Boxoffice-December.02.1950

m flHlBIll 

Entered is Mcond-titu natter at the Pott Otflct 

at Kansas City, Mo., vndv the act ot March 3, 1879. 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION 

Including the Sectional News Pages of All Editioni 

DECEMBER 2, 1950 

Auditorium of the Odeon Theatre recently opened in Ottawa by Odeon Theatres of Canada.

1 

IF RIP VAN WINKLE 

WOKE UP TODAY! 

Naturally Mr. Van Winkle asked a lot of question 

about industry happenings. 

''When I dozed off, years ago," said Mr. Van Winkle 

"there was a young Lion named Leo of M-G-M wh( 

was the talk of the entire industry. Who's doing th 

roaring now?" 

I 

M.G-M's TECHNICOLOR GIANT! 

"KING 

SOLOMON'S 

MINES" 

Breaking records at 

Radio City Music Hall 

and across the nation!

(A .rvos\«- 

I 

Celebrate the 

Happy Holidays 

with a Big M-G-M 

Technicolor Musical 

tc 

PAGAN 

LOVE 

SONG" 

BIG ADVENTURE 

INDIA! 

ii-G-M's 

IRAMA FILMED IN 

Rudyard Kipling's 

fi 

KIM" 

TECHNICOLOR 

MASTERPIECE 

Thousands in the Cast! 

fes indeed! Mr. Van Winkle found that M-G-M was 

till the big noise of the industry—that's what probably 

/oke him up. And when he heard about the magnificent 

'MGNIFICENT YANKEE" and "MR. IMPERIUM" 

nd "ACROSS THE WIDE MISSOURI" and all the 

ither M-G-M enterprises he did hand-springs. 

V^ 

ftV^^tS 

CA^^

VIRGINIA DORIS OOROON 

CAGNEY* MAYO - DAY* M«RAE- NELSON BREAKTHROUGH" DAVID BRIAN JOHNM 

f'*': 

"TUC U/CQT DHIMT QTHPV" «"' *lan hale ledtiy 

ir p,od.cedby 

SEILER . BRI 

FRANK LOVEJOY SUZANNE LE;rsaER.BRif 

f^ 

story Joseplii"^' 

Screen Play by BERNARD GIRARO anij TLD SHLRDLMAN • from a Story by Josephi"^' 

Screen Play by JOHN MONKS, JR., CHARLES HOFFMAN & IRVING WALLACE From a Story by Irving Wallace • Ori|inal 

Songs by Jule Slyne and Semmy Cahn • Musical Diiection by Ray Hemdoil • Dance Numbers Directed by leRoy Prim 

mmmt^mmimmm

Technicolor 

Gi!Y COOPER^ RUTH ROMAN STEVE COCHRAN 

Dj I A^" 

ar 

'^^'"""' '*'^^^" • BARBARA PAYTON Directed by STUART HEISLER 

Produced by ANTHONY VEILLER Music by Max Stciner Written by JOHN TWIST 

'""^mm/mf^ m n j 

HIGHWAYSOr ' STEVE COCHRAN 

' 

VIRGINIA GREY- GABY ANDRE "ZoSsra^' 

Produced by BRYAN FOY

ICTURE 

OF THE 

IL 

E"! 

Debra Paget and Louis Jourdan pause in the day's occupation to lunch on the set of 20th 

Century-Fox's "Bird of Paradise." The place is Hawaii, the picture is in Technicolor and also 

stars Jeff Chandler, and the advance word hails it as a major offering for 1951. The big 

campaign will sell it around the world! 

(Advertisement)

j 

, 

— 

' 

w-;"'i,uffl»^'''W 

'I 

i. tiy ' ij iii,! i|jJ!'yMWM 

IE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Published in Nine Sectional Editions 

BEN 

SHLYEN 

dilor-in-Chief and Publisher 

MES M. JERAULD Editor 

iTHAN COHEN.-Executive Editor 

jSE SHLYEN Managing Editoi 

AN SPEAR Western Editor 

:N HUDNALL Equipment Editor 

HN G. TlNSLEY-.Advertlsing Mgr. 

Published Every Saturday by 

ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS 

itorial Offices: 9 Rockefeller Plaza, Ne» 

rk 20, N. Y. John 0. Tlnsley, Advertli- 

Managcr: James M, Jerauld, Editor; 

!ster Friedman, Editor Showmandlaer 

•lion: A. J. Stocker and Ralph Scholbe. 

ulpment Advertising. Telephone COibus 

5-6370. 

blication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., 

nsas City 1. Mo. Nathan Cohen, Eiecu- 

Eaitor; Jesse Shljen, Managing Edl- 

Morris Schlozman, Business Manager, 

inelh HudnaU, Editor The MODERN 

BATRE;- Herbert Roush. Manager Adlîng 

Sales. Telephone CHestnut 7777. 

ilral Offices: Editorial—624 S. Mlchl- 

.\\e.. Chicago 5, 111. Jonas Perlberg 

eiihone WEbster 9-4745. Advertising- 

East Wacker Drive. Chicago 1, 111. 

liie Hutchison and B. E. Yeck. Telew 

ANdover 3-3042. 

ilcrn Offices: Editorial and Film Adveriic— 

6404 Hollywood Blvd.. Hollywood 

Csiiif. Ivan Spear, manager. Teletip 

OLadstone 

riltn Advertising—672 

1186. Equipment 

S. LaFayette 

and 

1, Place, Los Angeles, Calif. Bob Wett- 

I, manager. Telephone DUnkirk 8-2286. 

iliinoton Offices: 6417 Dahlonega Road. 

)el Older, manager. Phone Wlsoonsin 

1. S.ira Young, 932 New Jersey, N.W. 

lion Offices: 47, Gloucester Terrace, 

ter Gate, W. 2. Telephone Pad- 

Ion 7509. John Sullivan, Manager. 

Ushers of: The MODERN THEATRE. 

tlshed monthly as a section of BOX- 

'ICE; BOXOFFICE BAROMETER. 

any: 21-23 Walter Ave.. M. Berrlgan. 

Ingham: The News, Eddie Badger. 

an: Frances W. Harding, Lib. 2-9305. 

rlotte: 216 W. 4th, Pauline Griffith, 

cinnall: 4029 Reading. Ltlllan Lazarus, 

eland: Elsie Loeb. Falrmount 1-0046. 

las: lê Times-Herald. Virgil Miers. 

er: 1645 I.afayette. Jack Rose. 

Moines: Register-Tribune, Russ Schoch 

roit: Foi Theatre Bldg., H. F. Reves. 

apolis: Route 8. Bos T70, Howard 

Rudcaus, Ga 3339. 

nphls: 707 Spring St., Null Adams, 

ivaukee: 3057 No. Murray. John Hubel. 

ncapolis: 29 Washington. So.. Les Reel. 

Haven: 42 Church. Gertrude Lander. 

Orleans: Frances Jordan. N.O. Statet 

City: Terminal Bldg.. Polly Trindle. 

iha: World-Herald Bldg., Lou Gecdes. 

ladelphla: 5363 Berks, Norman Shlgon. 

sbnrgh: R, F. Kilngensmith. 616 Jeanette. 

WUklnsburg. Churchill 1-3800. 

Hand. Ore. : Keith Petzold. Broadway 

heatre. Advertiaing: Mel Hickman. 901 

tomlnal Sales Bldg.. ATwater 4107. 

Louis: 5149 Rosa. David Barrett. 

. Lake City: Deseret News. H. Pearson. 

Antonio: 210 Slocum Place. G. 9718. 

J. B. Ketner. 

Francisco: Oall Lipman. 25 Taylor St.. 

Tdway 3-4812. Advertising: Jerry Noell, 

Howard Bldg.. 209 Post St.. 

Tlkon 6-2522. 

tie: 1303 Campus Pkwy, Dave Ballard 

In 

Canada 

:ary: Ibt Albertan, Helen Anderson. 

treaJ: 4330 Wilson, Roy Carmlchael. 

lolm: 116 Prince Edward, W. MoNuIty. 

"ito: R. R. 1, York Mills, M. Galbralth. 

auver: Lyric Theatre Bldg., Jack Droy. 

''ilpeg: 282 Ruperts, Ben Sommcrs. 

ember Audit Bureau of Circulations 

red as Second Class 

J 

matter at Post 

" e. Kansas City. Mo. Sectional Edition, 

> per year; National Edition, |7.J0. 

'CEMBER 2, 1950 

^ 

58 No. 5 

AN APPROACH 70 UTOPIA 

' HE singleness of thought contained in 

three letters from readers published in this issue 

gives emphasis to the point they make: That 

film rental terms are a matter of individual negotiation. 

So say two exhibitor leaders, Henry 

Reeve, president of the Texas Theatre Owners, 

and Morris Loewenstein, president of the Theatre 

Owners of Oklahoma, and A. W. Schwalberg, 

president of Paramount Film Distributing 

Corp. 

Mr. Reeve gives organization efforts to regulate 

or control fair selling practices little credit 

for accomplishment, calling such efforts futile. 

And he says, "If we want to stay in this business, 

just admit its failings and impossibilities, 

forget the wishful thinking that some organization 

can take care of us and dig into our individual 

business and give it the best we've got." 

Mr. Loewenstein says, "Every situation poses 

its own problems and the solution must come 

from the individual theatre operation. No 'allinclusive' 

formula can ever be reached—no matter 

how sincere the exhibitor-distributor relationship. 

... If the time of the 'commonpocketbook' 

ever comes, then Utopia could exist 

in show business—but this will never be—therefore 

each must fight his own battle as best he 

can—and measure himself by the results." 

Mr. Schwalberg states, "Terms are today a 

matter of negotiation theatre by theatre and 

picture by picture . . . there can be no overall 

common denominator." At the same time, Mr. 

Schwalberg urges that exhibitors devote their 

energies to developing ways and means of getting 

people to come to their theatre. With this 

we are heartily in accord. It certainly would 

be a better business, if everyone exerted his 

greatest efforts in this direction. But, we wonder, 

if picture-by-picture negotiations do not 

impinge extraordinarily upon the time of such 

efforts? Perhaps not in the instance of chahi 

organizations where film buying is done by other 

than the theatre manager upon whom falls the 

job of selling the pictures to the public. However, 

where an individual operator has to attend 

to both functions, it is quite a different matter. 

The picture-by-picture dealing is, by the way, 

the result of organization activity that did away 

with whole-season buying that obtained prior to 

1940. When the consent decree went into effect 

that year for a trial run, which lasted three years, 

pictures were sold and bought in groups containing 

up to five. Later court decrees dictated 

otherwise. There are, of course, buyer advantages 

in these dictums. But one may question 

whether the game has been worth the candle. 

It must be remembered that the seller also gained 

advantage in the changeover—advantage in 

which, doubtless, is based the increasing rental 

trend of which exhibitors complain. 

A modification in this buyer-seller situation 

has been introduced by several distributing 

firms, largely for the smaller theatre operations 

whereby they may buy even a full season's product 

output with a conditional cancellation privilege. 

That is a move in the right direction. 

Reverting to the question of a so-called rental 

formula, we wonder why there could not be a 

"common denominator" that could be basically 

applied over a large segment of the industry. 

Adjustment here and there to fit individual 

situations would serve to make it equitable. And, 

with the stress and strain and time loss removed 

from picture buying diverted by both exhibitors 

and distributors into selling the public, there 

might, at least, be some progress made toward 

that Utopian era. 

Carter T. 

Barron 

Rare, indeed, is the individual who earns for 

himself a place in his community as did Carter 

T. Barron. He talked with Presidents. He served 

his city, his industry and his country. And he 

served them exceedingly well. As Loew's Washington 

representative for the past 18 years 

and diplomat without portfolio for the motion 

picture industry—Carter Barron will long be remembered 

by the people of the nation's capital 

and by the people of this industry. 

No greater tribute could be paid a man than 

to be referred to as his town's No. 1 Private 

Citizen. That is the esteem in which Carter 

Barron was held. His untiring efforts in the community, 

his genial personality and sincerity and 

his genius for organizing and making people 

work together created a civic spirit in which 

Washington takes pride. 

Carter Barron added to the good name of the 

motion picture industry. He brought it greater 

respect in high places of government and with 

whomever he came in contact. He took pleasure 

in serving the industry he loved with ceaseless 

devotion. He set a fine example of community 

service it would be well for others in this industry 

to emulate. 

V^^C-w

[ 

MAJOR COMPANY HEADS AGREE 

TO TOA ARBITRATION PROGRAM i| 

Decide That Distributors 

And Exhibitors Should 

Be Asked for Support 

NEW YORK—Leading distributors and 

producers liave agreed with the Theatre 

Owners of America that an effort should 

be made to enlist the cooperation of exhibitors 

and distributors "generally" in 

setting up a plan for arbitrating distributor-exhibitor 

disputes. 

That was the outcome of the well-attended 

meeting with TOA officials of top executives 

of major companies Wednesday (29) at the 

Hotel Astor. 

ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT 

Afterwards, the following carefully worded 

statement was issued; 

"An invitation having been extended to 

heads of producing and distributing companies 

represented at the meeting to ascertain 

their attitude toward establishing a 

workable system of arbitration in the motion 

picture industry to deal with disputes involving 

distributors and exhibitors, it was the 

consensus that efforts should be made to 

obtain the active participation and cooperation 

of exhibitors and distributors generally 

in the consideration and formulation of such 

a program." 

Representing TOA. the host, were Herman 

M. Levy, general counsel; Walter Reade jr., 

chairman of its distributor-exhibitor relations 

committee; S. H. Fabian, Albert M. 

pickus and Alfred M. Starr. 

The guests werg: 

Loew's—Nicholas M. Schenck, William F. 

Rodgers, J. Robert Rubin. 

Twentieth Century-Fox—Spyros P. Skouras, 

Andy W. Smith jr.. Otto E. Koegel. 

Paramount — Barney Balaban, A. W. 

Schwalberg, Austin C. Keough. 

Warner Bros.—Albert Warner, Robert W. 

Perkins, Howard Levinson. 

Universal-International—John J. O'Connor. 

Adolph Schimel, Al Daff. 

RKO — Robert Mochrie, Ralston Irving. 

Joseph J. Laub, William Zimmerman. 

Republic—Theodore R. Black. James R. 

Grainger. 

Columbia—Jack Cohn. Irving Morass. 

Monogram—Edward Morey. 

UA, ELC NOT PRESENT 

Gradwell Sears. United Artists distribution 

head, and William J. Heineman, Eagle 

Lion Classics, had been invited, but their 

companies were not represented. Ned E. 

Depinet, RKO president, was out of town, and 

Sam Pinanski. TOA president, who issued the 

invitations, was detained in Boston by a cold. 

Questions as to what the next move will 

be, and who will make it, in seeking to establish 

an arbitration system were met with 

reference to the formal announcement and 

the statement there was nothing to add to 

it. Further questioning brought the statement 

that no date has been set for another 

meeting, but it was intimated that another 

meeting will be held. A.sked if there was any 

8 

Industry Chiefs Holding 

Big East-West Confab 

NEW YORK—Presidents and top studio 

executives of all member companies 

of the Motion Picture Ass'n of America 

will hold a series of important "eastwest" 

meetings at the Phoenix-Biltmor 

hotel, Phoenix, Ariz., starting Friday 

(8) and continuing for two more 

days. 

This became known Tuesday (28) 

after a meeting of the MPAA board 

which Eric Johnston, president, came 

from Washington to attend. 

Plans for the signing of the new Anglo-American 

film pact were revised. 

Instead of its being signed in Washington 

Wednesday (6), it will be signed 

here the previous day at an MPAA 

luncheon. Rupert C. G. Somervell, under-secretary 

of the British Board of 

Trade, will sign for Britain. Johnston 

for MPAA and Ellis Arnall, president, 

for the Society of Independent Motion 

Picture Producers. The Wednesday 

luncheon in Washington will still be held, 

with U.S. government officials among 

those present. 

MPAA spokesmen would not discuss the 

specific purposes of the east-west meeting, 

but since high production officials 

will be present, it is certain that the whole 

range of production problems, from financing 

and budgeting to types of films 

produced, will be gone over. Television 

competition will supply an impetus for 

a concerted effort to improve quality and 

marketing. 

tentative plan involving use of American 

Arbitration Ass'n facilities, as in the past, 

there again was no comment. 

At the time the conference was called. 

TOA said it would consider two points: 

(1) Whether or not the industry wishes 

and will work for an arbitration system. 

(2) Whether or not the objections to such 

a system can be solved if approached in a 

spirit of compromise and conciliation. 

Evidently an agreement was reached that 

a survey of the industry, especially regarding 

exhibitor participation, will be made as 

the initial move. However. Allied States was 

not represented at the conference. Questioned 

about this. Abram P. Myers, general 

counsel, said; "Allied States was not invited 

and it does not concern me at all." 

Just what problems are susceptible to 

arbitration will have to be decided. The 

great majority of complaints handled in the 

past by the AAA had to do with clearances. 

However. Reade's TOA committee has been 

studying many trade practices for more than 

a year and is in an excellent position to 

make recommendations. The work of the 

committee has been one of the best guarded 

secrets in the industry. A possibility is that 

consideration will be given the position taken 

by Ellis Arnall, president of the Society of 

Independent Motion Picture Producers, that 

an industrywide conference be held looking 

toward a code of fair trade practices. However, 

since the Arnall plan involves consultations 

with the Department of Justice, it may 

not be looked upon with favor. 

TOA efforts to promote extensive use of 

t 

arbitration go back several years. There 

have been optimistic statements from TOA 

from time to time suggesting that progress 

was being made, but in the end little progress 

has been recorded. 

Warners, 20th-Fox Given 

Antitrust Case Delays 

NEW YORK—Warner Bros, and 20th Century-Fox 

have been granted extensions of 

time for filing plans for divorcement with 

the three-judge statutory court. The former 

has until January 15 and the latter until 

March 5. 

Loew's. Inc.. has not asked for an extension 

and has not taken part in any negotiations 

for a consent decree. There have been 

reports that the company might seek some 

new move to get a hearing before the Supreme 

Court, but the company lawyers refuse 

to discuss the case. If no new appeal 

is filed, the company will have to file a 

divorcement plan by December 5. 

The time extensions for Warner Bros, and 

20th Century-Fox may prove to be unnecessary. 

For some time both companies have 

been negotiating with the Department of 

Justice for consent decrees and it is understood 

that enough progress has been made 

to narrow the discussion to details. Agreements 

may be reached at any time. The 

Justice department did not oppose the requests 

for extensions of time and they were 

signed Tuesday (28) by Judge Alfred C. 

Coxe. 

What were called final decrees for Warner 

Bros., Loew's and 20th-Fox were handed 

down Feb. 8. 1950. These decrees required 

the filing of plans for divorcement of theatres 

six months from that date—August 8. 

An appeal was taken to the U.S. Supreme 

Court. This acted as an automatic stay until 

the court refused to hear the case June 5. 

The six-month time limit for filing plans 

again went into effect, but there was another 

setback when a petition for a rehearing 

was filed. The high court again refused to 

review the case October 16. 

Hearing on Intercity TV 

To Get Industry Views 

WASHINGTON—The Federal Communications 

commi-ssion announced Thursday (30) 

that it has granted permission to the Theatre 

Owners of America, 20th Century-Fox and 

National Tlieatres Corp. to appear at hearings 

on inter-city video scheduled for December 

11. Industry attorneys filed requests 

for intervention last week. The hearing will 

investigate allocations of coaxial cable made 

by A. T. & T. 

BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950

. . 

CAN'T RELEGATE DRIVE-INS 

TO STATUS OF SECOND RUNS' 

So Court Holds in Giving 

Outdoor Exhibitor Right 

To Bid for First Runs 

PHILADELPHIA—A federal court judge 

here this week ruled that distributors cannot 

arbitrarily designate drive-in theatres 

as subsequent runs and deny them the 

right to bid for first run playdates. 

This opinion was handed down by Judge 

William Kirkpatrick in a suit brought by 

David E. Milgram. operator of the Boulevard 

Drive-In Theatre located within the city 

limits of AUentown, Pa., against the major 

distribution. 

The decision carries with it broad implications 

of how drive-in theatres may 

have to be treated hereafter in the channeling 

of motion picture tln-ough the industry's 

complicated distribution system. 

DISTRIBUTORS MAY APPEAL 

In effect, what Judge Kirkpatrick said 

was that a motion picture theatre is a motion 

picture theatre regardless of whether 

it is indoor or outdoor and that distributors 

cannot differentiate between the two in selling 

their product. What the courts have 

held as illegal in the selling of motion pictures 

for indoor theatres also goes for the 

outdoor operation, the court implied. The 

same protection goes to both. 

The industry cannot relegate the drive-in 

to second run status, the court held. 

As a number of distributor chiefs within 

recent weeks have issued statements to the 

effect that they will sell to drive-ins on a 

subsequent run basis only, the ruling of 

Judge Kirkpatrick may be challenged in the 

higher courts. The court issued an injunction 

restraining the majors from denying 

the Boulevard Drive-In the right to bid 

for day-and-date playdates with downtown 

AUentown theatres, and from maintaining 

the clearance system which has been set 

up for the area. 

The Boulevard Drive-In was built a year 

ago at a cost of about $250,000. It accommodates 

900 cars and is located in an attractive 

section of AUentown, 2.4 miles from 

the business center of the city and 1.7 miles 

from the common boundary line between 

AUentown and Bethlehem. In effect, first 

runs in both of these cities are involved in 

the court order. 

28-DAY 

CLEARANCE CITED 

In handing down his decision, Judge Kirkpatrick 

pointed to the uniform 28-day clearance 

offered the Boulevard Theatre after 

all majors had turned down Milgram's request 

for first run pictures. "It is incredible 

that each proceeded in ignorance of how 

the others were dealing with it," the court 

said. 

Judge Kirkpatrick contended that the evidence 

in the case indicated the industry "is 

putting mto effect in AUentown a general 

program adopted and adhered to by the 

directing heads of the industry to relegate 

Mayer Sees Changes 

Possible in 

NEW YORK—The possibility that there 

may have to be changes in the structure of 

the Council of Motion Picture Organizations 

and its financing plans was raised by Arthur 

L. Mayer, executive vice-president, in a 

speech highlighting a COMPO day luncheon 

of Associated Motion Picture Advertisers 

held Thursday (30) at the Hotel Piccadilly. 

Mayer expressed confidence that COMPO 

will solve its problems of membership representation, 

an issue pressed by Theatre 

Owners of America, and of financing. 

Other speakers were: Robert W. Coyne, 

special COMPO counsel; Charles E. Mc- 

Carthy, information director, and Dick Pitts, 

editorial director. Ned E. Depinet, president, 

who was scheduled to speak, was unable to 

attend. Harry K. McWiUiams, AMPA president, 

presided. 

Mayer extended an invitation to Ampa 

to become a member of COMPO. 

"No doubt," he said, "you have read many 

alarming stories about COMPO and its problems. 

I want to assure you that we who are 

dealing with these problems are not disturbed. 

It is possible that we shall have to 

make some changes in our makeup and in 

our financing plans, but, far from being 

fatal, such changes will strengthen COMPO 

drive-in theatres generaUy to a second run 

status." 

The majors in their brief contended that 

the drive-in theatre being a new and radically 

different medium for the exhibition of 

motion pictures its "proper position in the 

complicated system of clearance and run . 

is not yet known, and must ultimately be 

found on the basis of experience and judgment 

of businessmen charged with the responsibility 

of obtaining the most advantageous 

outlets for their products. At the present 

time, that judgment dictates that a 

neighborhood drive-in play on a subsequent 

run." 

The court, however, did not think this 

arbitrary policy could be upheld. 

"The considerations moving the defendants 

to reject this plaintiff's bids . . . have 

basically, nothing to do with the location, 

size, equipment, appointments or policy of 

operation of his theatre or of any particular 

drive-in theatre as compared with others of 

the same type, nor with any local competitive 

situation," Judge Kirkpatrick said. 

"Of course, this case grows out of the 

demand of a single theatre owner and local 

situation is incidentally, though only accidentally, 

involved, but the reasons for refusing 

him first run pictures are wholly 

COMPO 

by broadening the base of its membership. 

In any event, having laid a soUd foundation 

for cooperative effort by aU branches of the 

industry, we are looking forward to a future 

of real achievement. 

"As one reads the ominous news from 

Korea and Lake Success, it becomes more 

and more obvious that, quite apart from 

exigencies of our own industry situation, the 

need for an organizatin like COMPO is imperative. 

"If the motion picture industry is to do 

its share in the gigantic struggle for freedom 

that seems impending, COMPO must 

not only be preserved but must be given 

the unflagging support of everybody in our 

business." 

Coyne explained COMPO plans for a survey 

to be conducted among exhibitors of 

public attitudes toward the industry, and 

also touched briefly on the possibility of a 

a second survey to be conducted by a professional 

polling organization. 

McCarthy explained the COMPO plan for 

institutional advertising in Editor & Publisher, 

and Pitts talked about his recent trip 

to Hollywood, where he gathered material 

for a series of newspaper stories that are 

soon to be published. 

directed to the position of the drive-in theatre 

in the motion picture industry. The 

sum of the testimony is that the plaintiff 

is excluded from first run bidding simply 

because his theatre is a drive-in. If the 

course which has been applied to him is 

adhered to generally (and, from the reasons 

given, the only possible conclusion is 

that it wiU be) no drive-in within 30 or. 40 

miles of any city anywhere will get first 

run pictures." 

"The erection of a fence around an industry 

to keep out newcomers is wholly repugnant 

to the poUcy which underlies our antitrust 

legislation," the court held. 

September Ticket Tax Take 

On Par With Last Year 

WASHINGTON—September boxoffice was 

on a par with last year, according to the 

Treasury department report this week on 

October admissions tax collections, which reflect 

the previous month's business. 

October collections totaled $35,036,535, as 

compared to $35,074,207 in October 1949. Business 

was up from that of a month earlier, 

but September collections of $31,346,385 were 

almost $4,000,000 below the 1949 level. 

BOXOFnCE December 2, 1950

Pittsburgh, Cleveland Exchange Areas Hard HiL 

THE BIG STORM CLOSES DOWN 

THEATRES OVER A WIDE AREA 

Boxoifice Loss Runs High; 

Deliveries Knocked Out; 

Big Drive-In Damage 

The devastating snow and wind storm 

which struck fiercely in the eastern half 

of the country Thanksgiving weekend 

virtually paralyzed the film business in 

many sectors. Theatres in the Cleveland, 

Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia 

exchange areas by the dozens were closed 

down by the impact of the storm and 

drive-ins from northern New York state 

to West Virginia and Georgia were both 

snowbound and damaged by the wind and 

record snow. 

BOXOFFICE LOSS HIGH 

The loss in revenues will run into hundreds 

of thousands of dollars while the extent to 

which drive-ins were damaged will not be 

known until crews clear highways leading to 

the outdoor theatres and the drive-in areas 

are cleared of mountainous drifts of snow. 

In the Pittsburgh area, it was estimated 

that about three-fourths of the theatres closed 

down on Saturday. All downtown Pittsburgh 

theatres closed for the weekend but business 

was down heavily all week. With the city 

blanketed by the heaviest snow in its history, 

the street cleaning department was unable 

to clear the streets sufficiently to handle 

traffic and on Thursday the national 

guard was called out to halt all traffic from 

coming into the city. Some of the neighborhoods 

remained open over the weekend to 

accommodate walking-distance patrons. 

Floods struck with the snow and wind. 

W. E. Anderson's Eldred Theatre in Eldred, 

Pa., was under 2^4 feet of water. Theatres 

in Smethport, Johnsonburg and Port Alleghany 

were flooded out. Altoona was completely 

without power over the weekend. 

CLEVELAND IS HIT HARD 

The 18-inch snowfall in 

the Cleveland territory 

tied up that section of Ohio completely. 

All except six theatres were closed by Saturday 

but by Sunday downtown houses and 

most suburbans were open. The Granada 

Theatre, a neighborhood situation, opened 

Saturday at the request of residents in the 

vicinity of the house who were cut off from 

heat and light by a power failure. About 600 

patrons turned up for the evening shows. 

In Cincinnati it was not the snow so much 

as a gas shortage which closed theatres. Low 

pressures forced a number of suburban houses 

to shut down on Sunday although downtown 

theatres were able to keep open. Schools were 

closed because of the gas shortage and kid 

matinee bu.siness picked up somewhat. 

The storm had its effect on the film business 

as far .southwest as Arkansas. Fire destroyed 

the Ritz Theatre in Parkin, about 30 

miles from Memphis during the cold wave. 

The fire started when an oil stove exploded 

in a tire shop next to the theatre. Damage 

Storm Deals Rough Blow 

To New York Boxoffkes 

NEW YORK—The storm of Saturday (25) 

struck a terrific blow at boxoffice revenues 

in this area but remarkably little physical 

damage resulted from the winds of nearhurricane 

velocity and the heavy downpour 

of rain. So far as is known, no industryite 

was injured. What the boxoffice loss was 

will take some time to determine; average 

attendance the latter part of the Thanksgiving 

week was off at least 50 per cent, 

due not just to inclement weather and warnings 

over the radio but also to many power 

failures. The main physical damage was to 

skylights, water tanks, marquees and other 

glass. 

A Fabian house on Staten Island closed 

Saturday when the water tank roof was 

blown off, but reopened Sunday. Glass and 

some doors were damaged elsewhere. The 

circuit also reported that power failure and 

a smashed skylight closed its Middletown, 

N. Y., house Saturday, but service was restored 

the next day. It had the same trouble 

at theatres in Pennsylvania. 

Power failure closed 17 Century Long 

Island houses. Physical damage was negligible. 

Winds blew off the roof fan housing 

of the Tuxedo, Rugoff & Becker house at 

Brighton Beach, L. I., and power failure 

closed five of its other houses. Interboro 

closed nine Queens houses and lost "some 

glass." The Warwick, a Loew's Brooklyn 

to the theatre, owned by Strand Enterprises, 

and the rest of the building block was estimated 

at $500,000. 

The complete story of damage to drive-ins 

will probably be known within a week, but 

it will be heavy. In the Albany exchange district, 

the outdoor theatres bore the brunt of 

the storm. A number of screen towers were 

down, fences and attraction boards were 

down. Neil Hellman, Harry Lament and F. 

Chase Hathaway, were among the drive-in 

operators reporting damaged theatres. The 

storm reached a velocity of 75 to 85 miles 

an hour and damaged power lines sufficiently 

to shut down indoor houses in Cohoes, Watervliet, 

Phoenicia and Fleischmanns. The 

storm also seriously affected theatre business 

in Schenectady, Troy, Gloversville and 

other cities in this area. 

Film deliveries were disrupted throughout 

the east. Out of Pittsburgh alone, 14 film 

delivery trucks were snowed under somewhere 

along the highways. For a period of three 

days there were no deliveries or pickups. A 

few prints were returned to exchanges, but 

house, was closed three days because of 

power failure; otherwise, the circuit reported 

"a few" skylights and other glass 

smashed. The Harry Brandt circuit reported 

"just a couple of pieces from marquees and 

some glass." RKO reported no closings but 

damaged skylights and roofs and miscellaneous 

broken glass. 

Many New Jersey theatres were unfortunate, 

according to Wilbur Snaper, president 

of New Jersey Allied. Some of them 

were afflicted with flooded cellars as well 

as power failures. Many that closed Saturday 

were still closed the next day. Rosenblatt 

& Welt had four houses damaged, wvo 

m Jersey City and two in Bayonne. They 

closed the Star and Empire on Staten 

Island Saturday but reopened Sunday. 

Walter Reade Theatres officials .said they 

were "exceptionally lucky," None of the 

New Jersey houses, including drive-ins, closed, 

and the only damage was to a few slats 

of the pylon of the Woodbridge drive-in, 

but Friday business was practically zero 

and Saturday business was "way down." 

On the other side of the picture, the 

Brooklyn Paramount, where Bob Hope made 

two personal appearances in connection with 

the showing of "Copper Canyon." did a 

capacity business Saturday night at a time 

when New York City officials were telling 

the public to stay at home. 

not all exchanges were open. Those exchange 

people who did show up were forced 

to walk to Filmrow from their homes. Some 

enterprising exhibitors hired youngsters to 

haul prints to exchanges on sleds, a switch 

on the old bicycling technique. Some exhibitors 

exchanged prints, with Friday-Saturday 

shows shifted to Sunday-Monday 

schedules and vice versa. In many instances 

clearances of some years standing were 

broken with the principal interest being that 

of getting film to all exhibitors possible. 

The 36-inch snowfall in West Virginia 

ended all deliveries and Dewey Mattaccini of 

Exhibitor's Service said they would not be 

resumed until the highways were cleared. 

As a result most drive-ins closed down and 

some continued the bill thev had on hand. 

Al Adams to BOXOFFICE 

NEW YORK— Al Adams, most recently 

with RKO. Warners and the J. Walter 

Thompson Co., has joined the editorial staff 

of BOXOFFICE. 

10 BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950

A Message of Vital Importance 

To All Exhibitors 

Manpower is the life-line of a studio, as pictures are the life-line of a 

theatre. We believe that today Paramount has manpower unexcelled in its 39- year 

history. 

Indeed never before, in my recollection, has there been such an impressive 

massing of creative talent in one production organization. 

We not only have the industry's greatest boxoffice manpower but we 

are using it — aggressively, immediately and effectively — to bring you more pictures 

. . . better pictures . . . pictures carefully planned to the needs of today's market. 

Paramount has faith in today and tomorrow. Implementing that faith 

thru stepped-up studio activity, PARAMOUNT WILL INCREASE ITS 

PRODUCTION OF TOP "A" PICTURES IN 1951 BY 50% OVER THE 

PRESENT YEAR. In terms of released product, this will substantially raise the 

number of Paramount pictures you can play in 1951. 

now, our way is 

With confidence, let us move ahead together. 

At the Paramount Studio 

being cleared with Manpower At JVork For You And Paramount. 

President, Paramount Pictures Corporation 

MANPOWER AT WORK |^

Y. Frank Freeman, Vice-President, in cnarge of production— assisi 

Manpower at Work 

for You and Paramount 

CECIL B. PeMILLE ... AT WORK 

The Greatest Show On Earth* 

BETTY HUTTON, DOROTHY LAMOUR, 

JAMES STEWART stnrtiiiji Jan. 1 

FRANK CAPRA 

AT WORK 

Here Comes The Groom 

BING CROSBY, JANE WYMAN, 

FRANCHOT TONE, MARIA ALBERGHETTl . . , preparing 

The Trial 

preparing 

WILLIAM WYLER ... AT WORK 

Carrie 

LAURENCE OLIVIER, JENNIFER JONES, 

MIRIAM HOPKINS 

Detective Story 

Completed 

prepa ring 

LEO McCAREY 

Pardners 

BING CROSBY, 

AT WORK 

BILL (Hopalong Cassidy) BOYD, preparing 

CROSBY My Son John preparing 

^^^^^ 

CHARLES BRACKETT . AT WORK 

The Mating Season 

GENE TIERNEY, JOHN LUND, 

MIRIAM HOPKINS, THELMA RITTER 

completed 

Famous 

BING CROSBY with strong star cast preparing 

BILLY WILDER 

AT WORK 

Ace In The Hole 

KIRK DOUGLAS, JAN STERLING completed 

Untitled Musical 

preparing 

JO/ 

fONT^l 

I?

), [he 

lAL WALLIS 

ptember AfFair 

AN FONTAINE, JOSEPH GOTTEN 

AT WORK 

completed 

luantrell's Raiders 

AN LADD heading star cosr shooting 

mior 

AN MARTIN, JERRY LEWIS,.. preparing 

ie Stooge 

AN MARTIN, JERRY LEWl^,.. preparing 

ight Man 

IRT LANCASTER and famous names preparing 

)n And Stranger preparing 

riLLIAM PERLBERGlEORGE 

SEATON . . AT WORK 

Blossom Seeley Story 

* ''TY HUTTON and big cast preparing 

nything Can Happen 

hubarb 

MILLAND, JAN STERLING 

IVING ASHER 

ie Redhead And The Cowboy 

jiLENN FORD, RHONDA FLEMING, 

3MOND O'BRIEN 

l| 

iere Comes The Groom 

lo-Producerwith Frank Copra) 

ÊL EPSTEIN 

preparing 

preparing 

AT WORK 

completed 

preparing 

AT WORK 

he Goldbergs 

•ERTRUDE BERG plus the Radio-TV cast,,. completed 

>ear Brat 

lONA FREEMAN, EDWARD ARNOLD, 

jILLY DE WOLFE, LYLE BETTGER, 

preparing 

JOSEPH SISTROM . . AT WORK 

lubmarine Story 

)hrlstmas Without Johnny 

preparing 

preparing 

tOBERT WELCH .... AT WORK 

he Lemon Drop Kid 

iOB HOPE, MARILYN MAXWELL, 

LOYD NOLAN 

>»AUL JONES 

Ay Favorite Spy 

OB HOPE, HEDY LAMARR^ 

Completed 

AT WORK 

prepanng 

fp. 

GEORGE STEVENS . . AT WORK 

A Place In The Sun 

MONTGOMERY CLIFT, ELIZABETH TAYLOR, ,^ 

, 

SHELLEY WINTERS completed ^y 

Something To Live For 

JOAN FONTAINE, RAY MILLAND, 

TERESA WRIGHT 

Shane 

> 

WILLIAM PINE- 

WILLIAM THOMAS . 

completed 

preparing 

AT WORK 

martin 

Passage West* 

JOHN PAYNE, DENNIS O'KEEFE, 

ARLEEN WHELAN completed ^ 

The Last Outpost* 

RONALD REAGAN, RHONDA FLEMING 

Crosswinds* 

Hong Kong 

The Rebel* 

NAT HOLT 

shooting 

preparing 

preparing 

preparing 

AT WORK 

The Great Missouri Raid* 

WENDELL COREY, MACDONALD CAREY, 

ELLEN DREW completed 

Warpath* 

EDMOND O'BRIEN, DEAN JAGGER, 

fORREST TUCKER 

completed 

wVs 

7 

win^s 

Devil's Canyon preparing ^ 

, 

RHONDA 

HARRY TUGEND ... AT WORK -S 

Rendezvous 

JOAN FONTAINE and other big names. .. .preparing 

Lj^ 

ROBERT FELLOWS . . AT WORK mar^vn 

Casey Jones 

preparing 

This Is Dynamite preparing 

EVERETT RISKIN AT WORK 

STEWART 

Rage Of The Vulture 

ALAN LADD and marquee cast 

preparing 

^^^"^^^"^^^^^^^^"^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

ALAN LE MAY AT WORK 

CORINNE 

_. , * CAIVET 

Quebec 

JOHN BARRYMORE, JR., CORINNE CALVET completed 

GEORGE PAL AT WORK ^ 

When Worlds Collide* preparing freeman 

*ln Color by TECHNICOLOR

ûUe SW^ Zenith Says It Has Films 

TOA Talks on COMPO Await 

Return of Ned Depinet 

RKO head will be busy at three-day district 

managers meeting starting Monday (4) 

in New York: Ted Gamble's committee seeking 

greater representation will await Depinet's 

convenience. 

Excess Profits Tax Bill 

Passes House Group 

Ways and means committee approves $3.4 

billion tax bill retroactive to July 1, 1950; 

to be sent to rules committee; members confident 

it would reach floor early next week. 

Booking Problem Studies 

Scheduled by Paramount 

First of three regional sessions held over 

weekend in Kttsburgh. with two more set 

for New Orleans December 9, 10 and Chicago 

December 16, 17; bookers and supervisors 

attend. 

United Artists Theatres 

Yearly Earnings Drop 

-X 

Circuit and subsidiaries report $614,383 for 

12 months ending August 31; total is $281,031 

below previous year; receipt of $225,991 from 

United California Theatres noted. 

X 

Eric Johnston Joins Talks 

On the Business Outlook 

Attends Washington session called by National 

Security Resources board to discuss 

possible new controls and other problems 

growing out of war emergency. 

-X 

Joint Convention Is Likely 

For TOA, TESMA. TEDA 

Oscar Neu, TESMA president, says chances 

favor three-group conclave in November 1951 

at Shoreham hotel, Washington; decision to 

be made at early meeting in New York. 

X 

Old Fox Theatres Corp. 

Wins Full Settlement 

New York federal court approves plan by 

which 20th Century-Pox will make payments 

totaling $200,000 in the next two years to 

claims made by trustees of the assets. 

-X 

Gerald L. K. Smith Suit 

Vs. 20th-Fox Dismissed 

Tulsa, Okla.. judge holds there had been 

no invasion of the rights of privacy by the 

film company in its production of the film, 

"Gentleman's Agreement." 

-X 

To Rename Ampitheatre 

For Carter T. Barron 

National capital's sesquicentennlal commission 

endorses proposal in memory of Loew's 

late eastern division manager; plan dedication 

next spring with proceeds for cancer fund. 

For Phonevision Tests 

CHICAGO—Phonevision has sufficient 

feature product to undertake its 90-day 

limited commercial test of "home boxoffice 

television," but the test scheduled to begin 

Fi-iday (D will be delayed for several 

days pending final selection of the features 

to be used, according to announcement 

made by Ted Leitzell of Zenith 

Radio Corp. 

"Technical preparations for the test have 

been in readiness for three months," Leitzell 

said, "and commencement of the actual trial 

will shortly be made possible by decision of 

several of the film producing companies to 

provide feature motion picture for the experiment. 

From the lists of films now being 

made available for the Phonevision test 

it will be possible to select a true crosssection 

of features of all types so as to make 

the 90 films to be used in the test truly representative 

of the motion picture industry's 

feature production. Zenith representatives 

are now in New York, working with the several 

cooperating film companies in final 

selection of the films to be used." 

FIRST TIME IN HOMES 

Leitzell pointed out that this will be the 

first time that a television audience has had 

the choice or the opportvmity to pay for a 

home television program of premium entertainment 

which could be seen in the home 

without advertising or commercials upon 

payment of a boxoffice fee. 

"In view of the pioneering nature of this 

test," said Leitzell, "we are indebted to the 

cooperating producers who are making it 

possible for us to obtain a wide selection of 

full length motion pictures. We are at the 

same time indebted to James C. Petrillo, 

president of the American Federation of Musicians, 

who has given us splendid cooperation 

by authorizing television use of the sound 

tracks on the films in this 90-day test." 

The Chicago test of Phonevision has been 

authorized by the Federal Communications 

commission for the purpose of gathering data 

on whether people desire—and to what extent 

they will patronize—a home boxoffice 

method of presenting premium programs on 

television, and whether Phonevision as such 

a system is in the public interest. The 300 

test families will be offered a new feature 

program every day by Phonevision and will 

be charged one dollar for each program they 

decide to see in their homes. 

NOT YET APPROVED BY FCC 

Any television receiver in the Chicago area 

turned to channel 2 will be able to receive 

the Phonevision broadcasts of the pictures, 

but in a manner so jumbled as to be unintelligible. 

Only those television receivers 

equipped with Phonevision decorders, which 

are in the 300 test homes, will be able to 

receive the corrected picture and only after 

the Phonevision set user has called the transmitting 

station and asked to have the key 

signal .sent to his set over the telephone. 

In this manner Phonevision provides a 

'subscription television .service" whereby the 

user can pay for premium type programs. 

No Comment on Films 

At the Home Offices 

NEW YORK—Despite the claims of 

Zenith Radio Corp. that it is ready to 

start its Phonevision tests using features 

released 18 months ago or longer, sales 

departments of the various major companies 

in New York decUned both to 

comment on the matter or name any of 

the films which might be used. 

Originally, Zenith had intended using 

unreleased features as the big selling 

point for Phonevision but none of the 

major companies would agree to give up 

new product for the experiment. 

If, as Zenith says, the companies have 

provided pictures which were released at 

least 18 months ago the situation is one 

of compromise. Phonevision took what it 

could get in the way of fairly recent pictures 

instead of unreleased films and 

the majors gave up older product rather 

than face the possibility of court action, 

which had been threatened. 

such as movies, to be seen in his home. 

Since television sets equipped with Phonevision 

will receive regular television broadcasts, 

Phonevision will, if approved by the 

FCC, provide an auxiliary but not a substitute 

for established commercial television. 

Leitzell emphasized that authorization of 

the 90-day test in no way indicated approval 

of Phonevision by the FCC or prior indication 

that it would be authorized as a new 

public service. 

FCC Grants WOR-TV Permit 

For SO-Day Skiatron Test 

WASHINGTON—The FCC this week grant- 

licensee of WOR-TV, per- 

ed Teleradio, Inc., 

mission to conduct a 30-day test of Skiatron, 

new subscriber-vision TV subscription system 

which reportedly dispenses with the decoders 

required by Phonevision to unscramble 

paid-for programs. 

However, the commission refused to allowany 

receivers to be placed in homes, as they 

did in the case of Phonevision, and restricted 

broadcasts to one receiver in the laboratory 

—with another to be allowed in the studio. 

Files a $450,000 Suit 

Against Crescent 

BIRMINGHAM—Suit for $450,000 damages 

was filed in U.S. district court here Monday 

i27) by B. Ward Wright, Alabama City, Ala., 

independent exhibitor, against Crescent 

Amusement Co., of Nashville, Tenn., and four 

major film distributors. Named as defendants 

along with Crescent were RKO Radio, 20th 

Century-Fox, United Artists, and Loew's, Inc. 

The suit, which charges violation of a 

federal court injunction in Nashville and 

violation of the Sherman antitrust act, seeks 

triple damages. 


FIVE SONGS Scott "making vivid impression" 

with numbers like"ThatOld Block Magic"and"LetlerFrom 

Lady in Love," says Hollywood Reporter. 

here, Mr. Exhibitor, long enough to 

examine some boxoffice scenes that 

speak your language. They all 

Date 

say: 

DARK CITY 

Paramount's Fine-Performing Hal Wallis Hit 

TERRIFIC SUSPENSE in'SCenes tike this policeprotectect 

clip-joint where respectable citizen (brilliantly 

played by Don DeFore) is driven to suicide. 

"PUNCHFUL MELODRAMA for both keys and 

subsequent runs," says Daily Variety as it appraises 

the picture's exciting underworld themes. 

MEMORABLE ACTING that includes sock performance 

of big-town detective by Dean Jogger, 

"fresh from an Academy Award," says Film Daily.

J^ 

Full House in Snow Storm Brings This Advice: 

'Book in 

Top Personalities 

As Boxoffice Stimulant' 

NEW YORK—"Quit worrying about television 

and bring personalities into theatres 

six or eight times a 

year," advises Robert 

M. Weitman. 

As most people in 

WEATHER WAS REALLY ROUGH 

The 25th, for the benefit of those living 

away from the eastern seaboard, was about 

the windiest day in 15 years or more. Gusts 

reached 102 miles an hour. The rain supplied 

the New York City reservoirs enough 

water to last 25 days—25,000,000,000 gallons, 

to be exact. Cornices fell off buildings, marquee 

glass cracked, homes went dark, and 

many were left without heat. Subways broke 

down from time to time and buses couldn't 

operate in many flooded places. The new 

mayor advised department stores to close 

"immediately" and to send employes and 

customers home. This sort of thing on the 

radio lasted all day. 

BOXOFFICE does not publish gross figures 

as a rule, but these are particularly 

interesting. Up to 6 p, m. Saturday the 

full. 

Hope was so astonished that he stopped 

and asked the audience: "You haven't any 

place to go. have you?" 

The crowd shouted "No," so Hope rambled 

on. 

The gross was $8,250. If the weather had 

been ideal, it might have gone to $11,000. 

Says Weitman: "I say that anything people 

want to see, hear or listen to is a 

theatre attraction. The way I figure it is 

that Hope's appearances on all three mediums— 

films, radio and television—react on 

each other. He rates top as a radio draw 

this business know, 

Weitman is an executive 

of United Paramount 

Theatres and is 

managing director of 

liglit now and his television rating, even 

the New York and 

though his appearances are sporadic, is 

Brooklyn Paramount 

tops. Everybody knows what kind a film 

theatres. His thoughts 

attraction he is. 

on personal appearances 

have been developing 

for some time "We can't have a long list of draws like 

PLENTY TO DRAW FROM 

Robert Weitman 

, 

and he has been doing considerable experimenting 

with "acts" in houses of vary- 

Right this minute I am negotiatmg to get 

Hope, but there are others—young and old. 

ing .sizes in towns equally varied. 

Martin and Lewis for a February appearance 

On Saturday (25) any lingering doubts with their picture. 'At War With the Army.' 

he may have had evaporated. He thought at the Paramount. 

he was seeing things for a time. 

"It makes my blood boil when managers 

around the country keep saying: 'If we put 

on acts, we will have to talk with the 

unions.' 

"What's wrong with that? I have to talk 

to the unions. Talking is a good thing. We 

are going to open a new theatre at Jackson. 

Tenn., and we are going to try personal appearances 

occasionally as well as acts." 

Weitman isn't arguing for a return to 

vaudeville; he is looking ahead to the time 

when personal appearances of younger players 

will be compulsory under their contracts. 

He says it will be good for the players and 

will prove an important boost for boxoffices. 

URGES COMPULSORY PERSONALS 

"Personal appearance requirements should 

be written into all film contracts." he insists. 

"It may be advisable for the distributors 

and theatres to share the expense. 

O'Keefe, assistant general 

gross at the Brooklyn Paramount was $640. Anything that builds a gross isn't just simply 

sales manager of Universal-International 

out-of-pocket expense." 

for the past five years, has resigned, ef- 

The picture, "Copper Canyon," had already 

been playing a week at the New York Paramount. 

an unknown quantity as a film attraction personal affairs involving west coast real 

He likes to refer to Marie Wilson, who had fective Jan. 1, 1951. He will look after his 

Bob Hope was in town and had been before she made her first picture for Paramount. 

Her appearances were sensational has been named. 

estate for the next few months. No successor 

booked for two evening personal appearances 

at the Brooklyn Paramount, but after wherever she went. 

O'Keefe rose from branch manager to district 

and western sales manager prior to his 

looking out his hotel window he wasn't sure Weitman argues from this that radio made 

he would get there. The billing was: "Television 

preview." He made it with his own he says, and they can do it again. 

her a film attraction. Theatres cashed 

appointment as assistant sales manager during 

his 20 years with Universal. He started 

ni, 

in the business in 1919 selling theatre equipment. 

In 1920 he began selling film with 

troupe of about 50 and played the evening "The same thing can happen in television," 

he avers. "The main problem r'.f?ht 

shows on a 50-50 basis with the theatre. 

the W. W. Hodkinson Co. in Denver. 

Weitman didn't like the prospect of driving 

now is to convince theatremen they should 

across the Manhattan bridge, so he get off their seats and stop thinking this is 

went over in the subway and discovered a temporary blow that will cure itself. Something 

new has been introduced: we've got 

Cranfill Cox Assumes Post 

that crossing Flatbush avenue extension in 

an 80-mile wind was an adventure. 

to do something about it. Let's stop lamenting; 

let's u.se everything we can find to get GILMER, TEX.—Cranfill Cox sr. of Gilmer, 

As Rotary Governor 

At 7:45 p. m. the "Eisenhower blouse and 

mink coat .sets," as Weitman described the people into theatres." 

Tex., owner-manager of the Gilmer Theatres, 

different types of customers, were arriving 

is a district governor of Rotary International, 

in droves. Top tickets were $1.50. By 8 

worldwide service organization, for 1950-51. 

o'clock the theatre was jammed and had WB Sets Patriotic Short 

As governor, he coordinates the activities of 

standees. For the second show it was also NEW YORK—"My Country 'Tls of Thee," 50 Rotary clubs in parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma 

latest in the Warner Bros, series of pa- 

and Texas. During the year, he will 

visit each of the clubs to offer advice and 

triotic .shorts in Technicolor, will be released 

December 22. The .series was started 

with "Give Me Liberty," released in 1936. 

Embarrassment Over 

'Oliver Twisl' Dates 

NEW YORK—"Oliver Twist" is becoming 

a .source of general embarrassment to industry 

leaders. Eric Johnston, president of 

the Motion Picture Ass'n of America, is 

among those who has his fingers crossed 

hoping the behind-the-scenes controversy 

will be ended shortly. Johnston is acting 

as national chairman of the 1951 Brotherhood 

week drive of the National Conference 

of Christians and Jews. 

Joseph I. Breen. head of the Production 

Code administration on the coast, has refused 

to grant a production code seal to 

the picture. Up to late Thursday the New 

York office of Eagle Lion Classics which is 

handling distribution of the J. Arthur Rank 

picture was awaiting official word from the 

coast that a seal had been denied. 

William C. MacMillen jr., president, said 

the picture was being offered to other circuits 

in addition to Interstate of Texas, 

which has already booked it. 

No application for an advertising code 

seal has been made to the MPAA. Lack of 

either a production code or an advertising 

code seal would not prevent exhibition. The 

MPAA frequently has made it clear that it 

doesn't attempt to put any restrictions in 

the way of showings. Anyway. Eagle Lion 

Classics is not a member and no exhibitor 

group owes MPAA any allegiance. 

The thing that disturbs MPAA leaders, 

however, is the possible public reactions. The 

film has been held up a year because of the 

violent charges that the Fagin character in 

the Dickens story constitutes anti-Semitism. 

The MPAA is now engaged in a fight to reduce 

or eliminate censorship and it doesn't 

want to get into the current argument as 

an organization. 

Some of the principal members, acting as 

individuals, however, are expressing themselves 

freely. 

A. J. O'Keefe to Leave 

U-I After January 1 

NEW YORK— A. J. 

assistance in Rotary service work and administration. 

16 BOXOFFICE December 2. 1950

TOTAL COST: $6,000,000 

'Quo Vadis' Is Costliest 

Picture Ever Filmed 

NEW YORK — "Quo Vadis" will be the 

costliest motion picture ever made, Sam Zimbalist, 

MGM producer, and Mervyn LeRoy, 

director, said Monday (27) on their return 

from Rome where it was shot. Some statistics 

offered were: Cost, over $6,000,000 compared 

with $4,500,000 for "Gone With the Wind," 

300,000 extras used, with 15,000 in the area 

scene: 500,000 feet of Technicolor film shot, 

which will be reduced to 15,000 for a threehour 

show. 

Zimbalist and LeRoy called the picture the 

biggest spectacle ever produced, for a number 

of reasons, including the number of persons 

employed and the size and grandeur of 

the 55 sets used. Besides, they said, it is a 

spectacle with a moving story. They did not 

know whether it will be roadshown and 

whether there will be an intermission during 

its theatre presentation, saying those decisions 

were up to William P. Rodgers, MGM 

vice-president and general sales manager. 

They expect it to have fall 1951 release, 

FINISHED IN RECORD TIME 

To the amazement of 

the Italian industry, 

which had wagered the picture couldn't be 

finished in under a year— "Fabriola" took 14 

months—it was finished in less than five 

and a half months. This was accomplished 

by shooting six days a week from 9 a. m. to 

6 p. m., with one hour for lunch, while Italian 

producers allow a four-hour siesta. It happened 

at a time when Italy was experiencing 

its hottest summer in 70 years. During 

one especially hot August day, 132 extras 

"passed out, " but there were doctors, nurses 

and hospital tents on hand to care for them. 

On the hottest days the players received 

bonuses; otherwise, they were paid the prevailing 

Italian rate. 

Both Zimbalist and LeRoy went to considerable 

pains to impress upon interviewers 

at their press conference their deep appreciation 

not only of cooperation afforded by 

Italian government officials, but of the earnest 

and excellent work of Italian actors after 

they had become accustomed to the necessity 

for continuous work. There were five interpreters 

with the rank and pay of assistant 

directors. Unlike Hollywood, the extras were 

not obtained through a central casting office 

but had to be hired through men who each 

controlled a group of 30 players. The system 

worked out well, especially when Communist 

newspapers attacked the Americans 

as exploiters of Italy. A few strikes lasting 

only an hour or so were ended through the 

cooperation of the group representatives with 

Henry Henigson, business manager, who "did 

a fine job." 

50 FROM HOLLYWOOD 

Hollywood was represented by a group of 

50, England by a group of similar size and 

the remainder in the picture were Italians. 

The white horses came from Denmark, the 

bulls from Portugal and the lions from France 

and Germany. At the close of each day the 

Technicolor film was flown to England and 

the rushes were received back in four to five 

days, a service that also drew praise from 

Zimbalist and LeRoy. Five cameras were in 

Disney, RKO Renew Pact for 15th Year 

Ntd Depiiu-l Isecond from left), president of RKO Radio Pictures, and Walt 

Disney, board cliairman of Walt Disney Productions, shake hands following the 

signing of a new contract whereby Disney and RKO Radio are renewing their production 

and distribution agreement. At far left is Roy O. Disney, president of 

Walt Disney Productions; at right, Gunther R. Lessing, Disney's vice-president and 

general counsel. 

simultaneous action most of the time, with 

six shooting the scenes along the Appian 

Way. 

Deborah Kerr was another who came in for 

special praise. LeRoy called her "a great 

trouper and good actress." He said she worked 

in the hottest weather without complaint, 

did everything asked of her, ate the same 

Italian food as the rest and, in fact, "held 

the company together." 

At the conclusion of the interview, LeRoy 

left for the coast where his mother is ill. The 

Mervyn LeRoy 

Sam Zimbalist 

HOLLYWOOD — An agreement renewing 

for the 15th year the production and distribution 

liaison between Walt Disney and 

RKO Radio was reached here this week by 

Roy O. Disney, president of Walt Disney 

Productions, and Ned E. Depinet, president 

of RKO Radio Pictures. 

Involving worldwide distribution of Disney's 

newest feature-length cartoon, "Alice in 

Wonderland," as well as 36 cartoon shorts 

and three subjects in Disney's live-action 

"True Life Adventure" series, the commitment 

also calls for RKO Radio and Disney 

to participate jointly in the making of "The 

Story of Robin Hood" as a live-action feature 

in England next year. Disney and RKO 

Radio were similarly associated in the filming 

of "Treasure Island" in Britain last year. 

Commenting upon the new contract, 

Depinet expressed the belief that his company 

had completed "one of the most significant 

film deals in our history." 

"Alice in Wonderland" is scheduled for 

release during the summer of 1951. Meantime 

Disney will send production representatives 

to England early next year to 

begin preparations for filming "Robin Hood," 

which will be lensed in Technicolor. 

The 36 cartoon shorts to which RKO 

Radio has acquired distribution rights represent 

two years' output by the Disney plant 

in Burbank. 

First of the three "True Life Adventures" 

shorts, now in work, is titled "Nature's Half 

Acre," and deals with insects, birds and 

flowers. Two others are now being filmed in 

natural color, depicting the elk in Washington 

and the wild bear in Wyoming. 

As part of the new agreement, RKO Radio 

will continue to distribute other Disney features 

including "Snow White and the Seven 

Dwarfs," "Pinocchio," "The Reluctant 

Dragon," "Fantasia," "Dumbo," "Bambi," 

"Saludos Amigos," "The Three Caballeros," 

"Make Mine Music," "Song of the South," 

"Fun and Fancy Free." "Melody Time," "So 

Dear to My Heart." "Ichabod and Mr. Toad," 

"Cinderella" and "Treasure Island." 

film will be edited there and the music cued 

in. LeRoy said his plans when that is done 

involve only a long rest. Zimbalist said he 

will begin producing "Robinson Crusoe" in 

Jamaica next year, probably in May. 

Loew theatres have been publicizing "Quo 

Vadis." Now bulletin boards that have been 

displaying stills as they arrived from abroad 

are being converted to news bulletins with 

photo art and advertisements on the latest 

films in work at the studios. On the first 

changeover from "Quo Vadis," the boards will 

display a 11x14 still from "Pagan Love Song," 

an MGM trade ad, news from the studios, a 

pinup of Leslie Caron from "An American 

in Paris," an 8x10 black-and-white still from 

"Watch the Birdie" and an MGM records 

album cover on "Pagan Love Song." The 

move is due to the success attending the "Quo 

Vadis" publicity. 

'Mulatto' Is Retitled 

NEW YORK—"The Mulatto," an Italian 

picture imported by Scalera Film Distributing 

Corp., has been retitled "Angelo." Release 

is scheduled for early winter. 

BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 17

: December 

j 

LETTERS 

PRICE A MATTER OF NEGOTIATION 

TO BOXOFPICE: 

I have read very carefully your open letter 

to Larry Woodln and I must compliment you 

on the clear-cut, forthright manner in which 

you have summed up the situation. 

There is entirely too much emphasis today 

upon "making profit out of buying rather 

than out of selling." Academically, I am a 

trained accountant and started in this business 

as an auditor. I have wracked my brain 

and, like yourself. I cannot for the life of me 

find out how a man can go broke by taking 

in more and more dollars. 

To me, 10 per cent of nothing is still nothing 

and it is my good guess that exhibitors 

come out better on 50 per cent pictures than 

they do on 20 per cent pictures. 

I am very happy, however, to learn that 

Larry Woodin has changed his way of thinking. 

Several years ago I attended an Allied 

meeting in Pittsburgh. Mr. Woodin made an 

address during the course of which he urged 

all of the exhibitor delegates present to forget 

about selling the picture and concentrate 

on the sale of "popcorn." He quoted figures 

to indicate his profits from the sale of popcorn 

and offered to supply exhibitors who 

might have trouble wiring a machine to meet 

ordinance requirements with a special wiring 

diagram. 

I remember his talk very vividly because 

when I got up to make my talk, I suggested 

to the distributors present that we, too, 

might make a profit from Mr. Woodin's 

suggestion. In the final analysis, I pointed 

out, people buy popcorn because they like it. 

Why not, then, put a popcorn machine in 

front of every film exchange and let us cash 

in on the extra profit. But then I got serious 

and asked a question along these lines: "If 

it is true that I can make 'X' dollars out of 

popcorn with 200 patrons, then doesn't it 

follow that, if I put forth a little extra effort 

and induce 300 people to come to my theatre, 

my popcorn profits would be proportionately 

higher?" 

I believe that Larry Woodin is a very 

conscientious, energetic and shrewd young 

man. I think if he would recognize that terms 

are today a matter of negotiation theatre 

by theatre and picture by picture and that 

there can be nO overall common denominator; 

and if he would devote his energies to 

helping his fellow exhibitors develop ways 

and means of getting people to come to their 

theatres, he would really earn the gratitude 

of everybody in the business. 

A. W. SCHWALBERG 

President, 

Paramount Film Distributing Corp. 

New York, N. Y. 

EACH SITUATION INDIVIDUAL 

To BOXOFFICE: 

I read with interest your editorial-letter 

to Larry Woodin and feel you stated the 

case perfectly. 

Every situation poses its own problems and 

the .solution must come from the individual 

theatre operation. No "all-inclusive" formula 

can ever be reached—no matter how sincere 

the exhibitor-distributor relationship may 

progress. Human ambitions and jealous 

operations lead to strange contracts! 

This industry requires constant study by 

those in it and a balance approach through 

trial and error will bring success and reason 

to those capable and deserving. 

If the time of the "common-pocketbook" 

ever comes, then Utopia could exist in show 

business—but this will never be—therefore 

each must fight his own battle as best he can 

—and measure himself by the results. 

Your editorials always are direct and interesting 

and a guidance to the industry. 

M. LOEWENSTEIN 

President, 

Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, Inc., 

Oklahoma City, Okla. 

A STAR-BUILDING IDEA 

To BOXOFPICE: 

Your editorial comment (Oct. 21) on developing 

new stars brings to mind a "pet" 

thought on the subject we have harbored for 

some time. 

I'd like to see a series of 20-minute subjects 

made by one of the larger studios in cooperation 

with one of the big-circulation women's 

magazines. 

These subjects—call them "Screen Tests" 

would feature new players in adaptations 

from short stories published by the magazine. 

The magazine would plug each monthly release 

which would in turn give screen credit 

to the magazine. 

At the end of each subject, have a wellknown 

personality introduce the players to 

the audience, giving their home towns and 

other bits of information about them. Then 

ask the audience to write postal cards to the 

studio giving the name of the players they 

consider deserving of bigger and better parts. 

These subjects would have to be well made, 

but would be highly exploitable featurettes. 

HAROLD ARMISTEAD 

Colony Theatres. 

Easley. S. C. 

WANTS BETTER FILMS, NEW STARS 

To BOXOFFICE: 

I disagree with the producers that Movies 

Are Better Than Ever and can cite many pictures 

that were filmed in past years that 

eclipse the ones that are now being filmed, 

and I also think they had better be getting 

new blood for actors. The major part of the 

big names are showing their age too fast and 

patrons are beginning to tire of them. 

Television is bringing out new names, and 

don't let television fool you. This medium is 

spending just as much for advertising as the 

motion picture business, probably more. I 

am over 100 miles from a television station, 

but my patrons are talking television and 

hoping it will soon be nearer here. It's time 

that all of us exhibitors had better be waking 

up and getting our sleeves rolled up to start 

making a bigger thing out of our part of the 

theatre business. 

COLONEL L. B. FUQUA 

Kentucky Theatre EJnterprises, 

Eddyville, Ky. 

— 

NPA Clariiies Order 

OnEquipmenlJobs 

WASHINGTON—The National Production 

Authority this week agreed to give careful 

and thorough consideration to the pleas of 

the theatre equipment industry that the 

recently imposed restrictions on theatre construction 

and improvements would cause 

them undue hardship. 

Following a meeting of government and 

industry representatives, NPA film head 

Nathan D. Golden said, "We do not intend 

to put the theatre supply dealers and manufacturers 

out of business, and if the elimination 

of remodeling would work a real hardship 

on them, due consideration will be given 

to 

relief." 

'HARMONIOUS' MEETING 

The meeting, which was described on all 

sides as "cordial, cooperative, and harmonious," 

ended with an NPA request that the 

industry furnish a detailed statement of its 

"operating requirements" under the order to 

Golden so that proper consideration could 

be given to the points of objection raised 

by the industry committee. 

The order, which went into effect last 

month, bans all new theatre construction 

and limits improvements to $5,000 a year. 

Chief questions raised concerned the proper 

interpretation of the terms "construction," 

"improvements" and "maintenance and repair." 

There is no limit on the latter in the 

order. 

The industry wants these legal technicalities 

ironed out. They want a clear definition 

of just what will be considered "construction" 

and a sharp line of demarcation 

drawn between "improvements" and "repair 

and maintenance," particularly in regard to 

remodeling work. One instance cited is the 

proper classification of work where immobile 

equipment is set rigidly in place. There is 

some doubt as to whether this could be 

placed in the "construction" category. Other 

question involved the classification of such 

jobs as installing air conditioning equipment, 

marquee signs, projection booths and equipment 

and other remodeling work on existing 

houses. 

THOSE WHO ATTENDED 

Golden and J. W. FoUin. who heads the 

new NPA construction controls division, were 

the government representatives. Oscar Neu, 

Theatre Equipment and Supply and Manufacturers 

Ass'n president. Ray Colvin, Theatre 

Equipment Dealers Ass'n executive director, 

headed the industry delegation. Other 

members were: Jack Nolan, National Carbon 

Co.; Jack O'Brien, RCA; Homer Snook, 

Midwest Theatre Supply Co., Cincinnati; 

Joseph Cifre, Joseph Cifre, Inc., Boston, and i 

Nash Weil. Wil-Kin Theatre Supply Co.. 

Atlanta. 

To Consider Medal for Jolson 

WASHINGTON—A bill authorizing Pi-esident 

Truman to bestow posthumously the 

country's highest tribute, the Congressional 

Medal of Honor, on Al Jolson. was introduced 

by Rep. Louis Heller (D.. N. Y.) 

the opening day of the "lame duck" session 

of Congress. It was referred to the house | 

armed services committee for consideration. 

18 BOXOFFICE 

: 

2. 19501

FOR EVERY HOUSE IN THE LAND! 

iTi^l"' g;„i*»-"^ CENTURY.FO)( 

'**^^. 

/

the 

IHCK' CUtcC S^^^CHt^^ 

Bidding Variations 

HLLIED'S investigation of the bidding 

problem disclosed thai bidding isn't the 

simple operation one might think. Some 

of the bidding has been the product of 

salesmen's imaginations. 

Several of the major company sales 

manager^ have felt for some time that 

much of the bidding has not been based 

on business considerations. Every exhibitor 

has taken up the problem. 

William P. Rodgers of MGM recently 

suggested that bids be made public. 

It has been generally assumed that all 

the bidding has been on the initiative of 

exhibitors. Recently it has developed that 

some salesmen have told certain exhibitors 

what their competitors had offered for a 

picture before any offer had been made. 

This is imaginary bidding, but boosts 

rentals just as certainly as real bids boost 

them. 

There is no way of knowing how widespread 

this practice is. It is quite likely 

that exchange managers don't know about 

it, or, if they do. that the general sales 

managers do not know. 

How to get some sane rules applied to 

bidding Is the current problem. 

ABC 9-Month Loss Heavy 

PRINCIPAL reason for 

the recent revival 

of reports of the sale the American 

Broadcasting Co. was a net loss of $482,- 

000 for the nine months ending September 

30. The loss might have been $877,000, but 

$297,000 was recovered on federal income 

taxes under carry-back provisions of the 

internal revenue law. 

Every time reports pop up that men 

identified with the film business are interested 

in buying ABC, the Federal Communications 

commission lets it be known 

that it will favor an independent purchaser 

and that it will not approve control by a 

film company. The commission has a 

special prejudice against any company 

numbered among the antitrust case defendants. 

This usually silences the reports. Right 

now, however, the reports are not following 

the usual pattern. Some well-known exhibitors 

are in a mood for insisting that, 

if newspapers can own television stations, 

theatres should be allowed to do so. 

Simpliiied Pressbooks 

JÂX YOUNGSTEIN, Paramount vicepresident 

in charge of advertising, 

publicity and exploitation, is alert to the 

shifting currents of exhibitor opinion on 

the use of pressbooks. He now calls pressbooks 

Showmanship Manuals. He has 

restored the composite mats which were 

supplied for years. He has recognized the 

fact that thousands of exhibitors play 

double bills, so the mats are being made 

one and three-quarter inches wide and the 

two-column mats three and three-quarter 

inches wide. This makes it possible for an 

exhibitor to put a border around whatever 

composite ad he makes up. 

He says he still feels that the regular 

_^—.By JAMES M.JERAULD 

ads are the best that can be used, with 

few exceptions, but he has made provisions 

for the substitution of local copy, and he 

is asking exhibitors to use ads as large as 

possible where the rates are low. 

This is a cooperative spirit that ought 

to be helpful all around. 

Arbitration 

HRBITRATION seems to be about the 

only thing that industry leaders endorse 

verbally and then forget. 

The Theatre Owners of America's call for 

a conference of distributors with TOA 

members on arbitration was a step forward, 

but how about Allied? No doubt it would 

be possible to set up an arbitration system 

with the help of the American Arbitration 

Ass'n that would not include Allied, 

but an industrywide system would have 

more prestige. 

Formation of the Council of Motion Picture 

Organizations has shown what a 

tremendous amount of work and tact are 

involved in these undertakings. This may 

account for the obvious unwillingness of 

so many men to step out and take the lead. 

Music Hall Lines 

\X7HEN the pictures are good the business 

certainly is good," said Russell Downing 

of the Radio City Music Hall last week. 

He had just been outdoors looking at the 

lines running from Sixth Ave. along 50th 

St. to Rockefeller Plaza and northward on 

Rockefeller Plaza to 51st St. and half way 

along 51st St. back to Sixth Ave. 

A rough guess is that this totals to about 

1,500 feet, with the line three deep in most 

places. 

The day was Friday (24). The same 

thing happened Tlianksgiving day. On Saturday 

( 25 ) line was even longer and it 

started forming before the opening. That's 

business, no matter how you look at it! 

Charles E. Wilson Heads 

AAA 25th Year Group 

NEW YORK—Charles E. 

Wilson, president 

of General Electric Co., has become general 

chairman of the American Arbitration Ass'n 

25tli anniversary committee, according to A. 

C. Croft, AAA president. Wilson has been 

a director since 1942. 

The association has a national panel of 

arbitrators serving many industries and numbering 

12,500 members in 1.600 U.S. cities. It 

has presided over a number of film disputes 

and a decision on one is now pending. Recently 

it placed its facilities at the dispcsal 

of W. Stuart Symington, defense coordinator. 

Showmen to Hear Simons 

NEW YORK—Mike Simons, a.ssistanl to 

H. M. Richey, MGM exhibitor relations head, 

will speak at the December 5 convention of 

New England Theatre Owners in Boston. 

His topic will be "Selling Tickets to Your 

Neighbors." 

Schaefer Gives COMPO 

World War II Plaque 

George J. Schaefer (right) presents 

World War II plaque to Arthur L. Mayer. 

NEW YORK—The bronze plaque awarded 

the War Activities committee by the government 

in recognition of the aid of the industry 

during World War II has been presented 

to the Council of Motion Picture Organizations 

by George J. Schaefer, former 

chairman of WAC. 

"During the war," he said, "all branches 

of our business participated in the industry's 

war effort, and it is only fitting that 

the repository of this plaque should be an 

agency in which all branches of the business 

are once more united." 

The presentation occurred in the new 

COMPO offices in the Paramount Bldg. 

Arthur L. Mayer, executive vice-president, 

accepted it in behalf of the constituent 

members. 

Kalmenson to Head Group 

For Brotherhood Week 

NEW YORK—Ben Kalmenson, vice-president 

and general sales manager for Warner 

Bros., has accepted the post of chairman of 

the distribution committee of the motion picture 

division of the National Conference of 

Christians and Jews for Brotherhood week 

1951, according to Charles M. Reagan of 

Loew's, Inc., chairman of the motion picture 

division. 

Bernard Goodman, supervisor of Warner 

Bros, exclianges, will assist Kalmenson in 

carrying out his duties for Brotherhood week, 

which will be observed February 18 to February 

25. 

Ben Bluestein, William Brereton. Russ 

Praser and Harry Mandel have been named 

as publicity chairmen by Max E. Youngstein, 

national chairman of advertising and publicity 

for the motion picture division of the 

National Conference of Christians and Jews. 

Bluestein will serve in the Memphis exchange 

area, Brereton in the Buffalo area, 

Fraser in the Des Moines area, and Mandel 

in New York. Other appointments are to 

be made shortly. 

Chosen as Future Star 

NEW YORK—The December issue of American 

magazine has picked Debbie Reynolds 

as a future star. She appears in "Two Weeks 

with Love." MGM film. 

20 


New Approaches to Sharing 

Advertising Costs Needed 

Elmer Rhoden jr. says that, both parties willing, there are 

many ways to create profitable co-op campaigns 

By ELMER RHODEN Jr. 

I certainly was gratified when I picked up 

the October 14 issue of BOXOFFICE and 

found that men like Charles Einfeld, Howard 

Dietz. Max Youngstein and R. E. Smith had 

taken the time to read and comment on my 

first article. I would like, however, if I may, 

to elaborate a bit upon my first effort, and 

try in some measure to answer Mr. Youngstein's 

comments on advertising in the industry. 

I agree with Mr. Youngstein in part where 

he says it Is a bad situation where only two 

and a half to three and a half per cent of the 

exhibitor gross is spent on advertising. In 

passing, I would like to say our circuit normally 

spends from six to seven and a half per 

cent, but on many of the top pictures the 

percentage is much higher than this. However, 

we must all admit one of the easiest 

ways to "throw sand in a rat hole" is through 

advertising. 

Mr. Youngstein states that distributors now 

have to pay 80 per cent of saturation booking 

advertising. Let's take this statement and 

throw it on the sizzling platter. If a picture 

has a saturation booking such as Columbia 

is now handling on "Petty Girl" in our territory, 

the distributor, of course, has to go in 

and spend approximately $3,000 to $5,000. 

On this picture, Columbia also arranged for 

me a 50/50 advertising split over my normal 

advertising budget. I think Columbia was 

very smart in having the Petty girls come into 

Kansas City, having their pictures taken 

with our exhibitors, getting front page pictures 

and stories in many of the small papers 

because of this contact with the exhibitor, all 

of which worked out well for Columbia, the 

local theatre and the picture. 

Although I doubt that the distributor had 

to pay 80 per cent for the saturation advertising 

bookings, I will state, and I am 

certain, that this picture in this particular 

territory is running way ahead of the picture 

in any other given territory. Columbia, 

of course, would have to verify this. Having 

this saturation booking, I am sure has enabled 

Columbia to sell the picture in this 

territory much easier, receive higher terms 

and boost the results over what it would 

have done normally. 

It must be understood, if, as Mr. Youngstein 

says, the distributor pays 80 per cent of 

saturation booking advertising, he first would 

make up his mind that he was not going to 

be satisfied with the picture on a normal 

gross, and would prefer to go in for local 

advertising and spend 80 per cent of this 

special cost and by so doing, boost his gross 

by approximately 30 per cent. It would seem 

to me that this is good business and cheap 

advertising. In fact, one Columbia man 

stated to me that he was surprised at what 

the actual campaign cost amounted to, as it 

was. in his mind, most reasonable. 

Mr. Youngstein must also realize that the 

saturation bookings, the enthusiasm of local 

exchange and the spot advertising carries 

over also to the exhibitor, and I am sure the 

exhibitor would put out twice the effort that 

he would have, had the picture broken 

normally in his territory and received no 

special attention. 

I would like to see the film companies participate 

m advertising, on the same basis as 

the picture has been sold. For instance, if I 

buy a picture on scale, and, against the scale, 

the picture earned 40 per cent, I would like 

to pay 60 per cent of the advertising and the 

distributor 40 per cent. For the same reason, 

if I bought a picture for a firm 30 per cent 

the distributor would pay 30 per cent and I 

would pay 70 per cent of the advertising. By 

doing this, I believe you create in the exhibitor 

advertising ideas and merchandising ideas, 

Ceveral weeks ago, Elmer Rhoden 

jr., son of a veteran midwest 

ex)ubitor, and film buyer for Commonwealth 

circuit, wrote an article 

for BoxoFPicE in which he 

called attention to the need for 

improved pressbooks, concentrated 

mass regional openings and neio 

approaches to advertising of motion 

pictures. His provocative article 

drew comment from many industry 

leaders, all of which subsequently 

was published in Boxoffice. 

I7i the accompanying article, 

Rhoden expands on his original 

suggestions and offers some 

evidence of how his circuit has 

hayidled the problem of localizing 

nationally prepared campaigns. 

which originally made up such a big part of 

our business. 

As far as saying that the advertising budget 

is set up at 600 lines, I can say that our circuit 

does not set any advertising budget to 

apply on all pictures in all towns. If the 

manager is spending too much money, it is 

easy to figure if his percentage of advertising 

is going way up and his percentage of 

gro.ss not responding. If one of our theatres 

comes to this stage, we naturally study with 

the manager his advertising costs, but otherwise, 

it is up to the individual manager to 

handle his own situation. 

I notice Mr. Youngstein states on pressbooks: 

"Why not five or ten pressbooks, why 

stop at two?" It was my thought, in my first 

article, that with two pressbooks. you could 

hit the two major advertising markets, and 

the same thought applied to trailers. However, 

I am advised these are expensive. I'll 

go along on this thought, but maybe this is 

penny-wise and pound-foolish. Just how expensive 

are they in the light of what they can 

do to reflect additional grosses on any given 

picture? I stated in my previous article how 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's picture, "That Midnight 

Kiss" was brought over my particular 

circuit from below average to average business. 

If we had played this picture off with 

the original trailer. I am sure our film rental 

would have been much less than the cost of 

the second trailer. If the second trailer cost, 

just using figures, should be $20,000 and the 

rental on the picture was increased $40,000 

you could still pocket $20,000, thereby 

I'M JUST THE GUY- 

— Who Con Prove Movies 

t

- 

I'll Be In the Lobby When Ihe Show's Over! 

CAMPAIGNS USING DOWN-TO-EARTH COPY INCREASED BUSINESS 10 TO 40 PER CENT IN GROSS 

Exhibitors who have pressbooks for these pictures at hand can 

see for themselves how Commonwealth circuit managers have 

utilized the mat service to make up their own localized advertisements. 

Down-to-earth language was used in every instance to tell 

homefolks about the picture. In several of them the manager's photo 

appears with a brief personal message. Says Elmer Rhoden jr.: 

"These particular campaigns increased the business over the press 

book campaigns, which were used in other towns, anywhere from 

10 to 40 per cent in gross. The ads were made up principally by 

M. B. Smith, central division manager who is in charge of special 

campaign layouts on pictures over the circuit." Wherever his campaigns 

were used, Rhoden said, the boxoffice grosses increased. 

making the trailer cost 50 per cent of the 

additional film rental. Whereas, without the 

second trailer, you would not have had any 

additional film rental. 

I would like also to point out to Mr. Youngstein 

the fact the automobile companies spend 

millions on advertising, probably in about the 

same percentage as Paramount spends on 

their pictures. Cigaret companies spend approximately 

the same amount, maybe more, 

yet when they sell their product to the corner 

drug store, the dealer does not have to go 

down in his pocket, but is guaranteed his 

profit on each package sold. 

I am not trying to white-wash any exhibitor 

who does not spend money on advertising. 

but I am trying to point out that when the 

exhibitor spends eight to ten per cent on 

this item, he could very easily be throwing 

away five per cent, if it is not handled wisely, 

and I am quite sure you will agree with me 

on this. Let's see if this makes the gravy 

run! 

I am not trying to criticize, and I realize 

that Mr. Youngstein has had much more and 

varied experience with advertising than I. but 

I am trying only to find a common ground 

where the exhibitor and the distributor may 

advertise to better advantage for both of us. 

I am sure this can be done. A few down-toearth 

common-sense examples of money well 

spent for advertising has made a devout 

disciple out of me for working together, both 

spending a few extra dollars and both benefiting 

when the run of the picture is over. 

I realize that on any pictures, less than 

1,000 24-sheets are used. Could it be that 

24-sheets are not the best advertising medium 

today? If the exhibitors refuse to use 24- 

sheets there must be more reasons than 

merely budget. I wish to be open-minded 

about this, although, with the speed of today's 

car and today's living, I am not sure a 

24-sheet gets the attention it should receive. 

Mr. Youngstein also says that it will not 

work to eliminate advertising from nationally 

circulated magazines. All right, let's go 

along with this statement. However, I am 

certain national advertising could be 100 per 

cent more effective if the advertising came 

out just prior to, and during, the time the 

picture is playing in the theatres. As it is. 

at the present time, picture after picture has 

a lapse of from three to six months between 

the time the picture is advertised and it is 

booked into the theatres. I believe that the 

timing of the national advertising is off and 

has been for some time. Naturally, not on all 

of the pictures, but on a good many. Certainly 

it might coincide with the picture's release 

in one part of the country, but how 

about the other parts of the country? I do. 

though, urge it be tried sometimes releasing 

the advertising budget locally via newspapers, 

radio, heralds, etc. just to see if, perhaps, the 

idea would have merit. We have strung 

along with the national advertising idea for 

years! Why not try a few of our ideas? 

BOXOFFICE :: December 2, 1950 23

UowVI'i 

The h\g Egg of 

T/ie Egg and I" 

was never better!

Produced by HARRIET PARSONS 

Directed by GEORGE MARSHALL 

i\M DEVINE • GIGI PERREAU • NATALIE WOOD • PHILIP OBER • JACK KIRKWOOD 

Screenplay by LOU BRESLOW and DORIS ANDERSON 

L

LETTERS 

THAT COMPO-TOA CONTROVERSY 

A Texas TOA Leader and An Allied Regional Chief Take a Look at the Problem 

To BEN SHLYEN: 

The affairs of COMPO and TOA seem to 

be embracing an unduly important amount 

of space in discussions 

and in the tradepress. 

particularly in regard 

to the question of 

"representation" in the 

structure of this latest 

organization. 

It seems more truly 

not so much a question 

of representation, or 

laclc of it, as to states or 

territories as the minority 

position of exhibition 

as a whole in Henry Reeve 

the basic forming of an organization which 

was primarily created to be a sort of United 

Nations board for our motion picture industry. 

Pew, if any, have fault to find with what 

was started in Chicago, and there definitely 

is a place for sucli work in our business, sadly 

ignored and neglected these many years. 

SAYS POLICIES SIDETRACKED 

Listening to "The Voice of Main Street" 

in Houston it was very apparent that COMPO 

had taken a route far off the road map originally 

charted. On tlie recoi-d of recent 

months and weeks it is hard to see the why 

or wherefore of Allied, TOA and COMPO as 

it has been operating. Why all three? Exhibition 

as a whole is the party needing unified 

organization, so lacking to date from 

any and all sources. Three exhibitor organizations 

of national scope, each with its high 

salaried executives, all endeavoring to warrant 

those salaries can hardly result in accomplishment 

or benefit for tne exhibitor. 

As to the much discussed representation 

controversy, our question is on the peculiar 

situation of organizations such as the AFL 

council, MPAA, SIMPP, the Screen Actors 

Guild, the tradepress. Variety International, 

and two purely localized New York exhibitor 

associations having, each of them, an equal 

voice with Allied and TOA which represent 

thousands of theatres and exhibitors all over 

our nation. Exhibition, the theatres and theatre 

men and women, are the summation of 

all these others, and the direct contact with 

the public—we put out what all the others are 

m business for. Define and use COMPO's 

proper function for which it was originally 

created, that can make sense and do a job. 

Otherwise the question will endure. 

