Boxoffice-August.19.1950

CONVENTION REPORT.
lATSE Asks Right to Look
At Books When Exhibitors
Appeal for Cut in Wages
Pare 8
Wald-Krasna Unit Signs
S50 Million Pact at RKO
Page 10
COVER STORY: Bolaban & Koti Drive
Points Up New Trends in Showmanship
Psse 16
I
NATIONAL
EXFXUTIVE EDITION
Incluiling lli< Sftlionil Nm Pagu of All Cdiliont
AUGUST 19, 1950
CnltrKl u stcond-clus aMller at t Offici
al Kanui City. Mo., undtr the act March 3, 1879. of

"M-G-M musicals are
pacing the field."
— Variety
M-G-M presents
FRED ASTAIRE • RED SKELTON
VERA-ELLEN • ARLENE DAHL
in
^Se tvrtj* w»«»«
KEENAN WYNN • GALE ROBBINS • GLORIA DE HAVEN
COIOR BY
TECHNICOLOR
Bosed On The Lives And Music Of
BERT KALMAR and HARRY RUBY
Screen Play by George Wells
Directed by RICHARD THORPE • Produced by JACK CUMMINGS
A Mel'oGoldwynMoyer Picture

!
!
IF YOU WANT GOOD NEWS
PHONE YOUR M-G-M EXCHANGE
"THREE LITTLE WORDS" smash opening at Loew's State, N. Y.
and in its first 45 cities tops sensational "FATHER OF THE BRIDE,"
"ADAM'S RIB," "DUCHESS OF IDAHO" and is very close to
that box-office darling "ANNIE GET YOUR GUN."
And More Good News!
The coming product from M-G-M is simply electrifying! "SUMMER
STOCK" {Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, plus Technicolor) is headline news
already. "A LIFE OF HER OWN" (Lana Turner,
Ray Milland) and
"TO PLEASE A LADY" (Clark Gable,
Barbara Stanwyck) are Preview
triumphs. Technicolorific "KING SOLOMON'S MINES' [Deborah
Kerr, Stewart Granger) in secret Preview far surpasses famed "Trader
Horn." Watch !
And
those are just a few

N-^
NEXT ON THE AGENDA.
>^2^]
/ WITH WARNERS'
I
latchiess jlmmv iy
matches the
K
V
-•^
'Flame and the Arrow' money
-Dollar Day-after-Day
''-and
NOW!

m tt
WITH WARNERS'
Yours on a * ^
Silver platter- ^>^/ *^
and solid gold!
Date the year's
Dough-re-mi musical and
you've got something Tea-rrific!

OF THE
LL
EVE" AND S. P.
And those initials stand for "Sciieduled Performances," the new showing plan announced
by 20th Century-Fox for Darryl F. Zanuck's production "All About Eve," directed by
Joseph L. Manklewicz. Above are some of the stars in the outstanding cast. L to R, Gary
Merrill, Bette Davis, George Sanders, Anne Baxter, Hugh Marlowe and Celeste Holm.
(Advertisement)

—
^^ /%?^fe?^ ^^:^Z^/^^ /^^^^^^
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AUGUST 19, 1950
Vol. 57 No. 16
o.
READY FOR BUSINESS
HE Council of Motion Picture Organizations
is ready for "business." An executive vicepresitient,
who will be operations director, has
been chosen; a financing plan has been fully
agreed upon, with arrangements made for immediate
provision of part of the funds; and other
foundation "stones" have been set into place.
It has taken a year to finalize the completion
of a unified organization of all of the various
segments of the industry. While we were among
those who expressed concern over the delay, it
may be well that things happened as they did.
Certainly, it is well that differences over policy
were threshed out beforehand, rather than to
have them come up to endanger the organization
after it had gotten started. While that possibility
always will exist, the spirit of give-andtake
displayed in the proceedings of last week's
meetings is a healthy sign.
Choice of Arthur Mayer as
operational head
of COMPO is a good one. His experience in
exhibition and in other branches of the industry,
together with his active participation in various
phases of war activity during World War II and
in postwar services make iiim ideally suited to
the important task for which he has been chosen.
With an ability to speak and possessing a genial
personality and an unusual sense of logic, Arthur
iVlayer should be effective in convincing all who
need to be convinced of their responsibility, both
in effort and money, to the common cause which
COMPO is dedicated to serve.
The concord reached on the industry's cooperation
with the government in
the war effort
assures exhibitors of freedom of their screens.
The new setup precludes the flooding of theatre
screens with tilms produced by government agencies
and private organizations as was the case
during tlie last war. The special committee that
will serve as liaison with the government will
have to approve such films, but it will not have
autliority to pledge motion picture screens or
production or distribution facilities without
unanimous vote.
COMPO is ready to do business—with all the
makings for an outstanding success. It has a
capable executive in charge, a competent board
of directors and, further, has at its disposal the
brainpower and energy of the top and all other
executives of this industry — plus an "army" of
238,000 employes in its ranks. \^ ith each of
these doing what he can to help, COMPO will
accomplish its important task, in a minimum of
time and with a minimum of difficulty,
a maximum of benefit to
all.
but with
See and Discover
From time to time we have noted reports from
exhibitors to the effect that, if they had seen a
certain picture at its tradeshowing, they would
have done a better job of selling it to their public.
This very often applies to so-called "problem"
pictures which, because of theme, are considered
by distributors to be hard to sell. As a
consequence, the distributors solt-pedal their own
selling efforts, which apathy has an adverse influence
on exhibitors.
Ken Christiansen of the Roxy Theatre, Washburn,
i\. U., who plays pictures late, is author of
the following report:
"The Secret GartJen—I believe, if I had seen this
at the tradeshowing, I could have sold it here.
It gave us average midweek business and we received
a lot of good comments. It is a much better
picture than we had been led to believe."
The purpose of tradescreenings was to
afford
exhibitors the privilege of seeing pictures before
they bought them. Secondarily, they provide
an opportunity for doing a better job ot booking
and merchandising. Exiiibitors are at fault when
they do not take advantage of these opportunities.
As we have said before, when tliey are
unable to attend screenings, they have a second
or later chance to see pictures at tlieir openings
in their exchange center or in key spots in their
vicinity.
Whenever an exhibitor says he could have done
better. If" . . ., it is evident that a picture has lost
patronage that it should-^and could—have had.
iviultiply that by only a part of the several thousand
bookings each picture normally gets and
it could add up to that subrtantial loss of patronage
about which the industry is so greatly
concerned.
There has been talk of belter informing the
public on the contents of pictures. But the job
is only half done when exiiibitors are left out of
such consideration. There seems to be plenty of
giving and seeking of knowledge on the bigger
pictures, but it is the oversight on the smaller
pictures on which the losses are sustained. Every
picture can't be a winner, but many of these
overlooked little pictures hold possibilities for
successful exhibition, the chances for which are
lost when they are undersold—or
0.^
not sold at all.

—
—
lATSE WANTS LOOK AT BOOKS
WHEN EXHIBITORS ASK PAY CUT
Walsh Tells Convention
That Film Business Now
Is on the Upgrade
By H. F.
REVES
DETROIT—The motion picture business
has apparently turned the corner with
business again on the upgrade, while "firstclass
films" have been doing as well as
ever, delegates to the lATSE convention
were told Tuesday by Pi-esident Richard
F. Walsh, in emphasizing the union position
against the requests of many exhibitors
for pay cuts. He pointed out that
"our bargaining strength has kept the employers
from forcing any on us."
A NEW LINE OF ATTACK
A demand to examine the books of theatres
which seek a pay cut, by local unions,
was voiced by Walsh in an extended discussion
of industry problems. He indicated a
new line of attack in searching for hidden
profits in theatres, aimed particularly at the
independent exhibitor, and pointing out that
many theatres are family-owned. He suggested
that owners may "have put nonworking
members of the family on the payroll."
Walsh was reelected president with William
P. Rauol as secretary-treasurer. Trustees
were reelected and Thomas V. Green of
Newark and James McNabb of Seattle were
chosen delegates to the AFL, with James Biggerstaff
of Winnipeg elected delegate to the
Canada Trades and Labor Congress.
The convention referred two important
problems to the board. The pension problem
was very much in the limelight, and a number
of plans were projected. However, whether
an overall industrywide plan will be recommended
will be left to the national board.
Foreign production received less attention
than had been anticipated. A proposal that
American companies take a minimum crew
along for foreign operations unless labor restrictions
prevented it also went to the board
for a decision.
TO ORGANIZE IN. EAST
The delegates okayed an organization drive
aimed especially at new production and recording
f.rms in the New York area. Some
sentiment was voiced for "organizing all persons
engaged in all types of amu.sement enterprises,"
but this was rejected as being
covered by the present rules. A proposal to
restate the claims to wide jurisdiction in the
television field made at the 1940 Louisville
convention and to undertake a specific drive
among TV cameramen was referred to the
board for action.
The delegates also adopted a rule that
lATSE sound and equipment engineers must
notify the local involved when making an
installation and that lATSE men must be
used. A proposal to strengthen this rule by
requiring locals to stop sound service and
installation by nonunion men was referred
to the board. Meanwhile the convention
Convention Highlights:
1. The lATSE will demand the
right to inspect books of exhibitors
asking for wage cuts on the plea of
diminished business.
2. The question of an overall industry
plan for pensions was placed
in the hands of the executive board
for action. President Richard Walsh,
however, opposed an industrywide
plan on the theory that it weakens
home rule in contract negotiations.
3. An organizational drive at
new production and recording films
in New York area was okayed.
Whether the union will make an
effort to claim wide jurisdiction in
the TV field and undertake a specific
campaign among television
cameramen was referred to the
board.
4. Foreign production, a "hot"
subject among studio crafts, received
little attention and a proposal
which would require American
companies to take a minimum
American crew for foreign operations
was referred to the board.
5. The constitution was amended
to attack "pirating maintencmce on
drive-in speakers," placing jurisdiction
under projectionists rather
than stagehands locals as previously.
voted to settle the matter of drive-in speaker
maintenance. Jurisdiction was given to the
projectionists rather than the stagehands
locals.
At its closing sessions, the convention extended
membership ehgibility to British subjects
in Canada: granted free life membership
cards for World War II amputees and
paraplegics unable to work; asked the outlawing
of communism; supported the government
in the Korean crisis; voted against the
employment of any member sympathetic to
communism; and urged an amendment to
the hour and wages law reducing the present
8-hour day and 40-hour week.
Reporting on progress during the year,
Walsh said pressures from theatre owners
for reduction of projectionists' wages developed
during the year, but in every ca.se
these were successfully opposed. He said the
pressures were due to reduced business, but
were resisted because the high cost of living
made it impossible for the union to consent
to reductions.
"Although it is too early to tell for sure,
the most recent boxoffice surveys—along
with some record bookings for next season
seem to prove the .soundness of our judgment
about the theatre recession," Walsh
reported. "Midsummer 1950 has brought a
definite upswing in attendance."
About two-thirds of the union's contracts
in New England will expire in September
and October. The other third expired last
October and new ones are being negotiated.
"Conditions in the Middle Atlantic states,
for the most part, have conformed closely
to the national pattern," Walsh reported. "In
the coal and steel regions of western Pennsylvania,
negotiations were e.specially tough
because of prolonged strikes in those industries."
IMPROVEMENT IN SOUTH
Theatres in large New Jersey cities also
sought wage cuts, Walsh said, and one large
circuit has tried to cut its manpower in
half. Wages and conditions of lATSE members
improved in the south, and a contract
with one large circuit permits reopening of
contracts in accord with changes in living
costs as recorded by the bureau of labor
statistics index.
Two circuit contracts in the southwest
Paramount Gulf Theatres and a portion of
the Paramount-Richards circuit—have negotiated
new deals in five states, the contracts
to run three years. Most Florida locals
have secured raises, he said.
A drawn-out strike in Roanoke, Va., was
settled by Local 55 which merged with an
unaffiliated union.
Walsh said gains had been made by the
union in Ohio and Indiana, but that circuits
and independent operators were now seeking
wage cuts. In the northern part of the midwest
business had been good, Walsli stated.
Raises had been obtained in the Rocky
mountain area, he said, and in the southwest
unions had "held their own."
In California and the northwestern states
raises had been obtained, he said.
Johnston Says Labor Leaders
Can Help Meet UN Problem
DETROIT—Eric Johnston, president of the
Motion Picture Ass'n of America, this week
proposed re-enforcing our delegation to the
United Nations with labor leaders who have
licked communism in theii- own unions.
"Our labor leaders are used to Jacob
Maliks," he said. "They have had to deal
with American-style Maliks for years, so
they are up on all the communist techniques
and how to overcome them."
Speaking before the annual convention of
the lATSE, Johnston described the General
Motors-United Automobile Workers wage
agreement as "an American five-year plan
that ought to get a rating in the history
books as the biggest industrial news of the
first half-century.
"It is one of the great milestones in our
labor-management relations," he said, "and
as a five-year plan it conveys more hope
than Russian workers ever got from all the
Soviet's five-year plans put together."
The MPAA president said it was no disparagement
of our present UN personnel to
suggest the inclusion of labor leaders. (
8 BOXOFFICE :
: August 19. 1950

BIG PUSH FOR COMPO SUPPORT
AIMED AT EXHIBITOR GROUPS
Mayer Out to 'Convince'
Industry of Need for
Financial Backing
NEW YORK—An immediate effort to
convince exhibitors of the country that it
is to their interest and to the interest of
the industry to get the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations going speedily during
the war emergency is to be made by
Arthur Mayer, executive vice-president, in
cooperation with exhibitor organization
leaders.
Preliminary financing has been assured by
the pledge of Motion Picture Ass'n members
to begin their contributions of one-tenth of
one per cent on film rentals by September 1.
A rough estimate based on 1949 financial reports
of eight major companies and their
theatre affiliates places the prospective income
from this source at about $70,000 per
year.
BILLINGS DUE ON THE 15TH
The present plan is to add COMPO contributions
to exhibitors' bills on the ISth
of each month for the previous month. For
those exhibitors who get their consents in by
October 15 this would mean their contributions
for September.
It is figured that Theatre Owners of America,
Allied States Ass'n of Motion Picture
Exhibitors, the Pacific Coast Conference of
Independent Exhibitors, Independent Theatre
Owners Ass'n of New York and Metropolitan
Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n include
close to 15,000 theatres in their memberships.
No collections are planned for members of
the Motion Picture Industry Council, which
includes the talent guilds, as these are all
employes of different companies. This also
applied to Variety Clubs International in a
different way.
How members of the Society of Independent
Motion Picture Producers will contribute has
not been decided. This probably will be
through their distributing companies where
these companies are members of
the MPAA.
EXHIBITOR SESSIONS SCHEDULED
A number of exhibitors' meetings, both
national and regional, are to be held between
now and the year end. The TOA is scheduled
to meet at the Shamrock Hotel. Houston,
Tex., October 30-November 2. The executive
committee has already taken action endorsing
the COMPO program and Gael Sullivan,
executive director, was one of the incorporators
of COMPO.
Considerable missionary work will be done
to convince individual members that COMPO
will benefit them and the industry, and action
on the problem will be taken at the
Houston meeting. In the meantime bulletins
or a printed brochure will be sent to individual
units and members.
National Allied is scheduled to meet at
Pittsburgh October 2-4. Because Allied's decision
to join COMPO was for one year only,
when it was made last October in Minne-
Project Ideas Piling Up
For Industry Program
NEW YORK—Some of the more important
objectives of the Committee of Motion Pict
u r e Organizations
scheduled for action
when the preliminary
details have been gotten
out of the way by
Arthur L. Mayer were
approved by the executive
committee
Wednesday (9). These
and others had previously,
been discussed
and approved by the
committee on planning
Arthur Schmidt
and {)rogram.
First among the objectives
is a program of basic research designed
to give COMPO competent market
analyses, to furnish a realistic picture of
the industry and to explain reasons for boxoffice
difficulties. This work will be done by
one or more market analysis groups.
The idea is not for the analysts to point
out solutions, but to furnish data, pleasant
or unpleasant, upon which the COMPO executive
committee can act.
The executive board of the program and
planning committee is made up of Arthur
Schmidt (chairman), Charles Einfeld, Walter
Reade jr., Oscar A, Doob, Irving DoUinger
and Ben Shlyen.
A committee has already been named to
study the possibility of holding motion picture
expositions in strategic locations around
the country. It will report on the cost and
probably effectiveness of these.
A permanent legislative committee is
planned to deal with national legislative
problems affecting the industry, to serve as
collector and disseminator of information on
legislative problems, to be available for the
aid of local groups in putting the influence
of the national body behind any legislative
problem engaging any locality on request,
and to reach the smallest situation that may
need help.
Ned E. Depinet will send out a letter soon
to the 238.000 individuals deriving income
apolis, it will be necessary for the board to
reaffirm this action.
It is expected that this will be done. Since
that time Abram F. Myers, Allied chairman
of the board and general counsel, has been
the leader of the COMPO legislative committee's
outstanding campaign for ticket tax
reduction, and Trueman T. Rembusch, president,
has been one of the most active advocates
of war emergency cooperation with
from the industry asking each individual to
appoint himself a "committee of one" to
work for the improvement of the industry's
public relations, to strive for greater harmony
in the industry and to answer attacks
on the industry.
Several thousand exhibitors are not members
of any organization and the letter will
be directed to all of them. Maurice Bergman,
William C. Allen and S. F. Seadler will
cooperate in preparing a statement of objectives.
At least two seminars will be held. The
idea of these is to have an exchange of views
by producers, distributors, artists and exhibitors.
The first probably will be held on the
coast and the second at the grassroots level.
Those attending these seminars will be
asked to pay their own expenses. The committee
in charge of the project includes:
Gael Sulhvan (chairman), Trueman T. Rembusch,
H. V. "Rotus" Harvey, Fred J.
Schwartz, Allen Rivkin, Art Arthur and Robert
J. Rubin.
One of the important problems to be taken
up as soon as possible will be the preparation
of a theatre directory. One of these was
published by the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America in 1948, but it is now out of date,
and COMPO will need a new one in order
to prepare a mailing list. Questionnaires will
be sent out. A special committee to prepare
the questionnaires and to make detailed recommendations,
including costs, for the project
includes: Earl Hudson (chairman), Andy W.
Smith jr., Chester Bahn, Maurice Kann and
John Montgomery.
Other proposals include the establishment
of a library of industry information with
branches in New York and Hollywood; arrangements
for a speakers' bureau and speakers'
kits: participation in the White House
Mid-Century Conference on Youth; a proposal
for holding one annual collection, instead
of many put on by request, either in
theatre lobbies or audiences: studies on how
to improve the boxoffice; institutional advertising;
enlistment of fan magazines to
support industry public relations.
government departments through COMPO.
Regional units will be asked to take action
as rapidly as possible. Whether this will
be in the form of a request for individual
consents from members or a blanket authorization
to distributors to put the one-tenth
of one per cent charge on bills has not been
decided.
It is expected that each bill will have a
(Continued on page 14)
BOXOmCE :
: August 19. 1950

:
PuUe ScciU
Wolcott Says 5 Per Cent
Enough in Small Tovnis
Iowa-Nebraska Allied board chairman predicts
organization will set up board to "correct"
misallocating in film prices if
distributors
don't stop "gouging."
*
Abram F. Myers Resigns
As COMPO Tax Head
Forwards to Ned E. Depinet, COMPO president,
a huge file of records and friendly correspondence
from senators and congressmen,
indicating hope for tax relief when the proper
time comes.
Film Company Dividends
Drop Below Last Year
Payments for the first seven months of
1950 total S19.824.000. compared with $22,684,-
000 for the same period in 1949, according to
Commerce department figures.
'Lost Boundaries' Appeal
Awaits Arrival of Data
Samuel Rosenman. attorney for Louis De-
Rochemont, to carry censorship case to Supi-eme
Court as soon as transcript arrives
from New Orleans appeals court.
United Paramount Heads
To Meet September 26
Will discuss theatre operations during the
first eight months since the January 1 divorcement
at three-day session; the place for
the meeting will be decided later.
Says Gene Autry Boycott
Would Hurt Columbia
The threatened ban of the cowboy star's
films because he is making short features for
television would injure "the innocent party,
Columbia Pictures," A. Montague, the company's
general sales manager, tells P. J. Wood,
Ohio ITO secretary.
MGM Planning Production
In 17 Foreign Spots
Announcement that films will be made in
Africa. India, England, Cuba, Italy, France,
Spain and an island off South America comes
same day lATSE head attacks filming abroad.
British Theatres Attract
371 Million 1st Quarter
Board of Trade statistics reveal gross for
Great Britain's 4,483 theatres reached $78,-
400,000 and the government tax was $27,859,-
200; average weekly attendance was 28,500,000
*
UA Audit Nearing End;
Finance Moves Due
Paul V. McNutt's moves for financing United
Artists which have been held up in recent
weeks pending a full company audit may
bo steamed up next week.
Wald-Krasna RKO Pact
Calls for 60 Features
HOLLYWOOD—Exemplifying faith in the
future of motion pictures as the world's No.
1 entertainment medium, what was reportedly
the biggest independent film production
deal in Hollywood history was consummated
when papers were signed Sunday (13)
by Howard Hughes, Jerry Wald and Norman
Krasna calling for the newly formed
Wald-Krasna unit to produce 12 top-budget
features annually for the next five years
for RKO Radio release.
NEGOTIATED TWO MONTHS
In negotiation for nearly two months, the
transaction involves more than $50,000,000.
Wald and Krasna plan to have their first
feature before the cameras within eight
weeks. In preparation for their advent into
independent production they have already
acquired a number of story properties and
from these will select the first 12 subjects
for their initial year of operation.
The importance of the deal is indicated
by the fact that the Bankers Trust Co. of
New York, in partnership with the Mellon
National Bank & Trust Co. of Pittsburgh,
lias committed itself to primary financing of
the pictures to be produced.
Wald-Krasna Productions, Inc., will operate
as an independent production unit. Its
headquarters will be at the RKO Radio
studios, and it will have available to it all
of the production facilities of RKO, including
the main studio, the RKO Pathe studios
at Culver City and the RKO ranch at
Encino.
A profit-sharing plan—in tliose instances
where such continuing participation is considered
mutually advantageous—will be put
into effect for stars, directors and writers
engaged by the new production unit. This
was disclosed by Wald and Krasna at a
press conference Tuesday (15) at the RKO
Radio studios.
FIRST NINE TITLES LISTED
They also revealed the titles of the first
nine features to be made under the deal.
They include eight originals by Wald and
Krasna
"Stars and Stripes," which details the history
of the USO.
"Size 12," the story of a dress model told
against the background of America's great
dress designing industry. Jerome Weidman,
author of "I Can Get It for You Wholesale,"
is writing the script.
"Behave Yourself," a comedy about teenagers.
"Easy Going," a comedy.
"Country Club," a commentary on the social
scene in America.
"The strong Arm," a modern crime story.
"Call Out the Marines," a screen dramatization
of the birth of the U.S. marine corps.
"Mother Knows Best," tentative title for
an original screen comedy to team Mae West
and Jane Russell.
Nmth story in the initial group is Budd
Schulberg's best-selling novel, "The Harder
They Fall," a story of the prizefight game.
In addition to these nine, Wald and Krasna
Having signed a $50,000,000, five-year
ticket to produce independently for RKO
Radio release, Jerry Wald (left) and Norman
Krasna have immediately begun selecting
from among their story properties
to begin work on the first year's output of
12 pictures.
have options on six novels, four plays and
five screen originals and preparatory work
on them is under way.
Both Wald and Krasna are former newspapermen
who fiist met on the New York
Graphic wlien Wald was radio editor and
Krasna was dramatic editor. Wald is a
specialist in creating and producing original
stories. He started as a junior writer at
Warners 18 years ago and rose rapidly to
the post of producer. In 1948 he was given
the Irving Thalberg Memorial award by the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
"for the most consistent high quality of
production achievement."
Krasna entered the motion picture industry
18 years ago as a publicist at Warner
Brc.-., later becoming a playwright, screen
writer, producer and director. In 1943 he won
the Academy award for the best original
screen play with "Princess O'Rourke," which
he also directed.
Negotiations for the $50,000,000 deal which
brings Wald and Krasna to RKO have been
in progress since June 19, when Hughes
advanced $150,000 to Warner Bros, to secure
the transfer of that studio's contract with
Jerry Wald to RKO until details of the newindependent
deal could be worked out. The
Warner-Wald contract had been scheduled
to run until April 1952.
Hughes-Brandt Theatre Deal
Continues Hanging Fire
NEW YORK—Tlie Howard Hughes-Harry
Brandt deal for the transfer of Hughes' 24
per cent share in RKO theatres was still
hanging fire late in the week, with attorneys
for Hughes studying details of a proposed
contract submitted to them early in the
month.
Actual transfer of the Hughes stock will
not take place until January 1 when the
split of Keith-Albee-Orpheum Corp. and
RKO Radio Pictures takes place under the
terms of the consent decree in the antitrust
case.
10 BOXOFFICE
: : August 19, 1950

REPUBLIC HAS 14
TOP FILMS
AMONG 54 SET FOR 1950-51
H. J. Yates Is Optimistic;
To Launch Three-Color
Trucolor in September
NEW YORK—Greatly improved conditions
for the industry over the next few
months were predicted
by Herbert J.
Yates, president of
Republic, in announcing
that the
1950-51 program
Herbert J. Yates
would consist of 32
new features, including
14 in the de luxe
variety category and
two special productions
starring Judy
Canova and two starring
Estelita. In addition.
Republic will
including six starring
have 28 westerns,
Roy Rogers, four starring Rex Allen, four
each featuring Allan "Rocky" Lane and
Monte Hale and a new series of four featuring
two ten-year-old juveniles, Michael
Chapin and Eilene Janssen, as cowboy and
cowgirl leads. This series will be linked to
nationwide promotion among boys' and
girls' organizations and merchandising
with department stores.
Four serials and six de luxe travel shorts
in Trucolor will complete the new program.
The total of 54 features Is one more than the
53 announced for the 1949-50 season, which
also had four serials but but only four travel
shorts.
SEVEN TITISS ANNOUNCED
'Louisa'
CHICAGO — "Louisa."
Premiere Cracks Chicago Record
The Premiere Crowd . . . Day . . . artd Night
Only seven titles were announced by Yates
in his keynote address to branch managers
and home office executives at the final session
of the eastern regional sales meeting at
the home office August 14, 15 and 16. It
was decided that the new program should
be flexible in production and release and that
the titles of pictures in all groups wlU not
be announced until they are completed and
ready for release.
The features completed for fall release are:
"Surrender," starring Vera Ralston, John
Carroll and Walter Brennan, for September;
"Hit Parade of 1951." starring John Carroll,
Marie McDonald and Elstelita, in October:
John Ford's "Rio Bravo," starring John
Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, in November,
and "The Golden Tide," in Trucolor, starring
Rod Cameron, Forrest Tucker and Adrian
Booth, in December.
De luxe productions which will be set for
release early in 1951 are: "California Passage,"
"Belle Le Grand" and "Torero." A second
John Ford production and a second John
Wayne production will also be released on
the new program and the studio is working
on plans for two service productions, one the
story of the air force in the Pacific and the
other a story of the coast guard. Both will
be produced with the cooperation of the de-
Universal-International's
family comedy, opened at the Chicago
Theatre Friday (11) and rolled up what
was claimed to be a three -day record.
John Balaban, president of Balaban &
Katz, was so surprised that he remarked:
"I don't get it. There isn't any sex, no violence,
no crime in the picture; it's a home
movie. Yet, whatever the reason, more than
20,000 paid to see the film Friday."
A heavy campaign preceded the opening
and Ronald Reagan, Charles Coburn, Ruth
Hussey, Spring Byington and Piper Laurie
made personal appearances.
The Chicago Daily News said extra policemen
were called to handle the crowds which
extended four and six abreast north on State
St. to Lake St. and east to Wabash Ave. and
south to Randolph St.
fense and treasury departments. A story
written by Bob Considine, newspaper columnist,
will be filmed in New York and Miami
and a sea story similar to "Wake of the Red
Witch" will also be produced.
Yates also told the branch managers that
Republic would "launch the finest color ever
made" with the production in September of
the first Judy Canova picture in the new
three-color Trucolor process. He said that
the studio and laboratory had been working
for some time on the development of a third
color for the company's Trucolor process and,
after exhaustive tests on equipment, makeup
and the processes of printing, was ready to
stop all production of two-color Trucolor. A
well-organized advertising and publicity
campaign would be executed to sell the new
The night before the opening all the visiting
stars attended square dance finals to
award prizes. This was a world championship
contest sponsored by the Chicago Sun-Times.
This helped both in the columns of the paper
and on the air.
"Louisa Day" at the Chicago
Fair followed, and the visiting celebrities
selected Chicago's most beautiful grandmother
and granddaughter, and took part in
other events.
The program of exploitation stunts was
continuous from there on and the newspaper
and radio support was complete. The Chicago
Tribune helped publicize the event in
both its news columns and on WGN and
WGN-TV for a week in advance.
Eleven suburban papers joined in selecting
winners of a beauty contest and joined in
merchant cooperative tieups.
color process to exhibitors and public.
Yates also said that a "policy of starmaking"
was an urgent need of the industry
and that all companies should have an influx
of new people and talent sis a reservoir
for star material. He reviewed the campaigns
in which Republic sent its personalities, including
Rex Allen. Forrest Tucker. Adrian
Booth and Adele Mara, into the field to make
first hand contacts with theatre men and
the press and he said star building campaigns
would be started for Estelita and Muriel
LawTence, 18-year-oId operatic singer who
will be seen in "Belle Le Grand."
"Despite competing attractions in the entertainment
field, more people are going and
will go to picture in thfe Immediate months
ahead, which will provide the most prosperous
period for motion pictures since 1945."
Yates said.
James R. Grainger, conducted the three-day
sales sessions, which followed similar sales
gatherings in Chicago and HoUinvood. Studio
rushes of pictures in production and .some of
the completed features were shown to the
branch managers on Wednesday cl6>.
BOXOFTICE :
: August 19. 1950 II

THE MOST POPULAR Piq
«
'AS AMERICAN AS ICE CREAM AND
CAKE/'says the NewYork Herald-Tribune
•
Samuel GoldAvyn has reached into the
heart of the American home to make
you laugh — to make you cry a little —
to make you live again your happiest
moments! This is a picture filled not
only with romantic magic and nostalgia,
but with all the tender things, the
daily excitements, the joyous wonder
of life in America today!
AS HEDDA HOPPER SAYS: "IT'S
THE KIND OF PICTURE AMERICA
HAS BEEN SCREAMING FOR."
No wonder it's also the picture that's
bringing joy and happiness to exhibitors
everywhere!
Distributed by RKO RADIO PICTURES. INC.

AMERICA TODAY!
I
^^J^
st3.n.ANN
BLYTH
FARLEY GRANGER
JOAN EVANS
With JANE WYAH
Directed by DAVID MILLER
Written by F. HUGH HERBERT
Director of Ptiotography; LEE GARMES, A. S. C.

I distant
;
No TV Monopoly Sought,
Gael Sullivan Contends
NEW YORK—American theatres have no
des.re to monopolize "any category of films
for theatre television, and more than they
have ever monopolized programs for theatres,"
writes Gael Sullivan, executive director
of Theatre Owners of America, in the
foreword to a recent address on theatre television
delivered Dy Nathan L. Halpern before
the Southern California Theatre Owners
Ass'n.
The address has been reprinted for public
distribution.
"An important direction for tlie motion picture
industry is theatre television as an
added attraction to the basic film features,"
Sullivan writes. "If theatre television were
to increase boxoffice only 25 times a year, it
might well provide a profitable difference in
Paul Lazarus Jr. to Take
Columbia Sales Post
NEW YORK—Paul Lazarus Jr., who
resigned his United Artists executive post
last week will take a sales position with
profitable theatre operations and in stabilizing
all segments of the film industry.
"As with all new media, some misunderstanding
has arisen regarding theatre television.
It is intended to supplement, not supplant,
film features in theatres. It is intended
to be a separate medium from tele-
Columbia, and has turned down the reported
offer to become executive assistant
to Arthur L. Mayer, the new executive
vice-president of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations.
President Ned E. Depinet has appointed
Max A, Cohen, chairman, and Robert W.
Coyne and Oscar A. Doob as members to
assist Mayer in matters of organization,
personnel and setting up an office.
vision broadcasting into homes. The home
programs, supported by advertising, will be
different, just as free home entertainment
always has been different from the boxoffice
attraction in theatres."
Harry Arthur in Open Letter Stresses
Need for 'Entertainment/ New Stars
ST. LOUIS—Harry C. Arthur jr., president
of Fanchon & Marco, who last week wrote
to Joseph Mankiewicz, president of the Screen
Dii-ectors Guild, to tell him, in effect, that
too many pictures were being made for the
intelligentsia and not enough for mass entertainment,
added to his statement this week.
He WTot€ an open letter to the heads of all
major and independent production companies
and distribution chiefs expanding his
views.
"There is nothing wrong with the fUm
business—except ourselves," he said, "and
our growing tendency to educate, to propagandize,
to lift the masses to higher intelligence
level, in accordance with what we
believe they should have for entertainment.
Our thinking has been wrong. We have
nearly forgotten what real entertainment is."
Tlie patron doesn't want education or
propaganda, or "realism," Arthur decljired.
"He wants escape—just for a little while."
"It's high time, too," he said, "we started
a concentrated campaign of building new
stars to take the place of the venerable oldsters,
who, although still capable of excellent
histrionics, daily are fading in popularity.
Dramatically perfect as they are, they no
longer can believably portray romantic teens
in the eyes of those 16-to-30 "youngsters' who
comprise at least 65 per cent of our boxoffice
fans.
"We need new star personalities—as we
have never before needed them in the history
of our industry. Give these to our patrons—together
with pictures that entertain
—together with the established stars whose
presence will aid the youngsters in their climb
to stardom and will assure maximum acceptance
for them—and the boxoffices of the
nation again will click with activity. Give
them to US—the exhibitors of the nation—
and we'll pitch in to help you build them to
top-star values—with every ounce of showmanship
at our command.
"I respectfully suggest that you ask your
producers, particularly the more experienced
ones, to make a careful study and analysis
of the results of your, and other companies,
during the past 35 years—and thereby rediscover
for themselves what form of EN-
TERTAINMENT, enacted by what kind of
star personalities, have produced the best
and most lasting results."
$3,000,000 Rentals Suit
Is Filed Against B&K
CHICAGO — Another antitrust action
again the Balaban & Katz Corp. and
major film distributors—an offshoot of the
year-old Essaness circuit case—^was filed in
Chicago district court August 11 by the
Henry Thompson estate.
The suit, asking for triple damages from
the circuit and majors, would total $3,000,-
000 in final count.
The action, believed to be the first of its
kind, has a landlord suing the film concerns.
It asks for recovery of rentals from 1939
through 1947, which were lost allegedly due
to the conspiracy on the part of the defendants.
The Thompson restaurant chain, which
partly owned the Oriental Theatre, had a
rental deal to garner half of the net intake
of the independent house.
COMPO Financing
(Continued from page 9)
line or two indicating that this is "your
voluntary contribution."
Regional Allied meetings scheduled between
now and the end of the year will be;
Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio, Netherlands
Plaza hotel, Cincinnati, September
19-21; Allied Theatres of Michigan, Inc.,
Hotel Book-Cadillac, Detroit, September 25,
26; Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners of
Western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, October
2-4 (this will be at the same time and place
as the national board of directors meeting)
Independent Theatre Owners of Wisconsin
and Upper Michigan, Schroeder hotel. Milwaukee.
October 30-November 1; Associated
Theatre Owners of Indiana. Hotel Lincoln.
Indianapolis, November 13. 14; Allied Independent
Theatre Owners of Iowa and Nebraska.
Inc.. Ames. Neb., November 14, 15;
West Virginia Theatre Managers Ass'n,
Greenbrier liotel. White Sulphur Springs.
West Va., August 30. 31.
TOA regional meetings will be as follows:
Kansas-Missouri Theatre Owners Ass'n. Hotel
Phillips. Kansas City, September 26-27;
Kentucky Ass'n of Theatre Owners, Louisville.
October 18-19; Theatre Owners of North
and South Carolina. Charlotte, October 1-3;
Motion Picture Theatre Owners of St. Louis
Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, St.
Louis. November 13-14.
The Pacific Coast Conference of Independent
Exhibitors will meet at Cal-Neva Lodge,
Lake Tahoe, Calif., September 14-17.
In the meantime Arthur Mayer intends to
contact leading circuits as rapidly as possible.
One of the first circuit meetings pending is
the Fox Midw'est organization at Kansas
City, August 29-30.
A number of wrinkles remain to be ironed
out in the methods of collection.
COMPO Leaders Express
Gratitude to Harmon
NEW YORK—Francis S. Harmon, vicepresident
of the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America, who was one of the most active
workers in the preliminary work leading up
to the start of the Committee of Motion Picture
Organizations, was honored at the executive
board meeting Wednesday (9).
A resolution passed unanimously read:
"At the close of this most vital and most
productive of COMPO meetings, it is fitting
and proper that this executive board express
its hearty recognition to and deep gratitude
for the role that has been played by Francis
S. Harmon ever since the conception of the
organization.
"Without his wise counsel, indefatigable efforts
and most efficient handling of the multitudinous
details concerned with the COMPO
idea, its development, and bringing it into
actuality, we do not believe COMPO could
ever have overcome the many obstacles
which normally beset the formation of such
an organization consisting of so many elements
of divergent interests.
"We therefore put on the record a warm
appreciation of every member of the executive
board for Mr. Harmon's great contribution
to the establishment of COMPO and
we look forward to some time in the not too
future toward an opportunity to
manifest our regard and our thanks in some
concrete manner."
14 BOXOrnCE :: August 19, 1950

^
Yoi^ Sef/n /f^/f ^/s/?ey ffesy^/f^
First,"Cinderella"; then"Treasure Island",
and now, ^^Seaver Valley^
—
THE SENSATIONAL
TICKET-SELLING
SHORT FEATUREl
"Novelties of this kind are the
kind of tonic the boxoffice
needs." _ Hollywood Reporter
to a feature, will add a
great deal of class."
— Boxoffice
"Thirty-two minutes of Technicolor
wonderment."
— Daily Variety
"Delightful, refreshing entertainment.
The audience should
greet it with avid delight.
There should be more like it."
— Film Daily
"The legion of fans
who fondly remember
'Seal Island' will be
eager to see it ... As
a companion piece
"Beautifully told in color,
sound and music, and with a
good dramatic pattern, this
short feature should command
attention."
_ Yariety
"The photography of wild life
has probably never been
equalled ..." _ M. P. Herald
"An unusual, and, in many
ways, an extraordinary subject
and a notable follow-up of
'Seal Island'." _ m. P. Daily
"A spectacular collection of
animal shots in natural habitat
. . . Should prove a great hit."
— The Exhibitor
Running Time,
32 Minutes
presents
A TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURE
^<
Prim by TECHNICOLOR

I
I
: August
Invitation to the campaign l(icl(off lunelieon was in
the form of a railway tieltct, in liceping with the
railroad theme used througiiout the drive.
All AboArd for
-ne Chief
Juhii Balahan
drive
t^hd*Mt^ht.WU
Consistent Selling Is the Key
To Successful B&K Campaign
One-time flashy stunt not enough, winners demonstrate
SHOWMANSHIP
SPECIAL
GRAND BAUJtOOM
nm DitTtL
Tin, Itotk n, IKO
l6;3aLIL
LUNCHEON
Wotton Poofn
IZJO Am
$«,OOO0« IN
CASH PIIZES
a>%«ii<
John Balaban
(D drive
seRve wtTH
SNOMfMANSHIP
SAVE WITH
SHOWMANSHIP
SELt WITH
SHOWMANSHIP
CHICAGO—The Balaban & Katz circuit, along with its associated
Great States Theatres group, has just ended a 13-week drive in which
it was once again demonstrated that one flashy, spectacular stunt does
not make a selling campaign and that it takes consistent effort day in
and day out, week after week, to gain and maintain business leadership.
At the close of the campaign, the managers who won the top awards
were the showmen who found an angle in every picture, who booked
carefully with an eye for the short subject which could attract the
special interest groups, who put their exploitation on the ringing-doorbells
level, and looked at their theatres as centers of community activity
and their patrons as neighbors.
"This campaign," said John Balaban, B&K president, in whose honor
the drive was held, "was very profitable—but what is more important
It has rekindled the spirit of showmanship in all our theatres."
It was the type of oldtime showmanship for which the industry has
been calling these recent months, but it also was oldtime showmanship
with the contemporary approach. It was television-age showmanship
in which the managers, operating in a TV sector, had to play all the
angles to overcome the strength of home television as an entertainment
draw. In many instances managers joined right with television to take
advantage of the new entertainment factor. But in the long haul, it was
putting movies over as movies, and the theatre as a theatre and not as
a glorified version of the living room.
The hundreds of unusual exploitation stunts, ballyhoos, cooperative
tieups, giveaways and other business-getting techniques paid off at the
boxoffice, but in the overall program these significant factors were noted:
1. There is not a single picture produced which does not have some
angle which can be promoted for extra business, and the theatre manager
who operates on this thesis is the manager who maintains the top
business levels.
2. Patrons are ready to accept the theatre as a community enterprise,
and the manager who makes his theatre available for neighborhood
affairs, who rings doorbells to let his patron know what is going
on in the motion picture world, who gets around to PTA and civic club
meetings, who polls his patrons on likes and
dislikes and generally makes patrons feel that
they have a hand in the planning of theatre
programs—can make his theatre a community
institution.
3. There is extra income to be earned by
selling theatres during "dead" time to industries,
groups of merchants and schools or
by selling out the house to industrial plants
for theatre parties on a regularly scheduled
basis. This "draft industry" plan worked
successfully in a number of B&K situations.
4. The children's program as a means of
stimulating business is far from being fully
exploited. The campaign produced dozens of
special children's programs which proved to
be big-audience attractions.
5. Greater care in picking short subjects,
with an eye toward drawing special interest
patrons into the theatre who ordinarily would
not be attracted by the feature, can bring in
many extra dollars. By making the special
pitch to the special interest patron by way
of personal calls or direct mail pieces, the
exhibitor also does a good public relations
job at the same time.
The "draft industry" technique of developing
extra business was successful in many
communities. There are a variety of angles
on which to make the approach, the managers
learned. In Streator, 111., William Heasman,
who won one of the three top awards
along with Milton Officer of Chicago's Lakeside
and Central Park theatres, and Milton
Brown of Galesburg, sold a special Easter
show to the Owans-IUinois Glass Co. for $100
for children of employes. The picture, a
western, and a couple of shorts were programed
and the profit to the house was
$82.50. Now the company has bought a show
for the Cliristmas season.
In Pekin, Paul R. Morgan made the rounds
of industrial plants and was successful in
getting a number of them to buy out the house
on midweek dates for employes, on a basis
of one evening performance a week. A number
of other managers discovered that the
larger stores are ready to take over Saturday
morning shows and afternoon dates during
vacations. Sears, for example, was sold by
Leonard Schiff of the Paradise Theatre in
Chicago on a western show for a Saturday
morning date on the pitch the store could
stimulate interest in its "western corral"
which features western apparel.
The Angle Is There
It is a fallacy that all pictures are
not exploitation pictures. There's
never been a picture made that
doesn't offer an angle for furthering
interest in it. You may have to dig,
but the angle is there. If the film isn't
suitable for a ballyhoo stunt, then
there may be an angle for endorsing
it by specific groups, or an angle for
certain merchandising tieups. No picture
has failed to offer some possibility;
no manager has ever tapped on
attraction's possibilities to its fullest
extent. Exploitation is NOT a 40x60.
A poster is simply an advertising medium.
Exploitation means getting
your attraction talked about, and only
if we can again get people talking
about our business can we start doing
business again.
—from Campaign Manual
In Chicago, Roy MacMuUen of the Granada
Theatre demonstrated that sponsors of
children's shows need not always be institutions
with something to sell for the juvenile.
He hit the jackpot by selling Frank Benjamin,
owner of a restaurant on sponsoring six
Saturday morning shows, one a month for a
six-month period.
The ciicuit, in its campaign meetings and
in its sales manual, urged managers to do a
public relations job on a continuing basis.
Some unusual techniques were employed to
sell the message of the theatre. Ken Edgerly
of the Will Rogers Theatre, Chicago, started
out to personally find out what the patron
in his neighborhood wants, or dislikes or
likes about the movies. He visited 200 homes
a week, asking the lady of the house about
her family's theatre habits, types of pictures
liked and disliked, what types of program
the family preferred to see at the Will Rogers,
and whether television affected their filmgoing
habits. Edgerly then closed his interview
by presenting the lady of the house a
pair of guest tickets.
The homemaker, incidentally, was a point
of contact for a number of other theatremen.
Ben Adelman of the Terminal Theatre here,
believing that if the housewife learns during
the day what is playing at the theatre that
night she might devise a way to go to the
movies by the time the husband reaches
home, made a deal with a local newspaper
dealer to make the "contact." He arranged
with the dealer to include the program information
with each week's newspaper bill
16 BOXOFFICE :
19, 1950

'
^
',
,A '*r CAPEf?
y' ;>;^ FOR
.-mCuVE GROSSES/
tec :-?^^v-r..-.-.
These pages of campaign bulletins issued over the 13 -week press on theatre personnel and cooperation advertisem-ents. The
period show the variety of projects promoted—a super-cartoon one reproduced here was promoted for National Restaurant week
show, ghost night, public relations projects, feature stories in the in Michigan City, Ind. The restaurateurs paid the bill.
which is delivered directly to the housewife.
It is a no-cost activity in which the exhibitor
supplies only the printed insert and the
dealer does the rest. The program information,
which uses a personal approach, goes
into 2,800 homes a week.
Edgerly also took a special interest in the
homemaker as a patron. As in the case of
most double-feature houses, women attending
the matinees complained they had difficulty
seeing a complete show and getting home in
time to prepare dinner. The manager polled
his patrons on how they thought the problem
could be solved and he learned that most
women could be perfectly satisfied if they
could see one important film of the double
bill along with a few shorts. Most of the
women polled also said they came to see but
one of the features—and it was usually the
second feature of the day. So, in a bid for
this patronage, Edgerly is now making the
Wednesday matinee Homemakers day in
which the important feature comes first, followed
by a series of interesting shorts, and
then the second feature. Patrons are being
sold on the idea by trailer, lobby posters and
direct mailing of cards to homes in the
neighborhood.
Ray Herrington of the Normal Theatre in
Normal, 111., established a weekly "Meet
Your Merchants Night" which has been popular.
Each week he introduces a neighborhood
merchant in a friendly, informal stage
session—and then the merchant supervises
drawings for prizes which he has contributed.
Bill Methe of Chicago's Berwyn Theatre wlio
concentrated on "away from the theatre"
advertising personally appears before PTA
groups, women's clubs and all community
organizations to tell the story of the film
business and takes a personal part in all
campaigns. He also won contest points with
another institutional plan. He checks the
COVER PHOTO:
John Balaban (seated R) and Walter Immerman,
campaign chairman (L), congratulate the big winners,
Milton Brown, William Heasmon and Miltcn
Officer, on their victories.
local papers to obtain the names of persons
who are ill, or in hospitals or are confined
to their homes and sends them a bright,
cheerful letter, wishing them speedy recovery
and enclosing a pair of tickets to be his guest
at the Berwyn just as soon as they are "back
on their feet."
Since the drive was one honoring "the
Chief"—John Balaban—a railroad theme was
used for the stimulating dramatic appeal.
Excitement was created through the use of
such slogans as, "All Aboard for 'the Chief";
"Ride the Showmanship Train for Profits . . .
Cash Prizes . . . and Glamorous Hollywood
Vacations!"; "Hi-Ball to Hi-Grosses with
Showmanship . . . Effort . . . Economy . . .
Profits!"; and, "The Race Is On—Open That
Throttle Wide!"
Decorations for the kickoff luncheon held
late in March followed this same theme. Invitations
were issued in the form of crosscountry
railroad tickets; a conductor was on
hand to punch the "tickets" as the men entered
the grand ballroom; engineer caps for
members of the operational and drive committees,
and an imposing front view of the
Santa Fe's "Chief," directly behind the speaker's
table, helped to stimulate this theme.
Various committees charged with maintaining
interest in the drive for the 13-week
period were given names to carry out the railroad
atmosphere. District managers became
"traffic managers"; film buyers and bookers
were "Film Dispatchers"; and the advertising
men became "Hi-Ballers." All communications
to the men in the field touching upon
the drive became "Hi-Signs Prom the Hl-
Ballers."
The 13-week campaign was a well-planned
project, into which the executive staff of B&K
placed a considerable amount of pre-drive
preparation. Everyone attending received a
personalized sales kit and manual prepared
under the preparation of W. H. Hollander,
B&K ad chief. The sales manual not only
announced the general aims of the contest
but was so designed as to allow for the filing
of selling suggestions and bulletins which
were sent out by the campaign directors over
the 13-week period.
The three grand prize winners came
through with campaigns which consistently
showed alertness in taking advantage of
every selling opportunity. In Galesburg, Milton
Brown of the Orpheum Theatre was successful
in having the Better Than Ever
slogan incorporated into the daily theatre
time table in Galesburg dailies. Each Saturday
morning, until schools were out for
the summer, he had special shows using old
films and stage specialties. On six Friday
nights he conducted a Teen Town Talent
contest, with merchants paying the cost of
the promotion. His staff also promoted graduation
parties, a midnight horror show,
sneak previews, theatre gift book sales and
special selling of short subjects.
Milton Officer at the Lakeside and Central
Park in Chicago had hangup results
with a "King of the Cowboys" contest which
filled the houses on Saturday afternoons.
A 20-unit cartoon show for adults also paid
off well, as did special booking and exploitation
of two Yiddish pictures. William
Heasman, the third grand prize winner, did
an exceptional job in promoting gift book.s,
in arranging special industry and school
shows and doing a community promotion
job.
Other winners in the competition were:
B5K district cash award winners: George Romine,
William Methe, Dean Jones; northside district winners:
Lee Eastman, Leo Brown, Ted Regelin; Loop
and southside: Ken Blewett, Ambrose Conroy, Bill
Studdert; northwest district: Ben Adelman, Ken
Edgerly, Nate Ruttenberg.
B&K special merit and bonus award winners:
Leonard Schiff, Roy MacMullen, Ted Regelin, Sam
Levin, Ray Thompson, Ambrose Conroy, Ralph
Ermilio, Carl Russell, Hones Swan, of Chicago.
Great States district winners: William Langdon,
Aurora; Leonard Klafta, Kankakee; lohn Mitchell.
Waukegan; Leonard Worley, Peoria; Chalmer Dean,
Bloomington; Milton Lewis, Danville; J, R. McCullough,
Decatur; Vince O'Leary, East St. Louis; Mort
Berman, Springfield.
Indiona-Ohio winners: Hugh Martin and Ray
Wheeler, South Bend; Frank Newel!, Marion.
Great States special merit awards and bonuses:
D, W. Burmeister, Aurora; William Joven, Kankakee;
W. F. Grometer, Harvey; Merle Eagle. Peoria; Ray
Herrington. Normal; Al Tovey, Bloomington; Leonard
Worley, Peoria; Paul Morgan, Pekin; Chalmer
Dean, Bloomington; Ivan Cooper, Kewanee; John
Wendell, Decotur; Joseph Hackworth, Alton; George
Hatch. South Bend, and Giles Robb, Toledo
Attractive covers of bulletins sent out to managers during the 13-week drive.
I« ®-%^>,li
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7i^

.
FANS ARE WAITING \\TO SEE
MICKEY ROONEYas
'^(^ i5«««niC«a.L-k.^S^i^/
i
CENTURY-FOX

Pittsburgh—Saal
—
TKck €Utd Sf^'CHtA
Zkouias Innovations
gPYROS P. SKOURAS' enthusiasm for
innovations is picking up momentum.
First, there was his announcement that
20th Century-Pox would distribute opera
shorts featuring some of the country's
best known singers: second, the declaration
that "All About Eve." which runs two
hours and 20 minutes, will be shown on
a special single-feature basis with nobody
admitted after the start of the picture:
third, the statement that the Roxy Theatre
will have a two-week engagement of
the N. Y. Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra,
with "The Black Rose" on the
screen.
These plans ought to jar many exhibitors
out of a routine attitude toward showmanship.
If something new will bring
new patrons into theatres, the only way
to find out is by the trial and error method.
Millions of people have learned to like
opera excerpts and other types of music
often referred to as "long hair." as a
result of their use in radio broadcasts.
There probably will be no argument ov"
the use of opera shorts. The gamble ^^ is
slight that many showmen will try tht
and then make a study of boxoffice receii°^
to see how much of a stimulant these fil"^^
can be.
''^
The move to prevent patrons from '
tering after the start of a picture is soi^^*
thing else. There is bound to be so**^^
lively discussion on this point. The li^^"
lier it is. the better, because a shrewd e^'
hibitor can get it into his local newspape^'
in a dozen ways. First runs are bound f'
benefit, and the buildup is bound to fee^
the subsequent runs even though thes
houses present the picture on the usua'
continuous-run basis.
Only the largest theatres will be able tc
afford symphony orchestras for experimental
use. but the test might prove to be
an investment in improved public relation.?.
About 25 years ago the Rivoli and Rialto
theatres in New York had a definite class
patronage due to the fame of the fine
orchestras conducted by the late Di-. Hugo
Reisenfeld. The same thing was true at
the Capitol and later at the Roxy Theatre
when these houses were operated by
Samuel iRoxyi Rothapfel.
Overhead was high, but there was always
a backlog of steady patrons. The
opening of Radio City Music Hall made it
impossible for other houses to compete on
this basis, but it is just possible that the
passage of time and the changing public
tastes have built up receptivity for a
dramatic innovation for occasional use.
Some of the answers to these questions
will be known in the next couple of months.
Business Gaining
yHEATRE business is on the upgrade.
Spyros P. Skouras says there has been
a definite upturn during the past four
weeks. Twp well-known circuit operators
who attended the COMPO meeting in New
York said the same thing.
Further evidence is supplied by the North

EVERYBODY'S SAYING:
I
I
^*ii»i
IS
bener tha
e PalefaceT
^o^
^^
IJ^
"Should click as solidly
as The Paleface'."
* — Variety
"A hypo to theatres—
to ensure a b|^jump in
starring
mBOB
LUCILLE
receipts. "1ft
:>^.t
Color by
"Everybody in the business
should be hap
TECHNICOLOR
With 'Fancy Pants'!"'
^
—M. p. Herald
'Gosh-dangdest roundup
of gags ever staged
'ag'in sagebrush baclt-
"All Hope— and he has.
Hurry! Get
Your Date To
Ploy It During
Paramount
Week-
Sept. 3-9
H :>epr. /I
a field day."
1^ i^fe
— The Exhibitor
ft:.
''All Stops pulled out in
. . one of delights of
the sea
1
"A jubilalina
— Hollywood'/tepwter
/'Technicolor handsome
^ frame to merry shenanigansli;_
—M p. r^"'
with
BRUCE CA80T
JACK KIRKWOOD
Produced by
Robert L. Welch
Directed by
George Marshall
Screenplay by Edmund
Hartmonn and Robert
O'Brien • Based on a Story
by Horry Leon Wilson
•
And Bob Sings Today's
Top Tune, "Home Cookin'"
— the successor to "Buttons
and Bows!
i

\ a-t,
:
LETTERS
Outlines Idea on Televising Films to Theatres
To BOXOP'FICE;
The advertising copy on "Destination
Moon" claims that the George Pal production
is not a fantasy, but a prophecy. The
following viewpoints makes no such claims,
but are, rather possibilities that exist with
the union of television and the motion picture.
Of course, these days, everyone has his
own ideas about the damage that video will
inflict upon movies, but here is my idea of
how TV will become a boon to the industry:
Scattered throughout the country, distributors
have exchange center 5 in each key city
for the purpose of film-booking and shipment
to theatres in various districts. Why
not a television station at each exchange?
Here's why:
Instead of shipping the heavy, cumberiome
cans of films to theatres, could not the exchange
televise films, on a special company
channel, directly to the theatre tcreens?
Better still, hundreds of theatres in a widespread
area could all recsive the specific
film being televised, at the same time, the
same day.
Millions are spent on film advertising and
national advertising and promotion, but the
rub is that by the time the small neighborhood
house plays the film, interest is dead
and gone. Thus, the purpose of mass openings.
By televising a new film In the midst
of a big advertising campaign to hundreds
of theatres at once, the distributor has no
better means of mass-penetration.
But why stop at televising only feature
films? Whole programs of cartoons, shorts
and even on-the-spot newsreels could all be
sent out from the exchange television station.
This could be done like transcribed
radio programs. There could be a "break"
of 15 or 20 minutes to allow the receiving
theatres some time for personal announcements,
such as drawings, intermissions, etc.
For theatres that run continuous shows,
the program could start at two o'clock in
the afternoon, with theatres that operate
only evenings picking up the program at
Tk,
delivery _
Iruck
Co»Tnes "to ou*" tU«dlr«.
on^( can&
tojoy.
because ovr proaro»
ioda' V ;s COrY>.nQ bv.
• AT 3 •« *» tVt« (He nr 1 a« AT TWC^C
.seven o'clock. The exchange could so arrange
the program that the feature would
be "on" about this time.
Here are the advantages of this "Telemovies"
system:
1. Thousands of moviegoers would be able
to see a new film at the same time.
2. Exhibitors could take advantage of national,
heavy advertising campaign by
showing the film while it is still "hot."
3. Film investments could be regained in
a matter of a few months. Hundreds of
accounts would be played off at once.
4. The number of prints could be reduced
to one copy for each exchange. This
saving alone, in the course of a few
years, would pay the installation of this
•Telemcvies" system.
5. The cost, time and inconvenience of
shipping film by freight would be eliminated
entirely.
6. The exhibitor handles no cans of film,
and has no worry about fires, film damage,
etc. His entire program comes to
him over television wires.
7. Many theatres could cooperate on newspaper
advertising and share the costs,
since they would all be showing the
same film program.
8. Clearances would be slashed, although
first and second runs could be retained.
Only important theatres would receive
the film the first time it is televised.
Three weeks later, the film could be
televised again for reception in neighborhood
houses.
aO,000
/)LL
PEOPLE
OVE£ THE STftTE
M-G-M
WILL ftE SEEltJG
this picture at
exactlV the same
TiN^d, THIS ^lL^A
15 atlWC TELEVISED
FROM ^LBANY TO
ZOO THEATRES IN
Htw YoaiC Stats'.
AS YOO SEE IT,
So DO
,
iq^qqq OTHERS^
The two ad layouts above were submitted by Richard Anthony Averson of
\
pni[t>
Frankfort
N. Y., to illustrate his idea on the "Telemovies" system he envisions and his
conception of a type of advertising copy that may be used.
Although the work of the projectionist
would be lessened, he would still be needed.
His job would be to adjust the image, sound,
etc.. of the televised movie.
Projectors also could be retained. During
the short "break" in the program, local advertising
film could be shown, as well as
prevues. For instance, while a theatre Is
tuned to the MGM channel for hLs Sunday-
Wednesday program, he may have to .switch
to the Fox channel for his next program.
One couldn't expect the MGM channel to
show Fox prevues. Thus, the use of prevues
during the "break."
Of course, the above ideas may sound a
bit far-fetched, but on second thought, is
this "Telemovies" system impossible? Surely,
this is the logical way to adapt television to
the motion picture and make TV an aid. not
a hindrance. I am an optimist: I do not
think that home television will hurt movies
in the long run. With "T^elemovies" I think
that home reception sets will be reduced to
merely another "parlor game."
RICHARD ANTHONY AVERSON
514 Litchfield St..
Frankfort. N. Y.
P. S.: To further stress my point. I am enclosing
a couple of ads. which will be run
in local newspapers one of these days.
CONTRIBU'ia:S 'MOVIES' SLOGAN
To BOXOFFICE:
I think John Franconi's suggestion is a
pip. We never can get too many good, that
is. catchlines and copy. Here is my contribution:
Movies Have Been, and Still Are. Your
Best Entertainment Buy."
We have been using this for some time in
our ads. to supplement the Movies Are Better
Than Ever slogan.
PRANK L. PLUMLEE
Edwards and Plumlee Theatres,
Ritz Theatre Bldg..
Farmington, Mo.
Paramount Exploitation.
Publicity Men Shifted
NEW YORK—Several assignment changes
have been made in the Paramount publicity
and exploitation departments by Max E.
Youngstein. vice-president in charge of national
advertising, publicity and exploitation.
Fred Goldberg, formerly syndicate contact
in Mort Nathanson's publicity department,
has been put in charge of promotional tieups
under the direction of Sid Mesibov. exploitation
manager.
John Tassos. formerly in the exploitation
department, will take over as syndicate contact.
Bob Montgomery has been named editor of
Paramount News, sales department publication.
He succeeds Milt Hoffman, who has
resigned after eight years with the company
to return to Minneapolis, where he will operate
a publicity and advertising business.
Disney Is Awarded Plaque
For 'Treasure Island'
NEW YORK—Walt Disney was awarded
a bronze plaque on Tuesday (15) before the
premiere of "Treasure Island" at the Mayfair
Theatre by the Protestant Motion Picture
Council.
Dr. Daniel A. Poling, editor of Christian
Herald and president of the Christian Herald
A-ssn. made the presentation. It was accepted
by Leo Samuels in behalf of Disney.
22
BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950

This Is The Film
FROM
ALL OVER
THE COUNTRY
COMES THE
ACCLAIM:
"Most entertaining picture of the
year.
— Silver Screen
Picture of the Month — one
Hollywood's best."
—RedbooX
A hit.
— Newsweek
Fine, fascinating
"The most sensational thing on
picture.'
— Good Housekeeping sprockets!"
—Family Circle
i
"Will live as long as there is a Hollywood.
— —
It s a wow !
L,os Angeles Heraid l^ Express
Denver Rocky Mountaifi News
"Has the impact of a 'Lost Weel^i^ "One of the best pictures ever made."
end —
.
Parents' Magazine
— Youngstow /I y Ohio, Vindicator
"Creating a furor." —IFashington Star
"Highly unique."
—Look
"At Academy Award time, Swanson "Never heard such raves."
— Morning Telegraph
should be among top contenders."
— Coronet "Unusual film." -N. Y. Times
starring
WILiJAi liOI.Di:N • ai.ORIA SWANSON • ilKICII v(M STKOIililK!!
as Young Joe GillU as Norma Desmond as Max von Mayerling
With NANCY OLSON • FRED CLARK LLOYD GOUGH • • JACK WEBB • and CECIL B. DeMILLE • HEDDA HOPPER • BUSTER BEATON
ANNAQ. NILSSON H.B.WARNER FRANKLYN FARNUM • • • Produced by CHARLES BRACKETT • Directed by BILLY WILDER
Written by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder and D. M. Marshman, Jr.

