exhibitor, was concerned. He placed 

CHICAGO NEW YORK 

1327 S. Wabash 

an ad in the Los Angeles Times' annual midwinter 

edition which informed that "when 

619 W. 54fh St. 

visiting Chicago, attend the Adelphi, Chicago's 

most beautiful theatre" . . . Booking 

and buying visitors included Leo Hamacher 

PROJECTION 

of the Ramona, San Diego, and Joe Hamann, 

operator of the 

AND 

Surf in Huntington Beach. 

%ei0^ 

SOUND James Myers, Monogram manager in San 

Fi'ancisco, returned to his Bay city headquarters 

after conferences at the studio in Holly- 

SEATING 

IDEAL 

wood. 

SLIDE -BACK 

In filmland on a combined honeymoon and 

Projection Equipment & Maintenance Co. 

Los Angeles 7, California 

The 

'PACKAGED" 

DOUBLE 

YOUR LIGHT WITH OUR NEW 

Drive-ln Deal 


VINYL 

IS on page 41 

PLASTIC 

The Modern Theotre Section 

SCREEN 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE CENTER AISLE LIGHTS 

337 GOLDEN GATE AVE. • HE 1-8302 

SAN FRANCISCO 2, CALIF. 

Paul Schreibman is reopening the Belasco 

Theatre with Harry Rybnick as manager . . . 

The Arlin has been taken over by Lew Predericci, 

who already operates the Avalon and 

Village . . . Joe Rosenberg, formerly on the 

Warner Bros, sales staff here, is checking out 

1975 South Vermont Avenue, Phone: REpublic 0711 

V.'ilh numbered Panels for Ramps with Opaque Panels 

for Driveway Illumination 

In good health and spirits after a recent 

siege in the hospital, Dave Robbins, owner 

Kennedy of that exchange's sales staff is on 

C. W. Morris, Pres. Wayne Mayhew, vice-Pres. 

business trip is Marcus Roces, Philippine exhibitor 

and distributor, whose family controls 

a major portion of the theatres and radio 

stations in the islands. He and his bride plan 

a torn- of the western states . . . Lew Maren, 

United Artists exploiteer, headed for San 

Fi-ancisco to handle Bay city openings of "A 

Kiss for Corliss." 

Walter J. Dennis and Frank Bersson have 

launched construction of the Magnolia Drivein 

as a 450-car operation in Arlington. Architect 

in charge of construction is J. Arthur 

Di'ielsma. The new ozoner features an allsteel 

screen tower . . . Planning to buy and 

release French films in the American market, 

Bellen Foulke International Productions has 

been organized here by Jean Bellon and 

Charles Levier. 

After a six-month vacation tour of Europe 

iSTed Calvi—operator of the Plaza, Cal and 

Lomita theatres here—was expected to dock 

in New York January 7, returning immediately 

to the coast. 

Here for a week's visit was Benjamin N. 

Berger, head of the Berger Amusement Co., 

headquartering in Minneapohs. He is president 

of North Central Allied and a member 

of the Allied States board. Mrs. Berger accompanied 

him . Paramount division 

managers who visited here over the holidays 

have departed for their respective headquarters. 

Hugh Owen, eastern and southern division 

topper, headed for New York, accompanied 

by Mrs. Owen—the former Arleen 

Whelan of the screen; M. R. "Duke" Clark, 

south central division chief, planed back to 

Dallas. 

SEATTLE 

T^wig-ht Long-, former Seattleite who has just 

returned from a two-year South Sea trek 

during which he shot 25,000 feet of color film, 

lunched with Carl Mahne, Bob Haase, LoweU 

Parmentier, Vic Gauntlett and Fi-ank Christie 

of the Evergreen office . . . All downtown first 

run houses advanced their prices for New 

Year's eve shows . details have 

not been revealed, a theatre will be included 

in the Northgate project, a huge shopping 

center now under construction just north of 

here. 

Bob Hope passed through here on his way 

to Alaska to entertain troops over Christmas 

Quinn. Paramount exploiteer, flew 

in from Denver for meetings on "Thelma 

Jordon" and "The Heiress" . . . Frank L. Newman 

sr., Evergreen president, left for Palm 

Springs . . . Del Larison, manager of the Fifth 

Avenue, tied in with Kaiser-Paramount national 

contest as part of his campaign on 

"The Heiress." 

Free Show for Children 

FORSYTH, MONT. — The Roxy Theatre 

sponsored a free afternoon show December 

29 for grade school and preschool children. 

The show, which is staged annually, was well 

attended. The entertainment consisted of 

the pictm-e "Rocky," a Technicolor short and 

a cartoon. 

Plan Clayton Drive-In 

CLAYTON. N. M.—Construction of a 

drive-in will be started here this spring by 

Hubbard & Murphy Theatres, Inc., which 

operates indoor houses here and in Raton 

and Alamosa. N. M.. and Del Norte, Colo. 

BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950

. . 

DeLake House Burns 

Just After Purchase 

DeLAKE, ORE.—The Colonial Theatre at 

DeLake, recently purchased by Clarence and 

Betty Ward from Charles Slaney and P. H. 

Littlepage, was destroyed by fire two days 

after the Wards had taken over the house. 

Firemen fought the blaze for two hours in 

a moderately strong wind, but were aided by a 

heavy rain. A short circuit near the projection 

room was believed to be responsible for 

the blaze which did an estimated $15,000 damage. 

Also damaged by the blaze was an 

adjoining electrical appliance store. The Colonial 

was the town's only theatre. 

PORTLAND 

phil and Florence Carlin have sold the Elmo 

here to Earl and Caroline Ressel of 

Yakima, Wash. The Ressels fonnerly operated 

a theatre in North Dakota. They have 

redecorated the Elmo. The Carlins are retiring 

from show business which they entered 

here 25 years ago. 

Walter and Winnefred Tebbetts have sold 

the Portsmouth district Crest Theatre. The 

new owners and operators are Howard and 

Alvina Harvey. Theatre Exchange Co. negotiated 

Belva Tauscher is new 

the sale . . . 

biller at RKO. She replaces Donna Little 

who returned to college at Vanport . 

George Jackson, salesman for RKO, recently 

returned from his vacation. 

Five Hamrick-Evergreen downtown houses 

ran special shows New Year's eve, including 

a few sneak previews . . . Tim and Mittie 

Penn'ngton of Blue River have sold the Blue 

River Theatre to T>' Correll and his mother 

Mae B. Correll of West Fir, Ore, The Penningtons 

operated the house for a year and 

a half. The sale was handled by Theatre 

Exchange Co. 

Vaclav Kalina Celebrates 25th Year 

In Exhibition at Malin, Ore., Theatre 

MALIN. ORE.—Twenty-five years in the 

theatre and dance business was celebrated 

Tuesday evening (3i by Mr. and Mrs. Vaclav 

Kalina with an open house to friends and 

patrons in their Broadway Theatre and dance 

hall. 

Kalina recalled that his interest in the 

theatre business started when he was 14 years 

old. He sold picture postal cards to earn a 

motion picture machine. This equipment was 

run with carbide lights. That was back in 

1921. An old barn was the show house and the 

kids around town saw a three-foot film, 

shown over and over. The show "took" and 

yomig Kalina was in business. 

In 1925 he bought a projection machine out 

of the old White Pelican Theatre in Klamath 

Palls but his knowledge of how to operate one 

was limited to what he had read in books and 

what he learned from the electrician who 

helped him install it. 

He installed it in the old Malin school house, 

showing silent films. His first picture was 

"Go and Get It," a Warner Bros, production. 

Films from this corporation have been consistently 

used during the quarter century of 

operation. 

The first orchestra was John Houston's. 

Houston, Klamath Falls insurance man, is 

now director of the Barbershoppers. Members 

of the original orchestra have scattered 

far and wide. 

Movable seats on a flat floor in that first 

film house, made dancing possible after the 

show was over. The theatregoer paid to see 

the show, then waited until the seats were 

shoved against the wall and danced for free 

until daylight if he wanted to. 

This plan continued until the present theatre 

building was constructed in 1930 and 

sound pictures introduced in Malin. 

VACLAV KALINA 

In 1940 a new brick dance hall was built 

and since that time many name bands have 

been brought to Malin. The Oregon Hillbillies 

have played in this hall every Saturday 

night for 13 years and will donate music 

for the dance on the night of the open house. 

Kalina has donated use of the theatre each 

year for high school graduation exercises and 

each New Year's day gives a free show for 

youngsters of the community. Other organizations 

have also been permitted use of the 

building without charge. 

In 1948, Mr. and Mrs. Kalina bought the 

Marcha Theatre in Tulelake from Mrs. Byrd 

Heitz and now operate both houses. 

Joseph E. Madsen Dies; 

Office Manager for UA 

SALT LAKE CITY—For the fourth time in 

a week, death struck a theatreman in the Salt 

Lake area. Latest death was that of Joseph 

Earl Madsen, office manager for United 

Artists. 

Madsen died the day after funeral services 

were held for Ti-acy Barham, vice-president 

and general manager of Intermountain Theatres, 

Inc., who was extolled for his civic leadership 

and work in the motion picture business 

for more th&n 40 years. 

Like Barham and Hy W. Knutson, Livingston, 

Mont., exhibitor, who also died last week, 

Madsen was a veteran in show business. He 

had been in theatre v.'ork most of his adult 

life, serving in many capacities, including that 

of manager of Intermountain Theatres at 

Rexburg and Twin Falls, Ida. He was a native 

of Utah and resided here most of his life. 

He was 63 years old. 

Compton Drive-In Opened 

LOS ANGELES—Pacific Drive-Ins opened 

its newest ozoner, the Compton, January 6, 

with film celebrities including Reno Browne 

and Dick Foote of Monogram making personal 

appearances. 

Herman W. Knutson Dies; 

Exhibitor in Montana 

LIVINGSTON, MONT.—Herman W. Knutson, 

57, a theatre owner, died recently at his 

home here following a brief illness. 

Knutson owned theatres in Livings'.on, 

Miles City, Gardiner, Harlowton and Big 

Timber, Mont., and in Haley. Ida. He had 

made his headquarters in Livingston lor 

about 25 years. 

His wife Susan, one son, thrpp brothers 

and three sisters sm-vive. Burial v,'iH be at 

Miles City. 

Drive-In for Brighton 

DENVER—Lem Lee, Paul Rothman, R. C. 

Otwell and Elden Menagh, all theatre men, 

are associated in a 400-car, $60,000 drive-in 

being built at Brighton, Colo. Lee, Rothman 

and Otwell also will have ready for a spring 

opening a 400-car, $75,000 drive-in at Mc- 

Cook, Neb. They have bought a site for a 

drive-in at Longmont, Colo. 

Elgin Rex Installs Screen 

ELGIN, ORE.—The Rex Theatre here has 

installed a new Cycloramic screen, according 

to G. O. Cowley. 

North California Tent 

Votes Ellis Levy Chief 

SAN FRANCISCO— Ellis 

Levy was elected 

chief barker for the Variety Club of Northern 

California, Nathan Blumenfeld first assistant, 

Ken Daily second assistant, Alan 

Grubstick doughboy and Mel Klein property 

master. Canvasmen include Cliff Giesman, 

Gerald Karski, Rotus Harvey, Spencer Leve, 

Neal East and William Couvert. 

I 

I 

I 


HOSTESS 

ALUMINUMWARE 



441 Eddy St. GRaystone 410S San Francisco, Calif. 

We 

have the 

Count on ul lot Quick AclionI 

for 

YOUR 

TH EAFRE 

LTHEi THEATRE EXCHANGE CO. 

201 Fin« Arls Bldo. Portland 5, Ortoon 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 46-A

. . 

. . 

DENVER 

'Tom Arrants, manager of the State, was 

recognized by the Denver Post's weekly 

Gallery of Fame after he donated the use 

of the theatre for a special show for the 

benefit of the family of a state patrolman 

who was slain in line of duty . . . Lippert 

Pictures booked six films into local first 

runs for January runs. "Deputy Marshal" 

and "Square Dance Jubilee" will make up a 

double bill at the Paramount during Stock 

Show week, "Ti-easure of Monte Cristo" goes 

into the Paramount. "Hollywood Varieties" 

will be at the Denver and Esquii-e, "Tough 

Assignment" goes into the Denver, Webber, 

Esquire, Tabor and Rialto, and "Texas Trail" 

is booked for the Tabor. 

Mickey Gross, fonnerly general manager 

here for Wolfberg Theatres, writes that he 

is managing the Fox in Oakland, Calif., and 

Ben Dare, booker at the Pox exchange 18 

years ago and transferred later to Albany, 

^rr-*; ^ 

^ 

Deluxe 

Model 

1800 

PROJECTION 

BASES 

COSTS tess 

That's right! . . . costs less than any 

comparnhle efniipment. Built hke a 

battlcsliip. Heavy steel plate base and 

wvl'led steel iranie gives over *J1M) 

poumls of rock-ribbed rigidity for perfect 

support to projection fiuipincnt. 

Available for immediate delivery. 

N. Y., returned to Denver to visit his mother, 

who is ill, and other relatives. His brother 

Sam is a salesman here for Columbia . 

Robert Spahn, manager of the Nile in Mitchell. 

Neb., will open United Enterprises, Inc.. 

to book and buy for theatres. He has signed 

several drive-ins, including two at Colorado 

Springs, the Motarena at Greeley, new projects 

at Brighton and Longmont, all in Colorado, 

and one to be built at McCook, Neb. . 

Gene Gerbase, branch manager for Republic, 

and his wife spent the holidays in Albuquerque, 

N. M. 

Goldwyn's Dressing Room 

Is Damaged by Flames 

LOS ANGELES—Fire broke into Producer 

Samuel Goldwyn's after-luncheon nap recently, 

but he escaped without injury. Goldwyn 

putting together eight-unit stage shows for 

Ted Knox has sa d he had stretched out for a nap on a 

Fox theatres on the coast . . . 

leased the Cactus to Clarence ow^^.er couch in his private dressing suite at 

of the Gem at Hugo, Colo., and Archie Goldstein, 

the Goldwyn studios. He said he had just 

Martin, room 

owner of the Chieftain at Stasburg, closed his eyes when he heard, smelted and 

Colo. The name will be changed to the felt the fire. 

Gaiety, and new Motiograph sound has been He awoke to find one wall of the dressing 

room in flames. The film producer ran from 

installed by the Service Theatre Supply . . . 

Western Service and Supply held its holiday 

the room and studio firemen fought the blaze 

party at the Brown Palace hotel . . . 

less than 15 minutes before bringing it under 

Gene Klein, office manager at Universal, control. They believe it was caused by a drape 

spent the New Year holidays in Phoenix, which caught fire from an electric heater. 

Ai'iz. 

Extent of damage was not estimated. Studio 

officials said that furnishings of the suite, 

which were not elaborate, were destroyed by 

fire and water. 

Kiwanians Sponsor Show 

For Sheridan, Mont., Kids 

SHERIDAN, MONT.—A free kiddy show, 

sponsored by the Kiwanis club, was given at 

the Sheridan Theatre here for Madison 

county children. There were two showings 

of "Black Beauty." plus fom' comedies, the 

first at 2;45 p. m. for county and oi-phans 

home children, the second at 3:45 p. m. for 

town children. 

Waitsburg Theatre Closes 

WAITSBURG, WASH.—The Plaza Theatre 

here has been closed for a month while owners 

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Peacock take a vacation. 

The theatre is expected to reopen about 

the middle of January. 

I RCA-Brenkert Theatre Equipment Dealer I 

L 

U.S. 

Airco Distributor 

WESTERN SERVICE & SUPPLY, INC. 

EE 8041 

2120 Broadway Denver 2, Colo. 

DRIVE STARTS IN PORTLAND—The 

1950 Ned Depinet drive got under way in 

Portland recently, headed by Walter E. 

Branson, RKO western division sales 

nxanager and drive captain, aided by 

Harry Gittleson, holding football, and 

Dick Lange and Eddie Lambe, in helmets. 

Also shown above are Gene Engelman, 

George Jackson, Portland salesmen; Bob 

Cleveland, Seattle salesman; Lloyd Mc- 

Cullough, Portland office manager, and 

Lou Goldsmith, Seattle salesman. 

New Screening Room 

Opened in Seattle 

SEATTLE—This city's first new screening 

room in 15 years has been opened by Modern 

Theatre Supply, RCA distributor for this area. 

It is under the management of S. F. Burns, 

president of Modern Tlieatre Supply. It is 

completely new and seats 50 persons. Already, 

distributors, exhibitors and others are 

making use of its facilities. 

Paul Carlson, of Carlson, Eley. Gravstad, 

was the architect. Decorating was done by 

Al Keiland. The exterior entrance is in modern 

design, while the interior is finished in 

soft pastel colors. It has RCA International 

seating, sound, carpets and Brenkert projection 

and lamps. 

Paramount and 20th-Fox are the only exchanges 

on Filnn-ow to have their own screening 

rooriis. Pi'ior to the opening of Modern 

Theatre Supply's new room. B. F. Shearer's 

Jewel Box and the Little Victor, located in 

the Republic exchange, but independently 

operated, were depended upon for small 

showings. The new room is located at 2400 

Third Ave. 

Wyoming Theatre Co. Chartered 

ROCK SPRINGS, WYO.—The West Theatre 

Co. here has been chartered by the secretary 

of state to conduct a general theatre 

and entertainment business. Capital stock is 

S250,000. Directors are Owen W. and R. R. 

West and Christie March. 

In Montana it's 

THE MONTANA THEATRE SUPPLY 

Sc rvice you swear by — not at 

Missoula, Montana 

jim.ylete Theatre Equipment & Supplies 

fllDTIOn PICTURE SERVICE Cq 

125 HYDE ST. * San Francisco (2 )C

SALT LAKE CITY 

/ôld weather and blizzards returned to the 

intermountain area to plague theatremen 

in Montana, Utah and Idaho. Although not 

as disastrous as the winter of 1949 blizzards, 

the latest bad weather tended to cut into 

theatre grosses. 

. . . Jules 

The area—particularly Salt Lake City—was 

deluged by another kind of blizzard when 

three field representatives dropped in to work 

on major releases. Dick Stevens, who was 

here on "AH the King's Men," succeeded in 

setting up showings for the press and radio 

and a command showing for Gov. J. Bracken 

Lee and his staff . . . Marty Weiser, putting 

in his last two weeks for Warners, was lining 

up the campaign for the opening of "Montana." 

to be held at the Utah 

Schwerin was working on "Samson and Delilah" 

and had lined up showings for religious 

groups. 

Mr. and Mrs. Erick C. Peterson and their 

son and daughter-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Carl 

Peterson were back in their home at the 

Motor-Vu Drive-in after a month's vacation 

in Hawaii. They retui-ned on the Lurline the 

day Clark Gable and his bride boarded it 

to leave on their honeymoon. 

One New Drive-in Opened 

In San Francisco Area 

SAN FRANCISCO—Drive-in developments 

in this area include: 

The Placer county planning commission issued 

a pei-mit to Harvey Smith and William 

Hall for the construction of a drive-in on a 

14-acre tract two miles from Auburn. Smith 

will resign as manager of two Roseville theatres 

to conduct the enterprise. 

The Alameda county planning commission 

set Januaj'y 10 for hearing on azi application 

for a drive-in on Central avenue north of 

Castro Valley boulevard. The application 

was filed by Arnold Anderson, realtor. 

The San Mateo county planning commission 

turned down a request for rezoning to 

permit construction of a drive-in next to 

Cypress Lawii cemetery in Colma. 

The new Rancho Drive-In opened last week 

in Placerville. It is operated by Mr. and 

Mrs. Lawrence Freitas and Mr. and Mrs. 

Clarence Freitas of San Juan Bautista and 

Mr. and Mrs. Victor Banta of Placerville. 

Ellis Theatre Is Sold 

SAN FRANCISCO—Dan McLean and Lee 

Dibble, owners of the Embassy here, have 

taken over the Ellis, formerly operated by 

William David. Dibble and McLean will 

change the policy of the house and remodel 

it soon after the first of the year. William 

Crosby, formerly with Golden State and 

Blumenfeld circuits, has been named house 

manager. 

Two-Day Free Theatre Party 

RENTON, WASH.—The Rainier Theatre 

here held a two-day free theatre party just 

before Christmas for local residents. The 

program, which ran continuously from 6 

p. m. Friday to midnight and from 1 p. m. 

Saturday until midnight, was sponsored by 

local merchants, who distributed tickets, 

Frank Schock is manager of the Rainier. 

United Paramount Gets OK 

For Salt Lake Building 

NEW YORK—Federal Judge Alfred Coxe 

has granted permission to United Paramount 

Theatres to build a new second-run theatre 

in Salt Lake City to replace the Victory Theatre, 

which burned several years ago. The 

new house will seat 1,000. Paramount has 

filed similar applications for theatres in 

Tampa and Miami. 

To Attend TOA Session 

LOS ANGELES—Two officers of the Theatre 

Owners of America from this area wUl be 

on hand for the annual midwinter meeting 

of TOA, to be held in Washington, beginning 

January 9. Planing east for the sessions will 

be Charles P. Skouras, president of National 

Theatres and Fox West Coast, who is TOA 

treasurer, and Sherrill Corwin, head of Metropolitan 

Theatres, a TOA vice-president. 

,^ 

; '•ielloFpeanut cO 

BLOCKBUSTER 

Unidentified Man Pays 

Admission for 30 Kids 

BUTTE, MONT. — Tlie 

well-dressed 

man who walked along Park street and 

paused before the American Theatre here 

recently didn't look like Santa Claus, but 

to a swarm of 30 youngsters waiting for 

the boxoffice to open he soon became a 

glorified Kris Kringle. 

The man started counting noses, but the 

boys and girls paid no attention. Cashier 

Margaret Bennett entered the booth and 

began setting up her change and, tickets. 

The stranger edged through the kids, 

dumped a quantity of change on the glass 

top and said: "Thirty children's please." 

Miss Bennett admitted the 30 as the man 

walked off. 

is the Cream of the Crop 

CONSISTENT. UNIFORM QUALITY 

Highest popping throughout the year. Every Igt 

laboratory-tested. W© test—we don't guessl 

MORE ATTRACTIVE TASTIER, MORE TENDER 

Customers always come back lor more once 

they have tasted its delicious flavor. 

MORE RETAIL SALES PER BAG 

Means more profits to you. Blockbuster Popcorn 

is worth $5 to $10 more per bag than 

average corn because of higher popping volume. 

A trial order will convince you. 

MELLOS PEANUT CO. 

Los Angeles Chicago 

The MODERN THEATRE PLANNING INSTITUTE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 1, Mo. 

POPCORN 

We Are 

Dealers 

POPCORN 

PEANUTS 

and 

SUPPLIES 

"Where Quality 

is Higher than 

Price!" 

A RESEARCH BUREAU 

for MODERN THEATRE PLANNERSI 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

l-^-oO 

Gentlemen: 

Please enrol! us in your REf/EARCH BUREAU to receive information regularly, as 

released, on the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

n Architectural Service 

n "Black" Lighting 

D Building Material 

n Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Address 

City 

Complete Remodeling 

D Decorating 

n Drink Dispensers 

n Drive-In Equipment 

n Lighting Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

Signed.. 

Seating 

n Projection Lamps 

n Seating 

Signs and Marquees 

n Sound Equipment 

n Television 

D Theatre Fronts 

n Vending Equipment 

(Owner-Manager) 

Capacity 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience in obtaining information 

are provided in The MODERN THEATRE RED KEY Section (Nov. 19, 1949). 

BOXOFnCE January 7, 1950 46-C

Victory by Australian Liberals May 

Prove Boon to Film Trade 

By WILLIAM BEECHAM 

Australian Representative, Boxoffice 

PERTH, W. A.—The sweeping victory of 

the combined Liberal and Country parties in 

the recent Australian federal elections shows 

that the general public has had its fill of 

bureaucratic controls. The new prime minister 

recently said "Many have been feeling 

that if the national income were good, it 

would not be a bad idea to be allowed to enjoy 

it without government obstruction." 

There is little doubt that, as soon as the new 

government gets settled, the film industry 

will do its utmost to secure several changes. 

In the first place, it is almost certain that 

another attempt will be made to secure reductions 

in the entertainment tax, particularly 

on the cheaper seats. Indeed, the feeling 

throughout the industry is that the tax 

on the cheaper seats should be withdrawn 

entirely. But just what the new government's 

attitude toward the entertainment 

tax and its application to the film industry 

is, remains to be seen. 

Interests with American affiliations will, 

no doubt, seek some relief in the matter of 

frozen funds. The prime minister has said 

that closer ties with the United States are 

necessary and this will probably be interpreted 

by some to mean that funds earned 

in Australia by Anaerican concerns should be- 

IDEAL 

MODERN 

THEATRE 

SEATING 

UNderhill 1-7571 

en Gate Ave. San Francisco 2, Calil. 

YOUR POPCORN WARMER 

IS LOSING YOU 50% 

Can You Afford It? 

* 

HERB TURPIE 

Manley Popcorn Machines and SuppliP^ 

Los Angeles 7, Calif. 

THEATRE /ALE/ 

PHONE PROSPECT 5-7146 

come available to them. Efforts undoubtedly 

will be made by the government to secure 

more dollars, but these will in all probability 

be made available for such things as tractors, 

chemicals and heavy machinery. However, 

it is practically certain that every encouragement 

will be given to American concerns 

to invest their money in Australia, and more 

sympathetic consideration to their problems 

is 

likely. 

Little alteration is expected in regard to 

the encouragement of the local film producing 

industry, although some people are optimistic 

enough to hope that customs duties on 

necessary equipment may be cut. Certainly 

investors' money will be much easier. 

With the setting in of summer weather, 

film exhibitors in many parts are beginning 

to find that outside attractions are cutting 

heavily into boxoffice receipts. In Western 

Australia the open air cinemas have been 

opened, but even there such counter attractions 

as night trotting, night motorcycle racing, 

and circuses—during the last year or 

so more ten shows have visited western Australia 

than ever before—and the many attractions 

which other business interests are 

putting up are making the going somewhat 

tough. 

In some parts leading oil companies are 

offering free shows, often with free refreshments. 

Community Center activities, with 

picture shows, dances, stage shows and the 

like, also are taking toll of the cinema business. 

In Perth a new ice skating rink has 

been opened on a three-shows-a-day basis 

and a pantomime tent show plus a two-ring 

circus were advertised for the Christmas 

season. 

• • • 

Poor cinema programs today draw exceedingly 

poor business. What is worse, they 

only too often affect future business. In 

many country centers exhibitors complain 

that certain popular radio programs cut 

heavily into business week after week, and 

despite much that has been written regarding 

the matter of television not affecting the 

cinema, many a manager feels more than 

uncertain regarding the future. 

The accounts of J. C. Williamson for the 

financial year July 1, 1948, to June 30, 1949, 

disclose a net profit of £43,023, compared 

with the £38,055 of the previous 12 months. 

The ordinary dividend of 6 per cent is supplemented 

by a dividend of £2 18s. 9d. from 

taxfree reserve accounts arising from profits 

for the year July 1, 1943, to June 30, 1944. 

More than 1.300 orphans recently were entertained 

by the management of the Ambassadors 

Theatre, Perth, where they enjoyed 

a program of cartoons and received ice 

cream, sweets and comic papers. 

An Australian patent is being sought by A. 

Harmour and C. Heath of New South Wales, 

for a cinema projector, details of the application 

I No. 131,287) being: "To enable a film 

to remain stationary in a projector aperture 

for a longer period and, during the period of 

movement, to travel so much faster that the 

actual rate of travel of the film through the 

FOOD FOR YULE BASKETS—More 

than 24,000 tins of canned food were collected 

by the Broadway Theatre in Portland, 

Ore. Sponsored by the Sunshine 

division of the Portland police bureau, 

the effort provided canned goods which 

was used to fill more than 1,500 baskets 

for distribution to needy fajnilies. The 

activity is an annual event sponsored by 

Mrs. J. J. Parker, president of the J. J. 

Parker circuit, in cooperation with the 

Portland Oregonian. In the accompanying 

picture, two-year-old Joseph Ingher 

hands a can of food to Capt. Harry A. 

Circle of the Sunshine division. 

projector remains unaltered, the intermittent 

motion mechanism including a disc wheel 

with radial slots, and the periphery between 

slots concaved is characterized in that the 

radius of the arc of the flare at the entrance 

of the said slots corresponds to the radius 

of travel of the crank pin." 

Herschel Stuart, a director of Hoyts Theatres 

and for the last year an inmate of a 

private hospital in Sydney, recently returned 

to his home in the United States. He leaves 

a very wide circle of friends in Australia. 

Producers Arm to Fight 

Antisweets Campaign 

HOLLYWOOD — Exliibitors, as well as 

candy, soft dnnk and confectionery interests, 

may well become somewhat unhappy if tiie 

campaign is successful. Therefore the studio 

publicity directors' committee of the Ass'n of 

Motion Picture Producers has apprised studio 

dnimbeaters of the tactics being employed 

by southland dentists participating in an 

American Dental Ass'n drive to "educate" 

children against consuming candy and pop 

on the gi-ounds they are injurious to the 

teeth. 

Ai-ch Reeve, who heads the AMPP's publicity 

directors' committee, disclosed that 

dentists in this area have approached their 

film star clients with requests to make recordings 

and to participate in a west coast 

broadcast, slated for early in February, to 

urge children to pass up candy. 

Accordingly, film publicists have been 

alerted and advised to take w-hatever action, 

if any, they deem necessarj- if the ADA campaign 

is to be combated. An AMPP memo 

to studio publicity directors cautions that 

filmdom "should avoid putting itself in the 

position of undermining other great industries," 

cautioning that theatre profits from 

the sale of such confections are high, and 

warning that "there may be repercussions 

from theatres on stars participating." 

46-D BOXOFFICE January 7, 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- 

Â tres Service Co. 

^^^k 

'-iîiiy 

Perlewitz 

^^ 

was one of 

the three original spon- 

^^^^^ 

^^^^ 'Tt ^^^^ 

/^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. 


. 

. 

reissues 

CHICAGO 

/^hicagoans gave a bangup welcome to the 

New Year, despite cold rain and drizzle 

which failed to put a damper on the thousands 

who came to the Loop to whoop it up. 

With horns blowing, downtown streets were 

a pandemonium. As in previous years, this 

was mainly the theatregoing crowd—the boys 

and girls who came to the Loop early to 

attend shows and then went out on the 

streets to celebrate and welcome the New 

Year. Admission prices were upped to $1.50 

for midnight shows at nearly all downtown 

houses. Theatres in the outlying districts 

played stage shows as added attractions and 

raised prices to $1.50. They did capacity 

business. 

Variety Club held its annual shindig in the 

Congress hotel, and a near capacity crowd 

jammed the huge Gold ballroom from 10 

p. m. imtil the wee hours. Jack Kirsch, chief 

barker: Edward Brunell, Eddie Levin and 

fellow barkers greeted members and guests, 

including many out-of-towners. Howard Le- 

Roy and band provided dance music. Everyone 

enjoyed the floor show consisting of 

stage and radio stars. A de luxe chicken 

dinner was sei-ved at midnight. 

Lee Lyles, Jim Merrick and Bill Biu-ke, 

MARQUEES 

ÂTTRACTION 

BOARDS 

kAD\^S£RVIC€ 

M-^Rion. inD\^nf\ 

"Sign and Lighting Spe 

cialists for Over 

Quarter Century.' 

REASONABLE 

PRICES 

THEATRE CONFECTIONS 

LARGEST SELECTION OF ALL 

POPULAR BRANDS 

CANDY • POPCORN BOXES 

GUM 

• SEASONINGS 

New Low Prices 

Write for New Price List. Full Freight 

Allowance Radius 300 Miles on Orders 

$100 or Over. 

KAYLINE CANDY CO. 

WE 94643 

1220 S. Michigan Chicago 5, 111. 

The Marbro Theatre, most successful of 

the outlying B&K stage show experiments 

over the holidays, is continuing to burn the 

footlights for a third week with Jerry Colonna. 

Johnnie Johnson will hold forth there after 

playing the Uptown, then the Southtown . . . 

Bill Hollander, B&K director of advertising 

and publicity, returned from a visit with relatives 

in New York over the holidays . . . 

Eddie Solomon, local 20th-Fox exploiteer, now 

is in New York for new product huddle. 

David Bradley's new motion pictm-e, 

•Julius Caesar," was shown for the first time 

at an eggnog party at the Paragon Pictures 

studio, Evanston, for those who acted and 

took part in producing the film and for the 

cast of "Detective Story." Young Bradley, 

the producer, fUmed "MacBeth" two years 

ago. 

Members of operators Local 110 were saddened 

by the death of George La Roi sr. . . . 

Chicago's newest motion picture theatre, the 

Mei-cury, celebrated its opening New Year's 

eve with great fanfare. One of the lai-gest 

single-floor theatres in the midwest, the Mercury 

boasts of free parking space for 800 

cars . . After extensive renovation and redecorating, 

. 

the Towne in Midlothian takes its 

place among the de luxe south side theatres. 

Improvements include new RCA sound and 

projection. 

Mono, to Film Hiawatha 

On Site in Wisconsin 

MILWAUKEE — Monogram plans a fulllength 

motion picture about the Hiawatha 

legend, documented with scenes from Indian 

reservations in Wisconsin. Walter Mirisch of 

Monogram was in Milwaukee recently to discuss 

technical details of the picture with Robert 

Ritzenthaler, curator of Indian lore at 

the Milwaukee public museum. 

The film company plans to use the Chippewa 

tribe as the basis for Indians in the 

picture and Ritzenthaler, who is one of the 

nation's leading authorities on the tribe, will 

serve as technical adviser when production 

begins in spring. The Milwaukee man has 

loaned Monogram five documentary films he 

shot diu-ing studies of the Chippewas. 

Story scenes will be made in Hollywood, but 

special shots of Indian customs and tribal 

dances will be taken at Chippewa reservations 

in Wisconsin. 

'Lover' and Stage Bill 

Pace Trade in Loop 

CHICAGO—With the pre-Christmas shopping 

spree ended and yule festivities over, 

business perked up at all Loop houses. Youngsters 

out of school gave matinees a good play 

and visitors thronging into town sparked 

business in a big way. The Bob Hope opus. 

"The Great Lover," plus a stage show headed 

Santa Fe club, greeted members of the press, 

Filmrow exploiteers and theatre publicists at 

the 14th annual buffet supper in the Blackstone 

hotel . . . Van A. Nomikos, assisted 

by his Delia Galla, was on the Row extending 

New Year's greetings to friends with bottles 

of imported Metaxa Greek brandy . 

Basil Charuhas also was on the Row passing 

out cigars . . . Tom Flannery, Wliite Way 

by Sonny Tufts and the 3 Sons, gave the 

sign man, and his wife celebrated their 26th 

Chicago a banner week. "Fame Is the Spur" 

wedding anniversary the day after Christmas. 

opened briskly at the World Playhouse. "No 

Room at the Inn" had a nice first week at 

the Carnegie, and "The Pirates of Capri" and 

"There's a Girl in My Heart" drew well at 

SELL 

YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY 

Largest coverage in U.S. No "Net" list. 

iiiQS. Highest reputation for know-how 

«nd fair dealing. 29 years experience including 

exhibition. Ask Belter Business 

Bureau, or our customers. 

ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Specialists 

1109 Orchardlane, Dcs Moines, Iowa 

4.9087 

_^_^_- 

CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED 

the Roosevelt. "The Nevadian" opened strong 

at the United Artists, and "Dangerous Pi'ofession" 

was okay at the RKO Grand. 

"Pinky," at the Woods, had a good final week. 

The Oriental did well with a second week of 

"Without Honor" and a stage revue. "The 

Red Shoes," in its 55th week at the Selwyn, 

had a sellout week. 


Carnegie—No Room at the Inn (British Nafl) 105 

Chicago—The Great Lover (Pdra), plus stage 

sôw —.-130 

Gorrick—Port of New York (EL) jOO 

Grand-A Dangerous Prolession (RKO) .-- 103 

Crienlai—Without Honor (UA), plus stage show, 

"° 

v"V 

2nd wk 

- 

Rialto Stormy Weather (20th-Fox); The Little 

Colonel ( 

Girl in 

ZOth-Fox) 

Roosevelt—The 

My Heart 

, 

100 

Pirates of Capri (EL); There s a 

(Mono), 2nd wk HO 

Seiwyn—The Red Shoes (EL), roadshow, 

55th wk - Very good 

Surl—The Fallen Idoi (SRO), 6th d- t. wk 105 

(WB), 

State-Lake—The Lady Takes a Sailor 

2nd wk 

'"^ 

Studio—Wild Men of Kalahari (Dezel); Naked Man 

Beast (Dezel) ^-- - .^^ 

United Artists—The Nevadian (Col) 1|U 

Woods—Pinky (20th-Fox), 6th wk ._.......... 115 

V/orld Playhouse—Fame Is the Spur (Oxford); 

Birth of a Ballet (Brill) "S 

Rib' Tickles Indianapolis 

To Gross 110 Per Cent 

INDIANAPOLIS—"Adam's Rib" at Loew's 

drew best patronage here, grossing 110 per 

cent in its first week. Second place honors 

went to "The Great Lover" at the Indiana 

with 105. 

Circle—The Lady Takes a Sailor (WB); Wolf 

Hunters (Mono) -".:• »0 

Indiana—The Great Lover (Para); There s a. Girl 

in My Heart (Mono) - 

v^;-^"^ 

i,:e,ths—Saludos Amigos (RKO); Dumbo (RKO), 

reissues - ;^"',"" 

Loew's—Adam's Rib (MOM); Chinatown at Midnight 

(Col) J- 

^ "0 

Lyric—Christopher Columbus (U-1); Omoo-Omoo 

^" 

(LP) 

Merchants Give Free Shows 

BEAVER DAM, WIS.—A group of local 

merchants are cooperating in putting on a 

free show each Tuesday at the Fox Odeon 

Theatre. The shows begin at 2 p. m. 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wobosh 

FROM 

on IT 

QUICKI 

FILMACK 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54th St. 

48 

BOXOFFICE 

January 7, 1950

YOU get extro resuhs withlêqoipment 

TROUBIE-FREE Mechanisms 

0.1-LESS BEARINGS & GEARS. The CENTURY mechanism 

.s so beautifully designed it needs almost no maintenance. 

Bindups just don't occur, and there are no 

O.I pumps or wells to mess up film and equipment. 


mJTTER SUPPRESSOR. Used in all Century sound-heads 

\«. Wmner of the Academy Award and one reason for 


The BiGGEST Thing in 

Modern ProjeJ 






lens 

Woter cooled plate absorbs 

all the heot 

• Now, full illumination on the no light toss 


Briniant, shorp pictur 

• Equipment investment costs con- 

Aperture plate COOL 

siderably reduced. 

Wofer coo/Jng i. 

opl/ono/-ovoi(ob)e on 

No air 

blowers 

fWM. 

No LIGHT LOSS due to heot' 

»f*»^^°!l: 


u' irrr,:::'::::."::;-:':::- "''-—' '-—< 

y ur needs in theatre equipment, parts and service. 

Midwest Theatre Service 

& Equipment Company 

1950 West Beymont Ave. 

Joe Hornstein, Inc. 

3146 Olive St. 

Chicago 13, Illinois 

St. Louis 3, Missouri

, . Joe 

. . Monogram 

. . Boots 

MILWAUKEE 

Mew Year's eve kids matinees were put on 

at the St. Cloud Amusement Corp.'s Oriental, 

Tower and Zenith, with free noisemakers. 

In addition to the regular program, ten cartoons 

were shown, with community singing in 

the afternoon . Woodward of Delft & 

Affiliated Theatres, who was confined to his 

home for weeks last summer with a broken 

leg and later had to go back to the hospital 

due to a blood clot which developed while the 

leg healed, is back on the job without the 

cast. He still has to go easy on the leg, he 

says. 

Twentieth Century-Fox held its holiday 

_^-nnouncina: 9- 

ALICE 

DUBin 

monTH 

party at the Medford hotel . . . Warner employes 

went to Chicago to hold their party 

with the Chicago staft ... At four Warner 

houses here, the Egyptian, Milwaukee, Granada 

and Juneau theatres, a special matinee 

was given for kids, featuring 25 cartoons at 

25 cents admission ... At the Fox Downer 

on the upper east side, "A Place in the Sun" 

was on the screen. 

Lou Gamble, brother of Ted of Standard 

Theatres, visited his brother and others in 

show business . . . Charles Perry, former 

manager of the Strand when Saxe operated 

it, is reported to have been elected chief 

barker of the Detroit Variety Club, his second 

election to that position. His first term 

ended ten years ago. Perry is manager of 

the Adams and Downtown theatres in Detroit. 

Don Schwartz of Realart is reported to 

have booked his combination bill of "If I 

Had Mv Way" and "East Side of Heaven" at 

Fox's Madison, Madison, for a week . . . 

Filmrow 

hears that Harold Calloway has opened 

the La Farge Theatre at La Farge, after remodeling. 

Charles Trampe, after a siege at Mayo 

clinic, Rochester, returned home and is convalescing. 

He is at his office at Monogram 

an hour or two every day . . . Visitors at Variety 

Club were Irving Werthwein of Paramount, 

Chicago: Gill Nathanson, Minneapolis; 

Joe Bereson and friend Becker of 

Chicago, and Elmer Brennan of Green Bay, 

Standard Theatres supervisor there. 

Oscar Olsen, business executive for the projectionists 

imion, held a cocktail party at 

union headquarters here and 

. 

Film Service held a holiday party at their 

offices for all employes, associates and friends. 

William Aschman of the DeVry Corp., Chicago, 

former branch manager for Pathe here 

and in Chicago, spent a week with friends 

along Filmrow. Bill is one of the pioneer 

filmmen in the midwest . Sharun of 

Theatre Pi-emiums, Detroit, visited friends 

here dm-ing his holiday vacation . . . Directors 

of Variety Tent 14 held a meeting December 

28 and appointed committees for the 

coming year. 

Proposed Jingle Contest 

Held Void in Wisconsin 

MILWAUKEE—A jingle contest for increasing 

theatre attendance has been turned down 

by the state attorney general as an illegal 

lottery. The fii'st lines of the proposed jingle 

read: "One, two three, four: Drink milk, 

drink more: Five, six, seven, eight," with a 

blank line to be filled in by the contestant. 

Attorney General Thomas E. Fairchild would 

not say what Milwaukee theatres has asked 

for permission to operate such a contest, but 

he said he had told the applicants that the 

manner of conducting the proposed contest 

would constitute a lottery, and he could not 

approve it. 

Fairchild said he had been told the contest 

would not be conducted in the theatres but 

would consist of filling in the last line of 

the jingle in the lobbies, with no paid admissions 

necessary, and the judges would make 

awards on the basis of neatness and originality. 

Prizes would be awarded at children's 

matinees on Saturdays, but the contestants 

would not have to be in the theatre. 

The attorney general said he did not think 

the contest was a test of skill, as no definite 

i-ules had been set up for judging. 

»*> - PROJECTION 

»^^ 

BASES 

Deluxe 

Model 

leoo 

cosjs cess 

BE MY VALENTINE 

DATE ME SOLID 

'^FEBRUflRV 

.^yîlce 

SAY IT WITH 

PLAY DATES! 

csDubin 

HENRI ELMAN ENTERPRISES, Inc. 

1327 SOUTH WABASH AVENUE 

PHONE WEbsler 9-2000 

CHICAGO 5, ILL. 

III0TIDI1 PICTURE SERVICE [K. 

125 HYDE ST. * S

$8,427 Erects This Striking # 

"'' ^-^ 

New Screen Tower 

J

. . James 

. . The 

ST. LOUIS 

Qfficers and directors of the local MPTO 

will meet m the Ansell Bros, circuit offices. 

Empress Theatre building. Monday 

morning (9i ... The Roxy Theatre, Jefferson 

City, of the Durwood Theatres circuit, 

was reopened on Chi-istmas day. Closed last 

summer, Arnold Gould, city manager, said 

that it was reopened to provide winter employment 

for persons formerly working at 

the Skylark Drive-In across the Missouri 

river from Jefferson City. 

Deluxe 

Model 

1800 

COSTS less^ 

Tliat's rifjht ! . . . costs less than any 

comparable equipment. Bnilt like a 

battlesliip. Heavy steel plate base and 

welded steel frame gives over 11KI 

pounds of rock-ribbed rigidity for perfeet 

sujiport to projection etjuipment. 

Available for immediate delivery. 

St. Louis Theatre 

Supply Co. 

3310 Olive Street. 

St. Louis, Missouri 


. 

The December meeting of the Macoupin 

county board of supervisors at Carlinville, 

III., voted to accept the petition of Louis 

Odorizzi of Staunton, 111., for the vacation 

of some lands that he owns so that he can 

proceed with the constniction of a drive-in 

at the intersection of Route 66 and the White 

City road west of Mount Olive. The drivein 

will be of 400-car capacity H. 

Arthui", secretaary of the St. Louis Amusement 

Co., left Jewish hospital after a minor 

operation to recuperate at his home. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Kaimann and Mr. 

and Mrs. Arthur Kalbfeld have returned to 

St. Louis after enjoying vacations in Florida. 

Mr. and Mi-s. Tom Bloomer, Belleville, 

also are back from a sojourn in Florida . . . 

Exhibitors seen along Filmrow: Mr. and Mrs. 

William Collins, DeSoto, Mo.; HeiTnan Tanner, 

Tanner circuit, Pana, 111.; Joe Goldfarb, 

Upper Alton; Gus Boemler, North Alton; 

Bill W.lliams, Union, Mo.; Charley Beninati, 

Carlyle, 111.; Ben Temborius, Breese, 111. 

Tom Rogers, MGM publicity man, was here 

with Denise Darcel for personal appearances 

to plug the local run of "Battleground" at 

Loew's State. 

Information from Washington indicates 

that the Illinois popcorn crop for 1949 will 

be only 30,600,000 pounds of earcorn, less 

than half of the 1948 output. The value of 

the 1949 crop dropped to $872,000 as against 

the $2,439,000 received by the fanners growing 

popcorn in 1948. Illinois ranks second 

only to Iowa as a popcorn producer. 

The St. Louis Star-Times featured a special 

article by Spyros P. Skouras, president 

of 20th-Fox, in Its issue of December 30, 

telling of the progress made by St. Louis 

dm-ing the last half a century and giving 

predictions for the next 50 years. In general, 

Skouras covered much the same ground 

as in his talk to a small group of local film 

folks at a breakfast at Hotel Jefferson early 

in November, warning motion picture exhibitors 

not to overlook the possibilities of 

television and avoid the mistake of the 

vaudeville theatre folk who ignored motion 

pictures back in the 1910s and 1920, with 

the result that the new industry, motion 

pictm-es, was taken over by a new crop of 

show people, with the established vaudeville 

houses passing out. Likewise, he wrote, many 

motion picture exhibitors failed to reai:ze 

the possibilities of sound pictures some 20 

years ago. "Television and motion pictures, I 

think, will grow and develop together," he 

stated in the article. 

Fourteen members of the famed lOls^ 

airborne division appeared on the stage at 

the Apollo in connection with an invitational 

showing of "Battleground." H. Bennin, resident 

manager, introduced the soldiers. "Battleground" 

had its local premiere at Loew's 

State December 31, preceded by a personal 

appearance of Denise Darcel, French actress, 

Tuesday i27i ... "Guaranteed entertainment 

with double-yom--money-back if you honestly 

could say you didn't enjoy the program," was 

offered by the Ambassador with "Everybody 

Does It" and "Miracle on 34th Street." Those 

who qualified for the refund would be given 

guest tickets to a future show. The plan 

attracted much attention from patrons. 

Some members of the St. Louis police department 

are searching angrily for the person 

or persons who broke into the office of 

the Regal Theatre. Some of 18 pints of 

liquor were taken. The pints were to be 

Christmas presents to several beat patrolmen 

and other police department members from 

George Pliakos, owner of the theatre. The 

thief smashed a door glass to get into the 

office. 

Quincy and Hannibal areas were hardest 

hit by the sleet and ice storm which swept 

through Missouri. In Quincy. long distance 

and local telephone service w'as out and hundreds 

of homes were without electricity. A 

strike of bus operators added to the inconvenience 

and theatres had the legs cut from 

beneath business. Twenty-six other communities 

also reported disrupted telephone and 

electric 

facilities. 

Exhibitors on Filmrow included Forrest 

Pirtle, Jersey ville; Elvin Weicks, Staunton; 

Joe Goldfarb, Alton; Gus Boemler, North Alton, 

all from Illinois, and Bill Williams, 

Union, and Bob Marchbank, Washington, 

Mo., district manager for Commonwealth. 

Sam Pirtle of Jerseyville, head of the Pirtle 

Amusement Co., has recovered from his recent 

major operations sufficiently to plan a 

trip to old Mexico with his wife. They will 

be gone for several weeks . usual holiday 

parties were held by local exchanges. 

Presents were exchanged through grab bags 

or name drawings. 

" 

U-I will sneak preview "Francis at the St. 

Louis Tuesday (10 1 . . . George Ware, 20th- 

Fox salesman, flew to Tampa, Fla., where he 

was to see the Orange bowl football game 

January 1 ... P. J. Lee, Eagle Lion manager, 

spent a weekend in Des Moines with his 

family. 

NO PERFORATIONS: 20% More Light and Better Vision 

CYCL9RAMIC 

Magic Screen 

of the future 

. -NOW 

. 

Custom Screen 

'Potent applied for 

JOE HORNSTEIN. Inc. 

3146 Olive LUcas 2710 St. Louis 

The Melody Drive-In on Highway 51 north 

of Du Quoin, 111., closed for the winter. It is 

owned by Frank Glenn of Tamaroa, 111. It 

will reopen April 1 . . . The Ridgway, 111., 

Chamber of Commerce cooperated with Clyde 

Miner, manager of the Strand, in putting on 

a Christmas party for the kids. Bags of popcorn 

were distributed. 

Many theatres closed Christmas eve to permit 

employes to be with their families. Included 

were the Kaimann circuit houses, the 

Ashland, Baden, O'Fallon, Pauline, Bridge, 

Queens, Plaza, Janet, Lowell and Salisbury, 

the Brentwood, the Barracks, the King Bee, 

the Kirkwood. Osage and Ozark. 

Shelley Winters will return to her home 


. . 

— 

town for personal appearances in connection 

with the world premiere of "South Sea Sinner" 

at the Missouri January 12 . . . The Rev. 

Norbert R. Feld, son of Joseph A. Feld, office 

manager and salesman for 20th-Fox, was one 

of four Columban fathers ordained to the 

priesthood at St. Cecilia's cathedral, Omaha. 

He celebrated his first solemn mass in Nativity 

church here Monday (26K 

The Orphcum was the scene of a Christmas 

party for some 500 orphans, with the Cooperative 

club as host. Santa Claus got competition 

from Roy Rogers and his horse 

Ti-igger in the film, "Bells of Coronado" . . . 

A holiday party was given by Brandeis chapter 

of B'nai B'rith at the Tivoh. University 

Citv, December 28. 

Fox Midwest to Renovate 

Lincoln at Belleville 

BELLEVILLE, ILL.—Fox Midwest Theatres, 

with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., has 

had plans prepared by S. W. Bihr, architect, 

calling for extensive interior and exterior 

alterations and improvements to the 1,350- 

seat Lincoln here. 

The plans mclude a new modern front, 

while the lobby also is to be remodeled. Plans 

also call for the conversion of much of the 

basement into a lounge, including new restrooms 

for men and women. The women's 

restroom on the mezzanine will be eliminated. 

The house also will be redecorated and some 

new equipment will be installed. 

The Lincoln wUl continue operations diu-- 

ing the remodeling and modernization program, 

only the midweek matinee will be halt - 

ed. 

Fox Midwest also operates the 300-seat 

Illinois. 

Patron Dies in Theatre 

ST. LOUIS—Mrs. Nellie Fichtenmayer. 51, 

suffered a fatal heart attack while attending 

the Queens Theatre with her husband 

Charles. She was pronounced dead on arrival 

at the Firmin Desloge hospital, a short 

time after collapsing in the theatre. She 

had been under a doctor's care for about a 

year for a heart condition. 

Carver in St. Louis Dark 

ST. LOUIS—The Carver Theatre, owned by 

Charley Goldman and Julius Leventhal, has 

been closed for extensive alterations and repairs. 

It will be reopened early in January 

It caters to the Negro trade. 

The 

'PACKAGED" 

Drive-ln Deal 


is on page 41 


SPRINGFIELD 

pddie Zom, president of the United Theatre 

Owners of Illinois, was in town making 

preparations for annual UTO convention 

at the Abraham Lincoln hotel February 9, 

10. Local members who will handle the details 

under the supervision of George Kerasotes, 

vice-president of the organization, are 

Wilham Souttar and Mortimer Berman . 

Work is progressing on the remodeling of the 

Roxy, local flagship of the Frisina circuit, 

but no definite opening date has been set. 

George Kerasotes, general manager of the 

Kerasotes circuit, was host to his managers 

and their wives at a Christmas party held at 

his Lake Springfield home, followed by a 

dinner at the Lake club. Gov. Adlai Stephenson's 

annual Christmas party for children 

has outgrown the local theatres and was held 

this year in the state armory. 

C. C. Alexander, midwest sales manager for 

the Alexander Film Co., conferred here with 

William Harvey, downstate Illinois representative. 

Also in town were George Ware, 

20th-Fox, St. Louis; Milton Simon. 20th-Fox, 

Chicago; Herman Marx, Monogram, Chicago 

. . . Equipment installations; New RCA 

plastic screen in Senate; new automatic coke 

dispensers and ice cream visual display cases 

in both the Orpheum and Strand; new lobby 

displays in the Fox Lincoln. 

Both the Garden and Capitol in Canton, 

competitive houses, combined for an annual 

free Christmas show for all the children in 

the community ... In Peoria the new field 

house at Bradley university was dedicated 

before and displayed auditorium seating 8,300. 

This college is especially hot in the basketball 

world and the capacity turnouts have 

definitely affected the boxoffices of local 

theatres. 

A sleet storm and freezing rain shut Quincy 

off from the rest of the world for three days 

before Chi'istmas. All power and telephone 

lines were down and only fragmentary train 

connections were available. All theatres were 

forced to close because of failure. 

Shubert Trial Delayed 

In St. Louis Till March 

ST. LOUIS—The antitrust damage suits 

of Martin W. D'Arcy for a total of $600,000 

and of Victor G. Mossotti for $300,000, both 

former lessees of the Shubert Theatre here, 

against Fanchon & Marco of St. Louis and 

various film distributing companies and individuals, 

have been docketed for trial before 

U.S. Di.'vtrict Judge Roy W. Harper on 

March 6. This is a postponement from Januai-y 

16. 

The cases have been consolidated for purposes 

of trial, since the overall issues are 

much the same and there is much duplication 

of the defendants. 

In both the petitions the plaintiffs alleged 

that the defendants conspired to withhold 

desirable films at fair rentals from the 

Shubert during the period of their leases and 

thus forced them out of business. 

For Stellar Roles 

Set for stellar roles in "A White Rose for 

Julie," an RKO film, were Robert Mitchum 

and Faith Doumergue. 

Drive-In Gathering 

Called for Jan. 31 

ST. LOUIS Ovmers and operators of 

drive-in theatres from the St. Louis territory 

have been invited to attend a meeting 

here January 31 to discuss mutual problems. 

The gathering has been called by Andrew 

R. Dietz, general manager of Cooperative 

Theatres, a bookuig and buying organization 

that currently serves 16 drive-ins. Dietz 

stressed, however, that the gathering is open 

to all drive-in owners and operators regardless 

of whether they are clients of Cooperative 

Theatres or not. 

The principal objective of the gathering 

will be to discuss ways and means of obtaining 

for the drive-in theatres the proper 

consideration in such matters as runs and 

rentals that their position in the motion pictm-e 

industry rightly justifies. 

At present there are some 75 drive-ins operating, 

planned or projected in the St. Louis 

territory. Practically all of these are expected 

to be in operation before the close of 

1950. Less than three years ago there were 

only a half dozen drive-ins being served by 

the film exchanges of St. Louis. 

Sales Tax Collections Up 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.—The Illinois state 

sales tax collections are running ahead of 

last year, says State Ti-easm-er Ora Smith. 

This 2 per cent levy totaled $154,357,000 during 

the first 11 months of this year, an increase 

of $2,208,000 over the same period in 

1948. 

QUALITY 

PAYS 

YOU more PROFITS 

USE 

MANLEY MACHINES 

and 

SUPPLIES 

see 

FRANK MORRIS 

3138 Olive 

St. Louis Ne. 7644 

/Ooo^ha-s-ooooa-BC»oooooov 

EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE 

Personalized Service 

St. Louis Theatre Supply Company 

Arch Hosier 

3310 Olive Street. St. Louis 3. Mo. 

Telephone JElferson 7974 


. . . Charles 

. . "Sands 

Dunkirk Main Opens 

Despite Picketing 

DUNKIRK. IND.—Despite picketing, the 

Main Theatre opened for operation under 

new management after beng closed for almost 

two months when the single operator staged 

a one-man strike. Ronald Blankenbaker, 

former projectionist and Dunkirk's one-man 

local of the motion picture operators union, 

went on strike when he asked one night off 

each week and was unable to reach an agreement 

with owner H. H. Schneidler of Hartfort 

City, who offered an increase in pay instead. 

In mid-December, Mrs. Mary Miller and 

Kenneth Kinghorn sr. of Dunkirk, a former 

operator, leased the Main, the community's 

only theatre. Kinghorn is his own projectionist. 

The pair announced they would open 

the theatre for the American Legion's annual 

free Christmas party for youngstersincluding 

a Roy Rogers film December 24, and 

would begin regular operations December 25. 

Blankenbaker appealed to the flint glass 

workers union, which placed pickets in front 

of the theatre. Their opposition resulted in 

the cancellation of the free Christmas show 

for the yoimgsters, and the Legion held its 

party in the Legion home without the film. 

New owners said business on the first day 

was satisfactoi-y, despite the pickets. 


INDIANAPOLIS 

a be Fischer, Chicago manager for Republic, 

conferred with Al Blocker, buyer and 

booker for the Y&W Management Corp. regarding 

bookings for the Gary . . . Charles 

Acton, salesman at Republic, spent the holidays 

visiting his wife's parents in Erie, Pa. 

. . . James Milburn is new assistant shipper 

at RKO. He succeeds 'William Starling, who 

resigned. 

Peggy Zimmer, cashier at Eagle Lion, spent 

Christmas day in 'Washington of 

. 

Iwo Jima" opens January 7 at the Indiana 

here. Extensive exploitation plans were made 

Dubin, director of "The Red 

Jean Smith succeeds 

Shoes," was a visitor . . . 

Lorina Dawson as cashiers clerk at 

U-I. 

Radio announcements, newspaper advertising 

and other tieups, are being prepared 

for the world premiere of "Blue Grass of 

Kentucky" in Lexington and Louisville in 

February. Indiana key cities will be exploited 

in the same way ... Joe Schilling, operator 

'of the auditorium, Connersville, Ind., who 

has been on the inactive list for several 

months, is back at his desk attending to duties. 

However, his time at the office is limited 

to several hours a day. 

Joanne Suez, Warner Bros, office personnel, 

and Allen Huffaker announced their engagement 

. . . Richard Winchester is new shipper 

at 'Warner Bros. . . . Exhibitors seen on Filmrow 

were Don Steinkamp, Dream, French 

Lick: Bruce Kixmiller, Colonial-Indiana, 

Bicknell; Tom Goodman, Dream, Corydon, 

and James Ackron, Mailers circuit, Fort 

Wayne. 

Comedienne Irene Ryan has been inked 

for the Metro picture, "The Skipper Surprised 

His Wife." 

Madison Theatres Aid 

Ten Best Films Contest 

MADISON—Local and Madison area theatre 

managers again cooperated with the Capital 

Times in its 12th annual Ten Best Movies 

contest. 

Prizes offered for the best lists of the ten 

best films of 1949 included a three-month 

pass to the Capitol, a two-month pass to the 

Orpheum and a one-month pass to the Parkway. 

Scores of other guest tickets were given 

runnersup. 

Managers cooperating with the newspaper 

included Fred Reeth of the Capitol; Hugh 

Flannery, Orpheum: John Scharnberg, Parkway 

and Strand: Leo Kulik, Eastwood; James 

Nelson, Madison; Roland Krause, Majestic: 

Paul Berg, Badger Outdoor Theatre: Frederick 

A. Buerki, Wisconsin Union Play Circle: 

G. G. Walker, Pi'airie. Sun Prairie, and 

Harold J. Rupp, Middleton, Middleton. 

'Battleground' Screened 

At Madison Orpheum 

MADISON—Area combat veterans of the 

101st airborne division were guests at an invitational 

showing of "Battleground," at the 

Orpheum Theatre. Also invited were jurists, 

service personnel, newspapermen, county, 

state and city officials, theatremen and PTA 

and church representatives. 

The 154 guests of MGM had luncheon at 

the Loraine hotel before seeing the picture. 

Louis Orlove spoke for the producer. 

Party at Fort Wayne Theatre 

PORT WAYNE—The fourth annual kiddy 

party sponsored by the YMCA, assisted by 

Local 466 of projectionists, was held at the 

Eastern Theatre. Other sponsors were E. H. 

Kilbourne, B. C. Hart, and the 100 Per Cent 

club. Admission was free for youngsters from 

6 up, with about 700 attending and receiving 

prizes and favors at the end of the program. 

All east side youngsters were invited. 

COSTS tess 

ô equipi 

such low cost. Complete sound systems 

are available for theatres of every 

size, shape and seating capacity. They 

consist of a two-way horn system, pair 

of soundheads, and either single or 

dual channel amplifiers. 

Advance Theatre 

Sound Service 

1511 Starr St.. Peoria, Illinois 

Phone 3-2577 4-8283 

54 

Service and Parts on All Makes oi Booth 

Equipment 

NO CONTRACT TO SIGN 

Service for Your Booth Equipment 

on Merits Only. 

SOUND AND PROJECTION 

A service any theatre can afford, and 

assurance that your equipment is at its 

Best] 

-:• Look to ADVANCE for Perfection -:- 

Write for Particulars 

Advance 

Theatre Sound Service 

1511 Starr St. Peoria. HI. 

Emergency Airplane Service 

Phones 3-2577 — 48283 


HOSTESS 

ALUMINUMWARE 



1245 So. Wabash Ave. HARrison 8013 Chicago. III. 

GEB^BAR 

theSsfre equipment 

442 NORTH ILLINOIS STREET 

INDIANAPOLIS 

INDIANA 

COMPLETE THEATRE 

RCA EQUIPMENT 

MID-W€ST TH€ATR€ 

SUPPLY COMPANY, Inc. 

Riley 

448 North Illinois St. 

- 5655. Indianapolis. Ind. 

Twevty-four hour service 

BOXOFFICE 

:: January 7, 1950

St. Paul Council Shuns 

Action on 'Outlaw' 

ST. PAUL—The city council here refused 

to take any steps against the RKO Orpheum 

or its attraction, "The Outlaw," following 

the complaint of Mayor E. K. Delaney against 

lines carried in all of its advertising declaring 

that the picture is being presented 

•finally, at last, after thi-ee years' delay." 

The mayor charged that the advertising 

"can-ies objectionable implications" because, 

he said, it implied St. Paul is permitting 

things that weren't allowed three years ago. 

Called on the carpet, Manager Norman 

Wrobel of the Orpheum explained that the 

advertising originated in Hollywood and is 

being used throughout the counti-y- He sa.id 

the purpose of the line to which the mayor 

objected was to make clear that the picture 

now, "after three years," had been changed 

in such a way so that it now has a Legion of 

Decency B rating, insead of the former C. 

The net result of the fui'or was considerable 

gratis newspaper publicity in Minneapolis 

and St. Paul newspapers, all of which 

ran lengthy stories about the incident. 

Edgewood, Iowa, Theatre 

Closed by Fire Damage 

EDGEWOOD, lO'WA — Smoke and water 

damage resulted at the Strand Theatre here 

from a fire caused by a film explosion. Lyle 

Eastman, manager, who was in the projection 

booth when the film exploded, was burned 

about the hands. He was the only one injured. 

The Eastman apartment also was 

damaged by smoke and water. The projection 

machine and booth were a complete loss. 

There were only a few people in the theatre 

at the time. They left the building quietly. 

Eastman said the theati-e will be closed for 

about three weeks for repairs. 

Mapleton, Iowa. Theatre 

To Be Opened Jan. 10 

MAPLETON, IOWA—Opening of the new 

400-seat Maple Theatre is scheduled for January 

10 with the pictui-e, "Challenge to Lassie." 

It is a new brick and tile structure 

built by Eddie Kugel, who also has the theatre 

at Holstein, Iowa. 

On opening of the new theatre, the old 

Maple will be closed. F. W. Nalteus will 

move to the new house and continue as 

manager. 

Theatres Close for Holiday 

OMAHA—Employes of the R. D. Goldberg 

cii-cuit and Elmer Huhnke, who has the 

Minne Lusa Theatre, enjoyed a Christmas 

eve of their own choosing this year. These 

theatres were closed. Clyde Cooley of the 

lATSE had suggested such a plan to give 

employes a break, pointing out that business 

usually is dull on this night, anyhow. 

New Year's Treat for Kids 

OMAHA—Tri- states Theatres officials here 

saw to it that the youngsters got their own 

New Year's treat. On Saturday starting at 

noon the Orpheiun Theatre was turned over 

to a special ten-unit all-afternoon cartoon 

show for the children. 

New Theatre Ban Receives 

Press Airing in Twin City 

MINNNEAPOLIS—Ralph Green, head of 

group seeking a license to construct a 1,200- 

seat, $200,000 neighborhood theatre here, received 

support of the Mimieapolis Morning 

Tribune. In a lengthy editorial, the paper 

assailed the 12-year policy of city council 

not to issue licenses for new theatres. (Because 

of "exceptional circumstances" it deviated 

from this policy twice the past two 

yeai's.) Pointing out that opposition from 

North Central Allied in behalf of local independent 

exhibitors is almost all on economic 

gromids, the editorial declared that present 

theatre owners are no more entitled to protection 

from additional competition than 

persons engaged in other lines of business. 

It has been indicated that the Green group 

is prepared to build still more new theatres 

here if the city council discards the policy. 

Other interests also are standing on the sidelines 

prepared to enter the local exhibiting 

field if the barriers are let down. 

"If the Minneapolis city council approves 

the application of Ralph Green for a permit, 

a 1,200-seat moving picture theatre will be 

constructed at 3907 Nicollet Ave.," says the 

SMALLEST SANTA IN LOBBY—The 

Orpheum Theatre lobby in Omaha proved 

a popular place during the holidays. 