RECORD 'HARDLY GLOWING' 

With all the organizing that has been going 

on, and all the claims and leg-work that 

has been done on many exhibitor organization 

projects and problems, the record of accomplishment 

is hardly a glowing one. No 

need to pick them out, but there has been 

much to do about controlling fair selling. 

Current selling policies speak for themselves 

on the futility of organized control of this 

phase of our business. National transportation 

and advertising matters have repeatedly 

been talked about, but that is all there is to 

it. 

"Main Street" is not happy over the result 

of the tax fight, and the Korean incident was 

The current controversy between 


and Theatre Owners oj 

America over the question of increased 

ToA representation in the 

CoMPo executive committee has 

brought a number of letters to Boxoffice. 

Two of the letters came from, 

exhibitors who are prominent in regional 

exhibitor association affairs— 

Henry Reeve, Menard, Tex., president 

of Texas Theatre Owners, Inc., and 

O. F. Sulliva7i, Wichita, Kas., president 

of Allied Independent Theatres 

of Kansas arid Missouri. While the 

men head their regional exhibitor organizations, 

their views are expressed 

as individuals only. 

but an easy excuse to pass an issue that is an 

economic necessity for the smaller situations. 

Isn't it about time to stop the flag-waving 

over what our industry does for our country? 

Sure, we've done a job, and we'll always do 

it, but Washington has a very high-angled 

view of our show business and the representatives 

of it who appear at its high functions 

we who really and vitally need consideration 

haven't a chance. 

Exhibitor conventions are mo.st enjoyable 

affairs. What comes out of them to benefit 

theatre operations and show business? At 

Houston, a very fine meeting, one top businessman, 

from outside our industry, and one 

general sales manager of a producing company 

gave out with truly constructive and 

usable thinking that could be taken home. 

An odd situation that is repeated in conventions 

time and time again. 

There are so many exhibitors in many 

states—north, east, south and west, knowing 

the same facts, feeling the same needs, 

hoping for the same unanswered results. All 

of them realizing that their voices and their 

knowledge are not considered, and probably 

never will be. 

Perhaps there is but one solution. If we 

want to stay in this business, just admit its 

failings and Impossibilities, forget the wishful 

thinking that some organization can take 

care of us. Dig into our individual business 

and give it the best we've got. We know 

"There's No Business Like Show Business," 

and if we don't feel that, we're best out of it. 

Most of us are believers in organization 

and what It can and should be able to accomplish 

for us and our industry—it does 

seem that we of the motion picture industry 

are least able of all American business institutions 

to organize for our own best interest. 

That's too bad, for we do such a grand job 

in every other way. 

Really didnt mean to make this a "Gone 

With the Wind" in length. It's not just a one 

man angle I can assure you. I think you know 

how much I have appreciated your personal 

friendship and what you and BOXOFFICE 

mean to our industry—you have meant much 

to our segment of a great industry. 

HENRY REEVE 

President, Texas Theatre Owners, Inc. 

Menard, Texas. 

— 

To BEN SHLYEN: 

The attitude TOA is taking towards 

COMPO may be likened to the attitude that 

Russia is taking toward 

the United Nations 

organizations. I would 

not make the accusation 

that there is the 

same ulterior motive 

but the results may be 

just as disastrous. 

The cooperation of 

nations could accomplish 

results which 

have never been in evidence 

in this so-called 

civilized world and 

the cooperation of the O. F. Sullivan 

branches of the motion picture industry 

could result in the elimination of adverse 

public relations which have ever 

been a millstone around the neck of 

our industry. 

CASE OF 'SPLITTING HAIRS' 

With such important accomplishments 

through COMPO so evident, it seems 

to me that TOA is splitting hairs with 

ti>eir objections regarding what they 

claim to be inadequate representation. It is 

lamentable that dissension in the ranks of 

one of COMPO's members will possibly 

weaken the effectiveness of the organization 

even before an opportunity is given to prove 

its merit and this dissension comes at a iiuie 

when all efforts should be put forth to seil 

COMPO to the exhibitors of this country. 

Every regional organization which is a 

member of a parent-exhibitors national organization 

has complete autonomy and it is 

regrettable that TOA would allow dissension 

to prevent the national organization's 

approval of COMPO. National AUied approved 

COMPO and as we have complete local 

autonomy, one regional office of Allied did 

not see fit to concur in the decision of the 

national organization. 

SEE OTHER INVOLVEMENTS 

I personally believe that some circuits that 

are very close to the distributors direct the 

policy of some district exhibitor units that 

are associated with TOA, so in reality, the 

distributors who have their own vote in 

COMPO can also influence TOA's vote in 

COMPO and on that basis the accusation 

could be claimed that the distributors have 

unfair representation. 

Hundreds of exhibitors who are not members 

of any organization have no representation 

in COMPO. The ultimate aims of 

COMPO are, however, too important to run 

the risk of wrecking tlie organization, with 

inconsequential criticism, even before it begins 

to function. I hope that TOA and their 

unimportant criticisms will not justify by 

their action, the actions of Russia in that 

nation's effort to sabotage the council of 

nations. 

O. F. SULLIVAN 

President, 

Allied Independent Theatre Owners 

Of Kansas and Missouri 

Wichita, Kansas. 


Lesser, Pommer Plan 

German-Made Film 

NEW YORK—The first independent American 

feature to be filmed in Germany will be 

"The Sixth Column," to be made for Sol 

Lesser Productions by Eric Pommer, famous 

German producer who made his most recent 

pictures in Hollywood and England. The picture 

will be made in conjunction with Arthur 

Brauner of the C.C.C. Studios, Berlin. Although 

distribution has not yet been set, the 

feature will probably be released by RKO. 

which distribute;; Lesser's "Tarzan" pictures. 

POMMER NOW IN GERMANY 

i'ommer, who has been in Washington 

seeking advice from the U.S. Treasury department 

and other government agencies on 

the story for "The Sixth Column," which 

deals with international counterfeiting, has 

left for Germany to make preliminary 

arrangements for the filming. He will 

then return to America to sign Hollywood 

players for the cast. Filming is scheduled 

to start in late April or early May. Pommer 

will also take over key technicians; the rest 

will be local workers. 

While the picture will be financed by both 

American money and frozen funds, Pommer 

does not advocate making films in Germany 

just to use up frozen currency. "The Sixth 

Column," which will be semi-documentary in 

nature, demands German locales to insure 

realism, he said. The studios in Germany 

are very well equipped, by European standards, 

but are not up to the high Hollywood 

standards. The German film industry is 

now made up of small independents, instead 

of a monopoly, as it was before World War 

II, according to Pommer. 

"The Sixth Column" will have a 50 to 60- 

day shooting schedule and should be ready 

for fall release, Pommer said. Upton Sinclair, 

author of the screenplay, will write and 

publish the novel of the same name at the 

same time it is being made into a film. 

PREVIOUS POMMER FILMS 

The Lesser film will be Pommer's first German-made 

picture since 1932. Some of his 

earlier German triumphs included "Congress 

Dances," "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" and 

"The Blue Angel." which introduced Marlene 

Dietrich and starred Emil Jannings. 

Later, he made three features, "Jamaica 

Inn," "Sidewalks of London" and "The 

Beachcomber," in England and "They Knew 

What They Wanted," his last Hollywood film, 

in 1940. Following the war, Pommer served 

as chief of the motion picture branch. Overseas 

Military Government of the U.S.. in Germany. 

Claude F. Lee Gets Post 

With Film Ad Firm 

NEW YORK—Claude F. Lee, vice-president 

of Tom Connors Associates. Inc.. has joined 

the Motion Picture Advertising Service Co., 

of New Orleans as divisional sales man- 

Inc. 

ager for the northeastern states and associate 

director of national advertising sales, 

according to Carl J. Mabry, president of the 

company. 

Lee was formerly director of public relations 

for Paramount. He will make his headquarters 

in the company's New York office. 

Film Daily says; 

"It will 

enormous 

c^^n 

BOXOFFICE :: December 2, 1950 

27

charles 

...the talk of the trade 

n3IVCy is 

so downright human and wholesomely funny that 

family audiences will 

be captivated - Showmen's Trade Review. 

n3TVCy is 

completely enjoyable, distinguished by the 

memorable performance of James Stewart - Motion Picture Daily. 

n3IVCy is 

one of the top comedy entries in years, laughloaded 

entertainment - Daily Variety. 

uflTVCy has Josephine 

Hull in one of the best acting jobs ever done before a 

camera - Motion Picture Herald, 

lISlTVCy is an outstanding 

film assured of top grosses everywhere -ôxo^ce. 

nftTVCy is an uproarious, heart-warming comedy hit. 

Causes gales of laughter that almost reach hysteria - 

Hollywood Reporter, llfllVCy is a high rating, entertaining 

picture. Will do a big business. 

Is 

a show that proves that "movies 

are better than ever'' - Exhibitor, 

JOSEPHINE HULL • 

drake 

• cecil kellaway 

JESSE WHITE • WALLACE FORD and PEGGY DOW 

Screenplay by MAKY (MASK and ciscAK limiliNKY Kmm the I'ulitzer Prize 

Play written by MARY CHASK anil [irciiiucil by Iikik K I'KMBERTON 

Produced by JOHN BECK • Directed by HENRY KOSTER 

HARVEY 

Starring 

JMEssmm

.(B'^s^'S.®'^^ 

î^tributedm^ZZ 

RKJDU"""^'- AMERICAN 

M,..!/-, • ,^ DETROIT TIMES 

---""^rrrSORSHSOS-TEUSRAR. 

BOSTON ^°-'^' ,„,,..eE SEHT-.EU 

B.a.MORE AMERICAN 

„,M,NER 

'^' 

COLUMBUS 5-3700 

international Pictures 

1 

Universal Intern 

445 Park Avenue 

^^^^°^^"^^.7Lco..rt.e.llpa.aavertise.ent 

^^ ^ÛEY^lnfarl 

prfparing t.e plates. 

on HARVEY and 

^^ ^^ ^^ 

. Department has been aler ^ ^.^.^^ 

^-W 

our P-^-^^^,:;°Xh playdates in the 

^^^^^^ 

page to ^°^j°""? ^^Ved The name o^. ^^^J^ provided, in 

as HARVEY - b-^;;,,,a ,, ,ê tie-xn space p 

HARVEY will be in 

each situation. 

We think you may w 

accounts of 

âv want to advise Y^-r the^^^ 3,, êlow.* 

^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^,txes. 

the circulation ^^^^ ^^,,,, ge 

that you have been ^^^f^ \° ^^, ads will get 

ê are ^^Pj^^f^t J's flexibility ^^^^^^ Jaêrtising. 

of Pictorial Revi 

^^^ ^,,d date 

the full advantage ot 

Pictorial Review 

TV is at work too, 

^.rstand 

Jacques 

KapraUk 

^^^^ ^ 

P- ^- "'^ 

Totr coto^ three dimensional -t ^^^^^ ^^^^^ 

preparing f°^^° ^^ £or a Pictorial 

Revi 

scene from HAKv 

in January. * 

351.431 

Baltimore 

666,003 

Boston 

1,047,522 

Chicago 

617,345 

Detroit 

298,6^^ 

Iîlwaukee 

New York 

Pittsburgh 

Los Angeles 

San Francisco 

Seattle^ 

Total 

1,186,439 

566,741 

807,968 

588,500 

266,649 

6,397.259

7iJcL4AiK^to*t 

^cficnt 

By ISABEL OLDER 

for these in the year ending June 30, 1950. 

European projector carbons, mostly from 

France and Germany, are providing stiff 

competition for American suppliers, and are 

threatening to absorb the market entirely. 

PRODUCTION OF TELEVISION and radio 

sets will drop 25 to 40 per cent after the 

New Year, in the opinion of industry leaders, 

as a result of the 70 per cent cut in civilian 

deliveries of cobalt ordered by the National 

Production Authority. 

Sale of cobalt, frozen temporarily two weeks 

ago, were resumed last week at 30 per cent of 

the volume during the first half of this year. 

This restriction on the steel-hardening agent 

important in making magnetized parts of 

radio and TV sets, together with the 35 per 

cent cut in civilian use of aluminum, effective 

January 1, will hit the industry hard. 

"The industry faces dwindling production 

in the first quarter of 1951—and after that 

it will grow worse," said a spokesman for 

the Radio-Television Manufacturers Ass'n. 

Representatives of RTMA met last week in 

Washington with NPA Administrator William 

H. Harrison, to consult on the problem caused 

by heavy defense stockpiling of radar and 

electronics equipment, in closed session. It 

was learned here, however, that the industry 

group feels that as a result NPA will provide 

enough materials to keep the plants running 

at a reduced rate, and that defense orders 

later would "take up the slack." 

Had the freeze on cobalt been continued, 

industry plants would have had to shut down 

by the end of next month, according to the 

spokesman. Cobalt, described as "highly 

essential" in the making of magnets for 

radio and TV loudspeakers, is imported from 

Africa. 

Trade Practice Group 

Named for Radio-TV 

WASHINGTON — Robert C. 

Sprague, 

president of the Radio-Television Manufacturers 

Ass'n, this week appointed an 

RTMA trade practice conference committee 

to meet with the Federal Trade 

commission in a fair trade practice conference 

for the television industry. 

This move follows closely an announcement 

by the Federal Trade commission 

that it was looking into the "child appeal" 

advertising of several TV set manufacturers, 

but RTMA described this as 

"pure coincidence." 

The fundamental Objective of the conference, 

according to RTMA, will be to 

extend and apply the trade practice rules 

for the radio manufacturing industry, 

promulgated June 22, 1939, to the television 

manufacturing industry. 

atres, and plans to build a strong chain of 

outlets in Havana and the interior. 

"Film City," in the outskirts of Havana, 

is now in operation. Nine U.S. distributors 

took up headquarters there in September, 

and adequate office facilities have been 

provided. Buildings are modern, air-conditioned 

and fire resistant. 

HAITI IMPORTED 133 FILMS in the year 

ending September 1949, of which 70 per cent 

were American, with the remaining 30 per cent 

exclusively French, the Department of 

Commerce reported. A new distributor 

entered the field last year and estimates he 

will average 30 full-length films a year. Up 

to then, two distributors had been doing all 

the importing. Current practice is to import 

one positive print, rented for six months to 

a year, and re-show it in the capital every 

two or three months. Average run is about 

three days, and annual revenue to U.S. film 

industry is estimated at $30,000. 

There are 16 theatres operating in Haiti. 

IN FINLAND, PRODUCERS expect to complete 

15 feature films in 1950. Difficulties 

have been great, with production costs rising 

from about $26,000 in 1946 to $43,000 in 1950. 

The summer was marked by labor conflict 

and threatened strikes, resulting in higher 

wages for many groups connected with filmmaking. 

Admission prices have increased, and 

attendance is off. A total of 19 new theatres 

have been started in small towns, but 30 have 

gone out of business. 

One of the most serious problems is the 

shortage of raw film. Importation from England 

is blocked, although some importation 

has been authorized from Belgium. At present 

75 per cent of the raw film used comes 

from the USSR with the remaining 25 per 

cent almost exclusively from the U.S., Golden 

said. 

PAKISTANI CENSORS VIEWED 52 

feature 

films during the third quarter of 1950, 

according to the Department of Commerce. 

Of these 17 were American and 14 Indian. 

This is a drop in American competition, 

compared to the first nine months of 1950 

considered as a whole, during which 177 feature 

films were reviewed, of which 34 were 

American and 90 Indian. 

The formation of the Pakistani Film Advisory 

committee may be a significant factor 

in this picture. At its first meeting, in August 

of this year, it was resolved that Pakistani 

theatres should be asked to show a fixed 

quota of native films each year, and a subcommittee 

was appointed to investigate the 

question levying a reciprocal duty on films 

imported from foreign countries. 

NATHAN GOLDEN of the Commerce Department 

film branch also issued several 

other reports during the week on motion picture 

business in foreign lands. 

Boxoffice receipts in Havana totaled 

$819,000 in the third quarter of this year, he reported. 

This is a gain from $692,000 in the same 

quarter last year, and $803,500 in the second 

quarter of this year. A total of 102 films were 

shown, of which 66 were American made, accountng 

for 75 per cent of the total gross, 

and 17 were Mexican. Six Cuban films were 

in production or awaiting release. 

A new company, called Cines Cadena de 

Ora, S. A., has been formed to develop a chain 

of theatres which will specialize in Spanishlanguage 

releases. Organized by a large Mexican 

theatre impresario, it has taken over 

management of the Encanto and Alkazar the- 

ARGENTINE THEATRES total 8,057 now 

operating, and an additional 465 commercial 

outlets using 16mm films. Golden further 

reported. About 1,500 35mm houses operate 

regularly, the rest are in operation only 

part of the year. 

Almost every small theatre in the interior 

is using old French or German projectors 

adapted to sound with Argentine-made equipment. 

Equipment used in the Buenos Aires 

area is good. The need for U.S. equipment is 

great, but only the largest houses could afford 

it, even if the government authorized its 

purchase. 

U.S. carbons are offered in Argentina at 

about twice the price of German carbons, because 

of the unfavorable exchange rate. All 

but the most delicate pieces of equipment are 

being manufactured in Argentina, although 

the rate is insufficient to meet the demand. 

A relatively good 35mm projector, equipped 

with Philips sound equipment and sold under 

the name of Philips, is made in Argentina and 

production ranges from 50 to 70 projectors a 

year. 

Uranium Firm Under Probe 

Headed by Paul McNutt 

NEW YORK—State Attorney General 

Nathaniel L. Goldstein created a sensation 

in financial and film circles by announcing 

that he was investigating the sale of American-Canadian 

Uranium Co., Ltd., stock under 

the "blue sky" laws of the state. 

Paul V. McNutt, chairman of the board of 

United Artists, is president of American- 

Canadian Uranium and Josiaii Marvel jr., 

former minister to Denmark, is vice-president. 

Goldstein said that "insiders" control 83 

per cent of the stock and that the remaining 

17 per cent is being sold in New York for 

$3.50 per share. It is listed as having ten 

cents par value. 

United Para, to Pay 50c 

NEW YORK—Directors of United Paramount 

Tlieatres, Inc., have voted a dividend 

of 50 cents per share on the common, payable 

December 20 to holders of record on 

December 5. Leonard H. Goldenson, president, 

made the announcement. 

PERUVIAN CENSORS reviewed 135 feature 

films during the third quarter of 1950. Of 

these, 51 were U.S. productions and 26 were 

Mexican. 

Some theatres which were closed have been 

renovated and reopened, and several new ones 

have been built. Importation of U.S. equipment 

is subject to stringent control, and this 

equipment is being supplied on an increasing 

basis from Europe. 

Sale of equipment parts, which is not 

restricted, is active. Around $40,000 was spent of record December 1. 

Paramount Declares Dividend 

NEW YORK—Tlie board of directors of 

Paramount Pictures Corp. has voted a quarterly 

dividend of 50 cents per share on the 

common, payable December 1 1 to stockholders 


merica s 

Jsfi •/ 

COLUMBIA PICIURES preseols 

JOAN WENDELL 

CRAWFORD COREY 

• 

;^"; 

ONE OF THE FIVE 

BEST PICTURES 

OF THE YEAR 

• 

LUCILE WATSON ALLYN JOSLYN • WILLIAM BISHOP • K.T. STEVENS 

Screen Play by Anne Froelick and James Gunn 

Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play. XraiKS Wife." by George Kelly 

Produced by WILLIAM DOZIER . Directed by VINCENT SHERMAN 

A renowned Pu/ifzer Prize play brings JOAN CRAWFORD her greaiesf emotional role.

— 

. . Maxwell 

. . . Borrowed 

. . Under 

. . Bing 

. . Dane 

. . Van 

. . John 

ôU^tWMd ^CfiWt 

By 

IVAN SPEAR 

Two Independent Features 

Added to Columbia Slate 

To Columbia's 1950-51 releasing schedule 

have been added two vehicles emanating from 

independent production sources—one already 

completed, the other set for an early camera 

start. 

Producer Seymour Nebenzal secured distribution 

through Columbia for his recently 

completed "M," a r\e^ version of the psychological 

chiller which he originally filmed in 

Europe in the early '30s. Directed by Joseph 

Losey. the opus casts David Wayne in the 

role of the neurotic killer which was delineated 

in the earlier version by Peter Lorre. 

Martin Gabel and Howard DaSilva have the 

top supporting roles. It will be released in 

March. 

The upcoming contribution to the company's 

releasing slate is "The Brigand," now 

being prepared by Producer Edward Small as 

a starring vehicle for Anthony Dexter—who 

has the title role in Small's soon-to-bereleased 

"Valentino," also made for Columbia. 

"The Brigand" is from a novel by Alexandre 

Dumas, in whose swashbuckling stories 

Small has specialized in the past through the 

manufacture of such films as "The Count of 

Monte Cristo," "The Man in the Iron Mask" 

and "The Corsican Brothers." Tentatively set 

to roll early in January, "The Brigand" is 

being scripted by George Bruce. 

Republic Completes 15 Films; 

Major Part Are Westerns 

Of a total of 15 completed pictures in Republic's 

current backlog—which is, incidentally, 

reported as a new all-time high for the 

studio—eight, or more than half, are in the 

western category. 

That's additional proof of the high esteem 

in which sagebrushers apparently are being 

regarded by most production and distribution 

organizations—a film classification which has 

been enjoying continuing popularity for the 

past several seasons. 

The Republic crop includes such larger- 

Alan Ladd Lends Name 

To Kiddy Cowboy Items 

Move over, Hoppy, Gene and Roy 

you're about to receive some competition 

in the western commercial by-products 

field from another actor who—although 

not a sagebrush star in the accepted 

sense—has toplined .several king-size 

saddle operas. 

The player is Paramount's Alan Ladd, 

currently starring in Pi'oducer Hal Wallis' 

"Quantrell's Raiders" and who recently 

completed another outdoor opus, 

"Branded." Ladd has lent his name to 

a complete line of western toys and clothing 

for the moppet crowd, including such 

standard paraphernalia as cap pistols, 

holster .sets, cowboy hats, boots, trick 

ropes and the like. 

They're due to make their appearance 

in time for this year's Christmas trade. 

budget subjects as "Oh, Susanna," a Rod 

Cameron starrer dealing with California in 

gold rush days, as well as such series westerns 

as two starring Roy Rogers, one each 

with Rocky Lane and Rex Allen, and "Buckaroo 

Sheriff of Texas," initialer In a proposed 

group featuring two youngsters, Michael 

Chapin and Eilene Janssen. 

Remainder of the valley studio's backlog 

runs the gamut from romantic dramas to 

melodramas, comedies and a serial. 

'Breakthrough' FoUo'wup 

Planned at Warners 

In addition to a number of subjects recently 

completed, currently filming or in preparatory 

stages which deal with the present 

Sid Rogell Forms Company 

For Independent Films 

Most recent addition to the roster of Hollywood's 

independent producers is Sid Rogell, 

until a few months ago an executive producer 

at RKO Radio, who is resuming picturemaking 

activity as the head of his own unit. 

Rogell's initialer will be a film version of 

Jules Verne's adventure novel, "20,000 Leagues 

Under the Sea," a completed screenplay 

which he acquired from Robert L. Lippert 

Productions. It had been on the latter company's 

schedule for nearly two years. 

Camera work on the opus, under the Rogellian 

banner, is slated to get under way early 

in 1951 for a release which as yet has not 

been announced. Rogell currently is completing 

his corporate setup and arranging for 

studio space. 

Paramount Purchases Rights 

To Topical Na'vy Comedy 

Waxing topical, but in comedy vein. Paramount 

acquired the film rights to "Trumpet 

Smith," an original by Ben Finney, which 

concerns two young ex-servicemen who are 

called back into the navy because of the 

current world situation. P. J. Wolfson has 

. . . Frank 

been signed to write the screenplay and Irving 

Asher will be the producer 

Capra took time out from his activities as a 

producer-director at Paramount to sell his 

original story, "Westward the Women," to 

MGM. The outdoor action drama, dealing 

with the experiences of a guide who brings 

the first group of women across the prairies 

to the early west, will be directed by William 

A. Wellman . Shane, who recently 

HE'S THE BEST—Billy WUder (left) 

won the Screen Directors Guild's quarterly 

award for Iiis megaphoning achievement 

on Paramount's "Sunset Boulevard." 

Wilder is shown here receiving the 

medallion from Joseph Manluewicz, 

SDG president, during a recent NBC 

broadcast of the Screen Directors' Playhouse, 

an SDG-created airshow. 

conflict in Korea, Hollywood's filmmaking 

fraternity is not neglecting World War 11 as 

the subject matter for upcoming celluloid. 

At Warners 

hung 

for example, 

out his shingle as an independent producer-director-writer, 

where "Breakthrough," 

produced by Bryan Foy and with 

added "The Family 

David Brian, John Agar and Frank 

Way," a comedy 

Lovejoy 

in the leads, was lensed and 

by Milton Raison, to his 

docket . the banner of his newly 

is now in 

release, a foUowup to that story of combat 

organized Standard Productions, and to be 

in Europe has been 

filmed for Allied Artists release, Hal E. 

tossed into the productional 

hopper. Titled "The Tanks Are Coming," 

it will deal with mechanized 

Chester purchased "Models, Inc.," a story by 

Alyce Canfield, magazine writer. 

facets of 

the European campaign. 

An original by Joseph I. Breen jr., who U-I Signs Richard Conte 

authored "Breakthrough," the new entry will 

To Multiple-Fikn Pact 

reunite Producer Foy and Stars Brian, Agar 

Almost immediately after securing a 

and Lovejoy. 

lease from the balance of his acting ticket at 

20th-Fox, Richard Conte was signed by Universal-International 

to a multiple-picture, 

non-exclusive contract and booked to star 

in "The Hollywood Story" as his first assignment 

. Crosby and Bob Hope next 

will travel "The Road to Hollywood" as the 

sixth in the "Road" series in which they have 

co-starred for Paramount . Johnson 

was assigned as June Allyson's co-star in 

MGM's upcoming romantic comedy, "To(? 

Young to Kiss" . Clark and Cathy 

O'Donnell will be co-featured in "No Help 

Prom Heaven." to be produced for Columbia 

release by Lon Appleton and Monty Shaff 

from MGM, Ann Miller will 

have one of the leads in the RKO Radio 

tunefilm, "Two Tickets to Broadway." 

Pine and Thomas to Make 

'The Las Vegas Story' 

Not to be outdone by Universal-International, 

at which studio the cameras have 

begun grinding on "The Hollywood Story," 

those productional partners. Bill Pine and 

Bill Thomas, have cooked up "The Las 

Vegas Story" and assigned Lewis R. Foster to 

develop the screenplay as an entry on their 

Paramount releasing schedule . English 

has been signed to direct "Whirlwind," 

new Gene Autry sagebrusher for Columbia 

distribution. It will be English's 15th directorial 

stint with Autry since 1947 . . . Hal 

Walker was handed the megaphone on 

"Junior," next on the Hal Wallis slate for 

Paramount . . . Producer Samuel Goldwyn 

booked Joel Sayre. magazine fiction writer, 

to develop a treatment for his tentatively 

titled "I Want You," a topical yarn dealing 

with army ground forces training. 

32 BOXorncE December 2. 195C

•>k. Ready in January! 

Robert MUTTON- Steve BRODIE- James EDWARDS Richard LOO 

with SID MELTON • RICHARD MONAHAN • WILLIAM CHUN * °"new's°reen'7e°son*'aliiy" Gene EVANS 

A ROBERT L. LIPPERT PRESENTATION Written, Directed and Produced by SAMUEL FULLER 

s.a.n, 

-k. Ready in January! Ready in February! 

|V||(ytl I I adventure story behii 

history's unforgettable "Last Stand" 

¥"^^

MGM Tieups Geared to Aid Subsequents as Well as Key Runs 

NEW YORK—Many so-called national promotions 

are geared to score their most telling 

results at the boxof- 

^^^ 

fices of first run dates 

^|H|^k and completely lose 

^ ^^^\ ^^^ full penetration 

r I originally planned to 

W aid the second, third 

and neighboring sit- 

to create solid campaigns for all situations." 

Illustrating his remarks, Terrell outlined 

his company's campaign on "King Solomon's 

Mines," which this week played in 100 or 

more key runs. Three major tieups, arranged 

for the film, are with Dodge Motors. A. H. 

Pond Co. on a Keepsake diamond ring and 

with Ralph Edwards' Truth or Consequences 

radio program. 

The Dodge tiein is based on the fact that 

its trucks carried personnel, equipment and 

supplies into Central Africa during the shooting 

of the picture. All Dodge regional managers 

and field organization members have 

received a special program detailing the full 

campaign. In addition to the regular MGM 

accessories, there is available from Dodge, for 

all local dealer tieups, a four-color 32x44 poster, 

which will be used as an ad in the December 

16 issue of Collier's. Also on hand is 

a special 16mm film, "Jungle Safari"; four 

books of facts about "King Solomon's Mines": 

handbills; co-op ads; suggestions on jungleatmosphere 

window displays, and special publicity 

releases. In each case, all dealers have 

uations, according to 

Dan S. Terrell, exploitation 

manager for 

M e t r o-G o 1 d w y n - 

Mayer. 

"It has been our been advised of all playdates. with the point 

Dan Terrell policy at MGM, in 

stressed that "second and third run showings 

may have more valuable tiein possibili- 

creating tieups for 

our pictures." asserts Terrell, "to judge 

ties than original runs, because they lend 

these campaigns on their effectiveness 

themselves to localized activities of individual 

dealers when the film is appearing at 

not only in first run key-city dates 

but also to have the tieup follow through 

neighboring theatres." 

with its ticket-selling possibilities for subsequent 

engagements. In this manner, all exhibitors 

can get aboard the bandwagon with mond ring offers $9,000 in rings for the best 

The A. H. Pond tieup on the Keepsake dia- 

answer to: 

enough interest still generated in the tieup 

"I would like a Keepsake ring because 

. ." . In this connection, the Pond 

Co. has available, for all merchants, free 

entry blanks, two different-size newspaper ad 

mats with art and full credit to the picture, 

postcards and two types of three-color window 

streamers as well as radio spot announcements. 

In addition to the national 

prizes, merchants have arranged local contests, 

A six-week running sequence on Truth or 

Consequences gives the picture full credit on 

each radio stanza. It started with a man 

being delegated to shoot a lion in Africa. 

The man Harvey, through the cooperation of 

the program, Safariland. Ltd., and various air 

lines, arrived at Banagi Hill where the hunt 

took place. A tape recording, which was 

made, will be heard on a subsequent program. 

Harvey's itinerary schedules him next to visit 

"King Solomon's Mines" for a diamond and, 

later. Alaska for gold to complete the diamond 

ring. Subsequent radio penalties call 

for him finding a girl and perhaps getting 

married. What will that Ralph Edwards 

think of next? 

'Bird of Paradise' Tieups 

Discussed at a Luncheon 

NEW YORK—Manufacturers who are to 

have a part in the promotion campaign for 

"Bird of Paradise" (20th-Fox) were guests 

of Stirling Silliphant, promotion manager 

for 20th Century-Fox. at a luncheon held. 

Tuesday (28) at Toots Shor's. 

Tieups already made for spring and sum-; 

mer items include: Dresses. Sheila Lynn; 

sportswear, Joselly; handbags, Jenny; hosiery,* 

Holeproof; negligees, Tula; jewelry. Coro;' 

gloves. Dawnelle; blouses. Dorothy Korby; 

scarves. Glentex; foundations. Lily of France; 

handkerchiefs. Bloch Freres; bathing suits, 

Sea Nymph; shoes, Mademoiselle: millinery, 

Betmar; artificial flowers. Aster: separates, 

Toni Owen; juniors, Judy and Jill, and bridal 

gowns, Murray Hamburger. 

PARAMOUNT TRADE SHOWS 


WENDELL COREY 

• MACDONALD CAREY • WARD BOND

) 

Disney TV Yulelide 

Show Top Attraction 

NEW YORK—Walt Disney's special onehour 

television film production f©r Coca-Cola. 

"One Hour in Wonderland." will be telecast 

over an NBC network of 62 stations on 

Christmas day (4 p. m.. EST), one of the 

biggest boxoffice days of the year. This 

hookup is considered to be probably the single 

greatest competitive TV entertainment coverage 

with the possible exception of a presidential 

speech or top sports event. 

Setting for the video film show will be Disney's 

studios, where a Yuletide party given by 

the cartoonist will integrate one to two-minute 

clips from four of his pictures with production 

sequences by Edgar Bergen and other 

performers. A so-called "thumb-nail preview" 

of Disney's August release. "Alice in Wonderland," 

will take viewers for a behind-thescene 

look at the picture in the making. 

Bergen will be accompanied by his usual 

wooden complement of Charlie McCarthy 

and Mortimer Snerd. Others in the cast will 

be Bobby Driscoll, who was starred in "Treasure 

Island"; Kathryn Beaumont, who is the 

voice of Alice in "Alice in Wonderland," and 

a group of children of film and radio personalities. 

A Disney device, "The Magic Mirror," 

will link the comedy sketches and bring the 

youngsters scenes and characters from 

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," 

"Clock Cleaners," "Bone Trouble" and "Song 

of the South." 

Altec Will Service New 

GP Theatre TV System 

NEW YORK—Altec Service Corp. will service 

the new General Precision Laboratory 

theatre television system which has been demonstrated 

recently in a number of cities, 

according to W. E. Green, president of National 

Theatre Supply. The system, which 

NTS is distributing, is called "Videofilm." 

General Precision has developed a recorder 

with electronic instead of mechanical control 

which the company claims will assure improved 

picture quality "equal in all respects 

to the original live telecast." 

ORDER NOW 

NEW SEWED COVERS 

Any Color — $1.68 

Plastic Leatherette Top 

Mohair Sides 

For American Bodiform — Avion 

Heywood-Wakefield or International. 

Send Sample 

CHICAGO USED CHAIR MART 

829 South State St. Phone WEbsfer 9-4518 

Chicago 5, 

III. 

You're a New York restaiiraliur. 

and jiinibo shrimps froni tlu- 

Gulf would spice up your nu'Uii. 

make your patrons feel like 

gourmets! 

IHow 

much to get 10 Ihs. of 

shrimp to New ^ ork from 

New Orleans — by Air A.vpress? 

2 How long would it take — 

by Air Express? 

Quick Quizz! 

You manufacture TV sets, and 

need coils you cant stock-pile. 

Yet you must keep yonr assembly 

line rolling and dealers 

satisfied. 

How much to ship 8 lbs. of 

^ coils from Boston to Chicago 

— by Air Express? 

4 How long would it take — 

by Air Express? . 

(See answers below) 

Air Express gives you all these advantages: 

Economical — liave you checked Air Express rates lately? 

World's fastest transportation method. 

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

One-carrier responsibility all the way. 

1 1 50 cities served direct by air; air-rail to 22,000 off airline points. 

Experienced Air Express has handled over 25 million shipments. 

Air Express is fastest because your shipments go on all flights of the Scheduled 

Airlines. And on the ground you get special pick-up and delivery — at 

no extra charge! Use it regularly to keep your business rolling. Phone your 

local Air Express Division, Railway Express Agency. ( Many low commodity 

rates— investigate! 

answers to: 

(1) Shipping cost: $2.20. (2) Delivered about 9 hours after order was received. 

(3) Shipping cost: $2.57. (4) Picked up at factory 7 p.m., delivered 

early next morning. 

Rotes Include pick-up ond delivery door 

to door in all principal towns and cities 

DRIVE-IN EXHIBITORS with 

CENTRAL SOUND or POST SPEAKERS! 

CONVERT to IN-CAR SPEAKERS 

Now at economical prices before the seasonal rush. 

Order immediately to assure prompt deUvery. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MANUFACTURING CO. 

729 Ballimore (Phone HA. 8007) Konsm COy, Mo. 

Railway Express Agency and ttie 

SCHEDULED AIRLINES of the U.S. 

BOXOFFICE December 2. 1950 35

160 

— 

Showmanship 

Exhibitors' 

To Get 20th-Fox Backing 

CHARLOTTE—Twentieth Century-Fox will 

work with any exhibitor group planning a 

specific bold and aggressive showmanship 

plan, Jonas Rosentield jr., advertising manager, 

said at the Theatre Owners of North 

and South Carolina meeting. 

Rosenfield pointed to the five-circuit cooperative 

campaign on "All About Eve" in 

New York City as an example of showmen 

banding together to offset the blows of television 

and other entertainment media attracting 

people away from the theatre. Calling 

television the "No. 1 retail advertiser of 

the country." Rosenfield said that a number 

of theatre advertising budgets compare unfavorably 

with the efforts of TV manufacturers 

and producers. 

General Release Is Set 

For 'Harvey' by U-I 

NEW YORK—"Harvey," Universal-International 

film starring James Stewart, will be 

given general release starting Christmas to 

New Year's week with extended key-city runs 

at popular prices, according to W. A. Scully, 

vice-president and general sales manager, 

and Alfred E. Daff. vice-president and new 

head of world sales. 

The sole exception will be a limited engagement 

at the Carthay Circle Theatre, 

Hollywood, starting late in December. This 

has been set to qualify the film for Academy 

Award consideration. As previously reported, 

"Harvey" also will open an extended run at 

popular prices at the Astor Theati'e here 

early in January. 

Scully and Daff said the openings will be 

backed with heavy advertising and publicity. 

CLEARING HOUSE 

(Continued from Inside back cover) 

THEATRE SEATING 

Need chairs? IK-re's Itie .spot, (lur used and 

ri'biiilt5 arts aluidy, eomlurtable, attractive and 

you're buying 'em from reliable source. Prices 

start at $2.95. Send for Cllair Bulletin. Depl. 

C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply I'orii., 602 W. 52nd 

St.. Xciv York 19. 

Patch-0-Seat ceDu-nt. fauning dotb, sultent. 

etc. Fensin Seating Co.. ChirniEit 5. 

Used chairs, iûarameed lioud. Advise quaijtlti 

wanted. I'hotograplis mailed with quotation. Fen 

sin Seatlnc Co.. ChlcaRo 5. 

No mare torn seats: Repair with the origins 

Patch-A-8eat. Cipmplete kit, $8. General Chai 

Co.. Ollcaeo 22. III. 

Chair Parts. We lurnlsh most any part ynii re 

quire. Send sample for price, brackets, backp 

and seats. Ceneral Chair Co.. 1308 Elsinn ,\xe 

Oilcago 22. 111. 

THERE'S 

NO PLACE LIKE A BARBER SHOP TO 

Several thousand used niiera chairs now Ir 

stock. Can furnish any amimiit yni request. Tul 

upholstered hack. Insert patifllinck. Iioxspring anr 

spring edge seat. Write for pliulo and staff 

incline. amount and We also mnnufairture iiev 

chairs, fieneral Chair Co., lnnK-22 Elstnn Ave.. 

riilcaco 22. HI. 

Many years In the sealing business Is youi 

giiaranlee. Good used chairs are not ton plentiful 

hut we have the pick. Full iiphnlslered. pani 

Ij ick and many other styles We furnish proper 

slope or level standards to fit your floor. Al' 

size I8.\21-lnch chairs. Our prices are lowest 

Write for exact photo and price. We furnish pint 

for all makes. Send sample Good qiialiiy plasllr 

coated leatherette 25x26-lncli. all colors. B5c pa 

Chicago Used Ctlalr Mart, 829 South Slate St.. 

(hlcago 5, 111 

No more loose chairs; Get 'Tlrmastone" Anchor 

cement, $5 per box. General riiaU- Co., Chicago 

22. 111. 

Parts for all chairs. Siniii >,.rmile tor uuniai'm 

Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5 

Complete seating service, sevin cushion and back 

covers. New CTlshlons, parts. Chairs rebuilt in 

your theatre without Interninllon. Theatre Seat 

Service Co Hermitage Ave , Nashville, Tenn 

Complete seating service. No Inierriiption In 

falirics. your schedule. Plastics, mohairs. May 

we call and quote prices? Midwest Seating Service. 

Rox 654. Springfield. Til. 

Theatre chairs, many reconditioned, screens, projectors 

Trade your Veneers Cushiims. Lone 

Star Film Co.. Ilallas. Texas. 

BUSINESS STIMULATORS 

Bingo die-cut cards. l«o colors. 75 or 100 numbers. 

%?, per M, Bingo screen dial. $30. Premium 

Products. 339 W. 44lh St., New York 18. N. Y. 

Darlaway: 'IVo -sensational new theatre games 

of skill. Fill those empty seals. Don't wait 

start now. Over 200 theatres now using our games. 

No theatre too big or too small. Write or wire 

Dartaway Enterprises, Inc., Shawnee, Kas. 

Comic books .available as premiums, giveaways 

at your kiddy shows. Large v.arlety. latest newsstand 

editions. Comics Premium Co., 412B, Greenwich 

St , N. Y. C, Publications for premiums 

(exclusively) since 1939. 

Incomparable jiroven patroiuige builders. 500 

v'ard sets. 75 No. die-cut Ringo. $3 per thousand 

— also nfhor iinlipie g.imes. Novelty Games Co.. 

1434 lleUord Ave.. Brooklyn 16. N. Y. 

POPCORN MACHINES 

antced. Price f 

Rebuilt Popcoi Machines for sale. Fully guar- 

1 $100. Consolidated Confecsh. 

tlons. 1314 S. W.il 

Chicago 5, 111. 

Cretors. Advance, all Burch. Matiley. electric 

frencll fry types. 50 Hollywood type, theatre 

special electric juipprrs from $250. Karmelkoru 

S. III. 

Equipment. 120 ILilsted, Ctilcago 6, 

Super Star potu-orn achli good condition. 

Lovelady. Tes.is 

$175. freight paid Don Th 

k 

M>meQ9êes. 

HALLMARK BLDG., WILMINGTON, OHIO 

'^ BEVERLY HILLS •CHICAGO •CLEVELAND •TORONTO 

MEXICO CITY • AUCKLAND • SIDNEY • SINGAPORE 

ROME • PARIS • LONDON • HONGKONG • CALCUTTA • KARACHI • CAIRO • ATHENS 

HALLMARK'S 6TH ANNUAL CONVENTION • DECEMBER 16 22 • HOTEL STEVENS • CHICAGO 

Blevins' 

liox'inp" 

POPCORN SUPPLIES 

I'ops-Hiti 

Silverwai 

poiu'orn sales! Bi 

Village. Nashville. 1 

with Wm. A. lingers 

•miiim offer Is booming 

I'oiicnrn Co., Po|)Corn 

.MORE CLASSIFIED ON 

INSIDE BACK COVER 


i 

CHESTER FRIEDMAN 

EDITOR 

HUGH E. FRAZE 

Associate Editor 

PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN 

y 

iVlacu s 

l/l/a 

^ 

That is certainly an impressive 

program COMPO is formulating to 

improve industry relations with the 

public. A National Starmakers con- ^ 

test, an exposition, a series of Institutional 

advertisements in Editor 

and Publisher—all good stuff, aimed 

at creating and stimulating interest 

in motion pictures at points where 

will do good. 

it 

We cannot help but note a comparison 

between the industry's efforts 

to gain a commensurate share 

of the entertainment dollar and the 

pattern of merchandising used by 

some of the nationally known mercantile 

firms. 

Take Macy's for example. The department 

store name has become 

synonymous with bargains and sales. 

Through decades of advertising, the 

public has been sold on the fact that 

these bargains reflect a saving. For 

years, their ads have carried slogans 

which, because of repetitious use, 

the public is familiar with. Yet 

Macy's would no more run an ad devoted 

solely to their thrift slogans 

than they would advise their customers 

to patronize Gimbel's. The 

slogan appears in every ad, but the 

important selling copy is concentrated 

on specific items—men's suits, 

mousetraps, or girdles. 

By itself an institutional cam-

14-Ton Missile (It's Real) Rockets Interest in 'Moon' 

There have been a lot of "rockets" used to ballyhoo "Destination 

Moon" but it remained for H. L. McCormick, manager of the 

Fox Rio Grande Theatre at Las Cruces. N. M., to get the genuine 

article for an exhibit when he played the picture. After prolonged 

and persistent effort, McCormick was successful in getting 

officials at the White Sands proving grounds to loan him this 

14-ton German V-2. Properly placarded and with four smaller 

rockets as auxiliaries, the huge missile was attended night and 

day by army ordnance experts who answered questions for 

curious passersby and hundreds who were dravm to the scene 

by the newspaper and radio publicity. McCormick had a ballyhoo 

man standing by in an asbestos fire suit. It was, he reports, as 

effective as anything he has ever seen. The unique exhibit is 

the first of its kind reported in this country in behalf of a film. 

Community Observes 

Theatre Anniversary 

Vincent Capuano. manager of the Elm Theatre, 

West Hartford. Conn., observed the second 

anniversary of the opening of the theatre 

by promoting a full-page newspaper co-op 

ad and arranging a series of special events. 

Coincident with Armistic day, he staged a 

flag-raising ceremony with veteran contingents 

and the Talcott school band. For the 

kids, he ran an ice cream eating contest on 

the theatre stage, awarding special prizes 

promoted from merchants. 

A pet show and athletic contests were 

staged at Lincoln field, with theatre passes 

presented to the winners. For the adults, a 

$300 television set was given away on the 

basis of lucky-numbered coupons distributed 

by cooperating merchants. 

A .square dance with free cider and doughnuts 

at the school auditorium was another 

highlight of the celebration. To advertise 

the various events, the merchants sponsored 

a full-page newspaper advertisement in the 

Hartford Times. 

Vets See 'Breakthrough' 

Jim McCarthy, manager of the Strand 

Theatre, Hartford, invited all local veterans 

of the European phase of World War II, holding 

medals for meritorious service in the 

Normandie breakthrough campaign, to be 

guests on opening night of "Breakthrough." 

Newspapers noted the occasion with free publicity 

including picture credits and playdate 

mention. 

Ticklish Herald 

Rudolph Kramer, manager of the Marble 

Hill, New York, used an effective novelty 

herald to exploit "Our Very Own." Attached 

to each herald was a feather, and the copy 

read: "It's a feather in our hat and we're 

proud to announce 'Our Very Own,' etc." 

Waco's Wa 

-^ 5f 

(Continued from preceding page) 

the industry. It can help to soften up a 

tough buyer's market. It can help to overcome 

the tenacious competition from 

sports and television. It can exert a tremendous 

influence on the "lost audience" 

and stimulate interest in motion pictures 

on a vast general plane. It will serve 

to inspire the exhibitor with the knowledge 

that movies are better than ever 

and provide him with the incentive to 

merchandise his product with confidence 

and assurance. 

Let the exhibitor not forget that COMPO 

is no genie from some magical lamp. The 

impact of institutional selling will depend 

largely upon sound merchandising at the 

local level. Its main utility will be to complement 

the exhibitor's promotional efforts 

—not to replace them. 

And let no one forget that any successful 

merchandising plan is dependent on 

the product and the manner that product 

is sold to the public day-by-day, pictureby-picture, 

just as Macy's advertises its 

special sales features for the day. 

— Chester Friedman 

tre advertising. E>ery patron received a 

coupon redeemable at an adjacent soda foun- 

Little Rascal Shorts 

Good Kid Stimulant 

Lloyd Boyea, manager of tlie Regent Theatre, 

Amsterdam, N. Y., promoted a series of 

special kid shows featuring the Little Rascals 

last spring. They were so successful that he 

is repeating them again with an eight-week 

series set to end on December 23. His opening 

date brought the biggest Saturday 

matinee gross in a year and a half. 

Boyea promoted eight Hopalong Cassidy 

watches from a neighborhood jeweler and 

gives one away each week on a lucky number 

drawing. Special gifts will be given away 

for Mom and Dad at the concluding session. 

A lobby display of the watches and gifts 

stops the kids in their tracks when they attend 

the Regent. 

Boyea used his usual advertising channels 

to promote advance interest in the Little 

Rascal shows and had special circulars distributed 

at schools and at a circus held at 

the local armory. 

Gives Free Ice Cream to 

'Good Humor' Patrons 

R. E. Agle sr., district manager for the Appalachian 

Theatres, Boone. N. C, arranged 

with a local ice cream company when he 

played "The Good Humor Man" to provide 

patrons with free ice cream. Since there is 

no Good Humor ice cream in the vicinity of 

Boone, Agle called on the Pet Dairy Co. and 

promoted free ice cream in return for thea- 

tain for a portion of ice cream. 

38 — 396 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Dec. 2, 1950

Ballyhoo, Screening 

Pay Off Profitably 

For Jack Mitchell 

Jack Mitchell, manager of the Weslin, 

Massillon, Ohio, reports that he has been 

busier than a dog with fleas in a burst of 

effort to ballyhoo recent screen shows. 

For "Cariboo Trail," he had an usher 

dressed as a cowboy travel through the 

business and shopping areas with a sign 

advertising the action highlights of the film 

production. 

In connection with "Three Little Words." 

Mitchell tied up with the dime store to promote 

sheet music and records of the picture's 

hit tunes in a full window display. 

A 70-pound cake was promoted from a 

bakery and placed on display in the lobby 

five days in advance. Portions of the cake 

were served to the first 400 people who attended 

the opening day matinee. 

Three attractive young girls paraded 

through the shopping area carrying cutout 

notes lettered with the title of the picture, 

theatre name, etc. Theatre employes wore 

large buttons in advance of playdate, and a 

record player in the lobby plugged the songs 

from the film production. 

"Stars in My Crown" received widespread 

publicity sparked by a private screening held 

in advance for 150 ministers and officials of 

the PTA. Many of the ministers plugged the 

playdate from their pulpits, while the PTA 

group urged children to see the film. This 

message was delivered in the home as well 

as the classroom. The film likewise received 

wide endorsement from the religious committee 

of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. 

Twenty-five gratis plugs were promoted from 

the local radio station, and Mitchell reports 

outstanding business during the picture's run. 

Promo fes Kid Prizes 

Bill Hayes, manager of the Empress. Norwalk, 

Conn., promoted prizes from a local 

toy shop for winners of a children's balloonblowing 

contest held in conjunction with his 

regular Saturday matinee show. The stunt 

was advertised in newspaper ads, circulars 

and in the lobby. 

Here's an Idea 

For Christmas 

Exhibitors interested in promoting the 

sale of Christmas gift books might be 

interested in a stunt which helped to 

sell over $300 worth last Christmas for 

C. A. Morris, owner-manager of the Morgan 

(Minn.) Theatre. 

Morris purchased some small evergreens, 

a Santa Glaus, sled and reindeer, 

and set them up on a large table in the 

theare lobby. The entire display was 

then sprayed with hot paraffin, giving 

it the appearance of a typical winter 

scene with a heavy snowfall. Santa was 

depicted holding a bag of gift books. 

The display attracted hundreds, and 

Morris reports that gift book sales zoomed 

during the three weeks the display was 

in the lobby. 

Patrons at the Fabian Theatre, Paterson, 

N. I., admire the eye-catching 40xl20-inch 

poster advertising "Brealrthrough." Garry 

Voorman. manager, placed it in a conspicuous 

spot in the lobby. The posters are available 

to all theatres having an early playdate. 

Fire Prevention Co-Op 

Rates Press Bouquet 

Combining showmanship and public service 

by tieing in with Fire Prevention week 

elicited a bouquet in the news columns of 

the Chicago Globe for Hugh Borland, manager 

of the Louis, Chicago. 

The Fire Prevention bureau provided an 

exhibit of various fire extinguishers for the 

theatre lobby. In addition, the bureau furnished 

pamphlets on prevention of fires in 

homes. The exhibit was advertised extensively. 

The bureau made available several 

thousand comic books on fire prevention for 

distribution to children attending Saturday 

matinee shows during October. 

Borland admitted children to the theatre 

free every Saturday upon presentation of 

20 pounds of scrap paper. The paper was 

converted into cash through a junk dealer. 

The paper collection was to help eliminate 

fire hazards from homes where people save 

newspapers. 

Resemblance Contest 

Exploits 'Black Rose' 

A resemblance contest stirred up a lot of 

interest in "The Black Rose" for Harold 

Steam, manager of the Vogue Theatre, 

Bronx, N. Y. Steam advertised for girls who 

look like Cecile Aubry, who is featured in 

the film, to enter the contest at the theatre. 

Prizes were promoted from neighborhood 

business firms and awarded to the winner 

on the Vogue stage. 

The contest was publicized by a trailer, 

circulars, lobby display and an exhibit of 

the prizes. Incumbent politicians served as 

judges and because of the proximity of election 

day, the New York Post published a 

photo of the judges making the awards to 

the winners, with theatre mention. 

Lucky Serial Numbers 

Gain Free Admission 

To 1119' Opening 

One of the highlights of Manager Sid 

Kleper's campaign to exploit "Dial 1119" at 

the College Theatre, New Haven, was a 

"lucky" contest sponsored by the New Haven 

Herald and radio station WELL Both media 

publicized the fact that any person would be 

admitted to the theatre free upon presentation 

of a dollar bill with the serial sequence, 

1119 — or an Army serial number, Social 

Security number or auto registration number 

ending in 1119. 

WELI also sponsored a contest offering 

guest tickets as prizes to listeners sending in 

penny post cards with the number 1119 inscribed 

on it the greatest number of times. 

One hundred window cards were distributed 

in advance, with scare copy headed: "If you 

see this man, 'Dial 1119'." This teaser stunt 

created wide local interest. Window displays 

were promoted in restaurants, a sporting 

goods store, two florists, a camera shop, a 

barber shop, and Kresge's. 

For street ballyhoo, two girls carrying telephone 

instruments bannered with signs, "Dial 

1119," toured the downtown business section 

and rode buses at peak travel hours. Special 

stickers imprinted with copy, "Dial College 

Theatre (phone number) for tops in entertainment 

. . . See 'Dial 1119' starting, etc.," 

were placed in all public telephone booths. 

A small captive baloon was flown above the 

theatre, attached to a huge sign with the picture 

title and theatre playdates. The New 

Haven police department provided an extensive 

exhibit of lethal weapons used for emergencies, 

as a lobby display. A uniformed policeman 

was stationed nearby to answer the 

questions of patrons and to protect the 

valuable equipment. 

Top ranking officers of the police department 

attended an advance screening and released 

comments for the press. 

Marks 30th Year 

At Corbin, Ky., Hipp 

In November 1920 the Schine circuit 

sent a young aggressive showman named 

Louis Mereribloom to take over management 

of the Hippodrome in Corbin, Ky. 

This month, Merenbloom celebrated his 

30th anniversary as manager of the Hippodrome, 

thereby establishing a unique 

record for continuous management in 

one location. 

In honor of the occasion, public -spirited 

merchants ran a full-page newspaper 

ad in the Corbin Daily Tribune, citing 

Merenbloom for his many services and 

interest in community affairs during the 

last 30 years. A considerable portion of 

the space was devoted to announcements 

publicizing the Hippodrome's anniversary 

attractions throughout November. 

L. W. and J. W. Schine, heads of the 

circuit, congratulated Merenbloom and 

pledged outstanding bookings to the people 

of Corbin during the 30th Anniversary 

celebration. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser — 397 — 39

: 

Dec. 

Manager in Snrall College Town 

Succeeds Wifh 'Different' Ideas 

Several years ago, Harold J. Kelly gave 

up a 20-year career as a musician to become 

manager of the Strand Theatre in 

Orono. Me. With no previous experience 

at management, during his first year at 

the Strand he put the house on a paying 

basis after many years of unprofitable enterprise. 

Kelly attributes his success to the fact 

that he is constantly trying something 

different. More than a year ago, when theatre 

attendance first began to fall off, he 

decided the Strand was not getting enough 

patronage from students at the University 

of Maine. Accordingly, he called on members 

of the college faculty and asked for 

their assistance. He was told that if the 

theatre were to present films on some of 

Shakespeare's works, operettas, foreignlanguage 

pictures and almost anything of 

educational value, it might help. 

Kelly started cautiously by booking 

"Henry V." The college cooperated by 

making announcements on the public address 

system to students in all classes and 

through special heralds posted on the university 

grounds. The picture rolled up the 

largest attendance and gross on record at 

the Strand up to that point. Soon after, 

he booked "Hamlet." That established a 

new house record. 

Kelly then decided to concentrate on his 

Tuesday night business which was hitting 

below average. He booked films in French, 

Italian, German and Swedish, with occasional 

British pictures worked in. The 

department of modern languages at the 

university has been especially cooperative, 

frequently urging students to see these 

films. Business on Tuesday nights has 

picked up to about three times what it was 

formerly. 

Another factor which has been instrumental 

in attracting patronage is that of 

Football Fans Guess 

Scores on Heralds 

Ever since the football season started. 

Chuck Keeling, manager of the Tower Theatre, 

Oklahoma City, has been exploiting his 

attractions by special heralds which give 

sports fans an opportunity to win theatre 

passes by guessing the scores of college football 

games. 

Tho.se who receive the heralds must mail 

or bring them to the Tower Theatre. The 

names and addresses thus provide Keeling 

with a good source of new names for the 

theatre mailing list. 

As a .seasonal stunt, and to promote the 

sale of gift books. Keeling displayed a huge 

pumpkin in the theatre lobby and invited patrons 

to guess its weight. Tlie winner was 

offered a $5 gift book of tickets, with a number 

of trip pa.s.ses going to runnersup. The 

pumpkin was displayed in an atmospheric 

setting of cornhu.sks, wheat stalks, and 

autumn foliage. 

capitalizing on newsreel shots having 

special local interest. When a minister 

from Orono won a prize at Valley Forge, 

Paramount News covered the event and 

Kelly advertised it locally. He contacted 

the minister and informed him that he 

was in the newsreel, and the clergyman 

passed the information on to his parishioners. 

The result was that almost the 

entire congregation came to see the show. 

Kelly recently staged an all-sports program 

consisting of shorts on football, golf, 

canoeing, snow carnivals, hunting and 

fishing. The two-hour program attracted 

more than double the normal capacity of 

the theatre. Kelly persists in believing 

that extra business is picked up in this 

way and that patrons who have not attended 

the Strand for a period of time 

become reacquainted with the theatre, 

facilities, comforts, etc., and develop into 

steady patrons again. 

On the public relations side, Kelly permits 

the high school to use the theat;re for 

baccalaureate exercises. Two days a year, 

the Kiwanis and Junior Chamber of Commerce 

run a free show for kids at the 

Strand. The theatre's share in this is to 

furnish the film and the operator, with 

the civic groups supplying goodies for the 

youngsters. It all helps, writes Kelly, as 

do other civic services in which the theatre 

cooperates. 

Orono has a population of about 6,000 

and represents a typical small college town. 

It is located between two large cities, each 

five miles distant. A good many of the 

people in Orono patronize the first run 

houses in these two cities, so that something 

different in the way of entertainment 

is necessary to maintain local pati'onage. 

Kelly's formula suggests a pattern 

which may sound familiar to successful 

exhibitors in similar situations. 

Women Attempt to Fill 

'The Petty Girl' Shoes 

Bill Hulbert. manager of the Kent (Ohioi 

Theatre, used a Cinderella tieup to help exploit 

"The Petty Girl." He obtained a smallsize 

pair of shoes and invited women patrons 

to "Try Them on in the Lobby. If They Fit. 

You Get a Free Pass to See. etc. etc." 

Nine pinup stills and a three-sheet display 

backed up the stunt with full details on the 

contest. 

Hulbert promoted windows by using the 

catchline. "When the 'Petty Girl' needs a 

Hairdresser, she calls, etc." 

Publishes a Weekly 

A four-page newspaper-style tabloid is being 

published weekly by Bob Moscow, manager 

of the Rialto Theatre, Atlanta, to publicize 

coming screen shows. Advertising pays 

all costs of the promotion. Distribution of the 

tabloids in hotels, restaurants, night clubs 

and at the theatre, assures Moscow of excellent 

circulation. 

Music Score Exploits 

'New Orleans' Date 

At Meriden, Conn. 

Tony Massella. pinch-hitting as relief manager 

at the Palace, Meriden, Conn., capitalized 

on the music score from "Toast of 

New Orleans" to publicize the playdates two 

weeks prior to opening. Before the start 

of the daily show, at intermissions and for 

exit music, Mario Lanza records were played 

over the public address system, interspersed 

with announcements of the starting dates. 

Disk jockeys on radio station WMMW used 

the records and direct announcements plugging 

the Palace booking. Lanza recordings 

were placed in jukeboxes, with signs calling 

attention to the Palace playdates. 

Massella distributed 50 window cards in the 

downtown areas and in the Italian residential 

section. He planted a "cave man vs. 

smoothie" contest in the Meriden Record and 

the Journal, with Savings bonds and guest 

tickets as prizes. 

Menus, doilies and place mats in restaurants 

and lunch counters were imprinted 

with theatre copy. Two thousand bags were 

imprinted and distributed at the Growers 

Exchange. Two hundred carnations were 

distributed at the main downtown intersection 

by an attractive young woman. Atached 

to each flower was a card imprinted 

with special copy. 

Theatre employes wore sashes lettered 

with the picture title, two weeks prior to 

opening, and special display cards were 

placed in dance halls, at the bus terminal 

and in downtown hotel lobbies. The two 

principal music stores In Meriden displayed 

records and albums along with stills and 

posters bearing full theatre credits. 

Public Supports Benefit 

For Indigent Veteran 

True to the tradition of show business in 

being foremost to respond with genuine help 

for those who need it. Marvin Dreyer. manager 

of the Cameo Theatre. El Sereno. Calif., 

took the initiative in organizing a benefit 

for Al Fertig. pain-racked war veteran with 

no funds. 

Fertig's plight in fighting the dread rheumatoid 

arthritis and the lack of funds came 

to Dreyer's attention through a news story 

in the local newspaper. An Al Fertig benefit 

show was immediately booked for the 

Cameo. With strong support from service 

organizations, the press and local merchants, 

the show was well publicized. 

Tickets were placed on sale in advance. The 

success of the project was lauded in editorials 

in the El Sereno Reporter-News, commending 

Dreyer and the Cameo Tlieatre. 

Clergymen Are Guests 

A .screening for clergymen rated extra 

publicity when B. C. Waltz jr.. manager of 

the Garden Theatre. Davenport. Iowa, 

booked "Prince of Peace." One minister endorsed 

the film and recommended that all 

see it. Orphans were invited to attend a 

matinee, with the newspapers contributing 

extra stories. A false front was built by 

Waltz for current exploitation. 

40 — 398 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser 

: 

2. 1950

Flash Fronts, Tieups 

With Merchants Aid 

Small Town Trade 

To exploit "Broken Arrow" at the Strand, 

Ogdensburg, N. Y., Manager Ray Helson built 

a flash front from litho posters and stills 

and promoted a window display of Indian 

relics from a local merchant. Disk jockeys 

plugged Indian song favorites, and Helson 

had two placards posted on ferry boats commuting 

to Canada, with copy reading: "Ride 

this ferry to see "Broken Aitow" at the 

Strand, Ogdensburg, etc., etc." 

When "The Jackie Robinson Story" played 

the Strand, 150 members of the Junior Baseball 

league attended the opening show in a 

group as guests of the local Kiwanis club. 

The Kiwanis sponsor the baseball league and 

paid for the 150 tickets at regular admission 

prices. 

Helson posted signs in three local playgrounds 

and the radio sportscaster sponsored 

a contest offering free theatre tickets to 

listeners who had the right answers to a 

baseball quiz. 

Music tieins were utilized to exploit "Three 

Little Words." Guest tickets were offered to 

radio fans of a popular disk jocky who 

identified the titles of song hits from the 

film production. Music stores displayed full 

windows of sheet music and records, picture 

accessories and theatre signs. 

For a street ballyhoo, a musical display was 

built on a flat truck equipped with an amplifier 

playing hit tunes from the picture. The 

vehicle toured residential and business areas 

and all local schools. 

At senior dances in two Ogdensburg high 

schools, orchestra leaders were induced to 

play songs from "Three Little Words," and 

announcements were made of the theatre 

booking. 

Women Are Interviewed 

For 'Glass Menagerie' 

An "experience" contest conducted over 

WEBR helped "The Glass Menagerie" for 

Eddie Miller, manager of the Center Theatre, 

Buffalo. Bob Wells of WEBR interviewed 

women in the theatre lobby on opening day, 

asking them to relate how they met their 

first "gentleman caller." A Wilcox-Gay Recordette 

was awarded the one giving the most 

interesting and humorous account. The stun* 

was tied in with an incident in "The Glass 

Menagerie" when Jane Wyman has her first 

gentleman caller. The radio station plugged 

the promotion several days in advance. 

Cowgirl and Squaw Add 

To Ballyhoo on 'Annie' 

Prank Moyer. manager of the Grant Theatre, 

Georgetown, Ohio, had an automobile 

tour all towns within 20 miles of the theatre 

to ballyhoo "Annie Get Your Gun." Two girls, 

one dressed in Indian costume, the other in 

cowgirl outfit, accompanied the car and distributed 

cards imprinted with a personal 

endorsement of the picture and an invitation 

for the public to see it at the Grant. 

According to Moyer, the stunt was a success 

and could be used profitably by other exhibitors. 

Lobby Art With Class 

Rederick Hamer, manager 

of the Wyandotte 

(Mich.) Theatre, is an 

old hand at building interest 

in his attractions 

through ilashy, provocative 

lobby displays. 

Right, an animated carousel 

supports "Pretty 

Baby." Dealer provided 

free baby food for mothers 

on opening day. 

The 

other displays are simple 

and effective. 

Bargain $10 Bill Stunt 

Grocers' Help Stirs 

Covered by Newspaper 

Walter Rooney, manager of the American 

Theatre, Pittston, Pa., rated a feature story Up Interest for 'Tea' 

topped by a three-column head in the local Ed Pyne, manager of the RKO Keith's 105th 

daily when he walked along the main street Street Theatre in Cleveland, capitalized on 

attempting to sell genuine $10 bills to passersby 

for $8.80 in behalf of "Mister 880." sistance in publicizing his playdates on "Tea 

the national Lipton's tea tieup to obtain as- 

More than 300 persons had an opportunity to for Two." All grocers in the area retailing 

take advantage of the unusual offer, but the product used window displays including 

few did. Many humorous incidents were encountered 

and several times Rooney was al- 

The tea company supplied the theatre sam- 

posters and full credits. 

most arrested as a counterfeiter. The stunt ples of tea bags which were stapled to cards 

and the newspaper article resulted in much carrying picture credits and distributed on 

word-of-mouth publicity for the picture. the streets. Pyne also tied up with music 

stores for window displays plugging the film's 

hit tunes. The Fred Astaire studio gave the 

theatre 3,000 dance certificates for distribution 

to patrons, tieing in with "Tea for Two." 

Phone Call to England 

Earns Plug for 'Winslow' 

When "The Winslow Boy" played the New 

Center Theatre in Hartford, advertising manager 

Seymour Kroopnick arranged a long distance 

call between Robert Donat, star of 

the film, at his home in England, and his 

mother in Wallingford, Conn. The Hartford 

Courant published a picture and ran a story 

on the telephone conversation in which the 

star and his mother discussed his role in 

"The Winslow Boy." 

Pie-Eaters Win Toys 

For his recent Saturday matinee Junior 

Jamboree show at the Norwalk (Conn.) Theatre, 

Manager John Hassett advertised a pieeating 

contest, with prizes for winners donated 

by a local toy shop. Screen show for the 

jamboree consisted of a Gene Autry feature, 

several cartoons and a number of variety acts. 

For "The Black Rose," Pyne promoted 100 

"black" roses from a florist which were given 

away to women attending the opening matinee. 

He further obtained an attractive window 

display from the same merchant. 

Staffers Close Windows 

Of Cars When It Rains 

Bill Brandon, manager of the Ritz Theatre, 

Marianna, Ga., creates goodwill for the theatre 

by rendering a special service to automobile 

owners. On rainy days, theatre employes 

are dispatched to the downtown area 

to close car windows left open by their 

owners. A card in placed near the driver's 

wheel, imprinted: "It was raining. Your 

window was down. We rolled it up. Another 

service of the Ritz Theatre." 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : Dec. 

2, 1950 — 399 — 41

' 

Smart Outside Flash Costs Little 

And Grabs Passersby Attention 

mSa^SnS 

Jack Pardue, manager of the Lyric Theatre, 

Elkin, N. C, reports that he is constantly 

seeking new ways to exploit his shows 

economically. Recently, he has been tacking 

window cards on each side of street poles in 

front of the theatre. This gets his advertising 

message before the public effectively and 

at practically no cost. 

Another inexpensive method he uses to 

promote interest in special attractions is to 

post a 24-sheet on canvas and suspend it 

from the marquee canopy in front of the 

theatre. This provides an excellent flash. 

Special theatre fronts created from lithos 

and permanent display boards have been 

found useful by Pardue in ballying his shows. 

Apples Fail to Keep 

Patrons From 'Eve' 

In conjunction with his campaign for "All 

About Eve," John Manuel, manager of the 

Strand, Cumberland, Md., promoted 2,000 

Delicious apples from a local orchard. He 

had small flyers imprinted with copy; "An 

apple a day keeps the doctor away, a laugh 

a day keeps the blues away. Your laugh for 

today is 'AH About Eve' etc., etc." These 

were fastened to the apples with colored 

toothpicks. 

Manuel has his two candy girls, dressed in 

white uniforms, carry trays of apples into 

the downtown business section at lunchtime. 

The apples were distributed on main street 

and in business offices, banks, beauty shops. 

The stunt was repeated throughout the 

current engagement of "All About Eve," 

Stages Costume Contest 

Joe Giobbia, manager of the Crown, Hartford, 

staged a costume contest on the stage 

Halloween eve. Prizes promoted from neighborhood 

merchants were awarded those 

coming in the most unusual and original 

getups. 

42 

Still boards covered with action highlights 

from coming and current films attract attention 

effectively. 

Pardue enlists the aid of local music stores 

in promoting attractions with a musical background. 

For "Dancing in the Dark," a neighborhood 

shop placed a full six-sheet in the 

main street window as a background drop. 

Theatre playdates were prominent, and many 

persons stopped to look. 

When he played "12 O'clock High," Pardue 

obtained propellors and engine parts 

from the local recruiting office of the air 

force and exhibited them in front of the theatre, 

backed up by oilcloth banners tieing 

the feature in with the recruiting drive. 

'Next Voice' Screened 

For Clergy and PTA 

Milt Baline, manager of the Mohawk, Amsterdam, 

N. Y., invited clergymen of all 

. 

faiths, and heads of PTA units to a special 

advance screening of "The Next Voice You 

Hear . ." The picture received mention 

by clergymen at Sunday services a week 

prior to opening. 

The March of Time subject. "Gathering 

Storm," was booked with the picture. Baline 

contacted heads of schools and veteran organizations, 

advising them of the playdates 

and stressing the fact that the short is a 

good basis for discussions and debates. 

Coloring Contest Plugs 

N. Y. Thanksgiving Show 

Al Hatoff, manager of the Park, Brooklyn, 

N. Y., used a coloring contest to exploit 

"Treasure Island," his Thanksgiving holiday 

show. Special circulars were prepared containing 

a color illustration mat, and the 

kids were invited to fill it in. Winners were 

awarded free passes to the film. To further 

stimulate kid patronage, free comic books 

were given away to all children who attended 

the 

Thanksgiving day matinee. 

— 400 — 

Rubber Stamp on Bags 

Is Favorite Standby 

And Inexpensive 

A 12-point program helped to promote 

"Simset Boulevard" for Tiff Cook, manager 

of the Capitol in Toronto. Two weeks before 

opening, Cook employed an old standby. 

He bought a rubber stamp and for four days 

used it to imprint thousands of grocery bags, 

record envelopes and paper napkins. Passes 

to the storekeepers squared the tieup. 

A transparent strip was tacked to the 

front of the stage three weeks before opening, 

with copy: "'Sunset Boulevard' coming, 

etc." Before the show and during intermissions, 

the sign was readable to the audience. 

Three thousand mailing pieces were sent 

to home owners in the district. These were 

made up from pressbook clippings and the 

reproduction of a scene still from the picture. 

Fifty window cards were placed in 

stores and directional arrows were tacked to 

lampposts at strategic intersections in the 

neighborhood. Special art pieces for both the 

lobby and outside frame were prepared. 

In addition to regular newspaper ads in 

the dailies, two-column mats were run in 

both north Toronto weekly publications. On 

opening day and for several days of the picture's 

run, radio spot plugs and promoted 

time heralded the playdates over stations 

CHUM and CKEY. 

Cook obtained a supply of book matches 

with picture sales copy from Paramount. 

These were given to every patron who purchased 

a loge ticket three days before opening. 

The extra promotion on this picture gave it 

a successful four-week booking at the Capitol. 

High Schools Cooperate 

In 'Henry V Publicity 

Herman Berlin, manager of the Laurelton 

(N.Y.) Theatre, tied up with two neighborhood 

high schools for cooperation in publicizing 

"Henry V." 

Teachers from both schools were invitedi 

to be guests of the management on opening 

day. In return, Berlin received permission 

to post signs on bulletin boards, and announcements 

were made in all English and 

history classes. 

A special offset program was prepared for 

distribution in homes, merchant ads on the 

back page paying for printing and distribution 

costs. In addition, the merchants displayed 

posters and stills in their windows, 

with theatre copy. 

Newspaper Promotes 

Teenage Contest 

Sam Torgen, manager of Keith's, Lowell, 

Mass., has an interesting tiein with the Lowell 

Sunday Telegram, aimed at getting more patronage 

from teenagers. The newspaper takes 

pictures of small groups of high school .students. 

The pictures are published with circles 

drawn around several of the heads. One 

lucky winner gets cash; others who are able 

to identify themselves receive guest tickets 

to the theatre. 

BOXOFFICE Showrmandiser Dec. 2, 1950 ^B 

_ M

Lawsuit Accusing NSS 

Condemned by ITOA 

NEW YORK—A defense of National Screen 

Service, against which an antitrust action 

has been instituted; a decision to condemn 

the showing of "Oliver Twist" and a statement 

of willingness to participate in establishing 

an arbitration system were three 

important outcomes of a special meeting 

Thursday (30) of the Independent Theatre 

Owners of America. 

ITOA called attention to a suit instituted 

"by a group which has assumed the name of 

National Independent Motion Picture Exhibitors 

Protective Committee." mentioned "many 

years of amicable relations" with NSS and 

went on record as disapproving the action. 

Counsel was authorized to protect the best 

interests of members. 

ITOA directed its resolutions committee to 

begin preparation of a resolution condemning 

the showing of "Oliver Twist" as un-American 

and contrary to the principles of brotherhood. 

The membership showed great interest in 

joining the arbitration efforts of the Theatre 

Owners of America, which were detailed 

to distributors at a Wednesday (29) meeting, 

in setting up a system to deal with distributor-exhibitor 

disputes. 

Samuel Goldstein, 56, 

Railroad Wreck Victim 

NEW YORK—Samuel Goldstein, 56, secretary-treasurer 

of Guaranteed Films, died 

Tuesday (27) as a result of injuries received 

in the Long Island railroad wreck Thanksgiving 

eve and became the 78th victim. He 

lived at 41 Virginia Ave., Rockville Center. 

L. I. He leaves his wife. Anne Goldstein; 

three children, Gloria, Sylvia and Joseph; his 

mother, Bessie Goldstein: three brothers. 

Jack, Louis and Jean, and a sister. Millie 

Hyams. Services were held Thursday at the 

Riverside Chapel, 76th St. and Amsterdam 

Ave., Manhattan. 

Vaudeville Team Named 

For 'Harvey' Benefit 

NEW YORK—Jesse Block and his wife 

Eve Sully, radio and vaudeville team, have 

been named co-chairmen of the ticket committee 

for the benefit opening of U-I's 

"Harvey" at the Astor Theatre December 20. 

Ed Sullivan, columnist and television star, 

is chairman of the entertainment committee 

for the benefit, which is expected to yield 

$150,000 as the first fund-raising event for 

the newly established Louise Baer Memorial 

fund of the New York Heart Ass'n. 

Booker-Salesman's Month 

Honors A. W. Schwalberg 

NEW YORK — The 

Paramount bookersalesman's 

month, an annual event since 

1948, opened Friday (1) and wUl continue 

through December 30. It honors A. W. 

Schwalberg, president of the Paramount Film 

Distributing Corp.. and will be coordinated 

by Monroe Goodman, his executive assistant. 

Quotas for features, short subjects and Paramount 

News have been set up for each 

branch. 

Excess Profits Tax Bill 

Passes House Group 

WASHINGTON — The house ways and 

means committee Thursday (30) approved at 

$3.4 billion excess profits tax bill retroactive 

to July 1, 1950. It was scheduled to be Introduced 

Friday (1), sent to the rules committee 

Monday, and members were confident 

it would reach the floor early next week. 

Meanwhile, Senator Walter F. George 

(D., Ga.». chairman of the senate finance 

committee, said he expected to start hearings 

on the measure by Monday (4). 

Of particular concern to the motion picture 

industry was a provision for campanies 

which have split into two corporations during 

the base period, which was set as 1946- 

1949, or since then. This provision would be 

applicable to the film companies forced to 

divorce distribution from exhibition. 

Under the World War II act. such companies 

would have had no previous earning 

experience on which to compute the tax. 

Under the committee bill, each of the new 

corporations formed by the divorcement is 

permitted to determine how much of the 

parent company's earnings came from assets 

which it took over, and to use this figure 

as its earnings during the base period. 

No provision was made to take care of 

frozen foreign earnings which may be remitted 

in the future, but industry leaders 

here expressed no concern, and were confident 

that this omission would be remedied 

before final enactment. 

The proposed bill fixes base period earnings 

credit at 85 per cent of the average 

earnings for the best three of the four years 

1946-1949. The tax rate was set at 75 per 

cent. The committee provided a ceiling of 

67 per cent on combined normal, surtax and 

excess profits tax. There will not be any 

specific exemption, but there is a minimum 

credit of $25,000. 

Two provisions important to new film 

companies and theatres, and those which 

CENTURY AWARD—Leslie R. 

Schwartz (right), general manager of 

Century Theatres, presents the A. H. 

Schwartz showmanship award for the 

outstanding Century manager of the year, 

to Robert Albino, manager of the Avalon 

Theatre in Brooklyn, while Fred J. 

Schwartz (left), executive vice-president, 

looks on. 

experienced "growth" were included in the 

committee measure. New corporations can 

take an earnings credit equal to the average 

rate of return on invested capital in their 

industry. Companies whose busine.ss has experienced 

"growth" can use as their average 

earnings base either the last year of the 

base period or the average of the last two 

years, whichever is higher. 

Capitol Hill sources feel that there will 

be a more determined effort than was previously 

anticipated to get the bill through 

the senate once it passes the house, where 

not too much difficulty is expected. 

New York Theatre Owners 

To Honor Impellitteri 

NEW YORK—Motion picture theatre owners 

of New York will hold a dinner honoring 

Vincent Impellitteri, newly elected 

mayor of New York, in the grand ballroom 

of the Astor hotel December 18. Si Fabian, 

president of Fabian Theatres, is general 

chairman of the event. Edward N. Rugoff, 

president of Rugoff & Becker, is chairman 

of the reception committee; Robert M. Weitman, 

vice-president of United Paramount 

Theatres, is chairman of the entertainment 

committee, and Harry N. Brandt, Emanuel 

Frisch and Morton Sunshine will also head 

other committees. 

Jersey Exhibitors Facing 

Prospect of Tax Battle 

NEW YORK—New Jersey exhibitors are 

again facing the prospect of a fight on local 

amusement and sales taxes. Except for an 

admission tax in Atlantic City, the Allied 

unit and a joint committee made up of all 

exhibitors and distributors has been able to 

stave off these taxes in recent years. The 

League of Municipalities, which claims to represent 

437 cities and towns, started discussion 

of the tax subject at a three-day conference 

which began Wednesday (29) at Atlantic 

City. 

New Rogers Chairman 

NEW YORK—Frank Bonacchini. newly appointed 

chairman of the night club division 

of the Entertainment Industry's Christmas 

salute to the Will Rogers Memorial hospital 

at Saranac Lake, has called the first meeting 

of his committee for December 4 at his 

restaurant, Le Coq Rouge. Night club and 

restaurant owners will attend to plan participation 

in the industry's Five-Mile-Long 

Christmas Card campaign for funds. 

Robert Weber of Para. Wed 

NEW YORK—Robert Weber, assistant to 

Howard Minsky, division manager for Paramount, 

was married last weekend to Ruth 

Bessell in Kenmore, a suburb of Buffalo. The 

newlyweds will live in Philadelphia, where 

Weber works. 

BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 

43

. . William 

. . 

. . Andrew 

. . Paul 

. . 

( chairman 

; arrangements 

— a 

BROADV\IAy 

Tames A. Mulvey, president of Samuel Gold- 

' wyn Productions, planed to Hollywood for 

conferences at the studio on future product. 

Mrs. Frances Goldwyn, wife of the producer, 

arrived November 25 for a Manhattan visit 

. . . Charles M. Reagan, MGM sales executive, 

returned from North Carolina . . . Hugh 

Owen, eastern and southern division manager 

for Paramount, and A. M. Kane, assistant 

division manager, visited the Buffalo, Albany 

and Boston branches returning to New York 

December 1. 

Spyros P. Skouras. president of 20th Century-Fox. 

and Al Lichtman. vice-president, 

postponed their trip to the coast for studio 

conferences . . . Billy Wilder, producer-director 

of Paramount's "Ace in the Hole," sailed 

for Europe aboard the Liberte to look for new 

story material. Mervyn LeRoy. director of 

"Quo Vadis." and Sam Zimbalist. producer 

of the film which recently was completed in 

Rome, returned on the Liberte. Fenton Hamilton, 

head electrician on the film, and John 

Schmitz, cutter, came in on the same boat 

and left for the coast. Margaret Wycherly, 

stage and screen actress, and Arthur 

Schnabel, pianist and composer, also came in 

on the Liberte. 

W. S. Tower jr., managing director of the 

Westrex Corp. subsidiary. Western Electric 

Co., Pty., left November 25 to return to Sydney, 

Australia, following discussions with 

Westrex executives here . M. Pizor, 

vice-president of Lippert F>roductions left for 

the coast for various company conferences 

and will return east in mid-December . 

Milton E. Cohen. ELC eastern division manager, 

returned to the home office from a 

cJu. 

:^^^' 

tKe best 

And Always On Time! 

For Speedy Service cmd 

Qaolity Get Tonr Next 

Special Trailer From 

FILMACICI 

MOBILE VENDING CART 

for Drive-ln Theatres 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. INC. K?n„?ciirM« 

five-week tour of eastern, midwest and western 

branches and left again December 1 for 

St. Louis, where he will meet J. H. Lutzer, 

ELC southern division manager, for a twoweek 

inspection trip of the south and southwest 

branches. 

Walter L. Titus jr., Republic division manager, 

went to the Indianapolis branch . 

David A. Lipton. national director of advertising 

and publicity for U-I. arrived from 

Hollywood to direct the advertising, publicity 

and exploitation campaign on "Harvey" . . . 

Mrs. Helen Rathvon, producer of "The Sun 

Sets at Dawn" for ELC. and Philip Shawn, 

star of the fUm, will attend the Boston opening. 

Max E. 

Youngstein, Paramount vice-president, 

returned from Toronto, where he conducted 

conferences on promoting current and 

future releases . . . E. Z. Walters, controller 

of Altec Service, is in from the coast . . . 

Irving Rubine. vice-president of Stillman 

Productions, left for Hollywood November 

28 after traveling through the east in connection 

with test campaigns on "The Sound 

of Fury," Stillman's first release for United 

George Muchnic, vice-president 

Artists . . . 

of Loew's International, left for Japan, where 

he will survey business conditions . . . Oscar 

Morgan, general sales manager of short subjects 

and newsreels for Paramount, left for 

Detroit and Cleveland to set up circuit deals 

and visit branch offices. 

. . . Diana Lynn, who 

. 

Deborah Kerr, who recently returned from 

Rome, where she spent six months making 

"Quo Vadis." left for the coast . . . Ronald 

Reagan was in to appear on two television 

shows to exploit the Pine-Thomas production, 

"The Last Outpost" 

is starred with Reagan in "Bedtime for 

Bonzo" for U-I, also got in from Hollywood 

and will make radio and television appearances 

Ray, 11 -year-old who 

plays the title role in "The Mudlark," arrived 

Saturday (2) on the Mauretania for his 

first American visit, during which he will 

attend the opening at the Rivoli December 

21. 

Billie Burke has arrived for a ten-day 

business trip after completing "Father's Little 

Dividend" for MGM . A. Fromhartz, 

head of sales control of the Motion Picture 

Export Ass'n. reported Friday at Ft. Devens, 

Mass., for army service. He had been with 

MPEA since 1946. Norman Shaffer, a.ssistant 

manager of Loew's State. Syracuse, has also 

been inducted into military service . . . Capt. 

Jack Goetz. son of Jack Goetz of Republic 

Pictures and Consolidated Film Industries, 

was married to Maude A. Averetta in New 

York November 25. Goetz is on duty at Ft. 

Dix. N. J. 

Republic has given Director William Witney 

a one-year extension on his contract. 

FORT LAUDERDALE APIS. FOR LEASE BY YEAR 

New Luxurious Tropical Sun Colony Apartments, Overlooking Ocean; Twin Beds; Tile Baths; 

Doily Maid Service; Utilities & Linens Furnished; Shuttieboard Courts; Secluded Patio with 

Wired Music; Fireproof; Modernistic. 