. . Universal-International
— —
. . . Samuel
. . Monogram,
^c(l(fe(/wid ^e^i^nt
By
IVAN SPEAR
'Petty Girl' Tour Starts;
Lectures on 'Bergerac'
One facet of the industry's overall public
relations effort—personal appearances by
screen luminaries—is being vigorously pursued
by two production organizations.
Headed by Janis Carter, functioning as
mistress of ceremonies, Columbia dispatched
a planeload of "Petty Girls" from the picture
of that title to New York to launch a
tour of theatres in key cities. The tour will
result in a Columbia term ticket for one of
the gals. Selected for the trip were Barbara
Freking, Mona Knox, Shirley Ballard and
Dorothy Abbott, with each to appear in some
specialty—singing, dancing, comedy and dramatic
sketches—at each booking. Audiences
will be asked to determine, by their applause,
which one deserves the long-term prize.
And under the auspices of Pi-oducer Stanley
Kramer, actor Jose Ferrer is soon to
undertake a nationwide lecture tour on
"Cyrano de Bergerac," in the film version
of which he is starring under the ICi-amer
banner. Ferrer will meet with educational
and community leaders, as well as the press.
radio and television, in all major cities
San Francisco, Dallas, New Orleans, St.
Louis, Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, Boston,
Philadelphia, New York and Montreal.
He will not meet the general public in the
ordinary personal appearance fashion, but
will speak to especially selected community
leaders who will attend the lectures by invitation
only.
Story Purchases Include
Two 'Package' Deals
Two so-called "package" deals were among
the literary transactions completed during
the period. Independent Producer Frank
Seltzer picked up "The Gentleman and the
Redhead." co-authored by actor Edmond
O'Brien and his writer-brother, Liam O'Brien,
and at the same time set Edmond to star
therein . completed
negotiations with Director Kurt Neumann
for "Reunion in Reno," an original by
Brenda Weisberg and William Sackheim,
which Neumann owned, and signed Neumann
as the megaphonist on the comedy
Topical Title
on Draft
Registered by WB
There's no writer, there's no producer
no director and no cast—but Warner
Bros, registered a topical title.
"Ready, Willing and 4F" goes on the
Burbank studio docket as the first of
what may well develop into a topheavy
cycle of comedies based on the new national
draft.
Scrivenlng, thesplan, directorial and
production assignments are to be made
immediately in an effort to get the
vehicle before the cameras as quickly as
possible.
Bischoff, who had planned to
make it as an independent before he moved
over to RKO Radio in an executive capacity,
sold "Life Begins," an original by Sheridan
Gibney, to Columbia . on a
story-buying spree, purchased three other
properties. "The Sea Tiger," a published
short story by Charles Yerkow, will be produced
by William P. Broidy; added to the
King Bros, schedule for Allied Artists was
"Police Headquarters," an original by Thomas
Rafter, and Producer Lindsley Parsons acquired
"Trail Dust," an original by Actor
Warren Douglas, who submitted the script
under his real name, Warren D. Wandberg.
More Satirical Westerns
Readied for Production
Add still another title to the growing list
of burlesque westerns which are currently
being interspersed with straight sagebrush
fodder on Hollywood's production agenda.
An independent production unit headed by
Wally Kline and headquartering at General
Service studios is readying "The Adventures
of Skip-a-Long Rosenbloom" to star the
screen, radio and nightclub comedian and
former pugilist, Maxie Rosenbloom.
Set for supporting roles are two other
cabaret entertainers, Patti Moore and Ben
Lessy, and the script is by Eddie Forman.
It's the second comedy oater to be announced
for production within the recent
past. Out at MGM the producing-directingwriting
team of Norman Panama and Melvin
Frank is at work on "Callaway Went
Thataway," also a satirical version of the
standard western formula.
And, of course, on the Paramount docket
is "Pardners," in which Bing Crosby and
none other than Bill "Hopalong Cassidy"
Boyd will have the starring honors. That
Paul Jones production is being written by
Jack Sher and Arthur Sheekman.
New Cinecolor Process
To Bow at Columbia
Long-awaited by industry technicians. Cinecolor's
new three-color process will make its
bow on "When the Redskins Rode," a Sam
Katzman production now before the cameras
at Columbia. Dubbed Supercinecolor, the
process is also booked for use in four other
features to be made under the Columbia
banner.
The three-tint system utilizes a complementary
Eastman Kodak Monopack negative.
Prints are processed by Cinecolor.
Raoul Paget Now Manages
General Service Studio
Taking over duties as general studio manager
of the General Service lot was Raoul
Paget, who for the past five years has been
Samuel Goldwyn's pi'oduction manager . . .
. . . After two
Republic hoisted its option on Megaphonist
Phil Ford for another year
years as aide to Rufus LeMaire, talent executive
at Universal-International, David Johnson
resigned to join the Music Corp. of
America agency . . . Columbia handed Jesse
IN CONFERENCK— rriKhuiTs
William
Thomas (left) and William Pine (right)
hold a between-scenes huddle with John
Payne, starring for them in "Passage
West." The Technicolor opus is being
lensed for Paramount release.
L. Lasky jr. a term-writing ticket. He is currently
awaiting his first assigrmient.
Four Spade Cooley Films
Scheduled for Schwarz
A full one-eighth of his 32-picture distribution
commitment with Eagle Lion Is
being fulfilled by Producer Jack Schwarz
with the signing of a contract with an outfit
called United-International. Inc.. which
will produce four outdoor action subjects for
Schwarz.
starring Spade Cooley, the four films include
as the initialer "Border Raiders,"
already in work. Jack Seaman and Richard
Talmadge are the co-producers. Talmadge
directs. Harry Franklin is the production
manager and Arthur Hoerl wrote the original
screenplay.
Arthur Lubin to Produce
'Rhubarb' for Paramount
Abandoning his plans to produce and direct
the opus independently. Arthur Lubin
has disposed of his rights to "Rhubarb." the
H. Allen Smith novel, to Paramount. Lubin
goes along with it to direct, checking in at
the studio in October.
The transaction keeps Lubin in the "animal"
groove. He recently megged "Francis,"
Universal-International's comedy about a
talking mule, while "Rhubarb" is the story
of a cat which inherits $30,000,000 and a
baseball team.
'The Marines' First Spy'
Acquired by Nebenzal
In topical vein is Seymour Nebenzal's next
productional project. The independent filmmaker
plans "The Marines' First Spy," a
biography of Col. Pete Ellis, marine hero and
espionage agent, who was captured and disposed
of by the Japanese in the early 30s.
The Ellis story, to which Nebenzal acquired
the screen rights, was written for the Saturday
Evening Post by John L. Zimmerman.
Richard Benedict to Play
In 'Ace in the Hole'
The man in the hole in Paramount's "Ace
in the Hole" will be Richard Benedict, set
as the victim of a cavein in the Billy Wilder
production . . . Assigned the femme lead in
Warners' upcoming "I Posed as a Communist
for the FBI" was Ruth Roman.
24 BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950

I
M%b HENDRIX
.. John RUSSELL • John MclNTIRE • Jeanette NOLAN
story and Screenplay by HAROLD SHUMATE • Directed by HUGO FREGONESE • Produced by LEONARD GOLDSTEIN

—
G
fames
and
^f^^s^es&^^sssS.^-M^'Ss^.^s;^^^
Theatre Construction, Openings and Sales
CONSTRUCTION:
Albortvillo, Ala.— Construction begun on 400-car
drive-m !or W W Hammonds jr., CuUen B. Goss,
Lane Hum and Dewey Wells.
Amarillo, Tox.— Lester DoUison to begin construction
ol Skyway Drive- In soon.
Baker. Ore.—Hex Voellor starred construction of
300-car drive-in on Highway 30-
Bismarck, N. D.—Construction to start soon on
l.OGO-seat Dakota for Mitchell-Otis Co.
Boulder, Colo.— Flatirons Theatre under way lor
rialiron Corp.
Brov.'nwood, Tex.—Mr and Mrs. lack Needham
clearing ground lor drive-in to accommodate 400
cars-
Dallas. Tex.—Major L. N. Childress to build Hines
Boulevard, 750 cars, to be located on Hines boulevard.
Doniphan. Mo.—Mrs. Ethel J. Chilton started construction
of 150-car drive-in.
Green:burg. Ind.—S-stlos Theatres to break ground
soon for drive-in otnusemenl center.
Hamilton, Ont.- L. Nardello to erect theatre.
Las Vegas, N, M.—Construction started on Serf
Thea're
Los Alamos, N. M.—Bids to be opened soon ior
construction oi theatre and shopping center.
Lumbertoo, ^^s.—Construction of 470-seat Apex
started.
Maiden. Mo.—Maiden Amusement Co. constructing

CHESTER FRIEDMAN
EDITOR
OKOffIG
HUGH E. FRAZE
Associate Editor
SECTION
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN
i lot Jlckln %
A couple of months back, Kroger
Babb, president of Hallmark Productions,
addressed the Georgia theatre
owners on "How to Make the Boxoffice
Tick." Since then scores of
circuit heads and supervisors have
written to Babb requesting copies of
the speech for distribution to their
managers. It is surprising to note
such high interest in a subject in
which some circuits appear to have
lost interest.
Since the war years, there has
never been a full recovery of the
showman spirit which at the Chicago
Showmanship meeting was called
"the old-fashioned kind." Twentieth
Century-Fox took the bull by the
horns and tried to get the important
circuit heads back in the groove.
The guests were tremendously inspired,
and went home full of vim
and energy.
But what happened then? Was
there an all-inclusive wave of showmanship
to engulf the country in
behalf of the boxoffice? In some
sections good results were obtained
but in others, outside of an attempt
to sell a slogan instead of a doctrine,
nothing happened. There are circuits
which still are busy making
surveys in theatre lobbies instead of
ringing doorbells. One organization
we know recently concluded a survey
to determine what forms of advertising
are most effective. This
group spends a fortune yearly in
newspaper ads, but little on anything
else.
The circuit owner will tell you
there is nothing the manager cannot
do, if he so elects. Hum-bug and
tommyrot. In altogether too many
instances if the manager wants to
use an occasional circular, he must
get an okay first from the supervisor
who in turn contacts the publicity
department, which in turn must get
an approval from the top. The same
is true of window cards and other
forms of exploitation. And make no
mistakes, the word "occasional"
nveans once in a while, not as a
steady exploitation media, because it
costs too much.
The same circuit owner will tell
you that business today is either
very good or else it is extremely bad.
There is no in-between. That, he
(Continued on next page)
I
Down-to-Earth Selling
Covers 'Happy' Angles
Bob Portle. manager of the Elm Street
Theatre, Worcester, Mass., went back to "oldfashioned"
.showman.shlp and plenty of exploitation
to .sell two first run attractions on
a twin bill, "Mystery Street" and "The Happy
Years."
Sidewalks were stenciled, directional arrow-s
were placed on poles, grocery bags were
rubber-stamped with theatre copy, and a
new Nash car, bannered with signs, toured
the streets on a no-cost deal for the theatre.
Lawn signs were posted in residential areas,
banners were hung at the four main highways
leading into town and eight news trucks
carried posters tying in with Parents' magazine
serialization of "The Happy Years."-
A couple dressed in Gay Nineties costumes
walked through the downtown business area
with signs. Window displays were arranged
with nine stores selling books, Kodak film
and men's hats.
Youth organizations and adult groups were
contacted directly and urged to attend in
groups. A newspaper co-op ad was promoted
from a beauty shop featuring a head cut of
Sally Forrest with prominent credit.
Portle contacted seven night spots in the
area and promoted gratis plugs for the show
through music popular during "The Happy
Years." He used advance teaser trailers and
obtained a cross plug on the screen of the
affiliated Poli Theatre in Worcester.
Pull window displays were arranged by
tying in merchandise sales with production
stills at men's furnishing, florist, jeweler and
women's apparel stores. The program was
publicized In stores and art breaks in the
daily new.spapers. the Sunday Telegram and
the Jewish Civic Leader. Radio spots over
WTAG advertised the .show. E. J. Lazar.
assistant manager, helped in the campaign.
Good results were reported.
BOXOFFICE Showmandjser :
: August 19, 1950 — 277 — 27

'Annie' Contemporary
Gets Page One Story
And Photo Layout
Joe Bugala. manager of the Manos Theatre,
Unlontown, Pa., discovered that a local
citizen, Curtis Liston, had been a member
of the Buffalo Bill traveling show. He could
recall many happy memories of the years
when he traveled with Annie Oakley and
won scores of trophies and medals for his
marksmanship in the show.
Bugala located Liston and took him to the
offices of the Evening Standard where the
champion readily related some of the highlights
of his career. The paper photographed
Listen with his exhibit of trophies and used
a two-column feature on page one, with several
mentions of the fact that "Annie Get
Your Gun" was scheduled to open at the
Manos Theatre.
Bugala promoted a full-page ad from local
merchants, printed in two colors and
containing a four-column ad mat announcing
the picture under a banner streamer
titled, "The greatest show under the sun."
For current advertising, photos of the
crowds in front of the Manos office on opening
day were incorporated in special layouts,
with copy pointing up the fact that the
crowds represented the biggest turnout for
a motion picture in the history of the community.
Lucky Safecracker Gets
$250 'Robber' Diamond
A three-way tieup connecting the Stanley
Theatre, Philadelphia, with a local jeweler
and the Diebold Safe Co. helped "The Great
Jewel Robber." G«orge Balkin, manager,
promoted a $250 ring from the jeweler which
was locked in a safe and placed in the theatre
lobby. Thousands of circulars were distributed,
with picture copy and directions for
people to take the slips to the theatre for a
try at winning the diamond ring. Lock combinations
were set forth on each circular, and
the person who eventually opened the safe
received the ring.
Laughs Are Prescribed
For 'The Big Hangover'
Leonard Tuttle, manager of the St. Albans
iN.Y.) Theatre, used a novelty lobby stunt
on "The Big Hangover." One of the ushers
built a .street lamppost. Hanging to the post
was a dummy figure of a man who appeared
to be intoxicated. Adjacent was a cutout of
a schooner of beer lettered with copy "If you
want a real laugh hangover, see 'The Big
Hangover' etc." The display provided advertising
for the picture three weeks in advance
and provoked laughter and comment from
patrons.
Promo fes Car Giveaway
Stan Neivert. manager of the LeJeune Park
Drive-In at Miami, Fla., promoted a new
automobile giveaway for three local houses
operated by the Bernstein circuit. The stunt
was worked without cost to the theatres, in
return for stage and screen announcements.
flot Jlckln 9
(Continued from preceding page)
reasons. Is because when a picture is bad,
people slay home and watch television;
when the picture is good, they all come.
He could be ris;ht in his analysis.
On the other hand, there was a time in
this industry when the theatre gross was
staple each week. A house grossed a
STEADY income: with a poor film It
dropped off a little; with a good picture
it improved in proportion to the quality
of entertainment. Rarely was the shift
more than a few percentage points away
from the weekly average.
At that time, more attention was given
to regular advertising channels like window
cards, sniping, displays, flash fronts,
programs, circulars and ballyhoo. Today
there is too much dependence on newspaper
directory ads to attract patrons in
the metropolitan centers. All the eggs
are in one big basket and in big cities it's
an expensive basket with current lineage
rates.
When a circuit spends most of its
budget in newspapers and conducts a
survey in the lobby to determine which
forms of advertising attracted the patrons
to the boxoffice, it is not necessary to
look far for the results.
It seems m«ore practical, however, to
make a survey of the neighborhood surrounding
the theatre to find out if the
neighbors KNOW what is playing on the
local screen. That might give the circuit
a better idea of whether the advertising
is reaching the right people and in sufficient
quantities to fill up a theatre regularly
each week.
Kroger Babb made some pertinent remarks
in Atlanta on "How to Make the
Boxoffice Tick." So have many others. So
far, however, some have not shown any
inclination to wind the mechanism.
— Chester Friedman
Church Sermon, Hymn
Push 'Stars' Date
Duke Stalcup, manager of the Martin Theatre
in Opelika, Ala., is proud of the cooperation
he obtained from the pastor of the
First Baptist chuch on "Stars in My Crown."
Stalcup invited the pastor to attend a screening
a week prior to opening. The clergyman
was so impressed, he selected as the title of
his sermon the following Sunday. "Will there
be any 'Stars in My Crown?' " He also included
the hymn. "Will There Be Any Stars?"
in the services. Both the hymn and the title
of the picture were included in the weekly
church bulletin and program.
During his sermon, the pastor LeRoy
Steele gave the picture strong endorsement
and told the congregation; "This is a truly
great picture. We are quick to criticize the
wrong kind, and should be just as quick to
commend a wholesome picture like 'Stars in
My Crown.' " The influence of the sermon
was reflected in increased attendance during
the picture's three-day engagement.
31 Program Changes,
Attendance Prizes
Mark Anniversary
Apparently every one of the 2,030 inhabitants
of Okeechobee, Fla., holds Gilbert Culbreth,
owner-manager of the Gilbert Theatre,
in high esteem. Culbreth has owned
and operated the local film house for the
past 25 years. To commemorate the occasion,
he invited theatre patrons in the community
to help him celebrate his 25th anniversary
during July by offering a daily change
in program, with big cash prizes to those
having the best attendance records.
Registration cards were distributed during
the last week in June to anyone who asked
for them. Each time the card was presented
during the month, it was punched. A $100
cash prize and a one-year pa.ss to the Gilbert
were put up for a perfect 31-night score.
Second prize for attendance at 25 to 30 nights
was $50 and a six-month pass. Additional
cash prizes were put up for the third and
fourth persons having attended most regularly
during the month.
All through July, people showed theil appreciation
for Culbreth's civic interest and his
position as foremost proponent of entertainment
in the town by filUng the theatre to
capacity almost every night. Every Saturday
night, new house records were established.
Culbreth advertised the anniversary through
radio spot announcements, handbills, trailer,
window cards and lobby display. The stunt
was so successful, he is considering making
it an annual event.
Direct Mail Emphasizes
That Movies Are Better
Earle Holden, manager of the Center Theatre,
Hickory, N. C. compiled a list of persons
who have not been attending the theatre
lately, then prepared a pamphlet and mailed
it to them. The pamphlet is keyed to the
angle, "Here's proof that Movies Are Better
Than Ever." It includes the statement issued
by Arthur DeBra. director of community relations
for MPAA, attesting to the fine quality
of current motion pictures. About 30 of these
attractions with names of star performers
appear on one page, with the notation that
patrons can see them shortly at the Center.
The back page is devoted to plugs for institutional
services—comforts, sound, air conditioning
and other conveniences.
Praise of Preview Patrons
Used in 'My Crown' Ads
Comments of patrons who attended a preview
of "Stars in My Crown" were used in
advertising copy by H. M. Whitman, manager
of the Crisp Theatre, Tifton. Ga. Whitman
built a display board 8x12 feet in dimensions.
Comments of patrons and their addresses
were lettered on 12xl8-inch cards and placed
on the board with copy directing attention
to the neighbors' remarks.
The comments were used in newspaper and
radio advertisements. To this. Whitman
added his own personal endorsement of the
picture and a recommendation by the pastor
of the local church.
28 — 278 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser
: : August 19, 1950

Army Planes and Band
Bridal Theme Scatters
Cooperate to Greet
'The Big Lift' Frisco 'Marriage News
OThe
Fairview Theatre, Cleveland, hung up
a new attendance record during the engagement
of "The Big Lift" after Manager
^ ON SCREEM-nUJl DOUaAS -THE BIC LIFr
„1N PERSON - OHO NATIONAL GUARD BAIB
LCVr. HAMIY DSTLES '-BERLIN AIRLIFT
nESTER'MSTIWART FROM SKYWKr LOUNGE
Sid Holland tied up for an extensive recruiting
drive with ranking army and National
guard offices in the area.
The theatre lobby was converted into an
official recruiting headquarters beginning a
week prior to the opening. Holland offered
a prize for the first recruit who enlisted.
The recruit was presented the prize on opening
night at which time special ceremonies
were officiated over by the commanding
general of the 55th wing. Air National guard.
Other army officers were present as well
as the Ohio National guard band and acts
recruited from local night clubs.
Highlight of the evening's entertainment
was an account of the Berlin airlift by a
participant, Lieut. H. E. Distler of Cleveland.
The 112th Air National guard bomber squadron
flew over the theatre, and Big Lift week
was proclaimed by the mayor of Fairview.
Fairview papers gave the picture more than
30 Inches of free space. Two jeeps, exhibited
in front of the theatre, and uniformed personnel
helped attract current interest. The
community was bombarded by military plane.i
with enlistment applications and a few
passes.
Earlier Run, More Ads
When Alex Schneiderman, owner-manager
of the Strand, Concordia. Kas., bought un
earlier run of product, he decided to step
up his exploitation accordingly. He took
larger newspaper space, radio spots and distributed
window cards and one-sheets for
"Annie Get Your Gun." He backed up two
six-sheets on the marquee canopy and built
an A-board display on a truck for street
ballyhoo. The campaign cracked all house
records for attendance and receipts.
Ballyhoo Has Kick
A mule led around the streets with a sign,
"See my cousin at the Morris Theatre,"
helped "Francis" for Buddy Bass, manager
of the Morris Theatre, Daingerfield, Conn.,
newest addition to the W. W. McNatt circuit
When "A Modern Marriage" opened at the
Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, it
had the benefit of a unique campaign combining
the talents of the producer, distributor
and theatre representatives. The overall
campaign was planned by Louis S. Lifton,
director of advertising and publicity for
Monogram. Exploiteer Jao Willen, Helen
Wabbe, theatre publicist, and Producer David
Diamond helped set up personal appearances
of film stars on 19 radio shows, 11
published newspaper interviews and a contest
which attracted 18,000 contestants from
the radio audience.
Margaret Field, who has a star role in the
picture, and three featured players who appear
in "Triple Trouble," the associate feature,
participated in the premiere promotion
with stage appearances at the Golden Gate
as well as in the tight schedule of interviews
for the press and radio.
Four local papers carried special layouts
on the stars' guest appearances in juvenile
court and domestic court, sitting on the
bench with the judges. The radio contest
was aired over KYA with three cash prizes
offered for the best letters on "How I Made
My Marriage a Success."
Street ballyhoo was promoted from a
Studebaker dealer who provided a car. Four
attractive models served as "bridesmaids"
for Miss Field, who was constantly being
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : August 19, 1950

HARD WORK AND SHOWMANSHIP
MEAN PROFIT IN SMALL TOWNS
Business may be down but a showman is
never out as long as he keeps plugging away
to sell the merchandise he has. and has the
initiative and ambition to add local diversion
to his weekly program. Jesse White, city
manager of the Martin Tlieatres in Americus.
Ga., is a showman who works on this theory,
and that is perhaps the reason why most of
the 10.000 persons in the town take a lively
interest in the local theatres.
White puts on a campaign that looks as
good as any put on in the larger cities, and
what's more, he gets results at the boxoffice
where effort and showmansliip really count.
"Stars in My Crown" which recently played
the Martin Theatre received the full treatment
from White. He kicked off his campaign
with teaser ads in newspapers, on radio outlets,
in his house programs, in the lobby and
on the screen.
He staged a screening for clergymen, educators,
civic and service club leaders, newspapermen
and radio commentators. A film
company representative addressed the guests
after the screening, sounded them out on
their opinions of the picture and distributed
postal cards, urging them to pass their comments
along to friends, associates and colleagues.
Aside from the goodwill created at
the screening, tangible evidence of benefit
came in the form of extensive word-of-mouth
publicity and in newspaper stories and comments
by radio announcers.
Clubs, churches and merchants agreed to
sponsor a full page newspaper announcement
endorsing the picture. The layout included
a recommendation by White, a message from
Joel McCrea, star of the film, and comments
from local dignitaries who attended the
screening.
In addition to this. White promoted a 15-
minute radio broadcast consisting of a synopsis
of the story theme and comments from
those who saw the picture.
No less than three separate types of heralds
were used. They were distributed in
Americus and seven nearby towns.
Window
cards and bumper strips supplemented the
posting of one-sheets in these towns.
A colorful lobby display centered on the
Bible and pistol theme, and a six-sheet was
pasted to the floor of the lobby. Window
Program flyers promote special attractions at
fancy but tells the story so that home folks
QUIZ NITE PROGRAM
AT ROXY THEATRE
THURSDAY NITE AT 9:00 P.M.
TO BE BROADCAST OVER WDEC
FROM THE stage:
lACKPOT THURSDAT NITE IS S3S.00
To patticipjic you must be 12
years ol a|e or older, refisler
Wednesday or Thursday allernoon
at Roiy Theatre, or be
present at the Quiz Nile Program
Thursday Nite at 9:00 P.M.
II your name is drawn you will
be liven the opportunity to
answer a question, in person it
present, or over phone It you
have registered. II you answer
the question correctly you will
be given the iackpot Priie ol
S3S.00.
Please (ill out a lilint card and
register Wednesday or Thursday
alternoon or be present at the
Qui: Nite Program Thursday
Nite.
ON
OUR
Every Friday Nite at S:30 P.M.
"WDEC JAMBOREE"
Broadcast Over Radio Station WDEC
Direct From Sla{e
tlie SCntIN ATTRACTIORS
Um\i\ittt CMIdrtfl t»c, tdulti Mc
ROXY
Theatre—Americus, Ga.
J. B. WHITt. City kUnaftr
Op*iii Dally at liOO— Salyr lli4S LU.
UMlulon: AdilU Mk—Cbddria Itc (Tai ImL)
ciiiiiiiioiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiaiiB>
•>•••••••>••>•>>>
••••••••a la *"*=T._
See
MISS AMERICUS
Crowned
ON OUR STAGE
Wednesday Night, July 5
at 8:30 P.M. in
"Miss Americus Contest"
— Also —
SCREEN ATTRACTION
— Admission —
Adults 50c — Children 25c
Sponsored by
PILOT CLUB
Nothing pretentious but a flash front gets extra attention and extra dollars in the boxoffice.
Pictured here, the Martin Theatre, Americus, Ga., with "Stars in My Crown" on
current
exhibition.
displays with merchandising tieups were promoted,
a valance and false front helped current
exploitation, and the daily as well as
rural papers gave abundant publicity with
art.
White reports that record -brealcing business
was scored on the engagement.
One-night business boosters play an important
role in holding weekly grosses up, such
as a beauty pageant and a dance revue. The
Americus Pilot club sponsored the beauty
pageant, and the dance revue was staged by
a local school with a cast of 30 talented
artists.
Each promotion was given special exploitation
and excellent newspaper plugs.
At the Roxy, White has two big stage attractions
going every week which keep attendance
at a high peak and build an everincreasing
audience because both shows are
broadcast over Radio Station WDEC.
Thursday night a Quiz .show is the big
draw, but patrons wlio register at the theatre
are eligible to compete for the cash and
prizes even if they stay at home, through a
the Roxy Theatre in Americus. Copy is not
can understand it.
telephone gimmick. The quiz is open to every
one over 12 years of age. so that the teenagers
also have a chance to share in fame
and glory.
On Fridays the Roxy presents the WDEX:;
Jamboree which includes all types of entertainment
popular with the rural folk. There
is hillbilly music, dancers, singers and square
dancing to entertain the audience. The show
is recorded and rebroadcast over WDEC on
Saturday night.
Movies Are Better Than Ever has been
adapted to provide patrons with a slogan to
remind them to attend the theatres more
often. In the lobby and in the regular house
program as well as on the screen, both theatres
constantly remind patrons of coming
hits scheduled for early release at the Martin
and Roxy.
Ads Feature Comments
Of Theatre Staffers
Jack Pardue, manager of the Lyric Theatre,
Elkin, N. C, devised an effective newspaper
campaign on "Francis." He took pictures
of members of the staff—the cashier,
projectionist, ushers, porters, etc.—showing
each of them laughing heartily. The photos
were then incorporated in separate ads, with
copy identifying the people and explaining
that they just couldn't help howling after
seeing a preview of "Francis." According to
Pardue, the picture did exceptional business
for which he believes the campaign was
mainly responsible.
For street ballyhoo, a bale of hay was
placed outside the theatre with a sign lettered,
"Reserved for 'Francis.' " On opening
day and through the run, a mule was stationed
outside during peak attendance hours.
At noontime, the animal w'as led around the
streets by a theatre employe dressed in army
fatigues.
30 — 280 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: August 19, 1950

Cycling Competition
And Band Concerts
Mark Anniversary
Special stage activities on five weekday
nights helped stimulate business at the Regent
Cinema, Chatham, Kent, England, and
commemorate the 12th anniversary of the
opening of the theatre.
G. Williams, manager, and assistant A.
Newton promoted three birthday cakes which
were placed on exhibition and later presented
to three local couples who won the
titles of Longest Married Sweethearts in the
community. The mayor of Chatham made
the presentation on the stage and commended
Williams and the theatre for civic
enterprise and interest.
Banners in and outside the theatre proclaimed
an official welcome to patrons on
the first night of the anniversary celebration.
The Medway Imperial Silver band entertained
the audience with a half-hour
concert.
On two nights patrons were treated to an
added attraction provided by the Medway
Wheeler Cycling club. Members competed in
various speed tests for a Regent challenge
trophy. Finals were held on the stage after
eliminations were conducted through a special
tread-mill device which registers speed
and mileage.
Williams promoted the services of the Reginal
Simpson Light orchestra for another
night and this group delighted the audience
with a program of popular music.
On the final night cadet bands of the
British marines and the British engineers
marched to the theatre with banners and
were presented in a concert program to the
delight of the audience.
A souvenir program was printed, merchant
ads defraying the costs. These were sold and
proceeds were donated to a local charity.
Press cooperation in publicizing the anniversary
and the special events was excellent.
Ralston Tieup Assists
'Father' in Providence
Maurice Drucker, manager of the State
Theatre, Providence, R. I., obtained the cooperation
of public library officials in the
distribution of 2,000 bookmarks advertising
"Father of the Bride." Two hundred Yellow
cabs displayed bumper strips, and members
of the Associated Grocers displayed posters
tied in with the Ralston cereal promotion.
Drucker promoted 7.000 sample boxes of
cereal for presentation to theatre patrons
during the picture's engagement.
Co-op ads were promoted from Gorham
silverware dealers and the Sorority shop.
Milk bottles distributed by a dairy carried
hangers advertising the State Booking inio
3,000 homes in the Providence area.
BOXOFFICE NUGGETS
Leslie Brown, manager of the Capitol
Cinema, Barking, England, recently played
the fight films of the Bruce Woodfock vs.
Lee Savold bout. For special exploitation, he
obtained a collection of recent fight photographs
from the editor of a sporting paper.
These were attractively displayed in the theatre
foyer, flanked by British and American
flags. Press cooperation was enlisted, resulting
in stories on the sports pages.
Bill Israel, manager of the Earle in Philadelphia,
placed a telescope on the sidewalk
and invited passersby to "look into the future,"
as advance and current ballyhoo for
"Rocketship XM." At the far end of the
telescope, a typewritten message was visible
to the viewer with a picture plug.
Ed Meade, publicity manager for Shea's
Buffalo Theatre, arranged an attractive window
display with the Adam, Meldrum and
Anderson department store to exploit "Father
of the Bride." He obtained the original
wedding gown worn by Ehzabeth Taylor in
the film and had it displayed in a prominent
window of the store, with still montages and
a credit card announcing the Buffalo playdates.
Unable to contact schools when he played
"The Red Shoes" because of the summer
recess, George Cameron, manager of the
Holland Theatre, Bellefontaine, Ohio, had
his cashier call all prominent famihes in
town and inform them of the booking. He
made tieups for window displays in women's
shops and shoe stores and a complete tiein
with books.
A lifetime policy of the Findlay (Ohio)
Republican Courier was upset when Bill
Dworski, manager of the local Harris Theatre,
promoted and had pubUshed a full page
co-op ad in behalf of "Cinderella." Banner
headline carried a welcome for the picture
from the merchants, who tied in to promote
"Cinderella" tumblers, frocks, records, cutout
books, apron patterns, etc. The picture did
business corresponding to the strong campaign.
All ABOARD.'. . FOR PROFITS!
SHOWMEN.
HOP ABOARP
HALLMARKS
STREAMIINEP
GRAVY TRAIN
HEAPING YOUR WAY
WITH REAL
MONEY MAKING
^ATTRACTIONS
Cars Launch 'Rocketship
Lester Fagg, manager of the Roxy, Tacoma,
Wash., promoted an automobile parade to
exploit "Rocketship XM." He contacted the
local Oldsmobile dealer and arranged for a
procession of new cars to tour the town and
suburbs with banners hailing the picture
opening. Heading the parade was a flat-bed
truck carrying a huge rocket display.
HALLMARK PRODUCTIONS.M
HALLMARK BLDG., WILMINGTON, OHIO
e^nc/i O^m: LOS ANClUt ' CHICJtCO * CIIVEUIND ' NIW TOIIK C|TV
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser
:
: August 19. 1950 — 281 — 31

English Shopkeepers
Take Window Display
Contest Seriously
A competition among merchants testing
their creative ability in setting up window
displays can be a
mighty useful promotion
medium for theatres
if the merchants
are properly inspired.
This was proved recently
by H. Clayton-
Nutt. manager of the
Broadway Cinema, Eccles.
Lanes., in England.
Clayton-Nutt got a
citywide plug for "The
Happiest Days of Your
Life" which was head
H. Clayton-Nutt
and shoulders above any tieup he has put
over in recent months. The main reason
his idea turned out successfully was that
he had the District Cooperative society
encourage the merchants to participate.
The secretary of that organization, whicli
is similar to our own Chamber of Commerce,
sent letters to each member setting
forth the rules of the competition, the
prizes, and a recommendation that merchandise
tieups be used with the title of
the picture and the theatre playdates.
As a result, more than 30 of the most
important shopkeepers in the community
developed displays on this theme. From the
theatre, they received only a card listing
the picture playdates. Theatre ticliets were
the prizes.
The Broadway manager went allout with
his campaign to publicize the playdates. He
promoted advertising to underwrite the cost
of 4,000 special programs, and got 100 per
cent cooperation from the press in letting
the public in on the window competition.
All merchants participating in the contest
who had trucks, used banners on the vehicles
which further helped to exploit the film.
One newspaper sponsored a contest for
essayists on "The Happiest Days of My
Life" and another paper dispatched a staff
reporter to award theatre passes to cheerful
persons he encountered on the streets.
Each tieup was punctuated by special writeups
in the news columns, with attendant
publicity for the Broadway playdates.
Silk screen process cards were distributed
over a wide area and package inserts were
distributed by clerks in many stores to
exploit the dates.
Front, Window Tieups
Help 'Good Humor Man'
A false front made up from 40x60s, onesheets
and stills proved an inexpensive and
effective promotion for "The Good Humor
Man" at the Rialto Theatre, Amsterdam,
N. Y. The front was built under the direction
of Manager Dick Lewis who secured
eight window displays for the picture, promoted
300 Captain Marvel comic books as a
giveaway and arranged for posters to be displayed
in the leading hotels.
Lobby Displays Boost
Average Attendance
Displays built in the lobby of the Cedar
Theatre. Cedartown, Ga., publicized two recent
sh«ws for Manager Andy Johnson. For
"Deputy Marshal," an arch was made from
materials salvaged from old displays to simulate
the entrance to a ranch. Picture title
and stars were lettered on the top section.
In the center of the arch, a manikin
dressed in cowboy clothes, all borrowed from
a neighborhood merchant, gave the display
an atmospheric touch.
For "Ghosts on the Loose." Johnson played
up the comedy angle by placing a dummy's
head and a pair of false teeth in a glass
case with a sign reading: "This man lost
his teeth, laughing, etc." On both attractions,
Johnson reports above average grosses.
Hopalong Club Doubles
Saturday Attendance
The only Hopalong Cassidy club in the
Cleveland area has helped to double normal
Saturday matinee attendance for Ed Weis.s,
manager of the Broadview Theatre.
Weiss has a tieup with one of the largest
department stores in the city and the only
retail outlet for Cassidy products. The kidi
get numbered tickets each week, good for
Cassidy toys and wearing apparel which is
provided by the store in return for a co-op
plug on the stage.
Weekly prizes are displayed in the lobby
with posters advertising the following week's
feature film.
Miniature Volcano Set
In Lobby for 'Stromboli'
A miniature volcano built from odd materials
found around the theatre helped
"Stromboli." R. S. Kinniburgh, manager of
the Regal Cinema, Coatbridge, Scotland,
placed linen streamers across a wire frame
to shape the display. This was colored to
simulate earth and flowing lava. Lighting
effects were installed by the theatre's projectionist,
and furtlier animation was provided
by immersing dry ice in water to give
off steam. The title was suspended over the
display in large metallic letters. The elfect
was a realistic, active volcano.
Pin Tail of the Donkey;
Win Passes to 'Francis'
For "Francis," Manager James Lloyd of
the Campus Theatre, Milledgeville, Ga., invited
patrons to "pin the donkey's tail" and
win passes. A color picture of a donkey was
posted in the lobby. The doorman handed
patrons a pin and a donkey's tail cutout.
Those scoring a bull's-eye were rewarded
with a ticket to see "Francis." A man led
a jackass through the streets with a sign
announcing. "Everyone's going to see
'Francis' except me and you know what
I
am."
Flowers Scent Cash Box
The boxoffice of the Strand Theatre, Hartford,
Conn., gets a daily change of fresh
flowers through a tieup arranged by Manager
Jim McCarthy. In exchange for a
courtesy card bearing his business trade
name, a florist supplies a daily bouquet.
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32 —
:
282 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : August 19, 1950

—
Campaign Is So Good Even the Boss
Tosses a Bouquet at the Manager
Austin Hosteller's campaign on "Battleground"
was good enough to elicit high
praise from William P. Miller, general manager
for the Bernstein Theatres, and from
MGM exploitation men. The promotion
created widespread interest and increased
business. Hostetler is manager of the State
Theatre in Elkhart, Ind. He launched his
campaign two full weeks prior to opening
with advertisements in the daily newspapers
and weekly publications in the rural areas.
One-sheets, three-sheets and six-sheets
were posted in Elkhart and surrounding
towns. Hostetler lined up five full window
displays built around captured German
weapons and equipment. A display tieing in
the army recruiting campaign was set in the
lobby, and the entire countryside was
blanketed with 1,000 special posters imprinted.
"Don't let Elkhart become a 'Battleground.'
See 'Battleground' at the State,
etc." One thousand green-and-red signs
were placed on telephone booths.
About a dozen merchants permitted paper
bags to be stamped with a special imprint
on the dates. Two thousand heralds were
distributed in advance and an additional
2.000 on opening day. Radio spots and special
plugs on disk jockey shows stimulated
additional publicity. Five hundred window
cards were placed in strategic locations.
Special activity lined up for opening day
included a proclamation issued by the mayor
of Elkhart and published in the daily news-
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Plastic Signs Engraved for the Entire Theatre
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SPORTSERVICE CORP.
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For INDOOR and DRIVE-IN THEATRES
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SAM GERTZ,
Licensor
414 WBllinglon Ave. Chicago 14. ininon
paper. A parade was staged with veteran
groups, Gold Star mothers, the United States
Fifth army band, and three companies of
National guard units. Special services were
conducted in front of the theatre, with the
mayor and an army chaplain officiating.
The U.S. Fifth army band was brought to
town early in the morning by buses. It made
a tour of several band instrument plants,
and entertained with several concerts prior
to participating in the parade.
Two National guardsmen explained the
mechanics of a 75mm gun on display in front
of the theatre during the run.
Buck for 73 Cents Stunt
Covered by Toledo Blade
In a city with only one major daily newspaper,
getting that paper to go along on a
publicity stunt is quite a feat. Abe Ludacer,
manager of the Valentine Theatre, Toledo,
accomplished this in behalf of "Winchester
'73." Ludacer dispatched a young woman
dressed in cowgirl garb to dispose of silver
dollars for 73 cents on the downtown streets.
A photographer on the Toledo Blade snapped
the stunt and the paper used a six-column
photo layout depicting the reactions of people
who were offered the cash bargain.
Indian Relics of Scouts
Stimulate 'Comanche'
A colorful assortment of Indian relics and
handicraft made an effective lobby display
for Frank Costa, manager of the Warner
Theatre, Ridgewood, N. J., on "Comanche
Territory." The exhibit, featuring totem poles,
native headdress, mounted animals, war
drums, war pipes and a teepee, was obtained
from laoapaugh lodge of the Order of the
Arrow, an honorary society of Boy Scouts.
The Sunday News featured a news page of the
exhibit. The paper goes to 18,000 homes in
the area.
Ballyhoo Ups Interest
In 'Father of Bride'
For a gratis street ballyhoo on "Father of
the Bride," Howard Burkhardt, manager of
the Midland Theatre, Kansas City, made an
effective tieup with the U-Drive-It firm. The
company provided a new car equipped with
an overhead frame in which was mounted a
sign announcing the playdates, and the suggestion
that honeymooners could rent cars
from the U-Drive-It dealer. A young couple
in bridal getup occupied the vehicle as it
was driven around the streets.
Drinks Entice AA Folk
Arnold Gates, manager of the Stillman
Theatre. Cleveland, provoked amusing chuckles
from passersby through a sign placed near
the boxoffice welcoming Members of Alcoholics
Anonymous during their recent convention.
Across the bottom of the sign was the
assuring notice. "Cool. Refreshing Soft
Drinks Inside."
CLEARING HOUSE
(Continued from Inside back cover)
POPCORN MACHINES
Rebuilt Popcorn Machines for sale. Fully guaranteed.
Price from $100. Consolidated Confectinns.
1314 S. Wabash. Chicago 5. 111.
Burch. Manley, Cretors, Advance, all electric
french fry types. 50 Hollywood type, theatre
special electric poppers from $250. Karmelkorn
Kiiiiipment. 120 S. Halsted. Ctilcago 6. 111.
Super Star popcorn machine, good condition,
$175, freight paid. Don Theatre. Lovelady, Texas.
POPCORN SUPPLIES
Attractively printed popcorn cartons for sak.
10c size. $6.25 M; 25c size, $16,00 M. Fabian
Knntney. i;09 N. Ash!;ind. Green Bay. Wis.
Blevins' Pops-Rite Box with Wm. A. Rogers
"Box-Top" Silverware Premium offer l.s booming:
popcorn sales! BIwins Popcorn Co.. Popcorn
Village, Nashville, Tenn.
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
Bingo with more action. $2.75 thousand cards.
Also other games. Novelty Games Co., 1434 Bedford
Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Bingo die-cut cards, two colors, 75 or 100 numbers,
$3 per M. Bingo screen dial, $30. Premium
Products. 339 W. 44lh St., New York 18, N. Y .
Giveaway everything now. dinnerware to cars!
Merchant advertising tie-up. No cost to theatre.
Inrerstate Theatre Service, 1115 East Armour,
K. C, Mo.
Dartaway: Two sensational new theatre games
of skill. Fill those empty seats. Don't wait
start now. Over 200 theatres now using our games.
No theatre too big or too small. Write or wire
Partawny Enterprises, Inc.. Shawnee, Kas .
Comic books available as premiums, giveaways
at ytiur kiddy shows. Large variety, latest newsstand
editions. Comics Premium Co.. 412B, Greenwich
St
. , N. Y. C- Publications for premiums
(exclusively) since 1939.
"Open the safe." Get back in Show Business.
Mnre publicity than Barnum had. Details, $10.
Boyer Amusement Co.. Box 137. Str.isburg, Ohio.
THEATRICAL PRINTING
Window cards, programs, heralds. Photo-Offset
Printing. Cato Show Printing Co., Cato. N. Y.
THEATRE TICKETS
Prompt service. Special printed roll tickets,
100.000, $24.85: 10,000. $7.30: 2.000. $4.90.
Eiieh change in admission price, inchidtng change
in color $3 00 extra. Double numbering extra.
(F.O.B. Kansas City, Mo.) Cash with order.
Kansas City Ticket Co.. Dept. 9, 1819 Central.
Kansas City, Mo.
ABOUT NOT USING A BOX
NUMBER ON THAT AD YOU
RAN IN BOXOFTICE!"
ON
MORE CLASSIFIED
INSIDE B.\CK COVER
BOXOrnCE Showmandlsor : : August 19. 1950 — 283 — 33

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34 BOXOFFICE :
: August 19. 1950

:
okay Given fo Walsh
On Local 244 Policy
DETROIT—The lATSE convention gave
unanimous support of the handling of
the Newark Local 244 situation my President
Richard F. Walsh. The problem in
Newark was detailed by Thomas J. Shea,
assistant president. Two members of 244,
Charles Strong and J. Gilligan, took to
the floor to present their side of the
arguments. However, Walsh made it
clear that lATSE will have nothing to do
with the local while it is under superior
court receiver.
At the meeting a recommendation that
delegations from any one local be limited
to ten members at future meetings without
cutting the voting power of the locals was
voted down. This was a recommendation
of the executive board and its reasons
were that the limited delegations would
make it easier to obtain adequate hotel
facilities and help cut convention expense.
Nine large locals, principally in
New York and Hollywood, and about 70
delegates would have been affected by
such a step.
25-Cent Warner Dividend
NEW YORK—Warner Bros, has declared
a dividend of 25 cents a share on its common
stock, payable September 25.
Name Second Arbitrator
In Bridgeport Dispute
NEW YORK—Jay Emanuel of Philadelphia
will be arbitrator in the Bridgeport, Conn.,
clearance dispute which has had its ups and
downs since S. H. Fabian consented to act
as arbitrator early in April and then withdrew
May 3 when two interveners dropped
out of the case.
Now all the other interveners are out, for
reasons which they refuse to state, and the
case boils down to one of the Elmwood Theatre
Corp. operators of the Hy-Way and
Beverly theatres, against Loew's Paramount,
20th Century-Fox, Warner Bros, and RKO.
The original civil suit filed with the U. S.
District Court of Connecticut named Columbia,
Universal-International and United Artists
as other defendants, but they have not
ducted under the auspices of the American
Arbitration Ass'n.
Fabian withdrew when the Strand Amusement
Co., operating eight theatres, and Jack
Schwartz, operating two theatres, failed to
indicate their Intention to participate. He
said then that the theatres not being subject
to "the award of this arbitration, will
then undoubtedly, if dissatisfied, go to court,
so that court action has not been eliminated."
The interveners accepting arbitration at
lATSE Board Studies Six Proposals
For New Distributor
DETROIT—Six important proposals to be
used as a guide in negotiating contracts with
distributors for employes in exchanges were
presented to general executive board of the
lATSE at its convention here this week.
Whether negotiations will be carried on by
the locals or on a national scale is to be
determined in a referendum of the locals.
The working conditions of film exchange
employes came to the fore Wednesday afternoon
when some significant changes in the
demands to be made by the union after the
pre.sent contracts expire were indicated. The
basic question of local vs. national negotiation
was to.ssed up to the general office of
the union, which will conduct a referendum
of the exchange locals. A proposal for each
local to have an option whether it would
negotiate locally or through the national
office was on the floor— this would apply to
all described as "special department locals,"
commonly referred to as "B locals."
An informal referendum has been taken
by President Richard Walsh in the past en
this question, and on each occasion has resulted
in a substantial majority for national
negotiation, and the present convention
moves indicated that the majority sentiment
still favors this practice. There is some
sentiment that "some locals are now capable
of local negotiating which proponents assert
promotes better spirit and understanding between
the locals and the film distributors."
But the strength of those taking this view
will be tested in the poll to be taken.
Contracts
Six important proposals for provisions to
be included in the next contract with distributors
were turned over to the general
executive board for action. While not actually
adopted, they indicate the line of thinking
of individual leaders in the exchange
locals. They are
1. A "logical" pension plan with each distributor
to take care of members "who devote
their entire lives in behalf of distributors."
2. Security of employment through provision
for severance pay of 26 weeks after
five years of service and 52 weeks after ten
years with the same distributor.
3. Simplification of rate scales with only
one minimum scale for each job classification,
in place of the existing rate-range scale.
It is contended that the rate-range type of
agreement has forced a low minimum into
effect for skilled job classifications, and has
resulted in lowering the quality of new employes.
4. Vacations with pay at the scale of one
week after six months of employment, two
weeks after one year and three weeks after
ten years.
5. Prohibition against office managers performing
duties that are considered to belong
to union job classifications; specifically,
booking and cashiering, in exchanges employing
ten or more persons.
6. Pointing out that distributors have "successfully
effected layoffs," the proposal
pas.sed on to the board asks for a 35-hour
w'ork week on a five-day basis. Monday
through Fi-iday only, with all Saturday work
to be paid at time and a half and Sunday
work at double time.
that time were Albert M. Pickus, operator of
the Stratford in Stratford, and the West Side
Amu.sement Co., operator of the Barnum in
Bridgeport. Now they have decided not to be
a party to the arbitration.
Monroe E. Stein of New York is attorney
for Elmwood, Herman M. Levy, general counsel
for the Theatre Owners of America, represents
the other original interveners except
the West Side company, whose attorney is
Herbert O. McDonald of New Haven. None
would say why the dispute has narrowed
down to one of Elmwood against the Big
Five.
The original plan to resort to arbitration
to take the dispute out of the courts was
hailed as a step in the right direction. Fabian
was selected as arbitrator because of his wide
knowledge of the industry. Before that, under
the old court decree, no arbitrator could
be chosen who was associated with the industry.
But it was pointed out that because
the case came into being during the term
of the old AAA three-man appeal board, Fabian's
decision could be appealed to the
board. The same situation holds true today.
The dispute concerns the Hy-Way Theatre,
part of which is in the town of Stratford and
the rest in Bridgeport. Fabian began physical
inspections of the theatres involved April 11
along with attorneys representing distribution
and exhibition. Sam Pinanski, TOA
president, said then, in applauding the selection
of Fabian, that the industry badly needs
"some form of arbitration to take these
things out of the courts . . . TOA is very sincere
about this. I'd like to see all in the
business join in a full discussion. The news
about the Bridgeport matter is an encouraging
move in the right direction." He hoped
for a conference in which all segments of
the industry would participate. Distribution
company heads had replied to a TOA letter
suggesting one. and Pinanski said he had
high hopes of an early conference. It is still
pending, however.
Fabian was to begin taking testimony May
3 at AAA headquarters in New York, but he
withdrew officially on that day. Several days
before, there had been a postponement to a
tentative date of May 17. Fabian remarked
that he still believed that "arbitration can
settle almost all of the disputes that arise
in the operation of our business."
Emanuel has named August 29 as the day
he will make his inspection of the theatres.
W. F. Rodgers 'Flattered'
By Ben Marcus Mention
NEW YORK—William F. Rodgers, MGM
vice-president and general sales manager,
said Friday (18) he had been flattered to
hear that Ben Marcus, president of the Allied
Independent Tlieatre Owners of Wisconsin,
had suggested him as head of a proposed
new system of arbitration boards.
Rodgers said he hadn't been approached directly
on the matter, and that if he was, he
would have to decline because he is under
contract to MGM.
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 N 35

. . . Ray
. . . Philip
. . Joan
BROADVJAy
Tack Benny, his wife Mary Livingston, and
* Phil Harris and his wife Alice Faye returned
from London after making a personal
apperirance at the Palladium. Michael Arlen.
British author, arrived on the same boat.
Marie Powers, star of the Broadway hit. "The
Consul." sailed lor London. She will recreate
the title in the film version of the Menotti
opera. "The Medium." to be made in Italy
Milland. with his w'ife and two
children. Daniel and Victoria, also departed
to make a film in London. Errol Flynn is
also Europe-bound to make a picture in
France with Micheline Prelle co-starred.
Howard Dietz. MGM vice-president, returned
from a tw^o-week visit to the coast
studio and left by plane for England for a
. . . Luigi Luraschi. head of
brief vacation
censorship at the Paramount studio, planed
. . . Lloyd
in after several weeks in Paris, Rome and
London, then left for Hollywood
Bridges arrived from Rome, where he completed
a starring role in W. Lee Wilder's
"Three Steps North," and left for Hollywood
two days later after brief conferences with
United Artists officials on the release of the
picture.
. . .
Ava Gardner. MGM star who recently completed
"Pandora and the Flying Dutchman"
in England, was here for a short stay before
returning to Hollywood Messmore Kendall,
president of the Capitol Theatre, and
wife left for Canada for a two-week fishing
trip . . . M. L. Simons, assistant to H. M.
Richey and editor of the MGM sales organ,
the Distributor, is vacationing at Paris, 111.,
his home town. He is due back August 21
. . . Fred Jack, United Artists western and
southern sales manager, returned after concluding
a deal for "The Men" to play the
Wilby houses in Alabama during September.
Rudy Berger and John S. Allen, MGM field
sales managers, came in from Washington
and Dallas for home office conferences . . .
Jerome Adams. MGM manager from Washington,
was in town for home office talks.
Kathryn Grayson, MGM star who recently
completed "Grounds for Marriage," will join
her singer-husband, Johnnie Johnston, for
two w-eeks. Arlene Dahl, another MGM star,
returned to the coast after making a series
of appearances in connection with "Tliree
Little Words" . . . Joan Blondell was back
after completing 20th-Fox's "For Heaven's
Sake." her first film in four years . . Gloria
.
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Swanson completed a 20.0U0-mile wide tour
of 31 cities in behalf of her film, "Sunset
Boulevard."
. . . Frank N.
Samuel and Mrs. Goldwyn attended the
wedding of their son Samuel jr. to Jennifer
Howard, daughter of the late Sidney Howard,
at Berkeley, Calif. August 16 . . . Lou Lifton.
Monogram-Allied Artists advertising and
publicity director, returned to the coast after
.screening "The Dancing Years." Technicolor
musical, for the press here
Phelps. Warner Theatres labor relations head,
attended the lATSE convention in Detroit
. . . L. J. Kaufman, Warner Theatres executive,
was in Cleveland and Pittsburgh during
the week.
Pincus Sober, MGM legal department,
planed to Paris and Brussells to act as American
AAU delegate for the international games
Gerard. U-I eastern publicity manager,
accompanied a group of magazine,
newspaper and syndicate representatives to
Phoenixville, Pa., August 16-17 where "Lights
Out" is on location at the army hospital
. . . Bill McGaw, owner-manager of Joie-
Chitwood's Audio Daredevils, which were
used in MGM's "To Please a Lady," conferred
with Clarence Brown, producer-director
of the film.
Lynn Farnol, public relations man, got back
from the coast . . . Alfred F. Corwin. director
of information at the Motion Picture Ass'n
of America, and wife became parents of a
daughter named Consuela Burian.
.
secretary to Gael Sullivan, executive director
of the Theatre Owners of America, has returned
from a two-week vacation at Nantucket.
'Tea for Two' Showgirls
Begin Tour August 22
NEW YORK—Warner Bros, has laid out
the schedule of two showgirls from the cast
of its Technicolor musical, "Tea for Two,"
who are due here August 22 to begin a fourweek
tour of ten eastern cities. They are
Camille Williams, who will be "Miss Hot
Tea for Two," and Ann Zika, who will be
"Miss Iced Tea for Two." They will visit New
York, Atlantic City. Philadelphia, Washington,
Pittsburgh, Boston, Providence, Rochester,
Buffalo and another city to be selected.
Warner Bros, has a tiein with the Tea
Bureau. In each city the girls will wear "Tea
Tone" gowns created by Ann Sadowsky and
be hostesses at press tea parties in a hotel
or restaurant. These affairs will feature
dancing, a fashion show and other entertainment.
The New York party will be at the
Tavern-on-the-Green Thursday (24).
Vivian Moses' Nephew Killed
NEW YORK—'Vivian M. Moses, of the RKO
publicity staff, received news this week of the
death in action on the Korean front of his
nephew. Capt. Vivian M. Moses jr., a pilot
in the marine corps. 'Vivian jr. was the son
of Henry P. Mo.ses of Sumter, S. C.
A top role in the Metro film. "The Red
Badge of Courage." has been assigned to Andy
Devine.
Industry Views Mingled
On New O'Dwyer Job
NEW YORK— Film men look at
President
Truman's selection of Mayor William
O'Dwyer as ambassador to Mexico with
mingled emotions. O'Dwyer has been a
good friend of all segments of the industry
here, and he can al.so be valuable as
one who understands and represent its
viewpoints in dealings with the Mexican
government. Since he will be in a position
to aid distributors rather than exhibitors
in his new position, they are
more inclined to welcome his transfer of
service.
Exhibitors will not be backward in seeking
from the new mayor the same type
of friendly relationship that prevailed
with O'Dwyer.
SEG Plans Industry Meet
To Discuss Film Layoffs
NEW YORK—The Screen
Employes Guild
will sponsor an all-industry union conference
at the Malin studio August 31 in an attempt
to discourage layoffs in the film companies.
Employes of all the major firms, as well as
all industry unions, in the east, will be represented.
The conference originally was
scheduled for August 17, but was postponed
due to the lATSE biennial convention in Detroit
during the week of August 14.
In Washington, the National Labor Relations
board has ordered an election by publicists
employed by west coast members of
the Independent Motion Picture Producers
Ass'n and the Society of Motion Picture Producers
to determine whether they shall be
represented by the Screen Publicists Guild.
Eight TV Shows Are Used
For 'Petty Girl' in N.Y.
NEW YORK—Janis Carter and four other
girls who were touring with her as part of
Columbia's promotion of "The Petty Girl"
opening at the Capitol Theatre Thursday
117) appeared on a series of television programs.
The first of eight guest spots was Wednesday
(16) from 8 to 8:15 on the NBC TV station.
Others were: "Date in Manhattan,"
"Roosevelt Raceway," "Robert Q. Lewis," "At
the Stork Club," "Ted Steele," "Easy Does It"
and "George Carson Putnam."
Trailers, film clips and 20-second spots
have been prepared by Columbia for TV use
elsewhere in advance campaigns.
L. H. Lipskin Named Aide
To Joseph McConvllle
NEW YORK—Lawrence H. Lipskin has
been named assistant to Joseph A. McConville.
president of Columbia Pictures International
Corp. He will be in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation and have
other duties. It is a new post.
Lipskin has been assistant for five years
to N. B. Spingold. Columbia vice-president.
He gave up newspaper work to join the company
in 1937. His former position will not
be filled.
36
BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950