Youngsters could peek through a small 

hole and sec "The smallest Santa Glaus 

in the World." They also could pick up a 

phone and talk to him. A reducing lens 

made a living Santa look small. William 

Miskell, Tri- States Theatres district manager, 

planned the stunt. 

a 

doing the movie business no good in Minneapolis. 

is 

Why permit a new theatre to be 

built when the competition is tough enough 

already? 

"The opposition, in .short, is almost all on 

economic grounds. Yet it is by no means 

clear to us why the city council should be 

expected to use its licensing power as an instrument 

of economic regulation. That power 

is properly used to safeguard the public's 

health, safety or morals. In our opinion, it 

is not properly employed to restrict competition, 

or to protect those who have some 

vested interest in the status quo. 

"If a new theatre is built to conform to 

certain standards established by city ordinance, 

and if it is owned and operated by 

reputable citizens, it seems to us that this 

represents the legitimate limits of the council's 

interest in it. 

"To argue that the council should protect 

the movie theatres against overseating 

is to follow a line of reasoning which would 

ultimately insist that it protect the restaurant 

business against being overchaired, or the 

hotel industry from being oveiToomed. The 

licensing' authority, under such circumstances, 

would become a sharp and dangerous 

weapon to be wielded, at the council's caprice, 

for economic reasons real or fancied. 

"The NCA also argues that overseating 

tends to encourage the showing of cheap 

and objectionable pictures. But this is & 

problem which seems to lend itself to selfdisclipline 

within the industry, rather than 

to major license surgery accomplished by the 

editorial. "There is some doubt, however, that 

the council will approve such a permit, since 

vigorous opposition to the proposed new 

movie house is developing in the North Central 

Allied Independent Theatres. This opposition, 

coupled with the council's traditional 

reluctance to grant new theatre licenses, may 

prove decisive. 

"Spokesmen for the NCA protest that 

Minneapolis is .already badly overseated so 

tar as movie theatres are concerned. Where city council. 

the average city of comparable size has about "Limitation for the mere sake of controlling 

competition has no proper place in the 

one seat for every 12 citizens, Minneapolis 

has one for every eight. 

scheme of comicil action." 

"The new theatre, say the objectors, would The city council license committee scheduled 

a hearing on the Green application for 

only make a bad situation worse. Furthermore, 

boxoffice receipts are down 15 to 25 January 10. Stanley D. Kane, NCA executive 

counsel, and other members of the body, 

per cent from their 1946 peak, and television 

will appear at that time to oppose it. 

Kane was quick to take issue with the editorial. 

In a letter to the editor he contended 

that, "It is quite proper that the city council 

should consider economic arguments when, 

as a result of the economics of theatre operation, 

public interest is directly involved." 

New Crest in Wichita 

To Be Opened Jan. 17 

WICHITA, KAS.—Tlie new Crest Theatre 

being erected by Sullivan Independent Theatres 

at a cost of approximately $400,000 and 

now nearing completion here will be opened 

January 17, according to O. P. Sullivan, general 

manager. Exhibitors and film distributor 

supply house representatives have been invited 

by Sullivan to attend the opening and 

to be guests at a cocktail party and dance 

the same night at the Lassen hotel. 

To Build 1,200-Seater 

MINNEAPOLIS—Kaplan & Rubenstein, 

which owns and operates three neighborhood 

theatres here, has purchased the Alhambra, 

600-seat neighborhood house, and 

adjoining buildings and 14 lots, on which the 

company plans to construct a 1,200-seater. 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 MW 55

' 

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. 


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. 


E

COSTS cess 

Vneqiialled in performance at such 

low cost. .A conventional, rear-shutter 

Simplex type mechanism with shockproof 

gears, slip-in type gate, doublebearing 

intermittent movement, and a 

highly sensitive focusing device which 



American Theatre 

Supply 

316 South Main Avenue 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota 


Virginia Mayo for Femme Lead 

Virginia Mayo will take one of the two 

femme leads opposite Richard Todd in the 

Warner picture, "Lightning Strikes Twice." 

Bonus Checks Are Given 

To Employes in Iowa 

DES MOINES — Parties for employes of 

several Iowa theatres were held by the management 

over the holidays. At Spencer, 20 

persons were guests of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. 

McKinnon, owners of the Spencer theatres. 

Gifts were exchanged. 

Employes of the Coed and Rex theatres in 

Fairfield, received bonus checks based on 

length of service at a party in the McElh;nny 

house. Bob Dunnuck, manager, received a 

top coat from the employes. Attending the 

party from Des Moines were Mi-, and Mrs. 

Nate Sandler and Ruby Zelcher. 

Thirty-five employes of the Knoxville, 

Iowa, theatres were guests at a dinner, 

screening and dance. Festivities were at the 

Marion Theatre. 

Ml-, and Mrs. Harold M. Johnson entertained 

employes of the Ritz and Majestic 

at their home in Centerville. Each of the 

26 guests was given a bonus check. 

False Arrest Suit Filed 

By Manager at Duluth 

DULUTH—A $10,050 false arrest suit resulting 

from the shutdowai of Duluth's Lake 

Theatre may begin this month in Duluth district 

court. Bert Langley, theatre manager, is 

suing the Duluth safety commissioner, city 

license inspector and a police patrolman for 

arresting him on charges of operating a theatre 

without a license. The charges were dismissed 

in municipal court. The theatre, however, 

still is shut down because the city council 

will not grant a license. 

Langley. meanwhile, has found employment 

elsewhere. Ray Lumsden, owner of the theatre, 

was acquitted of the same charge in a 

Duluth municipal court trial. City officials 

are making little or no pretense about the fact 

that the shutdown was caused more by the 

type of pictures the Lake was showing than 

the technical lack of a license. No mention of 

city objections to the type of pictures is found 

in the official court proceedings. 

Lumsden also intends to question in court 

the city's decision to deny him a license. 

Your Best Buy is Griggs' New 30-Line Chair! 

with the self' rising seat! 

A brcmd new chair for finer thecrtres. 

Well constructed, comfortable, good 

looking, reasonably priced. This chair 

is equipped with autoraatic self-rising 

seat. For complete information 

«êe E. J. Staton 

in our Oklahoma City office, 708 W. 

Grand, 7-1821, Oklahoma City, Okla. 

Or Call, Wire or Write: 

Princess Reopens 

After Fire Repairs 

ST. MARYS, KAS.—Tlie Princess Theatre 

here, extensively damaged by fire December 

6, reopened Friday (6t after renovation 

and installation of new equipment. 

The fh-e. of undetermned origin, was discovered 

in the lobby at about 5:30 p. m. by 

H. P. Higgins, owner and a theatreman of 

some 24 yeai-s experience. 

Higgins suffered second and third degree 

burns in attempting to reach emergency firefighting 

equipment. The flames were under 

control two hours later. 

Higgins will be released from St. Francis 

hospital in Topeka about January 15. This 

is the first business interruption for Higgins 

during his long career as an exhibitor. 

His sons Mark and Brian of Denver planned 

and supervised reconstniction of the theatre. 

The Princess was covered by insurance, but 

there was no rider for the interruption of 

business. 

1949 Boxoffice Decline 

Less in Duluth Houses 

DULUTH—Despite the steel strike and 

competition from outdoor recreation, the 

1949 boxoffice decline among Duluth theatres 

was less than the nationwide average. 

Al Anson, Duluth district manager for 

Minnesota Amusement Co, said the CTopojf 

in attendance was sharpest during and right 

after the steel shutdown. Duluth economy 

is dependent in large measure upon the steel 

industry. 

A Irss-than-average decline, said Anson, 

indicates business generally was good in the 

Duluth area last year, and the caliber of 

Hollywood production apparently pleased 

most patrons. Advance notices on 1950 releases 

appear to continue a pledge of improving 

attendance by improving picture 

quality, he said. 

Few other areas of the country face as 

strong summertime competition from the 

great outdoors, according to Anson. His 

comments on 1949 theatre business were 

made in a review written for the annual 

edition of the Duluth News-Tribune. 

— FOR CENTURY — 

THEATRE and DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

PROJECTION MACHINES, SOUND 

SEE 

EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES 

STEBBINS THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

In Your Service Since 1899 

1804 Wyondotte Kansas City 8, Mo. 

C. H. Badger, Mgr. 

^p/qqc^ 

Belton, 

Texos 

EQUIPMENT 

COMPANY 

Offices: Dallas, Memphis, Shreveport, Oklahoma 

City end New York City. 

Theatre

. . . Louis 

. . Oscar 

. . 

. . W. 

Producer Frank Trying 

His 'Dr. Goebbels' Again 

MINNEAPOLIS—W. R. Frank, after a 

number of years, has brought back one of 

the first picture he produced, "The Private 

Life of Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels," for a 

four-day test engagement at his de luxe 

neighborhood house, the Boulevard. If the 

engagement is successful, Frank will reissue 

the picture generally, and start off by 

booking it into the other theatres of his 

circuit. It has been disti'ibuted by Monogram. 

"Attention!!" read the large newspaper 

ads for the picture here. "Now that the 

war has been over for five years I am giving 

the world the startling and entertaining 

story of the most sinister character in histoi-y 

. . . The illicit romances of this man 

even shocked Germany and it is difficult to 

think that this scoundi-el nearly became the 

ruler of the universe . . . Paul Anders, who 

was a personal and intimate confidante of Dr. 

Goebbels, who actually directed the Hitler 

regime, fled from Germany to America to 

portray the part of Dr. Goebbels." 

Business Outlook Good 

For Nebraska in 1950 

OMAHA—Nebraska, the beneficiary of a 

good business and agricultural 1949, also can 

expect an excellent 1950. About the only exception 

to a generally optimistic picture is 

the predicted continued decline in fai'm income 

due to lower prices. 

Despite blizzards and lower prices, Nebraska 

still had a good farm year. It ranked third 

in average fanti income. 

Omaha in 1949 enjoyed its largest building 

program since the w'ar, had bank deposits the 

equal of 1948, only a 1 per cent dip in retail 

sales compared with major decreases elsewhere, 

more manufactm'ing and more grain 

receipts. While retaining its position as the 

second lai-gest livestock market, Omaha also 

gained the added laurel of the top feeder and 

stocker cattle market. 

Fire Damage at Ritz 

KANSAS CITY—Damage estimated by 

local fire department officials at $950 was 

caused by a blaze December 29 in the lobby 

of the Ritz Theatre at 3301 East 12th street 

here. The fire, which resulted when an attendant 

began operation of a popcorn machine, 

damaged a refreshment stand and 

supplies. Dr. Nathan Zoglin is owner of the 

theatre, and M. E. Falkenbach is manager. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

T ocal survey shows Bob Hope to be the local 

No. 1 male boxoffice draw, with his highly 

successful pictures of 1949 and several personal 

appearances here factors in his tremendous 

popularity. He was here with his 

0W71 show and also as the star of last stunmer's 

Minneapolis Aquatennial. Betty Grable 

is tops here among the feminine luminaries 

Orlove, MGM exploiteer, was in 

town after a trip to New York. 

Herb Blass, Warner Twin City salesman, 

spent the holidays in California. He motored 

there with his family . Roscoe, 

Lake Benton, Minn., exhibitor, was on Filmrovf 

. . . Ben Marcus, Coliunbia district manager, 

stopped over en route to New York . 

The Boston Seating Co. and Motlograph 

moved to new quarters at 71 Glenwood Ave. 

on Filmrow. 

. . Bill Volk of 

Republic is moving into new quarters on 

the same floor where they've been located in 

the old Warner Bros, building. There has 

been a realignment of space on the floor 

with remodeling and redecorating . . . An 

attack of flu bedded Ralph Maw, MGM district 

manager, for a week . 

the Volk Bros, circuit expects to win one of 

the Warner prizes, a trip to the Kentucky 

Derby, in the contest for the best exploitation 

for "The Story of Seabiscuit." 

Frank Schilken jr. was elected business 

agent of the booth operators union here . . . 

Jimmy Nederlander, Lyceum manager, returned 

from New York where he went to line 

up more bookings for his legitimate attraction—motion 

picture house. He has "Light 

Up the Sky," with Sam Lavene of the films 

and stage, as one of the stars currently. 

"Mister Roberts" will move in for ten days 

starting January 15 and "Inside U.S.A." and 

"Detective Story," both of them big New York 

hits, are scheduled for February. In between 

"Light Up the Sky" and "Mister Roberts" 

the Lyceum will have the French picture, 

"M. Pierre," distributed in this territory 

by Reno Wilk. 

Frank Eisenberg, former United Artists 

Reno WUk salesman, has joined the Don 

Swartz Realart sales staff . . "All the King's 

. 

Men," chosen by the New York critics' circle 

as last year's best picture, is an adaption 

from a Pulitzer prize winning novel 

written by Pi'of. Robert Penn Warren of the 

University of Minnesota here, 

at the Minneapolis and St. 

is set 

Paul 

to open 

RKO Orpheum 

January 19 . . . "Alwâys Leave Them 

Laughing," next attraction at the Orpheum 

here, is based on a story by Max Shulman, 

former Minneapolis humorist and University 

of Minnesota alumnus, who worked at the 

Warner studio on the screen adaptation. 

. 

Ted Mann retui'ned from New York where 

he lined up pictures for his World, downtown 

first rim here R. Frank, circuit 

owner and film producer, will depart 

agaiia for Hollywood next week to finish 

preliminaries for his next picture, "Sitting 

Bull," an outdoor epic in color . . George 

. 

Granstrom, St. Paul circuit owner, and his 

family spent the holidays in St. Louis with 

Attorney L. B. Schwartz still 

relatives . . . 

was awaiting word from Department of 

Justice in reply to his request for a ruling 

regarding the right of the Golden Valley 

Theatre, independent neighborhood house, 

for 28-day availability. 

Renovated Theatre Opens 

At Independence, Iowa 

INDEPENDENCE. IOWA—The newly remodeled 

Iowa Theatre here has been opened 

by Bob Malek, owner. Malek says he plans 

six nightly shows each week. There will be 

no show on Wednesdays. Among improvements 

added while the house was closed are 

a new projector, new screen, new seats, new 

carpeting and a modern street front. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS 

and Junction Boxes. For new jobs or replacements 

caused from theft or vandalism 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. JZsci^TZ. 

Model 4570 Hi-Intensity 

ARC LAMPS 

Projection 

cosrs uss^ 

Tli.Tt's right 1 Costs less tti.in any lamp 

anvwliere nearly approaching it in 

quality. Handles from 4.1 to 70 amperes 

! . . 

all the light you need for .my 

picture . . . hlack and white, or color. 

Su mechanical changes required for 

the transition from 4,'i to 7

KANSAS CITY 


HO 

IJobert Shelton, Commonwealth Theatres 

vice-president and general manager, and 

Dick Orear. purchasing agent, and their 

wives left December 30 for a vacation trip 

to New Orleans and Mexico City . . . Lawrence 

Leliman, RKO Missouri manager, returned 

to his desk following recovery from 

a recent operation at Menorah hospital . . . 

M. D. Cohii, Paramount Theatre manager, 

received notice of his appointment as pubt 

HIGHER 

mUTV,.yiJ 

COSTS LBSS 

jquipmeiU offers more in value for 

such low cost. Complete srmnd systems 






Missouri Theatre Supply 

Company 

lis West 18th Street 

Kansas City, Missouri 


licity and advertising director for National 

Brotherhood week observance February 17-25. 

Foster J. Liederbach, fonnerly of Chicago, 

assumed his new duties as assistant manager 

of the RKO Missouri Theatre . . . Stanley 

Durwood, Durwood circuit general manager, 

was elected president of the Harvard club 

of Kansas City . . . Bob Carnie, Monogram 

salesman, celebrated a birthday December 

Hal Parker, cameraman, was making 

29 . . . 

television commercial shorts for Nutrena 

John Scott, 

Mills, Inc., and other clients . . . 

Republic booker, resumed his duties foUow'- 

ing a two-week vacation. 

Dale H. Danielson, Russell, Kas., Kansas- 

Missouri Theatre Ass'n president, and O. F. 

Sullivan, Wichita, Kas., head of the Kansas- 

Missoun Allied unit, were among speakers 

dui-ing a two-day United Film Service sales 

convention here Wednesday and Thursday 

(4, 51 ... Gene Blade, Altec Service Corp., 

celebrated his birthday last Sunday (1) ... 

The Village Theatre, Sunflower Village, Kas., 

dark many months, has been reopened by 

Paul Milberger, operator of the Garmtier in 

Kansas City, Kas. 

Elmer C. Rhoden jr.. Commonwealth ciicuit 

film buyer, returned from a holiday visit 

in California . . . George Harttmann, owner 

of the Armour in North Kansas City and 

now living in Los Angeles, visited Filmrow 

. . . Louis Sutter, operator of the Castle here 

and the Princess and Regal in Kansas City, 

Kas., was recovering from a recent operation 

. - R. R. Biechele, owner of the Osage 

. 

in Kansas City, Kas., was preparing to attend 

a TOA board meeting next week in 

Washington. 

Kansas theatremen who were in town included 

Herb Stulz, Plaza, Clyde; E, J. May, 

Uptown, Strong City; William Bristol, Meade, 

Meade; Homer P. Strowig, Lyric, Abilene, 

and Fred R. Davis, Cozy, Girard . . . Among 

Missouri showmen w'he were here were Bill 

Silver, Silver, Cameron; Vii-gil Anderson, 

C-B. Bucklin; Frank G. Weary, Farris, Richmond; 

Charles Fisk jr., Fisk, Butler; Kenneth 

Noel, Community, Bois D'Arc; John 

Brandt, Lyric, Plattsburg, and T. L. Wilson, 

Siloam, Excelsior Springs. 

Team 

Film D

. . Omaha 

. . MGM 

. . 

United Film Salesmen 

Meet in Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY—Representatives of the 

United Film Service, Inc., in all sections of 

the nation attended a two-day sales convention 

last Wednesday and TliiU'sday (4, 5) 

at the Continental hotel here to discuss selling 

problems and to preview new Screen 

Broadcasts films produced by the company. 

W. Hardy Hendren, president of the company 

and chairman of the program committee, 

conducted the various sessions. 

Pi-eceding the official sessions, division and 

district managers gathered for a business 

meeting Monday. General registration for 

the convention opened Tuesday morning at 

the Continental hotel, where separate meetings 

of salesmen with their division and 

district managers also were held. 

SPEAKERS OF NOTE 

Mayor William E. Kemp gave an address 

of welcome at the initial session.. In addition 

to Hendren, speakers heard during the 

Wednesday sessions included R. T. Klemme, 

economist for the Federal Reserve bank of 

Kansas City: Dale H. Danielson, Kansas- 

Missoui-i Theatre Ass'n president; O. F. Sullivan, 

Kansas-Missouri Allied president; Cai-i 

J. Mabry, head of the Motion Picture Advertising 

Service Co., New Orleans; J. D. 

Braunagel, Commonwealth Theatres drive-in 

department manager, and W. D. Zeiger, sales 

manager; Reese H. Wade, production manager, 

and W. J. Scroggin, service manager, all 

of United Film Service. 

In addition to Walker Saussy, president 

of the Walker Saussy Advertising Co., speakers 

during the Thursday sessions included 

E. S. Washbm-n, vice-president; A. F. Bradley, 

treasurer, and L. P. Hillyer, advertising 

and sales promotion manager, all of the 

United Film Service. A banquet Thursday 

night at the Continental hotel officially 

ended the convention. Wives of the visitmg 

officials and sales representatives were entertained 

at special luncheons, film previews 

and other events during the conclave. 

COMMITTEES ACTIVE 

Arrangements for the convention were supervised 

by these committees; 

Program—W. Hardy Hendren, chairman; 

W. D. Ziezer, E. S. Washburn, W. J. Scroggin, 

L. P. HUlyer and A. F. Bradley. 

Arrangements—E. S. Washbm'n, chairman; 

L. P. Hillyer and W. J. Scroggin. 

Registration—W. D. Zieger, chairman; Josephine 

A. Spensley, Ed B. Rowe, John V. 

Crane and J. H. Crawford. 

Reception—Mesdames W. Hardy Hendren, 

D. D. Zieger, E. S. Washburn, A. F. Bradley, 

W. J. Scroggin and L. P. Hillyer. 

Women's program—Mesdames W. Hardy 

Hendren and E. S. Washburn and Miss Opal 

McGhee. 

Adele Jergens has been signed for the 

femme stellar role opposite Charles McGraw 

in "Code 3, " an 

RKO film. 

OMAHA 

xsyilliam Miskell, Tri-States Theatres district 

manager here, will have an important 

role on the parking meter and traffic 

subcommittee of Omaha parking committee 

of which he is a member . sales-^ 

men spent the holiday week in town . 

That benefit show at the Dundee Theatre, 

R. D. Goldberg house, brought $254 to the 

World Herald Good Fellows. "The Fallen 

Idol" was the picture. 

Manager William Gaddoni received an 

electric clock for his desk at an office MGM 

. . . Fred Fejar went to 

Cornelius "Neil" Ryan, member 

party . . . 

of the booth Local 343, has suffered amputation 

of his legs in the last two years. 

But friends found him still in good spirits 

on being moved from the Lincoln Veterans 

hospital on his way to Wadsworth hospital, 

Leavenworth, Kas. 

Yankton and Mount Vernon, S. D., during 

the holidays for visits with relatives. 

Theo Artz, MGM contract clerk, married 

Grady Ashton of Omaha December 31 . . . 

And Winifred Johnson, booker's clerk at 

MGM, became engaged to RoUand Nelson of 

Omaha . buses will have radio 

service as a result of a vote showing a 15 to 

1 ballot in favor . . . Rich Wilson, MGM 

salesman, dolled up in uniform and played 

Santa for Judy, daughter of Mrs. Evelyn 

Cannon, MGM office manager. 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wabosh 

FILMACK 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54(h St. 

FLAV-O-NUT 

The Cocoanut Oil Popcorn Seasoning 

and 

A Complete Line of Popcorn 

Supplies 

SEE 

nd Popcorn 

RUBE MELCHER POPPERS SUPPLY CO. 

114 W. 18th Street Kansas Cily 8, Mo. 

npcuT \iimm 

STAGE EQUIPMENT COMPANY 

UIILHI IILUILIIIl. 

New Sound for State 

MOBERLY, MO.—Installation of new Cen- 

[uiT sound equipment is among improvements 

now in progress at the State Theatre 

here. Formerly the Sosna, the 496-seat 

house now is owned and operated by Dubinsky 

Bros., St. Joseph, Mo. The new sound 

equipment is being furnished by the Shreve 

Theatre Supply Co., Kansas City. Kensil 

Elkins is manager of the theatre. 

SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY 

We Cover the U. S. Market 

A dilfe service ol long 

experie and reputation 

ARTHUR LEAK THEATRE SALES 

Memo TO: 

Smart Buyers 

THE PRICELESS 

INGREDIENT 

In the city of Bagdad lived Hakeem 

the wise one, and many people went to 

him for counsel, which he gave freely 

to all asking nothing in return. 

There came to him a young man who 

had spent much but got little and said: 

"Tell me, Wise One, what shall I do 

to receive the most for that which I 

spend?" 

Hakeem answered: "A thing that is 

bought or sold has no value unless it 

contains that which cannot be bought 

or sold. Look for The Priceless Ingredient." 

"But what is the Priceless Ingredient?" 

asked the young man. 

Spoke then the Wise One: "My Son, 

the Priceless Ingredient of every product 

in the market place is the Honor and 

Integrity of him who makes it. Consider 

his name before you buy." 

Those "In The Know" 

Buy EMBRO 

White & Yellow Hybrids 

STEBBINS THEATRE Equipment Co. 

rr'^f'^fV^ f '*f 'T»> ^ — 

Satisfaction — Always 

Missouri Theatre Supply Co. 

L. I. KIMBRIEL, Manager 

Phone BAltimore 3070 

18th Kansas City lis W. 8, Mo. 

Consistent High Quality 

EMBRO POPCORN CO. 

p. 0. Box 327 St. Louis 3, Mo. 


Cancer's Danger Signals 

1. Any sore throat that does not heal 

2. A lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere 

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge 

4. Any change in a wart or mole 

5. Persistent indigestion or difficulty in swallowing 

6. Persistent hoarseness or cough 

7. Any change in normal bowel habits 

can be your safety signals 

Cancer is curable if discovered early and treated properly 

It 

any of these symptoms appear, see you doctor at once 

Write for the booklet about cancer. Just address your request to "CANCER" 

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, INC 

47 Beaver St., New York 4, N. Y. 

62 BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950 

iOlO 

,

Film Problems Form 

College Forum Topic 

ALBION, MICH.—Under the theme, "Light 

in Our Dark Rooms," problems and prospects 

of motion pictures will be discussed by representatives 

of the industry, educational and 

cultural groups at Albion college here, January 

n. 

Dean Emil Leffler will introduce the afternoon 

speakers, including: "Forces That Have 

Molded the Movies," Charles W. Snyder, executive 

secretary of Allied Tlieatres of Michigan; 

"Movies—Friend or Foe of Education," 

by Mrs. E. L. Church, president of the Michigan 

Congress of Parents and Teachers; "Art 

or Artifice." Richard E. Osgood, theatre commentator 

for Detroit radio station WXYZ; 

"Who Controls Hollywood?" David M. Idzal. 

managing director of the Fox, Detroit, and 

George Campbell, owner-manager. Colony, 

ister of education, Central Methodist chui'ch, 

Lansing, and a forum. 

Others who will take an active part in the 

program are: Howard Sharpley-Woner, manager 

of the Mecca, Litchfield, Mich.; George 

Bohm, owner-manager, Bohm, Albion, and 

R. W. Beechler, vice-president. Allied Theatres 

of Michigan. 

Schreibet Drlve-ln Is Sold 

To Community of Detroit 

First Runs, Stage Bills 

At Paradise, Detroit 

DETROIT—First run pictures and stage 

shows will be featured at the Paradise Theatre, 

principal house of the Cohen circuit, 

when it reopens January 13. Two musical 

groups, headed by Dizzy Gillespie and Charles 

Browni, will be featured on the opening bill, 

with Duke Ellington to follow. Normally the 

film policy is secondary to the stage show at 

this house. 

"Anna Lucasta." legtimate show which featured 

an all-colored cast, played the house 

Detroit. 

in November, its only bill since its closing last 

The afternoon session, which will include 

spring. Availability of strong attractions will 

a discussion period after each speech, will be 

determine the length of the present season 

closed by a question and answer period. The 

at the house which is normally closed for several 

months each year. Oscar Adelman of 

evening session, on the theme, "Have the 

Movies Accepted Their Social Responsibility?," 

the Paradise staff was in New York last week 

will be devoted largely to consideration of the 

to line up bookings. 

whole problem of social standards and values 

of motion pictures as a mass medium, with 

Stephen J. Roth, attorney general of Michigan, 

presiding. 

Amusement, License Tax 

Problems of censorship versus freedom, 

Slated in Monessen, Pa. 

realism versus escapism, great art versus 

boxoffice appeal and discrimination versus 

MONESSEN, PA.—A new city budget recently 

approved by the mayor and council- 

accurate representation will be included in 

men-elect provides for a 10 per cent municipal 

the discussion. 

Richard E. Osgood of WXYZ and an unnamed 

speaker will discuss "Have Motion 

amusement and license tax by which approximately 

$25,000 is expected to be collected. 

If passed, the new levy will become effective 

Pictures Accepted Then- Aesthetic Responsibihty?"; 

Mrs. E. L. Church of the PTA, and 

Febi-uary 1, All types of amusements will be 

taxed, temporary permits will be sold for $1 

Dr. J. L. Leech, Michigan president of the 

and full time licenses will cost $2. The penalty 

for violation of the ordinance will be a 

National Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored 

People, "Have the Motion Pictui'es Accepted 

Their Cultural Responsibility?"; 

fine of $100 or 30 days in the county jail. 

Charles W. Snyder of Allied Theatres, and the 

Rev. John D. Slowey, Catholic Social Services, 

Lansing, and Rev. Kearney Kirkby, min- 

DETROIT—Ti-ansfer of the two-year-old 

1,100-car Grand River Drive-In, located 

northwest of Detroit, to the Community Theatres 

circuit, operated by Charles Komer and 

Irving and Adolph Goldberg, climaxed several 

weeks of negotiations with Alex Schreiber, 

senior partner in Associated Theatres, which 

opened the house. The price involved in the 

deal was not disclosed. 

The lengthy discussions have caused a flood 

of rumors along Filmrow, many of them 

without apparent foundation. Background is 

the known intention of Schreiber, who has 

been practically commuting between here and 

Los Angeles in recent months, to dispose of 

his interests here ultimately, and concentrate 

in California, where he is at present 

building the Paradise Theatre, with two 

other sites selected for additional construction. 

About two years ago the Associated 

group disposed of four theatres to Coirmiunity 

and four others to Affiliated Theatres. 

The Grand River gives the Community 

group a major drive-in on the same side of 

the city as its Town Drive-In, and about four 

miles from its key Redford Theatre. The 

Community partners have also a minority 

interest in, but do not operate, the Gratiot 

Drive-In, which is operated by Schreiber and 

Louis M. Parine. 

Food Show at Toledo Guild 

TOLEDO—Every youngster bringing a can 

of nonperishable food to the Guild Theatre 

Christmas day between 1 and 2 p. m. was 

admitted without charge. Contributions went 

to the St. Vincent de Paul society. 

Two Suburbans Settle 

Lawsuits Out of Court 

DETROIT—Tliree parallel actions brought 

by Universal, Paramount and Loew's against 

the East Detroit and Roseville theatres in the 

suburbs of the same names have been settled 

out of court for a total amount understood 

to be less than $100. Original suits, seeking 

totals of several thousands, were filed on the 

basis of charges that there was a "conspiracy 

to defraud — by rendering false returns on 

percentage pictures." 

According to Arthur J. Hass, attorney for 

the defendants Jeff Williams. C. A. Ruedisueli 

and Kenneth D. Newton, partners in the 

theatres, records showed the distributors were 

entitled to "some pocket money." It was not 

considered worth while to continue fighting 

the case when a settlement became possible 

because the differences were said to be the 

result of bookkeeping errors. 

AT FITTSBITRGH HOLIDAY PARTIES—Holiday parties were given on Filmrow 

in Pittsburgh, and shown in the photos above are Filmrowites and exhibitors. Top 

left: Part of the RKO gang extends good wishes to Mrs. Gordon Gibson at the Filmrow 

open house party at Atlas Theatre Supply. Left to right: Ir^nnj: Frankel. Jack Lange, 

Lawrence Carettie, Sam Milberg, Mrs. Gibson, David C. Silverman and William Scott. 

Top right: Fred J. Herrington and Harr>- Williams, seated, are surrounded by Ben F. 

Stahl, Wallace Battiston, Norman Fleishman, Fred Elmer Haslcy and Tom Zaimes. 

Bottom left: Filmrow's letter carrier Lou Brill stopped at the Atlas party to deliver 

mail and to be photographed nith Gordon Gibson and George Saittis, seated, and 

Eugene Naccarato and Nick Saittis, standing. Center: Mr. and Mrs. Ted Manos are pictured 

at the Atlas party. Right: At the Hanna Theatre Service open house are Herb 

Shearer. Toni Armenti. Sid Soltz and Lou Hanna. 

BOXOFFICE JanuaiT 7, 1950 ME 63

LOOKING BACKWARD 

CLEVELAND—Outstanding events of the 

Cleveland motion picture industry during 

the past year: 

January 

Schine forced out of Medina. Ernest 

Schwartz re-elected 16th time as president 

Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n. 

and A. E. Ptak 12th time as vice-president. 

Two hundred attend testimonial to Milton A 

Mooney, outgoing chief barker of Variety 

Club. 

February 

Leo Gottlieb appointed Screen Guild manager, 

tendered a testimonial. Launch John 

Kalafat Memorial fund to be used for student 

loans. TV tried out in several theatre 

lobbies. 

March 

Herbert Hoglan, Genoan, Genoa, filed with 

arbitration board to eliminate competitive 

clearances. Harry H. Goldstein promoted to 

Paramount division manager. Cleveland 

newspapers hike theatre ad rates. G&P 

Amusement Co. filed monopoly suit in local 

court seeking triple damages from defendants 

Paul Gusdanovic, Cooperative Theatres of 

Ohio, and four major distributors. 

April 

Theatrecraft Mfg. Corp. introduced combination 

in-car heater-speakers for drive-ins. 

Prank Belles named Salesmen's club president. 

The 

Drive-ln Deal 

you've been wailing for 

is on page 41 


WE INVITE YOU 

'. 





no light toss 

Brilliant, shorp picture 



reduced. 

Wafer coo/ing is optionol — ovoilob/e on 

ail modets at slight extra cost 

No air blowers 

No LIGHT LOSS due to heot^ 


Equipment manufactured by CENTURY PROJECTOR CORP., New York, N. Y. 


See him also for your needs in theatre equipment, ports and service. 

AKRON THEATRE SUPPLY CO. DAYTON FILM, INCORPORATED 

936 East Market St. SUPERIOR MOTION PICTURE SUPPLY 2227 Hepburn Ave. 

Akron 10, Ohio Dayton 6, Ohio 

COMPANY 

CHARLESTON THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 84 Van Braam St. 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT COMPANY 

P.mburgh, Pennsylvania 

506 Lee Street 

,09 Michigan St. 

Charleston 1, West Virginia Toledo 2, Ohio 

BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950 65

. . Harold 

DETROIT 

Qffices of the Broder circuit have been 

moved from the Times Square to the 

Ray Schreiber, circuit 

Rainbo Theatre . . . 

operator, was ill at his home . T. 

Stephens has moved from the Jefferson to 

the Ace. where he replaces Burton London 

. . . Bill Schulte, circuit operator, was seriously 

injured in an automobile accident 

Christmas day at Parmington. 

Brian Davies, Douglas Brosey, William 

Anstutz, Earl Minnie, Don Thomas, Jim 

Steele, Clair Kreinbrink, Hugh C. Quigley, 

Harry Hetrick, Pat Ryan, Bib Lindstedt and 

Al Dmnbouldd, United Film Service salesmen 

in this area, left for Kansas City to 

attend a sales meeting. Tom Allen is local 

DELUXE 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

*BRENKERT PROJECTORS 

* RCA SOUND SYSTEMS 

*RCA RECTIFIERS 

* RCA SOUND SCREENS 

*BRENKERT LAMPS 

* INTERNATIONAL CHAIRS 

* MOHAWK CARPET 

*HORSTMAN MARQUEES 

*ADLER LETTERS 

CENTURY GENERATORS 

*KOLDRINK BARS 

*STAR POPCORN MACHINES 

*NEUMADE PRODUCTS 

*COINOMETER CHANGERS 

STAGE EQUIPMENT 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES OUR 

SPECIALTY 

ERNIE FORBES 

THEATRE SUPPLY 

Film Bldg.. Detroit 1, Mich. 

Days 

Nights 

WO 1-1122 VE 7-1227 

WO 1-1123 

sales chief for the company . . . Sol Krim, 

who soon will move westward, has abandoned 

plans for his proposed Guild Theatre. 

Helen Bower, film editor of the Detroit 

Free Press, wrote a feature story on the history 

of Detroit theatres in a 50-year survey 

series, with emphasis upon the replacement 

of a small number of legitimate theatres by 

a large number of motion picture houses 

. . . Cecile Lillie, inspector at United Artists, 

was injured in a taxi accident Christmas 

day. She was in an auto accident last 

Christmas 

. . . Maribelle Brock, secretary to 

Frank Hensler of MGM, was reported seriously 

ill as an aftermath of an operation 

several months ago. 

Detroit Police Sponsor 

Trailers on Burglary 

DETROIT—A series of four trailers 

on the 

theme of home protection against burglars is 

being released under sponsorship of the police 

department by the United Detroit Theatres, 

whose president. Earl J. Hudson, was 

responsible for the production of the films. 

Specific ideas such as leaving lights on, putting 

ladders under lock, and stopping deliveries 

while the family is away are covered 

in the series. 

The trailers run about 90 seconds. Films 

will be exchanged between downtown and 

suburban houses of the United Detroit circuit, 

and then placed in other Detroit theatres. 

The series will then be made available 

to upstate towns, since they carry the signatiu-e 

"Your Police Department" without giving 

city of origin. They will be made available 

for release in other states when prints 

become available, according to Lieut. Herbert 

German of the police special services division, 

in direct charge of the motion picture project. 

Ross Roy Buys Interest 

In Fogarty Co., Chicago 

DETROIT—Ross Roy, Inc., local 

producers 

of training films, has acquired an interest 

in the C. C. Fogarty Co. of Chicago. Effective 

January 1, the Chicago agency became 

known as Ross Roy-Fogarty, Inc., with offices 

in the Bell building at 307 North Michigan 

avenue, the location of tthe Fogarty organization 

for a quarter of a century, and 

Detroit. 

Zanesville Elects Hope 

As Its Honorary Mayor 

ZANESVILLE, OHIO—Bob Hope gave 

Zanesville so much free publicity, mentioning 

the city several times in his radio program, 

that the city coimcil elected him honorary 

mayor recently. And if the star should 

accept an invitation to visit ZanesvUle, he 

will be given authority to run the city, they 

said. 

Theatre Aids Legion Charity 

DAYTON—A can or package of non-perishable 

food admitted yotmgsters to a special 

show at the Sigma Theatre. The food 

helped fill Christmas baskets distributed by 

the South Park Legion Post 675. 

Bay City Houses Unite 

In Shows for Kiddies 

DETROIT—Two opposition houses in Bay 

City, the Washington operated by Edward C. 

Johnson, president of Allied Theatres of 

Michigan, and the Roxy operated by Harold 

Bernstein, joined forces to give youngsters 

their thrills for the holidays and to do 

charitable work as well. 

On the Friday before Christmas, each 

house was host to a capacity crowd of 1.300 

children at a show to which admission was 

one or more cans of food as a Christmas donation 

and a total of 3,500 cans was collected. 

The food was turned over to the 

Salvation Army for distribution to needy 

families for Christmas. 

The next day a special ice cream show 

was held at each house, and each youngster 

was given a generous helping of ice cream. 

On the second Satm-day of the vacation week, 

the houses joined with other theatres across 

the country in special shows sponsored nationally 

by the American Legion. All three 

special shows were morning events. 

Seven Theatres Install 

New Custom Screens 

DETROIT—New screens have been Installed 

by National Theatre Supply, according to 

Manager Clarence Williamson, in five Detroit 

houses—the East End for DeLodder circuit; 

Chic for Harry Balk, Dexter for Brown 

circuit. Admiral for Affiliated, and Redford 

for Community; and in the Palmer Park in 

Highland Park for Midwest Theatres, and 

the Strand, Muskegon, for Paul Schlossman. 

Other NTS installations include Simplex 

mechanism in the remodeled Gayety for Sam 

Carver, and Crestwood carpeting in the Norwood 

for Associated and Telenews. 

FLOWERS for 

Every Occasion 

LORENZEN'S 

DETROIT'S THEATRICAL FLORIST 

TOwnsend 8-6232 

18457 Woodward Ave., Detroit 3, Mich. 

SERVICE-QUALITY-PRICE 

COLD CHIPS 

Potato Chips Exclusively for the Theatre Trade. 

VETERAN FOOD PRODUCTS, INC. 

6439 Ml. Elliott Ave. Detroit 11, Mich. 

Phone WAhiul 1-5516 

TheatrpSign and 

Marquee Maintenance 

/^^L Our Specialty _^ 

wJHorstman 

THEATRICAL ADV. 

CO. 

"SERVING EXHIBITORS FOR 33 YEARS' 

2310 CASS WO. 1-2158. DETROIT. 1. MICH 


$8427 Erects This Striking # 

New Screen Tower £ 

Compel attention and assure 

biggest boxoffice returns 

with this impressive 

tower. 

HERE ARE A FEW OF ITS 

OUTSTANDING FEATXHIES: 

* Overall size: 50 ft. x 40 ft. 

•K Ready for the picture . . . nothing else to buy! "• Inunediate construction 

* Screen size: 44 ft. x 33 ft. 

* All 4 sizes covered and painted 

* Screen surface is of asbestos board 

* High tower wings as shown 

* Greater resistance to wind: 30 pounds 

per square foot, equivalent to 83 M.P.H. 

turbulent flow or 95 M.P.H. streamline 

ilovr 

* Free standing steel tower (no guy wires) 

* 2-line 24 ft. lighted Wagner attraction 

board 

-K Band of lights in front of tower 

Now in 

Our THIRD YEAR Constructing Complete "PERSONALIZED" Drive-Ins 

One of the Oldest and Best Established Builders of the "Packaged" Drive-ln 

Each drive-in is "personalized" to take best advantage 

of surrounding terrain and locale. A wide selection of 

designs in any desired size to suit the client. 

Service backed by experience that saves you money. 

We contract at a fixed price to completely design and 

build your drive-in. Your theatre will be complete on 

delivery . . . ready for opening night. 

Bond furnished if desired. 

» Each job is complete including 

plans; engineering; screen tower 

with built-in tilt screen feature; 

ticket booth; grading ol ramps; 

surfacing road; projection booth; 

plumbing; concession stand; 

moonlile pole; Century projectors, 

speakers, speaker posts; Strong 

lamps; Altec supervision of installation; 

electrical wiring and 

material. 

• Foundation beams engineered for 

maximum stability which permits 

exceptionally high wind 

ratings. 

• Small project completed in 3-5 

weeks; large projects in about 6 

nplete insurance coverage is 

ied during construction. 

300 CAR DRIVE-IN 

complete, less fence. 

$^R 9R120 GOOCARDRIVEIN $1^ < AllfiQ 

^^Mumt^M I -^~ complete, less fence W I Mwt I I ~-~~ 

Contract Now for Winter and Spring Construction 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

Ill MICfflGANST. Adams 8107 TOLEDO 2, OHIO 

BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950 ME 67

. . . James 

. . . Bob 

. . Frank 

. 

Toledo Booth Ass'n Plans 

New Petition to NLRB 

TOLEDO—The Toledo P>rojectionists Ass'n, 

independent union, plans to file a petition 

with the National Labor Relations Board, 

asking that the board rule that all Toledo 

theatres are engaged in interstate commerce. 

Frank J. Vanden Eynden, business agent, revealed 

this following dismissal in Washington, 

by the NLRB, of a petition by the independent 

union for a collective bargaining 

election for four projectionists at the local 

Pi-incess Theatre. 

The NLRB agreed with lATSE Local 228. 

that only a citywide collective bargaining unit 

is appropriate for booth employes. The Princess 

is operated by Balaban & Katz. Chicago, 

which firm the NLRB found to be in 

interstate commerce and so covered by the 

federal labor law. 

Two of the four projectionists at the Princess 

have been working in Toledo several 

years, but never have won membership in 

Local 228 through failure to obtain the necessary 

two-thirds vote of the local's membership. 

However, the local has issued them 

"permit" cards. 

Crosby to 

Attend Dinner 

At First Pirate Home Game 

PITTSBURGH—Bing Crosby, BOXOFFICE 

king of the screen, will be guest of honor at 

the annual diiuier of the local chapter of the 

Baseball Writers Ass'n of America at the 

William Penn hotel here April 23, the first 

Sunday of the new season that the Rrates 

will be at home. 

Crosby bought the Pirates in 1946 and comes 

here whenever possible during the baseball 

season, both to enjoy the games and to broadcast 

play-by-play accoimts. 

Kids Cartoon Show Held 

At Keith's in Dayton 

DAYTON—Dayton Junior Chamber of 

Commerce safety committee sponsored an 

all-cartoon children's show at Keith's Theatre 

recently as a means of raising funds to 

put on the second "Scotchlite-a-Bike" program 

in April. 

Over 400 children, including those from 

several welfare institutions and orphanages, 

saw the program through the generosity of 

the St. John Transportation Co., Krieger Motor 

Sales, Klyce Studebaker and Master Sales 

companies. 

Amusement Tax Reduced 

BEAVER PALLS, PA.—A 2 per cent reduction 

in the city's amusement tax ordinance 

from 10 to 8 per cent was approved by 

council without a dissenting vote. 

COLUMBUS 

Tyjore than 150 gruests attended the screening 

of "Battleground" and luncheon given 

by MGM last week. Central Ohio theatremen 

who attended include John Hardgrove, 

Roger Garrett, Prank Yassenoff, Ted 

Pekras, Ed Hiehle, William Pullin jr., Arthur 

M. Holah, Virgil Jackson, F. W. Rowlands, 

Carl Rogers, Fred Oestreicher, Charles 

Sugarman, Al Sugarman, Lee Hofheimer 

and Jack Needham . Yassenoff of 

the Yassenoff-Schwartz outdoor theatres is 

the father of a daughter named Sally, born 

December 17 and his first child . . . Third 

child of John Hai-dgrove, supervisor for the 

Academy Theatres, has been named Earl. 

Harry Simons, manager of the Grand, held 

a Cinderella contest for "The Red Shoes." 

Prizes were awarded to the girl whose foot 

fitted the red slippers placed in the lobby 

A. Maddox, first manager of the 

Majestic when it opened 36 years ago, was 

pictui-ed in local newspapers with its last 

manager, Clarence Littler, who closed the 

theatre last Saturday. The house is being 

torn down to make way for the new H. L. 

Grant store. 

Norman Nadel, theatre editor of the Columbus 

Citizen, is spending a busman's holiday 

by catching the new Broadway shows 

Hope was named honorary mayor 

of Zanesville, Ohio, by the city council because 

of the many references to North Zanesville 

in Hope's new pictui-e, "The Great 

Lover." Hope replied by nammg Bing Crosby 

his "chief dog-catcher." 

Leon E. Crowell, 57, Dies; 

Pioneer Projectionist 

DETROIT—Leon E. Crowell, 57, for many 

years a projectionist here, died December 28. 

He had been a patient at the Veterans hospital 

at Dearborn about four months. After 

having been a projectionist in Fond du Lac, 

Wis., Crowell came to Detroit about 1912. He 

had been in the booth at the Fox here since 

its opening 21 years ago. 

A veteran of World War I, Crowell was the 

first historian of Theatrical Post of the 

American Legion, a post to which he had been 

re-elected every year. He is survived by his 

wife, the former Leona Anderson who at one 

time was cashier at the Pox Washington 

Theatre, and a son. 

Folmar Blangsted has been assigned as 

film editor for Warners' "Pretty Baby." 

L & L THEATRE CONCESSION 

INCREASED PROFITS - DECREASED WORRIES 

PERSONALIZED SUPERVISED SERVICE 

DRIVE-IN AND INDOOR THEATRES 

2937 SI. Aubin Detroit 7, Mich. 

Phone Te. 13352 Te. 13884 

FILM EXCHANGE DRUGS 

The Showman's Drug Store 

Drugs * Cosmetics * Prescriptions 

Personal Service from Two Showmen— 

MAX BERNBAUM JACK GALLAGHER 

Pharmacist 

Manager 

Phone CLiiiord 1527. CLiiford 3694 

Especially Designed for Quick, Easy, 

Thorough Theatre Cleaning . . 

THE SUPER HEAVY DUTY CLEANER 

Hi-up Tube permits cleaning 15 feet up — extra sections are available for greater 

heights — clean drapes, lamp house, screen, upholstered furniture, carpets, bare 

floors and ornamentation, all with the same Super. The Super Blower boosts debris 

and popcorn boxes out from under seats, 

down front for easy disposal. The Super 

Spotlight enables the operator to see into 

dark places, saves house lights. The Super 

Screen Brush gives longer life to your screen 

—keeps it clean ond bright, sound holes 

clear. 

24-Hou Projection and Sound 

Service 

'^^ZZP'"'. 

^0(///»A,,9rt) 

iNT CO. 

Fire at New Lexington Perry 

NEW LEXINGTON, OHIO—The interior of 

the Perry Theatre was swept by an early 

morning fire recently. 

Ond s"nda 

Ned OffUi^ 

Your Heywood - Wakelield 

Sealing Hepresentative. 

Century Theotre Bldg. 

6519 Mth St., 

Detroit 8. Mich. 

Phone: TYIer 8-6629 

OFFICE OR DESK SPACE TO RENT 

Excellent location for anyone contacting show business, or anyone 

seeking central downtown location. 

Write or phone c/o BOXOFFICE, 1009 Fox Bldg., Detroit 1, Mich. Phone WOodward 2-1100 

BOXOFTICE :: January 7, 1950

. . Scores 

T. J. Hickes Observes TOLEDO 

30 Years in Theatre 

SAXTON. PA.—T. J. Hickes observed his 

30th anniversary as an exhibitor here during 

the yearend. Clean, 

w liolesome p ic t u r e s 

iiave been supported 

luring these 30 years 

md the Broad Top 

Bulletin featured a 

iour-page section in 

its Clu'istmas edition 

to salute "Tom" and 

his wife and son T. J. 

jr., manager of the 

Aldlne. 

On September 7, 

T. J. Hickes 

1919, Mr. and Mrs. 

Hickes heard remarks 

that Saxton needed a theatre and they made 

initial plans the following day to enter into 

the motion picture industry. On September 

11, only four days later, work began on the 

old Liberty and on Christmas eve, that same 

year, the theatre was opened to the public, 

Norma Talmadge starring in the initial feature 

pictm'e to be presented. Only one projector 

was used as only one could be purchased. 

In April 1920, the second projector 

was delivered and installed. 

The Liberty was kept in continuous operation 

until June 26, 1935. At that time it was 

destroyed by fire along with the meat and 

grocery business which occupied the basement 

of the same building and which was 

an enterprise of the Hickeses. 

The day after the fire plans were begun 

on the present Aldine and this theatre was 

consti-ucted and opened within five months, 

the opening picture being Dick Powell in 

"Thanks a Million." Tom Hickes has been 

a member of Allied MPTO since 1920. 

Hickes officially greeted and welcomed the 

traditional couple, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, 

to the community the Friday before Christmas. 

Twenty-five hundred kiddies attended 

the party, which was the largest ever staged 

in Saxton or in the area. The day was celebrated 

as Hickes' 30th anniversary as the 

community's well liked exhibitor. 

Hickes is one of the most progressive businessmen 

in Bedford county, participating in 

many charitable events, drives and organizations. 

Outstanding was his contribution to the 

Bedford County hospital campaign last year. 

M'ew Year's day was particularly happy for 

Jack Sahlman, manager of the Guild, 

Toledo's new art house, because liis wife and 

20-month-old son moved here from New 

York to join him. Sahlman managed to get 

a comfortable apartment in the same building 

where the Frank Manentes live. Manente 

is manager of the Esquire. 

Abe Ludacer, manager of the Valentine, 

will make a quick one-day trip to Philadelphia 

January 25 for a meeting of officials 

of PAL, Inc. Ludacer is president of the 

Toledo chapter, which is planning an outstanding 

boxing card to raise funds for boys' 

welfare and recreational needs . . . Milt 

Tarloff recently returned from a visit to New 

York City. 

Flora Ward Hineline is bringing the Four 

Piano Ensemble to the State, de luxe neighborhood 

house, January 9 for a one-night 

concert stand . of shoppers saw 

Albert Granstaff, 54, die December 27 of a 

heart attack as he was changing Christmas 

decorations to New Year's greetings in the 

front of the Paramount Theatre, where he 

was an engineer. A sister in Charleston, 

W. Va., survives. 

Howard Feigley, manager of the Rivoli, 

has been elected to the board of trustees 

of the Chamber of Commerce. 

John Tucker Battle has been signed to 

screenplay "Etemolition Expert" for 20th- 

Fox. 

Jack Fontaine With Para. 

For Quarter of Century 

PITTSBURGH—Jack Fontaine, head shipper 

here for Paramount, is celebrating his 

silver anniversary with the company next 

week. Officially, Joseph O. Fontaine, Jack 

was first employed by Paramount (Famous 

Players Laskey Corp.i in 1924 as shipper at 

the Cleveland branch, transferring to Pittsburgh 

the next year. He was promoted to 

head shipper here in 1926 and two years later 

headed the ad sales department, a post he 

held until accessories were removed from the 

company's supervision. 

Jack was born August 5, 1901, at 'Washington, 

and attended school at 'Washington and 

Baltimore. In 1917 he enlisted in the navy 

for four years and served in World War I. 

During 1922-23 he was employed by Potomac 

Electric Power Co. at Washington. He was 

married in 1929 and is the father of two 

daughters, Eleanor, 19, and Rheta, 12. His 

favorite sports are fisiiing, wrestling and 

swimming and his two great hobbies are 

promoting athletics for youngsters and feeding 

wild life. 

J. B. Veblin Joins Firm 

DETROIT—John B. VebUn of Garden City, 

Mich., is joining the West Way Film Library, 

established here at 5290 Lumley avenue two 

years ago by Richard E. Scanland, as a partner. 

The firm is expanding operations to include 

the roadshow field, specializing in merchant-sponsored 

shows in small towns. Scanland 

said that the 16mni library service will 

be continued. 

THE WORLD'S FINEST, LOW-COST1 

ixfrnpi^ 

Lund Circuit Joins Star 

PITTSBURGH—The Lund Directed Theatres 

circuit now is represented for licensing 

and booking by Star Distributing Agency, 

managed by Vincent J. Corso. The circuit, 

with units at Carmichaels, Bobtown, Clarksville, 

Mather and Marianna, Pa., and Buckhannon, 

W. Va., is operated by John Lund 

and son Werner "Fuzzy" Lund. 

Set for 'Crisis' 

Teresa Celli has been set for a role in the 

Gary Grant vehicle, "Crisis," a Metro film. 

,«,;/./.,/ e ic|iiip 

n, fron, the ground up, and 

1 boolli l(> the sii 

.- 

in the largest pii of 

„;,HU4l..>. /».-.• 

L-tûipniL'fil. Now 

.for any size drive-in. 

iiffef, 

L-an 

,„undn,a«er etjuipment for 

ice SlO.DdO to 52(1.0110 /ij> 

build for jiiurself. There's no headaehes. 

! Just sign the eonlract and we will do the 

si/c theatre, four hundred ears and up. can 

teK huilt and equipped in as hltle as three 

IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS • AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM 

PROJECTORS • SOUNDHEADS • BASES • ARC LAMPS 

RECTIFIERS • MOTOR GENERATORS • MAGAZINES 

RAMP AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND ALL ACCESSORIES 

For Complete details and Prices See - 

eeks. 

Cincinnati Theatre Supply Hadden Theatre Supply 

1716 Logan Street 

Cincinnati, Ohio 

209 South Third St. 

Louisville, Kentucky 

OUTSTANDING CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ENCINEERINC 


. . . The 

. . Bob 

. . Al 

. . . Annual 

. . Hanna 

Ê 

P I 

T T S B U RGH 

lyrrs. Cele Carpe Abel, veteran of FUmrow 

and former Republic booker, is the mother 

of a daughter, bom in Montefiore hospital 

December 21 ... A plumbing-heating company 

at Warren was promoted to give away 

eight live turkeys at the Columbia ... A 

number of Warner theatres in the area presented 

Sunday (1^ midnight previews of 

•Montana" . . . Karlton at Williamsport presented 

the stage musical, "Blossom Time," 

Monday evening (2). 

Harry Fry presented a free Christmas day 

show at his Wampum in Wampum and invited 

all kids up to 90 years of age . . . 

Dipson's 

Bradford at Bradford staged a kiddy 

toy matinee December 28 ... A free Christmas 

show was featured at the State in BeUwood 

. . . Youngsters of United Engineering 

employes at New Castle had themselves a 

time December 23 at the Penn and Victor 

theatres, and following the free shows they 

went to the company cafeteria for holiday 

The FoUy at Erie closed for the 

treats . . . 

holidays. 

BeUefonte merchants awarded many prizes 

at drawings at the Plaza . . . Butler Armco 

Ass'n sponsored Armco kiddy Christmas 

parties at all four theatres in Butler December 

24, with big candy treats after the shows 

Starlite Drive-In on Route 119 at 

North Connellsville continued in operation 

this week. Enabling patrons to keep warm, 

the theatre presents a gallon of gas to keep 

each car's motor running. 

A Filmrow collection for Harry Williams 

netted $53 for the veteran of the industry. 

We hope to make an additional report on this 

at an early date . . . Mario Battiston has on 

display at his home in Irwin a complete 

model of the Super 30 Drive-In which has 

everything, including motion picture projection 

from 8mm equipment. 

Certified at Harrisburg was the Twin Hi- 

Way Coi-p. Officers include George J. Saittis, 

Stephen Rodnok jr. and Robert C. ReithmuUer. 

This group is opening a new drive-in 

in Robinson towiiship on routes 22 and 30 

. . . Joe Volpe, owner of local drive-ins, reports 

his brother Amelato died at his Wil- 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wobash 

FILMACK 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54»h St. 

SAM FINEBERG i 

TOMMcCLEARY | 

li 

170S Blvd. oi the Allies | 

PITTSBUHGH 19, PA. | 

Phone Express 0777 § 

merding home following a heart attack . . . 

Federal court suits against eight film distributors 

filed by a number of suburban theatre 

owners were dismissed December 30 

upon agreement of both parties . . . Leonard 

Bernstein, who composed the music for "On 

the TouTi," is guest piano soloist and conductor 

of the Pittsburgh Symphony here at 

Syria Mosque. Oscar Levant is soloist at a 

special concert January 10. 

The Penny Press of 50 years ago, Dec. 31, 

1899, reported that men crowded into the 

Avenue Theatre to see the new-fangled pictiu-es 

of the Jim Jeffries vs. Tom Sharkey 

prizefight, which took place Nov. 3, 1899. at 

the Coney Island Athletic club. Another 

turn-of-the-century event was skating at 

Duquesne Gardens, " 'way out in Oakland." 

For many recent years this has been the 

Gardens, operated under lease by the HaiTis 

enterprises. 

. . . 

Jimmy Ritter, Mm Classics salesman, 

Sun- 

spvent the holidays in California 

Telegraph Servicemen's fun, for 2,000 hospitalized 

war veterans at Aspinwall and Butler, 

received $1,621 through the Christmas 

day show at the Stanley. 

Lou and Roberta Hanna and sons Luis jr. 

and young Bobby have departed for a month's 

vacation in Florida . Munn resigned 

sales duties with Eagle Lion . . . New member 

of the Warner circuit booking department 

is Mary Lou Chekan . Weiland jr., proprietor 

of the Fifth Avenue at Coraopolis, 

was seriously ill . . . Chuck Mason of Warner 

circuit booking office and Kathryn Nist of 

the poster department will be married January 

21. 

Happiest of all the gang celebrating the 

holidays was Fred Elmer Hasley, new papa, 

who passed cigars. The East Pittsburgh and 

Conneaut Lake exhibitor and his wife, parents 

and grandparents, adopted a baby last 

winter and Johnny legally became theirs on 

Christmas. The adoption paper from the 

court was received in an envelope marked 

"Please do not open until Christmas," but 

the Hasley s knew what was enclosed. 

George Saittis had a tieup with the American 

Legion in presenting a free show and 

treat for kids at the Temple in the Sheraden 

BUI Nesbitt of Republic is 

district . . . 

steamed up on "Sands of Iwo Jima." In all 

the years we have known Bill he has never 

been as enthusiastic about a picture . . . Proceeds 

of the kiddy show with Santa Claus 

at Shea's in Bradford went to the Salvation 

Army Christmas basket fund . . . Capitol at 

Farrell held a free show for children and 

Mike's nut shop contributed popcorn balls 

. . . Altoona collected 59,079.33 in city amusement 

taxes for November. 

The "I Am a Movie Fan" tribute, reprinted 

from BOXOFFICE, was featured in a single 

column, 18-inch display in the Monessen 

Daily Independent . . . Norman Huhn, former 

proprietor of the Grandview, is hospitalized 

and is seriously ill. 

Ray Neal, manager of the Aladdin and 

Lamp at Irwin, reports the death of his 

mother . . . L. Hayes Garbarino, manager of 

Dipson's Bradford at Bradford, was pleased 

with the stage booking of Charlie Spivak 

January . . Greensburg's 10 per cent 

5 . 

amusement tax continues in force until repealed. 

City officials plan stricter enforcement 

of the amusement levy after reporting 

that some affairs are being held with no tax 

Howard Minsky, 20th-Fox division 

collected . . . 

Al Weiland jr., 

leader, was a visitor . . . 

CoraopoUs exhibitor, who was very iU two 

weeks ago, is under treatment and was able 

to be back on the job last week . . . William 

Carr, Warner auditor, has been working at 

the local exchange. 

. . 

Frank Drumm, Nat Levy and Bob Folliard, 

RKO executives, were scheduled to conduct 

a new Ned Depinet drive meeting here January 

5 with Da\'id C. Silverman, local manager, 

and member of the sales organization 

. Harry Hendel, exhibitor who is spending 

the winter in Miami, and Bess Levj-, the former 

Mrs. Arthur H. Levy, were married in 

Charleston, S. C. The Manos circuit has 

. . . 

booked "The Red Shoes" for early playing 

Firemen's kiddy party was held 

at Springdale with the cooperation of John 

McCauley, proprietor of the Miami. 

Jules Lapidus, Charles Rich and Jerry 

Wechsler, respectively Warner division, district 

and Cleveland managers, conferred here 

with F. D. "Dinty" Moore, local manager . . . 

The steps of the old postoffice building at 

Fourth avenue became Mt. Suribachi as marines 

of the district, some of whom fought at 

Iwo Jima, portrayed the famous flag-raising. 

The scene was re-enacted in connection 

with "Sands of Iwo Jima," booked for a run 

at the Fulton ... A dozen local Warner neighborhood 

theatres featured Friday morning 

cartoon shows . . . BUI ZeUor of the Harris 

office is back at work after a week or more 

absence due to injuries suffered in a fall. 

Cathedral at New Castle will offer Horace 

Heidfs 1950 vaudeviUe revue and youth opportunity 

program Tuesday evening, January 

24. The Heidt show is booked January 22 at 

the Gannon auditorium in Erie . . . Dorothy 

Elpern resigned Film Classics duties and has 

joined Abe Weiner's Monogram staff . . . Iris 

at Cochranton inaugurated Sunday shows 

January 1 . . . Mannie Youngerman, last here 

with UA, is a member of Eagle Lion's sales 

organization at Buffalo Theatre 

. 

Service published a new Filnarow directory 

of addresses and telephone numbers. 

John A. Reilly, theatre manager from the 

old Rowland & Clark days who resigned duties 

at the Metropolitan in the Bloomfield 

district, now is managing the Mervis operated 

Rialto in uptown Fifth avenue, a few 

blocks from Filnu-ow . . . "My Father's House." 

produced in Palestine, was exhibited at Warner's 

Squin-el Hill . . . Equipment distributors 

here were busy taking yearend inventory 

Bill Thomas, Zelienople exhibitor and 

hotel owner, again is remodeUng and modernizing 

the Kaufman hotel. 

Building Costs and Parking 

Block New Theatre 

MEADVILLE, PA.—The North street property 

at North Cottage, recently purchased by 

the Park Theatre Corp. for the erection of 

another theatre, has been sold by the corporation 

to Brooks Bros. George J. Barco, counsel 

for the theatre interests of Dr. Harry C. 

Winslow, stated that the Park corporation 

has abandoned plans for a new theatre because 

building costs are too high. Lack of 

adequate parking space in the area also led 

to the decision to sell the 50x200-foot lot. 

70 BOXOFHCE January 7, 1950

' 

. . . Roy 

. . Bernice 

. . Milton 

. . The 

. . The 

. . 

. . Realart 

Convertible Top Slated 

For New Amphitheatre 

PITTSBURGH—Music lovers can look forward 

to concerts in a "convertible" amphitheatre—with 

the top lowered for clear 

Dale Theatre Reopens 

JOHNSTOWN, PA.—The remodeled and 

renovated Dale Theatre reopened Christmas 

day. The theatre had been closed since October 

3 when gutted by a $50,000 fire. Alexander 

Theatre Supply furnished new fixtures 

and equipment. Leslie L. Chamberlain is 

owner. 

Billers Elect John Carano 

DETROIT — John Carano was re-elected 

president of the International Alliance of 

Billposters and Billers Local 94. Other new 

officers for 1950 are Matt Kobe, secretarytreasurer: 

Michael Noch. business agent: John 

Frederick, chairman of trastees; William 

Noch, and John St. Peter, trustees. 

CINCINNATI 

Tohn Groves, who operates the Groves, Sum- 

' mersville, W. 'Va., killed the biggest deer 

in Nicholas comity, and residents of Summersville 

soon will see the mounted head 

displayed in the theatre lobby. The deer 

. . . Jack 

weather and raised in a jiffy when rain 

clouds threaten. 

Believed to be the first structure of its 

kind, the elements-proof amphitheatre will weighed 275 pounds, was 12 feet long and 

be ready for the outdoor season in 1951. It had 18 points. 

will house the performances of the Pittsburgh 

C. E. Davie of Corning and New Lexing- 

Civic Light Opera Ass'n and other ton had a $15,000 fire loss when the interior 

nonprofit activities. The feature of the $1,- of the Perry, New Lexington, burned recently 

000,000 project is the removable roof. The 

Milton Cohen, eastern division 

. . . 

amphitheatre, seating 9.500 persons, will be sales manager for Eagle Lion, was a local 

covered m bad weather by a plastic fabric visitor . 

Meyer, former secretary 

tent supported by a movable steel framework. 

The flexible ceiling will be divided into pieshaped 

to Lou Wetzel of Cincinnati Theatre Supply, 

has a new baby boy John Allen. 

segments that will fan upward from 

the rear of the arena when it is being covered 

by a flick of a switch. The plastic "tenf by the Tenthree Ladies society Wednesday 

Eighty-five children enjoyed a party given 

will move from its lowered position up over (281 at the Variety clubrooms. Roberta Rosedale 

was in charge of entertainment . 

the arena in two and a half minutes on a 

giant arch-like steel frame. 

Ralph Cundiff, who owais the Allen, Liberty, 

Half of the project's cost will be provided Ky., is building a new theatre there. Work 

by a pledge from a tmst set up by Edgar J. is in progress Newbold circuit, 

. 

Kaufmann, Pittsburgh philanthropist and Bramwell, W. Va., has added the Wheelwright, 

merchant. The city agreed to match that 

Wheelwright, Ky. 

siun. Kaufmann suggested the removable 

Harmon Snyder opened the new Piice 

roof when he donated the money for the 

Theatre in Hi Hat, Ky., in November. It 

project. The structure's miusual design was 

has 300 seats. Snyder also operates a theatre 

based on an invention of James A. Mitchell, 

in Ligon, Ky . Yassenoff, Columbus, 

left to join his dad Leo in California, 

member of a local architectiu'al firm. Officials 

of the Civic Light Opera Ass'n said 

where the latter is vacationing. They planned 

rain-cancellations normally cost the group 

to attend the Rose Bowl game. Leo took the 

between $10,000 and $12,000 for a single performance 

at Pitt Stadium. 