$1,750 

- 

Studio Apt. (sleeps 2); $2,750 - 1 -Bedroom Apt. (sleeps 4); $3,750 - 2-Bedrooms, combining 

above to sleep 6. Write Box 1102, c/o BOXOFFICE, 1009 Fox Bldg., Detroit 1, Mich. 

Hospital Xmas Card 

Passes 2-Mile Mark 

NEW YORK—More than two miles of the 

proposed five-mile Christmas greeting— 

combination of seasonal tribute and fundraising 

stunt for the Will Rogers Memorial 

hospital—has been completed, according to 

Nicholas J. Matsoukas, campaign director. 

The "cards" are being circulated in all parts 

of the country. 

Matsoukas predicts that the card idea will 

top the goal originally set. 

The drive will hit its climax December 

7 and 9 at the Hotel Astor. Two parties 

will be staged in the ballroom on those 

days. Stars of the stage, screen, radio and 

television and about 200 models will attend. 

A dozen network radio shows, including 

Strike It Rich and the Charles "Buddy" Rogers 

show will originate in the ballroom. Admission 

will be free. 

Committee assignments were completed at 

a meeting held in the board room of Fabian 

Theatres in the Paramount Bldg., November 

28. Irving Lesser, general chairman of the 

Times Square All-Stars Christmas party, presided. 

The working committees are: Production 

committee in charge of talent—Bob Shapiro 

of Paramount Theatres (chairman), Johrmy 

Dugan of MCA, Arthur Knorr and Sam 

Rausch of the Roxy Theatre, Harry Mayer 

of Warner Bros., Harry Levine of Paramount. 

Harry Greenman of the Capitol Theatre. 

Harry Anger of the General Artists 

Corp., Sol Shapiro of the William Morris 

Agency and Russell Downing of the Music 

Hall: labor relations—Ma j. L. E. Thompson 

of RKO Theatres ( chairman i. Charles lucci 

of the AFL. Sol Pernick of the lATSE and 

Henry Dunn of Agva: radio—James Sauter 

) 

and reception 

committee chairmen—Montague Salmon ol 

the Rivoli Theatre, William A. White of 

Skouras Theatres Corp.. Syd Gross and Sy 

Evans of Gross-Evans Associates and Fred 

Hodgson: publicity—Irving Windisch of the 

Strand Theatre (chairman); transportation 

Larry Puck of CBS (chairman). 

RKO District Managers 

To Attend Meet in N. Y. 

NEW YORK—Robert Mochrie's RKO district 

managers arrived for a special meeting 

at the Warwick hotel starting December 4. 

Coming in were R. J. Folliard. eastern district, 

with headquarters in Philadelphia: M. 

E. Lefko. Cleveland: H. H. Greenblatt, Chicago: 

A. L. Kolitz. Denver: J. H. Maclntyre, 

Los Angeles: L. S. Gruenberg, New York 

City: David Prince. Atlanta: Ben Y. Cammack. 

Dallas, and Leo M. Devaney of Canada, 

headquartering in Toronto. 

Disney Films to Criterion 

NEW YORK—Walt Disney's "The Wonderful 

Adventures of Pinocchio" and "Make 

Mine Music" will be the feature attractions 

for the Christmas season at the Criterion 

Theatre, starting December 15. "Pinocchio" 

was originally released by RKO in 1940 and 

"Make Mine Music" was released by RKO in 

1946. 

44 BOXOFTICE December 2, 1950

TV Contract Is Ralified 

Record Sform Affects All Broadway 

By 5 Performer Unions Houses Except Sold-Out 'Cyrano 

NEW YORK—The New York members of 

five performers' unions represented by Television 

Authority ratified a two-year contract 

with four television networks and one TV 

station at a meeting at the City Center 

Casino, November 28. The vote was 486 to 

151 for acceptance of the agreement for 

minimum wage and working conditions which 

will go into effect December 8, according 

to present plans. 

The agreement was reached after more 

than two months of negotiations between 

Television Authority and the networks, climaxed 

when the union ordered its members 

to go out on strike November 17. Television 

Authority members held a ratification meeting 

in Chicago November 28 and a similar 

meeting in Los Angeles November 29. 

The unions represented by Television 

Authority are the Actors Equity, Chorus 

Equity. American Guild of Variety Artists, 

American Federation of Radio Artists and 

American Guild of Musical Artists. The networks 

are National Broadcasting Co.. Columbia 

Brodcasting System, American Broadcasting 

Co. and DuMont. WOR-TV is the 

independent station. 

George Heller, national executive secretary 

of Television Authority, flew to Los Angeles 

immediately following the ratification meeting 

in a final effort to reach a working 

agreement with Screen Actors Guild in their 

jurisdictional dispute over television performers. 

Meanwhile. National Labor Relations 

Board hearings on the dispute, which have 

been in progress on the coast, have been 

recessed until December 4. 

'Mudlark' Opening Moved 

From Roxy to Rivoli 

NEW YORK—"The Mudlark," the 20th- 

Fox British-made picture, which had been 

scheduled to play the Roxy Theatre, has been 

switched to the Rivoli Theatre, where it will 

open December 21. 

The company accepted the Rivoli offer, 

said to be the "highest guarantee for a motion 

picture in recent Broadway history," 

because the Roxy is committed to unalterable 

release dates for "For Heaven's Sake" and 

other 20th-Fox features. 

Irene Dunne is starred as Queen Victoria, 

Alec Guinness plays Disraeli and 11 -year old 

Andrew Ray plays the title role. Miss Dunne 

and young Ray will attend the New York 

opening. 

Music Director Signed 

NEW YORK—Jack Shaindlin has been 

signed as musical director for Louis De- 

Rochemont's "Whistle at Eaton Falls." scheduled 

for Columbia release. Shaindlin was 

also musical director on DeRochemont's "Lost 

Boundaries." 

Athanasia Skouras to Wed 

NEW YORK—George P. and Mrs. Skouras 

have announced the engagement of their 

daughter Athanasia, to Martin J. Sweeny jr., 

son of Mrs. Martin Sweeny of 227 Park Ave. 

Skouras, president of Skouras Theatres, lives 

at Rye. N. Y. 

NEW YORK—The record storm of the 

November 25 weekend seriously affected the 

gro.sses at all of the Broadway first runs, 

with the single exception of "Cyrano de 

Bergerac." which had sold all seats in advance 

for the second week of its two-a-day 

engagement at the Bijou. Those patrons 

unable to attend from the storm-swept 

boroughs of Brooklyn. Queens and Staten 

Island will be taken care of at later performances, 

the Bijou management reported. 

With the radio warning people to stay off 

the streets Saturday, many even stayed at 

home Sunday (26) when the weather became 

fair and cold. Despite this, the Roxy 

did a very good first week's business with 

"The Jackpot." which would have had a 

smash gross, the management said. Weathering 

the storm better than most of the others 

was "King Solomon's Mines." which had 

a third week at the Radio City Music Hall 

which approached the strong second stanza. 

"Two Weeks With Love" had a good first 

week at the Capitol but "Never a Dull Moment" 

was unable to overcome the poor 

newspaper reviews and had a mild first week 

at the Rivoli. A surprise was the sensational 

business for "The Blue Angel." the 

20-year-old German film at the Little Carnegie, 

which attested to the popularity of Marlene 

Dietrich. "Trio." in its seventh week 

at the Sutton: "Prelude to Fame," in its 

third week at the Trans-Lux 52nd Street, 

and "Last Holiday," in its second week at 

the Paris, all held up better than the Hollywood 

product at the larger houses. 

New pictures that opened during the week 

were: "Let's Dance," the 25th anniversary 

film at the Paramount: "Woman on the 

Run," "Farewell to Yesterday" and "Dial 

1119." 

(Average Is 100) 

Astor—American Guerrilla in the Philippines (20th- 

Fox), 3rd wk 

Bijou—Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), 2nd wk. of twoa-day 

100 

- i-io 

- 

Capitol—Two Weeks With Love (MGM), plus 

stage show HO 

Criterion—Right Cross (MGM), 2nd wk _ 85 

Globe—Tripoli (Para), 3rd wk £0 

Little Carnegie—The Blue Angel (Classic Pictures), 

revival -- 140 

Loews State—Harriet Craig (Col), 4th wk 90 

Mayiair— Rio Grande (Rep), 2nd wk _...iOS 

Palace—Saddle Tramp (U-I), plus vaudeville 93 

Paramount-Copper Canyon (Para), plus stage 

show, 2nd wk - 98 

Pans— Last Holiday (Siratlord), 2nd wk 110 

Park Ave.-iue—Hamlet (U-I), 3rd wk. of return 

engagement 

8D 

Radio City Music Hall—King Solomon's Mines 

(MGM), plus snge show, 3rd wk 120 

Rivoh—Never a Dull Moment (RKO) - 9b 

Roxy—The Iac:

%ei^ 

%imi MOTION PICTURE mJECTORS... 

... do not require oil pumps ... must be designed to use 

and splash lubrication for efficient 

operation. 

high-power arc lamps without 

light-wasting heat filters. 

HERE'S THE PROBLEM 

Modern projection demands the use of higher power ore lamps. These lamps 

create intense heat which causes buckling and distortion of the film. To prevent 

film mutilation and out-of-focus pictures, some projectors require heavy 

light-wasting heat filters. These filters waste most of the light added by the 

higher power lamps. 

HERE'S THE SOLUTION 

CENTURY projectors equipped with water-cooled apertures reduce destructive 

heat and increase picture brilliance. 

Think of this . . . CENTURY high-efficiency mechanisms, plus water-cooling 

and with a 90 ampere arc will put as much light on the screen as other projectors 

using a 180 ampere arc and heat filters! 

HERE'S THE RESULT 

• Full brilliance and sharper pictures without loss of light or 

wasted power. 

• More illumination on the largest screens. 

• Film distortion reduced. Focusing trouble minimized. 

Projectors equipped for high speed, long focal length, 4" diem. lenses. 

Woter cooling is optional— available on all models at slight extra cost. 

LUBRICATION IS OLD FASHIONED! 

With CENTURY you have no lubrication headaches— no dripping oil or grease 

to mess up equipment or film. There are no oil baths or oil pumps to leak or 

fail and cause bindups and frozen bearings. To end this costly trouble 

CENTURY uses sealed, oil-less bearings and glass-hard, high carbon-chrome 

steel gears. 

Proof of CENTURY'S simplified, high-efficiency design can be seen in the illustrations 

on the right. Ten gears with only two gear meshes between the 

shutter and the intermittent com. (Other well known projectors hove from 

4 to 12 such meshes and up to 23 gears). 

Fewer gears and shafts mean less trouble, lower maintenance, less vibration, 

sharper pictures . . . finer projection. 

See your CENTURY dealer about modernizing your projection and 

sound equipment now, under present government restrictions. 

ALBANY THEATRE 

SUPPLY CO. 

443 North Pcorl St. 

Albany 4, New York 

SOLD BY 

AMUSEMENT SUPPLY CO. 

341 West 44th St. 

New York 18, N. Y. 

J.F.DUSMAN COMPANY 

12 East 25th St. 

Baltimore 18, Maryland 

PERKINS THEATRE 

SUPPLY, INC. 

505 Pearl St. 

Buffolo 2, New York 


— 

^ 

QUICK 75-THEATRE START PUTS 

'EVE' 

IN NEW YORK HIT CLASS 

^ Six Circuits Book Picture, Advertise Cooperatively 

And Give It 

Equivalent of 80 Weeks Playing Time 

NEW YORK—What's the answer to the problem of making a big national flash for 

the start of a picture? 

Is it massed city openings, massed regional openings, shortened clearances to take 

advantage of the first advertising impact, longer clearances to get the full benefit of 

a slower play-off in the houses that turn in the most revenue, or is it something new? 

Television, for instance? 

As the holiday doldrums set 

in before Christmas and magnification 

of the television specter 

becomes habitual in some exhibitor 

circles it becomes possible 

to get a different answer to 

each of these questions. 

Nobody has a formula for division 

of the advertising appropriation 

between mediums any more. 

Formulas are being discarded for 

a catch-as-catch-can approach. 

'EVE' 

CITED AS EXAMPLE 

Take "All About Eve" as an example. 

First, it was going to be 

sold on a "scheduled performance" 

basis by 20th Century-Fox. 

Nobody was to be admitted after 

the start of the film. Most people 

in the industry took the 

proposal seriously. Some few of 

the daily papers and other commentators 

with a sardonic conviction 

that everything novel in 

the picture business is a publicity 

stunt made their views known. 

Then what happened? Just as 

soon as Spyros P. Skouras, Andy 

W. Smith jr. and Charles Einfeld 

decided the new policy 

wasn't going to work at the Roxy 

Theatre they turned loose a barrage 

of advertising selling the 

new "continuous policy" basis. 

By the time this new campaign 

reached its climax leading exhibitors 

were convinced "All About Eve" was presold, 

and it was. If the campaign had eased 

off, nobody would have been surprised. Instead 

of easing off, it took a new tack—not 

a completely new tack, because massed New 

York City openings have been done before 

but new insofar as this picture was concerned 

because its impact was so sudden. 

CONTINUOUS RUNS PROFIT 

The "continuous run" policy paid off. The 

fUm stayed five weeks with fine grosses. 

Five weeks at either the Roxy or the Music 

Hall always impresses the hinterlands, because 

circuit operators and the larger independents 

know there can be no "forced" runs 

in houses where the overhead comes up close 

to or goes over $100,000 per week. 

Then, socko! Smith booked the picture into 

75 New York theatres on six circuits on a 

day-and-date basis starting Thanksgiving 

eve (Nov. 22) with a few exceptions. 

Add the five weeks at the Roxy to this total 

Starts TOMORROW 

AT YOUR FAVORITE 

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATRE 

Directly after its Broadway Ron.' 

The Greatest Holiday 

Treat in Movie History! 

2iO 

^^^^^^^^^ CONTINUOUS 

BETTE ANNE GEORGE CELESTE 

DAVIS • BAXTER • SANDERS • HOLM 

GARY MERRILL- HUGH MARLOWE 

. ffui NEW 2nrf Fiitvrt ^^^^— 

' QMtJH^Si%/%%M/JU* HOWARD DUFF • BRIAN DONLEVY 

Qn^f^mtfwWWtW PEGGY DOW 

• 

LAWRENCE TIERNEY 

Co-Op ad placed in New York newspapers. 

of 75 and you have the equivalent of a 80- 

week run in New York, but, because it was 

concentrated into a short time with a variety 

of advertising approaches it became the mosttalked-about-film 

current in late November. 

Nature intervened. The Saturday following 

Thanksgiving the eastern seaboard was hit 

by an east wind that knocked cornices off 

buildings, broke windows, balled up the 

transportation system and kept everybody at 

home. It would have been a big theatre day. 

Additional space was taken in all dailies for 

holdover ads. 

It cost plenty of money, but the 75 theatres 

involved were happy, because they were 

doing stand-up business. Similar campaigns 

have been carried out before on big pictures. 

The usual division is for the distributor 

to pay 35 per cent, with the theatres listed 

in the ads taking up the rest of the bill on 

a per-theatre or per-seat basis. 

Similar multiple-theatre openings are in 

the offering on 20th Century-Fox product, 

but how many of them, if any, will be on 

"All Aboui Eve" is uncertain. 

A tremendous amount of work is involved 

in arranging one of them. About 100 

prints have to be as.sembled in the New 

York exchange. Some of them come from as 

far west as Salt Lake City. This upsets 

regional release schedules, but the results are 

considered worthwhile from both the exhibitor 

and distributor viewpoint. Prints are 

rushed back to exchanges as quickly as possible. 

TIMING IS AN ODDITY 

In the "All About Eve" campaign the advertising 

was extended to radio, TV, outdoor 

posting, lobby display and direct mailing. 

The opening day ad Thanksgiving eve was 

1,000 lines. 

In spite of the quick reaction to the "Eve" 

campaign—probably stimulated by the surprise 

element—this was not the biggest campaign 

of the kind put on in New York. Some 

of the predecessors have gone over 100 theatres. 

Among the big-timers in the simultaneous 

run class have been "Duel in the Sun," 

"Cinderella," "Mighty Joe Young" and "Samson 

and Delilah." 

One of the additional oddities of this campaign 

was its timing. The picture already 

was being shown around the coimtry and it 

was figured that its New York smash would 

not only bring in some heavy revenue in the 

area where 17 per cent of the country's total 

can be expected; it would at the same time 

stimulate business elsewhere. 

Up to November 25 "Eve" had been held 

over for 51 extra weeks in key cities: Philadelphia, 

Fox; Oakland, Paramount and 

Grand Lake; San Francisco, Fox and United 

Nations; Seattle, 5th Avenue and Paramount; 

Wilmington. Rialto; Washington, Palace; 

Providence, Majestic and Carleton; Toronto, 

University, Imperial, Tivoli, Nortown and 

Eglinton; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Rochester, 

Paramount; Wichita, Boulevard and Miller; 

Trenton, Mayfair; Salt Lake City, Uptown. 

Irene Dunne Honor Guest 

At 20th-Fox Gathering 

NEW YORK—Irene Dunne, starred in "The 

Mudlark" (20th-Fox), was given a reception 

and cocktail party at the Stork club on 

Wednesday (29). Celebrities of the stage, 

screen and political and social circles were 

present, along with radio, newspaper, national 

magazine and tradepress representatives. 

Among those invited were Mrs. Eleanor 

Roosevelt, Arthur Godfrey, Oscar Hammerstein, 

Richard Rodgers, Eric Johnston. Mrs. 

Anna Rosenberg, Clare Booth Luce, Gracie 

Allen, George Burns, Faye Emerson, Arlene 

Francis, James A. and Mrs. Farley, Wendy 

Barrie, Henry J. Taylor and Mrs. Taylor, 

Bernard Gimbel, Frank Folsom. Robert Lehman, 

Louis Sobol and Igor Cassini. 

W. C. Michel, Al Lichtman, Murray Silverstone. 

Joseph Moskowitz, Andy W. Smith 

jr., Charles Einfeld, Otto Koegel, Donald 

Henderson, Wilfred Eadie and William C. 

Gehring of 20th-Fox also were present. 


BRITISH FEATURE RUNS GAIN 

STEADILY IN ART THEATRES 

Seven of 19 Films Runs 

On Broadway British; 

Art Spots in All Keys 

NEW YORK—Although J. Arthur Rank's 

ambitious plans of a few years back to 

bombard the American market with 

British-made films gradually petered out, 

first run showings of English features have 

shown a steady increase in key cities 

during the past year. The tendency now, 

however, is to try for longer runs in small 

art houses. 

TWO MORE SHOW BRITISH 

During November, two more of Manhattan's 

smaller theatres switched over to a 

policy of first run British product. They 

were the Trans-Lux 52nd Street, which had 

been playing revivals and subsequents, which 

opened "Prelude to Fame," J. Arthur Rank 

production released by Universal-International. 

November 9 and has been playing 

to crowded houses since, and the Paris Theatre, 

built as the Manhattan showcase for 

Pathe Cinema's French features, which 

opened "Last Holiday." Associated British 

feature being released by Stratford Pictures 

in the U.S. The latter, too, was praised by 

reviewers and is doing good business. 

During the second week in October, seven 

out of 19 first run films showing in Manhattan 

were British made, the highest number 

in Broadway history. One of these, "The 

Red Shoes," completed its second year of 

two-a-day showings at the Bijou Theatre, 

a 589-seat house in the Times Square district, 

and chalked up a total of 108 weeks, 

the longest run for any film. The Eagle Lion 

Classics release then moved over to the 

Victoria Theatre November 21 for a continuous 

performance engagement. At the same 

time, another ELC release, "Kind Hearts and 

Coronets," completed its 24th week November 

29 and is likely to score a half-year run 

at the 453-seat Trans-Lux Madison Avenue 

Theatre, where "Tight Little Island" played 

20 weeks earlier in 1950. A third ELC release. 

"The Winslow Boy," recently completed 

18 weeks at the 561 -seat Sutton. 

'TRIO' PROBABLY INTO '51 

On Broadway, "Treasure Island," a Walt 

Disney live-action feature produced in England, 

completed 10 weeks at the Mayfair on 

Broadway October 23 while "State Secret," 

produced by Douglas Fairbanks jr. in England 

and released in the U.S. by Columbia, 

ran seven weeks at the Victoria, the same 

house where "The Third Man," a Korda- 

Selznick production, played 25 weeks earlier 

in 1950. 

The other recent British-made features 

in Manhattan were: "Trio," which opened at 

the Sutton October 9 and is likely to run 

into 1951, if long waiting lines outside the 

tiny 57th St. theatre are any indication; "The 

Happiest Years of Your Life," a London Films 

production, which packed them in at the 

Little Carnegie Theatre for eight weeks 

and "Madness of the Heart," a J. Arthur 

Rank production released by Uni- 

Doubled Duty Threatens 

Negative Imports 

NEW YORK—Import duties on motion 

picture negatives will be doubled January 

1 if an international conference now going 

on in England does not succeed in 

reaching new agreements, the office of 

the collector of customs here said Tuesday 

(26). 

The 1930 tariff act rates were reduced 

by agreements among a large number of 

nations. Recently Mexico abrogated the 

agreements, so the rates will return to 

those originally set and all nations will 

be affected unless the British conference 

works out some sort of a compromise. 

The increases now set for January 1 

are: Exposed but undeveloped negatives, 

from one cent to two cents a foot; exposed 

developed negatives, one and onehalf 

to three cents; exposed developed 

positive film, one-half to one cent. 

Cuba alone would not have to pay the 

doubled increases because of a special 

agreement with the U.S., but would have 

to pay lesser increases. 

versal-International, at the Park Avenue, 

which has been playing British pictures almost 

exclusively since U-I took over the lease 

from Walter Reade several years ago. The 

longest run at the Park Avenue was "Hamlet," 

which ran for 66 weeks at two-a-day. 

This Rank film opened a continuous run engagement 

at the same house November 10. 

Several other midtown art theatres have 

occasionally played first run British films, 

among them the Art, in Greenwich Village, 

which played "Pink String and Sealing Wax," 

one of the first of the Pentagon Pictures releases; 

the Stanley, which played Pentagon's 

"The Lost People"; the Trans-Lux 72nd St., 

which played Pentagon's "Dear Mr. Prohack." 

and the Beacon, on Broadway at 73rd St., 

which played double bills of several first run 

British pictures released by Eagle Lion last 

spring. All of these houses have reverted to 

playing second run British films or revivals 

of old American pictures. 

In its two years and four weeks at the 

Bijou, more than 1,079,396 patrons saw 

"The Red Shoes," according to the theatre 

boxoffice records. At an average admission 

price of $1.80, this represents a gross of 

$2,000,000 in its single New York engagement. 

However, the appeal of this British-made 

film about the ballet, was not limited to 

New York alone. "Shoes" set a 59-week first 

run mark in Chicago and played 43 weeks in 

Boston, 47 weeks in Los Angeles. 40 weeks 

in Philadelphia and 31 weeks in San Francisco, 

all at $2.40 "roadshow" prices. In all 

of these cities, the picture later played a 

popular-price engagement. 

In addition to the British films playing the 

first run houses, the week of November 20 saw 

12 other British features advertised in the 

New York Times as playing in mid-town or 

Greenwich Village houses. They included: 

"Tight Little Island," "Salt to the Devil," 

"The Winslow Boy" and "The Glass Mountain," 

all ELC releases; "The Astonished 

Heart" and "The Rocking Horse Winner," 

U-I releases; "Hatter's Castle," a Paramount 

release; "Henry V," UA release which was 

playing in four spots; "Daybreak" and "Dear 

Mr. Prohack," Pentagon releases, and "Night 

Train" and "Thunder Rock," older independent 

British product. 

U-I, ELC DISTRIBUTE BULK 

During 1950, Universal-International and 

Eagle Lion (now Eagle Lion Classics) released 

the bulk of the new J. Arthur Rank product 

in the U.S. Universal-International had 

"Adam and Evalyn," "Madness of the Heart," 

"The Rugged O'Riordans," an Australianmade, 

and the popular-price release of "Hamlet." 

Eagle Lion had "The Gay Lady," "Salt 

to the Devil," "The Amazing Mr. Beecham," 

"The Perfect Woman," "Kind Hearts and 

Coronets," "The Glass Mountain," "The Winslow 

Boy," "The Blue Lamp," "The Golden 

Salamander," "Naughty Arlette," "So Long at 

the Pair," "Paper Gallows" and "They Were 

Not Divided," in addition to "Eye Witness," 

"The Taming of Dorothy" and "White 

Heather," produced by other British companies. 

Several of these have not yet had 

first runs here. 

Among the other majors during 1950, Columbia 

had only one British film, "State 

Secret," to be released in December; Monogram 

had "The Silk Noose" and "Mystery at 

the Burlesque"; Paramount had "Trio," coproduced 

with J. Arthur Rank; RKO had 

"Treasure Island," produced by Walt Disney 

in England, and United Artists had "If This 

Be Sin," Gregory Ratoff production. In addition, 

20th Century-Fox released "Night and 

the City" and "The Black Rose." produced by 

the company abroad; MGM released "Conspirator" 

and "The Miniver Story," both produced 

by the company in London, and 

Warner Bros, released "The Hasty Heart" and 

"Stage Fright," both produced in London 

studios. The old Film Classics also released 

"Good Time Girl" as one of its last pictures— 

in May. Only Republic and Lippert failed 

to have any British pictures on the 1960 

schedule. 

NEW DEAL TO BE PROLIFIC 

David O. Selznick released two Britishmade 

Korda productions, "The Tliird Man" 

and "The Fallen Idol," during 1950 and the 

residual selling of these two is now being 

handled by Eagle Lion Classics. 

The deal with J. Arthur Rank recently 

made by the newly formed Pentagon Pictures 

Corp. will release a flood of old Briti.sh product 

to the U.S. screens. Some of these were 

originally handled by Prestige Pictures, U-I 

subsidiary, since dissolved, but the bulk of the 

159 features listed by Pentagon have never 

been shown here. 

Unfortunately, many of these Pentagon releases 

are not suitable for American audiences 

and might influence many patrons 

against the better British films released by 

U-I and ELC. 

48 BOXOFHCE December 2, 1950

. . 

. . . George 

. . The 

. . 

. . 

. . . Joan 

. . Frank 

. . Morey 

BUFFALO 

Terry Carson, assistant manager at the Buf- 

' falo Paramount, is finally in the army 

after many delays and one cancellation of 

his draft call. After a farewell party, his 

induction was called off. Then, the call 

came again and he is now Camp Dix . . . 

at 

Suzanne Dalbert, feminine star of "Breakthrough." 

was a guest at a press-radio luncheon 

given by James H. Eshelman, district 

manager of the Buffalo Paramount Corp. 

She made personal appearances at the 

opening Saturday (2). The recruiting office 

cooperated 100 per cent with the Paramount 

on the opening. Charles B. Taylor arranged 

to place A-boards tieing in recruiting copy 

with the picture. 

Eleanor Paradeis has resigned as booking 

manager in the Lippert exchange and has 

been succeeded by Minnie Zachem, operator 

of the Oakdale and Artistic theatres . . . 

William P. Rosenow, secretary of Skyway 

Drive-ins, is booking independent films at 

the Theatre Service Organization at 505 

Clayton Cornell, publicityadvertising 

Pear St. . . . 

director for the Cinema Theatres, 

headquarters in Rochester but drives to Buffalo 

each week to assist Pete Becker, local 

manager . . . Buffalo's Katherine Cornell 

will open her new play, "Captain Carvallo," 

at the Erlanger December 6. Sir Cedric 

Hardwick will have an important role. 

Les Pollock, manager of Loew's Theatre in 

Rochester, lined up 70 prizes for his annual 

Jack Flex, 

Thanksgiving cartoon show . . . 

former Syracuse exhibitor, now is associated 

with Alliance Theatres in the Chicago area. 

He was visiting his brother in Newark . 

Mrs. Pete Bifarella. wife of the operator of 

the new Joylan Theatre in Springville, N. Y., 

was recovering from illness at a Buffalo 

hospital. She is the mother of Sally Bifarella, 

longtime secretary to Mannie Brown and 

Mike Simon at the Paramount exchange 

WATCHING A TREATMENT—George 

H. Mackenna, general manager of Basil's 

Lafayette Theatre in Buffalo, is treasurer 

of the Western New York Sister Elizabeth 

Kenny Foundation and is very active as 

publicity chairman for the present drive 

for funds. Here Mackenna watches Buffalo 

polio patient Rose M. Muenier receive 

treatment at the Kenny Center at 15 

Tracy St.. Administering the "hot packs" 

is Kenny technician Dorothy A. Fish. 

but who now has a federal position in 

Springville . . Murray Whiteman, Tent 7 

. 

first assistant chief barker, returned after 

a week in New York to see the new shows 

and to buy Christmas tilings for his Song 

Shop. 

Charles B. Taylor, advertising and publicity 

director at Buffalo Paramount Corp.; 

Elmer F. Lux; Arthur J. Crosson, organist, 

and Jack Grood, Chez Ami, were among the 

industry representatives on the Ad club committee 

that arranged the appearance of Gen. 

Bonner Fellers at a recent luncheon . 

Max Friedman, Warner Theatres' film buyer, 

and Larry Lapidus, booker, were visitors from 

Albany along Filmrow, dropping in especially 

to greet Pete DeFazio, local WB manager . . . 

The Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts stage 

show will be in Buffalo at the Paramount for 

a week starting Saturday (9) and station 

WGR which airs the Godfrey show is planning 

allout cooperation with the theatre on 

the air as well as in its bimonthly publication. 

Richard Feldman, manager of the Paramount 

Theatre in Syracuse, recently awarded 

a scroll of commendation to E. R. Vadeboncoeur 

for "his keen interest in civic affairs 

and his daily impartial analysis of the news" 

following the latter's broadcast from the 

Paramount stage before the showing of 

"American Guerrilla in the Philippines." The 

stunt got some nice breaks in the local press 

H. Mackenna, treasurer of the 

Western New York Sister Elizabeth Kenny 

Foundation, is acting as publicity chairman 

of the 1950 fund appeal and is landing some 

splendid art and copy in the Buffalo newspapers. 

The Graziano brothers, former vaudeville 

artists, are now are assistant managers at 

the Oswego in Oswego, N. Y., and the State 

Theatre in Cortland . Ellen Terry, a 

west side community theatre, has become the 

temporary church of the Coronation of the 

Blessed Virgin Mary parish. Masses will be 

held there every Sunday until parishioners 

are ready to move into their own church. 

The parish has just been created by the 

Buffalo bishop. 

. 

Citizens at Ccloron, N. Y., are pleased to 

hear that their own Lucille Ball gets the 

role of Angel in DeMille's "The Greatest 

Show on Earth." Lucille is very popular in 

western New York and a large delegation 

from Chautauqua county was on hand when 

she appeared recently on the Buffalo Paramount 

stage . . . Buffalo's Amanda Blake 

is getting plaudits from critics for her work 

in "Counterspy Meets Scotland Yard" 

The Mancuso Theatre in Batavia will have 

Sammy Kaye and his orchestra on stage 

Sunday (3) ... Harry Weiner, manager of 

the Eckel Theatre in Syracuse, recently ran 

a contest to find the "Tarzan" of Syracuse 

university, inviting the students to attend the 

theatre and vote for the 15 contestants. Merchants 

donated prizes. The promotion was 

on "Tarzan and the Slave Girl" . . . Arthur 

DeBra, director of the community relations 

department of the MPAA, spoke at a dinner 

in Rochester the other evening, staged jointly 

by the American Ass'n of University Women 

and the local Motion Picture council. 

. 

the Schine Riviera in Rochester to enter 

business for himself. Norman has been managing 

theatres in Kodak Town for a long 

time Versage, who has been as- 

.sociated with the Kallet circuit in Geneseo 

and Martina Theatres in Mount Morris, is 

the new a.ssistant manager at the RKO Palace 

Don Whitington is 

in Rochester . . . doing extensive remodeling and decorating 

at the Lincoln Theatre in Rochester. 

Dave Goldstein and Herb Ochs closed the 

Pic-17 Drive-In in Chautauqua county a few 

weeks ago, but kept using goodwill ads on 

tlie outdoorer . Hamet has resigned 

as a booker in the ELC exchange. He will go 

to Vancouver to make his home. 

Dorothy Maes is the new secretary to Jack 

Chinell at the RKO exchange. She was a 

biller in the same office . . . Mrs. Michael 

Papero. former secretary, has resigned . . . 

Antoinette Puszala is the new biller at RKO 

Leary has been named secretary 

to Mannie A. Brown, manager of the ELC 

exchange. She was secretary to Leon Herman 

at Republic. 

Spanish Feature Opens 

NEW YORK—"Hidden River" (Rio Escondido). 

Spanish-language feature produced in 

Mexico by Clasa-Mohme. opened at the Little 

Cine-Met Theatre November 30. The picture 

stars Maria Felix. MacLaren-Andersen 

Associates is handling bookings in the U.S. 

Bffr&^ SOUND 

Model 6 

- 

S/^H^ BOXOFFICE- 

£OfnR COST! 

World famous for superior performance and 

durability. Chainless. beltless, trouble-free. 

All-gear projector drive. Designed for use 

with all projector mechanisms, 

rm} uiinq Bcidantifne 

SOUNDHEADS 

Perkins 

Theatre Supply Co. 

505 Pearl Street, 

Buffalo, New York 

Norman Wolk has resigned as manager of Complete Theatre Equipment & Supplies 


49

Television Ads Continue 

To Overshadow Films 

NEW YORK — Television advertising in 

newspapers is continuing to completely overshadow 

film and radio advertising. In the 

New York Times Sunday (26) there were 

1,114'j inches of television advertising on 

12 pages. Films totaled 201 "4 inches and 

radio 28 inches. 

Film advertising appeared on four pages 

and radio advertising on three. 

Free space devoted to the three mediums 

was as follows: Radio, 168 inches; television, 

174 inciies; films, 189 inches. 

Motion picture theatres pay a higher advertising 

rate than radio and television. 

Recently after Charles Einfeld called the 

attention of Theatre Owners of America 

members at Houston to the enormous bulk 

of automobile and television advertising 

when compared with motion picture advertising 

film spokesmen replied that the TV 

space was due to the current excitement 

over the Federal Communications commission 

authorizing color television. 

The $2,000,000 campaign of the American 

Television Dealers and Manufacturers Ass'n 

was also cited. 

None of the ads of this campaign were 

included in the above measurements. The 

Times was typical of all the New York 

papers and a quick survey of papers in 

other important cities where there are television 

stations shows the advertising ratio 

between films and television about the same. 

Radio-TV Checkup Shows 

Little Adverse Comment 

NETW YORK—A two-week checkup of all 

radio and television programs in nine major 

cities has showed that what little adverse 

comment there has been about films has been 

more than offset by praise, according to 

Arthur L. Mayer, executive vice-president, 

Council of Motion Picture Organizations. 

The cities checked were New York, Boston, 

Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Washington, 

Philadelphia. Los Angeles and San Francisco. 

Exclusive of gossip broadcasts and picture 

reviews, the survey produced 100 comments, 

most of them favorable, Mayer said. He 

added that radio interviews with Gael Sullivan, 

executive secretary. Theatre Owners of 

America: Rudy Vallee and Charles Brackett, 

Hollywood producer-writer, boosted the industry 

over important stations. 

COMPO plans similar checkups later. 

Melvin Gold Is Elected 

NTFC Board Chairman 

NEW YORK—Melvin L. Gold, advertisingpublicity 

director for National Screen Service, 

has been elected chairman of the board of 

National Television Film Council. He founded 

the organization and was its president for 

two years. 

Jacques Kopfstein, vice-president of Atlantic 

Television Corp., has become vicechairman, 

and Paul White, vice-president in 

charge of programs. Sally Perle retains the 

post of public relations counselor. 

Chicago Theatre TV 

Plays to Capacity 

CHICAGO — Theatre television played 

to capacity here Saturday (25) despite 

the big storm. With local interest in the 

Northwestern-Illinois football game at a 

high point, the State-Lake Theatre sold 

out all of its 2,700 seats by noon and the 

3,200-seat Tivoli on the south side had 

the SRO sign up at game time. The 

Balaban & Katz circuit scaled the game 

at $1.20. To B&K executives, the big 

screen telecasting of football has been a 

success, with business at capacity when 

interest in the game is high. 

Century to Extend Tests 

Of TV Theatre Programs 

NEW YORK—Further experimental use of 

television subjects in theatres is to be tested 

by the Century circuit here. Recently Century 

introduced the Camel News Caravan, 

a newsreel type film containing advertising 

which was originally scheduled for the air. 

This is shown on the two circuit houses 

which have large screen television projectors. 

One is in the Queens, in Queens Village, and 

the other is in the Marine Theatre, Brooklyn. 

The Camel Caravan reel is to be continued. 

Some Century circuit houses discontinued 

use of standard film newsreels about a year 

ago because of audience comments to the 

effect that much of the material had already 

been seen at home or in taverns. 

Harold Newman of Century says he does 

not consider the Camel show a replacement 

of newsreels. He admits he is experimenting 

with television on theatre screens. He has 

what he describes as "several other projects" 

in mind. 

Six Eastern Theatres Show 

Army-Navy Game on TV 

NEW YORK—Six eastern theatres were 

scheduled to show the Army-Navy football 

game on television. Large-screen presentations 

of telecasts will be seen on home sets 

offered by Fox, Queens, Marine and Fordham 

in New York, Palace in Albany and 

Pilgrim in Boston. The Paramount in New 

York is refraining. 

Eastman Promotes Two, 

Adds Them to Board 

ROCHESTER—William S. Vaughn, assistant 

vice-president of Eastman Kodak, has 

been promoted to vice-president and assistant 

general manager, and M. Wren Gabel, assistant 

to the general manager, has al.so been 

made assistant vice-president, in addition to 

his former duties. Both have been elected 

to the Eastman Kodak board of directors. 

New York Asks FCC 

For Tele Channel 

WASHINGTON—The City of New York 

has asked the Federal Communications commission 

for assignment of a television channel 

so that it can operate a TV station as it operates 

a radio station—WNYC. In a letter presented 

to the FCC by Seymour N. Siegel, 

director of radio communications for the 

city. Mayor Vincent R. Impellitteri wrote 

that the city will need a television station 

because of the "limitless possibilities in television 

as a means of visual education in our 

schools as well as for our adult citizens." 

If the station is authorized, it will be put 

at the disposal of the board of education, the 

mayor wrote. 

William J. Wallin. chancellor of the board 

of regents of the University of the State of 

New York, told the FCC that Governor Dewey 

will be asked to sponsor legislation for creation 

of a state educational television authority. 

Action along educational lines has also been 

taken by the Allen B. DuMont Laboratories, 

which has a plant in New Jersey. Discussions 

have been held with the Montclair State 

Teachers college on a plan for transmitting 

closed circuit programs to selected high 

schools with a "talk back" arrangement so 

that listeners can ask questions and receive 

answers. 

Cowan Players' Contracts 

Call for TV Appearances 

NEW YORK—Anticipating a theatre television 

network. Cinema Productions will require 

all its artists under contract to appear on 

theatre TV at least once without charge to 

ballyhoo their particular pictures. This contract 

clause, which will take precedence over a 

commercial radio or video appearance, became 

known this week when the Bankers Trust Co. 

approved financing arrangements for four 

pictures to be made by Lester Cowan for the 

exhibitor-backed producing company headed 

by M. A. Lightman. 

Shooting on the first picture, which will 

use the Polaroid three-dimensional process, 

will start before the end of the year at the 

Movietone Studio in New York. Tentative 

title is "The Customer Is Always Right." Applicable 

to all theatre screens, the Polaroid 

tri-dimension project envisions giving patrons 

glasses, which will also be good as sun glasses. 

Employing the Cinerama method of panoramic 

projection, the second picture is not 

expected to be started until June. Using a 

145-degree viewing angle instead of 45 degrees, 

this film is scheduled to be photographed 

in various parts of the country. 

Andrea Predicts 50% Cut 

In TV Output for 1951 

NEW YORK—Pi'oduct ion of television receivers 

may be cut 50 per cent next year, 

according to Frank A. D. Andrea, president 

of Andrea Radio Corp. This would cut the 

output to 4,000,000 sets in 1951. 

Andrea spoke at a meeting of business 

leaders sponsored by Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., 

Tue.sday (28). Andrea said the industry 

could not maintain its recent production rate 

of 350,000 radios and 200,000 television receivers 

a week. 

50 BOXOFFICE : 

: December 2, 1950

. . The 

. . MGM 

. . Mrs. 

. . Head 

. . Contract 

. . Manager 

. . ELC 

Park Ave. Theatre 

Reverts to Reade 

NEW YORK—The Park Avenue Theatre, 

recently operated by Universal-International 

as a showcase for J. Ai-thur Rank product, 

has reverted to Walter Reade Theatres, which 

built and opened the 600-seat house in 1943. 

The theatre was leased to U-I shortly after 

Reade had made a try at a subscription 

policy de.signed to attract class patrons living 

in the Park avenue area. 

The theatre, which closed November 28 

following the expiration of the U-I lease, 

will be reopened by Reade as a fir;t run 

shortly before Christmas. The theatre was 

the first to have television in its lounge and 

love seats in the mezzanine. Coffee for the 

guests will be continued, Walter Reade said. 

During the U-I tenancy, the theatre played 

"Hamlet" for 66 weeks on a two-a-day basis, 

but the recent Rank pictures have had ,"hort 

runs and "The Mad Queen." a Spanishlanguage 

feature distributed by Azteca Films, 

was one of the last attractions. 

Reade rejected offers from television networks 

to convert the Park Avenue into a 

television theatre because he felt "there is 

a definite place for a de luxe theatre of this 

type in the New York City scene," he said. 

Reade Theatres Co. owns and operates 40 

regular theatres and six drive-ins in New 

Jersey and upstate New York. 

Dorothy Fields Presides 

At Jewish Fund Luncheon 

NEW YORK—Dorothy Fields, playwright 

and lyricist, who is chairman of the theatre 

arts division of the current $20,000,000 maintenance 

campaign of Federation of Jewish 

Philanthropies of New York, was principal 

speaker at a luncheon for women connected 

with the stage, screen, radio and television. 

The luncheon was one of a series of events 

planned by the theatre arts division to raise 

money for the campaign. 

Others seated on the dais at the luncheon 

were: Mrs. Barney Balaban, Anita Colby. 

Mrs. Simon H. Fabian, Mrs. Oscar Hammerstein, 

Radie Harris. Theresa Helburn, Celeste 

Holm, Mrs. Lawrence Langner, Jinx Falkenburg, 

Mrs. Richard Rodgers. Mrs. Spyros P. 

Skouras, Mrs. Louis Eobol, Mrs. Nathan Spingold 

and Mrs. Jesse «sinof, women's division 

campaign chairman. 

Truman May Name Griffis 

Ambassador to Spain 

WASHINGTON—Stanton Griffis, who recently 

resigned as ambassador to Argentina 

probably will be appointed ambassador to 

Spain, informed circles here said. President 

Truman is expected to make the announcement 

shortly. Spain has not had a U.S. ambassador 

for five years. Griffis is chairman 

of the Paramount executive committee. During 

his tenure at Argentina he sought to improve 

relations between the government of 

that country and the U.S. film industry, but 

members of the industry here were unwilling 

to make some concessions which he suggested. 

Title of the RKO film formerly called 

"Present for Katy" has been changed to 

"The Middle of the Night." 

WASHINGTON 

. . . 

\X7illiam Ltindigan, 20th-Fox star, recently 

dropped into the local exchange 

Airs. Ben Lust was in Garfield hospital for 

a checkup ... A dinner-dance will be given 

by Loccl F-13 in the Elks club in January 

when the new officers for the co.ning year 

are installed 

. booker Ida Barezofsky 

was on vacation at Grossinger hotel, 

Esther Blendman, circuit 

Ferndale. N. Y. . . . 

cashier, has a new car . auditor 

Tom Guinan was at the local office . . . 

Manager Norfolk. 

Max Cohen went to 

Warner booker Ethel Risdon was still talking 

about her vacation trip to Montreal, 

Toronto and Niagara Falls . Cynthia 

. . 

Broider has replaced Clara Estes who resigned 

to get married ... J. I. Scully, U-I 

district manager, was in town several days 

. . . Office Manager Stanley Taylor returned 

from a vacation in Boston . . . Paramount 

Manager Al Benson and bookers Jack 

Howe, Bob Cunningham, Fred Von Langen 

and Luther Buchanan went to Pittsburgh for 

a sales meeting . Lillian Lee's son. 

Sergt. Earle Sweikhart, arrived from Germany 

where he was stationed several years. 

Frances Fischer, daughter of the Bill 

Fischers at Columbia, celebrated her 14th 

birthday . new student booker is 

Walter Hunt . shipper Claude 

Ringer has been ill for some time . . . RKO 

cashier Agnes Turner made a flying visit lo 

Frederick. Md. . clerk Bob 

Miller finally got back to Washington after 

being snowbound in Altoona, Pa., where .he 

went to spend Thanksgiving . . Manager 

. 

Joseph Brecheen spent Tuesday (28) visiting 

exhibitors in Baltimore. 

Richard Young, son of 20th-Fox booker 

Sara Young, enlisted in the navy and is at 

the Great Lakes training station . . . Zelda 

Stout is a new employe . Glenn 

Norris and his family had rough traveling 

from his home in Stateville, N. C, where 

they went to spend Thanksgiving with cheir 

families. Roads were blocked with snow and 

ice. 

In the Filmrow Bowling league John 

O'Leary's average keeps going up. Recent 

standings found him averaging 107 with 

Pauline Struck keeping up the women's average 

of 97. The RKO exchange is in first 

place with 17 wins and 10 losses, and Uni- 

\'ersal and Warner tied for second place 

with 15 wins and 12 losses. In third place 

is 20th-Fox with 13 wins and 14 losses with 

Republic and Warner No. 2 bringing up the 

rear. 

'Kon-Tiki' Reception 

NEW YORK—Sol Lesser, distributor of 

"Kon-Tiki," documentary film made by Thor 

Heyerdahl, and Rand McNally, publishers 

of Heyerdahl's recently published book of 

the same name, gave a reception and press 

preview of the picture at Toots Shor November 

28. Heyerdahl was hospitalized and unable 

to be present. Among those attending 

were Robert Mochrie. RKO sales head; Phil 

Reisman. Monroe Greenthal. Sol Schwartz, 

Nancy Carroll and Rutgers Neilson. RKO, 

which distributes Lesser's "Tarzan" features, 

will probably distribute "Kon-Tiki." 

COMPO Congratulates 

Magazine on Awards 

PHILADELPHIA—Ted Patrick, editor of 

Holiday magazine, has received from Arthur 

Mayer, executive vice-president of the Council 

of Motion Picture Organizations, a :Tie~.- 

.sage of congratulation for the four new annual 

awards to be presented by the magazine 

to the industry December 8 at a luncheon 

in the 21 club. New York. 

The awards will be presented by Robert 

E. Sherwood for two motion pictures and 

two film industry individuals doing the most 

to portray the American democratic way of 

life to foreign audiences. 

The message from Mayer read: "We wish 

to congratulate Holiday magazine on its plan 

to present four awards to the motion picture 

industry for its interpretation of American 

life to foreign audiences. 

"We in the picture business have long 

been aware that our productions were carrying 

the message of America to the far corners 

of the world. In giving public recognition 

to this impact of motion pictures 

abroad Holiday is not only acquainting the 

American people with the phase of our 

business they should know about, but it 

also is promoting a distinctive service to 

this industry. You have the best wishes of 


for success in your endeavor and if there 

is anything we can do to help you in this 

work, we shall be glad to do so." 

Several Managers Shifted 

By Loew's in New York 

NEW YORK—Several managers of Loew's. 

Inc., theatres have been shifted in the New 

York area by Eugene Picker. Mn. Louise 

Leonard has gone from the Sheridan to the 

Lexington, replacing Robert Gibbons, who 

has resigned to enter the restaurant business 

in Baltimore. Douglas Helgeson has 

moved from the Hilhide to the Sheridan 

and has been succeeded by William Klsnert 

fro.n Loew's Fairmount. 

Other transfers: Seymour Brond, Plaza to 

Fairmount: Larry Stark, Boro Park to Plaza; 

Daniel Cohen, Palace to Boro Park; Arthur 

Dattel, Brevoort to Palace; Wilfred Simon, 

relief manager to Brevoort; John O'Connor, 

Woodside to Willard; Paul Swater, Willard 

to Melba, and Martin Gallagher, Melba to 

Woodside. 

20th-Fox, Doubleday Co. 

Cooperate on 'Mudlark' 

NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox has 

arranged with Doubleday & Co. for a cooperative 

campaign tieing in with the publishing 

firm's new $1.49 reprint edition of 

"The Mudlark" with the screen version of 

the Theodore Bonnet novel. The picture 

which will be nationally released in January, 

will be the Christmas attraction at the Roxy 

Theatre. 

Doubleday salesmen in the field will carry 

kits of stills from the film, the first time this 

r-.ethod has been used to sell 

a book to retail 

outlets on the strength of the motion picti 

rs version. The campaign will also be discussed 

at Doubleday's annual sales meeting 

December 10. 

BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 N 50-A

. . Wally 

. . Ralph 

. . . For 

. . Hera-y 

. 

ALBANY 

The Variety Club's first television program, 

over WRGB. Schenectady, at midnight on 

Thanksgiving, netted $900 in telephoned donations. 

Mailed contributions were expectsd 

to push the total past $1,000, co-chairman 

Harry Lament said. Tent 9 officials and executives 

of WRGB expressed satisfaction 

with the amount raised, although they hoped 

it would be larger next year, when an earlier 

hour will be sought for the telecast. Lamont 

praised the General Electric Co., station 

Manager Bob Hanna and others for their 

cooperation. The show, staged as part of the 

annual Denial week drive on behalf of Camp 

Thacher, featured acts from the Colonial 

Theatre, the Hawaii Klub. Towpath Inn 

and Ten Eyck hotel. Assisting in Schenectady 

were Lamont, Gene Lowe, Gene Teper, 

Tommy Sternfeld and Al Zink. Chief Barker 

Charles A. Smakwitz headed the group working 

in Albany. Fabian and Warner switchboards 

were used for Albany calls; Fabian 

tor Troy, and WRGB for Schenectady. 

Charley Wilson of Glass Lake was announced 

on the Variety Club telecast as 

donor of $50 to Denial week. He is owner 

The Ritz 

of the Bijou, North Troy . . . 

opened a week's engagement Wednesday of 

"I'll Get By," which drew well at the Strand 

recently, and "The Noose" . Mauro, 

manager at National Theatre Supply, reported 

installation of new Simplex projection 

at the New York State Woodbourne Institution 

for Delinquents. It is understood shows 

for inmates are screened twice a week. NTS 

also recently installed Simplex equipment at 

. 

Johnny Capano of the State, Troy, staged 

a Thanksgiving eve owl show, consisting of 

two "sizzling first run" features for an advertised 

admission of 14 cents. He also ran 

a children's Thanksgiving morning bill at 

20 cents Overman, Disney cartoonist, 

gave autographed cartoons to the 

first 100 children attending a Thank.sgiving 

performance at the Colonial. He appeared 

on a vaudeville bill at the house three days 

the second consecutive year, Warners' 

Strand, Madison and Delaware were 

reported to have drawn large audiences at 

Thanksgiving morning shows consisting of a 

Roy Rogers feature and cartoons . . . Blanche 

Van Buren, Eagle cashier, was a casualty of 

the terrific windstorm which did great damage 

here Saturday night. Attempting to cross 

Hudson avenue on her way back to the theatre 

after supper, she was blown against the 

side of a car and suffered knee and leg 

bruLses. 

The Radio and Television Manufacturers 

Ass'n of Washington reported that residents 

of Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties 

purchased 37,000 television sets in the 

past year . "Dutch" Harris, president 

of the stage employes union, is recovering 

at home after- suffering two broken ribs 

in a ladder fall backstage at the Strand. John 

Lanahan and George Powers of the Grand 

are relieving for Harris. 

. 

Filmrow visitors included Vivian Sweet, 

operating in Salem, Greenwich and Schuylerville; 

William H. Aust of Aust's Drive-In, 

South Glens Falls. Phil Baroudi, North 

Creek, Warrensburg and Indian Lake 

Abe Sunberg, former assistant to Neil Hellman 

and now a drive-in executive in the 

Buffalo area, was a Variety Club visitor . . 

. 

Joe Miller, former Columbia manager who 

now operates a drive-in, was in New York 

on business 

the Hudson River Training School for Girls, 

in Hudson; Green Haven pri.son, Hopewell 

Junction; Harlem Valley State hospital, 

Wingdale, and New York State Veterans 

camp at Mount McGregor, Saratoga. 

of those attending the Washington premiere 

of U-I's "Harvey" Wednesday at Warners' 

Uptown Theatre. The showing was sponsored 

by the National Press club. 

'Harvey' Capital Preview 

WASHINGTON — Cabinet members and 

other government dignitaries headed the list 

To Write Screen Biography 

Irving Brecher has been signed to write a 

screen biography of Blossom Seeley, song star 

of vaudeville and the musical stage, for 

Paramount release. 

Albany Area Drive-ins 

Suffer Storm Loss 

ALBANY—Drive-ins felt the brunt of the 

violent windstorm which caused widespread 

damage in this area last Saturday. Interruptions 

of projection through loss of power 

and suspension of heat were reported in 

some regular situations, but the chief storm 

victims were automobile theatres. 

Screen tower blowdowns were reported at 

the North Hoosick, West Sand Lake and 

Middletown drive-ins. Fence and attraction 

boards were uprooted in the Poughkeepsie, 

Vails Mills and Lake George openairers, operated, 

like the Middletown, by Harry Lamont. 

Poughkeepsie had scheduled but canceled 

Saturday night shows, the final of the 

season. Part of the front of Dave Willig's 

Auto-Vision at East Greenbush was damaged. 

Bob Willard's Bennington, Vt., drivein 

also had some fence damage as did the^ 

Malta, ten miles from Saratoga. 

F. Chase Hathaway, whose North Hoosiclci 

was hard hit, reported considerable damage; 

at the Fort Warren Drive-In near Castleton,' 

Vt. Neil Hellman said the fence at the Lin-' 

coin Drive-In at North Philadelphia was) 

blown down. Performances scheduled for 

Saturday night were canceled, but Manager 

Harry Flatter got the theatre back into running 

Sunday. Hellman estimated his loss at 

$5,000. Minor damage was reported at Fa-' 

bian's Saratoga and at the Menands drivein. 

Power failures were reported in Cohoes, 

Watervliet, Phoenicia and Fleischmanns. Attendance 

was so small that only a few refunds 

were made. 

Part of the roof of a mission church blew 

on to the roof of the Royal, Albany, but no 

damage to the theatre was done. 

About 10,500 homes in Albany were without 

power, and many were without heat Satiu-- 

day night and Sunday. The number in Troy 

was 12,100, and in Schenectady, 1,200. Most 

of the Albany radio stations went off the 

air at some time during the gale. 

To Rename Amphitheatre 

In Memory of Barron 

WASHINGTON — The national capital's 

sesquicentennial commission Thursday endorsed 

the proposal to rename the Sesquicentennial 

Amphitheatre the "Carter T, Barron 

Memorial Amphitheatre." The move had 

the backing of Secretary of the Interior Oscar 

Chapman. 

Sesquicentennial General Manager Paul 

Massman recommended that the amphitheatre 

be dedicated at the opening show next 

spring, with proceeds to go to the cancer 

fund. 

Barron, eastern division manager of Loew's, 

and MGM studio representative, died recently 

of cancer. He was executive vice-chairman 

of the sesquicentennial commission. 

NEW ALBANY ( ItliW—The 1951 crew of Variety Tent 9 at Albany face the 

cameraman. In the first row, left to right Harold Gabrilove, second assistant chief 

barker; Charles Dortic, first assistant; Leo Rosen, chief barker; Nate Winig, doughguy; 

Nat Dickman, property master. In the .second row: Al Marchetti. Edward Maloney, 

Gerald Alkin, Max Friedman and Eugene Vogel, Jack Olshansky. not appearing here, 

is the llth member. 

ABC Vending Merger Units 

NEW YORK — Allied Beverage Corp.. 

chartered in Delaware, and Apex Beverage 

Corp.. formed in New York, are to be merged 

into ABC Vending Corp. as a result of approval 

given by the vending company stock- 

I 

holders at a special meeting held Tuesday 

(28). 

50-B BOXOFFICE :: December 2, 1950 

A

. . John 

. . 

. . 

. . . The 

. . The 

. . Norman 

. . Local 

. . The 

DISTRIBUTE COIN BOXES—Youngsters 

assisted Variety Club members in 

distributing containers to Albany stores 

and mercantile establishments in the 

annual Denial week campaign to raise 

825,000 for the operation of the Variety- 

Albany Boys Club Camp Thacher for 

needy kids. Standing in the back are 

left to right Ed Maloney, Paramount 

manager, and Gene Vogel, U-I manager, 

in charge of the distribution. 

VIRGINIA 

Cympathy to Charles M. Smith, manager of 

the Bristol Lee. on the recent death of his 

father-in-law . . . Margaret Barr, Lee cashier, 

is on leave and was replaced by Mary Nell 

Moore, formerly candy attendant . . . Ogden 

Case, former usher at the Bristol Cameo, 

was recently promoted to doorman . . . Archer 

Eades, Cameo operator, attended the football 

game in the Burley Bowl in Johnson 

City, Tenn. 

. 

Winifred Gillenwater, city manager for 

Wilby-Kincey Theatres in Bristol, opened 

"Tripoli" with cooperation of marines and 

VFW Poppy day ballyhoo Rogers, 

manager of the Bristol Shelby and Columbia, 

was away recently on a hunting trip. He also 

journeyed to Washington for a booking session 

Jimmy Washburn, sound engineer 

. . . for Neighborhood, was checking over the projection 

equipment in the Cameo and Lee . 

Wendell Johnes, manager of the Dalton, Pulaski, 

was in Bristol moving his family . 

Frank Bowling, city manager for Neighborhood's 

Cameo and Lee, called on John Conner, 

city manager at Pulaski Theatres. 

Plaza at Peraskie, Pa., 

Is Destroyed by Fire 

PERASKIE, PA.—The Plaza Theatre, a 

450-seater, was destroyed by fire only a short 

time after hundreds of persons left the building 

following the last show Sunday (26). 

The screen, stage and sound equipment 

were a complete loss. The blaze, according 

to firemen, apparently started in a ventilating 

duct at the roof level and spread into the 

theatres. Bernard Hines, owner, was informed 

of the fire as he reached home after 

spending the day pumping water from the 

basement of the Selvil Theatre in SellersvUle, 

which he also owns. The Selvil was flooded 

during the heavy rainstorm last Saturday. 

PHILADELPHIA 

The recent storm which swept across the 

east did considerable damage to many 

theatres. The roof was blown off of the 

Orpheum in Orwigsburgh, Pa. Other theatres 

closed by storm damage are the Florence 

in Florence, N. J.; North Camden, Camden, 

N. J.; Martin, Roxy and Garden theatres 

in Lock Haven, Pa., and the Victoria, 

The big wind broke 

Jersey Shore, Pa. . . . 

the plate glass windows of National Screen 

Service. 

The Penn in South Philadelphia closed, 

but may reopen December 23 if business 

picks up . Frolic Theatre is closed 

while a heating system is being installed. 

Vandals in the neighborhood have damaged 

the theatre's marquee . Weitman, 

U-I salesman, will be 

married Sunday (3) 

Carmen Theatre 

has dropped vaudeville 

shows and 

switched to double features 

. . . New officers 

of Variety Tent 13 are 

Ted Schlanger, chief 

barker; Victor H. 

Blanc, first assistant; 

Ralph Pries, second 

assistant; Norman Silverman, 

property master; 

Cecil Felt, house Ted Schlanger 

chairman, and Edward Emanuel, membership 

committee chairman. 

The contractors on the Midtown Theatre 

project of William Goldman are working 

day and night to have the theatre ready 

for a gala opening December 23. The event 

will be spotlighted by the world premiere 

of "The Goldbergs." 

Arguments on the motion of Independent 

Poster Exchanges of Philadelphia, Washington, 

Chicago and Charlotte for summary 

judgment in their monoply suit will be 

heard Monday (11) . . . 

Eddie Gabriel clams 

that Capital exchange is the first one on 

the street for the 35th year to decorate for 

Christmas. Capital is distributing a 26- 

minute feature on the Royal Canadian 

Mounted Police entitled "The Connors Murder 

Case." 

Rose Shapiro, ELC biller, says she is available 

for singing engagements at all types 

Sandy Gottlieb, 

of entertainment functions . . . 

ELC manager, is making preparations 

to establish a home here for his family 

Sylvia Snyderman has replaced Irving 

. . . 

Loomis in S-W's billing department. Another 

new girl there is Harriet Fingerote. 

The Motion Picture Associates committees 

for 1950-51 follows: Welfare, Joe Engel, chairman; 

Meyer Adelman. William Doyle and 

Soeg Horowitz; membership, Ben Bache. 

Harry Blumberg and Norman Silverman; 

entertainment, Nat Ro.sen. Dick Doherty, 

Harry Freedman and Mel Koff; publicity, 

Mike Weiss, George Nonamaker; finance. 

Jack Beresin, Moe Koppleman and Lou 

Formato; constitution and bylaws, Al Cohen, 

Al Davis and Max Gillis; publication, David 

Titleman, Milt Young and Joe Schaeffer. 

HARRISBURG 

n big event at the Rio recently was a party 

for 1,800 children, staged by Manager 

Francis DeVerter. He also held a conte.st 

in which 15 boys released 15 gas-filled balloons 

containing instruction cards. Finders 

were to return the balloons to the theatre 

for $10 in cash . Colonial gave a 

special preview of "No Way Out" for representatives 

of city organizations. Manager 

Jack O'Rear was publicity director for the 

recent appearance of Elmer Wheeler, lecturer 

. . . The Jack D. O'Rears are parents 

of their first child, a boy named Dennis. 

Sam Oilman, manager of Loew's Regent, 

promoted "To Please a Lady" by several 

stunts. He ran a newspaper contest offering 

prizes and passes to women for the ten best 

short rules on how they'd like to be pleased 

and the men who know best how to please 

the women. He had a tieup with a city 

Ford dealer in which three girls toured the 

city in new cars. Cooperative advertising 

was arranged with the same dealer and the 

Firestone representative . . . Dennis Coholan 

(4) . . . 

Judge Kirkpatrick's opinion in the Boulevard 

Drive-In case against the eight majors 

contains some interesting dicta to the effect 

that clearance policies of distributors are 

after a Philadelphia trip. 

reasonable restraints of trade only if they 

are flexible in character. Spokesmen for 

distributors in this area reveal that they 

have foreseen such a judicial view. They 

are trying to guard themselves by scheduling 

pictures according to actual playdates 

rather than clearances 307 of 

. 

projectionists will elect new officers Monday 

The girls of 20th-Fox staff gave a 

luncheon and shower for Eleanor Cohen, contract 

clerk. 

of 20th-Fox visited Harrisburg exhibitors . . . 

Mark Rubinsky, owner of the Rubinsky circuit, 

was back in his office in the Uptown 

Opening in Philadelphia 

Set for 'The Goldbergs' 

NEW YORK—Paramount will open "The 

Goldbergs" December 23 at the Midtown 

Theatre, Philadelphia. Gertrude Berg, star 

of the film, will arrive three days before the 

opening to aid radio, television and newspaper 

promotion. 

Treasury Plugs 'Harvey' 

NEW YORK—The U.S. Treasury's payroll 

bond division has created a four-color poster 

on U-I's "Harvey," which shows the partial 

head of a rabbit with the line, "Give an Ear 

to Harvey and His Good Advice," as well as a 

still of James Stewart, the star. Thirty-five 

thousand copies will be distributed to banks, 

business offices and industrial plants in 75 

key cities. 

TAILORED SEAT COVERS 

Any Siie — Any Style 

Any Quan+i+y 

JOHN P. MORGAN CO., INC. 

317 N. 13th STREET LO 4-0224 

BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 50-C

TBA Television Clinic 

Agenda Completed 

NEW YORK—Tlie agenda for the 1950 

television clinic of Television Broadcasters 

Ass'n, to be held December 8 at the Waldorf- 

Astoria, has been set up by Eugene S. 

Thomas, clinic chairman and manager of 

WOR-TV television operations. 

Pi-ogramming and audience research will be 

spotlighted during the morning sessions. The 

speakers will be M. C. Watters, vice-pre.-,ident 

and general manager of WCPO-TV, Cincinnati; 

Sylvester L. Weaver, vice-president 

in charge of television of the National Broadcasting 

Co.: Donald Thornburgh. president 

and general manager of WCAU-TV. Philadelphia; 

Donald Stewart, general and commercial 

manager of DuMonfs WDTV in 

Pittsburgh; G. Bennett Larson, vice-president 

and general manager of WPIX, New York; 

John M. Outler jr., general manager of 

WSB-TV, Atlanta, and E. Lawrence Deckinger, 

president of Radio-Television Research 

Council. C. E. Hooper will demonstrate his 

automatic device for checking audiences and 

also report on advertising effectiveness. 

Speakers at the afternoon session, which 

will offer a diversity of subjects, will be Dr. 

A. G. Ruthven, president of the University 

cf Michigan, who will be introduced by Harry 

Bannister, general manager of WWJ-TV in 

Detroit; Dwight W. Martin, vice-president of 

WLW-TV, Cincinnati; John A. Kennedy of 

WSAZ-TV, and Irving R. Rosenhaus, president 

and general manager of WATV, Newark. 

There will be discussions of the proposed 

excess profiles tax and the impact of color 

television. 

J. R. Poppele, TBA president, will be toastmaster 

at the luncheon. The annual meeting 

will be held before the clinic opens. Three 

directors are to be elected to fill the terms 

of Dr. Allen B. DuMont, Joseph McDonald 

Richard A. Borel. The reorganization meeting 

cf the board of directors will be held in the 

afternoon. 

Interim German Licenses 

Assigned at SIMPP Meet 

NEW YORK—Allocation of seven interim 

west German film licenses was discussed at 

a meeting Tuesday (28) of the Society of 

Independent Motion Picture Producers, with 

Fllis Arnall, president, presiding. It was decided 

that producers with films ready for immediate 

distribution will have first claim on 

the licenses. 

Last year SIMPP received ten licenses. 

This year the total may reach 40. Those 

arowed member companies of the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America for the current 

quarter of the year total 50. Both organizations 

are seeking unrestricted imports. 

Robert Stillman Is Named 

To SIMPP Post on UNESCO 

NEW YORK—Robert Stillman, who has 

produced "The Sound of Fury" and "Queen 

for a Day" for United Artists release in 1951. 

has been named by Ellis 

Arnall, president of 

the Society of Independent Motion Picture 

Producers, to represent the organization on 

the UNESCO film panel. Myrna Loy is chairman 

of the panel. 

FLY TO EUROPE—Herbert J. Yates, 

Republic Pictures president, and John 

Ford, whose first Argosy production for 

Republic is the current "Rio Grande," 

left for Europe November 19. Yates will 

attend conferences in Great Britain and 

France, and Ford will check on location 

sites for a picture he expects to film in 

Ireland for Republic next spring. They 

were accompanied by William Martin 

Saal, executive assistant to Yates and 

actor Ward Bond. Shown in the photo 

are James R. Grainger, Republic executive 

vice-president in charge of sales and 

distribution, at the airport to say bon 

voyage; Bond, Ford, and Yates. 

Republic Seeks Employes 

For New British Unit 

LONDON—Republic Pictures International, 

new British distribution company, began 

seeking personnel during the week, with 

Charles B. Newbery in charge, under the 

supervision of Herbert J. Yates, Republic 

president, and Richard Altschuler, export 

manager, who arrived from New York. 

The company is the outgrowth of the end 

of a 15-year business relationship mutually 

agreed to by Republic and British Lion Film 

Corp. British Lion stopped selling Republic 

films Monday (27 1 but will continue to service 

existing contracts until the new company 

is operating, which is expected to be before 

the end of the year. The two companies 

issued assurances there will be no interference 

with the servicing, booking and selling 

of Republic films. 

Australian Film Men Tour 

United States and Canada 

NEW YORK—Roy Barmby, chief booker 

for Greater Union Theatres of Australia, and 

Ted Lane, publicity director for the circuit, 

and tradepress representatives were guests 

of Capt. Harold Auten at the Lotos club 

Thursday (30). Barmby and Lane are on a 

tour of the United States and Canada studying 

exhibition methods. They left Australia 

early in October by plane, stopped off in 

San FYancisco and Los Angeles, and then 

went to the Theatre Owners of America 

convention in Houston. Tliey will leave Monday 

(41 for Toronto. On the return trip 

they will again stop off in New York and 

then will go to Washington. Tliey expect to 

be on the coast New Year's and leave shortly 

thfreafter for Australia. 

Finds U.S. Films Lead 

In Latin America 

NEW YORK—Hollywood films are still the 

most popular in the Latin American market 

although British product is also coming into 

favor, according to Al Daff, head of worldwide 

sales and distribution for Univer.sal- 

International. Daff returned from the company's 

three-day Latin American sales con- , 

, 

ference in Rio de Janeiro late in November, i ^ 

Daff reported that business conditions are 

good in Latin America with the exception 

of Argentina, where American pictures are 

not being imported because revenue remittances 

are still prevented. Twelve of the 

forthcoming U-I releases were screened for 

the sales meeting and were enthusiastically 

received by the Latin American sales force, 

Daff reported. 

Following the Rio meeting, Daff and John 

Davis, managing director of the global J. 

Arthur Rank Organization, whose product is 

distributed in the U.S. by U-I and Eagle Lion 

Classics, visited Sao Paulo. Davis has returned 

to England. 

Many theatre operators in Latin America 

are planning new theatre construction, Daff 

said. 

Lawlor and Swanink Now 

Represent UA Overseas 

NEW YORK—John J. Lawlor and John P. 

Swanink have been named special United 

Artists representatives in India and western 

Germany, respectively, according to Al Lowe, 

general manager of the foreign department. 

Lawlor will be home office liaison with Western 

India Theatres, Ltd., the company's distributor 

in the territory. He succeeds Carlos 

Moore, resigned, who is returning for medical 

treatment. Lawlor was with UA in India 

from 1933-46 and was general manager there 

when he resigned. 

Swanink will be home office contact with 

Constantin Filmverleih, UA distributor in 

western Germany. He has been active in 

distribution in Europe for 20 years. For the 

last four years he served with the Motion 

Picture Export Ass'n in Holland, Austria and 

Germany. 

Lowe also said that Fred Byrne, chief accountant 

in the UA Sydney office since 1929, 

has been secretary of the Australian organization, 

succeeding Walter Thorburn, elevated 

, 

to managing director. 

Publicity Heads Called 

To MGM London Meeting 

NEW YORK—Five publicity heads of European 

territories will join sales managers 

in attending the MGM European sales convention 

in London December 11 for "King 

Solomon's Mines," according to Morton A. 

Spring, first vice-president of Loew's International. 

Spring .said that a sales and publicity 

convention for one picture is unprecedented 

in the history of Loew's International. 

Each publicity head will supervise, under 

home office direction, the promotion campaigns 

in neighboring countries as well as in 

his own country. David Lewis, sales manager 

for continental Europe, North Africa 

and the middle east, will preside. 

50-D BOXOFFICE December 2. 1950

OLLYWOOD 

NEWS AND VIEWS THE PRODUCTION 

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

U.S. Court Dismisses 

CSU-IATSE Dispute 

HOLLYWOOD—A major setback for the 

Conference of Studio Unions in its lengthy 

fight against major producers and the lATSE, 

growing out of the 1946 studio strike, came 

when a motion to dismiss, filed by the defendants, 

was granted in federal district court 

here. CSU attorneys immediately announced 

they would appeal the ruling. 

The CSU, headed by Herbert K. Sorrell, 

originally filed the $43,000,000 suit in 1947, 

charging the major companies and the lATSE 

had conspired to lock out CSU workers in 

asserted violation of antitrust laws. Defendants, 

in addition to the lATSE. included 

MGM, 20th-Fox. Paramount, Columbia, RKO, 

Warners, Republic, Hal Roach, Samuel Goldwyn. 

Universal, the Motion Pictures Ass'n 

of America, the Paramount and Warner distributing 

companies and more than 40 film 

executives. 

In order to continue a detailed study of 

the request, the major studios secured a postponement 

until Monday (11) of a meeting 

with the Hollywood AFL Film council concerning 

the latter's petition for a cost-ofliving 

wage boost for nearly 20,000 studio 

workers. The unions involved maintain they 

are entitled to such an increase because, while 

wage scales have remained static since 1947. 

living costs have skyrocketed during the 

past three years. 

Paving the way for the launching of negotiations 

for a collective bargaining agreement, 

publicists employed by members of the Society 

of Independent Motion Picture Producers 

and the Independent Motion Picture Pi'oducers 

Ass'n. in an election supervised by 

the National Labor Relations Board, voted 

to select the Screen Publicists Guild as their 

bargaining agent. The SPG already has a 

basic contract with the major production 

companies. 

Move to Roach Studios 

HOLLYWOOD — Headquarters have been 

established at the Hal Roach studios in Culver 

City by Mid-Century Productions, newly 

formed independent unit, organized by Scenartists 

Aubrey Wisberg and Jack PoUexfen. 

Basin Drive-In Sold 

DURANGO. COLO.—T. R. Knox of Denver 

has purchased the Basin Drive-In here. 

Mrs. Knox will manage the airer. 

East: S. Sylvan Simon, Columbia producer, 

will leave late this month for South Africa to 

scout locations for an adventure drama which 

the studio will produce there in 1951. 

West: Robert V. Newman, Republic vicepresident 

and executive aide to President 

Herbert Yates, returned to his studio desk 

after two weeks of conferences with New 

York executives. 

West: Ray Heindorf, Warner studio musical 

director, trained in from Gotham after 

completing huddles on music campaigns on 

upcoming releases. 

West: Ted Tetzlaff, RKO director, accompanied 

by Lowell Farrell, unit production 

manager, and Lieut. Col. Stanley Latiolais. 

technical adviser, planed to Tokyo and 

Korea to scout locations for a forthcoming 

picture about the Korean war. 

West: Producers William Pine and William 

Thomas returned from Florida after 

scouting locations for their next picture for 

Paramount release. They were accompanied 

by Director Lewis R. Foster. 

South: Bryan Foy. Warner producer, 

checked in at the studio after completing 

location work at Folsom prison, near Sacramento, 

on his cuiTent picture. 

East: David A. Lipton, advertising-publicity 

director for U-I, planed for Manhattan 

for home office conferences. 

East: James A. Mulvey, president of Samuel 

Goldwyn Productions, returned to his 

New York headquarters after parleys here 

with Goldwyn anent the 1951 production 

program. 

West: Sidney Albright, managing director 

for 20th Century-Fox in Australia, checked 

in at the studio after huddles with New York 

officials of the company. He is conferring 

here with Darryl F. Zanuck and Joseph M. 

Schenck, production chiefs, before returning 

to his headquarters in Sydney. 

West: Ned E. Depinet, president of RKO, 

arrived from New York to sign a new distribution 

agreement whereby his company will 

continue to release cartoon and live-action 

product manufactured by Walt Disney, 

TV Actor Struggle 

Appears Near End 

HOLLYWOOD—That the long-standing 

and bitter controversy between the Screen 

Actors Guild and Television Authority concerning 

jurisdiction over thespians appearing 

in motion pictures, no matter through what 

medium they are exhibited, might be close 

to a settlement was indicated at midweek. 

Actmg upon a request from TVA, the SAG's 

executive committee postponed for two days 

a board meeting which had originally been 

called for November 27. 

The SAG directorate was informed that 

TVA "believes their contract in the live 

field"— a recently secured bargaining agreement 

— "narrows the issue between us." Possible 

settlement of the dispute was up for 

discussion at a midweek SAG board session 

which two TVA delegates, George Heller and 

Ken Carpenter, were scheduled to attend. 

Earlier, an NLRB hearing on the jurisdictional 

battle had been recessed until Monday 

(4). Both SAG and TVA are members 

of the Associated Actors and Artistes of 

America. 

SAG has held firm to its argument that 

it should retain jurisdiction over all actors 

appearing in any type of film, whether for 

theatrical, commercial or video use, w-hile 

TVA has been holding out for control over 

players appearing in TV pictures. 

Under sponsorship of the Family Theatre, 

Jerry Fairbanks Productions will shortly 

launch filming on "The Joyful Hour," a 60- 

minute subject which will be telecast on 

Christmas day by major networks and independent 

TV outlets. The Rev. Patrick 

Peyton, CSC, will produce. 

Harry Cohn Will Direct 

Cancer Hospital Drive 

HOLLYWOOD—Harry Cohn, president of 

Columbia, was named chairman of a national 

campaign to raise $1,400,000 for the construction 

of a new cancer hospital on the grounds 

of the City of Hope in Duarte, Calif. Cohn 

will head a committee of 100 civic and business 

leaders in the drive to complete the first 

all-free cancer hospital in America. 

Writer Turns Producer 

HOLLYWOOD—After several years under 

contract as a writer of screen musicals. 

George Wells has been elevated to producer 

status at MGM. His first assignment as producer-scripter 

will be "Broadway Baby." to 

star Red Skelton. 


STUDIO PERSONNELITIES 

Barnstormers 

RKO Radio 

TIM HOLT was guest oi honor al the sixth annual 

Tim Holt day celebration November 25 in El 

Ceniro, Brawley, Calexico and Mexicali in the Imperial 

valley area, in connection with the oHicial 

arrival of Santa Glaus in those communities. 

Brielies 

Warners 

With Gordon Hollingshead producing and Jack 

SchoU megging, camera work was launched on 

"In Old New York." musical short in the Hit 

Parade of the 'SOs series. 

Cleffers 

Metro 

ALBERT SENDREY is composing the music 

" 

)r "Father's Little Dividend. 

Warners 

ALEX WORTH will compose 

Streetcar Named Desire," 

the score lor "A 

MAX STEINER is composing the score lor the 

John Wayne starrer, "Operation Pacific." 

Meggers 

Columbia 

JOHN ENGLISH will direct "Whirlwind," the new 

Gene Autry starring western, being produced by 

Armand Schaefer. 

Paramount 

HAL WALKER was signed to direct "Junior," upcoming 

Dean Martin-Jerry Lewis starring comedy, 

to be produced by Hal "Wallis. 

Options 

Republic 

Columbia 

LUCILLE BALL and JOHN AGAR will star in 

Producer Sam Katzman's "The Magic Carpel," 

which will be directed by Lew Landers. PAT'RICIA 

MEDINA and RAYMOND BURR were signed for featured 

roles in the production. A comedy spot was 

handed GEORGE TOBIAS. 

Producer Robert Lord of Santana Productions 

signed LUDWIG DONATH for a character lead in 

the Humphrey Bogart topliner, "Sirocco," being 

directed by Curtis Bernhardt. 

Male lead in "No Help From Heaven" will be 

DANE CLARK. Femme lead opposite Clark will 

be CATHY O'DONNELL. Ralph Murphy will direct 

the Lou Appleton-Monty Shaff production, to start 

early next year. 

As the first of two pictures, PAT O'BRIEN will 

star in "Criminal Lawyer," with Rudolph Flothow 

producing and Seymour Friedman as the director. 

JANE WYATT will star with O'Brien. MIKE MAZURKI 

will portray Pat O'Brien's bodyguard. 

Independent 

male lead in "The the Bridge," being 

Set for 

produced and directed by Hugo Haas, was Robert 

DANE, 

GLORIA GRAHAME was signed by Producer Tom 

McGowan to star in "The Hyde Side," which is 

slated to roll next month with E. A. Dupont 

directing. 

Metro 

GORDON GEBERT, child actor, has been cast 

as Ray Milland's son in "People in Love." EILEEN 

CHRISTY, young singer and actress, was set for 

a supporting part in the picture, hei-ng directed 

by Fletcher Morkle. 

VAN JOHNSON will star with June Allyson in 

"Too Young to Kiss," a romantic comedy to be 

produced by Sam Zimbalist. 

Monogram 

Assembled lor roles in "Rhythm Inn" by Producer 

Lindsley Parsons were Dixieland musicians including 

WINGY MANONE, PETE DAILEY, MAT- 

MATTY 

the picture 

SMITH, FRITZ and RALPH 

were CHARLES 

LOCK and WALTER GROSS. Set for 

FELD 

SANFORD. 

Paramount 

HOUSELEY STEVENSON and DAVE WILLOCK 

were added to the cast of "Rendezvous," the 

Harry Tugend production starring Joan Fontaine 

and John Lund, MARY ANN and MAUREEN LYNN 

REIMER, 14-month-old twins, were cast in the picture. 

Also added was ANGELA CLARKE. 

A top role in "Here Comes the Groom" was 

honied ALEXIS SlÎTH, JAMES' BARTON and CON- 

NIE GILCHRIST were booked for comedy portrayal. 

Starring Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman. the opus 

IS being produced and directed by Frank Copra. 

BERT FREED, Broadway stage actor, was added 

to the supporting cast of Producer Hal Wallis' 

"Quantrell's Raiders." 

RKO Radio 

BERNARD SZOLD and PAT PREST are cast additions 

to Producer Edmund Grainger's "Flying 

Leathernecks." 

Republic 

Assigned supporting roles in "Night Riders of 

Montana," the new Allen "Rocky" Lane sagebrusher, 

were ROY BARCROFT, CLAUDIA BARRETT 

and MYRON HEALEY. Fred Brannon is directing 

for Producer Gordon Kay. 

20th Century-Fox 

MICHAEL RENNIE, British actor, 

long-term ticket. 

nked 

Actress JEANNE CRAIN was given a one-year 

contract extension. She has just completed '"Take 

Core of My Little Girl." 

Universal-International 

RICHARD CONTE and JULIA ADAMS, both signed 

to long-term contracts, will be featured in the 

upcoming Leonard Goldstein production, "The 

Hollywood Story," which William Castle will direct. 

Set for a major role was HENRY HULL, 

Stage actor VAUGHN TAYLOR was handed a 

supporting role in "Francis Goes to the Races." 

CECIL KELLAWAY will portray a racehorse owner 

in the film which Arthur Lubin is directing, Donald 

O'Connor is starred. 

Option on actress PEGGIE CASTLE was hoisted 

for another year. 

JEROME COWAN was handed a character lead 

in "Little Egypt." 

DOROTHY SHAY, singing star, will have the 

femme lead in ""The Real McCoy," next Abbott 

and Costello comedy, which will roll in January 

with Howard Christie producing, Charles Lamont 

directing. 

Warners 

TOMMY FARRELL was signed for a featured role 

in "Strangers on a Train." He is the son oi 

actress Glenda Farrell, JOHN BROWN, radio comedian, 

was signed lor key supporting role. ROL- 

a 

LAND MORRIS and EDWARD CLARK are cast additions. 

DORIS DAY will enact the title role in "The Helen 

Morgan Story," biography of the nightclub singer, 

now being prepared by Producer Robert Arthur, 

The script is being written by Dean Reisner. 

Scripters 

RKO Radio 

Producer Samuel Goldwyn booked JOEL SAYRE 

develop the tentatively titled "I Want You," an 

to 

original by Samuel Goldwyn jr , 

dealing with army 

ground lorces training, 

"Girl Gangs," from the original by Inez Robb, 

will be screenplayed by VIRGINIA KELLOGG for 

Producer Samuel Bischofi, 

Republic 

RICHARD TREGASKIS, war correspondent and 

author, has been assigned to the screenplay ol 

"Wings Across the Pacific," aviation drama to be 

produced and directed by Allan Dwan. 


WALTER BULLOCK has been teamed with Charles 

O'Neal on "Golden Girl," which George Jessel will 

produce. 

Story Buys 

Metro 

Frank Capra, Paramount producer-director, sold 

his original story, "Westward the Women," the to 

Culver City studio, where it will be directed By 

William A. Wellman, The outdoor action feature 

deals with the experiences of a guide who brings 

the first group of women westward during frontier 

days. 

Paramount 

"Trumpet Smith," a comedy by Ben Finney, was 

acquired for production by Irving Asher, with P. J. 

Wolfson assigned to the script. It is a story of exservicemen 

who suddenly find themselves back in 

uniform. 

Technically 

Columbia 

Whirlwind." Gene Autry start ill be pholo 

to 

graphed by WILLIAM BRADFORD. 

Metro 

HAL ROSSON will photograph "Love Is Better 

Than Ever." 

Film editor on "People in Love" will be ROB- 

ERT WATTS. 

Monogram 

WESLEY BARRY was set as assistant director on 

"Rhythm Inn," with WILLIAM SICKNER as cameraman, 

DAVID MILTON as art director and EDWARD 

J. KAY as musical director. 

Paramount 

DANIEL L. FAPP, cinematographer, was given an 

option hoist lor another two years. 

Dance director on "Rendezvous" is FRANCES 

GRANT. 

RKO Radio 

Producers Jerry Wald and Norman Krasna signed 

MAC JOHNSON as art director on "T'he Middle of 

the Night." 