—
'Sunset Boulevard' Sets Non-Holiday
Record as Broadway Business Rises
NEW YORK—"Sunset Boulevard." which
received rave reviews, gave the Radio City
Music Hall a record non-holiday gross during
its first week which saw long waiting
lines outside the huge theatre, even during
the day.
"Three Little Words" also had a big opening
week at Loews State but the week's
third newcomer. "Abbott and Costello in the
Foreign Legion." was Just average at the
Criterion.
At least four of the holdovers also did
exceptionally well, indicating an upturn in
the previously mild summer business. The
biggest were "My Friend Irma Goes West,"
aided by Louis Pi-ima and his orchestra on
the stage, in its second and final week at
the Paramount, and "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye."
in its second week at the Strand, where
it is continuing. The others were "Our Very
Own." m its thu-d week at the Victoria, and
"Panic in the Streets." in its second week
at the Roxy. "A Lady Without Passport"
had a mild second week at the Capitol.
Six important films opened during the
week, including two 20th Century-Fox pictures.
"No Way Out" and "Stella." and
"Treasure Island." "The Petty Girl" and "The
Furies."
(Averag.3 Is 100)
Astor—Edge ol Doom (RKO), 2nd wk 110
Bijon~The Red Shoes lEL), 95th wk, ol two-a-day 85
Capitol—A Lady Without Passport (MGM). plus
stage shew, 2jid wk 90
Critsnon — Abbott and Costello in »he Foreign
Legion lU-1) - 100
Globe—Mutiny on the Bounty (MGM), A Day at
the Races (.MGM), reissues, 6th wk 100
Loew's Sta'c—Three Uttle Words (MGM) 135
Maylan—Destination Moon (EL), 7th wk 90
Palace—The Story of G.I. Joe (EL), reissue, plus
vaudeville - ...100
Paramount—My Friend Irma Goes West (Para),
plus stage show. 2n5 wk 115
Paris—City Lights (UA), Uth wk. oi moveover
alter 8 wks en Bway 80
Park Avenue—All Quiet on the Western Front
(U-I), reissue, 3rd wk ICO
Radio Ci'.y Music Hall—Sunset Boulevard (Para),
plus stage show 200
Rivoh—The Underv/orld Story (UA), 3rd wk 70
Roxy—Panic in the Streets (20th-Fox). plus stage
show, ?nd A-k 105
Strand—Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (WB), plus stage
show, 2nd
.-. •: ,-,- 115
Button—The Winslow Boy (EL), 10th wk 95
Trans-Lux Madison Avenue — Kind Hearts and
Coronets (EL). 9lh wk 97
Victoria—Our Very Own (RKO), 3rd wk 112
'Convicted' Grosses 175 Per Cent
At Philadelphia Opening
PHILADELPHIA — Boxoffice returns in
first run situations showed signs of awakening
after a long slumber. Several features
hit high marks. "Convicted" at the Stanton
^'M
drive-ins:
INFORMATION-WRITE-WIRE- PHONE
ITim P CTURE SERUICE Ci
125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2). CALIF.
Gerald L. Karski ... President
chalked up 175. "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye"
at the Mastbaum had a lively 140.
Boyd—Our Very Own (RKO), 2nd wk 75
Earle— In a Lonely Place (Col), 2nd wk 50
Pox-Stella (20!hFox) 80
Goldman—The Furies (Para), 2nd wk 70
Karlion—Annie Gel Your Gun (MGM). 2nd run,
2nd wk. 85
Mastbaum—Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (WB) 140
Haudolph- Duchess oi Idaho (MGM). 3rd wk 95
Stanley-711 Ocean Drive (Col) 135
Stanton—Convicted (Col) 175
"Boulevarcl' and 'Own'
Lead at Buffalo
BUFFALO—"Sunset Boulevard." opening at
the Center, and "Our Very Own." at the reopened
Century, were both boxoffice magnets
last week. Both opened slow, but picked up
and finished with a very satisfactory .seven
days,
Bufialo—Three Uttle Words (MGM), 2nd wk 85
Center—Sunset Boulevard (Para) 110
Century—Our Very Own (RKO) 110
Cinerna— .'i Hoyal Aitoir (Discma) 85
Lafayette—In a Lonely Place (Ccl) Cb
Paramount- Prelty Baby (WB) 90
Teck—Submarine Patrol (20th-Fox) 80
Film Company Dividends
Drop Below Last Year
WASHINGTON — Dividend payments by
film companies for the first seven months
of 1950 are about $2,864,000 below the corresponding
portion of 1949. according to Commerce
department figures released this week.
The department admits, however, that there
may have been payments which have not
been reported to it—including sizable payments
by RKO and the Stanley Circuit.
Stanley reported payments of $905,000 by this
time last year—but nothing this year. RKO
had paid $1,755,000 by this time last year—
but nothing this year.
The 1949 total was $22,684,000 for the first
seven months — compared with $19,820,000
this year.
Payments by the two new Paramount companies
are $368,000 lower this year than what
the single Paramount company had paid at
this time last year, but Republic has already
paid $500,000. compared with only $100,000 by
this time last year.
Linda Darnell Is Cashier
At 'No Way Out' Opening
NEW YORK—The New York tradepress
representatives attended a "Hunt Breakfast"
at the Rivoli Theatre Wednesday (16) and
watched Linda Darnell, star of "No Way
Out." sell tickets for the opening, beginning
at 8 a, m.
Several hardy souls were reported to be in
line outside the boxoffice as early as 4 a. m.
and a standing room only sign was placed
outside the theatre shortly after 8:30. The
picture topped all opening day receipts at
the Rivoli for the past year, according to
Montague Salmon, manager.
* * •
The Negro Actors Guild of America presented
an award to Darryl F. Zanuck. 20th
Century-Fox production head, at a luncheon
in the Theresa hotel Monday (14). Linda
Darnell accepted the award for Zanuck from
Noble Sissle. president of the guild.
Newsreel Bookings
Up on Korean War
NEW YORK—Widespread interest in the
Korean crisis has resulted in renewals of
previously canceled contracts with newsreel
companies, a survey showed during the
week. None of the companies would venture
a percentage estimate of the increa.se in their
business at this time, but they .said it, if
continued, could become impressive.
One newsreel executive complained that it
took hostilities or other events of international
and national importance to lead exhibitors
to give newsreels the time they are
entitled to on a program, and to push them
through proper exploitation.
The Calhoun Studios, which handles lobby
displays of newsreel stills for many theatres
—feature houses as well as newsreel houses
also reported a marked increase in demand.
All newsreel companies agreed that coverage
of events in Korea has been excellent.
Gene Zenier. formerly with Warner Pathe
News, is at the front representing the pool,
and a Korean and a Japanese cameramen
are working for the pool. Gordon Yoder. who
has represented Paramount News at Dallas
for eight years, is en route to join the unit.
The companies also get early priority of
U.S. Defense department prints.
One official
said they arrive here only tw-o days after
General MacArthur's communiques and cover
all phases of the situation, both front line
and service of supply.
During World War II there were occasions
when a relative in a theatre recognized
"Johnny" in a newsreel.
Free Foreign Hcandling
For Short on Korea
NEW YORK—American distributors have
agreed to handle foreign distribution of a
one-reel short on the Korean crisis produced
by Jack Connelly, former newsreel man, for
the U.S. State department. It gives the
United Nations side of the controversy. Companies
will agree on the territories in which
each will handle it. and this will be done on
a gratis basis.
Representatives of the Council of Motion
Picture Organizations as well as the Motion
Picture Ass'n and company foreign managers
recently saw the fUm. Distribution will be
the first evidence of industry cooperation
with the government on the emergency since
Ned E. Depinet. COMPO president, offered
to President Truman the services of the
organization.
The short provides an historical background
to the Korean crisis and presents UN sessions
on it.
Zanuck Gives Truman Date
Of 'Korea' Film Release
WASHINGTON—Darryl F. Zanuck. production
head of 20th Century-Fox. told President
Truman Monday (14i that his company
will release its documentary. "Why Korea?"
in about three weeks. It is a compilation of
newsreel shots.
Zanuck also said the industry as a whole
will make informational films running from
15 to 20 minutes. The Defense department
is considering whether these should be used
as media for troop indoctrination as well as
for public information.
38
BOXOFFICE
:
:
August 19. 1950

. . Bob
ALBANY
'Phe Colonial plans to resume vaudeville
about September 15. The uptown theatre
revived that type of entertainment last
September and won moderate financial success.
It started with a three-day policy,
later increasing the playing to four and then
to five days, but last spring went back to
three-day bookings. The house has been
screening foreign pictures, principally English,
since a four-week spring stock season
ended in May.
Three speakers at the dinner in the Ten
Eyck hotel celebrating the opening of the
Times-Union new four-story plant and the
paper's 95th anniversary, turned the spotlight
on J. Myer Schine, president of the
Schine circuit, Gloversville, and of the Schine
hotels. Fred I. Archibald, publisher of the
Times-Union and a close friend of Schine,
hailed him for success in "carving a career,
first in the motion picture business and then
in the hotel field." He asked Schine, who was
seated at a front table, to take a bow.
Archibald next introduced Louis W. Schine,
vice-president of Schine circuit and Schine
hotels. George Dixon, Washington columnist
and humorist, kidded Schine about stories
last winter that the latter was "buying everything
at Miami Beach, including race horses."
Dixon commented it was reported the theatre-hotel
magnate wished to buy a horse
named Harvest Moon, "so that the papers
would print every day 'Schine on Harvest
Moon'." The quip drew a hearty laugh from
350 diners. Joe E. Lewis, night club comedian,
also joshed Schine about race horses.
The Walter Reade 9-W Drive-In at Kingston
is now being ticketed on the Morning
Watch Program over WROW, Albany, and
the Kingston station, WKNK, in a pass giveaway
for identification by listeners of a
"mystery tune." The sponsor is the Standard
Furniture Co. Manager Larry Jordan is
credited with making the tieup . . Fabian's
.
Mohawk and Saratoga drive-ins ran large
advertisements in Albany, Schenectady and
Troy newspapers for a bill topped by "Cinderella
Fabian's State, Schenectady, held
. . . on its stage Thursday night the first elimination
contest to select Mrs. Upstate New York.
Winners will compete in finals at the State
August 31.
The Falls Theatre in Erasure Falls and
the Fair Haven in Fair Haven, Vt., have been
closed, reportedly due to poor business. Jack
Lazar operated the former; Charles Orr the
latter. Orr and his wife took over the Fair
Haven almost 20 years ago. It is said he may
reopen the theatre in the fall ... A large
number of reservations has been received for
the annual Variety Club clambake, which
. . Arthur
will be held at Picards Grove August 26.
Joe Scully, Republic
Tickets are $5 . . .
auditor, was at the local exchange .
Newman, Republic manager, attended
a sales meeting in New York Monday through
Wednesday . Adler, Monogram booker,
returned from a New Jer.sey vacation . . .
Norm Pratt, who books films for summer
camps and shows them with portable equipment,
consulted BOXOFFICE charts when
he visited the exchanges Monday afternoon.
Paul Mantz will assist in filming of air
sequences for "Plying Leathernecks." an RKO
film.
CASH PRIZES TO RKO WINNERS—William Howiird, seated, assistant gtneral
manager of RKO Theatres, surrounded by the managers and assistant managers who
won cash prizes for the Warner Bros. "Caged" and "Colt .45" contests conducted
among the New York RKO houses. Standing behind Howard, left to right, are
Joseph Marchetti, assistant, and Albert Murray, Coliseum; Raymond Hodgdon, manager,
Richmond Hill; Mrs. Sarah Holmes, assistant, Hamilton; Jerome Baker, Coliseum
manager, first prize winner; Edward Force, manager, RKO Bushwick; Mrs. Rosemary
Sunday, assistant, and Ray Conner, manager, Keith's Flushing; Joseph Fellman,
assistant, Bushwick; Philip Nemirow, manager, RKO Hamilton, and Melvin Rheinfeld,
assistant, Richmond Hill.
Sunday Drive-In Services
Succeed at Lake George
LAKE GEORGE, N. Y.—Sunday morning
nondenominational services at the Lake
George Drive-In here are proving highly
successful, according to theatre owner Harry
Lamont. The services are conducted from
9:30 to 10:30 by the Rev. Gary German,
pastor of a Lutheran church in Glens Falls.
They attract summer campers for the most
part and are conducted from a specially constructed
altar decorated with flowers, flags
and pine trees.
A 16-foot-high portable gold cross is put
up in front of the screen on Saturday night
to acquaint patrons with the Sabbath services.
This is removed immediately before the
start of the show. The altar also is in front
of the screen, but it does not interfere with
vision. Some 200 to 300 persons usually attend
the services.
Yuille to Get Accounting
In Film Highlights Case
NEW YORK—In a suit brought by Charles
L. Yuille against Film Highlights. Inc.. in
New York supreme court. Justice Henry
Clary Greenberg has granted Yuille a summary
interlocutory judgment directing Film
Highlights to file a verified accounting of
all transactions under its contract with
Yuille and Universal Pictures.
The court appointed David Greenbaum as
referee to pass upon the accounting.
Howard Minsky Supervises
Para. Mideastern Sales
NEW YORK—Howard Minsky, Paramount
home office sales executive, has been named
.supervisor of the mideastern sales division by
Alfred W. Schwalberg. president of Paramount
Film Distributing Corp.
Min.sky succeeds Harry Goldstein, who died
two months ago. Since Goldstein's death.
Hugh Owen, eastern and southern sales manager,
has been mideastern supervisor.
Drive-In at Brownsville
Runs Into Sunday Ban
A L B A N Y—The Northside Drive-In in
Brownsville ran into a snag after opening, a
prohibition on Sunday shows, but Dr. Philip
Liebig of Granville, owner, hoped to obtain
permission for Sabbath performances.
Sylvan Leff, Utica exhibitor, who expected
to open a 600-car ozoner on the Black river
road outside Watertown August 18, is said to
have made certain the town in which it is
located permits Sunday shows.
Harry Lamont, who postponed the opening
of his 550-car Riverview Drive-In at Rotterdam
Junction August 10, planned to get it
into operation this week.
Cy Hotaling and Edwin Wohr have opened
their Cobleskille Drive-In at RichmondvUle.
National Screen Managers
At New York Meeting
NEW YORK—Herman Robbins. president
of National Screen Service: George F. Dembow.
vice-president in charge of sales, and
William F. Brenner, vice-president in charge
of operations presided over a full week of
home office meetings with branch managers
starting August 14. This was the second of
three meetings with groups of managers, the
first having been held during the week of
July 10. The third is scheduled for the week
of August 21.
In addition to general business discussions,
the managers went on a tour of National
Screen's screen plant. American Display
Corp.. as well as a trip to the National Screen
lithographing facilities of Litho-Poster Corp.
The New Trend in
/s to IRWIN
Theatre Seating
JOHN P. MORGAN CO., INC.
317 N. 13lh SI. Phila. - LO 4-022S
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 39

. . George
. . Elmer
BUFFALO
manager of the Schine in
Syracuse, to enter the banking business in
New York. He also will study at New York
university.
iwrerritt A. Kyser of East Aurora has been
named TOA director representing the Murray Whiteman, assistant chief barker
MPTO of western New York and Robert V. of Variety Cli'b, was one of the judges at
Haynian of Niagara Falls is the new legislation
representative on the national board. tion at Crystal Beach . . . Bill Brereton
the finals of the Miss New York competi-
MPTO President George H. Gammel said Basil Theatres publicity-advertising manager,
won a set of reference books in a con-
there will be two guest speakers at a general
meeting to be held October 2 in the Buffalo test on "All the King's Men."
Hotel.
When AI Pierce played "Father of the
Robert T. Murphy, managing director of Bride" at Shea's Bellevue in Niagara Palls
the recently reopened Century, has returned he had a wedding on the stage, with a police
justice presiding. In order to avoid any
to his home after an operation at St. Francis
hospital . . . Johnny Good, former city salesman
for Paramount here, soon will be able to before the theatre stunt. The idea attract-
criticism, the couple was married in a church
leave his iron lung in Boston and be up and ed a capacity house . Maurer of
around. Johnny, attacked by polio a year the MGM statistical department and at one
ago, has had a miraculous recovery.
time a member of the Shea's Buffalo service
staff, was here visiting.
Crowds thronged to the Century on opening
day to see Joan Evans on stage and in Carl Rindcen, house manager at Shea's
the film, "Our Very Own." It also was patrons'
first view of the redecorated interior ing chores around his home in Kenmore
Buffalo, took a vacation and spent it do-
. . .
of the downtown Buffalo first run, which had Germain Germain, manager of the Dip-
-son
been closed two months. Further exterior Palace in Jamestown, put on Tommy
changes, including a new marquee and the Dorsey and his orchestra as a special oneday
attraction Monday (14) and did a record
name Century replacing 20th Century. Miss
E\ans appeared on stage opening day and business.
was interviewed by WBEN announcer Ed Elmer F. Lux, chief barker of Variety
Dinsmore.
Tent 7, said plans are complete for the big
Phil Fox testimonial day Monday (28) at
The miniature theatre in the Erie county
the Transit Valley Country club in honor
government building at Hamburg, N. Y., offered
a daily schedule of films during the
of the former Columbia manager who now
holds forth in a similar post in Cincinnati.
combined health exhibit sponsored by 20
Lux expects a record crowd at the event.
health agencies in Buffalo and Erie county.
Guido DiPiUo, assistant manager at Loew's,
Dipson's Amherst on University Plaza at
Syracuse, has enlisted in the army air corps,
Buffalo's city line put on a special kiddies and Manfred Shaffer has been advanced to
cartoon show Thursday (17). Doors opened the assistant from student assistant . . .
at 1:30 p. m. and the show ran two and onehalf
hours. A capacity house resulted . . .
Harry Unterfort, Schine zone manager, with
headquarters in Syracuse, attended the music
A ceremony celebrating production of the festival at Lenox, Mass., while on a vacation"
one-millionth television picture tube at the
Al Herman, former manager for
. . .
Buffalo plant of the General Electric Co. Eagle Lion here, has joined Columbia as a
was held at the plant Wednesday (16) at salesman covering the city territory. Herbert
Berman, who has been covering the ter-
noon. Mayor Mruk, Chamber of Commerce
officials, company heads from Syracuse and ritory formerly covered by Jim Fater, now is
Schenectady and representatives of other GE branch manager.
commercial groups in Buffalo participated.
A special luncheon for employes followed V. Spencer Balser, general manager of the
the ceremonies with souvenirs distributed. Basil circuit, and his wife are vacationing
at Muskoka Lake in Ontario . F.
Duke Ellington and his orchestra and Ella Lux, general manager of Darnell Theatres
Fitzgerald will be the next stage show at the and chief barker of Variety Tent 7, celebrated
Paramount, starting Saturday (26), according
his silver wedding anniversary and his
to James H. Eshelman, district manager for wife's birthday all at one time . . . Arthur
Buffalo Paramount Corp. . . . Abe Sunberg of Krofick, city manager for Paramount Theatres
in Rochester, has moved his offices to
Philadelphia now is here as general manager
of Louis Drew's Drive-In circuit including the Paramount building from the Regent.
the Delaware, Alleghany, Hershey and
The Paramount here will be the scene
Geneva.
August 24 of the big Hengerer store teenage
fashion show. This event was last staged
Lester Pollock, manager of Loew's Rochester,
again is a member of the committee in the main ballroom of Hotel Statler. The
arranging the annual entertainment for the
store is giving it a heavy promotion campaign.
Following the Paramount presentation,
the same show will be offered on the
Kodak town Firemen's Benefit fund . . .
Guido DiPillo, former assistant manager at
the SjTacuse Loew's State, now is with the stages of the Seneca and Kenmore, Paramount
community houses. Details are be-
air forces and is stationed in San Antonio,
ing worked out by James H. Eshelman and
Tex.
.
. . Jack Crowe has resigned as assistant
Charles B. Taylor of Paramount and Julian
Trivers of the Hengerer store.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE DITMCO DRAG BROOM
lArlhiQ riMing Uriie-llii
To Write Four Song Numbers
'I' M'i\ tiblr. in rii.i.cl luTl-nril t
Jerry Seelen and Cy Miller will write four
song numbers for Warners' "Lullaby of
Broadway."
33,000 Fans Attend
Charily Ball Game
PHILADELPHIA — Johnny night, held at
Shibe park, was a big .succe.ss. About 33,000
fans attended the affair sponsored by the
Daily News and Variety Tent 13. A vaudeville
show and a game between brunet and
blond models before the Giants-Phillies game
added sparkle.
The top award, a 1950 Ford sedan donated
by Frank Palumbo, was won by Mrs. Florence
Stanky, mother of the Giant second
baseman. Martin Weaver, Temple, Pa., and
Jeannette Stowman, Drexel Hill, Pa., won
Arvin television sets donated by Sol Blumberg's
Home Products Co. Arvin radios w-ere
won by John Messick, C. N. Taylor. William
Bauer, Dolores Closker. George Schoundt and
Jack Arnold. A Hamilton wrist watch, donated
by Stork's, Inc., was won by Michael
Golden.
Skouras to Accept Award
From 6 Groups for 'Out'
NEW YORK—Spyros P. Skouras, president
of 20th Century-Fox, will receive a joint
award Wednesday (23) from six public affairs
organizations for "No Way Out" at a
luncheon in the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Sponsoring
groups are Freedom House. Anti-Defamation
League, B'nai B'rith, National Ass'n for
the Advancement of Colored People, Public
Education Ass'n, Citizens Planning and
Housing Council and Common Council for
American Unity. Robert P. Patterson, president
of Freedom House and former secretary
of war, will present the award. Dr.
Harry D. Gideonse, president of Brooklyn
college and of the Willkie Memorial building,
which houses the six groups, called "No Way
Out" a "courageous and important film on
racial prejudice."
Schoenfeld Named Editor
Of Coast Daily Variety
HOLLYWOOD—Joseph Schoenfeld of the
William Morris Agency has been named as
editor of Daily Variety. He succeeds the
late Arthur Ungar.
Schoenfeld has been with the Morris agency
for the past six years, but prior to that time
was with Variety in New York for 11 years.
He will take over the new job in September.
H. O. Bergkamp of Ascap
Goes Back to the Navy
NEW YORK—Harry O. Bergkamp. Ascap
district manager in Philadelphia, has been
recalled to the navy as a lieutenant senior
grade. William Vincent of the Philadelphia
office will be acting manager during Bergkamp's
absence.
W. C. Hunt Averts Walkout
WILDWOOD. N. J. — William C. Hunt,
owner of Hunt's Tlieatres here, averted a
walkout of lifeguards on the beach when he
posted a check for $1,500. guaranteeing to
meet the strikers' demands while they continued
to negotiate w-ith the city.
40
BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950

. . Harry
. . WB
. . Jack
. . Rhoda
. . Vic
. . Kay
. . Blumberg
. .
. . , Carl
. . Harold
. . Mrs.
. . Anna
PHILADELPHIA
T ou Davidoff, former Stanley-Warner dis-
manager, has joined the A. M. Ellis
trict
Co. as general manager of the circuit's 25
theatres . . . Oscar Neufeld's modeling school
offered a charm show on the Tower stage.
Models demonstrated the fundamentals of
posture, cosmetics, wardrobe and hairstyling
. Sol Kaplan, pianist, and Curtis
. .
institute graduate, wrote the musical score
for Columbia's "711 Ocean Drive" ... J.
Antone Boehme, manager of an ozoner in
Gloucester. N. J., foiled a robber's attempt
to steal $800 he was about to deposit in the
bank.
Two Philadelphians were sentenced to ten
to 12 years in prison for the $900 holdup of
the Strand Theatre on the boardwalk in
Atlantic City . . . Russ Eichengreen has
added the Wilmington Drive-In. Wilmington,
Del., and the Pleasant Hill Drive-In,
Newport, Del., to those for which he is booking
Paramount booker Bob
and buying . . . Shisler has been handing out cigars since
the birth of a baby son.
. . . Charlton
. . .
E. W. Ganz has replaced Oscar Forman,
who resigned as buyer and booker for William
I. Greenfield Theatres
Heston, star of Paramount's "Dark City,'
was feted at a luncheon. The film was
screened after the luncheon at Paramount's
projection room The Merben Theatre
was opened unofficially Tuesday (15) and to
the public Wednesday (16).
NSS Manager Stanley Goldberg advises
exhibitors to show "National Anthem" trailers.
He believes that during the international
crisis the industry should do its part to
build up patriotism ... A production crew
and actors, including Arthur Kennedy and
Peggy Dow, were in town to do some shooting
for "Lights Out." Quite a bit of footage
is being taken at Valley Forge's Military
hospital . . . The father of WB booking clerk
Dot McMenamin died last week.
. . .
.
Myra Lukoff, 20th-Fox booker's secretary,
vacationed at Log Cabin in Milford, Pa. . . .
Booker Robert Bielman of 20th-Fox also was
on vacation Walt Donohue. Columbia
office manager, returned to work after being
Joe Flood, Columbia
on the sick list . . .
booker, was on vacation Stein,
Randolph Theatre, was to marry Lois Oxley,
Columbia contract department, Saturday il9).
.
Betty Forsyth, RKO booker's stenographer,
was married . vacations included Ann
Wi-ssinger, contract clerk; Mrs. Anna Lutz,
head inspector, and Bill Reichert, assistant
cashier Pearl and Charles Baron
were
.
here from the ELC home office to
promote "Destination Moon." The picture
was screened at the Trans-Lux. It was followed
by a presentation of "Rocket to Mars"
at the Pels planetarium Weitz,
Nate Milgram
ELC clerk, was on vacation . . .
said De Luxe Premiums would have
a special showing of its new fall patterns.
Atlantic Theatres' Laurel at Bridgeton, N.
J., will hold a preview screening Tuesday
(22) . . Projectionist John Samms died
.
while at work. However, Percy Chapman
kept the show going without interruption
. . . Barney Cohen, manager of the Lane,
and Marty Anisman. manager of the Astor,
were on vacation . MacNamee, Ted
Schlanger's secretary at S-W, was on vacation.
Hortense Shalita was pinch-hitting.
Quality Premiums will have its annual
tradeshowing Monday (21) ... Janet Hallard,
Screen Guild-Lippert booker, was on vacation
U-I District Manager J. J. Scully
. . . was in for conferences in the branch . . .
. . . Jack Goldman, Boxoffice
Bill Brooker, former Paramount publicity
man, has joined UA as tubthump>er .
Gloria Sokoloff, American Film's secretary,
was on vacation
Pictures' booker reports that Realart's
play-date drive will run from August 24 to
November 25.
. . . Elmer
.
John Roach, S-W's district manager, was
recuperating from a leg injury
Pickard, Boyd manager, was on vacation visiting
his family in Iowa . Bros,
reseated the Arcadia and Bache auditorium
in Wellsboro Blanc is chairman of
Variety Club Tent 13's 1950 golf tournament,
which will be held September 22 at the
Green Valley Country club.
Highway Officials Call
Airers Traffic Hazards
PHILADELPHIA — The current issue of
Automotive News, in an article headed
"Drive-In Dilemma," reported that the "vast
majority of drive-in theatres represents a
definite traffic hazard." Quoting a survey
made by the American Ass'n of State Highway
Officials, the article said that of 282
drive-ins considered in the survey, 90 per
cent were on main highways which are
"already overloaded."
"The theatres" the survey continued, "are
dumping short-time peak loads onto high
speed highway facilities not well suited for
absorbing such loads."
The check also revealed that 32 per cent
of the outdoor theatres are on curves and
28 per cent are on hillcrests, where limited
sight exists. Highway officials admitted they
haven't had enough time to measure the responsibility
of drive-ins in the causation of
accidents, but they insist that ingredients
for mishap are present in greater quantities
where there are drive-ins.
Court Orders Dissolution
Of Trenton-New Brunswick
TRENTON—Dissolution of the Trenton-
New Brunswick Theatre Co. has been ordered
by Judge Wilfred H. Jayne in superior
court. The order is the result of failure of
RKO and Walter Reade sr. to reach an
agreement on how the 12-theatre circuit
should be broken up in accord with the 1948
federal court consent decree of RKO.
Five theatres are owned outright and the
others are leased. Negotiations for the split
have been in progress for many months.
Reade offered to buy out RKO«at book value
and RKO replied the price should be based
on market values.
A receiver will be named by the court.
Jules Girden Dies
NEW YORK—Jules Girden. 51. owner of
the Imperial. Brunswick, Md., died Wednesday.
He formerly was a Warner Theatre
executive. Surviving are a wife Fritzie and
two children, Eugene and Peggy Ann.
WASHINGTON
/^orrine Cohan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Cohan, 20th-Fox, was interviewed
by Diane Cameron on her Shop the Town
program over WTTG-TV. Miss Cohan talked
about Warners' "Pretty Baby," which opened
Thursday at the Warner and Ambassador
theatres. Miss Cohan is assistant director
of the new musical. "How on Earth," which
is playing at the Canvas Theatre in Silver
Spring.
. . . Warners'
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Taylor spent several
days in town. Taylor, formerly with Columbia,
now is living in Miami
Trenton in Lynchburg has been renamed the
Warner after extensive remodeling and redecorating.
For the last .several years the
house has been operated by Dominion Theatres.
When Hunter Perry turned his theatres
over to Neighborhood Theatres, Inc., the
Trenton reverted to Warners.
Ray Gingell, who has taken over the New
Palm Theatre, Del Ray, Va.. will rename the
house the Guild and will operate it on an
art policy. He expects to open the Guild
Irwin Lust and Bill
about August 21 . . .
Keon have built a parking lot adjacent to
Ben Lust Theatre Supply quarters and will
operate it for the convenience of film folk
Sherred. former manager of the
Strand. Cumberland, Md., now is managing
the Walbrook, Baltimore.
Al Sherman has taken over management
of the Georgetown and will convert it into
an art theatre . . . Julian Gordon came in
to book his Palace, Wythe and Stuart theatres,
Newport News . Bertha Gordon
is spending several days in News York.
.
Mrs. Jack Sichelman is visiting her son
and daughter-in-law^ Mr. and Mrs. Ira
Sichelman, 20th-Fox Pappas has
resigned as clerk to accept a position with
the internal revenue division . . . Gladys
Peck, clerk, resigned to go to Denver with
her husband, who is in the army .
Norris and his sales department
. .
are
Glenn
much
enthused over "The Holy Year—1950" and
"Farewell to Yesterday."
Bill Gearing has resigned as booker at
Monogram and will be replaced by Max
Rutledge, former Paramount booker . . .
The George Nathans, National Screen Service,
returned from a Florida vacation . . .
At RKO, Al Folliard's new secretary is
Margaret Buck.
The Variety Club ladies' welfare committee
met in the Shoreham hotel Saturday with
chairman Sara S. Young, presiding. On the
dais were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kogod, Mr. and
Mrs. Prank Boucher, Mr. and Mrs. Wade
Pearson, Mrs. Clark Davis, Mrs. Ben Lust,
Mrs. William Janof, Mrs. Sam Forst, Mrs.
James Sandford, Carter Barron and Sam
Galanty.
. . .
Max Rutledge has returned to Paramount
. . . Nat Shor is resigning as student booker
at Columbia Burgess Nelson. Nelson
Theatre, Mount Jackson. Va., came in to buy
and book . Ditto Herman Hable and Lew
Bachrach
. .
for the Palace Theatre. Winchester,
Va. . Mllsher, Lyric, Occoquan,
Va.. has a new daughter. She Is the
Milshcrs fourth child.
BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950 41

Bank Awaits Report
On Independents
NEW YORK— Alex H. Ardrey, executive
vice-president of Bankers Trust Co., said
Wednesday (16* that he has not yet received
any of the questionnaires to be filled
out by independent producers showing their
record of past earnings, but that he is not
concerned about it. Upon the information
to be supplied depends the offer of the bank
to establish a $20,000,000 independent production
financing fund. Ardrey said he hoped
some of the information would be coming
in
shortly.
"I have had fine business relationships with
the industry and have made many good
friends in it." Ardrey said.
SAYS UA NOT TO BLAME
Ardrey denied reports that the reorganization
of United Artists, through which many
independents have released their films, had
had any effect on the bank's attitude toward
making the loan.
"United Artists has nothing to do with it
any more than any other distributor." he
said.
However, one independent producer felt
differently. He said the past showed that
independent producers can make better releasing
deals with UA than with the majors.
The original $20,000,000 loan plan was
worked out several months ago on the coast
at the suggestion of Ellis Arnall, president
of the Society of Independent Motion Picture
Producers, and in association with
Audrey. It called for $10,000,000 from Bankers
Trust and an equal amount from other
sources upon presentation by independent
producers of evidence that their films had
been money-makers in the past.
WHAT SIMPP TRIED TO DO
It was agreed to have a questionnaire
drawn up and filled in by individual producers,
and the form was plotted out by
George Bagnall. representing SIMPP. and
Dan Hickson. representing Bankers Trust.
The bank agreed to defray the expenses of
the questionnaire. The SIMPP plan was
first of all to approach producers who have
turned out the greatest volume of films
in the past as a means of encouraging the
rank-and-file to follow suit. At the time,
most of the bigger independents were abroad.
Arnall said Wednesday he did not know
what success Bagnall has had in getting
them to open their books. One report was
that no figures can be obtained from Samuel
Goldwyn until he returns to his coast headquarters.
He is said to have had little difficulty
in the past in financing his pictures,
in contrast to smaller independents who
have said they have been having a rough
time of it.
Columbia Repays $600,000
NEW YORK—Columbia has repaid $600,000
on a production loan of $6,000,000 advanced by
the First National Bank of Boston, Bank of
America, National Tru.st and Savings Ass'n
and the Manhattan Co.. reducing its indebtsdne.ss
to $5,400,000. A five-year agreement,
made Aug. 12, 1949, allowed the company to
borrow up to $10,000,000 but full advantage
was not taken of it. It called for annual repayments
of $1,000,000.
Eastman Report Increases
In Half-Year Earnings
NEW YORK— Net earnings for Eastman
Kodak for the first six months of 1950 were
$26,162,882, or $1.90 per common share. Tliis
compared with $21,646,085, or $1.65 per share
for the corresponding six months of 1949.
The first quarter business was below 1949,
but the second quarter increased steadily,
said Perley S. Wilcox, board chairman, and
Thomas J. Hargrave, president. Sales of
cameras, projectors, lenses and a large variety
of accessories were down compared with
the first half of 1949.
Orders have increased since the outbreak
of Korean hostilities and government orders
have gained. More .service contracts are expected.
There has been no large scale increase
in employment. At the close of the
six-month period the total of employes was
about two and one-half per cent ahead of
the start of 1949, and since the start of the
second half of this year there has been a
slight
increase.
DuMont Reports Earnings
For 24-Week Period
NEW YORK — Allen B.
DuMont Laboratories,
Inc., reported Wednesday il6) earnings
after taxes of $2,797,000 for the 24 weeks
ended June 18. equivalent to $1.16 a .share
of the outstanding common stock. It reported
two dividends, The first was an interim
dividend of 25 cents on A and B stocks payable
September 20 to stockholders of record
September 6. and the second the regular
quarterly dividend of 25 cents on the outstanding
preferred stock, payable October 1
to stockholders of record September 15. The
directors said they will consider another
dividend before the end of the year when
a more complete review of the year's operations
can be made.
George M. Hakim has joined the receiver
sales division as assistant advertising manager
in charge of cooperative advertising.
British Theatres Attract
371 Million 1st Quarter
LONDON—Attendance in Great Britain's
4.583 theatres, which have 4.221.200 seats,
reached 371 million during the first quarter
of the year. The statistics appeared in the
first report of this kind issued by the Board
of Trade.
Gross reached $78,400,000 and the government
tax was $27,859,200. Average weekly attendance
was 28.500,000.
Fifty-five per cent of the studio space was
not used during the period. Studio employment
on March 31 was 41.166. about 33 per
cent below the previous year.
UPT Heads to Meet
NEW YORK—United Paramount Theatres
circuit heads knd home office executives will
discu.ss theatre operations during the first
eight months since the January 1 divorcement
at a three-day meeting starting September
26. The place for the meeting will
be set later, but will probably be at a resort
in the Pocono mountains. Pennsylvania.
Karl Hoblitzelle, Interstate circuit head,
and R. J. O'Donnell. vice-president and general
manager, will attend the meeting to discuss
the dissolution of Interstate's partner-
•.hip with United Paramount.
UA Audit Nears End;
Finance Moves Due
NEW YORK—Paul V. McNutl's moves for
financing United Artists which have been
held up in recent weeks pending a full company
audit may be steamed up next week.
The audit is said to be nearing completion.
McNutt continues silent. It is understood
that he is seeking an operating fund for the
company, plus a revolving fund for production
purpo.ses which might run up to $10,000.-
000.
There has been practically no excitement
around the home office in the past two
weeks. Following the resignation of Paul
N. Lazarus jr.. who had been acting as executive
assistant to Gradwell Sears and as sales
manager. Frank L. McNamee, the new president,
conferred with Nat Nathanson. eastern
division manager, and Fred Jack, western
division manager. They are now handling
sales between them, and .so far as known no
move has been made for the appointment of
a new general sales manager.
Sears has been off the pay roll since shortly
after the arrival of McNutt and McNamee.
but no word has leaked out on whether his
contract will be ended by agreement and a
settlement, or whether the matter will go into
court.
Mary Pickford. who had been taking an
active part in reorganization of the home
office setup, returned to the coast Monday
(141 and is said to be attempting to remove
some of the misgivings about the new setup
expressed by independent producers.
Skiatron Changes Name;
Gets Five New Patents
NEW YORK—Skiatron Corp. stockholders
at a special meeting Wednesday (16) approved
a change in company name to Skiatron
Electronics and Television Corp. The
change was authorized at a meeting of directors
last month.
"The reason for the change," Arthur Levey,
president, said, "is that comparatively few
people outside the trade are aware of the
vital patents held by the corporation in
the fields of electronics, radar and television."
Levey told stockholders that the new headquarters
at 30 East Tenth St. provide greatly
expanded laboratory and power facilities for
wors now proceeding on pilot models. He
said five new and important U.S. patents
dealing with large-screen and color television
have been granted since May 30. He
also said he hoped for a demonstration of
Subscriber-Vision, w^hich sends scrambled
television programs to subscribers' sets without
wires, before the Federal Communications
commission by September 15.
Fox Wisconsin Still
Leads
LOS ANGELES—Still in first position was
the Fox Wisconsin circuit at the end of the
17th week of National Theatres' eighth annual
Charles P. Skouras Showmanship drive.
Launched April 9, the campaign will end September
2. Holding down second spot was
Fox Intermountain, followed in order by Fox
West Coast's .southern and northern California
divisions. Fox Midwest and Evergreen.
42
BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950

NEWS AND VIEWS THE PRODUCTION
(Hollywood OJiice— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager)
CENTER
Warners to Continue
Originals Search
HOLLYWOOD—An important factor in the
Warner Bros, productional blueprint for the
future will be the continuation of an all-out
search for original screen story material, it
was disclosed by Jack L. Warner, executive
producer.
"The original story," he said, "is the life
blood of the industry. Our examination of
past records and screen history proves that
the original is the foundation of the medium.
At least half of the great boxoffice successes
have been originals. Originals written especially
for the screen and having no prior
limitations imposed by other mediums are.
in my opinion, the basis of our business."
Warner also pointed out that the creation
of originals directly for the screen relieves
the industry of dependence on plays, published
works, magazine articles and other
.sources, and added that the New York office
of the company has been alerted to spread
the word to all possible sources that the
studio is stalking originals all over.
Recent Warner story buys of originals include
"Off Color." "The Fighting Marine."
"Operation Pacific," "Mara Maru," "Fires of
Orinoco." "Spring Kill." "Jim Thorpe—All
American" and "A Baby for Midge."
Among the originals which are on the
forthcoming schedule of Warner releases for
1950-51 are "Three Secrets." "Storm Warning,"
"Force of Arms." "Lullaby of Broadway,"
"Career Girl." "Pretty Baby." "The
West Point Story." "The Travelers." "Dallas."
"Rocky Mountain" and "The Big Tree."
Armed Forces Liaison
Officer Asked by HCC
HOLLYWOOD—As a means of expediting
entertainment for the armed forces, the
Hollywood Coordination Committee has requested
the department of defense to appoint
a liaison officer to work here with the
committee. The HCC has been designated
as the official agency for player appearances.
Following a recent telegram volunteering
the committee's services to Louis Johnson,
secretary of defense, HCC President George
Murphy sent to Washington the request that
"a single military liaison be .set up in Hollywood
as the official contact with our committee
and the official channel through
whom would come all requests for armed
forces entertainment by Hollywood.
Murphy also asked that the secretary's office
attempt to set up facilities to make it
possible for Hollywood personalities to fill
immediate entertainment needs.
West: Louis S. Lifton, director of advertising
and publicity for Monogram, returned
from New York after setting the American
press preview of Ivor Novello's "The Dancing
Years," Technicolor Associated British-Pathe
film being released in this country by Stratford
Pictures, Monogram subsidiary. He also
huddled with Monogram eastern executives.
* * *
West: To attend the wedding of his son.
Producer Samuel Goldwyn arrived in Hollywood,
cutting short his stay in New York
where he had been for the world premieres
of his two latest pictures, Goldwyn and his
wife accompanied their son Samuel jr. by
plane to Berkeley Tuesday (15) for the latter's
marriage to Miss Jennifer Howard,
daughter of the late playwright. Sidney Howard.
The ceremony was performed the following
day.
* * *
West: Al Horwits, U-I studio publicity director,
planed in from Chicago after spending
a week supervising activities in connection
with the world premiere of U-I's "Louisa"
at the Chicago Theatre.
* * *
East: Producer Stanley Kramer left for
Salt Lake City and Denver to spark openings
in those cities of the Marlon Brando-
Teresa Wright starrer, "The Men," which
Kramer made for United Artists release.
* * *
East: Howard Dietz, vice-president in
charge of advertising and publicity for
Loew's. Inc.. planed back to New York following
ten days of conferences with MGM
studio executives.
* « *
West: Mary Pickford. who with Charles
Chaplin is a member-owner of United Artists,
was expected in from New York after
several weeks of conferences in the east with
Paul V. McNutt. Frank McNamee and Max
Kravetz. heads of the syndicate which recently
acquired operating control of the distribution
firm.
Republic Ends Schedule
HOLLYWOOD — Launching
Wednesday
(16) of the Monte Hale action western. "The
Mi.ssourians." winds up production on Republic's
1949-50 program which consisted of
46 pictures. Nine of the pictures were filmed
in
the studio's Trucolor process,
lA Drops Plan to End
Union Location Spats
DETROIT—The International Alhance of
Theatrical Stage Employes, in its annual convention
here this week, rejected a proposal
to solve jurisdictional friction on film location
shooting by having the Hollj'wood studio
locals determine the number of men to be
furnished by the location local to supplement
studio employes. Although the proposal
was rejected, delegates voted to give
the matter further study.
The lATSE also referred to the board proposals
to divide the jurisdiction of sound
technicians between New York, Chicago and
Hollywood, with a minimum of four key technicians
on each location job.
Another proposal referred to the lA board
called for the formal granting of jurisdiction
over "running repairmen" to Hollywood
Local 728, and a third proposal attacked the
California state employment department ruling
that all film workers must report to its
Hollywood office, a ruling which members
felt required excessive travel.
Eric Johnston Proposes
Unity in War Activities
EVANSTON, ILL.—Eric Johnston, president
of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America,
said here Thursday (17) that "victory in
Korea will come faster with fewer bellyaches
on the home front and more bazookas
on the fighting front."
In a talk before the National Institute for
Commercial and Trade Organization executives
at Northwestern university, he said
that "if we fritter away our energies chasing
culprits for our unpreparedness, more
American boys will be killed in Korea w'hile
we fight among ourselves.
"Our men up front don't care whether
Democrats or Republicans are to blame. All
they know^ is that they haven't got the
fighting tools they need, and if we're honest
with ourselves, we know we must all share
blame for that. The loose -thinking that has
kept us lopsided with complacent trust in
the atom bomb alone didn't wear a party
label.
"The only way to square ourselves with
those men in Korea is to show half their
guts and half their spunk. When the Korean
campaign is over and international communism
has been forced to pull in its arms,
we can put the finger on anybody that we
like. We can have all the investigations we
want. In the meantime, let's postpone the
probe and prod ourselves into action."
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 43

star
an
STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES
Barnstormers
Eagle Lion
JOHN BARRYMORE )R ,
ol Iho LeMay-Templclon
production, "High Lonesome." lell Hollywood
(10) lor a 22-cily lour through the southwest to
Publicize the fiim. The actor's first stop was £1
aso.
United Artists
JOSE FERRER, star ot "Cyrano de Bergorac," was
set lor a drum-beating tour in connection with the
Stanley Kramer production. He tees oil August 24
in San Francisco, lollowing which Ferrer will make
an U-city swing, speaking belore civic, church,
press and other groups.
Briefies
RKO Radio
Leslie Goodwins and John Greene were signed to
write a two-reel comedy, "Tin Horn Troubadours,"
which will star Wally Brown and Jack Kirkwood.
George tiilson will produce and Goodwins will
direct.
Universal- International
Signed to star in a musical ieaturetle which went
before the cameras (14) were Jerry Gray and hts
orchestra. Also cast in the short, to be produced
and directed by Will Cowan, were Frank Yankovic
and His Yanks; Beryl Davis, British songstress, and
Nita Bieber and Her Dancers.
Cleffers
Lippert
ALBE.^T GLAS^R was signed to compose the
scoie lor "Bandit Queen."
Republic
VICTOR YOUNG was signed to score "Rio Bravo."
Universal-International
FRANK SKINNER was assigned to compose the
score for "Katie."
Warners
JERRY SEELEN and CY MILLER were signed to
write four song Bu.-nbers lor "Lullaby of Broadway."
Loanouts
20th Century-Fox
PETER LAWFOHD was borrowed from Metro for
a top spot in the Robert Bossier production, "Kangaroo."
Lewis Milestone will direct the picture,
wnich is to be filmed in Australia.
JOHN LUND was borrowed from Paramount to
co-star with Richard Widmark in the Sam Engel
production, "Fire' Devils."
Universal-International
On loan from 20ih-Fox, DAVID WAYNE will play
a stellar role in the Leonard Goldstein production,
"Up Front With Mauldin," lo be directed by Alexander
Hall.
Meggers
Columbia
Assigned to meg Flame ol Stamboul" for Producer
Wallace MacDonald was RAY NAZARRO
RALPH MURPHY was inked to direct the Louis
Hayward starrer, "Dick Turpin's Ride." Harry Joe
Brown will produce.
Metro
VINCENTE MINNELLI was handed the director's
reins on the Pandro S. Berman production, "Father's
Little Dividend."
RKO Radio
HAROLD DANIELS v/as set to write the screenplay
and direct "Roadblock," to be produced by Lewis
J. Rachmil.
Republic
Assigned to meg "The Missourians" for Producer
Mel Tucker was GEORGE BLAIR.
Studio exercised its option on the services of
Director PHIL FORD for another year.
Universal-International
pA^'jnfid lo m^'9 Air Cadets Story" was JOSEPH
RUDY MATE has been signed to direct "The
Prince Who Was a Thief" for Producer Leonard
Goldstein.
Warners
First assignment lor Producer ROBERT ARTHUR ol
the sli dio will be "The Story of Will Rogers " to
be directed by Michael Curtiz.
Options
Columbia
Cast for the femmo lead in iho Charles Starrett-
Smiloy Burnette sagebrusher, "Hid.n' the Outlaw
Trail/' was SUNNY VICKERS Fred Sears directs
the Colbert Clark production. Handed the romantic
male lead was PETER THOMPSON, Set for the
heavy lead is JIM BANNON-
SHERRY MORELAND draws the second femme
lead in the Jon Hall vehicle, "When the Redskins
Rode," BILLY BAKEWELL. JOHN RIDGELY, GREG-
ORY GAY, LEWIS L. RUSSELL and JOHN DEHNER
draw featured roles. JAMES SEAY was cast for
Iho picture Lew Landers directs for Producer Sam
Katzman,
ROBERT FOULK was handed tf character role in
the John Derek-Donna Reed vehicle, "The Hero."
Buddy Adler produces and David Miller directs
for Sidney Buchman Enterprises.
ALLEN MARTIN JR. has been signed for the
romantic adolescent role opposite Margaret O'Brien
in the Hunt Stromberg production, "The Romantic
Age,' Seymour Friedman directs. Slated to make
his film debut portraying Margaret O'Brien's brother
in the lilm was JOSEPH FALLON.
Eagle Lion
MARIA HART was inked as the femme lead and
GORDON BARNES draws the second male lead in
the Spade Cooley starrer. "Border Raiders," Richard
Talmadge megs and co-produces with Jack
Seaman. Character actor DOUGLAS WOOD was
inked for a key role.
Lippert
MARTHA VICKERS has been signed for the starring
role in "Bandit Queen," to be produced and
directed by William Berke.
Metro
ANDY DEVINE draws a top role in the Gottfried
Reinhardt production, "The Red Badge of Courage,"
Slated for the Audie Murphy and Bill Mauldin starrer
was DOUGLAS DICK, John Huston megs for Producer
Gottfried Reinhardt,
Set for an important singing role
Lan?a vehicle, "The Great Caruso."
in the Mario
was TERESA
CELLT, Richard T'horpe directs for Producer Joe
Pasternak,
Slated for the Armand Deutsch production, "Three
Gu/s Named Mike." was LEWIS MARTIN. Charles
Walters directs.
Monogram
Casting for the Rod Cameron and Cathy Downs
topliner, "Short Grass" was completed with the
assignments of MORRIS ANKRUM, JEFF YORK,
HARRY V/OODS. RILEY HILL, JACK INGRAM, TRIS
COFTIN, RORY MALLINSON, MARLO DWYEP
FELIPE TURICH, GEORGE LEWIS, ALAN HALE JR.
and JONATHAN HALE, Lesley Selander directs for
Producer Scott R, Dunlap.
LOIS HALL draws the femme lecrd in the Whip
Wilson western, "Cherokee Uprising." Also set lor
the Vincent Fennellv production are SAM FLINT
LYLE I'ALBOT, FORREST TAYLOR, MARSHALL PEED,
IRON EYES CODY. CHIEF YOWLACHIE, LEE ROB-
ERTS and DAN PRICE. Lewis D Collins directs.
Paramount
LOU "SLIM" GAUT, ex-vaiideviliian, was sia.ned
for the Bob Hope comedy, "The Lemon Drop Kid,"
Sidney Lanfield directs for Producer Robert Welch,
Cast addition is FRANKLYN FARNUM,
Cast in "The Goldbergs" are FRANCES DRIVER,
EDIT ANGOLD, CHARLES WAGENHEIM and
EDUARD FRANZ,
Producer Not Holt set FORREST TUCKER and
HARRY CAREY JR, for co-starring roles with Edmond
O'Brien and Dean Jagger in "Warpalh," to be
directed by Byron Hasicin, Inked for the lemme
lead was POLLY BERGEN,
Inked for Producer-Director Billy Wilder's "Ace
in the Hole" was RICHARD BENEDICT. Kirk Douglas
stars,
RKO Radio
PHILIP DORN draws an important role in the
Dand Andrev/s-Claude Rains co-starrer, "The Gaunt
Woman." Warren Duff produces oi.d Alfred Werker
directs.
Republic
Cast additions for "Buckaroo S^ieriff of Texas" are
STEVE PENDLETON. HUGH O'BRIAN, TRISTRAM
COFKIN and WILLIAM HAADE.
Universal-International
PIPER LAURIE is slated to star with Tony Curtis
in "7he Prince Who Was a Thief," which Rudv
Mate directs for Producer Leonard Goldstein. TONS'
CURTIS, contract player, was handed his first
starring role in the film.
British star DAVID FARRAR was inked to a
multiple-picture pact, giving the studio exclusive
right to his film appearances in the U.S. First film
under the contract will be "Samarkand," a medieval
costume drama lo be produced by Howard
Christie.
ROBERT USTERLOH and TEDDY HART were cast
for featured roles in the Aubrey Schenck production,
"TV.e Fat Man." William Castle megs the
J. Scott Sj:nart vehicle.
Character actor JOHN LITEL was inked lor the
Ginger Rooers-Jack Carson co-starrer, "Illegal
Bride." Ricnord Whorf directs for Producer Howard
Welsch's Fidelity Pictures.
Inked to a long-term pact was actress CAROL
VARGA.
Sla'ed for a leading role in the Arthur Kennedy
vehicle, "Lights Out," was BETTY ADAMS. Mark
Robson directs and Robert Buckner produces.
Slated lor "War Dance" was WILLARD PARKER.
Assigned a leading role in the Aubrey Schenck
production, "Prisoner of War," was ALEX NICOL.
George Sherman megs the Mark Stevens topliner.
RAY BENNETT and GEORGIA BACKUS were assigned
featured roles for the Stephen McNally-
Coleen Gray starrer, "Apache Drums." Hugo
Fregonese megs for Producer Val Lewton.
Warners
Cast for the Humphrey Bogart
Enforcer," was EDWIN MAX.
vehicle, "The
Inked to a terra pact was VIRGINIA
Broadway singing and dancing star.
GIBSON,
Inked to
NORMAN.
a term pact was radio star LUCILLE
DORIS DAY replaces fune Haver, whom illness
forced out of the part, in the top femme spot tor
"Lullaby of Broadway," to be directed by David
Butler for Producer William lacobs.
lOHN HALLORAN, former Los Angeles police
sergeant, was cast tor the Gregory Peck topliner,
"Only the Valiant."
Cagney Productions.
Gordon Douglas directs for
Set for the Burt Lancaster starrer, "Jim Thorpe,
All American," v/as DICK WESSON Michael Curtiz
directs for Producer Everett Freeman.
Named for a starring role in "I Posed
Communist for the FBI" was RUTH ROMAN.
As a
Scripters
Columbia
JESSE L. LASKY JR was inked to a term writing
contract.
Metro
NORMAN CORWIN is scripting "The Human Family"
from his radio drama based on
Nations' declaration of human rights.
the United
Monogram
JOHN HIGGINS was signed by Famous Pictures to
write Ibc- narration tor "National 1-1000."
Producer Jan Grippo has signed CHARLES MARION
who wrote the original to screenplay "Knights of
the Square Table, ' a forthcoming Bowery Boys
vehicle-
Paramount
Writer JACK SHER had his opnon lifted for a year.
20th Century-Fox
ST. CLAIR McKELWAY has been signed to script
'M>3 "'t Me in Washington Square" for Producer
Fred Kohlmar.
Scripter BESS TAFFEL is working on "Elopement,"
to be produced by Fred Kohlmar.
Story Buys
Independent
Virginia Van Upp has purchased the Mary Zavian
yarn, "Call It Love," for independent production.
Producer Frank Seltzer acquired rights to "The
Gentleman and the Redhead," authored by Liam
O'Brien and his brother, actor Edmond O'Brion.
The latter will star.
Monogram
King Bros, acquired "Police
original by Thomas Rafter.
Headquarters." an
Paramount
Studio has acquired Passage to Cairo," a comedy
of~*tnternational intrigue authored by Edmund
Beloin and Lou Breslow, as the next vehicle for
Bob Hope. Paul Jones will handle the production
reins on the film, which is slated for a November
start.
Republic
'
"South of Caliente, original screenplay by
Sloan Nibley, was purchased and assigned to
Edward J. White for production as a Roy Rogers
vehicle.
Universal-International
Negotiations were completed with Producer-
Director Kurt Neumann on a package deal whereby
the studio acquired the rights to "Reunion in
Reno," an original by Brenda Weisberg and William
Sackheim, and Neumann was set to direct.
44 BOXOFFICE : : August 19, 1950

Leonard Goldstein was assigned the production
reins en the comedy.
Technically
Lippert
Slated as assistant director lor "20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea" was FRANK HEATH.
RKO Radio
DESMOND MARQUETTE was assigned as film editor
for "Best ot the Bad Men."
PAUL MANTZ was signed to assist in the filming
of air sequences for "Flying Leathernecks." ALBERT
S. D'AGOSTINO draws the art director assignment
on the same fil.-n
20th Century-Fox
Handed the camera chore for "On the Riviera"
was LEON SHAMROY.
Assigned to "Tl.e House on Telegraph Hill" were
LUCIEN BALLARD, cameraman, LYLE WHEELER and
JOHN DE CUIR, art directors: HORACE HUFF, assistant
director, and RENEE, costume designer.
Universal-International
Assigned :rs cameraman for "Prisoner ot War"
was MAURY GERTSMAN.
Crew assigned to "Lights Out" includes; EDWARD
DODDS, unit pi eduction manager; NATHAN lURAN,
art director, WILLIAM DANIELS, cameraman, and
MILTON CARRUTH, lilm editor.
Warners
Assigned as head cameraman for "Jim Thorpe,
AU-American," was SID HICKOX.
DON PAGE was set as assistant to Director Elia
Kaz^n for "A Streetcar Named Desire." Named
as film editor was DAVID WEISBART.
Assigned to create the wardrobe for "Goodbye Ivly
Fancy" was SHEILA O'BRIEN.
Title Changes
Monogram
"Texas Raiders" to LAW OF THE PANHANDLE.
20th Century-Fox
"The Bush Ranger" to KANGAROO
Universal-International
"The Prince Was a Thief" to THE PRINCE WHO
WAS A THIEF.
"War Dance" to APACHE DRUMS.
More Stars Join Benefit
For Cerebral Palsy Ass'n
HOLLYWOOD — Dean Martin
and Jerry
Lewis have been added to the star-studded
benefit show for the United Cerebral Palsy
Ass'n to be presented in the Hollywood Bowl
Friday i25i. Bob Hope is organizing the affair.
Other stars newly announced for the performance
are Peggy Lee. Marilyn Maxwell,
Mel Torme, Eddie Bracken, the dance team
of Marge and Gower Champion and golfer
Ben Hogan. Previously announced were
Betty Hutton. Jane Russell, Danny Thomas,
Dan Dailey, Dinah Shore, Jimmy Wakely and
Gene Tierney.
Hope is chairman of the United Cerebral
Palsy Ass'n campaign and will emcee the
Bowl show.
* « *
Paramount has completed production on
the 1950 Christmas seal trailer, which features
Ray Milland narrating the annual appeal.
The film, which was made by the
studio trailer department for the National
Tuberculosis A.ss'n. will be attached to newsreels
and will be shown in thousands of theatres
during December as a public service.
Orbit Office in Seattle
SEATTLE — Orbit Films, film producing
unit of Dimensions. Inc.. has established a
location office here, according to Robert
Gardner, president, to provide locations for
production of features, shorts and documentaries.
l|U||OLLYWOOD picture-makers should
Irjl find food for thought in an experiment
just completed by Fox West
Coast Theatres, one of the nation's largest
and most enterprising circuits.
Some two months ago. as a means of stimulating
waning attendance, the chain inaugurated
a test in 25 of its showca.ses in
the greater Los Angeles area by reducing
admission scales to substantial degree. In
some instances the slash was as high as 50
per cent, from 50 cents down to a quarter,
while in others the decrease was to 44 cents
from the previous 65.
Theatres in which the experiment was conducted
ranged throughout the city and as
far away as Long Beach and Van Nuys, two
outlying communities. At the time the test
was announced. FWC toppers disclosed that
the showcases were selected on the basis of
economic conditions in those sectors in which
they are located.
Now comes the surprising word from the
circuit that the experiment, except in one
lone situation, proved a complete failure.
The price rollback did not increase, but
actually lessened, attendance: and. correspondingly,
resulted in lower overall revenues.
Moderate success was reported in only one
instance, a neighborhood house in the southwestern
portion of the city, where circuit
executives reported business was upped by
an approximate 15 per cent. The price cuts
are therefore being maintained in that theatre
and two others, but in the remaining
22 the scale has reverted upward to the old
level.
Top brass in the production and distribution
branches of the industry—as well as
the trade's sideline experts—have posed many
reasons as being contributory to the public's
waning interest in motion pictures. They
include, among others, television, the overabundance
of reissues and too-high admission
prices.
FWC's experience seems materially to discount
that last named theory.
If a 50 per cent slash in theatre tariffs
fails to stimulate attendance, inescapable is
the thought that something had better be
done to improve the merchandise and the
methods through which it is exploited and
publicized.
In his future cross-country travels, John
Wayne will do well to avoid Texas. Every
citizen of the Lone Star state will be sunning
for him since Wayne disclosed he is
going to produce and star for Republic in
"The Alamo."
But Wayne isn't going to make it in Texas.
He will lens it in, of all places, Mexico.
Shades of the Titanic and the Lusitania:
From Praise Pundit Perry Lieber comes
word that Producer Samuel Goldwyn's cur-
rent contribution to RKO Radio's product
lineup was selected as the feature to be
screened during the maiden voyage of a new-
French liner, the SS Liberte.
The picture: "Edge of Doom."
Invitations to the press preview of Thor
Productions' "The Fireball." starring Mickey
Kooney and Pat O'Brien, bore the supplementary
information that the film is "to be
released by 20th Century-Fox in conjunction
with the celebration of Mickey Rooney's 25th
anniversary in show business."
Who's celebrating^-other than Rooney?
On the sick list went one Ethel Sackin, a
member of the Warner studio publicity staff,
when she reportedly broke a shoulder and
tore muscles and ligaments while trying to
kill a moth in her apartment.
That's what comes of taking home those
moth-eaten releases from Alex Evelove's
Burbankian blurbery.
Columbia and Paramount studios were
named defendants in a lawsuit in which one
Billy West, described as a retired screen
actor, is undertaking to recover damages in
the amount of S30.000. charging invasion of
privacy. He contends in the action that a
clip from Columbia's "Broadway Bill." in
which he appeared in 1934, was used in the
recent Paramount remake, "Riding High,"
without his permission and without reimbursement.
As a part of his complaint. Plaintiff West
reveals that he retired from motion pictures
in 1935 and since that time has attempted to
forget all about films — and has kept his
former connection with it from his new
circle of friends.
There is no indication concerning Billy's
present trade or profession—but apparently
he's found a respectable job—and friends.
A harpist named Robert Maxwell has been
signed by 20th-Fox to teach Clifton Webb
how to finger the instrument for scenes in
"For Heaven's Sake."
Had the studio been economy-minded, it
could have called upon Publicity Chief Harry
(The Palm) Brand for such tutoring. No
one is more adept at pulling strings.
From Norman Siegel's Paramount praisery.
advice that Gloria Swan.son officiated at
recent ceremonies marking the completion of
the task of installing 900 new street signs
in Beverly Hills. The event, adds the Siegel
release, "took place at Sunset Boulevard and
Crescent Drive . . . By coincidence she returns
to the screen in the Paramount film,
'Sunset Boulevard'."
What do you mean, "coincidence"?
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19. 1950 45