Ohio State university team, one of the Rose 

Bowl contestants, thi'ough the MGM studios. 

The new amphitheatre's site will be chosen 

within the next month or so and ground will Mrs. D. H. Gray, Brodhead, Ky., is in a 

be broken in the spring. The city of Pittsburgh 

hospital in Louisville recovering after an 

will own the structure and lease it 

The Majestic, Columbus, a 

operation . . . 

to the opera association. 

Midstates Theatres circuit house, has closed 

permanently. A dime store will be erected 

on the site by the Green chain 

Needham, Columbus, will take over the theatre 

in New Straitsville, Ohio, February 1 

from Roy Osbourne. 

Edivard SaJzberg heads the new Screen 

Classics exchange located in the Film building. 

Salzberg spent several days in New 

York recently negotiating for product . . . 

Detroit MGM Staff Hosts 

'Battleground' Preview 

DETROIT—The local MGM staff hosted 

the industry at the trade preview of "Battleground" 

at the Mldtown Theatre. The event, 

one of the few evening previews to take over 

an entire theatre and close down the box 

office, drew a near-capacity house of about 

700 people. Comment on the picture was 

enthusiastic. 

Charles Dietz, MGM exploiteer, was in 

charge of arrangements for the event, which manager. Dave Miller, district manager, will 

was followed by similar screenings in upstate manage the branch at Buffalo. 

cities for exhibitors. Cliff Perry, MGM office 

manager, was in charge of door arrangements, Martha Murny, inspector for Realart Pictures, 

died from a heart attack. She was 62 

with Milton London, owner-manager of the 

Midtown, on hand to greet friends. 

White, student booker at 20th-Fox, 

has been promoted to salesman . Fox 

Christmas party at the Alms hotel was a gala 

affair and everyone raved about the good time 

had. Jim Keefe, former exploiteer for Fox, 

and now manager of the Paramount Theatre 

in Hamilton, Ohio, came in to act as Santa 

Claus again. Mrs. Rosen, wife of the manager, 

had as her guests her mother, father 

and brother from New York. The singing 

Irv Sochin, U-I manager here, has been promoted 

to general sales manager for Prestige 

Pictures with offices in New York. Replacing 

Sochin here is Joe Ginns, Buffalo U-I 

Tony KnoUman, Sam and Manny Weiss, 

trio, 

entertained with some original lyrics. 

Midwest Theatre Supply personnel held 

their Christmas party at the home of H. B. 

Snook in Covington . . . The East Kentucky 

Trucking Co. has been started through the 

Big Sandy region of Kentucky by Carl A. 

Adkins of Pikeville. Daily service over a 

300-mile route is offered. 

Charles Scott of the Hoosier Theatre, 

Vevay, Ind., is planning to build a drive-in 

there to open next spring Pictures 

. 

of Ohio, headed by Lee Goldberg, arranged 

a simultaneous run in ten local houses of the 

Theatre Owners and White-Lisbon circuits, 

starting January 8, of the combination of 

"Pui-y at Sea" and "The Sun Never Sets" . . . 

20th-Fox employes purchased a bed and mattress 

for the Christ Child nursery. Louis 

Wiethe, circuit operator, showed EL's "The 

Fallen Idol" two days preceding the regular 

run, proceeds going to the Post Firemen's 

MUe of Dimes fund. 

Mrs. Elsie McCracken, exhibitor at Cynthiana, 

Ky., was recovering from an illness . . . 

Jim Malavazos and Fred Donohoo of the 

Ohio Theatre, New Boston, made the rounds 

of the exchanges and presented the bookers 

with "Christmas cheer" . . . The husband of 

Virginia Robbins, secretary at Cooperative 

Theatres, was in the hospital suffering from 

a spine injm-y. 

Twenty-five publicity men of the EL were 

here making arrangements for the saturation 

premiere of "Guilty of Treason," the 

Edward Golden production about Cardinal 

Mindszenty . . . Exhibitors seen on the Row: 

O. G. Roaden, Path Fork; Price Coomer, Harlan, 

James Howe, Carrollton, Ky. 

Jack Ruth, RKO shipper, was home several 

days with a strep thi'oat . . . Mark Cummins, 

drive-in exhibitor in Stockton, Ohio, and 

Georgetown, Ky., and wife, left for a twomonth 

stay in Florida . . . The Colosseum 

of Motion Picture Salesmen will meet January 

14 at 1 :30 p. m., in the clubrooms over the 

Hey Hey tavern. The loge will hold its installation 

dinner at the Variety clubrooms 

February 20. 

Repair Perry Theatre 

NEW LEXINGTON, OHIO — Rehabilitation 

of the Peri-y Tlieatre has started, with 

repairs expected to be completed by January 

25. The theatre was damaged December 20 

in a $20,000 fire. 

FOR SALE 

Simplex Mechanisms S750; Guaranteed iaclory 

rebuilt. Prices f.o.b. Chicago or New York 

iactory. 

Now installing new machines throughout large 

circuit. Contact us today. Terms ii desired. 

ALBANY THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

1046 Broadway 5-5055 Albany, N. Y. 

MID-WEST THEATRE SUPPLY CO., Inc. 

"EVBRY THING FOR THE THEATRE" 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES OUR 

SPECIALTY 

1638 Central Parkway, Cincinnati 10. Ohio 

BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950 71 

CHerry 

7725

. . Lenore 

. . Jack 

. . 

. . John 

. . W. 

. . 

— 

CLEVELAND 

lyr B. Horwitz of Washington circuit, Myer 

Fine of Associated circuit and Max Lefliowich 

of Community circuit attended the 

Overseas Press club dinner in New York 

and the following screening of "Guilty of 

Trea^n" . "Libby" Schultz, sister 

of Nate Schultz. Monogram franchise owner, 

is engaged to Sherman Traimer of this city. 

The wedding will take place January 15. 

Miss Schultz has been connected with the 

Monogram exchange since her graduation 

from high school. 

Mike Lesnick, Associated circuit auditor, 

was in Washington to see his first grandchild 

Deborah, born to his daughter Mrs. 

Jeanne Landen . . . Dorothy Gasper, secretai-y 

to P. L. Tanner of Film Transit Co., left 

January 8 for a five-week vacation in California 

Rumor persists that the Telenews 

. . . theatres soon will go to an art policy. 

Manager Frank Coza says he has not been 

notified of any policy change. 

Leonard Mishkind, SRO representative, is 

looking forward to a big year in this area 

. . . Sol Krugman, assistant to Eagle Lion 

eastern Sales Manager Milton E. Cohen, visited 

local Manager Bob Richardson . Gertz 

of J. L. Gertz Enterprises became ill just before 

Christmas and was rushed to St. Vincent's 

hospital where his trouble was diagnosed 

as overwork. He's at home now trying 

to work on a reduced schedule . . . Lou 

Gerard is in town as special publicity man for 

"Samson and Delilah" opening January 26 

at Loew's Stillman. 

Nick Calabria lives a double feature life. 

He is ovimer of the Ohio, Yorkville, and recently 

was re-elected mayor of the town . 

It's rumored that A. G. Constant will build 

a new drive-in on Route 30 just outside East 

Liverpool . . . Ralph Bevington of the Wayne, 

Waynesburg, who never completed the new 

theatre building he started last year, now 

has the structure under roof and has completed 

one wing where he and Mrs. Wayne 

are operating a restaurant. The theatre section 

will be completed soon. 

Over the weekend three new engagements 

THOS. F. 

WALSTON 

Architect 

THEATRES 

AUDITORIUMS 

— Phone 57 — 

Gunnell BIdg., Catlettsburg, Ky. 

NOW. 

THEATRE SEATS 

Upholstered. Repaired, Anywhere Belter Materials. 

Workmanship Guaranteed Prompt Serv- 

Reasonable. 

JOHN HEIDT 

ice, 

1507 W. Kirby Detroit 8, Mich. 

Phone: T'Het 7-8015 

and forthcoming marriages were announced 

at Paramount. Han-iet lO-amer, secretary 

to Office Manager George Bressler, was married 

Saturday i31) to Milton Paige; Joan 

Hollaran, contract clerk, announced her engagement 

to William Wright; Joanne Katz, 

another contract clerk, will marry Jerry Keller 

some time next siunmer, and Virginia 

Baker, bookers' secretary, isn't looking forward 

to anything beyond her engagement to 

John Victor. Florence Kocina, ledger clerk, 

only recently returned from a honeymoon in 

Florida following her marriage to Tom Huebeck. 

Boyer's Drive-In on Route 250 near Slrasburg, 

said to be the next to the oldest outdoor 

theatre in this area (Cleveland's East 

Side Drive-In is the oldest), recently was 

sold by Rollin Boyer to Ray McCombe and 

W. B. Franklin. Co-Op will continue to service 

it with film . Palfy now is concentrating 

on running the Maple Grove, 

Wyndham, while his daughter Sue Ramsey 

devotes her time to the Cortland, Cortland. 

Running a theatre is not a fulltime job 

for Paul Welton. 'When not looking after his 

Grove Theatre, Columbus Grove, he sells insmance 

. . . Mi-s. Aline Frankel, wife of Herman 

Frankel who with his brother Marvin 

owns four theatres in Elyria, was the hit of 

the holiday benefit show recently staged at 

the Capitol with her beautiful mezzo-soprano 

voice. 

Filmrow was saddened to learn of the sudden 

death of Vivienne Boniface, receptionist 

at Associated circuit. One of the most 

popular members of the film colony. Miss 

Boniface died of an embolism resulting from 

a broken hip, from which she apparently was 

making a splendid recovei-y- Her parents, a 

brother and a sister survive. 

Vernon Abbey sold his Payette Theatre, 

Payette, to Carol Harris, formerly of Toledo 

. . . It's a second daughter for Tom Gregory 

of the State Theatre, Shelby and his wife . 

Vincent Lauter did not renew his lease on 

the Valley Auto Theatre, Barberton. Others 

are currently negotiating for it. 

For the second time within two months the 

Circle, Akron, has changed hands. Newest 

owner is Paul Silknitter of Canton . 

N. 

Day of the Grand, Dunkii-k, made one of his 

rare visits to most of the exchanges . . . 

Plans 

of Max Jacobs of National Enterprises and 

his family to spend the holidays in New York 

were spoiled when his car was damaged in an 

accident. 

Al Ploenes of the Orpheum, Akron, for the 

second successive year was absent from the 

Akron Theatre Managers and Owners Ass'n 

Christmas party because of illness . . . M. B. 

Horwitz and Myer Pine paid plenty for 

tickets to "South Pacific" during their recent 

New York trip . . . Irving Marcus of NSS 

treated himself to a de luxe TV set for 

Christmas. 

Vaudeville a Yule Treat 

YOUNGSTOWN—Eight acts of vaudeville 

were booked at the Palace here for the 

holiday attraction. This is the first time the 

house has featured vaudeville since 1932. 

Since the Palace show was in the real tradition 

of vaudeville, bill cards were used to 

announce the acts instead of a master of 

ceremonies, and the band was located in the 

pit. Performances were continuous. 

BOWLING 

CINCINNATI—By losing three games to 

National Supply, Mount Healthy Drive-In 

fell into a three-way tie with Altec Service 

and Strand Theatre for foiu-th place in the 

Theatrical Bowling league standings. Leaders 

in league play remained Midwest Supply 

m top spot and National Supply in second. 

W. Strome's 571 series was high for the week. 

200's; F. Delaney 204, W. Biederman 203, W. 

Strome 201 and 200 and D. Leftwich 200. 

Team standings: 

Team Woa Lost Team Won Lost 

Midwest 41 4 Westwood 22 23 

National 37 8 Keith 18 27 

Bond 32 13 Times 15 30 

Altec 29 IG Associated 14 31 

Strand 29 IG Theatre Candy. 14 31 

Mount Healthy. 29 IG Forest 11 34 

RCA 23 22 Idle Hour 4 41 

Manos Theatre Started 

By Vogel at Columbiana 

WELLSVILLE, OHIO—Vogel Building Co.. 

theatre construction speciahsts, broke ground 

in Columbiana, Ohio, on George Manos' longplanned 

800-seat showcase. The theatre Is 

estimated to cost approximately $300,000. 

Manos, who operates a chain of a dozen theatres 

in Ohio and West Virginia, has operated 

the 200-seat Globe in Columbiana for the 

last 12 years. 

Vogel Building Co. also is completing driveins 

in Marion and Pittsbui-gh and has another 

under construction in Salem, Ohio. 

Uniontown Hikes Levy 

UNTONTCWN, PA.—City of Uniontown's 

1950 budget shows that property owners and 

filmgoers will bear the brunt of big tax boosts. 

Proposed are a 150 per cent jump in the 

amusement tax, a two-mill increase in the 

levy on real estate and an $80,000 bond issue. 

The tax on amusements will be increased 

from 4 per cent to 10 per cent, the hmit allowed 

under Pennsylvania law. The city will 

gain approximately $67,000 instead of the 

$32,000 collected this year on the amusement 

levy. 

Fire Threatens Theatre 

PAINESVILLE, OHIO—Firemen drenched 

the Lake Theatre building in downtown 

Painesville to prevent flames from the Riverside 

apartment blaze from igniting the theatre 

across the street. The apartment building 

was destroyed, with damage estimated 

as high as $200,000. 

Burlesque Act Added 

YOUNGSTOWN—As a bonus for those attending 

the Strand Theatre over the New 

Year's weekend, a biu-lesque attraction was 

offered in addition to the usual double feature. 

Tortuga, the Voodoo Queen, was booked 

for the week beginning December 30. Film 

show included "I Married a Savage" and 

"Haunted Trail." 

Moving to California 

For Lease or Sale 

ALL OUR INTERESTS 

KRIM THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES 

1G473 

Woodward 

72 


. . William 

. . 

Ohio Theatre Service Sets 

Stage Units for Ozoners 

CLEVELAND—Ohio Theatre Service Corp., 

organized less than two years ago by Tony 

Stem and Lou Ratener to buy and book pictures 

for independent exhibitors, has extended 

its service to include advertising and 

promotions. This service aims to get boxoffice 

results on each picture and to increase 

attendance by appealing to those who 

are not regular theatre fans. 

OTS, facing the present competition 

among the approximately 70 drive-ins in this 

area, has booked io\xr stage units to be cii'- 

cuited to the more than 20 ozoners it serves. 

These will be routed on the basis of one unit 

a month for each drive-in. 

Lou Ratener has signed the following fomshows 

for personal appearances: Jimmy 

Wakely and his western unit: Huntz Hall, 

Dead End Kids, and Ills Bowery Follies; Lulu 

Belle and Scotty, a hillbilly number, and 

Jolinny Mack Brown. 

TMA Names 1950 Officers 

At New Kensington, Pa. 

NEW KENSINGTON, PA.—Theatrical Mutual 

Ass'n has named the following officers 

for 1950: 

J. J. McClosky, president: Walter Austin, 

vice-president: F. P. McCoy, executive secretary; 

B. F. Zamparini, financial secretary; 

Joseph Mickelic, treasurer; directors, Philip 

"Blacky" Bordonaro as chairman, and Joseph 

Kaduk and Joseph Milburn. This will 

be McCoy's tenth consecutive year as secretary. 

He also is secretary of the lATSE Tri- 

State Ass'n, and Is an officer of Local 444. 

Theatrical Mutual Ass'n at Christmas season 

donated $25 to the late Father Flanagan's 

Boystown, $10 to the New Kensington Dispatch 

toy fund and $15 to the local charity 

drive. 

From the BOXOFFICE Files 

• • • 

(Twenty Years Ago) 

QHARLES BRANHAM of Detroit has been 

promoted by Publix to district manager 

for Tennessee, with headquarters in Chattanooga 

The Crystal Theatre, Detroit, 

. . . after four months of experimentation, has 

gone back to silent pictures. It is a 600-seat 

house in a foreign neighborhood. Ed Edwards, 

formerly George F. Kippins' manager 

at the Lasky, is the new house manager . . . 

After a lapse of 11 years, George Wilbur is 

again back at the Majestic in Wyandot . 

C. C. Rice, Portland, Mich., has sold his 

Sylvan Theatre to an associate of the Mc- 

Farlane Enterprises, who renamed it the 

Sun. 

Fred Cochrane has sold the Burnie Tlieatre 

in Detroit to E. M. Jackson. It is a 

200-seat house in a colored neighborhood on 

McGraw . Gallagher, 60, former 

manager of the Miles in Cleveland, died recently 

after falling over a 20-foot embankment 

where he lay for 24 hours before being 

found. He had retired from business several 

years ago and suffered from occasional loss 

of memory. 

35-Yeor-O/c/ Majestic Theatre Closed 

For Dismantling at Columbus, Ohio 

COLUMBUS—Once the only de luxe house 

in Columbus, the Majestic closed its doors 

December 31. 

The building will be torn down 

to make way for a new store to be built by 

the H. L. Green Co. In recent years the 

High street house, which would have observed 

its 36th anniversary January 12, has 

been operated by the Libson-White interests 

of Cincinnati. C. O. Littler has been manager 

for the last several months. 

Bob Kanode, writing of its passing in the 

Columbus Dispatch said: "A star-studded 

history of the great pictures of the past 

marks the more than 35-year existence of 

this popular showhouse that in its time 

boasted 'standing room only' signs at seven 

shows a day. Built by the late Max Steam, 

owner of the former Exhibit, the Majestic 

opened Jan. 12, 1914. It was regarded by 

showmen as the 'theatre that was 10 years 

ahead of its time.' 

NOVEL PIPE ORGAN 

"It had a washed-air cooling system long 

before air conditioning became common,' 

while its $75,000 pipe organ with rising console 

was the first of its kind anywhere. The 

latter was an idea by Johnny Jones, then 

press agent of the theatre and later its manager. 

Jones now is a Dispatch columnist. 

Bill Dalton, the theatre's blond organist, acquired 

a national reputation at that organ. 

He had a following among theatregoers akin 

to the crowds that thi'illed to the acting of the 

Gish sisters, Fi'ancis X. Busliman, John 

Bunny, Charlie Chaplin and Doug Fairbanks. 

"The passing of the Majestic marks the 

end of a second era in Columbus film house 

history—the period in between the oldtime 

nickelodeon and the present-day streamlined 

theatres and drive-ins. Once Columbus had 

a host of small theatres. In the nickelodeon 

era the seats were likely to be kitchen chairs 

or folding wooden seats. The shows were one 

or two-reel 'productions.' usually a comedy 

that featured a chase. The dramas were of 

the thriller or tear-jerker type. Colored 

slides came in later and there was usually a 

singer who sang popular ballads as the operator 

changed slides. Audiences thought this 

was wonderful. 

BUILT FOR PICTURES 

"Before the Majestic stole the spotlight, 

others besides the popular Exhibit included 

the Dreamland, Pastime, Comique, Lyric. Princess, 

Broadway, Knickerbocker and Colonial. 

Of all these, only the Knickerbocker remains. 

It now is the Gayety, a burlesque house. Tlie 

Broadway and Colonial were torn down and 

the sites of the others were taken over by 

business firms. The RKO Palace is on the 

site of the Colonial. The rebuilt RKO Grand 

stands on the site of the original Grand Opera 

House and the Southern and Uptown (rebuilt 

from the biurned Lyceum) also are operating 

as subsequent run houses. Mrs. Lelia Stearn, 

widow of Max, operates the Southern. 

"A few variety acts and personal appearances 

were made at the Majestic but it never 

was a stage show house, since it was built 

primarily for motion pictures. But the old 

theatre, with its marble lobby and the shining 

brass rail down the center, could and did 

pack in audiences for .shows like "The Big 

Parade,' 'Flesh and the Devil,' 'Buddies' 

and a revival of 'The Birth of a Nation.' 

Some of the big silent features of the 20s, 

heyday of the 1,000-seat house, had stands 

of six and seven weeks. Two-week rims were 

common. When the Majestic was opened it 

had a 23-piece orchestra. It played until the 

pipe organ struck the public fancy and later 

there was a string trio including Ferd Gardiner, 

cellist and John McGeary, violinist. 

"In offering the public a better theatre and 

better pictures, the Majestic swung the price 

range away from five cents. It cost 20 cents 

at first with the prices gradually rising as 

postwar inflation set in. The customers eagerly 

paid these prices, despite the fact that 

you could see B. F. Keith vaudeville at the 

gem-like Keith house on East Gay street for 

as little as a dime. 

"Mrs. Stearn has her late husband's voluminous 

scrapbooks. He died Sept. 25, 1944. 

The clippings tell a vivid story of the old 

Majestic's glamorous past. Work started on 

the structure on March 13, 1913, and the ensuing 

difficulties caused some to bet the theatre 

never would be finished. First a horse 

fell into the excavation. Then a large steel 

truss collapsed. Finally the 1913 flood, most 

destructive in the city's history, slowed construction. 

But at last, on Jan. 12, 1914, the 

theatre was opened. E. M. Nicholas, Columbus 

business man who had been willing to bet 

the theatre never would open, paid $100 for 

the first ticket. First attraction was 'Wild 

Animals at Large' and the second was 'Tess 

of the D'Urbevilles' starring Mrs. Fiske. From 

the opening the Majestic was 'in' and it continued 

to prosper under Steam's guiding hand 

until sound films and larger theatres swung 

the trend away from the smaller house. In 

recent years the house has featured westerns 

and action thrillers. For a period several 

years ago it was operated by RKO. 

EXHIBIT STARTED STEARN 

"The little Exhibit at 155 North High 

St., a few blocks north of the Majestic, gave 

Max Stearn his start in Columbus show 

business. The house seated only 300 and was 

opened Apr. 20, 1907, as the town's bestequipped 

nickelodeon. During State Fair 

week, 1907, the little house played to 34,000 

admissions. Shows averaged 30 minutes and 

consisted of thi-ee subjects. Stearn got his 

start in show business by opening a penny 

arcade in Lorain, Ohio in 1902. He stopped 

in Columbus, liked the city and opened an 

arcade at Chestnut and High streets. He 

followed with one called the Edisonia. It was 

on the site used later to build the Exhibit. 

The latter house continued until 1940 after 

having passed out of Steam's control some 

years before." Manager Littler will be assigned 

to another Libson-White house, either 

in Cincinnati, Dayton or Lexington. Ky. 

Sponsor Show for Kiddies 

DAYTON—An all-cartoon show sponsored 

by the Junior Chamber of Commerce was 

held at Keith's, with funds from the show 

to be used to place Scotch-Lite tape reflectors 

on Dayton children's bicycles. More 

than 400 underprivileged children attended 

the show as guests of several Dayton organizations. 

BOXOmCE January 7, 1950 

73

LOUISVILLE 

TV/Tr. and Mrs. C. H. Behlen of the Park, 

NicholasviUe, were here for the Kentucky- 

DePaul basketball game played at the Jefferson 

county armory here recently. Charlie, 

an ardent follower of the Kentucky team, 

rarely passes up an opporttmity to see it in 

action ... A. V. Luttrell reports that the 

opening of his new Star Theatre, now under 

construction in Russell Springs, will be delayed. 

The opening first was planned for 

Christmas day; however, due to construction 

delays the new house probably won't be 

ready for three or four weeks. 

It's a boy for Mary Rose and Lou Ami. 

Lou is an owner of the Skyway Drive-In here 

and other outdoor enterprises . . . The Kentucky 

Ass'n of Theatre Owners office reports 

the addition of the following new members: 

William Ferris. Bonn, Bonnieville; Harry 

Whitefield, Union, TJniontown, and W. B. 

Allen. Mary Jane, Caneyville. 

Reports gathered from around the state indicate 

the theatres are going in for business 

builders. In some locations, amateur 

nights are being held regularly with seemingly 

good results. In a small rural area, 

a popularity contest is being staged by a 

theatre with a ballot available at each admission. 

The theatre sponsoring the contest 

will award a trophy to the winner. In still 

another location personal appearances are 

made by members of the audience. Since 

regular prize drawings are not permissible 

under state rule, drawings are limited to 

members of the audience and the one holding 

the luckj' number makes an appearance 

on the stage for which awards are made. 

Ont-of-town exhibitors seen on the Row 

recently included Clyde Mills, State, Milltown, 

Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Marshall. 

Columbian, Coltmibia: Tom Spears, Monroe, 

Monroe City, Ind.: W. H. Hahn, Gypsy Drive- 

In, Bardsto'wn: R. H. Robertson and A. H. 

Robertson, Majestic, Springfield, and A. N. 

Miles, Eminence, Eminence. 

Jimmy Thompson and Richard Bernard of 

the Sunset Drive-In, Bowling Green, stopped 

over for a visit to the Row en route to Bryn 

Mawr, Pa., for a two-week vacation trip. 

Jimmy says his vacation this year will be 

much shorter than usual to allow him to return 

to Bowling Green to formulate plans 

for the new drive-in to be buUt there by the 

owners of the Stmset. 

Good News for the Small Town Exhibitor 

"Protect Your Irtvestment" 

Investigate the possibilities of starting a PORT. 

ABLE 16nun ROOTE OF STORE ROOM THEATRES 

in your neaiby communities. 

ALSO INVESTIGATE the possibiUties oi building a 

30Q cor I6inm DRIVE-IN THEATRE, complete with 

%x40 foot screen for 58.000.00. 

We rent or seU all makes oi ISmm 'arc' or 

"bulb" projection eqpt. We hove the world's 

largest libraries from coast to coast. 100% availability 

on oil ISmxn sound film product on the 

market, such as "'Fox, Universal-International. Co- 

Iiimbia. etc." Rental rates for full length features 

with three shorts and serial, S7.50 & 510.00 etc. 

For complete details and a copy of our latest 30th 

anniversary catalogue, ^vrite to the following 

address: 

IDEAL PICTURES CO. 

A. I. St. Clair, Hep. Box 310 Beddey, W. Va. 

Even though subfreezing weather has hit 

the city, the Kenwood Drive-In here is remaining 

open on weekends and held a special 

midnight show New Year's eve. Out of 

the total of six drive-ins in the Fall cities area, 

the Kenwood seems to be the only one attempting 

to buck the winter season. On 

nights when the temperature goes below 50 

degrees, the management allows one gallon 

of gas free to each car to operate car heaters, 

which seems to have helped a lot in 

pulling patronage. 

Holdup men are taking a toll among Louis- 

\"ille theatres. During recent months armed 

The majority of first run theatres and 

seme subsequent nm houses advertised midnight 

shows for New Year's eve. Loew's doubled 

up on the midnighters, offering late 

shows both on New Year's eve and New 

Year's night ... A variety of programs were 

listed at the local first runs. In with singletons. 

Loew's offered "On the Town," 

while the Mar>- Anderson had "The Lady 

Takes a Sailor. " and the Scoop featured 

"Tight Little Island." In the double bUl 

class were the Rialto with "T"ne Great Lover" 

and "There's a Girl in My Heart": the 

Strand with "Holiday Inn" and "The Lady 

Eve." and the Brown with "Holiday Affair" 

and "Arctic Fury." 

Sam Isaacs, 19-year-old manager of the 

Kentucky Theatre at Whitesburg, Ky.. had 

quite a crowd in front of the house recently 

when a 62-year-old sawmill operator and 

his 16-year-old fiancee stopped a minister 

tefore the theatre and Insisted that he perform 

a marriage ceremony, on the spot. The 

minister married the couple and a crowd 

gathered before the theatre rapidly. The 

county clerk said the couple had taken out 

the marriage license that morning and 

wanted to get married immediately, but were 

delayed because the application was not 

filled out properly. 

New Mars Theatre Opened 

Wingert, Partners 

By L. I. 

MARS, PA.—The new 500-seat Mars Theatre 

was opened here January 2. Owners are 

Lloyd I. Wingert. C. Stewart Shumaker, J. H. 

Balsiger and Ralph P. Adelman. The latter, 

formerly a Warner circuit house manager, is 

manager of the new theatre on Pittsburgh 

street across from the Shumaker building. 

Except for theatres in the city of Butler, the 

new Mars is the largest in Butler county. 

WEST VIRGINIA 

. . . Parker at 

TITord was received in Kingwood that Jay 

Bonafield. who was born in Tunnelton, has 

received a Freedom Fotmdation award from 

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower for his RKO 

short subject, "Letter to a Rebel." Bonafield 

recently received the Laurel award for 

the short, one of the This Is America series 

He entered the industry as a reel carrier for 

Fox studios at the age of 18 . . . Xavier 

Cugat broke all weekday business records 

at the Capitol in Wheeling 

robberies, break-ins and attempted burglaries Parkersburg. which changed to first runs 

have been quite numerous. The more recent via, bidding last year, wUl continue this 

victims were the Crescent and Uptown theatres, 

policy in 1950. 

subsequent run neighborhoods. At 

the Crescent, a man stuck a gun through The Town and Country Drive-In near Morgantown 

the boxoffice window and demanded the 

called it a season just before Christ- 

money. He obtained part of the receipts. mas. With the closing of this ozoner, all 

At the Uptown, according to Manager John outdoor theatres in West Virginia are out of 

H. Boswell, the holdup man apparently remained 

business until next spring . . . An RCA sound 

in the theatre tliroughout the night, 

and held up the manager as he entered the 

projector and other equipment valued at $2,- 

000 were stolen from the Buckhannon-Ujjshur 

theatre the following morning. The holdup High school building at Tennerton . . . Dr. 

man confronted him with a gun, and after Holt, magician, presented a Christmas magic 

tying him up and attempting to open the show at the Palace in Parkersburg . . . "Vandals 

safe from the combination forced out of 

entered the Mayfair at Wheeling and 

Boswell, partly untied the manager forcing broke open the soft-drink machine, candy 

him to use the combination, after which he machine and popcorn machine, taking all 

tied Boswell up again and escaped. The money. A chisel was used also in an attempt 

amount of the loot was estimated at between 

to open the office desk. 

S600 and S800. Boswell was able to 

free himself about 10 minutes after the 

bandit left. 

$200,000 Airer Included 

In New Shopping Center 

JOHNSTO'ft'N, PA.—Westmont Realty & 

Development Corp., recently incorporated here 

and owned by Johnstown businessmen, plans 

a S2.500.000 community development across 

Edwards HUl road from the old Westmont 

airport site in Lower Yoder township, just 

outside Westmont borough. The corporation 

will build 150 prefabricated homes, an open 

air theatre and a large shopping center. This 

is the second realty development annoimced 

in two months involving the same general 

area. 

Acme Engineering Co. of Pittsburgh is 

building a SI. 100,000 apanment project 

further along Edwards HUl road toward MorrellviUe. 

There is no link between the two 

projects other than the fact that George 

Minno. one of the directors of the new corporation, 

will manage the apartment house 

project now under way. 

The new corporation will be headed by 

El^-ln Overdorff, president of Quaker Sales 

Corp.: other officers are his brother Frank 

C, \-ice-president: Robert M. Smith, secretary, 

and H. V. Brown, treasurer. Other directors 

are George Minno, Ralph R. WiUet. 

Charles Crmnp and Roben J. Haberstroh. 

The drive-in will accommodate 1.000 automobiles 

and corporation officials state it will 

cost more than 8200,000. Biuldings in the 

shopping center will include a large grocery 

and meat market, laundry, drug store, bus 

depot, restaurant, office quarters and faculties 

for other enterprises. 

The homes will be 

built to sell for between 87,500 and 815,000. 

including the lots. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE 

Vsv- a.-J -Uiiii" Re:; Rx- Li;'its S6.75 tath 

DRIVE-IM THEATRE MFG. CO. k^"J a't^T.'Mo 


Capitol in Meriden 

To Add TV Lounge 

BOSTON—The office of William Riseman 

Associates is working on plaias and drawings 

for a complete remodeling and extension of 

the lounge of the Capitol Theatre in Meriden, 

Conn., owaied by Leo Rickey. A side-front 

Hearing on Shulman Case 

Slated for January 30 

HARTFORD—A second hearing on the 

arbitration complaint filed by the Shulman 

interests, operators of the Rivoli here, and 

the Hartford Theatre circuit, which operates 

the Colonial and LjTic, has been slated for 

January 30 following an initial inquirj- into 

the case. The Shulman petition asserts that 

product is not available to the Rivoli until 

seven days after it plays the Colonial and 

Lyric, which get it 30 days following first rim. 

The Shulman circuit contends that product 

should be available to all three houses at 

the same time after it has had first run here. 

The initial hearing was attended by Maurice 

Shulman of the Shulman circuit, and Al 

Schuman and Ernie Grecula of the Hartford 

Theatres chain. 

Joe Phillips to Columbia 

Publicity Field Staff 

HARTFORD—Joe Phillips, a legitimate 

theatre publicist in New York 25 years, has 

turned film exploitation man and has joined 

the Columbia Pictures field staff. 

Temporarily assigned to the New England 

territory, Phillips covered openings of "Tokyo 

Joe" and "Tell It to the Judge" prior to starting 

work on "AH the King's Men." He left 

Hartford for exploitation work on the latter 

film in Utica, Syracuse and Rochester, N. Y. 

Seeks Drive-In Permit 

HARTFORD—Plans for construction of a 

drive-in theatre on the Meriden-Waterbury 

road have been announced by James A. 

Holmes. 

Over 40 Exhibifors of New England 

Hear of 'Guilty of Treason 

BOSTON—More than 40 exhibitors and circuit 

heads attended a luncheon given at the 

Touraine hotel by Eagle Lion Films to present 

Edward "Doc" Golden, producer of "Guilty 

of Ti-eason." The film was made from the 

book, "As 'We Saw Russia," WTitten by members 

of the Overseas Pi-ess Club of America 

and will be released m New England in 

Februai-y. It tells the story of Cardinal 

Mindszenty. 

in each city or town radio coverage will start, 

increasing the tempo up to the opening date. 

HUGE DISPLAY—One of the largest 

and most pretentious lobby displays ever 

erected in a ProWdence theatre recently 

was viewed by the public in Loew's State. 

Shown above, the display heralding "On 

the Town." measured over 10 feet in 

height and was over 14 feet wide. .\ 

special cloth, used as a background, was 

studded «ith thousands of sequins. .\ battery 

of spotlights placed in strategic positions 

gave an unusual lighting effect. 

Plans 

Full page newspaper space will be bought. 

We have unlimited funds and you have my 

promise that this ^v^ll be the biggest campaign 

in the history of the motion picture 

business." 

Head table gue.sts. besides Golden, Brandt 

and Schlaifer were Harry Segal, local EL 

manager; Bill Toumey. EL representative, 

and Louis Gordon, Edward Canter, Paul Levi, 

Henrj' Schwartzberg, Max Melincoff, Max 

Levenson. Stanley Rothenberg. Samuel and 

store will be taken over to make room for a 

large snack bar and refreshment area and 

space for an 8x10 television screen for lobby 

patrons. The lounge wOl be almost as large 

as the auditorium. 

The entue theatre will be air conditioned, 

redecorated and reseated. New restrooms and Jack Schlaifer. general sales manager for 

a women's parlor will be installed. 

EL, introduced Golden and Leon Brandt. The Newell Kurson. Herbert Copelman, Larry 

For the Interstate circuit, Riseman is designing 

former explained why he decided to make the Herman, Julian Rifkin, George Roberts, Phil 

new candy stands and refreshment picture and the latter told of the extensive Berler. Abner and Stanley Eilenberg, George 

areas at the Saybrook in Old Saybrook. Conn., exploitation campaign to be launched in the Kraska, John Glazier. Arthui- Howard. Seth 

and at the Scenic, Rochester, N. H., while New England ten-itory. Brandt, director of Field. James Field. Hai-old Young. Roy Burroughs. 

at the Bradley, Putnam, Conn., work was advertising and exijloitation for EL, asserted 

Ernest Israel, Bill Canning. Bill Sul- 

started Januarj- 3 on new lounges and refreshening 

that because of the natural exploitation polivan, 

Dick Dobbyn, Abner Pinanski, Frank 

throughout. 

tentialities resulting from attention given the McManus, Harry Wasserman. Harrj' Zeitz, 

For E. M. Loew, Riseman is doing over the case of Cardinal Mindszenty before the Jerry Crowley, Eddie Renick and Joe Mansfield. 

Strand, New Bedford, including a new front United Nations, "Guilty of Treason" will receive 

and marquee, repainting and lobby refurbishing. 

the largest publicity campaign ever at- 

Golden, a native Bostonlan, was greeted by 

The theatre will not be closed during 

the repairs. Also for E. M. Loew. Rise- 

dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York former branch manager for MGM, he later 

tempted in this area. He told of the kickoff many of his old friends at the luncheon. A 

man vnU start work on the Stand, Huntington 

which over 1,100 guests attended, including organized the American Feature Film Co., 

avenue. Boston, on redecorating the in- 

publishers of newspapers and heads of major holding a distribution franchise for Universal 

side, painting the outside, adding a new networks with their subordinates. 

films, with his partner, the late Harr>' Asher. 

marquee and refreshing the restrooms. 

"The national approach to this film will Later he went to the coast and produced several 

independent films, including the highly 

Riseman aides already are at work on the be echeloned," he said. "New England will 

Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, a B&Q have an array of publicity men from my staff successful "Hitler's Children." working with 

house, repairing the front and marquee and to help you handle this campaign. Satiu-ation his son Robert, also an assosiate in "Guilty 

repainting the lobbies. 

screenings noil be held for publishers and editors 

of Treason." 

of all local newspapers, owners and com- 

mentators of the radio stations, and all charitable 

and civic organizations. As many prints 

as are necessary will be rushed to this territory 

for a thoroughgoing piece of showmanship. 

Thirty days prior to the opening date 

Free Films Are Proposed 

For Welfare Recipients 

DETROIT—A proposal to provide free motion 

pictui-es to entertain the city's welfare 

recipients while they wait for interviews with 

city employes handling their cases enlivened 

the local rialto. Proposal was made by Mrs. 

Rosa Gragg. president of the City Welfare 

commission, who presented the view that "it 

just doesn't seem right" for the dole clients 

to have to sit around with nothing to do. 

Calls by the tradepress to Mrs. Gregg's office 

to secure details of her plan, including arrangements 

for supply of product and projection, 

were ignored. 

Drew Eberson Returns 

HARTFORD — Drew Eberson, Stamford 

architect, has retui-ned to Connecticut from 

the Canal Zone after completing the new 

Balboa Theatre, which is one of the largest 

in Central America. It was constmcted by 

the club division of the Panama canal operating 

agency. 

Report Branch Closing 

NEW HA'VEN— A. report current here is 

that United Artists will close its local exchange 

and cover this territory out of the 

Boston exchange. No date has been intimated, 

however. 

"Iwo lima' Screening 

NEW HAVEN — Jim Darby, Paramount 

Theatre manager, was host to marine corps 

recruiters from New Haven and Hartford at 

a luncheon and screening of "Sands of Iwo 

Jima." 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 NE 75

. 

" 

; 

BOSTON 

\xrUUam Dcitch, Rhode Island theatre op- 

'êrator; Oscar Goldberg, his partner m 

the Wevmouth Theatre; Arthui- Howard, 

president of Affiliated Theatres, booking and 

buying agency, and Joe Hochberg. head 

booker for AffUiated, were seen lunching 

at the Statler hotel Five acts of vaude- 

. . . 

heads of Italian charitable groups. Both 

ville featiu-ed the program which started were arranged by Phil Engel, local 20th-Fox 

December 28 at the Modem Theatre m pubUcist . . . 

Charlie Heath and John Downing 

of RKO celebrated birthdays on Christmas 

day, but Charlie's was the more festive 

Brockton. 

The personal appearance of Jane Russell, 

since his mother, uncle and grandmother 

star of "The Outlaw" which ran into censor 

were all born on that day. His father was 

trouble here three years ago and has finally 

born on the Fourth of July and his daughter 

on Memorial day. 

been passed by the city, caused quite a fluiTy 

at the Logan airport when she arrived from 

New York. According to an item in the Charles E. Kurtzman, northeast division 

Boston Herald, all employes of the airport manager of Loew's Theatres and chairman 

dropped their work to dash out to catch a 

of the Suffolk county chapter of the National 

Foimdation for Infantile Paralysis, 

glimpse of the star. She made a personal 

appearance at the RKO Boston Theatre warned that the treasui-y of the chapter is 

where the picture opened. 

nearly exhausted and that polio patient care 

The engagement of Mary Frances Shiftman 

to John Francis Sweeney of Brookline the March of Dimes campaign exceeds past 

is in danger of being done away with unless 

was announced by Mr. and Mrs. Irving Shiftman, 

her parents. Shiftman is Rhode Island man addressed 200 volunteer workers at the 

records. The drive opens January 16. Kurtz- 

and western Massachusetts salesman for annual captains' luncheon of the women's 

Eagle Lion. Sweeney is in the television engineering 

business ... A huge new billboard 

division of the chapter. 

has been erected by the management of the The Independent Exhibitors of New England 

will omit its membership meeting this 

Beacon Hill Theatre. The sign is installed on 

the old courthouse building in Scollay square. month in favor of a board luncheon session 

The electrified and handpainted display car- 

January 10 at the headquarters here. "H-ie 

directors will appoint a nominating commit- 

ries attraction announcements and is large 

enough for 24-sheets. 

March of Time's "A Chance to Live," deal- 

SOUNDHEADS 

COSTS tess^ 

quality . . . compare cost . . 

no c'omparaMe equipment gives you 

more for the money. Royal Soundmaster 

Soundheads are world-famous 

for superior performance and durability. 

Chainless. beltless. all-gear projector 

drive. Designed for use with all 

projector mechanisms. 

Independent Theatre 

Supply Co. 

28 Winchester Street. 

Boston. Moss. 

Ccmvlete Theatre Equipment & Supplies 

76 

ing with the Boys' Republic in Italy, was 

screened privately for Mrs. Joseph Tomasello, 

wife of Judge Tomasello, who is active in 

American-Italian welfare work in this city. 

Another screening was held for the Italian 

consul general. Dr. Agostino G. Maraldi aird 

tee to draw up a slate of officers for 1950 for 

the annual lENE meeting in February. The 

directors will attend the testimonial at the 

Hotel Bradford that same day for Al Somerby, 

who is celebrating 50 years in the show business 

here. 

Naomi Kaplan, secretary to Max MeUncoff 

at Warner Theatres, left on a two-week 

Caribbean cruise The -Warner Theatres 

. . . 

office has been moved to 35 Winchester street 

over the National Theatre Supply Co. quarters 

. . . Bill Tourney, Eagle Lion, was here 

working for "G.I. Joe," which will play 31 

dates in this area begiiming with the Pilgrim 

Theatre January 25. All major veterans 

groups are in partnership with this deal. 

State commanders have assured cooperation, 

many planning huge parades for the local 

openings and will sell tickets, in return for 

which they will receive a substantial part 

of the grosses of the film. Lester Cowan, 

producer of the film, is expected to address 

an exhibitors luncheon. 

Name Albert M. Pickus 

BRIDGEPORT—Albert M. Pickus, owner 

of the Stratford Theatre here, has been appointed 

by Ted Gamble, national chairman 

for the observance of Brotherhood week February 

17-25, co-chairman for the local area. 

^Special 

TRAILERS 

FOR FASTER SERVICE 

HAncock 6-3592 

mRSTER mOTIOR^PJCTUREs 

%D PIEDMOnT ST. BOSTOn IE MUSS. 

'Foxes' Tops Boslon 

With 160 Per Cent 

BOSTON — Monday after Christmas was 

the strongest day registered here in months. 

Strong product brought out the crowds with 

all spots brightening after the pre-Christmas 

Paramount and Fenway-Red River (UA): 

Stafe'1Ld"oJpheui-Aibush'"(is«"GM)7' Challenge " 

to Lassie (MGM) - - '^" 

'Prince of Foxes' Paces Trade 

At Houses in New Haven 

NEW HA^VEN—Business picked up at local 

first runs over the Chi-istmas holidays. The 

only bill to gross better than average was 

. 

, 

lull. 


Astor-Prince of Foxes (20th-Fox) -- 60 

-, 

-^_-, 

Beacon HUI-Devil in the Flesh (G^êlz) 5,h wk 25 

(RKOV-.-^-^-^nU 

(U-I); Aicbc Boston-Undertow 

Exeter Street—Tight Little 

FunT 

Island (U-I); G°lden^^^ 

Madonna (Mono) .^ , _y .,- 

Majestic-Passport to Pimlico EL ^ '? 

Mayflower—Pirates of Capn (EL) - "" 

^ 

Memonal-HoUday Affair (RKO), 2nd wlc 100 

Metropolitan—The Heiress (Para); Change oi 

''''' 

Heart (Rep) ^ --. ,-,.\ 

the dualing of "Prince of Poxes" and "The 

Blonde Bandit" at the Loew's Poll. A pairing 

of "Challenge to Lassie" and "Bells of Coronado" 

at the Bijou, with five cartoons as a 

hoUday feature, di-ew plenty of kiddies afternoons 

but failed to attract night business. 

Bijou—Challenge to Lassie (MGM); Bells of 

cSl^^nf^' in the- Duit(SGM); "Alimony 

- 

'° 

(FT ^ 

Loew's Poli-Prince of Foxes (20th-Fox); Bl°°de 

Bandit (Rep) - --— , 

"j" 

r 

Paramount—Holiday Inn (Para); The Lady Eve 

^^ 

RoJeT'she'rm"-The- Lady Takes a Sailor (WB) 

The Threat (RKO) 

Sharp Upturn in Grosses 

At Hartford Theatres 

HARTFORD—Business was good, compared 

to first run boxoffice takes in recent months. 

Leaders were "All the King's Men," "The 

Heiress" and "On the Town." 

- 

Ailyn—The Heiress (Para); Hollywood Varieties of 

(LP) 

1950 

Center—Mars Attacks the World (Filmcroft); 

Rocket Ship (Filmcralt), reissues 

E M Loew's—All the King's Men (Col); Mary 

/U 

Ryan, Detective (Col) -^ , „ - j, 

Loews Poll—On the Town (MGM); Satan s Cradle 

^^^ 

i[jfi^) 

Palace—Prince of Foxes (20th-Fox); Zamba (ED'^^jj 

ReS^-Pirales of' Capri (F(i)rRedDesWrV'(U'):::. 80 

Strand—The Inspector General (WB) HO 

Five Drive-Ins Planned 

In Connecticut Areas 

HARTFORD— An application by Lockwood 

& Gordon Theatres fUed with the Manchester 

town planning commission for authority 

to build a drive-in theatre there was 

denied. A public hearing was conducted by 

State Police Commissioner Edward J. Hickey 

on an application by Daniel Deering for 

authority to build a di-ive-in theatre at Norwalk. 

Conn. The hearing was Jbeld at the 

state capitol, and the commissioner was expected 

to reveal his decision soon. 

The Stratford towra comicil and planning 

boai-d has been considering possible revision 

of local zoning regulations in an effort to 

bar drive-m theatres from the southern Connecticut 

town. Philip C. Cahill of Wethersfield 

filed an application with the Stratford 

town council and planning board for approval 

of a drive-in theatre project there. Richard 

C. Edwall of Agawam. Mass.. disclosed plains 

for a 620-car capacity drive-in at South 

Windsor, Conn. 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 

^^

YOUgetextroresohsWrtli 

equipment 


OIL-LESS BEARINGS & GEARS. The CENTURY mechanism 

is 

so beautifully designed it needs almost no maintenance. 




FLunER SUPPRESSOR. Used in all Century sound-heads. 

Winner of the Academy Award and one reason for 







• Now, full illumination on the no light ross 


Brillionf, shorp pictu 

• Equipment investment costs con' 

siderably reduced. 

Wafer cooling i$ optionat — ova(/ab(e on 

ati 

mode/s at slight extra cosf 


No LIGHT LOSS due fo 

absorbing gloss Alters 

Equipment monyfocfured by CENTURY PROJECTOR CORP., New York 

Ask your CENTURY dealer fo demonstrate this new, improved equipment. 

See him also for your needs in theatre equipment, ports end service. 

MASSACHUSETTS THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

20 Piedmont St. 

Boston 16, Mass. 

BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950 

77

. . . Ted 

. . 

. . 

. . The 

. . The 

. . John 

H A R T F ORD 

Dill O'NeiU, 77, one of the oldest theatre 

doormen in this area, died after a long 

illness. He was at the Eastwood in recent 

years. Burton Evarts has replaced O'Neill as 

doorman there . . . Two teen-agers, charged 

with creating a disturbance in the Star Theatre 

recently, were found guilty of breach of 

peace in Hartford police coui-t. Police said 

that the two youths and several companions 

had caused a distm-bance. Judge Martin J. 

Mastyn continued the case for investigation 

by the probation department. Bond was set 

at $250 for each of the youths. 

Al Pickus, owiier of the Stratford Theatre 

and regional TOA vice-president, returned 

from a trip to Indiana and North Carolina 

Markoff of the Markoff Bros. Theatres, 

Colchester, left for a New Hampshire 

hunting trip . . . Spike Repass, baseball player 

and son of the late manager of the Crown 

Theatre, has been sold by the Baltimore 

Orioles club to San Antonio in the Texas 

Henry Boehm, advertising director 

league . . . 

of the State Theatre, and his wife ob- 

served their- fom-th wedding anniversary . 

Michael Alperin, partner in the Colonial, 

Southington, and Rialto in Windsor Locks, 

has been vacationing in the south . . . Henry 

J. Kochimas is the new projectionist at the 

Glastonbury Theatre. Joan Lampert has 

joined the sei-vice sUff at the Glastonbury 

as cashier. 

Sal Adorno jr., manager of the Palace in 

Middletown, reports the naming of Vincent 

Santacrose as assistant. A new $5,000 marquee 

has been installed at the Palace . . . 

Elvira Kasteraski is the new candy girl at 

the Crown. Sara Nelson, Crown cashier, was 

Ray MacNamara, 

a New York visitor . . . 

Allyn manager, went to Boston to attend a 

screening of ''Samson and Delilah" . . Florence 

. 

Lawler is the new candy gii'l at the 

Allyn. New ushers there are Martin Davis 

and Russell Bartholomew. 

Carl Halprin, manager of the Milford 

Drive-In, was in Florida on a vacation . . . 

Beth Kaplan, secretary to Al Schuman of the 

Hartford Theatre circuit, was plaiming to 

vacation in Florida in February . . . Ronald 

Norkowicz has been named doorman at the 

Rialto ... Ed Plowd, Rialto usher, resigned 

and has been replaced by Edward Owens . 

The Middletown Veterans council, consisting 

of all veterans oi-ganizations in that city, will 

sponsor a stage and screen show at the Palace 

The 

""PACKAGED" 

Drive-In Deal 

you've been wailing for 

on page 41 

Modern Theatre 

Theatre in Middletown January 16, with all 

proceeds to be used for purchases of cigarets 

and other gifts for hospitalized veterans. 

Harry Rosenblatt of MGM was a Hartford 

visitor . . . George Bronson, manager of the 

Perakos circuit's Beverly in Bridgeport, has 

resigned because of ill health. Earl Hannah, 

circuit relief manager, is filling in as temporary 

manager at the theatre . . . Zoning 

board approval has been secured by Tommy 

Grace, manager of the Eastwood, for expansion 

of its parking lot facUities. The addition 

will provide room for several hundred more 

cars at the rear of the theatre building. 

Harry F. Shaw, division manager, and Lou 

Brown, advertising-publicity manager, Loew's 

Poll circuit, were visitors at its houses. The 

two men noted with interest the new miniature 

stage display at the Poll featuring promotion 

for forthcoming bookings. The display 

was set up by Lou Cohen, manager, and Norman 

Levinson, assistant . . . Ben Rosenberg, 

New England Theatres district manager, was 

here from Boston on business. 

New Britain notes—The Perakos circuit's 

Palace, which formerly ran vaudeville with 

films Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, now 

is running stage shows only on Fridays and 

Saturdays . Music Box has di'opped 

Monday thi-ough Friday matinees . . . New 

candy stand and popcorn warmer have been 

installed at the Music Box . 

Christiansen, 

Arch Street assistant manager, observed 

his first wedding anniversary . . . The 

lobby at the Ai'ch Street has been redecorated. 

Ray IVIathewson, Strand projectionist, was 

back at work following an illness . . . Paul 

Mirmana is the new Strand doonnan, while 

new candy girls there are Jacqueline Sensome 

and Sarah Houhanesian . annual 'Warner 

Theatres New Britain Christmas party 

was held backstage at the Embassy . . . Stan 

Szandrocha, Embassy assistant manager, was 

at the State in Manchester, fUling in for 

ailing Jack A. Sanson. 

New Haven Boys Village 

Given Big Variety Party 

NEW HA'VEN—"Variety Tent 31 gave 15 

boys from Boys "Village, its heart fund project, 

a Christmas party long to be remembered, 

starting with luncheon at the Chapel street 

clubrooms and -winding up with a screening 

at the 20th-Fox Little Theatre, gifts and 

candy. 

"Wives of "Variety members assisting with 

home-baked cakes, coffee, preparation of 

gifts and hostess activities included Mrs. 

Harry Rosenblatt, Mrs. Ben Simon, Elaine 

Simon, Mrs. Lou Brown, Mrs. Harry Shaw, 

Mrs. Ray "WyUe, Mrs. Franklyn Ferguson and 

Mrs. Edward Levy. The boys were presented 

lumberjack shirts, cowboy hats, stockings of 

candy, ice cream, etc., after lunch at the clubrooms. 

At a special screening, Robert Elliano 

jr. of the Colonial, "Walnut Beach, who 

also is a radio entertainer, regaled the guests 

mth singing cowboy fare. 

Tentative plans are being made for an installation 

dinner and dance, uath vaudeville 

and other features about February 21. 

To Honor Al Somerby 

On 50lh Anniversary 

BOSTON—Rufus "Al" Somerby, owner and 

manager of the Old Howard Theatre will be 

RUFUS "AL" SOMERBY 

honored at a testimonial luncheon on his 

50th anniversary in show- business. The affair 

-will be held at the Hotel Bradford Tuesday 

(lO") and will be sponsored by Variety 

Club of New England. Chairman for the 

luncheon is Robert Sternberg, district manager 

for New England Theatres. 

"When he was 16 years old, Somerby started 

his career as a ticket-seller in the old Bowdoin 

Square Theatre in the Scollay square 

district. He has never left the neighborhood. 

After two years he was transferred to the 

Old Howard where he booked acts, including 

some of the most famous names in vaudeville. 

Ten years ago he purchased the theatre, which 

he now actively manages. 

Reservations for the luncheon are being accepted 

by Bob Sternberg. Checks should be 

made payable to "William S. Koster, executive 

director of the Variety Club of New England. 

Dimitri Petrou Quits Post 

With Community Circuit 

HARTFORD—Dimitri Petrou, 

paitner and 

treasm-er in the Commimity Amusement 

Corp. since its organization in September 

1948. has resigned. It is understood that 

Petrou has sold his holdings in the corporation 

to his two pai-tners, Bei-nie Menschell 

and John Calvocoressci, for an undisclosed 

amount. 

Petrou. who was with the Skouras circuit in 

New York prior to coming to Hartford, reportedly 

will make a new business connection 

in New York, with specific nature of 

his new work to be amiounced shortly. 

"With the relmquishing of the Petrou holdings 

in the Community Corp., Calvocoressci, 

secretary, also will be treasiu-er. Bernie 

Menschell continues as president. The Community 

Corp. operates the 1,800-seat Star 

Theatre here and the Plalnfield in Plainfield. 

Morris Carnovsky has joined the cast of 

the Kent Taylor starrer, "Western Pacific 

Agent," a Lippert picture. 

78 


• 

^ 

: 

. . Paul 

. . The 

. . Manager 

Steve Panora Dies 

Opening Theatre 

NEW MILPORD, CONN.—Steve Panora, 

74, died of a heart attack while opening his 

Twentieth Century 

"^'^K 

Theatre here December 

26. Panora and 

his brother John 

started the Opera 

.^; House, an upstairs 

jjf 

house in Winsted, over 

30 years ago. Subsequently 

he operated 

the Capitol, Milford 

the Plaza. Waterbury; 

Strand. Willimantic, 

and the Palace i n 

Stafford Springs, 

Steve Panora Conn. The latter 

A^k 

house he sold to the Markoff brothers last 

year. He was interested In the Colonial, 

Southington, at one time. 

Panora was interested in the shipping business, 

and had spoken to some of his film 

district friends about shipping off in the 

near future for visits to distant ports on one 

of his own boats. He is survived by one son 

John, who is also in shipping in New York. 

Drive-In Permits Issued 

To Michael Redstone 

BOSTON—On his last official day in office. 

Mayor Curley issued pemiits to Michael 

Redstone for erection of two-drive-ins to be 

built near here, one in West Roxbury and 

the other in Dorchester near the Neponset 

bridge. The licenses had been held up two 

year's because of protests from residents who 

claimed that the two theatres would be 

menaces. No permits for drive-ins have been 

issued imtll now within the city liniits. 

When the issuing of the two peiTnits became 

known, a storm of protests broke. Mayorelect 

Hynes was asked to take drastic action. 

He sent a registered letter to Redstone saying 

that he would revoke the pei"mit& when 

he assumed office. He also said that if Redstone 

persisted in his efforts to build the 

two drive-ins, he would do so at his own 

financial risk. 

Redstone replied that he had been advised 

by his attorneys that since the permits had 

been issued in strictly legal manner, there 

could be no cause for revocation. He also declared 

that if any evidence that a drive-in 

is a somxe of immorality is presented, the 

permits will be sm-rendered voluntarily. Redstone 

operates four drive-ins. two in Massachusetts, 

one in the Bronx and one in Valley 

Stream, Long Island, New York. 

He Learned About Music Early 

When Mario Lanza played marbles in the 

street at the age of 6 he listened to the voice 

of Caruso coming from a nearby record store. 

Slipping into the store, he learned much 

about good music from a friendly elderly 

salesman. 

BRIDGEPORT 

T ocal theatre managers, led by Matt Saunders 

of Loew's Poll, filed a protest with 

the board of library directors against the 

showing of filnis in the city-owned Klein 

Memorial auditorium. The Klein auditorium 

frequently features weekend bills of reissues 

or cartoons, and charges the same admission 

as the downtown first run theatres. Protests 

have been filed with the board every year, 

but the matter has always been "taken under 

advisement." 

The only midnight show here Christmas eve 

was at the Warner where "The Hasty Heart" 

was screened . Estrada is the new 

doorman at the Astor Theatre . . . Playwright 

Phil Dunning has returned to his home in 

Westport after several months of script writing 

in Hollywood . Charles Gaudino 

of the Hippodrome and his wife celebrated 

their wedding anniversary . . . Jerry 

Conboy was back in the booth at Loew's Majestic 

after an illness. 

. 

Film actress Margaret Sullavan started the 

new year with her three children at her home 

in Greenwich Ballet de Russe de 

Monte Cai'lo has been booked into the Klein 

auditorium for a single performance March 

Katherine Shea will offer the road 

23 . . . 

company of "Brigadoon" in one performance 

January 25 in the Klein auditorium. 

The MODERN THEATRE PLANNING INSTITUTE 



Gus Schaeier Joins 

Hartford Circuit 

HARTFORD—Tlie immediate affiliation 

Gus Schaefer, former RKO northeastern division 

sales manager, 

as treasurer and stockholder 

with the Hartford 

Theatre circuit 

here, has been disclosed 

by Al Schuman, 

general manager of 

the local circuit. He 

succeeds Jacob Belford, 

resigned. Schae- ^^^^^ _ 

fer, according to Schu- ^^^^B ^ 

M 

man, will headquarter ^^^^^^" 

y\, 

at circuit offices in 

the Lenox Theatre Gus Schaefer 

building. The amount 

of cash involved in the transaction bringing 

Schaefer into the local five-theatre organization 

as a stockholder was not revealed. 

It is understood that Schaefer is retaining 

his partnership in the Colonial, Southington, 

and Rialto, Windsor Locks. 

To Star in 'Sidewalks End' 

Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney will star 

in 20th-Fox's "Where the Sidewalks End," 

adapted from William L. Stewart's novel, 

"Night Cry." 

A RESEARCH BUREAU 

for MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 


of 

i"'"^" 

Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your REHEARCH BUREAU to receive information regularly, as 

released, on the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Air Conditioning 

Architectural Service 


n Building Material 

n Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Address 

City 

n Complete Remodeling 

Decorating 

n Drink Dispensers 

D Drive-In Equipment 

n Lighting Fixtures 

Pluml>ing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

Seating 


n Seating 

n Signs and Marquees 

D Sound Equipment 

n Television 

D Theatre Fronts 

n Vending Equipment 

State- 

Capacity 

Signed.. 

(Ownar-Monagar) 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience in obtaining information 

are provided in The MODERN THEATRE RED KEY Section (Nov. 19, 1949). 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 79 

U

. . The 

. . The 

AT PERAKOS PARTY—Some 100 employes of Perakos Theatres circuit attended 

the annual Christmas party, held at the Eastwood Theatre, East Hartford. Left to 

right: Lou Franciose, manager, State, Jewett City; Tom Grogan, Strand, Thompsonville; 

Earl Hannah, relief manager; Vincent Capuano, Elm, West Hartford; John 

Perakos, assistant district manager; Peter Perakos, president; James Landino, Hi-Way 

Theatre, Bridgeport; Morton Katz, film booker; John D'Amato, Palace, New Britain; 

Thomas Grace, Eastwood, and Sperie Perakos, district manager. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

pred Markey, manager of the loka Theatre 

in Exeter, had approximately 850 children 

at a special Christmas show staged under 

the auspices of the Lions club. Several 

short comedies were shown, candy was distributed 

and two clowns and a Santa Glaus 

enlivened the program . Strand in 

Manchester held over "Yes, Sir. That's My 

Baby," double-billed with "The Gal Who 

Took the West" . Granite Square in 

Manchester held afternoon matinees during 

the week after Christmas. The Empire in 

East Manchester omitted its matinee show 

on Christmas day. Both theatres have been 

featuring dish giveaways. 

The Strand, State and Uptown in Dover 

cooperated with the local American Legion 

FOR SALE 

2 SIMPLEX projectors with rear shutters 

in good condition 

IDEAL THEATRE 

MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 

SPEAKER RE-CONEING 

And Conditioning — Any Size 

3" S1.25 

6" 

4" I.2S 

4x6" 

5" 1.35 

6x9" 

Including New Voice Coil 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. 

Make 

SI .35 

1.35 

1.40 

KlnL^CUrBilo. 

post and auxiliary by accepting toys in a 

nationwide post-Christmas Tide of Toys for 

European children. Tlie WHEB radio station 

joined more than a dozen Dover establishments 

in serving as donation centers. 

Gov. Sherman Adams and the executive 

coimcil have discussed the possibility of 

securing the services of Louis DeRochemont 

of Newington, producer of "Lost Boundaries," 

to assist in editing ajid rereleasing a New 

Hampshire promotional film . . . The Plymouth 

in Plymouth reported that nearly every 

one of its more than 800 seats were taken 

at the first municipal Chiistmas party for 

the town's yotmgsters. The Girl Scouts and 

Brownies cooperated in staging the event. 

New Year's was a big occasion for many 

New Hampshire theatres. The Palace in Manchester 

staged eight acts of vaudeville, headed 

by the Dorman Bros., and a screen program. 

All seats sold for $1. In Laconia, the Colonial 

held a big midnight show, with only 1,200 

tickets on sale at 60 cents each. The Scenic 

in Rochester added vaudeville as a special 

attraction starting December 29, and the 

Regal in Franklin had a New Year's party 

for children under sponsorship of the local 

Moose lodge. Children from the Golden Rule 

farm in Northfield and the Daniel Webster 

home for children were among guests. There 

were gifts and refreslinients. 

The Somersworth was the scene of the inaugural 

of Mayor Romeo St. Laurent and new 

members of the city council January 3 . . . 

Clelia Regis of Rochester is engaged to Carmen 

J. Urcuioli. manager of the Scenic there. 

Urcuioli is a native of Stoughton, Mass.. and 

a veteran of World War II. 

WILLIAM RISEMAN ASSOCIATES 

!62 NEWBURY STREET, BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS 

ARCHITECTURAL 

Critic Lauds Lineup 

Of Releases in 1949 

PROVIDENCE—The 1949 list of motion 

pictures was lauded highly by Bradford F. 

Swan, well-known film critic of the Journal- 

Bulletin here, who wTOte in his yearend 

summary that "I can recall no year in which 

American films made such a noteworthy advance." 

He pointed out that there were more good 

films among the 360 shown here last year 

than in any other year for the last seven 

years. 

Swan picked Pierre Fresnay, French actor, 

as giving the best performance of the year in 

"Monsieur Vincent," which Swan picked as 

the year's best religious picture. 

Olivia DeHavilland, outstanding in both 

"The Snake Pit" and "The Heiress," received 

the nod for the best actress of 1949. Judy 

HoUiday of "Adam's Rib" fame and Paul 

Douglas in "A Letter to Three Wives" were 

selected as the outstanding female and male 

discoveries, respectively. 

"Lost Boundaries," the best of three fine 

films on racial problems, constituted the outstanding 

development of the year in Swan's 

estimation. 

In chronological order, Swan's list of the 

best films of the year, were Volpone, The 

Snake Pit, Command Decision, Joan of Arc. 

He Walked by Night, A Letter to Three 

Wives, The Louisiana Story, Paisan, The 

Set-Up. Symphonic Pastorale. The Pearl, Monsieur 

Vincent, The Window, The Red Shoes, 

Champion, The Stratton Story, Not Wanted, 

Lost Boundaries, Home of the Brave, Quartet, 

I Was a Male War Bride, Jolson Sings 

Again, Scott of the Antarctic, Everybody Does 

It. Pinky, and The Heiress. Two documentaries. 

Savage Splendor and Seal Island, were 

appended to the list. 

Wrecking Crew Tears Down 

Empire at Providence 

PROVIDENCE—The oldest theatre in this 

city started falling under the hammers and 

crowbars of a wrecker, as the Empire, long 

a landmark, passed into memory. Abe Spitz, 

who took over operation of the house in 1900, 

could not furnish the exact date in 1870 when 

the house opened, but he mentioned that it 

and the old Providence Opera House, which 

long since passed into oblivion, were at one 

time the only two theatres in the city. 

Opened originally as the Westminster, it 

featured oldtime burlesque and "traveling 

musicals, minstrels and the like." When 

Spitz took over at turn of the century, he 

named the house the Bijou. 

"Cheri" was one of the last musical revues 

to play the Bijou. That was in March 1930. 

Shortly after that. Spitz converted it into 

a second run house and again changed the 

name to the Empire. It was under this title 

that the theatre operated until about six 

months ago when it was shuttered for good. 

Advertising recently appeared in local newspapers 

offering "over 1,000 seats," from which 

generations of theatregoers had watched 

melodramas, burlesque and films. The seats 

were snapped up by local sports arenas and 

the Salvation Army. 