Republic 

With JOHN MAC BURNIE at the camera, crew 

assignments lor "Night Riders ol Montana" also 

include ART VITARELLI. assistant director, and 

FRANK HOTALING, art director. 


Dance sequences in "The Guy Who Sank the 

Navy" will be staged by SEYMOUR FELIX, 

Crew lor "David and Bathshebo"' includes R, L, 

HOUGH, assistant production manager; F. E. JOHN- 

SON, assistant director; CHESTER C. McCOWN, 

technical adviser; LEON SHAMROY, cameraman, and 

BARBARA MAC LEAN, film editor. 


Warners 

LE ROY PRINZ has been assigned as dance director 

on "Painting the Clouds With Sunshine." 

Title Changes 

Monogram 

"Trail Dust" to SIERRA PASSAGE. 

' 

"Montana Marshal to MONTANA DESPERADO. 

RKO Radio 

"Present for Katy" (Wald-Krasna) to THE MID- 

DLE OF THE NIGHT. 


"The Belle of Market Street" to GOLDEN GIRL, 

RKO Sets Starting Dates 

For Seven of 12 Features 

HOLLYWOOD — Definite starting dates 

have been set for the first seven in the 

initial year's output of 12 features to be 

made for RKO by P>roducers Jerry "Wald 

and Norman Krasna. Set to roll are: 

"Cowpoke." starring Robert Mitchum. to 

be megged by Robert Parrish, December 15; 

"The Harder They Fall" and "A Present 

for Katie," both January 2; "Strike a Match," 

January 16: "The Blue Veil." which Curtis 

Bernhardt will direct, February 1: "Size 12" 

and "Girls "Wanted," February 15. 

Sidney Solow Named 

To Award Committee 

HOLLYWOOD— Sidney Solow, west coast 

manager ot Consolidated Film Laboratories, 

has been named chairman of a special committee 

on documentary awards for the forthcoming 

23rd annual Oscar derby of the 

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 

To UNESCO Film Panel 

HOLLYWOOD— Producer Robert Stillman 

has been appointed the Society of Independent 

Motion Picture Producers' representative 

on the UNESCO film panel, of which 

actress Myrna Loy is chairman. 

52 


. . Carl 

. . Nat 

. . serving 

. . was 

'Yankee' to Premiere 

At Four Star 21sl 

HOLLYWOOD—The world premiere engagement 

of MGM's "The Magnificent 

Yankee" will begin Thursday (21 1 at the 

Four Star Theatre here, following a starstudded 

invitational premiere on the previous 

evening. The film biography of Supreme 

Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, starring 

Louis Calhern. was produced by Armand 

Deutsch and directed by John Sturges. 

It will open at the Radio City Music Hall 

in New Yorlc in January. 

LOS ANGELES 

T ured here to attend the recent USC-UCLA 

grid classic was Sammy Siegel, Columbia 

exploiteer, who had been on a trip to Portland, 

Seattle and San Francisco . Saland, 

operator of the Mercury film laboratories 

in New York, was a Filmrow visitor, 

renewing his exhibitor and distributor acquaintances 

in this area . Bryant, 

Republic office manager, is back on the job 

again after a short holiday at Palm Springs. 

It was birthday number 74 for Bob Beretta, 

salesman for the local National Theatre Supply 

branch. He celebrated by pouring drinks 

for the house—out of a king-size orange 

drink dispenser . . . Frank Fouce, operator of 

several Spanish-language houses here, including 

the Million Dollar and the California, 

planed out for Havana in search of talent for 

his accompanying stage shows . . . Bill Toplicker, 

theatre broker, flew to Kansas City 

and New York on business. 

Marquee of the week: "The Leathernecks 

Have Landed," "Woman on the Run." at the 

American Theatre in Newhall, operated by 

Barnes Perdue . . . First screening of MGM's 

promotional film, "The Metro-Goldwyn- 

Mayer Story," for southern California exhibitors 

was held at the Boulevard Theatres 

by George Hickey Pacific Coast division sales 

manager. The picture is set for additional 

screenings in 14 other territories west of the 

Mississippi. 

Burl Rogers, new owner of the Saticoy Theatre 

in Saticoy, checked in on a booking-buying 

spree . . . Herb Turpie. western division 

manager for Manley Popcorn, hopped up to 

Seattle on a business trip . . . Mrs. Celeste 

Gordon, secretary to Izzy Berman at the 

Eastland circuit, became the mother of a baby 

girl, born November 22 . . . Recuperated from 

minor surgery, Jim Finkler of the Finkler & 

Smith booking service checked out of the 

Loma Linda hospital . . . George A. Smith, 

Paramount's western division sales manager, 

took off for Denver and Salt Lake City for a 

week of huddles with branch managers in 

those cities. 

Services were held for Alan R. Brake. 43, 

head of the purchasing department of Pacific 

Drive-In Theatres, who died of a lingering 

illness. Before affiliating with the drivein 

chain. Brake had been associated with 

National Theatre Supply and the National 

Theatres circuit. He is survived by the wife, 

a son and his mother. 

III 

RANTING that "Movies Are Better 

Than Ever" and submitting the opinion 

that such evaluation applies most especially 

to the king-size westerns which currently 

occupy so prominent a place on releasing 

.schedules, it nonetheless is difficult to 

justify recent bookings in the two local first 

run Paramount theatres, the Downtown and 

the Hollywood. 

After a disappointing two-week run in 

those showcases of Republic's "Rio Grande," 

immediately following came Paramount's 

"Copper Canyon." 

Both are among the best of the 1950 crop 

of superwesterns, but despite the popularity 

of such category, there probably is a limit to 

the amount of sagebrush that the ticket buying 

public cares to absorb in a limited period 

of time. 

A feature of more general character sandwiched 

in between the two gallopers would 

have manifested shrewder showmanship. 

Seems as though you just can't be sure of 

anything in this unpredictable industry. 

Alex Evelove announced that Warners 

would stage the world premiere of "Dallas," 

starring Gray Cooper, in Dallas—which was 

as expected. 

But in almost the same breath the Burbankian 

blurb chief disclosed that "The West 

Point Story" had been set to make its debut 

not at West Point, but at the Oriental Theatre 

in Chicago. 

Further from Anxious Alex, information 

that "The Australian Davis Cup champs, 

Frank Sedgman, Ken McGregor, George 

Worthington and Mervin Rose, got their first 

view of picture-making with beautiful Jane 

Wyman . as their guide through 

Warner Bros, studios." 

From one racket to another. 

From John (I Can Dream, Can't I?) Del 

Valle an ornithological tidbit anent "Vultures 

are so scarce now in the Arizona skies that 

the prop man on Nat Holt's 'Fort Savage' inserted 

ads in the Los Angeles, Phoenix and 

Flagstaff papers. He needs four trained vultures 

..." 

What a waste of advertising dollars when 

trained vultures can be picked up at a dime 

a dozen on the Strip—within spittin' distance 

of Producer Holt's office. 

Screen credits for Universal-International's 

recently previewed "Mystery Submarine" reveal 

that the story and screenplay were written 

by George W. George and George F. 

Slavln. 

A gander at the reviews of the opus gives 

rise to the theory that it is not always well 

to "let George do it." 

A morsel from Blake McVeigh, who titillates 

the tom-toms on behalf of Producer 

Harry M. Popkin and Cardinal Pictures, informs 

that Filmmaker Popkin was "accepting 

congratulations of his staff" because heavy 

floods in central California recently swamped 

the location site which had been used in his 

current production. It seems, according to 

McVeigh, that Popkin avoided heavy losses 

by a previous decision to push the shooting 

schedule a month ahead of the original plan. 

And that's reaching pretty far to give the 

boss a congratulatory "yes"; or maybe Producer 

Popkin and his crystal ball should be 

moved to the meteorological service. 

Someone in Al Horwits' U-I blurb department 

broadcasts intelligence that "Bonzo, 

five-year-old chimpanzee . signed to a 

long-term contract by the studio. Pact gives 

U-I the chimp's exclusive services for motion 

pictures for its duration. Bonzo himself was 

brought to the studio for the signing and 

personally scratched an 'X' on the bottom 

of the contract under the guidance of Michel 

Kraike." 

And the desperate publicist who monkeyed 

around with that one probably had to put 

his "X" on the copy. 

> 

As Cinemanians now know, Jaik Rosenstein, 

Hollywood reporter and publicist, wrote 

a book. On the very yellow jacket thereof appeared 

a quote from Dorothy Kilgallen, New 

York Journal-American columnist, obviously 

written before the tome was in print, to wit: 

"Many a movie star is trembling at the 

news that Jaik Rosenstein is writing a book 

'exposing' the film colony." 

Miss Kilgallen was more prophetic than she 

thought. Movie stars are trembling—but with 

laughter. 

> 

While the tradepress reviews on Producer 

Stanley Kramer's United Artists release, 

"Cyrano de Bergerac," were unanimous in 

singing the picture's praises for its artistry 

and productional splendor, the same consensus 

opinion held that the feature could do 

with a bit of intensive merchandising if it 

hoped to become a popular choice with runo'-mill 

ticket buyers. 

Which situation puts George Glass, veteran 

Hollywood press agent and now a vice-president 

of Kramer's organization, up against 

as tough a chore as has confronted him in 

many years. Obviously, Garrulous George 

and the know-how he has acquired are 

making impressive inroads on the Herculean 

task—not the least of which is the selection 

of the film as "Movie of the Week" by Life 

magazine, and a resultant three pages of 

laudatory text and interest-commanding 

stills. 

Here's an instance where the "let George 

do it" routine will pay off. 

> 

Something of a new high in the wishfulthinking 

derby was attained by Arthur Eddy, 

free-lance praiser, with an item asserting that 

20th-Fox's "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain" 

had been selected as "the best picture of the 

month" for November by the Protestant Motion 

Picture Council. 

So far as can be learned, that opus hadn't 

yet been screened for anyone's appraisal at 

the time Artful Arthur's announcement was 

made. 

BOXOFFICE : : December 2, 1950 53

^(mcOm ^cfront 

pOR SOME TIME past the Cinema Exhibitors 

Ass'n has been pressing the British 

Newsreel Ass'n to drop the arrangement 

whereby all newsreels were simultaneously 

pressing for a rise in hire charges. Granada 

Theatres in particular had been so insistent 

that they would not pay the new rates that 

for some time they ran their programs without 

a newsreel. Now that circuit is back 

with newsreels again, but this time it is an 

American reel which is outside the association. 

Granada is showing in its 60 theatres, 

and also at such independent locations which 

book it from them, the Heart reel, Telenews, 

two editions of which are being flown here 

each week and telescoped into one weekly 

edition. 

Sidney Bernstein made the deal with Telenews 

on his last trip to the U.S.A. and the 

reel is being edited and processed here by 

National Screen Service. In addition to the 

matter sent direct from America spot news 

is being supplied by the London bureau of 

Telenews. 

If more contracts are entered Into for the 

supply of the reels to houses outside of the 

Granada chain the new entrant into the 

newsreel field may well bring down the price 

of this service—at least for the time being. 

While Telenews has only a small organization 

in this country it would be possible 

for the reel to undersell the British companies, 

but there is that if the demand grew 

the staff need for more coverage of British 

news would obviously add to the overhead. 

It has never yet been proved to anyone's 

satisfaction that the newsreel adds materially 

to a theatre's turnover, but Bernstein's move 

in bringing back the reel would Indicate that 

it must at least have been missed in the 

Granada chain. The charge against newsreels 

in the U.S. that they show old news 

which viewers have seen on television cannot 

yet be made here for although the BBC 

has had a television service operating since 

long before the war. it is not yet in universal 

use here. The main reason is that radio and 

television sets carry a high purchase tax in 

common with so many other manufactured 

articles and the working classes cannot afford 

the outlay. Also, since the BBC has not 

unlimited funds for their programs the 

television here cannot compare in the standard 

of its entertainment with a good movie. 

PARAMOUNT'S CARLTON Theatre in the 

Haymarket looks like paying heavily for its 

a.uota this year. After the short run of "The 

Elusive Pimpernel," which did very poor business, 

It has opened with another British 

Lion release, "The Naked Heart," which looks 

like continuing the bad record. Not a Korda 

picture this time, although released by his 

company, the present film was produced by 

Nelson Scott and directed by Marc AUegret. 

It stars Michele Morgan, Kieron Moore and 

Francoise Rosay. 

"The Naked Heart" is a very expensive production 

that was dogged by bad luck right 

from the start. Based on the novel "Maria 

Chapdelaine" the story is set in French 

Canada in the year 1912 and when a permit 

for dollars was refused to shoot on the actual 

location the unit went to Austria as ihe 

By JOHN SULLIVAN 

nearest country with a certain fall of snow 

for the exteriors. Arrived there they found 

that the snow was the lightest for many 

years and this was the first of a series of 

setbacks. 

Sometimes a setback at the start puts the 

crew and actors on their mettle and a good 

film is the result. Unfortunately in this case 

the reverse is the fact and the picture is 

slow, tedious and unbelievable. Miss Morgan, 

competent as ever, has little help from her 

script which makes her appear an irritating 

woman who cannot make up her mind which 

of the tlu'ee suitors she should choose. After 

far too long a time she decides to settle for 

Jack Watling, who is completely miscast as 

an illiterate French Canadian trapper. His 

Oxford accent among the miscellany of 

broken French makes him sound more like 

a Rhodes scholar than an uneducated backwoods 

boy. 

American audiences will be irritated by the 

slow direction and overacting of "The Naked 

Heart" and Canadian audiences will more 

probably be actively annoyed. 

J. ARTHUR RANK had some hard words 

for independent exhibitors at Leeds during 

his recent tour of the provinces. "It would 

help us materially, he said, if second run 

theatres would go in for more exploitation 

schemes. We offer to pay 50 per cent of 

the exploitation costs, but they want us to 

pay the lot and we will not do so." 

Rank had already made these charges at 

Glasgow, earlier in his tour and repeated 

at Leeds after the local CEA branch had 

sent him a telegram complaining about the 

remarks made in Scotland. 

Apart from the above. Rank also commented 

on the Eady plan. He said: "Sir 

Wilfred Eady has been a friend of the industry 

and has made a good start by putting 

on one farthing per seat to help production, 

but that is not enough. We need 

more help if we are going to get British 

film production on a sound basis." 

The next step in his tour was to Liverpool 

and there, the day after his Leeds .speech 

Rank told a press conference: "Out of 12 

pictures with the biggest gross at the boxoffice, 

six were British and six American. 

But the six Briti.sh took more than the 

American and certain American films grossed 

less than the worst Briti-sh pictures. I would 

like exhibitors to take greater advantage of 

exploiting to the full those British films 

which are of real merit." 

THE BENEFITS of Anglo-American production 

for independent producers being 

obvious the trend is continuing. Marcel 

Hellman has just finished his big musical, 

"Happy Go Lovely." which was made partly 

with American money and now another 

independent producer has returned from 

Hollywood with a three-picture deal. 

This time it is Edward Dryhurst who has 

announced that he will make three films 

in association with U.S. interests. The first 

will be "Castle in the Air," which is based 

on a successful London stage show. The 

second, "A Bullet in the Ballet," is a comedy 

thriller based on a novel by Caryl 

Brahms and S. J. Simon. This subject was 

originally bought by Ealing studios and has 

been bought from them by Dryhurst. The 

third production will be made jointly by 

Dryhurst and Frederick Brisson and is titled 

"Forbidden Cargo." It will be made in Spain 

with Dennis O'Keefe in the lead. 

Denver Variety Tent 37 

Elects New Directors 

DENVER—Variety Tent 37 elected the following 

directors for 1951: Duke Dunbar, Hall 

Baetz, Robert Selig, William Hastings, Ralph 

Batschelet, A. P. Archer, Bernie Hynes, Fred 

Brown, Joe Ashby, Joe Stone and Harry 

Green, and the last five chief barkers, including 

Robert Garland. Robert Hill. Tom 

Bailey, Milt Hossfeldt and Pat McGee. They 

will meet December 31 to elect officers for 

the coming year. 

The club is putting on an intensive membership 

campaign, and hopes to add at least 

100 new members. Batschelet, manager of 

the Paramount, is chairman of the drive. 

Census Shows TV Viewing Holds Up, 

Motion Pictures Are Most Wanted 

HOLLYWOOD—Movies are the "most 

wanted" entertainment on television; theatre 

TV is apparently not a popular device, 

while Phonevision or some similar 

pay-as-you-view method of watching top 

films on home video receivers would find 

considerable favor with a majority of television 

audiences. 

Those are among the findings in the 

fourth "tele cen.sus" to be undertaken by 

students of Woodbury college, Valley college, 

Redlands university and San Jose 

State college, ba.sed on a "random area 

sample" of some 3,000 TV set owners in 

Los Angeles, the San Francisco bay area 

and the fringe areas of San Bernardino 

and Riverside, Calif. 

Findings in the door-to-door survey: 

TV is not a novelty that will wear off; 

there is only a 6 per cent drop in viewing 

time with persons who have had sets for 

a year or more and only a 7 per cent drop 

where sets have been in operation for 

two years or more. 

Sixty-eight per cent of those interviewed 

said they go to the movies less 

often since purchasing TV receivers. 

Sixty-seven per cent would not pay the 

average boxoffice price to see TV on a 

large-size theatre screen—even if the show 

were available only in that theatre and 

not on home video, while 28 per cent indicated 

they would patronize such theatre 

television performances. 

Thirty-nine per cent would pay $1 or 

more to see a first run picture on their 

home screens; 39 per cent would pay 50 

to 85 cents. 

Eighty per cent want color TV when it 

becomes available. 


— 

, , . .c 

— 

• 

. 

. . Rudy 

. . The 

•' 

. . 

. . The 

. . 

Los Angeles Trade 

SAN FRANCISCO 

£163u6Q Dy l^yralio pnday night (1) was a night to remember 

„„, „„ ^ , ^ J at the Variety Club here when a gala 

LOS ANGELES—Several top-draw new- ^ 

_, , ... . , . 

/ ,, ^ 

, ,, ,. 

J t tu < Tahitian night 

..r^- held sway. There were nacomers 

plus the contuiued strength of King ,. ,. ^ ^. / . . 

p & „ ,. 

= tive orchestra, native entertainers, an array 

Solomons Mines ' lifted the overall first , . 

, , ^^ ^„, ,\- 

, ,,. ^ . 

,t ,, ,, ,, • 

of guest stars and an authentic Tahitian 

run boxoffice to heights which, considering „. , 

,,, , 

, ^ . 

banquet. 

, i », All guests were asked to come atoast 

performances over recent months, are » j i, , t. ^ ^^. „ ., , 

• 

T, 1 .1, tired in beachcomber or sports attire. United 

little short of impressive. Racking up the ,. , t, j. ,. - ' , ,.,,,„ .,. 

7. ,. . I, 

t *• 1 

Air lines flew direct t 

from the South Pacific 

weeks best business, m its initial stanza, was ,, . .,, ^.. , ^,, 

J „ .. v.- 1, u j-f u Vanda orchids which were given free to the 

'Cyrano de Bergerac, which—benefiting by , ,. _.. . . . , * j ^ 

" jj s 

, ., , ladies. Other events scheduled for the Vaan 

invitational premiere and a two-a-day, ^ „, ,. t^ i. ,^ ,^, ,, „ 

^ ,. , -^ J- „/„ riety Club: December 15, The Harvey Boys 

advanced price policy, hit a resounding 250 , . 

j i. , , , „„ , 

. ,.,, ., .„ ^ annual roundup and 

-i 

chuckwagon feed; 22nd, 

per cent. Mines, still going strong in its _. . , , , i,. , , 

^ \ ^ xl „ ^ on,^ v, 1 ..All Christmas party for the kids and young m 

second stanza, chalked up 200, while All „ * o, * . »t -,, . ^ 

, , „ „ J ..rriv, IT, * n .- o* " Heart 31st gala New Year's eve jamboree. 

About Eve and "The West Point Story 

finished their first weeks with 160 and 140, Graham Kislingbury, district manager for 

respectively. North Coast Theatres and a member of the 

(Average !s 100) dinner committee of the San Francisco Press 

^'^^^' '^^^ selected chairman of the Gang 

'Âll''AbouTEve^!20^'hFoxf°^"''.'°:...*^^^ 

Egyptian. Loews State—King Solomon's MLnes dinner honoring Geii. Mark W. Clark and 

'(MGM), 2nd wk. 

Fine Arts Cyrano de Bergerac (UA), advanced 

200 qqi Oliver Vickerey*' 

at the Pi-ess club No- 

250 vember 24. prices General Clark's subject was. 

Four Star^Faust and the Devil (Col) 2nd wk...... 50 "Qur Readiness." Vickerey, who is an ob- 

Hawau. Orpheum Dial 1119 (MGM); Right Cross 

^ ^, , ,. , , 

2nd wk 90 server at the Institute of Nuclear Energy in 

(MGM), 

100 

Hollywood. 

Hillstreet,' Pantages—Mad 

Pigmy Island (Col) 

Downtown Paramounts—Copper 

Wednesday (RKO); 

Can- 

Copenhagen, 

_ ,, 

Prom „ the European 

spoke on 

,,. 

Viewpoint." 

"Atomic 

. ^ „ 

Warfare 

yon (Para); Music in the Moonlight (Rep re- 

'' 

UnUe"d^?t?sTs"'°RT.z, c"u'fver, 'gt'dro'cy,- Vogue-- 

êl Klein of Columbia Was feeling mighty 

The Milkman (U-I); Bandit Queen (Uppert) 95 philosophical the Other day. "Today I am 

'"^T.rv^Xo^'\^B)"":..''.°^^^^^^^^ 140 

a '"a"'' âid 

got me wearing 

Mel, ". . 

bifocals!" 

an 

. 

old one. 

. Congratulations 

They 

. 

. 

to Hannah Oppie, secretary at the ITO 

'Mines' Scores Nice 200 of Northern California office. Hannah be- 

In San Francisco came grandmother for the second time re- 

SAN FRANCISCO—Breaking a record, cently when her daughter gave birth to a 

"King Solomon's Mines" rated a boastful baby boy. 

200 per cent in its opening week at the Warfield. 

The Orpheum boasted 180 for the open- I" town were Robert Taylor and his wife 

170 

. 

ing of "Between Midnight and Dawn." Barbara Stanwyck. Local press covered with 

Cinema-Rio Grande 

ol 1951 (Rep), 2nd 

(Rep), 2nd wk.; Hit Parade 

d t. wk „ 

interviews, capably arranged for by Ted 

Galanteer, MGM exploiteer . . . Rotus Har- 

Milkman (U-I); Sunset Boulevard 

returned from the COMPO executive 

^Tparar'^''^ 

^^^ 

Fox—The lackpot (2bth-Fox) 160 

ygy 

board meeting in New York . North- 

1-1000 -.-y^..... 100 

California ITO held its monthly lunch- 

(Col); 

Zamba (ELC) !80 eon meeting and nominated officers for the 

Golden Gate--South^de 

Orpheum Between Midnight 

(Mono) 

and Dawn 

Paramount-Dial 1119 (MGM), plus Lucille Ball 

and Desi Amaz on stage 100 

December election. 

St. Francis—The Glt^ss Menagerie (WB), 3rd wk... 85 

United Artists—Three Husbands (UA), 2nd wk 140 Admission prices at the Cascade in Red- 

United Naiions--All About Eve (20th.Fox). 5th 

^^^ ^.^^ ^^^^ increased, according to Michael 

Warfield—King Solomon's Mines (MGM) 200 Kassis, manager . Buchanan, Lakeside 

in Tahoe, was here a few days 

Local salesmen are giving their all for the 

Denver Btisiness Booms, 

Will Rogers Memorrial hospital five-mile 

Two First Runs Hit 175 

long Christmas card drive. All are going to 

DENVER—Elegant weekend weather enabled 

first runs to run up nice grosses, for 

exhibitors to get cards filled with contributions. 

the most part. 

Aladdin, Tabor, Webber—Three Husbands (UA); 

Chain Gang (Col) 175 

Broadway—Two Weeks With Love (MGM) 170 

Denham—Let's Dance (Para) 140 

Denver, Esquire-The lackpot (20th-Fox); Military 

Academy (Col) 175 

Orpheum—The Miniver Story (MGM); Cow Town 

(Col) 95 

Paramount- I'll Get By (20th-Fox); Gallant 

Thoroughbred (Rep), Znd wk 100 

P.ialto—American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

(20tli-Fox); Iroquois Trail (UA), 3rd d. t. wk....l25 

Vogue—Beouty and the Beast (SR); Satin Slippers 

(SR), 2nd wk., reissues 125 

Heavy Salt Lake Fogs 

Hit Theatre Business 

SALT LAKE CITY—Heavy fogs cut attendance 

at local theatres during most of 

this week, with "King Solomon's Mines" the 

least affected and still doing holdout business 

at the Lyric in its second week. Unprecedented 

fogs kept most theatregoers 

home. 

Robert Lippert in town from Los Angeles, 

as were Robert Lippert jr. and his wife . . . 

Sammy Seigel, publicist for Columbia Pictures, 

and Anne Belfer, North Coast Tlieatres 

publicity gal, worked out a happy promotion 

on the opening of "The Fuller Brush 

Girl." Some 25,000 heralds were distributed 

by Fuller Brush Co. salesmen a week prior 

to the opening; a radio station tieup for 

daily spots and another tiein with Lucille 

Ball's My Favorite Husband program. 

Jack Hurley is home recuperating from an 

illness . . . Walter Chenoweth, Coronet manager 

and the dapper dan of the theatre 

business, was seen headed down Filmrow . 

San Francisco Theatres is holding a ChrLstmas 

drive for sale of gift books, using 150 

six-sheets and 25, 24-sheets, personalized 

theatre trailers with announcements by Bud 

Heide, lobby posters and window card displays 

and a contest among employes and 

managers. 

. . . 

Irving M. Levin, division director of San 

Francisco Theatres, returned with his family 

The 

from a week in Palm Springs Coli-seum is being renovated and painted on 

the inside as well as outside. Ed Scheeline 

is manager . Balboa just finished a 

month of giveaways. Four being given away 

each Monday night. The Metro and the 

Balboa are both working up Christmas co-op 

deals with merchants in their neighborhoods. 

Scores 'Operation Pacific' 

The score for the Warner film, "Operation 

Pacific," is being composed by Max Steiner. 

METAL POSTER FRAMES 

"Wel-Bilt" Banner and Easel Frames 

Finishes—Chrome or Wrinkle 

Colors—Red, Green, Silver 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. INC. 

[Wo 

have the 

Count on Ul 

IN THE SMART STYLING OF THE NEW 

HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD THEATRE CHAIRS 

Pnr'tUr Co^'f Disfributors 

B. F. SHEARER COMPANY 

SEATTLE PORTLAND SAN FRANCISCO LOS ANGELES 

2318 SECOND AVE. 1947 N.W KEARNEY 243 GOLDEN GATE AVE. 1964 SO. VERMONT 

ELIiot 8247 ATwater 7543 UNderhill 1816 Rochester 1145 

"?,f?,''°L' 

Jor 

YOUR 

If^ÂTRE 

THEi THEATRE EXCHANGE CO. 

^ 201 Fini Fine Arts Bldg. Portland 5, Oregon 


. . . Apologies 

a 

SALT LAKE CITY 

Diimors that a jury trial will result in one 

of the suits brought by distributors 

against a local theatre group have been 

heard in the federal building. If so. this will 

delay the case until spring and will be one 

of the few trials of its type in the business 

in the country, according to information 

along Filmrow . . Active campaigning has 

. 

been going on for various Variety Club offices. 

Elections were this weekend. 

Lyle Tuttle of Grace, Ida., is taking over 

the theatre at Soda Springs. He plans a remodeling 

program ... A vacation in Yellowstone 

park two years ago resulted In a 

trip to California last week for Arvella Jay, 

%ffoa, iL 

Progressive Advertisers want 

their local screen advertising to 

follow the BUSINESS BREVI- 

TIES "leader" on your theatre 

screen. 

Giff Davison's secretary. Seems Arvella witnessed 

the attack by a bear on a tourist 

in the park and recently the tourist sued 

in a coast court for loss of a hand. Arvella 

was called to the coast court as a witness 

to Nelson Soehlke for a couple 

of dropped lines in a recent column. Story 

of his acceptance of a salesman's job for 

RKO out of Chicago was carried in the 

column along with an item about Hal Hawk 

taking over a Logan theatre. Inadvertently, 

B— 

a couple of lines were dropped, so Nelson's 

name was left out. 

Visitors along Filmrow: Earl Steele of 

Nephi, Earl Whittaker of Marysvale. who 

LEADER 

Cooperate with your local merchants.* RUN . . . 

BUSINESS BREVITIES 

2269 Ford Parkway 

St. 

Paul, Minn. 

LOCAL SCREEN ADVERTISING OF QUALITY 

/ZeJ A. ^^f 

FILM INDUSTRIES, INC. 

208 So. LaSalle St. 

Chicago, 

Illinois 

has been co-operator of a drive-in at Pasadena 

for the past few months; Roy Firmage, 

who had his arm in a sling as a result of a 

fall in his projection booth, and Karl Rummler 

of Salina. 

Exploiteers here recently were Cliff Brown, 

to set up a campaign on "The Milkman" at 

the Uptown and Villa, and Max Bercutt 

of Warners, working on "Breakthrough" 

and "The West Point Story" . . . Don Campbell, 

veteran of 12 years -service at various 

exchanges on Filmrow, is new booker at 

Paramount, according to Manager Frank H. 

Smith. 

Warren D. Butler took the occasion of the 

opening of "King Solomon's Mines" at the 

Lyric to call attention to his second anniversary 

as a first run de luxe theatre. The 

Lyric opened with "Three Musketeers" in 

1948 under its new policy, followed with 

"Adam's Rib" last year, and ran half-page 

and color ads prior to opening of "Mines" 

this year. The opening was preceded by a 

long teaser campaign on the picture . . . 

Intermountain Theatres grouped all theatres 

into a 3xl8-inch ad prior to Thanksgiving, 

following a policy similar to its Christmas 

advertising. 

Theatremen Charged With 

Operating Lottery 

NAMPA, IDAHO — Richard Conley, manager 

of the Fox Majestic and Adelaide theatres 

here, has been charged by three Nampa 

businessmen with operating a lottery in conjunction 

with a drawing held at his theatres. 

The complaint was the outgrowth of a promotional 

event in which city theatres were 

participating. Drawings were set for each 

Thursday with $100 in cash to be awarded. 

At the end of a sLx-week period, a new Ford 

was to be given away. Thirteen merchants 

were cooperating with the theatres by giving 

free tickets to the drawings for each $1 worth 

of merchandise purchased. The complaining 

businessmen were not among the group cooperating. 

Conley pleaded innocent to the 

charges and the case was set for December 12. 

Conley and William Lees, owner of the Pix 

Theatre which was also taking part in the 

drawings, said they had secured the approval 

of the county prosecuting attorney before 

starting the event. They said the drawings 

could not be considered a lottery because 

merchants would give tickets to anyone asking 

for them, regardless of whether purchases 

had been made. 

Frank Larson to Wyoming 

SHERIDAN, WYO.—Frank Larson of Missoula, 

Mont., has taken over as manager 

of Fox theatres here. He succeeds Marvin 

Skinner, who will manage North Platte, Neb., 

houses. 

Riche'y Theatre Reopened 

RICHE'V, MONT.—The Richey Theatre 

here has been reopened under the management 

of Harold Goulding. 

ksk our representotiye to call today—No obligation. 

•Walch for your beauUiul Ansco-color Christmas season trailer lumiiihod free to OUR 

Exhibitors and Customers. 

_,/) WE HAVE THE BUYEHS 

)\tl LIST WITH 

FRED B. LUDWIG, Bkr. 

lUeaUe SaUi. div. 

''J/ 

IRV BOWRON, Sales Mgr. 

E. 4229 N. Broadway MU-4300 

|7i\\ 

)\\ Portland 13. Ore. 

56 BOXOFFICE :: December 2, 1950

. . . Eugent 

. . Jean 

. . W. 

. . George 

. . THEY 

SEATTLE 

T avern DeWaide, wife of George DeWaide, 

U-I manager, provided the turkey for the 

family's Thanksgiving dinner the easy way: 

She won it in a golf tournament at the 

Helen Reynolds of 

Rainier Golf club . . . 

Saffle's Theatre Service entertained her 

family for the holiday; Mr. and Mrs. G. A. 

Drake of Yakima, her parents, and C. E. 

Reynolds, her brother, and his wife and two 

daughters from Bremerton . . . Les and Cora 

Theuerkauf flew to California for a short 

vacation. 

Chester Weaver will close his theatre at 

Onalaska December 3 for remodeling. It will 

reopen December 31 . . . Roy C. Irvine, owner 

and manager of the Ritz in Ritzville, tied 

his theatre into the election week activity 

by showing two comedies, "Fancy Pants" and 

"Louisa." His ad in the local paper pictured 

a mule and an elephant smiling at each 

other plus an admonishment to be sure to 

vote. 

. . . Jack Neville 

"Red" Jacobs, franchise holder on the 

coast for Favorite Films, conferred with Buck 

Smith, Seattle manager 

returned from Florida where he was called 

by the serious illness of his sister . . . 

Walter Hoffman visited in Portland. 

. . . Larry 

Recent exhibitors on the Row included 

Joe Rosenfield, Spokane; Roy and Layton 

Stalcup, Tacoma; Walter Graham, Shelton, 

and John H. Hall, Benton City 

Pulls, eastern Washington salesman for 

Paramount, was in from Spokane . . . Death 

claimed two former northwest theatremen 

recently. Whitey Merwin, widely known in 

the northwest and coast motion picture business, 

died of a heart attack on the street 

In San Francisco November 21 while on his 

way to a doctor. Merwin operated a theatre 

in Tacoma several years ago and more recently 

a theatre in Burlington. Since his 

retirement he has been living in San Francisco, 

where he is survived by two daughters. 

The other death was that of Al Brake who 

died in Los Angeles. He was formerly a 

salesman in Seattle with the B. F. Shearer 

Co. 

Utah Cozy Improved 

DUCHESNE, UTAH—New seats and sound 

equipment have been installed in the Cozy 

Theatre here by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Halstead. 

E. K. Taylor Leaving 

Simons Theatres 

MISSOULA. MONT.— E. K. Taylor, general 

manager of the Simons Amusement Co. 

with headquarters here, Tuesday announced 

his resignation subject to appointment of a 

successor. 

Taylor joined Simons in 1913, when a 225- 

seat storeroom theatre comprised the firm's 

holdings. In 1922, he left Simons to become 

manager of the Hippodrome at Spokane. 

Three years later, he returned to Simons and 

remained until 1929, when he became city 

manager for Fox Intermountain Theatres at 

Missoula. In 1936, he returned to Simons 

as general manager, and saw that organization 

grow until the circuit now comprises 18 

theatres in Idaho and Montana. 

Taylor has been a leader in civic affairs 

of Missoula, having served as president of 

Chamber of Commerce, president of Kiwanis 

club, then lieutenant governor and governor 

of the Montana district of Kiwanis. He 

served on the first board of the Community 

Chest and then headed two of its drives. 

He headed the seventh war loan drive and 

twice headed Red Cross drives during World 

War II. He served on numerous committees 

of the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis 

club and on state committees. 

His plans for future are indefinite, but he 

will continue to make his home in Missoula, 

where he owns business property. 

Edna Wilma Simons is president of the 

Simons Amusement Co., which operates the 

following theatres in Idaho: Wilma and 

Grand at Wallace; Rena and Liberty, Kellogg; 

Wilma and Dream, Coeur D'Alene; 

Liberty, Mullan; Burke at Burke. The circuit 

operates the Rialto here and is affiliated 

with the following theatres in Montana: 

Lake at Poison; Gaiety, Ronan; American 

and Park, Roundup; Strand and Park, Livingston, 

and Royal, Martin City. 

DENVER 

John von Herberg has resigned as Paramount 

salesman . Smith, Paramount 

division manager, was in for talks 

with Ward Pennington, and together they 

called on circuit officials . . . Pat McGee, 

g-eneral manager for Cooper Foundation Theatres, 

his wife and their four children spent 

Thanksgiving in Oklahoma City . . . William 

Keith, district manager for United Artists, 

was here calling on circuit accounts ahd 

conferring with Clarence Olson, manager. 

Al Kolitz, district manager for RKO, will 

go to New York to attend the district managers 

meeting . McGee, bookers 

secretary at RKO, has resigned to move to 

Dallas. She was succeeded by Edna Nelson 

W. O'Brien, playdate auditor 

for Lippert, is spending several weeks in 

Denver. 

Doris Wille, Republic booker, and her husband, 

have adopted a baby boy named Richard 

Frederick . Z. Porter, Monogram 

auditor who is checking the local exchange, 

spent Thanksgiving at his home in Los 

Angeles . . . Jerome Safron, district manager 

for Columbia, and William Seib, manager 

at Salt Lake City, were in Denver calling 

on circuits and conferring with Robert Hill, 

manager. 

Theatre folks seen on Filmrow included 

Merle and Ed Lewis, Holyoke, Colo., and 

Kearney, Neb.; Dick Bennett, Sheridan, Wyo.; 

Carlin Smith, Glenrock, Wyo.; Mr. and Mrs. 

Gerald Anderson, Riverton, Wyo.; Clarence 

Martin, Hugo; Mrs. Burl Lingle, Estancia. 

N. M.; John Roberts, Fort Morgan; Frank 

Aydelotte, Fort Collins, and Wilbur Williams, 

Boulder. 

Chief Drive-In Closes 

RIFLE, COLO.—The Chief Drive-In has 

been closed here by owners Fred Lind and 

Donald Monson. 

MOVIES ARE BETTER THAN EVER . 

ARE 

BUT 

THEATRES better 

THAN EVER ? ? 

. . 

• CAN YOUR THEATRE COMPETE IN GLAMOUR WITH THE 

LIVING ROOM AND ITS SMALL TV SCREEN? 

• AMERICANS ARE A GREGARIOUS PEOPLE . 

TO GET OUT AND MINGLE WITH OTHERS. 

WANT 

• YOUR PATRONS ARE AN ATTRACTION TO OTHER PATRONS 

... ARE YOUR CHAIRS ATTRACTIVE AND COMFORTABLE? 

• WOMEN STEER THE FAMILY ON THE NIGHT OUT . . . DOES 

SHE GUIDE IT TO YOUR 

THEATRE? 

• ARE YOUR CARPETS THICK AND 

RICH LOOKING? 

THINK! 

iêamaeiQwmm 

337C0LDEN(>ATEAVE.'HE 1-8302. 

SAN FRANCISCO 2,CALIF. 


Arizona Honors Robert Stillman, 

Producer of 'The Sound of Fury' 

PHOENIX, ARIZ. — An unprecedented 

number of civic honors and awards went to 

Robert Stillman, producer of "The Sound of 

Fury," at the recent municipal celebration 

marking the film's advance showing in this 

city where it was filmed. 

From Gov. Dan E. Garvey, who had proclaimed 

the day "The Sound of Fury day" in 

Arizona, with Secretary of State Wesley E. 

Bolin presenting for him, came a scroll of 

appreciation to Producer Stillman for having 

been the first Hollywood producer "to discover 

that the state had beautiful and mod- 

(W^^tke COS! - 

'a\t«)inU .tmittin 

irn cities, in addition to spectacular scenery 

and wide open spaces." Mayor Nicholas 

Udall conferred upon Stillman honorary 

Phoenix citizenship. 

Chief of Police Earl L. O'Clair, has commended 

the film and its theme, and appointed 

Stillman an honorary member of the 

police force of Phoenix. Sheriff Cal Boies 

gave a special award for meritorious service 

in behalf of the furtherance of the democratic 

way of life in the film. 

Lewis E. Haas, general manager of the 

Chamber of Commerce, conferred on Stillman 

an honorary life membership in that organization. 

George E. Yates, head of the 

special services department of Arizona State 

college at Tempe and associate professor of 

journalism, presented Stillman an award for 

the film's "contribution toward a responsible 

press dedicated to honest and unemotional 

reporting." 

In above photo. Still (center), holds four 

scrolls signifying the honors conferred on him 

and his film at the impressive ceremony preceding 

the opening of the film at the Fox 

Theatre. Left to right: Haas; Bolin; Clyde 

Griffin, manager of the Fox; Stillman; Miss 

Kathryn Lunsford, Miss America of 1950, and 

Dick Smith. Fox West Coast district manager. 

Coliseum Remodeling 

Now in Its Final Phase 

SEATTLE—One of the largest renovation 

jobs in recent years got under way on Monday 

(27) when the Coliseum, operated by 

Evergreen Theatres, closed its doors for the 

final stages of a complete remodeling job 

that will make this historic theatre one of 

the city's most modern and beautiful picture 

palaces. It will reopen again in time for 

the Christmas holiday business. Since August 

1, workmen have been busy with preliminary 

alterations, but the work has now 

reached the point where the theatre must 

close for final completion of a facelifting job 

that will cost close to $250,000. 

In the interior, a beautiful new main floor 

lounge is under construction, with new restrooms 

for men and women. There will be 

new carpeting, new seating, an all-new heating 

and ventilating system, an entirely new 

motif in soft pastel decoration, a new proscenium 

arch with an Austrian puUup type 

of curtain, modernization of sound equipment 

and new screen and lighting equipment—all 

designed to make the theatre the 

last word in beauty and efficiency. 

The exterior, too, will be exten.sively remodeled. 

The largest neon-lighted sign in 

the northwest will be installed, and replacing 

the old dome will be a huge revolving disk, 

carrying out a Hollywood studio atmosphere. 

Tfie old frame doors will be replaced with 

solid glass doors and the boxoffice will be 

enlarged and beautified. 

Frank L. Newman sr., president of Evergreen 

Theatres, commented; "We have been 

planning for some time to make the Coliseum 

one of our finest theatres, and under 

the able and artistic direction of B. Marcus 

Priteca, nationally known theatre architect, 

and the E. F. Schuck Construction Co. to 

carry out his ideas, the new Coliseum will be 

a thing of beauty and comfort. 

Fred Swanstrum Remodels 

ASHTON, IDA.—Tlie Star Theatre, recently 

purchased by Fi'ed Swanstrum, is undergoing 

remodeling. 

You can buy cheaper lamps, or more ex> 

pensive lamps . . . but when you consider 

Quality first you can't buy a better lamp for 

the money. Model 4570 Lightmaster provides 

from 45 to 80 amperes of brilliant, sparkling 

light for even the largest screens. 

Y\M aiinq Bcidantijne 

Model 4570 Hi-lnt«nsity ProjecHon 

ARC LAMPS 

Projection Equipment & 

Maintenance Co. 

1975 South Vermont Avenue 

Los Angeles, California 

Complete Theatre Equipment & Supplies 

$40,000 Damages in Fire 

At Port Hueneme, Calif. 

PORT HUENEME. CALIF.—Fire caused an 

estimated $40,000 damage to the Melody Theatre, 

392-seat quonset-type .showcase here, 

during a regular evening performance, but an 

audience of 182 escaped without injury. The 

interior was completely gutted. 

Owner Mel C. Kennedy attributed the blaze 

to a hot light bulb which ignited the curtains. 

Projection equipment valued at $7,000 

e.scaped .serious damage. The Melody, only 

theatre in this community, was opened in 

May 1947. Kennedy said he and his partners, 

Percy E. Smith and Floyd H. Eddington, 

would "probably rebuild." 

Sedro Wooley Dream Open 

SEDRO WOOLEY, WASH.—The Dream 

Theatre here has reopened after a $20,000 

remodeling. The entire front of the theatre 

was changed and the interior was redecorated. 

A new candy and .soft drink dispen.ser and 

popcorn warmer were installed in the lobby 

which was enlarged. 

IN 

TRAILERS] 

SATISFY SMART SHOWMEN 

0tM ' "K/it^ ' Piffle 

ITIOli PICTURE SEIiyiCEGi 

125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2). CALIF. 

Gerald L Karslci .... Pres ideni 

THEATRE /ALE/ 

.arakelian)/^!^! 

25 TASLOn. gf. SAN TMHCtSCO " 

t PHONE PROSPECT 5-7146 ] 


' 

BOXOFFICE 

Minneapolis Police 

Hunt Stink-Bomber 

MINKEAPOLIS—At the request of Bennie 

Berger, owner of the downtown Gopher, the 

police department is investigating the stink 

bombing of that house. Berger told the police 

he wants to learn if organized lahor leaders 

had anything to do with it. 

The bombing. Berger says, followed his refusal 

to meet the stagehands union's demand 

that he employ a second stagehand full time 

at the Gopher when it went to an A-picture 

policy with "King Solomon's Mines." Other 

Minneapolis de luxe houses have been employing 

the extra stagehand. Berger, however, 

has defied the union. Rather than to 

submit to the demand which he calls an effort 

to "featherbed." he declares he'll close 

the theatre if there's more such bombing and 

police fail to stop it. At the same time he has 

offered a reward of $250 for the arrest and 

conviction of the person or parties responsible 

for the bombing which caused a large number 

of patrons to ask for their admission 

money back. 

There was a conference this week between 

Berger and the county attorney regarding the 

matter and he also asked the police department 

for protection for the theatre. 

Twin Cities Bookers Are Guests 

Harry Chapman, 47, Dies; 

Paramount Salesman 

MINNEAPOLIS—Harry Chapman, 47-year 

old Paramount salesman, died after a heart 

attack here this week. He had been with 

Paramount here since 1945 and prior to that 

had been with other film companies in a 

sales capacity. At the time of his death he 

covered the northern Minnesota territory. 

He is survived by his wife, his brother Hy, 

Columbia manager here, and another brother 

who is a film salesman in Milwaukee. 

Young Bandit Steals $72 

From K. C. Vogue Theatre 

KANSAS CITY — A young bandit robbed 

the 'Vogue Theatre, 3444 Broadway, of $72 

when he held up the cashier in the boxoffice. 

Marilyn Young, cashier, said the youth shoved 

an empty paper bag through the window. 

Beneath the bag was a pistol. She put all 

the currency she had in the bag and the bandit 

fled. 

Kid Thanksgiving Show 

MANHATTAN, KAS. — Dave Dallas, TEI 

city manager, presented a Thanksgiving party 

for "Pop and the youngsters" on Thursday 

morning, the idea being to relieve the pressure 

at home during meal preparations. In a 

two-column ad Dallas announced the show 

as a film menu. A Kiddies Quiz show was 

presented on the stage and pumpkin pies were 

awarded the winners through the courtesy 

of a local bakery. 

Joseph Kinsella Named 

CHARLES CITY, ICWA—Joseph Kinsella 

has been named manager of the Gem Theatre 

here by Royce 'Winkelman, succeeding 

Mrs. 'Winkelman. He is a native of Dubuque 

and a veteran of 'World 'War II. 

Minneapolis circuit bookers and buyers were guests of Columbia at a luncheon 

given there in behalf of the current A. Montague Sweepstaiies drive. Ben Marcus, 

division manager, and Hy Chapman, Minneapolis manager, were hosts. Top panel, 

left to right: Roger Dietz and Joe Beahen, Columbia bookers; John Farley, Theatre 

Associates; Lorand Tritter, Columbia; Bill Donald, TA; Bob Hazelton, Independent 

Theatres; Bill Wood, Columbia; Don O'Neil, Minneapolis Amusement Co., and James 

Zein, S. E. Heller & Co. Second panel: Marcus; O'Neill, Zein and Tom Burke, TA. 

Bottom panel: Dick Toilette, Paul Lundquist, Manager Chapman and Frank Mantzke. 

All are of Northwest Theatres except Chapman. 

Durwood Circuit Opens 

Roxy at Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY—The Roxy Theatre, downtown 

house operated by the Durwood circuit, 

has been reopened after a closedown 

of several months. The Durwood office said 

reopening was possible through cooperation 

of the union. 

The policy of the house will be double bill, 

with two changes weekly, 9 a. m. to midnight. 

The first bill consisted of "Devil's 

Doorway" and "Saddle Ti-amp." 'When the 

Roxy closed, it had been on a double bill 

basis, playing day and date with the Plaza 

Theatre, key neighborhood house of the Fox 

Midwest circuit. Prior to that policy, the 

house had been playing some first run product 

and occasional exploitation pictures. 

Downtown Kansas City now has four 

houses playing second and late run pictures 

in addition to its four first runs and the 

Orpheum which switches between first runs 

and roadshows. 

Mrs. Ralph Wareham 111 

MANHATTAN, KAS.—Mrs. Ralph Wareham, 

wife of the owner of the 'Wareham Theatre 

building, was a patient at St. Luke's hospital, 

Kansas City, for several days. 

3 Managerial Shifts 

Made by Tri-States 

DES MOINES—Frank Hague, manager of 

the Eastown, will go to the Rocket, replacing 

E. L. Doherty who will move to the lUini at 

Moline. Dick 'Wilson, treasurer of the Des 

Moines Theatre will take over the management 

of the Eastown and he will be succeeded 

by Richard Dougherty, chief usher at 

the Paramount. Keith O'Neill, former assistant 

at the Des Moines, will become manager 

at the Uptown to replace Betty Hensler who 

resigned. All are in the Tri-States chain. 

Thief Gets Two Pencils 

MINNEAPOLIS — Two mechanical 

pencils 

were the sole loot of a thief w'ho hid in 

the 'Vogue Theatre, Sandstone, Minn., near 

here, after closing, with the intention of 

robbing the showhouse. 

Hillbillies Booked by TEI 

MANHATTAN. KAS.—Cowboy Copas and 

his stars from Grand Ole Opry played a one 

day's engagement at the State Theatre here 

recently. Copas and his troupe are playing 

the TEI circuit in this territory. 

December 2, 1950 MW 59

%e!m. 

%du». MtnoN pieruitE mimm. 

... do not require oil pumps 


operation. 

. . . must be designed to use 




Modern projection demands the use of higher power arc lamps. These lamps 











HERE'S 

THE RESULT 


wasted power. 



Projectors equipped for high speed, long focal length, 4" diam. lenses. 

Water cooling is optional— avoiloble on all models at slight extra cost. 






steel gears. 

Proof of CENTURY'S simplified, high-efficiency design can be seen in the Illustrations 


shutter and the intermittent cam. (Other well known projectors have from 




%e!^ 



QualityTheatre Supply Co. Des Moines Theatre Supply Co. Shreve Theatre Supply Co. 

1515 Davenport St. 

Omoha, Nebraska 

McCarthy Theatre Supply Co. 

67 North Fourth St. 

Fargo, North Dakota 

1)21 High St. 

Des Moines 9, Iowa 


Kansas City 8, Missouri 

Minneapolis Theatre Supply Co. 

75 Glenwood Ave. 

Minneapolis 2, Minnesota 


. . . Paul 

. . Joanne 

Trust Suit Continues D E S MOINES 

In Kansas City Court 

KANSAS CITY—W. D. Fulton, former secretary 

of the Brookside Theatre Corp., te.s- 

pd 

k^vI^cII; 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. 

1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa 

Heiber. district manager, and Milt Overman, 

ments of a "reissue," telling of the addition 

exploiteer, were in the ELC office.. to their family of an adopted son! . . . Earl 

The latter was working on "Destination Moon," 

tified that after his firm bought the Brookside 

which will be released in this territory soon. 

Kerr of Colorado was on the Row last week 

with his manager, George Hart. Knoxville. 

Theatre here, it was doubly hard 

To aid the cause, Herman to 

Coffman and Jack 

buy films from Warner Bros, and 

Gibson, salesmen, and 

Paul Leatherby, former salesman at Columbia 

J. J. 

the eight 

Sparks, booker, 

other distributors named 

donned costumes 

in Brookside's 

and zoomed up and down 

and Warners, has opened a restaurant 

$2,700,000 damage suit being heard 

Filmrow in 

in 

their make-believe 

Madrid, Iowa . . . Confined to bed by doctor's 

in U.S. 

rockets; incidentally 

district court 

causing 

orders is 

here. 

a traffic jam 

Nate Sandler, who has been 

by curious 

spectators! 

Fulton was on the stand 

Sparkle 

Wednesday may also have been 

unsuccessful in shaking a bad cold which 

(29) 

celebrating receipt 

he's had for several weeks. 

of his notice 

for his seventh day. During cross-examination 

by John F. Caskey. New be 

to appear for 

his first physical to 

York, defense 

given him free by 

attorney, Fulton 

Uncle 

said that in 1937, Warners 

Sam! 

Kiddy Popularity Contest 

raised prices on their product for his other Helen Clarke, Republic, will return Monday 

SHELLROCK, IOWA—The Shell Theatre 

theatres and rejected the contract for the 

from a week's vacation . Hoff- 

here is sponsoring a popularity contest for 

Brookside. He said that many times the man journeyed to Keokuk to visit relatives all children under 12. Prizes are being offered 

Brookside was forced to pick up reissues 

Webster, Republic manager, has through the cooperation of local business 

and back-dated pictures to fill its bills because 

sold his home and moved his family into the firms. 

it couldn't buy product from the com- 

new Wakonda apartments. 

panies named. He testified that many times 

The death of her mother necessitated Marie 

the Brookside, a 25-cent house at the time, 

Butcher's absence from her MGM desk for 

was forced to play pictures back of 15-cent 

several days . . . Rumors around here have it 

Fox houses. 

that the big lure that made G. Ralph Branton, 

Pop-Mor" 

general manager of Tri-States Theatres, 

LOST ON OTHER DEALS 

COSTS LESS TO POP THE BEST 

give up his post for 

Fulton admitted the company 

TV activity is to head 

sold the 

Horace Heidt's television enterprises. 

Brookside to the Fox Midwest Corp. for 

Free Delivery Service fo Theatres 

more than was paid for the theatre, but Filmrowers and exhibitors were shocked to 

added that he and other officers of the corporation 

personally lost money in other venthal 

of Waterloo, of a heart attack ... A 

Supplies 

hear of the death November 27 of Lou Rosen- 

Complete Line of Popcorn and 

tures because of the Brookside operation. former lowan. Dr. Chas. R. Fordyce. son of 

He said that in order to get any pictures Mrs. Ida Fordyce of Mont Vernon, is the 

at all for other theatres, higher prices had 

Whitley Popcorn Co. 

recipient of the Samuel L. Warner Memorial 

to be paid for film. He operated five other award in recognition of his work in developing 

Trenton, Mo. 

houses here and one at Kansas City, Kas., 

a film which does not have the fire 

at that period. 

hazard of the nitrate film. The award was 

Harold S. Bradley, realtor who testified presented at the convention of the Motion 

that the company was forced to sell to Fox, Picture Engineers at Lake Placid, N. Y. SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY 

has not recovered sufficiently from a heart 

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

attack to be available for cross-examination. Salesmen are busy soliciting funds for the 

Highest reputation for know-how 

PUTS PROFIT AT $267,988 

Will Rogers Memorial hospital fund, and a 

worthy cause it is, too! . . . Mr. and Mrs. Bill 

and fair dealing. 30 years experience including 

exhibition. Ask Better Business Bureau, 

or our customers. Know your broker. 

Dan C. Sernes. accounting firm head, testified 

Chambers, exhibitors at Sheridan. Mo., have ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Specialists 

before the 14-man jury in the court a new baby daughter, and the Dwight Ayres 

3305 Caruth 

Dallas E-6-74S9 

1109 Orchard Lane 

Dcs Moines 4-9087 

of Judge Richard M. Duncan about differences 

of Keystone, Iowa, sent out clever announce- 

CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED 

in his accounting of profits realized 

by Fox Midwest over the last 12-year period 

and the account of the Fox interests. He 

said his accounting showed a $267,988 profit 

after depreciation while the Fox version was 

$187,586. The Fox account showed many 

ORDER YOUR POPCORN SUPPLIES FROM US 

items such as service charges and rental White Japanese Hulless Popcorn Per 100 lbs. $9.75 

and interest which were not allowed in South American Yellow Hybrid Per 100 lbs. 8.75 

Seme's accounting. 

(Packed in 50 lb. bags) 

Testimony in the antitrust case against the 

Liquid "Popsit Plus" Seasoning Per Case 17.50 

nine film companies dragged at times. Fulton's 

attorneys protested twice that Caskey 

(Pociced 6 gallons per case) 

was slowing down the case. Commenting 

"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per 50 lbs. 17.00 

about the relevancy of Caskey's cross-examination. 

Morton's Popcorn Salt Per Case 2.95 

Judge Duncan said, "You really 10c Popcorn Boxes, 2 ounce Per 1000 8.90 

should tell us where we're going," and asked 

Caskey to speed up the proceedings. 

Three witnesses for the plaintiff have been 

10c 

1 lb. 

Popcorn 

Popcorn 

Boxes, 

Bags, 

1% ounce 

flat bottom, 

Per 

Per 

1000 

1000 

7.90 

1.65 

brown 

on the stand in the case so far and two 

1 lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, white Per 1000 1.95 

others are scheduled. No part of the defense 

brown Per 1000 1.20 

1/2 lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, 

case has yet been neard. Courtroom observers 

expect the case to drag on 

T/i lb. Popcorn Bags, pinch bottom, brown Per 1000 1.75 

at least 

three more weeks. 

Special Softex % lb. Bags, white Per 1000 2.00 

Printed Sacks, 1 lb. flat bottom, white Per 1000 3.10 

Printed noiseless, 1 lb. pinch bottom Per 1000 4.15 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE 

Prices Subject to Change Without Notice 

PORT HOLE BLOWER 

DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

Eliminates Dust, Bugs and Rain From ComiiiQ in 

Hole — Also eliminates use of Ootical Glass. Tlic 

aivino clearer and cleaner projection. 


MINNEAPOLIS 

Tn the 1930s, when Charlie Weuier. now with 

UA here, was manager of the Pantages 

and Capitol theatres in Winnipeg, Man., his 

stage manager was Jack Byron. For the past 

20 years, Weiner has had Byron as his yearly 

and constant hunting companion, who, 

Charlie says, taught him everything there 

was to know about Canadian Honkers down 

the line to Hungarian partridge. Rated as 

the best shot in that neck of the woods, Byron 

was an ideal hunting companion. But Charlie 

now is disposing of all of his guns and there'll 

be no more hunting seasons for him. Tlie 

reason: Jack Byron was buried November 24 

at Winnipeg. 

a 

With Lowell Kaplan and Charlie Rubenstein 

now the Northwest Variety Club's new 

entertainment committee, plenty of fun is in 

store for club members. Already two big 

parties are on the schedule. The first will be 

December 9 and it'll be a big barn dance 

with supplementary entertainment, and an 

auction of apparel. Lowell and Chuck 

guarantee a good time for all. A New Year's 

eve party will be held in the clubrooms. Plan 

to attend. 

Weighing 

B— 

each situation individually, the 

Minnesota Amusement Co. has decided upon 

a 60-cent admission for its leading Mankato 

theatre, the State, when that house reopens. 

This represents a 10-cent boost in scale . . . 

Tlie new big-screen television in Radio City 

5o//o«. tL LEADER

. . Howard 

. . Mrs. 

. . Tony 

, . Howard 

. . Norman 

Kansas City 'Mines' 

Is High in 2nd Week 

KANSAS CITY—With "King Solomon's 

Mines" better than twice the average business 

at Loew's Midland. "Let's Dance" holding 

up well on its second week at the Paramount, 

and "Henry V" doing brisk business 

on its fifth run, the boxoffice picture looked 

good here the past week. Moreover. Katharine 

Hepburn played to enthusiastic crowds 

in a three-day engagement at the Orpheum. 

"King Solomon's Mines" was held over. At 

the Kimo. Manager Bill Meyer said it was 

amazing how many patrons he talked to 

were seeing "Henry V" for the third or fourth 

time. 


Esquire—The Immortal Sergeant (20th-Fox); 

Wing and a Prayer (20th-Fox), reissues 70 

Kimo—Henry V (UA), 5th run 130 

Midland—King Solomon's Mines (MGM) 240 

Missouri—Where Danger Lives (RKO) Border 

Treasure (RKO) 100 

Paramount—Let's Dance (Para), 2nd wk,- 17b 

Tower, Uptown and Fairway- I'll Get By (20th 

Fox); Trigger Jr. (Rep), latter at T 

nly.. 

attention. 

Century-Woman on the Run (U-!) 90 

Gopher—King Solomon's Mines (MGM), 2nd wk 150 

Lync—Soulhside 1-1000 (Mono); Blues Busters 

(Mono) 85 

Orpheum—Where Danger Lives (RKO) 90 

Pan—Prehistoric Woman (ELC), Chain Gang 

(Col) 100 

Pix—City Ughts (UA), reissue, 3rd wk 90 

Radio City— Let's Dance (Para) 100 

Stole—American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

(20th-Fox) 100 

World—The Miniver Story (MGM), 3rd wk SO 

Cold Weekend Chills 

Boxoffice in Omaha 

OMAHA—A colder weekend bringing ice 

and snow dented what otherwise would 

not have been too bad a week at the boxoffice. 

"Devil's Doorway" at the State Theatre 

came out best. 

Omaha—So Young. So Bad (UA): The Lonely 

Heart Bandits (Rep) 85 

Orpheum—Lady Without a Passport (MGM); The 

Happy Years (MGM) - 

Paramount—American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

95 

90 

(20th-Fox) 

RKO Brandeis—The Fuller Brush Man (Col); 

Convicted (Co) 95 

Slate—Devil's Doorway (MGM) 105 

Town—Across the Badlonds (Col), Custom Agent 

(Col) 95 

OMAHA 

"Cd Hciber, midwest division manager for 

ELC, and Manager Carl Olson of Des 

Moines were due here to confer with Murry 

Greenbaum and Bob Daly, salesmen who 

headquarter here. Distribution is out of the 

Omaha office in the Film Exchange building 

and the two salesmen are there on Mondays 

. . . Alice Neal, Warner office manager, injured 

an arm in a fall. Lockjaw set in and 

she was taken to St. Catherine's hospital. 

Latest reports had Alice showing rapid improvement 

The Omaha district headed 

. . . by William Miskell, the Dust Raiders, led 

at the quarter mark in Tri-States eightweek 

Thank 'Vou drive . . , Irvin Good is 

back with 20th-Fox as a salesman. He rejoined 

the exchange when Harold Ironfield 

left. 

. . . Omaha's 

Mrs. Ben Juracek, owner of the Hollywood 

Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Neb., was recovering 

from an appendectomy 

exchange is currently running fifth in the 

national Columbia Montague Sweepstakes 

drive . . . Jack Renfro, RKO manager, went 

to Kansas City for the holidays . . . William 

Gaddoni, MGM manager, and his wife 

were hosts to the Rich Wilsons and Jack 

Jorgenses of the same office on Thanksgiving 

. . . Mi's. Mort Ichenberg sr. is here 

from New York for a visit with her son, an 

Second Week of 'Solomon's Mines' 

Paces Minneapolis With 150 

MINNEAPOLIS—Film fans had many new 

offerings from which to choose last week, the 

lone holdovers being "City Lights" and "The 

Miniver Story" in their third weeks and the 

sensational boxoffice hit, "King Solomon's RKO salesman . Kennedy, Broken 

Mines," In its second. Among the fresh Bow, Neb., exhibitor, was in town and reported 

starters, "Let's Dance" and "American Guerrilla 

commanded most 

that his mother had injured a shoul- 

in the Philippines," der ... An eye was bothering Jack Andrews, 

Paramount salesman . Evelyn Cannon, 

MGM office manager, went to Ames, 

Iowa, to attend the marriage of a cousin. 

William Miskell Chosen 

OMAHA—William Miskell, Tri-States Theatres 

district manager, has been selected 

publicity chairman for the Omaha exchange 

area during Brotherhood week, February 

18-25. 

R. W. Brown Dies 

NEOLA, IOWA—R. W. Brown, more than 

35 years an exhibitor here, died following 

a heart attack. The former owner of the 

Phoenix Theatre had been in the hospital 

in Council Bluffs. A wife survives. 

Bud 'Verhaege, who runs the Lyric Theatre 

at St. Edward, Neb., with his dad, Jerry, 

has a hobby that is fairly outgrowing his 

quarters. He likes model trains, has more 

. than 150 feet of track Goodman 

is back booking for Warners. He joined the 

staff after Joe Weiss was promoted to salesman 

. . . Bill Miskell went to Sioux City 

BEFORE YOU BUY 

during the week . 

Nielson, RKO 

salesman, has a lame back which slowed him 

down , 

Jackson, bu.siness manager 

of Local 343. lATSE, was married a 

few weeks ago and was on his honeymoon. 

Clyde Cooley, 20th-Fox projectionist, has 

been convalescing and resting, first in the 

hospital and then at home. He expected to 

return to work soon. 

Oliver Schneider, Osceola, Neb., exhibitor 

who has been ill. appeared along Filmrow. 

Others noted included: Arnold Meierdierks, 

Pender; Carl Johnson, Red Oak; Cliff 

Shearon, Genoa; Raymond Brown and 

Jamie Booth, Harlan; Mr. and Mrs. H. H. 

Feldhans. Schaller; Mr. and Mrs. Frank 

Scott, Moville; George March, Vermillion; 

Irvin Beck, Wilbur; Harry Lohr, Scribner; 

Laura Moorehead, Stromsburg; Mrs. D. L. 

Frank, Humboldt; J. E. Holben, Pisgah; Mr. 

and Mrs. Alfred Berney, Wolbach; Vern 

Blyth, Snyder; Mrs. Laura Moorehead, 

Stromsburg; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Goodwater, 

Madison; Harry Hummell, Scribner; 

D. P. Campell, Central City; Jeanette Shoeneman 

and Pat Plummer, Wahoo; Walter 

Yancke, Lincoln, and Woody Simek, Ashland. 

Walter Creal is incorporating some ultramodern 

features in his Center Theatre about 

due for completion. 

Ne-w Sound Installed 

MARION, IOWA—Motiograph Mirrophonic 

sound system has been installed at the Marion 

theatre, according to an announcement last 

week by G. E. Rathman, manager. 

Gets New Projection 

BURICE, S. D.—New sound and projection 

equipment has been installed at the Burke 

Theatre here. 

• SEE THE 

INTERNATIONAL Model 2000 

Seats are wider, roomier— and yet seating capacity of 

your auditorium remains the same. Full-coil spring-edge 

cushions and generous padding assure restful, "easychair" 

comfort. The long steel back extending below 

seat protects cushion from scuffing. Metal rim around 

back protects upholstery from hand soilage. All-steel 

construction . . . hingeless seat suspension . . . 

rubber seat 

stops— provide unexcelled stamina and extra durability 

for years of dependable use. There are no nuts, bolts or 

screws to damage clothing. 

Come in and see for yourself why the new INTER- 

NATIONAL "2000" CHAIR is the finest, soundest 

investment you could make in theatre seating. 

THE WESTERN THEATRE 

SUPPLY COMPANY 

214 N. Fifteenth Phone: Atlantic 9046 

Omaha, Neb. 


63

• 

. . That 

. . Other 

. . 

Another 

ED & MORT ROLSKY 

Invite You 

To Drop in and Visit With Us at 

Our Card ond Gift Shop 

Y,,r OowiH.wii Sf.r. Opf.w» 

a big selection of Xn 

Gilts. 

THIS IS 

IT/ 

ryv/here 

ishing Box Ollice records 

Antonio to Syracuse. Dall^ 

ndent 

ia to Tacoma. THE ONLY in. . 

itation picture playing the major circmts. 

- Warners 

- RKO Paramount - Golden 

le - Interstate - Video - and many others. 

1100 independents first 6 months 

TKUi AUTHINTIC CAPTURED 

FILM PRODUCED BY HITLERS 

PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER- 

PICTURES HE NEVER DREAMED 

THE WORLD WOULD SEE! 

PLUS SECOND SHOCK HIT 

"CRIMES OF THE GESTAPO 

I 

Contact lor 1951 Playdates 

Dick C Crane, Gen. Sales Mgr. 

Hollywood Producers & Distributors 

308 S. Harwood Dallas, Texas 

Phone ST-2552 

CLASSIFIED ADS—EASY TO USE 

K AHS kS 

Eddie Ott of Marysville, Kas., runs a night 

club and dance hall there and recently put 

in a new driveway to his place. The local 

paper got a little mixed up and reported he 

was building a "drive-in." Now Ott is getting 

mail and receiving callers, wanting to sell him 

equipment. 

will open in this territory December 6 . . 

Doug Lightner, city manager at Manhattan; 

Frank Dodson of Ellsworth, and Tom Wolfe 

of Herington, Kas. were at the Commonwealth 

home office Monday (27). 

Edward Aaron, midwest division manager 

for 20th-Fox, sprained an ankle Sunday (26>, 

when he caught his foot between his car 

and the curb. Since this necessitated his remaining 

at home for several days, the sales 

Carpets - Door Mats 

B I G E L W 

*S M I T H 

U. S. ROYALITE 

SHAD-0-RUG 

CITY 

Parkhurst, former general manager of meeting scheduled for the following day was 

CE. 

Allied here, started Monday i27) as a in his home was quite a shindig the 

. 

salesman for Lippert Productions Senn 

. . . 

Lawler and wife have been in Macomb. 111., 

where thev were called by the death of Mrs. 

Lawler's father, Thomas Terrill of that city detail the party agenda. Starting with swimming 

at four ("For those who have had their 

Gretchen Brown, who was a secretary at 

commonwealth Theatres nearly 20 years, has bath this year, there'll be checkers and cards 

returned from a seven-week vacation on the and ping pong there"', dinner was at seven, 

west coast and Is back on the Row with a new after which "Mad Wednesday" was screened 

job. She is now at Consolidated Agencies as for the crowd. Phil Blakey, manager, was in 

secretary to Clarence Schultz Pauline charge and it could be he wrote the poetic invitations, 

but skeptics on the Row were in- 

. . . 

Krieger contract clerk at MGM, is recovering 

from a wrist operation . . . Shirley Foster is clined to credit his wife. 

the new booker's secretary at MGM, replacing 

Mrs. Dorothy Stamphel who is now oecretary 

to Harold Hume at Fox Midwest. 

Riverside Drive-In employes put on at the 

KCAC on Monday (27 1. Whoever wrote the 

invitations cooked up some fancy rhyming to 

Jack Braunagel, in charge of drive-ins for 

Commonwealth, reports all of their outdoor 

shows have closed now except the ones at 

Fayetteville and Springfield, which are open 

only on weekends. 

Commonwealth circuit notes. Bill Baker 

sends greetings from Biloxi where he is in the 

air force ... Rex Barrett of the Uptown Theatre 

in Columbia again held a special screen- 

for Stephens college girls. His assistant, 

. 

ing 

Charlie Kleppsattel, has been accepted for 

Joan Holscher, assistant regional editor of 

officers training and leaves soon Frank 

. . . 

BOXOFFICE and Kansas City area reporter, 

Kennedy at Norton got some nice local press 

was married Sunday (26) night at the Christian 

church in Independence to Frank Baer 

notices when he invited the high school football 

team to be his guests at a showing of 

and left for a honeymoon in Memphis and 

"The Jackie Robinson Story" . 

Nashville. Baer is employed at the Kellypublic 

relations-minded exhibitor is Jack 

Williams Motor car Co. Mrs. Baer will continue 

on the staff of BOXOFFICE Dick 

Stephenson of Higginsville. He went before 

. . . 

the city fathers and persuaded them to do 

O'Rear and Roy Tucker, engineers at Commonwealth 

Theatres, made a trip to Trenton, 

away with parking meters on shop and show 

days. Result: Jack is very popular with motorists. 

Mo to complete plans for air conditioning 

the Plaza Theatre there. The Plaza is owned 

by W. O. Lenhart, an affiliate of Commonwealth. 

local office Teenagers can keep a secret 

. . . 

Harry Simons, MGM auditor, was at the 

because last week 70 of them did surprise 

Dave Kent, assistant to Terry Turner, RKO 

Bonny Golden, daughter of MGM's Eddie 

home office publicist, arrived Monday (27) 

Golden, at a birthday party at Holiday House 

and was met here by Lou Dufour from St. 

in Kansas City, Kas. It was Bonny's 14th 

Louis, regional exploiteer. They will work 

birthday and the guests were fellow members 

on the local campaign for "Outrage," which 

of her freshman class at Southwest High 

National Screen Service reports Lee 

• 

, 

; 

, 

, 

i 

; 

Hayob of the Mary Lou at Marshall, Mo. 

called Monday (271 as did Harry Till of the 

Till at Hamilton, Mo. 

. . . 

Visiting at Republic was W. D. Fite of the 

Fife at Eldorado, Kas.. and John Courter 

National 

of the Courter at Gallatin. Mo. 

Theatre Supply had these exhib- 

itors in recently for supplies: Nick Kotsis. 

Holden at Holden, Mo.; Irwin Dubinsky from 

Fort Madison, Iowa; E. C. Michael, Micklo at 

Drive-In, McPherson. Kas.; Doc Cook, Tivoh, 

Maryville Mo. exhibitors seen on 

. 

the Row included F. G. Weary of the Farris 

at Richmond. Mo, and Ray Miner of the 

Leroy at Leroy, Kas. 

Don Davis, district manager for RCA Victor 

has been given an additional title by Jack 

O'Brien, theatre division sales manager at 

the home office in Camden. N. J. The Davis 

64 

Complete Installation Service — Free Estimates 

R. D. MANN CARPET CO. 

928-930-932 Central Victor 1171 Kansas C-ty, Mo. 

Room 455, Paul Brown Building Chestnut 4499 St. Lou.s, Mo. 

CRETORS POPCORN 

Tapered Popcorn Boxe: 

iy for Prompt Deliver) 

POPCORN 

Uh St. 

Kansas 

BOXOFFICE 

MACHINES 

:: December 2, 1950

BOXOFFICE 

. . Bob 

1 

hobby of taking pictures at company gatherings 

and elsewhere and forwarding these is 

responsible for O'Brien's suggestion that he 

be dubbed "official photographer" in this 

20th year of his service with the company. 

Columbia salesmen were all in Friday (24 

reporting to the auditor. Pat Pinnell, salesman 

for the Wichita territory, was there as 

the proud father of a baby boy named Roger 

Don. Instead of passing out cigars, he 

brought in a huge cake for the office, with 

this inscription: "We knew he was coming 

so we baked a cake." The Pinnell announcement, 

which was sent out to friends, was 

cleverly designed for trade appreciation, with 

Illustrations showing "these changes are 

necessary" (a clothesline with typical squares 

fluttering) and the caption that "A New * 

Is Born." 

Manager Al Adler of MGM Monday (27) 

was making final preparations for his rest 

cruise of Central and South America ports. 

He will be gone three and a half weeks and 

Eddie Golden will be in charge during his 

absence . Scott, who was seen in Columbia 

pictures from time to time the past 

few years, is now reported to be on the TV- 

Nash program which is heard and seen on the 

network Saturday nights. Bob is a son of the 

Ward Scotts, now living in Denver since 

Ward's retirement from 20th-Fox . . . Bernie 

Evens, MGM exploitation man, started a vacation 

just before Thanksgiving . . . E. D. Van 

Duyne, district manager for RCA Service, and 

A. A. Hughes, field engineer, returned from 

vacations . . . Several of the theatre supply 

houses report business is slow, with exhibitors 

buying cautiously, and only necessary replacements. 

Mrs. Harold Cass, wife of the Warner Bros, 

salesman, will enter the Mayo clinic in 

Rochester, Minn.. December 5. Harold will be 

away from his WB duties for several weeks. 

See the New "UNIVERSAL" 

Ideal Theatre Chairs 

Design gives range of 32 models. You'll 

like it! If you want the finest at moderate 

price, better order NOW. 

Call, Wire or Write 

STEBBINS THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

1804 Wyandotte St. Kansas City 8, Mo. 

Clyde H. Eadger, Manager 

Satisfaction — Alwa'ys 

MISSOURI 

THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY 

L. J. KIMBRIEL, Manager 

Phone BAltimore 3070 

115 W. 18th I City 8, Mo. 

RDCHT MPTCDM 

STAGE EQUIPMENT COMPANY 

ilUlilMliUllU 

New Fox, 800 Sealer 

In Winfield, Opens 

KANSAS CITY—Elmer Rhoden sr.. president 

of Fox Midwest, was among those who 

went to Winfield, Kas., for the opening of the 

new Fox Theatre there Wednesday (29). 

Others from Kansas City, most of whom flew 

to Wichita and went on to Winfield, included 

Katherine Black, booker; Joe Neger, 

20th-Fox manager; Don Davis, district manager 

for RCA Victor; Bill Keith, district 

manager, United Artists, and Dick O'Rear of 

Commonwealth. 

A luncheon was held at the hotel for 

prominent persons in Winfield, after which 

these were taken on a tour of inspection of 

the beautiful new theatre, which seats around 

800. 

Saturday morning a special showing for 

children was to be held. 

National Theatre Supply furnished much 

of the equipment, including Simplex projectors. 

Peerless Magnarc lamps, Hertner Transverter, 

American Bodiform chairs, Bevelite 

marquee letters, Aluminex display cases, 

Bausch & Super Cinephor lens, Walcamp 

smoking urns. Walker 'Vinyl plastic screen, 

Capitol Arc spotlight. 

After the opening performance, a buffet 

supper was held for Fox officials and their 

guests at the Lassen hotel in Wichita, with 

Elmer Rhoden and Fred C. Souttar, district 

manager, as hosts. Loyce H. Rockhold, Winfield 

manager, has been there since 1948 and 

with Fox Midwest for 23 years. 

Thorough Thieves Get $500 

At Omaha Circle Theatre 

OMAHA—Burglars on a recent Sunday 

morning did a thorough job at the neighborhood 

Circle Theatre here. They ransacked 

the candy storage room and rifled the candy 

corner in the lobby in addition to breaking 

open a small safe. 

Manager Morris Segal said the exact 

amount of cash taken was not known, but 

that it was approximately $500. The safe 

was removed from a room near the front 

of the theatre, taken to the basement and 

forced with an iron bar. 

Kansas City MPA to Hold 

First Annual Session 

KANSAS CITY—The MPA of Kansas City 

will hold its first annual meeting on December 

4 (Monday) at the Santa Fe Hills Country 

club. Dinner will be at 6:30 and the 

business meeting will follow at which dii-ectors 

will be elected. 

Finton-Jones Hol

! 

Dale McFarland to Coordinafor Post 

In New Tri-States Circuit Cabinet 

DES MOINES—Tri-States Theatres, which 

operates in Iowa. Nebraska and Illinois, will 

be guided by a cabinet consisting of the 

home office executives and district managers. 

A. H. Blank, president of the corporation, 

announced this week. Blank announced 

the new policy following the recent 

resignation of G. Ralph Branton. former 

general manager of the company. 

Dale H. McFarland, who has been named 

to the newly created post of assistant to the 

president of Ti'i-States, will serve as coordinator 

of the activities of the cabinet as 

well as a point of contact between the district 

managers, the home office departments 

and the president. Duties formerly handled 

by Branton have been divided among Mc- 

Farland. Leo McKechneay. Tri-States treasurer, 

and the district managers: H. D. Grove. 

William Miskell and Kermit Carr. 

Carr, who has been Des Moines district 

manager for the last two years, succeeds 

McFarland as chief of the film buying and 

booking department. Effective January 1, 

the post of Des Moines district manager 

will be eliminated. Blank announced. Carr, 

DRIVE-INS, ATTENTION! 

More Light at Less 

Amperage - and 25% 

More Burning Time ! 

DALE H. McFARLAND 

STEBBINS THEATRE 

Palee, Lawrence, Kas., 

Reopens as First Run 

LAWRENCE, KAS.—The newly reopened 

Patee Theatre, believed to be the oldest operating 

theatre west of the Mississippi river, 

has started a new policy of showing single 

feature first run films. The house, owned by 

Commonwealth Theatres circuit, opened last 

month after completion of a remodeling job 

which had closed the house since last August. 

Further delays in work were caused by the 

world situation and material shortages and a 

strike in the factory manufacturing the new 

seats for the Patee. 

The house now has a colorful plastiglas 

front, aluminum-trimmed boxoffice. streamlined 

concessions stand and mechanically 

folding seats. New carpeting and new equipment 

also were installed to make the house 

over completely from the Patee which first 

opened here in 1903. 

J. D. King, manager for Commonwealth 

here, said that while there are many theatres 

in addition to his new duties in the booking 

in the western part of the country which 

department, will continue to serve as opened before 1903. the Patee is the only one 

district manager until January 1. After that, beUeved to have been in continuous operation 

for 47 years, Leon Hoffnagle is supervision of Ti-i-States theatres in Waterloo 

man- 

will be assigned to Grove. These will be ager of the Patee. 

in addition to the cities in his present district: 

Davenport. Rock Island, Moline and 

Cedar Rapids. 

Increase Operating Schedule 

The ten Tri-States theatres In Des Moines SYLVIA, KAS.—The Sylvia Theatre is now 

will be under direct supervision of the home operating under a seven nights a week schedule. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Pope are the new 

office beginning January 1 with Robert Leonard, 

manager of the Paramount, to act in managers at the house. 

the capacity of city manager. Leonard will 

continue to manage the Paramount and will 

supervise also the operation of the nine 

other theatres under the direction of the 

home office. 

"I am most happy that we have been able 

to announce these advancements for Mc- 

Farland. Carr and Leonard." Blank stated. 

"It has always been our policy to develop 

our executives and managers from the field. 

All three of these men started as ushers and 

worked up the ladder to their present important 

positions. I know of no better proof 

Typical of Ball 

quality. Model 

of opportunity than this. We have other 

BW froicctor . . . 

important promotions in mind for several 

yet it is lower in cost 

than anythioR equal jn 

men in future months, and these, too, we 

performance. Modern 

rear shutter; complete 

hope to be able to fill from the ranks." 

oillite permanent bearings; 

large and roomy; 

easily accessible, with 

an case of threading 

not found in ordinary 

proieciors. For steady, 

smooth, [rouble-free 

operation, Ballantyne's 

Model BW is your 

Equipment Co. 

smartest buy 

MODEL BW 

Local 

Distributors 

CENTRAL SHIPPING BUREAU 


UNITED FILM EXCHANGE 

120 West 18th St. Kansas City, Mo. 

IS IT ACTION YOU WANT? 

Possibly more theatres ore sold through our 

offices in the areas in which we operate than 

most other mediums combined. No listing 

fee—Multiple service. 

HARRY BUCK 

HARRY SAVEREIDE 

804-05 Pence 509 Secuiiliea Bldg. 

Bldg.. 

Des Moines 9. Iowa 

Mil eapolis 2. Min 

R. M. COPELAND HARRY BUCK 

1012 Baltimore, Suite 415 1217 Blum Bldg. 

Kansas City. Mo. Chicago 5, Illinois 

SAVEREIDE THEATRE BROKERS 

Largest Exclusive Theatre Brokers in America 

nM uiinq Bctliantifoe 

MODEL "BW" 

PROJECTORS 

American Theatre 

Supply 

316 South Main Avenue 

Sioux Falls. South Dakota 

Coinplclc Theatre Equipment & Supplies 


Snapshots and News Briefs 

on Charlotte Convention 

Directors and newly elected officers of the Theatre Owners of 

North and South Carolina line up for the cameraman. Left to 

right: Roy Rowe, Burgaw; H. F. Kincey, Charlotte; W. H. Hendrix 

jr., Reidsville; Harold Armistead, Easley; J. B. Harvey, retiring 

president and new vice-president; H. D. Hearn, Charlotte, new 

president; H. E. Buchanan, Hendersonville; Roy L. Champion, vicepresident, 

Wilson; H. H. Everett, Charlotte; George D. Carpenter, 

Valdese. Other directors not shown in the photo are Ben L. Strozier. 

Rock Hill; J. C. Long, Charleston; A. F. Sams, Statcsville, 

Jimmy Earnhardt, Edenton. 

By HARRY HART 

CHARLOTTE—Sidelights of the 38th annual 

convention of the Theatre Owners of 

North and South Carolina held here last 

week: 

J. H. Webster and Levin B. Culpepper of 

the Carolina Amusement Co., Elizabeth City, 

were busy greeting many friends. 

C. B. "Seabee" Hayworth, who operates the 

drive-in at Pink Hill. N. C. a town of 450 

persons, reported he recently had Tex Ritter 

as a guest star and played to a capacity 

crowd. 

Hal Stone, another oldtimer, recently celebrated 

the third anniversary of his Motor 

Park Drive-In at Clinton and filled it with 

patrons. Hal told convention folk about a 

patron who came up and asked if he bought 

a box of popcorn would he have to go to the 

show. 

^m 

Irvin Rourk of Wilmington was seeking to 

find a display of Moonglow lighting, saying 

that it is now a must for drive-in operation. 

Jim Earnhardt of Edenton, N. C, was telling 

that deer and bear roam the swamps 

around there. 

Bob Bryant of Rock Hill commented he 

never knew so many people were helping in 

school work until he filmed a shot about activities 

in Rock Hill the other day. 

Ben Pless of Ashville has sold his new car 

dealership so that he can devote more time 

to his two drive-ins, one at Ashville and the 

other at Hendersonville. 

Franklin Frady, booker for the Pless Theatres, 

was renewing friendships. A. J. Biggart 

of the Motor-In, Lancaster, S. C, was shaking 

hands with friends around the lobby. 