^

. . . Earl
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
LOS ANGELES 'Treasure Island' Opens With 175
P'nding: an association of
more than a year,
W. G. McKinney has left the ITO of
Southern California and Arizona to enter the
restaurant business. He purchased an eatery
in Hollywood in partnership with his brother.
While with the ITO. McKinney had been on
a special a.ssignment to sparkplug a membership
drive . . . Sherrill Corwin, head of
the Metropolitan circuit here, headed for San
Francisco to spend several days checking
into the affairs of his North Coast chain.
. . . Pacing
Booking and buying visitors included
Tommy Huntington, up from Chula Vista;
George Page, in from Arroyo Grande: Frank
Valuskis. operator of the Valuskis in Willowbrook;
Moses Hernandez, who owns a house
in Guadalupe; Harry Nace jr. and Vince
Murphy, who flew in from Phoenix .
Schiller, formerly with Monogram as
. . Jim
an exploiteer,
joined the local Manley Popcorn
staff as a sales representative
the floors these days is Jerry Persell, Columbia
salesman, W'hose wife is momentarily
expecting a newcomer.
On the vacation front: Ralph LaDuke, office
manager for National Screen Service, returned,
while Donna Murdock, secretary to
Jack Jacobs at the local NSS branch, headed
for San Diego on hers. Also vacationing were
Harvey Lithgow, office manager at Warners,
and booker Milt F^'ankel, the latter's itinerary
including Catalina island and Santa Barbara
Collins jr., son of the Republic
manager, returned from an extended tour of
Chile and other Latin American countries.
To Pace Los Angeles First Runs
LOS ANGELES—"Treasure Island" appeared
aptly named from the revenue standpoint
as the Walt Di.sney-RKO release forged
well out in front of other first run contenders
with a hefty 175 per cent. Also
grossing heavily, at 160, was the first stanza
of "Summer Stock," while "Destination
Moon" proved strong in the third spot at 130.
(Average is 100)
Chinese, Los Angeles, Loyola, Uptown, Wilshire
Destination Moon (EL); Snow Dog (Mono) 130
Egyptian, Loew's Slate—Summer Slock (MGM)....160
Fine Arts, Guild A Royal Aiioir (Discma) 35
Four Star City Lights (UA), reissue, 7th wk 85
Hawaii, Urpheum—Duchess of Idaho (MGM);
Jiggs and Maggie Out West (Mono), 2nd wlc 85
Hollywood, Downtown Paramounts The Furies
(Para); Trigger Jr. (Rep) 120
Hillstreet, Pontages—Treasure Island (RKO);
Beaver Valley (RKO) 175
United Artists Rit!, Vogue. Culver, Studio City-
Eye Witness (EL); I Killed Geronimo (EL) 90
Warners Hollywood, Downtown, Wiltern Pretty
Baby (WB) 100
'Sidewalk Ends' Rates 170
At Frisco United Nations
SAN FRANCISCO—Top honors went to the
second w-eek of "Where the Sidewalk Ends"
and "Love That Brute" at the United Nations
Theatre W'ith a loud 175 per cent. Close behind
in the second spot was the Fox with
its opening of "Stella," and "Abbott and
Costello in the Foreign Legion," opening at
the Orpheum.
Fox—Stella (20th-Fox); The Avengers (Rep) 160
Golden Gate—So Young, So Bad (UA) 110
Orpheum Abbott and Costello in the Foreign
Legion (U-1); 1 Shot Billy the Kid (LP) 160
Paramount—The Flame and the Arrow (WB), 2nd
wk 110
St. Francis—The Men (UA), 2nd vV. 90
United Artists—The Iro

—
DENVER
IJarry Graham, partner in Graham Bros.
Theatre Supply, was elected fhiance officer
of the Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Legion
Merle Little has sold the
post . . . Community in Saratoga, Wyo., to G. F.
Berle Lingle, who is the owner
Tucker . . .
of tlie Star. Estancia, N. M.. has entered
Veterans hospital in Albuquerque for his
third operation since June 6.
Dr. and Mrs. F. E. Rider of the Chateau.
Wauneta. Neb., vacationed in Yellowstone
National park . . . Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance
Speedy
Service
Quality
Woric
YOU
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IF YOU GET THEM FROM
CHICAGO
1337 Wobash
NEW YORK
619 W. 54thJfffllM
TEXAS DRIVE-IN
PERFECT LOCATION, near huge miHtaTy payroll.
1 , 100 new homes building adjacent.
Excellent new plant, showing very short payout.
Completely logical sale reason. JSS.OOO
down. STAND CLOSEST INVESTIGATION.
Other drive-ins at S3G,000, 336,000, 60,000
down. We accept no distress properties
only sound, profitable offerings. ALSO 24 indoor
properties from 37,500 up.
Exclu
with
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Theatre Specialists
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New Phone £6-7469
Sell Your Theatre Privately
NEO-SEAL BURIAL WIRE
For Drive- i»f-ln In TliMlrei Tlle.ttre
SoMd or Stranded
10-2 - 12-2 - 14-2
lniiiieili.ite Dtlivery From Stocl(
DRIVE-IM THEATRE MFG. CO. ^!^!^rZ.
Schmidt of tlie Trail. Bridyoporl. Neb., vacationi'd
in Yellowstone park and the Pacific
Word was received here of
iiorlhwest . . .
the death of Bern Mariner, who was manager
for United Artists in St. Louis at the
time of his death at 41. When here he was
office
manager.
Paramount slashed expenses by dropping
five from tlie force, which added to the resignation
of Irene Gardner as cashier a few
weeks ago, makes six employes dropped. Robert
Cummings. booker at San Francisco, was
brought in as head booker, replacing Al Ander.'on.
who returns to the .shipping room.
Employes dropped, some with severance paj'.
include Alberta Melsh. .switchboard; Addle
Cooper and Mr.5. Harriett Montgomery,
Clerks: Paul Yamtolsky, assistant shipper,
and Mae Knoppe, inspector. The work of
cashier will be taken over by Tillle Chalk,
office manager.
Filmrow visitors included Lloyd Greve.
Eagle; Nora Wright. Flagler; Gus Da.skolos
and Steve Niste, Las Vegas. N. M.; Reuben
Stroh. Tellurlde: George Lovejoy. Victor;
Harry McDonald. Torrington, Wyo.; Doyle
Shelton. Pi-itchett; C. G. Diller. Cripple
Creek, and George McCormick, Canon City.
Gene Monzanares Named
Denver Taber Manager
DENVER—Gene Manzanares has been
promoted to manager of the Taber Theatre
here, succeeding Jack Copeland. who was
named city manager of Fox Intermountaln
Theatres in Missoula. Mont. Manzanares.
formerly of Longmont, Colo., has managed
the Rialto here for the last year. Before
that he was a booker for Fox Intermountaln
in Salt Lake City and manager of
circuit theatres in Rock Springs, Wyo.
Showman's Son Killed
SAN CLEMENTE. CALIF.—An automobile
accident near here caused the death of
Lamar Trotti sr., 18, son of the 20th-Fox
producer-writer, and' the serious injury of
another son John, 14.
Jose Ferrer on Tour
Jose Ferrer, star of "Cyrano de Bergerac,"
will make an 11-city tour speaking before
civic, church, press and other groups.
Rocky Mountain ITO
Asks Film Rental Cut
DENVER—Fifteen directors attending the
board meeting of AUied Rocky Mountain
Independent Theatres here demanded that
film companies roll back film prices in a
manner that will correspond to the present
slump in business and that more salesmen
and manager .sales calls be made. Failing to
secure this, they will demand an investigation
be made into expense accounts, especially
as they refer to .sales calls.
The group asked a cut in film prices because
of inci-eased revenue from foreign
countries, sales to drive-in theatres, of which
there are hundreds as against none a few
years back, and also because of the drop in
production costs.
The directors demand a stop in alleged
misallocation of films in a higher bracket
than the pictures warrant, thus tending to
Increase the price of films to the exhibitor.
The next meeting was set for November
15 in Denver.
Tho.se at the meeting included John Wolfberg,
president; J. H. Asby, general manager;
Fred Lind, Rifle; Walter Ibold. Denver; Fred
Hall. Akron; Neal Breezley, Burlington;
Lloyd Greve. Eagle; Elden Menagh, Fort
Lupton; Leon Coulter, Loveland; Dorrance
Schmidt, Bridgeport, Neb.; Mrs. Marie Goodhand.
Kimball. Neb.; Walter Smith, North
latte. Neb.; Robert Kehr, Ogallala, Neb.,
and Dr. F. E. Rider, Wauneta, Neb.
Sunshine Theatre Closed
For Six-Week Renovation
ALBUQUERQUE—The Sunshine Theatre
here was closed Monday (14) for a six-week
remodeling job. which George Tucker, city
manager for Albuquerque Exhibitors. Inc..
said would make it "practically a new theatre."
Plans prepared by W. E. Burk jr.. local
architect, call for remodeling of the theatre
front, a new marquee to span the entire
building front, glass entrance doors, relocated
boxoffice. rearranged seating and installation
of pushback type chairs and complete replastering
and redecoration of the interior.
The foyer will be enlarged by extension of
the entrance doors and a new lounge and
restrooms will be built on the mezzanine. Al!
floors will be recarpeted. Tentative date for
reopening has been .set as September 22 and
Tucker said plans are being made for a
special program for the reopening.
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Merf Evans Is Appointed
Manager at Craig, Colo.
CRAIG, COLO.—Merf Evans, former manager
of the theatre in Ordway, Colo., has
taken over duties as manager of the West
Theatre here, succeeding Stanfill Day Stanfill,
who resigned. Evans has been employed
by Schumour Theatres, owner of the West
and Craig theatres here, for the last ten
years. He worked for the company in Nebraska
before going to Fort Collins, Colo.,
then to Ordway.
Stanfill has made no definite plans for the
future. He came here as manager of the
Craig for Schumour Theatres and when that
company took over the West he assumed
management of that house also.
48 BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950

. . . John
. . Jack
. . Maria
SAN FRANCISCO
. . .
pvesigns have been started for restoration
of the famous old Fallon House hotel and
theatre in Sonora, according to Marshall Mc-
Donald The Hollister city council
authorized a four-man board to ban, if
necessary, two films dealing with marijuana
and sex and scheduled for screening in one
of the local theatres. Action by the council
followed a series of protests by citizens after
advertising and trailers made their appearance.
Bob Retzer of Sanger has been named
manager of the 500-car Midway Drive-In
between Reedley and Dinuba. Retzer formerly
was manager of the Sanger Theatre,
which now is managed by Chester Bell,
formerly of Mill Valley . . . Vincel Paskvan,
formerly of Stockton, has been named manager
of the Sunnyvale Theatre, succeeding
Earl D. Smith. Paskvan was manager of the
Roxy m Stockton. Smith has been manager
of the Sunnyvale for four years. He will
continue with Sunny Mount Theatres, taking
over work done by Bruno Vechiarelli, district
manager, operating in theatres of Sunnyvale,
Mountain View, Los Gatos and Campbell.
Vechiarelli will devote full time to the new
Monte Vista Drive-In on Grant road in
Mountain View.
George A. Hlckey, west coast sales manager
was here meeting with L. C. Wingham, local
manager. From here Hickey traveled to
Marvyn Davenport
Portland and Seattle . . .
is the new manager of the St. Francis Theatre,
replacing Howard Newman. Davenport
formerly was assistant manager of the Paramount
here . . . Tony Rodriquez is the new
manager of the State here, replacing Henry
Alston.
. . . Harold Weisman, Motion Picture
. . .
Marvin Fox of the Orpheum. Seattle, was
in town on vacation visiting friends along
the Row . Goodwin and Harold Zell
of Motion Picture Service both have new
Hudsons
Service artist, is father of a baby boy
Gerald Karski, president of Motion Picture
Service, was in Fortuna shooting a picture
for Standard Oil Co.
G. Haskins, secretary to Sam Sobel, manager
at Eagle Lion Classics, is vacationing
Vallin, auditor at EL, was in town
. . . Bob Goodfried. EL studio publicity man.
was here for the Fox Tlieatre opening of
"Destination Moon."
Charles J. "Father" Crowley, San Joaquin
valley salesman for United Artists, .spent his
vacation in Sacramento . TuUey,
secretary to Manager Ralph Clark at UA, is
vacationing in Mexico. Marion Isaacs, formerly
with UA has taken over Maria's job
during her absence.
Grace Gibbson, wife of Ernie Gibbson, UA
salesman, is recuperating from a recent illness
and now is at her home in Sacramento
. . . Ralph Clark, manager at UA has moved
from the city and now is a daily commuter
from his home in Atherton . . . Eddie Averell.
shipper at UA, returned from Denver
where he picked up his brother-in-law's car
and drove back here.
. . . Nancylee Sad-
James Myers, manager for Monogram, left
on a business trip north
ler, formerly of Monogram, now is disbursing
officer at the Army Motion Picture Service
office . . . Sherrill C. Corwin, bo.ssman of
North Coast Theatrs, was here to spend some
time with the local North Coast Theatres
group . . . Mike Newman and Sam Siegel,
publicity men from Columbia, were in San
Francisco to assist Graham Kislingbury and
Anne Belfer on exploitation for "711 Ocean
Drive," which opened August 18 at the Orpheum.
A press breakfast was arranged for
Frank Seltzer, producer. Among those invited
were Clarence Lin, state department attorney
general; Frank La Tulipe, outstanding criminologist,
and assistant district attoi-neys
Janet Aitkin and Alfred Del Carlo.
North Coast Theatres publicity girl Anne
Belfer recently was married to Dr. Nathan
Israel ... Ed Rowden Theatre service was
moved to larger quarters at 276 Golden Gate
Ave. Tlie new telephone number is Pr. 6-4010.
Manager Alfred Smith
Dies at Berkeley, Calif.
BERKELEY. CALIF.—Alfred Smith, 59,
manager of the Campus Theatre here, died
at Herrick Memorial hospital recently after
suffering a cerebral hemorrhage on the
theatre stage while announcing the winner
of Seafair week activities.
The drawing was being conducted and
announced simultaneou-sly in several east bay
theatres. Smith, listening by telephone to
reports from other theatres, repeated the
name of the winner, then staggered from the
stage to his office where he called a police
ambulance. Doctors at the hospital said he
had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. Smith
is survived by his wife Margaret.
Leroy Pawley Is Delegate
To PCCITO Conference
LOS ANGELES—Judge Leroy Pawley, operator
of the Desert Theatre in Indio. Calif.,
and president of the Independent Theatre
Owners of Southern California and Arizona,
will be that organization's official delegate
to the forthcoming annual convention of the
Pacific Coast Conference of Independent
Theatre Owners.
The four-day session will be held beginning
September 14 at Cal-Neva, located at
Lake Tahoe, half in California and half m
Nevada.
L. S. Lifton to West Coast
HOLLYWOOD— Loui.";
S. Lifton, director of
advertising and publicity for Monogram, arrived
from New York Monday (14 1 after arranging
the American press preview of "The
Dancing Years," a British film in Technicolor.
Lifton had also supervised eastern openings
"A Modern Marriage."
New Seats Installed at Delta House
DELTA, COLO.—Manager Ralph Roe has
installed new pushback chairs at the Egyptain
Theatre here.
Charles Bishop Builds at lone. Wash.
TONE, WASH.—Charles Bishop is building
a new 450-seat theatre here.
Evergreen Managers
Meet in Bellingham
BELLINGHAM, WASH.—Executives and
managers of Oregon and Washington houses
of the Evergreen Theatres circuit held a twoday
meeting at the Bellingham hotel here
Wednesday and Thursday (16,17) to formulate
plans for the circuit's autumn drive for
added patronage.
Heretofore, the meetings have been held
in Seattle or Portland and this marked the
first time that such a meeting had been
held in a small town. The mayor of Bellingham
opened the convention by welcoming
the theatremen. Business sessions were
conducted by Fi-ank L. Newman sr., president
of Evergreen Theatres.
Approximately 30 executives attended from
Evergreen houses in Seattle, Bellingham,
Everett, Bremerton, Olympia, Aberdeen, Vancouver,
all in Washington, and from Eugene,
Wenetchee, Spokane and Portland.
Ore.
Among those attending from Portland were
M. M. Mesher, general manager for Oregon;
Oscar Nyeberg, Orpheum; Russ Brown.
Paramount; Kenneth Hughes, Oriental; Rex
Hopkins, Hollywood, and Lou Metzalaar,
booker and buyer for Oregon houses. Carl
Miller, Castle and Higgins theatres. Vancouver,
Wash., and Alton Robbins, manager
at Eugene, Ore., also were in attendance.
Beautiful, responsive and durable
seats bring many dollars to your
boxoffice window. The gentle, caressing
action in use inspires the
most indifferent and sluggish individual
to come again and again.
Don't sit back with that helpless
feeling — woo new customers with
International Seats by RCA. We
have a beautiful seating service
Low
priced.
WESTB
337C0LDENGATEKVE.*HE 1-8302.
SAN FRANCISCO 2.CALIF.
WE HAVE THE BUYERS .
LIST WITH
FRED B. LUDWIG, Bkr.
'IkeaUe Salei- div.
IRV BOWRON. Sales Mgt.
4229 N. E Broadway MU-4300
Portland 13, Or*.
—
BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950 49

. . Lou
. . John
. . "Treasure
. .
. .
. .
. . Reports
. . . William
. . Ted
. . Opening
PORTLAND
pill Graham, evangelist, is finishing his
third week in this city after proving to
be the theatre industry's biggest competitor.
He reportedly has preached to 100,000 persons
a week and has expressed his intention
to remain here "as long as there is need" . . .
Lou Amacher, MGM manager, said he would
screen "The Next Voice You Hear ."
. . for
Graham . . . Jack Matlack. J. J. Parker executive,
began building a new home.
Gloria Swanson visited here last week .
. . . The
"City Lights." Charlie Chaplin reissue, is
winding up a five-week run at the Guild,
Manager Martin Foster said he had received
many requests for more pictures of the same
type , Amacher, MGM manager, left
with his family for a vacation in Canada .
"Treasure Island" opened to capacity business
at the Paramount and held up well all
week. It probably will hold over
Orpheum did average business on "711 Ocean
Drive" and the Broadway played a second
week of "Duchess of Idaho." "Annie Get
Your Gun" ended four weeks at the United
Artists and "The Secret Fury" did average at
the Mayfair.
Herb Royster, manager of the Mayfair.
returned after a two-week vacation at Long
Beach. Wash. . T. Howard, western
sales representative for SRC. conferred with
Mrs. J. J. Parker on forthcoming product . . .
George A. Hickey, western sales manager
for MGM. also was in town to confer with
Mrs. Parker and Jack Matlack. her executive
assistant.
"Three Little Words" was sneak-previewed
at the Broadway to favorable comment .
Nick Pierong. early Portland showman, died
in Spokane. Wash. . Island"
r^/7!
U 21;
drive-ins:
RCA-Brenkert Theatre Equipment Dealer I
U.S. Airco Distributor
WESTERN SERVICE & SUPPLY,
EE 8041
INC.
120 Broadway Denver 2, Colo.
THEATRE /ALE/
.ARAKELIAN>l^
SAN rr^AHCisco i
PHONE PROSPECT 5-7146
campaigns reached a climax Monday (14)
when 200 prizes and awards were given away
. . . John Stein, Hamrick's Portland advertising
director and manager of the Music Box,
will leave September 15 for a short vacation
in Honolulu. He then will travel to California
to join Jeanette MacDonald and Gene
Raymond on their proposed tour. Robert
Butts, manager of the Newsreel, will take
over Stein's position. No succe.ssor has been
named at the New.sreel,
The Liberty Theatre has adopted a new
program police. It now changes features
every five days instead of seven. This policy
was started last week and a definite increase
in busine.ss has been noted . are
that drive-ins have not been enjoying such
high grosses this summer. The reason, according
to Filmrow observers, is that there
are six drive-ins near Portland this year
compared with only three last year.
Variety of Denver
Receives Charter
DENVER—Nearly 300 sat down to the
charter dinner of the Variety Tent 37 at the
Cosmopolitan hotel. With Pat McGee, chief
barker presiding. Col. William J. McCraw,
executive officer of Variety Clubs International,
presented the charter of Tent 37,
formed last year, to McGee and former presidents
of the Rocky Mountain Screen Club,
the forerunner of Tent 37. A dance followed
the dinner and wound up the three-day
celebration.
In the golf tournament Frank Green. Fox
Intermountain auditor, won top place with
a gross of 87 and a net of 67. Second resulted
in a three-way tie. Clarence Olson had a
gross of 98; Jerry Baake a net 80, and Ed
Pruitt a net 98. Their net was 68 each.
Seventy-four, the largest number ever to
tee off in a Denver Variety club tournament,
played 18 holes each.
The men, about a hundred, attended the
Calcutta dinner at the Albany hotel the night
prior to the tournament.
The women staged a carnation luncheon
and style show, with 230 attending. Dupler's
furstore put on the style show, and the women
were recipients of innumerable favors.
They put on a dinner at the clubrooms one
night, with 120 places being set.
Hall Baetz, general chairman, was given
credit for outstanding success of the threeday
event.
All of the profits, which have not yet been
tabulated, go to the Variety International
Clubs heart fund.
Rebuild at Lds Animas
LAS ANIMAS, COLO.—C. E. McLaughlin,
owner of the Ritz Theatre, has rebuilt the
front of that hou.se and repainted it in
white, green and red. A new glass brick
boxoffice and front decorationist were installed.
American Supply Moves
SEATTLE—American Theatre Supply has
moved to 2300 First Ave. from its former
location at 1504 14th St.. according to R. E.
Fairleigh. The new location is in the same
block with Paramount and is clo.se to other
exchanges.
SEATTLE
Wance Weskil, already operating theatres
at Colfax, Wash., and Sandpoint, Ida.,
has taken over the Cordova at Pullman,
Wa.sh., making this the fifth in his chain
. . . Ted Snyder, B. P. Shearer Co.. is on a
two-week vacation at the Olympic Hot
Springs
. Heyder. manager of the
Capitol in Juneau, Alaska, is in the States
on vacation.
Morris Safier, independent distributor, is
in town from Los Angeles in the interest
of the French film, "Devil in the Flesh,"
which he is handling in the west. Others in
Seattle from Los Angeles include Joe and
Gertrude Zenk. who are on vacation. Zenk,
formerly with the Vinicuff Theatres, now is
controller for the Harry Curland Catering
Co.
Chilton Robinett, James Brook. Glenn Haviland
and Jack Burk of 20th-Fox have returned
from a San Franci-sco sales meeting
. . . Russ Schmidt, city manager of John
Hamrick Theatres in Tacoma, was in town
recently for a business conference . . . Arthur
Slater of Northwest Film Service has
returned from a cruise in Canadian and
Alaskan waters with Harold McDonald.
Maurice Saffle of the Saffle Theatre Service
flew in last week from a similar cruise
with W. B, McDonald's party.
John O'Conner, manager of the Roxy in
Enumclaw. is growing a luxurious beard for
the Natches Pioneer days celebration coming
up shortly. The alternative was a $5 fine
Padgett has sold his Mode
Theatre in Cottonwood. Ida., to C. A. Ulharn,
who will take over October 1.
Leo Adler, auditor for United Artists, is
visiting the local office . . . Walter Graham
of Shelton and his brother Ray of Elma
were on the Row recently . . . Hal Boehme.
. .
salesman for Monogram, was here after a
two-week trip through eastern Washington
and Idaho . "Annie Get Your Gun." now
in its fifth week of its first run engagement
at Hamrick's Music Hall, has set a new
attendance record for the theatre.
Buck Stoner, western district manager for
20th-Fox. was in town from San Francisco
for a meeting with exhibitors . . . The Roycroft
Theatree has been closed for remodeling
and will open September 1 . . . Tommy
Tomlinson, booker and office manager for
Republic, has gone east on vacation and will
drive back a new car . . . Bud Hamilton,
salesman for Monogram, left for a trip
through eastern Washington.
. . .
.
AI Utigard, merchandise manager for Sterling,
is on vacation Vic Grow has taken
over he Roza Theatre in Zillah, recently
closed by John Olson. It will reopen soon
. . . Mr. and Mrs. Will J. Conner and Mr.
and Mrs. Douglas Forbes flew to Portland
recently to attend the Portland Film club
golf tournament day attendance
of 'The Flame and the Arrow" at John
Hamrick's Orpheum has broken the 1950
record.
City House Sold
Silver
SILVER CITY. N. M.—The Bayard Theatre
here has been sold to H. D. McClougahn
of Warren, Ariz., by O. K. Leonard.
.50
BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950

Huss Partners Open
Lyric at Faulkton
FAULKTON. S. D.—More than 700 persons
attended the open house held at the
new Lyric Theatre late in July by Cyril and
Leo Huss. builders. The affair lasted all
afternoon with a 40-minute program of shorts
and miscellaneous pictures being shown at
intervals. The lobby, foyer and auditorium
throughout are furnished in light wood. The
lobby and foyer are floored in cream tile with
decorative medallions. The chairs are done
in terra cotta and cream. The premiere offering
that night was "Miss Grant Takes
Richmond."
Renovated Crystal Open
As Ellis at Ellis, Kas.
ELLIS. KAS.—The old Crystal Theatre
new name, the
here was reopened under its
Ellis, last week by Jimmy Snyder and Charles
Ball. The house was remodeled and redecorated,
the front sand-blasted and a new
marquee built. The theatre had been leased
and operated by the A. P. Baker enterprises
as the Crystal, but the lease had expired
and was not renewed.
New sound equipment, projection equipment,
new self-lifting chairs and an enlarged
air conditioning plant were installed. There
has also been a larger screen added and a
popcorn machine in the enlarged lobby, with
the concessions stand at the south end. Improvements
on the outside of the theatre are
planned, such as stuccoing the north and
east walls of the building. Two complete
shows each evening, with matinees Saturday
and Sunday, have been scheduled by the
management.
Mrs. William Truog Dies
KANSAS CITY—Mrs. William E. Truog,
wife of the manager of the United Artists
exchange here, died of a heart attack at
her home Tuesday (15). She had been In
the hospital, but had seemed to be recovering
since coming back to her home. She and
Mr. Truog had been married about 45 years
and reared a family of five children, four
boys and one girl. These survive her, and
one son. Morton, is a booker for the company
which his father manages on the local
level.
Manager at Springfield
SPRINGFIELD. MO.—Harold McCracken,
transferred from Unionville, Mo., is manager
of the Sunset Drive-In, opened here July 21
by the Commonwealth circuit of Kansas City,
which also operates the East Sunshine outdoor
theatre in another section of town. W.
Elden Harwood is city manager.
Ray Robertson Is Speaker
NEWTON. KAS.—Ray Robertson, co-owner
of the West-Vue Drive-In, discu.ssed development
of outdoor theatres in a talk before a
Kiwanis club luncheon.
Bernard Mariner of UA
Buried in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY—Funeral services were held
here Monday (14) for Bernard Mariner, manager
for United Artists in St. Louis the last
four years. Mariner was a former resident
of Kansas City, at one time manager here,
and had been with United Artists for 22
years. He died suddenly in Cairo. 111. Saturday
(12) while on a business trip in that city.
Mariner came from Lake Linden, Mich, but
lived 30 of his 41 years in Kansas City. He
was a veteran of World War II, serving in
the marine corps two years during the conflict.
Among the survivors are his wife Edith
and his son Robert Edward of the home; his
mother, Mrs. Katherine Clark and brother,
John Mariner, of Alaska, and a sister, Mrs.
May C. Fults of Johnson County. Kas. Burial
was in Forest Hill cemetery.
Arthur Neil Funk Dies
KANSAS CITY — Arthur Neil Funk, who
held interests in the Boulevard Drive-In,
Kansas City, Kas., the Ford Drive-In at
Leavenworth and the Atchison Drive-In,
died Tuesday (15) at his home at the Park
Central hotel. He had been a resident of
Kansas City for 35 years and was known on
Filmrow. He is survived by his wife. Prances
and several brothers and sisters. Punk was
district sales manager for the Northwest
Engineering Co. of Chicago.
Fox Cashier Most Courteous
SEDALIA, MO. — Rose Ann Heuerman,
cashier at the Fox Theatre, was winner of
the Chamber of Commerce courtesy award
for the second quarter of the year.
Manages Columbus, Neb., Drive-In
COLUMBUS. NEB.—E. P. Baruth is manager
of the Columbus Drive-In opened early
in July by Central States Theatres. Burns
Ellison is city manager.
Producer Frank Seltzer has acquired the
rights to "The Gentleman and the Redhead."
John Weltys Observe
30 Yrs. in Hill Ciiy
HILL CITY. KAS.— Mr. and Mrs. John N.
Welty recently celebrated the 30th anniversary
of their Midway Theatre.
They started in the motion picture business
in 1918 in a store building on the Cafferty
grocery site. The seats were wooden
benches on a flat floor; the screen white
muslin and there was one projection machine
—with the never-to-be-forgotten intermission
between each reel; a coal stove for heating,
no cooling; and the girl at the piano playing
"Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here" at the
deathbed scene, and "Ave Maria when custard
pies were flying through the air.
'
Fire destroyed this first film house. The
Weltys bought equipment for the Opera
House, then located on the corner east of the
Cafferty grocery. This building was later
destroyed by fire. This proved unsatisfactory
as it was upstairs. The equipment was moved
to the Boiler building.
Early in 1920 work was started on their
present Midway Theatre. It was ready for
occupancy in August of that year. Thirty
years ago it was classed as "elegant" with its
sloping floor, furnace heating-electric fans
and two projection machines in the booth.
It was a step in the right direction, but
movies were still "silent flickers."
Now, 30 years hence, the Weltys, who have
strived through years of drouth, depression,
dust storms, war and plenty, to keep abreast
of the times, are proud of their comfortable
theatre.
The present-day Midway is modern in
every way—beautiful exterior hghting. excellent
sound and projection, upholstered seats,
iced water, air conditioning, modern rest
rooms and thermostat controlled heating.
Mr. and Mrs. Welty. at their present ages
of 78 and 75, do not plan to retire.
New Marquee Installed
MADISON. S. D —A new marquee has been
installed at the State Theatre under the
supervision of Larry Stewart manager.
Now Licking, Mo., Theatre
LICKING. MO. — Construction is under
way here on a 30x90-foot building here to
house a 350-seat theatre. The opening is
scheduled in October.
ON THE LOT—E. S. Sutter, executive of the I'nited Theatres circuit in Kansas
City, and his family chat with Jane Dar«ell on the set of the new Bob Hope comedy,
"The Lemon Drop Kid," at the Paramount studios in Holl.vwood. Mrs. Sutter is beside
her husband; the youngsters are the Sutter children.
BOXOFTICE :
: August 19. 1950 MW 51

OMAHA
Tt was onr oi the hottest days of the summer
when Bill Wink, Warner Bros, salesman,
drove into Sanborn. Iowa. He found S. J.
"Doc" Sanders, local exhibitor, clad in overshoes,
earmuffs and .sheepskin lined coat.
Sander.s explained he also owns a grocerfrozen
locker business and he was defrosting.
Lon McDowell, owner of the Capitol at
Hartley. Iowa, and his son Will have been
Dale Goldie. Cherokee,
at the lakes fishing . . .
Iowa, exhibitor, is a major home gardener on
the side. His success has been so good this
summer that he can no longer hurl barbs
at film salesmen without leaving an opening.
He is supplying a local market with all its
corn.
manager
. . . Frieda
Hall Walsh, Warner Bros, district
Mr. and
from St. Louis, was in the city . . .
Mrs. Guy Griffin, owners of the Cass at
Plattsmouth, plan to leave for a California
vacation during the month
Rathovic. United Artists inspector is vacationing
in California.
Bern Mariner, St. Louis Artists manager
who died suddenly of a heart attack, was
UA booker here before he entered World War
Pop-Mor"

. . Mickey
. . Ruby
Iowa-Nebraska Allied
Will Conduct Clinic
ANAMOSA, IOWA—Charles Niles,
director
of Allied Independent Theatre Owners of
Iowa and Nebraska, has called a Film Clinic
for Thursday, August 24, at the Castle hotel,
Omaha.
All Allied members have been invited to
the Clinic, which will -start with a luncheon
at noon in the Omaha room of the Castle.
Numerous complaints have been heard from
members in Iowa and Nebraska on the
misallocation of pictures. This is one of the
problems that will be taken up at the Clinic.
Western Supply Installs
New Theatre Equipment
OMAHA—Western Theatre Supply Co. has
made the following sales and installations,
according to F. A. Van Husan:
Joyo Theatre, Coleridge, Neb., new lamp
and sound equipment.
Charles Legg. Vagabond Movies, new RCA
television set: also television sets to Rube
Natelson, M. E. McLane.
Harvard, Neb., Theatre, new sound, screen,
draperies and lighting fixtures.
R. D. Goldberg circuit, stub rod ticket
boxes.
Royal Theatre, Dunlap. Iowa, lamps, rectifiers,
screen and sound.
Walter Wachter, Hartington, Neb., Star
popcorn machine.
M. L. Dickson, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, new
RCA screens for Colonial and Temple theatres.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1080, Brewster,
Kas., machines, lamps, rectifier sound
equipment.
Local Angle Played Up
HAWARDEN, IOWA — H. J. Lankhorst,
the Sioux and Comet theatres, had
owner of
plenty of copy ready for the local newspaper
for the opening of Warners' "Caged" here.
One of the stars in the picture is Hope Emerson.
She grew up in Hawarden.
Cuts Calendar Schedule
GLASCO, KAS.—Ed McClelland, owner of
the Dream Theatre, is publishing a theatre
calendar covering attractions five weeks in
advance instead of eight as in the past.
DBS MOINES
^
By JOANN HOFFMAN
lyTargaret Neiman, secretary to Jim Redmond,
and Joy Canaday, secretary to Dale
McFarland, took a week's vacation together
. . . Kermit Carr, district manager for Ti-i-
States, attended the Quad city managers
golf outing in Davenport. Also there were
Don Hicks, Paramount Manager; Ralph Olson
and Gene Post, U-I salesmen.
.
Bob Cohun, salesman for 20th-Fox at
Omaha, has been transferred to the Des
Gary Sandler is filling
Moines territory . . .
in for L. E. Whitcome. manager in Northwood,
who is on a vacation . Zelcer,
Nathan Sandler's secretary, returned after
two weeks in Wisconsin Groos,
tour manager for Republic's new western
star. Rex Allen, spent a few days in the exchange
setting up personal appearances in
the Iowa and Nebraska territory beginning
August 20.
. . . Enos
Marian Mann, Iowa United secretary, is
going to Sidney, to see the rodeo
Manifredini, Eagle Lion secretary is spending
a vacation in Colorado with friends . . .
Henry Peterson, RKO booker, is on a vacation.
Exhibitors on Filmrow included Joe Thurber,
Montezuma: Ted Allen, Guthrie Center:
Vern Partlow, Manson: Harry Pulley, Kanawaha:
Vern Hagemann, Waverly: L. E. Nelson,
Gowrie: R. A. Fritz, What Cheer; M. L.
Dickson, Mount Pleasant; Dick Kuhl, Corning;
Fred Gearheart, Woodward; Gene Wagner,
Corwith; Paul Kirkham, Manly; E. A.
Pannos, Iowa City, and Mr. and Mrs. Bev
Mahon, Pella, Iowa.
R. H. Hill Buys in Clifton
MARYSVILLE, KAS.—Robert H. Hill of
Marysville has purchased the Isis Theatre in
Clifton
from Mr. and Mrs. Frank Reising.
Johnson Is Named Acting
Mono Des Moines Mgr.
DES MOINES—W. A.
Johnson, Monogram
salesman, has been appointed acting branch
manager in the Monogram exchange here by
Harold Wirthwein, western sales manager.
Johnson replaces George Taif, who has taken
a leave due to ill health. Johnson had been
a Monogram salesman in the Des Moines
territory for six years. He previously sold
in the Iowa territory for Columbia.
Charter Galva, Iowa, Firm
GALVA, IOWA— Articles of incorporation
have been filed by the Galva Community
Theatre here. Capitalization is listed at
$50,000 with 2,000 shares at $25 each. Board
of directors for the new theatre includes
Herman Grimes, Chet Challman, Joe Long,
Fred C. Grell and M. W. Grubb.
You
^m^'mMI?.EXHlBfrOR!
_, NEXT TIME TRY
-^ PARROT FDR YOUR
\ SPECIAL TRAILERS.
QUALITy WORK, SAME
PAY SERVICE. SERVING
{HUNDREDS OF SHOWMEN
IN THE MIDWEST!

. . . Then
. . George
KANSAS
rilmrow is bt-ginning to feel the Korean war
situation in its personnel departments. At
Warner Bros., Jackie Shelow, contract clerk,
has been called to the marine corps reserve.
Carol LaDew is replacing her in that office
over at Metro, Evelyn Miller's husband
has been called back into service and
she is leaving for her home in Mississippi.
She has been working for MGM as a boxoffice
statement clerk.
Drop into Ward Scott's in Denver and you
are more than likely to meet others from
this area, reports Don Davis, district manager
for RCA Victor Division. While Don
was there, he ran into Willis Shafer, city
manager for Fox Midwest at Hutchinson, Kas.
EXCLUSIVE
DISTRIBUTORS
CENTURY PROJECTORS
SHREVE
217 W. 18th
THEATRE SUPPLY
• COMPANY •
HA. 7849 K. C. Mo.
PDCHT MPTCDM
STAGE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
rveRTTH:Nc ron the stage • auditorium • lobby
80X OFFICE 1724 Crsnd Ave, K»nv4» City 6. Mo.
Complete Concession
Equipment
PENNINGTON POSTER SERVICE
130 West 18th St. Kansas City, Mo.
kWA.A M^A.^^^
9n 1/iu.n Se^tMce Si,tct fS99
STEBBINS THEATRE Equipment Cc
leOtl Wy.nioH* St.
KANSAS CITY 8, MOr^vW'^
'»
CITY
Shafer had been up in Wyoming fishing . . .
Other vacation fishermen reported included
Bob Shelton of Commonwealth Theatres, who
is taking his luck to Minnesota, and L. D.
Hasty, Kansas representative for the Shreve
Theatre Supply Co., back from a two-week
fishing trip in that state. He said the fishing
was good.
. . . Jack
Charles W. Shreve, shipping clerk for his
father's supply house, is on a two-week tour
with the naval reserve air corps
Ragar, Columbia booker, is on vacation.
"Chuck" Purduski is back from his—which
he explained was spent at home where Mrs.
Purduski had recently returned from the
hospital with a second daughter named
Charlene Frances. Chuck was not only "chief
cook and bottle-washer," as the saying goes,
but became an expert on other items of baby
laundry which are essential at frequent intervals.
Among the returned vacationers is head
shipper John Tonge at MGM. who hitchhiked
2400 miles with his 10-year-old son
John jr. in only nine days. John had made
such a trip when he was just out of high
school and wanted John jr. to enjoy the same
type of experience. They took only one suitcase
between them, rode in fine, new cars
most of the time and never had to wait more
than a half hour to be picked up. "We stopped
in Salt Lake City, Denver. Omaha and
Cheyenne," said John. "But mostly Johnnie
wanted to stay out of cities. We visited Boys
Town out of Omaha, too. Actually, we made
better time than if we'd been driving ourselves
and since I wasn't driving, I got to see
a lot more." On being questioned about the
cost of the trip, Tonge estimated it at about
$150, most of which was spent on meals and
lodgings—they stayed at good hotels. However,
in each city visited, they took the
regulation tour provided for tourists and
found this an excellent way to see the towns
and learn something about them.
Among the Kansas exhibitors who came
across the line to trade were Bill Flynn of
the Emporia Drive-In, Marty Landau who
has theatre holdings in Kansas and is putting
in a Drive-In in Lincoln. Neb., and John
Kongs, who has recently had 400 new seats
installed in his Royal at Seneca.
Missouri exhibitors visitors on the Row:
. . . Joe
Elmer Bills of the Lyric, Sali-sbury. Donald
R. Cotter, State, Smithville; Harley Fryer,
Orpheum at Neosho; Woodrow Rife, Victory,
Knobnoster; A. E. Jarboe, Ritz, Cameron;
A. J. Simmons, Lamar Drive-In
Ghosen of the Royal at Versailles has had
500 new seats installed by Missouri Theatre
Supply Co.
The Monogram exchange has added the
space of the old Film Classics offices to its
own quarters at 114 W. 18th . . . Among those
who came in from out of town for the funeral
of Bernard Mariner were Jack Kane, Charles
Scheuflew and Tony Tedesco, .salesmen at
the St. Louis UA exchange. Mrs. Scheuflew
accompanied her husband. Mr. and Mrs.
D. V. McLucas came down from Omaha to
pay their respects. McLucas is the branch
manager at that exchange. Tom Edwards of
Eldon, Mo., of the Edwards & Plumlee Theatres,
Farmington. also was at the services.
.
. . . Zella
Charles "Chuck" Bremen, RKO .salesman
for southwest Kansas who has been in a
Wichita hospital several weeks, is back at
work Baker's father, familiarly
called "Peck" Baker, is in St. Margaret's
hospital in a critical condition
Faulkner, secretary to George Baker, is in
Bethany hospital in Kansas City, Kas., for
a checkup.
Considerable local excitement was stirred
up recently by the announced engagement
of Patrice Wymore. a Salina. Kas.. girl who Is
making good in the movies, to Errol Flynn,
Warner star. The couple flew into Salina
last week to visit Miss Wymore's parents,
Mr. and Mrs. James Wymore, and received
considerable space in local papers. They went
on to New York but Miss Wymore will be
back in Salina to prepare for the wedding
while Flynn is making a picture abroad.
Wymore w-as a film carrier for Film Delivery
for the western part of Kansas, operating
trucks out of Salina. for about eight or nine
years. Patrice (Patricia) has a supporting
role in "Tea for Two, ' a Warner musical
which was screened Monday (13) to a capacity
crow'd. Patricia's mother was present,
unknown to all but a few there, as the guest
of Earl Jameson jr.
M. D. "Babe" Cohn, manager of Paramount
Theatre who has been home several months
after a heart attack, came back to his desk
on Monday (14) and found everything shipshape,
due to the efforts of Glad.vs Green.
M CARPETS
Bigelow-
Sanford
Carpets
iTtS"
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54 BOXOFFICE ;
: August 19, 1950

. . Hank
. . Senn
. . Ralph
. . Virginia
house manager, Nelly Morgan, assistant
nianager, and others on the staff.
. .
Vacations are still in full swing on the
Row. Jim Lewis, manager at RKO. will have
to use a substitute typist or his own huntand-peck
system on the typewriter, with his
secretary, Mary Lamble. on vacation. Bob
Ringler, RKO salesman for northern Kansas,
is also on annual leave . . . Mary Heueisen,
Warner booker, is taking her two weeks off
in town . . . Edd Haas, one of Fox Midwest's
district managers, is loafing with Mrs. Haas
Mary
in his cottage at Colorado Springs .
Lou Clark, bookkeeper for the Missouri Theatre
Supply Co.. is giving California the tour-
onceover.
ist
Eddie Golden, city salesman for MGM.
postponed his vacation once when reported
as taking it. but now he will spend two weeks
with his wife and two daughters at the Lake
of the Ozarks. The two daughters. Bonny.
13, and Penny. 10. have been modeling at
Macy's in some of their fashion showings
. . . Tillie Eastburn. MGM cashier, is back
from an outing spent at Lake Okoboji in
Iowa . Sonday. MGM booker, took
Mrs. Sonday and motored all over the west.
Dorothy Peterson, booker-stenographer, is
leaving the MGM exchange ... At RCA. Mrs.
Lavonne Francesconi has retired to devote
her time to household and family duties, and
has been replaced by Ramona Laquet as secretary
to Don Davis and Walter Varnum . . .
Virginia Lee Scott, from Dixie, is the new
telephone girl at MGM.
.
Gadabouts of the week include E. D. Van
Duyne. district manager, and J. H. Moore.
field supervisor for RCA Service. They were
spending a week on business in Minneapolis
and St. Paul Lawler, public relations
director at Fox Midwest, and Ralph
Adams, film buyer, have returned from the
convention held by National Theatres in Los
Leon Robertson, city district
Angeles . . .
manager for Fox Midwest, returned from a
business trip to Chicago.
Withy, the exclusive monkey that escaped
from the Crest Drive-In here several weeks
ago, was captured by Mrs. Bob Walter, wife
of the Crest manager, with the aid of a
little food and coaxing. The monkey walked
up to Mrs. Walker seeking a bite of food,
and she grabbed him.
Arthur Cole and "Dick" Biechele went to
Mason City, Iowa, to attend the reopening
of the State Theatre there. It was recently
purchased by Clarence Schultz and has been
extensively remodeled . Morrow jr.
has been taken on as a student salesman at
the 20th-Fox exchange . Gaylord
is substituting for Zella Faulkner in the
offices of the A. P. Baker Enterprises while
Miss Faulkner is undergoing hospitalization
George Forman. zone manager for Hallmark
Productions, . . .
visited the Row Wednes-
day (16).
Satisfaction — Always
Missouri Theatre Supply Co.
L. I. KIMBRIEL. Manngar
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MINNEAPOLIS
pat O'Brien, film star, will make his first
Minneapolis personal appearance August
31 when he opens a two-week engagement at
the Hotel Nicollet Terrace Room . . . Industry
leaders here believe that restrictions on
credit, curtailment of television manufacture,
etc.. is sure to have favorable boxoffice
repercussions . . . William Floyd of New
York, who will be the organist at Radio City
theatre when that de luxe showhouse resumes
organ music and community sings within
the next few weeks, has been regular organist
at the Radio City Music Hall and Paramount
Theatre in New York City.
The state bar association is investigating
the conduct of the Rubin Shetsky and Laura
Miller murder trials by Judge J. J. Moriary
of Shakopee, Minn., particularly with regard
to the installation of loudspeakers in a nearby
theatre to permit overflow crowds to hear
testimony in both trials and the televising of
Shetsky by KSTP-TV while he was on the
stand testifying in his own behalf. Both
were sensational murder trials involving
Minneapolitans.
North Central AUied's regional meeting in
Sioux Falls attracted a good turnout. The
meeting was given over largely to high film
costs . . . The new Bob Hope comedy. "Fancy
Pants." is set for the St. Paul Paramount
August 31 and Radio City here September 1
. . . North Central Allied's current bulletin
tosses orchids at MGM for selling "Annie
Get Your Gun" to smaller situations flat.
Radio City Theatre got a bad break when
the University of Minnesota decided it would
not follow the lead of other Big 10 institutions
in the Chicago and Detroit areas and
permit large screen televising of its football
games next fall. The large screen television,
designed to bring important events to patrons
at the time of their happening, is now being
installed in the showhouse. The Western
Conference previously had prohibited Uve
televising of any of its football games mext
fall.
W. G. Hall Improves
BURWELL. NEB.—W. G. Hall has installed
a new Cycloramic screen in the Rodeo Theatre.
New seats also were to be added.
Vandals Damage Neon Sign
PANORA. IOWA — Vandals damaged the
large neon star at the entrance of the Star
Drive-in here, owners reported. County officers
are investigating.
Exhibitor Produces Play
ST. JOHN. KAS.—John Caylor. manager
of the Pix Theatre, is producer and director
of the play. "He Done Her Wrong," which
was given by a local cast on Festival day here
Wednesday (16).
New Seats at Fair Theatre
FAIRFAX, MO.—Mr. and Mrs Don Fraser
have installed 112 cushion seats in the Fair
Theatre, continuing an improvement program.
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BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950 55

Adolph Hopp and His Son
Buy Marquette Strand
MARQUETTE, KAS.—Adolph Hopp and
his son Earl purchased the Strand Theatre,
closed nearly three months, from Mr. and
Mrs. A. N. Berquist and opened it immediately.
Adolph was in the cafe business 16
years before selling out three years ago, since
which time he had been working in a food
market. The Hopps will operate Friday,
Saturday, Sunday and Monday to start.
The Berquists were in
the theatre business
here the last 23 years. They redecorated the
Strand two years ago and installed new
sound. They recently sold their drug store
here, after operating it 30 years.
Jack Hastings, lola, Kas.,
Joins Drive-In Project
lOLA, KAS.—Dick Fryer, formerly at the
Peoples in Chanute, has been transferred
here as manager of the lola and Uptown
theatres for Fox Midwest. He succeeded
Jack Hastings, who resigned to enter a drivein
enterprise headed by John Krupp of lola.
Lyle Holman, from the Jayhawk in Topeka.
succeeded Fryer at the Peoples.
Hastings and Krupp are constructing a
drive-in on Highway 54. They hope to open
it this month.
Job High at Twin City
MINNEAPOLIS—Local employment has
climbed to a 1950 record high, according to
the state employment service report for
July. The 245,805 people at work last month
were 13,400 more than a year ago. At the
same time, the average work week in local
factories rose to 42.1 hours, highest in four
years, and average weekly wages reached
an all-title high of $60.14.
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Seventh Airer Slated
In Twin City Section
MINNEAPOLIS — Al Avod and Claude
Dickenson, owners of a buying booking combine
here, will build a 600-car drive-in in a
suburban area one mile from the SuUivan
brothers' Hilltop Drive-In.
This will make seven ozoners for the Twin
city area—four of them owned by Minnesota
Entertainment Enterprises. Two other operations,
the Hilltop and 7-Hi, are turning in
amazingly good grosses, attributable to the
fact that they are using comparatively early
availabilities. They are finding that tlie
boosted takes more than offset the higher
film costs, many of their pictures being
played on percentage. The Hilltop, for example,
is known to have grossed around $4,-
000 with "Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town" in
six days. This is considered all the more
remarkable in view of the fact that its
capacity is only 500 cars.
May Open Late in Month
NEVADA, MO.—Construction is expected
to be completed in the next two weeks on a
350-car drive-in on Highway 54 east of town.
Builders are Luther Osborne and Keith Zigler
of Hutchinson, Kas.
Higbee, Mo., Outdoor Theatre
HIGBEE, MO.—Sterling Bagby, who has
been operating shows here on Friday nights,
opened an outdoor theatre in mid-July on a
vacant lot at the rear of Purdy's service
station. There are folding chairs for persons
who wish to leave their cars.
Start St. Joseph Theatre
ST. JOSEPH, MO. — Buildings on the
ground at 111 North Ninth have been cleared
to make way for construction of a 1,000-seat
theatre to be operated by the Glen Dickinson
circuit of Kansas City.
TEI to Build in Beloit, Kas.
BELOIT, KAS.—Chett Posey, manager of
the Beloit Theatre for Theatre Enterprises
of Kansas City, reports TEI will construct a
drive-in at a site yet to be chosen here.
Named Acting Manager
WELLINGTON, KAS. — D. E. Nutter of
Wichita was named acting manager of the
Regent in place of L. H. Rockhold of Winfield
who is ill.
u^i^^'^^

to
Change in UA Shipping
Effective on Weekend
KANSAS CITY—Karl Jameson and Sam
Abend, president and secretary-treasurer of
Film Delivery and the Central Shipping and
Inspection Bureau, attended the meeting in
Chicago Sunday and Monday of National
Film Service, parent corporation. The meeting
was for the purpose of taking over the
operation of inspection and shipping services
for United Artists on Saturday (19).
According to Jameson, Central Shipping
(which is the name under which the local
branch of National Film Service operates,
each exchange office operating under a different
franchise) will open up new offices in
Oklahoma City. Des Moines and Memphis, to
handle the service for United Artists. The
opening of these offices will save exhibitors
money because of transportation points being
closer. Not all UA employes can be retained
here, however, because of new ones being
added in the new offices.
Jameson is on a trip to Denver now where
his company's new building is almost completed.
OMAHA — National Film Carrier, headed
here by M. G. Rogers, will take over distribution
of United Artists films for the Omaha
and Des Moines territories this month.
The new shipping service will continue to
be operated out of United Artists quarters
and present shipping employes will stay on.
Good Hoisington, Kas., Business
HOISINGTON. KAS. — Jake Manweiler,
who with his sons Edwin and August operate
the new Cheyenne Drive-In south of town
on Highway 28. reports the 450-car situation
has been enjoying satisfactory business. It
opened July 15.
Frankfort Theatre Reopened
REDFIELD, S.
D.—Tlie Frankfort Theatre
here has been reopened following completion
of remodeling made necessary by a fire which
damaged the house extensively several weeks
ago. Ray Drayer is manager of the theatre.
STUDIO VISITORS — A. A. Renfro,
RKO branch manager in Omaha, Neb.,
and his wife visited the RKO studios
while in Hollywood recently. They are
shown in the accompanyinK picture with
Tim Holt, star of "Texas TrlgKer Man,"
who took time out from production on the
.set to chat with them.
MPAA-Aided School Film Project,
Now Four Years Old, Acclaimed
OMAHA—Motion pictures as teaching aids
in small Nebraska high schools are no longer
an experiment. They have become almost
unanimously excepted as a result of the work
of Roger Albright and Dr. Wesley C. Meierhenry
through the Nebraska Film Program,
started in 1946. Meierhenry, former assistant
director of the University of Nebraska
extension division, has been director. Albright,
director of educational services for
the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, has
been its adviser and expediter. He headquarters
in Washington.
The program has been worked through the
four state colleges, the University of Nebraska
and the University of Omaha. It
calls for intensive use of motion pictures
each year in about 30 small high schools
scattered over the state. Fifteen schools
participated for the full four years.
Meierhenry reported these success indicators:
1. All of the teachers colleges say they
intend to keep and expand their film libraries
and circulate them to secondary schools.
2. When the program began, only the University
of Nebraska had any teacher training
audio-visual methods. Now "every campus
is doing something with audio-visual" and
the teachers college at Peru requires such
training of its education graduates.
3. "In no case have we failed to find the
Cinderella Contest Held
At Holton, Kas., Arcade
HOLTON. KAS. — The presentation of
Cinderella of Jackson County from the stage
of the Arcada Theatre was the highlight of
the house's recently completed Employes
week. Don Tillotson. manager of the Arcada.
emceed the show and gave Cinderella, Alice
Dell her gifts, including a new dress, a pearl
necklace, shoes, hose and phonograph records
and a year's pass to the Arcada.
Another popular event of the week was a
coloring contest for grade school kids. There
were many entries and interest was keen
among the small-fry. Prizes awarded were
theatre passes.
Ticket Taxes Up a Bit
MINNEAPOLIS—The amusement business
in Minnesota was slightly better last month
than for the corresponding period a year
ago, according to federal tax returns. Admission
taxes, mostly from movie theatres,
amounted to $689,000 for the month past. In
July 1949 they were $678,000.
New Car Given Away
MARYSVILLE. KAS.—Darrell Ray. manager
of the Liberty Theatre here, presented
a new Chevrolet sedan to Rufus Hazlett.
Onaga. winner in the merchants' contest
sponsored here during two months. Eddie
Henderson, Isis manager, congratulated the
winner.
Leslie Goodwins and John Greene will
write a two-reel comedy, "Tin Horn Troubadours,"
for RKO.
opinion that the films have broadened the
students' understanding of specific subjects
and general culture."
Albright said teachers claimed that wellprepared
films helped them over the rough
spots in their Own training, particularly
where laboratory or reference material was
inadequate.
"When you use Irving Langmuir for a
physics teacher, you're bound to impress a
student more."
Films on general subjects—citizenship, democracy,
music and art appreciation—present
arguments and evidence convincingly
and impressively. These are selected by reviewing
boards of teachers.
In very small schools, where teachers must
handle several different subjects each day,
the films give the student a chance to learn
more effectively.
The project was financed by grants from
the Carnegie Corp.. New York City, several
producers of educational films, and the Nebraska
colleges. The Carnegie group provided
$54,300. The producers and the schools each
about $50.000—much of it in services and
special rates. Meierhenry said.
"It was the biggest project of its kind
ever attempted," he said.
Nebraska was picked by the MPA and
Carnegie group because of its high proportion
of small high schools, Albright said.
Drive-In Aids College Fund
WINFIELD. KAS.—Mr. and Mrs. Orval
Ward turned over the proceeds of a recent
performance of "Mr. Belevedere Goes to College
the Southwestern college develop-
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BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 57

In Jail
for 'Caged'
J. Edelstpin. manager of the Lybba
Theatre in Hibbing, Minn., obtained excellent
results on his showing of "Caged"
by means of several stunts whose cost
was nominal. The above photo, produced
in the local newspaper, illustrates a
"comparison" being made of the cells for
women in the Hibbing jail and those
shown in the film. Left to right: Mary
Lopp, police matron; Manager Edelstein;
Chester Naeseth, chief of police, and R.
Rutstein of the Lybba. They decided
that the Hibbing cells were far above
the average in comfort, cleanliness and
furnishings.
Edelstein literally plastered his lobby
with all kinds of advertising on "Caged,"
so that no matter where the patron entered
or left, he was hit squarely with
''Caged" material.
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New Curtis Co. Plant
At St. Augustine
CLAYTON. GA.—Joseph B. Curtis of
Curtis
Sunny Isle Products was to leave for
St. Augustine. Fla.. to open his main plant
in that city. The local plant will remain
open as a shipping center for the territory
above central Georgia.
The plant manufactures Butter-Ene, popcorn
flavoring which is added to the popping
oil in which the corn is popped. The
product is not new, since it has been used
for years by hotels, restaurants and other
such institutions. However. Curtis has only
recently entered the theatrical field with his
products.
In addition to the Butter-Ene, he has
Coconut Milk, which has been a concession
item for many years in the tropics. The
firm also manufactures a complete line of
flavors for snowballs and fresh fruit concentrates
for concession stands. Curtis has
been a member of the Ass'n of Food Technologists
for more than 20 years.
F. S. Falkenburg Resigns
As Birmingham Manager
BIRMINGHAM—Francis S. Falkenburg,
manager of the Alabama Theatre here for
the last 14 years, has resigned to enter business
for himself. Connected with the Wilby-
Kincey organization 17 years, Falkenburg was
in South Carolina with the circuit before
coming to Birmingham. A native of Florida,
he was with some of the leading Miami
houses before joining Wilby-Kincey.
Falkenburg has been active in all civic
affairs since coming to Birmingham. He promoted
Victory bond sales during the war and
now assists with savings bond campaigns.
Community Chest drive kickoffs and the
Birmingham Starlight Opera.
The theatre executive is a member of the
board of governors of the Downtown club,
a charter member of Vestavia Country club,
and a member of the Birmingham Advertising
club, the City Salesman club and the
Aero club. Falkenburg will announce his new
business connection later.
In another managerial change in the circuit.
Mac Russell returned to Birmingham
to become assistant manager at the Alabama,
succeeding Bert Smith who resigned.
Russell, former assistant manager at the
Strand here, has been manager of the Tennessee
Theatre in Knoxville.
Drive-In for Negro Trade
Is Proposed at Miami
MIAMI—A drive-in for Negro patronage
to occupy a two-block square area in the
northwest section of the city, will be built
if a proposed variance permit is issued by
the Dade county commissioners, who have
taken such a propo.sal under consideration.
The pi'oject previously was turned down by
the zoning board. The drive-in idea is
backed by the judge of the Negro municipal
court.
DeLacey Thompson, saying he represented
a group of nearby residents, objected
to the drive-in which he claimed would
"create a traffic hazard" on the busy thoroughfare
of northwest 62nd street. He denied
that the objections were based on any
Clanfon Drive-ln
Sponsors Float
In County Peach Festival Parade
CLANTON. ALA.—J. A. "Joe" Jackson of
the Clanton Drive-In Theatre here arranged
for a float to be entered in the Peach Festival
parade recently, the first to be sponsored
by a theatre in Chilton county. The
entry, while serving as an advertising medium
for the drive-in. also built goodwill
among local citizens. In the picture above
Peach queen contestant Marguerite Davis is
shown on the float.
The drive-in first opened last October and
has had excellent patronage from local filmgoers.
The Clanton is owned by Clanton
Drive-In Theatre. Inc.. a corporation formed
by Jackson, president and manager; Myrtle
H. Wilson, secretary-treasurer, and Dr. W.
P. Wilson, vice-president.
Jackson is the only member of the fnm
who has had previous theatre experience. He
was born in Chilton county, in which Clanton
is located, and left here at the age of 14.
He went to Birmingham and started his
theatre career by sweeping out theatres and
selling peanuts. At the age of 17 he worked
in the booth as projection operator. He
worked as an operator for 17 years for Paramount
Theatres at the Alabama. He left
there to become manager of the Empire in
Birmingham, a position he held for three and
sort of racial grounds, but that the surrounding
community would find the theatre
a "neighborhood nuisance." Commissioners
will give an answer at their forthcoming
meeting.
And It Wasn't a Ghost
MEMPHIS—When Dr. Neff. who materializes
ghosts and similar .such things under
the single .stage name, arrived at Warner
Theatre for two performances, he had a
bump on his head. Warner officials called
police. Neff said he was fixing a tlat tire
stranger stopped
on the highway and that a
to help him and conked him on the head.
No money was taken. Police are investigatinf
Gordon Theatres Formed
BATON ROUGE, LA.—Articles of incorporation
have been filed with the office of
the secretary of state here for Gordon Theatres.
Inc. Capital stock was listed at $25,000.
one-hall years. For one year and one-half
preceding that he was in charge of maintenance
and construction for the Acme Theatres.
Birmingham, firm which owns the
Empire. He left the Empire to build the
Clanton.
The Clanton covers a 15-acre tract and is
located on Highway 31, direct route from
Birmingham to Montgomery. The ozoner has
a steel screen tower, a white marbleized
block concessions building. 408 in-car speakers
purchased from Wil-Kin Theatre Supply
Co.. Atlanta, and all Motiograph equipment.
The marbleized white block has been
used in a number of ways around the theatre.
It is used in a wall of white and yellow
from the entrance to the boxoffice for a
distance of some 250 feet and is used in the
boxoffice.
The Prattmont Drive-In. Prattmont. almost
duplicates the Clanton. Jackson helped
the owners of that house with their plans
and in the purchase of their equipment.
which also is Motiograph.
Engineer for both the Pi-attmont and the
Clanton was Carl Chrlstansen. owner and
operator of the Snug Harbor Concrete Block
Products Co.. Thorsby, Ala., which makes the
marbleized block.
Martin Buys Two Houses
GRIFFIN. GA.—Martin Theatres of Georgia
has purchased the Imperial and Roxy
theatres here. The Imperial is a 797-seat
first run and the Roxy, 324 seats, is an action
house. A. T. Vinson shifted from the
Martin, Roanoke, Ala., to be city manager
here.
First Detroit Theatre TV
DETROIT—The first large scale workout
of theatre television here is slated to be at
the Michigan Theatre, where the video installation
has been under way for .some time
in connection with University of Michigan
football schedule this fall. In line with Paramount
arrangements made with Big Ten
universities, the six home games will be presented
over the Michigan's new system. Two
out-of-town games may also be made available,
the Ohio State game at Columbus, and
the Army game at New York.
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 SE 59