Emil Newman has been set by Producer 

Anson Bond as musical director for "The 

Vicious Years," Film Classics picture. 


. . . Monk 

. . . George 

. . Mrs. 

. . The 

. . The 

. . Ruth 

. . Morris 

. . Bert 

NEW HAVEN 

An MGM Friendship meeting here featured 

a screening of Battleground" at the Forrest 

Theatre . staff at the local exchange 

was eagerly awaiting the end of the 

Columbia playdate and billing drive with the 

expectation of finisliing in second place . . . 

Harry Gibbs has booked his ten-minute short 

"Green Harvest," which he is distributing 

without charge, into the Plaza, Stamford: 

Shubert and Crown, New Haven, and State. 

Hartford. 

. 

Coming and going—Hymie Levine of Screen 

Guild was in New York for a few days . . . 

Joseph Gibbs was here from New York to 

visit his brother Harry of Connecticut Film 

Distributing Co. . . . Carol Mara of Republic 

is bowling with a team in the Southern 

Connecticut league Crittenden of 

The Morris Rosenthals 

the Bijou is on vacation . . . 

spent a weekend in Atlantic City 

Maloney was back at work for a 

few days at the Poll, Worcester, after a long 

illness . . . Thelma Jaffe Rubin of the Metro 

office has resigned, and Dorothy Palmer has 

taken her place. 

Harry Olslian, Milwaukee Columbia manager, 

visited relatives and friends in New 

Haven and Westchester . Moriarty, 

Paramount projectionist spent Christmas in 

Baltimore . . . All New Year's shows were 

staged Sunday night instead of Saturday because 

of the Sunday law . . . Howard Spodick. 

new chief of service at the Paramount 

Theatre, is a brother of Robert Spodick of 

the Lincoln and Crown . . . Lou Phillips of 

Phillips Theatre Supplies was ill during the 

holidays with virus pneumonia. 

Lou Brown, Loew Poll publicity chief, spent 

a few days in Springfield . . . Paula Nastri, 

Loew Poll division switchboard operator, will 

be married in June. Jim Memery of the 

Loew Poll art staff bought a home on Ralston 

avenue, Hamden . Jacocks was 

here from Boston on a booking trip . . . Hilna 

Lazaroff will resign from Monogram January 

10 to become a housewife fulltime ... A 

sneak preview of "When Willie Comes 

Marching Home" was run January 6 at the 

Collego. 

Vaudeville has been discontinued at the 

Lyric, Bridgeport, and the house will be 

closed temporarily . . . The Poli in Meriden 

began weekend film programs Chi-istmas day 

Perlroth, student assistant at the 

College, has been promoted to assistant at 

the Bijou . Ida Shaw visited with her 

son Harry Shaw, Loew Poli division manager, 

over the holidays . State In Hartford 

offered Tommy Dorsey at New Year's shows 

at regular prices. 

William Deitch to Build 

Drive-In at Warwick, R. I. 

WARWICK, R. I.—Construction of an 800- 

car di'ive-in between Rocky Point and Oakland 

Beach near here will be started soon by 

William Deitch, who operates the Palace in 

Thornton and the Gem in Arctic, R. I. 

'MR. SWEEP' AMUSES KIDS — Al 

Monty, former Connecticut theatre manager 

turned theatre-night club entertainer, 

and Norman Levinson, assistant 

manager at Loew's Poli, Hartford, are pictured 

above preparing for a special Saturday 

morning kiddy matinee at the theatre. 

Monty, now known as "Mr. Sweep" 

on radio and stage kiddy shows, uses the 

brooms as part of his act. 

Pass and Popcorn Gifts 

Alleviate Rowdiness 

From Southwest Edition 

WHITEFACE, TEX.—Jack Holeman, owner 

of the Home Theatre here, reports a pass 

and popcorn giveaway program he arranged 

with the high school football team, the school 

band and their sponsors has "worked wonders" 

in alleviating rowdiness by teen-agers 

in his theatre. 

Each time the team wins a game, all the 

members of the squad, the cheer-leaders, the 

band and sponsors are given passes good for 

any night the following week. If the team 

wins by two touchdowns, bags of popcorn 

are also presented. If a boy drops off the 

football squad, his name automatically comes 

off the list of pass receivers. 

Holeman reports the plan has built up a 

spirit of friendliness between himself and 

citizens, and more of them go to the theatre. 

In addition, this has resulted in more respect 

on the part of the youngsters for the theatre 

property. 

Providence '49 Trade 

In Theatres Steady 

PROVIDENCE—Grosses in Providence- 

Pawtucket area theatres in 1949 were almost 

even with those of 1948, as a survey of theatres 

found 12 of 30 houses reporting business 

up last year, 12 .saying grosses slumped 

and six reporting no difference between the 

two years. 

The 30 houses checked included first runs, 

second runs, neighborhoods, di'ive-lns and 

miscellaneous houses. The managers of the 

six houses finding no difference between 

business in 1948 and 1949, said, "There was 

so little difference that it would be unfair 

to go on record in either the 'up' or 'down' 

classifications." 

Of the seven first runs, thi'ee reported favorable 

business in 1949, three reported decreased 

receipts and one noted no difference. 

Five of the ten neighborhood houses reported 

increases, four fell slightly under 1948 

and one "ran about the same as last year." 

Five second run houses in downtown centers 

were ahead of a year ago, while the other 

three checked were behind. Only two of the 

four drive-ins in this area were open in 1948, 

but it was learned these two did better business 

in 1949 than a year before. The two 

newcomers in the open air field were well 

patronized also. All four drive-ins were benefited 

by a particularly long, hot and dry 

summer, one of the warmest in New England 

annals. 

Unemployment and torrid weather were 

blamed chiefly for the decline in those houses 

reporting less business in 1949. Brad Swan, 

Bulletin film critic, recently said any business 

slump during the year was not for lack 

of good film fare. Rather, he said, unemployment, 

running between 40,000 and 60,000 

monthly throughout 1949 in Rhode Island, 

coupled with the end of juicy overtime pay 

envelopes of war and postwar days, hit the 

theatre field first and hardest. 


use 

HOSTESS 

ALUMINUMWARE 



47 Church St. Liberty 408S Boston, Mass. 

HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM 

BOXOFFICE: 

Please enter my subscription to BOXOFFICE, 52 issues per year (13 of v/hich contain 

The MODERN THEATRE Section). 

D $3.00 FOR 1 YEAR D SS.OO FOR 2 YEARS D $7.00 FOR 3 YEARS 

n Remittance Enclosed Q Send Invoice 

THEATRE 

Heads Hollywood Players 

Roddy McDowall heads a group of Hollywood 

players who entertained patients 

at Olive View sanitarium, San Fernando, 

Calif., New Year's day.

New Haven Tribunal 

Extended a Month 

NEW HAVELN—The clearance complaint 

of tjhe Crown Theatre. Hartford, which previously 

had been settled with all distributors 

except Loew's, Inc.. was also settled with 

Loew's. All parties have been notified by 

secretary Oliver Bishop that the complaint 

has been withdrawn and the matter was 

closed EJecember 27. since no objections were 

received. 

Secretary Bishop reports that the local arbitration 

office, originally scheduled to close 

at the end of the year, will extend its local 

residence in the Liberty building for an additional 

month. 

The T&J Markoff complaint filed June 

18. 1947 on behalf of the East Hampton and 

Moodus theatres, has been scheduled for a 

January 13. 1950 hearing before A. G. Gulliver, 

professor at the Yale law school, as 

arbitrator. Middletown Enterprises was intervener 

in tlie action when it was first filed, 

but the Middletown situation has changed, 

with the I>alace reopened after a long dark 

period by Salvatore Adomo, and the Capitol 

Middlesex theatres taken over by Harold 

Eskin. The Markoffs claimed hardship in 

booking due to the lateness in booking and 

buying of the former Middletown Enterprises 

theatres which forced them to play pictures 

60 to 150 days old at Moodus and East Hampton. 

A ceiling of 30 days after first run 

Hartford was sought. 

Will Produce 'Personal Column' 

Stephen Auer will produce "Personal Column." 

a novel by Jean Lewis, for Republic 

release. 

James Whitmore will take a starring role 

with John Hodiak. r>on Taylor and Hedy 

Lamarr in Warners' "Visa." 

JOIN 

THE MARCH OF 

>^ 

DIMES ! 

nil lUTIONAl FOUNDATION FOI INFANTIU PAUIYSIS 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wobojh 

YOU'LL 

cn IT 

QUICKI 

FILMACK 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54th St. 

'^ 

Church Moves Out 

For Stage Shows 

60 Texas Showmen Attend 

'Battleground' Screening 

OKLAHOMA CITY—The Victoria Theatre 

here, owned by the Cooper Foundation, is going 

back into the show business after one and 

a half years as a church. The suburban 

house has been used as the Baptist Temple 

church the last 18 months. Prior to that, It 

showed foreign film only for a time. 

Charles Freeman, CF city manager, said 

the church had already moved out and the 

theatre is undergoing a redecoratlon job. 

There will be freshly painted walls, new carpets 

and other remodeling work done for the 

reopening of the theatre January 24 with a 

stock company. 

The Piper Players will open an extended 

run on the Vic stage, offering a new show 

each week at popular prices. 

The church is temporarily located in the 

Plaza Theatre until its new church Is completed. 

LUBBOCK, TEX.—"Battleground" apparently 

proved a solid click with about 60 exhibitors 

within a 200-rrLile radius of Lubbock 

who attended a special showing at the Clifton 

of the Lindsey circuit here during the holidays. 

The attendance exceeded expectations in 

view of the holiday conflict, according to 

"Smitty" Smith, MGM representative at Dallas 

and host at the showing. 

Acting as the Lubbock hosts were J. B. 

Rhea, manager, and Woody Sylvester, assistant, 

of Lindsey Theatres. The visitors were 

Smith's guests at a luncheon in the Hilton 

hotel after the showing. 

In addition to representatives of Lubbock 

theatres, guests included Mr. and Mrs. Henry 

Gardenshire and C. C. Caldwell, of O'Donnell; 

Mrs. Homer Mulkey and Lee Bell, Clarendon: 

Mr. and Mrs. Sammy Jones, Brownfield; 

Mr. and Mrs. John N. Hopkins, Post; June 

and Bill Chesher and. Nel Lyne, Littlefield; 

Mr. and Mrs. Holland, Plainview; Mr. and 

Mrs. Jack Arthur, Crosbyton, and R. A. Noret 

and Don Speck, Lamesa. 

Corral Drive-In Closes; 

Three Others Still Run 

LUBBOCK, TEX.—The curtain dropped on 

the 1949 season at one Lubbock drive-in with 

the passing of the old year, but the new 

year found three others still going strong. 

Closed was the Corral of the Lindsey circuit. 

Still operating, but scheduled for early closing 

is the Five Points of the Preston E. Smith 

Enterprises. Still operating and with no Intention 

of closing are the Westerner, operated 

by E. K. Lamb, and the Circle, managed 

by Marvin McLarty jr. 

J. B. Rhea, Lindsey manager, said the 

Corral was closed to allow time for improvements. 

The tentative program calls for 

paved ramps, replacements of much equipment, 

enlarged concession stands and extensive 

decorating and landscaping, adding up 

to a cost of several thousand dollars. 

Cumby, Tex., Star Improved 

CUMBY. TEX.—Remodeling of the Star 

Theatre has been completed by Mr. and Mrs. 

L. A. Tittle. 

Blankenship Is Planning 

More Stage Acts for '50 

LUBBOCK, TEX.—The use of live talent 

on a far larger scale than ever before figures 

prominently in the 1950 planning of the Wallace 

Blankenship cii'cuit of northwest Texas. 

Officials of this circuit and several other exhibitors 

in Lubbock also came up with several 

other ideas at the start of the new year 

which, they believe, could boost boxoffice 

business during 1950. 

INGENUITY REQmRED 

As to this particular portion of the southwest, 

they definitely take an optimistic view 

of the year's prospects. They think business 

will be good—although not as good as during 

1949 or 1948. But they shared the further 

opinion that more effort and ingenuity will 

be needed during the coming year than at 

any time since the war began to keep their 

segment of motion picture business in the 

black. 

Undoubtedly the most interesting venture 

contemplated in this area is the more frequent 

use of live talent in the Blankenship 

theatres, consisting of 14 houses in nine 

towns with populations ranging from 1,500 

to nearly 10,000. The home office is in Lubbock. 

Wesley Blankenship, general manager, 

is convinced that the appeal of such 

talent has been proved by its increasingly 

frequent use since last fall. He expressed the 

conviction that stage shows may be the shot 

in the arm that boxoffices need in small-city 

circuits generally. 

Currently, the "Varieties of 1950," consistting 

of 15 boys and girls from Earl Carroll 

shows, are playing the circuit. Prices were 

boosted for the first performances in Ralls. 

Receipts were a disappointment. The admissions 

then were cut to those usually prevailing 

at the house of showing, and capacity 

crowds resulted. 

WESTERNS LOSING GROUND 

Blankenship beheves there definitely is a 

need for more talent of proved ability which 

is available to theatres like that of the circuit 

he manages. If the need is supplied, in 

his opinion, it will boost receipts, give the finest 

kind of experience for actors who have 

the potentials of stardom, and stimulate the 

development of new talent. He believes that 

the large scale availability of entertainers 

for motion picture stages would develop a 

Law Degree fo L. F. Hall 

After Ten Years of Study 

Houston—A new way to untangle mechanical 

and legal technicalities has been 

found. 

Lester F. Hall, a motion picture projectionist 

who currently is "rolling 'em" at 

Interstate's Alabama, has been handed 

his LL.B degree by South Texas Law 

school. 

Hall earned his law sheepskin by attending 

night school for nearly ten years. 

He has joined a law firm in the Scanlan 

building, Houston, but will continue with 

his booth work at the Alabama. 

huge reserve of new faces which would help 

sustain prosperity In the film industry. 

Several of the exhibitors in the Lubbock 

area said that westerns seemed to have lost 

some of their pulling power during the past 

year. They were uncertain as to the reasons 

for that trend, unless it is that westerns 

are too much alike. The opinion seems 

prevalent that the popularity of such films 

will continue to wane unless the producers 

can come up with some sort of clicking innovations. 

Exhibitors in this area appeared unanimous 

as to these points: 

Comedy and the laugh-with-tear humah 

interest films will continue to be the best bets 

at the boxoffice. 

More attention must be paid to quality of 

all kinds—production, story and acting—than 

ever before. 

Under the best of conditions, however, 

showmen of the southwest aren't expecting 

a boom of business either in this area or the 

nation as a whole. 

But they think that business will be good, 

particularly in their own area. If they can 

give their patrons what they want. 

"If we can't do that, then we are in the 

wrong business," one operator remarked. 

Hiram Parks Ends Lease 

On Brownfield Houses 

LUBBOCK, TEX.—Hiram Parks has terminated 

his lease as operator of the Rialto, Ritz 

and Rio theatres in Brownfield, 38 miles 

southwest of Lubbock. The management 

has been resumed by Mrs. W. T. Howze and 

her son Sammy Jones. Mrs. Howze, widow 

of the late Earl Jones who established the 

theatres, leased them to Parks five years ago. 

Mr. and Mrs. Parks own the Llanos Theatre 

and other properties In Lubbock. The 

Llanos is devoted almost exclusively to the 

showing of Spanish language features and Is 

scheduled for extensive remodeling and enlarging 

during the next few months. 

R&R Plans $150,000 House. 

Its Fifth at Killeen, Tex. 

KILLEEN, TEX.—Robb & Rowley circuit, 

owner of the four theatres now in operation 

here, plans to build a new $150,000 house 

here soon. The theatre will be erected on a 

recently acquired site just north of the city 

hall on Gray street, according to A. L. Clary, 

city manager for the circuit. 

The balcony-type house will have a seating 

capacity of about 900. Clary said plans call 

for installation of three 25-ton air conditioning 

units. 

New Port Lavaca Drive-In 

PORT LAVACA, TEX.—The Port Lavaca 

Theatre, a Johnny Long house, offered a New 

Year's eve midnight show . . . Griffin & Jones 

Co. is building a drive-in near here on the 

Seadrift highway. 

BOXOFnCE January 7, 1950 sw 83

i 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

Twrr. and Mrs. Ralph Talbot of Tulsa were 

in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl game 

January 2 . . . "Sands of Iwo Jima" opened 

at the Midwest Friday (6) ... "The Great 

Lover" was the Criterion's New Year's day 

screen feature. 

Paul Townsend, Midwest manager, arranged 

special fanfare for the launching of 

"Iwo Jima" on the Midwest screen. The 

premiere was set for 7:30 p. m. Just before 

the showing started, there was a parade of 

marine corps reserve units, headed by a 

Your Besf Buy is Griggs' New 30-Line Chair! 

with the self' rising seat! 

A brand new chair lor finer theatres. 

Well constructed, comfortable, good 

looking, reasonably priced. This chair 

is equipped with automatic self-rising 

seat. For complete information 

See E. J. Staton 

in our Oklahoma City office, 708 W. 

Grand, 7-I82I, Oklahoma City, Okla. 

See Forrest Dunlop 

m our Dallas office, 2008 Jackson Stree; 

Riverside 3595, Dallas, Texas 

Or Call, Wire or Write: 

fp/qqc^ 

Bclton, 

Texas 

EQUIPMENT 

COMPANY 

Offices: Dallas, Memphis, Shreveport, Oklohoma 

Cify ond New York City. 

The newly 

redecorated Gay 

Theatre in Kountze is now 

equipped with the new and colorful 

Cretors Hollywood popcorn 

machine. 

This theatre is operated by Mildred 

Bracken, so we will say, "Ask 

the woman who owns one" (with 

apologies to Packard. 

band. The parade terminated in front of the 

theatre for a flag raising ceremony. A squadron 

of marine reserve pilots from Dallas flew 

over the town during the afternoon. The 

governor proclaimed the day of the picture's 

opening, "Iwo Jima" day in Oklahoma. 

Audie Murphy spent a few days recently 

visiting in Perryton, Tex., according to H. D. 

Barnes of the Ellis and Pertex theatres there. 

Barnes is projectionist at the theatres for 

Verb Conley. 

DeBra Predicts Pictures 

Will Be More Mature 

MILWAUKEE—Increased concentration by 

motion picture producers on the making of 

mature films aimed at adults 30 years of age 

and older was predicted here recently by 

Arthur DeBra, New York, director of public 

relations for the Eric Johnston office. 

Speaking at a meeting of the Milwaukee 

County Better Films council, DeBra said that 

until recently the film industry tried mainly 

to appeal to the young adult group from 16 

to 30. But now, he explained, "the growing 

group of older adults in the population and 

the current tightening economic conditions 

In the industry are changing the trend." 

DeBra pointed out that older adults are 

not interested in the simple "boy meets girl" 

situation, but prefer something real and 

something'to think about. The answer, he 

asserted, is more films like "The Forsyte 

Woman" and "The Heiress," mature In 

thought and action and having a "dramatic 

clutch." 

Paul Hochuli Selects 13 

HOUSTON—Paul Hochuli, amusement editor 

of the Houston Press, listed the following 

13 pictures as his "best 10 of the year": 

Champion, Come to the Stable, Command 

Decision, The Great Gatsby, I Was a Male 

War Bride, Joan of Arc, Letter to Three 

Wives, Lost Boundaries, Quartet, She Wore 

a Yellow Ribbon, The Snake Pit. The Stratton 

Story and Hamlet. 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wabash 

FILMACK 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54th St. 

CHAS. E. 

Charlie 

DARDEN & CO., INC. 

308 SOUTH HARWOOD op • DALLAS, TEXAS 

PHONE RIVERSIDE 6134 

fOUIPMENT OISPL/Iir il^\.l% 

M & EQUIPMENT CO. DELTA THEATRE SUPPIY 

HOMA THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY 

Your Deal Handled Personally 7" 

27 years experience 

We Cover the U. S. Moiket 

Arthur Leak 

Theatre Sales Exclusively 

3422 Kinmorc Dallas 10, Tex 

Phone T3-2026 

DRIVE-IN 

THEATRE 

New 40" Double Face Entrance or Exit Light 

Also available single face 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG CO. 

729 Paltimore 

Kansai City. Mo 


Equipmeni manvfacfored by CENTURY PROJECTOR CORP., New York, N. Y. 




projected wiHiout loss of 


• Now, full illumination on the no light toss 


Bmiiant, shorp pictu 


reduced. 

Wofer cooling i, opiionol-availabit, on 

oil modtis o» ilight txlro coti 


No LIGHT LOSS due fo heoP 

absorbing gloss filters 

5.. h.m ol.o for your n.ed. ir, th.otro equipment, ports and service. 

HARDIN THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

714 South Hampton Road 

Dallas 11, Texas 

BOXOFFICE :: January 7, 1950 

85

SOUTHWESTERN ioifi 

LISTEN! 

The best sound you potential and actual Drive-In theatre folk are going to be hearing 

will come out of the RCA Drive-In Theatre Sound Systems. Built around RCA's 

sensational in-cor speakers, this system enables your Drive-In to operate at any 

location without fear of kicks and injunctions from noise-conscious neighbors. 

And the quality of the- sound from the RCA system is up to and above standard. 

Naturally, since RCA's Drive-In Theatre Sound Systems is featured and endorsed 

by Southwestern. Come in, wrile in or phone in to get the details. 

Southwestern Theatre Equipment Company 

IN 

DALLAS 

2010 Jackson Street 

Telephone Prospect 7-3571 

IN 

HOUSTON 

1416 Main Street 

Telephone Capitol 9906 

Theatre TV Quiz Ruled 

Lottery in Wisconsin 

MILWAUKEE — After Attorney General 

Thomas E. Pairchild turned down the application 

of the Theatre TV Quiz Corp., an 

"unidentified theatre operator of Milwaukee" 

is reported to have approached him with a 

modified plan of giving a TV set prize. He 

described the plan as follows: 

The theatre would solicit advertising from 

merchants in the vicinity of the theatre. The 

merchants would be supplied with tokens 

which could be distributed among customers 

who asked for them. At a specified time the 

theatre would present a television set to the 

holder of largest number of tokens. 

In reviewing this new plan, Fairchild declared 

that the giving of a prize would be 

the "consideration," and the "chance" would 

be that no one would know who would win. 

Both are part of a lottery and the plan would 

be illegal. If any theatre in Wisconsin tries 

such a plan, it would be guilty of using the 

television gift as a lottery, the attorney general 

declared. 

Westerns-Features-Serials 

Tower Pictures Co. 

HAROLD SCHWARZ 

302 S. Harwood St. Dallas 1. Texas 

Phon«s C-7357 and H-3998 

The Pure Cocoanut Oil Popcorn Seasoninc 

and 

A Complete Line of Popcorn and Popcorn 

Su||>hes 

RUBE MELCHER POPPERS SUPPLY CO. 

114 W. 18tb Street Kansas City 8, Mo. 

IIIDTIDII PICTURE SERVICE Co. 

125 HYDE ST. * SanFrancitco(Z)CdliF. 

GOOD-BY. . . fo perforated screens 

MOVE OVER, HORSES AND BUGGIES, LOW INTENSITY LAMPS, HARD 

CHAIRS AND MANY MORE OBSOLETE ITEMS: 

The Only Really

Manager Ryan Scoops 

Newsreels and Video 

from Mideast Edition 

DETROIT—Tradition that "the show must 

go on" was well exemplified by the ingenuity 

of Thomas W. Ryan, manager of the Carlton, 

neighborhood house operated by the Krass circuit, 

in scooping both newsreels and television. 

The subject was the fatal crash of a 

cargo plane a few blocks from his home. 

Ryan heard the plane and the noise, but 

figured it was just another auto smashup until 

his wife went over and saw the plane 

stuck right in the middle of a house. 

Ryan grabbed his 16mm camera, found no 

film, went after Peter Kavel, relief manager 

for the Wlsper & Wetsman circuit, and another 

photographer, who had left for Dayton. 

Meantime Ryan had to get to the Carlton 

Theatre on the opposite side of the city to 

open for the matinee about the time that 

Kavel showed up, having returned in disgust 

from the start of his trip after having two 

tires blow out. Kavel speeded over to shoot 

the scene, and the two managers found they 

had an exclusive on their hands. 

Newsreel cameramen had figured the day 

was too dark to justify shooting, while the 

television cameras were already setting out to 

give football coverage when word of the accident 

came. But no commercial firm could 

be found in town to handle the processing 

on a Saturday—the accident occurred at 10:30 

a. m. So Ryan dug up an amateur photographer, 

had him develop the film, brought in 

his 16nun projector, and had the reel on the 

screen for the evening show, running It two 

days. 

The payoff of the story occurred on Monday 

when WJBK-TV learned of the film and 

bought exclusive rights to the reel from Ryan, 

running the scene in the "Four Star News 

Show" on Monday night over television, with 

special credits before and after given to the 

Carlton Theatre. 

Will Screenplay 'St. Colomba' 

Waldo Salt will screenplay the Theodore 

Dreiser short story, "St. Colomba and the 

River." 

Eight 16mm Distributors 

To Handle EL Features 

NEW YORK—A gi'oup 

of eight U.S. 16mm 

film leaders, representing 34 local film libraries, 

have formed a distribution organization 

to handle the new Eagle Lion product, 

according to George J. Bonwick, president of 

Pictorial Films, Inc. The exclusive distribution 

arrangement is for the group to take 

collectively a minimum of 40 16mm prints of 

each of the new EL pictures, in exchange for 

which Pictorial has guaranteed that it will 

not sell any EL product to anyone else in the 

respective territories. 

The distributors in this national distribution 

organization wUl be: Larry Salzman, 

Film Center, New York City; Carl Kunz, Kunz 

Motion Pictures, Philadelphia; Jack Carter, 

National Film Service, Raleigh, N. C; Allan 

Twyman, Twyman Films, Dayton; Carl and 

Al Evers, Sun Ray Films, Cleveland; Keith 

South, Modern Sound Pictures, Omaha; Ray 

Swank, Swank Motion Pictures, St. Louis, 

and Ed Stevens, Stevens Pictures, Atlanta. 

The features include several released nationally 

during the 1948-49 season, including: 

"Red Stallion in the Rockies," "Let's Live a 

Little," "Tulsa," "The Big Cat," "The Scar," 

"Down Memory Lane," "He Walked By Night," 

"The Spiritualist" and "The Black Book," the 

latter an August 1949 release. 

BOX OFFICE STinULATORS 

NO COST TO THEATRE 

EVERYTHINGr^NERWARE 

INTERSTATE 

THEATRE SERVICE 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNERS 


The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING INSTITUTE 



Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

lo receive information regularly, as released, on 

Ihe foUoviring subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics n Lighting Fixtures 

D Air Conditioning Plumbing Fixtures 

a Architectural Service 

^ projectors 



n Building Material 

D Carpets 

D Coin Machines 

n Complete RemodelingD Sound Equipment 

n Decorating 

Television 

n Seating 

n Signs and Marquees 

D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

n Drive-In Equipment D Vending Equipment 

POPCORN 

MACHINES 

YOUR THEATRE'S 

FEATURE ATTRACTION 

D Other 

Subjects 

Smart showmen know the extra profit to be made with 

an attractive Manley Popcorn Machine and Manley 

products. 

MANLEY 

POPCORN MACHINE 

substitute for Manley controlled 

d Manley special seasoning and 

Manley candy stripped bags and 

complete the package. 

Theatre 

Seating 

Address 

City 

Capacity 

State 

Signed 

Postage-paid reply cards for your further convenience 

in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE Section, published with the first issue of 

each month. 


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 


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 

^ Â-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

7ht Winning 

Because ofYou 99 

;., k 

A 

JOIN 

THE MARCH OF 

DIMES 

< j; 

Januarji16-31 

The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis 

FRANKLIN D 

ROOSEVELT founder 


Anchored Balloon 

Promotes 'Jolson' 

JACKSONATILLE — Florida State circuit 

boosted the first popular-price showing of 

"Jolson Sings Again" at the Florida and Arcade 

theatres into the ranks of record-breaking 

boxoffice grossers. An elaborate publicity 

campaign preceded the popular-price opening 

of the picture. 

Chief interest was centered around a 38x20- 

foot barrage balloon which cruised above the 

city at 200 feet. "Jolson Sings Again" and 

playdates were printed on the side of the 

balloon. A public address system attached 

to the front of the balloon played records 

from the new Jolson album and proved valuable 

in drawing crowds of spectators to the 

streets below. Antiaircraft lights were used 

to illuminate the balloon at night. 

Bus radio, a new means of advertising here, 

did much in putting the film over. Scheduled 

announcements at regular intervals, were 

made over the radio on the buses, reaching 

shoppers on their way to town or home. 

Several free passes were awarded on three 

ten minute radio programs which cost the 

theatres nothing. In addition to the passes, 

disk jockeys played records from the Jolson 

album during daily programs. About 240 

inches of newspaper space was allotted to 

advertise the film and a total of 220 inches 

of cooperative advertising was promoted. 

A special false front banner was hung high 

above the street between two buildings and 

a ribbon banner also was suspended the 

length of a seven-story building. Both were 

visible as far as ten blocks away. 

Window displays were placed in shop windows 

throughout the city. 

Atlanta Officials Plan 

'Boundaries' Defense 

ATLANTA—Mayor William B. Hartsfield, 

trustees of the Atlanta public library and 

Miss Christine Smith, local film censor, have 

conferred with members of the city legal department 

to plan a defense to the suit filed 

by Film Classics following the barring of 

"Lost Boundaries" in Atlanta because of racial 

issues. The trial is slated to begin early 

in January in federal court here. 

Fort Payne, Ala., Theatre 

FORT PAYNE. ALA.—The DeKalb Theatre 

is being torn down to make way for a 

new theatre. Completion is scheduled within 

four months. E. M. Box jr., is city manager 

for DeKalb Amusement Co., which also operates 

the Strand here. He said that films 

booked for the DeKalb would be shifted to 

the Strand, which has been renovated recently. 

DeKalb Amusement Co. is operated by 

Amusement Enterprises, headed by Col. E. M. 

Orr, of Albertville. 

Cocoa Gives Kid Party 

COCOA. FLA.—The State Theatre was the 

scene of the annual Christmas party for the 

children under 12 years of age. The party 

has been an event of the holiday season for 

many years. Members of the Elks lodge help 

out by presenting candy and apples to the 

children. 

Osceola, Ark., Pays Final Respects 

To Emma Cox in 

MEMPHIS—Emma Cox, who for years tried 

to conceal a soft heart beneath the hardboiled 

exterior of an 

efficient business wom- 

^^^^^W^ 

^^|^^ 

an, died last Sunday 

^HV^ m in Baptist hospital 

"B I 

Miss Emma's hard- 

'"7^ boiled exterior fooled 

. 

no one, least of all the 

children of Osceola, 

Ark., because she had 

a heart as big as the 

state of Arkansas. As 

proprietor and owner 

Emma Cox of the Gem and Joy 

theatres at Osceola, 

Miss Emma, as she was affectionally known, 

could take on more than her weight in tough 

motion picture men and come out ahead. 

Each Christmas she gave free shows with 

all the trimmings for all of her "small fry," 

as she called the children of Osceola. Also 

each year she had a big theatre party for all 

the high school graduates in Osceola and a 

handsome gift for each one. 

At the bottom of the depression, Miss Emma 

was a cashier in the Bank of Osceola. The 

owner of the Gem Theatre owed the bank 

$1,000. The banking commissioner asked her 

to take over the theatre and save the bank's 

$1,000. She did but the bank went under 

Free Show at Palmetto 

PALMETTO, FLA.—The Palmetto Theatre, 

and a group of Palmetto business and professional 

men, were hosts to the children of 

Palmetto and other communities on the north 

side of the Manatee river, at a Christmas 

theatre party. Mrs. Cameron Kay, manager, 

said: "All the childi-en had to do to see the 

show was walk in. There were no tickets or 

passes required nor any other formality to 

comply with." 

Observes Anniversary 

DUNEDIN, FLA.—The first anniversary of 

the opening of the Palms Theatre was observed 

with a special program. One of the 

regular attractions at the theatre, which has 

proved very popular with patrons, is a weekly 

organ recital at which Mrs. Jeannette Moore 

presides at the Hammond organ. Gordon 

Bennett is manager. 

Special Run Offered 

TROY, ALA.—Eddie TomberLin, manager 

of the Pike Theatre, as a pre-Christmas 

special offered to run "Buck Pi-ivates" any 

morning or afternoon for any schools that 

would like to go in as a group. 

On Full-Week Schedule 

SAFETY HARBOR, FLA. — The Harbor 

Theatre has changed to seven-day schedule, 

according to Manager Eddie Smith. On 

New Year's "The Return of DeSoto," a film 

taken locally in 1924. and "Little Women" 

were shown. 

Theatre She Ran 

anyway. The showbug had bitten Miss Emma. 

She had $60 cash and a theatre on her hands. 

She buckled down to business, however, and 

soon bought the Joy Theatre. 

Miss Emma, a frequent visitor to Memphis, 

was a member of the Tristates Theatre Owners 

and was a member of the board of directors 

at the time of her death. 

Her health began to fail about a year ago. 

She had asthma and bought an oxygen tent 

which helped some. Around Christmas she 

had another attack and doctors put her in 

the hospital. 

Her death marks the fourth in her family 

in the last two and one-half years. First, a 

nephew was killed in an air crash in Arizona. 

Then her father Hiram Cox died; then her 

brother Walter was stricken at Christmas 

time a year ago, and died. 

Born in Aurora, Ind., Miss Emma moved 

to Osceola in 1900. She leaves two nieces, 

Lorene, army nurse at Hot Springs, and 

Emma, Cox Dillahunty, who is called "Emma 

jr.," at Osceola. 

Miss Emma had so many friends, white and 

Negro, that special permission was obtained 

from the bishop to hold requiem services at 

the Gem Theatre since the St. Matthews 

Catholic church is so small. A special altar 

was built. Mass was said at the theatre 

Tuesday, with burial in Ermen cemetery. 

The theatre was filled. 

'Battleground' Leads 

Atlanta Film Trade 

ATLANTA—Trade at first run theatres 

here was the best registered in recent months. 

"Battleground" at Loew's Grand chalked up 

a lusty 122 per cent to pace local houses. 

"The Great Lover" at the Fox was close 

behind with 119 per cent. 


Fox—The Great Lover (Para) 119 

Loew's Grand—Bottleground (MGM) 

Paramount—Fighting Man o( the Plains 

122 

(20th-Fox) _ _...110 

Roxy—The Inspector General (WB), 2nd d. t. wk...l08 

Whitney Lindsey Named 

Bartow Ritz Manager 

BARTOW. FLA.—Whitney Lindsey has 

been appointed manager of the Ritz Theatre. 

He was a former manager of the Palace in 

Lakeland and has been connected with the 

Florida State Theatres for the last 17 years. 

He now becomes city manager for Bartow. 

His office will be in the Ritz. Carlton Bowden, 

former manager of the Lake, Lakeland, 

takes over at the Palace. 

Sid Landers Retires 

ZEPHYRHILLS. FLA.—Sid Landers, who 

has been managing the Home Theatre, has 

retired because of ill health. Carl Wheeler 

has been appointed to take over the management 

according to I. A. Krusen, owner. 

Set to direct "The Man With My Face" 

was Richard Wallace. 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 SE 91

. . . The 

NAT 

INTERSTATE 

THOMASVILLE 

WILLIAMS 

ENTERPRISES 

Soys: 

GA. 

"SNAKE" RICHARDSON DOESN'T NEED 

MUCH OF A TESTIMONIAL. IF I HAD 

ONLY PART OF HIS FRIENDS AND 

LESS SELF-RESPECT, I'D RUN FOR CON- 

GRESS. HE'S BEEN IN THIS RACKET 

FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WITHOUT 

STARVING OR STEALING, AND THAT 

EPITAPH CAN BE USED FOR TOO FEW 

OF THE "BIG WHEELS" IN 

LATED 

PICTORIAL PROFESSION. 

THIS PIXI- 

HE'S GOTTA PITCH 'TIL HE WINS, 

AND HE'S ONLY TRYING TO KEEP THE 

WOLF FROM HAVING PUPS ON HIS 

DOORSTEP. 

COME ON and 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

SNAKE 

GIVE! 

RICHARDSON'S 

5th 

ANNIVERSARY 

DRIVE 

FEBRUARY and 

32 

MARCH 

HART BEATS 

fj G. Spears, president of the Bailey circuit 

in Atlanta, disclosed plans for erection 

of a 650-seat house on 

West Fair street there. 

Construction will be 

started about March 1. 

The theatre will be air 

conditioned . . . Eugene 

Skinner, booker 

for the Dixie Drive-In 

Theatres, was back at 

Harry Hart 

his desk following a 

holiday trip to Jacksonville, 

Fla. . . The 

. 

new 600-car Dixie 

Drive-In at Savannah, 

Ga., was almost ready 

for its opening. 

At the Tenth Street Theatre in Atlanta. 

Manager H. E. George was beaming with 

pride over a son born December 19. He has 

young patrons at his theatre check their 

cap pistols at a desk as they enter the 

theatre. 

R. M. Avey, manager of Neighborhood 

Theatres in Atlanta told about the Christmas 

party they gave for children at ten of their 

houses. They ran 12 cartoons and a serial 

and gave each child a Scripto pen, a box of 

popcorn, two soft drinks, ice cream, comic 

books and a balloon, all for the regular admission 

price. He also said that the houses 

were knee deep in popcorn after the show. 

Roy Avey jr. of Video Theatres i Griffith i 

Oklahoma City, and his wife, son and daughter 

spent the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. 

Roy Avey sr. in Atlanta ... At the Rialto 

Theatre, Mrs. W. T. Murray was busy greeting 

patrons. She emphasizes personal contacts, 

and she has that personal touch that 

enables the Rialto to play any good show at 

least two weeks. They were playing "TeU 

It to the Judge" to a packed house. Monday, 

December 26, was the best day in their history. 

The Murrays have been operating the 

Rialto since 1932 and haven't missed a day 

except for illness in all those years. They 

return to their home on Gordon road for 

lunch every day. Mrs. Murray said that 

there was more money to be made in the 

days when you cranked the projector by hand, 

and no expensive air conditioning ate up the 

profits. 

rapher at Film Classics, on the sudden death 

of her father Albert Schindler . . . Film 

Classics gave many buyers and bookers beautiful 

desk lighters . . . "Sands of Iwo Jima" 

opened at the Saenger with a colorful ceremony. 

The band of the 10th marine battalion 

with color guard and Iwo Jima marine 

veterans participated. Mayor de Lesseps Morrison 

spoke for the city and Col. Edward L. 

Hutchinson for the marine corps. Radio 

station WSMB featured an on-spot radio 

broadcast and on-spot movies were filmed by 

John Hermann. 

Louis Prima and his Dixieland Jazz band 

are appearing on the stage of the Joy-Strand, 

together with his entire stage show from New 

York. 

;til^^" 

SOUNDHEADS 

COSTS LBSS^ 

v,i,liH,ai

YOU 

get extto 

results with 

quipment 


OIL-LESS BEARINGS 8. GEARS. The CENTURY mechanism 

is so beautifully designed it needs almost no maintenance. 




FLUnER SUPPRESSOR. Used in all Century sound-heads. 

\

. . . Claughton's 

. . Manager 

. . The 

Unequalled in performance at such 

low cost. .A conventional, rcar-shuttcr 

Simplex tyi>e mechanism with shockproof 

gears, slip-in type gate, doublehighly 

sensitive focusing device which 



Rhodes Sound & Projection 

Service 

218 East 56th Street 

Saratinah, Georgia 


BOXOFFICE WANT ADS PAY 

MIAMI 

^11 local motion picture houses were packed 

over the long holiday weekend. Local exhibitors 

outdid themselves in booking topgrade 

pictures, large ads were splashed over 

the amusement pages of all newspapers and 

the result was very satisfactory. The only 

time that theatres were virtually deserted 

was during the Orange Bowl parade which 

was the ovenvhelming downtown attraction^ of 

early New Year's eve. 

Eight Paramount and eleven Wometco theatres 

had New Year's eve midnight shows. 

The Paramount, Florida and Beach offered 

previews of "The Inspector General." "Dear 

Wife" showed at the neighborhood Cinema, 

Gables and Boulevard. "Montana" was previewed 

at the Dade. The Olympia had a special 

midnight showing of "Red, Hot and 

Blue," plus a stage show headlined by film 

Wometco's Lincoln 

actress Virginia O'Brien . . . 

and Miracle played "Dancing in the 

Dark." Tower had a prerun of "And Baby 

Makes Three." Rosetta showed "Oh, You 

Beautiful Doll." Boulevard Drive-In and the 

Essex had "Bagdad." "Tell It to the Judge" 

was at the Capitol. Miami, Town and State 

had special late shows. 

The independent Normandy started its 

New Year's eve show at 5:15 with a double 

bill. The management had free refreshments 

for patrons, including sandwiches, cakes, 

cookies, coffee, punch, cigars, candy and cigarets 

. . . The recent death of Sidney Olcott, 

director, recalled memories to George Bourke 

of the days when he worked in several of 

Olcott's Paramount productions back in the 

20s. Only oldtimers will remember that Olcott 

did what probably was the first shooting 

of a film story in Florida back in 1906 

near Jacksonville. 

Paramount's Gables and Boulevard theatres 

featured a Holiday Hollywood sneak 

preview of a romantic comedy . . . Edward 

Everett Horton will appear in Miami Beach 

January 17, in "On Approval," a legitimate 

theatre presentation at Claughton's Variety 

downtown Embassy celebrated 

its second anniversary in December. 

In honor of the occasion, all December 1949 

brides were admitted free. Only requirement 

was the showing of a marriage certificate 

at the boxoffice. 

The Tropicaire Drive-In has been showing 

one evening performance of "Gone With the 

Wind" . Walter Klements, Wometco's 

Mayfair Art, has held over "Hamlet" 

for the second time. The film is showing on 

a continuous performance policy at reduced 

prices. According to Klements, more than 

50 per cent of his patrons have seen the picture 

for the second, sometimes the third 

time. 

Bayfront Park's pigeons have caught on to 

the fact that sometimes popcorn spills out of 

the popcorn machine in front of Claughton's 

Royal. The grains scarcely hit the sidewalk 

before they are poimced upon . opening 

of "Samson and Delilah" at the Sheridan 

and Florida January 26 is being heralded 

with as much press agentry as any film ever 

to play this area. Managers Carl Jamroga 

and Jim Barnett hoped to have Hedy Lamarr 

at the opening, but she declined the invitation. 

Therefore an ad appeared in the 

classified section of the papers, seeking a local 

girl resembling Miss Lamarr. 

The Cameo in Miami Beach now boasts that 

its popcorn is being flavored with real, pure 

creamery butter . . . Arthur Price, exploitation 

head of Wometco's subsequent run and 

neighborhood theatres, is looking for a rickshaw! 

He's got half the town helping him 

hunt. The rickshaw is to be used for a ballyhoo 

in connection with a film scheduled to 

play the neighborhoods . . . Harvey Fleischman, 

district manager of Wometco's subsequent 

run and neighborhood theatres. 

Tp»oouv.rof^ôs 

pO(>COIlN//f\_ - 

^ 

6ri> 

BEE-HIVE "331" 

^K 

//? 10'lb 

Hermetically Sealed 

Cans Means 

EXTRA PROTECTION 

EXTRA CONVENIENCE 

EXTRA PROFITS / 


Set our NEW Junior In-A-Car Speaker. Unsurpassed in 

faithful reproduction. Can be tuned to suit the ear. 

Priced so that the smallest Drive-In can use them. 

Junction can be pipe. 

Box mounted V/2" 2" on or 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. K^nL'ci't'y!"!' 

Now Distributing 

NOW! Better Vision from EVERY Scot 

with ouf Amajing HVH 

S7.50 CS. 

SG.90 CS. 

BtEVlHS ^PCORM VILLAGE; N , „« 

In 

Memphis Film Area 

Write ior Details 

TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPPLY 

320 So. Second, Memphis. Term. 

34 BOXOFnCE January 7, 1950

. . . The 

. . Leo 

— 

thought of a way to help famihes with children 

and "guests" celebrate New Year's eve, 

via aj-rangements to permit groups, families 

and friends forming a earful to enjoy an evening's 

entertainment for one price. The slogan 

for the New Year's eve admission to the 

Boulevard Drive-In was "Just one price" . . . 

District Manager Harvey Fleischman also 

was asking everybody where a couple of 

walkie-talkies could be located. 

Ted Beib of the Rosetta is father of a new 

son . . . The Miami Di-ive-In, oldest of the 

outdoor type in this area, has started work 

on its new concession building and soon will 

install in-car speakers. Other new equipment 

will be added later . . . Wometco's Biltmore 

and Parkway are showing "Everybody Does 

It." The picture is called a "guaranteed picture" 

aiid any patron who "honestly does not 

like it" may ask for a ticket to some future 

show. 

Wanda Hendrix, Florida girl known to 

many here, told George Bourke she thought 

the unseen head which Bob Montgomery was 

supposed to have in a hatbox in "Night Must 

Fall," should be one of the immortals of the 

screen. This gave Bourke an idea for a 

year's best pick. He nominates the unseen 

Edward in "Edward, My Son," for an Academy 

award. 

The Sunday Miami Daily News prints a 

weekly seven-column spread of some outstanding 

picture playing the area. Latest was 

"The Red Danube." The spread consists of 

stills from the film with cut lines which give 

a capsule review of the action . Carrillo, 

film actor, had his picture taken by the 

Miami Beach News bureau, dining at a local 

restaurant. 

CHARLOTTE 

•Phe appeal by the H. B. Meiselman Theatres 

from a decision issued by Judge Wilson 

Warlick on the Meiselman request for an injunction 

against seven film distributors and 

two theatre chains, is scheduled to be heard 

in the foui-th circuit court of appeals now in 

session here. Warlick declined to enjoin 

distributors from licensing films for exhibition 

to other theatres unless an equivalent 

number was made available to the Meiselman 

Center here. The current court session is 

scheduled to run through January 13. 

The Variety Club held its annual New Year's 

party in the balU'oom of the Charlotte hotel 

December 31. Music was by a local orchestra. 

Gene Dyer and Ray Erwin were in charge 

world premiere of "Malaya" was held 

in Greensboro. December 27 . . . The first 

Carolinas showing of "Sands of Iwo Jima" 

was held at the Carolina Theatre this week. 

The Variety Club held its annual bowl 

party in the clubrooms January 2. Club 

members heard football bowl games broadcast. 

Refreshments were furnished by the club. 

Named Drive-In Manager 

AUBURN, ALA.—The new manager of the 

Auburn-Opelika Drive-In Theatre is Ed 

Drake, an Alabama Polytechnic Institute 

graduate and former manager of the Ritz in 

Opelika, Ala. The office of the theatre, recently 

purchased by the Martin circuit, will 

be moved from Opelika to Auburn. The theatre 

is completing a remodeling program, 

which includes a new ramp, exit lights and a 

rebuilt concession stand. 

Flames Ruin Theatre 

In Cleveland, Tenn. 

CLEVELAND, TENN.—Tlie Bohemia Theatre 

here was virtually destroyed by fire. 

Manager Woodrow Hawk said it would take 

two to three months to repair the damage. 

The tire originated in the furnace room beneath 

the theatre stage. A photographic 

studio on the second floor was badly damaged. 

Hawk said flames destroyed the screen, 

practically ruined all of the seats, and penetrated 

the projection room, damaging much 

of the equipment. 

Broken Gas Line Found 

Behind Burned Theatre 

HOLLY SPRINGS, MISS. — Mayor Sam 

Coopwood reported that workmen dug up 

what may be a clue in the recent Holly Theatre 

blast and fire which killed three persons. 

The mayor said a broken two-inch natural 

gas line was found behind the Holly Theatre 

which was destroyed by blast and fire December 

15. Mayor Coopwood ordered It unearthed. 

The mayor said: "Engineers said the pipe 

could have been broken by the explosion or 

a falling wall." 

Dr. and Mrs. H. R. Davidson and their 4- 

year-old son, Russell, were killed in their 

apartment upstairs next door to the Cheatre 

during the blast and fire. 

Fire Causes $8,000 Damage 

At Sycamore, Ala., Theatre 

SYCAMORE, ALA.—Damage of more than 

$8,000 resulted when fire struck the Sycamore 

Theatre here. The estimate was made 

by Harry McGowan, operator of the house. 

He said that the loss was not covered by insurance. 

The fire caused a total damage of more 

than $25,000. 

Berryville, Ark., Ozark 

Suffers $26,000 Loss 

BERRYVILLE, ARK.—A fire at the Ozark 

Theatre here early Friday morning is said to 

have caused $26,000 damage. The first was 

brought under control before it spread to adjoining 

buildings. The house had recently 

undergone remodeling. John Long is manager 

of the theatre. 

CHICAGO 

1327 S. Wobosh 

NO PERFORATIONS: 20% More Light and Better Vision 

CYCLSRAMIC 

Magic Screen 

of the Future 

-NOW! 

' 

Custom Screen 

•Patent applied for 

FROM 

FILMACK 

NEW YORK 

619 W. 54fh St. 

NOISELESS 

POPCORN BAGS 

No rustle, no crackle, no pop. 

1/2 lb. size @ $2.75 per 1,000, 

1 lb. size @ $3.75 per 1,000, 

11/2 lb. size @ $3.90 per 1,000, 

now available. Prices are in case lols 

of 4,000. Smaller lots 20c per 1,000 more. 

KERNEL PRUNTY SAYS: 

Ask for my latest pricelist of Rush Hour, 

Silver Hulless and Golden Hulless Popcorn. 

Also list of 7 kinds popcorn cartons 

and 26 kinds of popcorn bags. Star 

Popcorn Machines—Peanut Roasters 

Food Serving Equipment. 

PRUNTY SEED & GRAIN 

CO. 

620 North 2nd St. St. Louis 2. Mo. 

—In our 76th year - Popcorn Processors 

AMERICAN DESK 

MANUFACTURING COMPANY 

Manufacturers of Theatre Seating 

Mr. W. A. PrewiH, Jr., 223 South Liberty St. 

Orleans, La. Ph: TULane 1101 

JOE HORNSTEIN. Inc. 

714 N. E. First Avenue Miami, Florida 

BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950 95

. . Florence 

. . Charlie 

. . William 

. . Eimice 

. . 

Queen Colleen Wins ATLANTA 

Willie' Publicity 

MIAMI—Local theatres were virtually deserted 

Monday (21 while the Orange Bowl 

parade was staged on downtown streets. 

Colleen Townsend, 20th-Fox starlet who was 

named Sweetheart of the Orange Bowl, rode 

on the first float in the parade. She was 

brought here for personal appearances at the 

Miami, Lincoln and Miracle theatres where 

"When Willie Comes Marching Home" worldpremiered 

December 30. 

She saw the picture for the first time herself, 

when she was escorted to the Miami by 

Herb Rau, Miami Daily News amusements 

editor. 

Miss Townsend's photograph was frontpaged 

by the three local newspapers and additional 

pictures were used, along with ream 

of stories in many sections of the papers 

throughout the holidays. Sonny Shepherd, 

who had been looking for a young man named 

Willie who would fulfill certain requirements, 

was practically swamped by calls from Willies 

who wanted a date with the starlet. 

William Hawkins, university student, finally 

got the coveted assignment. 

Miss Townsend proved a popular Hollywood 

emissary. Grace Wing of the News in 

a feature story said, "If you're inclined to 

shake your head in despair over the publiciaed 

doings of Hollywood's younger crowd, 

you would feel better after a chat with Colleen 

Townsend." 

A Bui-dine's department store ad carried 

a picture of Miss Townsend with the announcement 

that she would appear in person 

in the store. The ad mentioned the picture 

premiere and the theatres at which it opened. 

Miss Townsend stopped traffic downtown 

in front of the Miami Theatre when she was 

given the key to tfie city by Mayor William 

Wolfarth. She arrived at the theatre at the 

head of a small parade led by the Boys' Drum 

and Bugle corps. 

AH local exchange managers and bookers 

were guests of H. P. Rhodes of Dixie 

Drive-In Theatres at a Christmas party at 

the Variety Club . Moore has been 

appointed manager of the Wil-Kin Theatre 

Supply Co. branch here . Richardson, 

Astor Pictures of Georgia president, was 

on a business trip to Alabama . . . Sue Bailey 

of Exhibitors Service was a patient at a local 

hospital. 

Ralph McCoy, Film Classics branch manager, 

returned from a visit in Missouri . 

Jimmy Bello, Astor salesman, left for a sales 

trip in Tennessee teiTitory . . . Margaret 

Russell has joined the Wil-Kin Theatre Supply 

Co. staff . . . Bill Haines, former United 

Artists salesman here and now in Indianapolis, 

was a visitor . . . Johnnie Harrell of 

Martin Theatres, Columbus, Ga., celebrated 

his birthday. 

Bob Tarwater, Eagle Lion branch manager, 

and Grover Parsons, district manager, returned 

from Tennessee . Hackabee 

has resigned from the staff of the Atlanta 

Booking Agency . . . Mel Brown, head of the 

Peachtree Art Theatre, disclosed that the 

company soon will start construction of a 

The Dekalb 

drive-in near Doraville, Ga. . . . 

Theatre at Ft. Payne, Ala., will be closed soon 

for remodeling, according to T. E. Orr, head 

of Amusement Enterprises, Albertsville, Ala. 

Theatre operators who were booking and 

buying on Pilmi-ow included Harry Willoughby, 

Hueytown, Hueytown, and Frank Merritt, 

Acme Amusement Co., Birmingham, Ala.; 

Ebb Duncan and Clyde Sampler, Sampler & 

Duncan Theatres, Carrollton, and P. L. Taylor, 

Dixie Theatres, Columbus, Ga., and Mr. 

and Mrs. Hap Barnes. Drive-In, Knoxville, 

Tenn. . Chamblee of the Film 

Classics staff celebrated her birthday. 

O.C.Wren Buys Theatres 

MEMPHIS—O. G. Wren has bought the 

Lyric and Lil theatres, Mena, Ark. 

book in Memphis. 

Model 4570 Hi- Intensity 

ARC LAMPS 

Projection 

costs uss 

That's riRht ! Costs less than any lamp 

anywhere nearly approaching it in 

quality. HaniUes from 4.1 to 7

. . Earl 

. . U-Ark 

. . Robert 

. . From 

MEMPHIS 

n mold Savereide, manager at the Kay Film 

exchange, spent the hohdays in East Tallassee, 

Ala. . . . Martha Senter, stenographer 

at 20th-Fox. made a holiday trip to Norfolk, 

Va. . Hartzog, salesman for Warners, 

. . N. B. 

is vacationing in Havana, Cuba . 

Blount, manager of the Monarch Theatre 

Supply Co., made a business trip into the 

northeast Arkansas and Missouri. 

J. M. Olsen has purchased the Mel Theatre, 

Kensett, Ark., from H. C. Melton and 

will book and buy in Memphis . . . Lyle Richmond, 

owner, has closed Missouri Theatre, 

Senath, Mo., until spring . B. Lowrey, 

owmer, has closed his Skyvue Drive-In 

at Jonesboro, Ark., for the winter ... A private 

showing for the press and radio was 

held at Paramount's screening room of Walt 

Disney's "Cinderella." 

. . . G. C. 

. 

"Pinky," race relations film approved by 

Menaphis censors, opened at Loew's Palace 

January 7. Since the Palace has no seats 

for Negroes, a simultaneous opening at the 

New Daisy Theatre on Beale Street, exclusive 

for Negroes, was arranged 

Tipton closed his New Theatre, Monette, Ark., 

for the winter Theatre, Payetteville. 

Ark., closed briefly for repairs, was reopened 

January 4 . . . Joyce and Loyce Small. 

Memphis' famous dancing twins, have winter 

engagements at theatres in Fort Smith and 

Oklahoma City. 

W. F. Ruffin sr., head of Ruffin Amusements 

Co., Covington; Louise Mask, Luez, 

Bolivar, and Harry Shaw, Webb, Ripley, were 

among Tennessee exhibitors on Filmrow. 

W. C. Kroeger, Shannon and Maxon, Portageville. 

Mo., was in town . Mississippi 

came Jack Watson, Palace, Tunica; 

J. C. Bonds, Von, Hernando; Howard Langford, 

Folly, Marks; A. N. Rossie, Roxy, Clarksdale; 

Charles Eudy, Ackerman at Ackerman 

and Houston at Houston; Mi-, and Mrs. Billy 

Green, Green, Jonestown; Fitz Ferris, Harlem, 

Clarksdale, and J. F. Adams, Tate, Coldwater. 

Mrs. Mattie Elizabeth Williams, Lucy, 

Tenn., has filed suit for $5,000 against the 

NOW DISTRIBUTING 

EXCLUSIVELY 

LORRIUNE 

CARBONS 

In Memphis Film Area 

Wfife for trial trim — State size. 

TRISTATE THEATRE SUPPLY 

318 So. Second St. 

Memphis, Tenn. 

MONARCH 

THEATRE SUPPLY, Inc. 

492 So. Second SI. 

Memphis. 

RECORD CATCH—Four sailfish and a 

world record are included in the catch 

made by Russell Holder, president of 

Rockwood Amusement Co., and Jim Blevins, 

mayor of Popcorn Village. The albacore 

tuna held by Blevins weighed 22 ^4 

pounds and set an alltime record. It was 

hooked from Capt. Jack Weygant's Amigo 

off Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

Strand Theatre in Memphis, charging that 

she was injured October 7 when a rug in the 

balcony caught the heel of her shoe and 

caused her to fall . . . Manager Elliott Johnson, 

Malco, arranged for marine veterans of 

the battle for Iwo Jima and all marines holding 

decorations to be guests at the Malco 

for "Sands of Iwo Jima," current Malco attraction. 

Arkansas exhibitors in Memphis booking 

included H. W. Pickens, Lyle, Carlisle; K. K. 

King. Rialto and Plaza, Searcy; J. F. Singleton, 

Tyro, Tyronza; Clifford Nicks, Skylark 

Drive-In, Newport; Mrs. H. L. Love, By-Lo 

at Bono and Egypt at Egypt; C. W. Tipton, 

Tipton, Monette; G. W. "Dink" Jones. Busby- 

Jones circuit, Little Rock; Mr. and Mrs. J. D. 

Lowrey, Lowrey at Russellville and the Park 

and Plaza at Bentonville; W. E. Ringger, Gem 

at Leachville and Gem at Lake City; Alvin 

Tipton, New, Manila, Monette and Caraway; 

L. C. Carter, State, Stevens, and Benny B. 

Huffer, Clinton, Clinton. 

Walter Kirkham, Commonwealth, Kansas 

City, was on the Row booking for Arkansas 

theatres. He is pinch-hitting for L. J. Lenhart, 

well-known in Memphis, who has undergone 

an operation in a Kansas City hospital. 

The Malco Theatre will present a variety 

vaudeville show February 2 along with its 

regular picture for that week. Manager Elliott 

Johnson announces. This will be Malco's 

third vaudeville show since its new policy of 

occasional vaudeville w'as started October 1 

. . . Five dowTitown first run theatres—Loew's 

State, Loew's Palace, Malco, Strand and Warner—offered 

something new to start 1950. 

All except the Strand held midnight shows 

both Satui'day and Sunday nights. The 

Strand, instead, gave four shows for Saturday 

night. 

Of widespread interest in theatre circles 

here was the marriage last week at Madison 

Heights Methodist church of Barbara Cullins, 

daughter of Mr. and Mi-s. James Elmo 

Cullins, to William D. Headden, son of Mrs. 

Henry Headden and the late Dr. Headden. 

The bride's father is a well-known theatreman. 

New Florida Opened 

In West Palm Beach 

WEST PALM BEACH — Proceeds of the 

opening night presentation of "The Heiress" 

at the new Florida Theatre here were contributed 

to the Empty Stocking fund of the Salvation 

Army here. Tickets for the formal 

debut of the Florida State circuit 871-seat 

house sold at a minimum of $2. 

Kemp, Bunch & Jackson of Jacksonville 

were the architects and the Caldwell-Scott 

Construction Co. of New York and Fort 

Lauderdale, erected the building. The theatre 

is of contemporary design, decorated in 

luxurious tropical colors, with landscaped 

grounds. In order to meet the specifications 

for definite types and shapes of palms, ferns 

and other floral items, technicians of the 

Island Landscape Co. found it necessary to 

go into the heart of the Everglades to procure 

some of them. This company landscaped 

the Hialeah race track, widely known for its 

beauty. 

Continuity is preserved by large areas of 

glass and free flowing surfaces. One wall in 

the lobby has been covered with a mural depicting 

the water front of Palm Beach, executed 

by Phil Brinkman, well-known local 

artist. 

In the lobby the candy bar has a black 

granite counter top and mosiac tile front. 

The lobby furnitm-e is of \\Tought iron with 

upholstered seats and backs covered in 

plastic. 

Tlie marquee ceiling is a plastic egg-crate. 

Cold cathode tubes above these panels give 

the illusion of one large luminous ceiling. 

The shape of the auditorium was designed 

to give the finest acoustics possible, the side 

walls being broken into vertical panels so 

that no two surfaces would be parallel. Individual 

hearing aids have been installed in a 

number of seats. 

One of the outstanding decorative features 

is a huge elaborate grand drape. This has 

been designed as a decorative feature as well 

as a vital part of the acoustic control. It is 

one of the largest ever to be installed anywhere 

in the south. Running 200 feet from 

end to end and reaching from the ceiling 

almost to the floor, over 2,500 yards of tropical 

fabrics went into it. It was installed by the 

Knoxville Scenic Studios of Knoxville, Tenn. 

The blending of its well chosen colors with 

the decorative scheme of the auditorium, 

makes for something unusually beautiful. 

George Baldwin has been appointed manager 

of the new theatre. Jack Fitzwater is 

district manager for Florida State Theatres. 

Jackson, Term.. Star 

Will Open Tuesday 

JACKSON, TENN.—The new 530-seat Star 

Theatre will be opened here January 10. A 

completely new brick building, the Star is 

owned by D. D. Spitzer and has the latest 

equipment furnished by Tri-state Theatre 

Supply Co. of Memphis. 

Clearwater, Fl'a., Theatre Improved 

CLEARWATER, FLA.—The Capitol Theatre 

presented an entirely new interior to patrons 

who attended the pre-Christmas reopening. 

Manager George Zane related the 

theatre was closed for a week while a new 

concrete floor was laid, opera style seats with 

airfoam cushions were installed and the interior 

repainted. 


Toronto Tent Elects 

New Crew for 1950 

Powell Back to England 

With Production Data 

TORONTO—Michael Powell of 

the British 

producing team of Powell and Emeric Pressbuiger 

returned to England after a visit here 

TORONTO—Only five canvasmen were returned 

to office for 1950 at the annual elections 

to check on prospective production plans in 

of Variety Tent 28 here, at the recent Canada. Powell made no definite announce- 

meeting attended by 90 members. The meeting 

ment on the outcome of his conferences but 

saw the last appearance of J. J. ntzgibment 

bons as chief barker, and he was accorded a 

tremendous ovation for his accomplishments 

during his two years In that post. 

said he would confer with associates at London 

and return to Toronto in a month's time. 

It is understood that Powell stopped off in 

Ottawa on his return journey to discuss production 

Morris Stein, assistant chief barker, gave 

plans with officials of the Canadian 

the final report on the benefit performance government, but there was no confirmation. 

in the Toronto Imperial, which showed net 

revenue of $30,708 for the Variety occupational 

training school for crippled boys. Stein, 

chairman of the heart fund, estimated that 

the school, when completed, would represent 

a total investment of $400,000, all of which 

Simon Meretsky, 70, 

Retires at Windsor 

had been raised by the club's special events WINDSOR, ONT.—Simon Meretsky, circuit 

head who is retiring from business, was 

and by individual donations. 

The newly elected club directorate: Raymond 

Allen, Premier Operating: Jack Ar- 

Windsor chain at a Christmas party. In a 

honored by 300 members of his Paramountthur 

and R. W. Bolstad, Famous Players; farewell speech to his staff, Meretsky, now 

Ernest Bushnell, Canadian Broadcasting 

Corp.; J. J. Chisholm, Associated Screen 

News: Dave Griesdorf, Odeon Theatres: Stan 

E. Gosnell, Loew's Uptown; Ernest Rawley, 

manager. Royal Alexandra; Morris Stein, 

Famous Players; William Summerville jr., 

B&F Theatres, and J. W. Ziegler, Toronto 

Baseball club. 

downtown properties. Meretsky paid tribute 

The five re-elected directors were Stein, to his wife Nellie, stating that she has been 

Chisholm. Griesdorf, Rawley and Summerville. 

"the sparkplug In my life." They will have 

The three chaplains of the club are been married 50 years in 1951. 

Rabbi A. L. Feinberg, Rev. Father G. J. Cherrier 

and Rev. W. Johnston. 

New officers will be chosen at the first Odeon Defers Dividend 

meeting of the board. There has been considerable 

LONDON—The directors of Odeon Thegibbons. 

speculation as to a successor to Fitzatres 

have decided to defer payment of the 

In line for elevation to the chair dividend due December 31 on the 6 per cent 

cumulative preference stock until accounts 

is Morris Stein, first assistant chief barker. 

Both he and Jack Chisholm, second assistant for the year to June 1949 are available, the 

chief barker, are expected to be promoted to Financial Times reports. Odeon Associated, 

higher office. 

New appointments as property master and 

Odeon Properties, Provincial Cinematograph 

and Associated Provincial Picture Houses are 

doughguy will be necessary, because these paying preference dividends on the usual 

office holders were among the six who were dates. 

not returned to the board. 

70, disclosed that he would remain on the job 

until January 15 as an adviser to his successor. 

Famous Players Canadian Corp. acquired 

control of the six theatres January 2. 

Meretsky opened his first theatre here in 

1915. Since that time his Interests have expanded 

into the present chain and various 

Five Calgary Houses 

Open After Dispute 

CALGARY—Five of the eight local theatres 

here have been reopened after having been 

closed several days because of a dispute between 

owners and projectionists on wages 

and hours. While the boothmen have returned 

to work, their contracts yet remain to 

be signed. Since both the theatre owners 

and the projectionists have taken conciliatory 

attitude, there is no doubt that verbal agreements 

will be confirmed. 

The five theatres closed included the Isis, 

Kinema, Tivoli, Plaza and Crescent. Also involved 

in the dispute but remaining open were 

the Strand, Variety and Hitching Post, the 

last being the new house which shows only 

western films. Glen Peacock, owner of the 

Isis, had declared that he would employ nonunion 

projectionists if the strike were not 

settled promptly. The Strand, Variety and 

Hitching Post are operated by K. M. Leach, 

associate of the FPC circuit. An earlier 

agreement granted a 50 per cent wage Increase 

and shorter hours at the three houses. 