Charley Holliday of Pinetops disclosed he 

just got under the freeze order and has put 

a new porcelain front and other repairs on 

his theatre there. 

H. E. Wessinger and wife of Lexington were 

greeted by friends. 

Lyle Wilson of Roanoke Rapids signed a 

pledge for the Will Rogers Memorial hospital 

fund. Al Duren, manager for Paramount in 

Charlotte, is taking a very active part in the 

fund raising campaign. 

R. G. Covington, operator at the Elm Theatre 

in Greensboro, was renewing acquaintances 

in the lobby of the hotel. 

(Continued on next news page)

%ei^ 

%im MOTION PICTURE mJHCTOKS... 

... do not require oil pumps . 


operation. 

. . must be designed to use 




Modern projection demands the use of higher power ore lamps. These lamps 













wasted power. 



Projectors equipped for high speed, long focal length, 4" diem, lenses. 

Water cooling is optional-ovoiloble on all models at slight extra cost. 






steel gears. 






sharper pictures . . . fmer projection. 


sound equipment nov/, under present government restrictions. 

JOE HORNSTEIN, INCORPORATED 

712 N. E. First Ave. 

Miami 36. Florida 

ALON BOYD THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO. 

p. 0. Box 362 

Shrcvcport, Louisiana 

CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY CO. 

161 Walton Street, N. W. 

Atlanta, Georgia 

STANDARD THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

215 E. Washington St. 

Greensboro, North Carolina 

222 South Church St. 

Charlotte, North Carolina 

QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE, INC. 

19121 2 Morris Ave. 

Birmingham 3, Alabamo 

TRI- STATE THEATRE SUPPLY 

318 South Second St. 

Memphis 3, Tennessee 


; 

^ 

' 

SC 

II 

Convention Notes 

(Continued from preceding news page) 

C. H. Cordell of Wallace was the center of 

friendly gatherings. 

W. H. McManus of Spartanburg was overheard 

talking over problems of theatre operation 

with Jim Hyatt of Lancaster in the 

Bryant Theatre Supply Co. room. 

H. F. Kincey shook hands with friends 

wherever he went. Dusty Rhodes, general 

manager of Dixie Drive-In Theatres arrived 

late on account of taking his father to Greenville. 

The elder Rhodes had been visiting his 

son in Atlanta and became ill. 

Charley Fortson and Tip Tipton welcomed 

all at the Wil-Kin Theatre Supply room. 

Doris and Prank Strange were greeting 

friends and making themselves useful. 

C. B. Roebuck and wife of Hamilton, N. C, 

were at all spots seeking information to help 

build patronage. 

George Carpenter of Valdese was a popular 

figure. 

Kenneth Richardson of Seneca, who did 

some booking between sessions, reported he 

now has an artist to help draw attractive 

posters and signs for the New Oconee Theatre. 

Charley Utley, Pullers Sams jr. and Carelton 

Trotter of Statesville were looking for 

new ideas in showmanship. 

Clinton Whitlock of Rockingham was talking 

with first one and then another about 

theatre operation. 

Arthur Phillips of Walhalla was getting 

acquainted with new theatre folk. 

Charles Piequet of Pinehurst as usual was 

very busy as he is said to be one of the busiest 

exhibitors in the country with two very unusual 

theatres. He was president of TON & 

for 14 years. 

Charles Earle of Forrest Electronic Co. was 

getting acquainted with many exhibitors, as 

was Buddy Hill of Wake Forest, N. C. 

J. V. Dwiggins and H. M. Sloop of the 

Main Theatres in Kannapolis took this writer 

to luncheon the first day. 

R. S. Shores of Winston-Salem, who owns 

the drive-in Dobson, was attending his first 

TON&SC convention. 

« • « 

Prank St. Clair was a gracious host at the 

Manley, Inc., cocktail party at which an orchestra 

played for dancing. A girl in Manley 

costume passed popcorn around. 

Mr. and Mrs. Howard McNally of Fayetteville 

were soon surrounded by old showmen 

following their arrival. 

Frank Harris and crew of Bryant Theatre 

Supply distributed drinks and potato chips 

in the Bryant room. 

R. E. Brantley of the Tryon (N.C.) theatre 

did some booking between sessions. 

IF 

YOUR POPCORN MACHINE 

BREAKS DOWN 

Get a Shipment 

of 

Pre-Popped Popcorn 

PROMPTLY 

JACKSONVILLE POPCORN CO. 

425 E. Bay Si. locksonville, Fla. 

Mr, and Mrs. Roy Champion of Wilson 

were chatting with friends. 

P. G. McGee of Winston-Salem related incidents 

of his recent trip to Houston and vacation 

in Mexico. 

A. P. Lassiter of Conway said business was 

still fair in his section. 

O. T. Kirvy of Roxboro was meeting old 

friends and making new ones. 

J. K. Whitley and wife were in from Kannapolis. 

Delmer Sherrill of Statesville said he almost 

had to pass up the convention what 

with managing his drive-in and attending 

college. 

Frank Bedenfield and Francis White were 

there. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Wolfson of Miami 

made more friends with their smile and 

iiandshakes. 

JACKSONVILLE 

IJarry Meadows, UA special representative, 

visited the office of Floyd Stowe, booker, 

recently . . . Mabel Conrad, who was at the 

San Marco Theatre for the last few years, 

is now managing the Edgewood Theatre . . . 

Florida State Theatre's annual holiday dance 

has been scheduled for December 28 . . . 

Louis Pauza, Paramount booker, has left for 

the service . . . Abner Camp is with Paramount 

as a salesman. 

Exhibitors visiting at the Paramount exchange 

were Nat Bernstein of Bernstein Theatres, 

Miami; James Frew, Skydrome, Lake 

Worth, and the Dania Drive-In, Dania, and 

K. T. Barfield of Gainesville, Fla. 

Kentwood Elroy Remodeled 

KENTWOOD, LA.—The Elroy Theatre here 

has been reopened after an extensive remodeling. 

New seats in a color scheme of blond 

and blue were installed and new drapes and 

rugs were added. Roy Saxon is manager. 

• CENTURY To^lôrD^ 

For over 20 years 

SERVICE 

and 

COURTESY 

OUR WATCH WORD 

STRONG laTps 

CONCESSION STAR EQUIPMENT 

STANDARD THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

215 E. Washinoton St., 222 So. Church St., 

GREENSBORO, N. C. CHARLOTTE, N. C. 

A 

COMPLETE 

BUYING and BOOKING 

SERVICE 

For ihe Independent Theatre 

EXHIBITORS SERVICE CO. 

189 Walton St., N. W. Atlanta, Go. 

TOM JONES 

Lamar 1711 

ONLY MANLEY GIVES YOU 

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE 

Manieif, 9ttc. 

The Biggest Name in Popcorn. 

SOUTHEASTERN OFFICES 

Z. C. SHREVE, Mor. 

25 Walton St., N. W., ATLANTA, GA 

F. A. ST. CLAIRE, Mgr. 

315 So. Church St., CHARLOTTE, N. 

J. F. SAUNDERS, Mor. 

176 Vance Ave., MEMPHIS, TENN. 

1414 Cleveland St., NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

TOM LUCY 

DeVry Drive-In Equipment 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT CD. 

ZZa S. POPLAR ST. CHARLOTTE, N. C. 

tottoil* Pi**-' 

-^" 

THE PROJECTIOniST'S PROJECTOR 

ed and built 

by projectic 

Tiple trouble-fr( ope 

• A ROCK-STEADY PICTURE 

• MAXIMUM SCREEN ILLUMINATION WITHOUT 

FUCKER OR TRAVEL GHOST 

• SWEET, SMOOTH, SILENT, COOL OPERATION 

• UNBELIEVABLE RESISTANCE TO WEAR 

You'll be glad for years when you buy Motiogroph project 

They last practically forever, assure the lowest overall cosi 

For convincing proof, request a free demonstrotion. 

WIL-KIN THEATRE SUPPLY, INC. 

Atlanta, Ga. Charlotte, N. C. 

"Bverythlng for the theatre except film" 


69

. . Johnnie 

BOOK 

NOW 

MEMPHIS 

n blizzard, accompanied by snow and sleet 

and temperatures below last winter's 

record, put a crimp in midsouth theatre 

business. Local first runs reported a slump 

following the cold wave which hit Thanksgiving 

day and continued. The icy roads 

and streets kept exhibitors from making 

booking and shopping trips. A large number 

of drive-iiis in the territory closed for the 

winter season. 

Drive-ins which closed for the winter this 

week included: Sky Way, owned by Rockwood 

Amusement Co. of Nashville, at Humboldt: 

64 Drive-In, owned by William L. 

. . . 

Spicer, at Russellville, Ark.: Sundown, Paris, 

Tenn,; Jaxon. owned by Douglas Pierce, 

Jack.son, Tenn., and Paris, Paris, Ark. 

M. A. Lightman sr., president of Malco, has 

returned from New York . Gannon, 

U-I office manager, was on vacation 

. . . Fred Myers, Lippert manager, wa.s 

home from the sales meeting in Kansas City 

. . . Nelson Towler, LP district manager, 

was at the local office. 

Bowl football game between leading Memphis 

Negro teams. Prof. Handy will take 

part in the ceremonies and will be honored 

by Memphis at the game . . . High adventure 

brought high attendance to Memphis first 

run houses. Loew's Palace showed "American 

Guerrilla in the Philippines"; Loew's 

State, "Where Danger Lives"; Warner, 

"Breakthrough"; Malco, "Fortunes of Captain 

Blood"; and Strand "Tripoli" to improved 

attendance. 

Prices Raised Five Cents 

At Two Alabama Spots 

LINEVILLE, ALA.—Adult admissions have 

been increased a nickel by the Lineville 

Theatre here and the Ashland at Ashland. 

Kiddy prices are unchanged at 10 cents. 

"Greatly increased operating costs" was 

given as the reason for the hike, which is 

the first since federal taxes were boosted 

to 20 per cent several years ago. The new 

price is 35 cents for adults. 

ALL BOX OFFICE 

HITS 

BEYOND THE SACRAMENTO 

THE SON OF DAVEY CROCKETT 

PRAIRIE SCHOONERS 

WILDCAT OF TUCSON 

ACROSS THE SIERRAS 

NORTH FROM THE LONE STAR 

HANDS ACROSS THE ROCKIES 

KING OF DODGE CITY 

Arthur Groom, manager of Loew's State; 

Cecil Vogel, manager of Loew's Palace, and 

Louis C. Ingram, MGM manager, are on a 

committee which will stage a midnight show 

at the State December 17 to raise funds 

for the Christmas basket fund conducted 

by the Commercial Appeal and American 

Legion. 

Exhibitors in from Mississippi Includtil 

J. H. Moore, Ritz, Crenshaw; Clark Shivley 

Skylark Drive-In. Clarksdale; Mr. and Mr.^ 

A. F. Marlar. Joy. Nettleton; A. N. Ros.î, 

Roxy, Clarksdale, and J. R. Adams, Jeran 

and Von, Booneville. 

From Arkansas came Orris Collins. Capitol 

and Majestic, Paragould; Henley Smith. 

Imperial, Pocahontas; W. L. Landers. Landers, 

Batesville; Zell Jaynes, Joy, West 

Memphis; Tom Ford, Ford, Rector; B. D. 

Graves, Sunshine, Cherry Valley; Jimmie 

Sharum. Chandell and Metro. Walnut Ridge; 

Wake Newsom, Dixie, Marmaduke; Mi', and 

Mrs. John D. Lowrey, Lowrey, Russellville; 

and Park and Plaza, Bentonville; Bob Lowrey, 

Skyvue Drive-In, Jonesboro; Mrs. George 

Keller. Joiner, Jomer, and Tom Ford, Ford, 

Rector. 

Louise Mask, Luez, Bolivar; W. F. Ruff in 

jr., Ruffin Amusements Co., Covington; M. 

E. Rice jr., Rice, Brownsville, and Mrs. 

H. A. Fitch, Erin, Erin, were in from Tennes.see 

points . . . J. C. Mohrstadt. Missouri, 

Hayti, and president of Midsouth Allied, was 

in on business, as were W. C. Kroeger, Shannon 

and Maxon, Portageville, Mo., and Gem 

and Joy, Osceola, Ark. 

Prof. W. C. Handy, daddy of the blues, native 

of Memphis, now of New York, will come 

here December 5 to attend the annual Blues 

PROOF Of superiority 

PD-55 

SINGLE 

CHANNEL 

When theatres the world over continue t( 

make Royal Soundmaster Amplifiers their No 

1 choice for quality reproduction, trouble-fret 

service, dependability and durability, there i; 

no better proof of superiority. You. too, will 

find an amazing difference in your sounc 

when you use Royal Soundmaster Amplifiers, 

riouûimqBctllantifnc... 

AMPLIFIERS 

Perrin Theatre Supply 

Company 

1008 Main Street 

Little Rock. Arkansas 



. . . The 

. . . the 

NEW ORLEANS 

T oe Barcelona, owner of the Regina at 

Baton Rouge, has taken over the operation 

of three theatres: namely, the Istrouma, 

the Avenue and Tivoli, formerly lea.sed by 

Roy Pfeiffer. The change will become effective 

January 10 . . . Harold F. "Babe" Cohen 

went to Mobile with salesman Roy Nicaud 

to sell Screen Guild product. 

Henry Krumm, a partner with Ernest 

Landaiche in Realart Pictures, has severed 

his affiliation and retired to his home in San 

Antonio . . . Seen at Republic were A. L. 

Royal of the Royal Theatres, Meridian, Miss., 

Max Connett of the Roxy, Newton. Miss., 

Paul Ketchum. Century, Texarkana, Ark.. 

and Nelson Constant. Nelson Theatre, 

Kraemer. 

Theatre changes reported in this area include 

the recent closing of the Sorrell at Sorrell 

The Park Drive-In. Crestview, Pla., operated 

The Joy at 

by J. C. Powell, wâs sold . . . 

Laurel, Miss., owned by Booker T. Smoth, has 

been closed temporarily for alterations . . . 

Charles M. Waterall expects to open his new 

Waterall Theatre at Prichard, Ala., around 

December 15. It will seat approximately 1,000. 

Seen on Filmrow were A. H. Vowell, owner 

of the Liberty, Taylorsville, Miss.; Ernest 

Drake, Ideal, Ponchatoula, and G. H. Moody, 

Meridian Drive-In at Meridian, Miss. . . . 

Mary Gonzales, biller, returned to work at 

Monogram after a three-week absence due to 

illness . . . E. J. Lillis. president of Masterpiece 

Pictures, is ill at his Metairie home suffering 

from rheumatism. 

Mrs. G. Sanders, owner of theatres in Madisonville 

and Mandeville. was in . . . Herbert 

Hargroder. theatre owner from Hattiesburg, 

was booking at Warners . . . E. W. Clinton of 

the Mono Theatre, Monticello. Miss., was in 

Warner Christmas party for office 

personnel will be held December 16 at 

Deutsches Haus. 

Two Airers Opened 

At Shrevepori, La. 

SHREVEPORT—Two new drive-ins with 

a capacity totaling 1,214 cars have been 

opened near here. The Don Drive-In on 

Highway 80 east of Kickapoo Plaza near 

Bossier City wa.s opened by Don George, 

owner of the Don and Venus here and the 

Davis at Bossier City. The Barksdale Drive- 

In, located near the Barksdale air base, has 

been opened by Shipman Bullard and Lillian 

Lutzer. 

Darrell George, brother of Don, is manager 

of the 564-car Don. Booking is done 

by Doyle Maynard, general manager of the 

Don. The airer features hard surfaced 

ramps and a 30x60-foot snack bar. Cost was 

set at between $125,000 and $150,000. 

The 650-car Barksdale Drive-In is staffed 

with local personnel, including Holland 

Davis, general manager. A playground for 

kiddies has been provided with a merry-goround 

and slides and a 200-seat patio is 

available for walk-ins. 

Martin Theatres Honor 

Phenix City Manager 

PHENIX CITY, GA.—Henry Whatley, 

Phenix City manager, was the "Personality 

of the month" featured in the November issue 

of the "Martin Tipster." 

Whatley began his career with Martin in 

1921. when he became a ticket-taker at the 

Bonita here. He divided his time until 1937 

between Martin Theatres and the Ringling 

circus. In 1937, he became manager of the 

Phenix City Palace. 

DeKalb Theatre Burned 

DeKALB, MISS.—The Rex Theatre here 

was destroyed by fire early on the morning 

of November 12. 

TiBCT BECAUSE 

tiKJi THEY R£ 5£{7 

riou?- uUnq Bttllontijne. 

RECTIFIERS 

Ballantyne LiRhtmaster Reciifiers are the 

largest and fastest selling line in the country 

choice oi many of (he largest circuits. 

They provide a neu high in efficiency at the 

lowest possible pouer cost. The complete line 

includes both single and 3-phase rectifiers in 

40, 60, 80 and 90 amperes. Regardless of 

your needs, you can't buy a better rectifier 

for smooth, bright, flickerless light on your 

Charlotte Theatre Supply 

116 Poplar St. 

Charlotte, North Carolina 


EXHIBITORS' 

SERVICE 

Charlotte's Oldest Booking and Buying Servii 

Independent Exhibitors 

ÂAX--MHI4IAJU»ênt 

Phone 4.4531-2.-3 116 Lalla Arcade. Charlotte, 

DIXIE BOOKING OFFICE 

I 

Jdixi 

A Service for Exhibitors 

Under Management ol 

RUBE JOINER 

fice] 

Intelligent Buying and Booking Seryice 

163 Walton St. N. W. Tel. ALpine SOlO 

I Atlanta, Georgia 

BUILDING A DRIVE-IN. INDOOR 

THEATRE OR REMODELING 

-X -K + 

YOU CAN SAVE MONEY 

-K * -K >! * 

CONTACT 

UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORP. 

110 Franklin St. Tampa. Fla. 

Phone 2-3045 

ARE YOU OVERLOOKING THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE 

FROM A COMPLETE REFRESHMENT SERVICE? 


SNOW CONE MACHINES 

CANDY FLOSS MACHINES 

DEEP FRYERS 

SANDWICH KING 

GRILL-0 

STEAMRO 

Also a complete service on Popcorn, Seasoning, Salt, Bags, Boxes and Service Trays 

THE QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE, INC. 

Complete Theatre and Drive-In Equipment 

19121/2 Morris Avenue Phone 3-8665 

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 


. . bui 

. . Morris 

. . Frank 

. , W. 

. . 

. 

. 

BIRMINGHAM 

Oeveral managerial changes have been made 

at theatres in the Birmingham area . . . 

Mack Lewis, former city manager in Ensley 

for R. M. Kemiedy. has left the theatre lO 

take over a laundry and dry cleaning business 

operated by his brother, who has gone 

back into the service . . . Bill Deitenbeck. 

who was city manager in Bessemer, joined 

the Kennedy chain as city manager in Ensley 

and Guy McDowell, formerly of Anniston, replaces 

Deitenbeck as city manager in Besse- 

CwAtk cosj 

"intennudwm 

Vou can buy cheaper lamps, or more expensive 

lamps when 

. 

you consider 

qualily (irs( lou cant buy a betler lamp lor 

ihe money Model 4570 Lightmasier provides 

from 45 lo 80 amperes of bnllianl, sparkling 

liRhr lor even ihe largest screens. 

nM uiinq Bctdontifoe.... 

]m 

Model 4570 Hi-lnfensity PfOJecHon 

ARC LAMPS 

Rhodes Sound & Projection 

Service 

218 East 56th Street 

Savannah. Georgia 


72 

mer . Willeford, former manager 

of the Five Points Theatre, is new manager 

of Waters' Woodlawn. Joe Lackey went from 

the Woodlawn to North Birmingham as manager 

of the North Birmingham and the 

Delmar . Hopkins is new manager 

of the Avon and Ted Daniels is now manager 

at Five Points . C. Watts went 

to the Tarrant Theatre as manager to succeed 

M. B. Shepherd. 

. 

Emil Bernstecker, district manager lor 

Wilby-Kincey, was here on his monthly tour 

of the circuit . . . L. A. Holcomb. assistant 

manager of the Melba, and his wife are the 

parents of another girl. Karen Sue. Holcomb 

subbed for W. J. Hampton when the 

Galax manager went on vacation . . . Francis 

S. Palkenburg, former manager of the Alabama 

here, has joined the Motion Picture 

Advertising Service staff ... A. E. Chadwick 

and his wife, were here from New Orleans to 

confer with Milton Schwarz, Alabama representative. 

Chadwick is MPAS vice-president 

. . Mrs. H. P. Whatley of the Arabian, Arab, 

and H. P. Lawrence of the Fox, Blountsville, 

were among the Alabama exhibitors on the 

Row. 

^VMWWWVM^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

ABC THEATRICAL ENT. 

p. O. Box 1345 ATLANTA. GA. 

Perlorming the Basic Service ol 

BUYING and BOOKING 

For Independent Exhibitors in the Atlanta 

Territory. 

Jacksonville Sub-Oflice Soon. 

— Phone ALpine 7887 — 

R. I. (Hap) Barnes Karl (Bud) Chalmo 

Albert E. (Al) Rook C. B. (Clifi) Wilson 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE 

Pre-Fab Steel Screen Towers 

and Pre-Fab 

Pre-Expanded Temered Presdwood Fat 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. INC. ^'Zftliy.l\ 

^:/a^td&;fKatct...^ccwiaîck^4etzt/ 

^ CYCLÂMICr: 

GIVES YOU "CENTER SEAT VISION" 

From every seat in the house! 

JOE HORNSTEIN INC. 

MIAMI NEW YORK ST. LOUIS 

FOR BfrrfR PROJECTION RESULTS 

Schwalberg to 

Speak 

At Gulf ATO Parley 

NEW ORLEANS—A. W. Schwalberg, president 

of Paramount Distributing Corp., will 

addre.ss the annual convention of the Allied 

Theatre Owners of the Gulf States here 

December 5, 6 at the Roosevelt hotel. He 

also will conduct a meeting of Paramount 

bookers December 8-10. Attending the bookers 

meeting will be J. A. Walsh, in charge 

of branch operations, and the local manager 

William Holliday. 

Another Paramount official, Hugh Owen, 

eastern-southern division manager, will attend 

the Allied convention. 

Slated for discussion at the convention 

will be film prices and television. Film 

clinics, fashioned after those held at the 

national convention, will feature the gathering, 

according to Abe Berenson, vicepresident 

and acting manager of the local 

Allied branch and convention chairman. 

The clinics will deal with problems of indoor 

and drive-in theatres, Berenson said. 

Maurice Artigues, general manager of Allied 

of the Gulf States, has resigned. Berenson 

and Harold Bailey, secretary, are in 

charge of the local office. 

CHARLOTTE 

pilmrow has about returned to normal following 

the convention of the Theatre 

Owners of North and South Carolina . 

Mrs. Walter Griffith, executive secretary of 

the TON&SC, has opened her office at .216 

West Fourth St. again. During the convention 

she moved her headquarters to the 

Charlotte hotel. 

The Manor Theatre and Charlotte News 

film editor Emery Wister worked up a contest 

for "King Solomon's Mines" which ran 

in Wister's column Sho Nuf, asking the 

readers to state in 50 words or less why they 

wanted a Keepsake diamond. First prize 

was a six-month pass to the theatre and 

a chance on the three national prizes— 

$5,000, a $3,000 and a $1,000 diamond ring. 

Paul Hargett, salesman at Columbia, has 

been appointed manager of the Jacksonville 

branch to be opened soon . . . E. C. DeBerry, 

salesman for Paramount here, was recently 

given 50 pounds of country cured ham by 

his father. The DeBerry home has become 

a popular place on Saturday nights . 

The three children of Paramount Exploiteer 

Everett Olsen, twins Tom and John and 

little Pamela, had their tonsils removed in 

Charlotte's Presbyterian hospital , . . Mr. 

and Mrs. Morris Littman of Rutherfordton, 

N, C. are grandparents. Their daughter 

gave birth to a baby girl recently. 

Miss Jean Creighton, who is employed in 

the 20th-Fox exchange here, and Billy Wilson 

Steadman were married recently . . . 

Jack London, Republic salesman, was back 

on the road again after being ill . . Jimmie 

. 

Austin opened his new 598-seat Austin Theatre 

Stewart Theatres 

in Clinton, N. C. . . . completed the remodeling of the Oasis in 

Wilson. N. C, and reopened it Tlianksgiving, 

naming it the Center. 

BOXOFFICE December 2. 1950 

a

. . . Esther 

. . Roth 

. . Any 

. . Miamians 

. . George 

. . 

. . 

MIAMI 

Art Green heads the Variety Club's radio 

committee for the December 11 performance 

of "Susan and God" at the Mayfair Art. 

All proceeds go to the children's hospital . . . 

Manger Dan Cudone of Brandt's Roosevelt, 

which recently went on a first run policy, has 

billed "Macbeth" with Orson 'Welles as a 

roadshow picture at popular prices . . . "King 

Solomon's Mines" was in its .second week at 

the Florida and Colony. 

The women's organizations of the local Variety 

Club, indefatigable workers ever since 

the creation of this division, auditioned professional 

tenor and baritone singers to pick 

the right performer for the coming fashion 

show. The women's committee has had great 

success with this form of money-raising plan. 

The shows are put on very professionally and 

draw well. 

Al Wilkie says that the circuit's Paramount 

Theatre is scheduled to reopen December 7 

instead of November 30 as previously planned. 

First attraction will be "Let's Dance," now 

at the Claughton Variety, Miami Beach. The 

Paramount has been closed while getting a 

complete renovation job. 

The Miami Variety Club will elect officers 

December 4. Among nominees for the crew 

are Mark Chartrand, Bill Dock, Jack Bell, 

Jesse Weiss ... In pre-Thanksgiving advertising, 

the Wometco circuit printed the picture 

of a turkey beside the name of each 

theatre which had them to give away. That 

made a whole flock of birds since 11 theatres 

THIS IS 

IT/ 

Smashing Box Ofiice records everyTwhere 

San Antonio to Syracuse. Dallas to Denver 

Tulsa to Tacoma. THE ONLY independent exploitation 

picture playing the major circuits 

Fox - Warners - RKO 

- Paramount - Colder 

State • Interstate - Video - and many others 

Plus over 1100 independents first 6 ths 

oi 

participated. A separate ad with special art 

further called patrons' attention to the events. 

Cecil DeMille, now making a film based on 

circus life, spent a recent weekend with the 

Ringling circus here . hear that 

RKO has assigned John Larkin to get up the 

script for "The Miami Story." 

ATLANTA 

Ceen on the Row early this week were 

R. H. Brannon, Holly Theatre, Dahlonega. 

Ga.; Mel Brown of the drive-in at 

Savannah; Jim Partlow, drive-in, Orlando, 

Fla.; Cal Allen. Dandee Drive-In, Columbia, 

Tenn.; Neil Edwards, Neil Theatre, Lithonia; 

Rufus Getzen, Spalding Drive-In, Griffin; 

Ebb Duncan and Clyde Sampler, Duncan 

Theatres. CarroUton; Howard Schuessler, 

Rome, and Donald Boardman, Skyview 

Drive-In, Augusta. 

. 

Bob Moscow has installed a popcorn machine 

at the Rialto Theatre, which is the 

first time this theatre has sold popcorn 

Johnnie Harrell, Martin Theatres, returned 

from a trip to New Orleans. 

Mrs. W. M. Richardson, wife of "Snake" 

Richardson of Astor Pictures, is convalescing 

from a long illness . . . Nat Hancock, 

Roosevelt, Jefferson; T. E. Orr, Albertville: 

Nat Williams, Thomasville, and A. N. Goldfinger, 

West Palm Beach, were in booking 

Osley, Exhibitors Service, is 

moving into her new home at Stone Mountain. 

Later on the Row were Harry Willoughby. 

Avondale Theatre, Birmingham; Jimmie 

Aaron, Skyway and Bama theatres, Anniston; 

R. E. Andrews, Carver Theatre, Rome; 

George Wilby, 27th Avenue Drive-In, Miami; 

Jay Solomon, Chattanooga; John Carter, 

Brookhaven; Roy Mitchell, Stone Mountain, 

and John Peck, Pex, Eatonton. 

Charlie Clark of Patronage Builders was 

back after a trip through south Georgia . 

Grover Parsons, ELC manager, returned from 

Jacksonville, Fla., where he conferred with 

Joe Deitch, Florida State Theatres . . . Lucy 

Pruitt of Columbia's billing department was 

married to Paul Epps . Haupert, 

Columbia home office, was at the local exchange. 

The Tower Theatre presents Gene Krupa 

this week . Hook, Hook Theatres, 

Aliceville, and T. J. Bain, Hallmark Pictures, 

were here . time the temperature drops 

below 50 degrees in Florence, the Joy Lan 

Drive-In gives each car a coupon good for one 

gallon of gas to operate car heaters. 

M-4 

•i^^l 

And Always On Tine! 

For Speedy Service and 

Quality Gel Your Next 


FILMACICI 

CLASSIFIED ADS—EASY TO USE 

a(^ uUnq Bctliontijne. 

Complete Sound Systems 

Ballantync offers complete sound systems, 

adaptable to theatres of every size, shape, and 

seatmg capacity. These units, consisting of a 

pair of soundheads, single or dual channel 

amplifiet and two-way horn system, will 

bring to your theatre unparalleled quality of 

reproduction at low cost. 

United Theatre Supply Co. 

no Franklin St., 

Tampa, Florida 


TRUC AUTHENTIC CAPTURED 

FILM PRODUCED BY HITLERS 

PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER- 





Contact for 1951 Playdates 

Dick C. Crane, Gen. Sales Mgr. 


308 S. Harwood Dallas, Texas 

Phone ST-2552 

THE TRADE MARK OF QUALITY 

Over 20 Years 

Leaders in High Quality Stage Equipment 

STAGE CURTAINS — STAGE LIGHTING 

CONTOUR CURTAINS — STEEL TRACKS 

SCREEN CURTAINS — CURTAIN MACHINES 

THEATRE DRAPES — WALL PANELS 

HUBERT MITCHELL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

Hartselle, 

Ala. 


• Century Projection and Sound 

Equipment 

• Strong Lamps 

• Ideal Seating 

• Star Popcorn Machines and Supplies 

and Concession Equipment. 

• Universal Poster Frames 

• Complete Drive-in Equipment 

• Notional Carbons 

• All Types Projection Bulbs 

DIXIE THEATRE SERVICE 

6- SUPPLY CO. 

1014 North Slappey Drive Albany, Go. 

Phone 3431 — Night Phone 2015 

cmun 

MEANS 

im0sr 

By HARRY HART 

TACK COLE, manager of the Ritz at Toccoa, 

J 

Ga., and A. L. Whitaker, manager of the 

Grand in Cornelia, 

Ga., were in the offices 

of Co-At-Co Theatres 

HART BEATS 

in Toccoa wlien I called 

and Jack O'Kelly, introduced 

me to tliem. 

W. M. Snelson told me 

that concession sales 

at the Ritz were up 

since he had installed 

a new candy bar. 

Fuller Sams of the 

Statesville, N. C. 

Harry Hart 

Theatres 

told me that 

Rufus Neas has been moved from the Lyric 

in Elkin, N. C. to manage the Dixie Theatre 

in Scotland Neck, N. C. He said that Jack 

Pardue is the new manager of the Lyric, 

moving up from the assistant manager's post 

at the Reeves. 

Tip Tipton, manager of the Wil-Kin Theatre 

Supply Co., Charlotte, told me that his 

firm had installed Cycloramic screens at the 

Weldon, N. C. Center and the Gastonia, 

N. C. Carolina. The New Catawaba Theatre 

at Hickory, N. C. has installed a new booth 

and screen, he said. Wil-Kin has been selling 

Green Spot orange drink machines right and 

left and has installed them at the Durham, 

N. C. Carolina: Statesville, N. C. Playhouse: 

two at the Belmont Drive-In. Greenville, 

S. C; Sky Way Drive-In, Columbia, S. C; 

the Sharon Drive-In, Abbeville, S. C; Foster's 

Drive-In, Kershaw, S. C. and the Midway 

Theatre, Lancaster, S. C. 

furnished by Southeastern Theatre Supply. 

The new house will be opened soon. 

Charles Moore, Atlanta 

manager for 

the Wil-Kin Theatre 

Supply Co. has been 

called back into the 

navy and will report to 

the Norfolk, Va. base 

on December 5. He has 

been associated with 

Wil-Kin for the last 13 

years. He will assume 

his former naval 

rating of commander. 

Charles Moore c. O. Jeffrey, southeastern 

general district manager for Alexander, 

held a meeting in Atlanta with the 

following area salesmen in attendance: William 

D. Barnes, Clements, E. D. Collins, L. C. 

Cochran, R. E. Goss, L. W. Hamilton, H. D. 

Mattison sr., T. W. White and L. C. Watkins. 

Deluxe 

Model 

leoo 

Buili like a battleship. Heavy steel plate base 

and welded steel frame gives over 200 pounds 

of rock-ribbed rigidity for perfect support to 

projection equipment. Hign in quality, low 

fl^ qm(tlieafee ouH^ 

riouJ' uAinq BoUarttifne 

PROJECTION BASES 

Johnson Theatre Service 

223 South Liberty St. 

New Orleans, La. 

Com-plete Theatre Equipvient & Supplies 

Al Clements, who has been in the Kansas 

and Missouri territory for Alexander Film Co. 

for several years, has been transferred to 

northeastern Florida and southeastern 

Georgia. 

John Motley at Sumpter. S. C. has remodeled 

his screen tower, booth and boxoffice 

and has installed a new marquee. 

J. O. Biddle opened his new Box D Drive- 

In at Jasper, Fla. on Thanksgiving day. It 

is equipped with RCA in-car speakers. The 

Charles Theatre in Maryville. Tenn. will be 

equipped with 622 International chairs, to be 

Designers and Manufacturers 

of Quality Theatre Marquees 

and Electrical Displays. Serving 

Florida and the Southeast. 

PATRICK NEON DISPLAYS, INC. 

2907 Florida Ave. 

TAMPA 3, FLA. 

BUTTER-ENE" 

FOR FLAVOR AND AROMA 

OF FINE FRESH BUTTER 

Increose your Soles by 100% — Enhonce your 

"POP CORN" and NUTS PRODUCTS 

thai dasirabU iloror oi Butler, and colon 

ith 

DeVry and other Drive-In Equipment 

35mm and 16mm. 

Comploto IGmm Exchange 

PLANS, CONSTHUCTION, DATA. 

More lor your dollar. 

BRADY MOVIE SERVICE 

10341/j South 20lh Si. Birmingham, Ala. 

Phone 54-1362 

SPECIAL TRAILERS 

STRICKLAND FILM CO. 

220 Pharr Rd. N. E., Atlanta 

"BUTTER-ENE" MANUFACTURED BY US TO 

COMPLY with oil State & National Food Laws, 

maintained under Scientific control. 

INQUIRIC5 INVITID 

CURTIS-SUNNY ISLE PRODUCTS 

113 King Street St. Augustine, Florida 


J. C. Hunter Elected 

Barker by Tent 22 

OKLAHOMA CITY — J. C. Hunter, who 

heads Talbot theatres in Tulsa, is the new 

Variety Tent 22 chief 

barker. Hunter, along 

with the other newly 

elected 1951 Tent 22 

officers, will take over 

Januray 8. 

Other officers 

named: C. H. "Buck" 

Weaver, Paramount 

manager, first assistant: 

Harry McKenna 

of Southwestern Theatres, 

also of the city, 

second assistant ; 

J. C. Hunter Claude York, ELC 

manager, property master, and Charles 

Hudgens, Universal manager, doughguy. C. A. 

"Dewey" Gibbs, returning chief barker, will 

become canvasman. 

The election by the new board of directors 

was held at noon Monday (27) in the Variety 

clubroom. In attendance were McKenna. 

York, Glen Alt of Republic, Sam Brunk of 

Paramount, Bill Slepka, Okemah exhibitor. 

Hudgens, Hunter, Weaver. The new directors 

were named November 17. Absent from the 

Monday meeting were Dan James, Charles 

R. Guthrie, both of the city, and C. B. Akers. 

Tulsa. 

Oklahoma Loge 30 Names 

J. A. Smith President 

OKLAHOMA CITY—J. A. Smith, Columbia, 

was elected president of the Oklahoma 

Loge 30, Colosseum of Motion Picture Salesmen 

of America, at a recent meeting. Other 

new officers 

are Paul Rice, Paramount, vicepresident; 

Chester A. Blakeley, RKO, secretary-treasurer, 

and Jack Emenhiser, ELC, 

sergeant at arms. Re-elected directors are 

Jack DeLier, Universal, and Jim Byrd, MOM. 

Delegates to the December 2, 3 national 

convention in Cincinnati are Smith and 

Blakeley. Tom McKean. Paramount, national 

treasurer, will also make the trip. 

W. Hodges Starts Theatre 

WEATHERFORD, OKLA.—Wesley Hodges, 

formerly of Anadarko, has started work on a 

location in the Hume hotel building here for 

the Bulldog Theatre. The house will be 

newly decorated and new seats and film 

equipment will be installed. 

Buy Griggs All-Star 

Chairs 

with 

fA\ 

'•^^^^ 

Self-Rising 

Seat! 

Cali, Write or 

Wire 

^^ I I 

GRfcGS EQUIPMENT CO. 

Factory, Belton, Texas 

Parades and Special Activities 

Signal 'Dallas Debut in Dallas 

DALLAS—Warners' "Dallas" was worldpremiered 

at the big Majestic Theatre here 

Wednesday (22) with pioneers of the city 

present as guest of Interstate circuit and the 

WB studio. 

Newsreel cameramen filmed many of the 

opening events, while activities conducted in 

front of the theatre were broadcast. The 

Majestic was filled twice for the two night 

showings. 

Premiere festivities included a parade by 

a mounted posse and cowgirls from the 

Southern Methodist university, entertainment 

by a string band on the sidewalk. 

The original script for the film was presented 

by the pioneers to the Texas Historical 

society in a ceremony in the theatre 

5e// 

COMING AllRACimS with 

ADVANADS 

NOW PROCESSED 

with DAY-GLO 

FLUORESCENT PAINT 

A PROVEN SERVICE USED 

SUCCESSFULLY by HUNDREDS 

EXHIBITORS Nationally! 

of 

BRILLIANT! 

COLORFUL! 

EYE-CATCHING! 

COSTS ONLY 204 A DAY 

Write For Details Today! 

ADVANADS CO. 

lobby. The pioneers were taken on an airplane 

flight over the city so they could see 

the town they helped develop. 

Shown in the photo of the Majestic front 

entertainment are Francis Barr, Interstate 

publicist; Pete Teddlie. WRR program director, 

and Mayor Wallace Savage of Dallas. 

Hardie H. Cluck, Belton, 

Dies of Heart Attack 

BELTON, TEX.—Hardie H. Cluck, who 

operated the Beltonian Theatre here, died 

Monday (20) of a heart attack. He was a 

member of the Variety Club of Texas. 

FILM BLDG. • 2108 PAYNE AVE. 

CLEVELAND 14, OHIO 

kBOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 sw 75

. . The 

. . Alan 

DALLAS 

Jijtrs. Minnie E. Hooks, mother of Grace 

Brewer of the Chas. E. Darden Popcorn 

Co. and of Alex Hooks, Southern Methodist 

baseball coach, died. The funeral was held 

at Edgewood, Tex. . Sadler's Wells 

ballet company of London played to four 

capacity houses at Fair Park auditorium. 

More than 17.000 people attended ... A 

Texas premiere of "Air Cadet," shot at Randolph 

and Williams fields, is expected. 

Other visitors: H. H. Stroud. Strand, Hamilton: 

Mrs. Maggie E. Scott, Rio in Wallace 

and Scott in Odessa; W. E. Cox, Tower, 

Seminole; Audrey Cox, Palace, Lemasa; R. 

B. Weatherall. Town, Huntsville; Bill Morrow, 

Colonial Drivc-In, Longview; Jewel 

Archer, West-Mer Drive-In, Mercedes; I. W. 

Speckles, Cozy. Schulenberg; R. A. "Skeets" 

Noret, Sky- View Drive-In, Lemasa; Gerard 

J. Ebeier. Kings Drive-In, San Marcus; Gidney 

Talley, Hi-Ho. San Antonio; Jake Webb, 

Sunset Drive-In, Temple; W. M. Barnes, 

Alvarado. Alvarado; Mrs. Ethel Jones Howze, 

Rio, Brownfield; Johnny Blocker. Twin-Falls 

and Scottie drive-ins, Wichita Falls. 

Exhibitors on the Row: J. T. Hitt, Hico 

Theatre, Hico; Millard Jones of the Pyramid 

in Beaumont and the Cactus Drive-In Thea- 

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 cosfs 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 bind-up, prolongs the life of the mechanism- 

Come in and see the new RCA "100". 

Southwestern Theatre Equipment Co. I 

IN DALLAS IN HOUSTON • 

* 

2010 Jackson Street 1622 Austin 

Telephone Prospect 7-3571 Telephone Capitol 9906 

"SO you UJANT mORE FOR 

youR 

moNEY...you SAY you ain't 

SATISFIED"... 

TELL you UJHAT lUE'RE DOING! 

Motiograph Hi-Power Motor-Generators— 

the most dependable source of 

direct current for arc lamp service are 

offered at an unheard-of low price . . . 

below that of any other generator, and 

even many rectifiers. 

Highest overall efficiency. Lowest maintenance 

cost. Models for 40/70 ampere 

and 65/125 ampere arc lamps. 

Service available through carefully 

tre in Odessa; W. O. Bearden, Bearden Theatres, 

Lubbock; J. B. Beeson, Fiesta Drive-In, 

El Paso; H. E. Harris, Tropic. Elsa; Harry 

Clark. Range. Emory; Steven Curly, Arcadia, 

Bridgeport; R. H. Thompson. Mecca, Jacksboro; 

M. C. Huey. Palace, Gustine; R. Q. 

Coleman. Maytex. Maybank; T. L. Ritchie, 

Village, Ennis; Henry Reeve, Mission, Menard; 

Ben Ferguson, New Nearne Drive-In, 

Hearne; Cranfill Cox jr.. Crystal, Gilmer; 

R. J. Cordell, Palace. Childress; C. M. Anding, 

Haltom. Fort Worth; Eddie Fadel. Elm 

Street. Waco; W. C. PhiUips. Hi-Vue Drive- 

In. Sulphur Springs; E. L. Walden. Crest, 

Seagoville; C. O. Simmons. Plaza, Denton, 

and Pete and Howard Srabay, Mesquite, 

Jacksboro. 

Harold Kenoyer, MGM projectionist, was 

here to handle the special screening of 

"The 

MGM Story" . Mowbry and Adrian 

Booth, film stars, flew in to appear at the 

Save-a-Life league event held Sunday night 

(12) at the Baker hotel . . . Eva Fuller, 

formerly with Tower Pictures, is now on the 

20th-Fox staff . . . Interstate Theatres is 

switching from Thursday opening days to 

Saturdays, starting December 9 and running 

through the first part of January. 

This is one of the first such changes tried 

here in recent years. 

R. J. O'Donnell, vice-president and general 

manager of Interstate Theatres, met Robert 

Rossen, producer-director of "The Brave 

Bulls" on a trip to New York, Plans are 

going ahead for a joint world premiere of 

the film in El Paso and Juarez. 

Johnnie Blocker has sold his two drive-in 

theatres, the Falls and Scottie drive-ins in 

Wichita Falls to BuUington, Lee and Mc- 

Mahan also of Wichita Falls . . Art Leazenby 

. 

is the new advertising and publicity 

manager at Paramount. He came here from 

New York. Art has been with ELC and 

before going with them he owned and operated 

a theatre in Detroit. 

H. H. "Hardie" Cluck of Belton, longtime 

Texas showman, died recently . . . Olin Dalton. 

producer of 16mm business films, was in 

San Antonio shooting scenes for a Rio Grande 

Valley picture which is being backed by several 

San Antonio firms. 

WE HAVE IT ! M 

Single Bill Headline Features 

Double Bill Features — Westerns 

Serials — Shorts — Unusual Road 

Show Attractions 

(JOHN) fk (O. K.) 

J ENKINS & DOURGEOIS 

ASTOR PICTURES COMPANY 

ad Jackson Sis. PRospect 2408 

DALLAS 1. TEXAS 

MEMPraS: 408 So. Second St. 

NEW CHLEANS: 218 S. Liberty St. 

selected Motiograph dealers and in 

over 100 cities in 44 states and 7 Canadian 

provinces and in 45 foreign cities. 

W. R. HOWELL 

Theatre Supplies & Equipment 

12 South Walker Ave. Phone 3-1961 Oklohoma City 4 

SELL 

YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY 

L.iroest cover.iae in U.S. No "Net" listinos. 

Highest reputation for know-how 

?nd f.iir de.Tlirio. 30 years experience incluilino 

exhibition. Ask Belter Business Bureau, 

or our customers. Know your broker. 

ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Speciolists 

3305 Caruth. Dallas. Texas 

Telephones: EM 0238 EM 7489 

CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED 

76 BOXOFTICE December 2. 1950

' 

visitor 

' 

shows, 

I Thanksgiving 

1 seems 

. . Tom 

. . 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

lUfrs. Milt Lipsner, wife of the Monogram 

manager in Washington, was back from 

a trip east to see her husband. She expects 

to be settled in Washington by December 15. 

Lipsner left here several weeks ago as Monogram 

manager for his new assignment . 

Jack and Jimmy Hull report their new 

Theatre Associates business, a buying and 

booking agency, is doing fine. They formerly 

had film distributing agency on the Row. 

Prior to that. Jimmy was office manager 

of National Screen Service and was with 

NSS for about ten years. Jack came from 

Georgia in 1948. where he was an exhibitor. 

Screen Guild offices which have been completely 

redecorated, also have a combination 

heating and cooling system . . . Claude Motley 

of Video saw the OU and Nebraska foot- 

ball game in Norman on Saturday (25) . . . 

Also there were Mr. and Mrs. Bob Browning. 

Browning is Oklahoma City manager for 

Video McKean of Paramount returned 

to work Monday (27) . 

after a week's 

"Kiss Me. Kate" will be at the 

Home for three nights and a matinee performance, 

starting December 14. 

"The Skating Vanities" closed its stand 

here Sunday night (26) in the Municipal 

auditorium after playing eight performances 

to good crowds. "The Miniver Story" opened 

Sunday (26) at the Home to inaugurate a 

new single bill policy for the house. Charles 

Smith, manager, said the single bill will be 

backed with a strong short subject program 

. . . Orville Braucht, brother of Harold T. 

Braucht of the Home, was visiting here 

from Merced, Calif. Braucht and Robert D. 

Curran, his partner in the Home operation, 

were both at the OU-Nebraska game. 

smooTH 

SliJEET... :

. . Mark 

. . Thanksgiving 

. . 

. . 

• MACHINE FOLD 

• ROLL, SINGLE-DUPLEX 

• RESERVED SEAT 

• BOOK STRIP 

THEATER GIFT COUPON BOOKS 

(SASON PASSES — ONE TIME COMPS. 

3»—A-eeu-RAGY >- 

>1 -0 f-iRiNTH ST. • Harwood 7185 • DALLAS, TEX. 

BOOK IT 

''SKID 

BOXOFFICE 

BLUES 

NOW 

ROW" 

Timely As Today's Headlines 

• Direct Mailing Campoign 

• Sound Car 

• Flashy Lobbies 

V/\re 

for every date. 

- Phone - Write 

MACK ENTERPRISES 

1020 N. W. 14th 

Oklahoma City, Okie. 

Phone 7-8405 

A UNIT IS AVAILABLE IN 

YOUR TERRITORY NOW 

SAN ANTONIO 

. . . Interstate circuit and 

. 

Qpening Thanksgiving day at the Majestic 

Theatre for its southwest premiere was 

WB's "Dallas" 

several other local business firms will put 

in a new downtown parking lot on West 

Travis street near the Texas Theatre 

An all-girl stage revue opened at the Zarai-ioza 

December 1 for an indefinite engagement. 

Abe Goldstein is the production manager. 

The house will still maintain its present 

picture policy. 

. 

. 

Robert Goodall, president of Goodall Electrical 

Mfg. Co., Ogallala, Neb., was among 

those at the annual meeting of the Southwest 

Research Institute . . . W. J. "Dutch" 

Cammer, Lippert Productions, Dallas, was 

here recently to attend his brother-in-law's 

wedding Holstein, U-I's south 

Texas salesman, was also in . . William 

. 

C. "Billy" Rau of the Booking center on 

Norwood was among the deer hunters out 

bright and early on the first day of the 

season weekend visitors 

were Manuel P. Pena, Tropical, Pi-ement; 

Esteban Praga, Azteca, Natalia; Don Galvan, 

Pena, New Braunfels, and Jose Carabaza, 

Carabaza Film Exchange, Laredo. 

Red River Dave McEnery and his string 

band played one night at the Dixie Drive-In, 

Seguin, operated by H. A. Daniels ... All 

Statewide drive-ins here gave away turkeys 

before Thanksgiving . . . Five gobblers were 

given as prizes to patrons at the Hi-Park 

Drive-In through the courtesy of Miller's 

poultry house, opposite the airer. 

Diane Ross was being held over for a third 

week at Club 55 . . . The Majestic held its 

customary children's toy matinee Thanksgiving 

morning. Every kid presenting an old 

toy was admitted free. The toys will be repaired 

and repainted by the San Antonio 

fire department and given to orphans here 

on Christmas morning. Joske's of Texas 

sponsored the early morning showing . 

The Alameda will be the first theatre to 

have TV here next year. The house was 

wired for TV when it was under construction. 

The Rigsby Drive-In and Josephine Theatre 

played "The Prince of Peace" day and 

date, opening Sunday (26) ... It also went 

into the Alamo, South Loop 13 and Kelly 

drive-ins after Thanksgiving . . Claude 

. 

Alexander, who has been with Alexander 

Film Co. here for 23 years, is supplying TV 

trailers (16mm) to local video stations. 

Jack A. Pickens, Pickens Theatres, Uvalde, 

was among the exhibitors who took in the 

TOA convention in Houston recently . . 

. 

Marie Lucchese is the proud owner of a 

rare medal given her by the king of Italy 

for her heroic work during the earthquake 

which leveled that country In 1913. She is 

manager of the Alameda Theatre building. 

Son of Actress Signed 

Tommy Farrell. son of actress Glenda 

Farrell, will play a featured role in Warners' 

"Strangers on a Train." 

BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT 

lOtb n.. 2nd Unit, Santa Fe BIdg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas. Tex. 

Premiere of 'Dallas' 

Scores Strong 140 

DALLAS—The world premiere showing of 

"Dallas" at the Majestic went ahead of all 

others, turning in a big 140 per cent. In 

second weeks, "King Solomon's Mines" scored 

120 at the Melba. and "All About Eve," in 

a moveover to the Tower, brought in 100 

per cent. 


Coronet—The Red Shoes (ELC) 80 

Dallas—WThere the Sidewalk Ends {2Gth-Fox); 

Farewell to Yesterday (20th-Fox) 100 

Majestic— Dallas (V/B) MO 

Melba—King Solomon's Mines (MGM), 2nd wk 120 

Palace—The Toast of New Orleans (MGM) 75 

Tower-All About Eve (20th-Fox), 2nd d. t. wk lOO 

THIS IS 

IT/ 

Smashing Box Ofiice records everywhere. 

San Antonio to Syracuse. Dallas to Denver. 

Tulsa to Tacoma. THE ONLY independent exploitation 

picture playing the major circuits. 

Fox - Warners - RKO - Paramount - Golden 

State - Interstate - Video - and many others. 

Plus over 1100 independents Krst 6 months 

TRUE AUTHENTIC CAPTURED 

FILM PRODUCED BY HITLER'S 

- PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER- 





Contact lor 1951 Playdates 

Dick C Crane, Gen. Sales Mgr. 


MAKE MORE MONEY WITH 

Afanl 

The Biggest Name in Popcorn 

MANLEY SUPER POPCORN PRICES 

POUND^Q25 

BAGS 

Hermeticolly scaled 10-lb. cans, 

5 CANS PER CASE $6.75 

p. A. (Bob) WARNER 

Southern Division Manager 

2013 Young St. Dallas, Tex. 

f 


' 

will 

.' 

miral 

, 

ners 

) 

Grove 

I 

ing. 

' 

agerial 

, vision 

I 

Indiana Ass'n Elects 

36 Board Members 

INDIANAPOLIS—Election of 36 directors 

of the Associated Indiana Theatre Owners 

was announced by Trueman Rembusch president. 

Members elected four for each of the 

nine districts. They are: 

District 1: H. Lisle Krieghbaum, J. G. Vogel, 

Alex Manta and Justin Shauer: district 2: 

A. H. Borkenstein, Peter Mailers. Roy Kalver, 

and John Micu; district 3: W. T. Studebaker, 

Jack Alexander. Sam Neall and S. J. Gregory; 

district 4; Marc J. Wolf, M. H. Scheidler, 

Trueman Rembusch and Morton Weinberg. 

District 5: Guy Hancock, Mannie Marcus, 

• Stanley A. B. Cooper and Claude Flater; 

district 6: Walter Easley, J. P. Finneran, Roy 

E. Harrold, T. L. Mendelssohn; district 7: 

Bruce Kixmiller, Oscar Pine, Harry Kornblum, 

and E. L. Ornstein: district 8: H. P. 

Vonderschmitt, T. C. Baker, Sam Switow 

and A. B. Thompson: district 9: Ernest Miller, 

Fred J. Dolle, Dudley Williston and Ear) 

Cunningham. 

B&K Will Close Three 

Chicago Subsequents 

CHICAGO — The Balaban & Katz chain 

will close three of its neighborhood houses 

within the next month because of decrease 

in boxoffice grosses. A similar action recently 

was taken by the Essaness circuit, 

which gave a two-week notice to operators in 

nine houses two weeks ago. Closing has been 

postponed for another week and they will 

try to reach an agreement with the operators 

to discontinue weekday matinees. 

Early this year B&K shuttered the Adand 

Albia. neighborhood houses. Warrecently 

announced the closing of the 

and the Stratford for a bit of remodel- 

Warners also annnounced some manchanges 

as the circuit has suffered a 

big decrease in profits in its southside houses. 

Warners has assigned theatres to city Di- 

Managers Herbert Wheeler and Harry 

t Tyrell, who never before operated theatres. 

Wheeler will manage the Avalon and Tyrell 

be co-manager of the Capitol. Many independent 

neighborhood houses have discontinued 

weekday matinees until Christmas. 

Indianapolis Manager 

Held in Theatre Theft 

TERRE HAUTE, IND.—John Arthur, manager 

of the Grand Theatre here which was 

robbed of $3,673 November 2, was being held 

in jail along with an accomplice following 

FrJsina Circuit's New Roxy 

Is Opened in Springfield 

SPRINGFIELD—The newly recoi:istructed 

and remodeled Roxy Theatre was reopened 

to the public Thanksgiving eve after being 

closed for 14 months while reconstruction 

work was done. Approximately 2,800 persons 

participated in the reopening. 

At 6 p. m., R. B. Evans and Earl Worthington 

presented a "key" to the theatre to Dominic 

Frisina, president of the Frisina Amusement 

Co., which operates the Roxy. At 6:30 

p. m., the ribbon closing the entrance to the 

ornate new lobby was cut and the first of 

the crowd filed into the flower banked foyer. 

Earlier, a crowd of approximately 1.000 

gathered on the sidewalks outside the theatre 

aw'aiting admission, in spite of cold, 

damp winds. Inside, however, decorations 

keyed to the South Seas, done in coral, blue 

and beige, nullified the November chill. Most 

of those attending first wandered through 

the theatre upstairs to the lounge, with deep 

leather couches and South Sea mural facing 

a huge mirror, and through the balcony, 

before finding seats to listen to the recorded 

music which preceded "The West Point Story." 

In decor, the new theatre is a combination 

of newness and tradition, with the modern 

and the most contemporary combined 

into a soft, restful atmosphere. Predominant 

colors are blue, coral and beige, used in the 

deep "push back" seats, in the murals and 

the new, deep carpeting. 

The colors are also present in natural materials, 

in the balcony railing of polished 

natural wood, and in the low, curving wall of 

pink and brick which follows the wall of 

the theatre from the side exit to the stage, 

in the auditorium. The brick walls, which 

are below large, modern murals featuring 

Ex-Convict Arrested 

In Theatre Robbery 

MURPHYSBORO, ILL.—Robert Brewer, 

local youth, who is alleged to have taken $44 

from the ticket window of the Marlow Theatre 

here, has been charged with grand larceny. 

Brewer had $39 in his possession when 

arrested. He recently was released from the 

Southern Illinois penitentiary at Menard, 111., 

after serving time for a similar crime at a 

theatre in East St. Louis, 111. In addition to 

the charge against him in connection with 

the theft of the $44 at the Marlow Theatre, 

Brewer must answer to violation of his pa- 

their confessions to the burglary plot. 

A third man was being sought. Arthur and 

Fred role. 

B. Slater, of Indianapolis, implicated 

another Indianapolis man. 

Authorities said they did not suspect Arthur 

of complicity in the burglary but that he confessed 

November 15, when he was brought to PERCY, ILL.—The Princess Theatre, 400 

Vandalism Forces Close 

Indianapolis to confront Slater, an extra projectionist 

at the theatre. Slater tipped off definite period because of extensive damage 

seats, was closed on November 22 for an in- 

police to Arthur's part in the plot, police said. done the property by vandals. H. E. Webster, 

who also owns the Webster Theatre, 

Arthur confessed planning the robbery because 

he was short of funds. Police recovered Steeleville, 111., said that although he had 

$2,237 from Arthur and Slater and were the full cooperation of the city officials in 

searching for the third man. He was paid Percy, vandalism had continued and resulted 

$500 for his part in the robbery, Arthur said, in costly damage to the building and contents. 

The last show was the night of No- 

but was believed to have $1,000 of the money 

according to police. 

vember 21. 

a sailing ship and old mariner's symbols, 

are topped with growing palms which fringe 

the bottom of the murals with appropriate 

"South Sea" green. 

All lighting in the auditorium is concealed 

in troughs; that in the lobby is a combination 

of trough lighting and direct light from 

a huge, branching chandelier, modeled on a 

renaissance brass light fixture. 

Murals are also present in the lobby and 

in the lounge, located upstairs at one level 

below the balcony. In both. South Sea 

themes are presented and both are placed 

opposite large mirrors—that in the lobby 

fills an entire wall—which gives the illusion 

of double murals while providing the light 

reflecting advantages of the mirrors. 

During the remodeling, the capacity of 

the theatre was increased to almost 1,400 

seats. Nearly all of them were filled at both 

showings of the film. Many of those present 

were guests of the Frisina Amusement Co., 

which had invited all members of the construction 

crews to attend the opening of the 

"finished product" on which they had worked. 

Following the opening, more than 400 persons 

attended a reception at the Hotel Abraham 

Lincoln. Guests at this also included 

the construction workers. A buffet lunch 

was served, and music for dancing was provided. 

Manager Dominec Giachetto estimated that 

the cost of the remodeling was at least a quarter 

million dollars. All fixtures in the theatre 

are new. from the rugs to the chandeliers, and 

even the building itself has been completely 

rebuilt of steel and concrete, making it virtually 

fireproof. Of the old construction, 

only one steel beam still remains. 

William Mills, Designer 

Of Drive-Ins, Dead at 62 

ST. LOUIS—William H. Mills, who designed 

and constructed several of the drive-in theatres 

in the St. Louis area and an architect 

and builder here for some 40 years, was buried 

in Oak Hill cemetery, St. Louis county, November 

23. Mills, 62, died November 19 of 

heart disease in his home. He had been in 

ill health for .some time. The drive-ins he 

designed and constructed included Ronnie's 

and the North in St. Louis county and the 

Mounds near Collinville. 111. He also was consulted 

in connection with the construction 

of a number of others in the St. Louis area. 

Chicago Drive-In Robbed 

CHICAGO—'While 900 patrons parked in 

400 cars, watched a western picture recently 

at the Family Drive-In at routes 120 and 21 

in Grayslake, two bandits in blue jeans held 

up the theatre office and escaped with 

$1,500. The manager. Richard Tygard, told 

Sheriff Christian that when he answered a 

knock on his office door, a revolver was 

pushed under his nose and the holdup men 

forced him to open the safe. They yanked 

the phone wires from the wall and escaped. 


%ei^ 

%ilSm^ MOTION PICTURE PROJECTOKS. 

... do not require oil pumps 


operation. 










HERE'S 

THE SOLUTION 








wasted power. 




Water cooling is optional— available on all models at slight extra cost. 






steel gears. 









Midwest Theatre Service 

€l Equipment Company 

1950 West Belmont Ave. 

Chicago 13, Illinois 

Joe Hornstein, Inc. 

3330 Olive St. 

St. Louis 3, Missouri 


— 

— 

- 

Holiday Business 

Booms in Chicago 

CHICAGO—Holiday festivities with parades 

and other doings and youngsters out 

of school brought huge crowds to downtown 

Chicago. The Chicago Theatre had one of 

the most unprecedented crowds in the B&K's 

history with the personal appearance of 

Martin & Lewis on stage and "Woman on 

the Run" on the screen, establishing a new 

record for the weekend business. The Oriental 

also had a smash week with "The West 

Point Story." plus a stage show headed by 

Yvonne DeCarlo. A twin bill at the State- 

Lake, "Rocky Mountain" and "Dial 1119." 

had a firm week, and "Hell Town," plus 

"Buffalo Stampede" at the Grand had a nice 

week. 


Chicagc—Woman on the Run (U-I), plus stage 

show 150 

Grand—Hell Town (RKO), Builalo Stampede 

(RKO), reissues 110 

Oriental—The West Point Story (WB) 

stage 

I3C 

Palace Let's Dance (Para); Blues Busters 

(Mono), 2Tid wk - 

Roosevelt—Rio Grande (Rep), 2nd wk 

State-Lake—Rocky Mountain (WB); Dial 1119 

(MGM) 

United Artists-The ladcpot (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 

Woods American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 

World Playhous.^Macbeth (Rep). 2nd wk 

Holiday Week Fair 

For Indianapolis 

INBIANAPOLIS—Considering the Thanksgiving 

holiday, Sonja Heinle and her ice 

show at the Coliseum and the beginning of 

holiday parties, first run houses had a fair 

week. 

The Glass Menagerie (WB); Holiday 

Circle 

Rhythm (LP) 90 

Indiana American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

(20th-Fox) 90 

Keith's—Rio Grande (Rep), moveover; Hidden 

City - 100 

Loew s—The Miniver Story (MGM); Right Cross 

(MGM) 

9b 

Lyric-The Sleeping City (U-1); Deported (U-l), .95 

Dezel Dual to A-Houses 

CHICAGO—Albert Dezel of Dezel Productions 

has completed a contract with the 

Downtown Theatre, Detroit, and the Fox 

Strand in Milwaukee to exhibit Zane Grey's 

"Hell Town," and "Buffalo Stampede," formerly 

distributed by Paramount Pictures. Bill 

Drake of the Dezel Chicago office is handling 

the booking of the Jimmie Stewart 27-minute 

subject, "And Then There Were Four," which 

has just completed a five-week run at the 

Woods here and is being booked in the A- 

houses over the Great-States circuit. 

New Baden, Ill„ State Sold 

NEW BADEN, ILL.—The State Theatre, 

300-seater. formerly operated by Standford & 

Fritz, has been taken over by Paul Schroeder 

and Phil Harris of Lebanon, 111. They are 

giving two complete shows nightly and a 

matinee on Sundays. The lobby was redecorated 

prior to the reopening. Schroeder also 

operates the Alamo in Lebanon. 

Drive-In Permit Issued 

MUNCIE, IND.—A permit for the construction 

of a $250,000 theatre at 14th and Madison 

has been issued here. 

When Roy Rogers brought his show to Springfield's armory, exhibitors throughout 

the area took this competitive attraction as a means of stimulating greater interest 

in their Roy Rogers Rider clubs. Managers from many nearby towns brought 

their young western fans to Springfield to see Rogers. In the accompanying photo, 

William Souttar (left) and his assistant, Delbert Stoddard of the Lincoln Theatre, 

are shown as some of their Rider club members greet Rogers backstage. 

Theatre Water Fountains 

Considered by City Board 

MILWAUKEE—The position of water fountains 

in local motion picture houses is under 

consideration in the city common council 

here as a result of charges that fountains 

are hidden purposely to make them inaccessible 

and to compel the patron to buy soft 

drinks at the concessions stand. 

At a recent common council meeting here, 

one alderman, said it was virtually impossible 

to find a fountain in a theatre. He 

said that in past years it had been the 

practice to install water fountains in the 

lobby, and added "this appears to be an 

obselete practice now." 

The matter assumed sufficient importance 

to have a hearing scheduled of the housing 

committee of the council to investigate location 

of water fountains. A new code now in 

the making requires that water fountains be 

installed in every theatre and that they must 

be located conveniently. 

Theatre owners appeared at the meeting 

and one said that the fountain in his theatre 

was directly behind the coke machine. 

The fountain he said could be seen from 

aisles three to five, but could not be seen 

from aisles one and two in the house. He 

said there was no fountain on the first 

balcony, but there was one on the second. 

Illinois Drive-In Loses $1,000 

WAUKEGAN, ILL.—Burglars broke into 

the office of the Waukegan Drive-In on 

Route 41 recently and carried off a safe containing 

$1,000. The safe was taken between 

the time Henry Rhyan, owner, closed the 

place at midnight and William Luecking. 

janitor, arrived at 7:30 a. m. to clean the 

grounds. 

You can buy cheaper lamps, or more expensive 

lamps . . . but when you consider 

quality first you can't buy a better lamp for 

the money. Model 4570 Lightmaster provides 

from 45 to 80 amperes of brilliant, sparkling 

light for even the largest screens. 

rm> aiinq Badantijae 

Model 4570 Hi- Intensity 

ARC LAMPS 

Projection 

EDWARD MIKKELSEN 

55 E. Washington St. 

Chicago. Illinois Phone State 2-1100 

Complete Theatre Ec[uipTne7it & Supplies 


. . Mrs. 

. . Oral 

. . Guy 

. . The 

INDIANAPOLIS 

pobert "Bob" Shook has succeeded Rush 

Williams a,s booker at Republic Pictures. 

Williams joined the United Artists staff as 

office manager, and Mrs. Mary Long succeeds 

Mrs. Jean Be.ssisi as cashier, who has 

gone to Paramount Pictures exchange as 

cashier there . Bess Thomas, wife of 

Ray Thomas, booker at U-I, is now working 

parttime at Republic Pictures in the general 

office. 

Hester Colburn, inspector at RKO-Radio 

Pictures, who has been away from work for 

several weeks because of an injured ankle, 

has recovered sufficiently so as to be back 

on the job . Lebbetter, who operates 

the Howard at Monon, has announced the 

birth of a baby boy, born in St. Elizabeth'.-; 

hospital, Lafayette, November 3, and named 

William Scott. Weight, 5 pounds and 12 

ounces. 

Jack Van Borsson, who operates the Savoy 

and West, Terre Haute, was confined at his 

home by influenza . Hancock, operator 

of the Prewitt, Plainfield, is on the 

sick list . . . George Lindsay, operator of the 

Lindsay at Brownsville, Ky., was on the Row 

booking and buying . . . Lou Weinberg, from 

the sales organization of Columbia Pictures, 

""i^fbdi Wprkman 

boasts about his tools 

• • 

/^-^Ye$,lt takes good 

equipment, as well 

as good workmen, to ° 

produce fine theatre 

screen advertisinj. -» 

That's 

why 

discriminating 

Exhibitors 

use 

BUSINESS 

^^ 

BREVJTIJ^S^ 

Local Screen Advertising of Quality 

w^sm 

FILM INDUSTRIES, INC 

New York, was in Saturday ( 18 1 pepping 

up the boys on the A. Montague and Liquidation 

drive. 

Herman Morgan, salesman at U-Ii Pictures, 

has resigned his position. No one 

has been appointed officially to fill the vacancy 

, wife of Jules Goldman and 

her son have flown to New York City, where 

she will spend the holidays . . . Branch manager 

Tom O. McCleaster of 20th-Fox was in 

Chicago over the weekend for a meeting 

of the Central and Midwest district and 

branch managers. 

Norma Schnarr, the daughter of Mr. and 

Mrs. Glen Schnarr who operate the Daisy 

Theatre here, flew to Utrecht, Holland, November 

16 for an extended visit. She will 

visit her many friends in the land of dikes 

during the next several months. 

Lee L. Goldberg, head of Realart Pictures 

exchange, here and Cincinnati, announces 

the acquisition for the local exchange territory 

of a series of 20 pictures of the Zane 

Grey reissues, available to Indiana exhibitors 

through the local branch . . . Abe Baker 

of the Baker Booking Service has added 

the Brokaw Theatre, Angola, Ind. 

Universal Pictures entertained the Filmrow 

crowd November 18 at the Variety Club of 

Indianapolis. There was everything from I 

turkeys to orchids. The affair was one of 

the best and biggest to date. "Are you tired, 

listless, bored or broke?" was the bulletin announcement. 

Everybody was there and the 

clubrooms were jammed to overflowing. Sam 

Oshry, Universal manager, planned the affair. 

The United Film Booking Service, headed 

by Ted Mendelssohn, has been appointed as 

buyer and booker for the Seymour Drivein, 

Seymour, Ind., for the year 1951 . . . 

"Because of Eve" will open at Keith's Theatre 

here December 6. In Indianapolis "Because 

of Eve" will be billed as "Adam and 

Eve" in order not to cause any confusion 

with a picture similar in name, according 

to Ted Mendelssohn, distributor of the film 

in Indiana. 

Exhibitors seen on Filmrow were: Bruce 

Kixmiller, Bocknell: E. Orenstein. Marengo; 

Earle Payne, Louisville, Ky.; R. L. Norton, 

Red Key; Pete Dawson, Louisville, Ky.; Nick 

Paikos, Tipton. 

GEB^WAR 

THEâJ^rRE EQUIPMENT 

442 NORTH ILLINOIS STREET 

INDIANAPOLIS 

INDIANA 

2269 Ford Parkway 

St. Paul I, Minnesota 

208 So. LaSalle Sf 

Chicago 4, Illinois 

NEC-SEAL BURIAL WIRE 

Foe Drive. In Theatres Solid or S 

10-2 - 12-2 - 14-2 Iminedialc Delivery Froi.. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. y^^^^ 


i 

Wisconsin Prison Shows 

Films on Set Schedule 

WAUPUN, WIS.—At the Wisconsin state 

prison here, each inmate is permitted to see 

motion pictures in the prison hall once a 

week as long as he obeys regulations. The 

shows, according to the warden, are the same 

as those given in the downtown theatres of 

this city. The films are selected by a group 

consisting of the warden, the deputy warden 

and the director of recreation for the prison. 

Two DeVry projection machines are used 

for the shows—one 16mm and one 35mm. 

The theatre has a seating capacity of 894 

prisoners. The projection machine is operated 

by a prisoner who has become an expert 

at it. All in all, the warden declares, the 

films shown tend to make the prisoners more 

satisfied with their lot—definitely so, he says. 

The theatre at the prison is actually the 

large prison dining room. The cost of the 

movies comes from the inmates' canteen fund. 

From the BOXOFFICE Files 

(Twenty Years 

Ago) 

pOR the time being, the future of third 

dimension films in Chicago is uncertain. 

While critics praise the recent exhibition 

at the State-Lake, the public was disappointed. 

The apparent lack of depth is complained 

of. A semblance of third dimension appeared 

but the illusion was so slight that it escaped 

all but the most scientific eye. 

. . . 

Warner Bros, has arranged for benefit midnight 

shows in Chicago, the proceeds to 

The 

be 

turned over to needy unemployed 

installation of sound in the theatres in the 

Chicago area has been the acid test of financial 

stability, says Joseph Klein. Chicago 

editor of Motion Picture Digest, who reports 

that 50 to 60 theatres in the area have 

gone dark during the summer and are still 

unlighted. "The survivors of this test," he 

says, "are emerging from the battle with 

flying colors. Their knowledge of showmanship, 

acquired under such difficult circumstances, 

now serves them profitably." 

nOhCOMPLETE THEATRE 

IIUH EQUIPMENT 

MID-WEST THEATRE 

SUPPLY COMPANY, Inc. 

Bienkert Projection Equipment — Ideally 

Suited for Drive-In Theatres. 

448 North niinois St. 

Riley - 5655. Indianapolis, Ind. 

Twenty-four hour service 

MILWAUKEE 

/^pera played the upper eastside Ortiental 

Theatre, owned by the St. Cloud Amusement 

Co. last week. The New York City 

Opera Co. presented "La Traviata" at a $3.60- 

$4.80 scale. This, however, is not the first time 

a traveling show has been booked into an 

auditorium other than the Davidson or Pabst 

in downtown Milwaukee. 

For the holidays, the neighborhood Bay. 

Hollywood and Park theatres staged "Battle 

of the Cowboys" programs—Roy Rogers 

vs. Hopalong Cassidy—and the tieup 

brought good boxoffice returns. The morning 

shows were at 25 cents. The three houses 

are part of the Standard circuit. 

With visual educational becoming more important 

each year in the schools, the board 

of education has opened a training school for 

"projectionists" at the Longfellow school. The 

teenagers are being taught how to run the 

16mm projectors used in the classroom work 

under supervision of Richard Snow, a bus 

driver for the local transit company who has 

been interested in 16mm projection for some 

time. 

Plenty of competition for the juvenile holiday 

amusement dollar. Two children's operettas 

were booked into the Pabst Theatre 

for Thanksgiving week and the city recreation 

department presented "Cinderella" at 

the Lincoln high school at a 10-cent scale. 

At two suburban Fox theatres, the Garfield 

and Uptown, two shows for the price of 

one are put on now and then. "Panic in the 

Streets" and "The Petty Girl" were recent 

attractions. 

St. Louis Ivanhoe Sold 

To Jimmy Tappella 

ST. LOUIS — The Ivanhoe Theatre, 3239 

Ivanhoe Ave., was taken over Monday (20). 

by Jimmy Tappella. who a few days before 

purchased the building from the estate of the 

late Sam Komm. Frank Shelly had operated 

the theatre from June 30 to Sunday. November 

19. under a sublease from Tappella who 

held a lease on the theatre for some years. 

Tappella has been associted in the management 

of the Columbia and Roxy theatres in 

South St. Louis owned by Mrs. Bess Schulter. 

Juneau Juno Remodeled 

JUNEAU. WIS.—The canopy at the Juno 

Theatre here has been remodeled and 

equipped with neon lights. The side of the 

building was also equipped with neon. Mr 

and Mrs. Carl Neitzel. owners of the house 

for ten years, recently celebrated their 25th 

wedding anniversary. Their son Neal has 

enlisted in the National Guard but will remain 

in his position as projectionist. 

^^ 

•^:î 

And Always On Tine! 


Qnolily Gel Tour Next 


FILMACICI 

riou^ uiinq Bctllantifnc. 


Ba 

PROGRAMS 

• ONE DAY SERVICE — On Request • 

l^'iÎ^l 

THEATRICAL ADV. CO. 

"SERVING EXHIBITORS FOR 33 YEARS" 

2310 CASS WO. 1-2158. DETROIT 1, VaCH. 

Theatre Presents Flowers 

DWIGHT. ILL.—Ralph Calvin, manager of 

the Blackstone Theatre, tied in with a flower 

shop for the observance of National flower 

week and gave two corsages each night to 

the oldest woman present and to the young- 

married woman. 

est

- 

. . Out-of-town 

. . Loew's 

. . The 

. . The 

ST . 

LOUIS 

Among those from the St. Louis sector who 

attended the grand reopening of the Roxy 

Theatre, Springfield. 111., a unit of the Frisina 

Amusement Co., were: Bill Earle, manager, 

and Bill Earle jr., salesman for National 

Theatre Supply; Mrs. Earle sr. and their 

daughter: Herb Bennin, manager. MGM; 

Tom Williamson, salesman, and Lou Palermo, 

booker, RKO Radio; Lester Bona, Warner 

manager, and Mrs. Bona; Joe Sarfaty, U-I 

salesman; Johnny Walsh, co-owner, Flo- 

Bimil SOUND 

Model 6 

8/(îR BOXOFFICE- 

World famous for superior performance and 

durabilily Chainless, heirless, iroublefrec. 

All-gear propecior drive. Designed for use 

wiltl all projector mechanisms. 

riou> uiinq Bctllontiinc 

SOUNDHEADS 

St. Louis Theatre 

Supply Co. 

3310 Olive Street, 

St. Louis, Missouri 


Mar Productions; Herman Gorelick. co-owner. 

Screen Guild Productions of St. Louis, 

and Mrs. Gorelick; Morty Gottlieb, Joe Hornstein, 

Inc., St. Louis; Johnny Meinardi, district 

manager. Fox Midwest circuit, and Tommy 

Tobin, East St. Louis resident manager 

of the Frisina-St. Clair Amusement Co., 

Mrs. Tobin and their son Tom jr. 

The annual meeting and election of officers 

of St. Louis lege of the Colosseum 

of Motion Picture Salesmen of America will 

be held in the Lindell room, Melbourne hotel, 

Bob Lightfoot, Monogram 

December 9 . . . 

president, and George Ware, 20th-Fox treasurer, 

will represent the St. Louis Loge at 

the national convention of the Colosseum 

to be held in Cincinnati on December 2 and 

3. 

Jules Chapman, manager of ELC exchange 

operations. New York City, spent November 

28 and 29 here, conferring with F. J. Lee, St. 

Louis manager . exhibitors 

on Filmrow included Forrest Pirtle, Jerseyville. 

111.; H. M. Hirth, Pacific, Mo.; Bill 

Williams, Union, Mo.; Bernie Palmer, Columbia 

Amusement Co., Paducah, Ky.; Paul 

Schroeder, Lebanon 111., and Tom Bloomer, 

Belleville, 111. . . . James H. Arthur. Fanchon 

& Marco-St. Louis Amusement Co., has returned 

from California . . . Harry C. Arthur 

has gone to the west coast. 

F. J. Lee, St. Louis manager for ELC, 

was in Kansas City to close deals with Fox 

Midwest and Commonwealth circuits on 

"Destination Moon." Included will be engagements 

in 10 theatres of Fox Midvest in 

eastern Missouri and southern Illinois, and 

the Commonwealth circuit deal covers theatres 

in Columbia, Fulton, Washington and 

Waynesville, Mo. . State Theatre, 

715 Washmgton Ave., has booked Red Skelton 

to head a stage show during the week 

of December 28th. It will include well-known 

entertainers from Hollywood. From here they 

will go to Chicago ... A number of drivein 

theatre owners from the St. Louis trade 

area planned to attend the November 9 

meeting at the Emerson hotel. Mount Vernon. 

111., arranged by Andy Dietz, Co-operative 

Theatres, St. Louis, Mo. 

^tc^t^^;ff(at^..^^waû^^

. . Norman 

. . 

CHICAGO 

Cîty Lights," first released here 19 years 

ago, is pulling 'em in at the Surf Theatre, 

and the management believes that the 

steady flow of customers probably will keep 

the old Chaplin number on tap untU well 

after the New Year arrives . . . Another 

revival, due Christmas week at the Roosevelt, 

is "Platinum Blonde," an oldie which 

Frank Capra directed in 1931 and which 

stars the late Jean Harlow. It will be featured 

on a double bill with "Gilda," a film 

Rita Hayworth made in 1946 before she became 

a princess. 

ill . . . 

Bruce and Florin Trinz of the old Chicago 

theatrical family have a baby daughter 

named Bundy. Bruce is general manager at 

the Clark Theatre . Pyle has 

been appointed MGM publicity chief in the 

central division, succeeding Bill Bishop who 

. left the organization several weeks ago 

Ted Reisch, assistant U-I manager, was home 

Joe Berenson, National Theatre 

Advertisers, has left on a business trip 

through Texas. 

An Exhibitor 

WITHOUT 

BOXOFFICE 

Is 

Like a Ship 

in 

BOXOFFICE: 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City 1, Mo. 

a Fog 

USE THIS HANDY 

ORDER FORM 

Please enter my subscription to BOXOFFICE, 

52 issues per year (13 of which contain The 

MODERN THEATRE Section). 

THEATRE 

STREET 

TOWN 

STATE 

NAME 

POSITION 

D $3.00 FOR 1 YEAR 

D $5.00 FOR 2 YEARS 

D $7.00 FOR 3 YEARS 

Exclusive Programming Necessary 

For Future of Theatre Video 

ST. LOUIS—The profitable future of theatre 

television will be in exclusive programs 

available only in the 

theatre, David B. Wallerstein, 

division manager 

of Publix Great 

States Theatres of 

Chicago, told theatre 

owners of St. Louis, 

eastern Missouri and 

southern Illinois at 

their recent convention 

David Wallerstein 

here. 

Pointing out that 

there will always be 

an interest in the 

events available for 

free broadcast video, he said that as soon 

as the public comes to realize that certain 

events will no longer be available on the 

home screen, then theatre television will 

have its day. 

Plugging theatre television, Wallerstein 

said that the comjnercial theatre TV equipment 

of today is absolutely adequate for 

regular presentation to paying audiences. 

The individual operator must decide for 

himself on the various methods available, 

which all have their advantages and disadvantages. 

Once the public sees theatre television, 

they have a great interest in it and 

there is added enjoyment and interest because 

of the theatre environment and audience 

association, he said. 

The Chicago theatres using big-screen video 

have met with considerable success and 

have attracted much attention from Chicago 

columnists. Jack Mabley of the Chicago 

Daily News said, "Theatre television is 

a fact. Two thousand saw the Illinois-Washington 

game at the State-Lake and Tivoli 

and they had a better view of the action 

than many people in the stadium. 

"Bob O'Brien, secretary-treasurer of United 

Paramount Theatres, who was in Chicago 

watching theatre TV, is working on a plan to 

equip 200 theatres with large-.screen television 

next year. The theatre plans to bid 

for the World Series, big football games, boxing 

matches and the Kentucky Derby." 

Mabley figured that if 200 theatres had TV 

next year, they could get a gate of $300,000 

a game, figuring 1,500 seats per theatre at 

$1 a seat. "You can picture the gate in five 

or ten years if theatre owners achieve tlieir 

objective of putting TV in 6,000 theatres." 

Tellmg the assembled theatre owners what 

they could do to help put over theatre 

video, Wallerstein said: "First, you must 

cooperate in every way in supporting the industry 

in its request before the FCC for the 

allocation of special frequencies for theatre 

television. Theatre television must have this 

in order to function on a practical and economic 

basis." The second step would be to 

provide a great number of theatre TV installations. 

This would make available on a 

profit basis, the great sports events and 

elaborate entertainment spectacles, and 

would in turn bring down prices on equipment, 

the Chicago man said. 

To Direct Dialog 

Joan Hathaway will act as dialog director 

on "Francis Goes to the Races" for Universal. 

To Aid Variety Village 

TORONTO^While here for the Canadian 

Picture Pioneers dinner to honor Simon Meretsky 

of Windsor, Vern Hudson, manager of 

the Capitol at St. Catharines, reported the 

Niagara Penin.sula Theatre Managers Ass'n 

had organized its annual turkey draw in aid 

of the Variety Village, sponsored by the Toronto 

Variety Tent. The winners will be declared 

in December. The president of the 

Niagara association is Syd Burton, manager 

of the Strand at Port Colborne. Last year 

the group turned over $700 to the Variety 

school. 

Adds 'The Foonily Way' 

"The Family Way" by Milton Raison has 

been added to the upcoming production 

docket of Maxwell Shane. 

COMPLETE EQUIPMENT 

for 

THEATRES & DRIVE-INS 

• STRONG PROJECTION LAMPS 

• TECA SPEAKERS 

• IDEAL CHAIRS 

• CENTURY PROJECTORS AND SOUND 

SYSTEMS 

Consu/tonfs on Theatre Television 

Write tor FREE LITERATURE 

Ihehtre EquiPmEiiT [o. 

109 micHicnn • toiedo, ohio 

ADAMS 8107 

.-ooooooog-ogc-ag-POOoo-&». 

EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE 

Personalized Service 

St. Louis Theatre Supply Company 

Arch Hosier 

3310 Olive Street. St. Louis 3, Mo. 

Telephone JEflerson 7974 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE COMBINATION ENTRANCE 

and ENTRANCE DRIVEWAY FLOODLIGHT 

Also available with Exit Panels 

Arrows may be (ither right or left. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. ^""^'^Vr..' 


Ludwig Sussman Revives Program 

Of World War II for Servicemen 

CHICAGO—Ludwig Sussman, veteran theatre 

operator, is again giving servicemen and 

women a boost by offering a program lie began 

in World War II. Servicemen and women 

are seeing programs in his theatre, the 

Adelphi. 7074 N. Clark St., without charge. 

Many theatres gave service personnel reduced 

rates or distributed blocks of free 

tickets. Sussman went one better. During 

World War II, 60.000 service personnel were 

admitted free. 

Beginning last week, admission was reduced 

for persons who bring a package of 

cigarets to the theatre to be given to hospitalized 

veterans for Christmas. Sussman, 

who will be 63 next March 25, has been a 

civic booster in Rogers Park, Chicago, since 

he bought the theatre in 1927. 