Filmmaker Walter Resce Recounts
Adventures of His European Trip
MIAMI—Walter Resce, director of Rainbow
Pictures. Miami Beach motion picture
production firm, has returned from Europe
where he had some hair-raising experiences
on his filmmaking jaunt.
As part of their photography chores in
Italy Resce and his wife were shooting
scenes along the Tiber river when their
boat capsized, spilling them into the current.
Resce was found head down among
the rocks along the shore. A 16-year-old boy
fished Mrs. Desce from the water. A medico
pronounced them dead on arrival at the
hospital.
Resce regained consciousness a few hour^
later, but his wife, the former Ruth Brigham,
a feature writer for International News
Service, stayed in a coma for five days.
Half of their camera equipment lies at the
bottom of the Tiber.
Undaunted by the mishap, the Resces
finished their work in Italy and went on
to Israel. "It is simply unbelievable the
progress these people have made," Resce
said. "With only a year of independence.
Arab gunfire at their very doors, the Israeli
people and government have begun an immense
agricultural program and have opened
many industrial plants, including rubber,
glass, cement, wine, etc."
With an eye for interesting scenes for his
color camera, Resce described the city of
Haifa as particularly beautiful, "much like
San Francisco." The beaches there, he said,
are excellent.
"And the people, no matter how poor,
and the streets of the city are scrupulously
clean. English is spoken everywhere, and
everybody I met, from government officials
to the man on the street, was wholeheartedly
cooperative."
Resce's unlucky number almost caught up
with him again at Jerusalem. He was shooting
parts of the city in the hands of the
Arabs from atop Mount Zion in the Jewish
zone, when he realized Arab guards below
had him in their sights. "Apparently they
mistook my camera for a gun," he recalled.
Resce's films of Israel will include reels
on industry, its appearance to the tourist.
its youth and a longer production dealing
with the new nation as a whole. He met
Baron de Hirsch Meyer, Miami Beach banker
and attorney, who is an advLser.
Most exclusive of Resce's pictures probably
are scenes of the Pope and the Vatican, mos,t
of them made before the Tiber dunking.
But for the cooperation he received in Rome,
Resce met with little help from Italians
when it came to photographing other parts
of their country. Bribe-hungry officials and
petty red tape procedures threatened more
than once to bog down the camera team.
Admittedly disappointed in Italy, except
as it looks through a view-finder, 'Resce
observed, "Italy has been the recipient of
vast amounts of Marshall Plan aid. with a
view to checking communism. Yet the communists
are very strong, the government confused
and the people bent on an allout effort
to fleece Americans this Holy Year."
American congressmen and writers, on
flying junkets through the country "don't
hear the frequency with which the name
of Mussolini is cropping up," Resce complained.
"People are recalling "better times
under II Duce."
There are eight films in all, but the Italian
pictures will be distributed soon for viewing
in schools and institutions. Both English
and Spanish sound tracks will be utilized.
Osceola, Ark.. Houses Sold
OSCEOLA, ARK.—The Joy and Gem theatres
here have been purchased by two
Osceola businessmen, Leroy Owens and B.
Frank Williams, from the estate of the late
Emma Cox. Bill Kroeger will remain as
manager.
J. S. Browning Stricken
ELIZABETH, TENN.—J. S. "Bus" Browning,
who had been identified many years with
the ownership of local theatres, died recently
after a brief illness. Browning's death came
while he was out of the city recovering after
an operation. Funeral services were held here.
Sunset Drive-In Bows
At West Memphis, Ark.
MEMPHIS—The Sun.set Drive-In in West
Memphis, Ark., just across the new $12.-
000,000 four-lane highway bridge from downtown
Memphis, was all set for its formal
opening August 17.
Built in a rapidly growing city across the
Mississippi river from Memphis and expected
to attract Memphians as well, this is the
first new drive-in to be finished in this sevtion
this summer.
The Sunset has all black-topped surfaces,
moonlight lighting, Mighty Ninety projection
lamps which provide a picture almost twice
the size of the usual 50-ampere lamps. It
has a playground including a Crosley fire
engine on which children may ride free of
charge.
A picture window in the projection booth
enables patrons to watch the white-uniformed
projectionists operating the big machines.
The Sunset Drive-In is the first of three
drive-ins announced for this territory by
Ken Corp. of Memphis of which David Flexer
is president. One is under construction at
Clarksdale, Miss., and the location of the
third has not been announced. Flexer also
is head of Flexer Theatres, Inc., which operates
a chain of theatres from its Memphis
headquarters.
Build Dickson, Tenn., Theatre
DICKSON, TENN.—Work has been started
on a new theatre on North Main street
here for the Dickson Theatre Co. Mrs. W.
F. Bruster, president of the company, said
the house would be ready for opening ia
January.
The theatre, to seat 850 persons, will be of
steel, masonry and concrete construction.
The cry room will accommodate 16 adults.
The front of the building will be of creara
brick trimmed with red brick. The floors
of the front balcony, the foyer and restrooms
will be terrazzo. Heating will be an
automatic gas-fired forced hot water system.
The lobby will be of structural glass and
porcelain enamel.
Architects for the building are Speight &
Hibbs, Clarksville, Tenn. General contractor
is Allen Murphy of Nashville.
Roanoke, Ala., Ozoner Opens
ROANOKE, ALA.—The 207-car Twilite
Drive-In has been opened just outside the
city limits on the Rock Mills highway. Louie
Treadway is manager and Martin Theatres
of Georgia owns the house.
WARNERS ATLANTA STAFF—A grand total of more than 50 years in the
Atlanta Warners branch has been spent by the staff members pictured above.
They are, left to right: Bill Langston, who has been with Atlanta WB office for
13 years; Alvin McAfee, with the branch eight months; J. Waters, office manager,
12 years; Roy Donaldson, ten years, and Sewell Suderth, 15 years.
Century, Jackson, Miss.,
Closed After 50 Years
JACKSON. MISS.—The Century Theatre
here, originally opened more than 50 years
ago and converted into a motion picture
house after many years of use as a legitimate
house, recently was closed by the Paramount
Gulf Theatre Corp., which also operates the
Paramount, Majestic and Pix theatres and
the Highway 80 Drive-In. No reason for the
closing has been revealed by officials of the
operating company. The house has been
managed many years by Mrs. W. F. Zetrouer.
60 BOXOFFICE :: August 19. 1950

Yipee! What fun ! . . . when the Pine Ridge
pOHners invade the big city to out-slick two
big-shdtoil men . . . and find themsefves
out-kicking a score of show-girl cuties!
•DREAMING OUT LOUD'
"BASHFUL BACHELOR'
"TWO WEEKS TO UVE"

. . Other
MEMPHIS
who operates the Carolyn and
John Staples,
Franklin theatres at Piggott, Ark., was on
Filmrow with his teenage daughter Carolyn,
for whom one of his theatres is named .
Amelia Ellis, who operates the Mason
. .
at
Mason. Tenn,. was here doing some last
minute shopping for her new Prayser Drivein
which she expects to open soon on Highway
51. just north of the city limits . . .
Mr, and Mrs. Henley Smith. Imperial and
Skylark Drive-In. Pocahontas. Ark., were on
Filmrow.
Fred and Zell Jaynes, Joy. West Memphis,
were in on business . exhibitors
from Arkan-sas included William Elia.s. Murr.
Osceola; Walter Lee. Gem. Heber Springs:
Roy Cochran. Juroy. North Little Rock;
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Neil Blount
492 So. Second St.
Memphis, Tenn.
Orris Collins. Capitol and Majestic, Paragould;
W. L. Landers, Landers, Batesville;
W. L. Moxley. Mox, Blytheville; Henry
Haven, Imperial, Forrest City; O. W. Mc-
Cutchen. Roxy. Blytheville. and Lloyd
Hutchins. Pangburn. Pangburn.
. . .
John .Mohrstand. president of the Tristates
branch of TOA. who operates the
Missouri and Joy at Hayti. Mo., was here
on business Ditto Wythe Bedford.
Marion. Hamilton. Ala.; Roy Dillard. Dillard
at Warden and Rex at Lilborn. Mo., and
Jimmie Gillespie, publicist for 20th-Fox. Dallas.
Irvene Bryan. 20th-Fox, was in Daytona
Beach on a vacation . . . C. C. Bach,
assistant NTS manager, flew to Florida to
join his family on a vacation at Daytona
Beach where they have been for some time
and will return with them by automobile.
. . .
Mrs. Frances Sims, NTS stenographer, was
on a vacation trip to Mississippi and Florida
Lurlene Carruthers, Warner clerk, was
on a trip through New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado
and Texas . . . Leon Roundtree. Holly
Springs. Miss., whose Holly Theatre there
was completely rebuilt after a disastrous
fire several months ago, was in town with
reports that business is good.
Other exhibitors from Mississippi included
Mrs. J. C. Noble. Temple at Leland and
Roosevelt at Hollendale; Fitz Parris, Harlem,
Clarksdale; Thomas Parris, Shelby, Shelby;
D. F. Blissard. Okolona, Okolona; Jack Watson.
Palace, Tunica, and J. C. Bonds, Von,
Hernando.
W. F. Ruffin sr., who operates the Ruffin
Amusements Co., Covington, was on the Row.
Other exhibitors from Tennessee included
M. E. Rice. Rice at Brownsville and Funland
Drive-In at Dyersburg; R. B. Gooch. Ritz,
Selmer; Guy Amis. Princess. Lexington;
Louise Mask. Luez. Bolivar, and N. B. Fair.
Pair.
Somerville.
Arthur Groom, Loew's State manager, has
a new assistant manager, Fred Jesse, former
student assistant at Loew's Grand, Atlanta.
He replaces Robert McCain, who resigned . . .
R. J. Lester, manager of Park Theatre, and
Louis Ingram. MGM manager, took the bo.vs
. . .
at Gailor Hall (Memphis Boys Town) to see
"Annie Get Your Gun" at the Park
Children from St. Peter's orphanage and
io^, INC.
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• STAGE AND AUDITORIUM
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• MURALS
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• TRACKS
• CONTROLS
• LIGHTING
• WALL FABRICS
MOST MODERN STAGE EQUIPMENT STUDIO IN AMERICA
AND DIMMERS
Porter Home and Leath orphanage were
guests at Loew's State to see "Treasure
Island." which drew big business to State
after a newspaper and department store
contest in which thousands of dollars worth
of prizes were awarded in a citywide treasure
hunt.
. . N. B. Blount.
M. A. Lightman sr., president of Malco
Theatres. Inc.. has returned from a business
Edward Sapinsley
trip in the east . . . and wife are home from a vacation in Wisconsin
where their children are .spending
the summer in a camp .
. . . Neil Murphy,
Monarch Theatre Supply manager, was on a
business trip to Nashville
salesman. Monarch, was in Arkansas . . .
A. P. Marlar has reopened his Joy Theatre
at Nettleton. Miss. . . . J. H. McCarthy.
Warner manager, was vacationing in Wisconsin,
his former home.
CHARLOTTE
n mong those planning to attend the Theatre
Owners of America meeting in Houston
are Mr. and Mrs. Ben L. Strozier. Stevenson.
Rock Hill. S. C; Mr. and Mrs. Sidney
S. Stevenson. Stevenson. Henderson. N. C;
Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Hearn. H. H. Everett
and H. P. Kincey of Charlotte, and George
D. Carpenter of Valdese. N. C.
Ernest Clark of the Melody Drive-In at
Mamers. N. C; R. B. Adams of the Rendezvous
at North Wilkesboro (converted to
white from Negro patronage); James A.
Adams. Starhte Drive-In. Kernersville;
Alonzo Parrish jr.. Moonlight Drive-In. Stedman.
and Mrs. Louise Hill of the Ware
Shoals. S. C. drive-in are new clients of
the Queen City Booking Service here.
Harry Ludlam has purchased the Fink-
. . . H. D. Hearn of
lea, S. C. Drive-In from H V. Hewett . . .
Mr. and Mrs. Morris Littman of the Sylvan
Theatre in Rutherfordton, N. C, spent a few
days in Atlantic City
Charlotte went to Raleigh to let contracts
on equipment for a theatre he is building
in Cameron Village.
Spring Byington, star of U-I's "Louisa,''
was to visit here August 18. Her tour will include
Atlanta. Nashville and New Orleans.
"Louisa" will open at the Carolina here
August 27.
Harry Meadows, assistant to Fred Jack of
United Artists, called at the local exchange
. . . H. D. Hearn has leased the Waylin Tlieatre
in Charleston from the Ling Corp.. effective
August 30 . . . Sunday shows are
now legal in Conover. N. C. The town
council met last week and approved showing
of films on the Sabbath . . . Gene Dyer,
salesman for Screen Guild here, has been
admitted to the Naval hospital in Bethesda,
Md., to undergo treatment for a skin infection.
Visitors on the Row included Row Rowe
of the Pender Theatre, Burgaw; A. Fuller
Sams of the State. Statesville; H. P. Mc-
Manus of the Greer Drive-In. Greer; V. E.
Burleson. Banner Elk; Lewis Boylin of the
Blair in Marshville. and Curtis Tarlton. Valley
Drive-In. Gloverville.
Victor Young has been inked to score "Rio
Bravo" for Republic release.
62 BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950

: August
. . . Harry
. . Lois
. . George
. . Frank
. , Charles
. . Earl
. . Jimmy
Ocean Frontage Site
Bought for Drive-In
ORLANDO, FLA.—Bids have been taken
for construction of a drive-in for the Cottage
colony area here, and construction
should start within ten days, according to
John H. Huttig, Orlando, president of the
Southeastern Theatre Co.. which is developing
the new enterprise.
The site is about one mile south of the
new Port Orange bridge in the Lufberry triangle.
The land, running from the Halifax
river to the ocean, has about 400 feet frontage
on the river and 174 on the ocean. It
was purchased recently for $51,000 from
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Shirmer jr.
The new theatre, which will accommodate
600 cars, will straddle the peninsula from
Riverside to Atlantic. The 174-foot strip
from Atlantic to the beach will be held for
future development, Huttig said.
Entrance to the drive-in will be on South
Atlantic and exit will be on Riverside. In
the center of the theatre there will be a
concession booth.
About $100,000 will be invested in construction
and equipment, according to Huttig.
He expects the theatre to be completed
within three months.
The theatre, Huttig said, will have RCA
projection and sound equipment.
Huttig is in the real estate and investment
business here. Officers of the Southeastern
Theatre Co. are Donald T. Randall,
vice-president, and W. H. Huttig, a brother
of John, secretary-treasurer and manager
of the theatre.
All three officers live here and are new
to show business. Huttig said that he had
surveyed the territory on the peninsula and
had decided that a theatre would have wide
appeal there.
The county corrunis.sion adopted a resolution
changing part of the Lufberry tract
from nonconforming use as a trailer park to
permit construction of the theatre. South
Penninsula plans board adopted a similar
resolution.
Gouging of Filmmakers
By Utahans Is Charged
from Western Edition
SALT LAKE CITY—Fear that the state
of Utah is losing much of its filmmaking
business because of overcharging film companies
was expressed in a front-page article
carried in the Deseret News recently. The
article, which was a column long, quoted a
southern Utah businessman, who was in
Salt Lake, as saying that many of the film
companies were bypassing the state. He
declared, according to the article, that one
company had warned businessmen of Kanab
and Cedar City, ba.se of operations for much
of the location work in .southern Utah, that
they would pull out entirely if gouging did
not cease. The businessman said this warning
was given six years ago and then two
years later, and that the company kept its
promise on the second warning and has not
returned.
According to the article, the businessman
claimed that two other companies, which
were scheduled to make pictures in Utah,
had switched over to other states.
BIRMINGHAM
fj H. Waters sr., head of Waters Theatre
Co., is back at his desk after being forced
out by illness for three weeks, during which he
underwent an operation . Spencer
Russell is the new auditor for Waters Theatres,
succeeding the late Joe Ford, who lost
his life in a fire at his home
Collier is new cashier at
.
Waters'
. . Louise
downtown
Newmar, replacing Margie Gallups, who resigned.
Johnny Holcotnb is new manager at Community's
Gary Theatre in Fairfield, replacing
Fritz May, resigned. Holcomb. former
manager at the Woodlawn. has been succeeded
there by Jimmy Harris, former assistant
manager at the Melba . Pike,
Melba projectionist, spent his vacation working
Frances Wilson and
on his house . . . Helen Penny, Melba cashiers, visited in Norfolk.
Va.
Carl Wesler, Five Points manager for Waters,
has been transferred to the Shades
Mountain Drive-In. succeeding H. E. Holmes,
resigned. Wesler has been replaced at Five
Points by Morris Willeford. who has been
manager at the Avon. Willeford. in turn,
has been succeeded by Robert Howard, relief
manager . . . Elise Murphy is new cashier at
Waters' Central Park Theatre.
. . . John
Frank V. Merritt, general manager of Acme
Theatres, and Harry M. Curl, general manager
of Community Theatres, have returned
from a four-day trip to Atlanta
Merritt, manager of the Royal, spent his
vacation in New York . Emerson,
Royal projectionist, vacationed in Tennessee
Dashiell, former Republic salesman
in Alabama, is now associated with
Motion Picture Advertising Co. with headquarters
in the Birmingham office . . .
Waters managers who have returned from
vacations include W. E. Craig. Wylam, who
fished along the Gulf Coast, and George
Stoves, Pratt City, who toured the East . . .
H. M. Powell, Central Park, started on his
vacation,
Joy Theatre, Negro house on the south
side here, was damaged by an early morning
fire which possibly may have started in a
.
cooling system motor. Loss to the interior
was estimated at $1,500, while the projection
equipment was damaged by smoke, heat and
water Howell, extra cashier for
Waters, left on her vacation . Kretzschmar,
of the Hanceville at Hanceville, was
one of the state exhibitors seen in tow'n . . .
Cecil Harwell, Lyric manager, spent his vacation
on the Gulf at Fort Walton, Fla.

WHS DOWG J^JOB
wiwpicnmss..
HOT SLOGANS !^\
BROS. PCrURH IHC
A testimonial for drive-ins was voiced by
Herb Rau of the News, who said that when
"One Way Street" played first runs in town
he skipped over it lightly. But on a busman's
holiday the other night, he caught
the same picture under different circumstances
at the Tropicaire Drive-In. "Sitting
under the stars in a top-down convertible,
and munching fried chicken, the film seemed
considerably better," said Rau. "Even the
•second feature, an oldie titled 'Men of Texas,"
fared well."
Carl Brisson, picture star, and Mrs. Brisson
have been visiting friends in Miami
Beach . . . "Ea.se Up Frazzled Nerves. Ride
the Bus to the Movies. No Parking Worries,"
these oc-
Wometco Theatres has been u.sing
casional reminders in advertising headings.
The circuit also tried to make things easier
for the motorists by placing an encircled
FP, in its daily newspaper advertising, beside
each theatre providing free parking facilities.
WARNER OFFICIALS MEET—Pictured above are Warner Bros, executives in
New Orleans for a recent sales meeting. Left to right: W. O. Williamson jr.,
Vernon Adams. Luke Connor, Ed Williamson, Don Tullius, R. H. Dunbar, Doak
Roberts, Ben Kalmenson, Ralph lannuzzi, John F. Kirby, Norman Moray and Grover
Livingston. Kirby, southern division sales manager, presided over the meeting.
MIAMI
^urtis Miller, Claughton executive, sent out
invitations to ministers, youth leaders,
press and radio representatives to attend
a morning screening of "Stars in My Crown"
at the downtown Royal ... A number of
scientifically riiinded people in this area gave
their opinion that "Rocketship XM" at the
Colony is one of the best-handled scientific
adventure films yet released. Part of the
promotion included a small trailer towed
around Miami Beach, on which a shiny
rocket was mounted pointing skyward.
"We can think of a theatre or two in the
Miami area where many patrons would be
glad to avail themselves of some kind of
refund device to escape too lengthy betweenfeatures
advertising," George Bourke said
in a recent Herald column. His remark was
apropos of a "part-of-show" refund plan
adopted by a Brooklyn film house, allowing
patrons credit for fractions of performances
not viewed . . . Replacing a deluge of westerns,
this area may be in for a series of
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"lunar" pictures. "Destination Moon" moves
into Wometco's first run houses. A recent
promotion at the Capitol is recalled, where
an outdoor booth was set up to receive
"registrations" from patrons who cared to
sign up for "a trip to the moon," pubhcizing
a picture of that name.
Sonny Shepherd, managing director of the
Miami Theatre, has taken his family to the
The Miami, in
keys for a fishing trip . . .
cooperation with a local automobile repair
shop, will stage the next preliminary to the
Mrs. Florida contest. A Mrs. Miami will be
chosen . . . "Miamians on Treasure Hunt"
was the three-column heading on a recent
promotion story, sponsored by the Miami
Daily News in cooperation with five Florida
and Sheridan theatres and 22 prominent local
merchants. The hunt was in conjunction
with the new Walt Disney picture "Treasure
Island." Heralded as the "first treasure hunt
in the south where the 'pirates' could be sure
there is actually something to look for," the
"chests" contained loot totaling more than
$4,000 in 162 grand prizes, according to accounts.
. . .
That hard-working women's committee of
the local Variety tent will receive another
contribution for their children's hospital
work. A local hotel lounge will give an
evening's proceeds to the project and the
committee is busily hustling business
St. John Terrell, producer, designed a twopole
tent, seating 1,400 patrons, for next
season's Music circuit here. Circus tent people
said it couldn't be done, but now they
want to copy the idea.
.
.
A "lack of the fidgets" shown by juvenile
audiences at "Treasure Island" indicates
that the picture is as enthralling for the
youngsters as the book has always been .
The Sam Cohens emerged from
.
viewing
Bill Stern's Aquamaniacs at the Lincoln with
broad smiles on their faces. The film was
made at the hotel which they own here .
The Royal admits children free when
.
accompanied
by adults.
Joe Hirshon, an oldtime showman, is the
new daytime doorman at the Cameo, Miami
Beach. Regular doorman Max Lewis, who
has been away on vacation, has just returned
to his post. The ushering staff has
a new member, Harold Posner. Louise Senft,
who has had charge of the candy bar for
quite a long time, has moved to Fort Lauderdale,
and Barbara Kolber has taken her
place. Chief of service Robert Busker Is
away on a holiday. The Cameo continues
with its Wednesday night radio and TVset
giveaway, winners chosen from among
ticket holders at the evening's performance.
Arthur Schwartz, manager of the Beach,
was pretty happy about his vacation plans.
He was about to leave for Cincinnati and
from there will go to Los Angeles . .
Steve
.
Barber steps in to manage the Colony whUe
Milton Langford goes as rehef man to Fort
Lauderdale and West Palm Beach for five
weeks . . . Wedding bells will ring on the
21st for Bill Dock, popular manager of the
neighborhood Boulevard. The bride-to-be is
Mary Whitaker, who at one time was a member
of the Olympia staff.
Leon D. Netter of Florida State Theatres
was in town conferring with George Hoover,
division manager of the newly consolidated
southeastern division.
I 183
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DIXIE
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64 BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950

. . Andy
. . Mel
. . Vivian
!
ATLANTA
Exhibitors seen on Filmrow included Violet
Edwards. Royal. Monticello; Neil Edwards,
Neil. Lithonia: Maurice Hensler. Auburn.
Auburndale. Fla.: W. M. Snelson. Co-At-Co
Theatres, Toccoa: Bob Dunn, Camilla. Camilla;
Mary Brockett. Crescent Amusement
Co.. Nashville. Tenn.: Hugh Martin, Martin
Theatres, Columbus; John Peck jr., Pex,
Eatonton; Dick Kennedy, Alabama Theatres,
Birmingham, Ala.; Mack Jack.son, Jackson
Theatres, Alexander City, Ala.: T. E. Orr.
Orr Theatres. Albertville, Ala.; O. C. Lam
and Howard Schuessler. Lam Amusements,
Rome, and J. B. Meyer. Ritz. Newnan.
.
.
. . .
Another visitor was Jimmie Slaughter,
former booker for MGM in Atlanta and
Charlotte Bob Tarwater. former Eagle
Lion
. .
manager who now is Alabama representative
for Eagle Lion Classics, was at the
local exchange Anderson. Columbia
office manager, is vacationing at his
Mrs. Bonnie
home in Portland. Ore. . . .
Boiling. Columbia cashier, is vacationing in
Miami Mrs. Cornelia Evans has resigned
as head inspector at Columbia and
will be replaced by Mrs. Mildred Rudisell
. . . Harold Poss. Columbia shipper, was
married last Saturday night.
Grace Woolley, district office secretary at
Columbia, returned from a vaction at Daytona
Mrs. Frances Nunnally
Beach. Fla. . . . has returned to work in Columbia's inspection
department . Everett of Columbia's
sales department has been transferred
Mrs. Saydie
to the Charlotte office . . .
Beacham, Columbia telephone operator, is
vacationing in Savannah, and Mrs. Lillian
Barnes, office manager's secretary, is vacationing
in California.
. .
. . .
. . . "Louisa"
Felton Wingo, secretary in the booking department
at Eagle Lion Classics, is vacationing
at Daytona Beach . Barbara Benson
Tom Jones of
also is on vacation . . . Exhibitors Service Co. is spending a week
The
in Daytona Beach with his family
Tower Theatre now has Saturday morning
was
matinees for children
sneak previewed at the Fox recently.
J. W. Thomas, owner of the new Montague
Drive-In. Na.shville. Tenn.. was here purchasing
equipment and pictures . . Mrs.
.
Nell Middleton. secretary at MGM. has returned
from Montgomery, Ala., where shf
attended a meeting . . . Loew's Grand gave
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113 King Sttoot St. Augustine. Florida
each person attending the showing of "Three
Little Words" a gift certificate for a free
dance lesson at Fred Astaire's studios in
Atlanta.
.
Tom Lucy, Exhibitors Service Co.. has returned
from vacation Langley.
Universal assistant cashier, has resigned to
accept a position with Lippert Pictures . . .
The Elbert Theatre. Elberton, Ga., was destroyed
by fire. Cause is unknown.
Viclii Cooper, formerly with RKO. has
joined the staff at Monogram, replacing
Mrs. Mildred Burden, who resigned . . . Mr.
and Mrs. John Ezell have returned to Atlanta
after spending the winter in Florida
. . . J. W. Robinson is remodeling his
Bama Theatre. Town Creek. Ala. . . . George
Wilby of Miami Drive-In Theatres. Miami,
was here discussing the contemplated purchase
of drive-in chairs for his 27th Avenue
Drive-In. Miami.
Loew's Grand played "Three Little Words"
for a second week. The Roxy double featured
two World War II picture. "Guadalcanal
Diary" and "Purple Heart." The Rialto
held "Our Very Own." Art Theatre showed
for the first time in Atlanta the J. Arthur
Rank production "Against the Wind."
Charlton Heston, star of "Dark City," will
visit Atlanta August 24 when the picture
opens at the Paramount ... Ed Bendler.
. . . Shirley
MGM booker, will visit Detroit
Jones, daughter of Charlene Jones, head
W. M.
biller, was married recently . . .
Snelson is remodeling his theatre at Clayton.
Other houses recently remodeled
Ga. . . . were those of Martin Theatres in
Cuthbert and Dawson. Ga.. and Greenville.
Lam Amusements soon will start
Ala. . . .
construction of a drive-in in Newnan. Ga.
Joseph Pevney has been signed to meg
"Air Cadets Story" for Universal.
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BOXOFFICE :
: August 19. 1950 65

^
By HARRY HART
W. FINCHER of Fox Theatres. Chattanooga.
Tenn.. was in Atlanta booking.
Ho said that Jimmy Duncan of the Fox, Red
Bank. Tenn.. was vacationing at Spruce
Pines. N. C. and that Manager C. H. Watknis
of the 41 Drive-In. Chattanooga, was
on vacation in Hot
Springs. Ark.
R. J. lannuzzi, Warner
Atlanta manager,
said the company had
a nice meeting in New
Orleans and that
everyone had a good
time.
HART BEATS
C. E. Kessnich. district
manager, MGM.
.said "Stars in My
Crown" was breakins
all attendance records.
Local Manager A. B.
Padgett brought in a stack of material which
is being used to sell the show. He said
the film had broken all records for the
last four years in the Alabama, Birmingham.
Both believed that preshowing of the
lilm had helped business, along with the
policy of showing it in small towns before
the cities. It was first shown in Georgia at
Dalton and in Alabama at Selma.
« • *
Bob Moscow, his wife and daughter left
for a week's vacation at Daytona Beach,
Fla. Moscow recently installed York air conditioning,
new Simplex projectors and sound
and recovered theatre seats at the Cameo
in the heart of the Atlanta business district.
* » •
Two of the partners of the new 600-car
Montague Drive-In at Nashville, Tenn.. were
in Atlanta booking. They are J. Woodrow
Thomas, vice-president, and Russell Mc-
Clanahan, secretary and treasurer. The
drive-in was opened earlier this month by
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the Montague Development Co. It is located
on the Gallatin road near Na.shville. The
company is headed by President J. P. Ware
and includes the Grogan brothers. Jack
Fischer, Thomas and McClanahan. The outdoorer
will be managed by Charles Kuertz.
* « •
Hill Powell of the Oxford Theatre. Oxford.
Ala., said business is better this year than
it was last. Hill has been in show business
for the last 40 years ... At the Galax in
Birmingham, Manager W. J. Hampton and
assistant D. E. Quinn reported good business
on an Abbott and Costello film. They built
a neat theatre front around the picture
« * *
Harry Barnett, assistant manager at the
Newmar, Birmingham, was to be married
Friday (18) to Esther Dean.
Morris Hadaway. former manager of the
Carolina, Greensboro, N. C, now is managing
the Alabama, Birmingham. He was succeeded
at the Carolina by Kermit High from
Newport News.
Jimmy Bellows, manager of the Birmingham
Strand, was doing good business with
"The Great Dan Patch." He set up a contest
to rename "The Asphalt Jungle" anc
offered a $100 war bond as grand prize at
the end of the three-week event. Two tickets
to see the film made up the next 12
prizes. A special trailer was devised to
acquaint patrons with parts of the film to
aid them in renaming it. Announcements
were run in local papers every day to stimulate
interest. The contest attracted wide
attention, Bellows said.
J. B. Waters and his staff were busy with
plans for a new drive-in under construction
near Birmingham.
Morris Willeford, manager of the Five
Points, vacationed at Decatur, Ala. . . .
Showman Marvin Kelly. Empire, promoted
more than $8,000 in prizes for "Treasure
Island." The Empire loge recently was recarpeted.
* • •
J. W. McDanal, manager of the Melba
was working on a tieup with the air corps
for "The Big Lift," which will play at the
Melba soon. He also is considering purchasing
a farm near Birmingham.
James Scale, manager of the Royal, which
plays nothing but westerns, has reduced
prices to 25 cents and plays only single
features. He said business is improving. He
plans a Saturday morning kiddy show soon.
Dot Gardner of National Screen Service
was married August 10 to Charles Bowers
of Atlanta.
* • •
W. D. Barnes jr., Albertville, Ala., has beer
named by C. O. Jeffery as district manager
for Alexander Films in northern Alabama
Roy E. Goss is becoming well known as
the flying Alexander Film salesman of .southeast
Florida. He owns his own plane and
makes many calls along the long stretches
of Florida where there are not many towns.
• • •
Bud Chalmers of the ABC Theatrical
Agency has returned from Knoxville, Tenn.
He said the Family Drive-In in that city
wa.s to open about August 17.
The Highway 64 Drive-In at FayetteviUe,
Tenn., bowed Thursday (17) and partnerowners
Couch & Richardson have contracted
with ABC for booking and buying services,
• * •
The relief porter and another boy from
a nearby barber shop broke into the Woodlawn
at Birmingham and took $4,842.07 from
the safe. The porter was caught and confessed.
Part of the money was recovered.
The other boy was .sought in Detroit, Mich.
The Woodlawn is a unit of Community Theatres.
Harry Curl of the circuit reported the
robbery.
• * •
Ebb Duncan and his partner Clyde Sampler
of the Carrol and Playhouse in Carrolton,
Ga., were busy building their new
drive-in and preparing copy for advertising
in which they welcomed farmers for the
Rural Electrification Administration convention.
The theatres opened at 10 a. m. instead
of the usual 2:30 p. m. Duncan and
Sampler use every opportunity to sell their
shows. Both take an active part in civic
betterment.
• •
John E. Gaither of the Heflin, Heflin.
Ala., uses 3,000 monthly calendars. They are
sent to all rural boxholders to advertise forthcoming
attractions. He also uses the public
address system at all athletic events to plug
shows at the theatre. Gaither furnishes the
public address systems for the athletic contests.
Hand-Painted Murals
At Pikes Peak Drive-In
From Western Edition
COLORADO SPRINGS—Fanciful murals
depicting Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods
and other scenic points in the mountain
areas, painted by Frank Lockner. Germanborn
muralist, are decorative features of the
remodeled Peak Theatre which recently was
reopened here. Executed in fluorescent paint,
the murals are made luminous by concealed
ultraviolet lighting fixtures.
A triangular 14x35-foot marquee projects
from the rough-textured tile front. Threefoot
bright neon lettering on both sides of
the marquee spells out the name of the theatre.
Heavy glass doors open into the lobby
from the sidewalk. A circus-type candy bar
under a red and white awning, with elephants
and tigers depicted on the back wall, is a
highlight of the lobby.
Three ramps lead into the auditorium,
which is finished in rough acoustical plaster.
Walls are painted a deep ro.se. with the lower
portions in deep turquoise. Seating is upholstered
in salmon material. Concealed
lighting highlights details of the auditorium
and stage draperies.
El
H'Oi
drive-ins:
INFORMATION-WRITE-WIRE- PHONE
IIIDTIDO P CTURE SERVICE Ci
125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2). CALIF.
Gerald I. Karski ... President
66 BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950

Fourth Drive-In Begun
At San Angelo,. Tex.
SAN ANGELO, TEX.—Construction work
on San Angelo's fourth drive-in has been
started by Bob Hem-ick, Lee Williams and
W. L. Anderson.
To be named the Bellvue. the airer will
accommodate 500 cars and will be built at
an estimated cost of $75,000. The owners
also operate the Stardust Drive-In on North
Randolph. The ozoner is to be located between
Upton and Sewell on the Ballinger
highway, and is expected to be completed in
about 60 days.
Henrick, Andei'son and Slim Starling built
the first drive-in theatre here, the Twilite.
The pair later sold out to Sterling, and
joined in a partnership with Williams, who
owns and operates the North Concho airport.
The screen will be built in the southeast
corner of the lot, with parking rows going
diagonally back toward the northwest corner.
The lot occupies 550 feet in frontage on Bell
street, and is 525 feet deep. The screen tower
will be 55 feet high and will have side wings.
Plans for the drive-iii, which is located inside
the east city limits, were drawn up by
Harold Adams and Franklin Jones.
Two Openings in Texas
SAN ANTONIO—Owners Kirkeby and
Erickson of Abilene plan to open their Scenic
Drive-In at Brady about September 1. Wenzel
projection and sound will be installed
m the 300-car theatre.
R. C. Karris of Raymondville has opened
his new Tropics Theatre in Elsa. The 734-
seater cost $150,000. The front is faced with
Texaf granite from Marble Falls.
Rotan Airer Progressing
ROTAN. TEX.—Work is progressing on the
new drive-in under w-ay here for the Rotan
Theatre Co. Lance M. Davis, manager of the
firm, said the theatre is one mile south of
town on the east side of Roby highway. It
will have a 690-foot frontage, and will be
encircled with 500 feet of eight-foot fencing.
It will accommodate 350 cars. The airer will
be located on an eight-acre site.
Boothman Is Stricken
As 'Death' Film Runs
Mission. Tex.—Fiction became fact at
the Rex Theatre here Sunday night (30)
when as a film titled "Date With Death"
was being shown, Antonio Orozco, 49, the
projectionist, collapsed and died following
a heart attack.
Felipe Gonzales, former projectionist at
the Rex. was walking along the opposite
side of the street and as he glanced upward
toward a small window in the front
of the theatre he saw Orozco beckoning to
him as the latter collapsed into a chair.
A doctor who was called said that Orozco
had died immediately.
Orozco had lived here about 14 years.
He was a pressman at the Mission Times,
and had been night projectionist at the
Rex several years. Survivors include his
wife, three daughters and a son.
Preston Smith Opens Arnett-Benson
LOOO-Seat Lubbock Neighborhood
LUBBOCK, TEX. — The Arnett - Benson
Theatre was dedicated with appropriate
ceremony here this week. Enthusiastic participants
were capacity audiences at the first
night performances in this $150,000 addition
to the Preston E. Smith circuit.
Starting with a borrowed $500 when he
graduated from Texas Technological college
here during the depression. Smith now operates
the Tech, his first acquisition, the State.
Plains and Five Points Drive-In.
The Arnett-Benson is his most ambitious
venture. Located about two miles from the
central business district on heavily traveled
North College avenue, within a few blocks
of Texas Tech. the original design called
for a 500-seat house. Before the first dirt
was turned, the plans were revised to increase
the capacity to 1,000 seats.
The theatre is centered on approximately
a square block of land which provides parking
for 300 cars. The Arnett-Benson is the
first Lubbock neighborhood theatre to include
offstreet parking as part of the basic
planning.
Landscaping of the tract is in progress,
with speedy development of the site into a
spot of park-like beauty scheduled.
The interior decorations are of subdued
beauty. Projection equipment is RCA. New
Ambassador chairs, cushioned with foam rubber,
were manufactured by the Americaii
Desk Mfg. Co.
Harley Sadler of Abilene, veteran west
Texas showman, was master of ceremonies
at the inaugural. Lubbock Mayor Clarence
Whiteside clipped the ribbon which marked
the formal opening and was the first of
P. E. Smith in Third Place
In Texas Primary Election
LUBBOCK, TEX.—The official canvas of
votes in the recent Texas Democratic primary
election moved Preston E. Smith of
Lubbock into third place in a 12-man race
for the nomination for lieutenant-governor.
Earlier unofficial tabulations put Smith in
fifth place. But the official count, made by
the state Democratic executive committee,
moved him up a couple of notches, crediting
him with a total of 111,304 votes.
However, the gain wasn't enough to put
the Lubbock showman in the runoff primary
August 26 for the nomination which, in
Texas, is tantamount to election. The contenders
in that two-man event will be Pierce
Brooks of Dallas and Ben Ramsey, former
secretary of state.
John Browning Elected
GALVESTON—John Browning, Interstate
city manager, was re-elected chairman of
the Galveston county chapter of the National
Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
Good Comment on 'Voice'
HOUSTON—Preview showing of "The Next
Pictured above is the new Arnett-Benson
Theatre, the fifth of the Preston E.
Smith circuit in Lubbock. The theatre
opened recently to capacity audiences following
an estimated $150,000 construction
job.
the several hundred invited guests to enter
the theatre. Other guests included city and
county officials, civic leaders and motion
picture operators from many parts of Texas
and nearby New Mexico.
Congratulatory bouquets and telegram were
received from all parts of the nation. Among
the well-wishers was Gov. Allan Shivers.
"The Capture" was the first feature at the
Arnett-Benson. It drew well and business
since the opening has continued above his
expectations. Smith said.
John Barrymore Jr. Visits
Oklahoma on 'Lonesome'
OKLAHOMA CITY—John Barrymore jr..
star of "High Lonesome," was here Tuesday
(15) w-orking on advance publicity for his
new film. The young actor made several
appearances on radio and television and at
noon. Claude York, Eagle Lion manager, and
Howard Federer, general manager of the
Center and State, were hosts at a luncheon
in the Skirvin hotel. The affair was for the
."
. at Loew's State met
Voice You Hear .
with enthusiastic public and editorial comment.
press, radio and a few exhibitors.
With Barrymore here were Claude E. Morris.
New York, who is with Rathvon Productions,
and Leo Bioidy, also of New York
and with the same company.
Morris has been with young Barrymore
on an advance tour to El Paso, San Antonio,
Fort Worth. Houston and Dallas. He will
return to Fort Worth to work on the campaign
now in progress for the world premiere
of the film. Broidy will accompany Barrymore
on the balance of the tour, which will
include Amarillo. Tulsa. St. Louis. Kansas
City. Omaha. Des Moines, Charlotte, Atlanta,
Chicago and a few more cities.
"High Lonesome" is set to premiere in Fort
Worth August 24. It will play the Center
here September 13. Alan LeMay and George
Templeton produced the film which will be
distributed by EL.
BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950 sw 67

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25 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2). CALIF.
Gerald L. Karski ... President
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BOXOFFICE :
:
August 19, 1950 69

'
. . . Rudy
. . Eph
SAN ANTONIO
Illfrrd and Lester Sack of Sack Amusement
EiUerpri.ses, Dallas, were here Sunday
(6) attending the funeral of their father
Isaac Sack, 84, who died in Laurel, Miss.
Interment was in Beth El cemetery here.
Other survivors include sons Leo, Washington,
and Julius. Scarsdale, N. Y., and a
daughter, Mrs. Harry Rine, Laurel, Mi.ss,
. . Patsy
. .
. . .
Eddie Cantor is coming to the Municipal
auditorium with his stage show for a onenighter
the middle part of October .
Clay, cowgirl singer, is the new feminine
vocalist on Radio Rodeo over WOAI every
morning . "Coinanche Territory" was good
for a holdover at the San Pedro Outdoor
Theatre Al Carreon received an invitation
to attend the ice review being held in
Albuquerque.
Claire Cook, formerly of Hollywood, re-
Speedy
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CHICAGO
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.
cently opened her own Iheatniiil .scliool here
on Cincinnati avenue Channnsky
arranged a screening of "The Red Menace"
for local law enforcement officers at the
Prince Theatre one morning recently . .
.
Jimmy Short and the Silver Saddle Ranch
Boys, who played in "Hollywood Barn Dance,"
were a special attraction on the Hayloft Hoedown
Friday night (4) at the Municipal
auditorium.
The Alameda had a 90-minute stage show
featuring several film players and radio artists
along with the regular Spani.sh screen
pi-ogram . . . Trio Los Panchos, topnotch
Mexican picture and recording artists have
been booked for two performances in the
Municipal auditorium Theatre August 20.
Tom Caraway, owner of the Valley Film
Service, is planning to take in the world
series on his vacation . . . Tommy Hawkins
was back from a Chicago vacation . . . Dan
Wueste, assistant at Hawkins Film Service,
spent his rest period in Milwaukee and Detroit
. . . Searcy Lacey, office manager at
. . . John L. Reed of Reed
the film service, returned from vacation in
Vernon where his wife recently underwent
an operation
Film Service attended the Lions convention
in Chicago while vacationing there.
Clasa-Mohme's next release will be "Mujerlego"
(Ladies Man) with Pedro Infante. It
is expected to do big business as this type
of role made the swashbuckling star famous
Gonzalez, former operator of the
Colonia Theatre here, has gone to Houston
to be projectionist at the Ritz there
Dave Parker, 16 and 35mm tent
. . .
showman,
has set up with Mexican 16mm product in
Dannevang, Tex., for the remainder of the
month.
The Texas-Valley Film Service has painted
Movies Are Better Than Ever on al! of their
Helen Jones, cashier at the
trucks . . .
Municipal auditorium, is spending her leave
The Greatest Projector Achievement of All Time!
RCA MOO' PROJECTOR
The RCA "100" is better made on the inside, better looking
on the outside, and costs less for upkeep than any
other projector.
The RCA "100" delivers the extra light that assures more
clearly defined pictures for giant drive-in screens, as well as
regular indoor theatre screens.
Nylon pad rollers on the upper and lower film sprocket
roller assemblies require no lubrication—eliminate the possibility
of oil reaching the film from these points.
Automatic lubrication—for over 11 years a feature of
RCA projectors made by Brenkert— relieves all fear of
mechanical Ijind-up, prolongs the life of the mechanism.
Come in and see the new RCA "100".
Southwestern Theatre Equipment Co.
IN
DALLAS
2010 Jackson Street
Telephone Prospect 7-3571
IN
HOUSTON
1416 Main Street
Telephone Capitol 9906
. . . Clara Cadena,
of ab.sence in Denver
head of the poster department at Clasa-
Mohme, was spending a part of her vacation
in Kingsville visiting a sister who has been
quite ill . . Mr.s. Lola Neal, formerly employed
.
by Paramount at Dallas, recently
Joined the Cla.sa-Mohme film inspection
. . .
staff. She succeeds Mrs. Be.ssie Lawler, resigned
The Alameda recently did topnotch
business with the Clasa Film "Calle-
Jera" (Girl of the Streets).
Aaron Rosenberg, producer; Joseph Pevney,
director; Gil Kurland, production manager;
Joe Hoffman, script writer, and Edward
Ilou, art director, all of U-I, were in
town from Culver City, making final preparations
to film "Air Cadet" at Randolph
air base, starting September 6, when they
will return with a cast of actors. The picture
will be made principally at Randolph, where
the scenes will follow the progress of the
star through basic flying school.
John Barrymore jr. was in town one day
in connection with his latest ELC release,
"High Lonesome," which is scheduled for
unreeling at the Majestic next month. Chill
Wills stars with him in this western drama.
Patrons of Mexican picture houses are being
asked to f;ll out questionnaires expressing
their judgment of the films. This announcement
was made last week following a
meeting of a committee formed to make a
survey for guidance of film producers in
Mexico, and also local Mexican film distributors.
The group decided on a questionnaire
on which the spectators would rate the
pictures either as excellent, good, fair, or bad.
Exhibitors visiting here to buy and book
Spanish language product were Ernesto
Ramirez. Roma Theatre. Roma; Hernan R.
Garza, Mexico, Rio Grande City; Esteban
Fraga, Azteca. Natalia: Felipe Flores and
Robert Cox, Ozona and Rancho theatres,
Ozona; Paul J. Poag, who will now try Mexican
features at his Ceniza Drive-In, Del Rio,
and Santiago G. Natal, Colonia Teatro, San
Antonio . Also here were Debbs Reynolds,
. .
Interstate booker, Dallas, and Lew Bray. Interstate
valley manager, Harlingen, Tex.
Red River Dave, Lou Emerson and a western
stage show were on tap for patrons of
the Roxy Drive-In here Tuesday night (15).
This was the first flesh entertainment of its
kind to play this ozoner.
Air Force Short Boosts
Male Matinee Patronage
HOUSTON—Elli.s Ford, manager of tlie
Delman. reported a terrific increase in male
matinee attendance after he teamed the air
force-produced short "Thunderbolt" with the
first run showing of "Four Days Leave."
The newspaper ad asked "Will Operation
Strangle be repeated in Korea?"
To Direct 'Roadblock'
Harold Daniels has been set to write the
screenplay and to direct "Roadblock" for
RKO.
ORIVE-IN THEATRE IN-A-CAR
SPEAKERS
And Junction Boxes. For new jobs or rcpl.icemrnts
cauied from theft or vaniljlisni
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.
7."l U;iMimuir
Kniis.is (;ilv.
Mo
70 BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950

.
I
Pop^Sorg Seed Given
To Private Planters
COLLEGE STATION, TEX.—Popcorn,
the
favorite confection of theatre and sports
fans for many years, may have a rival
before long in pop-sorghum.
Plant breeders at the Texas A&M agricultural
experiment station have developed
pop-sorghum by crossing Haiti's petite mil
and India's shallu.
Pop-sorg has one advantage over popcorn.
The hull is thinner and more tender, which
means less husk to lodge between the teeth.
R. E. Karper. agronomist in charge of
Texas A&M grain sorghum investigations,
said the aim was to produce a farm or home
confection for areas where sorghum grows
well and corn does not. Pop-sorg, he says,
is a natural for package caramel and candied
confections because of its small size.
Some of the seed has been given to private
planters and there should be enough
of it next year to warrant greater experimentation
on the possibilities of its use in
confections, a Texas A&M spokesman said.
Pop-sorg is said to be as delicious and nutritious
as popcorn and Karper also foresees
its possible use as a puffed breakfast cereal.
Pop-sorg stays crisp for a considerable time
after being popped.
Mountain Lion Disrupts
Showman's Camp Trip
From Western Edition
LOVING, N. M.—Orin J. Sears, operator of
the Apache Theatre here, and his family have
been the target of numerous jokes about his
recent lion "hunt," in which they saw a real
mountain lion but made the sight as brief
as physically possible by leaving the scene
with the maximum of
speed.
In the words of the local newspaper, the
"biggest mountain lion I ever saw" caused
Sears, his wife Dolly and 15-year-old son Bill
to beat a hasty retreat from where they had
started to spend their overnight camp outing
in the Sacramento mountains about eight
miles west of Mayhill, N. M.
"They arrived at the camp site at about
4:45 p. m., cooked supper and made camp.
They crawled into their bed rolls at about
8:30 p. m. Only a few minutes later, Mrs. Sears
heard a noise. Orin got up and went to the
car to get his rifle and two large flashlights.
When the lantern showed this big lion, which
he estimated as at least six feet from nose to
tail. Sears said: 'I wouldn't have been more
surprised if I had seen an elephant.'
"While Bill loaded the rifle. Sears kept a
flashlight pointed at the lion. He said the
lion walked in a half circle around the camp,
keeping within range of the flashlight. When
the rifle was loaded. Sears took a shot, but
doesn't think he hit the lion.
"After that, the Sears family didn't waste
any time in packing up. They left their
camp spot by 9, and were home before 11 p. ni.
"Their cocker spaniel dog was with them on
the trip, but did not give any warning of the
mountain lion. Sears said the dog was old
and had been injured in a fight just a few
days earlier, and probably was too weak and
tired to take much notice.' "
Orin is letting all his friends "have a
laugh," only, he insists, it wasn't so funny
at the time.
cbatmas Float in
HEARNE, TEX.—The Chatmas Amusement
Co., operating the Chatmas and
Queen theatres here, had a colorful float
in the annual Alfalfa Fiesta parade. Glitter
stars covered the float, which featured
a small stage curtained in blue velvet
draperies. Riding the float were
Mickey Mouse, Pluto and Donald Duck,
enacted by Mary and Andrea Mitchell and
Eddie Henderson, children of theatre employes
Joe Mitchell and Ed Henderson.
Hearne Parade
Shown with the float in the above picture
are George Chatmas and S. H. Siede,
who recently became a Chatmas associate,
and the three cartoon characters.
J. G. Chatmas was so busy as chairman
of the fiesta that he couldnt' be stopped
to get in the photo.
George Chatmas reported work has been
started on the new Queen Theatre. The
old Queen was destroyed by fire early this
year.
Texas Parade Magazine Expresses
Tributes to Theatre Executives
HOUSTON—Lavish praise for "the men
who operate the thousand motion picture
theatres in Texas" is contained in Houston
writer Don Hinga's article, "Glamor Plus
Dollars," in a recent issue of Texas Parade
magazine.
"Hollywood is the focal point of production
of motion pictures," Hinga writes. "Texas
is the focal point of exhibition.
"In Karl Hoblitzelle, president of Interstate
Theatres, Texas has the dean of the
nation's film exhibitors. In R. J. O'Donnell,
vice-president and general manager of Interstate,
Texas has the white-haired king of
exhibitors. Recognition of this eminence of
O'Donnell is the fact that he has been
cho.sen as president of the Variety Clubs International,
charity organization of show
people in all parts of the globe.
"When the double feature program was
sweeping the country, O'Donnell pioneered
in the development of the short feature that
would provide a balanced program and a
single feature policy.
"Interstate set up a separate department
that scanned every short subject that was
made to fit it into balanced programs. It
was this pioneering that encouraged Hollywood
to make more short subjects—educational,
entertaining and inspiring—subjects
that many times brought a message that
cleared up the muddled thinking of millions
on problems confronting the nation at the
time they were shown by Interstate.
"Interstate has not been alone in this
.
great work. Robb & Rowley, in its chain of
theatres, has held to the same high standard
of excellence. And so has R. I. Payne, general
manager of Theatre Enterprises, and
Julius Gordon with his Jefferson Amusement
Co., to name a few of the larger circuits
in Texas.
"Texas theatres were the first to have
nurses and maids on duty for patrons, the
fii-st to install earphones for hard-of-hearing
persons. Cry rooms, where mothers could
retire with fretful infants and still see the
picture, were first in Texas. Children's
chairs, so small fry could be more comfortable,
were another Texas first.
"Perhaps the greatest contribution of
Texas theatres has been in service to the
community in which they are located. Your
theatre today is the focal point in community
service . . More often than not,
.
the theatre manager is high on the list of
those who are heading up community campaigns
. . .
"During the last war, no other industry
furnished leadership for the many campaigns—war
bonds. Red Cross, scrap drives
and many others—as did the theatre . . .
"In the motion picture theatre, for an
average cost of 30-odd cents, including tax,
the theatre patron buys a ticket on the magic
carpet of filmland
."
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 71

: August
RESEARCH BUREAU
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR THE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 1, Mo.
Gentlemen:
8-19-50
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive information regularly, as released, on
the following subjects lor Theatre Planning:
n Acoustics
n Air Conditioning
n Architectural Service
D "Black" Lighting
D Building
Material
n Carpets
D Coin Machines
D Complete Remodeling Sound Equipment
D Decorating D Television
n Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts
n Drive-In Equipment D Vending Equipment
D Other Subjects
n Lighting Fixtures
n Plumbing Fixtures
Projectors
n Projection Lamps
n Sealing
D Signs and Marquees
Andrews, Tex., Airer Named Mustang
As Tribute to High School Team
LUBBOCK, TEX.—The cu.slomor i.s al\v;(.v.s
May Change Parking Rule
DAVENPORT, IOWA- The city council is
considering a plan to relieve the parking sit-
lik'ht in.sofar a.s the Wallace Blaiikeivship
circuit of northwe.st Texas theatres i.s concerned,
and a recent experience in the nearby
town of Andrews proved it.
The test developed
uation here by allowing parking in
over a new Blankenship
drive-in
city theatres during morning hours.
.scheduled for opening next
front ol
week in the center of the oil-boominp Andrews
area southwest of Lubbock. With two
other drive-ins in operation and several others
scheduled for construction. Blankenship Your Best Buy . . .
had planned to name all of them for famous
ranches of the area. One at Levelland is
named the Spade. One opened at Tahoka
Griggs 30-Line Chair!
last week called the T-Bar.
A ranch name therefore was planned for
the Andrews ozoner. But someone suggested
that Mustang would be more appropriate and
a tribute to the Andrews High school Mustangs.
"Let's put it to a vote." suggested Manager
A. J. Burleson. So the vote was taken,
and Mustang won by a landslide.
The inaugural of the T-Bar at Tahoka attracted
a iiear-capacity attendance despite
several days of inclement weather which retarded
the final stages of work. The ramps
still were a little soft on opening night, but
this has been corrected. "The Red Pony
was the opening feature. L. P. Flood manages
the T-Bar as well as the three other
Blankenship theatres in Tahoka, the Ro.se,
Wallace and Lynn.
The personnel of the 23-theatre circuit
also was cheered by good news from the
Lubbock home office concerning Mr. and
Mrs. Blankenship. Mrs. Blankenship has
been ill and Blankenship has been taking a
several weeks' rest because of blood pres.sure.
Mrs. Blankenship was able to leave her
Gripos new 30-liiic
home this week for the first time in about
chair lias proven popular
witli ExtiibJtori
treatment in hospitals here
country.
a month after
all over
and in Dallas. And Blankenship is back at
There is
tlie
comfort
his desk a few hours daily.
and (tiirahility in
every cliair. Center
standards are solid
Sell-Rising
Seat
steel from arm to
floor. Seal self-rising.
See one!
See Forrest Dunlap
in our Dallas office, 2008 Jackson Street
Riverside 3595, Dallas. Texas
See E. J. Staton
Theatre
111 our Oklahoma City oilice. 708 VV
Grand. 7-1821. Oklahoma City. Okla
Seating
Capacity..
Or Call. Wire or Write:
Address
City
State
Signed....
• /VIACHINE FOLD
• ROLL, SINGLE-DUPLEX
• RESERVED SEAT
• BOOK STRIP
THEATER GIFT COUPON BOOKS
SEASON PASSES — ONE TIME COMPS.
-A-eeu^AGY-
^km
EQUIPMENT
Bclton,
Texos
COMPANY
Offices: Dollas. Memphis, Shreveport. Oklahoma
City and New York City.
ORIVE-IN THEATRE CENTER AISLE LIGHTS
Toiragepaid reply cordj for your further convenience
in obtaining information are provided in Tlie MODERN
THEATRE RED KEY SECTION (Nov. 19, 1949).
SOUTHWEST TICKET & COUPON CO.
2110 CORINTH ST. • Haiwood 7185 • CAILAS, TEX.
With numbtrtd Panels For Ramps witli Oi>ai|ut Piuith
for Driveway Illumination
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO.
KSf.'iV,^^;„
72 BOXOFFICE :
19. 1950

—
OKLAHOMA CITY
New Display Service Open at Dallas
p B. "Bill" Coleman, MGM publicist of
. . .
Dallas, attended the tradescreening of
Lana Turner's new film, "A Life of Her
Own," in the 20th-Fox screen room
Burglars repaid a visit to the Redskin Theatre
in the Capitol Hill business section for
a 25-cent haul. The door of the manager's
office and another on a closet were pried
open, the knob of the safe battered, the pin
drilled out and the sides partially peeled
back. Manager Jo Shores said a 25-cent
coin was taken from a petty cash box. The
coin had been left in the box from a previous
burglary "for sentimental reasons."
Jimmy Burge, formerly in the theatre business
and later Municipal auditorium manager,
reports his first booking as manager of
special events for Oklahoma Publishing Co. is
receiving a fine response in ticket sale.>.
Burge who took over his new duties August
1, has booked Sadler's Wells Ballet, which
will appear here November 28 in the auditorium.
The choice seats, now sold out, went
for $4.88 and $3.66. Four thousand tickets
had been sold by August 10.
. . . Bob
Douglas York, son of Claude York, EL
manager, who was bitten in the right arm
by a rabid dog while playing in his backyard,
is getting along fine and has had !6
of his 21 shots. The dog that bit the youngster
died of rabies. The Yorks have two
other children Linda and Tim
Busch, his wife and son Bob jr. are vacationing
in Florida, where Bob lived 20 years
ago. Bob manages the Uptown and Villa
here.
Peter Hansen and Louise Carr, two new
Hollywood "finds," will play opposite each
other in Paramount's "Passage West."
TEXAS DRIVE-IN
PERFECT LOCATION, near huge military payrcU.
1,100 new homes building adjacent.
Excallent new plant, showing very short payrut.
Completely logical sale reason. 565,000
down. STAND CLOSEST INVESTIGATION.
Other drive-ins at 330,000, 536,000, 60,000
down. We accept no distress properties
only sound, profitable offerings. ALSO 24 indoor
properties from 57,500 up.
Exclu
with
Arthur Leak
Theatre Specialists
3305 Caruth Dallas 5. Texas
New Phone E6-7489
Sell Your Theatre Privately
Westerns-Features-Serials
Tower Pictures Co.
HABOLD SCHWARZ
302 S. Harwood St. Dallas 1, T«xa>
Phones C-73S7 and R-3998
Frank Benson, theatre operator at Bowie, Tex., for 17 years and before that a
sign painter and theatre artist in Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit, has opened a
theatre display and advertising accessory business in Dallas, in association with Hal
Sadler, theatre artist and manager with Robb & Rowley Theatres many years, most
recently at San Angelo. Above is an interior view of the Benson -Sadler store with
Benson talking to a customer.
'Ocean Drive' Strong
At 125 in Dallas
DALLAS—"711 Ocean Drive," scoring 125
per cent gave the Majestic the high mark for
the week. "No Man of Her Own" placed second,
doing 110 at the Melba. "The Flame
and the Arrow" was in the above-average
class with 105 at the Palace.
(Average Is 100)
Coronet—Stormy Weather (20th-Fox), reissue 90
Dallas—Hitler's Slranqe Love Lite (HPD); Passion's
Pavment (HPD), 2nd wk 90
Maiestic—711 Ocean Drive (Col) 125
Melba—No Man of Her Own (Para) 110
Pala-e—The Flame and the Arrow (WB) 105
^:allo—Operation Hayliit (LP), plus stage show.... Bb
Tower—Treasure Island (RKO), 2nd d. t. wk 80
Five Houses in St. Louis
Start Day-Date Bookings
From Central Edition
ST. LOUIS—The Empress, Esquire, Norside,
Varsity and Ritz, which recently entered the
first run field on a day-and-date basis with
the first local showing of "D.O.A." and "A
Kiss for Corliss," have followed up with the
first showing of "Annie Get Your Gun."
At the Empress the second feature was
"Law of the Barbary Coast," while the Varsity,
Esquire. Norside and Ritz filled out their
bills with a public relations short and a
cartoon review.
"Duchess of Idaho" moved over to Loew's
Orpheum for its third local week—the previous
two weeks at Loew's State. The second
feature was "Father Makes Good."
Will Write Narration
The narration for "National 1-1000" will be
written by John Higgins for Monogram'.
BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT
lOth Fl.. 2nd Unit, Santa Fo Bldg, BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas. Tex.
It Pays to Advertise
—in BOXOFFICE
BOXOFFICE '.: Augu.st 19, 1950 73