Trouble between theatre owners and projectionists 

arose when the labor department 

of the Alberta provincial government issued 

a ruling allowing only one man in a booth 

instead of two in large cities. The ruling was 

made effective by small suburban houses 

upon which the two-man order had been a 

financial burden. 

Auction of Cowboy Outfit 

Boosts 'Man' in Halifax 

HALIFAX—At the Garrick here. 

Manager 

Doug Smith went out shooting for "Fighting 

Man of the Plains." Communication was 

established with Randolph Scott, star of the 

picture, who agreed to furnish the scarf, shirt 

and belt he used in making the saddle saga, 

for auctioning to the highest bidder. Receipts 

from the auction were donated to a 

fund providing food for poor people. 

Two Showmen Play Santa 

For Needy in St. John 

ST. JOHN—Two maritime theatremen were 

active in the Santa role during the yule season. 

Mitchell Franklin, vice-president of 

Franklin & Herschorn, dormed the red and 

white uniform, and the whiskers and drove 

his car containing big bags of toys, games, 

eats, etc., to houses in St. John for distribution. 

He has been doing this for some years 

and is believed to be the only car piloting 

Santa in the maritimes. 

At Halifax, Ned Murray, manager of the 

Gaiety, christened a new Santa outfit by 

handing out gifts at the Kent, Spryfield, 

Armview and Gaiety, all of the Walker chain. 

He also officiated for the Family club at its 

annual Christmas tree party for the orphaned 

and deserted children at St. Joseph's 

orphanage. 

'Vanishes' Is Reissued 

TORONTO — "The Lady Vanishes" made a 

fresh start in Canada as a reissued production 

with a week's engagement at the Hollywood, 

key theatre of the Allen chain, where 

Manager W. R. Watt reported substantial 

patronage. 

New Victoria af Toronto Emerges 

As Art House After Renovation 

TORONTO—For the third time in its colorful 

career, the Victoria Theatre in the 

heart of Toronto's business section had a 

spectacular opening for the Canadian premiere 

of "Samson and Delilah" at prices 

scaled to $1.20. 

The Victoria had its first opening Aug. 1, 

1910, as the bigtime vaudeville center operated 

by the late Jerry Shea. Many of the great 

names of stage and variety halls appeared 

under the two-a-day policy. In the '20s motion 

pictures were combined with vaudeville 

and eventually the house was closed following 

the opening of the larger Shea's Hippodrome, 

now Famous Players' Shea's. 

During the last war, the Victoria again 

was operated by Famous Players for a number 

of special attractions and as a film theatre, 

only to be closed last June reportedly 

for conversion into a television theatre. 

With a handsome new marquee, pushback 

seats, smart furnishings, concert organ, new 

floors and carpets and an independent lighting 

generator, the Victoria has taken a new 

lease on life as a class theatre for the showing 

of high-quality film productions. The 

prices are $1.20 for evenings, 75 cents for the 

matinee and 50 cents for children, tax included. 

"Samson and Delilah" is being presented 

five times daily. The manager is 

Russell M. McKibbin and his assistant is 

William Lynch. 

The opening was preceded by a special 

screening of the feature for 1,200 guests. 

At the premiere, TWA hostesses pinned 

orchids, flown from Hawaii, on the women 

guests. Premier Frost of Ontario, Mayor 

McCallum of Toronto and Dr. Sidney Smith, 

president of the University of Toronto, were 

among the guests. 

Others present included J. J. Fitzgibbon, 

head of Famous Players Canadian; Earl Lawson, 

president of Odeon Theatres; Nat Taylor, 

booker; Herb Allen, Sam Bloom, Sam 

Fine, Hy Bossln, Miss Ray Lewis, Gordon 

Llghtstone, Haskell Masters, Charles Chaplin, 

Arthur Silverstone and Leo Devaney. 

BOXOFnCE January 7. 1950 K 99

. . Edgar 

—— 

— 

— 

— 

MONTREAL 

/Quietness prevailed along Filmrow during 

^Christmas week, but festivities were not 

neglected as the New Year approached. Because 

New Year's day fell on Sunday, Consolidated 

Theatres, which operates Loew's, 

the Palace, the Capitol, the Princess and the 

Orpheum first run theatres on St. Catharine 

street and the Imperial on Bleury street, 

canceled its plans to hold midnight shows 

New Year's eve as it has done for several 

years. Quebec law requires that no theatre 

performances be given before 1 p. m. Sundays 

thus effectively excluding Saturday midnight 

showings. 

The Associated Screen News, all-Canada 

short "Canadian Headlines of 1949," which 

combines a series of topflight newsreel stories 

of the year, was shown on the same bill with 

"The Wizard of Oz" at the Capitol, and 

brought much appreciative comment . . . Joe 

Louis Blouin, checker at the Montreal Posters, 

was back at work after a three-month 

illness. New clerks at Montreal Poster are 

John DiMambro and George Turner 

Ruby Rabinovitch, United Artists booker, 

spent the New Year weekend at the Vermont 

hotel, Ste. Agathe . Hamel will open 

a Foto deal January 19 at the Broadway 

Theatre, Montreal East, which is owned by 

Napoleon Courtemanche, mayor of the municipality. 

Eva Bouchard, heroine of Louis Hemon's 

famous Fi'ench-Canadian novel "Maria Chapdelaine" 

and the film of that name, died 

Christmas eve at Chicoutimi, not far from 


COSTS cess 

No equipment offers more in value for 

such low cost. Complete sound systems 






J. M. Rice & Company 

202 Canada Building 

Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada 


Peribonca, scene of the story . . . Juveniles 

who normally are not allowed to enter motion 

picture theatres in the province of Quebec 

were, by special permission of the attorney 

general, allowed to see "The Wizard of 

Oz" at the Capitol during its two-week holi- 

Ann Scott, vaudevillian 

day engagement . . . 

known as "Scotland's Bright and Bonnie 

Mite," starred at the Gayety here following 

her successful debut at the Biltmore, New 

York. 

One of the most attractive Christmas cards 

this year was that sent by Ernie Roberts, 

public relations director of Associated Screen 

News, depicting a winter view of Sherbrooke 

street here in 1880, when horse-drawn sleighs 

were the only vehicles. 

J. R. Ralph, formerly director of distribution 

for Canada's National Film Board, has 

been appointed representative of the British 

Film Institute to the 1951 Festival of Britain. 

Ralph, a New Zealander who came to Canada 

in 1927, expressed the hope that the best 

Canadian films will be shown during the festival 

. . . That dramatic talent frequently runs 

in the family is illustrated by the 1949 Ronald 

Goddard Memorial award. It goes to 

Peter Donat of Kentville, Nova Scotia, a 

fourth-year arts student at Acadia university, 

Wolfville, and a nephew of the film 

star Robert Donat. Peter is using the cash 

award to study motion picture production 

and dramatics in New York City during the 

holidays . . . S. Alexander Mackay has been 

appointed educational director in Toronto for 

Associated Screen News. 

Peggy Goodin, a Montreal girl and former 

student at McGill. and already noted as a 

novelist, has sold the film rights to her second 

novel, "Take Care of My Little Girl" to 

20th-Fox for $30,000. Her first novel, "Clementine" 

became a best-seller and was made 

into "Mickey" by Eagle Lion. She is now 

at work on a tihird novel. 

Video by Summer of 1951 

Is Seen for Montreal 

MONTREAL—Montreal residents may look 

forward to a complete television service by 

the midsummer of 1951, J. A. Ouimet, chief 

engineer and coordinator of television for the 

Canadian Broadcasting Corp., told members 

of the Rotary club of Westmount here. 

"If everything goes according to schedule, 

you can count on it for mid- 1951 and certainly 

before your children go back to school in 

the fall," Ouimet said. 

He explained in detail the functions of television 

services now operating in other countries 

and said the CBC has decided to follow 

the pattern set by the United States. He 

said that the close proximity of the two 

countries, with so much in common in so 

many fields of endeavor, made it- desirable to 

adopt the type of equipment and engineering 

facilities now being used there. 

1949 Newsreel Released 

TORONTO—A timely release through Empire-Universal 

Films is the yearend topical 

ten-minute short subject, "Canadian Headhnes 

of 1949," produced by Associated Screen 

News. The news clips featured the Noronic 

disaster at Toronto, sport classics, political 

events and important celebrations. 

'On the Town' Grosses 

140 Top in Toronto 

TORONTO — Theatre traffic rose sharply 

for the New Year's season with extra performances. 

The regular attractions at Shea's, 

Nortown, Capitol and Loew's were featured 

at the midnight shows but other managers 

brought in pictures booked for futmre engagements. 

Holdovers included "Prince of Foxes" 

at two theatres, "The Great Lover" at the 

Imperial and "Bagdad" at the Uptown. 


Biltmore—Back to Balaan (RKO); The Arizonian 

(RKO), reissues - - 100 

Hyland—The Chiltem Hundreds (EL), 2nd wk 95 

Imperial—The Great Lover (Para), 2nd wk 110 

Loev/'s-On the Town (MGM) 140 

(EL) Odeon and Fairlawn—The Gay Lady 115 

Shea's, Nortown and CcJpitol Alnrays Leave 

Them Laughing (WB) 130 

Tivoli—Oh, You Beautiiul Doll (20th-Fox), Take 

It or Leave It (20th-Fox), reissues 105 

University and Eglinton Prince of Foxes (20th- 

Fox), 2nd wk 95 

Uptown—Bagdad (U-I), 2nd wk 95 

Viclcria—Samson and Delilah (Pcira), advanced 

prices 

No average 

Vancouver Grosses Rise; 

All Do Good Business 

VANCOUVER — Theatremen were singing 

happy days again. All dowTitowners did capacity 

business with a crop of ace pictures. 

- Good 

"Lost Boundaries" was a record-breaker at 

the Studio. "The Great Lover" at the Capitol 

also was a leader, with "Prince of Foxes" at 

the Strand also good. 

Capitol—The Great Lover (Para) Very good 

Cmema—Neptune's Daughter (MGM), The Secret 

Garden (MGM) Good 

Dominion—It's a Great Feeling (WB). She Wore 

a Yellow Ribbon (RKO) Good 

Orpheum—Challenge to Lassie (MGM) Good 

Paradise Deputy Marshal (Rep); Angels in 

Disguise (Mono) Good 

Flaza and Hastings Ahboti and Costello Meet 

- the Killer (U-I) Good 

Strand—Prince of Foxes (20th-Fox) Good 

Stale Northwest Stampede (EL), plus stage 

show 

S udic Lost Boundaries (IFD) Very good 

Vogue—The Wizard of Oz (MGM), reissue, 

2nd wk _ Fair 

Capacity Holiday Business 

At All Calgary Theatres 

CALGARY—Hopes of exhibitors were ful- 

during the holiday season, amusements 

filled 

doing top business after a heavy Christmas 

shopping spree. After the ending of the strike 

at five houses, theatre capacities of the city 

were taxed to the utmost. With the mercury 

hovering aroimd 10 below, lineups were very 

short. Theatres managed to pack waiting patrons 

into passages and foyers. AH motion 

pictures were top attractions. 

Capitol—The Great Lover (Para) Excellent 

Grand—Ichabod and Mr. Toad (RKO) Excellent 

Palace—Prince of Foxes (20th-Fox) Very good 

Strand—It's a Great Feeling (WB) Very good 

Fight Proposed Sign Law 

TORONTO—Theatremen here have appealed 

to the Motion Picture Theatre Ass'n 

of Ontario for help in combating a move by 

the civic works committee to prohibit overhanging 

signs on a portion of Yonge and 

Front streets here. Many such signs have 

been removed for construction of the new 

subway and city fathers plan to prevent their 

restoration. 

Slated for Starring Roles 

William Holden, Wanda Hendrix and 

Nancy Olson are slated for starring roles in 

the Paramount picture, "Union Station." 

100 BOXOFTICE January 7, 1950

. . . About 

. . Indications 

. . Two 

. . The 

. . Manager 

. . 

. . 

ST. 

JOHN 

lis a climax to a Sunday night concert in 

the Oxford, HaUfax, Manager Leo P. 

Charlton returned a check which had been 

given him as rental for the theatre. The 

refund was made to the Knights of Columbus, 

who gave the concert for silver collection 

with receipts allotted for charitable work. 

The rent check was added to the receipts. 

The concert brought standing room only 

crowds. 

Paintings donated by J. M. Franklin to the 

Hebrew university in Israel, were boxed at 

the Mayfair and started on the long journey 

to Jerusalem. The art work was from a collection 

in the Franklin apartment in the 

Mayfair building . are that 

light-fingered gentry which have been making 

inroads on the fancy pencils on sale in the 

lobby of the Vogue, Halifax, will get a stiff 

jail term when caught. A very wide range 

of items is offered for sale in addition to 

meals and fountain service. 

Freeman Skinner reproduced a typed letter 

from George Rich of station CJCH in behalf 

of "The Red Danube," premiered at the 

Paramount, Halifax . 

boys, 16 and 17, 

charged with attempting to break into the 

Empire here after midnight, were released 

on a one-year jail sentence suspension. 

Vincent Mudge, local projectionist, has been 

training a member of the Sisters of Charity 

to operate a projector recently supplied to 

St. Patrick's orphanage in suburban St. John 

25 men and women went from the 

Model 4570 Hi-Intensify Projection 

ARC LAMPS 

COSTS USS 

That's right ! Costs less than any lamp 

an V where nearly approach inR it in 

quality. Handles from 4.-| to "U amperes 

... all the liRht you need for any 

picture . . . hiack anrl white, or color. 

No mechanical changes required for 

the transition from 4."i to "H amperes. 

Hugged, efficient, easy to operate. 

"Also Quonset Theatre Buildings. Luxurious Theatre 

Choirs and complete theatre service by competent 

sound and projection engineers." 

Perkins Electric Co., Ltd. 

2027 Bleury Si.. Montreal 

227 Victoria St., Toronto 


Capitol, Hartland, N. B., to the ice-sealed St. 

John river nearby, and were baptized in a 

hole broken in the ice. Religious services are 

held each Sunday afternoon and evening in 

the theatre. 

One of the first coin-operated carbonated 

beverage machines installed in maritime theatre 

lobbies is at the Regent here. It is of 

decorative design, and on the opposite side 

of the lobby from the candy case . . . Mrs. 

Emma Fournier of St. Leonard, N. B., one of 

the few women to operate a theatre in the 

maritimes, runs a restaurant in the same 

building. Mrs. Fournier draws from both 

sides of the St. John river, which is the Canada-U.S. 

dividing line. Van Buren, Me., is 

on the U.S. side. Mrs. Fournier had a building 

erected several years ago for her two-way 

business. Recently, she spent several days 

here, and much of her time in the theatres. 

Her house is the Acadia. 

Manager Sam Babb of the Mayfair, appeared 

recently at St. Patrick's orphanage, 

with a dozen boxes of candy for orphaned 

and abandoned boys and girls. He has also 

turned over to these kids, the gloves, mitts, 

scarves, etc., picked up in the theatre by the 

staff and not claimed in a month. Babb is 

a director of the Shaarei Zedek synagogue and 

is interested in charitable work there. 

The staffs of the Paramount and Capitol 

partied, with Managers Harison Howe and 

Jimmy Mitchell as hosts. Theatre and exchange 

workers had a get-together, too . . 

. 

One price prevails now at the Paramount, 50 

cents, involving a hoist from 44 cents for the 

auditorium. The stadium had been 50 . . . 

"Winter Meeting" was pulled at the Mayfair 

in favor of "Stable Mates." 

Two Organists Return 

To Toronto Theatres 

TORONTO—Two former British organists 

again are being featured in downtown theatres. 

After an absence of several months, 

reportedly because of differences with the 

musicians union, Quentin MacLean is back 

at the console in Famous Players' Shea's 

where he had been staff organist for a decade. 

Al Bollington, who came from London in 

the summer of 1948 to play at the new Odeon- 

Toronto, now is one of the attractions at the 

Victoria which reopened December 29 with 

"Samson and Delilah." Bollington played 

for fom- months at the ace Odeon house until 

a problem is said to have arisen over the 

granting of a local union card to replace his 

temporary permit. 

Film Subway Building 

TORONTO—One of the longest film assignments 

ever arranged in Canada is being 

handled by Crawley Films. The undertaking 

is a film record of the construction of 

Toronto's first subway for a pictorial progress 

report. The subway is not scheduled for 

completion until late in 1951 which means a 

camera story covering a period of 2'i years 

at least. 

Kid Shows at Museum 

TORONTO— A series of Saturday morning 

free film shows is being conducted for children 

at the Royal Ontario Museum theatre 

under the auspices of the Junior League of 

Toronto. Helen Band, chairman, said the 

purpose of the four shows was to provide 

wholesome entertainment. 

TORONTO 

Oyd Taube, first secretary of the Motion Picture 

Theatres Ass'n of Ontario, was back 

for a visit from California where he is working 

for Louis B. Mayer and Warner Bros. 

He spent a few days with his daughter . 

Among new members of the Toronto Variety 

tent are Robert R. Maynard of the Palace, 

Hamilton; Irving L. Siegel, Selznick-AUiance; 

Murray M. Herman, partner in driveins; 

William R. Watt, manager of the Hollywood, 

and Lawrence A. Allen of Premier 

Operating Co. 

Owner Bruce McLeod, Manager Harry 

Glover and projectionist William McLure of 

the Reo at Elmira, put on a New Year's midnight 

benefit show for the Elmira Memorial 

community arena, for which films and vaudeville 

were provided. There also was a party 

at the Reo for the kids of the town, with the 

Elmira Service club presenting gifts of candy. 

Manager Stan Gosnell of Loew's, recently 

elected director and treasurer of the Motion 

Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario, he was 

named to a Toronto Variety tent office. 

Meanwhile he is organizing the return of 

vaudeville, scheduled for January . . . Don 

9 

Hudson added a stage show featuring Doug 

Romaine and Johnny Perkins for the New 

Year's frolic at the Danforth in the east end. 

Feature was "Adam and Evelyne." 

Floyd Rumford, proprietor of the Kineto at 

Forest, and a director of the MPTAO, is 

back in municipal politics as a candidate for 

the 1950 utilities commission. He was previously 

was mayor . 540-seat Rio 

downtown staged another all-night show for 

New Year's. Other local theatres were content 

with one midnight performance. The 

Rio program consisted of a flock of cartoons 

and other short subjects. 

The Biltmore in suburban New Toronto 

went all out during the holiday week with a 

morning show for juveniles every day . 

Latest in a series of weekly sneak previews 

at the suburban Village was "Dancing in the 

Dark," which will later go to the screen of a 

downtown theatre . Walton of 

the Mount Pleasant in the north end has been 

giving a class atmosphere to the remodeled 

theatre with special pictures. The latest is 

"Here Come the Huggets," a British feature. 

Observes 96th Birthday 

ST. JOHN—Morton L. Harrison, former orchestra 

leader at the Opera House and violinist 

in the Imperial Theatre orchestra, 

celebrated his 96th , birthday recently. Tlie 

winter keeps him indoors, but he expects to 

be out again for walks in the spring. His 

reading has been reduced considerably in the 

last few years by failing vision and he looks 

to the radio for diversion. For this birthday 

party, F. G. Spencer sent a birthday cake. 


PORT HOLE BLOWER 

Eliminates Dust. Bugt and Rain From Coming in Port 

Hole — Also eliminates use of Optical Glass, Tlierefort 

givino clearer and cleaner projection. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. K^^ci'tTwo. 


. . . Heavy 

. . . Micky 

. . Joan 

. . Alterations 

. . George 

VANCOUVER 

Q,ordon R«ambeault, manager of the Odeon 

at Haney. B. C, died of tuberculosis. He 

was 33 ... On the sick list were Bob Foster 

of the Orpheum and Jim Brown of the Lux 

. . . Bill Myers of the Hastings is quite a 

tenor, it was learned when he sang some oldtime 

songs at the Odeon managers Christmas 

party. 

"Mrs. Mike," written by Mrs. Knox of Vancouver 

and released by UA. wiU have its 

world premiere in five Vancouver Odeon circuit 

theatres January 12. The Royal Canadian 

Mounted Police story will play for a week 

at the Plaza. Hastings, Fraser and Dunbar in 

Vancouver and the Odeon. West Vancouver. 

This will be the first time a picture has been 

given a first run in so many theatres here. 

Owen Bird, former Paramount booker, was 

in town from Goldin for the holidays. He 

reports that his new $35,000 theatre in the 

Rocky mountain city will be operating in 

May. It will be 35mm operation. The town 

formerly was serviced by a 16mm circuit. The 

new spot will seat 325. 

Theatre and film exchange employes, after 

a four-day holiday, were back on the job . . . 

Most Vancouver theatres held midnight shows 

Saturday

lANUARY 7, 1950 Construction - Equipment * Maintenance 

j^

iilU'iiniiiiii 

lliBlliBNW 

foasm 

Rest room of State Theatre, 

Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

C. Howard Crane 6- Associates, 

Architects. 

Glazed tile on the walls; 

ceramic mosaic tUe on floor. 

ca*c c

. 

FOR THE TREMENDOUS 

VOLUME OF LIGHT 

required by today's gigantic screens, 

tliere is no substitute for the big 

PROJECTS 21,000 LUMENS 

at 90 amperes 

COMPARED TO 17,000 LUMENS 

for the 70-anipere Suprex and 

COMPARED TO 7,000 LUMENS 

for the I.K. W. 

•j^ Forced Air Cooling of Carbon Feed 

Mechanism 

^ Low Operating Temperatures 

^ Rugged Burner Mechanism 

"^ Lightronic Automatic Focus Control 

System 

-A" Simplicity of Carbon Feed Rate Adjustment—The 

One Control is Set to Desired 

Amperage 

if Bi-Metal Lightronic Tube Controls Both 

Motors to Correctly Feed the Carbons 

* Big 16'/2-lnch Reflector Matches High 

Speed f1.9 Lens 

-^ Air Stream Stabilization of Arc Burning 

•^ Complete Combustion of Black Soot 

-^ White Deposit on Reflector Prevented 

^ Unit Construction Permits Instant Removal 

of Major Components 

'7^ S€4U

, 

Ask the man who 

SHOWS one! 

> 

If, '"^°« li'^, 

-ft, -" , '"o • », 

'• 

'^^. 

'•J '• o "*•.?, "* / *« • 

•L 2, ^'"*'' 

ur P*". . „„ ha'i^ 

, 

other «-"^ 

. are 

« - =,;.l^.e- , ^.e. -^' 

lHJ-J* 

Enfhusias//c Exh/bifors Soy: 

" the, CYCLORAMIC has everything any 

exhibitor can look for in a screen." 

GEORGE GOLD, Nework AmusemenI Co. 

Newark, N. J. 

" .definite third dimension illusion and nondistortion 

from side and front seats, make 

this 

". . I am 

screen a decided asset to the theatre." 

thrilled with the results of this fine 

screen . . it does exactly what the ads in 

the paper said it would do." 

W. J, CONNER, Homrick's Tocomo Theatres 

Tacoma, Wash. 

"...we're amazed at this fine screen and 

the fine sound rendition we get through it." 

GROVER BRINKMAN, Main Theotre 

SEAJ-SEUm 

CYCLÂMIC 

CUSTOM SCREEN 

The 

Magic Screen 

of the Future 

NOW! 

NO PERFORATIONS 

MORE LIGHT 

WITHOUT REFLECTION GLARE 

PERFECT SOUND TRANSMISSION! 

Distriboted through Theotre Supply Deolers in All Film Centers 

Sold txtlusively in Export by FRAZAR i HANSEK, ltd. 

301 Cloy Street, Son Froncisco 11, Colifornio 

Distributed in CANADA by DOMINION SOUND EQUIPMENT, ltd. 

Holifox. Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regino, Colgory, Soint 

John, Voncouver

! 

ir 

Durability 

Luxuriously restful comfort 

Complete relaxation assured by 

spring backs and spring-arch seats 

brings patrons back again and again. 

Amazingly economical maintenance. 

Fast, easy housekeeping! 

American Bodiform 16-040 Cha 

with 117 End Standard 

FIRST IN THEATRE SEATING 

QT/ntmcanoS'eatinfffhfnpa/u/ 

WORLD'S LEADER IN PUBLIC SEATING 

Grond Ropids 2, Michigan • Branch Offices and Distributors in Principol Cities 

Monufacturers of Theotre, Auditorium, Transportotion, School, Church, Stadium Seoting, and Folding Chairs

SEE THIS 

I 

COLOR 

EFREEI 

This fifteen - minute 35 mm color 

movie, "Carbon Arc Projection", took 

rwo years to produce . . . cost 580,000 

. . . and has been called the finest thing 

of its kind ever made. Tells you the 

inside storj- of the what, why and how 

of the "National" High Intensity- Carbon 

Arc Shows you why this tj'pe of 

carbon arc gives finer screen visibilit)-, 

bener color balance, and keeps patrons 

coming back to your theatre. A 

vivid, fast moving show. Zverj- theatre 

manager and his staff should see it. 

For bookings, UTite to NATIONAL C\RBON 

DIVISION, Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, 

P. O. Box 608', Cleveland, Ohio. 

Tke term ".\ationai" is a reiisttred Irade-mari of 

NATIONAL CARBON DIVISION 

UNION CARBIDE AND CARBON CORPORATION 

OHQ 

30 East 42Qd Street. New York 17. N. Y. 

District Sales Offices: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, 

Kansas City, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco 

COVlMBBCl^^ 

SHOWING 

^

^M 

JANUARY 7, 1950 

Vol. XVII No. 1 

o n t n t 

Elegance with Economy Hanns R. Teicbert 8 

Four Foyers in the Modern Manner 12 

Carpets That Carry Charm 14 

Small-Town Indiana Theatreman Credits Confection 

Sales to 'Change of Scene' 17 

A Survey of Refreshment Service in 

Hartford, Conn Allen M. Widem 20 

Building Bigger Boxoffice Eugene A. Conklin 24 

At the Drop of a Coin 30 

Smartness and Charm Added to New England Theatre 32 

Protecting the Patron From Himself George J. Bevans 34 

Four-Screen Drive-in Design Affords Flexible Operation 42 

Clever Advertising Plus Customer Convenience Sells 

Wometco Drive-in Kitty Harwood 46 

DEPARTMENTS 

Refreshment Service 17 New Equipment and 

Developments 52 

, .^ . 

Literature 

co 

58 

Readers Bureau 39 

Drive-ins 42 About People and Product 60 

ON THE COVER 

Advertising Index 40 

For the cover of an issue devoted to interior decoration, 

certainly no neiv theatre offers a better example of tasteful 

modernity than the recently completed Lake Theatre in Cleveland. 

Ohio. The theatre's many innovations in design and decoration 

are the result of combined planning by architects Matzinger 

and Grosel of Cleveland, and Rex M. Davis of the 

Hanns R. Teichert decorating studios in Chicago. 

The cover illustration shoivs the Lake's hospitable lobby with 

white patent leather tufted settees, artificial "plantings" of 

plastic leaves and the wide baiids of plain-colored carpeting in 

alternating colors. 

%rHILE the new trend toward 

lunctionalism in exterior design of the 

modern theatre is toward austerity, 

the some trend in decoration of the 

theatre's interior seems to lead more 

in the direction of softness and opulence. 

This can probably be explained by 

the very meaning of the term " lunctionalism, 

" for on entering a theatre 

the patron usually wishes to forget the 

humdrum outside world and enter a 

realm of make-believe. 

Softened lighting, muted colors, thick 

carpeting and exotic themes in wall 

and ceiling decoration are being used 

more and more for foyers and lobbies 

where the patron is bridging the transition 

from "street to seat." 

With the vast improvements that 

have been made in recent years in 

fabrics and other decorator materials, 

a luxury and softness in treatment has 

become possible where formerly coldness 

and formality were the order of 

the day for de luxe theatres and other 

public buildings. 

In postwar years many new factors 

have entered the field of decoration. 

Greater convenience for the patron has 

advanced in stride with increased 

safety through fireproofed materials 

and fabrics. 

Improved dyes, stronger textiles, the 

introduction of plastics for wall covering 

and furniture upholstery have 

brought added blessing to the exhibitor 

also in terms of simplified maintenance 

and longer life. 

In this issue of Modem Theatre 

have been collected some of the latest 

ideas in decoration for large downtown 

theatre and neighborhood house 

alike. The opinions, theories ctnd 

examples of some of the country's most 

outstanding architects and decorators 

are presented in picture and word as 

a guide to the theatre owner. 

KENNETH HUDNALL, Managing Editor HERBEBT ROUSH, Sales Manager 

Published the lirst Saturday o! each month by Associated Publications and included as a 

section m all editions of BbXOFFICE. Editorial or general business correscondence relating 

to The MODERN THE.ATRE section should be addressed to the Publisher, 825 Van 

Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo. Eastern Representatire: A. J. Stocker, 9 Rockeieller Plaza, 

New York 20, N. Y. Central Representative: Ralph F. Scholbe, 624 So. Michigan Ave., 

Chicago, 111. Western Representative: Bob Wettstein, 672 So. Lafcryette Park Place. Los 

Angelas, Calif.

ELEGANCE 

WITH 

ECONOMY 

By HANNS R. TEICHERT * 

X NASMUCH AS INTERIOR DECORATION IS the feature of this 

issue, it is interesting to note that, year by year, American theatres 

are becoming more and more beautiful. Pi-om the first bare, 

converted storerooms where silent films held patrons spellbound 

on kitchen chairs, through the era when massive ornamentation 

sometimes superseded good taste, down to the present when even 

the smallest house can possess true distinction, each year seems 

marked with advances in beauty and comfort for the theatre 

patron. Perhaps of even greater interest is that with the progress 

in decoration has come greater economy of construction, 

improved hygiene and easier maintenance. 

It seems to us that 1949 saw more than the usual amount of 

progress. The shortages of materials caused by the war were 

The undersea motif is expressed in one sidewall mural of the Lake TheOtre 

auditorium. Carpeting In standee area Is in alternating stripes of contrasting 

plain colors. The wide standee rail is topped with turquoise velour 

upholstering to match seats. 

then primarily things of the past. Skilled 

labor was more available and theatre 

management had largely learned that 

more satisfying and economical results 

are to be obtained by engaging architects 

and theatre decorator specialists 

at the start. 

Two examples of contemporary theatre 

construction which typify the best 

in design, in our opinion, are presented 

in this article. These houses were selected 

because they are of efficient size, set 

Honns R. Teichert 

in typical locations, are products of good 

planning and employ many of the new economy techniques in 

construction while still giving the patron greater comfort. 

To explain a little more in detail what we mean, let's consider 

the matter of location. The Mayland Theatre is set in Mayfield 

'Hanns R. Teichert Decorating Co 

"'^t;;^?^,mwr- > 

•m^

This auditorium yiew of the Lake Theatre 

illustrates clearly the structural economy 

possible with close cooperation of 

decorator and architect. The turquoise 

satin wall drapes which extend onethird 

of the way back into the auditorium 

form a decorative wall over the 

outside masonry wall. Exits are made 

by curtain draping. 

Heights, a fast-growing new suburb of Cleveland where building 

of both residential and commercial units is mushrooming. At 

the outset this theatre project was put into the hands of architects 

Matzinger and Grosel, of Cleveland, and Rex M. Davis, of 

our studios, was called in to coordinate interiors with the architectural 

theme as it progressed. This advance planning was called 

for by Howard Reif who heads the Mayland Theatre Co.. composed 

of P. E. Essick and J. J. Jossey. Reif took an active personal 

interest in the new theatre from the drafting board stage 

to opening night, which came off exactly on the date scheduled. 

Our second example, the Lake Theatre, is located in a similarly 

fast-growing suburb east of Cleveland, and was handled in the 

same manner by Matzinger and Grosel and Rex M. Davis. Also 

an inspiration of Reif's, the Lake is controlled through the Lake 

Shore Theatre Co. which includes M. S. Pine. A. Kramer, James 

Kalafat, S. Stecher and James Templeton. 

As to economy, let's see if you don't agree that a beautiful 

interior was achieved in both of these theatres, even though some 

of the constructional details were revolutionary. Rather than the 

usual ornate and expensive type of architectural proscenium 

treatment, both of these houses employ rich drapery hung in a 

curve free of the outside walls in such a way as to form a decorative 

inner wall by itself. The curtain is simply caught back in 

graceful folds to form an opening at the exits. This material, 

fireproofed of course, not only creates a most luxurious effect, but 

contributes to the fine acoustics of a theatre while providing an 

architectural short-cut to beauty that represents a tremendous 

savings over the conventional handling. Still another impressive 

saving was registered in the auditoriums by the application of 

acoustical blocks directly to the outside masoni-y walls. This surface, 

in turn, was decorated with hand executed murals. 

The illustrations of these theatres certainly give no impression 

that they are economy houses. For example, the lobby of the 

'4* 

This refreshment stand in the Mayland Theatre is cleverly accented by the 

use of artistic display lighting. A portion of the domed ceiling is visible 

here, showing one of the four seasons of the year gracefully done in mural 

treatment and indirectly lighted from coves. 

Below is the mural adorning one sidewall of the Mayland Theatre. Done in 

fluorescent paint, this decorative wall presents one appearance under ordinary 

light, and an entirely different aspect of the same scene under black light. 


importance to the refreshment niche. Attention is forcibly called 

to the heavily framed and brilliantly hghted coming-attraction 

boards. The inverted bowl of the ceiling is lighted from the 

trough at the lower rim which illuminates smartly painted figures 

representing the four seasons of the year. Color and light 

in the ceiling are used in such a way as to give an impression of 

depth and the decorative sky-like atmosphere has the effect of 

lifting the spirits as well as the eyes. 

One wall of the powder room of the Lake Theatre is highlighted with 

a colorful mural treatment while on adjoining surface is mirrored from 

floor to ceiling for patron convenience. 

Lake Theatre presents a sumptuous interplay of expansive mirror 

with gold leaf frame, ebonized and gold tables flanking the plumred 

settees and carpet in custom-cut design of gray, bois de rose 

and sage green. Gold and ebony lamps illuminate the luxurious 

bank of planting below the mirror. An identical setting on the 

opposite wall gives a clean-cut coherence to the area. 

Coming attraction boards are set into plum and gold marbleized 

wall panels, while diffused illumination comes from the 

inverted trough ringing the ceiling bowl. Gold and gray designs 

above the doors to the foyer blend with the grayed surfaces of 

the doors themselves. In view of the theatre's location and 

patronage, the large-scaled and somewhat opulent effect is designed 

to appeal to a residential patronage. 

Now let's see how the lobby of the Mayland Theatre goes about 

attaining its particularly dramatic impact. This circular area, 

floored with colorfully banded terrazzo and walled in marblelike 

blocks of rich green and gold, is purposefully scaled to give 

This view of the foyer of the Lake Theatre shows the custom-created 

settees for waiting patrons. The refreshment stand is at the right. 

The standee-type foyers of the Lake Theatre increase the illusion 

of luxury while maintaining a very high degree of practicality. 

The large white tufted banquette dividing the center of the 

area is not only most decorative but provides generous waiting 

capacity. 

The plastic covering requires only wiping with a damp 

cloth should a spot appear. The luxuriant planting along the 

top is also made of plastic and requires no attention. 

The refreshment bar is set into its special niche and is conveniently 

serviced from a storage room at the rear. Brilliant 

lighting and a colorful composition painted on the off-white rear 

wall accent the unit sharply. 

The carpet is of gray and bois de rose, the ceiling of plum-red 

on the lower soffits and lapis blue around the light opening of 

off-white which permits blending and changing the color of light. 

The two shades of plum and lapis are carried down over both 

painted wall areas and in plastic wall covering. Again, the rich 

home-like quality of the room is noted in the soft colors, design 

and in such accessories as the distinctive lamps which carry 

beautiful plastic plantings. 

Hospitality sets the mood of the graceful ladies' powder room 

where again it is necessary to visualize the color scheme to get 

the full impact of this room. The grape colored carpet and wall 

area around the mirror is pointed up by two fuchsia plastic 

chairs and the off-white ceiling which affords even light reflection. 

The two walls flanking the mirror, one of which can be 

seen, are of pearl gray and are decorated in fuchsia, grape, offwhite, 

cei-ulean blue and accents of black. Against the opposite 

wall, natural wood tables with smart lamps and a telephone 

complete this charming room. 

In the Lake Theatre we see how thoroughly decoration of the 

foyer is integrated with that of the auditorium. The carpeting 

and general color scheme are continued here with a switch in 

(Continued on page 36) 

10 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

i 

. 

Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo . . 

to which theatre shall I 

go? 

"LET'S GO TO THE WILSHIRE ." 

. . 

It's easy to see why people might 

go out of their way to attend this 

theatre in Dallas, Texas. It is a 

neat, attractive building with o 

sparkling, colorful front of tranquil 

green Carrara Glass. This bright, 

cheerful theatre fairly beckons to 

passers-by . . . promises them comfort 

and the best in entertainment. 

More people will patronize your 

theatre, too, when you modernize 

with Pittsburgh Products. Architects: 

Pettigrew, Cook & Associates, Dallas, 

Texas. 

It's 

not just by chance that people patronize a particular 

theatre. They will go out of their way to 

attend a modern, attractive establishment. A neat 

sparkling front of Pittsburgh Glass and Pittco Store 

Front Metal is a real patron-winner ... an aggressive 

boxoffice-booster. It proclaims an up-to-date theatre 

where the patron will enjoy the latest and finest in entertainment. 

Up and down the country theatre owners and man- 

Store fronts 

and Interiors 

by Pittsburgh 

agers have increased their boxoffice receipts by modernizing 

with Pittsburgh Products. And what Pittsburgh 

Glass and Pittco Store Front Metal have done for others 

. . . they can do for you! 

But remember this: when you remodel don't skimp. 

It's the complete modernization job— inside and out— 

that pays the biggest dividends in better boxoffice. If 

you desire terms, they can be arranged through the 

Pittsburgh Time Payment Plan. And you can count on 

our fullest cooperation in helpmg you and your architect 

select a well-planned and economical design. 

In the meantime, why not send for our descriptive 

bookletonremodeling,"ModernWays for Modern Days".' 

It's yours for the asking. Just return the coupon below. 

Pittsburuli Plate ('I.i.«s Company 

2016-0 Craiit liuililing. Pittsburgh 19. Pa. 

Without obligation on my part, please send me a krek copy of 

your book on modernization, ".Modern Ways for Modern Days." 

\ame 

.Address 

City 

State.. 

PAINTS GLASS CHEMICALS BRUSHES • • PLASTICS 

BURGH PLATE GLASS COMPANY 

i 


CANADIAN 

THEATRES 

of the Odeon chain which have been 

built since the war are outstanding for 

modern treatment in design and decoration. 

In Toronto, the new Himiber embodies 

the best in Odeon style with a hillside 

location which gives access from the 

street level directly onto the mezzanine 

foyer pictured at the left. The graceful, 

winding staircase at the right descends 

to the theatre's main floor. 

Notice how the stark plainness of the 

dark green walls has been softened by 

the use of sweeping curves in the lighting 

coves, which illuminate the chartreuse 

ceiling. The picture window at 

the right cui-ves above the theatre entrance. 

Characteristic of spotlighting in the 

house are the two down-spots above the 

refreshment counter. 

Notice also the manner in which a 

pattern somewhat similar to that of the 

caiTJeting is carried by the wallpaper 

flanking the concession stand. 

Decoration of the house was handled 

by Bavington Bros, of Toronto. Carpeting 

is by Odeon Standard. 

THE CITY LINE CENTER Theatre in Philadelphia combines patron 

comfort with gracious decor, as expressed in the foyer view below. The 

soundproof wall, barely visible at the right, replaces the standee rail and keeps 

lobby noises from the auditorium. David Brodsky Associates, who handled decoration, 

employed plastic Krylon wall covering in combination with natural 

hardwood for walls and upholstei-y on the recessed benches. Color scheme for the 

house is neutral green and gold. Here, again, a carpet containing a large pattern 

is used with relatively plain walls. 

Four

pi 

-•r. 

A WALL OF LIGHT is featured in the attractive mezzanine foyer 

of the 1,100-seat Parsons Theatre in Jamaica, N. Y. By day this area is lighted 

from outside and at night a yellow curtain over the panel, 36 feet wide and 11 

feet high, is illuminated indirectly. Blue and coral are combined in the general 

color scheme, with caipeting in gray and burgundy. 

Foyers in 

the Modern Manner 

X HE FOUR THEATRE FOYERS pictUTCd 

here might well represent some of the 

counti-y's largest downtown first run houses 

to judge by the tasteful elegance with which 

they are decorated, yet actually each one 

is a neighborhood theatre in a different 

portion of the counti-y. 

Although each one demonstrates some 

particular phase of the modern decorator's 

technique, all four incorporate many of 

the newer decorative trends in theatre design 

which indicate "the shape of things 

to come" within the field. Characteristic 

of these qualities is the growing use of 

sweeping planes in wall and ceiling line; 

large window areas, and the use of more 

vivid color and larger pattern in carpeting 

to set the keynote of an entire area. 

Use of indirect lighting coves and recessed 

downlights to accent particular spots 

is becoming accepted decorator policy. In 

the case of the Odeon Humber, pot lights 

suspended from the ceiling are used over 

the refreshment stand and at strategic 

points throughout the house. Foyers of 

both the Humber and the Parsons illustrate 

a new trend toward the use of modern 

casual pieces of furniture in non-auditorium 

seating. 

ON THE WEST COAST, San Piancisco's new Coronet Theatre includes 

a sunken foyer containing refreshment service facilities, a television lounge, 

restrooms and the manager's office. In keeping with the regal decor of the de luxe 

neighborhood theatre, carpeting of floral design in Venetian red is combined with wall 

and ceiling colors in brown, cream and gold. Decoration of the new house was handled 

by Tony Heinsbergen. 


CARPETS THAT 

CARRY CHARM 

VÂRPET TEXTURES, COLORS. PATTERNS and cven their basic 

construction have undergone great revolutionary changes in the 

post-war years. While advances have been made in all kinds of 

carpet, theatre cai-pet in particular has undergone a most dramatic 

transformation. 

Carpet has always created a sense of luxury, minimized noise 

and added color to theatre interiors. Today's new products do 

this and more. They are now so patterned and textured as to be 

the very key to much decorative planning. 

The theatre manager of today is vei-y much interested in 

creating a luxurious atmosphere in his theatre—and atmosphere, 

that intangible element, is no longer an accident, but can be 

scientifically created by the use of carpet keyed to the proper 

color scheme. The character of this atmosphere will naturally be 

determined by the size, location, and the patronage of the house. 

Another point to be considered is the growing decorator consciousness 

of the American theatregoer. The incresising popularity 

of "house and garden" type of magazines has made Mr. 

and Mrs. America more aware of their surroundings. The alert 

manager will naturally try his best to please them in order to 

win their interest and continued patronage. Since the carpet 

is one of the largest single color areas in the room, its effectiveness 

in building acceptance cannot possibly be ignored. 

If you are now considering buying carpet for your theatre, it 

will pay real dividends to consider the following points: 

• The kind of patronage to which you are catering and 

the over-all effect you want your theatre to create. 

• The size or floor area of your place is important. The 

carpet pattern scale can either create a sense of openness, 

or on the other hand, one of cozy intimacy. Plain 

colors can make an area seem larger, while a figured 

design makes rooms seem smaller. 

Many 

• The carpet colors should be chosen carefully. 

decorators today use one and sometimes several of the 

carpet's colors to build the color scheme for the entire 

room. Walls, draperies, upholstery, and other accessories 

may be successfully keyed to the carpet colors 

themselves. The result is a harmonious balance. 

• Installation and maintenance expense is a vital point. 

Remember that it costs just as much to install and 

maintain a good-quality carpet as a poor or medium 

grade one. The initial expense will be greater, but in 

terms of longer years of wear, the purchase of a quality 

carpet will prove more economical. 

One big reason for the large boxoffice receipts of many theatres 

today is that the owner knew his market from the very 

beginning and the tastes of the particular group to whom he 

With this knowledge he employed 

was presenting entertainment. 

many techniques in decoration, design and film selection to 

please the patrons to whom he catered. 

TOP: Gulistan Constellation carpet in the foyer of the Stamm Theatre in Antioch, 

Calif. Note how the large scale pattern creates great spaciousness 

and complements the theatre's decor. 

CENTER: This large scale Gulistan carpet, Persian Sunburst, is vibrant in 

colors of electric blues and grays. Note the contrast in scale with the general 

decor of the theatre and how they enhance each other. This installation is in 

^, ^"^ ,-r*% ^^.^^ ~ 

BOTTOM: In the Bird of Paradise carpet pattern in the Laurel Theatre in 

Son Carlos, Calif., the contrasting colors create a great sense of luxury and 

spaciousness. 

the United Artists Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

Ui 

The Feminine Touch .... is conveyed gracefully to this attractive 

powder room of the new Coronet Theatre in San Francisco, operated by San 

Francisco Theatres, Inc., by the use of pastel shades and the large floral pattern 

of wallpaper. Several angles of vision are made available by the mirrored 

panels about the perimeter of the room. Modem individual chairs are employed, 

with ample dressing table space provided by the table-high shelving before them. 

It is interesting to note that, even though warmth and informality have 

been stressed in decoration, marble is still used for flooring because of simplicity 

of maintenance. 

I 

and the Masculine Look ... as ruggedly masculine m appearance 

as the powder room above is feminine, the lounge of the Loew's Poll 

Theatre in Norwich, Conn., embodies angular shapes and blocky wallpaper 

design. 

Keynoted for comfort and durability, the floor is of rubber tile, walls are 

paneled partially in wood veneer, and papered up to the coves containing indirect 

lighting units. The effect of spaciousness is obtained by mirroring a 

large panel of one wall. 

DOWN 

Balance $10 Monthly 

PENNY 

FORTUNE 

SCALE 

No Springs 

WRITE FOR PRICES 

LARGE CASH BOX HOLDS 

$85.00 IN PENNIES 

Invented and Made Only by 

WATLING 

Manufacturing 

Company 

4650 W. Fulton St. Chicago 44, III. 

Est. 1889 — Telephone COIumbus 1-2772 

Coble Address: WATLINGITE, Chicago 


. 

lULTIPLY YOUR POPtURITPROFITS 

'[/^FAMOUS 3 

1. Manm/ machines 

The big sparkling brighc Manlcy Popcorn Machine 

looks so clean, so appetizing, so colorful that it attracts 

more eyes . . . more money! Its big capacity and many 

automatic features make it easier to serve big crowds. 

It's quality built throughout for years of trouble-free 

service. If something ihould go wrong, you get service 

in a jiffy from a nation-wide network of service representatives. 

2. J(cm&/1/ MERCHANDISE 

Manley popcorn is grown and quality controlled by 

Manley formula to pop out bigger, fluffier, to create 

more profit for )o». Manley seasoning has flavor plus 

that brings your customer back, again and again. 

Never turns rancid . . . never gets stale! Manley Popcorn 

Salt is of a super fine grain that uniformly tlavors 

each and cicry kernel to further please the palate of 

your customers. Also . . . serve your Manley Popcorn 

in the famous red and white striped Manley bags and 

bo.xes; America's best known Popcorn Package. 

3« Mja/n&/l/ METHODS 

Yes, Sales Promotion is important in the Popcorn 

business, too! Manley reveals the trade secrets that 

have made hundreds of thousands of dollars for popcorn 

operators everywhere, in a new 64-page book 

that is now ready for you. (Send coupon below). 

The only national advertising campaign 

aimed to sell MORE popcorn at YOUR 

machine. 

Don't make the mistake of investing good money 

in anything but the best machine— the one that 

has big capacity— is trouble-free—returns a high 

profit—in other words, 

a Manley. Make your 

deal with Manley the 

'"biggest name in popcorn" and the ONLY com^ 

pany that can deliver the "complete package" 

of Machine, Merchandise, Methods AND nationwide 

advertising to increase sales at your Machine. 

Send for your 64-page book now and "talk it over" 

with a Manley representative soon. 

MANLEY, INC., Dept. BO— 1-7-50 

1920 Wyandotte St., Kansas City 8, Mo. 

Please send me your booklet, "How to 

Make Big Profits from Popcorn." 

. State

.SeMi^ 

ADDED INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRESSIVE EXHIBITORS 

Small-Town Indiana Theatreman Credits 

Confection Sales to 

Change of Scene 

AXefreshment service operators 

with the fattest operating budgets and tlie 

sleekest booths can well take a leaf from 

the book of David E. McFarling. assistant 

manager of the Swiss Theatre in Tell City, 

Ind. 

The Swiss, with 449 seats, competes with 

a circuit owned house of some 600 seats in 

this Indiana town of 4,500 people, yet by 

sound merchandising, revenue from the 

refreshment booth is kept above seven 

cents a patron. The magnitude of this 

accomplishment can be realized in light of 

the fact that the stand is open only two 

hours an evening during the week and 

afternoons and evenings on Saturday and 

Sunday. 

In describing his recent Christmas season 

promotion. McFarling asserts that 

Santa really stopped the customers in their 

tracks. The fact that customers' tracks 

necessarily pass directly in front of Santa's 

vantage point within the stand may have 

something to do with this statement, for in 

designing the Swiss, the refresliment stand 

was located just beyond the boxoffice as 

patrons enter the lobby. Balcony customers 

use stairs which rise from one corner 

of the stand. 

The Santa Claus which made youthful 

patrons jump with joy, and express their 

pleasure in confection purchases, may be 

seen in the photograph at right. Made of 

plastic and lighted from within, it represents 

the most expensive item in the Christmas 

refreshment sales promotion. McFarling 

justifies the cost, however, by the fact 

that Santa will be used in various capacities 

around the theatre for several Christmases 

to come. 

The gap from promotion to product is 

bridged by means of giant imitation candy 

sticks that flank Santa's smiling face. 

Their five-cent caunterparts are prominently 

displayed in the candy cases where 

the youngster's eyes light next. 

The showcase has become an enticing 

miniature "Winter "Wonderland" under 

McParling's expert hand and versatile 

imagination. The 2-inch "snowfall" for 

background was created from popcorn left 

over from a couple of night's operation. 

Using popcorn balls as a basis, the snowmen 

were added to the scene. Black silk 

hats, eyes, ears, nose and mouth for the 

wintry gentlemen came from scraps of 

black paper fastened on with household 

straight pins. 

Crepe paper, discarded window cards and 

a stapler provided the materials for background 

decoration of the stand. Icicles 

were hung along the shelves while strips 

of window card were wrapped with red 

and white crepe paper to form the imitation 

candy sticks. 

To attract the interest of adult patrons, 

dummy Christmas packages with pictures 

of the Hollywood stars whose pictures will 

soon be playing were used to adorn the 

back of the stand. These packages were 

made from discarded window cards and 

were wrapped with either red or green 

crepe paper, and decorated with crepe 

paper ribbons and bows of contrasting 

color. 

Decoration of the entire stand was completed 

at a cost of approximately $8.00. 

McFarling's formula for successful refreshment 

operation can be summed up in 

his statement, "Change the scene to fit the 

season and watch the refreshment grosses 

jump!" 

Having covered one particular seasonal 

change, McFarling tells of a Halloween 

decoration which included paper jack-olanterns 

surrounded by bowls of popcorn. 

Theatre film attractions were again tied 

into refreshment promotion by stapling 

publicity photos of various stars onto Halloween 

background paper. 

(Continued on following page' 

\n the refreshment stand of the Swiss Theatre a Manley popcorn popper turns out the fluffy 

white product at a steady pace. In the background, center, can be seen the Santa with illuminated 

eyes that proved an excellent drawing card during the holiday season. 

BOXOFFICE January 7. 1950 17

next month 

.,,youHl see it 

ext month youHl 

• ••hear about it 

next m 

th everybody will be 

talkiny 

^^âbout 

the new 

the projector that rurts like a song 

DISTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY 

MAKE MORE 

REFRESHMENT SALES IN 

COOL WEATHER! 

DRIVE-INS 

The BUFFETERIA 

Easily Handled! Amazingly Low Priced! 

Takes the whole concession right to the cars. 

People hesitote to leave cars on chilly nights. 

Hot and cold compartments for large stock of 

ice cream, cold drinks, hot dogs, hot popcorn, 

chili, nuts, etc. When a Walky-Koffee is mounted 

on top of it you boost sales of all items. 

Insert shows a 

sturdy, rubber 

y 

tired dolly— 

optional equipment 

— for easy portability 

Illuminated 

Signs! 

The HOT-BOX 

Attractive, well-insulated cabinet keeps boxed popcorn, 

peanuts, hot sandwiches, etc.. vrarm indefinitely. 

Quickly pre-heated by built-in electrical unit. Foods 

held in 3 removable chrome plated dispensing baskets. 

S side display signs, large illuminated sign at top. 

Easily placed at point of greatest traffic flow for 

maximum sales. 

T BfrtPlwslo,' 

^*. 

-^5e=^ 

WALKY.TERIA

6eSi (Am. >|-j ;liliH V/uM 

tf^| 

^^^^^^ 

-ru- Ijl:-!.^.. li:J_-i ^ J:iX » J . : _ I, , t,- _,,! 

The Mighty Midget serves two different drinks from each 

dispensing head. The 3-head model serves 6 drinks, carbonated or 

non-carbonated, and every drink pours out cold and uniform. Operators 

fill customers' orders without moving a step. Two operators can easily 

serve 40 drinks a minute from a Mighty Midget, one can serve 20 a 

minute. 

Meet the Mighty Midget! Self-contained drink dispenser 

with carbonator and refrigeration system compactly built 

into a stainless steel cabinet. Each dispensing head serves 

2 different drinks, carbonated or non-carbonated. There is 

no flavor carry-over. Vacuum action syrup shut-off prevents 

mixing of flavors. Syrup and water are mixed for each drink 

at uniform temperature — 38 to 40°. Carbonation — 3 

volumes and over. Pressurized syrup system assures steady, 

even flow. Syrup lines are taste-free plastic, syrup cooling 

coils — stainless steel, water cooling coils — copper. 

Refrigeration powered by Servel Supermetic condensing 

unit backed by a 5-year factory warranty. Insulated by 

1 '/2 " spun glass. Dependability of the Mighty Midget has 

been proven by 2 years heavy use in the Southwest. In 0° 

1 1 

heat, the Mighty Midget continues to deliver cold, wellcarbonated 

drinks as fast as its operators and the crowd 

can move. 

Most popular in theatres is 3-head model which dispenses 

6 drinks. Over-all height — 46". Width — 25%". 

Depth — I 7%". Working capacity — 2 oz. finished drink 

per second from each dispensing head. You can dispense 

any size drink. Stainless steel syrup tanks, component parts 

of the unit, are placed where storage and filling will be 

simplest. They are enclosed in cabinet of the single-head 

Mighty Midget and can be added to cabinets of larger 

models. 

Neat! Safe! No overflow, no dripping, no leaking. 

Simple! Fill syrup tanks. Set valves for desired amount 

syrup per drink. You're ready for business! 

Here's a popular set-up on the 3- 

head Mighty Midget: 

(Left) 

Cola 

Root Beer 

(Center) 

Orange 

Grape 

(Right) 

Cola 

Root Beer 

You can dispense 6 different drinks. 

Busy theatres double up on the 

most popular drinks so 2 operators 

can serve from the Mighty Midget 

at once. Orange and grape in this 

set-up are non-carbonated. You can 

dispense carbonated or non-carbonated 

drinks from any head. 

Trademark Copr. 1949 by 

Mightv Midget Mfg. Corp., 

Phoenix. Arizona 

Over 1800 drinks an evening served by 

Mighty Midget at Cinema Bar in Cinema 

Park Drive-ln, Phoenix, Arizona. Les Bond, 

concession manager, says he has frequently 

served 1200 10-oz. cups during intermission. 

"We can serve 'em as fast as the tine 

can move with the Mighty Midget," Mr. 

Bond says, "I wouldn't have any other kind 

of dispensing machine for cold drinks. It 

pays for itself in 4 months." "No bottles! 

No muss!", exclaims Harry Hunsaker, manager 

of the thousand car Cinema Park 

Theatre, "The quick-acting Mighty Midget 

drink dispenser is the greatest time saver and 

money maker on the market today." 

"Mighty Midget makes it possible for me to 

sell drinks," says O. K. Leonard, manager of 

Peoria Theatre, Peoria, Arizona, "I wouldn't 

monkey with bottles, but with the Mighty 

Midget I can serve a nickle drink profitably." 

Mr. Leonard serves cola and strawberry soda 

with a single-head Mighty Midget. The 

Mighty Midget is manufactured with 1 , 2 or 

3 dispensing heads. 

Available nationally for the first time this Spring. Order today for April 

delivery. Mail coupon now. 

I 1 

, 

MIGHTY 

MIDGET MANUFACTURING CORP 

4215 North 7fh Street, Phoenix, Arizona 

Name 

City 

Theatre- 

Address- 

State- 

JOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 19

As the First in a Cross-Country Series, 

This Is the Analysis of a Typical Middle- 

Sized City's Theatre Snack Bars 

THEATREMEN ARE NOW FINDING 

A NEW SOURCE OF PROFITS IN 

HARTFORD. CONN. 

Population, 166,267 

by 

ALLEN M. WIDEM 

, N Hartford, Conn., where the 

majority of theatres were built a couple of 

decades ago and much of the new theatre 

construction wave is still unfelt, refreshment 

service is slowly becoming recognized 

as an untapped source of extra theatre 

revenue both by circuit and independent 

theatremen alike. 

Among the features which stand out as 

peculiarities of the city's theatre snack bars 

are the virtual absence of soft drinks in 

refreshment service, the lack of room for 

the addition of adequate refreshment 

booths and the casualness with which this 

branch of theatre promotion seems to have 

been viewed. 

As evidence of this "awakening," four of 

the six downtown "A" theatres in Hartford 

contain refreshment service facilities either 

created or drastically remodeled within the 

past two years. The only downtown "A" 

house not now offering patrons a full refreshment 

service is making plans to add 

this feature within the near future. 

In the downtown "B" houses and the 

neighborhood theatres, lack of lobby and 

foyer space makes it difficult for exhibitors 

to comply with patron requests for greater 

refreshment service. 

An additional reason for feeling that refreshment 

service is just coming into its 

own is the current comparison of vending 

machines with full-sized candy stands. In 

the downtown Loew's Poll Palace, a firstrun 

house, the only refreshment service has 

been supplied by one vending machine on 

the auditorium floor and another on the 

mezzanine. In recent months, however, the 

1,800-seater has been undergoing extensive 

remodeling which includes an entirely new 

lounge, general redecorating, and plans for 

installation of a new refreshment stand. 

In planning the refreshment bar, Harry 

P. Shaw, Loew's Poll -New England Theatres 

circuit division manager, and FVed R. 

Greenway, manager of the Poll Palace, have 

figured potential revenue and have studied 

the operation of other stands closely. 

Left, the refreshment stand at Warners' 900-seat, first run Regal Theatre 

in downtown Hartford is tucked away under the balcony stairway. This stand, 

operated under lease by a concession specialist, offers candy and popcorn. 

A film trailer is used to promote sales at the stand 

Below, a second Warner Bros downtown first run house is the Strand where 

this modern, well-designed refreshment service stand gets a good play from 

theatregoers Also operated by a concession firm, the stand affords patrons 

ice cream, candy and popcorn. As in the case of the Regal, a Pronto popcorn 

warmer is used 


Editor's Note 

With this review of refreshment service 

techniques in Hartford. Conn., the Modern 

Theotre launches a feature designed to be 

of help to all exhibitor readers whether they 

now offer refreshment services or are contemplating 

the addition of this service. 

Hartford was chosen as the lead-off city 

in the series because, in many respects, it 

typifies a medium-s zed metropolitan area. 

In order to compile the doto on which the 

review is based, the Modern Theatre correspondent 

in Hartford, Allen M. W dem, 

interviewed each theatre manager In the city. 

It is our intention to conduct similar surveys 

of 

the theatre refreshment service operations 

in representative cities across the country. 

These reviews will be published in succeed 

ng issues of the Modern Theatre. 

Copies of the questionnaire forms are available 

to readers who may be further interested 

in the base on which surveys are made. 

Questions, suggestions or criticism of this market 

survey series ere welcomed, and should 

be addressed to Survey Editor, Modern Theatre, 

825 Von Brunt Blvd., Konsas City 1, Mo. 

This view of the recently remodeled candy stand of the 1,200-seat E. M. Loew's downtown first 

run theatre shows its location immediately in front of auditorium doors opposite the ticket taker. 

"The vending machine," Greenway remarked, 

"is good for a house where candy 

tastes and brand preferences are known 

and remain constant. In other situations 

it is better to supplement the vender's 

selection of candy bars with an attendant 

and refreshment stand, for nine times out 

of ten, the patron wants a brand of candy 

not included in the limited number of bars 

available in the machine." 

No theatre in the Hartford area uses 

mezzanine candy stands, although there is 

more than adequate space in a number of 

houses for such installations. 

At the recently-remodeled Strand Theatre, 

an 1,800-seat unit of the Warner circuit, 

several problems affected the location 

of the refreshment stand and the type of 

merchandise handled. Prior to the remodeling, 

a small-sized candy stand was situated 

in the rear of the auditorium, with ordinai-y 

spot lighting to call the patrons' attention 

to the stand. 

With remodeling, however, it was felt 

that the stand was not large enough to 

handle the refreshment trade of a first-run 

house of this size. The new and larger stand 

was installed in the theatre foyer immediately 

next to the doorman's collection 

box, psychologically an ideal spot for refreshments. 

Prior to remodeling, popcorn 

and ice cream were not handled by the old 

stand for lack of adequate space. Today, 

however, the stand not only sells all popular 

brands of candy bars, but also popcorn 

and ice cream. 

"It's really amazing." says James F. Mc- 

Carthy, veteran manager of the Strand, 

"how refreshment sales have jumped since 

the new stand was built." McCarthy credits 

a good portion of the Strand's success 

to a continual vigil over the cleanliness of 

the stand and its personnel. The stand is 

well lighted and a full display of candy 

stock is kept in sight at all times. 

Soft drink machines are just coming into 

their own in Connecticut's capital city. The 

The stand is operated by the theatre management and offers the patron a choice of ice cream, 

popular five and ten-cent candy and popcorn dispensed from a Pronto warmer. The theatre was 

formerly served by vending machines only. 

main reason given for the absence of these 

machines in the past has been space limitation. 

"Certainly," ventured one theatre 

manager, "we'd like to serve our customers 

ice cold soft drinks, but where can you put 

such machines? Our refreshment stand 

space has just so much area and that's 

all." 

De luxe suburban houses in nearby towns 

which have been built more recently feature 

soft drink vending machines and a few 

downtown houses have them. In nearby 

suburban locations, of course, space for 

extensive refreshment service was provided 

in initial planning. 

According to a recent check, there are 

only three popcorn poppers in operation in 

theatre refreshment stands in the entire 

city and these are in neighborhood houses. 

The reason is traced to a general belief 

among theatre managers that poppers can't 

(Continued on following page) 

This modern stand in the downtown subsequent run Center Theatre, owned by the Continental 

circuit, gets maximum patron traffic by virtue of its location immediately inside the lobby doors. 

The stand is operated by a concession specialist firm and includes ice cream, candy and popcorn 

in the merchandise offered. A Pronto popcorn warmer is used. 

BOXOFTICE January 7. 1950 21

" 

Hartford, Conn, Refreshment Survey 

1 Continued from preceding page) 

One neighborhood and one downtown 

house still rely entirely on vending machines 

to provide refreshment service. 

Of ten downtown theatres, five are operated 

by the theatre management and five 

are leased concessions. Each of the five 

refreshment stands in Hartford's neighborhood 

theatres is operated by the exhibitor. 

NTS Announces New 

Simplex Speakers 

In the Webster Theatre, de luxe neighborhood independent house belonging to the Shulman 

Realty Co., a Manley popcorn popper (not shown in ths photograph) supplies octiye patron demand 

,or popcorn. Good display ,s afforded candy by the case shown above. Ou«ston

Bausch & Lomb Announce 

New High Speed Lens 

A new series of high speed projection 

lenses designed specially for large indoor 

theatres and drive-ins has been developed 

by Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. The new 

f:2.0 lenses have a focal length ranging 

from five and one-quarter to seven inches. 

Consisting of eight lenses the series may 

be used with either black and white or color 

film. The six lens elements are coated with 

an anti-reflection film and the achromatic 

combinations are cemented together with 

heat resisting thermo-setting materials and 

hermetically sealed to prevent exposure to 

dust or vapors. 

The new lenses have been field-tested in 

New York and other cities with 44 to 110 

per cent improvement in screen illumination, 

according to M. H, Stevens of the 

optical firm's projection lens division. 

Similar lenses have also been used extensively 

by Hollywood studios for projecting 

background scenes during the filmin?; of 

new movies, Stevens said. 

New Tester Gauges 

Slickness of Floors 

A new machine for testing the slipperiness 

of floors, said to be quite accurate, has 

been designed and built by John L. Polk, a 

Loudonville, N. Y., chemist. 

The machine being used by the New York 

State Division of Standards and Purchase 

is the only one in use at the present. No 

immediate plans for commercializing the 

slip tester have been made by the inventor. 

A carriage, mounted on three rubberized 

legs, moves along two round tracks, geared 

and powered somewhat like an alarm clock 

with a self-winding device which is released 

to slowly propel the carriage on its testing 

movement. A metal shoe resting on the 

floor surface to be tested begins the process 

of slipping, pushed by a metal arm connected 

to the carriage. This metal arm which 

pushes the shoe is weighted downward and 

held against the shoe by a round weight. 

As it pushes, the other end of the arm is 

connected to a pen which records the movements 

on a graph. The rate of slipping is 

registered in a fairly straight line until the 

final slip which corresponds to the actual 

slipping of one's foot, and indicates the 

relative slickness of the surface. 

Community Service Begun 

By United Artist Theatres 

Having recently assumed active management 

of three well-known California theatres, 

the Egyptian and Loew's State in 

Hollywood and the California in Pomona, 

United Artists Theatre Circuit, Inc.. is 

acknowledging a responsibility to the public 

by the formation of a community service 

department. 

Under the direction of advertising director 

Robert Kesner, the new community 

service department has been set up to assist 

in worthwhile philanthropic and civic 

undertakings, at the same time creating 

goodwill for the circuit. 

In explaining the purpose of the new department, 

Pat DeCicco, head of the California 

group of UA theatres, characterized 

it as being as important to the success of 

a theatre as the boxoffice. 

As a beginning, the community service 

department sponsored a giant red feather 

searchlight parade in behalf of the Pomona 

Community Chest drive. The parade, 

which preceded the premiere of the newly 

remodeled theatre in Pomona, included 

film luminaries and representatives of various 

local organizations. Culmination of 

this goodwill gesture was the donation of 

all opening night receipts to the Chest 

drive. 