He frequently has turned it over to 

churches. The Rogers Park Baptist church 

held services there for nine months after its 

church burned. Christian Scientists often use 

the theatre for lectures. Temple Mizpah 

uses it for high holiday services. 

Bood 

Kcdth 

During World War II Sussman was civilian 

defense commander for 86 blocks in his area. 

His theatre sold $250,000 worth of war bonds. 

For many years his theatre collected more 

money for the infantile paralysis fund than 

any other in the Chicago area. The theatre 

matched contributions of patrons. 

He often gives free shows on Christmas 

eve, and in depression days gave free matinees. 

He gave 7,000 quarts of milk to needy chilfzatt 

on 

larth, 

For the sake of your children, 

buy and use Christmas Seals. 

Thanks to Seals, children today 

have a far greater chance of escaping 

TB than you did. 

To give them a still better 

chance, send your contribution 

today, please. 

jitMivc mes-snue, this 

but} 

Christmas 

Seals 

BOXOFFICE 

dren during the depression. During thac period 

he accepted groceries for admission, 

with which he aided between 200 and 300 

families for two or three years. 

On one occasion he gave one-third of a 

week's receipts to the needy in the neighborhood, 

a total of $895. 

Sussman came to Chicago from St. Joseph, 

Mo., in 1916 with 40 cents in his pocket. He 

went to work for a grocery chain until he 

was able to save and borrow enough money 

to buy a delicatessen. He has been a member 

of the Rogers Park-Clark Street Business 

Ass'n for many years and is a past president. 

He has a son Melvin, and a grandson, Steven. 

Canadian Industry Up 

OTTAWA—The expansion in film production 

facilities in the Dominion is reflectced in 

a report of Graeme Fraser, secretary-treasurer 

of the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers 

and Laboratories of Canada. The organization 

now has 21 member companies 

across the country, Fraser pointed out, saying 

that several new enterprises had been 

welcomed into the fold. 

Sell Theatre Stock 

ASHTON, ILL.—A drive is under way here 

to complete sales of an authorized $25,000 in 

stock in the Ashton Theatre Corp. The theatre 

building is under construction with the 

front to be of dimension stone and dark green 

structural glass. The leasing of the theatre 

has been discussed by stockholders but no 

decision has been made. 

Benld Grand Reopened 

BENLD, ILL.—The Grand Theatre, 450- 

seater, operated by Joe Katz, was opened on 

November 18 after having been dark from 

October 17 due to a dispute between the management 

and the projectionists union. Details 

of the settlement were not announced. 

To Bid on First Runs 

HANNIBAL, MO. — Eddie Rosecan, owner 

of the 600-seat Rialto, has notified film companies 

that he plans to bid for fh-st run product 

in competition with the Frisina Amusement 

Co.'s 1,500-seat Tom Sawyer and 900- 

seat Star, commencing about January 1. 

St. Louis Airer Still Open 

ST. LOUIS—The Airway Drive-In, St. 

Charles Rock road near St. Ann's Village, St. 

Louis county, is one of the few drive-ins in 

the St. Louis trade area that continues in operation. 

The Airway is operated by the Phil 

Smith interests of Boston. 

Installs New Equipment 

PACIFIC, MO.—Tile Royal Theatre, operated 

by L. Lieber and H. M. Hirth, has installed 

Simplex projectors, Hertner generators, 

Magnarc lamps, X-L soundheads and 

a Walker high intensity screen, purchased 

from National Theatre Supply. 

Funeral Services Held 

For Maurice Bentley 

ST. LOUIS — Funeral services were held 

here for Maurice William Bentley. advertising 

and public relations man for Skouras 

Theatres Corp., who was one of the 77 persons 

killed on November 22 in the Long Island 

raih-oad wreck in New York. 

Bentley was employed by Skouras Bros. 

Enterprises, including the St. Louis Amusement 

Co. and Theatre Management Co. for 

several years prior to moving to New 'Vork 

in 1934. 

Mrs. Bentley is the daughter of Mrs. L. K. 

Hill, 6164 Per.shing Ave., St. Louis. In addition 

to his wife, he is survived by four daughters 

and a son. They range in age from 2 

to 17. 

SPRINGFIELD 

pirst run theatres in Springfield have all 

now increased first run admission prices 

from 60 cents to 65 cents including tax, the 

same first run prices that prevailed in nearby 

communities of comparable size, Decatur 

and Perio. Kerasotes Theatres raised prices 

from 48 cents to 50 cents in all central Illinois 

circuit houses about two months ago. 

Roy Rogers and his traveling company 

made a one-day appearance in Springfield, 

sponsored by the Cathedral Boys high school. 

Delegates from Roy Rogers Riders clubs sponsored 

by exhibitors in other cities attended 

the Springfield show, with the largest group 

from Chuck Duncan's Alhambra in Decatur 

which has over 4,500 members enrolled in his 

club. Peoria selected a king and queen of 

the Beverly Theatre club who were escorted 

by Manager Frank Larkin and assistant Ivy 

Warren. Gene Autry is scheduled for a similar 

appearance in the same auditorium on 

January 25. 

Alex Worth is composing the score for 

the Warner picture, "A Streetcar Named Desire." 

po-sooooooooooooooooa 

SEATS 

UPHOLSTERED 

ANY QUANTITY 

1 or 10,000 

THE BEST FOR LE ss\ 

Chair Supplies for All Makes— 

Anything and Everything 

FENSIN 

SEATING CO. 

n PHONE HARRISON 7-1303 

]| 1139 S. WABASH AVE. -CHICAGO 5 

90 BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 

J

Krass Circuit Opens 

New Detroit House 

DETROIT—The second new indoor theatre 

to be constructed inside the city of Detroit 

since early in World War II, the Arc. 

was opened this week by the Krass circuit, 

with an impressive opening night for the industry. 

The event was combined with the 

tradescreening of "For Heaven's Sake," supplied 

by 20th-Fox. 

The Arc is a 750-seat house on Cass avenue, 

located at the fringe of the downtown 

district, about seven blocks north of the 

Film Exchange building—the first theatre 

to be located on Filmrow street within memory. 

It is in the center of a hotel and rooming 

house district. 

Carl Marr of Detroit was architect. Marquee 

was installed by Long Sign Co., and 

is said to be the first to use fluorescent 

tubes back of letters to illuminate the attractions 

board. 

National Theatre Supply installed Simplex 

XL projectors. Simplex sound and Hi- 

Intensity lamps, Hertner generators. Walker 

Hi-Intensity custom plastic molded screen, 

American Bodiform seats and Crestweed carpeting. 

Other installations included Mork-Green 

draperies, Wagner letters on the sign, Aluminex 

display drapes and Voigt lighting fixtures. 

Installation in the booth was supervised 

by W. P. Dawson of the Roxy, with provision 

made for installation of a third projector, 

to allow all night or grind policy 

operation if considered desirable. 

The Arc will be managed by Mrs. Mae 

Krass. wife of Jack Krass, head of the circuit. 

Mrs. Krass formerly managed the 

Coliseum, about a mile away, which is being 

razed by the city. The family was well 

represented at the opening, including sons 

Ted and Marvin Krass, both managing other 

circuit houses, and their wives; Louis, Al 

and Jacob Krass, brothers of Jack; his sister, 

Mrs. Clara Gotthelf, and her husband, 

Abe Gotthelf, and his parents, Mr. and 

Mrs. Benjamin Krass. 

Paramount Publicist 

Speaks in Detroit 

DETROIT—Milton Hale, special field publicity 

representative for Paramount, addressed 

the greater Detroit Motion Picture 

council December 1, at the Young Women's 

Christian Ass'n. Hale talked on his work 

with stars, stressing the promotional tour of 

Henry Wilcoxon in connection with "Samson 

and Delilah." 

W. Pa. Exhibitors Will Meet 

Jan. 16, 17 in Pittsburgh 

PITTSBURGH—The annual convention of 

the Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners 

of Western Pennsylvania will be held January 

16, 17 at the WiUiam Penn hotel. Officers 

wiU be elected and film climes, patterned 

after the ones held during the 

National Allied convention, will be held. 

The title of the MGM picture formerly 

called "This Is News" has been changed to 

"Too Hot to Print." 

At Annual Fete of Pittsburgh 

The first annual dinner dance of the 

Pittsburgh Lodge 37, Theatrical Mutual 

Ass'n, is pictured here. Members include 

stagehands, projectionists, musicians, managers 

and other theatre employes. 

TMA is the oldest benevolent theatrical 

association in the world. It was founded 

Nov. 25, 1883, as the Theatrical Mechanical 

Ass'n for the mutual assistance of 

men in the theatrical business. Tlie name 

was changed in 1919 to the present one. 

Pittsburgh was issued a charter in 1893 

as Lodge 37. The lodge was vei-y active 

into the 1920s, serving its members beneficially 

and socially and carrying out many 

charitable works. The new charter was 

Ludington Airer Planned 

LUDINGTON, MICH.—The West Michigan 

Theatre Corp. plans to build a drive-in at 

the intersections of Highways 10 and 31 a 

mile east of here. Glen Wallace of the Star 

Theatre in Scottville is manager of the corporation 

which opened a new drive-in at 

Traverse City, Mich., this year. 

TMA 

granted to Pittsburgh by the Grand Lodge 

in February 1948. Recent dinner dance 

was in honor of the charter members. 

Officers of TMA Lodge 37 are Martin 

Torreano, president; J. Newell McKelvey, 

vice-president; Joseph Antal, treasurer; 

Harold O'Donnell, recording secretary; 

Thomas Edkins, financial secretary; Julius 

Barbera, assistant financial secretary; 

Aaron D. Hopkins, sergeant at arms; M. 

Ventrone. G. Bickerton and John Martier, 

trustees. Dr. James A. Munster, TMA 

physician, is honorary life member. 

Lodge 37 meets the second Monday of 

each month after midnight at Dutch 

Henry's second floor dining room. 

Signs LOGO Letters 

BRADFORD. PA.—Howard A. 

Shaffer, assistant 

manager of Dipson's Bradford theatre, 

w'as especially active on "The Miniver 

Story" campaign. Under his signature 1,000 

special letters were mailed to area theatregoers. 

Graham's Florists cooperated in distributing 

Miniver Roses. 

BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 ME 91

%er^ 

%imil MOTION PICTURE PROJHCTOKS. 

... do not require oi/ pumps 


operation. 




HERE'S 

THE PROBLEM 














wasted power. 



Proiectors equipped for high speed, long focal length, 4" diom. lenses. 

Water cooling is optional-available on all models at slight extra cost. 





CENTURY uses sealed, oil-less bearings and gloss-hard, high carbon-chrome 

steel gears. 

f^ 






sharper pictures . . . finer projection.

LOUISVILLE 

'Tom Maxedon, manage!' of the Chakeres 

Trail Theatre at Morehead, has been 

elected president of the Morehead Kiwanis 

Exhibitors on the Row: Tex 

club . . . 

Richards, State. Crouthersville, Ind.; Bob 

Enoch, State and Grand, Elizabethtown; R. 

L. Gaines, Riverview Drive-In, Carrollton; 

Elmer Schowe. Skyline Drive-In, Madison; 

Homer Wirth, Crane; Eric Hammel, Shelby 

and Burley, Shelbyville; Ira Dyer, Clinton, 

Albany; L. M. Denton, Shepherdsville; T. J. 

Harnett, Gala, Sacramento; Gene Lutes, 

Capitol, Frankfort; C. K. Arnold, Arco and 

Melody, Bardstown; A. N. Miles, Eminence. 

The Clarksville Drivc-In between New 

Albany and Jeffersonville was the first 

drive-in in the Fall cities area to ring down 

the curtain (13) for the season . . . Starting 

off the Kentucky Ass'n of Theatre Owners' 

drive-in membership drive, the Twin, Louisville, 

one of the largest and newest drive-in 

theatres in the state, has been recorded on 

the membership rolls. The Twin is headed 

by Lou Arru and is managed by J. M. Arnold. 

. 

The Roy Rogers show was presented 

Thursday (30) at the Jefferson County armory 

. . Charlie Wells of the Falls City 

Theatre Equipment Co. staff gave a good 

account of himself in the recent Cincinnati 

Times Star bowling tournament in Norwood, 

Ohio, recently. Rolling exceptionally good 

pins Charlie appears to have placed in the 

money in all events, including singles, doubles 

and in team play . . . George Peyton, 

manager of the Griffith Theatre. LaGrange, 

has returned to his duties following a tour 

in the marine corps. 

SIGNS 

MARQUEES 

ÂTTRACTION 

BOARDS 

w/?/r€ Off wiK 

Li^^^D^ S£RV I 

C€ 

MM^pion. inoiftnA 

"Sign and Lighting Specialists 

ior Over a 

Quarter Century." 

REASONABLE 

PRICES 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE DIT-MCO DRAG BROOM 

DRIVE.IH THEATRE MFG. CO. K"'a^",;V.rMo. 

Tax on Amusements 

Beat at New Castle 

NEW CASTLE. PA.—City council la.st week 

killed the proposed 10 per cent amusement 

tax when Councilman E. Gene Schweinsberg 

reversed his stand and voted against the 

measure which would have been effective on 

January 1, 1951. The reversal defeated the 

amusement tax by one vote. Inasmuch as It 

had been stated that the estimated .$60,000 

revenue the tax would bring was needed to 

raise the pay of city employes, hopes for 

an increase in pay practically disappeared. 

Louis Lutz, manager of the Penn and 

Victor, had served as spokesman for the 

New Castle theatres in opposing the levy. 

The campaign sponsored by the amusement 

committee had urged the public to "protest 

this grab of money from children, students 

and workingmen . . . for taxes on practically 

all recreation for those who cannot afford, 

or do not wish, to go out of the city for a 

little recreation." Supporting the opposition 

were Local 451 lATSE. John Brogan, business 

manager, and Bill Posters and Billers 

union No. 118, Mark Must, business manager. 

In paid advertising these unions asked the 

public to join in protesting "this slugging 

of amusement patrons." Prior to the consideration 

of the proposed amusement tax 

ordinance, the lATSE local presented 1,105 

petitions which opposed the "grab." One petition 

favored the tax. John Brogan of Local 

451 said this made a total of 4,500 against 

the tax and five in favor of it. 

Don Trepicone Leases 

Pittsburgh Elliott 

PITTSBURGH—The Elliott on Lorenz avenue 

was acquired under long term lease by 

Don Trepicone, proprietor of the Sky on 

East Ohio street. The Mervis Bros, had operated 

the Elliott for 17 years. Maurice Markley 

of the State in New Castle is owner of 

the Elliott. 

Trepicone has been associated with theatres 

since he was 9 years old, starting as 

a program boy, bill passer and usher. His 

initial theatre management was at the Crescent 

in Mahoningtown. During World War 

II he served in the navy for 29 months. 

His wife and family reside in New Castle 

and he commutes weekly. Several years ago 

he leased the Heights, Crafton Heights, but 

he withdrew there to enter the exhibition 

field on East Ohio street. He will continue 

operation of the Sky. Trepicone, whose lease 

at the Elliott was effective on December 1, 

will have the theatre closed for nine days 

for general housecleaning and renovation. 

Opera to Toledo State 

TOLEDO—The State Theatre, de luxe 

neighborhood house operated by the Carl 

Schwyn circuit, will be the scene of a threeday 

four-performance season of opera, with 

Flora Ward Hineline presenting Alfred Salmaggi's 

International Grand Opera group 

beginning December 4. The company will 

come to Toledo following a week's engagement 

in Detroit. 

Former film editor David Weisbart will produce 

"Mara Maru" and "Inside the Pages" 

for Warner release. 

WEST VIRGINIA 

f^harles Hichle, manager of the Hiehle at 

Parke rsburg. received newspaper cooperation 

in conjunction with the Movietone 

News release which features Parkersburg's 

Earl "Rusty" Reed, youthful wizard of firearms. 

The Hiehle exhibited the newsreel 

The $300,000 Tipton 

November 22-28 . . . 

Theatre at Huntington, which was recently 

destroyed by fire, will be rebuilt . . . Richard 

T. Kemper, former Wheeling showman, 

has been promoted to Dipson circuit zone 

manager for New York and Pennsylvania, 

but will continue as manager of the legitimate 

Erlanger Theatre at Buffalo. 

. . . The 

A midget circus was featured on stage recently 

at the Ritz in Clarksburg 

West Virginia state championship football 

team of Parke rsburg high school and its 

coaches were honored at a .special ceremony 

in the Smoot at Parkersburg. Manager F. T. 

Thomas arranged the theatre party. All 

members of the squad were guests of Warner 

Bros, at "The West Point Story" . . . The 

Grove Drive-In at Elm used poultry giveaways 

at Thanksgiving. 

New Seats at Jackson 

JACKSON. MICH.—New seats have been 

installed at the Michigan Theatre here. W. S. 

McLaren, manager, said that afternoon matinees 

were canceled during the installation. 

rmBECAUSE OCCT 

THEY'RE OCjt 

riou^ uiinq Bcillantifne. 

RECTIFIERS 

Ballantyne Lightmaster Rectifiers are the 

largest and fastest selling line in the country 

. . . the choice of many of the largest circuits. 

They provide a new high in efficiency at the 

louest possible pouer cost. The complete line 

includes both single and 3-phase rectifiers in 

40, 60. 80 and 90 amperes. Regardless of 

your needs, you cant buy a better rectifier 

for smooth, bright, fiickerless light on your 

screen. 

Hadden Theatre Supply 

Company 

209 South Third Street 

Louisville, Kentucky 



93

. . The 

. . 

. . 

. . 

. . 

PITTSBURGH 

. . . The 

The Family at Rochester, Pa., staged a football 

fan contest to elect the Beaver 

county high school player of the year. Each 

ticket for "The Spirit of Notre Dame," 

played for two days, provided one vote, and 

a jeweler cooperated by furnishing a de luxe 

wrist watch to the gridder named as the 

Members of the 

player of the year . . . 

Butler school safety patrol were treated to 

a free show at the Penn in Butler 

Latonia in Oil City lined up 16 merchants 

to cooperate on "The West Point Story," 

with newspaper displays and "hidden" theatre 

passes in their windows. 

Dr. Harry C. Winslow, theatre radio man. 

and William C. Arthur of Meadville have sold 

the National hotel, located at Greenville's 

main intersection, to Mr. and Mrs. Herman 

Bently, owners of Greenville's Riverview hotel 

... In connection with the showing of 

"Breakthrough" at the State in 

Altoona, the 

assault gun company, 1st battalion, 10th 

armored cavalry, regiment L, Pennsylvania 

National Guard, placed on display in front 

of the theatre and in the lobby a 155 MM 

howitzer, a 13-ton high speed tractor and 

other equipment, including a .30 caliber machine 

gun, bazooka and submachine gun. A 

special recruiting drive was conducted at 

the theatre . . . While most theatres are 

grinding "All About Eve." the Lyric in Oil 

City has been presenting it daily at one matinee 

and one evening exhibition . . . Prior 

to Thanksgiving, turkey parties were staged 

. . . Exhibitor Michael 

at several theatres, including the State, 

Youngsville. and the McKean and 

Homer 

Dipson's 

in Bradford 

again is active in the annual Chi-istmas parade 

on the city's south side. 

Sam W. Gould, manager of Warners' 

Manos at Greenburg, not only had the 

Dodge truck advertising campaign on "King 

Solomon's Mines," but he staged a Howard's 

Jewelry six-diamond giveaway hunt in the 

OUTSTANDING CRAP TSMANSHIP AND ENCINCEftINC 

KANE THEATRE 

AT KANE, PA., 

has installed new MOTIOGRAPH AA projection 

equipment. 

ATLAS THEATRE SUPPLY 

Cwdon Gllj.son. Mgr. 

425 Vail Braam SI. GRant 1-4281 Pittsburoh. Pa. 

SAM FINEBERG 

TOMMcCLEARY 

[ 

1705 Blvd. of the Allies 

PITTSBURGH 19, PA. ' 

Phone Express 10777 

specially decorated lobby. Six real diamonds 

were placed in a bowl with imitations. Patrons 

who picked out a real diamond had 

them mounted without cost at the cooperating 

jewelry store . . . With Dave Smith resigned 

at Warners' Regent in East Liberty, 

Al Skigan of the Squirrel Hill was promoted 

to this post, with Harvey "Pete" Brady of 

the Model named to the Squirrel Hill . . . 

Harry Harris is manager of the Harris 

Amusement Co. warehouse at 3875 Bigelow 

boulevard, where the circuit now maintains 

general offices. 

Milton Frank, veteran retired theatre manager, 

died in New Castle several weeks ago. 

He operated the Crescent in Mahoningtown, 

withdrawing from the field In 1929. In the 

early days of exhibition he managed Warner 

Bros.' old Liberty in New Castle . . . The former 

local Sho-Biz-Quiz radio program has 

been sold by Bob Post for television which 

will bring Karl Krug, Sun-Telegraph; Kaspar 

Bonahan, Press, and Harold W. Cohen, Post- 

Gazette, to WDTV viewers at 4 p. m., Sundays, 

after the first of the New Year . 

"Destination Moon" was previewed here by 

members of the city school board, Allegheny 

Observatory and Buhl Planetarium. 

Miriam Weinberger, RKO switchboard operator, 

was called from her position by 

the death of her father Martin, recently retired 

grocer . . . Jules Lapidus, Warner division 

executive, was here conferring with 

F. D. "Dinty" Moore, district manager, and 

Paul Krumenacker, branch manager . . 

. 

Mervis Bros, have not renewed their lease 

on the Elliott on Lorenz avenue which expires 

Amusement tax receipts 

December 1 . . . at Butler have skidded $7,000, said 

A. J. Winters, finance director. 

Theatre Supply . . . Irving S. Kay, formerly 

with Warner circuit at New Kensington, has 

been appointed Dip.son circuit city manager 

at Buffalo, N. Y., and resident manager of 

the Capitol there. 

. . . 

David C. Silverman, RKO manager, and 

his wife vacationed in Atlantic City 

Ralph M. Felton. manager of the Spotlight 

88 Drive-In in the Beaver valley, is grandfather 

of his first grandchild Susan . . . Joe 

Bell, veteran Fayette City exhibitor, reported 

that his newly born daughter has 

been named Mary Kathleen. The Bells also 

have a young son Joe jr., aged 5 . . . Students 

and faculty members of East Penns 

Valley High school attended the Municipal 

in Millheim to see "The Red Stallion" . . . 

Jake Pulowski, veteran with National Screen 

here who returned to the navy as a gunner's 

mate second class, flew here from Norfolk, 

Va., recently and returned there in his 

automobile. Several weeks ago in Virginia he 

met John Bixler, Scottdale exhibitor, who 

was vacationing. 

The Pennsylvania chamber of commerce is 

opposing any increase In business taxes by 

the 1951 session of the legislature which will 

convene in Harrisburg early in January . 

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Mervis of the Mervis 

Bros." theatres here will become parents in 

February . . . Paul Puntari, 18. of Braddock, 

arrested after he held up a store there, confessed 

that he robbed the Regent Square 

Theatre September 26 . . First of the big 

. 

Dodge truck advertising tieups on "King 

Solomon's Mines" was featured by Greensburg 

Motor Co. in conjunction with the opening 

of the picture at the Manos there. 

Dr. Harry C. Winslow, Meadville theatreradio 

executive, was master of ceremonies 

at a testimonial program in honor of Rev. 

Thomas F. Griffin who left to assume the 

post of treasurer of Erie's Gannon college. 

Winslow presented the priest with a check for 

$1,225, chipped in by several hundred Mead- 

Bill Scott, RKO city salesman, and his 

bride of two weeks, the former Betty Zeff, ville friends . . . Manos Star at Monessen 

have furnished an apartment at Ellsworth reopened recently for weekend operation . 

and Negley avenue . . . Dipson's at Bradford 

gave a Miniver rose to the first 300 son Ross now represent Ballantjme equip- 

Sam Wheeler, former local film man, and his 

women in attendance at "The Miniver Story" 

Len T. 

ment in the Washington area . . . 

and a dozen women were given bouquets . 

Houghton, Franklin exhibitor, and his bride, 

Liberty at McKeesport offered a free pass to the former Charlotte Pentecost of Franklin, 

another show to anyone who did not enjoy have been honeiTnooning in Cincinnati, Hot 

Springs and Mexico City. They will return 

"Mister 880" . Noonan, manager 

. . S. S. 

of the State at Youngsville, used an endorsement 

December 12. 

campaign for "Stars in My Crown" . . . 

Results of all surveys show that all lines 

Park Shoes at Kensington is sponsoring the 

of business suffered in the 47-day newspaper 

Saturday Fun-O-Club at the Ritz there. 

strike which caused a news blackout for the 

Prizes for kiddies are displayed in the shoe 

city's three dailies. The survey conducted by 

store window. 

the research and merchandising department 

Glen J. Easter, Mount Morris exhibitor, of Ketchum. MacLeod & Grove, national advertising 

and public relations agency here, 

who has been a 16mm film distributor for 

many years, has withdrawn from the latter shows that amusements and spots particu- 

. 

field, having sold all licenses and prints to larly were hard hit. Several surveys revealed 

"Blo.ssom Time," that theatre grosses were 40 to 50 per cent 

a New York distributor . . . 

which has played dozens of engagements in under average during the period that the 

Pittsburgh Pi-e.ss. 

over a period of a quarter of a 

Sun-Telegraph and Post-Gazette were 

century and will be performed here at the not published because of strikes of mailers 

new Nixon for one week opening November and truckers. 

27 at prices ranging from $1.30 to $3.25. Lee 

.nd J. J. Shubert wish to determine if a Columbus Royal Leased 

lamer volume of business will compen.sate for 

eduction 

COLUMBUS—Marion and Elmo Porter 

have leased the Royal Tlieatre, 251 E. Main 

a 1 in boxoffice prices . . . Joe 

Mulone, Cheswick exhibitor and merchant, 

St., for five years from Dec. 1, 1950. 

has a new truck which he drives to Filmrow 

newlywed Mike McGannons Richard Flei.scher will direct Producer Robert 

liave furnished an apartment in Perrysville 

Stillman's "Island in the Sky" for United 

avenue. He's a sales representative for Atlas Artists release. 


' 

Bob 

: 

CINCINNATI 

Tack Goldman presented a stage show headed 

' by Sugar Chile Robinson Thursday and 

Friday at his Regal Theatre, Negro patronage 

house, along with "Pretty Baby" . . . 

Visitors on the Row: Mrs. Thomas, Parkersburg; 

C. D. Crawford and G. C. "Spotsy" 

Porter, Beckley; Frank Mandros, Charleston; 

J. Hank Davidson, Lynchburg; Foster Lane, 

Williamsburg; Louis Velas, Cambridge; Mr. 

and Mrs. S. S. Hagle. Fort Recovery; Mr. 

and Mrs. Marty Burnett of Loew's Theatres, 

Columbus, and Walter Brucksick, New Vienna 

.. . Mrs. J. Lantry, film secretary, and 

her husband have purchased a new home in 

New Richmond. 

p. T. Murray, U-I manager of branch operations, 

was at the local exchange . . . I. C. 

Rice. Altec, has been transferred to Albuquerque, 

N. M., trading places with Harold Macy 

of the latter territory . . . Mrs. Murray Baker, 

secretary at Cooperative Theatres, celebrated 

a birthday. Her husband is local Schine Theatres 

booker. The Bakers had his mother as 

a guest from New York for three weeks. 

Jay Goldberg of Realart Pictures and wife 

were on a vacation in Hollywood, Fla. . . . 

Terry Stenger, former secretary to Lev Bugie 

at Film Classics, was married November 25 

to Norbert Siess. When FC was absorbed by 

ELC, Stenger took a position with Avco, parent 

company of Crosley Radio Corp. . . . Harry 

Riedinger, film trucker, who suffered a stroke 

several weeks ago, still is confined in the 

Good Samaritan hospital, improving slowly 

. . . Bernie Kranze, ELC general sales manager, 

was at the local office . . . Marty Seed. 

WB salesman, and his wife and family went 

to Steuben ville, to spend Thanksgiving with 

Mrs. Seed's folks. 

Don Keesling of Bramwell, W. Va., was on 

another hunting trip . . . Pat Edenfield, secretary-bookkeeper 

for the Adeline Ward Theatres 

in Somerset, Ky., is recovering after an 

operation for removal of a growth near her 

heart. 

William Kaufelt has joined the booking 

staff at RKO to fill the vacancy created when 

Coleman was promoted to Kentucky 

salesman. Kaufelt formerly was with U-I . . . 

Eugene Tunick, former RKO salesman, and 

now manager for ELC at Indianapolis, spent 

the Thanksgiving holidays with his family in 

Cincinnati. 

Producer Tom McGowan has signed Gloria 

Grahame to star in "The Hyde Side." 

Good Pictures Still 

Best Defense for TV 

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO—Have no fear that 

motion pictures are not here to stay, says 

Maurice N. Wolf of Boston, a member of the 

MGM public relations department. Hollywood 

has no intention of darkening the movie 

screens because of television, he added. 

"Good pictures are doing record busine.ss 

just the same as they did in the bu.siest 

days," Wolf told members of the Lions club 

here. He said this indicates to the industry 

that there is a future for the business, regardless 

of television which is now seen as 

just another medium in the field of entertainment. 

The industry also has great faith 

that the economy of this country will allow 

both films and other mediums to thrive side 

by side, he said. 

During his stay here. Wolf pointed out that 

the motion picture industry is similar to any 

other business. Most of its investment is in 

communities outside of Hollywood. Of 206,000 

persons engaged in the industry, only 31,000 

are in Hollywood. He stated that theatres 

employ local people, pay local taxes, buy 

supplies locally and promote and participate 

in projects of community interest and benefit. 

"It's a local business," he said. 

Detroit UA Five Hikes 

Bowling League Lead 

DETROIT—United Ai'tists slightly increased 

its lead in the Film Bowling league 

this week 

Team Won Lost Team1 Won Lost 

United Artists 

S

I 

. . Carl 

. . Edward 

. . John 

DETROIT 

\I7ilUain VValdholz, Universal salesman, is 

leaving to join the Milwaukee staff . . . 

Lee Goldsmith, Universal office manager, 

went back home to New York City for the 

holiday weekend . . . Seymour Herman, Eagle 

Lion Classics booker, is moving into a new 

apartment on Rochester avenue . . . Jan 

Matusik, secretary to Charles Snyder, Allied 

executive, has been elected president of the 

Catholic Daughters of Detroit. 

Robert Hislop is managing the Midtown for 

Julius and Milton London, vi'ith Herbert 

Schnaar devoting full time to the Theatre 

Control Corp. . . Neil Tailing, manager of 

. 

Cinema Tlieatre, had a busy time Pi-iday 

when the main fuse burnt out . . Louis 

. 

Krass turns out to be an old-timer from the 

old Detroit Opera House. He was with it 15 

years, working up to assistant manager . . . 

ERNIE FORBES THEATRE SUPPLY 

"EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE" 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES OUR 

SPECIALTY 

=EXPERT= 

Upholstering, Repairing, 

Rearranging & Installing. 

THEATRE 

SEATS 

Over 25 years experience 

Immediate service anywhere 

DONOHUE SEATING SERVICE 

7119 Webb Ave. Detroit Mich. 

4. 

Phone Webster 3-5424 

L

. (iUth-1- 

— 

Detroit Grosses Up; 

'Let's Dance' in Lead 

DETROIT—Despite increased competition, 

business was fair to good at all houses, with 

the new United Artists getting a holdover 

on its first bill. Thanksgiving day business 

was reported super at practically all downtown 

shows. 


Adams—Bom to Be Bad (RKO), 2nd wk 90 

Cinema—The Paris Waltz (Lux Films) 85 

Downtown—Hell Tovm (Realart); BuHalo Stampede 

(Realarl), reissues 85 

Fox—Mister 880 (20lh-Fox),- The Tougher They 

Come (Col) 110 

Madison—The Fuller Brush Girl (Col); Last ol the 

Buccaneers (Col) 90 

Michigan— Let's Dance (Para) 115 

Palms-S.ale—Gilda (Col); Platinum Blonde (Col), 

reissues 85 

Paradise—The Federal Mon (ELC), plus stage 

show 115 

United Artists-The Jackpot (20th-Fox) 100 

Btisiness Improves at Pittsburgh; 

Stage Show Draws 175 at Perm 

PITTSBURGH—A stage show at the Penn 

grossed more than the total take of other 

theatres in the downtown area. Generally, 

business was improved in the seventh week 

of the city newspaper strike, which has been 

settled. Neighborhood grosses are very depressed 

for this season. 

Fulton—Edge ol Doom (RKO) 60 

Hams—ni Get By (ZOth-Fox), 4 days, 2nd wk bO 

Jênn-A Lady Without Passport (MGM), plus 

stage show 175 

Stanley—Breakthrough (WB) 85 

Warner— Ihe Giass Menagerie (WB), 2nd d. t. 

'Mines' Leads Cincinnati at 160 

As Weather Chills Business 

CINCINNATI—"King Solomon's Mines" did 

top business last week, hitting 160, and, of 

course, remained at the Grand. In all of the 

other houses, new pictures were offered for 

Thanksgiving week. The extreme winter 

weatner, which started Thanksgiving afternoon, 

had adverse effects on the holiday 

business. 

Albee—Two Weeks With Love (MGM) 100 

Copitol—I'll Get By (20th-Fox), Srd wk lUU 

Grand king Solomon's Mines (MGM) _ IbO 

Keiths American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

ox) 100 

Palace—Breakthrough (WB) 100 

Central City Theatre 

Destroyed by Fire 

CENTRAL CITY, PA.—Fire of undetermined 

origin destroyed the Central City 

Theatre recently. The inside of the building 

was gutted and three sides and the roof were 

down. Wind swept flames toward a store and 

a garage nearby. Pour hose lines were connecied 

in an attempt to stop the fire in the 

theatre and prevent outbreaks in neighboring 

buildings. Winber firemen were called to 

aid the Central City volunteers. The theatre 

had been managed for many years by 

B. J. Redfoot, veteran exhibitor who also 

operates the Arcadia in 'Winber. 

Witnesses said that shortly after smoke 

was discovered coming from, the theatre 

ventilators, the building was a huge mass of 

flames. A blast blew out one side of the theatre, 

which had been remodeled recently. Loss 

was estimated at upwards of $50,000. 

COLUMBUS 

. . . Harry 

JJerman Stofle, a.ssistant at the Palace, became 

father of a baby son 

Knight has leased the Royal, east Main 

street neighborhood house, to Marion and 

Elma Porter for five years starting December 

John McNulty. former theatre 

1 . . . editor of the Columbus Citizen and now 

a feature writer for New Yorker magazine, 

was in town for the Ohio State-Michigan 

game to do a "reporter-at-large" story on 

the homecoming classic for the New Yorker. 

McNulty is the author of 20th-Fox's "The 

Jackpot," starring James Stewart. 

Beverly Ann Smith, Upper Arlington High 

school homecoming queen, was chosen queen 

of queens in finals held on Palace stage 

... P. J. Wood, in a letter to newspaper 

editors, said that the recent television ads 

which stressed discontent in the home in 

seeking to sell TV sets, were "nothing less 

than an attempt to lure away the movies' 

young audience." He added: "The ad might 

just as well have said: 'Don't go to the 

movies.' " 

Civic Ceremony Opens 

Detroit UA Theatre 

DETROIT—Opening of the United Artists 

Theatre drew a distinguished list of civic 

leaders, with the Detroit Police band performing 

from an elevated platform in front 

of the theatre, to set the keynote. Judge 

W. McKay Skillman acted as master of 

ceremonies, with Mayor Albert E. Cobo delivering 

the official welcome of the city from 

the stage. The Ukrainian National chorus 

presented several numbers in addition to the 

screenfare. 

On hand for the opening, in addition to 

local people, were George Skouras, head of 

United Artists Theatres; R. V. Wemple, vicepresident, 

and Jules Catsiff. who supervised 

the remodeling. 

Variety of Cincinnati 

Renames Schwartz 

CINCINNATI — Vance Schwartz was reelected 

chief barker of Variety Tent 3. Jack 

Finberg was named 

first assistant; Mel 

Martin, second assistant; 

William Onie, 

U'rasurer, and Saul 

c;reenberg, secretary. 

Ill addition to the 

above officers, the following 

compose the 

crew for 1951: William 

Bein, Harry Hartman, 

Bob McNabb, Joe 

Rosen, Rube Shor, 

Louis Wiethe; Lev 

Vance Schwartz Bugie, Irving Sochin 

and Allan Moritz. Delegates to International 

Variety convention are Onie and Noah 

Sciiechter, with Shor and Maurice White as 

alternates. 

The chief project of the local tent is the 

Children's Foundling Home. 

Avalon at Colon Sold 

COLON. MICH.—The Avalon Theatre here 

has been sold to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jacobs 

of Jonesville by Robert Swope. The Jacobs 

will run the theatre under a family plan. 

Jacobs will run the projectors and his wife 

and two daughters will take care of other 

operations. The Jacobs family has been in 

theatre business for 15 years. 

'Romeo and Juliet' on Tour 

PITTSBURGH—Olivia de Havilland's stage 

revival of "Romeo and Juliet" will be featured 

at the new Nixon, opening Tuesday 

evening, January 30. Following the Pittsburgh 

engagement, the show goes to the 

Hanna in Cleveland, opening February 6, and 

tlie Shubert, Boston, for three weeks, opening 

February 13. 

Lyle Bettger has been assigned the role of 

a love-sick elephant trainer in the Paramount 

picture, "The Greatest Show on 

Earth." 


Akron Bingo Menaced 

By Taxpayers' Suits 

AKRON—Taxpayers' suits may be started 

to kiiock out bingo in Akron, threatened 

Stanley Denlinger. a prominent local attorney, 

who had asked city council to repeal the 

local bingo ordinance, by which the city collects 

3 per cent tax on gross bingo income. 

Denlinger's request was based on his contention 

that bingo is regarded as gambling by 

some state court decisions, and as legal by 

others. 

However, city council has decided to take 

no action on the antibingo proposal. "As 

long a.s the Ohio supreme court regards bingo 

as legal if it is not conducted for profit, then 

council can do little about it." said Leo A. 

Berg, chairman of the council's public welfare 

committee. He explained that the city 

is able to derive revenue from bingo operators 

and also can control them better with 

the present ordinance on the books. 

Under Ohio law, bingo is legal if operated 

for charity and not for personal gain. A proposal 

to enact a bill requiring that bingo 

operators give a specific amount or percentage 

of their gross to charity was not considered, 

after Assistant Law Director Nathan 

Koplin explained that under state law, the 

bingo operators must give all their profits to 

charity. However, it was conceded that the 

charitable contributions and the gross income 

of bingo operators seem all out of proportion. 

Publish TV Magazine 

PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh 

Television 

News, pocket-size 24-page publication to be 

issued weekly, was on newsstands from Altoona 

to Steubenville recently. The tri-state 

TV weekly carries news of WDTV, Pittsburgh, 

and WJAC. Johnstown. William F. 

Adler is editor and publisher, and Dan Mc- 

Sweeney, advertising manager. 

CX3-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOa-S-3 

SEATS 

UPHOLSTERED 

ANY QUANTITY 

1 or 10,000 

THE BEST FOR LESS 

Chair Supplies for All Makes— 

Anything and Everything 

FENSIN 

SEATING CO. 

PHONE HARRISON 7-1303 

1139 S. WABASH AVE. -CHICAGO 5 

SHOWMAN'S WIFE VISITS — Roy 

Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys 

appeared in a stage show at the Switow 

Amusement Co.'s Grand Theatre in New 

Albany, Ind., recently. 

Sliown in the picture 

is Roy with Mrs. Joe Hedden, wife 

of the manager of Switow's Cozy in 

Louisville. 

Those Early Movie Days 

In Meadville Recalled 

MEADVILLE, PA.—The golden era of 

drama was recalled here recently in an 

article in the Tribune-Republican. Research 

in Crawford county reveals that the first 

theatrical activity in Meadville was the presentation 

of a play with local performers in 

1824. It was a benefit show with proceeds 

going to help the Greeks in their fight for 

independence. This resulted in the formation 

of the Meadville Thespian society which 

presented plays in the Barton House. The 

stage had a row of candles set in bare 

boards for footlights and the audience sat 

on rough board benches. In the early '60s 

plays were presented in the Corinthian 

Block. 

Tlie Meadville Opera House had a grand 

opening Oct. 11, 1869, featuring "Ro.sedale, 

or the Rifle Ball." This set the stage for 

15 years of top-ranking entertainment. The 

opera house had one of its biggest audiences 

the night of Jan. 8, 1884—the crowd turned 

out that night to watch fire destroy the 

building. The Academy of Music, now the 

Academy Theatre, built in 1885 by Ernest A. 

Hempstead, carried on the Opera House traditions 

during part of the Opera Houseflickers 

interim. 

The first "flickers" were shown at the 

Academy about 1897. The films had been 

shipped to the expre.ss office, and it was 

rumored that the man to whom they were 

consigned could not pay the charges to get 

them out. A number of citizens advanced the 

money, and curious people flocked to the 

Academy to .see the Black Diamond express 

train, and galloping hor.ses pulling a fire 

entwine through the streets of New York. 

Within two decades, the "flickers" had practically 

replaced stage acting as Meadville's 

top entertainment. 

Michigan Allied Holds 

First Film Clinics 

DETROIT—The first official film clinic 

held by Allied Theatres of Michigan at its 

scheduled series of biweekly regional gatherings 

across the state was attended by 32 

exhibitors at Holland. With Henry Carley, 

Holland exhibitor, as chairman, the gathering 

was addressed at the luncheon by William 

Vandenberg, lieutenant-governor-elect 

of Michigan, who said that he was cognizant 

of "the important position which the motion 

picture theatre holds in the community." Ed 

Johnson, president of Michigan Allied, came 

from Bay City to attend the gathering. 

A special screening of 20th-Fox's "All 

About Eve" was held, followed by a roundtable 

discussion with Joseph J. Lee, Fox 

manager. Exploitation, "better pictures" and 

Pox's new deal for the small town exhibitor 

were given a frank discussion. 

The next film clinic was to be held Friday 

(1) at Scottville, Mich. 

Charles W. Snyder, executive secretary of 

Allied, is sandwiching in appearances before 

numerous state gatherings, between the various 

clinics. In addition to several talks 

before Parent-Teacher groups, he is scheduled 

to talk November 30 to the Rotary 

club at Sutton's Bay on "The Contribution 

of Motion Pictures to American Life," and 

on December 5 to the combined service clubs 

of Ionia on the same topic. 

New Building Regulations 

Made at Youngstown, Ohio 

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO—City council has 

unanimously approved a revised building 

code, with regulations patterned after nationally 

recognized standards, to replace the city's 

outdated 22-year old code. The new code is 

the product of four years w'ork by a building 

code committee. It contains restrictions on 

use of inflammable and combustible materials 

for interior trim and decorative purposes 

in public buildings, among its many provisions. 

Martin & Lewis Prefer 

Film Work to Video 

Columbus—Despite their success in 

television, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis 

like appearing in films "better than 

everything," they told Dean A. Myers, 

Dispatch radio and television editor who 

interviewed them on their arrival here, 

for a three-day stage date at RKO Palace. 

"Films are perfectly organized. Everyone 

knows what he is doing. It's normal. 

You get up at six in the morning and 

can go to bed at nine. You can be home 

with your wife and children. It's normal." 

They told Myers that they rehearsed 

70 hours on one show. "That's almost 

continuous," said Lewis. "You sleep 

when you can and eat when you can." 

The comedy team's appearance here followed 

by less than 48 hours their TV 

show the previous Sunday on the Colgate 

Comedy Hour. They were on their 

way to Hollywood to make another picture. 


I 

i 

Diakon, 

J 

BriefBiackouiHiis 

Theatres in Boston 

BOSTON—A high voltage wire twistup 

Sunday (19) darkened Boston and surrounding 

communities from 6:22 to 7:17 p. m. 

Electric company officials said the blackout 

occurred when the big wires were being 

shifted near Worcester, causing a terrific 

overload on the main generating plant of 

the Boston Edison Co. on L street in South 

Boston, knocking it completely out for nearly 

an hour. 

In downtown Boston, about half of the 

theatre patrons waited while managers 

rushed around to get the emergency lights 

on. Max Nayor, managing director of the 

Metropohtan said: "Most of the patrons 

waited for the show to start again. They 

grumbled a bit, but we played records for 

them. One of the records was 'Lights Out.' 

It was a congenial crowd on the whole. They 

milled around our huge lobby and bought 

candy. In fact we were cleaned out in our 

concessions department. Very few asked for 

their money back." 

At the Keith Memorial, where "All About 

Eve" was playing, the crowd good-naturedly 

waited until the damage was repaired. Some 

asked for rebates and got them. The Kenmore 

was able to switch on emergency battery 

lights which were adequate. Theatres using 

DC current direct were unaffected by the 

mishap; namely, the Exeter Street the Mayflower, 

the Laff-Movie, the Pilgrim, the 

Trans-Lux and the Beacon Hill. 

The two drive-ins still open in this area, 

the Neponset and the Meadow Glen in Medford 

were unaffected. At the Boston Opera 

House, where 2,600 people were assembled to 

take in the dress rehearsal of the Ed Sullivan 

"Toast of the Town" television show, 

comedian Victor Borge, featured in the show, 

said "What's the matter, don't they pay their 

bills here?" and everyone thought it was part 

of the act till Sullivan came on the stage with 

a flashlight and announced the trouble, asking 

everyone to leave. Later, at 8 o'clock, 

the regular Toast of the Town show went on 

as scheduled with new ticket holders in the 

audience. Sullivan was heard to emit a heavy 

sigh: "First the threatened strike and then 

the blackout. I'll never forget Boston." 

Sneaks in Providence 

PROVIDENCE — Maurice Druker, Loew's 

State manager, has of late been giving his 

Monday night patrons an extra added treat, 

presenting sneak previews of forthcoming 

MGM attractions. No extra tariff is asked 

I but response is reported as being "just fair." 

This, probably due to the fact that no advance 

publicity is given to the sneak preview. 

Advertising appears in the local papers only 

on the day of the showing and no mention is 

made of the title. This is the policy adhered 

to by the Loew chain, it is reported. 

/T//^^ Cl'mics to Feature 

New England IE Parley 

Night Club Promotions 

Hurt Hartford Houses 

HARTFORD—Tlieatres in this area are 

becoming increasingly aware of the growth 

of competition for the entertainment dollars 

on the part of local night clubs. Night spots 

are going allout in advertising and promotion 

in an effort to draw more money into 

their own registers. 

Prior to the war, theatremen said, extremely 

few night clubs offered floor shows 

every night throughout the week. In the 

postwar years, however, there has been a 

change of policy by night club operators, and 

numerous locations now offer entertainment 

of some kind dui-ing the week, adding the 

attraction of no minimum or cover charge 

during the week, but returning the charge on 

weekends. 

Biggest drawing card is the old Town 

Hall Inn, East Hartford, which presents floor 

shows nightly except Sunday at $2.50 minimum. 

New York floor show attractions are 

being presented and the inn management is 

utilizing extensive advertising and promotion. 

Since inauguration of this policy, the inn has 

had to double its seating capacity. 

Other night clubs offering top talent, with 

minimum or cover charges, are Club Ferdinando, 

the Lobster, and Ryan's in Hartford; 

Wright's, Plainville; Club Vasques, Middletown. 

A promotional method used by night clubs 

is nightly distribution of small cards asking 

the patron to write down his ideas or suggestions 

or even complaints concerning management, 

service, etc. 

Because the night clubs most closely approximate 

policies of the combination motion 

picture-vaudeville theatres, such houses as 

the 4,200-seat State. Hartford, and 1,200-seat 

Palace, New Britain, are using extensive advertising 

to remind patrons that top entertainment 

is available at the theatres. 

British actor Michael Rennie has been 

signed for a long-term contract by 20th-Fox. 

BOSTON—A. Montague of Columbia and 

Steve Broidy of Monogram are expected to 

attend the banquet of the Independent Exhibitors 

of New England's convention at the 

Copley-Plaza hotel December 5. Other head 

table guests will be Abram F. Myers, Arthur 

Mayer, Samuel Pinanski, Arthur Lockwood, 

E. M. Loew, E. Harold Stoneman, Nathan 

Yamins, Mike Simons of MGM, W. L. Bendslev, 

James Guarino, Arthur Howard and Phil 

Smith. 

Speakers at the general business meetings, 

will be Larry Davee general manager of the 

Century Projection Corp., who will speak on 

"Projection and Sound, Today and Tomorrow"; 

Arthur Mayer on COMPO; Abram 

Myers and Jack Edwards on "The Presentation 

of Flesh in the Theatre." 

The convention will start at 10:30 a. m. with 

a series of film clinics, which will be followed 

by a screening of "The MGM Story" at 

Loew's State Theatre at 12 noon. 

A cocktail hour hosted by the Lon Hacking 

of Image & Sound Service, will precede the 

banquet. 

The Independent Exhibitors committee on 

arrangements is headed by James Guarino, 

assisted by Ray Feeley, business manager, W. 

Leslie Bendslev, Nathan Yamins, Arthur 

Howard, Leonard Goldberg, Daniel Murphy, 

Walter Mitchell and Mel Safner. 

Albert Pickus Named 

HARTFORD — Albert M. Pickus, 

regional 

vice-president of Theatre Owners of America, 

and owner of the Stratford Theatre, Stratford, 

Conn., has been appointed civil defense 

coordinator there. 

Showman's Brother Dies 

HARTFORD — Harry Schwartz, prominent 

Connecticut attorney, and brother of Jack 

Schwartz, operator of the We.st End and 

Black Rock Theatres, Bridgeport, Conn., died 

recently. 

Paul Amadeo Marries 

HARTFORD — Paul 

W. Amadeo, general 

manager, Pike Drive-In, Newington, and Ann 

former cashier, E. M. Loew's Theatre, 

Hartford, were married here November 

18, then left on a New York honeymoon. 

DEDICATE NE'W OFFICE—Mayor John Hynes of Boston is shown cutting the 

ribbon at the dedication of Warners' new building at 131 Arlington St. in Boston. 

Left to right: Herman Maier, chief purchasing agent tor Warner Bros.; local Manager 

George Horan; Mayor Hynes; R. A. McGuire, chief auditor for Warner Bros., 

and Bernard Goodman, head of branch operations for the company. 

* 

isl' BOXOFFICE :: December 2, 1950 

k 

NE 99

' 

%ei^ 

%iM» MOTION FieiURE PROJECTORS. 

... do not require o\\ pumps 


operation. 





4 


create intense heat which causes buckling and distortion of the film. To pre- ; 

vent film mutilation and out-of-focus pictures, some projectors require heavy 



! 

HERE'S 

THE SOLUTION 

CENTURY projectors equipped with water-cooled apertures reduce destruc- 

; 

tive heat and increase picture brilliance. 

Think of this . . . CENTURY 

high-efficiency mechanisms, plus water-cooling 





wasted power. 




Water cooling is optional— available on all models at slight extra cost. 






steel gears. 

Proof of CENTURY'S simplified, high-efficiency design can be seen in 

the illustrations 






%ei^ 



MASSACHUSETTS 

THEATRE 

EQUIPMENT 

CO. 

20 Piedmont St. 

Boston 16, Mass. 


% New England Tent 23 

Elects New Board 

BOSTON—The Variety Tent 23 of New 

England has elected the following crew members: 

Walter Brown. Max Levenson, Arthur 

Lockwood, James Marshall, Martin Mullin, 

Samuel Pinanski, Michael Redstone, Louis 

Richmond, Benn Rosenwald, Meyer Stanzler 

and Phil Smith. This group, along with five 

past chief barkers—Louis Gordon, E. Harold 

Stoneman. Joe Cifre. Murray Weiss and John 

Dervin—will elect 1951 officers at a meeting 

in December. Delegates elected to the Variety 

International convention next spring are 

Stoneman and Bob Sternberg with Weiss and 

Cifre as alternates. 

Showing of A-Bomb Reel 

Is Viewed as Civic Duty 

BOSTON—Stanton H. Davis, booker at 

RKO, sent out the following letter to his 

accounts: 

"I am sending this letter to you as an 

officer in the United States air force reserves 

rather than as an RKO booker. I consider 

this as part of my civic duty as well as 

part of my job. 

"On September 29, RKO released a 20- 

minute subject entitled 'You Can Beat the 

A-Bomb.' I need not say too much concerning 

this subject as the title describes the 

subject matter very completely. We all know 

how much the controlling of the atom bomb 

means to our very existence. With the world 

in the present condition, we are all aware 

of the possibilities that exist. 

"It is most urgent that you play this tworeeler 

immediately upon its availability to 

your theatre and once again become a 

leader in your community serving the public." 

'Lucky' Rating Is Raised; 

May Run in Providence 

PROVIDENCE — "Third Time Lucky," 

scheduled for presentation at Loew's State recently, 

but banned by the local police censor, 

may still be shown here. A new twist to the 

situation, which raised considerable furore resulting 

in newspaper editorials and public 

forums, came about when the Legion of 

Decency which originally gave the picture a 

C rating, changed it to Class B or "objectionable 

in part." 

It will be interesting to see if local censorship 

authorities now permit it to be licensed 

for showing here. That has been the custom 

in the past, with "Volpone" and "Forever 

Amber" as two examples. 

Showman's Son and Actor 

To Connecticut Offices 

HARTFORD — The 1950 state elections 

found State Treasurer Joseph Adorno, Republican, 

being re-elected, and former actor 

named governor of Connecticut. Adorno is a 

son of Sal Adorno sr.. owner and operator 

of the Palace Theatre, Middletown. Elected 

governor was Congressman John Davis Lodge, 

formerly of motion picture roles. He defeated 

Governor Chester Bowles (Dem.), former 

partner in the New York advertising 

agency of Benton & Bowles. 

BOSTON 

T eon Brandt, head of exploitation, advertising 

and publicity for ELC was here working 

on "The. Sun Sets at Dawn," which will 

open at the Paramount and Fenway December 

7, with Jack Saef. Joe Mansfield and 

Charlie Barron, publicists . , . Charlie Wilcox, 

Orleans Theatre, Orleans, made his first appearance 

in the district following his release 

from the Evans Memorial hospital where he 

was under observation for two weeks. Others 

on the Row were Elihu Glass, Majestic, 

West Springfield; Ned Eisner, Cameo, TJxbridge, 

who reports that his new drive-in in 

Uxbridge has closed for the season after a 

successful first year; Joe Liss, who has taken 

over the Astor, Lawrence; Spero Latchis, 

Latchis circuit; Curtis Morse, Lafayette, 

Haverhill, and Irving Dunn, Granite Square, 

Manchester, N. H. 

Barbara Lally, secretary to Morris Master 

Motion Picture Co., took a leave for two 

months and is now touring England, France, 

Switzerland and Italy . . . Kenneth Mayer has 

rejoined U-I as salesman in the Rhode Island 

Alan Strulson of New 

territory . . . York has been appointed a salesman at 20th- 

Fox with his territory unassigned as yet . . . 

At MGM, the western Massachusetts territory 

has been given to Joe Rahilly, formerly a 

booker, while Gerald McGowan has been 

transferred from the Indianapolis territory as 

Joseph Rathgeb. former booker at 

a booker. 

Monogram and Motion Picture Sales, also 

has joined the booking staff at Metro. 

The Beacon Hill Theatre's Thanksgiving 

day picture was "The Golden Salamander," 

accompanied by a two-reeler "The Moor's 

Pavane" which had its American premiere 

here. Charles Barron of ELC was in on publicity 

for "Salamander," arranging a luncheon 

for the film critics before the press 

screening . . . "The MGM Story" which was 

screened at the TOA convention in Houston, 

was shown at an invitation screening at 

Loew's State. A sound technician came along 

with the film to insure its proper handling. 

The picture ran about 40 minutes and the 

MGM offices were closed for an hour and a 

half that day to enable the office staff to 

see it. Also invited were the film critics, 

radio and press reporters. 

married on the Isle 

The engagement has been announced of 

with the U.S. army during World War II. 

Elaine Gaetani, secretary to E. M. Loew, to 

Robert Newhook, publicity director of Loew's 

Theatres in Boston, with a wedding 

Piper Laurie to Star 

date set 

for February 24. Elaine, the daughter of Dr. 

Co-starring with Donald O'Connor in U-I's 

and Mrs. Arthur Gaetani lives in Milton, 

"Francis Goes to the Races" will be Piper 

Laurie. 

while Newhook, a Boston university graduate, 

class of 1950, resides in Mattapan. Following 

a honeymoon into the Canadian Rockies, the 

couple will live in Boston, with Elaine resuming 

her position at the E. M. Loew circuit. 

Mrs. N. Peter Rathvon, producer of "The 

Sun Sets at Dawn" which will have its world 

premiere at the Paramount and Fenway Theatres 

on December 7, will come to Boston for 

the opening, accompanied by Philip Shawn, 

who has a featured part in the film, and Leon 

Brandt, exploitation head of Eagle-Lion 

Classics. Joe Mansfield, ELC publicist, is 

arranging press and radio interviews for Mrs. 

Rathvon. 

Roy E. Heffner and his son Roy, jr. each 

bagged a buck deer on their latest hunting 

trip in the wilds of Moosehead, Maine. They 

strapped the bucks on either side of their 

auto fenders and caused great interest in the 

district when they drove along Church Street 

with the unusual display . . . John McGrail, 

Universal publicist, has gone to New York to 

visit the home office for a few days. 

Lou Novins of Paramount Pictures, New 

York, will speak at the national convention 

of the Kappa Nu fraternity to be held at 

the Somer.set hotel here December 24. Leon 

Levenson, manager of ATC's candy and vending 

department, is serving on the convention 

committee. Levenson, a 1928 Harvard graduate, 

is an old friend of Novins who graduated 

from Boston university in 1929. Other 

industryites who are members of the fraternity 

are Ted Fleisher, Interstate Theatres; 

Harold Gordon, manager of ATC's Waltham 

Theatre, and Sam Resnick, Playhouse, Andover. 

Ken Prickett of Smith Management Co., 

former MGM publicist here, has returned to 

his Quincy home after nearly five months 

in the midwest, where he is a district manager 

for Philip Smith's drive-in theatres. 

He will remain in New England through the 

Christmas holidays. 

Jack Hauser, president and business agent 

of Local 96 of the Worcester projectionists 

union, has retired after 30 years as head of 

that union . . . Charles H. Parker, projectionist 

at the Capitol, Allston, and a member 

of Local 182, has retired after 40 years of 

service. He will live in New Hampshire where 

he has bought a house near Exeter. Another 

veteran projectionist of Local 182 has retired. 

John H. Mason, operator of the Seville, East 

Boston, an ATC theatre, resigned after 25 

years of service and will live quietly in 

Allston with his family. Ralph K. Jordan, 

projectionist at the Franklin Park Theatre, 

died at his home. 

H. A. Tuccis Celebrate 

BRIDGEPORT. CONN. — Henry A. Tucci 

of the Poll staff, and his wife Anne celebrated 

their fifth wedding anniversary. They were 

of Capri while Tucci was 

I 

I 

WILLIAM RISEMAN 

ASSOCIATES 

Theatre Specialities in 

Remodeling and 

Redecorating 

162 Newbury Street Bost 

BOXOmCE December 2, 1950 101 

i

. . Ray 

. . The 

. . Paul 

! 

. . . Gloria 

. . James 

. . Henry 

. . Frank 

. . Joe 

. . Vince 

. . Anna 

. . Mary 

. . Norm 

. . House 

. . 

. . 

. . Manager 

. . Seymour 

. . One 

HARTFORD 

MODEL BW 

riouJ' lOinq BaUoJttijne 

MODEL "BW" 

PROJECTORS 

Independent Theatre 

Supply Co. 

28 Winchester Street, 

Boston, Mass. 

Complete Theatre Equijjment & Sup-plies 

Larry Wallace, head of the concessions department, 

E. M. Loew circuit, was in Milford, 

Hartford, and Springfield to close out 

concessions at the circuit drive-ins shuttering 

for the season . Laskowski is the 

new cashier. E. M. Loew's. succeeding Constance 

Bucello, who resigned . Manager 

George Hudak. E. M. Loew's, has been 

classified as 1-A. 

. 

. 

John Patno, assistant at the Alljm. and 

his wife observed their fifth wedding anniversary 

. , . Al Longo. former publicist for 

Loew's Boston theatres now operating his 

own public relations agency In Bo.ston. 

dropped by for a chat with Fred Greenway 

while here in advance of the local appearance 

of Ed Sullivan, columnist and television 

personality. Some years ago. Greenway 

managed Loew's State in Boston 

The New Alcazar Theatre. Naugatuck, has 

a dinnerware giveaway, 

Tom Grosran, manager of the Strand, 

Thompsonville. has built a new home 

The Gus Schaefers of the Hartford Theatre 

circuit have moved into a new home in 

Bloomfield . Tom Grace of the 

Perakos circuit's Eastwood presided at a 

meeting of the East Hartford Chamber of 

Commerce retail trade board at the Eastwood 

to discuss proposals for Christmas 

street lighting in the town. 

p M. Loew, head of the Loew Theatres circuit: 

and Bruno Weingarten. manger of Loew's Poll, Meriden. Tony Masella. Loew's 

entrance to the lobby of the now shuttered 

Loew's Norwich-New London Drive-In, Montville. 

Conn., were in to look over the site of up to prevent vagrants from congregating in 

Meriden manager, says the barrier was put 

the new circuit drive-in in suburban Farmington 

with George E. Landers, man circuit partner, is serving as radio 

the lobby at night. 

Mrs. Maurice Shulman, wife of the Shul- 

the circuit's 

publicity 

director ol 

Anthony Bray has been promoted to chief 

Hartford division manager. The project 

the Girl Scouts of Hartford, 

supervising radio programs on a num- 

is 

usher at Loew's Poll Palace . Levinson, 

assistant manager, Loew's Poll, Hartford, 

not expected to be completed before April 

1951. It will have capacity for 850 cars and 

ber of metropolitan Hartford area radio 

Loew's Poll Bijou, New Haven, visited Acting stations . . . Ray Freeman, former student 

cost an estimated $125,000. 

Manager John DiBenedetto, Loew's Poll, assistant manager at Loew's Warfield, San 

Arline Levin is the new cashier, Center, replacing 

Wendy Smith, who resigned. Selma Warner Art, Springfield, was a Hartford ager at the Warner Strand, succeeding An- 

Worcester . L. Cotoia. manager, Francisco, has been named assistant man- 

Berkowitz has been added to the theatre's visitor . . . Bob Evans, formerly Jim's aide, thony T. Cassente. who resigned to go to 

cashiers staff . . . Jim McCarthy. Strand is now working for a Hartford department Los Angeles to make his home. 

manager, got a letter from Charlie Atamian, store . . . Ted Harris. State managing director, 

was in New York on business. 

Manager Lou Cohen of Loew's Poli and 

his former assistant for five years, reporting 

his 

that he and his wife have settled in Sacramento, 

Calif. Charlie is in the super market 

wife are marking their 31st wedding anniversary 

. Kroopnick. promo- 

Roger Gagnon, former manager of the 

Star, Hartford, and of the Plainfield, Conn., 

business with his father-in-law . . . Maurice 

tion director for the 1,200-seat Center, has 

theatre, is 

Shulman, Shulman Tlieatres. was in New 

now working for a Putnam Industrial 

resigned to join the staff of the state department 

of social service. No replacement 

Haven on bookings . S. Purdy, Kounaris-Tolis-Ulyssis 

general manager, was in 

concern . Capuano. manager 

of the West Hartford. Elm, entered Hartford has been name as yet by owner Maurice 

from Meriden . Wylie, Wylie Amusement 

Enterprises, New Haven, was another ager is Mrs. Minnie Geigel. house cashier 

hospital for an operation. Relief man- 

Greenberg. 

Hartford 

Doughty, cashier at the Eastwood, 

visitor. 

has resigned . Gilberto Is the Rialto's Competes With Airers 

Anne Harris, daughter of the State's managing 

director, marked her 16th birthday with was in New York 

new usher . Klune. Rialto doorman, 

With Car Admissions 

for a nephew's wedding. 

a house party . Henry Boehms (he's At 76. he is one of the oldest theatre doormen 

in Hartford . . . Rialto Manager Mike of competing with drive-ins has been start- 

HARTFORD—Something new in the way 

State advertising manager) are observing 

their fifth wedding anniversary . . . Bruno Piccirillo tied-up with a department store ed by Joe Faith, operator of a number ol 

Weingarten of the Norwich-New London near the theatre for distribution of free Hopalong 

Cassidy candy and buttons in conjunc- 

designed to attract car patrons, has been 

suburban Hartford theatres. The new policy, 

Drive-In leaves Connecticut December 15 for 

a Los Angeles vacation ... A temporary tion with the start of a new serial, "Radar started on Mondays and Tuesdays at the 

wooden barrier has been erected across the Patrol vs. Spy King." 

Faith Carberry Theatre, Bristol, Conn. 

Faith's newspaper ads for the house read: 

George E. Landers, E. M. Loew circuit "Drive up to the Carberry Theatre every 

Hartford division manager, was in Bridgeport. Monday. Tuesday . adult. 44 cents; 

Milford. and New Haven . Kaminski. two or more, 88 cents, tax included: all children 

arriving in cars admitted free!" 

secretary to Manager Bruno Weingarten. 

Norwich-New London Drive-In, is engaged to 

I 

Thomas Hawkins, Norwich police officer. 

They will be married in Norwich Dec. 15 . . . 

Norwich, Conn., Theatre 

Harry Albee, projectionist. Pike Drive-In. got 

back from a Maine hunting trip . . . Wayne 

To Offer First Run Films 

Hilliard, assistant concession manager at the HARTFORD—Ed Lord has switched the 

Norwich-New London Drive-In, made a trip Lord Theatre in Norwich on a first run 

Typical o( BaManiyne to New York to go ice .skating at Rockefeller policy Wednesday through Saturday. The initial 

quality, is che Model 

•BW 

Center . Morin, Regal manager, booking under the new policy was U-I's 

Proiecior . . . 

yet It is lower in cost heard from his ex-assistant, Sgt. Pat Bucherri, 

now in special services office, 43rd In- 

"Louisa" and Republic's "The Pioneer Marshal." 

ihan anything equal in 

performance. Modern 

rear shutter; complete fantry division. Camp Pickett, Va. 

line pen 

ings; la and 

easily accessiBle, witn 

Clinton Globe Closes 

an ease of threading 

not found in ordinary 

CLINTON. MASS. — The weekend Globe 

projectors For steady, 

smooth, trouble-free 

Theatre was shuttered on Sunday (26) until 

further notice. 

operation. Ballantyne's 

Model BW is your 

smartest buy 

M-4 

.;^]î 

And Always On Time! 


Quality Get Your Next 


FILMACICI 

1G2 

BOXOFFICE December 2. 1950

Theatre-in-Round May 

Start at Providence 

PROVIDENCE—Plans are being formulated 

hereabouts to bring the "theatre-in-theround" 

to this territory, and there's a good 

possibility that there may be a race to see 

who offers this new popular form of theatrical 

entertainment here first. One outfit, 

headed by John P. Roberts of adjoining 

Cranston, has just announced that a lease 

has been obtained on a former night club 

establishment on Warwick Avenue just over 

the Providence-Cranston city line. 

Roberts further announced that alterations 

will start soon and installations necessary 

for "arena" staging should be completed 

in time for the opening set for early in February 

1951. 

Also in town recently was Alan Gray 

Holmes, Worcester, Mass.. theatrical producer, 

who presented several touring stage 

attractions at the Rhode Island School of 

Design auditorium, last season. Holmes put 

on a "theatre-in-the-round" in Worcester last 

summer with great success, and it was reported 

that he was scouting this area with 

the. same idea in mind. 

Paper Ad Rates Upped 

HARTFORD — New Haven circuits have 

been informed of a further hike in theatre 

advertising rates at the Hartford Courant, effective 

December 1. From $2.80 an inch the 

rate goes to $3.08 daily. Sunday rate goes 

from $3.50 per inch to $3.92. 

PROVIDENCE 

patrons of the RKO Albee have had their 

winter parking problems solved for them 

by Dave Levin, manager, who has made arrangements 

with the Snow Street garage, 

immediately adjacent, to accommodate Albee 

patrons at a special discount. 

The recent presentation of Charlie Chaplin's 

"City Lights" at the Metropolitan not 

only resulted in Bradford F. Swan, critic on 

the Journal-Bulletin, devoting practically his 

entire column praising the film and its artistry, 

but it also made the In Perspective 

column, which is alternately written by leading 

staff writers and has met with such 

widespread acclaim that the choicest bits 

have been published in book form. 

Whoever directs the policy for E. M. Loew's 

open airers must be something of a weather 

prophet. Almost simultaneously with the 

closing of E. M. Loew's Drive-In at the Providence-Pawtucket 

city line, winter weather hit 

this vicinity with the thermometer dropping 

to the middle twenties. All other nearby 

ozoners were still operating, despite the frigid 

weather, when Thanksgiving had come and 

gone. 

Employes of the Avon Cinema had plenty 

of cause to be thankful on Thanksgiving. 

Charles R. Darby, manager, presented every 

employe a big, plump turkey ! Recently Darby 

scored with plenty of well-planned publicity 

on his twin bill of "The King's Jester" and 

"Pagliacci." This city has a large Italian 

population and Darby arranged a quiz program 

on a local radio station, offering guest 

tickets. "The Red Shoes," which ran for 

eight weeks at the Avon some time ago, has 

been scheduled for a return engagement. 

The Evening Bulletin recently devoted 

nearly half a page, including several pictures, 

to the party being arranged for Mr. and Mrs. 

Archibald Silverman on this 50th wedding 

anniversary. Silverman heads the company 

operating the Strand Theatre. The story on 

the party, traced the many achievements of 

both Mr. and Mrs. Silverman, who are well 

known here and abroad for their great charitable 

works. It Is understood that many 

local, state and national figures from all 

walks of life will help the Silvermans mark 

their golden anniversary. 

It was learned recently that local newspapers 

on a number of occasions have returned 

national advertisements to theatre 

managers with the request that more clothes 

adorn the lovelies pictured therein. 

To Sponsor Benefit 

HARTFORD — Mr. and Mrs. Ray Mc- 

Namara of the Allyn Theatre have been 

named sponsors of the cerebral palsy benefit 

performance at Bushnell auditorium December 

2 of the Hartford chapter. Society 

for the Preservation and Encouragement of 

Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. 

GOODWILL AWARD AND BANKNiGHT 

will get the people out of their homes away from the 

radio and television 

And to Your Theatre 

There are over 100 theatres in the New England territory 

proving it every week. 

IT'S 

THE LEGAL WAY AND THE PROVEN WAY 

Write or call us and we will see you 

GOODWILL ADVERTISING COMPANY 

22 Church Street Liberty 2-9305 Boston, Mass. 


. . . Jimmy 

— 

— 

CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY—Shown above in the office of General Manager 

Al Schuman of the Hartford Theatre circuit are officials planning observance 

of the chain's fifth anniversary. Front, left to right: Gus Schaefer, treasurer, and 

Schuman, president and general manager. 

Standing: Ernie Grecula, director of advertising 

and publicity and managing director of the Colonial; Michael Piccirillo, Rialto; 

Mrs. Kate S. Treske, Lenox; Hugh J. Campbell, Central, West Hartford; George A. 

Smith, maintenance director and purchasing agent, and Joseph R. Ruggerio, Lyric. 

NEW HAVEN 

f^hristmas parties got off to early planning 

this year. Twentieth-Pox will celebrate December 

6 at Donat's; Columbia will party at 

Donafs December 14. and RKO will have a 

cocktail party at the exchange, then dinner 

and dancing at the Fireside, Milford. December 

14. Universal scheduled its party for 

December 21 at Donat's . . . Variety Tent 231 

is negotiating a lease with Kaysey's for second 

floor club quarters . . . Earl Wright of 

Columbia made a whirlwind drive for the 

success of Earl Wright week, ending December 

9. 

Most drive-ins, including Waterbury and 

East Windsor, closed November 19 . . . The 

Hi-Way. Bridgeport, arbitration hearing 

brought Bert Jacocks, Harry P. Shaw, Matt 

Saunders and Phil Gravitz to town in addition 

to those attending the first hearing 

. . . Floyd Fitzsimmons, MGM exploiteer. was 

in the territory . . . Also John Dombi of the 

Brooklawn. Fairfield, Morris Shulman, Shulman 

houses, Hartford, and Nat Greenberg, 

Strand Amusement. Bridgeport. 

Ann Donner of 20th-Fox went to New 

Jersey and New York for Thanksgiving . . . 

Mrs. Lou Brown, wife of the Loew's Poll 

publicity chief, was a welcome visitor for 

Thanksgiving after a stay at New Haven hospital 

. . . Eva Cooperstack, Universal booker 

and office manager, left for a week's vacation 

Dorsey and his orchestra. King 

|BOOK IT 

^ WAHOO is 

NOW!!! 

the world's most thril- 

C ling screen game. Now being used 

< successfully by hundreds of indoor 

< and outdoor theatres all over America. 

< Send (or complete details. Be sure 

I Hollywood Amusement Co. 

^ 

DIPT. B 

$ 831 S. Wobosh Avenue, Chicago 5, III. 

Cole Trio. Shorty Surock and Charlie Teagarden 

appeared on the Paramount stage November 

28. prior to show's opening at the 

Paramount in New York. If local response 

is good. Jim Darby says there may be more. 

The Colonial, Canaan, had vaudeville recently, 

including Oliver and Sales, Doris 

Patts and Mrs. Waterfall and Whitey Carson, 

with "County Fair" on the screen. 

Jimmy Tripp, former office boy for Warner 

Theatres, has been upped to bookkeeper, 

and Kenneth Trelour is a new employe . . . 

The 484-seat Alcazar at Naugatuck is now 

operated by Waterbury Amusement Co.. has 

changed from first and second run to all 

second run policy . . . Poxites had a surprise 

birthday cake for Sal Popolizio, booker, after 

office hours, and presented him a red carnation. 

Renovation of the Bailey Whalley Theatre 

here will continue for several months with 

a new lounge and lobby taking in the 

luncheonette next door, a modern candy bar 

and redecoration in the offing ... As a 

Wednesday feature, Roger Sherman has tied 

in with House of Jaquet to give every woman 

attending the matinee a $5 one-hour beauty 

treatment at the Taft hotel and a jar of 

face cream. 

Sues Over Clogged Sewer 

STRATFORD. CONN.—The Stratford Theatre. 

Inc.. owned by Albert M. Pickus. has 

filed a $3,500 damage action in common pleas 

court against the town of Stratford for damages 

allegedly caused by a clogged sewer. 

The plaintiff claims water, sewage and refuse 

matter from a blocked sewer line backed up 

into its theatre, damaging carpets and other 

fixtures and causing the theatre to close for 

one matinee performance. Tlie theatre says 

it expended $1,700 in making repairs and performing 

other work to prevent a recurrence 

of the incident. 

Teamed on 'Battle of Sexes' 

Teamed on "Battle of the Sexes." story 

about granting suffrage to women throughout 

the world, are Producer Wally Kline and 

Frederick Dan. 

Boston Business So-So 

As Holdovers Prevail 

BOSTON— All downtown houses are plugging 

their Thanksgiving product, with theatres 

marking time until that day. Huge 

newspaper space has been taken in the 

dailies advertising the new films. Holdovers 

were in most houses until the holiday engagements. 


Astor—Harriet Crerig (Col), 3rd v/k 80 

Boston—Where Danger Lives (RKO); Beyond 

Purple Hills (Col) 85 

Exeter Street— Last Holiday (Mono), 1st wk lOS 

Memorial—All About Eve (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 90 

Metropolitan Tripoli (Para); Cassino to Korea 

(Para) .. 5" 

Paramount and Fenway American Guerrilla in 

the Philippines (20th-Fox), 2nd wk 85 

Slate and Orpheum—Emergency Wedding (Col); 

The Fuller Brush Girl (Col) 90 

Two Weeks With Love' at 110 

Paces New Haven Grosses 

NEW HAVEN—"Two Weeks With Love" at 

the College and "American Guerrilla" at 

the Loew Poll did the best business on the 

main stem. 

Bijou—Harriet Craig (Col); Eye Witness (ELC), 

2nd d, t wk -.,. 70 

College—Two Weeks With Love (MGM); Return 

of Jesse James (LP) 110 

Loews Poll—American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

(20th-Fox); Hot Rod (Mono) 106 

Paramount—The Outrage (RKO); Hit Parade of 

1951 (Rep) 70 

Rog=r Sherman—Woman on the Run (U-I): Saddle 

Tramp (U-I) BO 

"Solomon's Mines' Grosses 225 

For Near Hartford Record 

HARTFORD—MGM's "King Solomon's 

Mines" did biggest trade in months, hitting 

records attained by the same distributor's 

"Battleground." Other big grossers were 

Paramount's "Let's Dance" and Warners' 

"West Point Story." 

Allyn-Let's Dance (Para); Hostile Country (LP) ,..140 

Center—Kind Hearts and Coronets (ELC); shorts... 80 

Last of the Buccaneers (Col) Counter 

E. M. Loew 

Spy Meets Scotland Yard (Col) 115 

Palace—American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

(20th-Fox) Bomba and the Hidden City (Mono), 

2nd wk 140 

Poll—King Solomon's Mines (MGM); A Kiss for 

Coriiss (UA) 225 

Regal—Mad Wednesday (RKO); Rio Grande Patrol 

State—Hold That Baby (Mono); stage 

, 

show 110 

(RKO) 00 

Strand—West Point Story (WB); loo Palooka 

in the Squared Circle (Mono) 

.160 

Morris Moriarty Named 

President of Local 273 

ISTEW HAVEN — Morris Moriarty of the 

Paramount Theatre was elected president of 

lATSE Local 273 at the recent annual election. 

Tony Basilicato of the College was 

named vice-president and Ernie DeGrosse 

of the same theatre, secretary. Edward Boppert 

of Loew's Poll was named treasurer. 

Matthew Kennedy of the Paramount was 

re-elected business agent for the 15th consecutive 

year. 

Tlie executive board will consist of officers 

and Frank Perry of the Roger Sherman and 

Edward Jordan of the Wlialley. The finance 

board includes officers. Sam Estre of the 

College and Andrew Carrano of the Grand. 

Novel Advertisement 

HARTFORD — Herb Loewith, assistant 

manager at Loew's Poli Globe in Bridgeport, 

advertises Loew's every time he takes his car 

out of the garage. 

Tlie plate on his car reads "LOEW." 

104 BOXOFHCE December 2, 1950

. . The 

. . Sam 

. . The 

. . . Frances 

. . Prompted 

. . James 

. . 

. . Hippodrome 

. . 

AT 'TRIPOLI' CEREMONY — Special 

ceremonies were held at AUyn Theatre, 

Hartford, in conjunction with 175th anniversary 

of the marine corps and the opening 

of "TripoU," which concerns the corps. 

Left to right: John A. Patno, assistant 

manager; Ray McNamara, Allyn manager; 

Douglas O. Harrington, commandant, 

Hartford Nutmeg detachment, Marine 

Corps league; Mrs. Mary Mandy, 

commander. Unknown Soldier Post 12, 

DAV. 

WORCESTER 

Oixty present and past employes of Loew's 

. 

Poll held a reunion at Villa Vaudreuil, 

Shrewsbury, with Manager Harold Maloney 

as the guest of honor. Warren B. Kalagher 

was chairman of the committee and Barry 

Price served as toastmaster Rialto 

Park and Greendale awarded Thanksgiving 

turkeys to lucky patrons . Wasserman 

will present Cornelia Otis Skinner at the 

Playhouse January 15. 

Bob Bergin, assistant manager of Loew's 

Poll, spotted Leland Harris in "All About 

Eve." He formerly played with Woi-cester 

stock companies . Modern in Marlboro 

is running auctions each Friday night, using 

"community dollars" . . . The Plymouth was 

rented to the Memorial hospital aid society 

tor a show December 19, 20 . . . Harold 

Maloney, manager, is back at the Poll after 

being out a few days with a wrenched back. 

The public buildings bureau has been conferring 

with Peter Marrone regarding his 

proposed open-air theatre on Greenwood 

street, but the bureau refuses to grant the 

licenses until zoning problems are straightened 

out . . . Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Blanchard, 

Mr. and Mrs. Louis L. Blanchard and 

Fred Blanchard, all in theatre business in 

Southbridge, have gone to Lakeland, Fla. 

Bob Robison, former theatre manager here, 

is in Houston. Tex., handling a Lions club 

charity show, but writes he expects to return 

to Worcester for Christmas . . . Robert 

Montgomery, screen and TV star, flew to 

nearby Southboro to visit his son, a student 

at St. Mark's school. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE CENTER AISLE ilGHTS 

With numbered Panels for Ramps with Oiiaiiiie Panels 

for Driveway Illumination 

DRIVE-IH THEATRE MFG. CO. ^^^;;"]i„ 

BRIDGEPORT 

. . . The 

n Ibert M. Pickus, owner-operator of the 

Stratford, has accepted the post of civil 

defense coordinator for Stratford 

Stamford Theatre sustained considerable 

-smoke damage from an early morning $80,000 

fire in an adjoining building . . . The 242nd 

AAA group of the Connecticut national guard, 

tied up with Manager James Tobin of the 

Warner on "Breakthrough" and displayed 

heavy field guns in front of the house during 

the engagement. 

Manager Matt L. Saunders of Loew's Poli 

was in New Haven for the opening of the 

new revue, "Bless You All" . . Harold Tabackman, 

. 

owner-operator of the Bostwick 

Theatre, and his wife Evelyn celebrated a 

The Strand Amusement 

wedding anniversary . . . 

Co. has upped admissions a nickel at 

the American, Astor, Hippodrome and Rialto. 

The circuit's four other houses here remain 

unchanged. 

Joseph Letezeio, projectionist at the Rivoli, 

spent his vacation hunting . . . Business continues 

to be poor in both neighborhood and 

first runs . . . Katherine C. Shea, who brings 

stage plays into the Klein Memorial, will sail 

December 28 on a South American cruise . . . 

Jack Quinn is planning to increase the seating 

capacity of his summer theatre, the Playhouse 

in Southbury, from 350 to 500 before 

next season. 

Managers of the theatres on the Strand 

Amusement Co. cii-cuit have organized a 

bowling team under the direction of Louis 

Jacobson of the Park City . Ludwig 

is new on the usher staff at the American 

. . . Even the bingo games are beginning to 

use dish deals . . . The Horace Heidt show has 

been booked into the Lyric for a single performance 

on the night of December 26 . . . 

Connie Monda, Loew's Majestic cashier, celebrated 

a birthday . . . Pauline Medak of the 

American boxoffice staff went to Florida for 

several weeks. 

Herbert Loewith, assistant at Loew's Globe, 

has one of those letter auto license plates and 

it reads LOEW . by women patrons, 

the Stratford Theatre has shifted its 

matinees to Tuesdays and Friday at 1;30 p. m. 

Mothers said those days and hours were more 

convenient during school months . . . James 

Pensore, vetei-an projectionist at the PoU, 

celebrated a birthday . . . Bridgeporter 

Charles Schnee had three of his screenplays 

in local first runs the same week. "The Next 

Voice You Hear ..." at the Globe, "Born to 

Be Bad" at the Majestic and "Tlie Fm-ies" at 

the Warner and the Merritt. 

The Poli sneak-previewed "King Solomon's 

Mines" . . . John DiBenedetto. former Poli 

assistant, was in from Worcester for a visit 

Conners, assistant at the Majestic, 

is a year older . . . Phil "Roxy" Oliver, 

manager of the Strand until illness forced 

the amputation of a leg, is now out-patient 

caahier in the emergency department at 

Bridgeport hospital . . . Christopher Kiernan 

is back as chief of service at the Poli after 

a week in the hospital as a medical patient. 

Manager Michael J. Carroll of the American 

visited relatives in Schenectady, N. Y. . 

Mary Colgan of the Hippodrome boxoffice 

staff visited friends at Ft. Devens . . Local 

. 

. 

projectionists enjoyed a midnight party in 

Redman's hall . . . John Suwatski has joined 

the usher staff at the Hippodrome . . . Projectionist 

George F. Antoniak is on leave 

from the Astor Manager 

Charles P. Gaudino and his wife Rachel celebrated 

a wedding anniversary. 

PROVIDENCE 

p M. Loew's Drive-In at the Piovidence- 

Pawtucket city line was the first openairer 

to close for the season. Unusually mild 

weather has been a source of satisfaction to 

most nearby outdoor theatre operators. The 

Cranston Auto Theatre, Bay State Drive-In 

and Boro Drive-In still are running . 

Charles Laughton recently spoke before a 

large audience at Veterans' Memorial auditorium. 

The event was sponsored by the 

Brown alumnae club of Pembroke college 

for the benefit of the Rhode Island regional 

scholarship fund. 

Armistice day gave local theatre operators 

a double reason for rejoicing. Holiday weekend 

crowds were divided among the leading 

first runs and long waits for seating seemed 

to be the rule rather than the exception. 