NOW!
BIGGER BETTER FINER
The Always-Popular
MODERN
THEATRE
MONTHLY EQUIPMENT SECTION
LET
the new Modern Theatre section
of BOXOFFICE open new vistas for
you—new ways to better profits and real
satisfaction from being an exhibitor!
More illustrations .
. . more
features .
. .
more ideas on building, decoration,
lighting, refreshment service — as well
as protection, maintenance, etc.
The Modern Theatre is the outstanding
leader in the increasingly important field
of theatre betterment — a vital subject in
these days of higher and higher costs.
Let it serve you.
BOXOFFICE
The Exhibitors' Favorite Tradepaper
74 BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950

200 Persons Attend
Tent 10 Golf Match
INDIANAPOLIS—More than 200 persoiis
attended the annual golf tournament given
by Variety Club Tent 10 at the Indianapolis
Country club. The first prize, a 1950 Cadillac,
was won by Eugene Stover, employed
at Theatre Candy Concessions here. The
second, a natural mink cape, was won by S.
J. Gregory of Chicago.
Clayton Bond, salesman for 20th-Fox. won
the Bankes handicap at the golf tournament.
The affair was reported by Claude McKean,
chairman, as a financial success.
Albert Stetson Assumes
Rights on Comb Venders
ST. LOUIS—Albert Stetson, who had been
in charge of purchases and maintenance for
the local theatres operated by Fanchon &
Marco, has resigned to become president and
general manager of the newly incorporated
Day & Nite Sales, Inc., which holds the Missouri
and California rights on a comb-vending
machine and combs to be sold through
them.
Stetson has opened an office and distribution
center at Altec Service Corp. The vending
machines will be available for use in the
restrooms of theatres, railroad and bus depots,
airport terminals, restaurants, hotels
and other public places.
Stetson has been associated with Harry
Arthur of Fanchon & Marco in various theatrical
enterprises since 1923. His first order
for the vending machines came from the
St. Louis Amusement Co. Stetson is interested
also in four theatres in Ai-izona and
radio station KYCC at Phoenix. The theatres
are the Studio in Phoenix. Pix at Sunnyslope,
Tolsun at Tolleson and Avon at Avondale.
Interested with him in the Arizona
theatres are his brother Harold who headquarters
at the Studio, Phoenix; Harry L.
Nace and J. McCormick of the McCormick-
Nace Theatres, Inc.
Stetson's duties with Fanchon & Marco
Enterprises have been taken over by George
Weigand, who has been with the organization
for some years.
Cliff Mantle, Bill Feld
In State Rights Firm
ST. LOUIS— Cliff Mantle, who was office
manager and head booker for Film Classics
prior to the merger with Eagle Lion, has entered
the state rights distribution in association
with Bill Feld of Kansas City. They
have opened an office at 3238 Olive street
here as the Triangle Film Co.. Feld also
distributes pictures in the Kansas City, Des
Moines and Omaha territories.
Seek Franklin, Ind., Burglars
FRANKLIN, IND.—Police are seeking
burglars who carted a 400-pound office safe
from the office of the Artcraft Theatre here
and escaped with more than $500 in cash.
After failing to open the safe, the burglars
rolled it to a rear door on a moveable desk.
It w-as then loaded onto a two-wheeled cart,
pushed about a block through an alley and
loaded into a waiting vehicle, police said.
New Arbitration Setup
Proposed by Ben Marcus
Rowell Weilerts Open
Colonial-Type Building
ALEXANDER. IND.—Rowell Weilert and
his wife Hope, who recently opened their
new 548-seat Alex Theatre here, formerly
were in the furniture business in Auburn,
Ind. During the last war, Weilert served in
the navy.
The new Alex is a Colonial-type structure
of steel and concrete, brick faced, air conditioned
and with latest-style lighting, equipment
and decoration. The cherry colored
seats and aqua draperies are of fireproof
material. Lighting is neon which provides
both functional and dramatic effects. The
Weilerts personally supervised the construction.
The opening ceremonies were attended by
Girls chosen as
many film folk and friends.
hostesses distributed flowers.
The premiere film was "Key to the City."
Donna to Open in November
STURGEON BAY. WIS. — The
500-seat
Donna Theatre, started here recently is expected
to be completed about November 1.
according to Mrs. Donna Borchert, who also
owns and operates the Door Theatre here.
The Donna will have room to expand the
seating capacity to 700 when required. Mrs.
Borchert is affiliated with Delft Theatres.
whose main offices is to be moved to the
Victory drive-in near here from Marquette,
Mich.
New Glarus Opening Delayed
NEW GLARUS, WIS. — The new Glarus
Theatre, now under way here for Fred Lienhardt,
is scheduled to open about October 1.
The theatre was designed by Myles Belongia,
Milwaukee architect. The opening originally
was set for September 1, but bad weather
delayed work on the house.
Rites for Bern Mariner
Held at Kansas City
ST. LOUIS—Funeral services were held
in Kansas City Monday (14) for Bern E.
Mariner, 40, St. Louis manager for United
Artists, who died of a heart attack August
11 while at breakfast in a restaurant at Cairo,
III., where he was on a busine.ss trip. He is
survived by his wife Edith and a son Robert,
13. The St. Louis office was represented at
the funeral by Charles Scheufler. office manager
and city salesmen. Jack Kane and Tony
Tedesco of the sales staff.
Mariner had been associated with United
Artists organization for 23 years, interrupted
only by his .services with the marine corps
during World War II. He had been with the
company's sales staff in Kansas City, Omaha
and Denver prior to coming here in 1946 to
assume management of the St. Louis branch.
MILWAUKEE — Establishment of local
arbitration boards in each film distribution
center under the overall
guidance of a national
arbitration
Ben Marcus
chairman has been
suggested by President
Ben Marcus to
the board members of
Allied ITO of Wisconsin
as a method for
solving differences
within the industry.
Marcus pointed out
that present arbitration
methods were
costly and time-
that dif-
consuming and expressed his belief
ferences should be handled on a local level.
He said that only as a last resort should these
difficulties be submitted to a national arbitration
board.
He recommended that each distribution
center scour the field to find a man who has
the confidence of both branches of the industry
to head the local arbitration board.
Marcus pointed out that weaknesses in other
arbitration systems were due to the lack of
experienced men with a thorough knowledge
of the exhibition-distribution system.
He suggested one overall chairman at the
head of the arbitration system and added
that this man should have a thorough knowledge
of all fields of the industry. He named
William Rodgers, vice-president and sales
manager for MGM, as a possible candidate
for such a post.
Marcus said Rodgers had spent the greater
part of his life in distribution, but had always
taken an interest in exhibition problems
as well as distribution.
"It is only with this type of leadership
heading an arbitration setup that it could
be successfully executed." Marcus said.
Ripon Theatre Renovated
RIPON. WIS. — The auditorium of the
Ripon Theatre, owned and operated by S&M
Theatres, has been completely renovated.
New lighting also was installed and the
marquee repaired. The theatre did not close
during the work. Jack Heinemann is manager.
Jack Bizzel to Carbondale
CARBONDALE. ILL —Rounding his fourth
year with the Rodgers Theatres, Jack E.
Bizzel recently succeeded Pete Gloriod as
manager of the circuit's 1.100-seat Varsity
here. Gloriod has been transferred to Poplar
Bluff, the scene of Bizzel's last assignment.
A native of Anna, HI., Bizzel enrolled at
Southern Illinois university during the early
1940s, but then World War II intervened and
he served three years with the army, being
mustered out in 1946. Immediately he joined
the Rodgers organization as manager of a
theatre in Caruthersville. Mo. In 1948 he
was transferred to Poplar Bluff.
BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950 75

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LOUIS
The strike of Public Service Co. bu.s and
.street car operators had workers of local
film exchanges thumbing rides to get home
and back and forth to work. The Ruby
S'Renco Art Theatre was especially hard hit
since many of its patrons are college and
university students, teachers, etc, who depend
on the street cars and bu.ses to get to
the
theatre.
Frank X. Roller and his wife of Wentzville,
left here August 13 on a Holy year pilgrimage
to Rome. Frances Miller of Festus, .sister of
Harry Miller, theatre owner of that city, also
was in the party of 90 en route to the Eternal
city. They are due back October 10 . . . Exhibitors
on Filmrow: Caesar Berutt, Rolla:
Russell Armentrout, Louisiana, Mo.: Paul
Schroeder, Lebanon; Rani Padrucci, Springfield;
Forrest Pirtle, Jerseyville; Elvin H.
Wiecks, Staunton; Frank Glenn, Tamaroa;
Hot Gilliam, Paducah; Tom Bloomer, Belleville;
Joe Katz, Benld; Mrs. Regina Steinberg,
Madison; A. M. Chamness, Carrier
Mills; Delbert Wagner, Eldorado; Ed Clark,
Mattoon, and C. W. Locke, Memphis, Mo.
Duke Clark of Dallas, division manager for
Paramount, accompanied Harry Haas, local
manager, on business visits to Herman Tanner,
Vandalia; Frisina Amusement Co.,
Springfield, and Russell Armentrout at Louisiana.
Mo. . . . Anita Goldford, formerly on
the staff of the Insurance Board of St. Louis,
has joined Joe Hornstein, as a bookkeeperstenographer
.
Gorelick of Screen
Guild and wife vacationed at Okee, Wis.
. . Pete
Seen on Filmrow; Harry Miller, Festus;
Harry Blount, Potosi; Bud Mercier, Fredericktown;
J. O. Sears, Bluffs; William Waring jr.,
Cobden; Herman Tanner, Vandalia .
Medley, Sikeston, and wife are vacationing at
St. Augustine, and other Florida points.
Other vacationists from local filmdom include
Margaret Mang, contract clerk for
MGM; Han-y jr., Missouri salesman for U-I;
Marge Murphy, U-I booker; Joe Howard,
Monogram- Allied Artists salesman, back from
three weeks in California, and Frank Plumlee,
Edwards & Plumlee circuit, Farmington,
Mo.,
back on the job.
George Phillip is the name of a baby son
born to Phil Nanos, owner of the Laclede
Theatre here. The family now includes two
boys and two girls . . . Many along Filmrow
were sorry to learn of the death in Beverly
Hills, August U, of Sam Hellman. 65, motion
picture scrip writer, short story author and
former St. Louis newspaperman. He went to
Hollywood in 1927.
A four-minute motion picture and a recording
were used at a meeting of the St.
Louis board of public service to support a
petition for the addition of 75 taxicabs to
the present fleet of 75 operated by the Laclede
Cab Co. The company contends that its
volume of business has increased 5,731 per
cent in the past two years, making additional
cabs imperative.
. . .
and river towns to be worked into "Show
Boat." He also is to make similar studies
along the Sacramento and St. John's rivers
The Union Electric Co. reports there are
now more than 150,000 televsion sets installed
in homes in the area that it serves compared
with 136.967 sets July 1. KSD-TV serves this
area.
Parking Lot Employes
Sign Wage Agreement
ST. LOUIS—A contract covering 12 employes
in six midtown parking lots operated
by Theatre Parking, Inc., an affiliate of
Fanchon & Marco Enterprises, was to be
signed early this week. Edward B. Arthur,
general manager of Fanchon & Marco Enterprises,
said that the agreement with Local
618. AFL teamsters' union would provide a
30-cent increase to $1 an hour with a guaranteed
48-hour work week.
The facilities of the six parking lots are
u.sed by patrons of the Fox, Missouri and St.
Louis theatres, operated by Fanchon &
Marco. Parking lot employes had been
picketing these theatres since July 15.
F&M Drops Advertising
In St. Louis Democrat
ST. LOUIS—Fanchon & Marco, operator of
the largest circuit here, has dropped all advertising
in the Globe-Democrat, this city's
only morning newspaper. Edward B. Arthur,
comment.
F&M general manager, declined to
RKO continued to carry fair space in the
Globe-Democrat on the current run of
"Tieasure Island" and "Beaver Valley" at
F&M's Shubert and suburban Shady Oak
theatres.
The great majority of the neighborhood
and suburban theatres dropped their ads
from the Globe-Democrat a couple of years
ago following an increase in rates.
Suggest Parking Lot Law
FORT WAYNE—The city
plan commission
has recommended that city council enact an
ordinances to require minimum off-street
parking facilities for certain types of new
buildings, including theatres.
Billboard Press Work to St. Louis
ST. LOUTS—The World Color Printing Co.
here has received the contract for printing
Billboard, a weekly national amusement
trade magazine, beginning with the October
issues. The executive offices of Billboard
will continue in Cincinnati, and the press
plates
will be sent here for the press work.
Eugene Durr to Knox, Ind.
KNOX, IND.—Eugene Durr, assistant manager
of the Paramount Theatre in Anderson,
has been promoted to manager of the Fairy
and Knox theatres here of the Alliance circuit.
It
Pays to Advertise
—in BOXOFFICE
Charles Coleman, MGM location assistant,
was due here to make a personal tour of the
Mississippi river from St. Louis to New
Orleans and of the Ohio river from Cairo
to Cincinnati to spot backgrounds, landings
For Junket to Honolulu
Bob Hope will spend three weeks in Honolulu
this fall with his wife and their four
children.
BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19. 1950

. . Mrs.
. .
'
.
^b'Uae-o^ eo4tdiuction
Contas-Rorer Drive-In
Open at Sterling, 111.
STERLING, ILL.—The Midway Drive-In
was opened on the Lincoln highway at
Prairieville here Thursday niglit by A. J.
Contas and L. G. Rorer. Capacity is 600 cars
on 11 ramps. The boxoffice resembles an
artist's palette and was designed by Al Jenks,
The interior of the concession building is
finished in ceramic tile while the outside is
faced with gray brick. A 200-foot deep well
furnishes water. In front of the concession
building is a patio equipped with lawn chairs.
Fencing is gray transite.
Tanner Opens Pane Driv©-In
PANA, ILL.—The 500-car Tanner Drive-In
in the southeastern section of the city was
scheduled for its grand opening Tuesday,
August 15. Harry Tanner, owner, on July 28
opened a similar drive-in on Route 30 just
northwest of Vandalia, 111. The circuit, of
of which Herman Tanner of Vandalia is the
general manager, also includes the Palace,
Nokomis. 111.: the Eagle and Roseland theatres
in Pana and the Liberty and Lincoln in
Vandalia.
Columbus, Ind., Drive-In Open
COLUMBUS, IND.—Among those attending
the opening of the Columbus Drive-In
by Syndicate Theatres August 10 were Sam
Oshry, U-I manager: Burdette Peterson,
NTS, and Harry Zeitel, Columbia salesman,
all from Indianapolis, and Peter Rosian, U-I
district manager, Cincinnati.
Bad Weather Delays Opening
BENTON, ILL.—The scheduled opening of
the 500-car Midway Drive-In near here, post-
back
"
Start Fredericktown Drive-In
PREDERICKTOWN, MO. — L. A. "Bud"
Mercier. owner of the Mercier Theatre, has
started the construction of a 350-car drive-in
on Highway 67 near here. Joe Hornstein, St.
Louis has the equipment contract.
Build New Quad Cities Airer
ROCK ISLAND, ILL.—Construction of the
Semri Drive-In has been started near Silvis
by owners of the Memri Drive-In. situated
near Milan. The two outdoor theatres will
serve the Rock Island, East Moline, Moline,
Silvis and Milan areas.
poned from time to time, was again set
on August 12 due to the inclement weather.
The owners are Robert Strauss and Joe Sullivan.
Rolla Outdoor Near Completion
ROLLA, MO.—The 30x50-foot screen for
the new drive-in being built by Rowe E. Carney
east of the Pennant hotel on Highway
66 has been installed and the 500-car project
is about ready for opening.
Fort Open at Macomb, Dl.
MACOMB, ILL—Earl Williams of Knoxville
and W. W. Allen of Galesburg opened
their 425-car Port Drive-In west of here on
July 30.
INDIANAPOLIS
T^arc J. Wolf and Trueman Rembusch went
to New York to attend a meeting of the
Council on Motion Picture Organizations . , .
Bud Lane, manager of the Theatair Twin, is
installing more speakers to make room for
300 more cars.
Keats McMellister, manager of the Theatair
Twin Drive-In at Jeffersonville, also is expanding
and will make room for 400 additional
cars . . . Mrs. Melvin Graves, bookkeeper
at the office of S&S Theatres is back
at work after an operation.
Walter Wolverton manager of the Circle,
reported prices for stage shows, starting with
the opening of the Duke Ellington show, will
be: Monday thorugh Saturday, 50 cents to
. . .
1 p. m., 70 cents to 6, and 90 cents to closing;
Sundays 70 cents to 2 p. m., thereafter
Yeggs took $419 from
90 cents to closing . . .
a safe at the Coronet Theatre after knocking
off the combination Roger Scherer,
operator of the Rodeo, Fort Wayne, and family
are spending a vacation at Lake James
. , . Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Heinlen spent
the weekend in Indianapolis.
John Michu and wife returned from an
extended vacation in Michigan. He operates
the State and Indiana in Fort Wayne .
. .
.
Angeline Galoff succeeded Pauline Neise as
manager's secretary at Eagle Lion Classics
. . . Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jany, who operate
the Gaston at Gaston, Ind., returned after a
three-week fishing trip in Hayward, Wis. .
Mike Make, operator of the Airline Drive-
In, Winchester, spent several days in Dayton
visiting his father Ann Craft,
secretary of Associated Theatre Owners of
Indiana, has^ gone to the west coast with
her husband on a vacation.
W. K. Embleton, manager at Monogram,
will attend a national sales convention in
Los Angeles September 1-3 .. . Jerry Dirkholz
is the new contract clerk at ELC. Lorena
Davidson has been appointed bookers
stenographer . . . Frank McCarthy, New
York, U-I division manager, and Peter
Rosian, district manager, conferred with
Manager Sam Oshrey.
Clarence Becker, operator of the Indiana
Theatre, Fort Wayne, has purchased Crestwood
carpet for his house from National
Mrs. Jean Beard,
Theatre Supply Co. . . .
booker at Warners who has been confined
to the hospital, is recuperating at home
, . . Exhibitors on Filmrow: Al Borkenstein,
Wells. Fort Wayne: R. L. Norton. Key, Red
Key: William Kalafat, York, Churubusco:
J. B. Sconce, Sconce circuit, Edinburg: Tom
Goodman, Goodman circuit, Corydon: K.
Ball. Royal, Brownstown: Mrs. William
Haney. Milan, Milan; H. G. Reckley, Chateau,
Greencastle.
Mrs. Helen Bohn, wife of Joe Bohn, Realart
Pictures, is confined to the Methodist
hospital suffering with a broken hip. She
slipped from a chair while arranging some
posters in the office . . . Kaye Agnew, student
assistant at Loew's Theatre here, has
been appointed assistant manager, succeeding
Keith Southard, resigned.
AH of Joan Crawford's adopted children are
trained to take care of their toys and to tidy
up their rooms.
Theatre Is Not a 'Store/
So Project Is Dropped
MILWAUKEE—When Judge Roland of the
circuit court ruled that a theatre is not a
"store," Gustave Janke lost his fight to obtain
a permit to construct a theatre at
suburban Center and 70th streets. The area
is restricted to "stores," and now in business
there are filling stations, a beauty parlor
and a real estate office. Janke had contended
a theatre came under the zoning ordinance
for that area.
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BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 77

. . Gus
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CHICAGO
"Phe world premiere of "Loui.sa" la.st weelcend
at the B&K Chicago proved that
Movies Are Better Than Ever with crowds
lined up on the sidewalks in front of the
theatre from early morn till the start of the
last .show. The premiere festivities arranged
by Ben Katz, U-I publicity head: Bill Hollander,
B&K ad-chief, and his assistant
Eddie Seguin, was a terrific success. A State
street parade, an official welcome by Mayor
Kennelly and a stage presentation following
•showings of the film Icept the Hollywood
stars in a whirl throughout the opening day.
The stars also visited the Fair of 1950 in
Grant park and were greeted by thousands.
The IVIanor Theatre at 5609 North Ave., reverted
to the Lynch estate, owners of the
building, who will operate the house starting
September 1. Jack Kir.sch of Allied will
do the booking. The house has been operated
by B&K for several years . 54 Drivein,
Kankaliee, will have its capacity increa-sed
Fi'ank Stewart has opened
to 900 cars . . .
his drive-in on Route 45 out of Urbana. It
has a 600-car capacity.
. . Ted
.
Jack Belasco, Woods manager, returned
from a week's rest at South Haven .
Reisch, U-I sales manager, is vacationing at
Lake Geneva . . Paul Sadzeck was named
.
country salesman for U-I, and Bob Friedman
has been appointed a trainee in booking
department . Gorelick, RKO manager,
vacationed in Wisconsin . Cozzi
has succeeded Georeg Buscli as city salesman
for RKO, and Busch has returned as
exchange booker Simansky has
installed his pocket comb vending machines
in several theatres throughout the city.
"Duchess of Idaho" bowed in at 25 the-
.
atres in outlying houses direct from a first
run downtown . . . Al Simons and his wife
baked a wedding cake for friends who came
to congratulate them on their 25th wedding
anniversary Constant has reopened
liis Avon at Decatur after making several
improvements . new drive-in will be
opened by the Marks brothers at 78th and
California avenue August 20. This is the only
drive-in within Chicago city limits . . .
James Gregory, general manager of the Alliance
circuit, has been appointed chairman
of the building fund drive for the new St.
Andrews church on the north side.
MILWAUKEE
Toe Malitz, former manager of the Eighth
. . . Sugar
Street here and now manager of the
Palmyra Myra, was on Filmrow
Chile Robinson and Denise Darcel reopened
vaudeville at the Riverside, and pulled 'em
Opera Theatre, Inc.. advertised recently
in . . .
in the want ads: "Auditions for Negro
baritone and character bass, feature roles to
appear in the midwest premiere of 'Street
Scene.' Applications for chorus members
taken. Auditions August 9-16, at 745 N.
Tenth St."
Remodeling of the Radio Theatre for German
films is expected to be completed about
September 1 . . . Jerry Kurz, Ray Smith Theatre
Supply salesman, was on a vacation.
Three Words' Heads
Top Bill in Chicago
CHICAGO—Cool weather with the mercury
around 60. and the town jammed with outof-towners
upped boxoffice gro.sses at downtown
theatres in a big way. New bills and
lioldovers did very well. The Oriental had
a fine week with "Three Little Words," and a
banner stage show headed by Chico Marx,
Paul Gray, "ifvette and other stage stars.
"Treasure Island" bowed in strong at the
RKO Palace, and a twin bill of "Stella" and
"If This Be Sin" opened nicely at the United
Artists. "711 Ocean Drive." was still a standout
in a second week at the Woods.
130
(Average Is 100)
Chicago—My Friend Irma Goes West (Para), plus
stage show, 2nd v^rk 115
Garrick—Back to Bataan (RKO); Marine Raiders
(RKO), reissues, 2nd wk .100
Grand—Woman on Pier 13 (RKO); Slate Penitentiary
(Col) 95
Oriental—Three Little Words (MGM),' plus stage
show -
Palace Treasure Island (RKO); Beaver Valley
(RKO)
I'-i
Roosevelt—Once a Thiel (UA); The Great lewel
Robber (UA). 2nd wk 95
Slole-Lake—Where the Sidewalk Ends
(20lh-Fox), 2nd wk 95
United Artists—Stella (20lh-Fox); U This Be Sin
(UA) 100
Woods—711 Ocean Drive (Col), 2nd wk IJO
World Playhouse—Marius (Teitel) - 105
"Three Little Words' Grosses
150 at Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS—Boxoffice grosses rated
from very good to poor. "Three Little Words"
at Loew's headed the list with 150 per cent
and held over for another week.
Circle- Night and Ihe City (20lh-Fox); Triple
Trouble (Mono) 80
Indiana Treasure Island (RKO) 75
Keith's—Blossoms in the Dust (MGM), reissue:
The Three Musketeers (MGM), 2nd run 80
Loews—Three Utile Words (MGM) 150
Lyric The lawless (Para); Ranger oi Cherokee
Strip (Rep) 70
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-'9 BOXOFFICE
:
; August 19, 1950

I
No Ohio State Games
To Theatre Screens
COLUMBUS—Ohio State football games
will not be televised for near-simultaneous
presentation at theatres, according to Athletic
Director Richard Larkins. Ohio State
and Minnesota were mentioned as possibilities
in the proposal accepted by Michigan,
Northwestern and Illinois whereby their grid
games will be piped directly to theatres in
Chicago and Detroit, with only a 25-second
lag.
"This plan isn't a matter of inconsistency
with the Big Ten's ban on live television,"
Larkins explained. "It's simply a question of
seeking a solution by experimentation. The
Ohio State athletic department has taken
the stand that we will not engage in this
experimentation. We'll rest on whatever decision
may be arrived at by the school actually
participating in it."
However, it was announced that arrangements
have been completed for the showing
of complete film coverage of Ohio State's
games this season. The films will be televised
on WBNS-TV on the Sundays following
the Saturday games. Big Ten rules state
that the films cannot be shown before 6
p. m. Sunday. These will be official athletic
department films. They will be augmented
by pregame and half-time "color" shots
filmed by the WBNS-TV motion picture department
under the direction of Darrel Mc-
Dougle. The series will be sponsored by
Chevrolet.
The Michigan games will
be shown in the
Michigan Theatre, Detroit, and the Northwestern
and Illinois games at the B&K
State-Lake, Tivoli and Uptown, Chicago. The
Paramount tele-transcription system and the
RCA direct projection equipment will be
used.
Detroit Chopin Theatre
Leased by Jack Litsky
DETROIT—The Chopin Theatre, west side
house formerly operated by George Burgess,
has been leased by Jack Litsky. a newcomer
to show business who operates a candy manufacturing
firm nearby. Management of the
house has been placed in the hands of his
sister Rose Litsky.
The Chopin, which has been used chiefly
to show Polish films on an irregular operating
schedule for the last couple of years, is
being switched to a three-day week of American
pictures, with Polish films once a month.
The house will go to a regular seven-day
operation in the fall.
Detroit Coronet to Bow
As Foreign Film House
DETROIT—The Coronet Theatre, east side
house recently taken over by Albert Dezel of
Dezel Productions and Leon Weingarden of
Flint, will open September 1 with a first run
foreign and art film policy. The hou.se has
bought four major Italian films-spalter International's
"Gigi," Globe Films' "II Trovatore."
Motion Picture Sales' "Pagliacci" and
Continental's "Rigoletto." House is being remodeled,
including a new sign. It formerly
was known as the Colony.
Ban on Films to Russia
Is Demanded by Wood
Joan in Pittsburgh
Exploiting "Our Very Own" and "Edge
of Doom" in Pittsburgh last week was
Joan Evans, Samuel Goldwyn star (top),
who is shown at the RKO exchange with,
left to right, William Scott, city salesman;
David C. Silverman, manager, and
Irving Frankel, "main line" salesman. In
the bottom two photos she is seen with
RKO employes including Lois Wardle,
Mary Jane Kuhar, Eva Friedman, Paul
Reith (office manager), Norman Chussitt
(McKees Rocks exhibitor), Selma
Nahmod, Marilyn Smith, Lucille Wirth,
Peggy Doyle, Miriam Weinberger, Cele
Kieselbach, James Caminsky, Catherine
Connolly and Catherine DelTondo.
Co-Op of Ohio and 20th-Fox
Come to Agreement
CLEVELAND — Cooperative Theatres of
Ohio, headed by Milton A. Mooney and 20th-
Fox, have come to terms on a block of pictures,
bringing to a close, at least for the time
being, a controversy between the booking
organization and the distributors which resulted
in Co-op not serving 20th-Fox products
to its approximately 150 accounts since
early spring. I. J. Schmertz. 20th-Fox manager,
said the deal was consummated last
week.
COLUMBUS—Immediate ban of shipments
of American films to Russia was urged upon
President Truman by P. J. Wood, secretary
of the Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio.
in a telegram addressed to the chief executive.
Wood's telegram seconded statements
made by W. Ward Marsh, film editor of the
Cleveland Plain Dealer, in a recent column
that "in light of what is going on all over
the world-^particularly in Korea and the
United Nations Security Council—the Motion
Picture Export Ass'n should revise its plan
for sending 20 Hollywood films to Russia."
Wood's telegram read: "Some of our Ohio
theatre owners have sons shedding their
blood in Korea, and this organization as
their representative protests the shipment of
these pictures which will be used in the
manner outlined in Mr. Marsh's article."
Wood also telegraphed heads of the major
film companies: "After reading Mr. Marsh's
column in the Plain Dealer your company
should hang its head in shame for selling
its birthright for a mess of pottage."
Marsh wrote: "Under an agreement reached
between this country and Russia some two
years ago. the Soviet Union agreed to buy
some 20 of our pictures for the measly sum
of $1,000,000. Without question, the thought
at that time was this: we should even give
our pictures to Russia just to show our way
of life under democratic government. And
Hollywood was silly enough to agree to furnish
a score of pictures for $50,000 apiece.
You know, as well as I do. that Russia wiU
do as she damned well pleases with these
pictures. In the light of her behavior—past
and present—she will twist and distort,
change and re-edit, add dialog and lie in
superimposed titles, all of which will in the
end so completely alter every film from
America as to make them vital and lethal
weapons against us."
Mike Rosenbloom Dies
In Pittsburgh at 72
PITTSBURGH — Michael Rosenbloom, 72.
former Carnegie and Charleroi theatre
owner, died August 11 in Allegheny General
hospital. He was active in civic and fraternal
affairs, and was an employe of the
Pennsylvania liquor control board at the
time of his death. He is survived by a
daughter Mrs. Emanuel Goldberg.
He was a director of the Jewish Home
for the Aged and a 50-year member of the
Knights of Pythias. During his many years
in motion picture exhibition, he was an
active organizer and leader in the independent
theatre owner ranks.
Opening Hours Changed
DANVILLE, KY.—Joe Marshall, manager
of the Starlite Drive-In on the Shakertown
road, has changed the opening hours at the
drive-in. The boxoffice now opens at 7 p. m.
and the first show starts at 8:10. The late
feature is timed for 10:15. Children under
12 years are admitted free.
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950 ME 79

. . Jim
.
.
.
Louisville Twin Open;
New Theatre Begun
LOUISVILLE—With the complelion of the
second half of the Twin Drive-In Theatre,
erected by American Drive-In Theatres on a
23-acre tract at the intersection of Crittenden
drive and Dakota avenue, formal opening
of the new twin theatre was held. The
ozoner now can accommodate approximately
1,900 cars and has about 600 theatre seat.'-
for walkin patrons.
For the opening the theatre used a double
page ad spread in the rotogravure .section of
the Sunday Courier Journal, including a full
aerial view of the theatre, with a map showing
the location, and listing the various inovations
of the ozoners. In addition to the concession
stand, with picture glass windows and
projection booth, with windows so that patrons
may view- the operation, the theatre
contains electric in-car heaters.
Officers of the American Drive-In Theatres
include Lou Arru. A. Edward Campbell and
Tony Kern. Equipment includes Motiograph
projection, sound speakers and junction
boxes and Kollmorgen lens supplied by the
Falls City Theatre Equipment Co. here. Admission
has been set at 54 cents for adults,
with children under 12 free.
New Louisville House Started
LOUISVILLE — Construction has been
started on the new Westend Theatre, one of
the largest neighborhoods in the Louisville
area. The new theatre will be located on the
south side of Broadway between 33rd and
34th .streets in the west section of tow-n. Cost
of the new enterprise was estimated previously
at about $275,000.
According to Harry R. Switow, secretary
of M. Switow & Sons Enterprises, which will
operate the theatre, it will seat between
1,500 and 1.600. M. Switow & Sons Enterprises,
operates approximately 24 theatres,
some in Loui.sville, others in New Albany and
Jeffersonville, Ind. and other sections of
Indiana.
Hartford, Mich., Sunset Opens
HARTFORD. MICH. — The new Sunset
Drive-In, a 500-car situation, was opened the
first of the month for J. Frank Jacobs of
Bangor, Mich. The drive-in cost $85,000 and
was equipped with Simplex projection and
sound equipment. The ozoner tower was built
of steel and transite.
New Akron Drive-In Is Opened
AKRON—A special display of fireworks
was offered at the opening of the East Drive-
In on Route 91 near Tallmadge, Ohio, in
the greater Akron area. The outdoor has a
playground area for children, including
swings, teeters- totters, sliding board and a
tilt-a-whirl, which resembles a merry-goround.
COLUMBUS
prank Yassenoff and Harold Schwartz, operators
of the Eastside. Riverside and
CCC drive-ins. have booked J. Arthur Rank's
"Tlw Rocking Hor.se Winner" for first run
showings starting August 25. Jeff Livingston,
advertising and publicity representative
for U-I. has been here directing a campaign
Carl Rogers, manager of Loew's Broad.
. , .
is receiving congratulations following announcement
that he won a $100 U.S. .savings
bond for his exploitation on 20th Century-
Pox's "Mother Didn't Tell Me.
Harry Schreiber, RKO city manager, is vacationing
in his home state of Maryland .
R. L. F. McCombs, formerly of the music and
theatre departments of the Columbus Citizen,
is vacationing at his cabin in the Hocking
Valley near here. McCombs is in the music
department of the Voice in America, stationed
in New York .
Cooper, widely
known local newscaster and former theatre
manager, died at 63. He formerly was with
WBNS and in recent years broadcast over
WELD. He operated his own stock company
for some years and at one time was manager
of Gus Sun's theatre in Springfield, Ohio,
and W. S. Butterfield's theatres in Grand
Rapids and Kalamazoo, Mich. His wife,
Maude also was in show business. She survives,
with their daughter. Mrs. Patti Cooper
Johnson.
The Palace stage will be the scene of finals
in the beauty contest to select the White
Rock girl. Contest is being held in cooperation
with local bathing pools and the Vess-
Jones Co.. holders of the WTiite Rock franchise
Nineteen-year-old brunet Irene
. . .
Farren. Grand River. Ohio, was chosen Miss
Ohio in finals held on LoeWs Ohio stage.
She will represent the state in the Atlantic
City Miss America pageant.
About 1.000 youngsters from the city's playgrounds
attended a Saturday morning showing
of "Treasure Island" at the Palace. The
children, who were chosen from 51 playgrounds
on the basis of their interest and
cooperation in activities, were guests of the
city recreation department and the theatre
Sneak previews are definitely the fashion
here. The Palace screened "Louisa," the
."
Ohio -showed "The Next Voice You Hear .
and the Broad had "The Milkman" ... Sid R.
Phillips, advertising manager of the Ohio
State Journal, has been named director of
public relations for the Dispatch Pi-inting Co.
Direction of theatre tieups will be in his
charge. William Gilchrist, national advertising
manager of the Dispatch, will succeed
Phillips.
Urban Anderson, assistant to P. J. Wood,
secretary of the Independent Theatre Owners
of Ohio has resigned to handle Hallmark
Productions' "Sportsmen's Show," which will
be ready for release in the fall. "Andy states
that this looks like a sure money maker for
exhibitors," said Wood.
OFFICE OR DESK SPACE TO RENT
Excellent location for anyone contacting show business, of anyone
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Wntc or phone c'o BOXOFFICE, 1009 Fox BIdg., Detroir 1, Mich. Phone WOodword 2-1100
'Island' Grosses 200
To Pace Cincinnati
CINCINNATI—"Treasure Island" opened
to boomtime business at the RKO Albee,
grossing 200 per cent for the week. "Broken
Arrow" opened at the Capitol with 150. while
third place honors went to the third week
of "Father of the Bride" at the RKO Grand
and "In a Lonely Place" at the Palace, both
with 130.
(.iivcrage Is 100)
RKO Albcr Treasure Island (RKO) 200
Capitol—Broken Arrow (20th-Fox) 150
Keilh s—The Great lewel Robber (WB): 50
Years Bclorc Your Eyes CAfB) .90
RKO Gror.d—Father of the Bride (MGM), 3rd wk.l30
PKO Lync—711 Ocean Drive (Col), 2nd d. .f wk... 95
RKO Palace—In a Lonely Place (Col) 130
'Three Little Words' Does
Very Well in Cleveland
CLEVELAND—Business here is definitely
on the up-and-up with oldtime boxoffice
lines lining the streets. "Three Little Words"
did very well in its first week at the State.
"Treasure Island" and an all-Disney program
including "Beaver Valley" proved to be just
what the public wanted. It hit 140, which is
very high for this type of program. Also
better-than-average was done by "Annie Get
Your Gun," doing a third week stretch at
the Ohio, and "All Quiet on the Western
Front" in its second week at the Esquire.
Allen—Stella (20th-Fox) 110
Esquire—All Quiet on the Western Front (U-I),
reissue, 2nd wk )25
Hippodrome—The Cariboo Trail (20th-Fox) 100
Lower Mall—The Facts of Life (Distinguished);
Her First Affair ( Distinguished) 100
Ohio—Annie Get Your Gun (MGM), 3rd d. t. wk.
at popular prices ,.110
Palace— Treasure Island (RKO), with Beaver Valley
and Disney carioon 140
State—Three Little Words (MGM) 150
SliUman—My Friend Irma Goes West (Para),
2nd d. t. wk 65
'Flame and Arrow' Grosses 110
In Detroit Opening
DETROIT—Strong pictures, plus heavy exploitation,
paid off in local first runs. The
Burt Lancaster personal appearance hypoed
the Michigan gross to 110 on "The Flame
and the Arrow." "Tlie Furies," opening at
the Palms-State, also grossed 110. Others
were average or below.
Adams— Annie Get Your Gun (MGM), 6lh wk 75
Cinema—Without Pity (Lux), Flight Into France
(Lux), 2nd wk 90
Downtown—All Quiet on the Western Front
(U-1), reissue JO
Fox—Treasure Island (RKO) IOC
Maaison—Young Widow (UA): The Strange
Woman (UA), reissues 90
Michigan— The Flame and the Arrow (WB);
50 Years Before Your Eyes (WB),2nd wk IiO
Palms-Slaie—The Furies (Para) 110
United Artists—Going My Way (Para), reissue... 90
'Flame and Arrow' Scores
Hit at Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH—"The Flame and the
Arrow"
.scored a hit at the Stanley where it
won a holdover. Extended playing time pictures
petered out in the Fulton and Harris
and "Crisis" didn't get started in Loew's
Penn.
Fulton—Winchester '73 (U-I). 2nd wk 60
Harris—711 Ocean Drive (Col). 2nd wk., 5 days... 55
Penn—Crisis (MGM), 5 days ...- 60
Stanley-The Flame and the Arrow (WB) 115
Warner— No Man of Her Own (Para) - 95
To Ban Carnivals
SHARON. PA.—The city council is enacting
an ordinance which forbids carnivals to
appear in Sharon.
80
BOXOFFICE
:
: August 19, 1950

. . . Dorothy
Morrellville Theatre Fire
Caused by Cigaret
JOHNSTOWN. PA. — A two-alarm fire
which broke out early Thursday morning
last week at the Laurel Theatre in Morrellville
caused damage estimated at $500. The
fire, discovered shortly before 2 a. m.. had
smoldered for several hours and was caused
by a hghted cigaret butt which had been
thrown into a radiator well along the wall.
An accumulation of candy and chewing gum
wrappers finally caused the blaze which set
fire to the joists around the radiator, window
frame, sash and trimmings, plus a section
of the floor. The entire building was
filled with smoke when fireman arrived and
extinguished the blaze. The theatre is owned
by Walter M. Thomas and Mrs. Margaret
E. Gartland.
59 J. Arthur Rank Films
Sold to Detroit TV Unit
DETROIT—Detroiters will have their first
glimpse of 59 J. Arthur Rank productions on
video as a result of a deal by Film Equities
with WJBK-TV here for two blocks of films.
costing $15,600. Pictures will be shown during
the balance of the year. All were made in
ESigland during 1946 and 1947. making them
probably the largest single group of relatively
recent releases to come to the television
screen.
It is believed that a considerable number
of the pictures involved have not been released
generally for theatrical distribution
in this country.
Bargain Day at Ozoner
LOUISVILLE—It looked like bargain day
at the Preston Drive-In here with the offering
of two double features, four pictures in
all. plus free train rides and playground
facilities, all for one admission charge of
49 cents for adults, with children under 12
free. The first feature was scheduled for
8:20 p. m., with the second slated for 10:00
p. m., the third feature at midnight and the
fourth at 1.05 a. m.
Usher Injured at Airer
SPRINGFIELD—John Fulton, usher at
the Stardust Drive-In on Route 4 near hero,
was treated at city hospital for a possible
fractured skull after being caned by four
juveniles and a 22-year-old youth who
sneaked into the theatre without paying.
The usher was attacked after he discovered
the youths, who were taken into custody
by sheriff's deputies.
MIDWEST THEATRE SUPPLY CO.,
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CINCINNATI
Tack Ruth, shipper for RKO. has been released
from St. Elizabeth hospital. Covington.
Ky.. and is recuperating at home.
Ruth expressed gratitude to all Filmrow
folks and exhibitors for their part in raising
funds to help defray the expenses of the
costly drug necessary for treatment of his
ailment. Some $400 was raised. Originators
of the drive were Ruth's co-worker= at RKO.
Velma Sebree. head inspector; Helen Cole,
office manager's secretary, and others. Winners
of the prizes were Fred Krimm. exhibitor.
Dayton, and Bob Harrell, exhibitor,
Cleves.
The mother of Al Kolitz, Rocky Mountain
district manager for RKO with offices in
Denver, died at the Jewish hospital here.
She had suffered a heart attack about ten
days earlier. Kolitz came here the previous
week and attended the funeral of the 2-
month old daughter of his nephew Pat
Campbell. Campbell, who is booker for RKO
in Cleveland, was here with his wife and
infant daughter visiting his mother when the
child became fatally ill.
The Ladies Tenthree Society sponsored a
Kiddy show August 16, at the Norwood Theatre,
Norwood. Proceeds to the Foundling
home. Variety Club charity project. The
Variety Club currently is handling a giveaway
for which prizes are tickets for "South
Pacific."
A drive meeting was conducted at 20th-Pox
by Tom McCleaster, Indianapolis manager,
who has been appointed drive leader for the
Branch Managers' Testimonial drive September
3-December 30. The meeting was attended
by all employes. McCleaster was assisted
at the meeting by Ray Moon, divisional
manager, and Joe Rosen, local manager.
Exhibitors seen on the Row were G. B.
Lively, Huntington. W. Va.: Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Wyrick. Carlisle. Ky; Floyd Price,
Newark: Jimmy Herb. Dayton; Max Matz
and George Frehling, Bluefield, W. Va.;
Foster Lane. Williamsburg, Ky.: Julian Silberstein.
Huntington, W. Va.; Nat Wolf and
Bud Gilliam. Warners. Cleveland; Sid Jacobs,
and Marvin Samuelson. Warners, Pittsburgh,
and Ducky Myers, Chillicothe.
Filmrow vacationers were Lee Heidingsfeld.
RKO salesman, in the east; Al Glaubinger.
manager for EL. in Florida: Lillian Ahern,
manager's secretary. Paramount; Edna Hahn.
head inspector, MGM, in Saginaw, Mich.;
Shirley Applegate. bookkeeper, MGM, in
Miami, Fla.; Irene Sagle, district secretary.
U-I, who took several days of her vacation;
Lucile Arnold head booker's secretary, in
Miami Beach, Fla,; June Beck, assistant
cashier, MGM, in Detroit and Niagara Falls,
and Ann Wyer, contract department, U-I
Lang, assistant contract clerk.
MGM. recently won $1,000 at a church give
away.
IVIannie Shor. of Williamson, W. Va., was
here recently with the son of Hymie Banks of
Williamson to assist the young man in booking
and buying for Louis Shor. The latter
suffered a heart attack recently and still is
confined to the hospital, although his condition
is better. Banks' son will visit Filmrow
once a month and handle details for the
Williamson theatres.
. . . Willie now has his Community
The 14-year-old son of Max Millbauer, Belmont
Auto Theatre, Dayton, died recently.
The boy was Millbauer's only child . . .
WiUard Seale. Booneville. Ky.. a major in
the army reserves, is
Thomas
in training at Ft. Knox.
Ky.
Theatre. East Bernstadt. Ky.. open
only on weekends.
Dave Litto, Kentucky salesman for RKO.
is vacationing in Montreal. Canada, visiting
Alan Crawford, who lives there. Crawford
formerly was salesman for WB here and
resigned last June . . . Oliver F. Joesting has
leased the Rand. Lynchburg, to A. H. Bales
of Brooksville. Ky. The change was effective
August 11. Abe Hyman of Huntington. W.
Va.. is in Canada at his summer home.
The Variety Club, of which Vance Schwartz
is chief barker, has made arrangements for
an all-star wrestling show at the Music hall
September 13. Proceeds will go to the Variety
Club Foundling home. Four bouts will be
staged, including six widely known men
wrestlers and four girls . . Nate Wise,
.
publicity director for RKO-Midwest. is vacationing.
The first assignment for Producer Robert
Arthur at the Warner studio will be "The
Story of Will Rogers."
Be Sure
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BOXOFFICE :
: August
19. 1950
81

, . Joseph
. . . Mrs.
. . Ted
. . Ben
. . Burl
. . Claude
DETROIT
Olini Kerns returned here after 13 months in
the hospital following a stroke and removal
of one kidney. His daughter Elizabeth
recently was married to Carl R. Sams,
theatrical realtor . . . Alice Gorham was
. . .
hostess at a special screening of "Stars in
My Crown" for a group of local clergymen
Milton Hale, Paramount exploiteer, returned
from an a.ssignment in Cleveland . . .
Jerry Carroll, 20th-Fox auditor, was here,
. . . Herman
Ben Liddon, head of Advance Service Co.,
will return to Pittsburgh for his third hospitalization
in recent months
Rosenberg has sold his interest in the American
Popcorn Confections Co. to Oliver Carver,
who recently became a partner in the business
. Salomon has established national
headquartei-s in the Film Exchange
building for American Poster Co., of which
he is president. He will retain his home in
San Francisco. William Pasanen, head of
Glo-Art Posters, has been appointed local
distributor.
Douglas F. George, western theatrical film
distribution chief for Jam Handy, is being
shifted to the Chicago office . . . Sid Golos is
Quality " * • Price * • • Service
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in Canada for a few days . Lefkowitz
said that L&L will open the Holiday Drivein
cafe at MicNichols and Couzens soon .
Robert Lee Haskins of Monogram is leaving
for a vacation at Ipperwash, Ont.
Lou Metzger, Warner Bros, cashier, headed
for Toledo and points south . Cowles,
Warner shipper, went to Grayling with the
national guard . . Walter Corey, Monogram
.
booker, sold his home in Roseville and located
a flat on Stoepel avenue in town only three
days later.
Joseph Miskinis, jr., son of the circuit
operator, is engaged to a girl from Pennsylvania,
where his family has been visiting recently
. . . Arnold & F^iger, architectural
designers, are proceeding rapidly on the new
Lucon at Lansing for a September opening
Roy Shook has taken back the
Emsee at Mount Clemens, formerly leased to
the
Cohen circuit.
Manuel Helfman, who recently disposed of
his interest in the Model Theatre, which was
reopened by his father, is organizing the
Midwest Imprinted Specialty Co. . . . Milton
Hale of Paramount arranged a press luncheon
to greet Charlton Heston . . . Neil Tailing,
manager of the Cinema, has so many strong
pictures booked that he is cutting his runs
short . Rogvoy came over for luncheon
at Alex Bagley's and gave forth with his new
ideas on drive-ins.
Matt
Mrs.
Red Ace former manager at the Lakewood,
now is working with various shows .
Haskin, operator at the Cinderella,
. .
won the
Border cities International Championship
Skeet Ti-ophy, 99 to 97, in a special shootoff
at Sportsmen's club, Riverside, Ont. .
Mary Kennedy was hostess to
. .
women of the
lATSE board Thursday prior to the big convention.
Clarence Bushart of the Lakeview in St.
Clair Shores is having a lot of dental work
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done. Mrs. Bushart al.so has been on the
Dan Defenbaugh of the Gratiot
sicklist . . .
Drive-In has been working on his new home
and his partner Bert Penzien has been devoting
most of his time to his television work
. . . Carroll Puciato, Realart operations chief,
was on the visitors' list.
.
George Turner, relief manager for Midwest
circuit, has returned after a couple of
weeks at Cedar Point, with Carl Kaufman,
manager of the Colonial, is leaving for a
vacation in Minn. Sanderson,
manager of the Van Dyke, went .south . . .
Tommy O'Toole is commuting weekends to
Marine city and still is keeping in touch with
activities at Tipton, Ind., where his brother
now lives.
Ann Holoyad has returned to Local 199 office
staff after a two-year absence. She replaces
Bonnie Mroch . . . Alice Adcox remains
as the other half of the staff . . . Edward
Pasco, operator of the Riviera at Port Huron,
has switched to a first run policy and plans
to bid on forthcoming major attractions . . .
John Heidt of Service Seating stayed over
an extra week on his West Virginia trip.
. . .
L. W. Millard has moved from Detroit to
Gladwin, Mich., where he is with the Star
. . . Al Kendall of the Our at Muskegon was
Carl Mingoine has
a Variety Club visitor . . .
moved out to the Esquire in Grosse Pointe,
Dan
replacing Earl Franklin Woodling
Belford, who was with United Detroit Theatres
before the war, has returned to show
business as exploitation manager for the new
Goldhar-Zimner circuit.
. . . Frank Harr, formerly with Film Classics,
has joined the new Eagle Lion Classics staff
as office manager, replacing Erwin Gold.
Michigan Co-Op Endorses
'Down-to-Earth' Appeal
DETROIT—strong support for the position
taken by Harry C. Arthur, jr., president
of Franchon & Marco, Inc., on the need for
more "down-to-earth" pictures was voiced in
a resolution adopted unanimously by Cooperative
Theatres of Michigan's board of directors,
according to David Newman, counsel
for
Co-op.
Emphasis is upon the point that producers
should be guided by what the exhibitor feels
his patrons will want in planning production,
rather than by artistic or intellectual ideas.
Copies of the Arthur letter presenting this
position are being sent by Co-op to all exhibitor
members.
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82 BOXOFFICE :
: August 19, 1950

—
I
Pittsburgh WB Helm
To Paul Krumenacker
PITTSBURGH—Paul Krumenacker. sales
manager at the Warner Bros, exchange
several years, is the
new branch manager.
He was promoted
when Jerry Wechsler
was returned to the
Cleveland office to
take the place of E. A.
Catlin, who took an
extended leave because
of illness.
Wechsler only recently
was transferred
here to succeed F. D.
Moore who was promoted
to central dis-
Paul Krumenacker
trict manager.
Krumenacker. a veteran of more than 20
years in local film circles, enjoys reputation
among business and personal associates.
Succeeding Krumenacker as sales manager
was Jack Kalmenson. brother of Ben Kalmenson,
vice-president and sales manager
for Warner Bros. Jack has been West Virginia
salesman.
Allen Cordon Appointed
Akron Palace Manager
AKRON—Allen Cordon, former commercial
manager of radio station KYJC in Medford.
Ore., has been named manager of the Palace
Theatre here, replacing Ron Gamble, who
plans to return to the west coast to direct
several theatres which he and his brother,
Willard own in Washington and Oregon.
Gamble has supervised the Palace for three
years. Five of the Gamble brothers are in
the theatre business and a sixth will return
to it in the fall.
Boys Caught in Theatre
AKRON—Two boys were arrested Sunday
(6) after they were spotted on the roof of the
Nixon Theatre by a neighbor. They lowered
themselves into the theatre through a skylight.
Both were turned over to the juvenile
authorities. They were 11 and 15.
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IAs Roger Kennedy Sees
Show Business Spur Soon
DETROIT—"The show business needs a
shot in the arm right now," Roger M. Kennedy.
Detroit lATSE vice-president, said in
a keynote address at the lATSE convention
here this week. "Between the producer who
makes the picture, the employes who work
for him and theatre management we should
find
a solution shortly.
Kennedy, with the dry humor for which
he is famous, recounted a union history, and
recalled that the first two conventions held
in the Motor city, in 1896 and 1928, met in
the Elks temple, which the organization now
has outgrown, and this time is using the
huge Masonic building. The Elks hall is
serving as a social auxiliary for this gathering,
with the Elks holding open house for the
delegates.
The Monday session was opened with a
concert by the Murdoch MacDonald band,
with E. Clyde Adler, president of Detroit
Local 812. presiding. Invication was given
by Father Raymond Clancy, social action
director of the Detroit archdiocese, with the
concluding benediction by the Rev. Sydney
S. Byrne, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal
church, and an address on democracy and
labor by Rabbi Morris Adler of Congregation
Shaarey Zedek.
Louis C. Miriani. president of the city
council, and Philip Heart. Michigan securities
commissioner, gave official greetings for
the city and state.
George Dean, president of the Michigan
Federation of Labor, talked on the significance
of interunion cooperation, and told the
members that, as showmen "you have played
a very fruitful part in the social life of the
world."
Frank X. Martel, for 30 years president of
the Detroit and Wayne County Federation of
Labor, paid tribute to Chairman Adler. and
the high labor standard achieved by Detroit
craft locals. He got a reaction from the
audience when he referred to projector operators
as "projection engineers." and then
remarked, "You see. we respect them in this
town." He went on to give a spirited talk in
support of the St. Lawrence waterway.
David Newman, counsel of Cooperative
Theatres of Michigan, represented theatre
management in greeting the convention, and
proudly pointed to a record of "over 40 years
of peace and harmony with Local 199 in
Detroit" as especially significant because of
the city's reputation as a center of labor
difficulties.
Vice-President Kennedy, receiving the offical
gavel from Adler, in turn presented it
to President Richard F. Wal.sh for the formal
opening.
A week-long program of entertainment,
arranged by local 199 President Frank
Kinsora. gave the delegates plenty of relaxation
from the serious duties of the sessions.
The Variety Club of Michigan and Detroit
Lodge of Elks held open house all week.
Among exhibitors welcoming all convention
visitors were Earl J. Hudson. United Detroit
circuit; Lew Wisper and Frank Wetsman.
W&W circuit; Arthur MacCoU, Downtown;
Norman Meyers. Adams; David M. Idzal. Fox.
A moonlight cruise on a Great Lakes
steamer was featured Monday night. On
Tuesday, all delegates were given passes to
the ni^ht ba.seball game between the leading
Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox.
A separate program of entertainment and
social events was provided throughout the
week for the hundreds of women coming to
the convention. The committee arranging
these events included Mary Kennedy. Dorothy
Kinsora. Josephine and Mildred Shore.
Katy Lasko. Mary Barbera. Aileen Adcox and
Bertie Kennedy.
ERNIE
FORBES THEATRE SUPPLY
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DRIVE-IN THEATRES OUR
SPECIALTY
WO 1-1122 WO 1-1123
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LORENZEN'S
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TOwnsend 8-6232
16457 Woodward Ave., Detroit 3, Mich.
Your Heywood - Waketield
Seating Representative.
Century Theatre BIdg.
6519 14th St..
Detroit 8. Mich.
Phone: TYIer 3-3629
FILM EXCHANGE DRUGS
The Showmen 's Drug Store
Drugs • Cosmetics • Prascnptionj
Personal Sarvtca from Two Sbowmea
MAX BERNBAUM JACK GALLAGHER
Pharmacist
Manager
Phone CLilford 1527, CLillord 3694
FXPFRT

CLEVELAND
peter Bathury who divides his allogiaiice between
transportation advertising and
theatre management, will take over management
of the Shore Theatre while Bernie
Wonder does some vacationing . . . Urban
Anderson has resigned as field representative
of Independent Theatre Owners of Ohio
and has rejoined Hallmark Productions handling
the Sportsmen show . . . Bob Nero of
Monogram Pictures is flat on his back at
home, recuperating from a heart attack . . .
Max Mink, RKO Theatres district manager,
is vacationing on the lake shore with his
wife and son Alan.
. .
Rose Brown, secretary to three Paramount
branch managers during her nine-year association
with the company, has resigned.
She served under George Elmo, Saul Frifield
and Harry Buxbaum jr. Jane Naethans
formerly of Milwaukee is her successor
Carl Schwyn, circuit
.
owner who seldom appears
on Filmrow, was a visitor. He was accompanied
by his general manager. Jack
Armstrong, who shows the Hollywood influence
in his battle of the waistline.
It is reported that Dale EUeman, owner
. .
. . . Belle
of the Bellefontaine Drive-In, is about to
build another ozoner on Route 68, about
ten miles south of Kenton . Harry Weiss,
for the past year salesman for Eagle Lion,
now is with RKO. succeeding Ray Wild, who
resigned because of poor health
Theatre, formerly the Strand in Bellefontaine,
now owned by the Miami Valley
Enterprises and managed by Ellsworth Pond,
reopened last week after a $45,000 remodeling
program which left only the four walls
remaining of the original structure.
Hugh Owen, Paramount eastern division
sales manager, and his assistant, Howard
W A

'
. . The
WEST VIRGINIA
•The Burwell at Parkersburg staged a success-
. .
. . .
ful Maytag dutch oven cooking school
Grove Drive-In at Elm Grove featured
.
a fireworks display one evening last week
The Western Valley Girls were offered
in person at the Wilson Drive-In at Metz . . .
Mr. and Mrs. Guy Pauley of the Blacksville
Drive-In will present the Sunshine Boys,
gospel singers. August 27 with "The Crusades"
as a benefit for the Blacksville Baptist and
Methodist churches.
Morgantown High school band appeared at
the Westover Drive-In and shared in the
Thomas G. Anas, Weirton exhibitor,
receipts . . .
is treasurer of the Weirton commun-
ity defense committee of businessmen who
have organized to preserve the peace,
harmony and prosperity which has existed
for 17 years between the Weirton Steel Corp.
and its employes.
. .
Charles A. Anderson of Kingwood. who
heads the Alpine circuit, visited on Pittsburgh's
Filmrow . Kalman Erdeky, former
manager of the Strand at Greensburg, Pa.,
has been named manager of the Warner Ritz
at Clarksburg. He succeeds O. A. Rea.
$1,000 FREE
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JACK L.
Give $1000 in narionally
advertised merchondise
and'watch business boom!
Proven for 13 yeors in 1273
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We do all the work. Our
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GERTZ ENTERPRISES
,2300 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio • CHerry 1-7559
DELIVERS THE GOODS—Dewey Marraccini
of Clarksburg, W. Va., celebrating
his 25th year with Exhibitors Service
Co., is pictured delivering film. He has
been in service at Clarksburg for 16 years.
There is hardly a man in the industry
in the Mountain state better known or
better liked than Dewey, who "delivers
the goods."
Belle at Bellefontaine
Opens After Remodeling
BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO—The Belle Theatre,
formerly the Strand, was opened here
Friday (11) after renovation by owner Ellsworth
Pond.
A welcoming program was staged under
direction of the Chamber of Commerce.
Taking part were Janet Miller as Miss Logan
County; Sam Fuchs, manager of the J. C.
Penney store; Mayor Pearl A. Wortman; J.
Ewing Smith, president of the Chamber of
Commerce; Nick Torchine, acting district
manager for Schine Enterprises, and Mrs.
John Humphrey, recently elected as Logan
county's typical mother.
LOUISVILLE
The Savoy, a subsequeiit run downtown theatre
owned by Mrs. Gratia Locke and Mrs.
Mary Williams and managed by Lois "Peg"
Stevens, has started a trial run of weekend
stage shows in conjunction with regular feature
films. The results will determine whether
. .
the shows will be continued and expanded or
halted . . . C. E. Winham now is managing
the Strand, Portland, Tenn. . Handhng the
reins at W. E. Horsefield's Kentucky Theatre,
Marion, Ky., is Rudell Butler.
Seen on the Row for the first time in
several months was J. Van Snook, Griffith.
La Grange, Ky. Other visitors included R. H.
Totten, Lakeview Drive-In, Pendleton, Ky.;
Don Steinkamp, French Lick Amu.sement Co..
French Lick. Ind.; C. K. Arnold. Arco and
Melody. Bardstown; E. L. Ornstein, Ornstein
Theatres, Marengo, Ind.; Foster Lane. Lane
and Dixie, Williamsburg; Tom Wheatley,
Bel Vista Drive-In, Springfield; Louis Chowning,
Sky-Line Drive-In, Madison, Ind.; R. L.
Gaines. Riverview Drive-In. Carrollton.
.
The Preson Drive-In here instituted family
night on a Monday and Tue.sday and
admitted a carload or truckload at the total
price of 99 cents meeting of the
Kentucky Ass'n of Theatre Owners convention
committee, slated for August 8, has been
postponed until August 29 . . . Clarence
Taylor, assistant to the president of KATO.
returned from an extensive tour of the state
and immediately departed for two weeks
active duty as a member of the army reserve
and national guard units.
Roland Foster's Salem Theatre, Salem, Ky.,
was hit by a severe fire recently. According
to the insurance adjuster's report, the theatre
was a total loss. No report has been
received as to whether Foster will rebuild
. . . Nell Borden secretary and assistant
treasurer of KATO. left on an extended vacation,
which will include a stay in Massachussets
and Nova Scotia.
When the scene on the screen is one
of fury, with nature lashing out with
its lightning and thunder, is your
sound system capable of the smashing
power necessary to carry out the
full dramatic effect? When the leading
man whispers sweet nothings into
the ear of his glamour girl, can grandma,
way back there in the last row,
hear what he says? The answer is
"yes" if you have a
moTiocRnPH
souno svsTEm
It gives you the best balanced, most complete
tonal range—a guarantee of life-like reproduction, delicate
shadings of voice, musical qualities never before approached,
uniform sound level throughout the theatre.
14 models for indoor theatres from 500 to 5,000 seats and drive-ins from
200 to 1,000 cars or larger.
Falls City Theatre Equipment Co.
427 South Third Street Louisville, Kentucky
Phone: Jackson 7559—Clay 3186
According to the Kentucky department of
revenue monthly report dated June 1950,
amusement taxes for the fiscal year 1949-50
were up over 1948-49 by better than S30,000.
Receipts for June 1950 fell short approximately
S20.000 from June 1949 . . Endy
.
Shows. Inc., Buechel, was chartered at Frankfort,
with $250,000 capital, to operate amusement
parks, circuses and carnivals.
Good News for the Small Town Exhibitor
"Protect Your Investment"
Investigate the possibilities oi starting a PORT-
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in your nearby communities.
ALSO INVESTIGATE the possibilities of building a
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We rent or sell all makes of 16mm "arc" or
"bulb" projection eqpt. We have the world'f
largest libraries Irom coost to coast. 100% availability
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For complete details and a copy of our latest 30th
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16MM PICTURES CO.
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BOXOFFICE ;: Augu.st 19, 1950 85