^ 

S 

SSU Ô/fS 

^HOUH 

A Product of America's 

Largest 

Manufacturer of 

Automatic Popcorn Boxes 

WRITE TODAY 

for Free Samples & Price List 

Lounge TV Is Improved 

By Indirect View Tube 

A life-size image is now available for theatre 

lounge television by the use of a 2V2- 

inch Protelgram tube manufactured by the 

North American Philips Co. The indirect 

view possible with the Protelgram yields 

a clear image up to 4x3-feet and does away 

with the "peephole" pictures and the distortion 

encountered with the enlargement 

of the pictures through the use of larger 

TV tubes. 

The Protelgram is offered as an answer 

to the problems of the direct-view system. 

Research was begun on this project 15 years 

ago by Dutch scientists. It was first demonstrated 

publicly in England in 1936. 

''om 

e* Mc old Ao/i

yltefc»fc »'i»>ii4»»>»»^*>»il! ,.»i j| 

'^ 

Building Bigger 

BOXOFFICE . 

Polite Personnel 

. . with 

by EUGENE A. CONKLIN 

Two patron services adopted by enterprising 

theotremen are illustrated here. Above, ushers 

in this fox Intermountain house are instructed 

to assist patrons with wraps. 

Below, ushers offer to check parcels and 

bundles for patrons attending the theatre. 

Anything that makes a visit to the theatre 

more convenient or pleasant will show up in 

larger boxoffice grosses. 

KJ usT A MONTH OR SO AGO the manager 

of a neighborhood theatre decided to 

find out for himself why boxoffice receipts 

were heading downward at a rapid rate. It 

seemed to him that poor pictures couldn't 

account for the slump entirely, so he offered 

ten crisp one dollar bills for the best customer 

letters on the subject, "Why I Don't 

Go to the Movies." Strange as it may seem, 

fully 15 per cent of the letters criticized the 

caliber of theatre personnel. If this has 

proved true in one neighborhood theatre, it 

could be happening to you. 

In tackling the personnel problem, selection 

of employes is vitally important. The 

manager of one downtown theatre in an 

Iowa community sends a cordial letter and 

a stamped, self-addressed return envelope 

to all local high school principals asking 

each teacher to send the names and home 

addresses of any students who might be 

potential theatre employes. From the followups 

made to this list come his current 

crop of ushers and usherettes. 

As a method of selling high school students 

on the theatre as a career, one theatre 

manager in Tennessee makes a personal 

appearance at the local high school auditorium 

and, in a five-minute talk, discusses 

theatre duties, qualifications and possibilities 

for advancement. High school pupils 

are interested in such information from an 

authoritative source. 

Still another theatre operator, this time 

in sunny Florida, invites housewives with 

children in school to work a four-hour shift 

from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. He finds 

many mothers ready and anxious to earn 

pin money in this fashion and, moreover, 

that housewives make excellent refreshment 

bar hostesses, the task for which he 

employs them. 

Having dispensed with the selection of 

personnel, what can be done to make these 

employes more helpful to the public? Let's 

take the usher who serves as liaison agent 

between patron and theatre manager. Few 

patrons meet the manager face-to-face in 

the larger theatres, but all have some contact 

or other with an usher or doorman. 

The late Marcus Lx)ew used to exclaim 

piously, "Ushers and doormen are bom, not 

made." He could have been right. 

One manager at least has some ideas on 

the subject of patron-doonnan-usher relationships. 

This Fox Intermountain manager 

makes it mandatory for ushers to help 

patrons on with their coats whenever practical 

as patrons are leaving the theatre 

after the show. Elderly individuals especially 

appreciate this service which gives 

them a sense of importance. 

Another manager in Oklahoma concentrates 

upon his doorman. He instructs the 

doorman to greet patrons with some comment 

such as, "How are you this evening? 

I hope you enjoy the picture." Granted 

that with heavy crowds the doorman can't 

be an extensive conversationalist, he can 

and does, in this theatre at least, find time 

to make some remark to the incoming patron. 

The same manager instructs ushers 

to ask of patrons as they come out, "Did 

you have an enjoyable evening?" It seems 

a small matter, but one chain found less 

than one per cent of its theatre doormen 

observing this small courtesy. 

Speaking of personnel pains, there's the 

matter of ushering the patrons down the 

aisle properly. Many ushers and some 

usherettes rival "The Batman" or "Wonder 

Woman" in their haste to get the patron 

into a seat and out of their way. Others 

act as if their walk down the aisle were the 

last mile toward the electric chair. 


Either extreme is annoying to the patron 

—and how many ushers in your theatre ask 

a seated patron, "Is this seat satisfactory?" 

Most of them flash the light briefly, indicate 

a vacant seat and scurry back the 

aisle as if the devil himself were in pursuit. 

One manager in North Dakota instructs 

his ushers and usherettes to watch for patrons 

with glasses and to ask, "Would you 

like to clean your glasses before being 

seated?" Ushers and usherettes in this 

theatre carry small squares of lens cloth for 

this purpose. This friendly service takes 

a minute, of course, but it means repeat 

business and that's important these days. 

This same manager has discovered that 

members of his staff are sometimes inclined 

to look a trifle on the sloppy side. 

Hair cuts may be overdue, shoes unshined 

and so on down the line. To reduce these 

occasions, this manager provides each staff 

member with a $2 monthly allowance to 

cover the necessary tonsorial treatment and 

shoe shines. This allowance helps the employe 

who is oftimes troubled with a sadly 

unbalanced budget, and makes for greater 

neatness on the part of the staff members 

who parade constantly before the moviegoing 

public. The eventual result is increased 

and a 

prestige for the house . . . bigger boxoffice. 

Theatres Top Spots 

For Popcorn Sales 

In Baltimore, Md., Don Mayborn, Robert 

Lucas and Robert Sheridan are making 

money on an idea conceived in Europe during 

the war and launched here in the fall 

of 1946. The three-partner operation, working 

under the Sun Puft Popcorn Co. banner, 

handles automatic popcorn venders. 

Located at strategic points over the city, 

the venders are ringing up profits in neighborhood 

theatres, confectioneries, drugstores, 

super markets and barbershops. 

The partners report between 400 and 800 

bushels per week are moved through the 

dime machines in theatres. The wide 

variation in theatre business hinges upon 

the pictures' popularity. 

Of importance in locating refreshment 

service equipment within theatres is the 

fact, disclosed by experience, that theatre 

patrons buy candy and popcorn on the way 

into the auditorium, and more often buy 

soft drinks on the way out. 

ÎN WINTER WEATHER -IT POURS! 

^^ 

^SS'HO miss 

POPSIT PLUS is always liquid at 

indoor temperatures ... no 

pre-heating, no scooping, no 

splattering . . . just pour into 

the measuring cup and pop 

the sellin'est corn you've 

/^ Boost ôur 

FREE 

SAMPLE 

" 

Use "Showmanship in your pop 

corn business, too I Dress up your 

pop corn in the nation's most 

colorful, most attractive cartons ever designed. 

Acclaimed by thousands of operators as dynamic 

sales booster. Works like magic. Get FREE 

SAMPLE, low prices on all supplies for a moneymaking 

pop corn business. No obligation. Write 

today to HOWARD C. SMITH, President. 

AMERICAN POP CORN CO. SIOUX CITY 6. IOWA 

ever tasted! 

Simonin of Philadelphia 

POPPING OIL SPECIALISTS TO THE NATION 


25

Soft Drink Vender Offers a Choice of Tfiree Flavors 

POPPING 

Packed in 

50-lb. pails and drums 

*# l\OU10 

— 

5 cow 

^ 

Packed in 

38-lb. pails and drums 

MADE BY ONE OF 

AMERICA'S LARGEST 

REFINERS 

' 

Since experts have proved that theatre 

patrons buy popcorn and candy on the way 

into a tlieatre. and purchase their soft 

drinks after the performance, it's always 

a problem to know where to locate a refreshment 

booth for the greatest effectiveness. 

Rollin Stonebrook. managing director of 

Chicago's Northcenter Theatre, has solved 

this problem to his satisfaction by separating 

the sale of soft drinks from the refreshment 

booth containing candy and 

popcorn. By locating his new Colespa 

three -drink automatic dispenser in the 

path of departing customers, Stonebrook 

has avoided the necessity for any additional 

personnel and says the results of 

a ten-day check following installation 

show an appreciable increase in sales. 

Dramatic appeal of the dispenser is 

heightened by lighting it with two small 

spotlights from above and by calling attention 

to its wares with an illuminated 

sign atop the dispenser. 

mOTIOGRflPH RGflin SHOUJS THE lUflV 

TO BETTER PROJECTIOfl AT LESS COST 

The Motiograph Hi-Powcr operalcd at 85 amperes produces 

40% more total screen lumens than ordinary reflector type 

arc lamps operating at 70 amperes and substantially more 

total screen lumens than the net total screen lumens obtainable 

from high intensity condenser type arc lamps operating 

at 170 to 180 amperes with a heat filter. 

You, too, can 

have more light on your screen-and at less cost-by using 

Motiograph Hi-Power limps. 

See your Motiograph dealer for a demonstration or write 

for literature. 

Other Motiograph products: 1 K.W. and 4E-ampere high 

intensity arc lamps, projectors, sound systems, motor-generators, 

in-car speaker equipment and junction boxes, ramp 

switching panels for drive-ins, turntables, etc. 

mOTIOGRflPH HI-POIUER 

75 lis AMPERE HIGH INTENSITY 

REFLECTOR TYPE ARC LAMP 

The BEST FOODS, inc. 

1 East 43rd Street 

New York 17, New York 

4431 W. LAKE ST. U 

Export Division 

(Except Canada) Frazar & Hansen Ltd. 

CHICAGO 24, ILLINOIS 

301 Clay Street • San Francisco 11, Calif. 


Hot Box Displayed 

At Outdoor Show 

Complete with several late refinements, 

the Hot Box produced by the Walky Koffee 

Co.. Inc., was shown at the annual con- 

\ention of the National Ass'n of Amusement 

Parks. Pools and Beaches in Chicago 

in late November. 

Wf^

. 

DETROIT SUBURB GETS NEW THEATRE 

RYAN A RYAN 

Theatres are no longer 

limited by the "throw" of the projection lens. 

The new Super Luxars give greatly increased 

screen brilliance at distances never before possible. 

They provide the theatre designer increased 

flexibility in theatre layouts. 

For outdoor theatres, the projection booth may 

now be located for maximum attendance and 

convenience. 

Super Luxar Lenses all have an aperture ratio 

of f :2.0 with range of focal lengths from 6 to 

2 1 1/2 and fit most standard projection equipment. 

For maximum screen illumination for extra 

long "throws", in both outdoor and indoor 

theatres, get the complete information and 

prices of Super Luxar Lenses by writing. . 

PRODUCTS CORP. 

Optical Engineers for IS y 

926 N. CITRUS AVENUE HOLLYWOOD 38, CALIF. 

X HE Ryan, newest theatre in the 

Detroit suburban area, was opened recently 

by William Schulte, operator of a circuit 

of houses in Detroit and southeastern 

Michigan which probably constitutes the 

largest independent theatre chain in the 

state in number of units. 

The new house is designed in a simple, 

modern style with a classically plain macotta-type 

front and triangular marquee. 

It is flanked by store stioictures. Located 

in the north end of the suburban area at 

Nine Mile and Ryan in the suburb of Van 

Dyke, the house will draw from the growing 

area which was the center of much wartime 

industrial plant construction and from 

the surrounding moderate-priced new residential 

territoi-y. Johnson Construction Co. 

of Birmingham erected the house. 

National Theatre Supply furnished the 

equipment which includes 1,366 American 

Bodiform retracting chairs. Simplex projectors 

and sound, Hertner high intensity 

generator, Magnarc lamps and Walker P.M. 

White screen. 

Other equipment installed by NTS includes 

Crestwood cai-peting, Aluminex 

frames and hardware, U. S. Rubber matting, 

Vio-Glo directional signs, National 

blower, Blair furniture, Automaticket ticket 

register, Johnson coin changer and a Tru- 

Ade drink dispenser. 

Glascreens to Be Added 

To Colombian Theatres 

Two Glascreen installations have been 

shipped to Bogota, Colombia, in line with 

the policy of Loew's International to replace 

screens in all of its foreign houses 

with this new style screen. These are the 

first shipments to be made to South America 

by the Nu-Screen Corp., according to 

Herman Gluckman, president. The fiberglas 

screens will go into Bogota's Cine 

Metro and the Metro Teusaquillo. 

Veteran Equipment 

Manufacturer Dies 

Edward W. LaVezzi. founder of the La- 

Vezzi Machine Works, died December 25 

after failing to recover from an operation. 

LaVezzi, who was 71 at the time of his 

death, is survived by his wife, five children 

and nine grandchildren. After retiring 

from active participation in management 

of the business in 1940, he devoted most of 

his time to a small farm on the outskirts 

of Chicago. 


Successful Chain Selects 

Heywood -Wakefield Comfort 

For New DeKALB 

YES, 

there's plenty of successful experience 

back of this newest (and 

twelfth) unit of the expanding Anderson 

Theatre Corporation. And a nation-wide 

record of experience proves that 

Heywood-Wakefield seating is a dependable 

aid to profitable operation. First, 

because comfort is designed into every line 

and detail. Second, because time-tested 

construction methods, and the use of 

special quality steels for coil springs, 

standards, seat and back-pans assure the 

kind of durabiMty that keeps maintenance 

costs consistently low. 

See for yourself how the handsome 

appearance and downright comfort of 

Heywood -Wakefield seating can make patrons 

want to come back—and Jeam at 

first hand the many money-saving advantages 

of Heywood -Wakefield construction 

features. Call your nearest Heywood- 

Wakefield distributor or one of our sales 

offices in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago or 

New York. 

"Heywood - Wa kefield 

chairs," says A. J. 

Claesson, of Anderson 

Theatre Corporation, 

"make life easier for an 

interior decorator in two 

important ways. Their 

good looks harmonize 

with decorating plans— 

and their proved comfort 

helps assure continuing 

patronage." 

Note how smart lines of "Encore" Model TC700 

chairs complement the DeKalb's modern decor. 

HEYWOOD 

WAKEFIELD 

Theatre Seating Division 

MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN 


— 

AT THE DROP OF 

With Coins for 

Clerks, 

The National Automatic 

Merchandising 

Ass'n. 

Meets In Atlantic City 

I ATEST ADVANCES OF THE LUSTY INFANT member of America's 

retail distribution system— tlie vending machine industry 

were revealed to thousands of vending equipment and supply 

buyers at the four-day annual convention of the National Automatic 

Merchandising Ass'n, opened November 27 in the worldfamed 

Convention hall of Atlantic City, N. J. 

The association represents manufacturers and operators of merchandise 

and service vending machines and their suppliers. Those 

who sell or operate amusement or gaming devices are not eligible 

for membership. 

The exhibit was opened by George M. Seedman, convention 

chairman, assisted by Ford S. Mason, NAMA's president. Joining 

Seedman and Mason in the opening ceremonies were Mrs. Harrie 

Kronenberg of Birmingham, Ala., ladies' activities chairman, and 

Mrs. J. R. Edwards, Kansas City, Mo., honorary women's 

chairman. 

The majority of the 139 exhibitors showing their goods reported 

sales to be "excellent." Others who planned little, If any, 

actual selling during the four-day period said that exceptional 

interest was shown during the exhibit. Some of the various types 

of vending machines included those offering hot sandwiches, 

milk, ice cream, hot coffee, hot chocolate, soup, bakery goods, 

books, nylons, cigaret and cigar vending machines. 

More than 40 candy manufacturers displayed the latest vendable 

sweets and eleven major soft drink syrup manufacturers, 

five gum manufacturers and three match-making firms were 

numbered among the 1949 exhibitors. 

In an election of officers for 1950 which included five new 

directors for a three-year term, George M. Seedman, vice-president 

of The Rowe Corp., New York City, and NAMA convention 

chairman for three years, was elected president of NAMA for the 

ensuing year. Seedman succeeds Ford S. Mason, Ford Gum & 

Machine Co., Lockport, N. Y., as president. 

J. Bernard Lanagan of the Nik-O-Lok Co., Indianapolis, was 

named vice-president. John T. Pierson of the Vendo Co., Kansas 

City, Mo., was re-elected treasurer. 

The five newly elected members of the board of directors increased 

the number to 18. They included Seedman, Davre J. 

Davidson, Davidson Bros., Los Angeles; E. F. Hinkle, Automatic 

Canteen Co. of America, Chicago; I. H. Houston, Spacarb, Inc., 

New York, and Arthur F. Schultz, Arthur F. Schultz Co., Erie, Pa. 

Fen Doscher, president of Sales Executives Club of New York 

and vice-president in charge of sales, Lily-Tulip Cup Corp., New 

York City, spoke at the opening convention session and was followed 

by Zenn Kaufman, merchandising director, Philip Morris 

& Co., Ltd., New York, and I. H. Houston, 

At a special legislative luncheon, held on the second day of the 

convention, Fred L. Brandstrader, NAMA's legislative counsel 

told the general membership that city, county and state tax 

officials are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that automatic 

merchandising is a recognized form of retail distribution. 

Brandstrader reviewed the recent developments in tax matters 

in Florida, Kentucky, Chicago and a number of California cities. 

1

A COIN 

At the right is a birdseye view of the spacious 

convention hall in Atlantic City where 

the NAMA convention was held late in November. 

Around the page are other photographs 

of display booths at the meet showing 

number of the new vending machines 

which were being demonstrated. 

Plans were also announced at the luncheon for the enlarging 

of NAMA's legislative staff with the proposal to establish regional 

legislative offices in the southeast and the west to enable the 

association to carry on the fight against unfair taxes. 

At the same luncheon, George H. Pox. field representative of 

the National Confectioners' Ass'n, discussed the correlation of 

the confectioners' program with NAMA activities. 

Cup beverage operators were told to seek new machine locations 

in plants, schools and theatres. The speaker added that 

a machine working well on location is your best salesman. 

Merle Zuehlke. Founteen, Milwaukee, outlined to the cup beverage 

operators six ways of increasing volume in present locations. 

They are: survey your stops to know their problems, 

make your machine stand out by highlighting its background, 

use only the best products, alternate the flavors sold at least 

semimonthly, make use of on-location promotion and watch sales 

charts for location flavor preferences. 

The addition of hot beverage machines helps to level off the 

seasonal slump in sales now experienced with cold drink machines. 

By adding hot drink equipment, one company reported, 

the ordinai-y seasonal drop in sales has been made up. 

The candy, gum. nut and biscuit opera.tors' clinic concerned 

itself with a "sell more" discussion around a study of new location 

problems, precise checks on stock through a systematic 

record-keeping system, ways to increase business in present locations 

and operating penny machines in conjunction with nickel 

equipment. 

Use of penny machines in conjunction with nickel venders was 

called good salesmanship by William Fishman. Automatic Merchandising 

Co.. Chicago. Fishman said the use of such equipment 

will enable the operator to realize full sales potential on 

present locations. 

BOXOmCE :: January 7, 1950 31

. 

ANOTHER 

( 

ACHIEVEMENT 

and the Mapletown, recently opened 

in Maple Heights, Ohio, is already 

achieving results far beyond expectations, 

proving again that INNER 

SERVICE (patented by Poblocki) is 

far ahead of any other marquee on 

the market. 

> 

t 

These are the features that make the Maplimun m irquee unique: 

• Over 42 feet of continuous attraction board, all of which can be 

cleaned in one tenth of the time necessary for conventional marquees 

of like size. 

• All copy is changed from inside the marquee — no ladders arc used. 

• The marquee room provides convenient, efficient letter storage. 

• Plexiglas is used throughout, increasing light emission over white 

opal by iZ'yr. 

• tamps in Holophane reflectors are cleaned quickly, easily, without 

disturbing copy. 

There is no other, more efficient, more economical way to handle marquee 

advertising than with INNER SERVICE. i2 scenes from the current show 

can be projected on marquee. Investigate this outstanding profitbuilder now. 

i^^^ POSTER CASES 

Poblocki & Sons 

2159 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. 

Milwaukee 7, Wis. 

Please send us complete information on 

"INNER SERVICE" 

Complete Fronts 

Poster Cases 

Other Products 

(Indicate) 

Name 

Address 

City & State 

The Mapletown shows its posters 

to best advantage with 

five Poblocki illuminated 

stainless steel cases. Also 

available in extruded aluminum, 

alumilited in natural 

white finish, bronze or colors. 

These cases are the choice of 

smart exhibitors. 

BOX OFFICE—also custom built 

and installed by Poblocki. 

OTHER POBLOCKI 

PRODUCTS 

Complete Porcelain and 

Stainless Steel Theatre 

Fronts • Marquees • 

Signs • Box Offices • 

Poster Cases, Aluminum 

and Stainless Sceel • I 

• Stainless Steel Doors and 

rive-In 

Signs. 

i^dmêfZi.Affvso?r5 "^ 


SMARTNESS AND CHARM ADDED 

TO NEW ENGLAND THEATRE 

BEFORE: Before remodeling the Union was 

squeezed between a shoe repair shop and a 

soda fountain and presented a very ordinary 

appearance. 

AFTER: Extending the marquee from 14 feet 

to 170 feet, the new theatre front includes 

both shops. Attractions are announced only 

in display panels with the name of the theatre 

in script above the entrance. 

Xn remodeling their Union Theatre 

in Attleboro, Mass., B&Q Associates 

took over space in the theatre building occupied 

by a shoe repair shop and a soda 

shop and incorporated the two into a 170- 

foot front. A new ladies' lounge and restroom 

and a new boxoffice and display area 

utilized the extra space acquired. 

The designers, William Riseman Associates, 

working on a theory that the theatre 

name is more effective than marquee attraction 

boards, built a 170-foot marquee 

adorned only with the name in neon script. 

Standard display cases on the front of the 

theatre announce current features. 

Carrying out the modernistic effect in 

the interior, the lobby was rejuvenated with 

a ceiling-to-floor mirrored wall, a hungplaster 

ceiling and recessed cove lighting 

In order to enlarge the existing foyer, the 

lobby doors wei-e moved forward and some 

seats were removed from the auditorium. 

The refreshment area was redone and a 

candy stand added. Mirrors increase the 

apparent width of the foyer. 

The wall leading to the ladies' lounge 

is textured glass. The lounge itself features 

floor-to-ceiling mirrors, recessed 

lights and vanity stools. 

Located in the downtown business area, 

the Union seats 1,034 and is a first run 

house. Total cost of the remodeling was 

$72,000, including installation of Standard 

plumbing. General and Gotham lighting in 

the interior as well as exterior, Pittsburgh 

plate glass lobby doors and terrazzo front. 

uobby doors were moved forward 

and some seats removed 

from the auditorium 

in order to include the refreshment 

stand at left. A 

Pronto popcorn warmer is 

featured equipment. 

The ladies' powder room was added in space 

acquired from a neighboring shop. In the mirrored 

wall shown above a semicircular divan is 

reflected. 

Before and after pictures of 

the lobby show how a narrow, 

crowded area was apparently 

enlarged by the use 

of a mirrored wall and Herculite 

gloss doors. 


(^ccaneC jr4^îC»t4t 

PROTECTING THE 

FROM HIMSELF 

by GEORGE J. BEVANS 

Architectural Engineer 

PATRON 

OMAN EMERGENCY 

ELECTRIC PLANT 

You are protected against power interruption or 

restrictions on your use of electricity with an 

Onan Standby Plant. In case of power failure the 

Onan Plant takes over the entire power load 

within seconds automatically, and the show goes 

on. When power use is curtailed, just switch to 

your Onan Plant for all the current you need. 

Low in cost, simple to install. Ruggedly built 

and dependable. 1,000 to 35,000 watts A.C. 

D. W. ONAN & SONS INC. 

AT ROTECTION OF THEATRE patrOnS 

against fire and panic is requii-ed by law, 

but protecting them from themselves is a 

daily hazard of theatre operation that only 

the owners themselves can minimize. 

This hazard of falls and other types of 

bodily injui-y keeps public liability insurance 

rates at high levels and adds to the 

cost of theatre overhead. 

No figures exist, but it is doubtful if 

there are very many theatre owners in the 

countiT who at some time or other have 

not had claims presented for torn clothing, 

pinched fingers, sprained ankles or 

more serious mishaps. 

Although it is not generally recognized, 

about one person in 11 is what medical experts 

call "accident-prone," meaning that 

this one pei-son is more likely to suffer injury 

than the other ten. 

"If there isn't an accident around, these 

accident-susceptible people will go out 

looking for one," it was recently stated by 

Dr. A. L. Chapman, medical director of 

the division of chronic disease of the 

United States public health service. 

"Ten normal people will walk up a flight 

of steps," he said. "The eleventh, an accident-prone 

individual, will trip and perhaps 

break his arm. Why? We dont 

know. We ought to find out." 

This of course does not mean that one 

out of evei-y 11 persons entering a theatre 

is going to suffer an accident, but many 

do every year, and it emphasizes that a 

theatre should be made as safe as possible. 

Next to motor vehicles, falls account for 

more accidental deaths in America each 

year than any other cause. 

Taking cognizance of this fact, the National 

Bureau of Standards has conducted 

exhaustive tests with various types of 

floors. "In making these tests they were 

forced to balance the fact that the slipperiness 

of any surface is important to the 

physical well-being of those who walk on 

it, that rough surfaces are difficult to maintain 

and are thus not desirable from the 

standpoint of theatre owners." 

Following the tests, the Bureau came 

up with the finding that asphalt tile is 

generally the safest material underfoot of 

the more commonly-used smooth-surfaced 

flooring materials, provided it is not given 

a high-gloss coating of wax. 

A loibber heel is the safest on any type 

of floor, the Bureau said, but with either 

rubber or leather heels a person is less 

prone to slip on asphalt tile than on any 

other smooth flooring. These conditions 

exist in most cases whether the floor is 

wet or dry, clean or dirty. 

The safety factor is one of the reasons 

that architects today are specifying asphalt 

tile for new theatres and for houses undergoing 

modernization. Other factors cited 

by architects are the low installation and 

maintenance costs of asphalt tile, its imlimited 

range in color and design, and such 

wear-resistance that asphalt tile has withstood 

the foot traffic of more than 20,000,- 

000 persons without showing any discernible 

loss in thickness. 

STAIRWAY 

PROTECTION 

Flooring that is safe underfoot is only 

part of the protection that should be pro- 

itzer Brothers, leaders in technical 

and engineering research in the 

black light and luminous display fields, 

offer a complete line of fluorescent 

paints, lighting units and other products 

to enhance the beauty of your theater. 

34 

Write today for a GLO-CRAFT port- 

^tt^' folio of suggestions on dramatic black 

light 

effects 

theater decoration. 

;i3ffiyiii!M{i5.iii. 

Wl St Clair Aviniii • Clevelanil 3, Ohio 

T/ie First âme in Fluorescence" 

Be Sure to See Before You Buy Ar^y Screen 

WILLIAMS SCREEN CO. 

1679 Summit Lake Blvd. Akron 7, Ohio 

postage-paid card oi page 39 to respond to this ad, key number 34-C. 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

' 

vided for theatre patrons. Staii-ways are 

especially hazardous. 

Many city ordinances require strong 

handrails at all points where there are two 

or more steps, and a center rail if a flight 

of steps is more than eight feet wide. 

Failure to comply with such a law will automatically 

void a public liability insui'- 

ance policy in case of injui-y on poorly protected 

stairs. 

In localities where such safety ordinances 

do not exist, a provision in the liability insurance 

policy sometimes covers the contingency. 

In any event, failure to provide 

handrails can easily lay a theatre owner 

wide open to damage claims and possibly 

the trouble and expense of court action. 

DEFECTIVE SEATS 

Defective seats that will catch clothing 

or pinch fingers comprise another hazard. 

Pi'equent inspection and immediate replacement 

of seats with broken veneer, 

cracked arms, torn upholstery, broken 

springs or other defects will reduce damage 

claims from this source, to say nothing 

of improving patron goodwill. 

Special care should be exercised to see 

that electric switches in washrooms are 

located where they cannot be touched 

while a patron is in contact with grounded 

plumbing fixtures or mechanical dryers. 

Adequate lighting of aisles and flights of 

stairs is essential to prevent stumbling. 

This not only reduces danger of accidents, 

but adds to patrons' comfort. 

Easy-opening doors should be provided 

that will not be snapped shut quickly by a 

too tightly adjusted automatic door closer 

as a patron enters the foyer or a lounge. 

MAINTENANCE STAFF DUTIES 

Members of the maintenance staff should 

be instnicted to wipe up any puddles of 

water that appear on floors of washrooms 

or smooth-floored lobbies immediately in 

order to remove a common cause of slipping. 

They also should be cautioned to store all 

tools and other articles where patrons cannot 

fall over them. 

A careful survey of the indiâdual theatre 

probably will reveal other steps that 

can be taken to remove accident hazards 

and even safeguard that one person in 11 

who is more "accident-prone" than the 

other ten. 

Damage suits or frequent claims for injury 

are the poorest types of public relations 

for any theatre. Therefore, aside from 

the monetary considerations in individual 

claims, the establishment of a reputation 

that a theatre is safe and comfortable will 

bring added dollai-s to the boxoffice. 

Furthermore, if all theatre owners in the 

coimtry reduced the claims for liability, it 

would not be long until insui-ance premiums 

were lowered by the underw^riters. 

RECTIFIERS 

F„r T-vmrr Siwm Thaatn 

FOREST HARRISON, INC. 207 Railroad Ave.. Harrison, N. J. 

BOXOFTICE :: January 7, 1950 

For 

YOUR 

BOXOFFICE 

Engraved by 

] 

our exclu£ 

process on 

cite to your 

specilicationB. 

LAMOLITE 

ADULTS j; 

ILLUMINATED PRICE ADMISSION SIGNS 

Our enlarged plant facilities assure 

OVERNIGHT service from coast to coast. 

Plastic Signs Engraved for the Entire Theatre 

WRITE NOW TO: 'Patent Pending 

Edgar S. 

124 W. 2Isl St.. 

Bowman 

New York 11, N. Y. 

HlODfRfllZfS flflD BfflUTIfltS LOBBIES 

EZY-RUG 

COLORED RUBBER LINK MATTING 

^nxipA. cuU ^lî at iUe ôo^ 

ugated ridges in the linlcs scrape the dirt 

the (eet traveling across the mat, trap 

the openings, keep it out of sight, pretracking 

throughout the theatre ond 

expens carpets, thus reducing clean- 

o 

and red •ating costs. Comlortable un- 

foot. 

Slip-proof. Prev 

liability of law 

heels. Non-trip 

ccidenis. 

Safe e 

d edge. 

educes the 

with high 

1 galvanized, rust-resisting 

wire to form mots of any 

spring steel desired shape up to 8 feet in width and of any 

length. 

Rolls up for easy, quick removal of dirt. 

Available in your choice of pattern, emblem, 

or lettering in any combination of 

ten colors: brick red. black, light brown, dark 

brown, gray, orange, white, dark blue, light 

green and dark green. 

We also offer Counler-Tred Matting for use 

at candy counters and popcorn machines: 

perforated corrugated matting for lobbies and 

Tile-Top Sponge Matting for aisles. 

AMERICAN MAT CORP. 

"America's Largest Matting Specialists" 

1719 Adams St. • Toledo 2, Ohio 

J Please send free folder. "A M.it for Every Purpose." 

12 Please send prices on Ezy-Ruo Mattino. 

;H Please send information and prices on American 

Counter-Tred Matlino for candy counters and popcorn 

Name. 

machines. 

IN CANADA 

America n Mat Corporation. 

Canada Trust Building 

Windsor Ontario 

, 

West U me, Ontario 

35 

I

— 

— 

Elegance With Economy 

(Continued from Page 10) 

emphasis to the lapis blue which predominates by being carried 

over the ceiling and on the walls around the murals as far down 

as the dado. Here the plum-red is picked up in a large-scaled 

fluted pattern, both decorative and practical. 

The seats are lapis blue, as is the drapery forming the proscenium 

and the main stage curtain. The screen curtains are in 

molten gold. 

Now it can be seen plainly how these hangings form a complete 

inner decorative wall. No one would ever suspect there is nothing 

behind them but the outside masonry wall. The theatre's name 

provides the key to the impressive murals forming the main 

decorative embellishment of the auditorium. Against the background 

that seems aquatic, heroically scaled, rhythmic marine 

plant-forms are woven into a flowing composition. 

AQUATIC COLORS IN AUDITORIUM 

The colors are also aquatic in character—coral, rose-coral, 

aquamarine, sand and marine blues and foam-white for accent 

are brought out by the soft lighting from the trough above. The 

simplicity and richness of the interior designate this theatre as 

outstanding in contemporary theatre design. 

The Mayland auditorium shows a color scheme of deepest 

cobalt blue carried over the ceiling and around the frame of the 

side murals. Off-white striping mnning full length from front 

to back of the auditorium makes an attractive pattern under the 

down-lights. Ceilings of both theatres are worthy of note in the 

finesse with which they avoid complicated or expensive architectural 

handling. The ceilings cari-y their share of the decoration 

and yet maintain an architectural and structural simplicity. 

The stage curtains are silver-gold and the proscenium draping 

in magenta-red is essentially the same as in the Lake except 

that the curtain curve ends against the solid magenta-painted 

walls of the proscenium. 

Here, too, proscenium walls are formed solely by curtain over 

masonry. Auditorium seats blend in with the hangings and 

deepest magenta is used for the dado. 

The glory of this auditorium lies in the two murals which run 

the complete length of the side walls. These designs are no 

casual fantasies but are based on research done at Chicago's 

famous Adler Planetarixmi. Done in black light, they constitute 

not one decorative effect but two completely different compositions 

in color and content under white and ultra violet lightings. 

Under regular light they depict composition of rolling cloud 

forms, nebulae, stars and planets, executed in the most ethereal 

blues from palest azure to deepest midnight. Under black light 

the fluorescent paints which are interwoven with the regular 

painting, reveal a completely different design which shows the 

symbols of the various stellar arrangements. The luminescent 

outline of Leo the Lion appears superimposed over the star 

formation which bears its name. The glowing outline of The 

Scales appears to imite the separate stars of its particular formation, 

and so on. 

On one side are the constellations and zodiac signs of the 

southern sky, while on the other side appear those of the northern 

hemisphere. The symbols used in these murals were patterned 

from exquisite lithographs in a very rare antique Italian 

almanac discovered during the last war and given to the Adler 

Planetarium. 

We hope you will agree that even this cursory examination 

of these two theatres backs up our judgment that they are fine 

examples of contemporary houses any way you look at them 

as for design, construction methods, maintenance, convenience, 

comfort, economy and even luxury for the patron. 

Above all, we hope you will see how this has been achieved 

through early and thorough planning, not just in the main features 

but complete integration down to the last carpet, curtain, 

settee, lamp and even smoking accessory. 

In Hollywood. . . In Your Theater 

It's 

Bausch & Lomb for 

Top Image Quality 

-s^ 

fciiî* 

• For many years, the world's leading cameramen 

in the big name studios of Hollywood ha\ c 

preferred Bausch & Lomb lenses for top image 

quality. They depend, too, on Bausch & Lomb 

lenses for projecting process backgrounds. 

Your decision to use Bausch & Lomb Super Cincphor 

lenses for top image quality . . . maximum 

edge-to-edge brilliance, contrast and sharpness 

on your screen . . . has the overwhelming support 

of the motion picture industry. Bausch & Lomb 

Optical Co., 720-M St. Paul St., Rochester 2, N. Y. 

FOR TOP IMAGE QUALITY ON YOUR SCREEN ... THE W TRADEMARK ON YOUR LENS 

BAUSCH & LOMB 

PROJECTION LENSES 


ttention value 

HAT PAYS off; 

Sure, the show's the thing and you know you have it but, unless you 

tell the world — at least that part of it that passes your theatre — you 

can't hope for a big gross. 

show with the show-sellingest medium ever devised — Wag- 

SELL that 

ner Letters and Frames. They really get attention, put sock into your 

billing, bring in the shekels. 

Exclusive advantages, available only vnth Wagner, make them the 

most potent, most economical, most favored of all display equipment. 

There are frames to meet all conditions, letters in plastic and aluminum 

in the widest range of sizes, colors to suit your fancy. But send today 

for the BIG FREE catalog on Wagner show-selling equipment, the 

largest in the world. 

LETTERS AND 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

FRAMES 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

WAGNER SIGN SERVICE, 

• 

218 S. Hoyne Ave.. Chicago 12, HI. 

Please send BIG free catalog on Wagner Theatre 

I 

1 display equipment, the largest line in the world. 

Name 

: Theatre 

INC. 

USE COUPON TO REQUEST CATALOG ON EFFECTIVE 

SHOW-SELLING EQUIPMENT 

= Street 

E 

City & State 


37

— 

— 

life 

Theatres First to Install 

Air Cooling in Manila 

install itwe 

service it your tlieatre TV equipment 

RCA Service Engineers on 

television assignments are 

factory-trained experts. You 

can depend on them to keep 

at peak efficiency. 

will be on ready call for quick emergency 

service. 

Like the Service Plan for motion picture 

equipment, RCA's new Theatre TV 

Service includes periodic inspection calls 

and unlimited emergency service—at reasonable 

rates. Tubes and components are 

of complete theatre TV replaced without additional charge when 

Parts Plan is included. 

f -f 1 

IMAGINE IT— television programs on 

your screen with reliability corresponding 

to a motion picture show. It's a fact 

when it's backed by RCA Service. Write 

for complete information. 

RCA SERVICE COMPANY. INC. 

A RADIO CORPORATION ofAMERICA SUBSIDIARY 

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY 

More for Your 

We Specialize in 

SPEAKER STANDS 

for Outdoor Theatres 

Fabricated to Speciiication in Our Own Plant 

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY • ANY QUANTITY 

Don't Delay! Wire, Write or Phone! Telephone L. D. 1024 or THatcher 9243 

For full information by mail, use the postage-pa!d cards at 

Page 39 and write in the Key Number of this ad, 38-B. 

ago. 

Riverview at 2nd Street Kansas City 18, Kansas • 

When you get set for television in your 

theatre, RCA Service Engineers are prepared 

to help you. 

These experts have received intensive 

training in the television laboratories and 

factories of the Radio Corporation of 

America and are qualified to supervise 

the installation 

systems and keep them running. 

They will' see to it that all video equipment, 

including coaxial lines and antennas, 

are installed for maximum operating efficiency. 

They will give whatever operating 

instructions are necessary to your projectionists 

on handling the equipment. They 

Theatres are pioneering the use of air 

conditioning in the Philippines, according 

to Estaban T. Caedo, head of the Caedo 

Engineering Co., who handles air conditioning 

units of the United States Air Conditioning 

Corp. Caedo predicts that "1950 

should see the biggest air conditioning 

boom in the history of the islands." 

With average temperatures of 78 degrees 

in winter and 84 degrees in summer 

and occasional rises to 100 degrees, theatre 

owners are the first to realize the need for 

air cooling. Caedo reports 15 theatre installations 

in Manila at the present time. 

Of these, five are reconditioned prewar installations. 

The Manila dealer expects a 

considerable increase in air conditioned 

houses in 1950. 

Pictured here is the Society Theatre in 

Manila which has just been equipped by 

Caedo's firm. 

Candy Dollar 

Combined results of a survey among 

leading candy manufacturers and Department 

of Commerce statistics as analyzed by 

the Council on Candy of the National Confectioners' 

Ass'n, show the candy consumer 

is getting increasing value for his money 

these days. 

The study indicates that, compared to a 

year ago, quantity and quality have improved. 

Two-thirds of the candy bar manufacturers 

questioned by the council have 

increased the size of their product, making 

the average candy bar today approximately 

12 per cent heavier than it was a year 

One and one-fourth ounces was the 

average weight of candy bars a year ago 

as compared to one and one-half to two 

ounces now. 


« 

For MORE INFORMATION on ony Product Advertised 

in this issue or mentioned in the New Equipment and 

news pages or for copies of Manufacturers' Literature 

listed herein — Use Postcards Below. 

mnu 

miREiii] 

NEW EQUIPMENT and 

Briefed from the full descriptions starting on page 52 

VACUUM COOLING FOR JUICE DISPENSER P-328 

The Ilile Mfg. Co. develops juice dispenser the ice 

using 

jacket principle oi cuoliilg. Stainless steel base and frosted 

plastic juice container welgli about 20 pounds. 

VAPORIZER ATTACHES TO DUCT SYSTEM P-329 

For diffusing their liquid air conditioner, Correcti\es, 

Air 

Inc.. is marlcetliiB the Air-.\id Mliicli is attached to air 

circulation ducts. 

PERMANENT FILTER CLEANS WATER P-33D 

A permanent metallic filter element for removing Impunties 

from city water Is available through Oscar Fisher Co.. 

Inc. Unit filters its much as ten g.alions per minute. 

DISPENSES TWO DRINKS FROM EACH HEAD P-331 

A compactly built cold drink dispenser called the Migliiy 

Midget is manufactured with one. two and three dispensing 

heads and servis two drinks from each head. 

PLASTIC PROTECTION FOR METAL SURFACES P-332 

Krume-Kote has developed a synthetic liquid plastic coating 

whicli protects metal surfaces against rust, corrosion, 

pitting and tarnish. 

SWEDEN FREEZER DEVELOPS COUNTER-SIZE UNIT.P-333 

,\e\v Space Saver soft ice cream freezer Includes regular 

single and double, four and len-qiiart freezer heads in table 

models. 

NEW EASTER CANDIES BEING SHOWN P-334 

.Melster creme eggs, wrapped to provide an Easter atmosphere, 

are being shown In 24-count counter display boxes and also 

a IOC-count vending pack. 

RUBBER UNDERLAY REDUCES CARPET WEAR P-335 

Sponse iiubber Products Co. h:n dnclniiid mothproof, 

a 

skidiMOdf sponste rubber rug cushinii siiil l

. 

AB 

READERS' BUREAU 

For literature on products advertised or mentioned in this issue, see other 

side of this sheet and read how to use the postcard coupons below. 

PRODUCTS ADVERTISED IN THIS ISSUE 

ATTRACTION BOARDS AND LETTERS 

Adier Silhouette Letter Co 

Wagner Sign Service, Inc 

& Sons 

Poblocki 

CARPET CUSHIONING 

Sponge Rubber Products Co.... 

CHANGE-IVIAKING MACHINES 

Brandt Automatic Cashier Co.. 

Coinometer Corporation 

CONCESSION CONTRACTORS 

Sportservice, Inc 

CONCESSION EQUIPMENT, DRIVE-IN 

Walky Service Co 

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS, DRIVE-I N 

Baliantyne Co 

Drive-ln Theatre Mfg. Co 

CURTAIN CONTROLS 

See Stage Equipment 

DECORATIVE SERVICE 

Novelty Scenic Studios, Inc.... 

DISPLAY CASES, POSTER 

Poblocki & Sons 

Universal Corporation . . . 

DRINK DISPENSERS, MANUAL 

Mighty Midget Mfg. Corp 

DRINK VENDERS, CUP 

Sherwood C. Ide & Associates, Inc.. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE CONSULTANTS 

Drive-ln Theatre Service Co 

EMERGENCY LIGHTING SYSTEMS 

D. W. Onan & Sons, Inc 

FOUNTAINS, SODA 

See Drink Dispensers, Manual 

HAND DRYERS, ELECTRIC 

Electric-Aire Engineering Co.. 

MATS 

American 

Mat Corp. 

.57-A 

.37-A 

.32-A 

.34-B 

.27- 

45- 

IS-B 

.19-A 

.27-B 

.50-A 

.34-A 

.54-B 

.35-0 

POPCORN BAGS and CARTONS 

American Pop Corn Co 25-A 

Manley, Inc 16-A 

Rockford Paper Mills, Inc 23-A 

POPCORN MACHINES 


POPCORN SCOOPS 

Speed-Scoop 27-C 

POPCORN POPPING LIQUID 

Best Foods, Inc 

Manley, Inc 

Simonin of Philadelphia 

...26-A 

,...16-A 

...25-B 

POPCORN & SUPPLIES 

American Pop Com Co 25-A 

I ndiana Pop Corn Co 22-A 


POSTER CASES 

See Display Cases, Poster 

PROJECTION LAMPS 

Ashcraft Mfg. Co 49-A 

Strong Electric Corp 3.A 

PROJECTION RECTIFIERS 

Forest-Harrison, Inc 35-A 

PROJECTION SCREENS 

B. F. Shearer Co 4-A 

Williams Screen Co 34-C 

PROJECTION & SOUND SERVICE 

RCA Service Co 38-A 

PROJECTOR CARBONS 

National Carbon Co 6-A 

PROJECTOR CARBON SAVERS 

Cali Carbon Couplers 

..53-B 

PROJECTOR LENSES 

Bausch and Lomb Optical Co 36-A 

Kollmorgen Optical Corp se-A 

Par Products Corp 2S-A 

PROJECTORS 

Baliantyne Co 44-A 

International Projector Corp.. .47-A and 1-BC 

Motiograph, Inc 26-B 

Wenzel Projector Co 59-C 

PROJECTOR PARTS 

UVezzi Machine Works 55-B 

REFRESHMENT CARTS for DRIVE-INS 

Sm Concession Equipment, Drive-In 

SAND URNS 

GoldE Mfg. Co 58-A 

SCALES, PENNY FORTUNE 

Watling Manufacturing Co 15-A 

SCREENS. INDOOR THEATRE 

See Projection Screens 

SCREEN TOWERS, DRIVE-IN 

Drive-ln Theatre Mfg. Co 4S-B 

Timber Structures, Inc 51-A 

SEATING 

American Seating Co 5-A 

Griggs Equipment Co IS-C 

Heywood-Wakefield Co. 29-A 

Ideal Seating Co 56-D 

Irwin Seating Co 59-A 

SPEAKERS, IN-CAR DRIVE-IN 

Baliantyne Co 44-A 

Drive-ln Theatre Mfg. Co 4S-B 

International Projector Corp. ..47-A and 1-BC 

Motiograph, Inc 26-B 

RCA Theatre Equipment Division 41-A 

SPEAKER POSTS, DRIVE-IN 

Sonken & Galamba Corporation 38-B 

SPOTLIGHTS 

Strong Electric Co 58-C 

STAGE EQUIPMENT 

Automatic Devices Co 56-C 

Novelty Scenic Studios 60-B 

Vallen, Inc 2S-B 

SWEEPERS, VACUUM & BLOWER 

Ideal Industries, Inc 55-C 

National Super Service Co 54-C 

THEATRE FRONTS 

Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co 11-A 

THEATRE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT 

National Theatre Supply Co IS-A 

S.O.S. Cinema Supply Co 60-C 

TICKET BOXES 

GoldE Mfg. Co 58-fi 

TILE, FLOOR and WALL 

Mosaic Tile Company 2-A 

UNIFORMS 

Reversible Collar Co 60-A 

VACUUM SWEEPERS 

See Sweepers, Vacuum and Blower 

Write here the key number^! 

of the item that interests you ^ | 

Theatre or Circuit.. 

Street No

. 

You furnish the land . . 

Have RCA do the rest 

Uy having RCA arrange for the construction, 

operating equipment and 

financial planning, you eliminate confusion 

and costly mistakes . . . save time 

. . . save money. You deal with ONE 

reliable source of supply for the complete 

RCA "PACKAGED" Drive-In. 

Your drive-in is built to specifications 

approved by you. You know, in advance. 

the low, fixed contract price of your 

drive-in, all ready and set to go on 

opening night. 

An RCA "PACKAGED" Drive-In 

costs less than you think. For complete 

details see your nearest Independent 

RCA Theatre Supply Dealer. Or write: 

Theatre Equipment, Dept. 18L, Radio 

Corporation of America, Camden, N.J. 

Contracts are being hooked now jor 

RCA '"PACKAGED" Drive-ins in all sections oj the Nation 

Arrange a Financing Plan adjusted 

to your requirements. 

Provide planned layout and ipec- 

Iflcations adapted to topographical 

situation at the site. 

Handle all construction including 

drainage, grading, ramping, screen 

tower, projection building, ticket 

booth, concession stand, parking 

area, entrance and exit roadways, 

electrical installations, uiulerground 

wiring, display sign and 

many other items which enter into 

the construction of a modern 

drivC'in theatre. 

Completely equip your theatre 

with RC;A Drive-In Projection and 

Sound liquipment tailor-made for 

your drive-in needs, plus an RCA 

Drive-In Service Plan. 

FOR DESCRIPTIVE BOOKLET ON RCA "PACKAGED" DRIVE-INS, 

WRITE TO! THEATRE EQUIPMENT, DEPT. I 8A. RCA, CAMDEN, N. J. 

THEATRE EQUIRMEMT 

RA DiO CORPORA TtOM of AMERICA 

EMOIMEERIMO PRODUCTS DERARTMEMT. CAMDEM.M.J.

PARK-LIKE AREA in center of development 

con be used for playgrounds and picnics 

THREE-STORY BUILDING in center of pork 

orea houses concession stand, rest rooms, 

projection booth and mana9er's oHice. 


At the left an aerial view of the new fourscreen 

type drive-in theatre clearly shows the 

arrangement of various elements. In the very 

center of the area is the building shown at the 

right. This unit, of ultra-modern design, 

houses refreshment service facilities and restrooms 

on the first floor and employe dressing 

rooms and projection booth on the second 

floor. On the third floor in a glassed-in space 

resembling the control tower of a modern airport 

is the manager's office. From this vantage 

point he con see every car in the theatre 

or holdout area. 

Four-Screen Drive-In 

Design 

Affords Flexible Operation 

JJaunched by the novelty of watching moving pictures 

under the stars, drive-in theatres made their first great stride 

with the advent of the in-car speaker. What is undoubtedly the 

greatest milestone since that time is the creation of a four-screen 

drive-in theatre arrangement recently put into operation by 

Lewis Wilson, west coast drive-in architect and engineer who 

has completed pilot installations on the coast and is preparing 

to begin construction of thi'ee of his four-screen units in the 

St. Louis. Mo., area in the spring. 

Basically Wilson's design provides for four small drive-in theatres 

with a screen for each in a corner of one large plot and a 

common projection booth in the center of the area. By the use 

of mirrors, two sets of projectors serve the four screens- 

Among the decided advantages of the plan is the flexibility 

of operation and the greater economy of construction and operation 

it makes possible. 

Patrons are closer to the screen where a unit providing for 

1,200 autos is divided into separate theatres accommodating 

only 300 cars apiece. Costly grading is minimized by the necessity 

for no more than six or eight ramps to each theatre. Screen 

towers are smaller and less costly to build. With a projection 

booth in the center of the project it is possible to employ overhead 

wiring instead of costly underground installation required 

by the conventional drive-in. 

Prom an operational standpoiBt, the fact that the projection 

booth-snack bar building is behind all cars means it can be 

fully illuminated without interfering with patron's view of the 

screen. Located in an island area of approximately one acre, 

this building of three stories houses snack bar and restrooms on 

the first floor, projection booth and employe dressing rooms 

on the second and manager's office on the third floor where he 

has an unobstructed view of the entire theatre. 

In the surrounding plot it is possible to place a children's 

playground where patrons may keep an eye on their small 

charges and also watch the picture while enjoying refreshment 

from the snack bar. 

One of the most important factors of the four-screen arrangement 

is the complete control of traffic it affords. By means of 

an eight-lane holdout area, provision is made for accommodating 

the complete 1,200-car capacity of the theatre. As cars enter 

the holdout area they are directed to Lane 1, 2. 3 or 4 and must 

stay in that lane to reach their parking spot in the theatre to 

which it leads. Once in a lane it is impossible for the patron to 

change since they are separated by low fences. 

By arranging the showing of films it is possible to have one 

break for the entire house, two breaks, or four breaks. This 

flexibility means that the traffic emptied into neighboring highways 

can be completely controlled. It is estimated by the designers 

that the entire theatre can be emptied in twelve minutes 

and completely refilled in another fifteen. Not only is the movement 

of cars staggered, but peaks of pedestrian traffic within 

the area to and from snack bars and restrooms are leveled. 

By virtue of construction economies it is estimated this type 

of theatre, accommodating 1.200 cars, can be built at one-third 

to one-half the cost of a conventional 1.200-car drive-in. 

As further testimony to its flexibility, the four-screen type of 

drive-in can- be adapted to tracts of many different shapes. It 

is also possible to start with a two-screen operation and expand 

to the four-screen size as increased business warrants. 

BOXOmCE January 7, 1950 43

Undistorted Image and 

High Speed in New Lens 

The new Super Snaplite projection lens 

recently introduced by Kollmorgen Optical 

Corp. makes available for the first time 

the exceptional speed of f:1.9 in lenses of 

focal lengths from five through seven 

inches. The new lens brings to this sizerange 

a sharpness formerly achieved only 

with six-element anastigmat construction 

in focal lengths from two to five inches. 

V 

\ >- -* 

.e Hiriffy ii 

Never before in the history of the theatre 

has any one manufacturer anticipated and 

met the need of the industry for advanced 

design and better quality equipment at 

prices withhi the reach of everyone. Now 

with a complete line of sound and projection 

equipment, The Ballantyne Company 

offers several new, improved units that are 

without comparison in quality at such 

low prices. Theatres and Drive-in Theatres 

now operating, or those under construction, 

owe it to themselves to investigate 

fully the complete Ballantyne line before 

buying any equipment. 

New f:1.9 Super Snaplite 

With anastigmat lens construction producing 

sharp images clear to film corners, 

and also achieving more uniform screen 

illuminations, the f:1.9 speed now allows 

a corresponding increase in brightness to 

this distortion- free image. 

In construction of the new Super Snaplite, 

use is made of a one-piece highstrength 

aluminum alloy mount with no 

threaded joints which might admit oil or 

moisture to the lens. This mount carries 

a gold anodized finish which cannot chip, 

peel or flake off, the manufacturers state. 

PYont and rear optical elements are 

sealed into the mount with special gaskets 

so that it need not be taken apart for 

cleaning under nonnal conditions. The 

mount is so proportioned that it is clamped 

directly into the lens holder without recourse 

to spacers or adapters. A supplementary 

shade tube on the shorter focal 

lengths can be removed to facilitate lens 

cleaning. 

The new Super Snaplites can be used 

only in projectors having four-inch diameter 

lens holders or those which can be 

adapted to accommodate holders of this 

size. It is available in focal lengths from 

five to seven inches, inclusive, in quarterinch 

steps. In all these focal lengths it 

has a true speed of f:1.9. It is available 

in focal lengths greater than seven inches 

at somewhat slower speeds. 

Further information on these new lenses 

is given in a catalog which may be obtained 

by use of the postcard on page 39. 

44 

The Sensational, Low Cost 

"TURN-KEY" DRIVE-IN PLAN 

Four months ago Ballantyne startled the theatre 

industry with the announcement of their "Turn- 

Key" Drive-in theatre plan ... a plan so revolutionary 

that few thought it feasible. Yet today, 

Ballantyne "Turn-Key" drive-ins are going up 

all over the country with many more scheduled 

for construction this coming year. The plan is 

simply this: The Ballantyne Company will completely 

build your drive-in, from the ground up, 

and equip it with Ballantyne drive-in equipment 

for a contract price. You sign the contract, forget 

all of the details and problems involved, and 

when you come back your theatre will be ready 

to operate. Average building time, from the 

ground to finished job is three to four weeks. 

Regardless of the size theatre you want . . . 

400 cars, 600 cars, or more, the Ballantyne 

"Turn-Key" plan will save you from $10,000 

to 520,000. Write today for the location of a 

"Turn-Key" near you. See for yourself. 

Sold exclusively through 

authorized Ballantyne dealers 

in (he United States and 

Canada. 

New, improved Soundmasler 

in-a-car speaker. Over 100,- 

000 sold in 1949. 

The New BALLANTYNE 

COMPLETE EQUIPMENT "PACKAGE" 

FOR DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

In contrast to the "Turn-Key" plan, those who: 

wish to build their own drive-in theatre can 

now buy their entire equipment in one complete 

"package" for as little as $7,188.00. Equipment, 

including in-a-car speakers, is available 

for any size drive-in. All Ballantyne equipment 

is unit-matched for better quality, trouble-free 

performance and includes everything for drivein 

operation: In-a-car speakers, amplification 

system, soundheads, bases, projectors, arc lamps, 

rectifiers, or motor generators, concession stand 

walk-in speakers, ramp and directional signs, 

rewinds, reel-end alarms, reels, rewind tables 

and other booth equipment. Nowhere can youl 

buy so complete a line of quality equipment for 

so little. Before you buy, compare Ballantyne. 

rs'Jîa*Vs5?V; 

THE BALLANTYNE CO. 

I' 

^'^ 1707-n DAVENPORT STREIT 

J^

. . 25% 

. . . LESS 

1 1949 Bullantyne dominated the in-a-car speaker 

eld by installing over 100,000 Soundmaster speakers 

more than 280 drive-ins. Now with the NEW 

[X 40 speaker, Ballantyne leadership again shows 

le way in quality and economy. This new unit is 

lentical 

in every respect to the Soundmaster speaker 

WITH BALLANTYNE 

Tteu/L BALLANTYNE MX40 IN-A-CAR SPEAKER 

except for the case, which is made of heavy gauge, 

formed, high quality steel, bonderized and bakedpainted 

in a beautiful hammer finish. Carries a 90 

day guarantee and the price . . . unbelievably low 

THAN ANY' OTHER SPEAKER ON 

THE MARKET TODAY ... yet there is nothing 

comparable in quality at anywhere near the price. 

TteoA IMPROVED SOUNDMASTER IN-A-CAR SPEAKER 

low the same popular Soundmaster speaker that sold 

ver 100,000 in 1949 offers several important imrovements; 

a new improved grill; a new reinforced 

ack; new rubber-covered speaker hangers to proct 

cars; and a new junction box. Yet with all these 

Jditions mass production has made possible condcrable 

savings which are being passed on to the 

TteUA HYDRO-ARC PROJECTION LAMP 

5-95 ampere . 

. . "gives you everything you've ever wished for in 

n arc lamp." Here is the answer for the theatre or drive-in that 

(quires more light than 70 ampere lamps can give, yet do not 

mh to invest in large, expensive, complicated lamps that require 

onstant maintenance. Provides 20,000 lumens of light at ihe 

creen (at 85 amps) . more light than regular 70 ampere 

imps. Burns a full trim of 5/16 by 9 and 9 mm by 20 carbons 

ith water cooling by patented one piece water jacket. A I5V2 

ch mirror provides high speed reflection for a brilliant, flat 

thite light that extends to the very outer edges of the screen, 

ilanufactured for Ballantyne by C. S. Ashcraft, recognized as one 

f the world's leading makers of arc lamps, the Hydro-Arc is not 

riced in the $1500-52500 bracket, but is only slighlly higher in 

ost ihj/i 

convenliotul 70 ampere lamps. 

industry in further price reductions. Still unconditionally 

guaranteed for one year. Many other features 

have been added that can be supplied at a slight additional 

cost. A new jewel ramp marking light in 

the junction box ... a new deluxe junction box . . . 

a new blinking signal light on speaker to call attention 

to the same on show break, etc. 

TfctiA MODEL BW 

PROJECTOR 

Now you can have a projector offering 

incomparably smooth, steady operation 

is that low in initial cost, low in maintenance 

cost. Has modern rear shutter, 

complete oillite permanent bearings 

throughout, and provisions are made for 

use of the new 4 inch lens mount. It is 

large, roomy, and easily accessible with 

an ease of threading not found in ordinary 

projectors. Every part is standard 

simplex type readily obtainable from any 

theatre supply house. Priced S200 to 

S300 less than any projector of comparable 

performance and quality. 

7(/%cte n

— 

LOUISE GRAVES, HAS SWITCHED TO THE 

BOULEVARD DRIVE-IN THEATRE. 

LOUISE OUAVES, Bank Teller 

I LOVE RELAXING ENTERTAIfJMEfJT AFTER A HECTIC WORKING MY. 

COIfJO TO THE BOULEVARD DRlVE-IN WITHOUT HAVim TO WOKKHARD 

AGAIN 'DOLLING UP"I5 THE PERFECTANSWER. 

AL HOTARD, HAS SWICHED TO THE 

BOULEVARD DRIVE-IN THEA TRE. 

AL HOTARD, Automobile Dealer 

A OOOD CAR DESERVES GOOD CARE. That's WHV I APPRECIATE THE 

CAREFUL HAUDLING OF TRAFFIC BV THE STAFF IN THE BOULCVAltD DRIVE -IN. 

AND. OF COURSE, THE SCIENTIFIC DESICN OF THIS OUTDOOR THEATRE ADOS A 

LOT TOThE SAFETY OF CARS AND THEIR DRIVERS. 

Clever Advertising Plus Customer 

Convenience Sells 

Wometco Drive-In 

by 

KITTY HARWOOD 

X\ SCIENTIFICALLY PLANNED traffic plan 

for operation of automobiles entering the 

Boulevard Drive-In Theatre in Miami has 

paid sff in top business for the Wometco 

circuit which operates this class outdoor 

theatre. 

The theatre has a large trained staff of 

attendants who regulate the movement of 

a motorist-patron from the moment he enters 

the amusement area untilhe leaves 

and who give special attention to the safety 

factors involved in the flow of automobiles 

in and out of the area. Probably no other 

drive-in operation in the country has so 

carefully prepared itself for handling the 

traffic problem of the outdoor theatre. 

FEATURE CARE OF CARS 

This interest in the safety of the patron 

and the care of his automobile has been 

the key to a vei-y successful promotion campaign 

for the Boulevard Theatre. The 

Boulevard, when it opened some months 

ago, was one of the first drive-ins in the 

Kliami district and the advertisements were 

gauged to acquaint film fans with the features 

of the outdoor theatre—but the safety 

angle was the key to the most successful 

promotional copy. 

Among the most interesting advertisements 

run was a series of eight based on 

testimonials of patrons who had switched 

to the Boulevard Drive-In. Each advertisement 

carried a photo of the patron and 

his statement as to why the switch was 

made. 

Highlighting the attractions mentioned 

by patrons were comfort, advantages to a 

family with children, unusual services and 

measures to insure safety of the patron and 

his car. The advertising campaign followed 

the lead of these comments. Its effect 

on Miami patrons has been proved 

by a check of license plates of cars in the 

theatre. Where out-of-town cars formerly 

accounted for 80 per cent of the attendance, 

they are now definitely in the minority. 

Co-managers James Maury and Burton 

Clark are quite proud of theatre safety 

measures, which are carefully enforced. By 

reason of the ramp area layout, all cars 

move foiT^'ard and need never be backed 

up in parking. 

LIGHT SPEAKERS AND RAMPS 

Lights on each speaker post serve as 

guides, with moonglow floodlights covering 

the entire area for adequate vision 

even on moonless nights. In addition, a 

lighted center aisle bisects the ramp area 

for the convenience of patrons on the way 

to or from refreshment stands or restrooms. 

For ease in parking, the ends of 

each ramp are illuminated. 

A system of neon arrows, called "Robot 

ushers," are used to direct cars to the exact 

spot they are to occupy. When purchasing 

tickets, patrons are merely instructed 

to "follow the green arrows." 

An attendant, trained by an expert, takes 

each car to its stall and waits until the 

motorist turns off his engine, sets the brake 

and has the speaker in his car. 

Screen trailers give added information 

on the use of speakers and at intermission, 

three to five announcements are made over 

the public address system giving instructions 

for leaving the theatre and removing 

the speaker from the car before releasing 

the brake. 

ELIMINATE DENTED FENDERS 

The only accident in recent weeks was 

when brake fluid in a car escaped, causing 

the car to slide backward into another car, 

a mishap which the management could 

hardly have foreseen. 

A jeep patrols the entire area at least 

three times each evening, and the traffic 

captain makes an inspection to see that no 

cars have been moved since they were originally 

parked. He also cautions patrons 

against sitting on bumpers, requests that 

children be kept off the pavement, and 

checks other irregularities which might 

cause trouble. 

Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles are 

not permitted to enter the parking area at 

all. 

At the break, attendants move ahead 

to supervise departing traffic. On U.S. 

Highway No. 1, into which cars move, a 

traffic light is operated manually by a theatre 

attendant so that there is no danger 

of accident when the patron drives out on 

this main thoroughfare. 

MANAGER WATCHES TRAFFIC 

Dui'ing intermission the manager stays 

at the microphone in the concession building 

where he has a broad view of the entire 

area and is able to give such special 

instructions as seem necessary while overseeing 

the movement of traffic. 

With such careful management there is 

little danger that the motorist and his car 

will not emerge from the Boulevard with 

his disposition and his fenders intact. It 

is this sort of painstaking service which 

has prompted the testimonials Wometco 

is pleased to use as part of its campaign 

to educate this population to the comfort 

and advantage of the drive-in. 

Illustrated at the top and bottom of the page are four newspaper adyertisements from a series of 

eight used by the Wometco circuit to publicize the comfort, safety and convenience of attending 

their Boulevard Drive-In Theatre. 

Patterned after a national distiller's campaign involving a "switch" of various patrons to his 

brand, the copy is composed of testimonials from theatre patrons who tell, in their own words, 

why they "switched" their movie attendance to the Boulevard. Testimonials are selected for 

the variety of reasons and types of persons represented. 

JACK MOER.I. HAS SWITCHED TO THE 


JACK MOmi, Soft Drink Distributor 

NO SMOKINO LOGE CAN EQUAL THE PERFECT RELAXATION 

OFfVWOINN COMFORTA gLECAR AND MV FA VOR.ITE PIPE. THAT! WHY 

MV CHOICE IS THE BOULEVARD DRIVE-IN ALWAYS. 

LOUIS BRANNING, HASSWITCHED TO THE 


LOU/S BRANNING, Police Officer 

EIGHT HOURS ON MY BEAT MAKE TAKING THE FAMILY TO THE 

RELAXING' OUTDOOR PICNICWH/CH IS SHOtVOOmC AT THE BOULEVARD 

DIUVE-IN ATREAT FOR US ALL. AND MY BOY SURELOVESTHE PLAYGROUND 


f/owi I 

A NEW 

« 

«to- " ' 

IN-A-CAR SPEAKER 

FOR DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

/Votv/^ ^ TOP QUALITY SIMPLEX PERFORMANCE 

AT PRICES SO LOW YOU WILL BE AMAZED 

See Your NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY Branch 

"EVERYTHING FOR THE DRIVE-IN THEATRE" 


URGES USE OF LIGHTER 

PRINTS 

FOR BETTER DRIVE-IN PROJECTION 

The rapid growth of drive-in theatres, 

particularly within the past year, has resulted 

in a need for consideration of the 

requirements peculiar to drive-in projection 

in planning and producing films, according 

to Don Kennedy of the Town 

Drive-In, Detroit. He goes on to assert 

that an increased use of light areas in 

black and white prints is imperative for 

successful drive-in screen presentation. 