More than 100 downtown stores have 

started remaining open until 9 p. m. every 

Thursday night. Theatremen are watching 

the move with interest, believing the theatres 

should get added patronage. Leading houses 

will be polled after a couple of weeks under 

the new shopping setup. 

Fay's Theatre recently inaugurated a new 

policy of presenting vaudeville and motion 

pictures twice a week. In the past. Fay's has 

run the same bill for a full week. The new 

setup calls for a completely new show every 

Sunday and Thursday. 

Hcjrold Cummings Ncaned 

To Manage Holyoke State 

HARTFORD—Harold Cummings, manager 

of the E. M. Loew's Riverdale Drive-In, West 

Springfield, Mass., which has closed for the 

1950 season, has been assigned to manage 

the E. M. Loew's State Theatre, Holyoke, 

Mass. 

Thus far, the E. M. Loew drive-ins at Hartford, 

Milford, and West Springfield have 

closed. Closing date for the circuit's Norwich- 

New London Drive-In, Montville, Conn., has 

not been determined as yet, George Landers, 

district manager said. As an added business 

inducement, the drive-in, managed by Bruno 

Weingarten, is offering one gallon of gas free 

per car. Weingarten notes in his newspaper 

advertising that patrons can run their motors, 

keeping on the car heaters, with the free gallon. 

English Actress Has Contract 

The young English stage actress, Dawn 

Addams, has been handed a contract by MGM 

and a role in "Kind Lady," the Ethel Barrymore 

starrer. 

BOXOFFICE : 

: December 2, 1950 105

. . 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

T ouis DeRochemont of Newington, who produced 

the film, "Lost Boundaries," and has 

lately been filming "The Whistle at Eaton 

Falls," in the Portsmouth-Dover area, has 

presented a 16mm projector to the new Dover 

recreation center. The gift was made in appreciation 

of Dover residents' cooperation in 

making the new picture. A number of local 

young men and women were used as extras in 

the production. 

Members of Local 349, American Federation 

of Musicians, of Manchester, presented 

a concert program at the Veterans' Administration 

hospital in that city on Thanksgiving 

night. 

Ansel Sanborn, Carroll county film circuit 

owner, attended the football game between 

the University of New Hampshire and 

Kent university in Durham. He was accompanied 

by his wife and two sons, Richard 

and John Sanborn. 

Six 10-pound turkeys were given away for 

the Thanksgiving holiday at the Interstate 

Scenic in Rochester. They were donated by 

a local jewelry store. 

Roland A. "Buddy" Jenkins, news commentator 

for radio station 'WHEB in Portsmouth, 

is recovermg from mjunes suffered in an 

automobile collision in Somersworth. He was 

taken to Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester. 

A new radio station is planned in Nashua, 

where the City Broadcasting Corp., headed 

by Judge Bolic A. Degasis, president, is awaiting 

a decision on its petition filed with the 

Federal Communications commission. His 

associates in operating the station, which will 

be a 250-watter, will be J. E. Serwin and 

Carter Knight. 

Ferris "Gus" Ebol, who was formerly connected 

with the Palace in Manchester, is now 

assistant manager of the State in Conneaut, 

Ohio. The Ohio theatre is managed by 

Armand Pepin, who was also formerly connected 

with the State Operating Co., which 

runs Manchester's leading theatres. 

Leonard Young, who is appearing on 

"Variety Theatre," a television show, over a 

Schenectady, N. Y., station, has been social 

director at fashionable Gray's Inn in Jackson 

for the past two summers . . . 'Walter S. 

Young, owner of the Strand in Farmington, 

has been named one of the general chairmen 

for the third annual Christmas program to 

be sponsored by the Farmington Businessmen's 

Ass'n. 

No West Haven Ruling 

WEST HAVEN, CONN.—State Police Commissioner 

Edward J. Hivkey has not yet 

reached a decision relative to issuing a permit 

for operation of a drive-in here, according 

to Capt. Ross Urquhart of the licensing 

division. Hearings were held in September 

and October on the application of Bowl Outdoor 

Theatre Corp. for a permit to open a 

600-car drive-in on the south side of Orange 

avenue between 'West River and Front street. 

Universal has handed Jerome Cowan a 

character lead in "Little Egypt." 

Tom Duane Quits SRC- 

Joins Jack Schlaifer 

BOSTON—Tom Duane, 

New England district 

manager for Selznick Releasing Organization, 

has joined the Jack Schlaifer Organ- 

TOM DUANE 

ization. Inc., as eastern division manager. 

Jack Schlaifer is producers' representative for 

the N. Peter Rathvon Productions. Duane 

had been connected with Paramount Pictures 

for 22 years until he entered the armed 

service in 1942, serving four years in the air 

force, leaving with the rank of major. After 

the war he joined Republic as Boston manager 

and in 1946 he joined David O. Selznick's 

Vanguard Pictures as producer's representative 

to United Artists in New England, 

New York state and Canada. With the advent 

of SRO, he operated as SRO district manager 

in 

New England. 

His offices remain in the same quarters at 

12 Piedmont St. 

SPRINGFIELD 

n t the Falls Theatre, Chicopee: Mrs. Florence 

Allen, former cashier of the old Wernick, 

has been appointed assistant manager . 

new personnel includes: Mrs. Alice Daviau, 

cashier; Mrs. Alton Corbeille, Mrs. Ruth Mc- 

Guire, candy counter; Allan Pickard, Armand 

Bouchard, ushers . . . Philip Law. former 

Wernick assistant, a groom recently. 

At the Capitol: New ushers, James Mitus, 

Paul Griffin, Thomas Doblin and Richard 

Bedard. 

George A. Post, well known local golfer, is 

a proud parent these days, for his son, David 

A., appeared at the Capitol in a small role 

in "The West Point Story." 

David, a sonar man in the navy, plays a 

cadet in the picture. He was prominent in 

local little theatre circles before going into 

the service, and then on to Hollywood. 

T'wo Drive-ins Shuttered 

HARTFORD—Two E. M. Loew drive-in 

theatres in Connecticut has closed for the 

season, George E. Landers, Hartford division 

manager, announced. Units are at Newington, 

and Milford, with reopening slated for 

about Easter Sunday, Landers said. 

Papers Enter Battle 

Against Censorship 

PROVIDENCE — Local newspapers have 

been taking exception to the city censor's 

recent ban of "Third Time Lucky" at Loew's 

State here and it is believed in many quarters 

that the furore raised over~ the censor's 

action is the beginning of a determined fight 

for a change in the present system of flim 

censorship. 

A public forum was held on the "Third 

Time Lucky" ban at St. Martin's church here 

and questions discussed were "What kind of 

a person decides what all of us can see?" and 

"How does the Pi'ovidence censor qualify to 

tell us what all of us can see?" 

A clergyman, a lawyer and an English 

instructor were speakers at the forum. Attemps 

to have Capt. George W. Cowan, local 

censor, attend were in vain. The Rev. Howard 

C. Olsen said he invited Cowan to attend the 

forum to explain the censorship system and 

to answer questions from the public. 

"Captain Cowan yelled at me over the telephone," 

Olsen said. "He said, 'You can't drag 

me up there. I'm not going to be questioned 

by anybody.' " 

Lee A. Worrell, local attorney, declared that 

Rhode Island's court support of censorship 

differed from that of most other states. He 

said a decision by the state supreme court in 

1939 classed the showing of motion pictures 

and the seeing of motion pictures by the public 

as a privilege and not a right. 

Worrell said there were two courses of action 

if the public were dissatisfied with present 

censorship. Either have the state legislature 

change the law or attack the person who 

administers the law. 

From the BOXOFFICE Files 

(Twenty Years Ago) 

THE INDUSTRY is preparing to fight the 

proposal of the Massachusetts state commissioner 

to the legislature that amusements 

be taxed to raise funds to take care of the 

cost of the old age assistance law which goes 

into effect July 1 next year. The original 

proposal was to tax all bottled beverages except 

milk at a cent a pint. If this does not 

raise the required $3,000,000 needed, it is 

proposed to tax amusements to take care of 

the deficit. 

. . . Tlie Lyric in 

Arthur Keenan, former manager of the 

new Paramount in Lynn, has been appointed 

managing director of the Olympia Theatre. 

Ralph Tully who replaces Keenen, comes from 

the Capitol in Worcester 

Athol, Mass., has reopened under the management 

of Larry Handel ... In Providence Edward 

M. Fay, local theatre owner, has been 

elected for the fifth time to the directorial 

. . . Tlie newly 

board of the MPTOA at the annual convention 

held in Philadelphia 

decorated and generally improved Hudson 

Theatre in Hudson, Mass.. has opened under 

new management. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE IN-A-CAR SPEAKERS 

and Junction Boxes. For new jobs or replacenitnis 

caused from theft or vandalism 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. Ki^L^'i'ilTM 

,106 BOXOFFICE December 2, 1950

Vancouver Theatres 

Shun Blue Law Test 

VANCOUVER—Theatremen in Vancouver 

this week refused to take any stand either 

for or against the "wide-open Sunday" plebiscite 

which will come before voters here 

at the December 13 municipal elections. 

"We didn't instigate the plebiscite," said 

Frank Gow, provincial manager for Famous 

Players Canadian. "We prefer to have nothing 

to do with it." 

J. Howard Boothe, district manager for 

Odeon Theatres, said: "Like Will Rogers, I 

don't know anything about it except what 

I read in the papers. 

"We have taken no part in formation of 

the plebiscite. We were never consulted on 

the matter. We have never passed an opinion. 

I would like to tell you what I think 

of the plebiscite, but that is impossible." 

Meanwhile, other amusements groups 

came out strongly in opposition to the 

plebiscite as it now appears. It reads; 

"Are you in favor of theatres, cabarets, 

dance halls, musical concerts, bowling alleys, 

billiard and pool halls, commercial spots, 

provincial licensed clubs, horse racing and 

other forms of commercial, public recreation 

all 

and entertainment on Sundays?" The 

voter must answer yes or no to the entire 

plebiscite. There is no middle course. 

Virtually all cabarets, horse racing groups, 

dance hall operators, licensed clybs and 

other amusements groups opposed the bill, 

but many added they were for a modified 

open Sunday. 

It was believed here that the bill would 

not be passed and that its presentation is an 

effort on the part of the city council to 

kill for once and all demands for a modified 

open Sunday. 

Mitchell Franklin Wins 

In Quest for Electricity 

ST. JOHN—Mitchell Franklin, vice-president 

of the Franklin & Herschorn circuit, 

single-handedly has waged a campaign for 

the last six years to have the provincial 

electricity distribution extended to Tynemouth 

Creek and vicinity, where he has his 

summer home, and recently his efforts met 

with success. Electric current now is available 

to the fishermen, farmers, loggers and 

other dwellers in the area, and oil lamps at 

last have been discarded. 

Franklin has operated a private power 

plant for his Tynemouth lodge, and his lone 

drive was purely to benefit his neighbors. 

For six years he buttonholed politicians and 

used the telephone, telegraph and maU until 

his persistence was rewarded. Tynemouth 

Creek is 23 miles east of here. 

Glace Bay Turns Down 

Chance to Buy Big Site 

GLACE BAY, N. S.—An offer by the 

Odeon chain to sell land to the town of 

Glace Bay for $25,000 has been rejected 

by the town council, which claimed the 

price asked by the theatre circuit was "ex- 

'cessive." 

The land is at Senator's Corner, one of the 

busiest sections of town and had been assembled 

originally from three owners as a 

theatre site. The city was one of the owners 

which sold part of the site to Odeon six 

years ago. Some council members favored 

purchase of the land for a smaller prico 

and members discussed use of the site for 

a bus terminal or public parking lot. 

Odeon does not have a theatre here. Famous 

Players is affiliated with the John 

Connor estate in operation of the Savoy. 

Weiner & Green operate the Russell. 

Filmack Trailers Names 

Canadian Distributor 

TORONTO—Entering the Canadian field 

Improve Windsor Capitol 

WINDSOR—Under the general supervision 

of Gene Fitzgibbons, zone manager of Famous 

Players Canadian Corp., the Capitol here, 

has been remodeled and new seats were 

added. R. E. Knevels is the manager. 

New Montreal Firm 

Offers French Films 

By HELENE BOULERICE 

MONTREAL—Serge J. Goutman, for 16 

years connected with American film companies 

in France 

and her north African 

Serge J. Goutman 

colonies, and for 12 of 

those years with the 

RKO as director of 

that company's Lyons 

agency and seven years 

with Paris sales office, 

has started a distribution 

business here, 

handling French film 

productions. 

Goutman is managing 

director of Paris- 

Canada Filnas, Ltd., at 

1520 Mountain St. The company, with a list 

already counting some 50 newly produced 

features, has made favorable impression in 

Quebec's cinemas. In Montreal, for instance, 

the company's product has been appearing 

for the first time in its 32-year history, the on the screen of the renovated and modernized 

Filmack Trailer Co. has appointed Film Art 

Trailer Service of Toronto, Ont., as Canadian Canadien. 

Goutman said his firm is associated with 

distributors. The deal was recently completed one of France's most important film producers, 

by Irving Mack, head of the Filmack firm, 

M. E. Tenoudji of Paris whose or- 

and S. L. Vinsen, president of the Film Art ganization distributes in France and north 

Trailer firm. Offices of the Canadian firm Africa and operates a chain of theatres in 

will be located at 455 Spadina Ave. in Toronto. 

French North Africa. 

His company, Goutman declared, is marketing 

all newly produced films, and has 

assured itself, through able buyers well 

Nine Get Adult Rating 

versed in Canadian taste, of a long list of 

TORONTO—Nine more features have been French film successes. 

given the grading of adult entertainment Among them are such prize-winners as 

by the Ontario censor board, these being "Le Grand Rendezvous," the only motion 

"Alcatraz Island," "Breaking Point," "Kiss picture film show this year at the Opera 

Tomorrow Goodbye," "San Quentin," "Chain de Paris; "Entre Onze Heures et Minuit," 

Gang," "Dial 1119," "Lonely Heart Bandits," which had long rims in four of Paris cinemas; 

"Underworld Story" and "Three Secrets." 

"Gigi." based on Colette's novel, which 

is associated with the Grand Prix de Cinemonde 

1950 and which earned for Daniele 

Delorme the Grand Prix of motion picture 

directors; "L'Homme aux Mains d'Argile" in 

which the late Marcel Cerdan is featured; 

"Envoi de Fleurs," with Tino Rossi, and 

"Mademoiselle S'Amuse," a musical featuring 

Ray Ventura. 

St. John Houses Checked 

ST. JOHN—A daily inspection of all theatres 

in St. John is now being made by the 

local fire department. Once a night a member 

of the department, in uniform, visits each 

theatre, and looks over the exits, emergency 

hose available, projection facilities, basements, 

regulation of patrons, etc. For a week, 

a fireman in uniform, was stationed at each 

theatre while it was in operation, afternoon 

and night. 

kBOXOFFICE December 2, 1950 

V - r '- 

MONTREAL BOWLERS START SEASON—Above photo was taken at 

the inaugural 

gathering of the Motion Picture Bowling league of Montreal showing the majority 

of the 60 members ready to start the season. President of the league is Gratton 

Kiely, district manager of Warner Bros., who is shown seventh from the right in 

the back row. 

K 107

. . . Raymond 

. . Arthur 

. . Allan 

Exclusive 

CANADIAN 

DISTRIBUTORS 

for 

ashcraft 

Lamps 

.... olways first 

in Lamp Development 

The Super G-70 Ashcraft Lamp is made from 

a new principle in mechanism design and 

produces a constant, brilliant white light 

over an extremely wide range. 

Everything 

for the 

THEATRE 

Northern Electric and R. C. A. 

Sound Systems 

Century and Motiograph 

Projector Mechanisms 

Ashcraft 

Lomps 

Starke "CYCLORAMIC" and R. C. A. 

Snowhite 

Screens 

Rosskote Lens — Golde Stereopticons 

Booth Stools — Booth Tables 

Film Cabinets 

— Theatre Chairs — 

Sales and Service 

A NATIONAL THEATRE SERVICE 

DOMINION 

Sound Equipments 

LIMITED 

Head Ollice - - 4040 Si. Catherine Street West. 

Montreal. Que. 

Branches at - - Haliiox. Saint John. Quebec. 

Toronto. Winnipeg. Regina. Calgary. Edmonton. 

Vancouver. 

MONTREAL 

f^hanges in the policy of the Laval Theatre 

are announced by Mel Johnston, head ol 

the advertising department of United Amusement 

Corp. and Confederation Amusements 

Ltd. Starting November 25 the recently renovated 

Laval shows only French-language 

films, made either in France or Canada. They 

are presented every Saturday, Sunday 

Monday and Tuesday. During the balance 

of the week, Hollywood films with French 

dubbed in will be shown, and on Monday and 

Friday nights stage shows featuring five top 

acts will be presented. The new Laval Theatre 

has been completely furnished with new 

seats and equipment. France Film Co. will 

supply the films. 

Quebec Cinema Booking is renovating, 

modernizing and enlarging its office at 5967 

Monkland Ave. Walls in pastel color divide 

three offices accommodating also L'Affiche 

Francaise, Enrg., and a Montreal office for 

. 

. 

. . . 

Sterling Films, Ltd., which has its head office 

in Toronto Spencer, of the 

advertising department of Confederation 

Amusements, spent a few days in hospital for 

a checkup Larente, manager of 

Peei'less Films, announces that his company 

will soon distribute original French films and 

dubbed first run films . . . Herman Vosberg, 

booker at Eagle Lion, won the single and high 

triple against Jack KroU, booker at Warner 

Bros, at the Exchange bowling league 

Ray Lewis, Toronto, president of Alliance 

Films, stopped off in Montreal en route to 

New York. 

. . . Ben 

Jean Guy Blouin, of the shipping department 

at Montreal Poster Exchange, married 

Miss Annette Leblanc, November 25. They 

went to Sherbrooke, Que., on their wedding 

trip . . . Ethlyn Poplove is a new stenographer 

at International Films . . . Jules Boire is the 

new owner of the Bijou, Napierville, which 

formerly belonged to P. E. Beaudin . . . Raoul 

Lafrance, of the Rialto, Limoilou attended 

the Quebec Allied Theatres annual meeting 

Major and Lucien Major, with 

the latter's son Robert, all of the BellerivQ 

Valleyfield, visited the exchanges 

Langbord, Columbia booker spent the weekend 

at Toronto, and Georgina Nicol, stenographer 

of the same office, weekended in Ottawa 

. . . E. Forest, of the Rio, Marieville, 

visited Filmrow. 

Several Montreal theatres showed exclusive 

French news films of the "Canadian Pilgrim" 

plane disaster in the French Alps. Amongst 

the cinemas featuring this picture were the 

St. Denis and the Cinema de Paris . . . Leo 

Choquette, owner of one of the largest chains 

of independent theatres in Quebec province, 

has been elected to the board of directors of 

Miss Jacqueline 

East Rim Nickel Mines, Ltd. . . . 

Gilbert, of Montreal, was elected 

"Miss Cinema, 1950" and received prizes 

valued at $8,000, including a motion picture 

contract, a well-furnished pur.se. a trip to 

Paris and an automobile. Miss Mona Brown 

of Quebec City, who came second also received 

a motion picture contract and a purse 

of $1,000. A special prize of $500 went to 

Mi.ss Janie Fluet, of Ottawa. 

Robert Keith has been cast as a newspaper 

editor in the Bing Crosby topliner, "Here 

Comes the Groom," a Paramount picture. 

RCA Expert Explains 

Color TV Systems 

TORONTO—The sharp controversy over 

color television now before the courts of the 

United States was echoed in Convention Hall 

in a lecture to a capacity audience of the 

Royal Canadian Institute by Dr. C. B. Jolliffe, 

executive vice-president in charge of 

laboratories for the Radio Corp. of America, 

Princeton, N. J. 

He declared a limit would be placed on the 

future growth and improvement of color television 

by the system recently approved by 

the U.S. Federal Communications commission. 

The start of color television by this 

method which Columbia Broadcasting System 

had scheduled for November 20 was 

blocked by a Chicago court order. 

COLOR ^^DEO DEMONSTRATED 

Noting that Canada is just starting to 

establish television, Jolliffe said: "It is my 

hope that in the development of television 

in this country your regulatory and operating 

organizations will accept the philosophy 

which provides potentials for future growth 

in television whether it be black and white 

or color. 

"Two different philosophies are inherent 

in the present situation, he said. One would 

have the public accept a system utilizing 

older methods, with limited performance and 

limited development potentialities, in order 

to have color television now. The other concept 

would take advantage of technical and 

scientific progress with full utilization of 

radio channels and would provide for future 

growth and even better performance." 

Jolliffe demonstrated the all-electronic system 

of color television developed in RCA 

laboratories. 

He also outlined the principles of two other 

systems, including the field sequential system 

which was approved by the FCC in 

October and is now the center of the color 

television controversy in the United States. 

RED, BLUE, GREEN USED 

This latter he described as an incompatible 

system. The matter of compatibility is 

between the structure of scanning lines in 

transmission and receiving. In black and 

white television there are 525 such scanning 

lines. In the sequential system of color television 

the transmission has 405 such lines 

and a receiving screen unless adapted gets 

only a blur. In the electronic or compatible 

system a color telecast will be received in 

black and white even if the receiver is not 

adapted. If it is adapted the reception is in 

color. The compatible system retains greater 

definition of detail, he said. 

He said all systems for the reproduction of 

color were based on the technical fact that 

any color impression may be created by superimposing 

three properly chosen primary 

colors in proper balance. In television the 

primary colors used are red, blue and green. 

"The basic principle of any color television 

system." he said, are: At the camera pickup, 

separate the natural colors into its three 

primary parts, red, blue and gi-ecn; transmit 

these three components over a communication 

circuit, and recreate at the receiver the 

original color of the televised subject by 

superimposing the three primary colors," he 

said. 


. , Marshall 

Eve' Draws Excellent 

TORONTO 

x\S Y QHwUUVcT JjCdQCl Toronto filmites are congratulating George 

In Good Toronto Week 

the Drive-In Theatre at Owen Sound, which 

TORONTO—It could have been called 20th- recently concluded its first season of opera- 

Fox week in Toronto because the product tion . . . Paul Tumbull. manager of the Faof 

this company occupied the screen of mous Players' Granada at Hamilton, is the 

eight of the important theatres. There were new president of the Hamilton Theatre Maneight 

holdovers to indicate that business is agers Ass'n. Manager Sam Hebscher of the 

really good. ITie oldest of the current en- Odeon Palace is vice-president and Mrs. Jean 

gagements consisted of "All About Eve" at Ford of the Windsor continues as secretarythe 

University and Nortown and "Trio" at treasurer . . . Bill Trudell, veteran manager 

the Hyland. with "Summer Stock" staying of the Famous Players' Capitol at London, 

on for a third week at Loew's. Ont., was first prize winner in the Canadian 

(Average Moving Picture Digest's showmanship con- 

Is 100) 

Biltmore—Belle Starr (20th-Fox), reissue; They test With his campaign on "Father Was a 

Fc^r:n'-ll^rr"8lo'^2o'h"FolK''2nd^l;k'"!^."';;:.'95 

Fullback." Leon Bishop of Toronto Shea's 

Loew's—Summer Stock 

Odeon—Two Flags West 

(MGM), 3rd 

(20th-Fox) 

S8 

110 

Hyland—Trio (Para), 5th wk 85 waS a ClOSe SeCOnd. 

Imperial—Copper Canyon (Para), 2nd wk 100 

wk 

.„ , , . ^ .^. • -x < 

Toronto fnends are awaiting a visit of 

Sheas—The Jackpot (20th-Fox) 

"^ 

, ;„„ v v; DavB Coplan, managing director of Interna- 

TivoU and Capitol—My Blue Heaven 20th-Fox); ^. , 

' . 

„.f %. ^ j , j 

• 

ti „ii 

The Fireball (20ih-Fox) 95 tional Film Renters. Ltd,, London, He is well 

University About Eve (20th-Fox) and Nortown—All known here in the trade, having left Toronto 

Upt'own-Hio Grande'TRep) r. ":::^^ ; 

for 1944 

Manager Leon Bishop of Shea's 

and members of his staff were interviewed 

'Stars' Makes Excellent Score 

during the Movie Quiz program of Toronto's 

In Calgary Opening statio CHUM by Gordon Atkinson . . , Anne 

CALGARY — With the arrival of cold Goodfellow, cashier of the Toronto Crescent. 

weather, theatres are showing almost recordg, 

neighborhood house, was held up by a gunbreaking 

business, man who secured only $31 in the grab. Most 

Capitol—Union Station (Para) Good of the night's receipts had just been removed 

Strnd4ZsîL°^My'^c^'owf \mgm)::::::.-.::^^ 

to the theatre office before the robbery. 

IV/TDTfl Rr^rrrrl IVTootc Premier St. Laurent, Douglas Abbott, min- 

IViriA DOara IvieeiSs 

^^^^^ ^^ finance, and Mrs, Abbott; Senator 

TORONTO—New directors of the Motion ^^^ Beauregard and Mrs, Beauregard and 

Picture Theatre Ass'n of Ontario held their premier Duplessis of Quebec were among 

first meeting in the board room here. No- ^ê notables who viewed the English presvember 

21, with discussion devoted to matters 

arising from the general session. The board 

entation of "Ti-Coq," French-Canadian corn- 

^^jy ^hich is likely to be filmed following 

follows: Morris Stein, H, C. D. Main, Roy 

jj-g season in New York City. "Ti-Coq" was 

MUler of St. Catharines, Sam Fine, C. J. written by and starred in by Gratien Gelinas, 

Appel, Harry S. Mandell, Stan Gosnell. Floyd famed in Quebec and in France as Fridolin. 

Rumford of Forest. Morris Berlin of Ottawa. 

Lou Rosefield of Hamilton. J. D. McCulloch "Paradis Perdu," Parisian film, created a 

of Petrolia, and Harland Rankin of Tilbury. record for French films here by entering its 

The executive secretary is A. H. Jolley. nth week at La Scala. owned by Cine-France 

Distribution . , . A new color film, "This Is 

Bergman Publicity Helps Canada," produced by the Canadian National 

TORONTO—With "Joan of Arc" playing a Railways, will be shown to King Paul I of 

comeback engagement at the Eglinton and Greece in Athens November 28, The film 

Victoria, at popular pricecs. the Paradise, has been forwarded to the Canadian legation 

neighborhood theatre, cashed in on the Ingrid in the Greek capital. The film was pre- 

Bergman publicity by playing "Under Capri- miered in Montreal last year, and recently 

corn," Bergman was prominently mentioned was given its world premiere over television 

In the Paradise advertising as the star of facilities in the United States. It depicts 

"Joan of Arc." the nation as it might be seen from the viewpoint 

of an adult visitor, an angler, a school 

boy and an artist . , . Sympathy to Lucille 

Fillioux, manager of Sovereign Films, on the 

death of her mother. 

VANCOUVER-Grosses at first runs 

Nicholas Ganetakos 

conand 

B. C. Salamis. 

tinue at a medium level, satisfactory for the 

national chairman and secretary in Canada 

most part but with clinkers here and there. °^ ^ê Greek War Relief fund for ten years. 

All About Eve," however, was a standout at ^ho have been honored by King Paul of 

the Orpheum and holds. "Kill or Be Killed" 

Greece with the Grand Golden Cross of the 

and a stage show at Odeon-Hastings was also Commander of the Order of the Phoenix. 

'Happiest Days' Out After 

sturdy. Two films which disappointed were 

Ganetakos is president of United Amusement 12 Weeks Run in Toronto 

•The Men" at the Vogue and "Let's Dance" 

Theatres Ltd.. an affiliate of Famous Players, 

TORONTO—The Toronto first run engagement 

of "The Happiest Days of Your Life" 

at the Capitol, both only lasted six days. 

Salamis. a Montreal exhibitor, is a partner 

of A. J. Mason of Springhill, N. S.. president 

ca'me to an end after 12 weeks at the International 

Cinema which ran "Last Holiday" as 

Cme'ma—Broken Tôw ("oth-Fox); Our Very 6wn° of the national Committee. Motion Picture 

(RKO), 9 days ..- 

^. Fair 

._. 

Exhibitors Ass'ns of Canada ... Manager Vic 

ômmion—A Gir! in a Million (EL); Tea for Tiwo ^_ ^ 

its 

x. m next attraction. Meanwhile, the revival of 

i t* i j i ^ i.- i«_ 

(WB) 2nd d t. wk Fair Nowe of the Toronto Hyland sent out birthjeon-Hastings—Kill 

or Be Killed (EL), plus day remembrances to the critics on the oc- 

"City Lights" continued for a fifth week at 

the Towne Cinema which also has an artfilm 

policy. 

o'pheum-All Aiout Eve (20th-Foxj, ;::.:;;.::Scell°eni casion Of the second anniversary of the the- 

Paradise—The General Died at Dawn (Para); atre's opening , Alexander, office 

PlIê^^n'rFTasl'J-Wyo'.^'rTraii (U-l); Father^"''' manager of the Toronto branch of Astral 

Makes Good (Mono) Fair Films Ltd.. recently married Barbara Winston Kid Series Effective 

Strand—Trio (Para), 3rd wk Fair 

^ Tr.rr.ntn 

Studio-A Royal Scandal (Para), revival Fair 01 iOrontO. 

TORONTO—Children's Film Library shows 

Vogue—The Men (UA) Fair 

were conducted at eight neighborhood thea- 

Latest member of the Motion Picture The- 

20th-Fox Hits Are Leaders atres Ass'n of Ontario is W, Ken Waite of 

tres Saturday morning (18), and were again 

comparatively effective despite considerable 

competition in the form of the annual Santa 

Claus parade, marking the introduction of 

the Christmas shopping season. 

Pat O'Brien Signed 

Columbia has signed Pat O'Brien to star in 

"Criminal Lawyer" which Rudolph Flothow 

will produce. 


Ballantyne offers complete sound systems, 

adaptable to theatres of every size, shape, and 

seating capacity. These units, consisting of a 

pair of soundheads, single or dual channel 

amplifier and two-way horn system, will 

bring to your theatre unparalleled quality of 

reproduction at low cost. 

J. M. Rice & Company 

202 Canada Building 

Winnipeg. Manitoba, Canada 



109

. . New 

. . . The 

. . . Bill 

. . . Jack 

. . Sam's 

. . Bob 

I 

VANCOUVER 

/^harles Chaplin, Toronto, Canadian general 

manager for United Artists, conferred 

here with Harry Woolfe. Vancouver manager. 

Also here was Frank Fisher, Canadian general 

manager of Eagle Lion Films, checking 

with his B. C. manager, Jack Reid . . . Ivan 

Ackery, Orpheum manager, was on the sick 

list. Pinch-hitting was Kerrisdale Manager 

Les Stratton . faces along theatre 

row are Dorice Wall. Orpheum cashier, Bernice 

Bobay, Vogue cashier, Irna Miotto at 

the Strand, Betty Nedelak and Irene Hewson 

at the Rex Theatre. Charlie Watt Odeon- 

Hastings doorman, and Harry Lambert 

Odeon-Plaza doorman. 

Trans-Canada Films Ltd. has purchased 

new quarters in the east end to hou.se studios 

and offices. Wally Hamtilton, manager, 

reported that TCF, Vancouver's only 

film production company, is busy shooting 

two industrial subjects with local firms and 

stores for his showing of "The Jackpot" . . . 

The Cinema interrupted its film programs 

for the stage showing of the Pacific Opera 

Co., which played four shows to fair business. 

With the big business now being done on 

stage and film combinations at the east side, 

Odeon-Hastings reports that the rival Famous 

Players may put in stage shows at one 

of their downtown theatres . . . Al Jenkins, 

PROOF Of superiority 

When theatres the world over continue to 

make Royal Soundmaster Amplifiers their No. 

1 choice for quality reproduction, trouble-free 

service, dependability and durability, there is 

no better proof of superiority. You. too, will 

find an amazing difference in your sound 

when you use Royal Soundmaster Amplifiers. 

aou?- oiinq BctUaittifoe 

AMPLIFIERS 

Theatre Equipment 

Supply Co. 

906 Davie Street 

Vancouver, B. C. Canada 

Complete Theatre EqxLivment & Supplies 

Vogue Theatre manager, was awarded third 

prize for his campaign on EL's "Jackie Robinson 

Story" in the Canadian Digest Showman.ship 

contest. Jenkins won the prize at 

the Plaza Theatre before his recent promotion 

to the Odeon-Vogue, the chain's showcase. 

Famous Players have opened the 1,000-seat 

Paramount Theatre at Lethbridge, Alta., built 

at a cost of $225,000. It's the third theatre 

of the FPC chain in the southern Alberta 

city which has a population of 21,000. The 

three theatres are operated in partnership 

with A. W. Shackelford, former mayor of 

Lethbridge, who will also manage the Paramount 

. Theatre, a 450-seater at 

. . . Garvin's Studios of Vancouver 

Maillardville. near New Westminster. B. C, 

changed hands when Sam Custovich sold out 

to Mrs. M. Eskestand, a newcomer to show 

business, who has appointed John Schollar 

as manager 

have completed interior art at the 

Odeon-Vogue. 

Two men, surprised "cracking" the safe at 

Odeon-Hastiogs, touched off a row-by-row 

hunt through the empty playhouse. It was 

the third time within a week that places of 

entertainment have been chosen as targets 

by thieves. A day before, a burglar rifled the 

safe of the Palomar Supper club and walked 

out past employes carrying between $700 and 

$800. A daring raid, pulled in almost identical 

fashion, cost the International Cinema 

$300. Police believe one man was responsible 

for both robberies but to date no suspects 

had been booked. Roy McLeod, Hastings 

manager, said the safe, although badly damaged, 

was not opened but that the men had 

been frightened off by police just in time 

Paramount Auto-Vue Ltd., with 

capital of $150,000, was incorporated recently. 

The company headed by Walter Mead 

and Pat Murphy, Vancouver theatremen, will 

erect a drive-in on the Granview highway 

at Burnaby a few miles from here. Dominion 

Sound will install all equipment in the 

new Paramount outdoor theatre. 

Howard Boothe, Odeon district manager, 

and Tom Moran, concession head of Odeon, 

were on Vancouver island for four days 

checking on the chain theatres on the island 

Woodward of the Rex Tlieatre staff 

celebrated his 68th birthday recently . . . 

Stan Pooley, former manager of the Strand 

Theatre here, is now manager of Warner's 

California Theatre at Santa Barbara, and 

Cecil Cameron, former manager of the FPC 

Paramount Theatre at New Westminster, is 

manager of the Sunset Theatre, Hollywood 

Randall, who resigned as Strand 

Theatre manager, has now settled in Santa 

Maria wath his family and is in another line 

of business. Randall reports that theatre 

business is very bad and quite a number 

of houses have closed in California in the 

past few months . . . Don Boyle, manager of 

the Empress Theatre, Macleod, Alta., was on 

a Hollywood vacation and was a guest of 

Star Rod Cameron, who was a visitor to Macleod 

two years ago. 

Many drive-in theatres built by newcomers 

to the industry are not proving the bonanza 

anticipated and a number of these outdoor 

spots are now for sale. As much as 

$150,000 and more was spent on some driveins, 

with their owners anticipating a return 

of their Investment In a few years. As a result, 

they feel they are taking a beating on 

their initial outlay and are trying to sell out. 

The wife of Howard Boothe, Odeon district 

manager, who has been hospitalized for 

the last three months with a broken hip, 

is recuperating nicely and will return home 

soon 

. . . Violet Yates. Empire-Universal 

. 

cashier, is ill with virus pneumonia. Her 

husband also is hospitalized . . . Johnny 

Cooshek of Odeon is pinch-hitting at the 

Marople for Manager Bob Matherson, who is 

on a delayed vacation Kelly, head 

of Odeon circuit candy business, has moved 

his headquarters to new offices in the film 

building, 

Tom Moran. Canadian head of Odeon con- 

. . . 

cessions, is here from Toronto on his first 

Harry 

visit since his appointment 

Myers, father of three local showmen—Bill 

Myers of the Plaza, Alex of the Kingsway 

and Ernest of the Rex—died in New Westminster 

at the age of 80 . . . Jack Senior, 

UA shipper, is working at the Park and reports 

that the two jobs are keeping him 

busy . . . R. W. McDonald is a new member 

of the British Columbia consor board, which 

now consists of Jack Hughes, chief censor, 

assisted by Joyce Reed and McDonald. 

Johnny White, stagehand at the Vogue, has 

moved to the Odeon-Hastings to help out 

with the stage show policy. White is business 

agent of the Stagehands local . . . 

Wally Hamilton, manager of Trans-Canada 

Films, and cameraman Ernie Kirkpatrick 

are busy shooting a film for British Columbia 

packers, telling the full story of salmon. 

Saanich municipal council has decided to 

rezone the Tillicum-Burnside area to permit 

erection of a drive-in to cost $150,000. 

Counsel appearing for the Chechik Bros., 

Vancouver theatre owners who propose to 

build the outdoor theatre, said it would 

enhance value of the property, would lead 

to the building of homes and stores and 

would be a source of revenue for the municipality. 

Saanich is a few miles from Victoria 

on Vancouver Island. The outdoor 

theatre wUl be a four-screen affair, the first 

in western Canada. 

The annual Filmrow Christmas party will 

be held December 8 at the Cocoanut Grove 

cabaret on the Grandview highway near 

Vancouver. Committee in charge includes 

Rose Isman, WB; Jackie McDermott. MGM; 

Bill Warke, Columbia, and Luke Ducette, 

Canadian Picture 

Empire-Universal . . . 

Pioneers' stage smoker at the Olympia was 

voted a big success by the 80 old-time theatremen. 

It was open to members and their 

associates. Both theatres and film exchanges 

were well represented. Tliree new members 

were introduced—Walter Mead and Ted 

Foley of the Studio, Vancouver, and Pat 

Murphy of the new Pai-amount Drive-In, 

Burnaby. The local branch of CPP is the 

largest in western Canada with 75 members. 

Alberta has 69 members and Manitoba has 

68 members. Total number of CPP in Canada 

now is 600. 

New amusement companies registered in 

British Columbia recently include Royal 

Capilano Drive-In Theatre, $200,000. and 

North Vancouver Tlieatre Investments. $500,- 

000, indicating that two outdoor theatre will 

be built in North Vancouver across the 


. . G. 

. . . The 

. . 

inlet from Vancouver and will cater to both 

North and West Vancouver, with a capacity 

of around 1,350 cars. Both are expected to 

open in 1951. 

Manager of the Capitol, Moose Jaw, Sask.. 

for 34 years and a member of the Famous 

Players 25-Year club. Jack Fields, 69, died 

Sydney Mines Theatre 

Returned to Odeon 

SYDNEY MINES, N. S.—The Nova Scotia 

Trust Co., representing the estate of the late 

Bill Cuzner, has given up the lease on the 

Strand Theatre here although it had three 

more years to run. Frank Hopkins, who managed 

the Strand for the trust company, will 

continue to manage for the Odeon chain. 

Cuzner had owned and operated the Strand 

for 30 years but had sold the property to 

Odeon several years before his death. A 

year after selling, he took a lease on the 

property and operation has been continued by 

the estate. 

Odeon also operates the Odeon Theatre at 

North Sydney, a neighboring city. Johnny 

Farr manages the operation. He had operated 

the Rivoli, predecessor to the Odeon, for about 

25 years before selling the house. After several 

years of store management, he returned 

as manager of the Odeon. 

Two Disabled Vets Hold 

Similar Theatre Jobs 

ST. JOHN—Two service employes of the 

Franklin & Herschorn theatres here are both 

permanently disabled veterans of World War 

II. John Ricketts at the Regent wears an 

artificial leg as result of war wounds and 

Leo Breau at the May Mayfair wears a steel 

brace on his back due to a spine injury during 

a German air raid on a Canadian army 

camp in England. 

Set as femme leads in the Monogram film, 

"Rhythm Inn," were Jane Frazee and Lois 

Collier. 

M A R I T I M E S 

per a two-day showing of "St. Francis of 

Assisi" and "Adventures of Chico," the Star 

at Whitney Pier, N. S., hooked up with the 

family welfare society of Holy Redeemer 

Catholic parish, within which the theatre is 

located. For two night shows, the price was 

50 cents. One matinee for children cost a 

dime. The Star is in the Walker chain . 

in a Moose Jaw hospital after an illness of 

six weeks. Fields was a veteran of the South 

African war and one of the oldest exhibitors 

in western Canada . R. Miller of 

Wynyard was elected president of Saskatchewan 

Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n; Jack tion Moon" at the Casino, Halifax, the air 

During the three-day exhibition of "Destina- 

Watson, Famous Players supervisor, Regina, force provided a display of aviation inventions 

in the Casino lobby. 

was elected vice-president and Hilliard 

Gunn, Regina, was named secretary-treasurer 

A Yarmouth, N. S., men's wear store allied 

for 1951. 

with the Capitol, Yarmouth, managed by 

Carnivals with gambling games are definitely 

out in any city park property, the stage during a two-day showing of "Chicago 

Ernie Hatfield, on a drawing from the theatre 

park board has decided. Action came when Deadline." The picture starred Alan Ladd 

commissioners considered a request from and the prize for the drawing was an Alan 

Crescent Shows to renew their previous site Ladd jacket ... In behalf of "Treasure Island" 

and "Beaver Valley" at the Paramount, 

agreement. Commissioner Mrs. Buda Brown 

said the shows had always been "nothing Halifax, Manager Freeman Skinner reproduced 

an eulogy of "Treasure Island" by a 

but a headache." The strongly worded resolution 

specifically bans carnivals under park local radio commentator. The reproduction 

board sponsorship and carnivals sponsored was in special newspaper advertising. 

by any other organization on park land. 

Fur coats have been introduced as door 

prizes for a weekly bingo at the Lyceum, 

Sydney, N. S. Admission is $1, and other 

prizes include a tenth game top of $100 in 

cash and a jackpot of $75. Bingo is being 

omitted in the advertising by maritime bingo 

promoters, who now are titling their promotions 

as "The Big Game" and "The Games." 

Patronage seems to be increasing and some 

of the bingo halls are functioning every week 

night at admissions of from 25 cents to $1 

Strand, Sussex, N. B., was used for 

a party for school children recently. The late 

James D. O'Connell, a Kings county native 

who became wealthy as a Cuban sugar 

planter, left a fund for annual picnics and 

theatre parties for children of Sussex. Bill 

and Colin Danson, brothers, succeed their 

father, the late Colin Danson. in the Strand 

operation. 

HANDY 

The stage of an outdoor theatre erected by 

the city council of Halifax has been assigned 

to the Royal Canadian Engineers for use in 

training, pending demolition ... A summer 

camp of Rennie Foulds, projectionist at the 

Capitol, St. John, was destroyed by fire . . . 

A talent show, weekly fixture over the air 

from Sydney, is being postviewed at the Lyceum, 

Sydney. Vince Macintosh, who produced 

a weekly show at the Arena. Halifax, 

for several months, is in charge. 

Gerry McCann, booker at Selznick-AUiance 

exchange here quit his job upon his recent 

marriage and took his bride to Boston 

to live. Manager Morrie Elman is doing the 

booking until next spring. 

Moncton Empress Dark 

For Remodeling Work 

ST. JOHN—The 700-seat Empress in 

Moncton, Odeon circuit house acquired from 

Fred W. Winter, is being extensively remodeled. 

A new front will be constructed and 

the auditorium and lobby altered. The reopening 

will be early in the new year. The 

work is being carried out under the supervision 

of A. I. Garson, maritime manager for 

Odeon. 

The Capitol, which adjoins the Empress, 

was remodeled during the summer and early 

fall by Odeon. It also was acquired from 

Winter. It is a 1,000-seater. Greig Jones 

manages both houses with Lee April, St. 

John, as supervisor. 

He Likes Western Films, 

She Doesn't—Divorce 

ST. JOHN—Disruption here of a marriage 

only a year old. has been attributed to like 

and dislike for run of the mill sagebrush 

sagas of the screen. The male end of the expartnership 

is keen for the oaters. while his 

departed mate destests them. After a year 

of frequent bickerings on the choice of films 

they would see, he insisted on going to a 

theatre where a western was playing. She 

refused. Moreover, she threatened if he saw 

the film, she would leave him. Thinking she 

didn't mean it, he went. When he came home, 

she had packed and gone home to mom and 

pop. His efforts to bring her back have 

been futile. 

Acquires Comedy, 'Trumpet Smith' 

"Trumpet Smith," a comedy by Ben Finney, 

has been acquired for production by Irving 

Asher for Paramount release. 

METAL POSTER FRAMES 

"Wel-Bill" Banner and Easel Frames 

Finishes—Chrome or Wrinkle 

Colors—Red, Green, Silver 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. INC. 

Kansafcity"!°Mo

. . Casey 

. . The 

. . 

. . . Enjoy 

OTTAWA 

. . . Bill Curley, 

"Traffic on Ottawa's Bank street was blocked 

on the opening of "The Milkman" at the 

Odeon when Miss Ellen Bompas, well-known 

farmerette, milked one of her champion cows 

in the center of the street with even the 

street cars being held up 

manager of the 20th Century Manor at Toronto, 

has assumed management of the Nelson 

following the retirement of Les Jefferies 

on doctor's orders. Curley was previously assistant 

manager of the Toronto Downtown 

. . . Gordon Adamson said that the secretary 

of state has authorized a change in name of 

the National Film Society of Canada to Canadian 

Film Institute. 

The film fraternity in Ottawa has learned 

of the serious illness in a local hospital of 

the wife of Gordon D. Beavis, manager of 

the Odeon . Swedlove of the Linden 

conducted a special preview Sunday night 

(26) of the French film, "Monsieur Vincent," 

based on the life of St. Vincent de Paul. Representatives 

of a number of religious organizations 

were present . Knockers club, 

an Ottawa community welfare group, staged 

its annual vaudeville show Sunday night (26) 

at the Famous Players' Capitol with a number 

of stage oldtimers being numbered among 

the performers 

year old Ottawa mother and a graduate in 

arts at the University of Ottawa, won the 

third prize of $500 and a film contract in the 

contest staged by Quebec Productions, Montreal. 

Leslie McFarlane. formerly of the National 

Film board, has become a lecturer in fiction 

writing at the Carleton College, Ottawa, and 

will continue through the winter months . 

When the Copyright Appeal board meets December 

15 in the Supreme Court building, Ottawa, 

an application from the Composers, 

Authors and Producers Ass'n of Canada for 

the imposing of a $500 monthly license fee 

on broadcasting stations for televsion rights 

for its musical compositions, will be heard. 

At the Imperial, where Frank Paul has just 

turned over the management to Barney Simmons, 

there was a full house for the third 

annual theatre party for the Safety Traffic 

patrols. Before Paul left for the Park at St. 

Catharines, his colleagues presented him with 

a pen and pencil set. 

Little TV Reception at Montreal 

MONTREAL—Nearly 250 persons in this 

area own television receivers, but only a 

few are getting good results and about 

200 of them are getting no reception at all. 

Harris Pound, Montreal sales engineer and 

one of the city's television pioneers, says 

television programs can be picked up "fairly 

well" from Schenectady and Syracuse, N. Y., 

and occasionally from as far away as Miami. 

Fla. This is only po.ssible. however, with the 

use of special aerials and boosters to amplify 

the television signals. Pound has four sets, 

two of which he built himself. They have 

300 per cent more power than sets sold to 

the public. 

Story by Frank Capra 

"Westward the Women," original story by 

Frank Capra, will be directed by William A. 

Wellman for Metro release. 

Windsor Theatres 

Fighl Detroit TV 

WINDSOR—The first organized protest 

against television programs by a group of 

theatremen in Canada has been made by exhibitors 

here. Although the Dominion will 

probably have no TV broadcasting of its own 

for another year, the theatres here have already 

felt the impact of video because of the 

programs from the nearby city of Detroit. 

The protest arose over the practice of Detroit 

TV studios of using reissued moving 

pictures, some of which are booked into the 

theatres of Windsor on the Canadian side. A 

considerable number of residents in the 

Windsor district have TV sets. 

To cope with the situation, the Famous 

Players' Windsor theatres have combined in 

the promoting of a "Greater Movie Season." 

for which a number of slogans have been 

adopted. One line reads: "Relax, Refresh, 

Revitalize! Forget your work-a-day worries 

a good show tonight." Six theatres 

behind the Windsor campaign are the 

Capitol. Tivoli. Palace. Centre. Empire and 

Park. 

Harvey Harnick Elected 

To Board of Trade Post 

TORONTO—The new president of the 

motion picture branch qf the Toronto Board 

of Trade is Harvey Harnick. general sales 

manager of Columbia Pictures. He succeed.s 

Gurston Allen of Allen Theatres. 

Representing the J. Arthur Rank interests, 

is the new vice-president of the branch. 

Ralph Dale. National Theatre services, who 

succeeds F. H. Fisher, general manager of 

Eagle Lion. 

The executive committee includes Raoul 

Auerbach, 20th Century Theatres; William 

Redpath, General Films. W. B. Herman, Park 

Drive-In Theatres; J. J. Chlsholm, Ontario 

manager for Associated Screen News, and 

R. W. Bolstad, vice-president of Famous 

Players Canadian Corp. The secretary is P. D. 

Tolchard of the Board of Trade. 

Third Music Royalty Ass'n 

Organizing in Dominion 

OTTAWA—The Copyright Appeal board of 

the Canadian government will hear the application 

at Ottawa on December 15 of a 

third performing-rights organization for the 

Dominion for authority to collect music royalties 

from public users. The name of the 

new group is La Federation des Auteurs du 

Canada, the Canadian Authors federation. 

The two associations already in the field are 

Composers, Authors and Publishers Ass'n of 

Canada and Broadcast Music Inc., both of 

which collect a schedule of fees as approved 

by the government board. 

Committee Picks Kid Films 

ST. JOHN—A film committee, representing 

the Home and School Ass'ns, Daughters of 

Empire, University Women's club and Catholic 

Women's league, approves and recommends 

pictures for school children. Each 

week a list of approvals is issued by the committee. 

Eskimo Likes a Laugh 

In His Film Diet 

MONTREAL—The Eskimo likes a 

laugh as well as the white man, so the 

newest method of education in the Arctic 

is going to have a spicing of roughhouse 

humor. 

The new medium is the use of filmstrip 

drawings, which early in the new 

year will get their northern tryout as a 

supplement to other methods of bringing 

knowledge to the natives. 

Because the Eskimo has a keen appreciation 

of a robust laugh, the educational 

aspects of the strips will be laced with a 

bit of pictorial horseplay—his humor 

runs along physical lines—to make the 

material more palatable. 

Four film strips, aimed at giving the 

Eskimo an idea of his fellow-Canadians 

and at helping him in his own life, have 

been completed by the Arctic Division of 

the Resources department. They will be 

shown north shortly to welfare teachers 

at Fort Chimo, Port Harrison, Coppermine, 

Port Brabant, Coral Harbor and 

Cape Dorset. 

The drawings, simple and basic, are on 

35mm film and need no complicated 

equipment for display. They will be used 

to supplement the third edition of the 

Eskimo Book of Wisdom, which the Arctic 

division now is preparing. 

Shaw's Farewell on Film 

Proves Draw in Canada 

TORONTO — An eight-minute film of 

George Bernard Shaw's farewell message to 

the world has been arousing wide interest in 

Canada, following its release by Astral Films 

Ltd., Toronto. The picture was made in 1941 

when Shaw was observing his 85th birthday 

but it was withheld until his recent death. 

The important short, which has been 

booked from coast to coast in Canada, has 

had ten day-and-date openings in key theatres 

of the Canadian Odeon circuit and it is 

being widely released because of the fame of 

the dramatist and writer. 

Once a Month Bingo Policy 

Adopted by Ottawa Group 

OTTAWA—The Central Canada Exhibition 

Ass'n has adopted a policy to restrict bingo 

games at the Coliseum, one of the large 

buildings at the Ottawa fair gi-ounds controled 

by the association, to once a month. 

The ruling came after complaints by local 

theatre owners that bingo operators were allowed 

to run wild in Ottawa. A law governing 

games of chance for charity provides 

for occasional bingo games. A similar once-amonth 

bingo policy at another large hall here 

is expected. 

DST Out at Toronto 

TORONTO—Unwept and 

unsung daylight 

saving time for Toronto and Hamilton, Ont., 

passed out on Sunday (26), after being extended 

two months to conserve power for the 

production of war materials. Robert H. Saunders, 

chairman of the Ontario Hydro Electric 

commission, called on all consumers to restrict 

the use of power so that blackouts 

would not be necessary in the coming months. 


I A. 

Loew's Ltd. Net Profits 

Down Over Last Year's 

TORONTO—The financial report of Marcus 

Loew's Theatres Ltd., Toronto, for the 

fiscal year ending August 31 revealed a net 

profit of $111,531, compared with $115,172 in 

the preceding 12 months, for a decline of $3,- 

641. Operating profits at $272,134 were down 

by the small margin of $3,220. The decrease 

was not considered alarming in view of the 

considerably greater cost of theatre operation 

in practically all departments. 

The current assets stood at $691,616 against 

current liabilities of $72,074 while the working 

capital was $619,542, compared with the previous 

$469,491. The surplus moved up from 

$380,030 to $471,123. The company has two 

theatres in Toronto, Loew's and the Uptown 

which seat 2,074 and 2,761 respectively. 

WINNIPEG 

\TeTy smart timing and showmanship on the 

the part of Sam Swartz, manager of the 

Grand, resulted in very excellent business 

returns on "Ti-iple Threat." booked to open 

one day after the final Edmonton-Winnipeg 

football game. This city was at fever pitch 

after Winnipeg's victory and the forthcoming 

Dominion finals with Toronto in the 

east. "Triple Threat," among many other 

I professional football players, features "In- 

I 

dian" Jack Jacobs, one of the best players 

in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers team. 

The Winnipeg Tribune has announced a 

theatre rate increase of one cent an agate 

line effective February, making it 16^-2 cents 

a line. The recent announcement from the 

newsprint manufacturers increasing the cost 

of newsprint, and continuing high and rising 

costs in all other departments of the 

newspaper, obliged the Tribune to pass on 

some of these costs to the advertiser, said 

H. Allardyce, advertising director of the 

P Tribune. He also pointed out that theatres 

operating regularly throughout the year have 

a much lower rate than 75 per cent of the 

advertisers. 

After playing Russian reissue programs for 

a year, Ben Sommers' State has returned to 

showing first Winnipeg showings of Russian 

product, the first of which is entitled "Symphony 

of Life," a musical in color. The first 

full length animated cartoon in color, "The 

Magic Horse," also made in Moscow and patterned 

after Walt Disney's feature-length 

fairy tales, will be the State's second first 

run feature. 

Dividend on Common Stock 

Raised by Famous Players 

TORONTO — Famous Players Canadian 

Corp. has increased the dividend on common 

shares for the last quarter of 1950 from 25c 

to 30c, payable December 23 to stockholders 

of record on December 8. 

The raising of the dividend payment, attributed 

to good business for the circuit, 

caused a jump in the price of Famous Players' 

shares on the stock exchanges at Toronto 

and Montreal. Quotations went from a recent 

$15.75 to $17.25, apparently in anticipation 

of an excellent annual report. 

CALGARY 

TXTith the arrival of subzero weather, the 

Chinook Drive-In has closed for the 

winter. The Chinook is operated by Western 

Drive-In Theatres with Frank H. Kershaw 

as managing _ 

director. Western owns two 

drive-ins in Edmonton and oiie in Lethbridge 

. . "Blossoms in the Dust" had a 

. 

record-breaking week at the Rialto in Edmonton. 

Owing to a crowded .schedule, it 

could not be held over, but was transferred 

to the 'Varscona on Saturday. A full house 

was reported on the first night's run. 

Mrs. W. P. Pilkie, wife of Mayor W. P. 

Pilkie of Vermilion, is convalescing in the 

University hospital at Edmonton after 

an operation. Pilkie operates the Columbia 

Theatre in Vermilion ... A new 

theatre, the Avalon, has been opened in 

Beverly, Alta., suburb of Edmonton, under 

the ownership of Dominic Kubalik and 

Nick G. Rupstash. Seating capacity is 418. 

With the advance of cold, wintry weather, 

salesmen on the road have been slowed up. 

Business is holding its own. 

Anna Neagle Will Appear 

At Toronto 'Odette' Bow 

TORONTO—For the first time since the 

Second World War, Anna Neagle is scheduled 

to make a visit to Toronto when she will 

make a personal appearance for the North 

American premiere of her latest feature, 

"Odette," which opens December 7 at the 

Imperial. Ai-rangements for the engagements 

in Canada were made by President J. J. Fitzgibbons 

of Famous Players Canadian Corp. 

when he was in London recently. 

Theatre Ads Go French 

In Nova Scotia Towns 

DIGBY, N. S.—The French shore between 

Digby and Yarmouth on the Nova Scotia side 

of the Bay of Fundy is going French. Almost 

all advertising and shop signs, including theatres, 

are in French to stress the French atmosphere 

for the benefit of tourists. Frenchlanguage 

films are screen at Weymouth, 

Digby, Meteghan, Church Point, Comeauville, 

Little Brook, Concession, Plympton and 

Yarmouth. 

'The Outlaw' to Halifax 

HALIFAX—After a delay of three years, 

"The Outlaw," highly controversial Hov;ard 

Hughes opus, hit a Halifax screen. It was 

shown single bill, with news and a carfci;on, 

pt the Paramount, newest Famous Playtr.s 

house in the maritimes. It had been screened 

at most centers through the maritimes the 

past two years. 

Toronto Mayfair Opened 

TORONTO—The remodeled Mayfair on 

suburban Jane street was reopened by 20th 

Century Theatres November 27 after numerous 

changes in structure and fittings. A 

new special policy of first run programs as 

been inaugurated at this 478-seat theatre. 

RESEARCH BUREAU 

for 

MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR THE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE 

PLANNING mSTITUTE 



Gentlemen: 

12-2-50 

Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU 

to receive information regularly, as released, on 

the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

n Acoustics 

n Lighting Fixtures 

D Air Conditioning q Plumbing Fixtures 

D Architectural Service 

^ projectors 

"Black" Lighting 

n Building Material 

n Carpets 

n Coin Machines 

Projection Lamps 

n Seating 

Signs and Marquees 

n Complete Remodeling S°und Equipment 

D Decorating 

Television 

D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts 

n Drive-In Equipment D Vending Equipment 

D Other Subjects 

Theatre 

Seating Capacity.. 

Address 

City 

State 

Signed 

Postage-paid reply cords for your further convenience 

in obtaining Information are provided in The MODERN 

THEATRE RED KEY SECTION (Nov. 18, 1950). 


A Good Investment

F aturing 

i\efreAltment 

V service 

l» 

DECEMBER ^. 1950 

Construction - Eqiiminent * Maintenance

I 

PROFIT'S GOT I 

RHYTHM 

There's a steady beat to the extra net exhibitors 

can make by adding refreshment 

to 

entertainment. Day after day, week after 

week, the profit from Coca-Cola piles up on 

the black side of your ledger. Thousands of 

theater operators are making easy money by 

offering ice-cold Coca-Cola. Why not join 

them? For all details, write The Coca-Cola 

Company, P. O. Box 1734, Atlanta, Georgia.

Experience Proves: 

Chewing Gum Will Add to Their 

Enjoyment of Your Theatre 

Paramount Theatre, 

Atlanta, Ga., displays 

chewing gum for the 

convenience of patrons 

and for extra revenue. 

Mayfair Theatre, 

Asbury Park, N. J., 

profits from sale of wellknown, 

fast-selling 

brands of chewing gum. 

You build good will and extra profits by selling 

and displaying popular brands of chewing gum 

It's a "good, old American custom" for 

millions of people to chew gum at the 

movies. Chewing gimi helps them relax 

and adds to their enjoyment of the theatre. 

What's more, hundreds of theatres are 

cashing in on the popularity of chewing 

gum by making it easily available to 

their patrons. You can do the same. 

Display popular Wrigley's Spearmint, 

Doublemint, "Juicy Fruit", and other 

well-advertised, fast-selling brands of 

chewing gum within easy sight and reach 

of your patrons. They will appreciate this 

service which you provide for their enjoyment, 

and your sales of chewing gum will 

bring in substantial extra revenue. 

BOXOFFICE :: December 2, 1950

I 

FOR 

THE 

**t 

national 

celit: 

75 TO 130 AMPERE 

HIGH INTENSITY 

REFLECTOR TYPE 

PROJECTION LAMP 

•THERE'5 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

. 

Who says Christmas comes only once a year? 

Necco Wafer advertising brings you a 

stocking full of profits all year long 

-ra3

\ \ 

^fe^ Let '"Nameless" Syrups 

Dry Up Your Cup-Machine Sales 

CANADA DRY SYRUPS TO 

DISPENSE GREATER PROFITS! 

:-' 

yj^^*^^:!^ ? 

4 

f ^ > «^ 

4i- 

**uVi?^*r* 

rv^ 

R? 

i* 

Itm^^ 

Put a world-famous name to work 

for you. Canada Dry has kept up consistent, 

sales-pulling advertising for over 

26 years.This pulling power works wonders 

for cup-machines. Customers know 

that Canada Dry stands for quality. And 

repeat customers won't stand for anything 

but quality. 

Canada Dry supplies you with the most popular flavor syrups. 

CANADA=DRY 

and many other sparkling, delicious, world-famous flavors. 

CANADA DRY GINGER ALE INCORPORATED, 100 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK 17, N. Y. 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTIONI

Vol. XVII No. 13 


o n I n I 

Adding Profits with Seasonal Specials 8 

A Handbook of Successful Refreshment 

Merchandising V. L. Wadkins 9 

Drive-in Patron Appetites Demand Second Concession 14 

Winterizing Theatre Floors Dave E. Smalley 15 

Modernism Blended with Local Interest in Theatre Decoration 16 

Keep Your Eyes Open for Candy Stand 

Demands Ernest A. Grecula 19 

Care for Your Carpeting G. Walter Brurting 26 

Spectacular Stage Effects Possible by Using New Bandcar 28 

Contour Curtain Fits Drum Stage 31 

Carbon Saver Ends Timing Worry 32 

Indoor Drive-in Theatre Becomes Hub of Multiple Enterprise 38 

A Manual of Drive-in Design and Operation, 

Part III George M. Petersen 40 

DEPARTMENTS: 

Floor Coverings 15 Drive-Ins 38 

Decorating 16 New Equipment and 

Developments 46 

Readers' Service Bureau 35 

Ljferature 50 

Advertiser's Index 36 People and Product 52 

ON THE COVER 

The luxurious avvearance of the lobby and refreshment service 

unit in the Garmar Theatre, Montebello, Calif., illustrates 

graphically what can be done to make effective a sales location. 

Tilted display shelves afford a maximum of visibility to 

the tops and sides of bars displayed. The Manley popper is in 

a position for the actual popping of corn to be the most effective 

sales stimulant. 

An interesting treatment is the slatted canopy above the 

stand. Recessed downlights in the ceiling provide illumination. 

KENNETH HUDNALL, Managing Editor HERBERT ROUSH, Sales Manager 

Published the first Saturday ol each month by Associated Publications and included as a 

section in all editions of BOXOFFICE. Editorial or general business correspondence relating 

to The MODERN THEATRE section should be addressed to the Publisher, 825 Von 

Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1. Mo. Eastern Representatives: A. J. Blocker and Ralph F. 

Scholbe, 9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, N. Y. Central Representatives: Ewing Hutchison 

and E. E. Yeck, Room 1478 Pure Oil Bldg., 35 E. Wacker Dr., Chicago, 111. Western 

Representative: Bob Wettstein, 672 So. Lafayette Park Place, Los Angeles, Calif. 

T,HE past five years might well be 

called the adolescence of refreshment 

service in the motion picture theatre. 

With the end of World War II and the 

return to civilian use of confection supplies, 

theotremen began to collect the 

data from which they could chart a 

pattern of scientifically successful 

operation. 

Jets with theatre operation peculiarities, 

During these years, blending the experience 

of other types of retail out- 

rapid strides have been made in periecting 

techniques of food sales to theatre 

patrons. 

Psychology is on the theotremcm's 

side in his campaign to increase refreshment 

sales, for history has proved 

that the appreciation of entertcdiunent 

has been heightened by oppropricrte 

foods since the earliest days. 

Despite this fact, the purchase of any 

kind of sweets at the theatre is of an 

impulse nature and theatre concession 

men have carefully compiled guideposts 

to stimulating these impulses. 

Open display of merchandise from 

which the patron can help himself has 

been used to increase both original 

and secondary sales. Experience and 

the consensus of exhibitor opinion 

seems to indicate that the sight and 

smell of popping com helps to create 

sales. And, of course, the very location 

of the counter itself, affects the 

volume of business being done. 

Certainly no showman is going to be 

apt to disparage the important role 

which the merchandising of an everwidening 

variety of refreshments has 

played in making his property more 

valuable. Because of its importance to 

the success of theatre operation the 

editorial material contained in this issue 

has been carefully compiled to present 

the successful techniques of several 

outstanding exhibitors, all of whom, 

however, acknowledge that presenting 

film fore is still the prime goal of the 

motion picture exhibitor.

ADDING PROFITS WITH 

SEASONAL SPECIALS 

Illustrated above is the Easter line of candy 

specialties just released by the Shotwell Candy 

Co. Child appeal, as well as prices in the lowrange 

brockets are apparent. Plans for spring 

promotions are already being made by many 

circuits with Christmas displays now on the counters. 

Entire Counter 

Can Be Dressed 

For Background 

TEMMiNG FROM the fact that more 

than 80 per cent of all theatre refreshment 

purchases are impulses stimulated by attractive 

displays, aromas or the sight of 

taste-tempting confections, exhibitors almost 

universally acknowledge the necessity 

for changing both displays and decoration 

of the theatre refreshment service counter. 

To add highlights to the periodic changes 

of refreshment counter arrangement, many 

exhibitors take advantage of various seasonal 

holidays to add special interest to 

the counters. Such holiday promotions can 

be planned on a year-round basis and, of 

course, should provide for prominent display 

well in advance of the holiday being 

featured. By the same token, holiday specials 

are deader than last week's newspaper 

on the day after the event, and 

should be changed promptly. 

adopted by the circuit by whom he is 

For example, one theatre manager whose 

refreshment merchandising success has 

been such that his practices have been 

employed, 

follows a general program like this; 

beginning Halloween promotion in September, 

he switches to a Thanksgiving motif 

on October 31. Thanksgiving week he 

changes his entire decoration to a Christmas 

theme, and Christmas week starts a 

nile green color scheme out as background 

for his stand which begins to plug spring. 

Easter is the first spring holiday to receive 

attention, and in Easter week, summer 

items are put in and changed regularly. 

Two basic elements are involved in capitalizing 

on holidays at the refreshment 

service counter. In the first place is the 

decoration of the stand itself. 

As to the sale of .seasonal candy, there is 

some division of opinion. In forming plans 

for an individual theatre or an individual 

circuit it is always wise to remember that 

what will not work in one location may be 

quite successful in another. 

An important qualification to this statement, 

however, expresses another wise concession 

policy. Never buy too heavily on 

seasonal candy specials until you have 

worked out a pattern of your own and 

know how much merchandise you can sell. 

Seasonal candies, like seasonal displays are 

dead items on the day after the holiday. 

Now then, transposing other theatre refreshment 

experience to the field of merchandising 

seasonal specials, it has been 

generally proved by concession executives 

that you cannot sell any patron more 

candy at a theatre refreshment counter 

than he can consume in the three-hour 

period he is inside the theatre. 

Should this seem to eliminate attempts 

to merchandise seasonal candies, change 

your thinking, for in recent years many 

national manufacturers of candies have 

planned lines of specialties to reach the 

impulse market. For instance, illustrated 

at the heading of this article is the 1951 

Easter specialty line of the Shotwell Candy 

Co. which includes a wide variety of items 

under the 29-cent limit which seems to be 

the price point where theatre sales drop off. 

In planning sea.sonal specialty promotions, 

exhibitors agree it is necessary to 

provide adequate seasonal background in 

the overall decoration of the counter. Another 

psychological factor of importance is 

to have these impulse items readily accessible. 

As has been proved, open display 

where the patron can help himself, increases 

the sale of items many times. The 

everyday importance of a sparkling clean 

counter and display, plus spotlessly uniformed 

attendants, is emphasized in promoting 

seasonal or holiday items. 


I 

most 

A HANDBOOK OF SUCCESSFUL 

REFRESHMENT MERCHANDISING 

by V. 

L WADKINS* 

OEULING SWEETS in 

theatres to swell 

profits is OS old as showmanship. And showmanship 

is probably as old as man, though 

the statements of certain zealots that Noah's 

Ark was the first showboat must be taken 

with studied reservations. 

X HE MOST IMPORTANT faCtOl' abOUt 

your refreshment stand is its location. In 

our theatres It has been placed in the 

advantageous spot possible, and has 

been designed and built as part of the 

theatre, so as not to give the impression 

it was "stuck in" as an afterthought. 

Cleanliness is a "must" in handling 

things that people eat and drink. As 

practically every sale in the theatre is 

an impulse sale, a spotlessly clean and 

attractive display is all-important. 

DRESSING YOUR CANDY CASE 

We have developed a method of trimming 

our candy cases so that they will be 

well balanced, having diversified color arrangement, 

making for easy selection on 

the part of the customer. Every candy 

bar or box item has a complement. For 

example. Dots will balance well in a case 

with Black Crows, Mounds with Almond 

Joys, Fifth Avenue with Oh Henry and 

Switzer Licorice with Tootsie Rolls. By 

pairing your candy items in this manner 

and trimming the case from both ends 

toward the middle, you will achieve the 

desired results. The diagram on page 10 illustrates 

the display of about 55 candy 

complements. 

We have found that by displaying 

last-selling ten-cent items such as 

Mounds, Hersheys. Almond Joys and 

25 Carat on top of the counter our 

percentage of sales in ten-cent items 

has jumped from 19 per cent to as 

high as 44 per cent. There is some- 

*Manager, 

County Thee 

& Se 

Indl< 

U N THESE PAGES are presented a condensation 

of the manual of candy and popcorn 

selling operations recommended to the managers 

of the twenty houses in the circuit with which 

Wadkins is associated. 

Each theatre is equipped with a custom-built 

refreshment service counter where both candy 

and popcorn are sold quite successfully. 

The techniques and opinions expressed in the 

manual reflect the experience of this circuit and 

have not been edited to conform with any notional 

average conditions. 

thing about open display which quickens 

the impulse to buy. People will 

pick up a candy bar and wait with the 

money in their hands to be laaited on 

where they won't wait to be served 

from under glass. 

In our theatres, where space permitted, 

we have placed backbars, which we regard 

with the same degree of emphasis in display 

as we do the candy case. The backbar 

particularly lends itself to the unit display 

of chewing gums, Life Savers, Charms, etc. 

Maintain an orderly but "massive" display 

of candy on your backbar at all times, 

winter and summer. 

Candy has to be fresh to bring out all 

of the flavor goodness of the ingredients 

used in the manufacture of quality candy. 

One of the major reasons the public has 

accepted candy selling in theatres so enthusiastically 

has been that in most instances 

it has received candy that is 

fresher than that sold in most other re- 

( Continued on following pagei 

"What passes for entertainment in any 

day is the subject of a festive occasion 

made more festive by something to chew 

on, and the precedent for popcorn, soft 

drinks and candy in a theatre is grounded 

in ancient custom. 

"Today's concession business in theatres 

has grown into a big thing. The magic 

fact about candy is that it is an impulse 

item. In a recent survey the Dupont company 

found that 71 per cent of candy sales 

In food stores were made on impulse. More 

than seven out of 10 candy purchases were 

made on impu'se alone. In theatres even a 

greater percentage of candy is purchased on 

impulse. 

"Now If attendance is down in your theatre, 

it follows your candy sales will be down 

unless you are able to increase the average 

amount sold to each customer and create 

that impulse to buy in the 40 per cent of 

your patrons who do not ordinarily buy. The 

odds are with you because 96 out of 100 

women and 92 out of 100 men like candy. 

The odds are probably 1,000 to 1 that the 

average moviegoer has no candy with him 

when he enters the theatre. Entertainment 

puts people in the mood for candy. And 

furthermore, they have two or three hours 

In which to enjoy the delicious tidbit which 

you are going to sell them." 

V. L. WADKINS 

Indiana County Theatres Co. 

BOXOFTICE 

December 2, 1950

Ketreshment 

Handbook 


tail outlets. The freshness is of equal importance 

in popcorn. 

To maintain the freshness of your candy 

it must be rotated in your case. In other 

words, as you replenish the case put the 

bottom layer on top and also move your 

candy from the shelves of the backbar into 

the candy case. The all-important thing 

to remember is simply this: "Keep your 

candy moving!" The candy case should 

be cleared out, cleaned and redressed once 

each week. Shelves should be kept clean 

at all times. 

Name brands in candy are a "must." 

Trying to sell off-brand merchandise, even 

though it carries a higher mark up, is poor 

merchandising. We carry only name 

brand items which have consumer acceptance. 

Your rate of turnover is the key to 

candy profits. Good staple items will turn 

fast and even though the profit isn't as 

great you will sell more in the long run 

and will make more profit. 

In ordering candy, let the customer 

decide which items sell best. Your job 

is to reorder in the proportion in which 

the items sell. While we are merchandising 

approximately 127 candy 

items and flavors, we do not sell all 

these items in equal quantities. As a 

matter of fact, 47 per cent of all our 

candy business is being done on 17 

items. 

However, good merchandising dictates 

that we have a wide variety for 

our patrons to select from. This fundamental 

principle of merchandising 

is simple. When you buy a suit of 

clothes you expect and demand that 

the merchant show you a good selection 

from which to choose. 

ORDERING MERCHANDISE 

Our candy purchase order lists all of 

our candy items with the exception of 

about 17, which will be added when new 

forms are printed. By having the purchase 

orders printed with the candy items 

already listed, it acts as a check list and 

a time saver to your candy girl when she 

makes out her weekly order. The manager 

should check this list with the candy 

girl to make sure that any good selling 

item is not omitted from the order. 

In order to do a good candy merchandising 

job it is necessary to try out new 

items from time to time. Items such as 

these are pretested in our Latrobe, Pa., 

theatres. If they prove to have ready consumer 

acceptance, they are sent to you 

on distribution. The theatre reorders them 

if they sell, since no further distribution 

of these items will otherwise be made. New 

items "freshen up" your stock. 

// you have an accumulation of several 

odd bars whose wrappers have become 

soiled or torn, these bars should 

be thrown away inot given away) and 

your inventory should be marked accordingly. 

Diagram for Candy Case Display 

(Showing Candy Complements) 

SHELF No. 1

A Handy Checklist for 

Merchandising Popcorn 

• Clean the popping machine doily, inside and 

out. Have it spotless, especiolly the gloss 

and kettle. Use the kettle cleaning kit ond 

follow the directions. 

• Hove all supplies at the machine when you 

stort the doy. 

• To begin popping operotion, first put two 

and one-holf ounces of seosoning into the 

kettle. Then turn on the kettle switch. 

• Lift the kettle lid. When a slight smoke 

orises and seems to curl bock under the lid, 

turn on the motor ond blower. 

• Take o gloss of row corn, with solt added, 

and dump immediately into the kettle. 

• Quickly refill gloss with corn and add salt. 

• Corn should pop out in lorge floky groins. 

When it pops out in small groins, adjust the 

thermostat to o higher or lower temperature 

until the largest grains are obtained. 

• When all the corn has popped, dump the 

kettle, and refill with seasoning, corn and 

salt. 

• After popping several kettles of corn, stort 

filling 

boxes. 

• In filling the lock-bottom popcorn box, put 

enough corn into the box so that when the 

top flaps ore closed, the corn will force the 

lock-bottom even. 

SALES 

TECHNIQUES 

By "suggestive selling" we do not 

mean "forced sales." However, items 

Tnay be suggested when the patron 

seems undecided as to what to buy. 

Also "new" items may be brought to 

the attention of the customer with the 

suggestion that he try "this luscious 

new candy bar that just came in." 

We have ten-cent and 25-cent popcorn 

boxes and only through suggestive selling 

can 25-cent box sales amount to an appreciable 

part of your popcorn business. 

When a patron asks for popcorn, the candy 

girl should respond with "large or small?" 

Do not allow your candy girl to say "10- 

cent or 2i5-cent box?" This not only makes 

the customer price conscious but at times 

may prove embarrassing to him. 

Children are the most important segment 

to the candy bar purchasing public. 

Never make the mistake of palming off 

slow-moving items on children. It isn't 

fair. Of course, usually you can't anyway. 

Kids learn brand names and have 

a definite brand preference at an early 

age. A recent survey of boys and girls 

from 14 to 16 showed that 97.7 per cent 

had a favorite brand of candy bar. 

• Keep severol boxes in the mochine reody to 

sell at oil times, more if business justifies, 

and hove a mound of unboxed popcorn for 

disploy. 

• Keep the mochine running os much as passible 

but don't pop too for oheod. This 

should be governed by the flow of troffic by 

your boxoffice. Alwoys hove enough popped 

corn on bond. Patrons will not wait for you 

to pop it. On midnight shows, onticipote your 

entire needs and hove it popped, and nearly 

oil of it boxed, when your boxoffice opens. 

• Don't run out of supplies. Keep your inventory 

at least two weeks oheod ot all times. 

• Never leave the kettle switch on when not 

popping. Never use the thermostat for turning 

off the kettle. 

• Never put the kettle in water. You may pour 

water into the kettle. 

• After every popping, wipe off the kettle lid, 

glass, and top of the inside of the mochine. 

• Every time you turn off the kettle switch be 

sure to put two and one-half ounces of seasoning 

in the kettle and leave it there while 

the kettle cools off. This will prevent the 

heating element from burning out and also 

prevents additional residue from baking into 

the 

kettle. 

We have very definitely found, by experiment, 

that half-pound and pound box 

candies do not sell in our theatres. As a 

matter of fact, any items over 25 cents or 

2o cents are loss items with us and consequently 

should not be carried in stock. 

At this point let me tell you, and 

very definitely, that we are not in 

competition with any store or stores 

outside our theatres. We have proved 

this most conclusively. The selling of 

candies a7id popcorn in theatres has 

tremendously iricreased the Tiational 

sales of these items. A very interesting 

fact is that one-third of all the 

five and ten-cent candy bar business 

done in the United States is done 

through theatres, which have only tiuo 

per cent of the total outlets. 

It is most important that all popcorn, 

after it has been dumped from the kettle, 

is brushed across the corn screen with a 

side-to-side motion using the popcorn 

scoop. This filters out all unpopped corn 

and small kernels that are only half 

popped. 

Failure to do this can very definitely affect 

popcorn sales. The extreme danger 

of allowing these unpopped or partially 

popped grains of corn to reach the patron 

may result in a broken tooth. 

ORDERING OF POPCORN, SEASONING 

AND SALT 

Popcorn should be ordered in amounts 

of four, five, eight and ten one-hundredpound 

bags per order, depending upon the 

amount of popcorn business your theatre 

is doing. Ti-y and keep four weeks' stock 

on hand. 

Seasoning should be ordered in lots of 

five cases per order. Shipments of five 

cases or more are sent prepaid. Popcorn 

salt comes in cases of 24 boxes and should 

be ordered one or two cases per order, as 

needed. 

STORING 

POPCORN 

All popcorn should be stored in a dry 

place. When each hundred-pound bag 

is received, the corn should be left in 

the moisture proof bag and it then 

should be placed in a separate garbage 

can with the lid on to keep the mice 

from getting into the corn. Keep in 

mind that popcorn is food and must 

be protected at all times. 

A five-gallon can of raw corn should be 

kept with your machine to take care of 

your daily needs. 

POPCORN BAG YIELD 

The best popcorn is not necessarily the 

cheapest popcorn but rather that which 

yields the greatest amount of money from 

the sale of a one-hundred-pound bag. In 

other words, it isn't so important what we 

pay for the corn as it is how much we 

get out of it. Below is a popcorn bag 

yield table which I have worked out to 

spot check your corn. Your bag yield 

should run better than $140 per bag with 

the quality corn we are now getting. 

POPCORN BAG YIELD TABLE 

BOXES FILLED APPROXIMATE 

BAG YIELD 

9 $120.00 

9'/4 123.30 

VA 126.60 

934 130.00 

10 133.30 

10 '/4 136.60 

10 '/2 140.00 

10% 143.30 

11 146.60 

nVi 150.00 

11 '/2 153.30 

11 % 1 56.00 

12 160.00 

From 12 ounces of row corn the number of oneand-o-half-ounce 

boxes which con be filled is 

shown in the left bond column. 

The right bond column shows the dollar yield for 

eoch hundred-pound bog ot this rate. 

t Continued on following page) 


I 

Continued from preceding page' 

To get the maximum bag yield from 

popcorn the unpopped corn should be 

placed so that it will remain at room 

temperature at least 24 hours before 

popping. If you are storing your corn 

in a cool place, be sure to take out a 

sufficient Quantity to remain at room 

temperature for a 2i-hour period prior 

to popping. 

Popcorn pops best at a moisture content 

of between 12 and 13 per cent, which is the 

condition of the corn when it is processed. 

If the moisture content is below 11 or 

above 14 per cent, popping will be unsatisfactory. 

There is a great difference in the 

manner in which popcorn of high and low 

moisture content pops. 

HUMIDITY AN IMPORTANT FACTOR 

Corn too dry pops feebly with a somewhat 

muffled sound. The kernels often 

only partly split open and the unpopped 

area appears rather darkened and scorched. 

On the other hand, corn with too much 

moisture content pops with a rather loud 

explosion although the kernels are small, 

rough and jagged. 

We do not have moisture measuring instruments 

and do not need them. Corn 

will sometimes pop better at low temperature 

and sometimes better at a high temperature, 

depending upon the moisture 

content. 

ADJUST THERMOSTAT FROM TESTS 

By adjusting the thermostat on your 

machine you can obtain the maximum results. 

To do this, pop one kettle at a 

temperature of 450 degrees, another at 475 

degrees, another at 500 degrees and another 

at 525 degrees. Compare the grains 

and use the temperature settng at whch 

the largest flaky grains are obtained. In 

adjusting these temperature settings, first 

pour the seasoning into the kettle and 

wait a couple of minutes for the temperature 

to rise or fall to the new setting before 

popping the next test kettle of corn. 

Close supervision should be maintained 

to see that the popcorn girl is 

not "stuffing" the boxes. This is done 

by pili7ig the box beyond the open 

flaps arid then crushing the corn into 

the box as the flaps are closed. 

In filling the lock-bottom boxes 

enough corn should be placed into the 

box so that when the top flaps are 

closed the corn will force the lock bottom 

even. The "stuffing" of popcorn 

boxes can amount to a loss of from 

$15 to $20 in a one hundred pound 

bag of unpopped corn. 

In some of our theatres we have as 

many as two popcorn machines and in 

these towns when a breakdown occurs one 

machine can do the job until necessary 

repairs are made. For towns where wc 

only have one machine I have a spare motor 

and housing and a thermostat in La- 

Representative of the principles set forth in the recently prepared refreshment manual is 

the attractive refreshment service counter of the Manos Theatre in Monessen, Pa., shown above. 

trobe. Should a breakdown occur, they 

call me by telephone and I can give them 

immediate service. 

Every theatre now has and should always 

keep on hand one spare kettle heating 

element. This is the most common 

part of the machine to burn out and one 

which can be easily and quickly replaced, 

locally. 

POPCORN BOX INVENTORY 

Only by maintaining an accurate count 

and inventory of your popcorn boxes can 

you accurately record the correct amount 

of money taken in through the sale of popcorn 

and candy. Your popcorn boxes 

should be kept under lock and key and inventoried 

as accurately as your tickets. 

A level should be established for your 

theatre and this number of boxes, say 

200, should be given to your candy girl at 

the opening of business each day. Count 

the boxes at the close of each day's business 

and the difference between the number 

on hand and the number of boxes you 

started the day with is the correct number 

of boxes sold during that day. 

The following day the number of boxes 

you sold the day before should be added 

to the number on hand which would build 

her number of boxes to start the next 

day's business back to the level of. say 200. 

Money for the amount of popcorn sold 

should be taken out of your total popcorn 

and candy receipts for that day. 

The remainder of the money would be 

the amount of candy sold during that day. 

The only accurate check you have on candy 

is by your weekly physical inventory. With 

our popcorn boxes being our sole method 

of control it is very clear why these boxes 

should be under the personal control of the 

manager. 

SELECTION OF SALES ATTENDANTS 

In the first place the candy girl is one 

of the most important cogs in the whole 

setup. Is she clean and neat looking? Does 

she smile and have a pleasing personality? 

She does not have to be a beauty contest 

winner but she should certainly be nice 

looking. Good looks and sweets go hand 

in hand. 

Single girls are preferred because the 

candy jobs, like our usher jobs, are mostly 

parttime work and consequently do not 

affoi'd a large salary to a person having to 

support a home. 

Before a neio girl is put behind your 

candy counter, be sure she is thoroughly 

instructed in selling candies in theatres 

and also thoroughly trained in 

the operation of the candy stand including 

the popping and boxing of popcorn. 

She must be thoroughly indoctrinated 

loith the fact that she is selling 

food a7id must consequently keep 

herself, as well as her candy stand, 

spotlessly clean at all times. 