PITTSBURGH
Toe Bueahi, manager of the Manob at Union-
' town, is back on the job following a short
vacation . . . Hilda Alvin of MGM is recuperating
at home after suffering a broken
collar bone in an auto accident several weeks
ago . . . Bill Scott now is RKO's city salesman,
coming in from the main line. Irving
Frankel switched from the city post to the
area formerly covered by Scott . . .
Sam
Galanty. Washington, and Phil Pox. Cincinnati,
both Columbia executives, were here
. . Ernest
for several days conferring with George Tice.
local manager . . . "Pretty Baby" w-as sneak
previewed recently at the Stanley .
Williams, manager of the Arcade, was in West
Penn hospital for a checkup.
The Al Weiland juniors of the Fifth Avenue

Film Golf Tournameni
Is Held at New Haven
NEW HAVEN—Charles Coburn was guest
of honor at the annual Motion Picture Theatre
Owners of Connecticut Film Golf tournament
luncheon at Racebrook Country club.
Orange, Tuesday (15 1. An enthusiastic turnout
of exhibitor distributor and representatives
from all over the state, as well as
executives from Boston and New York, enjoyed
a day in the open punctuated by special
luncheon and dinner arrangements at the
clubhouse, and the final awards of prizes.
George H. Wilkinson. Wallingford exhibitor,
and Albert M. Pickus. Stratford exhibitor
nationally active in TOA, were co-chairmen;
Sam Weber of Rosen Film Delivery was
treasurer: Herman M. Levy. TOA attorney
was secretary, and Lou Brown. Loew's Poll
advertising head was in charge of publicity.
They were assisted by James Bracken of
Warner zone office; Ted Jacocks. Branford
Theatre; James Darby. Paramount Theatre;
Harry P. Shaw. Loew's Poli division head,
and Samuel Rosen of the delivery and theatre
interests. Barney Pitkin and Henry
Germaine, managers of RKO and Paramount,
respectively, were chairmen for the distributor
branch.
Variety Golf Tournament
Attracts 100 Persons
BOSTON—The Variety Club's annual golf
tournament and outing was a big success
with more than 100 members and guests present
at the Pine Brook Golf club, where
Charlton Heston, Paramount's new star, was
guest of honor.
Prizes were w'on for the longest drive by
James F. Mahoney of Interstate Theatres,
with Jay Wolf second; "Fishy" Green of
Audrey Pictures, for the nearest to pin,
and blind bogey winners were Bill Horan,
Tony Russo. Ellis Gordon. M. D. Feldman
and Joe Cohen. The low gross event was
divided into two parts, for members and
nonmembers.
For the members, Joe Mathieu was first,
with G. Sommerell second. For nonmembers,
L. Irwin was first, with Jerry Govan second.
In the low net event, for the members Herbert
Copellman was first and Abe Yarchin second.
For the nonmembers. Ben Rosenberg
was first and Jay Alberts second. The consolation
prize went to "Red" Peirce of Altec.
There also were 15 door prizes.
Bing Theatres Builds
One House, Buys Second
SPRINGFIELD. MASS. — Bing Theatres,
Inc.. of Boston, which is moving solidly into
western Massachusetts with one theatre under
way here, has purchased the Wernick in
Chicopee.
Built more than 20 years ago. the Wernick
originally cost $100,000. The sale price was
not disclo.sed. The theatre has a seating capacity
of 1.000 and there are street level
stores on the ground floor of the building,
with offices on the second floor.
Charles L. Patch, manager of the Broadway
here, and formerly manager of the Art.
has been put in charge of the new Bing
establishment.
Onve-ins Will Collect
For 1950 Jimmy Fund
BOSTON—For the first time in this territory,
audience collections will be taken in
drive-ins for the 1950 Jimmy fund drive.
The decision to take up collections among
drive-in patrons was made by the Jimmy
fund committee, with Edward Redstone
named chairman for the drive-ins.
Redstone is asking for suggestions from
drive-in owners for the best method to
make such collections. He said in a letter
to drive-in managers last week that he did
not believe it wise to try to collect when
cars enter the field, since occupants will
not have seen the Jimmy fund trailer. He
recommended that Boy Scouts take up the
collections at an intermission following showing
of the trailer.
The Jimmy fund drive starts September 1
and will run for two weeks, but drive-ins
will start their collections August 25 and
continue through September 5. Drive-in
owners said that earlier collections would
be made in the outdoorers since patronage at
the open-airers drops considerably after Labor
day.
Edward Redstone, vice-president of Redstone
Drive-ins. is the son of Michael Redstone,
owner of four drive-ins in Massachusetts
and three in New York. His New
York outdoorers also will be asked to contribute
to the Jimmy fund.
Appliance Industry Folk
Asked to Pay for Cement
BOSTON—At a meeting of New England
Variety Club associate members, those who
are not connected directly with the motion
picture industry. Associate Barker Samuel
Dane, president of Allied Appliance Co. was
so impressed with the Buck-a-Brick idea that
he is
asking 20.000 employes in the appliance
industry to pay $1 each to purchase the
cement needed to build the new research
CONNECTICUT WELCOIE—Jim Mc-
Carthy, manager, Warner Strand, Hartford,
serves Nick Cravat, left, and Burt
Lancaster, right, at Warner reception
for the two actors, held in conjunction
with Connecticut showings of "The Klamc
and the .Arrow."
building for the Children's Cancer Research
Foundation.
Members of the motion picture industry
plan to purchase one brick apiece for SI to
complete the outside of the building. With
the appliance industry working on the cement
to be used. Executive Director Bill Koster
of Variety now is looking for a third industry
to take care of the glass needed for the project.
Samuel Dane is chairman of the appliance
industry for the Jimmy fund. George
Roberts is chairman for the motion picture
industry for tne bricks.
When Jim Britt, radio sports commentator
and a trustee for the Jimmy fund drive,
heard about a group of children in Wilmington,
Mass.. who raised $150 last year for the
drive, he approached them again this year
only to discover that one of the young
members had died during the winter. As a
memorial the children had raised another
$150 which they will give to Britt for the
Jimmy fund at an afternoon baseball game
at Braves field. Britt will take the kiddies
to the Keith Memorial where they will be
guests of Ben Domingo to see "Treasure Island"
and later they will dine at the Hotel
Bradford where they will be the guests of
theatre owner Ralph Snider.
Bernie Menschell Weds;
Community Partner
HARTFORD—Bernie Menschell. partner in
the Community Amusement Corp.. Hartford
independent circuit, was married recently to
Irma Singer, local insurance company employe.
Rabbi Robert Goldberg conducted the
ceremony, with witnesses including John
Calvocoressci. partner. CAC circuit, and Phil
Gravitz. MGM New Haven manager.
Following the wedding, the couple left for
a two-week honeymoon in upstate New
York. Mr. and Mrs. Menschell will live at
60 Sumner St., Hartford.
Comedian Has Car Woes
At Danbury Drive-In
HARTFORD—Jack O'SuUivan. manager or
the Lockwood-Gordon-Rosen Danbury Drivein.
had the situation well in hand one night
when comedian Milton Berle showed up.
Berle and his wife Joyce Matthews were
at the drive-in. but no one knew it until
upon trying to start his car. Berle found
that his battery was dead.
He was taken to O'Sullivan, who took him
to a nearby garage, where he got assistance.
Church Sues Against Drive-In
SPRINGFIELI>—A suit in equity has been
filed by the Greek Catholic church here
aimed at blocking the license which has been
issued for construction of a drive-in here. The
church and residents of a veterans housing
project have opposed construction of the outdoorer.
but Mayor Daniel B. Brunton has upheld
his action granting the license and has
given no hint that he will change his mind.
BOXOFFICE :
: August 19. 1950 NE 87

. . Benn
. . Nick
. . Florence
.
BOSTON
/^harlotlo Weisman, contract clerk at RKO, Bailey who resigned. Irving Mendelson, city
was inarned recently to Edward Lerner . . salesman, is spending his vacation at Ogunquit
Beach. Me. . Lavidor. manager
Visitors in town included Walter Esley. Playhouse.
Rangeley, Me.: Sam Feldnian and his of the Center. Boston, for E. M. Loew, and
father. Capitol. Winchendon: Ellhu Glass, Majestic.
West Springfield; Ai-t Stein, manager of for an extended trip . Buckley,
his family, are on their way to California
the Rex. Cambridge: Irving Dunn. Granite shorts booker at E. M. Loew's. has returned
Square, Manchester, N. H.. and Frank from her vacation spent at Walter Young's
Kuzmeskos Park Villa Drive-In. Turners Oak Birch Inn. Alton Bay, N. H.
FalLs.
Colby Robin.son, 49. owner of the Colby.
Funeral services for Feliz E. Kahn, retired Bingham. Me., died at hLs home and was
banker and former director of Paramount buried in the Bingham family lot. He had
Pictures Corp.. were held at his summer home been an exhibitor for over 20 years. He is
in Blue Hill. Me. Born in Mannheim. Germany,
Kahn was connected with banking will continue to operate the theatre . . .
survived by his wife. Mrs. Robinson's sister
firms in Germany and England before coming
to this country in 1904. He was on the hands. Walter Esley, who also operates the
The Lakeside. Lakeport, N. H., has changed
Paiamount board for several years prior to Playhouse. Rangeley. Me., has sold the lease
1929. An amateur violinist and collector of and equipment to Frank Booth of East
rare musical instruments, he at one time Rochester. N. H.. a newcomer to the industry.
owned three Stradivarius violins. He was a
trustee of the institute of musical art of the Bob McNulty has installed a New York
Juilliard School of Music.
air conditioning system at the Warwick,
Marblehead.
George Kraska, manager director of the
Beacon Hill Theatre, has been released from Metro Premium Co. has established a New
the Beth Israel hospital after a four-week Haven branch at 107 Meadow St.. with Lewis
stay. He suffered a heart attack July 10. S. Ginsburg and Joseph G. Spivak in charge
He now is convalescing at his home in Brookline,
where he will remain for another month ware, ovenware and aluminumware for the-
of the complete line of chinaware. glass-
before returning to his desk . Rosenwald.
resident manager of MGM, has entered local Fred Astaire dance studio, Jim Sullivan,
atre giveaways ... In conjunction with the
the Beth Israel hospital for a checkup of Loew's publicist, has arranged a dance contest
with four local dance halls, tieing in with
a stomach ailment.
"Three Little Words," which is booked for
Marguerite Gill, secretary to Sam Horenstein
of Manley. Inc.. spent a week of her Finalists will complete on stage at Loew's
two weeks at Loew's State and Orpheum.
vacation on Cape Cod ... At Art Moger's State August 23. The winning couple will
instigation Warner star Ruth Roman took receive a trophy and a plaque goes to the
over Alan Eraser's column in the Boston ballroom from which they are entered.
American and wrote of her impressions of
this city. She made personal appearances
for "Three Secrets," her latest Warner film
Letter-Writing Contest
. . . Mrs. E>elyn D. Poretsky. wife of Norman
Portesky, a salesman for Wholesome Films, Featured for 'Louisa'
and the mother of three small daughters, died PROVIDENCE—"Why I Love My Motherin-Law"
was the subject of a letter-writing
at her Roslindale home after a short illness.
contest worked out by Dave Levin. RKO Albee
manager, and the New Providence pub-
Maura Jane Roach has been added to the
staff at UA as biller, replacing Mrs. Muriel
lic markets, in conjunction with the forthcoming
"Louisa" at the local house.
Three all-expense trips to New York, including
first class transportation, reservations
at the Wellington hotel, sightseeing
Speedy YOU ALWAYS
tours, visits to leading restaurants and night
Service GET THE BEST clubs, cab fares, tips and incidentals, were
awarded to the three persons writing the
SPECIAL best letters in 25 words or less.
The market devoted considerable space in
Quality TRAILERS newspaper advertisements, display windows
IF
Worl( YOU CCT THEM FROM and counters, heralding the contest. Cutouts
of characters and scenes from the film
were tied into the promotion.
Fred Quatrano, John Sirica
Take Over New Theatre
NAUGATUCK. CONN.—Fred Quatrano and
John Sirica of the Lido. Waterbury. are reported
taking over the 484-seat Alcazar,
BOOK IT NOW ! ! !
WAHOO if Ike world'f moit •hrillins icrccn so.....
Naugatuck, formerly operated under the
Now b«in9 Hscd
CHICAGO
1327 Wobosh
NEW YORK
619 W. 54lh
Mt!fm
been closed, will be renovated and reopened
around Labor day, on a policy of three
changes a week.
Two Films Gross 120
As Boston Leaders
BOSTON—Four holdovers held grosses
down to near average. "The Men" and
"Treasure Island" in their second weeks held
up well. Both held a third.
(Average is 100)
Astor—The Men CJA), 2nd wk 120
Beacon Hili Marriage in the Shadows (Gramercy),-
La Boheme (SR), 2nd wk 60
Boston Good Time Giil (EL); The Cariboo
Trail (20lh-Fox) 90
Exeter Street Slr

. . Al
. . Dismantling
. . George
. . . The
. . Jim
. . Mrs.
. . Lee
HARTFORD
T\r. and Mrs. Ben Vicas returned after a
honeymoon trip to Maine. She is the
former Marilyn Landers, daughter of George
E. Landers, division manager for E. M. Loew's
Theatres. The couple will go to Detroit in
the fall, when Dr. Vicas will be assigned as
radiologist at the Henry Ford hospital . . .
John Patno, assistant at the Allyn, his wife
and daughter are home from a vacation in
northern New England . Hudak,
house manager at E. M. Loew's, got home
from a Montreal, Canada, vacation. His father
John was discharged from St. Francis
hospital following a lengthy illness.
. . .
Michael MasselU, chief projectionist at the
Lockwood-Gordon-Rosen Webb Playhouse
Wethersfield, will be married September 6
to Lee Toledo, a Hartford night club singer.
The couple plans a Bermuda honeymoon . . .
Assistant Manager Ann Lamo, Webster,
spent a few days at her folks' summer cottage
at Niantic. Her brother Ben is manager
of the Webb Playhouse, Wethersfield
Bob Gentner. Loew's Poll, Waterbury, was in
town. On his car is a metal sign above the
rear license plate, reading, "Let's Go to the
Movies!"
. . . Olive Simms, Poll
Elaine Chabot, candy girl at Loew's Poll,
will be married soon
Springfield visitor . . . R. A.
cashier, was a
Fortier filled in for vacationing Lee Feigin,
Palace assistant who went to Crescent Beach,
Niantic . of the old Pike
Drive-In playground, Newington, got under
way, with Manager Paul W. Amadeo planning
expansion of the area and a later addition
of bigger and better equipment. Anthony
Pi-occanino, chief grounds man at the Pike,
was on a vacation in the Connecticut area.
. . . Jim Gerarty,
Mrs. Paul Purdy, wife of the KTU theatre
interest general manager at Meriden, and
sons Steve, Kevin and Derek were on a short
vacation at Madison Beach. Paul got down
to the cottage for a day
Strand projectionist, headed for Virginia
Beach, Va., on his vacation . . E. M. Loew's
.
Norwich-New London Drive-In, which has
been experimenting with an occasional first
run, booked "If This Be Sin." Bruno Weingarten
is manager.
. . .
Russ Newton, assistant manager at the
ATC Capitol, New London, and his wife
observed their 15th wedding anniversary . . .
Joe Giobbia, manager. Crown, was in New
Haven Maurice Shulman of Shulman
. . .
Theatres vacationed at Liebman's Grand
Lake Lodge, Lebanon Eddie Kelleher,
vice-president of Princess Theatre Corp.,
took in a major league ball game in New
York . Abronzino, chief projectionist,
E. M. Loew's, heard from his brother Fred,
assistant chief projectionist, currently vacationing
in Italy. Fi'ed is due home about
October 1.
Fred Abronzino, projectionist at E. M.
Loew's, currently on a vacation trip to Italy,
has extended his stay in that country to
October. His brother Al is chief projectionist
at
Loew's.-
He Stands Six Feet Four Inches
Howard Keel who plays in MGM's "Annie
Get Your Gun" is six feet, four inches tall
and weighs 195 pounds.
Old Hiway Auto Park
Now Is Pike Drive-In
PROVIDENCE—George Card, long identified
with the amusement park business,
has been named manager of the new Pike
Drive-In located on the Hartford Pike at
Johnston, three miles west of this city. Operated
by Albert M. Schuman and Louis D.
Rogow of Hartford, the new drive-in is on
the site formerly occupied by the old Hiway
Auto Theatre.
Very little remains of the old open-airer,
Schuman and Rogow practically revamped
the place from top to bottom. A new screen
has been erected and Century projectors
were installed by the Massachussetts Theatre
Equipment Co. of Boston, along with incar
speakers.
Parking facilities for close to 600 cars
will be increased as soon as all remodeling
and building is completed. As patrons drive
in under a new overhead sign, which cost
approximately $3,000, they are greeted by
side walls beautifully decorated with scenic
paintings. The surrounding grounds have
been newly landscaped. Among other innovations
is a cafeteria-style snack bar.
The theatre has already been opened to
the public, but workmen and painters are
continuing the improvement program.
NEWHAMPSHIRE
n Ithough firemen were called from the station
directly across the street, W. H. Sullivan,
owner of the Enfield Theatre in Enfield,
single-handed conquered a flash blaze
which started in the projection booth. Some
of his hair was singed while he battled the
flames. A previous theatre on the same site
was gutted by fire eight years ago.
The Peterborough Players are recalling
with pride that James Whitmore, currently
starring in the MGM film, "The Next Voice
You Hear . . .
." began his professional career
at that summer theatre three years
ago.
James and Lillian Cardi
Win Permit for Theatre
CRANSTON, R. I.—After two previous applications
had been turned down. James V.
and Lillian R. Cardi recently won their fight
to erect a theatre in the Knightsville section
of this city. The zoning board of review
granted permission at a special hearing
after the applicants had made several
adjustments in the original plans.
In granting the permit, the zoning board
directed that the parking lot to be set up by
the Cardis be used by theatre patrons and
employes only. Should the Cardis build
stores, employes of these establishments also
would be permitted to use the 165-car lot.
The new house, seating approximately 800
patrons, will be located on Park avenue near
Cranston street.
Due to a local ordinance, all theatre applicants
must come before the zoning board
of review before construction can start.
Granting of the Cardis' application brings
to a successful conclusion a long, drawn-out
battle between the prospective theatre operators
and neighboring remonstrants.
NEW HAVEN
.
pjiane Cooperstack of Washington, sister of
Eva Cooperstack, U-I booker, died recently
while on a visit in Marquette, Mich. Diane
once worked with Martin Keleher in the First
National Exchange here Edward
Wallach, mother of Bobby Abbott, formerly
of 20th-Fox here, died recently . . . Some 200
seats were reserved by MGM for its invited
list of club, church, school, press and radio
officials at the sneak preview of "The Next
Voice You Hear . .
." at the Loew's Poli.
. . . Jane
. . .
Earl Wright, Columbia salesman, is grandfather
to Sharon Reid of Baltimore, baby
daughter of Connie Wright Reid
Shea, Paramount report clerk, will be married
Labor day to Bernard Kohler of New Haven
Irwin Germaine, son of Harry Germaine,
Paramount manager, won a big money prize
as a contestant on the "Quick as a Flash"
radio program.
.
. . Abe Bern-
Frank Ferguson, Whalley manager, vacationed
on Cape Cod . Darby, manager
of the Paramount, spent one week with his
family sight-seeing in the White mountains
Post Drive-In, East Haven, played
"Cinderella" for three days Alderman
of Warners will vacation in Long Beach
. . . Ben Simon, 20th-Fox manager, went to
Boston for a district meeting .
stein, U-I exploiteer, was here ahead of
"Louisa" to arrange contests and other promotions.
. .
Evelyn Zona of Columbia vacationed in
August . Also Edwin Serfilippi and Charles
Doll of 20th-Fox. Connie Maraucci and
George Nuzzolillo of RKO, Dechantel Smith
of Paramount, E. Ingenito of Warners zone
office, B. Beckman of the Commodore Hull.
Derby, and W. Brickatee. Garde, New London,
and T. Kilcoyne, Strand, Clinton.
Three former New Haven employees now
are at the Paramount exchange in Buffalo
... All Warner house managers will be back
on the job by September 2 . . . Lou Brown of
Loew's Poli was back from his Baltimore vacation
for a special manager's meeting and
the August 11 outing . . . Gene Pasho of the
Gem, Naugatuck, was fishing and resting
for a few weeks in Maine.
St. Johnsbury, Vt., Airer Bows
ST. JOHNSBURY, VT.—The Blue Moon
Drive-In has been opened here by Avon R.
Atkins. The outdoorer was equipped with
RCA projectors and sound, supplied by Capitol
Theatre Supply Co.
drive-ins:
BOXOFTICE :
: August 19, 1950 89

. . New
. . New
. . Ernest
. . Fred
. A
I
Shell Guessing Contest,
Used for 'Winchester'
PROVIDENCE— Shotgun shell guessing
contests were featured In several sporting
goods stores
before and during the presentation
at the RKO Albee of "Winchester '73."
Dave Levin, Albee manager, had sport
stores place huge glass bowls filled with
shotgun shells in display windows. Fifty
pairs of tickets to "Winchester "73" were
given to the first 50 persons coming closest
to estimating the number of shells in the
bowls.
Other exploitation stunts planned by Levin
included the presentation of Ernie and
Dot Lind. rifle experts, at various hunting,
fishing and rifle clubs. Radio station WDEM
offered prizes to listeners bringing in actual
Winchester 73's.
Games of Chance Hearing
To Be Held in Hartford
HARTTORD—The public will be given an
opportunity to air its views on whether Connecticut
should legalize games of chance for
religious, civic and charitable groups at a
hearing to be held by the state legislative
council next month.
The subject was by-passed by the recent
legislative special session and was referred
to the council for study. The council's public
welfare and humane institutions committee,
meeting last week, decided that public
hearings would help.
Following the hearing, the council will
draft its recommendations to the 1951 legislature.
The hearing will be held at the state
capitol here, September 6, starting at 2 p. m.
SPRINGFIELD
. . . Manager
purther proof that local audiences go for the
surprise element of the sneak preview
was offered when throngs flocked to the Paramount
to see "Fancy Pants"
Ed Smith, who had billed the showing in advance
as "a top-flight comedy," was delighted
with the turnout. Audience reaction afterward
was very enthusiastic.
Hosted by Paramount's Ed Smith, a group
of 20 prominent local citizens, plus Boston
officials, met with press and radio representatives
at the Hotel Sheraton for a luncheon
discussion of plans for the Jimmy fund campaign.
The Broadway, closed for the summer and
with possibilities of becoming a legitimate
house in the fall. Is not forgetting that it is
part of the Western Massachusetts chain.
Unlike the Court Square, where the marquee
says "Closed for the summer," the Broadway
sign invites patrons to visit the "Air conditioned
Paramount," also a Western Massachusetts
property.
. . Stanley
Paul KUngler, formerly of the Strand in
Waterbury, Conn., is in charge of Loew's Poll
while Mr. and Mrs. George E. Freeman are
vacationing in New Hampshire .
Redmond, formerly of Hartford, Conn., has
I. '-en appointed the new a.ssistant at the Art
. . Jim Coteia, Art manager, is taking the
place of Manager Ande Sette at the Capitol,
>'''= Sc-tte is on vacation.
MAINE
portlanders were glad to welcome Nat Silver
back to the Strand Theatre after a
temporary ab.sence from the city. In his
most recent campaign for "Treasure Island,"
he staged a big treasure hunt with tieins
from 26 Portland stores. "Keys" were distributed
throughout the town, with numbers
to be matched with those of one of the participating
stores. Sealed envelopes held gift
certificates as rewards to the person matching
numbers on the pasteboard key with
those on the treasure chests in various stores.
Two hundred awards valued at $4,000 were
available.
The Civic Theatre conducted a baseball
contest in conjunction with "The Jackie Robinson
Story." The big prize was a trip to
Boston to see the Braves play. Mrs. Vicki
Cousins, Civic manager, cooperated with the
Ass'n of Big Brothers and Sisters of Greater
Portland, an organization to provide children
with amusements their families can't
afford, to the extent of allowing the winner
to draw a name for some youth to accompany
him. An adult accompanied both.
Other prize winners received baseballs autographed
by Jackie Robinson or guest theatre
tickets.
All theatres in town are cooperating with
Home Defenders of Freedom, an antihoarding
movement. Between four and five thousand
persons were on hand Sunday evening
(6) in Portland stadium for the launching
of the campaign by the governor of Maine,
Senators Margaret Chase Smith and Brewster,
other local notables and Joan Evans,
Diana Barrymore and Robert Wilcox, stage
and screen stars.
Frank Clements, manager of the Capitol,
returned with his family from a fishing trip
in Canada . Capitol staff additions
include Edward Prindell, usher, and Evelyn
Stevens, cashier . Mellen and Malcolm
Carr, ushers, left for two weeks' training
with the national guard . Stone,
manager of the Portland Theatre, was on
vacation.
. . .
.
. . . Julia Halloran,
Manager Ralph Tully, State, ran a very
successful tiein on Ralston Products for local
stores in connection with "Father of the
Bride," which ran for two weeks and made
a summertime house record Just back
from a vacation, Tully started work on his
job as publicity chairman for Community
Chest and for the antihoarding Home Defenders
of Freedom. He also is publicity cochairman
for the Jimmy fund drive to start
August 31 and run through September 15
in this area neon signs have been
installed at the State
cashier, planned her wedding for August 19.
.
Larry Capillo reports redecorating of the
lobby of the Maine Theatre. March of
Time crew filmed scenes in Waterville and
at Colby college for a documentary picture
based on the book "Modern Arms and Free
Men."
Bette Davis and Gary Merrill had local
newspaper people in a dither until they
finally arrived, already married, at Prout's
Neck, a .short distance from Portland, for
their honeymoon. They visited Gary's mother
and brother who live in Portland during the
winter and summer at Prout's Neck. Premature
reports, which had local newsmen
scurrying around, were that they were planning
the ceremony in Portland with relatives.
The Peaks 'Island Playhouse, owned and
operated by Edward Gould, has a first cla.ss
stock company this season ... As of June
14, Maine had 19 drive-in theatre.^. . . Theatre
personnel all through the state were
shocked to learn of the death of Colby
Robinson, theatreman in northern Maine.
Director John Ford and his wife Mary
have been appointed ambassadors-at-large
of the Maine American Legion. The Fords
will be hosts to the Maine delegation at the
Legion national convention in October. Their,
son Pat, graduate of the University of Maine,
will make his film debut in Paramount's
"Tripoli."
Promotion Drive Started
On Film in Production
PROVIDENCE—A long range buildup to
the eventual presentation of "Quo Vadis,"
now in production in Italy, is being dramatized
by Maurice Druker, manager of Loew's
State. Druker has had a large display case
erected in the theatre lobby upon which he
posts weekly cablegrams reporting the progress
of the film, now about half finished.
In addition, photographs showing the picture
in the making are displayed. Intense
interest has been expressed by patrons entering
and leaving the theatre. Many of
them have stopped to ask Druker how soon
the film will come to this city.
Rex Taylor Is Appointed
To Artists School Job
HARTFORD — Rex Taylor of Stamford,
Conn., formerly head of the magazine department
of Paramount Pictures Corp., has
been appointed public relations and promotion
director of the Famous Artists school of
Westport.
Taylor, at one time director of public relations
for the Meredith Publishing Co., served
as press chief of the European theatre of
operations during World War II.
I^^Special
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BOXOFFICE ;: August 19, 1950

—
— —
—
Revival of War Taxes
Feared in Canada
OTTAWA—The film industry here expects
Parliament, in its special session next month
to deal with the international situation, to
approve a revival of wartime taxation. There
already is a hint that personal income taxes
will be boosted for all persons receiving more
than $750 in net revenue.
It is expected that Commons will support
a new and expensive defense program which
may run into billions of dollars, causing
a return of wartime controls and restrictions
as well as special levies.
Some regulations may hit theatre attendance
and operation with quotas on materials
and supplies, the stabilization of jobs and
freezing wages. Theatre admission prices
were frozen and a clamp was put on construction
so that steel and other essential
products could be diverted to munitions.
Mountie Films Planned
By Several Producers
OTTAWA—Plans for making feature films
dealing with the Canadian Mounted Police
apparently are under way again, with several
Hollywood studios showing renewed interest.
Lindsley Parsons, Monogram producer, was
to arrive from California to discuss details
with Crawley Films and government officials
for making of "The Ottawa Story," with a
mountie theme. Production would be financed
partly by Monogram funds in Canada.
Producer Max King also is said to be ready
to cany out plans for making a mountie picture
with the cooperation of local authorities.
This project was discussed a year ago. Another
RCMP production is on tap by 20th-
Fox but work may not get under way until
next year. Dana Andrews is scheduled for
the star role.
Neil Main Is Appointed
Manager in Hamilton
TORONTO—A native of Scotland and a
Canadian war veteran. Neil Main has been
appointed manager of the Savoy at Hamilton,
Ont., by C. J. Appel, eastern division
manager of Odeon Theatres. The 30-yearold
Main was with Associated Theatres, Toronto,
before enlisting in 1940 for service in
Europe where he won the Military medal.
On his return to Canada he was assistant
manager at Odeon theatres in Niagara Falls
and St. Catharines, later being Odeon manager
at Sturgeon Falls. He was manager
of the Odeon Palace at Gait for the last
18 months. Main succeeds Sam Hebscher,
who has been transferred to the Palace in
Hamilton.
Variety Gets $31,000
TORONTO—The latest check on the returns
for the recent benefit baseball game
sponsored by Toronto Variety Tent 28 for its
vocational .school for crippled boys indicated
that the club will clear $31,000 even though
rain spoiled attendance. The objective was
$60,000.
Toronto Tent Prepares
Grid Game and Dinner
Storm at Winnipeg
Halts Owl Shows
WINNIPEG—A hurricane swept over Winnipeg
Sunday midnight just as thousands
of Winnipeggers were settling back to enjoy
midnight shows either in enclosed houses or
the city's three ozoners. Several theatres,
losing their power, refunded admissions,
others gave passout checks, especially the
ozoners, and one cast. Oak Theatre patrons
were marched over to the Colonial.
Capitol—Our Very Own (RKO)
Very good
Metropolitan Duchess of Idaho (MGM) Excellent
Gaiety—Falher of the Bride (MGM),
4th wk Very good
Odeon—The Blue Lamp (EL) Excellent
Garrick The Sxindowmers (EL) Good
Grand Lives of a Bengal Lancer (Para);
Beau Geste (Para), reissues Very good
Lyceum The Lawrless (Para) Good
Cool Weather Helps
Grosses in Toronto
TORONTO—Nice summer business was
registered by practically all Toronto theatres,
as cool weather prevailed. The best of five
holdovers was "Annie Get Your Gun" in its
third week at Loew's.
(Average Is 100)
Biltmore Wolf Hunters (Mono); Hell Below
(MGM), reissue 95
Fairlawn—The Blue Lamp (EL) 95
Hylcmd—Kind Hearts and Coronets (EL), 9th wk... 80
Imperial—Panic in the Streets (20th-Fox), 2nd wk.. 95
Loew's—Annie Gel Your Gun (MGM), 3rd wk 100
Odeon Rogues of Sherwood Forest (Col) 100
Shea's—Our Very Own (RKO), 2nd wk 90
Tivoli and Capitol—The Damned Don't Cry (WB),
2nd d. t. wk.; Claudia and David (20th-Fox),
reissue 100
University and Nortown—Stella (20th-Fox) 105
Uptown Abbott and Costello in the Foreign
Legion (U-I), 2nd wk
Victoria and Eglinton—The Great Jewel Robber
90
(WB) - 1C5
Heat Wave Lowers Grosses
At Vancouver Houses
VANCOUVER—Sweltering weather did not
bring patrons into air conditioned first runs
and sunny weekend weather made the
beaches and resorts the big attractions. The
tourist trade has not been much help this
summer.
Capitol Duchess of Idaho (MGM), Znd wk Good
Cinema—Bacldire (WB); The Danmed Don't
Cry (WB) Fair
Dominion Wagonmaster (RKO); Kill the Umpire
(Col) Moderate
Orpheum—Cariboo Trail (20th-Fox) Fair
Paradise—Bob and Sally (IFD), 3 shows daily. Good
Plaia and Eraser Spy Hunt (U-I); liggs and
Maggie Out West (Mono) Fair
Strand—Bright Leaf (WB) Fair
Studio The Lady Vanishes (Astral), reissue Fair
Vogue Blossoms in the Dust (MGM), reissue,
2nd wk Fair
"Father of Bride' Stands Out
As Leader in Calgary
CALGARY—Strength was noted at all
first
run theatres. "Father of the Bride" took top
spot at the Capitol. "Kill the Umpire" at
the Strand and "Not Wanted" pulled close
seconds.
Capitol—Father of tho Bride (MGM) Outstanding
Grand—Not Wanted (FC)
Very good
Strand—Kill tho Umpire (Col) Very good
TORONTO—Variety Tent 28 has been
humming with activity as members prepare
for sponsorship of the season's opening football
game August 26 at the 27,000-seat Varsity
stadium and the big black-tie dinner September
14 in the concert hall of the Royal York
hotel at which the tent will receive the international
citation for its Variety Village
accomplishment.
Chief Barker Morris Stein said that J. J.
Fitzgibbons, first chief barker of the Toronto
Tent, will be toastmaster for the September
function when the award will be given by
International Chief Barker Marc Wolf of Indianapolis
before an expected 500 guests,
GRID GAME CHAIRMAN
The committee appointed for the dinner
includes chairman, F. C. Dillon; vice-chairman.
Arch H. Jolley, and members, Clare
Appel, Larry Graburn and James Cowan of
the J. Arthur Rank group. Walter Murdoch
of the musicians' union, O. J. Silverthorne,
Ontario chief censor, and Norman Robertson,
director of Famous Players Canadian Corp.
The following subcommittees are at work:
hotel, J. J. Chisholm, chairman; entertainment.
Jack Arthur; decorations, Paul Johnston,
and reception committee, Morris Stein.
Among head table guests invited are Leonward
W. Brockington, president of Canadian
Odeon; D. G. Ross, president. Toronto Baseball
club; Conny Smythe, president, Toronto
Maple Leaf Hockey club, and Robert B.
Moran, president. Argonaut Football club, all
of whom have cooperated with the tent.
VARIETY LEADERS TO ATTEND
It also is expected that practically all of
the International Variety officers will be
present, along with the chief barkers of the
Detroit and Buffalo tents; Pi-incipal William
Bennett of Variety Village; Dr. Sidney E.
Smith of the University of Toronto; Premier
Leslie M. Frost and cabinet members; Paul
Martin, representing Prime Minister Louis St.
Laurent of the Dominion government; Mayor
Hiram E. McCallum of Toronto; Pi-esident
T. W. Baker of the Ontario Society for Crippled
Children; Ray Lawson, lieutenant governor
of Ontario; President William A.
Wecker of General Motors; John D. Eaton
of the T. Eaton department store; Edgar G.
Burton of the Robert Simpson department
store, and the boys of Variety Village.
A number of clergymen are expected to attend,
including those who have been active
in connection with the Variety school.
Fall Fatal to Cashier
TORONTO—Mrs. A. E. Weston, 50-year-old
cashier at the Capitol in Listowel, was injured
fatally in a fall at the theatre just
prior to the start of the Saturday matinee.
Carrying a supply of admission tickets, Mrs.
Weston fell headlong down a flight of iron
stairs to the cement floor 12 feet below. Her
skull was fractured and she never regained
consciousness. Manager of the theatre is
Peggy Francis. Owner is H. C. D. Main, past
president of the Motion Picture Theatres
Ass'n of Ontario.
BOXOFFICE :: August 19, 1950 K 91

. . Maureen
. . Norman
. . Jimmy
VANCOUVER
/^oing and returning from vacations were
Donna McLean. 20th-Fox: Ben Pentreath
and Betty Wynne. Odeon district office;
Charlie Doctor, Capitol: Harry Pearson. Orpheuni;
Charles Ratnage and Via Bedford.
MGM: Charlie Backus, Empire-Universal:
Peggy Menzies. Dominion; George Gerrard
sr. and Wally Woolridge, Strand, and Gay
Johnstone, Paradise.
The 125 members of Canadian Picture
Pioneers and their families held their annual
picnic Sunday at Birch Bay. Wash.. 50 miles
from here. The crowd played softball and
golf. Mickey Goldin's softball team beat
Harry Wolf's by a score of 9 to 5. Jessie
Stabor of the Studio won the Flying Saucer
event and ladies ball throw. The Studio
staff carried away most of the prizes. Johnny
Schuberg. Canada's oldest exhibitor, was present
with three generations of his family.
Walter Mead, projectionist at the Studio.
was elected president of the provincial Mink
Market Ass'n, formed to assist all prairie
breeders seeking markets for mink pelts.
Mead operates the largest mink farm in
western Canada . . . Cecil Cameron, formerly
with Famous Players here and now manager
of the Sunset Theatre in Hollywood, was here
on vacation . Patterson. 20th-Fox
manager, went to Toronto for a regional sales
meeting . Murphy cashier at the
Odeon. West Vancouver, was married to Krnest
Sauer. manager of the Lux here. The couple
is honeymooning in Portland.
Holl}-wood star Alexis Smith, a native of
Penticton. B. C. was here on her way to
Malibu Lodge on Princess Louisa Inlet upcoast
from here, where she will shoot scenes
for "Fair Trail," in which she stars with Joel
McCrea . L. Carter, president of
Paramount Gulf Theatres New Orleans, is
on vacation here.
The parents of Johnny Bernard, booker at
Odeon district office, celebrated their golden
Available for Immediate Delivery, Used theotre
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WINNIPEG
. . .
. .
wedding anniversary Maxine Klassen,
17-year-old Circle cashier, was elected Miss
Mount Pleasant in a beauty contest and will
appear at the Pacific National Exhibition in
the finals for Miss British Columbia late this
month . Paul Nathan.son of General Theatres
former head of Odeon Theatres, here
returned from a Los Angeles visit.
Bob Murphy, Paramount manager; Charlie
Doctor, manager of the Capitol, and Clyde
Gilmour, Vancouver Sun and CBC film
critic went to Seattle to meet Gloria Swanson,
who was making a personal appearance
for "Sun-set Boulevard." She could not make
the trip to Vancouver so Paramount .sent the
The second Monday in
boys to Seattle . . .
October has been set as the date for Thanksgiving
day, a statutory holiday which is
fixed each year by federal order-in-council.
Price of chocolate bars jumped from five
to seven cents here. The hike is expected to
reduce business at theatre candy counters
Yvonne DeCarlo. visiting her native
. . .
Vancouver to appear at the Kamloops
stampede, slapped a libel suit against the
Vancouver Sun asking damages for a yarn
by reporter Paul St. Pierre. The article later
was retracted.
Projectionists Local 348 has signed up four
more theatres, the Main, Studio. Lougheed
Drive-In and the Steva, to standard agreements
including 25-cent hourly wage boosts.
Contracts with the Lulu. Bay and State and
two drive-ins still are outstanding. All disputes
went through conciliation boards. All
are independent theatres. A picket line is
in action at the Lulu on Lulu Island, which
is a few miles from Vancouver. The Lulu
booth is manned by the resident manager.
Construction of the new Armond Theatre
at Cranbrook, B. C. for Cranbrook 'Theatres.
Ltd., will go ahead after demolition of an
old auditorium, providing satisfactory tenders
are received. The new theatre is designed
to seat 450 and is expected to replace the
present Rex.
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Four Drive-Ins Opened
In Prairie Provinces
WINNIPEG—Famous Players Canadian has
opened the Green Acres Drive-In at Brandon,
Man. Cars formed a two-mile lineup on
opening night, necessitating the a.ssistance of
three Canadian Mounted Police cars in controlling
traffic. Over 600 cars were turned
away.
Two drive-ins were ojjened two days apart
in Saskatoon. Harold Howard opened a 400-
car outdoor theatre there employing 25 persons
and offering four changes a week, including
a Sunday midnighter. FPC opened
the Sutherland Park Drive-In. It is a 500-
car situation, also employing 25.
Mayor C. G. Langrill officiated at the opening
of the 400-car Crest Drive-In in 'Vorkton,
Sask. It is constructed by Rothstein Theatres
at a cost of $70,000, and is supervised
by W. J. Johnston and L. Manahan.
OTTAWA
\X7hen Manager Frank Gallop played "Rock
Island Trail " at the Centre here he used
a numbered throwaway in the form of a long
railway ticket as promotion. The reverse side
carried an advertisement of Allan's Travel
Service and 20 lucky numbers, which were
posted in the theatre lobby, each good for
a double pass to the Centre.
A. B. Zumar, projectionist at the Capitol,
reports that his three brothers in Los Angeles
are doing very nicely. Harry Zumar, former
manager of the Elmdale here, is managing
a theatre in Los Angeles and the other two
have been very successful with a sign business.
A local visitor was Don Lurie. emissary of
Oxford Films. New York, who talked with
National Film Board officials on matters
concerning short subjects. Lurie was identified
with Paramount for some years . . .
Two 19-year-old men were sentenced to five
years in the penitentiary at Portsmouth. Ont.,
in police court by a judge at Perth when
they w-ere found guilty of illegal entry at the
O'Brien Theatre.
The newly opened drive-in at Cornwall is
the scene of religious services each Sunday
night. Such services were introduced last
June at the Britannia Drive-In near here
by the Rev. W. A. Armstrong . . . The Cameo
at Morrisburg is making use of a photo night
stunt to bolster midweek patronage. Coming
attractions are advertised on a month's
calendar printed by the Pan-American Advertising
Co. at Port Hope.
The work of the Grenfell Mission is shown
in a film which has been produced for American
and Canadian theatre distribution by
Crawley Films here for the Grenfell Ass'n of
America. The mission operates five hospitals,
schools, nursing homes and supply ships in
remote areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Everything For Your Theatre
COMPLETE SOUND
SYSTEMS
An Expert Repair Department
Records Bring in the Returns
Bing Crosby claims that he makes more
money from the sales of his records than
from any other source.
32 BOXOFFICE
:
; August 19, 1950

. . Al
Usherette 'Bride' Gets
Marriage Proposal
HALIFAX—Manager Freeman Skinner of
the Paramount used his head usherette in
promoting patronage for "Father of the
Bride." Sara Poulan, a brown-eyed brunet,
was assigned to don a bridal gown, veil,
orange blossoms and pumps daily during the
engagement and sit in the front seat of a
parked car at a busy street corner. She
spent eight hours each day on that assignment.
While going through with it. she received
a marriage proposal, but voted in the negative.
She was invited to join the touring
Water Follies, and to be a professional model
at Boston, but declined both offers. She
likes her Paramount job, but opines she wore
the wedding outfit long enough without looking
bored—her instructions from Skinner
stressed avoiding looking bored. She did some
ushering in Ontario theatres before joining
the Paramount force.
Air Conditioning Goes
In Tivoli in Saskatoon
WINNIPEG—Bill Popham, manager of the
Tivoli, Saskatoon, reports the recent installation
by Fleming-Pedlar of a $25,000 refrigeration
air conditioning system. Odeon has
installed at the Tivoli, and the Beacon in
Winnipeg, new neon and mazda-splattered
Martel-Stewart built marquees, the only ones
in western Canada at an expenditure of
$13,000. The marquees are visible for blocks,
featuring Adler third-dimensional letters.
TORONTO
Ctan Gosnell, manager of the Toronto Uptown
and property master for Variety,
rounded up barkers for a club meeting August
15, instead of the usual last Tuesday in the
month, so that Chief Barker Morris Stein
could make early announcement of club
activities in the next few weeks . . . Arch J.
Mason, of Springhill, N. S., mayor of the
town and chairman of the national committee
of the Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n of
Canada, stopped here for a conference during
a trip to Saskatoon for the convention of the
Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities.
Dick Main, owner of the Simcoe at Sutton,
Ont., handled publicity for the annual Sutton
horse show and fall fair August 10-12.
Main also helped the Red Barn stock company
at nearby Jackson's Point . . . Manager
Vic Nowe of the Toronto Hyland reported
that 58,012 paid admissions had been recorded
for the first eight weeks of "Kind
Hearts and Coronet." The theatre seats 1,359.
George Oullahan of Fontonite has been
kept on the run for the weekly two-night
stunt at 14 independent neighborhood theatres.
The cash prize for the group last week
was $980, which was even better than a jigsaw
contest offer of the Toronto Evening
Telegram . . . Arch H. Jolley of the Motion
Picture Industry Council of Canada has been
invited to the annual meeting of the Maritime
Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n at Port
Cumberland hotel, Amherst, N. S., September
27.
Louis Ziff, theatreman and former mayor
of Fort Erie, was married in Toronto to
Stella Cohen of London, England. Ziff also
is president of the Fort Erie Chamber of
Commerce . Sedgwick, manager of the
Palace at St. Catharines, had a big Saturday
matinee with three features and a star photo
giveaway of William Boyd. The screen fare
comprised "Roeketship XM," "Motor Patrol"
and Hopalong Cassidy in "Fool's Gold."
Helen Allen, former film reviewer, spotted
a marquee sign at Birchcliff which she
thought indicated Scottish frugality. The
problem actually was a matter of space. The
title of "Tight Little Island" appeared as
"Tite Litle
Isle."
Nine Graded as Adult
TORONTO—The Ontario Board of Censors
apparently tightened up during July, with
a larger number of features classified as
adult entertainment. Nine graded pictures
for the month are "F>rivate Angelo," International;
"Outrage," RKO; "Once a Thief,"
United Artists; "On Approval," Monogram;
"The Great Plane Robbery." United Artists;
"The Great Jewel Robber," Warner Bros.;
"Frightened City" and "Convicted," Columbia,
and "The Armored Car Robbery," RKO.
Join the Widening Circle
Send in your reports to BOXOFFICE
on response of patrons to pictures
you show. Be one of the many who
report to —
THE EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
A Widely Read Weekly Feature of Special Interest
Address your letters to Editor,
"Exhibitor Has ffis Say," 825
Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City,
Mo.
BOXOFFICE
Always in the Forefront With the Ne'ws
BOXOFFICE ;
; August 19, 1950 93

. . Finding
JOHN
there is now one St. John team instead of
two in the senior ranks.
ST.
Considered as manager for the resumption
An indication of boxoffice conditions among of the annual St. John exhibition ot the
tiavelin;; lent shows in the maritime recently bought plant at Coldbrook wa-s
provinces is the cutting to a nickel of the Prank Jennings, who died recently at suburban
Montreal where he had been in news-
price of rides of the Bill Lynch shows in the
afternoons for children ... At the Halifax paper work. He was buried here, his home
Garrick 'Guilty of Treason" was tied up with town . outdoor activities hampered
"Perilous Waters" for three days ... An by rain, fog, chilly winds, park and beach
air conditioning system Installed In the Derrick
Is being featured in the advertising ning film shows in dance halls, with and
operators of the maritimes have been run-
these days.
without dancing.
.% scholarship to the new Hebrew university
In Israel has been donated by J. M. his fortnight's vacation at his home town of
Leo Breau, doorman at the Mayfair, spent
Pi-anklin. He has received from the "Friends" Tracadie, N. B., where he did some fishing
of that college not only for the scholarship and lobster trapping, as well as some consuming
of these and other sea food . . .
but for a painting which he presented to the
college and which has been placed on one Elizabeth Simms has changed her mind
of the walls . . . Greig Jones, manager of about Hollywood during a two-month visit
the Capitol and Empress in Moncton for
to her mother at Spaniard's Bay, N. F. She
Odeon. has been supervising facelifting operations
on the fronts of both adjoining film capitol where she worked for Roy Rogers
had announced plans never to return to the
theatres.
and other film people. She now says Newfoundland
is too cold. She is a relative of
Roland Starkes. a theatre operator of Lewisporte.
N. F.. is gradually becoming adjusted
Ginny Simms, film singer and actress.
to the loss of one eye last winter. Starkes There is a feeling at St. John's, N. F., that
was near a display window of a store he every performer visiting there should donate
operates in connection with his theatre when
to local charity, and there was reported .some
a drunken individual put a fist through the
criticism of Gracie Fields for failing to give
glass, a piece of which struck Starkes in one
up. Incidentally, her St. John's booking finished
in the red, it is reported, although she
eye, necessitating its removal.
collected her full guarantee from the local
Charlie Chaplin, Canadian UA manager,
sponsor . . . The New Brunswick government
inspected the local exchange for the first
has been asked by the Westmoreland County
time since the syndicate headed by Paul
council to force use of lifeguards at all
McNutt took over UA control, and also since
beaches, including eating places, night clubs,
Lou Michaelson succeeded Sammy Kunitzky
etc., with beach frontage.
as branch manager . . . Socked in the boxoffice
strongly by poor quality of baseball
and unfavorable weather, the Dodgers and
St. Peter's teams, competitors representing TV Trailers to Promote
St. John in the New Brunswick Baseball
league, merged forces. Baseball has been 'Sunset Boulevard'
unusually weak opposition for theatres this NEW YORK—Paramount will use four
season because of consistently poor weather television trailers to promote "Sun.set Boulevard,"
according to Max E. Youngsteln, vice-
and substandard quality of the baseball. So,
president in charge of advertising, publicity
and exploitation. Two will run 20 seconds
and two a full minute. National Screen Service
is handling them as a package.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE DIT-MCO DRAG BROOM
The picture opened Thursday (10) at the
Tor Ineling nnil filling hoivs in qravet>covered Drive-liK Radio City Music Hall. It stars Gloria Swanson,
William Holden and Erich von Stvoheim.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. GO. K^r,.,1"rV,rMo
MONTREAL
•Two United Amusement Corp. theatres are
being modernized and embelli.shed. The
Westmount on Sherbrooke street west has
been clo.sed for about a month and its front
and marquee will be new when it reopens.
Tony Filiatreault, manager, is supervising
alterations. The Laval on St. Denis street
also has been renovated inside and out.
Two other local theatres are having their
faces lifted. The St. Denis, Prance Film
house and one of the largest in the city,
will be an outstanding example of modernistic
design. The Amherst, whose Manager
Gerry Servant, just returned from a vacation
at Lac des lies. St. Emile. Que., will
have a new facade and marquee. The work
Is being conducted during the night and
before the theatre opens at noon. When
alterations are completed five acts of vaudeville
will be introduced.
Eugene Venne, manager of International
George Turner,
Films, is on the sick list . . .
clerk at Montreal Poster Exchange, is motoring
to Gaspe Peninsula on his holiday . . .
Sherley Toft, ca.shier for Paramount, is enjoying
a holiday at St. Jovite . . . J. M.
Gagne, owner of the Cinema Ville Marie at
the town of that name, visited Filmrow.
Consolidated Theatres has declared its
regular quarterly dividend of 13 cents per
share on A stock, payable September 1 to
shareholders of record August 4 . . . Mrs.
Franchot Tone and her children arrived by
motor from Hollywood to spend part of the
summer at their cottage at Thlrty-one-Mile
Lake Que.
the faculty at
Henri Dieuzeide, member of
the St. Cloud Superior Normal school In
Paris has joined Canada's National Film
Board to study film production and distribution
for six months. He came to the board
on a fellowship provided by Canada and by
the United Nations Educational Social and
Cultural Organization. Dieuzeide was recommended
to the board by Robert Lefrance,
director of visual aids at the Paris school,
who spent five months with the National
Film Board in Ottawa in 1947. On his return
to Paris. Dieuzeide plans to work at
the Paris visual-aids center where films
for clas.sroom use are produced.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

BOXOFHCE BAROMETER • EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
FEATURE CHART • REVIEW DIGEST • SHORTS CHART
Bookin(fuide
SHORTS REVIEWS • FEATURE REVIEWS • EXPLOITIPS
—
BOXOFFICE
FIRST RUN REPORTS
This chart shows the records made by
pictures in iive or more of the 21 key citiss
checked. As new runs are reported, ratings
are added and overages reviaecL
BAROMETER
TOP HIT OF THE WEEK
(Not an Average)
Words
Three Little
San Francisco .200
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
Just as the Barometer page shows first run reports on current pictures, this
department is devoted for the most part to reports on subsequent runs, made
bp exhibitors themselves. A one-star contributor is new, two stars means the
exhibitor has been writing in for six months or longer, and a three-star contributor
is a regular of one year or more. All exhibitors welcome. Blue Ribbon
pictures are marked thus U.
COLUMBIA
WAll the King's Men (Col) — Broderlck
Crawford, Joanne Dru. John Ireland. This
Is a high-grade picture that was a boxofflce
flop. Too bad, but there are just not enough
people in this small town who enjoy this type
of show. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Clear
and warm.—Leo W. Smith. Elk Theatre. Elkton,
S. D. Small town and rural patronage.
* *
Anna Lucasta (Col) — Paulette Goddard,
William Bishop, Oscar Homolka. This is a
fair picture, but no good for a weekend date.
The adults liked this one but the children
walked out. Played Mon.. Tues. Weather:
Good.—C. E. McMurchy, Reston Memorial
Theatre Co., Reston, Man. Rural and small
town patronage.
* •
Blondie's Hero (Col)—Penny Singleton, Arthur
Lake. Larry Simms. We thought this
the best of the Blondies to date. All enjoyed
it. Played Tues., Wed.—Frank Sabin, Eureka
Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Small town and rural
patronage.
* * '
Doolins of Oklahoma, The (Col) — Randolph
Scott, George Macready, Louise Allbritton.
This is fair entertainment but nothing
to get up and holler about. I didn't do
very good business on this, but I don't blame
the picture as the weather was real hot and
air conditioning for my small place is something
to dream about. Maybe I am playing
too many westerns. Played two days.
Weather: Very warm.—Bill Risk, Paradise
Theatre, Paradise Valley, Alta. Small town
•
and rural patronage.
Kill the Umpire (Col) — WilUam Bendlx,
Una Merkel. Ray Collins. I played this one
hot after its release—the first showing in the
area, but it still did only average business.
The film rental was right so I came out even
on it at any rate. It is a good comedy as
only William Bendix can do it. I had one
complaint from patrons who came to see it
and that was that there wasn't enough baseball.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair and
rain.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre,
Colfax, 111. Small town and rural patronage.
* • •
Loaded Pistols (Col)—Gene Autry, Barbara
Britton, Chill Wills. This old one sure does
pack a lot of action. At the end of Gene's
third fight, we find him on top of a runaway
stagecoach battling the villain with might
and main! Naturally, one of the wheels is
about to come off the racing coach—it does
just one second after Gene knocks the bad
man off and jumps himself—then the stagecoach
plunges 9,000 feet or so to the bottom
of a canyon. Gene sings and does a little
romancing, while Chill Wills puts in a dab
of comedy here and there. Honest, though,
fellows—it's a humdinger! Played FYi., Sat.
Weather: Dandy.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre,
Vernon, Fla. Small town and rural patronage.
• • •
Pennies From Heaven (Col)—Reissue. Bing
Crosby, Madge Evans, Edith Fellows. This is
a good musical show. Sure it's a reissue, but
it had never been in town before. It did
average midweek business and I am glad I
played it. It will outgross some of the new
klucks. Sell it for what it is and it will go
over.— E. M. FYeiburger, Dewey Theatre,
Dewey, Okla. Small town patronage. • • •
South of Death Valley (Col)—Charles Starrett.
Smiley Burnette, Gail Davis. I doubled
this with "Hoedown" for a most satisfactory
program. Most of the comments were on
"Hoedown" but Smiley still has his fans, and
this is average for the series. Business was
outstanding. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:
Hot.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Pruita,
Colo. Rural patronage. • • *
LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS
Call of the Forest (LP)—Robert Lowery,
Ken Curtis. This is a nice outdoor picture for
the entire family. Comments and business
on it were good. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Warm.—L. Brazil jr.. New Tlieatre, Bearden,
Ark. Small town patronage. * * *
Hollywood Bam Dance (LP)—Ernest Tubb,
Lori Talbott, Helen Boyce. Songs — more
than you ever heard in a movie, crude In
production (corn is the word), crude in acting—but
your rural family trade will eat it
up. SRC on Saturday night, so what can
we say but good for it! Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Warm and dry.—Ken Christianson,
Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small town
patronage. ' * *
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Conspirator (MGM)—Robert Taylor, Elizabeth
Taylor, Robert Fleming. The star power
of this picture clicked here and I had average
gross. The story is not the type that my patrons
generally like, but still there were no
walkouts. This is a gripping story which
should be well liked in situations where
mystery and intrigue go over. The dialog
was difficult to understand, since most supporting
players were English. Played Wed.,
Thurs. Weather: Fair.—Fred G. Weppler,
Colonial Theatre, Colfax, 111. Small town
and rural patronage. * * *
Doctor and the Girl,
The (MGM)—Glenn
Bill Risk From Paradise
Risks Losing It— Maybe
TX/e welcome one of our Canadian contributors
to these columns for the
first time this week—Bill Risk of the
Paradise Theatre, Paradise Valley, Alta.
Says Bill by way of introducing himself:
"This Is the first contribution I have
made to EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY,
but have been reading comments from
your contributors for quite a few years
now and can truthfully say that in choosing
pictures for use here, EHHS is the
deciding factor. More power to BOX-
OFFICE, and thanks to iU EHHS for the
very 'choosey' commenting."
Nice to have you join us. Bill. The
more the merrier, says the old adage.
Need Not Be Afraid
To Recommend This
ARCTIC FURY (RKO)—Del Cambre,
Eve Miller, Gloria Petroff. This is a true
story of an Arctic doctor. It has everything
you need to entertain your patrons.
The things that man went through—plane
crash, freezing temperatures, attaclcs by
wild dogs, bears, etc., starvation and
three months of loneliness! It should
be played on a Fri., Sat. with a western
—and don't be afraid to go out and recommend
It. Even if it is a little picture,
it will please. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:
Good. — Carl Neitzel, Juno Theatre,
Juneau, Wis. Small town and surrounding
area patronage. *
Ford, Charles Coburn, Gloria DeHaven. I'd be
a happier boy if I'd switched playdates on
this with "That Forsyte Woman." This is a
wonderful little picture that everyone liked
and which did make expenses midweek. It
has one of those wonderful endings that send
them home happy. This is the first time In
weeks that I've had a Metro picture that has
made "me" happy. Played Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Hot.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Fruita, Colo. Rural patronage. • • •
Nancy Goes to Rio (MGM)—Jane Powell,
Ann Sothern, Barry Sullivan. This Is an
extremely entertaining Technicolor musical
that did below average gross in my situation.
However, it was no surprise to me, since all
types of musicals I've offered my patrons in
the past 18 months have not done what they
should at the boxoffice. It was a good picture
and those who came enjoyed it. What
more can I do? Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Fair.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre,
Colfax, 111. Small town and rural patronage.
• • •
That Forsyte Woman (MGM)—Errol Flynn,
Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon. Ho, hum.
What a dull way to spend an evening! I
don't blame people for staying away from
this slow-moving, long-drawn-out drama.
Business couldn't have been worse. Metro
must be trying to kill Flynn's boxoffice draw
for Warner. Go ahead and be a chump if
you want to. Played Sun., Mon.. Tues.
Weather: Hot.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Pruita, Colo. Rural patronage. * • *
(MGM)—K a t h r y n
That Midnight Kiss
Grayson, Jose Iturbi, Ethel Barrymore. Compliment
Leo once again on this one. Our
customers raved about It and came in family
groups. This is a swell weekender. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Excellent.—C. E. Mc-
Murchy, president Reston Memorial Theatre
Co., Reston, Man. Rural and small town
patronage. * *
Yellow Cab Man, The (MGM)—Red Skelton,
Gloria DeHaven. Walter Slezak. We did
average business with this picture midweek,
and those that saw it didn't squawk and
there are a lot of laughs. We paid too much
for the run but didn't lose any money, which
is unusual at this time. This is worth a playdate
on your best time. Played Tues., Wed.,
Thurs. Weather: Fair and cool.—Mayme P.
Musselman, Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas.
Small town patronage. * * *
MONOGRAM
Bomba on Panther Island (Mono) —Johnny
Sheffield, Allene Roberts, Lita Barton. This
drew a flock of kids here but few adults
and the few adults didn't enthuse. However,
the kids enjoyed it. Played Tues., Wed.—
BOXOFFICE BooldnGuido :: August 19, 1950