Kennedy, a veteran of some forty years in 

the booth, is a specialist in the field of 

drive-in projection and has previously contributed 

articles on this subject to The 

Modern Theatre. 

Adequate attention to the projection 

quality of films will pay off, says Kennedy, 

in reduction of print damage. The marked 

increase in damage and warping of prints 

used at drive-in theatres is not generally 

realized Kennedy says, adding, "I understand 

that some film exchanges are even 

refusing to ship their better prints to the 

drive-ins so that these houses get only the 

already-damaged prints to show their patrons." 

"The increased damage is caused by the 

high intensities of 170-180 amps at which 

projection arc lamps are operated. This is 

not necessary if we can get pictures with a 

decent proportion of lighter tones in them. 

On such pictures we can i-un lamps at 150- 

160 amps and, with standard shutters and 

proper paint on the screens, we can get 

acceptable projection," Kennedy asserts. 

Film warpage became practically unknown 

some 20 years ago, Kennedy says, 

with the development of improved light 

sources, rear projection shutters, and reduced 

lamp amperage. At that time, he 

points out, exchanges generally destroyed 

the familiar "Don't Ship" tags formerly reserved 

for their better prints, and projectionists 

began to leave the focusing device 

on the projector in a fixed position. 

"With vast increases in the size of screens 

as drive-ins have developed, equipment 

manufacturers have started a race to higher 

and higher amperages," Kennedy comments. 

"One company has reduced the size 

of their shutter blades in order to permit 

more light to pass through to the projector 

aperture," he adds, "which means, they 

might as well revert to the old front shutter 

again. To keep the film from boiling, 

they direct a stream of air on the projector 

aperature. 

"At considerable expense one manufacturer 

has developed a new carbon which, 

with proper alignment, will produce a bluish-white 

light to soften the projected picture 

to the eye. 

"And still some projector manufacturers 

not only turn their backs on the rear shutter, 

but also change carbon aligimients to 

produce a yellowish-white light with a carbon 

developed to produce soft bluish-white 

light." 

For best projection films should have a 

ratio of 50-50 black and white, Kennedy 

said, but even a 70-30 ratio is acceptable. 

With 90 per cent of the film area black, 

however, the images of the actors cannot be 

seen on a large screen. The result may be 

a bedlam of tooting horns demanding the 

picture back. 

As a solution Kennedy proposes that 

drive-in owners use their combined efforts 

to secure lighter prints which would reduce 

light amjjerage. film damage, carbon costs, 

and would result in better projection." 

He pointed out, incidentally, that Technicolor 

films rarely, if ever, give trouble of 

this sort, because the nature of this medium 

is such that intense light is required 

on the set in the first place. 

NEW CALIFORNIA DRIVE-IN OPENED 

W iRTUALLY EVERYTHING is done in a big way out in the 

Golden State, and the colossal approach applies also to outdoor 

theatre operations. This is exemplified by the recently-opened 

Whittier Drive-Jn, a unit in the Pacific Drive-In Theatres chain. 

Located in Pico, Calif., the Whittier is the second largest open 

air theatre in the world with a capacity of 1,225 cars. Architect 

J. Arthur Drielsma made dual use of the lofty screen tower, which 

is equivalent in height to a five-story building, by making the 

rear of the screen into an office building containing business 

offices, maintenance rooms, shop storage space and dressing 

rooms, and camouflaging it with a spectacular theatre front. 

Operating equipment, installed by the B. F. Shearer Co. of Los 

Angeles, includes complete Motiograph projection equipment, 

with a 300-watt multiple amplifier system. A high power generator 

and Motiograph -Hall lamps of large reflector type, operate 

at 85 amperes with increases of power to 115 amperes possible. 

Such unusually powerful equipment is necessary to provide 

proper illumination for the giant screen, with a picture measuring 

51 by 68 feet. In the "auditoriiun" proper, 1,225 Motiograph

LARGEST UMPHOUSE 

FULL BALL and ROLLER BEARINGS 

Distributed by: 

INDEPENDENT THEATER SUPPLY DEALERS 

CANADA: DOMINION SOUND EQUIPMENTS, LTD 

FOREIGN: WESTREX CORP. 

Approved and lisfed by Underwriters' Laboratory 

Write for latest data on this lamp 

SIMPLE-STURDY 

• 

PROVEN BY CONTINUOUS USE 

IN LARGEST DRIVE-INS 

• 

THE STANDARD OF COMPARISON 

c. S.A 

MANUFACTURING COMPANY 

36-32 Thirty-Eighth Street 

Long Island City 1, N. Y. 


— 

Rustic Atmosphere Maintained 

At New Jersey Drive-In 

'Cmi DARNELL CORNEL WILDE 

- 

FOREVER AMBER' 

PCHMiCOLOR rARTOONS 

A 40-foot tower with flasher neon lights, marks the entrance 

of the Lawrence Drive-In, a new Walter Reade theatre in Trenton, 

N. J. Located on the Brunswick Pike, the theatre's sign is 

visible for a great distance in either direction on the highway. 

The attraction board is two-sided with wood letters. Cars enter 

the drive-in on one side of the sign and exit on the other. A 

rustic atmosphere has been retained at the entrance way by 

keeping trees which were growing on the property, and erecting 

rustic-type fencing. This drive-in is the first in the Trenton area, 

and was built in conjunction with W. W. Smith of Camden, N. J., 

and Melvin Fox of Philadelphia. 

Concession, projection booth and restrooms are combined into 

the attractive cinder block building at the Lawrence Drive-in, 

above right. Doors of the concession building swing upward, 

opening the entire front of the building. Tables and chairs have 

been placed in front for patron convenience. The projection 

rooms are at the left of refreshment service unit and restrooms 

are at the rear of the one-story unit. 

FROM PICKING THE SITE 

TO OPENING NIGHT... 

WE ARE EQUIPPED TO ASSIST IN ANY 

OR ALL OF THESE FUNCTIONS: 

^ site selection 

•^ construction supervision 

•^ preliminary plans 

if operations planning 

^ desifin research 

ic concession arrangements 

buildings, drainage, 

Iraflic control ^ training personnel 

^ choice of equipment -^ advance publicity 

-^ sale or purchase of locations and theatres 

You can save time and money in planning your 

Drive-In Theatre by utilizing the broad experience 

of this organization. It is headed by men 

who pioneered in developing America's first 

Drive-In and who have engineered over 350 

theatres. 

You will find these services can reduce your 

original investment and produce a more profitable 

operation. For example, our grading plans, 

requiring a minimum of earth moving, can 

reduce your investment substantially. 

Preliminary and confidential inquiries are invited concerning any phase of our complete drive-in theatre services. No obligation. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE SERVICE CO. 

W. W. SMITH. V. C. SMITH, Partners, 840 Cooper Street, Camden, N.I. 

associated ivith 

TAYLOR ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES, S. 

Herbert TWLOR. Professional Engineer 


Plastic 

Hoods Protect Speakers From Weather 

with visual and permanent printed record. 

The overhead visual indicators are of 

light, weather-proof metal and can be 

mounted on any convenient supporting 

member. The control calculator can be 

mounted next to the cash drawer and supported 

by a light wooden member or any 

other convenient support which will cariT 

a weight of approximately 60 pounds. A 

pull box containing terminal strips and 

fuse plugs is the only additional electrical 

equipment needed to install the unit. 

The watei-proof speaker covers shown 

here in use at Ronnie's Drive-In, a Fred 

Wehrenberg circuit theatre in St. Louis, 

were supphed by the Central States Paper 

& Bag Co. The covers are made of plastic 

and are designed for protection of speakers 

dui-ing the off-season. Light weight 

and easy to install, these hoods are 

claimed to be entirely effective in eliminating 

damage during the winter months. 

littttiUHJyK^ 

Electronic Control of 

Drive-in Admittances 

An electronically-operated mechanism 

for the visual and recorded control of admission 

collections at drive-in theatres has 

been developed by the Electronic Signal Co. 

The equipment provides a roadway vehicle 

traffic count, admission transaction count 

Mosquitos Fall Before 

DDT Fogging Machine 

Successful extermination of mosquitos at 

his Skyway Drive-In has been reported by 

Jack Farr, owner and manager of the 

Bryan, Tex., situation. Manager Farr reports 

that, following an influx of mosquitos 

in June and a succession of attempts 

to exterminate with sprays, a fog machine 

using a diesel oil and 50 per cent DDT 

powder solution cleared the area within 

three days. Since that time, the fog machine 

was used evei-y other day. keeping 

the mosquitos out of commission. 

Another use for the machine was devised 

when perfume was mixed with the 

oil before the fogging procedure, resulting 

in a pleasant odor in the air. 

Farr, who is 

very well pleased with the success of the 

machine, has even used it to cash in on 

public relations. He loaned the exterminator 

to the city to fog the entire town. 

New Low-Cost Screen Tower 

for your Drive-In Theatre 

IT" ""UCTURES 

If lo^ cost equipment is your 

main requirement, the new A-frame 

Screen Tower is for you. It provides 

'ong lasting, trouble free installations 

at exceptionally low cost. 

Priced at $2,067 upward. 

Your choice of three sizes. 

Curved surface for natural pictures. 

Although low priced, the A-frame 

Screen Tower has the durability of 

the highest priced screen towers. It is 

designed to withstand wind velocities 

up to 100 miles per hour. 

Prefabricated of sturdy Douglas fir 

timbers, the A-frame screen tower 

comes to you complete with hardware, 

ready for rapid jobsite erection. 

It may be assembled, trimmed and 

painted on the ground and swung up 

into position; or it may be assembled 

in place. Optional equipment includes 

glare curtains, ladder and walkway. 

Also available to drive-in owners 

is the handsome Swing-Up screen 

tower, which provides for innumerable 

decorative treatments. Information 

on both types of screen towers 

will be given you gladly. Just fill in 

and mail the coupon. 

Timber Structures, Inc. 

P.O. BOX 3782-C, PORTLAND 8, OREGON 

Offices in Boise, Idaho; Eugene, Oregon; Lowrenceville, NJ.; 

Chicago; Dallas; Kansas City; New York; Seattle; Spokane 

TIMBER STRUCTURES, INC. OF CALIFORNIA • Oakland ond Sacromento 

Local representatives coast to coast 


EQUIPMENT Sr 

DEVELOPMENTS 

Vacuum-Type Cooling P-328 

Used in Drink Dispenser 

A new juice dispenser 

employing 

tlie ice jacket principle 

of cooling has 

been developed by 

the Ihle Mfg. Co. 

The machine is of 

compact design, occupying 

a small 

amount of counter 

space and weighing 

about 20 pounds. 

Mechanical refrigeration 

is eliminated 

with a vacuum 

outer wall maintaining 

the low 

temperature of the 

juice. The outer wall 

also preserves the ice for an unusually long 

time, the manufacturers say. 

The dispenser has a stainless steel base 

topped by a frosted plastic juice container. 

The frosted plastic allows visibility of the 

juice without the unsightly pulp that sometimes 

clings to the sides of a container. A 

choice of manual or mechanical agitation 

is offered. A plastic rod running through 

the cover provides the manual agitation 

while permanent magnets which turn an 

agitating disc powered by a GT motor, provide 

the mechanical agitation. 

Air-Aid Evaporator Attaches 

To Duct System 

FOR MORE 

INFORMATION 

USE Readers' 

Bureau Coupons, page 39 

tank with an evaporator plate in the slot 

in the tank. Air from the conditioner is 

drawn up through the bottom of the Air- 

Aider, over the evaporator plate and into 

the unit carrying freshening vapors into 

the duct system. 

Although Air-Aider is delivered with five 

evaporators no more than two or three are 

required, unless the fan provides more 

than 10,000 CFM. About one quart of Air- 

Aid per month for evei-y 1,000 CFM is the 

rate of consumption. The Air-Aider holds 

two one-gallon bottles of liquid. 

Permanent Filter 

Cleans Water 

P-330 

Dispenser Serves Two P-331 

Drinks From Each Head 

The Mighty Midget, a compactly built 

cold drink dispenser which has been in use 

in the southwest for two years, will be available 

nationally this spring. 

Manufactured with one, two and three 

dispensing heads, the Mighty Midget 

doubles up on serviceability by dispensing 

two different drinks from each head. The 

three-head model serves six different 

drinks, either carbonated or noncarbonated. 

Syrup and water mix automatically 

at uniform temperatures. Vacuum syrup 

shut-off prevents can-yover of one flavor 

to the next drink. 

Drinks are dispensed at 38 to 40 degrees. 

Carbonation is held at thi-ee volumes or 

better. The machine can handle a steady 

flow of two ounces of finished drink a second 

from each dispensing head. Practical 

working capacity of the three-head model, 

sei-ving in ten-ounce cups, is 40 drinks a 

minute with two operators, and 20 drinks 

a minute with one operator. 

Dimensions of the three-head model with 

self-contained carbonator and refrigeration 

system are: overall height 46-inches. 

width 25% inches, depth 17% inches. 

In order to diffuse the vapors of Air- 

Aid, liquid air conditioner designed to rid 

the air of stuffiness and odors by evaporation. 

Air Correctives, Inc., has developed 

the Air-Aider for attaching to air conditioning 

systems. The unit is attached to 

an intake duct on the conditioning system, 

the bottle is filled and inverted over the 

Oscar Rsher Co., Inc., has developed a 

permanent metalUc filter element which 

removes unseen impurities from city water 

without changing cartridges in pipe lines 

or water tanks. The metallic filter element 

is composed of microscopic bronze 

spheres formed into a filter element by 

metallurgical methods. The transparent 

plastic case allows the dirt and foreign 

matter removed by the filter to be seen 

clearly. When the filter is full, it can be 

removed by turning a single nut. The unit 

will filter as much as ten gallons of water 

per minute. 

Liquid Plastic Protects P-332 

All Metal Surfaces 

A new synthetic liquid plastic coating 

which protects metal surfaces against rust, 

corrosion, pitting and tarnish has been announced 

by Krome-Kote Co. of Chicago. 

The clear plastic coating may be sprayed, 

brushed or wiped on and, once applied, will 

not oxidize, break down or powder off. 

Because it is impervious to the elements, 

Krome-Kote is particularly recommended 

for use on outside fixtures. One application 

guarantees protection for a year outside, 

permanently, inside. 

Equally effective on chrome, nickel, 

aluminum, brass, copper and silver, Krome- 

Kote hardens to form a non-porous, shiny, 

clear coating that seals out moisture and 

other corrosive agents. 


Sweden Freezer Develops P-333 

Counter-Size Unit 

A soft ice cream 

freezer, suitable for 

installation on cabinets, 

counters or wall 

shelves where space 

is at a premium, has 

been introduced by 

the Sweden Freezer 

Mfg. Co. The new 

Space Saver consists 

of the regular single and double head fourquart 

and ten-quart freezer head sizes in 

table models of greatly reduced overall 

dimensions. 

The new models are available either with 

or without a remote condensing unit. The 

Space Saver retains the Sweden features 

of automatic freezing controls, high performance 

dashers, heavy duty gear drive 

system, hermetically sealed freezer cylinder 

insulation and easy accessibility to all service 

points. 

The coinchanger that wasn't expected till 1952! 

COINOMETER 

1950 Easter Egg Line P-334 

Now Being Shown 

With Chi-istmas candies off the counters, 

and theatre confectioners turning to new 

ideas for spring, Melster Candies, Inc. announced 

their 1950 line of creme Easter 

eggs. Wrapped to provide a seasonal atmosphere, 

the Melster creme eggs are put 

up in a 24-count counter display box. 

CheiTy, maple nut and coconut flavors are 

available and a combination counter tray 

makes possible a display of all three varieties 

in a single unit. The creme eggs also 

come packed in the 100-count vending 

pack. 

Sponge Rubber Underlay P-335 

Reduces Wear on Carpets 

A mothproof, skidproof sponge rubber 

rug cushion called "Spongex," has been 

developed by the Sponge Rubber Products 

Co. Made of specially compounded virgin 

crude rubber, the matting will not stretch 

• ACCURATE 

• TIME 

SAVING 

• ATTRACTIVE 

• ECONOMICAL 

• 3 YEAR 

GUARANTEE 

COINOMETER 

The Leader in 

Performance, Engineering 

and Design. 

Features the new, fast, roll-out method 

of change delivery. NO MORE — stuck 

coins, costly errors and irritating 'waits. 

Modern design blends beautifully with 

any location. Large capacity removable 8 

tube stainless steel coin tray. Compact 

board consists of large, legible keys. 

Finger-tip control permits easy, tireless 

operation. It's the lowest in cost, the 

highest in service. 

choice of colors: Tan, Grey, 2 -tone dark 

and light Brown, 2-tone dark and light 

Grey. 

Write for Complete Descriptive Literature 

CORPORATION 

30 EAST ADAMS STREET CHICAGO 3, ILL. 

SAVE MORE ON CARBONS 

Full Refund 

If not 100% 

Satisfied 

out of shape or mat down, according to the 

manufacturers. A sound-muffling cushion 

action results from the eighth-inch thickness 

of sponge rubber. The shock-absorbing 

action, in addition to providing a more 

comfortable walking surface, it said to cut 

down wear on rugs. 

CALI CARBON COUPLERS 

Let You Burn All the Carbon 

"They're Expendible" 

So inexpensive you con run them right through the 

arc and burn them up with the corbon. Order Now! 

Mention size: 6, 7 or 8MM. At your Independent 

supply house or send S2 for a yeor's supply ot 100 

couplers of any one size (add soles tax for your state) 

CALI Products Company 

3719 Morjorie Woy Sacramento 17, Colif 

For fu II information use the postagepaid 

card on page 39. Write in this 

ad's key number—53-B 

BOXOFFICE January 7, 1950 S3

The 

Drive-ln Deal 


is on page 41 


What we mean by 

MODERNIZING 

the washroom with ELECTRIC-AIRE 

This is! 

This sanitary metliod dries hands CHAP-FREE in as little 

as 20 seconds and keeps a washroom tidy, free of towel 

litter and its fire-and-toilet-clogging hazards. 

This 

Isn't!! 

Amplifier and Control Unit P-336 

Announced by Newcomb 

A new low distortion 25-watt amplifier 

for theatres has been announced by the 

Newcomb Audio Products Co. With a frequency 

response from 20-20,000 cycles, the 

amplifier offers six input channels, five 

for microphone and one for phonograph. 

All six channels may be remote-controlled 

from the audience by a control unit that 

weighs less than two pounds. A locked 

cover over the controls prevents tampering 

with adjustments. 

A bandwidth control adjusts the frequency 

bandwidth of the amplifier in keeping 

with the program quality, leaving the 

tone controls free to provide correct balance 

between highs and lows. Visual indicators 

reveal the power output in watts 

and indicate distortion before it becomes 

audible to the ear. 

New Floor Coating P-337 

Prevents Falls 

Development of a 

coating said to prevent 

falls on slippery 

floors has been announced 

by Time- 

Saving Specialties. 

C. H. Chadbourn, 

vice-president and 

general manager, explained 

that the product 

is a water resin 

emulsion coating, easily 

applied with a 

mop. 

No-Slip gives a lustrous finish and provides 

a safe footing and is said to outwear 

ordinary floor wax. The material is noninflammable 

and carries the label of Underwriters' 

Laboi-atories. 

V 

Deodorant Dispenser Plugs P-338 

Into Electric Outlet 

An electric deodorizer 

which activates 

j Odor-Ban cakes is 

one of the newest atmosphere 

cleansers 

,,^tf'^ 

on the market. The 

jplM|^ unit and the deodor- 

H^^^, ant cakes are being 

Jjf^ jmK^ distributed by Cau- 

,.Mlt^ ^Î^^Kh 

horn Distributing Co. 

^jH^^^BH The small bakelite 

ji^^J^ÛK^ units weigh an ounce 

and a half and are 

available singly or in dozen lots. The 

Odor-Ban cakes are available in jars of 50 

cakes each for commercial use. 

A single deodorant cake is used at a 

time. It is inserted in the opening in the 

Odor-Ban and the unit is plugged into any 

wall socket, making a cord unnecessary. 

The deodorizing vapors are expelled through 

the top grill. The unit uses less than four 

watts of electricity. 

Thirty-Gallon Capacity for P-339 

Fast-Serv Fountain 

A new all-steel fountain, called the Fast- 

Serv creamer unit, has been introduced by 

the Bastian-Blessing Co. of Chicago. The 

creamer has a 30-gallon ice cream capacity 

and is constructed with the ice cream cans 

slanting toward the operator for easy dipping. 

A storage section, raised for easy 

access, extends along the rear and the 

sliding lids serve as extra work space. A 

di-y system of refrigeration is employed 

with all coils concealed. An enclosed section 

is provided to house the water cooler 

and the optional carbonator. The Fast- 

Serv also is equipped with draft arms for 

dispensing drinks. 

Cuapo- 

HAND 

DRYERS 

This is the. modern eliminator of towels in the washrooms. 

It does away with all the constant handlino of 

towels—savinj 85% to 90% of initial towel costs, plus 

all handling expense. Automatic 24 hour service! It 

also prevents a dangerous fire hazard, in the accumulation 

of soiled towel litter, and saves costly plumbing bills 

resulting from towel-clogged toilets. 

Winter Dirt iVIaltes 

a Job 

Tiiat Only a Super Can Do 

Every day dirty shoes and galoshes ol your patrons track 

in snow, water and mud from the streets. Constant traffic 

grinds the dirt deeper into floors and floor coverings. 

Daily cleaning is necessary. 

The Super Specialized Theatre Cleaner solves 

your cleaning problem with its powrerful auction 

and special tools, gives longer life and 

good appearance to floors and all other 

theatre furnishings and equipment. 

ELECTRIC-AIRE Evapo Dryers are backed 

experience—plus a 2 year Guarantee. Approved 

by 29 years' 

by Underwriters' 

Laboratories. Recommended by all theatres that 

use them. Easily installed in new or old theatres. 

Write today for literature and more information. 

Electric-Aire 

Engineering Corp. 

PhoiTc WEbster 9-4564 

CHICAGO 6, 

209 W. Jackson Blvd. 

ILL. 

The Super Blower Elbow boosts popco 

boxes, candy wrroppers, other debris out from 

under seats, down to the front for easy disposal, 

leaving areas free lor cleaning. 

• 

The Super Spotlight attached to the handle thr 

beam into dark places where cleaning is diitic 

• 

The Super Jr. Shampoo mak 

Tpets easy. Its 

powerful suction picks up su' 

en of dirt, leavmd 

ing carpeted or bare floor £ 

bright. 

Ask your supply dealer for 

National Super Service Company, Inc. 

1941 N. 12lh Street Toledo, Ohio 

[Tie Super Floor Tool goes 

right up to the wcdl, leaving 

lo strip for moths to destroy. 

The Super Screen Brush keeps 

screen bright, soimd holes deem. 

The Super Hi-Up Tube cleans all 

high places 10 ft. up plus reach of 

operator. Can be used as efficiently 

in crreas under floor openings. 

National Super Service Company of Canada 

Toronto, Ont. Vancouver, B. C. 


Air Drier Combats P-340 

Mold and Mildew 

Manufacture of the new Oasis air drier, 

an electrical appliance for automatically 

removing excess moisture from the air, has 

just been announced by A. R. Benua, president 

of the Ebco Mfg. Co. 

According to Benua, the Oasis air drier 

noxious odors and avoids a disinfectant 

odor, leaving a pleasant pine aroma. The 

pine oil-soap may be diluted with up to 100 

parts of water without losing a stable emulsion. 

It may be stored safely, without losing 

its disinfectant power. 

Cartridge Air Sanitizer P-342 

Kills Odors and Germs 

Ozium, pressure packed spray said to kill 

a high percentage of airborne germs as 

well as banish most odors, fits a patented 

dispenser which can be held easily in the 

hand. Both the air sanitizer and the dispenser 

are the products of Woodlets, Inc. 

The Woodlet dispenser is chrome-plated, 

and takes refill units easily. 

-Ji^—^ PRECISION MADE 

^W^. PROJECTOR PARTS 

Once you've used them, you'll agree that the built-in precision 

and trouble free performance oi La Vezzi parts do much to 

hasten repair jobs and help you to the better projection that 

delights patrons. 

Speciiy U Vezzi SUPER-SERVICE Parts for 

all your replacements! Your Theatre Supply Dealer has Ihem. 

LaVezzi Machine Works 

Multiple Drape Curtain 

Announced by Vallen 

P-343 

TRY IT 

will take almost three gallons of excess 

moisture from the air every 24 hours in an 

average-sized closed area under liigh temperature 

and high humidity conditions. 

The new drier is equipped with a 1/6 

h.p. hermetically sealed condensing unit 

which is sealed in oil at the factoi-y and requires 

no further lubrication or attention. 

For convenience in disposing of 

water, a removable galvanized container is 

furnished with each unit. The drier is 

available for 110-volt, 50-60 cycle, single 

phase, alternating current only. 

All-Purpose Germicide P-341 

Cleans as It Disinfects 

With the development of many chemical 

synthetics, a new low-cost germicide that 

kills all common bacteria while it cleans 

and deodorizes is being marketed by Huntington 

Laboratories. Inc. Called Scento- 

Pine, the new gennicide eliminates ob- 

kJ 

2. r«t«n back «»Mi •(•• ilpp.. 

A multiple diape curtain, made possible 

with a simplified mechanical assembly, is 

now available from Vallen, Inc. Known as 

the Vallen 23, this multiple drape features 

a one-button control for stop-start-reverse 

action, and can be installed with only 22 

inches of headroom. 

Also placed on the market by Vallen is 

a midget cui-tain operator for use with 

window drapes. The tiny motor is completely 

enclosed to eliminate mechanical 

difficulties and works on the same principle 

as the larger stage curtain controllers. 

Cut Up-keep Cost with new 

Seats permanently re-upholstered in fifty seconds by onybody 

COSTS LESS! LASTS LONGER! 

Tufford Covers arc made of the finest heavyweight 

Vinyl Plastic impregnated cloth. Flame resistant — can't 

crack or peel. Outwears ordinary leatherette two to one. 

Can't rip or snag clothing because no tacks arc used 

and all seat edges arc covered. 

ORDER NOW! Give style and type of chair and 

manufacturer's name. Measure width of bottom part of 

scat for size. Covers available in red, blue and green for 

all types of theatre scats. Contact nearest office of 

National Theatre Supply or write direct. 

Distributed by 

TUFFORD SEAT 

Write Now for Information to 

COVERS, INC. 

140 W. "B" St., San Diego 1, Calif. 

THE 

IDEAL All-Purpose 

Theater Cleaner 

SPRAYS! VACUUMSI N 

THAN A POPCORN BLOWER \ 

THAN A VACUUM CLEANER I 

DOES EVERY KIND OF / 

THEATRE CLEANING! / 

. 

Gets rid of floor litter in 1/3 the time of 

sweeping . simply blows it to the front of 

. . 

the theatre where it is easy to scoop up . . . 

blows dust and dirt from amplifiers, projectors, 

. . 

lights, decorations vacuums carpets, 

draperies, ledges, grills . . . sprays deodorants, 

moth preventives, insecticides. Keeps entire 

theatre sparkling clean at a fraction the cost of 

other methods. Easy to use. Weighs just 9V2 

lbs. Full 2/3 horsepower. 

MAIL \ 

COUPON 

TODAYj 

N 

THIS COMPLETE \ 

POPCORN BLOWING 

j 

KIT FOR THE PRICE OF A I 

HOUSEHOLD VACUUM CLEANER /

Counter Signs Added 

To Lamolite Line 

P-344 

1 

CASHED 

S'hM 

The newest projectora can take 

larger lenses. Here is the lens designed 

specifically to achieve top performance with these 

modem projectors — the sensational four inch diameter Super 

Snaplite. Speed oi i/1.9 from 5 through 7 inch focal lengths, in 

V4 inch steps. 

MORE LIGHT... the four inch diameter 

Super Snaplite gives you an 

f/1.9 lens in focal lengths as long as 

7 inches! 

LONG LIFE... one piece mount, 

specially sealed lens elements, anodized 

finish that con t flake off — all 

spell longer, top-notch performance 

for the lour inch diameter Super 

Snaplite! 

SHARPER PICTURES. ..a 

true 

anastigmat lens for longer throws — 

the four inch diameter Super Snaplite 

produces pictures wire-sharp right to 

the very corners! 

HIGHER CONTRAST. ..amireflection 

coatings further enhance 

the brilliant, crisp, sparkling pictures 

projected by the four inch diameter 

Super Snaplite! 

Four inch diameter Super Snaplites are available, to order, in iocal lengths 

irom five up through seven inches, in quarter inch steps. In all these local 

lengths the true elective speed of f/1.9 is maintained. Four inch diameter 

Super Snaplites are also available, to special order, in focal lengths longer 

than seven inches, at somewhat slower speeds. 

Edgar S. Bowman, sole distributor of 

Lamolite Products which have been developed 

by the Dura Sign and Engraving Co., 

has added illuminated candy counter signs 

to the line of Plexiglas directional signs. 

The counter signs are specially made from 

copy supplied by the customers. Pictured 

here is a typical refreshment stand sign 

with the letters engraved in yellow on the 

clear Plexiglas. 

Speaker Handles, Cable 

Added to DIT-MCO Line 

P-345 

Get the lull facts of this superlative new lens 

now—write for your copy of Bulletin No. 209 today! 

2 Franklin Avenue 

Brooklyn 11, New York 

® 

OltrOKilllOK 

Speaker handles have been added to the 

in-car speakers manufactured by Drive-In 

Theatre Mfg. Co., Inc. The handles, shown 

here, are available on the Senior model 

speakers at a slight additional cost. 

Also available through DIT-MCO is the 

neo-seal transposed burial cable which features 

a green tracer wire. 

Display 

Systems 

EXTRUDED 

ALUMINUM 

Sold exclusively by 

independent supply 

houses. 

Looking To The Future 

You Moy Always Be Assured Thof 

-ADCwill 

constantly exert its best engineering efforts 

to the improvement and development of equipment 

which has long been the leader in its field. 

CURTAIN TRACKS 

CURTAIN MACHINES 

MOTOR GENERATORS 

Best ^hhe% For A "Nifty '50" 

Automatic Devices Co. 

116 N. 8th St. Allentown, Pa. 

Midget-Lite Available P-346 

In Variety of Models 

The Midget-Lite line of lighting fixtures, 

designed to use the new 75-watt R30 lamps 

being produced by many manufacturers, is 

announced by the Swivelier Co., Inc. These 

fixtures, which can also be used with the 

100-watt standard lamp, are available in 

recessed, portable, box plate and clamp-on 

models. 


^ 

New Wenzel Projector 

Reduces Oiling Time 

P-347 

BBINDT 

CHANGE MAKERS 

TO SUIT THE NEEDS AND 

BUDGET OF EVERY THEATRE 

The Brandt Automatic Cashier has long been recognized 

as the finest change maker on the market. The 

thousands of owners in the theatre, as well as many 

other fields, is an endorsement of the great merit of 

the Brandt Automatic Cashier. A Brandt in the box 

ofiice is perfection in a change maker. It is speedy, 

accurate, durably constructed, tops — yes, tops in 

appearance with its pleasing, modern lines. 

The Pro-50 model projector recently 

marketed by the Wenzel Projector Co. is 

equipped with Oilite bearings which require 

lubrication but once a week. The main 

drive shaft has been replaced by a stationary 

stud and the main drive gear turns this 

stud. Two large windows have been placed 

directly opposite the upper and lower 

sprockets. 

The Pro-50 has a new lens mount said 

to make it impossible for vibration to affect 

the projector. There is also a new framing 

light which gives light where it is needed 

and a full size door on the operating side 

with a catch which holds the mechanism 

door open. 

All shafts, sprockets and gears are precision 

ground to a tolerance of .0002 of an 

inch. 

Package Gum Venders 

Offered by Shipman 

A new low-priced 

automatic vender will 

take two different 

kinds of package gum 

or one flavor of gum 

and one of mints. It 

is 21 inches high, 5 'A 

inches wide and VA 

inches deep. It has a 

capacity of 60 packages 

and is finished 

in silver gray hammertone 

baked enamel. 

The vender may 

be attached to the 

side of cigaret and 

candy vending machines 

or mounted 

separately. 

P-348 

ni CD "THIRD DIMENSION" 

AULlIi silhouette letters 

— PLASTIC AND CAST ALUMINUM — 

"KEMOVA-FANEL" Glaii-in-Frame Uniti 

ADLER SILHOUETTE LETTER CO. 

302 1 W. 36th St., Chicago 1451 Bway, N.Y.C. 

In every respect, the Brandt Automatic Cashier . 

is a masterpiece. Great pride of ownership goes 

with the installation of one of these machines in 

the box office. 

All Brandt Automatic Cashiers are built for 

top notch performance and are outstanding in 

appearance; the various models differ only in 

operating features. 

MODEL 201 . . . functions upon che depression of a single 

key. Coins roll on edge quickly and quietly down the 

delivery chute into the cup for easy removal by the 

patron. This machine has an automatic control 

against further payments when the supply of coins 

in any one channel falls to a low point. Of all machines 

designed for theatre use, the Model 201 is 

the very finest. 

MODEL 131 .. . has the same coin-on-edge delivery 

chute and automatic payment control as the 

Model 201. It is the newest and most compact 

of all Brandt theatre type machines. 

MODEL 91 . . . in every respect fully carries the 

prestige of Brandt products. It has been used 

by theatres for many years and is a most desirable 

machine in the face of budget limitations. 

When you buy your first change 

maker, or replace the one you now 

use, install the finest . . . a Brandt 

Automatic Cashier! 

MODEL 

91 

'/f-' 

BRANDT AUTOMATIC CASHIER CO. 

WATERTOWN • WISCONSIN 

nd 'Coshiar' rtg'nlered in 

BRANDT 

COIN HANDLING 

DEVICES SINCE 

1890 

United Sfotes Pattnt Office and in Conodion Trad* Markt Offlc* 

BOXOFHCE January 7, 1950 

57

— 

NEW! GOLDE 

MOD-URN 

SAND URN 

ent. ppmg. 

Heovy gauge steel. Large sand s(oroge 

copacity in leak proof dromond 

etched ond polished chrome column. 

Polished top of triple plated chrome 

steel. Colors: Ebony Black, Mandarin 

Red trim at lop and bottom. * Write 

for bulletin No. 501. 

At better theotre supply dealers. 

©GOLDE MANUFACTURING CO. 

1220-A W. Madison St., Chicaoo 7, U.S.A. 

To respond to this advertisement, use postagepaid 

card at page 39, using this ad's Key 

Number—58A. 

The 

Drive-ln Deal 


is on page 41 


The following concerns have recently 

filed copies of interesting descriptive literature 

with the Modern Theatre Information 

Bureau. Readers who wish copies may 

obtain them promptly by usi7ig the Readers' 

Bureau post card in this issue of The Modern 

Theatre. 

L-lOOl "The Design, Construction and 

Equipment of a Drive-In Theatre" is the 

full title of a booklet available through 

Motiograph, Inc. In addition to a detailed 

imPflRT REAL SPARKLE 

to your presentations with 

this more brilliant spot 

THE STRONG TROUPER 

HIGH INTENSITY SPOTLIGHT 

A portable A.C. Carbon arc that produces a steady, sharp, uniformly 

Illuminated snow-white spot. Silvered glass reflector and twoelement 

variable focal length lens system. Draws only 10 amperes from UO-volt A.C. convenience outlet. 

Adjustable, self-regulating transformer in base. Automatic arc control. Carbon trim burns 80 

minutes. Horizontal masking control. Can be angled at 45 degrees in each direction. Color boomerang. 

Six slides. Ultra-violet filter holder. Mounted on casters. Easily disassembled for shipping. 

Listed by Underwriters Laboratories 

SEE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DEALERS OR USE COUPON FOR OBTAINING LITERATURE 

ALBANY 

Nat'l Theatre Sup. Co. 

ATUVNTA 


ATLANTIC CITY 

Boardwalk Film Enterprises 

BALTIMORE 

J. F. Dusman Co. 


BOSTON 

J. Cifrl Inc. 


BUFFALO 

Dion Products 


CHARLOTTE 

Nat'l. Theatre Sup. Co. 

CHICAGO 

Abbott Theatre Equip. Co. 

Gardner Jansen Inc. 

Hollywood Staoe Lighting Co. 

Midwest Staoe Lighting Co. 

Midwest Theatre Service & Eq 

Nat'l. Theatre Sup. Co 

CINCINNATI 


CLEVELAND 


DALLAS 

Hardin Theatre Sup. Co. 

Modern Theatre Equip. Co. 


DENVER 


DES MOINES 


DETROIT 


FORTY FORT 

V. M. Tate Theatre Supplies 

GREENSBORO 

Standard Theatre Sup. Co. 

HOUSTON 

Southwestern Theatre Equip. Co. 

INDIANAPOLIS 


KANSAS CITY 

Shreve Theatre Supply 


LOS ANGELES 

J. M. Boyd 

C. J. Holzmueller 


Projection Equip. & Main. Co. 

LOUISVILLE 

Falls City Theatre Equip. Co. 

MEMPHIS 


MILWAUKEE 


R. Smith Co. 

MINNEAPOLIS 

Minneapolis Theatre Supply 


NEW HAVEN 


NEW ORLEANS 


NEW YORK CITY 


NORFOLK 


OKLAHOMA CITY 


Oklahoma Theatre Sup. Co. 

PHILADELPHIA 

Blumberg Bros. 


PITTSBURGH 

Atlas Theatre Supply 


SAN FRANCISCO 

C. J. Holzmueller 


W. G. Preddey Theatre Sup. 

SEATTLE 

B. F. Shearer Co 


ST. 

LOUIS 

City Electric Co. 


TOLEDO 

Theatre Equip. Co. 

WESTERLY 

G. H. Payne Motion Picture Service 

CANADA 

Dominion Sound Equip. Ltd. 

Montreal, 

Quebec 

General Theatre Sup. Co. 

Montreal. Quebec 

Perkins Elec. Co. Ltd. 

Montreal, 

Quebec 

Perkins Electric Co. Ltd. 

Toronto. 

Ontario 

General Theatre Sup. Co. 

Winnipeg 

discussion on the fundamentals of -where to 

build a drive-in, preliminary steps involved 

in picking site, getting proper licenses and 

lining up capital, the booklet gives specifications 

on aU necessary equipment. Also 

included are photographs and blueprints. 

L-1002—Two CATALOG PAGES are available 

from Bost-wick Laboratories, Inc., concerning 

the company's Safe-Lex insect killer 

and air conditioner spray designed to clear 

the air of smoke in a few seconds. 

L-1003 The Fluorescent Lighting Ass'n 

has announced the availability of a guide 

to the use of cold cathode fluorescent lighting. 

The eight-page publication brings 

descriptive data and technical information 

on the use of standard and custom cold 

cathode lamps. 

L-1004— An eight-page bulletin sho-wing 

installations and giving descriptive Information 

has been announced by the Smooth 

Ceilings System. The flat slab construction 

is shown as applied in various types of 

buildings. 

THE 

STRONG 

ELECTRIC CORP. 

Please send free literature, prices and name of the nearest dealer in Strong Spotlights. 

Name 

Theatre 

Street 

City and State 

L-1005 Atlas Products Co. has put out 

a four-page brochure on their sand urns, 

dust pans and waste receptacles designed 

for commercial use. 

L-1006—Topps Chewing Gum, Inc., has 

price lists available on several of its products. 

Lists include descriptions and photos. 


— 

L-1007 — Every 

TYPE OF FLOOR and 

floor surface is thor- 

Cut Carpeting Costs 

oughly discussed in 

West Disinfecting 

Co."s new brochure, 

"The Proper Care of 

Floors." This extremely 

useful 32-page 

brochure is handsomely 

illustrated, 

and is prepared in two parts: 

Part I covers the triple process of floor 

preservation; cleaning, sealing and maintaining. 

Part II discusses all types of floor 

surfaces, new and old, and the proper 

methods of maintenance. An extremely 

valuable chart for floor preservation appears 

as a two-page spread, listing the 

many types of surfaces, the proper type 

of cleaner, sealer and maintainer to be 

used. 

L-1008 National Theatre Supply has 

released information on the new seat covers 

being manufactured by Tufford Seat Covers, 

Inc. Two single sheets give statistical 

data, descriptions and illustrations of method 

of recovering old seats. 

Sponge Rubber 

Rug Cushion for 

The Modern 

Theater 

® 

-^'i::^?^ 

L-1009 Installations of Suntile are illustrated 

in a booklet put out by the Cambridge 

Tile Mfg. Co. In addition to colored 

photos, the booklet tells how to order the " 

tile, classifies the various sizes and shapes 

as to uses and shows photos of additional 

products such as recessed soap dishes. 

L-lOlO ^Plicote fire-stop paint is described 

and demonstrations of its effectiveness 

illustrated in a small folder. A color 

chart is also shown. 

L-1011 Of particular interest to those 

interested in decoration of theatre interiors 

is a brochure suggesting specific uses for 

Parkwood Decorative, a permanently-finished 

laminated plastic material being 

manufactured by the Parkwood Corp. The 

pamphlet contains color photos of installations 

with explanations. 

L-1012—The F. H. Lawson Co. offers 

literature on various types of waste receptacles, 

including the Lawson "Torpedo" for 

washrooms, galvanized garbage containers 

and pails. Also illustrated and described 

are several types of sand urns. 

Spongex rug cushion 

V adds years of extra life to all carpets 

V will last for carpets to come 

V makes all carpets luxury carpets 

Doesn't create dust or lint — moth proof, vermin proof— gets no 

musty smell — always springy, no matting down — no crevices or 

cups to harbor dirt— can be vacuumed or dampwipfd! 

Ask vour carpeting contractor about SPONGEX today, or write 

us for samples and information. 

THE SPONGE RUBBER PRODUCTS COMPANY 

316 DERBY PLACE • SHELTON, CONN. 

L-1013 Several types of interlocking 

rubber floors are described and illustrated 

in a booklet available through R. L. 

Mitchell Rubber Co. 

Also available are five 

single sheets illustrating and describing 

various types of small floor mats. 

BOXOFFICE January 7. 1950 

59

WHEREVER APPEARANCE 

ANjUNEATNESS 

you II see LINTEX 

COLLARS & FRONTS 

Progressive 

n»u CHTtisy 

UtIO Cin MDSC 

NEW roK an. n. 

Chains and Independents 

have 

found that Lintex 

Paper Collars and 

Fronts are convenient 

and economical. 

These collars 

and ironts are 

made from specially 

processed 

paper 

with a linen 

finish. When 

soiled they are 

thrown away. 

No laundry 

problems with 

REVERSIBLE COLLAR CO. 

Ill PUTNAM AVENUE CAMBRIDGE. MASS. 

Your house is your patrons' 

y)mm ensile 

about people/ 

Jack O'Brien, of the Theatre Equipment 

Section, and Ralph Teare, head of the Film 

Recording Section of RCA, each used very 

unique Christmas cards to convey their 

greetings to members of the trade. Both 

were built around the Christmas seal stamp 

used by the Tuberculosis Ass'n. In O'Brien's 

card, the stamp appeared as the picture on 

the screen in a replica of a theatre auditorium. 

Teare's card employed the film 

strip idea with the stamp tipped onto the 

center frame. 

With expansion of 

their key sales organizations, 

the Charles 

E. Hires Co. has appointed 

C. Duffield 

Clarke to manage the 

national accounts and 

head a newly organized 

vending machine 

division. Clarke was 

formerly operational 

executive for Hires in 

C. D. OoTke 

New York. Prior to 

that time he held managerial positions in 

various Hires plants around the country. 

Joseph Czink, veteran Bridgeport, Conn., 

motion picture theatre projectionist, has 

purchased the Liberty Theatre from the 

estate of the late Morris B. Kaufman. 

Ralston H. Coffin has taken over the 

direction of advertising for the Victor division 

of RCA, according to a recent announcement 

by Robert A. Seidel, vicepresident 

in charge of distribution. Coffin, 

who assumed his post last month, has 

been an account executive 

with McCann- 

""** PRODUCT 

Erickson, Inc., for the last five years. In 

his new position, he will coordinate and £idminister 

RCA Victor's advertising and promotional 

activities. 

Neumade Products Corp. has opened new 

general offices in the McGraw-Hill building 

at 330 West 42nd St. in New York. The 

entire 14th floor of the building is used to 

consolidate all home office activities. The 

larger quarters also accommodate increased 

engineering facilities, Oscar F. Neu, company 

president, states. 

Blazing promotional trails in the drink 

vending equipment field, Cole-Spa is supplementing 

its regular tradepaper advertising 

with a consumer magazine campaign 

to tell John Q. Public the Cole-Spa 

story. The opening advertisement plays 

up the advantages of the dispenser to the 

consumer. The campaign is slated to appear 

in several national magazines in 1950. 

John Ahearne of Wallingford, Conn., and 

Joseph Bialek of Meriden, Conn., have been 

named projectionists at the Meriden Theatre, 

Meriden. Jerome Mandelbaum, on 

the projectionist staff at the Meriden Theatre, 

Morton Downey was elected a director 

of General Aniline & Film Corp. at the December 

has resigned. 

meeting of the board. Jack Frye, Harry E. Lewis has been assigned to the 

president, announced today. The executive Foreign and Export department, Worthington 

Pump & Machinery Corp., Harrison, 

vice-president of Carbagell, Inc., a chemical 

concern, Mr. Downey is also a director 

New Jersey, manufacturers of air conditioning 

machinery. Mr. Lewis was for- 

of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Chicago; Cigogne, 

Inc., perfume manufacturers, and merly Works controller at the Holyoke 

for several years has been associated with 

the operations of the Chicago Merchandise 

Mart. 

(Mass.) 

Lewis. 

works. George Bourque succeeds 

Ray Bushey of Manchester, Conn., has 

replaced Howard Oakley as projectionist 

at the Newington Theatre, Newington, 

Conn. 

National Theatre Supply has been 

named exclusive distributors of playground 

equipment for drive-in theatres by the J. E. 

Burke Co., Fond du Lac, Wis., playgroimd 

equipment manufacturers. Among the 

items offered to entice the small fry to 

drive-ins are swings, slides, meriy-gorounds, 

see-saws and sand boxes. 

5 BIG REASONS 

Why Drive-ln Exhibitars Flock to S. O. S. 

1—Comolele 35mm Projection & Sound outfits from $1595. 

2—Time Deals Available—pay out of income. 

3—All outfits fully tested before shipment. 

4—Free enoineerinj advice includinj plans and diagrams. 

5— Full year's guarantee. 

Write for details. 

ewYofkig.N.*. 

Shown above is ilie recently opened plant 

of Mason, Au & Magenheimer Confectionery 

Mfg. Co. at Mineola, L. I.. N. Y. The 

$1,500,000 factory includes executive offices 

and covers 12 acres across the road 

from the Rooseveii Fieiu airport. Four 

large colored signs designed in the shape 

of various Mason candies dominate the 

entrance. The company previously had 

thi'ee separate plants in Brooklyn. 


PDXOFFICE BAROMETER • EXHIBITOR HAS.HIS SAY 

liATURE CHART • REVIEW DIGEST • SHORTS CHART 

SHORTS REVIEWS • FEATURE REVIEWS • EXPLOITIPS BookitiGuide 

BOXOFFICE 

FIRST RUN REPORTS 

This chart shows the records made by 

pictures in iive or more of the 21 key cities 

checked. As new runs are reported, ratings 

are added and averages revised. 

BAROMETER 

TOP HIT OF THE WEEK 

(Not an average) 

Prince of Foxes— 

Cleveland 190 

Computed in terms of percentage in 

relation to normal grosses. With 100 

per cent as "normal," the figures 

show the percentage above or below 

that mark.

EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

— 

ABOUT 

PICTURES 

Juat as the Baroiaeter page thowi first run reports on current pictures, thU 

department is devoted ]or the most part to reports on subseguent runs, made 

by exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars means the exhibitor 

fias been writing in for six months or kmger, and a three-star contributor 

Is a regular of one year or more, who receives a token of our appreciation. AU 

exfiibitori toeicoTne. Blue Ribbon jricture* art marked thut U. 

COLUMBIA 

It Happened One Night cCol) — Reissue. 

Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly. 

We lost heavily on this picture, which 

proves that reissues have to be hand-picked 

as carefully as the new ones if we are to avoid 

losses. We do not believe that this is suitable 

material for the average small town. Played 

Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, 

State Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small town, 

rural and college patronage. * • 

It Happened One Night (Col) — Reissue. 

Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly. 

This is a very good picture but these 

reissues have been flopping for me lately. I 

guess they saw too many reissues at the driveins 

last summer. I failed to get film rental on 

this one. Played Tuesday. Weather: Good. 

—E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, 

Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. *•* 

Johnny Allegro (Col)—George Raft, Nina 

Pooh, George Macready. This is a fairly entertaining 

picture which enjoyed average business 

but is just another one where we had no 

complaints and no compliments, and broke 

even on it. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good. 


Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. •** 

Knock on Any Door (Col)—Humphrey Bogart, 

John Derek, Susan Perry. This has a 

severe ending, but inevitable. The kid killed 

and punishment was due him. He had us 

fooled until the very last. Bogart and the lad 

were excellent. Played Fri., Sat., Sun.—Frank 

E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. 

Small town patronage. • • • 

Last Roundup, The (Col) — Gene Autry, 

Champion, Jean Heather. Good old Autry, 

the boy who started a new cycle for singing 

cowboys! He did all right here. Played Fri., 

Sat. Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, Plaza 

Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. Small town patronage. 

• • 

Walking Hills, The (Col)—Randolph Scott, 

Ella Raines, Edgar Buchanan. This picture 

has an unusual story and our patrons praised 

it. It has plenty of action and is practically 

all filmed outdoors—therefore is suitable for 

weekend dates. Business was down but that 

was due to our playing the picture one week 

ahead of Christmas. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, State Tlieatre, 

Olivet, Mich. Small town, rural and college 

patronage. * • 

EAGLE LION 

He Walked by Night (EL)—Richard Basehart, 

Scott Brady, Roy Roberts. This has 

plenty of action and suspense in it. The 

scenes and the sound effect of the chase 

through the huge drainage sewers of Los 

Angeles is certainly most impressive. Advertise 

it plenty and play up the angle that crime 

does not pay. The fadeout scene at the close 

of the picture will more than prove this. 

Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair and cold. 

—I. Roche, Vernon and Veil Theatres, Vernon 

and Cottondale, Fla. Small town and rural 

patronage. • • • 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

Courage of Lassie, The (MGM)—Ehzabeth 

Taylor, Frank Morgan, Lassie. Not in the 

class of "Hills of Home" but our patrons, especially 

the small fry, really love this Lassie. Our 

boxoffice is a sure success every time we play 

a Lassie picture. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: 

Cold and clear.—C. E. McMurchy, Memorial 

Hall Theatre, Reston, Man. Rural and 

small town patronage. 

• 

Kissing Bandit, The (MGM)—Prank Sinatra, 

Kathryn Grayson, J. Carrol Naish. The 

show was okay. The color and music were 

fine, but it fell down at the boxoffice. Maybe 

it was the title, maybe it was Sinatra. Played 

Tues., Wed.—Frank E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre, 

Eureka, Mont. Small town patronage. 

(MGM)—Red Skel- 

Merton of the Movies 

ton, Virginia O'Brien, Gloria Grahame. More 

stuff here for more people than "Edward, My 

Son," which I traded. This one was old 

enough to bring back the patrons and pleased 

most, billed with another oldie, "Ramrod" 

(UA). If Metro's old prints hold out I may 

be able to trade off their new "no-boxoffice" 

flickers for some of the old entertainment 

pieces. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: 

Clear and cool.—Jim Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, 

Wichita, Kas. Second and third downtown 

run patronage. • • 

Some of the Best (MGM)—Product documentary. 

This is a credit to the industry and 

Metro is sure on the ball with this. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, 

Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. 

••* 

WStratton Story, The (MGM) — James 

Stewart, June Allyson, Frank Morgan. If 

Hollywood could just get smart and learn that 

stories Uke this, well directed and acted, are 

boxoffice naturals, we would all be okay and 

not be running around pulling our hair and 

crying: "What's wrong with show business?" 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair and cold. 

—Joe and Mildred Faith, Lirm Theatre, Linn, 

Mo. Small town and rural patronage. •* 

They Met at Midnight (MGM) — Anna 

Neagle, Michael Wilding, Reginald Owen. For 

shame, Leo, for shame! Here I brag to the 

film salesmen from other companies that you 

seldom miss. You should have buried this one 

in England where it belongs. I had more 

walkouts on this picture than on any other 

I've played, and it almost made me sorry I 

had stated before that I play everything MGM 

puts out. Don't do this to us "Uttle fellas" 

again, Leo — please! Played Wed., Thurs. 

Time to Close Doors 

li This Not Liked 

ADVENTURES OF GALLANT BESS, 

THE (EL) — Cameron MitcheU, Audrey 

Long, Fuzzy Knight. Just about one of 

the best horse pictures we have had on 

our screen, I'd say. All comments were 

from good to excellent. The color is fine 

and Bess steals the show. Some of the 

scenes are so touching they bring tears to 

the eyes. If they don't like this type of 

show, then it is time to close the doors 

permanently! Played Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Fine.—I. Roche, Vernon and 

Veil Theatres, Vernon and Cottondale, 

Fla. Small town and rural patronage. 

Such Pictures Valuable 

For Public Goodwill 

IT HAPPENS EVERT SPRING (20th- 

Fox) — Ray Milland, Jean Peters, Paul 

Douglas. This picture is so unusually 

clever and so thoroughly entertaining 

that it cannot be praised too much. Pictures 

of this caliber are valuable in building 

public goodwill for our industry. It 

rates preferred playing time but since it 

may not be a strong grosser, it should sell 

at a reasonable flat rental. Flayed Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, State 

Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small town, rural 

and college patronage. • * 

Weather: Fair and cold.—^Fred G. Weppler, 

Colonial Theatre, Colfax, lU. Small town and 

rural patronage. 

*• 

Wizard of Oz, The (MGM)—Reissue. Judy 

Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr. Play this 

and pack them in like I did. Since I played 

it 10 years ago, there is a new crop of kids and 

they all came. We had the best business in 

months but some of the small fry were scared 

by the wicked witch. Don't be afraid to play 

this on your best time, as the adults came too. 

Profit? Sure. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: 

Good.—E. M. Freiburger, Paramount Theatre, 

Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. *** 

Wizard of Oz, The (MGM)—Judy Garland, 

Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr. We booked this Fri., 

Sat. for a special show for underprivileged 

children. Business was only fair subsequently 

but it is a wonderful production and well 

worth bringing back. It's perfect for kids, and 

as the trailer says, "young in heart" aciults. 

Some of the gruesome witch scenes actually 

scared a few kids out of then- seats into our 

lobby. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—William 

J. Harris, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. 

Rural and small town patronage. 

•* 

MONOGRAM 

«Babe Ruth Story, The (Mono)—William 

Bendix, Claire Ti-evor, Charles Bickford. This 

seemed not to have the pull a picture needs. 

I guess we played it a little too late here. 

Played Wed., Thm-s. Weather: Cold.—Harland 

Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. 

Small town patronage. • » * 

Joe Falooka in Winner Take'AU (Mono)— 

Joe Kirkwood, Elyse Knox, William Frawley. 

No winner here to take anything. Doubled 

with "Smart Woman" to a sad 65 per cent. 

Why business was off is a question, probably 

due to the usual Christmas shopping season 

beginning, and to the fact that these are two 

far-from-top flickers. Generally the Palooka 

series pictures are okay for situations that 

like fight films, but "Smart Woman" was a 

flop as far as entertainment went. Played 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Clear and warm.^ 

Jim Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Kas. 

Second and third downtown rim patronage. 

• * 

Shadows of the West (Mono)—Whip Wilson, 

Andy Clyde, Riley Hill. Give this boy 

Whip Wilson a little more time and he will be 

as much in demand as Johnny Mack Brown 

and some of the rest of the big timers. We like 

the two Whip Wilsons we have used very 

much. The comedy angle was much better In 

this one and I think up to par. I will recommend 

that you give this new star a try. 

Played Fri, Sat. Weather: Damp and cold. 

—L. E. Wolcott, Quinlan Theatre, Quinlan, 

Tex. Rural and small town patronage. *• 

PARAMOUNT 

CSBIue Skies (Para)—Bing Crosby, Fred 

Astaire. This old one still has the power to 

bring in the patrons. The color was fine and 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : : January 7, 1950

— 

— 

the sound equally good. Small town situations 

need not be afraid of this one. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weathex-: Fair.—I. Roche, Vernon 

and Veil Theatres, Vernon and Cottondale, 

Pla. Small town and rural patronage. • • • 

Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, 

A (Para)—Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Sir 

Cedric Hardwicke. This did tremendous business 

for us. Rhonda Fleming pictures always 

do well here.—R. M. McKuen, Guild Theatre, 

* 

Oakland, Calif. Teen-age patronage. 

El Paso (Para)—John Payne, Gail Russell, 

George "Gabby" Hayes. Here is truly (in my 

opinion) one of the best western dramas ever 

turned out by any company and comment was 

very good. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold. 

—Lloyd Hutchins, Pangburn Theatre, Pangburn, 

Ark. Rural patronage. • • • 

Great Gatsby, The (Para) — Alan Ladd, 

Betty Field, Macdonald Carey. Walkouts 

we counted 11 Friday night and more Saturday. 

This picture is, putting it frankly, terrible—and. 

the trailer very misleading. We 

strongly advise anyone to pass it up. Weather: 

Fair and cold.—C. E. McMurchy, Memorial 

Hall Theatre, Reston, Man. Rural and 

small town patronage. 

• 

Rope of Sand (Para)—Burt Lancaster, Paul 

Henreid, Claude Rains. More sad results from 

Paramount. This didn't do half enough to 

justify the high top they established on this 

generally fine action picture. A good cast, 

interesting story and fine direction, but I 

could hardly find any persons to sell tickets 

to. "Law of the Barbary Coast" (Col) was 

on the bottom half and was an excellently 

done small flicker. Business was about 75 per 

cent of normal. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Cold and threatening.—Jim Dunbar, 

Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Kas. Second and 

third downtown run patronage. * * 

Sorrowftil Jones (Para)—Bob Hope, Lucille 

Ball, Mary Jane Saunders. This is a swell 

picture which was enjoyed by everyone. Mary 

Jane Saunders certainly took the show away 

from Bob Hope—but then he's good, too. I 

had an average gross and expected more, since 

I haven't had a Hope here for some time. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—Fred G. 

Weppler, Colonial Tlieatre, Colfax, 111. Small 

towTi and rural patronage. ** 

Top O' the Morning (Para)—Bing Crosby, 

Ann Bl>th, Ban-y Fitzgerald. We don't prefer 

the hammer to the horn, but we believe EHHS 

should primarily serve as a place where one 

exhibitor can warn another which pussy cat 

has a stripe down its back. Bing went "bang" 

again. The terms allowed Paramount to go 

off with the meager take while we increased 

the mortgage on the old homestead. This is 

a slow-moving piece about a search for the 

purloined Blarney Stone (should have been 

"baloney") in hard-to-understand Irish 

brogue. Arm Blyth did a far better job than 

Crosby. It's got a bushy tail, boys! Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Warm and rainy.— S. W. 

Rawson, Best Theatre, Scio, Ohio. Pottery 

and rural patronage. 

•• 

RKO RADIO 

Coin' to Town (RKO)—Reissue. Lum and 

Abner. I ran this midweek to a well pleased 

crowd. It did not pack the place but did do 

all right. The print and the price were okay. 

Can be recommended. Played Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Rain.—Joe and Mildred Faith, Lirm 

Theatre, Linn, Mo. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

•* 

Make Mine Laughs (RKO)—Ray Bolger, 

Anne Shirley, Dennis Day. This is an uninteresting 

hodge podge that gave the kids a restless 

hour and caused milling around the lobby 

by adults seeking a smoke to kill the time 

until the other half came on with "The Big 

Steal." This will definitely not stand alone 

in any situation and is very poor supporting 

fare—made from scraps from the cuttingroom 

floor. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold 

and clear.—S. W. Rawson, Best Theatre, Sclo, 

Ohio. Pottery and rural patronage. •• 

Mighty Joe Young (RKO)—Terry Moore, 

Ben Johnson, Robert Armstrong. Here is a 

freak picture on the order of "King Kong," 

which really did a nice business for me. It 

would please in any small town and do a big 

business, particularly with the kids. Don't 

pass it up, even if it is weak on star power, 

as the novelty will make up for that. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Good.—E. M. Freiburger, 

Pai-amount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. 

Small town patronage. 

••• 

Mighty Joe Young (RKO) — Terry Moore, 

Ben Johnson, Robert Armstrong. We spent 

several hard-eai-ned dollars pushing this extra 

and it didn't do quite enough extra business. 

But it is a natural for exploitation, well 

done and has some humorous situations. We 

paid through the nose for it, of course. It 

can be recommended for a good date but in 

our case, we're still paying RKO too much for 

some pictures that just aren't worth it. Played 

Sat. (preview). Sun., Mon. Weather: Good. 

—William J. Harris, Crown Tlieatre, Lincoln, 

Ark. Rural and small town patronage. •• 

Roughshod (RKO)—Robert Sterling, Gloria 

Grahame, Claude Jarman jr. To me this was 

just so-so. It is nothing big and business was 

Patrons Thanked Him 

For Playing Picture 

OBABE RUTH STORY, THE (Mono) 

—WUliam Bendix, Claire Trevor, Charles 

Bickford. The name of this picture is in 

itself enough to fill your theatre, and this 

is in Canada—such is the power of the 

name of Babe Ruth. The story was good 

and our patrons thanked us for playing it. 

Played Wednesday. Weather: Cold and 

fair.—C. E. McMurchy, Memorial Hall 

Theatre, Reston, Man. Rural and small 

town patronage. 

• 

average. Comment consisted mostly of yawns 

as they came out into the lobby. I should 

have played it on a Fri., Sat.—my mistake, 

not the film company's. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Fair.—Lloyd Hutchins, Pangburn 

Theatre, Pangburn, Ark. Rural patronage. 

Tarzan's Desert Mystery (RKO)—Reissue. 

Johnny Weissmuller, Nancy Kelly, Johnny 

Sheffield. While a reissue, it is a good one. 

We enjoyed a better-than-average business 

with it. I think any small town exhibitor can 

buy this picture and make money with it. 

Johnny Weissmuller is at his best. Played 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Rainy, cold and 

nasty.—O. Fomby, Paula Theatre, Homer, la. 

Small town patronage. 

••* 

Tarzan's Magic Fountain (RKO) — Lex 

Barker, Brenda Joyce, Albert Dekker. Our 

folks must still like Weissmuller for they 

stayed away in droves for this. The story wSs 

a little better and I thought it okay, but it did 

not pay off. The print and price were okay. I 

would recommend it, regardless. Played Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Fair. — Joe and Mildred 

Faith, Linn Theatre, Linn, Mo. Small town 

•* 

and rural patronage. 

REPUBLIC 

Brimstone (Rep) — Rod Cameron, Adrian 

Booth, Walter Brennan. An orchid for Republic 

this time. 'Twas a true pleasure to 

hear the fine comments this western drew. 

This has an ideal cast and Forrest Tucker is 

becoming a well followed star. Doubled with 

an old East Side Kids comedy, "Clancy Street 

Boys" (UFE) to a season surprise of 130 per 

cent. Of course the western combination, 

with the Bowery Boys, never has failed me 

here yet. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Clear 

and warm. — Jim Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, 

Says Bit of Knowledge 

Doesn't Hurt Patrons 

SECRET LAND, THE (MOM)—Technicolor 

documentary with narrators Robert 

Montgomery, Robert Taylor, Van 

HefUn. A documentary, yes, but good. We 

did not have one complaint and had lots 

of praise. 

A bit of knowledge doesn't hurt 

'em and they know it. We were all at the 

South Pole with Byrd. Amazing!—Frank 

E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre, Eureka, Mont. 

Small town patronage. • • • 

Wichita, Kas. Second and third downtown 

run patronage. * * 

Grand Canyon Trail (Rep)—Roy Rogers, 

Andy Devlne, Foy Willing and Riders of the 

Purple Sage. This has good color and Roy 

Rogers in it. It failed, however, to pull them 

in for some reason or other. I just can't figure 

it out for the weather was good and we 

had some strong, supporting shorts. I have 

noticed that — Roy hasn't puUed so well in his 

last pictures "Nighttime in Nevada" was an 

exception. My lowest Fri., Sat. gross in two 

years. Weather: Good.—I. Roche, Vernon 

and Veil Theatres, Vernon and Cottondale, 

Fla. Small town and rural patronage. • • • 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

Beautiful Blonde From Bashful Bend, The 

(20th-Fox) — Betty Grable, Cesar Romero, 

Rudy Vallee. This is a grand and very clever 

comedy that our patrons enjoyed and praised. 

Business is down during the pre-Christmas 

season so we do not blame the picture for 

the low gross. The picture rates preferred 

playing time at a reasonable flat rental. 

Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair. 

E. A. London, State Theatre, Olivet, Mich. 

Small town, rural and college patronage. • • 


(20th-Fox)—Betty Grable, Cesar Romero, 

Rudy Vallee. We were a little late on this one 

but it did good December business. Several audience 

guffaws attest to its humor, but some 

situations are almost naughty, especially when 

pulled before our Sunday crowd. The color is 

good and it should be a profitable venture for 

the small to\vn. Played Sat. (preview), Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Rain and cold.—William J. 

Harris, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Rural 

and small town patronage. ** 


(20th-Fcx)—Betty Grable, Cesar Romero, 

Rudy Vallee. This is a corny picture that gave 

me my lowest Sun., Mon. gross in 17 weeks. It 

would appear that this type of picture would 

do big business in a small town, but it failed 

for me. Betty Grable is good but miscast In 

the pictm'e. It has plenty of laughs and action, 

and everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially 

with the unanticipated ending. Weather: Rain 

and warm.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre, 

Colfax, 111. Small town and niral patronage. 

•• 

OCome to the Stable (20th-Fox)—Loretta 

Young, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe. There 

is no doubt that this is a great picture in a 

big town where there are lots of Catholics, 

but it did a big flop for me. I would say it Is 

no good for a small town which wants Roy 

Rogers, Gene Autry and Abbott and Costello. 

When it comes to nuns in a picture, my customers 

don't want "nun." I have asked for 

an adjustment In film rental. Played Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Good. — E. M. Freiburger, 

Paramount Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town 

patronage. 

*•• 

Everybody Does It (20th-Fox)—Paul Douglas, 

Linda Darnell, Celeste Holm. This Is a 

very good comedy. Business was off 20 per 

cent (approximately). I don't know whether 

this was due to the bad weather or to the picture. 