Prank Sabin, Eureka Theatre, Eureka, Mont.
Small town and rural patronage. * *
Fence Riders (Mono)—Whip Wilson, Andy
Clyde, Reno Browne. This series is a welcome
change after running hundreds of old-timers.
The story in this isn't as good as usual, but
the kids really go for Whip and Andy.
Doubled with "Bomba" for a satisfactory bill.
Weather: Rain.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,
Fruita, Colo. Rural patronage. * * *
Leave It to Henry (Mono)—Raymond Walburn.
Walter Catlett, Gary Gray. It was terrible.
They laughed (there wasn't anything
else to do )—that covers it. Played Tues.,
Wed.—Frank Sabin, Eureka Theatre, Eureka,
Mont. Small town and rural patronage. » * *
PARAMOUNT
Great Lover, The (Para) — Bob Hope,
Rhonda Fleming, Roland Young. Robert has
sure slipped—or else the powers-that-be just
won't let him throw it into high. We have
never had too much business on his pictures
but did fill'er up with Bob, Bing and Dorothy.
This picture couldn't even do business on
Sunday. Played Sun. through Tues. Weather:
Fair and hot.—Mayme P. Musselman, Roach
Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small town patronage.
* * *
Red, Hot and Blue (Para)—Betty Hutton,
Victor Mature, William Demarest. We had
average gross from this natural from Paramount.
Betty Hutton is the drawing power
here in my situation and she did all right
screaming and alll The picture has everything
for entertainment—romance, action,
and one good song by Hutton. Played Wed.,
Thurs. Weather: Pair.—Fred G. Weppler,
Colonial Theatre, Colfax, 111. Small town and
rural patronage. **..•
Riding High (Para)—Bing Crosby, Coleen
Gray, Charles Bickford. Yes, it is Crosby's
best picture in a long, long time. Comments
were excellent. It is interesting, and above
all, entertaining, proving movies are better
than ever. Business was below normal, however,
due to heavy competition. Played Sun.,
Mon., Tues. Weather: Warm and dry.—Ken
Christiansen, Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D.
Small town patronage. * • •
Top O' the Morning (Para)—Bing Crosby,
Ann Blyth, Barry Fitzgerald. We played this
because it had Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald,
to our sorrow. Such a lemon, with all
sour faces leaving the theatre. There is no
story, and worst of all, Fitzgerald overbid his
Irish brogue so they could not understand
half that he said. I should have listened to
other exhibitors' comments, to ditch it.
Played Sat., Sun.—Ben Brinck, West Point
Theatre, West Point, Iowa. Small town patronage.
* • •
Streets of Laredo, The (Para) —Macdonald
Carey, William Holden, William Bendix. This
is one of the better westerns that has plenty
of action and the story is fine, the color and
scenery are good. Book it. Played Pri., Sat.,
Calls It a Top-Notcher;
Leit With Wide Giins

Exhibitor Has His Say
(Continued from page 3)
Weppler, Colonial Tlieatre. Colfax, 111. Small
town and rural patronage. *• •
Red Pony, The (Rep)—Myrna Loy, Robert
Mitchiim, Louis Calhern. This is a natural
for any small town. Technicolor and Mltchum
in a horse opera are the right combinations
for country spots. In my position as
manager, projectionist, Janitor and main
booster, I didn't have much time to look at
this picture, but the remarks from my patrons
and the receipts were balm to my soul.
Played two days. Weather: Warm. — Bill
Risk, Paradise Theatre, Paradise Valley, Alta.
Small town and farm patronage.
•
20th CENTUHY-FOX
yChcaper by the Dozen (20th-Fox)—Clifton
Webb, Myrna Loy, Jeanne Crain. This is
an excellent family picture in Technicolor
which pleased all who came. This Is one of
the best pictures we have played in a long
time and business was very good. Get it and
play it. It will make you some money and
you will be proud to face your customers
when they come out. — E. M. Freibiirger,
Says Something or Other
Pulled in a Crowd
CALAftUXy JANE AND SAM BASS
(XJ-D—Yvonne DeCarlo, Howard Duff,
Dorothy Hart. Action and color and
Yvonne DeCarlo, or something or other,
puUed in my best midweek crowd in a
long, long time. Some were disappointed
in the tragic ending wherein Bass
(played by Howard Duff) gets killed. All
in all, though, it is fine entertainment
for the action fans, and many of the
color shots are superb—and so is the
horse racing. Played Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Nice.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre,
Vernon, Fla. Small town and rural
patronage.
• •
Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town
patronage.
• * •
Down to the Sea In Ships (20th-Fox) —
Richard Widmark, Lionel Barrymore, Dean
Stockwell. I cannot give an accurate statement
on this one. It failed at the boxoffice
—but then everything I'm offering on midweek
is the same. I enjoyed the picture and
Lionel Barrymore and Dean Stockwell are
very good in it. I have had few sea stories
here in the past and thought the change
might boost my sagged midweek gross, but
not so. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.
—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial Theatre, Colfax,
111. Small town and rural patronage. • • •
Great Guns (20th-Fox) — Reissue. Stan
Laurel, Oliver Hardy. Boys, grab this one.
Fox has new prints and it is worth a good
playdate. This is one of their funniest and
is also very timely—not at all dated. Fox
will sell it right and because of its length it
should be double billed, or filled out with a
two-reeler and a cartoon. Just let your patrons
Icnow the print is new and the sound is
good—it isn't like the old Hal Roach releases.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cloudy.—
Carl Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis.
Farm and small town
•
patronage.
Pinky (20th-Fox)—Jeanne Crain, William
Lundigan, Ethel Barrymore. I played this
about two months ago but think it deserves
mention. Although the terms are rough, it
will assure you of good patronage, and above
all, the appreciation and interest of your patrons.
If the picture has played all around town and rural patronage. • • •
Roche, Vernon Tlieatre, Vernon. Pla. Small ]
you, why not put it in for one day (your
weakest; and see what it will do? It is a
Daughter of Kosie O'Grady (WB)—June
very good picture. Played Tues., Thurs.
Haver, Gordon MacRae, James Barton. Hollywood
doesn't make them any finer. I
Weather: Cool.—Carl Neitzel, Juno Theatre,
Juneau, Wis. Small town and rural patronage.
wish we had many more to play. This Gene
• Nelson is tops and will soon be among the
leaders. He is worth advertising as such.
Business was slightly above average, which
Sand (20th-Fox) — Mark Stevens, Coleen
Gray, Rory Callioun. This is a good weekend
picture of the outdoor type, but why they
called it "Sand" we will never linow. The
scenery is breathtaking and worth the admission
price alone. Played Fri., Sat.
Weather: Warm and fair.—C. E. McMurchy,
Reston Memorial Theatre, Reston, Mon. Rural
and small town patronage.
• •
O Twelve O'clock High (20th-Fox)—Gregory
Peck, Hugh Marlowe, Gary Merrill. We
didn't do so hot with this war picture because
there was just too much conversation
and it wasn't the patrons talking. I
guess one or two of these will get by but
we've had four right close together and the
ex-soldiers don't want any of them yet.
Played Wed. through Sat. Weather: Pair and
hot.—Mayme P. Musselman, Roach Theatre,
Lincoln, Kas. Small town patronage. • • •
UNITED ARTISTS
Love Happy (UA)—Marx Bros., Ilona Massey,
Vera-Ellen. If I saw this picture one"
more night, they could bring the strait jacket
around. The corn was overripe. However,
this is the first Marx Bros, picture I have
played for some time and the patrons seemed
to enjoy it, although some remarked that they
wouldn't want to see any more of them
for a while. We did just average Sun., Mon.
business and nobody patted us on the back
and nobody kicked us, either. Weather:
Good.—Carl Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau,
Wis. Small town and farm patronage. •
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
Yes, Sir, That's My Baby (U-D—Donald
O'Connor, Gloria DeHaven, Charles Coburn.
For light, pleasant entertainment, this is
worth playing. This cast gave a very pleasing
performance. Everyone in this farming
community who came out to see this seemed
to enjoy it. I enjoyed it, too. Played two
days. Weather: Warm.—Bill Risk, Paradise
Theatre, Paradise Valley, Alta. Small town
and farm patronage. *
WARNER BROS.
Angels With Dirty Faces (WB)—Reissue.
James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, Humphrey Bogart.
This has enough action In it to please
all types of patrons, and will, too—any day
of the week except Fri., Sat. If you can get
them in, they will thank you for it. Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: P^lr and warm.—I.
This Pleased Patrons
And the Boxofiice
MRS. MIKE (UA)—Dick Powell, Evelyn
Keyes, J. M. Kerrigan. This is one
of the most satisfactory pictures I have
played in some time. It both pleased the
patrons and at the boxoffice. Small towns
won't go wrong on this and United Artists
did not boost the price like some
companies would—more power to them!
Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Clear
and cool.—Leo W. Smith, Elk Theatre,
Elkton, S. D. Small town and rural patronage.
• •
J
is something for a Warner picture here.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fine. — Ray
Engle, Strand Theatre, Lowell, Mich. Small
town and rural patronage. • •
UJohnny Belinda (WB) — Jane Wyman,
Lew Ayres, Charles Bickford. I played this
one late but everyone who saw it was very
well pleased. Lew Ayres and Jane Wyman
had good support in this picture. This one
proves that the simple stories can make the
best pictures, and the folks will come out to
see these pictures. Played two days. Weather:
Warm.—Bill Risk, Paradise Theatre, Paradise
Valley, Alta. Small town and farm patronage.
•
ULook for the Silver Lining (WB)—June
Haver, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae. This is
one of the best, the story of Marilyn Miller.
Musicals With Plots
Are Better tor Him
DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY
(WB)—June Haver, Gordon MacRae,
James Barton. As a rule, musicals do not
draw too well here on Thurs., Fri., Sat.
This one did exceptionally well. It had
more story than the average musical and
it was more true to life—about something
which could happen every day. This is
what our customers like. Musicals should
be more like this one, leaving out things
that never really could happen, and they
should have more family Ufe and realism
in them. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat.
Weather: Hot. — Roger A. Cloet, Bay
Theatre, Port Rowan, Ont. Small town
*
and rural patronage.
We played it Fair Day and our patrons really
appreciated the bill and told us so. Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.—C. E. .Mc-
Murchy, Reston Memorial Tlieatre, Reston,
Man. Rural and small town patronage. • •
MISCELLANEOUS
Congorilla (Alliance) —Reissue. Doubled
with "Borneo," another Martin Johnson reissue,
and we didn't do bad business the first
night. The second night there were "me an'
the mosquitoes" to watch the show. Mr. and
Mrs. Martin Johnson have some good stuff,
especially in "Congorilla." I had plenty of
walkouts on the Borneo feature, though. I
still think that these two are worth playing
anywhere. Played two nights. Weather:
Sultry.—Bill Risk, Paradise Theatre, Paradise
Valley, Alta. Small town and farm patronage.
Frontiersman, The (SG)—Reissue. This is
my first Hopalong Cassidy in several years.
I played it with a cartoon festival to above
average gross. The kid attendance was up
higher than it has been for months, but
the adult admissions were average. The
children's choir in this was exceptionally
good and there w^re many comments from
patrons that the singing alone was worth the
price of admission. Played Saturday only.
Weather: Fair.—Fred G. Weppler, Colonial
Theatre, Colfax, 111. Small town and rural
patronage. * * *
*
BOXOFFICE BooldnGuide :: August 19, 1950

Alphabetical Picture Guide Index and
REVIEW DICES
8
E
P
1080 Abandoned (79) U-l 10-15-49
lies Abbott and Costello in the
Forcijn Legion (82) U-l 7-22-50
1061 Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer
(84) U-l S-13-49
1093 Adam and Evalyn (93) U-l 11-26-49
1088 Adam's Rib (102) MGM H- 5-49
1143 Admiral Was a Udy, The (85) UA.. 5-13-50
1042Asainst the Wind (95) EL 6- 4-49
1055 Air Hostess (61) Col 7-23-49
1085 Alias the Champ (60) Rep 10-29-49
1044 All Over the Town (88) U-l 6-11-49
1087 All the Kino's IVIen (109) Col 11- 5-49
1094 Always Leave Them Laughing
(116) WB 11-26-49
1108 Amazing Mr. Beecham, The (85) EL 1-14-50
1101 Ambush (89) MGM 12-24-49
1090 And Baby Makes Three (84) Col. .. 11-12-49
Angels in Disguise (63) Mono
1134 Annie Get Your Gun (107) MGM.. 4-15-50
1082 Apache Chief (60) LP 10-22-49
1046 Arctic Fury (61) RKO 6-18-49
1142 Arizona Cowboy, The (67) Rep 5- 6-50
1157 Armored Car Robbery (67) RKO 6-17-50
1142 Asphalt Jungle. The (112) MGM.. 5- 6-50
1120 Astonished Heart. The (92) U-l.
1160 Avengers, The (92) Rep
B
1110 Backfire (91) WB...'
1095 Bagdad (88) U-l
1078 Bandit King of Texas (60)
10S2 Bandits of El Dorado (56)
1072 Barbary Pirate (65) Col
1117 Baron of Arizona, The (97) LP..
1123 Barricade (75) WB
1078 Baltleoround (118) MGM
1133 Beauty on Parade (66) Col
1113 Belle of Old Mexico (70) Rep...
1109 Bells of Coronado (67) Rep
1131 Beware of Blondie (66) Col
1082 Beyond the Forest (96) WB
Rep..
Col..
1170 Beyond the Purple Hills (70) Col.
1126 Big Hangover, The (82) MGM..
1138 Big Lift, The (120) 20-Fox
1089 Big Wheel, The (92) UA
1038 Black Book, The (formerly Reign
of Terror) (89) EL
1110 Black Hand (92) MGM
1066 Black Magic (105) UA
Black Midnight (66) Mono
1178 Black
Rose. The (119) 20-Fox..
1052 Blind Goddess, The (SS) U-l
7- 9-49
1112 Blonde Bandit (60) Rep
1-28-50
Blonde Dynamite (66) Mono
1080 Blondie Hits the Jackpot (66) Col... 10-15-49
U25 Blondie's Hero (67) Col. .'.
3-18-50
1111 Blue Grass of Kentucky (72) Mono. 1-28-50
1159 Blue Ump, The (84) EL
6-24-50
lllSBodyhold (63) Col
2-11-50
1107 Bomba on Panther Island (77) Mono. 1-14-50
1156 Bond Street (107) Mono
1065 Border Incident (94) MGM
1109 Borderline (88) U-l
1137 Boy From Indiana (66) EL
1083 Bride for Sale (87) RKO
1149 Bright Leaf (110) WB
1064 Brimstone (90) Rep
1158 Broken Arrow (93) 20-Fox
U21 Buccaneer's Girl (77) U-l
1178 Bunco Squad (67) RKO
8-19-50
.
. 4- 8-50
U39 Captive Girl (74) Col 4-29-50
1132 Capture, The C91) RKO
4- 8-50
1131 Cargo to Capetown (80) Col
1166 Cariboo Trail, The (81) 20-Fox.
1113 Chain Lightning (94) WB
10S4 Challenge to Lassie (76) MGM.
1116 Champagne for Caesar (99) UA.
. 2-25-50
. 6-24-50
. 1-21-50
.12- 3-49
.10- 8-49
.10-22-49
. 9-17-49
. 2-18-50
. 3-11-50
.10- 8-49
. 4-15-50
. 2- 4-50
. 1-21-50
. 4- 8-50
.10-22-49
. 7-22-50
. 3-18-50
. 4-22-50
.11-12-49
. S-21.49
. 1-21-50
. 8-27-49
6-10-50
8-27-49
1-21-50
4-22-50
10-29-49
5-27-50
8-20-49
6-17-50
3- 4-50
• 8-13-50
c
1141 Caged (97) WB 5- 6-50
1120 Captain Carey, U.S.A. 2-25-50
(83) Para. . . .
1088 Captain China (98) Para 11-5-49
. 7-15-50
. 2- 4-50
10-29-49
. 2-11-50
o^
-f + +
- -f
+f +
H- fl-
+f -f
+ ++
± +
+f # tt ++
-H- ff
± +
+
ff
ft
ft
-f
ff
ff
4+
+
ft
ff
+
+
+
+
Q.£
± + -
± + -f
+ + ±
-f ± +
ft ff ft
± + ±
+ - +
+ + -
± +
+ ff ff
-f ff -f
+ +
+ ± +
ft
+
+
ft
+
+ -f +
+++ -f +
± +
+
ff
+
ft ff
ft ft
ff
+
-f + ± ff ft + +
-f ± + -f +
+
ft 4-
-f * ± ±
± ± + + +
+ ± * * +++
+ + + ff
+ ++ ft ft
+ + ff
++ +
-f +
+ + ff ft
ft +
+ +
± -f
+
+
+
4+ ff ff +
± +
+ +
+ + ft
+ +
ft -f
+ ±
H tt +f ft
+ +
+
tt
± 6+3-
6+3-
± 6+4-
5+3-
ft 12+
6+4-
4+3-
± 6+6-
± 5+3-
± 6+5—
ff 13+
10+1-
+ 5+2-
8+2-
6+5—
2+3-
ft 14+
± 3+3-
6+3-
± 6+6-
6+5-
ff 14+
± 9+3-
5+3-
± 8+3—
± 7+6—
It 5+2--
2+1-
± 4+6-
± 6+4-
— 5+5-
ff 14+
4+2-
4+6-
± 6+2-
4+3-
=t 7+4—
5+2-
± 8+4-
+ 12+
± 9+2-
± 6+3-
+ + 10+
± ± 9+3-
± ± 5+5—
7+
± ± 6+5-
— ± 6+6-
- 2+3-
± - 4+5-
+ 4+2-
+ + 10+
+ 5+2-
± 2+1-
± — 5+3—
1+1-
+ ± 8+1-
+ ± 8+4-
± 6+5- -
± ± 7+3-
± 8+3-
± ± 7+5-
ft
ft + 134-
± ± 7+4-
3+2-
9+1-
6+3-
8+4-
4+5—
7+3-
5+5-
7+1-
9+
8+3-
10+
1130 Cheaper by the Dozen (86) 20-Fox 4- 1-50
1067 Chicago Deadline (87) Para 9- 3-49
1099 Chinatown at Midnight (67) Col... 12- 17-49
1079 Christopher Columbus (104) U-l 10- 15-49
1102 Cinderella (75) RKO 12- 24-49
1130 City Lights (85) U A 4- 1-50
1146 Code of the Silver Sage (60) Rep... 5- 13-50
1154 Colorado Ranger (55) LP 6-10-50
1141 Colt .45 C76) WB 5- 6-50
1134 Comanche Territory (76) U-l 4-15-50
1047 Come to the Stable (94) 20-Fox.. 6- 25-49
U46 Congolaise (68) FC 5- 13-50
1116 Conspirator (87) MGM 2- U-50
1167 Convicted (91) Col 7-'22-50
1172 Copper Canyon (84) Para 7- 29-50
943 Corridor of Mirrors (96) U-l 6- 19-49
1167 Covered Wagon Raid (60) Rep 7-22-50
1175 County Fair (77) Mono 8. 12-50
1099 Cowboy and the Indians (70) Col... 12- 17-49
1109 Cowboy and the Prizefighter (59) EL 1- 21-50
1143 Cow Town (70) Col 5-•13-50
1159Crisls (96) MGM 6
1118 Cry Murder (63) FC 2-
1151 Curtain Call at Cactus Creek
•24-50
•18-50
(86) U-l 6- 3-50
1139 CDstoms Agent (72) Col 4- 29-50
D
1111 Dakota Lil (88) 20-Fox
1-28-50 ±
Dalton Gang, The (58) LP
1133 Damned Don't Cry, The (103) WB.. 4-15-50
1089 Dancing in the Dark (92) 20-Fox. .11-12-49
1178 Dancing Years. The (98) Mono 8-19-50
1081 Dangerous Profession, A (79) RKO. .10-22-49
1176 Dark City (98) Para 8-12-50
1130 Daughter of Rosie O'Grady, The
(104) WB 4- 1-50
U50 David Harding, Counterspy (71) Col. 5-27-50
1108 Davy Crockett, Indian Scout (71) UA 1-14-50
1057 Daybreak (81) U-l 7-30-49
1090 Dear Wife (98) Para 11-12-49
1167 Death of a Dream (50) EL 7-22-50
1079 Deputy Marshal (72) LP 10-15-49
1175 Desert Hawk. The (78) U-l 8-12-50
1162 Destination Big House (60) 7- 1-50
Rep. . .
1164 Destination Moon (87) EL 7-8-50
1153 Destination Murder (72) RKO 6-10-50
1144 Devil's Doorway (85) MGM 5-13-50
1069 Devil's Henchmen, The (69) Col 9-10-49
1104 D.O.A. (83) UA 12-31-49
1070 Doctor and the Girl, The (98) MGM 9-10-49
1074 Down Dakota Wa;/ (67) Rep 9-24-49
1158 Duchess of Idaho (93) MGM 6-17-50
U27 Dynamite Pass (60) RKO 3-25-50
E
1115 Eagle and the Hawk, The (103) Para- 2-U-50
1101 East Side, West Side (108) MGM. .12-24-49
1062 Easy Living (77) RKO 8-L3-49
1017 Easy Money (94) EL 3-12-49
1174 Edge of Doom (99) RKO 8-5-50
1068 Everybody Does It (98) 20-Fox 9- 3-49
1138 Everybody's Dancin' (65) LP 4-22-50
1172 Eye Witness (104) EL 7-29-50
1080 Fallen Idol, The (91) SRO 10-15-49 ff
1172 Fancy Pants (91} Para 7-29-50 +
1122 Father Is a Bachelor (84) Col 3- 4-50
1151 Father Makes Good (61) Mono. ... 6- 3-50
1144 Father of the Bride (92) MGM 5-13-50
1064 Father Was a Fullback (84) 20-Fox S-20-49
1146 Faust and the Devil (88) Col 5-13-50
1128 Federal Agent at Large (60) Rep... 3-25-50
Federal Man (. .) EL
Feudin' Rhythm (66) Col
1071 Fighting Kentuckian, Tlie (100) Rep. 9-17-49
1079 Fighting Man of the Plains (94)
20-Fox 10-15-49
1077 Fighting Redhead, The (60) EL 10- S-49
1162 50 Year? Before Your Eyes
(70) WB 7- 1-50
1147 Fighting Stallion (62) EL 5-20-50
1160 Flame and the Arrow. The (91) WB 6-24-50
1078 Flame of Youth (60) Rep 10- 8-49
o £
ft
+
ff
+
ft
+
+
+
+
+ ft
tf
+ * =
ft
+++
pfere

fl Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary -ff is rated as 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.
1071 Post Office Investigator (60) Rep... 9-17-49
10S5 Prairie, Tiie (65) LP 10-29-49
1171 Pretty Baby (92) WB 7-29-50
lOlS Prejudice (58) MPSC 3-12-49
1066 Prince of Foxes (107) 20-Fox.... 8-27-49
1026 Prince of Peace (formerly The Lawton Story)
(111) Hallmark 4- 9-49
1097 Prison Warden (62) (kil 12-10-49
1091 Project X (60) FC 11-19-49

RKO RADIO
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES
FEATURE CHART

FEATURE CHART CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES f
Wnk
Ending

RKO RADIO
CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES
FEATURE CHART

.11-17
SHORTS CHART
Short lubleclB, listed by company, in order oj release. Running time iollowa
title. First date is national release, second the date o( review in BOXOFFICE.
Symbol between dates is rating irom the BOXOFFICE review. H Very Good.
+ Good. — Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. O Indicates color photography.
Columbia
Prod. No. Title Rcl. Dale Rating Re«'d
ASSORTED COMEDIES
2422 Wha' Happen? (I6I/2) .
.11-10- +
2412 Lei Down Your Aerial
(17) 11-17 ±
2423 French Fried Frolic
(Iff'j) 12- 8
2413 His Bailing Beauty (18)
2424 Hold That Monkey (16) . .
1-12
2-16
±
+
2414 Diijy Yardbircl (16i/j).. 3- 9 i:
2415 Marinated Mariner (16).. 3-30
2425 Nursie Behave (15!/j)... 5-11
2426 One Shivery Night (I6V2) 7-13 +
2416 House About It (I6I/2) 7-20
CAVALCADE OF BROADWAY
? 4
3-U
2-11
4- 8
4- 15
8- 5
2651 Cafe Society (11) 11-17 ± 1-21
2652 Blue Angel (lOfi) 1-26 ± 3-25
2653 Village Barn aO'/i) 4-27
2654 Leon and Eddie's (..).. 7-27
COLOR FAVORITES
(Technicolor Reissues)
2603 Happy Tots (7) 11-3 -f
2604 Hollywood Sweepstakes
(8) 12- 1
2605 Poor Elmer (8) 12-29 ±
2606 Ye Olde Swap Shoppe (8) 1-19 2607 Kangaroo Kid (71/2) 2-2 +
2608 Tom Thumb's Brother (7) 3-23 ±
2609 The Wise Owl (7) 5-4
2610 The Little Moth's Big
Flame (S'/j) 6-1 *
2611 nt Timid Pup (7) 7-6 H
2612 The Gorilla Hunt (8) . 8- 3
COMEDY FAVORFFES
(Reissues)
2433 Love in Gloom (19) 12-15
1-21
2-11
2-11
4- 8
3-18
7- 8
8- 5
2434 Callino All Curtains (16) 2- 9 ± 4-8
2435 His Ex Marks the Spot
(I71/2) 5-25
2436 Oh, My Nerves! (17) 7-27
FILM NOVELTIES
2901 Yukon Canada (10) 12-22
JOLLY FROLICS
(Technicolor)
2502 Punchy de Leon (61/2) . 1-12
.
2503 Spellbound Hound (7)... 3-16
2504 The Miner's Daughter
(6I/2) 5-25
2505 Giddyap (6>/z)
7-27
THE MOVIES AND YOU
2-11
3-25
± 7-15
2999 The Sound Man (10) 1-19 f( 12-24
ONE-REEL SPECIALS
2552 Candid Microphone, No. 2
(U) 12-29
2553 Candid Microphone. No. 3
(IOI/2) 2-23 H 3-18
2554 Candid Microphone, No. 4
(IO1/2) • 4-20
2555 Candid Microphone, No. 5
(11) 6-15 + 7-8
2556 Candid Microphone, No. 6
(lOi/j) 8-17
SCREEN SNAPSHOTS
2853 Hollywood Rodeo .
O'/j) ....
2854 Disc Jockeys U.S.A. (10). 12-15
2855 The Great Showman (10) 1-26 3-11
2856 It Was Only Yesterday
(10) 3-9 4- 3-18
2857 Meet the
2858 Famous
Winners (10) 4-26
. .
Cartoonists (91/2) 5-25 + 7- 8
2859 Hollywood Ice Capades
Premiere (10) 6-22
8- 5
2860 Hollywood's Famous Feet
(81/2) 7-20
STOOGE COMEDIES
2403 Dunked in the Deep (17) 11- 3 ± 3-25
2404 Punchy Cowpunchers (17) 1- 5 -f 2-11
2405 Hugs and Mugs (16) 2- 2 * 3-4
-4- 3- IS
2406 Dooey Dicks (I51/2) 3-2
2407 Love at First Bite (16) . . 5- 4
2408 Self-Made Maids (16)... 7- 6 ±
8-'
THRILLS OF MUSIC
2953 Ina Ray Hutton and Her
Orch. (9) 1-5 + 2-11
WORLD OF SPORTS
2803 Hell Drivers (91/2) 11-24 + 4-15
2804 Racing Headliners (SVi). 1- S H 318
2805 King Archer (9) 2-23 4+ 3-25
2806 The Rasslin' Match of the
Century (9) 3-30 -f 4-15
2807 College Sports Paradise
(91/2) 4-20
2808 Clown Prince of Golf
(81/2) 5-25 ± 7-8
6-29
. . 2809 Diving Acrobrats (9) .
2810 King of the Jockeys (9) 7-20
SERIALS
2120 The Adventures of
Sir Galahad 12-22
15 Chapters
2140 Cody of the Pony Express 4-6 ....
15 Chapters
2180 Atom Man vs. Superman.. 7-20 + 7-1
15 Chapters
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Prod. No. Title Rel. D.ilt Rating Rev'd
CARTOONS
(Technicolor)
W-41 Meet King Joe (9) 5-28 H 7-9
W-43The House of Tomorrow
(8) 6-11 -- 7-9
W-45 Doggone Tired (8) 7-30 + 10-15
W-46Wags to Riches (7) 8-13 + 11- 5
1949-50 SEASON
W-132 Little Rural Riding Hood
(6) 9-17 + 10- 1
W-135 Out-Foxed (8) 11-5 + 10-29
W-136 Tennis Chumps (7) 12-10 -f 12-24
W-137 Counterfeit Cat (7) 12-24 + 2-11
W-140 Why Play Leap Frog (7) 2- 4
W-144The Cuckoo Clock (7).. 6-10 H 7-22
FITZPATRICK TRAVELTALKS
(Technicolor)
T-17 Quebec in Summertime (10) 4- 9 -f 5-21
T-18 Roaming Through Northern
Ireland (8) 7-9 ++ 10-lS
1949-50 SEASON
T-lllFrom Liverpool to Stratford
(9) 9-10 + 10- 1
T-112 Glimpses of Old England
(9) 10-8 -f 10-29
12-24
T-113 In Old Amsterdam (9).. 11-12 -f
T-114A Wee Bit of Scotland
(10) 12-17 +
T-115 Land of Tradition (9) .
1-21
. .
T-116 Colorful Holland (9) ... 3- 4
2- 4
1.117 Pastoral Panoramas (9) 4-15 -+- 7-1
T-118 Roaming Thru Michigan
(9) 5-20 + 7-1
T-119 To the Coast of Devon
(9) 7-15 + 7-22
T-120 Touring Northern England
(9) 7-29
GOLD MEDAL REPRINTS
(Technicolor)
W-23The Blue Danube (7) . . 4- 2 + 4-2
W-24 Suffcrin' Cats (8) 6-4 1+^ 11- 5
1949-50 SEASON
W-161 Lonesome Mouse (8) ... 11-26
W-163The Uninvited Pest (8) 4-29
W-164 Yankee Doodle Mouse
(7) 6-24 + 7-15
MARTIN BLOCK'S MUSICAL
MERRY-GO-ROUND
M-984Les Brown-Virginia O'Brien
(10) 7-17
M-986Art Lund, Les Brown,
Tex Beneke (10) 8-3
M-9S5Frankie Carle & Orch.
(10) 8-28
NEWS OF THE DAY
(Released Twice Weekly)
PASSING PARADE
K-74 Mr. Whitney Had a Notion
(11) 5-7 -f
. .
K-75 Clues to Adventure (10) 6-11
8-27
+
K-76 City of Children (10) .
PETE
±
SMITH SPECIALTIES
S-57Scientifiquiz (10) 4-2 -f
S-5S Those Good Old Days (9) 4-16
S-59 Fishing for Fun (9) 4-23
S-60 Football Thrills No. 12
(9) 8-27
1949-50 SEASON
S-151 Water Trix (9) 11- 5
S.152 How Come? (10) 11-19
S-153 We Can Dream. Can't We?
(9) ...V 12- 3
S-154 Sports Oddities (8) 12-31

20th Century-Fox
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rev'd
SHORTS CHART
4+

FUTURE RELEASES
Lisiad hatein are ieatuiea on which national release dales have not been
COLUMBIA
set or which go beyond the dales covered by Ihe Feature Chart.
OAI Jwmiiios ol Okljlioma (Wislorn) . Daii Kuryra-lluli) Slorir
Bom Yesterday (Conniljlinima)
Judy llolll.la)-Brod«lck Crawrord-WllUim Holdea
Brave Bull!, The (Drami) Mel FtrrerEiiBone Ule-HlM
Emerieiicy Weddino IComidy) Larry I'lirks-Barbiira 11 ile
Flying Missile. The (liiaro.i) Glenn KohIVIilm MmltorB
Fuller Brush Girl. The (Comedy) . Lucille Ball-Eddie Albert
Harriet Craio (Drama) Joan Crawloril-Hindell Corey
Hero. The (liraraa) John Uirik-Aldn Da l(e
He's a Cockeyed Wonder (Com-Dr) M. lloumy-Terry Mouie
©Lorna Doone iDriima) Biirliara llalelilctiard Greene
OPetty Girl, The (Urama) . Joan Caullleld-Hubiri Cumralngs
Rookie Fireman (Comedy-Ur) . .Bill WUlliims-Marjorle Keynoldt
OSaiita Fe (Wfstern) Itandoliih Soill-Jiinis Carlw
Touoher They Come. The ( Drama) . .Wayne .Murrls-l'. Fosttr
©Valentino (lir.imi) Tony Dexter-Eleanor I'arkcr
When You're Smiling (Cumrdy) . .Jerome Coiirtlaiid-L. AlbrlKbi
EAGLE LION
©Alice in Wonderland (Kantasy) Carole Marsh-S. .Murray
Boys in Bro*n (Drama) B. Atlenborough-J. Warner
Calendar, The (Comedy) Orel* Uynl-John McCalhim
Diamond City (Drama) D. Farrar-I). Dors
Doll's House, The (Drama) Paul Lukaa-Cbarlea Korvln
Esther Waters (Drama) Kathleen Ryao-Dlrk Bogarde
Floodtidi (Drama) Robert Aoderson-Q. Jackson
Kangaroo Kid (Drama) Veda Ann Borg-Dorothy Malone
Prehistoric Women (Adicnture) . . . .Lourette Luez-AUan NLvon
Reluctant Widow, The (Drama) Jeao Kent-0. Rolfe
Rogue River (Act-Drama) Rory Calboun-(^y Madison
FILM
CLASSICS
St Benny the Dip (Comedy) . .Dick Haymes-Beatrice Pearson
Stronghold (Drama) Veronica Lakc-Zacbary Scott
Time Running Out (Drama) Dane Clark-Slmone SIgnoret
METRO GOLDWYN-MAYER
©Across the Wide Missouri (Western) .Clark Gable-J. Hodlak
©An American in Paris (Dram.i) . . Gene Kelly-Leslie Caron
©Annie Get Your Gun (Musical) Betty Button
Cause for Alarm (Com-Dr) Loretla Young-Barry Sullivan
Crisis (Drama) Car; Grant-Jose Ferrer
It's a Big Country (Drama) Ml Star Cast
©Kim (Adventure-Drama) Errol Flynn-Deao Btockvell
©King Solomon's Mines (Adv-Drama) D. Kerr-8. Granger
Life of Her Don, A (Drama) Lana Turner-Ann Dvorak
Mrs. O'Kalley and Mr. Malone (Com)..M. Main-J. Wbltmore
Next Voice You Hear..., The (Drama) .J. Whltmore-.\. Davis
©Pagan Love Song (Musical) .Estber Wlllkms-Houard Keel
©Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (Dr) .J. Mason-A. Gardner
©Quo Vadis (Drama) Robert Taylor-Deborab Kerr
Right Cross (Comedy-Dr) Dick Povtell-June Allyson
ORoyal Wedding (Musical) Fred Astaire-Jane rovvcU
Stars in My Crown (Drama) ... .Joel McCrea-Dean BtockveU
Three Guys Named Mike (Comedy) . .Jane Wymun-Van Julinson
©Toast of New Orleans (Musical) M. Lanza-K. Grayson
To Please a Lady (Drama) Clark Gable-Barbara Btanvyck
©Two Weeks—With Love (Drama) . .Jane Poviell-R. Monlalban
©Vengeance Valley (Western) Dan Dalley-Betty Grable
MONOGRAM
Modern Marriage, A ( Drama) .. Robert Clarke-Margaret Field
Smoke Jumpers (Drama) K. Grant-Joe Bona
Typet ( Adi~l)rama) Boddy McDowtll
PARAMOUNT
Ace in the Hole (Drama) Kirk Douglas-Jan Sterling
©Branded (Western) Alan t^dd-Mona Freeman
©Copper Canyon (Melodrama) Ray Milland-Hedy Lamarr
Lemon Drop Kid, The (Comedy) ... .Bob Hiipe-Andrca King
©Let's Dance (Musical-Comedy) Betty HuttAn-Fred AiUlre
Mating Season, The (Drama) John Lund-Gene TIerney
Mr. and Miss Anonymous (Drama).. Bay MUland-J. Fontaine
Mr. Music (Musical) Blng Croaby-Butta Bussey
. . .John Payne-Dennis O'Ktefe
©Passage West (Wv^t-Drama) .
Place in the Sun, A (Drama) Eiiaabetb Taylor-M. CUft
©Quebec (Drama) John Barrymore Ir.-Corlnne Calvet
©Samson and Delilah (Drama) . .Victor Mature-Hedy Lamarr
September Affair (Drama) Juan Fontaine-Josoph Culten
©Tripoli (Adventure-Dr) Maureen O'Bara-John Payne
United States Mall (Drama) Alan Udd
RKO RADIO
Alias Mike Fury (Drama) Victor Mature-WilllaiB Bendli
Carriage Entranct (Drama) .... Robert Mitrhun-Ava Gardner
Come Share My Lmt (Comedy) . .Irene Dunne-Fred MacMurray
Company She Keeps, The (Drama) . Jane Greer-Dennit O'Keefe
Gaunt Wom,in. The (Drama) Dana AndrevisClaude Rains
His Kind of Woman (Drama) . .Robert MItchum-Junc Kus.

—
Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Public
FEATURE REVIEWS
(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE)
The Black Rose
Tp
^
Costume Drama
(Technicolor)
20th-Fox (121) 119 Minutes Rel. Sept. '50
Splendor and spectacle are topmost among the many productional
assets oi this semihistorical costume drama. Those
qualities, plus the fact that the feature is based on the
widely read novel by Thomas B. Costain, should be sufficient
to assure the picture commercial success, particularly if
showmen take full advantage of their vast merchandising
possibilities. The entry's spectacular backgrounds—lensed
in England and North Africa—create pageantry such as the
screen has not seen in a long time. There is additional luster
through the use of expert Technicolor photography, while
marquee magnetism is supplied by Tyrone Power and Orson
Welles. The cast is also sparked by the appearance of a
little-known French actress, Cecile Aubry, whose thespian
contribution is provocative and entirely satisfactory. Impressively
produced by Louis D. Lighton and skillfully directed by
Henry Hathaway.
Tyrone Power, Orson Welles, Cecile Aubry, Jack Hcrwkins,
Michael Rennie, Finloy Currie, Herbert Loin.
The Dancing Years
Monogram ( ) 98 Minutes ReL
Musical
Drama
(Technicolor)
An eye-filling, ear-soothing romance with Technicolored
mountainous backgrounds, lush Viennese settings and melodious
waltz music of the 1911 period, interspersed by some
beautiful dancing in elaborate production numbers. It ran
eight years as a London stage production and ought to do
excellent business as a film in this country. It was made
by Associated British Pictures. Patricia Ddinton, first as a
youngster and then as a dancer, is outstanding for her
charm and blond beauty, and undoubtedly will make on
impression that will start her on a Hollywood career. Dennis
Price, as a composer, is an excellent actor, but his work is
marred by a back-in-the-throat style of speaking that makes
his lines difficult to ccrlch at times. Gisele Preville, the
feminine lead, is an excellent singer and plays her role as
a sophisticated, mature beauty with sincerity.
Dennis Price, Gisele Preville, Patricia Dainton, Anthony
Nicholls, Grey Blake, Muriel George.
Tea for Two
F
Musical
Warner Bros. (001) 101 Minutes ReL Sept. 2, '50
Vertiginous and slothful is the screenplay which served
as a framework upon which to hang the beloved song hits
and some of the situations of a stage musical of yesteryear,
"No, No, Nanette." The literary structure is further festooned
with a few specialties—some of which are on the exotic side
—and an occasional tired production number. The comedy
content was entrusted to Billy DeWolfe and S. Z. Sakall
there being too much of both of them—who were made to
reach from here to Baffin's Bay for laughs. Such tried-andtrue
troupers as Eve Arden found it impossible to shake the
shackles of the inadequate script. Consequently, upon the
nostalgic appeal of the music and the individual and collective
fan followings of Doris Day and Gordon MacRae
hangs the film's commercial fate and, by the same logic,
the most promising approach to exploitation. Directed by
David Butler.
Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Patrice Wymore,
Eve Arden, Billy DeWolfe, S. Z. Sakall.
For
thiir
)
-748^
Let's Dance
Musical
Comedy
Pen-amount (500S) 112 Minutes
(Technicolor)
Nov. '50
Because of their most recent starring assignments, Betty
Hutton and Fred Astaire currently are hotter than a Kansas
summer. In any vehicle, reluctantly, teaming them would
have been a fortunate and profitable bit of timing. Herein,
the possibilities go much farther because the picture is
ideally suited to their individual and collective brand of talents.
A thoroughly delightful screenplay v/hich almost entirely
circumvents the formula and cliches of the boy-meetsgirl
yarns usually employed to showcase singing, comedy
and dancing mummers, it projects La Hutton and versatile
Astaire as a perfect duo, one for which film fans will demand
many return engagements. Add to such basic qualities
a sterling supporting cast. Technicolor, solid production
values, skillful direction by Norman Z. McLeod, catchy songs
and, above all, out-of-this-world dance routines, and present
are all of the ingredients for one of the season's top hits.
Betty Hutton, Fred Astaire, Rolcrad Young, Ruth Warrick,
Lucile Watson, Gregory Moffett, Barton MacLane.
High Lonesome F ,T«hnicoior)
Eagle Lion (044) 80 Minutes ReL Sept. 1. '50
Far afield from formula is the sagebrush saga selected to
showcase the promising talents of John Barrymore jr., who
herein makes his second screen starring appearance—and
with the same effectiveness that marked his initialer, "The
Sundowners." The picture is praiseworthy for the manner
in which it captures the rugged and austere aura of its
locale and circa, even though in pursuit of such authenticity
some of the glamorous facets of average westerns are sacrificed.
The picture was produced by Alan LeMay and George
Templeton and ably directed by LeMay, who are partners
in LeMay-Templeton Productions and who endowed the offering
with ample mountings, not (he least of which is Technicolor
and the sweeping natural backgrounds so photographed.
Noteworthy is the film's dialog—unusual but definitely
in character and rendered entirely convincing because
of the high caliber of performances.
lohn Barrymore jr.. Chill Wills, John Archer, Lois Butler.
Kristine Miller, Basil RuysdaeL Jack Elam.
/ Killed Geronimo F
F
Western
Eagle Lion ( ) 83 Minutes Rel.
Cavalry vs. Injuns as a subject for celluloid entertainment
has long been an almost invariably surefire entry for the
action addicts and the juvenile patrons. Utilizing that plot
theme, this modestly budgeted entry from Producer Jack
Schwarz appears sufficiently well equipped to serve with
adequacy as the nether half of a dual program and as a
booking for the Saturday matinee trade. Obviously it was
made with such playdates in mind and, within that productional
framework, the running time is studded with ridin',
fightin' and redskin raids, the script having placed emphasis
upon action rather than characterization. The historical
angles, although they may deviate somewhat from facts, offer
some ready-made exploitation suggestions and Topliner
James Ellison is sufficiently well established as an actic:
star so that his name also should draw some weight on thmarquee.
Directed by John Hoffman.
lames ElUson, Virginia Herrick, Chief Thunder Cloud, Smith
Ballew, Luther Crockett, lean Andren, Ted Adams.
Bunco Squad
REG Radio (104)
67 Minutes ReL
Drama
Considering its budgetary classification and the exhibition
niche at which it is aimed, about the only criticism that can
be made of this constable-and-crooks drama is that the
writers undertook to contain too many elements in the script,
including a semidocumentary approach to the yarn's spinning.
But, while such literary over-expansion has a tendency
to slow down the action here and there, in the main the
picture qualifies as an acceptable companion piece, equipped
to please the average dual program patron. An additional i
asset lies in the cast, at least two names of which are suificiently
established to assert some drawing power, and can
advantageously be used in merchandising a double bill.
Producer Lewis J. Rachmil made every production dollar
count and the direction of Herbert I. Leeds extracts everything
possible from the story and performers.
Robert Sterling, Joan Dixon, Ricardo Cortez, Douglaa Fowley,
Elisabeth Risdon, Marguerite Churchill, lohn Kellogg.
1178 BOXOFFICE
near
The Paris Waltz
Lux Films 86 Minutes ReL
F
Musical
This romantic French-language biography of the composer,
Jacques Offenbach, is abundant with operetta tunes and has
characters cloaked in striking costumes of the Napoleon III
period, created by Christian Dior, the noted French fashion
designer. Pierre Fresnay is convincing as the eccentric and
impractical composer, while Yvonne Printemps, as his leading
lady, enhancingly sings selections from nine Offenbach
works. The stars and the music, along with the expensive
settings, can be exploited for art house patrons with a tastfor
light opera. Musical numbers are staged fairly well cm
are adequately photographed. A racy and highly humorou„
beginning gives way to a hopelessly raveled series of disconnected
plot episodes. Marcel Achard directed and wrote
the screenplay. Lux Films Distributing Corp., 1501 Broadway,
New York.
Yvonne Printemps, Pierre Fresnay, lacques Charon, lacques
Castelot, Claude Sainval, Pierre Dux, Lucien Nat.
August 19, 1950 1177

, . Who
. . Gay
. . And
. . Empires
. . Great
. . Parasites
. . Ever
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adttnes for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY:
"Let's Danca"
Fearing that her disapproving in-laws will take her son
irom her, dancer Betty Hulton, recently widowed, takes the
child to New York, where her old dancing partner, Fred
Astaire, finds her a nightclub job. Her sons life becomes
topsy-turvy but interesting, with various club employes giving
him his lessons. Lucile Watson, the lad's great-grandmother,
aghast at his nightclub existence, causes Betty to
be served with a court summons regarding the boy's welfare.
The court gives Betty 60 days in which to establish a proper
home. She and Fred, who's always loved her, become engaged,
but later quarrel. Their differences are finally settled
and Betty and Fred plan a home life of which the court
approves.
CATCHLINES:
A Gay, Glorious Galaxy Of Wonderful Songs and
Stupendous Dancing
It's Fabulous Fred Astaire . . .
And Bouncing Betty Hutton . Teamed for a Terrific
On the Musical Scoreboard.
THE STORY:
'The Black Rose"
During the 13th century, Tyrone Power and Jack Hawkins,
exiled from England, join a Mongol caravan bound for Cathay
with tributes for the Kublai Khan. Helping the beauteous
slave, Cecile Aubry, to escape her fate as a donation to the
Khan, Power furnishes delaying action while she and Hawkins
get away. They next meet as prisoners of the Chinese
empress, who believes her country's safety from Mongol invasion
lies in the holding of the "blue-eyed gods." When
the three attempt to break from captivity, Hawkins is killed;
Cecile recaptured, and only Power manages to escape to
England, where his exploits and useful knowledge learned
from Oriental scholars are rewarded by knighthood and the
restoration of his ancestral home—where Cecile later manages
to join him.
CATCHLINES:
The Most Spectacular Caravan of Wild Excitement . . .
Flaming Adventure . Forbidden Love . to
Sweep Across the Screen . Crumbled Before
the Hordes of the Kublai Khan ... An Exciting Novel—
Magnificent Film.
THE STORY:
"High Lonesome"
THE STORY:
"The Dancing Years"
Befriended by Rancher Basil Ruysdael, John Barrymore jr.
confesses he'd murdered a nearby storekeeper at the coercion
of two strangers. When no evidence is found of the
deed, Ruysdael lets the boy stay on. It is only after three
more murders, in which Barrymore is implicated, that Ruysdael
is convinced of Barrymore's guilt. The outlcrwed lad,
discovering his coercers—the actual killers—to be vengeanceintent
sons of men supposedly killed by Ruysdael's faction
in an old fence war, searches for evidence to convince the
Ruysdaels of their danger. Later, when Ruysdael, pursuing
Barrymore, is trapped by the two avengers, Barrymore is
wounded while saving him. The murderers ore killed and
the grateful rancher promises everlasting friendship to the
previously homeless boy.
CATCHLINES:
Never Before Has Such a Stirring Saga of the Old Frontier
Blazed Across the Screen ... An Unwanted . . . Outlawed
Lad
. . . Hunted as a Murderer . . . Till He Proved His
Worth ... By Taking the Bullet Meant for a Friend.
THE STORY:
"I Killed Geronimo"
The bloodthirsty Geronimo and a powerful army of redskins
hove broken out of their reservation and embarked
on a sanguinary career of pillaging, looting and murdering
the whites on ranches and in towns throughout the area.
Pressed into action, the U.S. cavalry cannot even get on
Geronimo's trail. Then, dispatched from Washington, comes
James Ellison, a special intelligence officer, who poses as
an itinerant cowhand. He hires himself out as a gunlighter
to Ted Adams, leader of a band of heavies which has been
supplying rifles and ammunition to the warring Indian chief
and his braves. Through Adams, Ellison locates Geronimo.
The Indians attack, but the cavalry is on hand this time to
defeat them, and Ellison kills Geronimo in a hand-to-hand
battle.
CATCHLINES:
Geronimo . . . Most Savage, Most Dreaded of Savage
Redskins ... Is on the Warpath . . . Plundering, Killing,
Laying Waste to the Rugged West . . . Until He Meets His
Master ... A Heroic White Man . Avenges the
Apache Attacks.
THE STORY:
•The Paris Waltz"
Yvonne Printemps, as unemployed singer, and Jacques
Charon, an actor in love with her, hear Pierre Fresnoy, the
penniless Jacques Offenbach, composing in a Paris boarding
house room below the one in which they are flirting. Charon
later introduces Yvonne to Fresnay as he is evicted. She
auditions, gets the lead in his new operetta, and proves successful.
Then she runs through affairs with a French prince,
a Near Eastern potentate and a Russian general while Fresnay
composes operettas. After a warm spell with Fresnay
ends, he loses inspiration. Only when she insists that he
forget her does he write again, this time about a woman who
is
unmindfully wicked, Yvonne.
CATCHLINES:
The Musical Team That Brought Joy and Scandal to Paris
. . . The Life Story of a Composer Who Loved Music More
Than Women
. . . Gay Offenbach Operettas Live Again
Pierre Fresnay in Another Superb Portrayal.
•TIST
int (I
The story is reminiscent of the operettas of a few years
back, but is well-knit and carries the singing and production
numbers without sacrificing the emotional elements of the
romance. It begins in an Austrian village where an impecunious
composer facing loss of a piano is saved by a
troupe of singers who come to breakfast in an inn where
the composer is carrying on a youthful idyl. Gisele Preville,
singer, takes a fancy to the composer, Dennis Price,
and induces Prince Reinaldt (Anthony NichoUs) to give the
young composer a room in his home. Price goes from one
success to another, with the help of Preville.
CATCHLINES:
.
Eye-Filling, Tuneful Romance of the Pre-World War I Days
in Vienna . . Ivor Novello's Memory-Lingering Songs, Happy
and Poignant Interludes, Gorgeous Technicolored Scenery
... So Wholly Delightful You'll Want to See It Again.
THE STORY:
"Tea lor Two"
Not know;ing her well-meaning guardian has lost all her
money, Doris Day plans to finance and star in a musical
during the early days of 1929. Complications arise in the
persons of two other actresses, both of whom have been
promised leads by the show's promoter. However, Singer-
Composer Jimmy Smith (Gordon MacRae) is in love with
Doris and wants her to sing his songs. Bill Goodwin, Doris'
lawyer, arrives vrith the nev/s that Doris' money is gone and
the show is doomed. But Eve Arden, Doris' secretary, takes
Goodwin, who still has money, auto riding and returns with
a new financier. Goodwin's production opens successfully
with Doris singing the tunes of her husband-to-be, including
"Tea for Two."
CATCHLINES:
Grand Songs . Laughter . Stars . . .
Glorious Technicolor . . . An All-Happiness Musical of Yesteryear
. . . Whose Lovely Lyrics . . . Are Tunefully warbled
... By the Stars You Love to Hear.
THE STORY:
"Bunco Squad"
Con Man Ricardo Cortez, utilizing a lake medium, pretends
to put Elisabeth Risdon, a wealthy but foolish widow,
in touch with her dead son. In gratitude the widow wills
her fortune to Cortez' mystical cult, the Rama society, whereupon
Cortez orders her car tampered with to bring about
her early demise. Meanwhile, Police Sgt. Robert Sterling of
the Bunco Squad, aware of Cortez' operations, sets up a
rival cult to woo the widow away, as she refuses to listen
to his warnings. When Cortez discovers Sterling's outfit to
be a police setup and his confederates are captured, he uses
Elisabeth's car for a getaway. Forgetting he'd had the brakes
rendered useless, Cortez misses a turn and plunges off a
cliff to his death.
CATCHLINES:
The Startling . . . Sensational Story ... Of the Most
Ruthless Bunco Artists of Them All . Who
Prey on the Emotions of Bereaved Women . . . Racketeers
to Whom Murder Is No Obstacle.

RATES: 10c per word, minimum Sl.OO, cash with copy. Four insertions Jor price of three
CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to
• Box Numbers to BOXOFTICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo.
HELP WANTED
Need extra cash? Manager, operators—daytime,
sell your neighborhood merchants advertising gifts,
c;ilendars, pencils, matches, etc. Average order
earns $25. Free samples. Kincole, 8916 Linwood,
Detroit, Mich.
Wanted—Salesman with theatre stage equipment
and drapery sales experience. Must have high
school education—college preferred. Salary plus
expenses. Send detailed qualifications with age to
Boxoffice. 3956,
Wanted: Operator for drive-in theatre. Apply
Palace Theatre. Seguin, Texas.
Accountant-controller for expanding midwestern
motion picture theatre circuit. Firm in business
46 years. Top salary. Complete responsibilMy.
Boxoffice, 3964.
Wanted: Young eneitjetic assistant manager for
auto drive-in theatre in central Ohio. Submit
photn. state age. education, experience and salary
desired. Boxoffice, 3965.
Projectionist-Assistant Manager. Experienced,
reliable, sober with be.st references. Sernce
sound and Simplex machines. If married, wife
could cashier and office work. Good opportunity
for right party to become manager of both theatres
in this Missouri town of 7,000. Write
Boxoffice. 3968.
status, minimum salary expected and include re-
'.•ent photograph or snapshot. Must be available
on or about September 1. Northwest. Boxoffice,
3972.
Help Wanted: Prive-in theatre manager at Fort
Worth, Texas. Good opportunity for capable man.
noxoffice. 3973.
Wanted: Experienced manager, permanent situation,
Illinois location. Seating 470. population
5.000. Send detailed qualifications, photo and
saliiry expected in first letter. Boxoffice, 3974.
Wanted: Projectionist, at once. Small town
theatre. State salary expected. Boxoffice, 3971.
POSITIONS WANTED
Manager or assistant. 12 years experience. Exploitation,
can operate. Phone 29710, It. T.
Brewer. 808 N. Emporia. Wichita. Kas.
Projectionist, 25 years experience, single, sober,
reliable. Now available. Blair, 112i^ W. California.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Projectionist-Assistant Manager. Five years experience,
high school graduate, IS years old, single,
desires position in college town only. Wish to
work way through allege. Excellent theatre, character
references. All inquiries answered. James
Gaskins. Missouri Theatre, Campbell. Mo.
Manager, married, two children. 5 years experience.
All phages of management except buying
and booking. Welcome opportunity to learn. Go
anywhere that pays a living wage. Bo.voffice, 3961.
Manager, 15 years experience all phases theatre
oper:itinn. .\vailable immediately. Wire or write.
Box 71. Bladenboro. N. C.
Manager, ad manager, city manager, booker,
exploitation; 35, married. Ten years experience.
Now employed. References. Outline proposition.
Boxoffice, 3969.
Position wanted. L-irge midwest drive-in theatre
nwner-manager and assistant v.-ants winter
season management position in Florida drlve-in
theatre. .Availjible mid-November. References exchanged.
Boxoffice. 3966.
Mananer-projectionist, available for winter operation.
Own and operate own drive-in. Prefer
location in Florida, New Mexico or other winter
resort. Boxoffice. 3970.
Manager. 26 years old. single. 6 years managing
exiHTifnce. Good on advertising and exploitation.
Ha.,' managed first and second run houses.
Excellent references. Will go anywhere, can leave
at once. Boxoffice, :i975.
House manager with good training hut limited
experience desires affiliation offering opportunity
to puiential showman. Refcrenws. Bo.\offici\
3976.
SIGNS
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED
No idle boasts here—Be convinced! E7 mechanisms,
rebuilt. $900 pair; Standard Simplex rear
shutter mechanisms, rebuilt, $249.50: factory rebuilt
Holmes Educators, latest amplifier, com-
when buying rebuilt equipment.
Be wary—beware
Get it from established, reliable source.
Our record—24 years square dealing—speaks for
itself. Holmes Educators, $550; Simplex Acme,
$795; Simplex SP or Standard. $995— all dual
equipments with 2,000' magazines, lenses, amplifier
speaker, etc. Super Simplex heads, $895
pair. All available on time payments. Dept. C.
S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St.,
New York 19.
New and used blovi/ers. air deflectors, variable
speed pulleys. Bargains. Southemair. 179 Luckie,
Atlanta. Ga.
For Sale: Two Simplex Mechanisms with rear
shutters. $90 each. Boxoffice. 3977.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
Selling these at dealers' cost! New booth equipments
for theatres, $2,950: for drive-ins. $3,950;
Wanted: Live wire manager for exploitation type
off market price! Special: New latest
actuj'lly V2
Morclite sober, reliable
tlieatre. no buying or booking required. Must be
and furnish satisfactory references.
Monarc 70 ampere lamps with 14"
reflectors. $695 pair. 75 amp. 220V 3 Ph retnifiers.
Permanent job with salary and commission for
and trades, too!
$197.50 each. Time deals
properly experienced man. Give full details including
previous experience, current military
Send for details, Dept. C. CO.S. Cinema Supply
Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St., New York 19.
Easy Way to Paint Signs. I'se letter pattrrn>.'.
Avoid sjonnv \uirk ;ind \^ast('d time. No experience
ntM-dt'd for txperl nnrk. Write for free sam-
"Vs. .lohn Rahn. B-1329. Central Ave.. Chicago
51, HI.
BOXOFFICE :: August 19. 1950
Grime doesn't pay! Replace your old, discolored
screen with Super Flextone, plastic, washable,
flameproofcd and fungusproofed, 42^c sq. ft.;
Voce Crystal Beaded, 48i/^c. Get 25% more
light with Kollmorgen Snaplite coated lenses from
$100 pair {liberal trade-ins). Replace old lamphouse
reflectors—all sizes available, 20% off.
Dept. C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W-
52nd St.. New York 19.
Compare our prices! Rectifier bulbs, first
quality, $4.75; plastic screens, 3Sc ft.; 16mm
sound lenses, $5.50; CE25C phetocells. $2.95.
Star Cinema Supply. 441 West 50th St.. New
York 19.
STUDIO AND PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
One Stop Store Specials—Auricon Cinevoice,
demon-^tralor, $555; Maurer Camera, 2 motors,
magazine, finder, case. $2,495: 5-ton Refrigeration
Plant. 230 DC motor, $395; Cineflex 35mm
camera. 12V or 24V motor, 3 lenses, 6 magazines,
tripod, worth $1,500, $495; Eyemo 35mm spider
turret newsreel cameras, less lens, $495; Wall
35mm Movietone single system sound camera, B.
Maurer galvanometer, 4 lenses, motor, magazines,
tripod, amplifier, worth $7,000. $3,495: late
Auricon Pro 16ram outfit, powerpack, parallax
finder, amplifier, lens, tripod, mikoboom, etc..
worth $2,000. $1,495; ultra 24" Sunspots 5000W
w/stands, worth $250. $77; Olesen Creco 5000W
Sr. 15" fresnel spots on stands, similar to BM
and MR, worth $300, $127; Houston KIA Reversal
16mm Processor incomplete, $995; new
Bridgamatic processing machines, straight 16 and
combination 16/35mm from $1,595; Cinephon 35
News Camera, Motor, 4 lenses, etc.. $795; Eyemo
Newsreel Cameras less lens and finder, $75; Rotary
Stabilizer Film Phonographs, less motor, $395;
y\n 18' Microphone Boom with dolly, $1,500
value, $395; Auricon 12V/U0AC Powerpacks, In
aise, $55. Send for Sturelab Supplement, Dept.
C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St.,
New York 19.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT
It's later than you think! Order equipment
now to open this season. Standard and Super
Simplex. Motiograpb. DeVry. Superior. Weber
available for 200 to 1.000 cars, from $1,595.
Easy payment plan. S.O.S. Co-Op speakers. $16
pair, including junction box. Buy sample pair
and compare. Teleseal 14-2 underground cable,
$47.13M. Ma.

O^//^; when
passes
out Orcmds!
Yes, we're moved to express our gratitude,
when the brilliant pen of our industry's keenest
critic and champion, pauses in its caustic comment
on the ills and problems of show business, to drip
a little
honey, in our direction.
True, the comment is bitter-sweet . . . but that's
because PETE is fo/r . . . and we're not perfect.
That's what makes the orchid most welcome
. . . that PETE WOOD, ever-ready to criticize and
condemn, in behalf of the exhibitors he so ably
represents, is fair enough to reward sincerity of
purpose, with unbiased comment.
Thanks, Pete! We think that two complaints
among all your members, is pretty good, too . . .
BUT . . . we'll try to bat a THOUSAND in the future!
'^^''P%c^c'8