Paul Douglas really puts on a fine dem- 

(Continued on page 4) 

BOXOFFICE BooldnGuide : : January 7, 1950

I 

Exhibitor Has His Say 

(Continued from page 3) 

onstration of his ability. Played Sat., Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Raining and cold.—O. Fomby, 

Paula Theatre, Homer, La. Small town patronage. 

** 

Father Was a Fullback (20th-Fox)—Fred 

MacMurray, Maureen O'Hara, Betty Lynn. 

This is a very good comedy which pleased 

above average business. It was a good holiday 

show and had a profitable engagement here. 

It is not a super-duper but well worth showing. 

Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good. 


Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. •*• 

Letter to Three Wives, A (20th-Fox)—Linda 

Darnell, Jeanne Grain, Ann Sothem. This 

was considered by many the outstanding picture 

of the year, but if you get them in, it will 

be a miracle. It is not made for small towns. 

Played Wed., Thurs.—Harland Rankin, Plaza 

Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. General patronage. *** 

Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (20th-Fox) 

Clifton Webb, Shirley Temple, Tom Drake. 

Webb was very good but Shirley Temple's acting 

was next to nothing. I enjoyed her as a 

kid, but she hasn't improved one bit in her 

acting. The picture was enjoyed by my patrons, 

and the only complaints heard were on 

Shirley. My gross was off and this did not 

warrant the top terms demanded by Fox. 

Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair and cold. 

—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre, Colfax, 

III. Small town and rural patronage. *• 

Sand (20th-Fox) — Mark Stevens, Coleen 

Gray, Rory Calhoun This is a beautiful picture 

and excellent family entertaiimient. We 

think that it is as good as "Smoky" but It 

didn't do "Smoky" business. Our gross was 

low but we were saved by low film rental. 

We believe that this picture is worth preferred 

playing time at low flat rental. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, 

State Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small town, 

rural and college patronage. • • 

Slattery's Hurricane (20th-Fox)—Richard 

Widmark, Linda Darnell, Veronica Lake. This 

one put the "double whammy" on us for the 

year's poorest gross. It has a feeble plot, is 

hard to follow, and has a little action mixed 

with a lot of gab. Stay away from this one, 

boys, unless you want to save money on your 

income tax. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: 

Perfect.—S. W. Rawson, Best Theatre, Scio, 

Ohio. Pottery and rural patronage. •* 

USnake Pit, The (20th-Fox)—Olivia De- 

Havilland, Mark Stevens, Leo Genn. We did 

very poor business on our best playing time 

with this. No appeal whatever for the 

younger set. Most of our adult customers 

commented unfavorably. Played Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Fair.—L. D. Montgomery, Melba 

Theatre, Oakwood, Tex. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

• • 

YeUow Sky (20th-Fox) — Gregory Peck, 

Anne Baxter, Richard Widmark. This picture 

opened up well the first night, dropped 

50 per cent the second—which indicates it 

wasn't too well liked here. Played Mon., Tues. 

—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, 

Ont. Small town patronage. *•* 

You're My Everything (20th-Fox) — Dan 

DaUey, Anne Baxter, Anne Revere. This is 

the best Dan Dailey picture we have played. 

It has a much more interesting story and 

sparkles with comedy. However, the Dan 

Dailey pictures are all weak here and our 

business on this one was not satisfactory. 

We believe that in the average small town, 

this picture is suitable for midweek at a very 

low rental. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Fair.—E. A. London, State Theatre, Olivet, 

Mich. Small town, rural and college patronage. 

• • 

— 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Champion (UA) — Kirk Douglas, Marilyn 

Maxwell, Paul Stewart. This is one of the best 

pictures I've ever seen of the fight game. Kirk 

Douglas does a marvelous job of acting. The 

fight scenes rouse the patrons conapletely out 

of their lethargy. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: 

Cold.—W. D. Rasmussen, Star Theatre, 

Anthon, Iowa. Small town patronage. ** 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Criss Cross (U-I)—Burt Lancaster, Yvoime 

DeCarlo, Dan Duryea. We liked this one just 

fine although we didn't do anything at the 

boxoffice because of bad weather and mud 

inch deep on the country roads. We think 

Yvoime DeCarlo has had better parts and did 

much better. The ending was not just what 

one would expect. If your people like this type 

of picture it will do well.—L. E. Wolcott, Quinlan 

Theatre, Quinlan, Tex. Rural and small 

town patronage. 

•• 

Criss Cross (U-I)—Burt Lancaster, Yvonne 

DeCarlo, Dan Duryea. We consider pictures 

good for our menu if our projectionist gets 

interested. On this one he didn't, although it 

has most things a picture should. "Just another 

cops-and-robbers," he says. Then he 

asks me why the studios turn out so many of 

these when our public relations board is trying 

to say movies are good for kids and adults, 

too? No crime, drinking or sordidness. I 

don't know why we get so many with these. 

Why, Universal? Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Cool. — William J. Harris, Crown 

Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Rural and small town 

patronage. 

•* 

Gal That Took the West, The (U-I) — 

Yvonne DeCarlo, Scott Brady, Charles Cobum. 

Just What Needed 

For Extra Cash 

— John Payne, Gail 

EL PASO (Para) 

Russell, George "Gabby" Hayes. This is 

just about the best action and high class 

western to come my way in a long, long 

time. AU comments on this were good. 

This is just what the small towns need to 

put that extra cash in the drawer. You'll 

be sorry it you miss this one! Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair and cold. 

I. Roche, Vernon and Veil Theatres, Vernon 

and Cottondale, Fla. Small town and 

rural patronage. * » » 

Rival Irish cousins fight for DeCarlo in a 

princely Gilbert and Sullivan setting. This is 

creditable for both DeCarlo and Universal. 

Played this early in December to normal business.—^Martin 

Brown, Avenue Theatre, Yakima, 

Wash. Patronage? The salt of the earth. 

Mexican Hayride (U-I)—Bud Abbott, Lou 

CosteUo, Virginia Grey. Played the day before 

and on Thanksgiving to 200 per cent business. 

Idle Thoughts of an Exhibitor: Was it 

the holiday, the Chamber of Commerce, Gift 

Night, or Abbott and CosteUo? The picture 

was a scream and left the patrons laughing 

even the next day. This type of picture (plus 

above average gross) makes me glad I'm in 

the theatre business. Played Wed., Thurs. 

Weather: Fair.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial 

Theatre, Colfax, 111. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

•• 

Mexican Hajrride (U-I)—Bud Abbott, Lou 

CosteUo, Virginia Grey. This is probably one 

of the poorest of the A&C pictures we have 

played and business was the same. Our patrons 

usually like this team, but failed to go 

for this one. We couldn't even get the kids 

in for the matinee. Played FYi., Sat. Weather: 

Good.—Jack Hammond, Shastona Theatre, 

— 

Says Every Exhibitor 

Should Play This 

CITY ACROSS THE RIVER (U-I) — 

Stephen McNally, Sue England, Barbara 

Whiting. A great picture that every exhibitor 

should play. It has a lesson on 

juvenile delinquency that really hits the 

spot and is authentic and realistic 

throughout—very good. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Cold.—W. D. Rasmussen, Star 

Theatre, Anthon, Iowa. Small town patronage. 

* * * 

Mount Shasta, CaUf. Small lumber town 

patronage. • • * 

Yes, Sir, That's My Baby ( U-I )—Donald 

O'Connor, Gloria DeHaven, Charles Coburn. 

This is definitely a cute and different type of 

filmfare, and was enjoyed by nearly all who 

came—and surprisingly they did come to the 

tune of 105 per cent, and that ain't bad at all. 

Sunday we packed 'em in but Monday fell off 

considerably. We doubled with another fine 

family picture, "Michael O'Halloran" (Mono) 

and were proud to stand in the lobby after 

playing these two. Played Sat. (preview). 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Clear and warm.—Jim 

Dimbar, Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Kas. Second 

and third downtown run patronage. * • 

WARNER BROS. 

Fighter Squadron (WB)—Edmond O'Brien, 

Robert Stack, Tom D'Andrea. This is one for 

the books. We did sellout business with it the 

week before Christmas, believe it or not! 

Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Cool.—Harland 

Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. Small 

town patronage. » • • 

My Dream Is Yours (WB)—Jack Carson, 

Doris Day, Lee Bowman. Filmed in Technicolor, 

this musical proved popular. Backstage 

locale with a radio trust proved a good vehicle 

for Doris Day. Jack Carson and Eve Arden 

were excellent in the comedy roles. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold and clear.—C. E. 

McMurchy, Memorial Hall Theatre, Reston, 

Man. Rural and small town patronage. 

Two Guys From Texas (WB) — Dennis 

Morgan, Jack Carson, Dorothy Malone. This 

Technicolor comedy is not too highbrow for 

the small towns. If you can get them in, 

they'll be more than glad you did for there 

won't be a sour comment on it. Some musicals 

are too highbrow for rural towns. This one 

is the exception, believe me, brother. Played 

Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good. — I. Roche, 

Vernon and Veil Theatres, Vernon and Cottondale, 

Fla. Small town and rural patronage. 

• • • 

MISCELLANEOUS 

Li'l Abner (SR)—Reissue. Granville Owen, 

Martha O'Driscoll, Mona Ray. We double 

billed this with "Renegades of the Rio 

Grande" and did above average business. 

Many of our comic-reading fans went for this 

one. It is well made and provides plenty of 

action and comedy. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: 

Good.—Walt R. Sayler, Dakota Theatre, Wishek, 

N. D. Rural and small town patron- 

Village Bam Dance (SR)—Reissue. Richard 

Cromwell, Doris Day. This reissue did 

well for me, doubled with "Gun Smugglers" 

(RKO) to above average Saturday business. 

Lulu Belle and Scotty have always been popular 

here witih the farm patronage, and an 

oldie like this is no exception. I am anxiously 

awaiting my next booking on the other Lulu 

Belle and Scotty picture. Played Saturday 

only. Weather: Fair.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial 

Theatre, Colfax, 111. Small town and 

rural patronage. • 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide : : January 7, 1950

Alphabetical Picture Guide Index aad REVIEW DIGEST 

1080 Abandoned (79) U-l 10-15-49 

1061 Abhott & Costello Meet the Killer 

(84) U-l 8-13-49 

987 Accused, The (101) Para 11-20-48 

997 Act of Violence (82) MGM 12-25-48 

1093 Adam and Evalyn (93) U-l 11-26-49 

1088Adam's Rib (102) MGM 11-5-49 

1022 Adventure in Baltimore (89) RKO.. 3-26-49 

998 Adventures of Don Juan (110) WB. .12-25-48 

1012 Affairs of a Rogue. The (95) Col.. . 2-19-49 

1033 Africa Scre.ims (75) UA 5- 7-49 

1042 Against the Wind (95) EL 6- 4-49 

1055 Air Hostess iSl) Col 7-23-49 

1006 Alias Nick Beal (93) Para 1-22-49 

1085 Alias the Champ (60) Rep 10-29-49 

1049 Alimony (72) EL 7-2-49 

1044 All Over the Town (88) U-l 6-11-49 

1087 All the King's Men (110) Col 11- 5-49 

1094 Always Leave Them Laugning 

(116) WB 11-26-49 

Amazing Mr. Beecham, The (..) EL 

1040 Amazon Quest (70) FC 5-28-49 

1101 Ambush (90) IVIGM 12-24-49 

965 An Act of Murder (90) U-l 9- 4-48 

1090 And Baby Makes Three (84) Col 11-12-49 

Angels in Disguise (63) Mono 

1054 Anna Lucasta (86) Col 7-16-49 

1042 Any Number Can Play (102) MGM.. 6- 4-49 

1082 Apache Chief (60) LP 10-22-49 

1046 Arctic Fury (61) RKO 6-18-49 

1071 Arctic Manhunt (69) U-l 9-17-49 

1037 Arson. Inc. (60) LP 5-21-49 

B 

1006 Bad Boy (87) Mono 1-22-49 

995 Bad Men of Tombstone (74) Mono. . .12-18-48 

942 Bad Sister (90) U-l 6-12-48 

1095 Bagdad (90) U-l 12- 3-49 

1078 Bandit King of Texas (60) Rep 10- 8-49 

1082 Bandits of El Dorado (56) Col 10-22-49 

1072 Bai-bary Pirate (65) Col 9-17-49 

1028 Barkleys of Broadway, The (110) 

MGM 4-16-49 

1078 Battleground (118) MGW 10- 8-49 

1040 Beautiful Blonde From Bashful Bend, The 

(77) 20-Fox 5-2S-49 

1082 Beyond the Forest (96) WB 10-22-49 

1033 Big Cat, The (75) EL 5-7-49 

1025 Big Jack (85) MGM 4- 9-49 

1027 Big Sombrero. The (87) Col 4-16-49 

1045 Bio Steal, The (71) RKO 6-18-49 

1089 Bij Wheel. The (92) UA 11-12-49 

1038 Black Book, The (formerly Reign 

of Terror) (89) EL 5-21-49 

1066 Black Magic (105) UA 8-27-49 

Black Midnight (66) Mono 

1077 Black Shadows (62) EL 10- 8-49 

969 Blanche Fury (93) EL 9-18-48 

1061 Blazino Trail, The (55) Col 8-13-49 

1052 Blind Goddess. The (88) U-l 7- 9-49 

935 Blonde Ice (73) FC 5-22-48 

1080 Blondie Hits the Jackpot (66) Col.. 10-15-49 

1021 Blondies Big Deal (66) Col 3-26-49 

991 Blondie's Secret (68) Col 12-4-48 

1060 Blue Lagoon, The (105) U-l 8- 6-49 

Bodyhold (. .) Col 

1016 Bomba, the Jungle Boy (71) Mona . . 3- 5-49 

1065 Border Incident (95) MGM 8-27-49 

1021 Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture 

(59) Col 3-26-49 

897 Boy With Green Hair. The (82) RKO U-20-48 

1010 Bribe, The (98) MGM 2-12-49 

1083 Bride for Sale (87) RKO 10-29-49 

1023-A Bride of Vengeance (92) Para... 4- 2-49 

1064 Brimstone (90) Rep 8-20-49 

1044 Broken Journey (89) EL 6-11-49 

1015 Brothers in the Saddle (60) RKO... 3- 5-49 

C 

1044 Calamity Jane and Sam Bass 

(85) U-l 6-U-49 

1013 Canadian Pacific (97) 20-Fox 2-26-49 

1010 Canterbury Tale. A (93) EL 2-12-49 

»

(+VerY Good; + Good; ±Fair; —Poor; = Very Poor. In tho siumnoiy +1- is rated aa 2 pluses. = aa2 minusaa. 

ife 

it 

1006 Flaxy Martin (86) WB l-«a.49 — 

1051 Follow Me Quietly (60) RKO 7- 9-49 + 

+ 

1034 Forbidden Street, The (91) 20-Fox. . 5- 7-49 

999 Force of Evil (79) MGM 1- 1-49 

1052 Forgotten Women (64) Mono 7- 9-49 

± 

± 

1048 Founlainhead. The (113) WB 6-25-49 -f 

1097 Francis (91) U-l 12-10-49 + 

1090 rrm tor All (83) U-l 11-12-49 + 

1038 Frontier lnvesti«ator (60) Reo 5-21-49 + 

G 

1074 Gal Who Too* the West. The (84) U-l 9-24-49 -f 

1040 Gay Amino (62) UA 5-28-49 ± 

1047 Girl From Jones Beach (78) WB 6-25-49 

1060 Girl in the Painting, The (90) U-|.. 8- 6-49 

+ 

± 

1100 Give Us This Day (120) EL 12-17-49 it 

1081 Golden Madonna, The (SS) Mono.. .10-22-49 ± 

1088 Gotden Stallion. The (67) Rep 11- 5-49 -f- 

1068 Grand Canyon (78) LP 9- 3-49 -|- 

1056 Great Dan Patch, The (94) UA 7-23-49 +f 

1032 Great Gatshy, The (91) Para 4-30-49 

1072 Great Lover. The (80) Para 9-17-49 

+ 

± 

1050 Great Sinner. The (110) MGM.... 7-2-49 -ft 

1017 Green Promise. The (94) RKO 3-12-49 + 

Gun Runner (56) Mono. 

1000 Gun Smugglers (62) RKO 1- 1-49 ± 

H 

950 Hamlet (155) U-l 7-10-4S » 

1096 Hasty Heart, The (99) WB 12- 3-49 -f 

1072 Hilrejs, The (115) Para. 9-17-49 +t 

1043 Hellfire (90) Rep 6-U-49 H 

1007 Henry, the Rainmaker (64) Mono.... 1-29-49 — 

921 Here Comet Trouble (54) UA 4-17-48 -f- 

1046 Hp Man Gilbay (77) U-l 6-18-49 ± 

1Q2S Hideout (61) Rep 4-9-49 ± 

1000 Highway 13 (60) LP 1- 1-49 ± 

976Hills of Home (95) MGM 10-9-48 + 

Hold That Baby (64) Mono 

1091 Holiday Affair (87) RKO 11-19-49 -f 

1074 Holiday in Havana (73) Col 9-24-49 ±: 

1103 Hollywood Varieties (60) LP 12-31-49 -f 

1034 Home in San Antone (62) Col 5- 7-49 ± 

1031 Home of the Brave (86) UA 4-30-49 + 

1018 Homicide (77) WB 3-12-49 ± 

962 Homicide for Three (60) Rep 12- 4-48 ± 

1069 Horsemen of the Sierras (56) Col. 9-10-49 ± 

. . 

1063 House Across the Street, The (69) WB 8-20-49 ± 

1046 House of Strangers (101) 20-Fox... 6-19-49 -R 

898 Hunted, The (85) Mono 2-7-48 + 

I 

1067lchabod and Mr. Toad (68) RKO... 9- 3-49 ff 

1004 1 Cheated the Uw (71) 20-Fox.... 1-15-49 ± 

1073 1 Married a Communist (73) RKO.. 9-24-49 + 

1009 1 Shot Jesse James (81) LP 2-12-49 + 

1061 I Was a Male War Bride (105) 20-Fox 8-13-49 1046 Illegal Entry (84) U-l 6-18-49 + 

1021 Impact (111) UA 3-26-49 + 

1048 In the Good Old Summertime 

(102) MGM 6-25-49 + 

999 Incident (68) Mono 1- 1-49 ± 

-f 

+ 

± 

1017 It Always Rains on Sunday (88) EL 3-12-49 ±. 

1036 It Happens Every Spring (89) 20-Fox 5-14-49 -f 

1058 It's a Great Feeling (85) WB 7-30-49 H 

J 

991 Jiggs and Maggie In Court (70) Mono. 12- 4-48 + 

985 Indian Agent (65) RKO U-13-48 

1092 Inspector General, The (102) WB.. 11-19-49 

1060 Intruder in the Dust (87) MGM 10-15-49 

1067Jiggs and Maggie in Jackpot Jitters 

1019 Jigsaw (72) UA 3-19-49 

-f- 

± 

(67) Mono 9-3-49 

982 Joan of Arc (145) RKO 10-30-48 ff 

1014 Joe Palooka in the Big Fight 

(66) Mono 2-26-49 + 

Jot Palooka In the Countarpunch (71) 

Mono 

lOOeJohn Loves Mvy (96) WB 1-29-49 

1047 Johnny Allegro (81) Col 6-25-49 

H 

+ 

1093 Johnny Holiday (92) 11-26-49 

1055 Johnny Stool Pigeon (75) U-l 7-23-49 

UA + 

+ 

1064 Jolion Sings Again (95) Col 8-20-49 ff 

± 

1037 Judge, The (69) FC 5-21-49 

1035 Judge Steps Out, The (91) RKO 5-14-49 

997 Jungle Jim (73) Col 12-25-48 

± 

± 

972 Jungle Patrol (70) 20-Fox 8-25-48 + 

Just a Big Simple Girl (..) UA 

996 Just Luck (86) William's UA 12-18-48 - 

K 

1049 Kazan (65) Col 7- 2-49 

1070 Kid From Cleveland, The (89) Rep. 9-10-49 

+ 

— 

1082 Kilt for Corlist, A (88) UA 10-22-49 -f 

++ H H 

± ± + 

± H-7- 

± 7+4- 

-f 7-H4- 

+ 6+4- 

± 6-1-5— 

7-1- 

± 7-fS- 

± 6+3- 

6+2- 

5+4- 

8+2- 

7+2- 

6+1- 

4+3- 

7+1- 

3-1-3- 

U+3- 

8+2- 

N-2- 

± 8+-S- 

± 3+3- 

5+3- 

10+ 

tt 12+1- 

± 9+3- 

5+3- 

± 5+2- 

± 7+-6- 

± 7+6- 

5+2- 

tt lO-h 

4+3- 

++ 7+ 

1+1- 

2+2- 

tt 13+ 

i 7+7- 

± 5+5- 

3+2- 

± fr+7- 

++ 14+ 

4+1- 

tt tt tt # W # 14+ 

5f6- 

fr+1- 

+ 7+ 

+ 10+1- 

± 7-f4- 

± 8+4- 

± 

+ 10+2- 

6-1-4- 

5+2- 

54-1- 

+ 10+1- 

± 5+5— 

++ 10+ 

± 8+1- 

5+3-

HVery Good; + Good; ^Fcrir; —Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary H is rated as 2 pluses. = as 2 minuses. 

1077 Passport to Pimlico (72) EL 10- 8-49 

897 Piccadilly Incident (88) MGM 2- 7-48 

1077 Pinky (102) 20-Fox 10- 8-49 

1098Plratct of Capri, Tin (94) FC 12-10-49 

1013 Place of One's Own, A (94) El 2-26-49 

1095 Port of New York (79) EL 12- 3-49 

999 Portrait of Jennie (90) EL 1- 1-49 

1071 Post Office Investioator (60) Res... 9-17-49 

1085 Prairie, The (65) LP 10-29-49 

1018 Prejudice (58) MPSC 3-12-49 

106« Prince of Foxes (107) 20-Fox 8-27-49 

1026 Prince of Peace (formerly The Lawton Story) 

(111) Hallmark 4- 9-49 

lOSO Prince of the Plains (60) Rep 4-23-49 

1097 Prison Warden (62) Col 12-10-49 

1091 Project X (60) FC 11-19-49 

Q 

1023-A Quartet (120) EL 

R 

Range Justice (57) Mono 

1090 Ranger of Chtrokee Strip (60) Rep. 

. 11-12-49 

1084 Reckless Moment, The (82) Col 10-29-49 

1009 Red Canyon (82) U-l 2-12-49 

1073 Red Danube, The (119) MGM 9-24-49 

1103 Red Desert (60) LP 12-31-49 

1047 Red, Hot and Blue (84) Para 6-25-49 

1063 Red Light (84) UA S-20-49 

1042 Red Menac*. The (87) Rap 6-4-49 

lOU Red Pony, The (89) Rep 2-19-49 

960 Red Shoes, The (134) EL 10-23-48 

1019 Red Stallion in the Rockies (85) EL 3-19-49 

1017 Ride, Ryder, Ride (59) EL 3-12-49 

1096 Riders in the Sky (70) Col 12- 3-49 

1083 Riden of the Range (60) RKO 10-29-49 

1041 Riders of the Whistling Pines 

(70) Col 6- 4-49 

1024-A Rimfire (67) LP 4-2-49 

1055 Rim of the Canyon (70) Col 7-23-49 

1056 Ringside (62) LP 7-23-49 

1053 Roll Thunder Roll! (58) EL 7-16-49 

1050 Rope of Sand (105) Para. 7- 2-49 

1063 Roseanna McCoy (89) RKO 8-20-49 

1007 Rosa of the Yukon (59) Rep 1-29-49 

1037 Roughshod (88) RKO 5-21-49 

1100 Rugged O'Riordans. The (76) U-l. .12-17-49 

1022 Rustlers (61) RKO 3-26-49 

1029 Rusty Saves a Life (6S) Col 4-23-49 

lOSaRusty"! Birthday (60) Col U-26-49 

S 

1084 Samson and Delilah (130) Parau 10-29-49 

1079 San Antone Ambush (60) Rep 10-15-49 

1031 Sand (77) 20-Fox 4-30-49 

1102 Sands of Iwo JIma (109) Rep 12-24-49 

1029 Saraband (95) EL 4-23-49 

1091 Satan's Cradle (60) UA U-19-49 

1057 Satage Splendor (60) RKO 7-30-49 

1048 Scene of the Crime (94) MGM 6-25-49 

1028 Scott of tke Antarctic (111) EL 4-16-49 

1032 Secret Garden, The (92) MGM 4-30-49 

1049 Setret of St. Ives, The (76) Col. 7- 2-49 

. . 

1022 Sat-Up, The (72) RKO 3-26-49 

1035 Shamrock Hill (71) EL 5-14-49 

1001 Shep Comes Home (62) LP 1- 8-49 

1015 Sheriff of Wichita (60) Rep 3- 5-49 

1057 She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (103) RKO 7-30-49 

1003 Shockproof (79) Col 1-15-49 

1103 Side Street (84) MGM 12-31-49 

1094 Silent Oust (82) Mono 11-26-49 

998 Siren of Atlantis (75) UA 12-25-48 

1056 Sky Dragon (64) Mono 7-23-49 

1059 Sky Liner (60) LP 8- 6-49 

1059 Slattery's Hurricane (83) 20-Fex... 8-6-49 

1023-A Sleeping Car to Trieste (95) EL. . 4- 2-49 

1010 Slightly French (81) Col 2-13-49 

1008 Smoky Mountain Melody (61) Col... 1-X9-49 

986 Snake Pit, Thi (103) 20-Fox. .. .11-13.48 

1024 Snowbound (85) U-l 3-26-49 

993 So DeiU' to My Ktart (82) RKO. .. .12-11-48 

932 So This Is New York (79) UA.... 5-1S-48 

967 Sofia (83) FC 9-11-48 

1014 Song of India (77) Col 2-26-49 

1072 Song of Surrender (93) P»a. 9-17-49 

Son of Billy the Kid (65) LP 

1027 Sorrowful Jones (88) Para 4-16-49 

1061 South of Death Valley (54) Col 8-13-49 

1062 South of Rio (60) Rep 8-13-49 

1011 South of St. Louis (88) WB 2-19-49 

1032 Special Agent (70) Para 4-30-49 

1076 Spring In Park Une (91) EL 10- 1-49 

1089 Squara Dance Jubilee (79) LP U-12-49 

1046 StaoKoach Kid. The (60) RKO 6-18-49 

+

FEATURE chart]

FEATURE CHART 

Ending 

Sep 

17 

Sep 

24 

Oct 

1 

Oct 

8 

Oct 

15 

Oct 

22 

Oct 

29 

Nov 

5 

Nov 

12 

Nov 

19 

Nov. 

26 

Dec 

3 

Dec 

10 

Dec 

17 

Dec 

24 

Dec 

31 

Jan 

7 

Jan 

14 

Jan 

21 

Jon 

28 

Feb 

4 

Feb 

11 

Feb 

18 

COLUMBIA 

^ (691 Mystery 110 

Dtvil'i Thi Htnchmoi 

Wdrner Baxter 

M.irr Beth Hughes 

R—Sept. 10—PC-1069 

S {561 Western 16S 

Horsemen the Sierraj 

of 

Charles Starrett 

Smiley Bumette-L^l? Hall 

11—Sept. 10—PG-1069 

(87) Comedy 22i 

Miss Grant Takes Richmond 

Lucille Ball-Wllllam Holden 

lanis Carttr-J.imes 

R—Oct. 

Oleasoo 

1—PO-1076 

a (66) Comedy 20S 

Blondie Hits the Jacligot 

Penny Sinjleton-A. Lake 

Larry Slmms-M. Kent 

It—Oct. 15—PG-1080 

a (T3) Musical 2ir 

HOLIDAY IN HAVANA 

Desi Arnaz-Mary Hatcher 

.\nn Doran-Ray 

R—Sept. 

Walker 

24—PG-1073 

a (56) Western 268 

Bandits of El Dorado 

Charles Starrett-G. J. Lewis 

Smiley Burnette 

R—Oct. 22—PO-1082 

(82) Drama 223 

THE RECKLESS M01«ENT 

James Mason-Joan Bennett 

(60) Drama Jll 

[H 

RUSTY'S BIRTHDAY 

(65) Drama 21J (91) Comedy 008 

5§ 

BARBARY PIRATE SPRING IN PARK LANE 

Anna Neagle-Tom Walls 

Donald Woods-T. Marshall 

250 

(70) Western 

RIDERS IN THE SKY 

(88) Drama 

Michael 

R—Oct. 

(97) 

Wllding-P. Graves 

1—PO-1076 

Drama 224 

012 

TOKYO JOE 

Humphrey Bogart-A. Knox 

THE GLASS 

Dulcie Gray-M. 

MOUNTAIN 

Denlson 

Cortese 

Courtland Valentina 

F. Mirly-J. 

R—Nov. 5—PO-1087 

55 (66) Western J61 

Renegades of the Sage 


Smiley Bumette-L. Bannlnj 

(84) Comedy 229 

And Baby Makes Three 

Robert Young-B. Hale 

Robert Hutton-J. Carter 

R_Nov. 12—PG-1090 

S) (62) Mystery 209 

PRISON WARDEN 

Warner Ba.iter-Anna Lee 

James Flavin-Harlan Warde 

R_Nov. 10—PG-1097 

(87) Comedy 226 

TELL IT TO THE JUDGE 

Rosalind Russell-Gig Yooni 

EAGLE LION 

(S7) Drama 94J 

ONCE UPON A DREAM 

G. Withers-G. Sliddletoo 

Griffith Jones-Betly Lynne 

R—July 9—PG-1051 

914 

(85) Drama 

THE WEAKER SEX 

Cecil Parker-Ursula Jeans 

.;oan Hopkins-Derek Bond 

R—July 16—PO-1053 

(781 Drama 007 

TRAPPED 

Lloyd Bridges-John Hoyt 

Barbara Payton-James Todd 

R_Oct. 1—PC-1076 

(98) Dram» Oil 

THE HIDDEN ROOM 

Robert Newton-Sally Gray 

Nanton Wayne-Phil 

Brown 

(dO) Western 055 

©The Fighting Redhead 

Jim Bannon-llarin Sals 

Forrest Taylor-P. Stewart 

R_Oct. g—PG-1077 

(79) Donmi-Drama 009 

PORT OF NEW YORK 

K T. Stevens-Scott Brady 

Yul Brynner 

R—Dec. 3—PG-1095 

(59) Western 956 

Cowboy and the Prizefighter 

Jim Bannon-Marln Sals 

Litlle Brown Jug 

R. Cummlngs-M. McDonald P. Dupuis-H. Baddeley 

R—Nov. 19—PG-1092 

(66) Mus-We^t 252 (96) Mystery 013 

FEUDIN' RHYTHM ©THE GAY LADY 

Eddy Arnold-Gloria Henry Jean Kent-James Donald 

Kirby Grant 

Bill Owen-Lana Morris 

g (55) Western 263 

FRONTIER OUTPOST 


Smiley Burnette 

(72) Drama 010 

PASSPORT TO PIMLICO 

M, llutherford-S. Halloway 

[U (68) Crime Drama 214 (90) Western-Drama 

MARY RYAN. DETECTIVE OTHE SUNDOWNERS 

Marsha Hunt-John Lltel Hot)ert Preston-B. Sterling 

June Vincent-H. Shannon J, Barrymore Jr. 

R—Dec 17—PG-1099 

( . . ) Drama 

NEVER FEAR 

Sally Forrest 

51 (67) Murder-Mys 215 

Chinatown at Midnight 

Hurd Hatneld-Ray Walker 

Jean Wllles-Tom Powers 

R—Dec. 17—PO-1099 

iTE) Comedy 226 

Traveling Saleswoman 

Joan Davis-Andy Devlne 

Jersens-Joe Sawyer 

.\de1e 

R_Dec. 31—PQ-1104 

Kecfe 

Brassclle 

(120) Drama 

GIVE US THIS DAY 

Sam Wanamaker 

Lea Padovani 

R_Pec. 17—PG-1100 

(93) Drama 

THE THIRD MAN 

Jnsrph Cotten-ValU 

Orson Welles-T. Howard 

Drama 227 

(110) 

ALL THE KING'S MEN 

Broderick Crawford-J. Dni 

SARUMBA 

P. DowlUig-M. Whalen 

John Ireland-John 

R—Nov. 

Derek 

5—P(M08T 

FILM CUSSICS 

SI (90) Drama 

(Swedlah) 

FRUSTRATION 

Holger Lowenadler 

B—Oct. 1—PG-1075 

55 (60) Mys-Melodrama 

PROJECT X 

Keith Andes-Jack Lord 

Rita Colton 

P.—Nov. 19—PG-1091 

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES 

LIPPERT M-G-M MONOGRAM 

El (68) Drama 4913 

THE DALTON GANG 

Robert Lowery-D. Barry 

Betty Adams 

S (72) Western 4905 

DEPUTY MARSHAL 

Jon Hall-Frances Langford 

Dick Foran-Julie Bishop 

R—Oct. 15—PO-1079 

a (60) Indlan-Dr 4824 

APACHE CHIEF 

Alan Curtis-Tom Neal 

Carol Thurston 

B—Oct. 22—PO-1082 

m (79) Musical 490S 

SQUARE DANCE JUBILEE 

Don Barry-Spade Cooley 

Mary Beth Hughes 

B—Nov. 12—PG-1089 

(98) Comedy 

The Doctor and the Girl 

Glenn Ford-Janet Lelgb 

Charles Cobum 

B—Sept. 10—PQ-1070 

H (76) Drama 4909 

Drama 4 

(119) 

THE RED DANUBE 

Treasure of Monte Cristo 

Glenn Langan-Adele Jergens Walter Pidgeon-P. Lawford 

Steve Brodie-B. Jordan 

B—«ept. 24—PG-1073 

Ethel Barrymore-J. Leigh 

R—Sept. 24—PG-1073 

a (94) Act-Dr 

BORDER INCIDENT 

R. Montalban-J. Mitchell 

0. Murphy-H. DafiUva 

R—Aug. 27—PG-1065 

BS (114) Drama f 

THAT FORSYTE WOMAIl 

Greer Garson-Errol Flynn 

Walter Pidgeon-B. Younf 

R—Oct. 29—PG-1084 

ES (102) Drama 7 

ADAM'S RIB 

Spencer Tracy-K, Hepburn 

Judy HolUday-D. 

R—Nov. 

Wayne 

5—PO-1088 

53 (60) Drama 4914 51 (76) Com-Dr V 

RED DESERT 

©Challenie to Laule 

Don Barry-Tom Neal Donald Crisp-Lassie 

Dean 

Edmund Gwenn-O. Brooks 

^Ja^gla 

R—Dec. 31—PO-1103 R—Oct. 29—PC-1084 

a (64) Drama 4918 

TOUGH ASSIGNMENT 

Don Barry-Stere Brodle 

Marjorle 8teele-M. Whalen 

R—Nov. 19—PG-1092 

m (98) Mns-CoB 

©ON THE TOWN 

11 

Frank Sinatra-Gene Kelly 

Betty Garrett-Ann Miller 

R—Dec. 10—PO-1088 

53] (67) Comedy 4812 

JIGGS AND MAGGIE IN 

JACKPOT JITTERS 

Beoie Biano-Joe Yule 

SS (55) Western 4865 

ROARING WESTWARD 

Jimmy Wakely 

Cannonball Taylor 

§1 (63) Comedy 4818 

ANGELS IN DISGUISE 

Leo Gorcey 

Bowery Boyi 

12} (66) 9utd'r-Aet 480S 

BLACK MIDNIGHT 

Roddy McDorall 

Damian O'Flynn 

a (56) Western 4856 

WESTERN RENEGADES 

Johnny Mack Brown 

Max Terhune 

^ (70) Outd'r-Act 4821 

WOLF HUNTERS 

Kirby Grant-Helen Pirrljta 

53 (57) Weatem 4844 

RIDERS OF THE DUSK 

Whip Wilson-Andy Oyde 

PARAMOUNT 

H (105) Drama 490 

ROPE OF SAND 

Burt Lancast«r-C. Calvet 

Paul Henr_eid-P. Lorre 

R—July 2—PO-1050 

19 (95) Mys-Druna 8 @ (64) Comedy 4819 H (84) Mus-Com 4806 

TENSION 

MASTERMINDS 

RED, HOT AND BLUE 

Audrey Totter-B. Basebart 

Betty Hutton-V. Mature 

Leo Garcey 

Cyd Cbarisse-B. 

R— Nov. 

Sullivan 

19—PG-1091 

Huntz HaU-Bowery Boy» June Havoc-Bill Demarest 

R—June 25—PG-1047 

H (94) Drama 

a (87) Drama 

E) (74) Drama 4821 

THE PIRATES OF CAPRI 

Louis Hayward-B. Barnes 

CALL OF THE FOREST 

Robert Lowery-Ken Curtis 

INTRUDER IN THE DUST 

€. Jarman jr.-E. Patterson 

Alan Curtls-M. Rasumny 

Juano Hemandei 

M. Sherrill 

R—Dec. 10—PO-1098 

B—Oct. 15—PO-1080 

m (58) Western 4808 

LAWLESS CODE 

Jimmy Wakely 

5S (60) Musical 4916 

HOLLYWOOD VARIETIES 

Hoosier Hotsfaots 

Robert .Uda 

R—Dec. 31—PO-1103 

g| (,.) Drama 4917 

RADAR SECRET SERVICE 

John Howard-Myma Dell 

Adele Jergens-Tom Neal 

JS Mus-Com 

( . 

. ) 

EVERYBODY'S DANCING 

Spade Cooley-Richard Lane 

Ginny Jackson 

_ (. .) Western ma 

Western Pacific Agent 

Kent Taylor-Shefla Byan 

B. Lowery 

tS (95) Drama 12 

MALAYA 

Spencer Tracy-J. Stewart 

Valentina Cortesa-J, Hodlat 

R— Dec. 10—PG-1098 

5S (88) Super-Western 13 

AMBUSH 

Robert, Taylor-J. Hodiak 

Arlene Dahl-D. Taylor 

R— Dec. 24—PG-1101 

S (107) Drama 14 

EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE 

Barbara Stanwyck-J. Mason 

Van HefUn-Ava Gardner 

R— Dec. 24—PG-1101 

) Comedy 4922 

gi] ( . 

. 

SQUARE DANCE KATY 

Jimmy Davis 

5i (76) Drama 4807 

Bomba on Panther Island 

Johnny gheffleld 

Allene 

Roberta 

O (56) Western 4845 S (80) Comedy 4909 

RANGE LAND 

THE GREAT LOVER 

Whip Wilson 

Reno Browne 

Bob Hope-Rhonda Fleming 

Roland Young-Gary Gray 

R—Sept. 17—PG-1072 

(100) Drama 4910 

3] (..) Drama 4901 

©Blue Grass of Kentucky THELMA JOROON 

BiUy WUUams 

Barbara Stanwyck-P. Kelly 

Jane Nigb 

Wendell 

R—Nov. 

Corey-Joan Tetiel 

6—PQ-1088 

(B (57) Western 49S1 

SIX-GUN MESA 

Johnny Mack Brown 

Max Terbone 

a ( . 

. ) Hist -West 4902 

©Young Daniel Bnne 

David Bruce 

Kristlne 

^ ( . 

Miller 

. ) Comedy 

BLONDE DYNAMITE 

Leo Gorcey 

Bowery Boys 

a (66) Drama 

JOE PALOOKA IN 

HONEYMOON FOR FIVE 

Joe Klrkwood-Leon Brrol 

_^ (104) Comedy 4903 

MY FRIEND IRMA 

Diana Lyim-Don DeFore 

Marie Wilson-John Lund 

R—Aug. 

2(»—PG-1063 

_ (93) Dram* 4B04 

SONG OF SURRENDER 

Wanda Hendrii-C. Rains 

Macdonald Carey 

R_Sept. 17—PO-1072 

(87) Drama 490* 

531 

CHICAGO DEADLINE 

I Ladd-June Havoe 

Donna Reed-Irene Hervey 

R—Sept. 3—PG-1067 

(97) Drama 491: 

CAPTAIN CHINA 

John Payne-Gall Russell 

Lon (âney-Edgar Berfeo 

R—Nov. 5—PO-1088 

(90) Comedy 491J 

DEAR WIFE 

Joan Canirield-E. Arnold 

William Holden-M. FreeBU 

R—Not. 12—PO-1090

SHORTS REVIEWS 

Opinions on tlie Current Short Sublects- 

— 

Ragtime Bear 

Columbia (Jolly Frolics) 7 Mins. 

Good. An amusing Technicolor adventure 

of Jolly Bear when he spots a nearsighted 

father and a banjo-playing, dopey son on a 

trek Into the mountains. The bear falls in 

love with the incessant tinkling of the banjo 

and follows them. A hilarious situation arises 

due to the inability of the father to distinguish 

between the boy's fur coat and the 

bear. They fall off cliffs, get lost, practically 

kill themselves, with the bear finally in possession 

of the banjo. 

The Spook Speaks 

Colombia (Comedy Favorite) 18 Mins. 

Very good. A welcome 1940 reissue with 

Buster Keaton at his best. A magician fears 

his trade secrets will be stolen and hires 

Keaton and Elsie Ames to protect his trick 

home whUe he is away. The first night they 

are alone, a rival breaks in and sets off various 

gadgets in his effort to steal the magic 

secrets. The situation becomes hilarious with 

fake dead bodies, spooks, a roller skating 

penguin, weird noises and hidden trap doors. 

Spin That Platter 

Columbia (Screen Snapshots) 10 Mins. 

Fair. The late Buddy Clark ably handles 

the narration, otherwise this is a dullish study 

of most of the top disk jockeys of the nation. 

The film introduces various personalities of 

the platter spinning world in their native 

haunts, from Hollywood to New York, Miami 

to San Francisco. Disk jockey fanatics might 

like it, but the boys do much better on the 

air. 

Vagabond Loafers 

Columbia (Stooge Comedy) 16 Mins. 

Good. A slapstick version of what happens 

when three amateur plumbers are called to a 

society home to fix faulty water pipes. A 

large party is in progress to celebrate the 

unveiling of a newly acquired famous painting. 

Two guests steal it and the Stooges 

clown their way to recovery of the painting. 

This amid spouting water pipes, gushing television 

sets, etc. 

Australian Surf Masters 

RKO (Pathe Sportscope) 8 Mins. 

Good. A lively and e.xciting reel for sports 

fans. At Sydney, Australia, men from all over 

the continent gather to pit their skill against 

the ocean, which is filled with ferocious 

sharks. The surfboard competition is splendidly 

photographed and the issue ends with 

the biggest of thrills, in which boats weighing 

half a ton are manned by four oarsmen who 

take it in over the treacherous breakers. 

Lonesome Ghosts 

BKO (Disney Cartoon) 9 Mins. 

Good. One of the best of the Disney reissues. 

Mickey, the G

Opinions on Current Productions; ixploitips for Selling to the Public 

FEATURE review:^ 

(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE) 

Riding High F 

'"""'"' 

Paramount (4917) 112 Minutes Rel. April '50 

Some fine emotional contrasts, a series of mirth-provoking 

situations and a climactic horse racing scene with a whale 

of a punch make this one of the best Bing Crosby pictures 

in a long time. Crosby's singing is limited and it fits into 

the story development without orchestrations, but the numbers 

are excellent. The picture will be a hit—no foolingl 

It had an audience roaring during a recent sneak preview 

at the New York Paramount. Coleen Gray, feminine lead, 

has outstanding appeal and a hypnotic talent for catching 

audience sympathy. Charles Bickford, as a cantankerous 

business magnate; Raymond Walburn, as a gay, irresponsible 

racetrack follower, and Clarence Muse, as Crosby's horse 

training pal, are a trio of oldtimers who do an expert job 

of laugh-making. The fine directorial touches of Frank Capra 

are evident throughout. The screen play was done by Robert 

Riskin from a Mark Hellinger story. 

Bing Crosby, Coleen Gray. Charles Bickiord, Raymond Walburn. 

Douglass Dumbrille, limmy Gleason. 

Montana 

T? Western 

(Tectinicolof) 

Warner Bros. (914) 79 Minutes Rel. Jan. 28, 'SO 

Because of the presence of all of the prescribed ingredients, 

this Errol Flynn actioner doubtlessly rates classification 

as a super-western and can be merchandised as such. 

Unfortunately the finished product fails to display to their 

best advantage the king-size elements which went into its 

making and prominent among which are the name cast. 

Technicolor photography, impressive production values and 

its geographically intriguing subject. The shortcomings 

obviously stem from scripting, direction and editing. A standard 

oater plot—the one about the wars for the range between 

cattlemen and sheepherders, which has been used 

in countless quickie sagebrushers—is but slightly elevated 

through bigness and introduction of a few unusual slants 

and bits of action. While Flynn delivers with characteristic 

tongue-in-cheek effectiveness, the remainder of the cast is 

never convincing or at ease. Directed by Ray Enright. 

Errol Flynn, Alexis Smith, S. Z. "Cuddles" Sakall, Douglas 

Kennedy, James Brown. Ian MacDonald, Charles Irwin. 

Girls' School 

Columbia (213) 62 Minutes Rel. 

Here is a variation of the ever-popular Cinderella theme in 

which a gambler's daughter hides herself in a fashionable 

girls' school in the south. It has pretty girls, an old southern 

mansion, and the kind of aristocracy which makes much of 

character. There is sufficient mystery to hold the interest 

of those who like it in mild doses—no murders, no real 

crimes, but the heroine remains under a cloud until that 

final unfolding so dear to conventional plots. The romance 

is lukewarm but Joyce Reynolds and Ross Ford make an 

ideal couple in a wholesome, uninspired fashion. Thurston 

Hall does a good job portraying the southern colonel with 

moral scruples but little business ability. The picture never 

rises above the program level and is obviously slanted for 

the dualers, but has exploitation angles suggested by the 

Lew Landers directed. 

title. 

Joyce Reynolds, Ross Ford, Laura EUiot, Julia Dean, Thurston 

Hall, Leslie Banning, Joyce Otis. 

When Willie Comes MarchingHome F^""'"' 

20th-Fox (003) 82 Minutes ReL Feb. 'SO 

There are so many laughs, with brief interludes of satire, 

that the audience is limp at the finish. It's a story ol a 

frustrated local hero who finds himself back in his home 

town as a gunnery instructor a few weeks after his elaborate 

farewell. Finally, he is assigned to a bomber and 

leaves for England, but is back in four days. The story is 

loaded with high-class comedy situations, gags, small town 

doings and army formality. Dan Dailey's performance as 

the soldier is a riot and William Demarest, as his father, is 

a standout. The love interest furnished by Colleen Townsend 

is light. Corinne Colvet highlights a brief but exciting 

sequence in France. It has small town and big town appeal 

and rates top billing. John Ford was the director and 

Fred Kohlmor the producer. Mary Loos and Richard Sale 

did the screenplay from a story by Sy Gombert. 

Dan Dailey, Corinne Colvet, Colleen Townsend, William 

Demarest, James Lydon. Lloyd Corrigan. 

The Great Rupert 

Eagle Lion ( ) 88 Minutes Rel. 

Heartwarming wholesomeness, a touch ol fantasy and a 

goodly comedy content are the highlights of this refreshingly 

different photoplay produced by George Pal, who will be 

remembered for his Puppetoon shorts. Rupert is a trained 

squirrel—a puppet, of course—and his antics share the laughs 

with humorous situations and often-bright dialog. Most of 

the latter is entrusted to the expert hands of Jimmy Durante, 

whose performance is characteristically exuberant and 

ingratiating. While the film moves at a leisurely gait, its 

warmth and imaginativeness more than compensate for its 

lack of pace and it should prove more than satisfying to the 

average ticket buyer. To add further appeal, there is a strong 

strain of romance. The unusualness of the yarn and the 

marquee value of Durante and other members of the cast 

constitute the best selling angles. Directed by Irving Pichel. 

Jimmy Durante, Terry Moore, Tom Drake, Frank Orth, Sara 

Haden, Queenie Smith, Chick Chandler. 

Guilty of Treason 

Eagle Lion ( ) 85 Minutes BeL 

While its preachments are so strongly stressed in spots 

that they may become suspect—and possibly irksome—as 

propaganda, the overall productionol and thespian phases ol 

the historical feature wins its rating as among the best of the 

anti-Communist films that Hollywood has so far produced. 

Furthermore, it undoubtedly has far greater exploitation 

potentialities than any of the others. They lie in the obvious 

possibilities for productive tieups with patriotic organizations 

and with the Catholic church. Resultantly, the picture should 

do as well commercially as predecessors on the some theme. 

Showmen need only to consult their ledgers to ascertain how 

good—or bad—that is. Charles Bickford's performance as 

Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty is refreshingly free of heroics. 

The film is impressively mounted and creates the impression 

of authenticity as to atmosphere and historical details. 

Directed by Felix Feist. 

Charles Bickiord, Paul Kelly, Bonita Granville, Richard Derr, 

Barry Kroeger. John Baiuier, Alfred lander. 

Without Pity A 

"*"•'""= 

Lux Films ( ) 95 Minutes Rel. Dec. '49 

Theatres showing sensational films will find this Italian 

feature up their alley. Others will avoid it because of great 

risk of public criticism if not of censorship. The company 

says it was banned in the American and British occupation 

zones in Germany. That is understandable because the 

characters ore mostly prostitutes preying on American soldiers 

during the war on black marketeers. A lot of explanation 

of why poverty forced the women into prostitution does not 

e.ccuse the story. Veterans probably won't want the public 

reminded that during the strain and loneliness of war their 

conduct wasn't always perfect. The chief characters are an 

Italian girl and an American Negro, both of whom through 9 i,^ 

circumstances go wrong. The girl is finally shot and the 

man suicides. Exploitation would have to be along sensational 

lines. Alberto Latuado directed. Lux's address is 

1501 Broadway. 

Corla Del Poggio, John Eitzzniller, Pierre Claude, Giulietia 

Maaina. Folco Ltilli, Lando Muxio, Enza Giovine. 

1106 BOXOFHCE 

The Glass Mountain 

F 

"""•• 

Eagle Lion (012) 97 Minutes Rel. Nov. '49 

Magnificent scenic backgrounds, a superb musical score 

and a vivid performance by Valentino Cortesa ore the outs;anding 

features of this British-made picture filmed in the 

Italian Dolomite mountains and in Venice. These assets, plus 

the engaging portrayal of an opera star by Tito Gobbi, who 

also sings several operatic arias, should make this a boxoffice 

winner in the art houses and in most key city first 

runs. Play up the fact that Miss Cortesa scored in "Thieves' 

Highway" and the forthcoming "Malaya," both Hollywood 

films. The romantic story, with its many poignant moments, 

will have a strong appeal to women patrons but some males 

may find it overly-sentimental and slow-moving. Two British 

stars, Michael Denison and Dulcie Gray, give sympathetic 

performances as a husband and wife separated by the former's 

wartime romance. Snow-covered mountain shots are 

breathtakingly beautiful. Henry Cass directed. 

Valentino Cortesa, Michael Denison, Dulcie Gray, Sebastian 

Shaw, Tito GobbL Antonio Cento, A. Moile. 

January 7, 1950 1105

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adlines for Newspaper and Programs 

THE STORY: "When Willie Comes Marching Home" 

Bill Kluggs Dailey) is popular in Punxatawney. He 

(Dan 

leads the band, has a girl named Marge Fettles (Colleen 

Townsend); a father (William Demarest), who is a veteran 

of World War I, and a mother (Evelyn Varden). Comes 

December 7 and Pearl Harbor. Bill, first to enlist, makes the 

headlines and is given a big farewell. A few weeks later 

gunnery instructor. He advances slowly to sergeant. Everybody 

is bored, including Bill. His efforts to get a transfer _ 

fail regularly. One afternoon he fills in a vacancy as gunner \^^, 

on a bomber. About 15 hours later the crew bales out in a 

log and Bill finds himself in France, where the underground 

gives him pictures of a rocket bomb location and ships him 

to England. At the end of the fourth day he is back home. 

CATCHLINES: 

Home Guarders, Local Heroes, Waves, Wacs, Legionnaires—Everybody 

Should See It and Come Out Laughing, 

Funniest Film Since "Sitting Pretty"—Laughs Come So Fast 

They Hurt. 

Hero Today—Bore Tomorrow—Hero Again—A Laughquake.

PLUS SERVICE 

Listed herewitu, alphabetically hy companies, are all oi the feature pictures 

reviewed in BOXOFFICE during the last twelve months. This is designed as a 

further convenience for Picture Guide Users, the page numbers being the key to reviews kept therein. 

Between quarters. Review Digest pages serve as accumulative P. G. index. 

QUARTERLY INDEX 

TO PICTURE GUIDE REVIEWS 

First, Second, Third iq^q January 

and Fourth Quarters •l*'^" Through December 



First, Second, Third iq^q January 

and Fourth Quarters A*'^*' Through Decembt 

Universal-In ternational 

Abandoned - 1080 

Abbott and Costello Meet the 

Killer, Boris Karlotf 1061 

Adam and Evalyn. 1093 

All Over the Town... _ 1044 

Arctic Manhunt _ _1071 

Bagdad _ 1095 

Blind Goddess, The 1052 

Blue Lagoon, The _ 1060 

Calamity Jane and Sam Bass.... 1044 

Christopher Columbus 1079 

City Across the River _ 1015 

Criss Cross .. 1005 

Daybreak 1057 

Fighting O'Flynn, The . 1004 

Francis 1097 

Free for All. . 1090 

Gal Who Took the West, The 1074 

Girl in the Pamtmg, The 1060 

Her Man Gilbey 1045 

Always Leave Them Laughing.. 1094 

Beyond the Forest 1082 

Colorado Territory 1038 

Flamingo Road 1025 

Flaxy Martin 1006 

Fountainhead, The 1048 

Girl From Jones Beach, The 1047 

Hasty Heart, The 1096 

Homicide 1018 

House Across the Street, The 1063 

Inspector General, The 1092 

It's a Greot Feeling 1058 

John Loves Mary 1008 

Ballad of 

Dolores (Lux Films)....1095 

Bandit, The (Times Films) 1066 

Battle of the Rails 

(Mayer-Burstyn) 1100 

Cavalcade of the Hours 

(Nayfack) 1086 

Children, The (Scandia Films) .1103 

Chips Are Down, The (Lopert) 10S4 

Devil in the Flesh (A.F.E.) lOSO 

Dolwyn (London Films) 1070 

Facts of Love, The 

(Oxford Fihns) ...1098 

Fallen Idol, The (Selznick) 1080 

Fame Is the Spur (Oxford) 1104 

Fantastic Night, The (Noyfack). 1085 

Flight Into France (Lux Films) .1060 

Four Steps in the Clouds 

(Distinguished) 1022 

Germany Year Zero (Superiilm) 1086 

GuagUo (Lux Films) 1061 

Guinea Pig, The (Variety 

Films) 1030 

His Young Wile (Armanac) 1023 

Interlude (Globe Films) 1006 

1 Am With You (Rudolph 

Carlson) 1024 

It Happened in Eiaxop« 

(Lopert Films) 1086 

Iron Crown, The (Superiilm) 1065 

Last Stop, The (Times Film 

Corp.) _..- 1053 

Warner Bros. 

P. O. Page 

Illegal Entry 1046 

lohnny Stool Pigeon. 1055 

Lady Gambles, The 1036 

Uie of Riley, The _I009 

Ma and Pa Kettle 1024-A 

Once More, My Dolling 1057 

One Night With You... 

_...1024 

One Woman's Story. _ 1042 

Red Canyon 1009 

Rugged O'Riordons, The 1100 

Snowbound 1024 

Story of Molly X, The 1092 

Sword in the Desert ...1068 

Take One False Step 1041 

Tight Little Island 1093 

Undertow 1097 

Woman Hater 

10G7 

Woman in Hiding 1100 

Yes, Sir, That's My Baby 1064 

Kiss 

Miscellaneous 

P. G. Page 

the Dark, A 1016 

Lady Takes o Sailor, The 1096 

Look lor the Silver Lining 1049 

My Dream Is Yours 1020 

Night Unto Night... 1028 

One Last Fling 1051 

, 

South of St. Louis 1011 

Story oi Seabiscuit, The 1083 

Task Force 1068 

Under Capricorn - _'. 1071 

White Heat ..._ 1065 

Younger Brothers, The 1033 

P. G. Page 

Lost Youth (Lux Films) 1099 

Love Liie of Napoleon (Reviewed 

OS Mile. Desiree) (Lopert) 1004 

Malia (Lux Films).... 1104 

Man to Men (Siritzky) _I024 

Merchant of Slaves, The (Lux) .1093 

Monsieur Vincent (Lopert) 1004 

Monte Cossino (Superiilm) 1003 

Movie Craiy (MPSC) .1045 

Outcry (Crest Films) 1023 

Peddlin' in Society (Lux Films) 1086 

Prince of Peace (Reviewed as 

The Lavrton Story) (Hallmark) 1026 

Prejudice (MPSC) ...1018 

Professor, My Son (Lux Films) .1054 

Quiet One, The (Mayer- 

Buxstyn) 1030 

Return oi the Eagle, The 

(Lux Films) _ 1096 

Saints and Sinners (London 

Films) _ 1076 

Secrets of a Ballerina 

(Distinguished) 1002 

Stollion Canyon (Astor) 1044 

Street Corner (Viro, Inc.) 999 

Train Goes East, The (Artkino) 1075 

What's on Your Mind? (Oxiord) 1002 

WUd Weed (Eureka) _ 1069 

Woman Troubles (Lux Films). ...1045 

Air Hostess ~ 1055 

Alioirs of a Rogue, The 1012 

All the King's Men _ 1087 

And Baby Makes Three 1090 

Anna Lucasta 1054 

Bandits of £1 Dorado 1082 

Barbary Pirate 1072 

Big Sombrero, The , 1027 

Blazing Trail, The 1061 

Blondie Hits the Jackpot 1080 

Blondie's Big Deal 1021 

Boston Bladde's Chinese 

Venture 1021 

Chinatown at Midnight . 1099 

Cowboy and the Indians, The ...1099 

Crime Doctor's Diccry. The... 1043 

Dark Past, The 1000 

Desert Vigilante 1029 

Devil's Henchmen, The 1069 

Doolins of Oklahoma, The 1043 

Holiday in Havana. 1074 

Home in Son Antone ....1034 

Horsemen of the Sierras 1069 

Johnny Allegro 1047 

(liiippi Jolson Sings Again 1064 

'"" Koson 1049 

Knock on Any Door.... ....1013 

Ladies oi the Chorus 1005 

Laramie - 1041 

Against the Wind. 1042 

Alimony 1049 

Big Cat, The 1033 

Black Book, The (Betviewed as 

Reign of Terror) 1038 

Black Shadows 1077 

Broken Journey 1044 

Canterbury Tale, A. 1010 

Dedee (French) 1052 

Don't Take It to Heorl 1007 

Down Memory Lone 1073 

Easy Money 1017 

Fighting Redhead. The 1077 

Give Us This Doy 1100 

It Always Rains on Simdoy 1017 

Miranda - 1003 

My Brother's Keeper .1016 

Once Upon o Dream. ...1051 

Parole, Inc. 1003 

Amazon Quest 

Daughter of the West 

Frustration (Swedish) 

Judge, The _. 

Lost Boundaries 

Columbia 

Eagle Lion 

Film Classics 

1P40 

1032 

1023-A 

1075 

1037 

1050 

P. G. Page 

Law of the Borbory Coast 1054 

Loaded Pistols 1001 

Lone Wolf and the Lady, The .1058 

Lost Tribe, The - 1036 

Lust ior Gold , 1039 

Mr. Soft Touch...- 1069 

Miss Grant Takes Richmond. 1076 

Make Believe Ballroom ....1037 

Mary Ryan. . Detective.... 1099 

Mutineers, The - 1029 

Prison Warden 1097 

Reckless Moment, The 1084 

Riders in the Sky 1096 

Riders of the Whistling Pines...l041 

Rim of the Canyon ....105S 

Rusty Saves a Life 1029 

Rusty's Birthday 1094 

Secret of St. Ives, The 1049 

Shockprooi ....1003 

Slightly French 1010 

Smoky Moxmtain Melody.— 1008 

Song of India.... ....1014 

South of Death Valley 1G61 

Tell It to the Judge 1032 

Tokyo Joe 1087 

Traveling Saleswoman, The 1104 

Undercover Man, The 1021 

Walking Hills, The .- 1039 

We Were Strangers 1033 

P. G. Page 

Passport to Pimllco 1077 

Place of One's Own, A. 1013 

Port of New York... 1095 

Portrait of Jennie (SRO) 999 

Quartet 1023-A 

Red Stallion in the Rockies 1019 

Ride, Ryder. Ride 1017 

Roll Thunder RoUl 1053 

Saraband _ 1029 

Scott of the Antarctic 1028 

Shamrock Hill _- 1035 

Sleeping Car to Trieste 1023-A 

Spring in Park Lone 1076 

Trapped _ 1076 

Tulsa 1022 

Waterloo Rood _ 1011 

Weaker Sox, The _ 1053 

Woman in the Hall, The 

1C23 

Zamba 1081 

P. G. Page 

Lovable Cheat, The. 1025 

Not Wanted _ 1048 

Pirates of Capri, The 1098 

Project X __ 1091 

State Department—File 649 1015 

fi 

#1 

fl



First, Second, Third iq^q JcoiuarY 

and Fourth Quarters *y^" Through December 

Apache Chief .... 

Anon. Inc. 

Deputy Marshal 

Grand Canyon .. 

Highway 13 

Hollywood Varieties 

I Shot Jesse lames 

.._ 1009 

Omoo-Omoo, the Shark God...._105I 

Lippert Productions 

.1082 Red Desert 

1037 

1079 

- 1068 

1000 

1103 

Rimfire 

Ringside 

Shep Comes Home 

Skyliner 

Square Dance Jubilee- 

Tough Assignment 

I>rairie, The _ 1085 Treasure of Monte Cristo.. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

Adam's Rib _ __ 1088 

Ambush _ 1101 

Any Number Can Play 1042 

Barkleys of Broadway, The 1028 

Bottlegreund _ 1078 

Big Jack - _ 1025 

Border Incident 106i 

Bribe, The _ _ 1010 

Caught _ 1012 

ChoUenge to Xassie 1084 

Doctor and the Gitl, The -...1070 

East Side, West Side 1101 

Edward. My Son _ _ 1031 

Force of Evil _ 999 

Great Sinner, The _ 1050 

In the 

Good Old Suirmierlime....l048 

Intruc'er in the Dust 1080 

Little Women _ 

Madame Bovoiy - - 

Malaya 

Monogram 

P. G. Page 

_ 

_ _ 1103 

itru-A 

1056 

- 1001 

_..1(I59 

.1089 

_1092 

..1073 

P. G. Page 

_....1Q14 

_..._ 1058 

_ 1098 

Neptune's Daughter _ 1038 

On the Town 1098 

Red Danube, The _ _ 1073 

Scene of the Crime 1048 

Secret Garden, The — 1032 

Side Street _ - 1103 

Stration Story. The _ _..-1034 

Sun Comes Up. The 1002 

Take Me Out to the Boll Game....l018 

Tale of the Navojos _.._ -1019 

Tension 1091 

That Forsyte Woman -. -1084 

That Midnight Kiss 1065 

Bad Boy 1006 

Bomba, the Jimgle Boy - 1016 

Feathered Serpent. The _ 1043 

Fighting Fools - _ _ 1056 

Forgotten Women 1052 

Golden Madonna, The 1081 

Henry, the Rainmakei - - 1007 

Incid«nl 999 

Jiggs anc^ Maggie in Jackpot 

Jitters 1087 

Joe Palooka in the Big Fight....-1014

: "i.iphia. 

; 

1 

lATES: 10c per word, miirnnum Sl.OO, cash with copy. Four insertions lor price ol three. 

CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to 

Box Numbers to BOXOFHCE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo. • 

HELP WANTED 

Have three iirritork's open cast or Mississippi 

jr three energetic salesmen. Must be hard 

orkers. Compensation liigh. Some Imowledge ot 

dverlising and acquaintance »ith exhibitors helpil. 

Give fuli detaiis of past experience. Appolntlent 

ulll be arranged. Boxoffice. 3701. 

Sell erchants advertising specialties, daytime. 

N, SOIC Llnvvood, Detroit, Mich. 

Wanted: Kxperieneed manager, good situation, 

ity iif 2.0(1(1; located in Illinois. Include photo, 

llh .iiiditiiMtions. first letter. Bcxoftice. 3712. 

Wanted; l\u) experienced managers, sober, reblf. 

State qualifications and references. Manos 

beaircs. Inc.. 202 N. Fourth St., Toronto, Ohio. 

leatre Manager: Excellent opportunity for capaslii.wnian 

in first class independent theatre 

.SI l.tmis. full Write experience. Box- 

, 

::7ll 

(anted; Experienced mînager for drive-in thealocated 

in Wisconsin. Prefer man managing 

l:tr drive-in theatres located in soutliern teriis 

who would be interested in working for 

lr(tm .\pril to November. Send replies K G 

iscment Co., 411 Loeb Arcade, Minneapolis, 

Operator wanted! Small town, 7 nights, 2 mati- 

:es. Salary $40 a week. House trailer furnished, 

1 utilities. Drunkards and drifters save your 

amps. Bo.voffice, 3717. 

Growing midwest circuit of drive-in theatres rejires 

the services of an experienced theatre or film 

an to take complete charge of all buying and 

)oking. Please (lo not answer unless you have 

id many years of successful experience and 

ipable of earning a minimum of $10,000 per 

lar. Replies will be treated In strict confidence, 

oxoffice, 3700. 

Projectionist; 

Immediate opening small town near 

I I'aso. Te.vas. Display, exploitation ability deable. 

Permanent job. No drinkers or drifters, 

lary $40 per week. Boxoffice, 3708. 

Wanted: Operator for small eastern town; 7 

(gilts operation. Excellent working conditions, 

rmanent position. Please give all details in 

tier. Boxiiftice. 3700. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

Operator, married. 6 yrs. experience, minor 

ilrs. Write Percy Vo(mg. Welsh. La. 

Will buy and book pictures for any theatre in 

'W England. Write for appointment, if inter- 

;led, Boxoffice, 3707. 

Projectionist, 20 years experience, now available. 

) .inywhere. Single. Sober. ICenneth Doty, 

insnm. 

Kas. 

Pro ectionist, 22 yrs. old. 5 yrs. experience, 

ibitious. reliable. Single, wants to get settled 

iih iiermanent job. Willing to go anywhere. Able 

maintain e

next month 

...youHl see it 

next month youHl 

...hear ahont it 

text wnonth e^perybody will be... 

'^^ ^-^^, :-: ^H^K^^^^T^^B talhiny 

abont 

the new 

the projector that runs like a song 

DISTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY

Boxoffice-January.07.1950

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?