UNIFORMS 

New poplin, washable uniforms are being 

ordered for all candy attendants. Each 

candy girl will have two uniforms and 

three sets of white changeable cuffs, collars 

and white caps. It is the responsibility 

of the manager to see that this candy 

girl has a crisp, clean uniform on at all 

times when behind the counter. This applies 

to relief girls as well. These uniforms 

button all the way down the front and 

are therefore easily and quickly put on. 

12 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

TO MAKE 

ND PROFITS 

G r R o T A T O R with tour spider-like arms 

quickly unscrewed with clock-wise twist 

. . . Inside of kettle then easily cleaned 

with soft cloth. 

SWITCH PANEL is waist-high ...no stretching, 

no awkward reaching for concealed 

switches. ..three heats: low,medium,high. 

Use A NewA(a/nj&/^ Aristocrat 

# It's the easiest popcorn machine 

to operate. Without taking a single 

step, operator can turn on switches, 

load and empty kettle, bag or box 

the corn, and make change. Greater 

efficiency . . . greater profits. And 

your greatest source of profits is 

the New Cascade Kettle. It pops 

out 20-40% greater volume. Fewer 

kernels needed to fill a bag or box. 

And do the customers like this fluffier 

popcorn! For greater profits 

any way you look at it, fill out 

the coupon today! 

j^ 

REMOVABLE HOOD permits adjustments 

in top of machine . . . Electric shock prevented 

by circuit breaker operating automatically 

as top is r(-mo\ cd. 

FOR COMPLETE 

MAIL THE COUPQJ 

© 1950, MANLEY, INC. 

THE BIGGEST NAME IN POPCORN 

SAIES AND SERVICE OFFICES IN 37 CITIES • SEE YOUR TELEPHONE DIRECTORY

This view of the romp area of the Cedar 

Valley shows the original concession 

building at midfield and the remodeled 

stable at the back romp. With slightly 

different menus for each unit, both are 

doing a successful business. 

DRIVE-IN PATRON APPETITES DEMAND 

SECOND REFRESHMENT SERVICE UNIT 

Remodeled Stable at Back Ramp of Cedar Valley 

Drive-in Fits 

Atmosphere of Southern Charm 

X* PPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO The 

Modern Theatre heralded the opening of 

one of the south's most luxurious and impressive 

drive-in theatres, the Cedar Valley 

situation of the Lam Amusement Co., 

located just outside Rome, Ga. 

With a full season's operation of the 

Cedar Valley under his belt, Thomas Lam, 

manager of the theatre, has learned several 

rather unusual facts concerning the 

eating habits of drive-in patrons. These 

facts have been very adeptly turned to 

greater refreshment service profits for the 

theatre, as illustrated in the pictures on 

this page. 

For the 500-car situation the Lams originally 

provided the usual concession-projection 

building in midfield, with walk-in 

accommodations and a refreshment patio in 

front of the building. In short order the 

management discovered that these facilities 

were inadequate to handle the fullgrown 

appetites of its patronage. 

Casting about for a solution they noticed 

the neglected stable near the back 

property line of the ramp area. Some architectural 

ingenuity, a little carpentry, 

some paint and display lighting effects . . . 

and a second concessions building, in the 

southern colonial style of the screen tower, 

blossomed to take care of the overflow 

from the original unit. 

Actually, as it was planned, the new 

building provided an entirely new operation 

serving different needs from the original 

unit. As the refreshment service operation 

is now divided, the first building, 

at midfield, sells hot dogs, popcorn and soft 

drinks. 

The remodeled stable, however, represents 

some new concepts in drive-in food 

merchandising. Designed so that it can 

be operated on a cafeteria style, the back 

unit makes a specialty of two box lunches. 

One contains a half of a southern fried 

chicken, french fried potatoes and hot rolls. 

An alternate lunch contains french fried 

shrimp instead of the chicken. Although 

a variety of hot and cold soft drinks are 

available, they must be purchased separately. 

Either of the box lunch packages 

sells for 95 cents. 

In addition to the box lunches, hamburgers, 

malted milks, coffee and milkshakes 

are offered at the new building. 

Possibly one reason for the great popularity 

of this added service, which is directly 

attributable to the delicious food itself, is 

the fact that Mrs. Thomas Lam personally 

supervises its operation. 

One of the nice touches that often separates 

a routine situation from an outstanding 

one is the imprinting of paper 

cups used in the operation. Both the 

Cedar Valley name and an illustration of 

the screen tower appear in light green ink 

on each cup. 

In remodeling the stable to create the 

second refreshment service unit, restrooms 

were built into each end of the structure. 

From beginning to end, the services and 

facilities of the Cedar Valley operation bespeak 

showmanship in the best sense of 

the word. 

The size of food sales at the remodeled 

This closeup view of the stable which became a cafeteria-style concession building shows how 

the building lines fitted into the southern colonial styling of the entire drive-in. 

stable on the rear of the Cedar Volley Drivein 

Theatre may be figured from the completeness 

of equipment employed. Shown above is 

the double hamburger grill, left, and the double 

french friers with their wire baskets at 

the right French friers are made by the Griswold 

Mfg. Co. Si/ex coffee makers are used 

and hamburger grills are made by Hotpoint. 


WINTERIZING THEATRE FLOORS 

by DAVE E. SMALLEY 

^^S IN ALL OTHER PHASES Of living, 

winter brings its special housekeeping 

problems and one of the biggest of these 

is 

the maintenance of the floors. 

There are two ways of facing this problem, 

one of which is to accept the situation 

as inevitable and do nothing about it. 

Floors are bound to get more abuse in bad 

weather and the public expects and accepts 

the temporary impairment as coincident 

with winter. 

As a matter of fact, as your customers 

shuffle through your lobby they are too 

intent upon the objective ahead to notice 

or care how your floor looks, and when 

they get into the foyer and auditorium it 

is too dark to see, even if they did care. 

All of which assumption makes it easy to 

brush the worry from your mind. 

The other way of facing the problem is 

to recognize these facts: First, the customer 

does see your dirty lobby floor and 

it registers unfavorably in his subconscious 

mind; second, your floor represents a 

big investment and neglect at any time 

will cost you money later on: and third, 

something can be done about protecting 

and maintaining floors successfully in bad 

weather. 

To begin with, "an ounce of prevention 

is worth a pound of cure," so exclude as 

much of the winter slush as possible by 

keeping the sidewalk clean. With snow on 

adjoining sidewalks it is not easy to keep 

your own clean, even under your broad 

marquee where it is tracked by the endless 

stream of customers and passersby. However, 

in very bad weather it will pay to 

keep one man with a fiber brush busy on 

the sidewalk. He can do as much good as 

two men with mops on the inside. 

To be sure, most of the larger theatres 

use corrugated or perforated rubber runners 

across the lobby, especially essential 

in bad weather. Not only do these runners 

go a long way toward cleaning the 

shoe soles before they reach the carpeting, 

but they may prevent falls on a smooth, 

wet floor. 

Nevertheless, when the weather drives 

the waiting crowd inside the lobby, they 

will not all stay on the rubber runners. 

Terrazzo and marble floors are likely to 

suffer most from dirty, melting snow or 

water carried in from the street. Asphalt 

tile, ceramic tile, rubber and linoleum are 

less easily stained by such conditions. 

MARBLE STAINS IN WINTER 

Neglecting your terrazzo or marble floor 

during the winter will result in a badly 

stained floor by next spring. The discoloration 

may be so uniform as to be unnoticable 

until you move a runner. Harsh 

cleaners and hard work will then be necessary 

to restore your floor to its natural 

tone. And harsh cleaners take a positive 

toll from the texture of your floor. Alkaline 

solutions seep into the pores of the 

marble, including the marble chips of your 

terrazzo and, upon drying, swell and cause 

the marble to spall. What is known as 

"dusting" is usually the result. 

If terrazzo or marble does become stained, 

alkalies or abrasives are usually necessary 

to remove the discoloration, but 

abrasives are also hard on marble. Especially 

on terrazzo the continued use of 

abrasives has a tendency to dull the natural 

polish. 

Therefore, it is better to protect your 

terrazzo or marble before it becomes stained 

from winter usage. Since in most parts 

of our country really bad weather does 

not set in until near Christmas, you should 

still have time to winterize your floors. 

Of course, before doing anything else, 

give the floor a good cleaning. This is done 

best and safest with a good neutral soap 

or with one of the new synthetic "soap" 

cleaners. The latter, which are nearly always 

derived from sulphonated alcohol and 

are now available from almost all leading 

suppliers, are more effective than soap because 

they are what is known as "wetting 

agents" and have considerable penetrative 

action. At the same time they are 

safe to use on any washable surface. 

Much of the sparkle and the custom-tailored look of the lobby and refreshment counter in 

the Harper Theatre in Fontana, Calif., stems from the highly polished terrazzo floor with its 

compass point pattern in front of the circular refreshment counter. The theatre was designed by 

S. Charles Lee, prominent west coast architect. 

WAX GIVES PROTECTION 

When the floor is clean and dry, apply 

the protective treatment of which there 

are two kinds adaptable for terrazzo and 

marble. The better of these is floor wax, 

preferable the "self-polishing," water wax 

type. It is easy to apply, easy to remove 

or renew and it not only prevents traffic 

stains from penetrating the floor, but 

greatly simplifies cleaning. Water, slush 

and dust do not adhere to a well waxed 

surface. Ordinarily they can be removed 

(Continued on page 22) 


1 

The dramatic quality of illumination in the Guyan auditorium is well 

presented in the view above. No white light of any sort, except for small 

aisle markers, is used. Hooded black light fixtures create vivid effects in 

the fluorescent murals done by the Hanns Teichert studio. A peanut gold 

curtain is lowered at intermission and colored spotlights play on the gracefully 

draped proscenium. 

Modernism Blended With Local 

Interest 

In 

Decoration of West Virginia Theatre 

X OLLOwiNG A TREND becoming popular 

in many locations, the decoration of 

the new Guyan Theatre in Logan, W. Va., 

combines the smartness of modern treatment 

in its lobby and foyer with a strictly 

localized decor in lounges and auditorium. 

The Guyan, one of 23 houses owned by 

the Newbold-Keesling circuit of Bramwell, 

W. Va., was designed by architect Alex B. 

Mahood. The Hanns R. Teichert Co. of 

Chicago handled the custom-styled decorations 

throughout the house. 

Prom its name, which is of Indian origin 

and is talien from the nearby Guyan river. 

to the murals on its auditorium walls the 

new house has been planned to fit this 

community. 

and are used as exits for departing patrons 

exclusively. 

Just over the front entrances, on the 

inside, are unit heaters with fans to direct 

a concentrated stream of heat down in the 

area of constantly opening doors. 

In the smooth, well-designed lobby of 

the Guyan a practical terrazzo floor is patterned 

in undulating waves of soft gray 

and green. The street wall is finished in 

plastic-faced panels of textured ivory over 

plaster. The plastic wall finish is of particular 

maintenance interest in light of 

the fact that it can be cleaned, in most 

cases, by wiping with a damp cloth. 

Other portions of the lobby walls are 

done in dark blue background with leaf 

motifs in darker and lighter tones of bluegreen 

and accents of white. A ceiling of 

dynamic red provides dramatic contrast. 

I 

COMBINE BRICK AND MARBLE 

The theatre front combines red pressed 

brick in stacked courses with Tennessei 

marble. The vertical name sign is composed 

of neon tubing surrounded by white 

bulbs in a constant twinkling effect. The 

edge of the sign is illuminated with white 

chaser bulbs. 

Boxoffice and doors are recessed from 

the front line of the building. In order to 

aid in controlling patron traffic patterns 

at the showbreak, the two doors on either 

side of the boxoffice are equipped with 

hardware on the outside to be used as entrances. 

The pair of doors on either side 

of these have handles on the inside only 

In a head-on location, the Guyan refreshment service counter is recessed into the flat base 

the semi-circular lobby with auditorium doors on either side. A dark blue and brilliant red 

of 

color scheme is used here, with dark blue Flexglass as background and trim for the counter. 

A Manley popcorn machine is the center element of the stand. 


In shape the lobby is semi-circular with 

the curved side to the front. Stairs leading 

in a gradual grade to the balcony are 

placed at either side. Recessed entrances 

to men's smoking room and the ladie.s' 

powder room are just forward of balcony 

stairs. 

A recessed concession counter faces the 

patron as he enters. Set between doors to 

the auditorium, it is backed with Flexglass 

mirroring which extends above it around 

a portion of the lobby wall as trim below 

the lighting cove. The back wall of the 

lobby, as well as the ceiling, is covered with 

acoustical tile. 

LOBBY IS COVE LIGHTED 

Encircling the lobby is the lighting cove 

ring containing recessed downlights for 

accent lighting around the perimeter of 

the area. Overall illumination is provided 

by two rows of neon tubes in the cove. 

Within the auditorium the patron is immediately 

struck by the impression of large 

pictorial areas on each wall, done in glowing 

fluorescent colors. As has been so successfully 

done in other locations by artists 

of the Teichert studio, exhaustive research 

has been employed here to provide an 

authentic pictorial interperation of Logan's 

history, business and social heritage. 

Decoration of the Guyan is presented 

with a true flair for showmanship. Black 

lights, to provide the ultra violet illumination 

for the fluorescent murals, are set into 

the ceiling and are hooded so that the 

beams are thrown on sidewall paintings 

with dramatic intensity. Before showtime 

and during intermission colored footlights 

and borders are thrown on the peanut gold 

contour curtain which is lowered when the 

screen is not being used. The entire effect 

in the Guyan auditorium is soft and restful, 

perhaps partly because no white illumination 

is provided here at all. 

Beyond a decorative technique, lowering 

the curtain at intermission and providing 

the changing colored lights gives the theatreman 

an excellent opportunity to mer- 

An interesting wavy pattern 

is provided in the terrazzo 

flooring of tite lobby. Deep-set 

doorways provide room for interesting 

mural treatments at 

the very entrance of the house. 

In the center background is 

the door to the smoking 

lounge. On the opposite side 

of the lobby is the powder 

room. Almost adjoining each 

is a stairway leading to the 

balcony. The three-flavor Spacarb 

drink machine along the 

curving wall is separated from 

the rest of the refreshment 

service counter at the Guyan. 

chandise the investment he has made in 

curtains, seats and carpeting in a modern 

theatre. 

The excellent taste in executing and 

lighting the historical auditorium murals 

in the Guyan is indicated by the fact that 

low light intensities are used to bring the 

murals within the realm of conscious observation, 

but not with such force that they 

dominate the area. 

MURALS CREATE ATMOSPHERE 

To quote Hanns Teichert, whose skill 

with decorating technique made possible 

the fine effects obtained here, "The murals 

glow just enough to provide the patron 

with a gratifying sense of being comfortably 

seated amid luxurious beauty without 

having each and every detail so distinct 

and bright as to compete with the screen 

for his attention." 

To further subdue the mural effect, the 

various compositions are placed against 

walls and ceilings with a dark blue background. 

Staggered seating on the orchestra floor 

provides good screen vision and relaxing 

comfort for 644 patrons. An additional 

320 seats are available in the theatre 

balcony. 

Year-round comfort conditioning in the 

theatre is provided by equipment located 

in a penthouse above the stage. A gasfired 

boiler provides heat which is circulated 

throughout the theatre, while summer 

cooling is provided by an electrical 

refrigeration plant. 

Program excellence of a quality to match 

the vibrant decoration of the Guyan is provided 

from a well-equipped projection 

booth. Motiograph projectors and changeovers 

with Strong arc lamps project a 

brilliant, sharp picture on the Cycloramic 

screen in the auditorium. Motiograph 

Mirrorphonic sound is used. 

According to the owners, approximately 

$250,000 was spent in erecting the theatre 

building, including equipping it with complete 

air conditioning, refrigeration and 

circulation systems. An additional $35,000 

was spent for the motion picture equipment 

it contains. 

The house is set on a lot 46x148 feet located 

in the main business section of Logan. 

Acoustics of the house have been worked 

out by using carpeted aisles in the auditorium 

with U.S. Gypsum Co.'s Auditone 

and Sabinite plaster on walls and ceiling. 

CREDITS: 

Acoustical material: U. S. Gypsum Co. 

Air Conditioning: Conditioned Air, Inc. 

Architect: Alex B. Mahood 

Arc Lamps: Strong Mogul 

Carpets: A'exander Smith 

This section of mural from the Guyan auditorium shows how the sophisticated modernism 

the foyer and lobby has been replaced with distinct localism in the decor of the rest of 

of 

the theatre. Exhaustive research provided facts and illustrative data on which the historical 

picturization is based. 

Curtain Controis: J. R. Clancy, Inc. 

Decorator: Hanns R. Teichert Co. 

Display frames: Seoluxe by Universal Corp. 

Draperies and stage curtains: Premier Studios 

Lenses: Kollmorgen Super Snaplite 

Projection equipment: Motiograph 

Rectifiers: Stronog 

Rewinds: Goldberg automatic and Wenzel hand 

model 

Screen: Cycloramic 

Seots: American Seating Co. 

BOXOFTICE December 2, 1950 17

FOR THE BIGGEST SCREENS it's ASHCRAFT 

I 

BIG-POWERFUL-EFFICIENT 

!ûp»HIGH 

FOR THE LARGEST SCREENS 

85 TO 110 AMPERES „ 

ROTATING CARBON 

16 INCH F:1.9 REFLECTOR 

^ I 

WATER COOLED CARBON CONTACTS 

THE NEW 

ASHCRAFT 

HYDRO-ARC 

USES FULL 20 inch 9mm CARBON 

75-85 AMPERES 

15 INCH HIGH SPEED REFLECTOR 

WATER COOLED CARBON 

NON ROTATING 

THE HYDRO-ARC IS NOT A CONVERTED 1935 SUPREX 

TYPE LAMP BUT A 1951 MODEL BUILT ESPECIALLY 

FOR LARGE THEATRES AND DRIVE-IN'S. 

Distributed by: 

INDEPENDENT THEATRE SUPPLY DEALERS 

CANADA: DOMINION SOUND EQUIPMENTS, LTD. 

FOREIGN: WESTREX CORP. 

Approved and listed by Underwriters' Laboratory 

Write for latest data on this lamp 

36-32 Thirty-Eighth Street 

•^SASHCRAFTJ 

MANUFACTURING COMPANY 

Long Island City 1, N. Y. 

ARC LAMP SPECIALISTS for 

more than a quarter century 


i 

Keep Your Eyes Open for 

Candy Stand Demands! 

by ERNEST A. GRECULA* 

HeLow MANY times have you stopped 

by the candy stand in a theatre, heard a 

patron ask the candy attendant for a specific 

candy bar, noted the attendant looking 

about for the bar and then tell the patron: 

"I'm sorry ... I guess we don't have 

anything like that here now. How about 

coming back later? Maybe I'll find some." 

How do you think that patron is going 

to size up the service of the theatre candy 

stand? 

SOFT ICE 

CREAM 

-FROZEN CUSTARD 

(leWVo/ume-long ProfiUl 

Big Sellers in Every Season 

. . . served fresh from a SWEDEN 

Long-profit specialties like soft Ice creom 

and frozen custard have become taste sensations 

throughout the nation. Serve them 

fresh from a SWEDEN Speed Fountain Freezer 

and quickly build NEW volume in your 

refreshment area. 

Versalility — Tbere's 

Slodel to Meet Every 

Need, each designed to 

accommodate any type 

of froien specialty. 

a 

Both 

air and water - cooled 

models available. 

Flavor 

Variety — Douhle-head 

models allow 

you to dispense contini.tiiety 

of fruit flavors 

. . solve both busy 

and slack period prob- 

Simplicity of Operation 

—Sturdy, self-contained 

freezers, 

automatic consistency 

controls, accessibility 

of all parts tor 

quick servicing and 

cleaning. 

Attractiveness—Streamlined, 

handsome styling 

distinguish the entire 

SWEDEN line, add decorative 

appeal to your 

refreshment area. 

Certainly it's diff.cult to ascertain what 

kinds of candy will appeal to the majority 

of patrons in your theatre, but there are 

ways and means of meeting this problem. 

One de luxe neighborhood theatre m 

Hartford, Conn., has overcome this problem 

to a great extent. This is the 1,200- 

seat Colonial Theatre of the five-theatre 

Hartford Theatre circuit. 

The Colonial for many years maintained 

only token candy service, that is, only three 

candy vending machines, offering six 

choices of candy each, scattered throughout 

the theatre. This was in effect because 

of space being unavailable for a 

candy stand. 

Last year, however, space was created in 

the main lounge, off of which are situated 

the men's and ladies' rooms. A candy 

stand was built, and care was exercised in 

the hiring of the proper personnel. 

Married women are employed, primarily 

because they seem to know what kind of 

candy the youngster patrons at the theatre 

will want on a bustling Saturday 

afternoon. The policy of having married 

women in the stand has worked out surprisingly 

well, with younger teenagers aiding 

them on busy periods. 

Ths Colonial uses a screen trailer during 

all performances to remind patrons of 

availability of candy service in the main 

lounge. Included in the material on the 

trailer are names of popular brands offered. 

But the theatre's candy stand goes one 

b3tter than just reminding patrons of 

availability of brand names. Its employes 

jot down names of candy bars and other 

suggestions voiced casually by patrons during 

purchasing time. This jotting is not 

done in view of the patrons, but rather 

during later slack periods, when the candy 

aide can add her own comments to those 

she just heard. 

To the rear of the Colonial's candy stand 

has been erected a wall-length mirror, upon 

which appear names of candy bars, soft 

drinks, etc., available at the stand. This, 

too, serves as continual reminder that the 

Colonial's stand is in business to serve 

the patron and not just to occupy space. 

Hartlord 

DEPENDABLE 

PERFORMANCE 

IN 

POPPING 

€ ÎfSOLlN 

Packed in 

fOR 

^r.i'iie PORH 

T«E Bes 

LJô ODs. 'N< 

50-lb. pails and drums 

^ 

*0 IIQOIO 

fORPOPWHe V - 

CORH 

Packed in 

38-lb. palls and drums 

MADE BY ONE OF 

AMERICA'S LARGEST 

REFINERS 

For iurther information, write to: 

SWEDEN FREEZER MFG. CO. 

Dept. N-6 Seattle 99. Wash. 

The Warner Garde Theatre, New London, 

Conn., has a paper clock displayed in a 

front lobby frame. The clock's moveable 

paper hands are set daily to indicate what 

time the evening's last performance of 

feature attraction will start. 

In addition, the theatre boxoffice has a 

complete daily time schedule posted prominently 

on a continual basis. 

Nick Brickates is theatre manager, with 

John E. Petroski as assistant manager. 

The BEST FOODS, mc. 

1 East 43rd Street 

New York 17, New York 

Ij 

t 

BOXOFFICE 

December 2, 1950 19

. . FOR 

DRIVE-INS! MAKE 

MORE 

REFRESHMENT SALES IN 

COOL WEATHER! 

Take Your Whole Concession Right to the Cars 

FOR BETTER SERVICE 

and BETTER PROFITS 

The HOT BOX 

Warmer 

with 

POPCORN, PEANUTS, 

HOT DOGS, ETC. 

REMOVABLE BASKETS 

Johnny Sells Candy, Too 

John Cosani, former president and member 

of the board of directors of the National Ass'n 

of Candy Wholesalers, congratulates Johnny 

Philip Morris on the outstanding job Philip 

Morris cigorets is doing to aid the merchandising 

of candy. He pledged the industry's 

support to the Philip Morris effort to place 

thousands of the Johnny tie-in cutouts in every 

candy-tobacco outlet in the country. 

Buffeteria 50 

Amazingly Low Priced 

Easy to Push Lighted Signs 

FOR HOT - COLD FOODS 

A COMPLETE CONCESSION STAND 

THOUSANDS OF SATISFIED 

CUSTOMERS 

For prices and literature use postage-paid card 

on the blue insert sheet, and show this ad's Key 

No. 20-A or Phone WICHITA 4-5169. 

Lower cut shows in detail the 8" boll bearing swivel 

wheel adding to easy portability; it also shows new 

Coleman kero-gas heater for hot food compartments 

The most complete portable vending equipment line 

WALKY-SERVICE COMPANY ^^^fc^nT/ kI^ns^^ 

20 

POPCORN 

BOXES 

6 DIFFERENT SIZES 

Ready For Immediate 

Write for 

Delivery 

Samples and Prices 

Usa postage-paid blue card in this issue, stating 

this ad's key number, 20-B, or write direct to: 

KONTNEY CARTON CO. 

The NEW Patented SPEED-SCOOP 

Three limes more efRcienI, Scoop and pour a 

bagful of popcorn in one single easy motion. 

Made of light, stainless aluminum. Cool hordwood 

handle. Perfectly balanced for maximum efTiciency 

and speed. Only $2.50 ot your Theotre Supply 

or Popcorn Supply Dealer. 

SPEED-SCOOP 

109 Thornton Avenue, San Franclico 24, Calif. 

Announce Venders for 

Orange Juice and Milk 

Orange juice and milk are among the 

latest refreshment Items to be sold by 

automatic vending machines, according to 

reports. 

Pi'ozen orange juice by Minute Maid has 

been tested for several months in locations 

where it has been vended by specially built 

machines from Mills Industries. Tests have 

been favorable enough that the program 

is expected to be brought into operation 

soon with franchise arrangements for interested 

operators. Pi-oduction has been 

scheduled for several hundred of the units. 

Through several states the sale of fresh 

or frozen fruit juices has proved quite 

popular in both indoor and drive-in theatre 

locations. 

The Braun Mfg. Co. has recently announced 

future production of a bottle milk 

vending unit which will carry more than 

a hundred third or half -pint milk bottles. 

Add to Norris Line 

The Norris Candy Co. has recently announced 

the addition of a new type of Peanut 

Krunch and a tin of fine assorted 

chocolates to the existing Norris candy 

line. 

The new Norris Peanut Ki'unch is said to 

overcome the hard-to-chew characteristic 

that has prevented many people from enjoying 

peanut brittle in the past. 

Another Norris development is a tin of 

assorted chocolates, hermetically sealed, 

for mailing anywhere in the United States 

and for overseas shipments. 


p- 

t 

BOXOFFICE 

. 

NAMA Elects Officers 

Election of the 1950-51 officers of the 

National Automatic Merchandising Association 

took place at the association's annual 

board of directors' meeting held during 

the recent convention in Chicago. 

Selected as president was J. B. Lanagan. 

president of the Nik-O-Lok Co.. to succeed 

George M. Seedman of the Rowe Service 

Co. 

For the first 

time in NAMA history, two 

vice-presidents were elected. They are 

Aaron Goldman, who is president of the 

G. B. Macke Corp., and I. H. Houston, 

president of Spacarb, Inc. 

Reelected to the treasurer and secretary 

posts were J. T. Pierson, president of the 

Vendo Co., and C. S. Darling, executive 

director of NAMA. 

Elected to the board of directors to serve 

three-year terms were: Thomas B. Donahue, 

National Vendors, Inc.: Herbert C. 

Ogle, Vending Machine Corp. of America: 

R. L. Strain, American Locker Co., and J. B. 

Lanagan, new association president and 

director. 

there's 

No Other Popcorn Machine 

"just like" a Cretors 

Cretors was first to use the wet 

popping principle (popping corn 

directly in the salt and seasoning) 

. . . first with the inverting 

popping pan, and the time soving 

360° dump. Quiet, efficient 

Cretors machines have proven 

themselves in action for 65 

years. 

So why not get the best 

. . . get a Cretors. 

Check post performonces . . . find out 

why theotre men select o Cretors. Yeors 

of "know how" go into the making of 

each Cretors machine. This experience 

means more profits for you, because 

Cretors machines lost longer, stand up 

better under constant 

use, and hove "buy" 

oppeol. When choosing 

a machine remember, 

there's no 

other "just like" a 

Cretors. 

C. CRETORS & CO. 

606 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago 16, III. 

# îfeî 

Chosen "Miss Popcorn Week of 1950" in 

conjunction with both the annual convention 

of the National Association of Popcorn Manufacturers 

and national Popcorn Week, redhaired 

Jo Valentine of Chicago, is pictured 

above with Mr. and Mrs. Beaudot, who headed 

the board of judges making the selection. 

Beaudot, of the ABC Popcorn Co., worked 

with his wife as co-chairman of the entertainment 

committee of the convention which 

met at the Stevens hotel October 25 to 28. 

Thousands of profitminded 

dealers and 

distributors are Swinging 

to Switzer's for 

increased 

candy business . . 

rapid repeat sales. Come on 

along—there's profit for you, 

too—join the big Swing to 

Switzer's. Watch sales soar 

hen you display 

Switzer's on your 

retail counters. 

SWITZER'S 

ST. LOUIS 

December 2, 1950 

21

Winterizing Theatre Floors 

I 

Continued from page 15) 

YOU CAN "RELY" ON NATIONAL 

THE 

NEW 

Super-Lite 

Vinyl Folding 

SCREEN 

Malle While .. Non-Yellowing 

Flame-Proof ,. Fungus Proof 

Can Bo Shipped Parcel Post 

Stretches Wrinkle-Free .. Washable 

Chromatically Correct .. All Sizes 

ASK YOUR DEALER OR WRITE 

VOCALITE SCREEN CORP 

Roosevelt. New York, U.S.A. 

MIg'r's of 

The Famous Vocalile Beaded Screen 

ENCCDRE 

THEATRE CHAIRS 

HEYWOOD-ri 

WAKEFI ELDJ Menominee 

Michigan 

with damp mops. When dry. the accumulation 

can be removed by the so-called 

'dry cleaning" method of polishing with a 

floor machine, at the same time restoring 

the gloss to the waxed surface. 

Wax, however, is regarded by many as a 

safety hazard and it is true that some 

waxes are naturally slippery and others 

are slippery under certain conditions. Only 

a wax which has been approved by the 

Underwriters' Laboratories should be used. 

Being established by scientific tests as a 

safe treatment for the floor, you have a 

known safety factor and, also, should an 

accident occur you have good legal ground 

in case of a lawsuit. 

LESS SLIP IN SEVERAL COATS 

It has been established by recognized 

authorities, both by laboratory and practical 

tests, that two or three thin coats of 

wax are less likely to be slippery than one 

coat whether thin or heavy, so choose a 

wax for your lobby with not more than 

12% solids. 

If you are afraid of floor wax, however, 

there is still another type of treatment 

available upon which you can fully depend 

from the standpoint of safety. It consists 

of a "water-white." quick drying sealer, 

usually made of clear, non-yellowing plastic 

material and volatile solvents. Most of 

the large manufacturers of floor treatments 

makj such a product under the 

general classification of "terrazzo sealers." 

To be really serviceable such a sealer 

should not contain more than 12":; to 15% 

solids, the purpose being to fill the fine 

pores without leaving more than a negligible 

surface coating. Thus sealed, the 

stains of traffic cannot penetrate but can 

be easily removed with a damp mop. At 

the same time an attractive sheen is given 

to the floor without danger of slipperiness. 

These terrazzo sealers can be applied 

with a lambswool applicator like wax, drying 

in an hour or so. and one coat is nearly 

always sufficient. 

USE ONE COAT OF SEALER 

These sealers are not lacquers, for lacquers 

are not recommended for terrazzo 

and marble. Neither should you use the 

regular varnish type floor sealers since 

they give the floor a yellowish cast that 

will grow darker as the coating ages and 

it will be difficult to remedy. 

But your lobby floor may be of hard tile. 

mosaic or similar material. We would not 

recommend waxing or sealing glazed tile 

since it is already impervious to stain and 

wet mopping or dry polishing with a floor 

machine seems to be the best bet. 

If. however, you have asphalt tile, you 

should not use a sealer of any kind. Clean 

the floor with a good soap or one of the 

.synthetic cleaners mentioned earlier in 

I 

Continued on opposite page) 

GEARS! 

They are the tiltimale 

in precision manuiacluie— made by highly 

skilled opeiators using newest, most modem equipment, tdtatical. 

completely interchangeable — ihey save time, trouble, expense, 

assure smoother operahon and better 

pictures 

_ LaVezzi Machine Works 

^^ 

For YOUR 

BOXOFFICE 

Engrared by 

our excluaiTe 

process on lucite 

to youi 

'^pocilications. 

LAMOLITE* 

ILLUMINATED PRICE ADMISSION SIGNS 

Our enlorged plant facilities assure 

OVERNIGHT service from coast to coast. 

Plastic Signs Engiaved lor the Entire Theatre 

'Pat 

pend 

Bowman 

New York 10. N. Y.

wax, 

. mops 

this article. Avoid oils, naphthas etc. which 

t dissolve asphalt, and this includes paste 

1 i sweeping compounds, oil-treated 

etc. 

PREFER WAX FOR ASPHALT TILE 

No protective treatment is really adaptable 

for asphalt tile except good water wax 

and it should be applied in two or three 

thin coats, exactly as just recommended 

for terrazzo. But, if you are afraid of 

floor wax on asphalt, maintain the floor 

with daily polishing, using a fine grade 

I 

No. or 00) of steel wool under your floor 

machine. This will remove all adhering accumulations 

and give the floor some degree 

of sheen. Rubbing by hand with a small 

piece of coarser steel wool will often remove 

cigaret burns. 

If you have inclines paved with asphalt 

tile, by all means use rubber runners. 

Even more than other types of flooring, 

asphalt tile can be slippery whether waxed 

or not, and it is more hazardous on a 

slant. 

Rubber tile, which is always popular in 

theatres, is less likely to be slippery regardless 

of how it is maintained, though it will 

not stand as much neglect and abuse as 

asphalt tile. 

Rubber floors should be cleaned only 

with mild alkaline cleaners or certain of 

the new synthetic cleaners. Consult the 

manufacturer of your floor or refer to the 

approved list of cleaners and waxes issued 

yearly by the Rubber Manufacturers' 

Ass'n of New York City. Rubber floors 

can be slowly ruined by using the wrong 

cleaners and, of course, never use lacquers 

or sealers of any kind. 

Like the other floors just discussed, water 

waxes offer the best and the only 

recommended protective treatment. By 

using two or three thin coats of water 

wax, one approved by the Rubber Manufacturers' 

Ass'n and the Underwriters' 

Laboratories, you will have very little 

cause to worry about slipperiness. Pi-equent 

buffings with a floor machine will keep the 

waxed surface clean and polished. Several 

manufacturers of rubber tile recommend 

occasional burnishing with fine steel wool, 

whether the floor is waxed or not. 

Avoid oil and grease of all kinds in the 

maintenance of rubber, and this includes 

paste or solvent type waxes which are detrimental 

to rubber. 

Linoleum floors should be cleaned only 

with neutral soap or non-alkaline synthetic 

cleaners. Avoid alkalies of all kinds in 

maintaining linoleum and cork, for alkali 

is their natural enemy. 

Almost all linoleum manufacturers 

recommend waxing. As in the case of asphalt 

and rubber, there is no other type 

of protective treatment adaptable. Avoid 

sealers and lacquers of all 

kinds. 

MOPPING MAY STAIN LINOLEUM 

While good linoleum naturally mops 

easily, continued mopping through the 

winter on an unwaxed surface may gradually 

stain the floor. This may necessitate 

the same rigorous cleaning in the spring 

as referred to in the case of terrazzo. 

Scrubbings are deterimental to linoleums 

and should be resorted to as infrequently 

as possible. Proper waxing, either with 

water wax or solvent type wax, will make 

such harsh cleaning methods unnecessary. 

Here again, frequent polishing with a floor 

machine does a good job of "dry cleaning" 

and restores the gloss of the wax. 

Naturally, because they are nearest the 

street, your bare floors bear the brunt of 

winter wear. By the time your customers 

reach your carpeting most of the moisture 

and soil should have been left behind. 

Nevertheless, your carpeting will be subjected 

to greater abuse in bad weather. 

WEIGHT, 165 

$ 

25 

LBS. 

DOWN 

Balance $10 Monthly 

400 DE LUXE 

PENNY FORTUNE SCALE 

NO SPRINGS 

VJRITB FOR PRICES 

LARGE CASH BOX HOLDS 

$85.00 IN PENNIES 

Invented and Made Only by 

WATLING 

Manufacturing Company 

4650 W. Fulton St. Chicago 44, III. 

Est. 1889—Telephone: Columbus 1-2772 

Cable Address: WATLINGITE, Chicago 


]0I 

I 

Winterizing Theatre Floors 


SMASH 

HIT 

with 

Your Patrons 

Clear 

Crisp Picfures 

with 

SUPER SNAPLITE 

f/l.9 

PROJECTION LENSES 

Your patrons will 

notice the difference! 

Super Snaplites give 

you Sharper Pictures, 

More Illumination, 

Greater Contrast and 

Definition. 

For the Best in 

Projection use Super 

Snaplites . . . the 

only Projection Lenses 

to give you a true 

speed off/1.9 

in every focal length 

up to 7 inches. 

Ask for Bulletins 

207 and 209 

ilolla\oim;Ck ^. 

COIMMIKATIOK 

Franklin Avenue • Brooklyn 11, N. Y. 

YOU GET MORE LIGHT WITH SUPER SNAPLITE' 

'/nw^ê a 

llPOtt DISIRItUIOII ItlMII t «IIIS[N tID . 

J/ntcA- iârh 

about the magic 

CYCLORAMIC 

. WIDE ANGLE VISION . . . reduces d,slorl,on.l 

I NO PERFORATIONS . 

SCREEN 

. . voil/y more dghl wilhoul glore! 

. PERfECT SOUND TRANSMISSION... wilhoul bocblogc ran 

FLAMEPROOF ...ani praclicallr indeslruclibh! 

> AMAZING NEW DEPTH . . . Ihird dimension effecl/ 

B. F. SHEARER COMPANY 

7A«a/u Cfiiifimtm/ SffrUtUuU 

CltT SIRIEI. SU [RUNCISCO • UUU. Wtm» Wm (gUIPIIIII UO • OFFICIS III Ul PIIIICIPM CllllS 

It may be so gradual you do not notice 

it but your foyer carpet will have become 

very soiled by spring if you do nothing 

about it. The aisle runners will also suffer 

and. to a lesser degree, your mezzanine and 

lounging room carpeting. 

CARPETS SHOULD BE CLEANED 

Certainly your soiled carpeting sliould be 

cleaned some time during the winter or it 

may be so dirty by spring you can't get it 

clean. Also, dirt allowed to remain too 

long in any kind of fabric promotes slow 

decay. 

As a test, take a white rag soaked in 

cleaning solution and rub a small spot on 

your carpeting. Some of the liquid hand 

soap from the lavatory, mixed with some 

water, will suffice. This easy test will 

quickly tell you how dirty the carpet is. 

If very soiled do not let it go until spring, 

but shampoo it at once. 

If you have outside rug cleaners do your 

work, call them in. If you do the work 

yourselves, be sure you use a good shampoo, 

one that creates a "dry," heavy lather that 

doesn't quickly disintegrate. Ordinary 

soaps get the carpet too wet, and especially 

is this true of the sulphonated alcohol 

cleaners which, being wetting agents, 

penetrate the carpet, causing it to shrink 

and rip at the seams. Also, the wrong kind 

of cleaners may leave an offensive odor 

and may cause mold. 

USE STANDARD SHAMPOO 

If you use a standard rug shampoo product, 

made by a reputable manufacturer and 

follow his instructions, you should have no 

trouble. In fact, it is fairly easy, even for a 

novice, to shampoo tacked down carpeting. 

He has only to be careful about using too 

much solution, avoid cleaning too long in 

one place, and to be sure he overlaps his 

cleaning paths to avoid streaks between 

the paths. 

For best results, a second operator follows 

closely with a vacuum cleaner to 

pick up the dirty lather. Or, if a suitable 

vacuum cleaner is not available, one 

adapted for picking up water, the second 

man should squeegee off the excess lather 

before it dries back into the carpet. 

When the carpet has been cleaned, brush 

all the wet nap in the correct direction 

before it dries. 

By observing the foregoing suggestions 

you can keep your theatre spic and span 

even during the tough winter weather, 

saving yourself and your floors from a 

hard, possibly damaging .lob in the spring. 

Also, whether or not the customers 

realize it at the time, your tidiness in the 

midst of untidiness everywhere else will 

make a favorable impression, and when 

you cater to the amusement seeking public, 

good impressions usually add up. 

24 


THE STRONG TROUPER HIGH INTENSITY ARC 

is being installed — and fast — in theatres, night clubs, coliseums, arenas and 

stadiums. Circuses carry them. Ice shows declare they have no equal. Schools, 

universities and colleges are putting them to work. They're used to spot the 

entrance of "rasslers." They've been installed in TV studios. Industrial shows 

and conventions call for them. Even churches want them! Projectionists are buying 

them In great numbers and putting them out on a rental basis. 

The Strong Trouper assures a knife-sharp, steady, uniformly brilliant, dazzling 

snow-white spot. It draws only 10 amperes from any 110-volt A.C. convenience outlet. 

It's easy to operate. The automatic arc control maintains a constant arc gap, 

free from hiss or flicker. A trim of carbons burns one hour and twenty minutes at 

21 volts and 45 amperes. 

It makes the use of heavy rotating equipment unnecessary. The adjustable, selfregulating 

transformer is an integral part of the base. The Strong Trouper is 

mounted on casters, easily portable and as easily disassembled for shipping. 

is 

A horizontal masking control can be angled at 45 degrees in each direction. A 

color boomerang contains six slides and an ultraviolet filter holder. 

The optical system utilizes a silvered glass reflector and a two-element variable 

focal length lens system. 

SEE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DEALERS OR USE COUPON FOR OBTAINING LITERATURE 

Albany, N. Y.— National Theatre Supply Co; Albany Theatre 

Supply 

Atlanta— National Theatre Supply Company 

Atlantic City— Boardwalk Film Enterprises 

Auburn, N. Y.—Auburn Theatre Epuipment 

Baltimore—J. F. Dusman Co.; National Theatre Supply Co. 

Boston—J. Cifre, Inc.; National Theatre Supply Co. 

Buffalo—Dion Products; National Theatre Supply Co. 

Charlotte— National Theatre Supply Co.; Standard Theatre 

Company 

Chicago—Abbott Theatre 

Supply 

Equipment Co.; Gardner Jansen, 

Equipment Company; National Theatre Supply Company 

Denver— National Theatre Supply Co.; Graham Brothers 

Des 

Detroit— 

Moines— National 

National Theatre 

Theatre 

Supply 

Supply 

Co. 

Company 

Forty Fort, Pa.—V. M. Tate Theatre Supplies 

Greensboro^Standard Theatre Supply Company 

Houston—Southwestern Theatre Equipment Company 

Indianapolis— National Theatre Supply Company 

Kansas City, Mo.—Shreve Theatra Supply; National Theatre 

Company 

Angeles—J. M. 

Supply 

Los Boyd; C. J. Holzmueller; National Theatre 

THE 

STRONG 

ELECTRIC CORP. 

The World'! Lorgcil Manu-

WHEREVER APPEARANCE 

AN^NEATNESS 

CARE FOR YOUR CARPETING 

by G. WALTER BRUNING* 

you ii see LINTEX 

COLLARS & FRONTS 

Progressive 

flwu Cnrtiiy 

uaia un mosc 

KEw vtii cirr, N. «. 

Chains and Independents 

have 

found that Lintex 

Paper Collars and 

Fronts are convenient 

and economical. 

These collars 

and fronts are 

made from specially 

processed 

paper 

with a linen 

finish. When 

soiled they are 

thrown away. 

No laundry 

problems with 

REVERSIBLE COLLAR CO. 

Ill PUTNAM AVENUE CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 

VÂRPETiNG REPRESENTS a Substantial 

investment in beauty for any theatre. 

Probably no other single item does more 

to create the necsssary atmosphere of luxury 

and elegance in its decor. Since maintaining 

both a beautiful and comfortable 

house has become so essential, the question 

is often asked by managers—what can 

I do to ksep my carpeting looking as good 

two years from now as it does today? What 

can I do to increase its life, its serviceability? 

Once carpeting has been laid on a floor, 

its durability and ultimate value depends 

largely upon the attention it receives. Like 

a suit of clothes, it must be kept clean, 

for dirt is a carpet's worst enemy. 

DAILY VACUUMING VITAL 

At least once a day all carpeted areas 

should be given a thorough vacuuming. 

Where areas are heavily traveled, it is advisable 

that this be done following each 

performance when possible. Dirt and dust, 

if allowed to remain in a carpet, will grind 

and embed itself into the pile, cutting the 

fibre at the base of the carpet. This, of 

course, reduces carpet life. 

Though simple maintenance can be performed 

from day to day by the theatre's 

own crew it is advisable for the manager 

to find and establish confidence in a good 

local cleaning establishment. No one can 

advise better and do more to help the theatre 

manager get real dollar value out of 

his carpeting purchase than the professional 

cleaner. It is wise to allow him to 

inspect the carpet periodically and make 

his recommendations. Entrust your carpet's 

life to his hands. He will add years 

to its serviceability and beauty. 

PERIODIC INSPECTION 

From time to time the local contractor 

who made the installation should also be 

called in for a thorough and systematic 

•Manager oi Contract Sales, A. & M. Karagheucheck 

of the entire house. He will no 

doubt discover factors which may be contributing 

to the carpet's rapid and unnecessary 

wear. 

No two areas in a theatre receive exactlj 

the same amount of traffic, therefore some 

parts show wear much more quickly than 

others. Rather than wait until these worn 

areas appear and unbalance the entire theatre 

by shifting the carpeting, it is advisable 

to have the local contractor inspect 

the entire house at least once every six 

months. His trained eye will spot sections 

that may be showing wear. He will be able 

to advise the best way in which to snift 

the carpet and equalize its wear throughout 

the entire theatre, to keep the whole 

house looking the same. 

Stair carpeting receives probably the 

most severe wear, therefore it is advisable 

to have the contractor check the condition 

of the nose of the steps frequently. 

If nosings 

show excessive wear, carpeting should 

be shifted periodically in order to insure 

its 

maximum wear life. 

CHECK FOR LOOSENESS 

Occasionally a looseness will appear 

where carpet has had to be joined together 

in strips. This condition should be frequently 

checked. The repair job becomes 

harder if you wait until the seams and 

joints separate. 

Some carpeting, when it has been on 

the floor for a time, will develop puckers 

and wrinkles, due to peculiar atmospheric 

conditions. If left alone and not carefully 

restretched, this bulging will cause rapid 

wear in the backing as well as in the pile. 

Since replacement often becomes necessary 

due to excessive wear in certain heavy 

traffic areas, theatre owners should allow 

some additional yardage for replacement 

when carpet is originally purchased. Most 

manufacturers say that about five to ten 

per cent extra should be included in the 

original order to cover replacement needs. 

tor 

one 

SttPPl*^ 

NATIONAL 

SAVE MORE ON CARBONS 

Patents Pending 

CALI CARBON COUPLERS 

Let You Burn All the Carbon 

"They're Expendible" 

The most popular carbon sover, used by more 

theatres than ALL other makes COMBINED 

At all progressive supply houses. 

Prices per hundred, postpaid. 

Not Packed in Mixed Sizes. 

6 or 7mm, either size $2.00 

5/16 inch or 8mm $2.50 

9mm $3.00 

(Add sales tax for your state) 

ORDER 

NOW 

Full Refund 

If not 100% 

Satisfied 

CALI Products Company 

3719 Morjori* War Sacramento 17, Calif. 

For full information use the postage-paid card, in this issue. Write in this ad's key number 26-C. 


MIAMI BEACH'S CXUH^ THEATRE 

features KROEHLER ^MM-âm seats 

Built and operated by Wometco 

Theatre Circuit, Mitchell Wolfson 

and Sidney Meyer, co-owners. 

• 

ARCHITECT 

MICHAEL J. DeANGELIS 

Florida's largest, newest and finest 

theatre provides: 

• Escalator to balcony 

• Tropical garden lobby 

• Theatre television 

• Completely air-conditioned 

• 2500 de luxe seats 

• Full depth latex rubber seat units 

• 100% nylon fabrics 

• Latex rubber upholstered arms 

• Deep, spring-filled backs 

KROEHLER 

THEATRE SEATS 

THE WORLD'S FINEST THEATRE SEAT 

666 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago 11, Illinois • Canadian Theatre Chair Co., Ltd., 40 St. Patrick St., Toronto 2B, Canada 


IF YOU ARE 

fUSSY' about 

PICTURE 

QUALITY 

Here Is 

The Screen 

For You! 

Spectacular Stage Effects Possible by 

Using New Bandcar Without Guide Tracks 

W.HETHER OR NOT Stage shows should 

return to the motion picture theatre as an 

added attraction, a growing number of 

neighborhood and suburban theatres are 

making a pitch for the position of recreational 

center for the community. In the 

larger theatres, particularly, it is becoming 

less and less unusual for dressing rooms 

and stage facilities to be planned into new 

theatre design. 

Conscious of this trend, it is interesting 

to note that at a recent performance at 

Purdue University Music Hall, the great 

20-ton fire curtain majestically ascended 

and the mammoth draw curtain started to 

open as the strains of a lively overture 

filled the hall. Then the orchestra appeared, 

rising from the orchestra pit. 

Higher and higher it rose, with all musicstand 

lights glowing, until it reached stage 

level. Smoothly and without a pause, it 

moved onto the stage and continued downstage, 

coming to an easy stop at the last 

notes of the overture. 

Bandcar rising to stage. 

Bandcar locked into "up" position. 

THE NEW 

DA-LITE V-1 

FOLDING SCREEN 

Every gradation of tone in black and 

white film and every shade of color in color 

film is brought out with complete fidelity 

on Oa-Lite's new V-1 Folding Screen. The 

VI is the finest professional theatre screen 

Da-Lite has ever produced in 41 years of 

leadership in screen manufacturing. Ask 

your theatre equipment dealer for a demonstration! 

Or send for a sample swatch 

and make your own tests and comparisons! 

Here is a screen that does justice to your 

film attractions. Compare it on any basis; 

brilliance, sharpness of detail, quality of 

sound transmission. It will spoil you for 

nny other screen. 

In addition, it gives you all of these moneysaving 

advantages: 

• Low Transportation Charges 

The Da-Lite V-1 is so light and compact, 

it can be carried by one man (sec 

above) and shipped Parcel Post. 

• Economical Installation 

by only two men, 

• Easy Maintenance 

Can be washed by your janitor. 

• Fewer Replacements 

Fungus-rcsistont. Flameproof. Permascalcd 

seams — no stitches to come 

loose or break. Seams perforated after 

fusing for uniform aging and longer 

service. 

.\sk your dealer about the new low prices 

on this popular Pa-l-ite V-1 Folding .Screen. 

Write for illustraled cirrnlar. 

DA-LITE SCREEN CO., Inc. 

2721 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago 39, Illinois 

Since 1909 Makers of fine Theatre Screeris 

BANDCAR TRAVELS WITHOUT GUIDES 

This spectacular touch was made possible 

by a huge new motorized bandcar recently 

designed and installed by J. R. 

Clancy, Inc. One of the outstanding features 

of this new bandcar is that it requires 

no guides built into the stage floor; the 

car travels straight without external guiding. 

The fact that the car operates on a 

smooth stage floor without the necessity 

of mutilating the floor by the insertion of 

steel guides is considered an important 

achievement in theatre engineering. Another 

important step in stage equipment 

design is the use of all-aluminum structural 

members, which greatly reduce the weight 

of the car. 

The car is electrically operated and 

remotely controlled. With the car on the 

orchestra lift in the basement position, the 

touch of a button starts the lift rising to 

stage level. When it is flush with the stage, 

the bandcar motor is energized and the 

bandcar travels back stage. However, if 

the Clancy disappearing microphones are 

in the up position, the car will not leave 

the lift until the microphones are lowered 

into the floor. The instant the car starts 

to move off the lift, the elevator is locked 

in position so that it cannot be moved until 

the car is either completely off or completely 

on the elevator. The car then 

travels backstage to a predetermined point 

where it stops automatically. 

On the forward travel, the car proceeds 

out to the disappearing microphone position. 

If the microphones are up, it will 

again stop until they are retracted into the 

floor. Furthermore, the car will not pass 

this point unless tlie elevator is up in posi- 

Bandcar may be used with trailers. 

tion to receive it. When it does cross this 

line, the elevator is automatically locked in 

place until the car takes its position completely 

on the elevator, at which time the 

elevator-operating circuit is automatically 

restored. 

The car is fitted with a variety of 

parallels and platforms which make possible 

a wide variation in orchestra and 

band seating and in choral grouping. When 

used for stage work only, the bandcar can 

also be extended in both length and depth 

by means of trailers which practically 

double the already mammoth size of the 

car. These trailers are easily handled and 

are transported by the elevator lift to the 

basement for storage. The main car is 

stored on the lift itself when not otherwise 

in use. 

When the bandcar is stored on the orchestra 

elevator, the power unit may be 

removed, giving the car a completely flat 

surface. The orchestra lift can be automatically 

spotted flush with the stage floor 

either with or without the bandcar on the 

lift. 


Are your projection lamps old enough to vote? 

Whether you are still using horse-and-buggy, low intensity lamps 

or early-vintage, high intensity reflector lamps, you should bring 

your equipment up to date right now. 

WHY.' 

Because "National" "Suprex" High Intensity carbons give you the 

following advantages: 

1. Brightest, whitest light available in this size carbon 

2. Steadier burning, greater dependability 

3. Perfect color balance 

4. Complete technical service by National Carbon specialists 

5. Made in America by American labor 

6. Economical to operate 

For complete details, write to National Carbon Division, 

Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation, Dept. MT. 

when you buy 

projector carbons, 

buy "NATIONAL" 

The terms "Natiofial", "Surrey 

are trade-marki 

nd •El 

eady" 

NATIONAL CARBON DIVISION 

UNION CARBIDE AND CARBON CORPORATION 

30 East 42nd Street, New York 17, N. Y. 

DhlricI Sales Offices: Atlanta. Chicago, Dallas. 

Kansas City, New York, Pittsburgh, San Francisco 

Id Canada: National Carbon. Ltd.. Toronto 4 


I 

— 

You Have the fINEST 

in a GRIGGS Chair! 

Spray Credited With Putting Out 

Fires That Haven't Happened 

Skilled workmen using the 

finest materials in a modern 

plant produce GRIGGS 

All-star Theatre seating. 

Above, Super Star Model 30 

with self-rising seat. See 

the Griggs line before you 

buy! 

Call, 

samples 

coialogl 

and 

GRIGGS 

Grig^ 

TREITRE 

EnillPMENT '*'*'*^'"=«^^^^ 

COMPANY 

BEITON. TEXAS 

Offices: Dallas. Memphis, Shreveport, Oklahoma 

| 

City, Ingle wood, Calii., and Newr York City. I 

a flashlight finish 

makes new^ 

JLn the last 25 YEARS morc Americans 

were burned to death than were killed 

in the Civil War and the first World War 

combined. It has been estimated that there 

is fi fire somewhere in the United States 

every 20 seconds. 

Such facts as these, coupled with thfcurrent 

ban on new construction, rising 

insurance rates and the memory of such 

terrible fires as the Coconut Grove disaster 

in Boston and the Wyncoff hotel fire in 

the south have made theatremen acutely 

conscious of the values of treating the 

draperies and other fabrics used to give 

their interiors the luxury appearance which 

is so desired. 

Among other compounds which have been 

produced in recent years is Flamort with 

fire retardants which are patented dry 

compounds. Mixed with water, they are 

sprayed on unpainted wood, fabrics, paper 

or other combustible materials to make 

them flame-resistant. The heat of the fire 

liberates non-irritating, non-toxic gases 

which dilute and cool the products of combustion 

to below their spontaneous ignition 

point. At the same time a glaze and 

char-like coating forms on the area contacted 

by the flame. Thus the material 

which has been impregnated repels flame. 

Due to this double action the tendency to 

smolder is eliminated. 

Smoldering is the dreaded afterglow 

feared by every fire fighter. A glowing 

cigaret stub dropped on a carpet or a burning 

match dropped on an automobile seat 

or bed cover cannot start a fire if the 

carpet, upholstery or bed cover has been 

treated with such liquids as Flamort. 

Surfaces already painted should not be 

Fire resistant treatment for theatre curtains. 

treated. For this reason many lumber mills 

are now treating the raw lumber by immersion 

into a Flamort bath so that houses, 

barns and other buildings are fireproofed 

even before construction. After the solution 

has dried, the color of the original 

wood returns, and except by actual testing 

there is no way to determine by outward 

appearance which areas have been treated. 

Water soluble wood stains or dyes may 

be added to the Flamort solution. Most 

good rug shampoos and tints can be combined 

with Flamort for textiles, so that a 

combination of flame and mothproofing 

can be accomplished. 

Plamortized textiles have to be retreated 

when washed with water, but not when dry 

cleaned. 

I 

DUr«*»a hospital— I'vtn the smallest 

needn't take a chancel A Fairbanks-Morse 

generating set costs so Httle! These performance-proved 

generators are available 

in capacities from 600-35,000 watts, A.C. 

Get the facts about Fairbanks-Morse 

generating sets for standby use in theaters, 

30 

stores, 6re and police departments, schools, 

churches, institutions, from your local 

dealer or mail the coupon today. 

Fairbaivks-Morse, 

a name worth remembering 

Diesel Locomotives ond Engines 

Elet- 

Iticol Mothinery . Pumps . Stoles . fc3. I. 

Home Woler Servite and Hcalirig ^ T . fci'l' 

Iquipmeni . Roil Cots . Farm A TBV" i 

Machinery 

F;iirb.inks. Morse ii Co. 

600 S. Michigan Ave.. Chicago 5. 

Please sencj complete information about 

Fairbanks-Morse generating sets for standby 

Address 

Cliy 

Suie 

Be Sure to See WILLIAMS Before You Buy Any Screen 

WILLIAMS SCREEN CO. 

1679 Summit Lake Blvd. Akron 7, Ohio 


I system 

jAAjn|-Asdo| 

When the front curtain 

at the Haven Theatre in 

Btaokhoven, Miss., is 

S3DI»d 

suiejj Ae|dsi(] 

paujni 3AaM„ 

raised it forms the festoon 

mlance shown at the right. 

This installation is unique 

in that the curtain actually 

works around a 

drum-shaped stage. 

Contour Curtain Fits Drum Stage 

With the stage almost disappearing from 

many modern motion picture theatres, the 

striking and dramatic design of installation 

at the new Haven Theatre in Brookhaven, 

Miss., is more than unique. Designed 

in the shape of a snare drum, the 

stage extends half of its oval side into the 

auditorium. 

Faced with the problem of creating contour 

curtain machinery for this unusual 

shape, J. L. Hicks of Hubert Mitchell Industries 

took one look at the completed 

stage and wondered why the curtain 

couldn't travel a curved track around behind 

the theatre's screen. 

It had never been done before, but the 

has been worked out to the mechanical 

and artistic satisfaction of L. E. 

Downing, Haven owner, and all concerned. 

To quote Hicks on the new arrangement, 

"This curtain is of the contour type 

which follows the contour of the stage and 

is operated up and down rather than in 

the old conventional way from side to 

side. 

"When this curtain is raised, the front 

curtain forms a festoon effect valance. 

The festoon portion of the front curtain 

contains 75 per cent fullness. The portions 

from the festoons on each side that 

drape to the floor contain 466 per cent 

fullness. This is because of the fact that 

when the curtain is in the open position, 

the side legs of the front curtain must extend 

entirely to the floor. 

"The front curtain actually extends all 

the way behind the screen at the sides. 

The ceiling borders, also contour curtains, 

follow the same plan." 

The stage of the Haven is 40 feet wide 

and 22 feet high. 

Yes I 

New manufaituring 

methods have slashed 

our costs,.. 

. . . read 'em and smile! 

• 8" X 10" 

LIFETIME 

EXTRUDED 

ALUMINUM 

SLIDE FRAMES 

$1.00/ 

• 4x14 $1.00 eoch 

• 11x14 

$1.50 each 

• 14x22 

$2.15 each 

• 22x28 

$3.00 each 

• 14x36 

$3.00 each 

i 

THE PROJECTIOniST'S PROJECTOR 

i and built by projection specialists, the 

Motiograph Mod' AA" Double Shutter Projector is recog- 

Id's finest— the proven projector that can be 

3r. It comprises oil those features 

iider necessary to dependable 

ble-free operotion and ease of 

• A ROCK-STEADY PICTURE 

• MAXIMUM SCREEN ILLUMINATION WITHOUT 

FUCKER OR TRAVEL GHOST 

• SWEET, SMOOTH, SILENT, COOL OPERATION 

• UNBEUEVABLE RESISTANCE TO WEAR 

You'll be glad for years 

They last 

when you buy Motiograph projectors, 

practically for. ever, assure the lowest overall cost. 

For convincing proof, request o free demonstration. 

For Free Literature Address 

MOTIOGRAPH, INC 

Amtrica'^ Oldest Majiufactiirer of Prn;e.cfion Kqiiipnienr' 

4431 WEST LAKE STREET CHICAGO 24, ILL. 

Above 40x60 Wall Frome $64.50 

• Send for illustraied brochure— 

a complete line of illuminated and non-illuminated 

wall frames and poster cases. We 

guarantee all prices are in line with these! 

Peoples Display Frame Co. 

1515B Olympic Blvd. Montebello, California 

(BOXOFFICE :: December 2, 1950 

31

mmmmm 

— 

,^. 

HERES SENSATIONAL NEWSl 

Announcing the Brand-New All-Steel 

UNIVERSAL CHAIR LINE 

i 

' 

ENGINEERING 

OLUTIONARY IN 

TRIUMPH! 

PRINCIPLI 

Makes possible the ultimate in flexibility . . . 

a production method that 

ERMITS 

TREMEN DOUS 

SAVINGS FOR THE EXHIBITOR 

The Greatest Chair Values in 

he History of Show Business. 

if THE NEW "WONDER HINGE"—full floating, full compensating, 

self aligning—absolutely frictionless, comp'etely silent. This is 

truly an amazing advancement in hinge engineering. All working 

parts fully enclosed. The "Locked In" feature assures the cushitir 

being firmly held in the chair yet not a single tool is required to 

remove or replace the seat nnd hinge—completely silent with up 

and down rubber stops. Automotic and foolproof seotlifting 

mechanism permits easier control by patron and maximum safety 

^ NEW DURABILITY—finest all-steel construction— the sturdiest 

choir made. 

if NEW LUXURIOUS COMFORT—improved relationship of positior 

of back to seat—a treat that will keep your patrons coming bock' 

-^ NEW SAFETY FOR TOES and CLOTHES—new steel back panelcompletely 

covers the seat— prevents pinching hazards. No pro 

truding nuts, bolts or screws to snag or tear clothes or hose. 

if NEW DESIGN IN STEEL END STANDARDS—more passing room-J 

new design in seat pan for greater strength. 

if NEW BEAUTY IN SEATING— smort, attractive styling, closed 

panel, full length steel center standards—s'eek design. 

NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME , a single custom-built 

chair ,s offered in 32 DIFFERENT MODELS , 16 different 

construction combinations—each in either retractable 

or conventional type. Slide-Back and conixed 

with uniformity 

if NEW ECONOMY OF MAINTENANCE—new 

sign for greater upholstery protection—a super 

back and 

smooth 

pan daf 

finish fo * 

easy cleaning. 

if NEW EASE IN REUPHOLSTERING— for maximum service, mor 

even usage, seats can be quickly rotated as to location in th 

theatre. It takes but a few seconds—no need to remove screw 

it or bolts. In is reupholstering, exceptionally easy to remove an^ 

replace upholstered parts. 

j^ NEW EASE OE INSTALLATION— with any condition, in on 

location, in any theatre. 

See this sensational new chair now at your local dealers, c 

write today for details and prices. 

COMPANY 

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. 

Bfej^^r^-SS

Carbon Saver Ends Timing Worry 

EFFICIENT • DEPENDABLE 

RECTIFIERS 

for Every Type Projection Lamp 

2-Tube 

4-Tube 

6-Tube 

Single and 

Thrae Phase 

Models for 

• Rotating Feed 

Angular Trim 

High Intensify 

• Copper Coated 

Coaxial 

High Intensity 

• 1 K.W. High Intensity 

• Low Intensity 

Smooth Output Current • 

long life 

low Operating Temperoture 

Flexibility in 

Control 

It has always been an economical policy 

for projectionists to burn up stubs of 

carbons and see that they are used down 

to the smallest possible piece, but in the 

doing of the feat is the necessity to meas- 

good. 

Faced with this problem, H. L. Cronkhite, 

a projectionist with an active mind, 

started trying to figure ways in which 

these carbon stubs could be used up without 

endangering the picture on the screen 

in any way. 

The final result, which is now available 

to projectionists in commercial form, is a 

carbon saver which takes any length stub, 

and while it's burning it away, heats up a 

fresh, full-length carbon in another paii' 

of jaws. When the last of one stub burns 

out, the new carbon, which is now burning 

in the tail of the stub flame, drops into 

place and the light continues without a 

flicker. 

At normal amperage the new carbon will 

burn for 22 minutes. Among fellow projectionists 

the first question to be asked is 

if the changeover from stub to full carnutes' 

burning 

bon is apparent. The originator of the 

new device answers with an emphatic "No." 

Because the tip of the new carbon is being 

immersed in an increasingly hot flame 

from the tail of the burning stub, it is ac- 

ure burning time with the eye in the yet 

tually burning when it drops into place. 

unburned length of carbon. If you stretch 

Because the jaws of this carbon holder 

things a little too far in your zeal, you may are made of a special heat-resisting, nonmetallic 

alloy, the device has no effect on 

well have light stoppage before you're 

through a reel, and that situation isn't 

the permanent magnet in the lamp, and 

hence makes no difference in the amperage 

at which the lamp burns. 

Uplliolster7 and Rug Cleaner 

• Not harmful to finest of Tctture 

• Not harmful to delicate colors 

• Requires no mixing or rinsing 

• Leares no rings or stains 

• Will not burn or explode 

Factory-installed insulators on the device, 

which Cronkhite calls the Cron-O- 

Matic carbon saver, eliminate the need for 

the insulators in any lamp. These may 

be removed when the carbon-saving device 

is installed. 

A kit which accompanies the device provides 

for accurate lateral and vertical adjustment. 

For the convenience of the projectionist, 

the entire post assembly pivots 

out away from the heat of the lamp house 

for positioning the next stub. 

The saver itself is universal in its operation. 

All that is necessary to fit it to any 

standard lamp is to specify the make of 

unit in which it is to go and a base designed 

to fit that lamp comes with the 

saver. 

MAGICLEANEH 

Jones St., Newark 

COMPANY 

3, N. 

PROJECTION OPTICS CO., INC. 

134 LYELL AVE. . ROCHESTER, N. Y. 

SUPER-LITE LENSES 

ARE SUPERLATIVE 

'W 

...for imagt quality, color ne. 

rttions and light transmission 

SEND FOR CATALOG A-50 

11 CITY PARK AVENUE 

TOLEDO 2, OHIO 

PROJECTION LAMPS • RECTrFIERS 

SPOTLIGHTS • REFLECTORS 

THEATRE/^ 

... to meet the demands of the 

discriminating e.xhibitor . . for 

theatres, drive-ins! 

Durable Construction! 

American 

Beautiful Appearance! 

Sensational Designs! 

Desk 

SMaiiiifiictiiring Company 

JOBBERS 

Changeable Signs, Stainless Steel Frame. The 

new up-to-the-minute Boxoftice Signs. When 

ADMISSION 

ADULTS FED. TAX SI 

TOTAL 50 

CHILDREN FED. TAX 

TOTAL 

II 

5sl 

prices or taxes 

change you 

merely change 

the letters. 

12"x8", 14"x 

9", 15"x20" 

20"x24", 20"x 

30", 24"x3S". 

Stock or custom 

made signs; lowest prices to deolers with 

full profit margins. 

L. BAHN CO. 

123 W. Canton St. Boston 18, Mass. 


ft 

«5 

low budget' 

LIGHT 

DIMMING 

EQUIPMENT 

o low cost 

o easy to install 

o simple to operate 

o flexible in use 

POWERSTAT 

LIGHT DIMMING 

EQUIPMENT 

Now light dimming equipment is within the 

reach of the many school, church, community, 

amateur and small theatre groups 

who operate on a low budget. POWER- 

STAT Dimmers are low in first cost, easy to 

install, inexpensive to operate and flexible 

in use. These Underwriters' Laboratories 

approved units efficiently convert 

power and do not dissipate it in the wasteful 

form of heat. They are flexible in that 

any number of lamps up to the rated 

capacity can be controlled. 

Type D1000H, shown above, is a typical 

example of a low cost POWERSTAT Dimmer. 

It is the only unit of its size and cost 

with vertically operated handle and drum 

markings. It handles any load up to 1000 

watts. Write for Bulletin 749 for information 

on the D1000H and other low cost 

POWERSTAT Dimmers. 

Write 2120D«iner> Avenue, BrUtol, Connecticut 

IIIIXI lltUUIIII 

rOA Equipment Show 

In Topnotch Style 

The equipment show which the TOA 

convention produced in Houston recently 

was a top-caUber trade exposition which 

attracted virtually all of the important 

manufacturers and dealers in the field. 

The huge exposition hall of the Shamrock 

hotel, which is a building separate from 

the hotel itself, was filled to the walls with 

the displays, and very effective they were. 

Exhibitors went touring wath huge shopping 

bags provided by the convention committee, 

to collect confections and a variety 

of gadgets distributed at the booths. 

Several times daily, convention leaders 

took delegations of visitors on conducted 

tours of the displays. 

The TESMA members put on a big pitch 

for one big single showmen's convention 

each year in which the exhibitor meeting 

and the TESMA show can be combined. 

Following is a list of companies with displays 

at the show: 

Alexander Film Co. 

American Chicle Co. 

American Desk Mig. Co. 

American Electro-Aire 

Corp. 

American Seating Co. 

Beech Nut Packing Co. 

B. F, Shearer Co. 

Blevins Popcorn Co. 

Chase Candy Co. 

Coca-Cola Co. 

Drive-In Theatre Mfg. 

Co. 

Eskimo Pie Corp. 

F&F Laboratories 

General Precision 

Laboratory 

Hardin Theatre Supply 

Co. 

Hershey Chocolate Corp. 

Houston Popcorn & 

Equipment Co. 

Knoxville Scenic Studios 

Krispy Kist Korn 

Machine Co. 

Kroehler Mfg. Co. 

Lament, Corliss & Co. 

Ledbetter Sales Co. 

Majestic Enterprises, Inc. 

Monley, Inc. 

Mars, Inc. 

Mission Dry Corp. 

Mohawk Carpet Co. 

Motion Picture Advertising 

Service Co. 

McMath-Axilrod Corp. 

Noiional Products, Inc. 

National Theatre Supply 

Co. 

Nu-Screen Corp. 

Orange Crush Co. 

Palmer Electric Co. 

Pepsi-Cola Co., 

Poblocki and Sons 

Precision Corn Popper, 

Inc. 

Pronto Popcorn Sales 

Corp. 

Rancho De Los Cerritos 

Raytone Screen Corp. 

Rockwood & Co. 

Sel-Mix Dispensers, Inc. 

Southwestern Theatre 

Equipment Co. 

Supurdisplay, Inc. 

Switzer Licorice Co, 

Theatrical Advertising 

The Ballantyne Co. 

Typhoon Air Conditioning 

Co. 

Wagner Electric Service, 

Inc. 

White's Comb Vendors, 

Inc. 

Wm. Wrigley jr. Co. 

Rex Specialty Bag Corp, 

Selective Carbonation 

Standard Feature Now 

The Select-O-Carb feature made available 

recently on one model of the Spacarb 

coin-operated soft drink machines has become 

standard equipment on all models 

being sold now. the firm announced recently. 

I. H. Houston, president, reports that 

orders for the machines containing the new 

feature, which makes it possible to select 

the amount of carbonation for each of 

three drinks contained in one machine, 

outweighed orders for machines without 

the addition by three to one. 

Because of mounting costs, the price of 

the hot unit, which makes it possible to 

offer two cold and one hot drink through 

the winter season, has been increased from 

$100 to $125. Cost of the non-carbonated 

attachment has been increased from $40 

to $50. 


I READERS' BUREAU For 

further information 

regarding products advertised or mentioned in this issue, use 

the postage-paid reply cards below. 

NEW EQUIPMENT and DEVELOPMENTS 

Briefed from the full descriptions starting on page 46 

Key 

MILLS ADOS GRAVITY-FED FREEZER P.595 

Becently added to tlie line of custard mactilnes and Ice 

is cream freezers of Mills Industries a new model whlct 

ia gravity fed and comes complete with mix tank to process 

15 gallons of mix an Inur. 

HOLLYWOOD CANDY ADOS BIG PAY BAR P-59S 

The nev Big Pay candy bar of the Hollywood Candy Co. 

is being put up In both a 120-count vend pack and a 24-eount 

dliplay box for counter showing. 

PROTECTIVE PAINT SMOTHERS FIRE P-597 

The American franchise for manufacturing flre-retardant 

a 

paint proved In Canada to be quite effective is held by 

Ocean Chemicals Corp. Paint protects any palntable surface. 

MAGICLEANER FOAM NEEDS NO RINSING P-59S 

A new foam cleaner for theatre fabrics, upholstery and 

is its carpeting said by the Magicleancr Corp., manufacturers, 

to need no rinsing after application. 

NEW LIGHTING FOR SHALLOW INSTALLATION. .. .P-599 

A new "Stripline" system of mounting fluorescent tubes 

shalluvr channels has been made available by Ben amin 

in 

Electric Mfg. Co. The system is approved for cornice lighting. 

Kw 

Number 

ADD DIRECTIONAL SIGNS OF PUSTIC P-604 

Associated Ticlfet Co. has recently added directional signs 

to a general line of plasti.' illuminated and nonlllumlnaled 

theatre signs. Any copy is available. 

WHEEL LOCK STOPS SPEAKER THEFT P-605 

A hurled lock, offered by Itaytone Screen Co., which se'.'jres 

one wheel of a drive-in patron's car when he takes a speaker 

from the metal container will not release the car until 

the speaker is replaced. 

AIR DISTRIBUTORS ARE NOT RECESSED P-60e 

A new line of Barber Colman air diffusers is designed for 

applications where the units cannot be recessed Into the 

celling. Pull air adjustment Is possible. 

COATING WATERPROOFS MASONRY P-607 

United Laboratories. Inc., announces coating 

Hydropel, a 

for masonry wal.s which Is said to make them entirely water 

repellent. The new coating Is transparent. 

MULTICLEAN SCRUBBER EASY TO USE P-608 

A wide range of brush sizes and motor power is offered 

In the .Multi-Clean vacuum cleaners whl-.1i have been designed 

with the comfort and convenience of the operator In mind. 

LITERATURE TELLS OF ICE CREAM VENDER. .. .L-1212 

A coin-operated vender of five dllferent let cream bars 

Is descrllied In colorful literature recently released by ttie 

Fred Ueb«l Corp. Ib« vender eiiminita Individual urtons. 

MURALS ARE ILLUSTRATED IN COLOR L-1213 

A full-color folder recently issued by Foto Murals o( 

California desaibea the ilrm s line of scenic murals wblcii 

can be applied to uninteresting wall space like wallpaper. 

STAGE EQUIPMENT ILLUSTRATED L-12U 

Cunirols and equipment of J. it. Clancy, Inc., used in 

creaLliig many stage elfecls with curtaUin and band curs. Is 

pictured and diagiumed In new llleraiure of llw liim. 

VIDEOFILM SYSTEM EXPLAINED L-1215 

The rapid system ol transferring a teleîslon image onto 

16mm Ijlm tor theatre prujeetiun whkM was exhiUlivd at 

is recent naiiunal cuihentlons explained and pictured In 

lltuiulure 01 General Precision Labuiutorles. 

MAINTENANCE MANUALS AID IN FLOOR CARE..L-1216 

A series of reference manuals on the care of many different 

typei of flooring is uiTered by .Mulgned 

fur use in drlve-ln theatres or large indoor houses. 

DISPUY RACK FOR SELF SERVICE P-600 

To provide open display of six different types of cellophane-bagged 

candles In the small i^)unter space typical of 

theatrt counters, Chase Candy Co. offers a new wire display 

rack. 

PAINT LINE INCLUDES SCREEN BEADING P-601 

A new line of theatre paints for both drive-in and Indoor 

theatres Is aval'able from Drive-In Theatre Mfg. Co. A kit 

(or beading plain screens is featured. 

ONE-PIECE CARTON HOLDS CARBONS P-602 

A self-locking, one-piece cardboard carton for holding projection 

carbons unlll ready (or use has been released by the 

National Carbon division of Union Carbide & Carbon Corp. 

TRANS-COLOR SCREEN IS CONVEX P-609 

The new Trans-Color screen, which projected 

receives a 

Image on Its convex face and polarizes lighl to soften the 

picture, is mounted in a lightweight aluminum frame (or 

easy sblpphig and assembly. 

LITERATURE 

Briefed from the descriptions on page 50 

Numb» 

TEXTBOOK TESTS THEATRE ADVERTISING L-1210 

A new ser\1ce of the Helpful Press provides the thcalrem.in 

with a test book to use in pretesting the effectiveness of bis 

advertising 

copy. 

BOOKLET DESCRIBES ROLE OF IN-CAR HEATER. .L-1219 

National Heaters, inc., presents the case for using in-ear 

healers ut drive-ins where, tliey say. the svosuu may be 

extended proiltably by their use. 

BOOKLET CATALOGS DRIVE-IN SPEAKERS L-1220 

A two-color booklet of Theatre Equipment Co. of America 

describes the lirm's line of In-car speakers, ranging from 

low to high Id price, and other accessories. 

SELF-SERVICE DISPLAY VENDER FOR ICE CREAM. L-1221 

Frigldbar, Inc., Illustrates its new self-service dispenser 

of frozen confections. A Plexigtas lid shows off mercliandlse 

and yet helps bold down the temperature. 

RUNNING TIME SHOWN IN WARNING DEVICE. .. .P-603 

A reelend alarm which shows the unexpired ninning time 

of film on the upper reel and sounds tliree warnings before 

it ends is offered by the Reversible Sign Co. 

FOLDER DESCRIBES SOFT DRINK LINE L-1211 

A folder of the Lucky Club Co tells the prnspcctlve customer 

of the advantaces of selling its complete line of 

beverages and syrups. The line is backed with advertising. 

BOOKLET FITS EXTINGUISHER TO FIRE L-1222 

Various types of fires and the different extinguishers 

tjDCS of 

to be used with each are described in llteratura 

of the C-O-Tuo Fire Equipment Co. 

ow to Use These 

EADERS' 

BUREAU COUPONS 

, Fill out completely a seporat* coupon 

for each New Eqvipment item, 

News article or Literature reference 

(obovc) which interests you. Likewise 

for each Advertised Product (reverse 

side of this sheet) about which you 

wont more information. Put only one 

ktjr aumber in each squor*. 

Q| 

ilOMMQ.QQ£.. 

.».,c«.H__,jQ4/i?Â? 

.M. 

Sia and MA,m_. 

MOOaN THEATRE SKHoa «i tOXOFFICE 

ICS 

JMZ 

Um the outer cord to request one 

to four iteffls, both cords if requcethg 

five to eight. 

When you hove filled out the coupons 

for each request, detoch the 

postcards and moil. No postage 

ceded in the U.S. (Affix stomp in 

I.)

1 

AB 

For literature on products advertised or mentioned in this issue, see 

READERS' BUREAU 

other "a 

side of this sheet and read how to use the postcard coupons below. 

PRODUCTS ADVERTISED IN 

ADMISSION SIGNS 

l^molitt Products (Edgar Bowman) 22-E 

Bahn. L.. Co 33-0 

_ 

ATTRACTION BOARDS AND LETTERS 

Aditr SilhouetU Leiter Co 52-C 

Poblocki & Son! 48-A 

Service, Wagner Sign Inc 37-A 

BOXOFFICE ACCESSORIES 

Ori>e-ln Theatre MIg. Co 48-B 

CANDY 

Nev> England Confectionery Co S-A 

Soiuer'i Licorice Co 21-C 

CANDY VENDING MACHINES 

Columbus Vending Co 52-8 

CARBONS 

See Projector Carbons 

CARPET CLEANER 

Magicleaner Co 33-D 

CONCESSION CONTRACTORS 

Sportservice, Inc 21*A 

CONCESSION EQUIPMENT. DRIVE-IN 

Walky Service Co 20-A 

DISPLAY CASES AND FRAMES, POSTER 

Peopirs Display Frame Co 31-B 

Poblocki & Sons 48-A 

DRINK DISPENSERS, MANUAL 

Canada Dry Corp 6-A 

DRINKS. SOFT 

Canada Dry Corp 6-A 

Coca-Cola Co 2-A 

ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTS 

Fairbanks-Morse & Co 30-B 

EMERGENCY LIGHTING. BATTERY 

Lamplighter Products Co., Inc 47-B 

FRONTS. THEATRE 

Poblocki & Sons 48-A 

ICE CREAM FREEZERS 

Sweden Freezer Mtg. Co 19-A 

KIDDIE RIDES FOR DRIVE-INS 

£., E«art, H. Co 43-A 

King AmusemenI Co 44-B 

Miniature Train Co 44-D 

National Amusement Device Co 43-C 

LIGHTING CONTROLS. HOUSE & STAGE 

Superior Electric Co 34-A 

THIS ISSUE 

MINIATURE GOLF for DRIVE-INS 

Taylor Bros 43. 

POPCORN BAGS and CARTONS 

Kontney Carton Co 20-B 

Manley. Inc u-A 


C. Cretors & Co 21.B 

Manley. Inc 13.A 

POPCORN SCOOPS 

Speed-Scoop 20-C 

POPCORN POPPING LIQUID 

Best Foods, Inc 19-8 

Manley. Inc U-A 

Simonin ol Philadelphia 51-A 

POPCORN & SUPPLIES 

Manley. Inc U-A 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE CARD 

Drive-ln Theatre MIg. Co 48-B 

PROJECTION LAMPS 

Ashcralt MIg. Co 18-A 

Ballantyne Co 23-A 

Motiograph. Inc 31. 

National Theatre Supply 4-A 

PROJECTOR CARBONS 

National Carbon Co 29-A 

PROJECTOR CARBON SAVERS 

Call Carbon Couplers 26-C 

PROJECTOR LENSES 

Kollmorgen Optical Corp 24-A 

Projection Optics Corp 33-E 

PROJECTORS 

Ballaniyne Co 23.A 

Initrnalional Projector Corp 1-BC 

Motiograph. Inc 31-A 

Wenzel Projector Co 50-B 

PROJECTOR PARTS 

LaVezzi Machine Works 22-D 

RECTIFIERS 

Strong Electric Corp 33-A 

RECTIFIER BULBS 

Strickland Electric Co 39-B 

REEL-END ALARMS 

C. W. Hatke 52-E 

REFRESHMENT CART, DRIVE-IN 

Walky Service Co 20-A 

REWIND SWITCH. AUTOMATIC 

Wenzel Projector Co SO-B 

RIDES—See Kiddie Ridel 

SCALES. PENNY FORTUNE 

Watling Manuiacturing Co 23-B 

SCREENS. INDOOR THEATRE 

Da-Lite Screen Co 

Pola-Ray Projection Screen Co 

B. F. Shearer Co 

Trans-Color Screen Co., Inc 39 

Vocalite Screen Corp 22 

Williams Screen Co 30 

SCREEN TOWERS. DRIVE-IN 

Timber Structures. Inc 42-A 

SEATING. CONVENTIONAL THEATRES 

American Desk MIg. Co 33-B 

American Seating Co 44-C 

Griggs Eguipment Co 30-A 

Heywood-Wakelield Co 22-C 

Ideal Seating Co 32-A 

Kroehler Mfg. Co 27-A 

SEATING, DRIVE-INS, for Walk-In Patrons 

American Desk Mfg. Co 33-B 

American Sealing Co 44-C 

Griggs Equipment Co 30-A 

Ideal Seating Co 32-A 

SIGNS. DIRECTIONAL. ETC. 

Lamolite Products (Edgar Bowman). . .22-E 

SNOW CONE MACHINES 

Sno-Master 52-D 

SOUND SERVICE. PROJECTION 

RCA Service Co., Inc 47-A 

SPEAKERS. IN-CAR DRIVE-IN 

Oiecast Aluminum Speakers. Inc 44-A 

International Projector Corp 1-BC 

SPEAKING GRILL. BOXOFFICE 

Orive-ln Theatre Mfg. Co 48-B 

SPOTLIGHTS 

Strong Electric Co 25-A 

STAGE EQUIPMENT 

Automatic Devices Co 50-C 

SWEEPERS, VACUUM & BLOWER 

National Super Service Co SO-A 

TELEVISION & TELEVISION SERVICE 

RCA Service Co.. Inc 47-A 

THEATRE SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT 

Drive-ln Theatre MIg. Co 48-B 

National Theatre Supply Co 22-A 

S.O.S. Cinema Supply Co 22-F 

TICKET REEL 

Drive-ln Theatre Mfg. Co 48-B 

UNIFORMS 

Reversible Co 26-A 

Collar 

VENDERS—CANDY, GUM, NUTS 

Columbus Vending Co 52-B 

Q^-

' 

HEPBURN 

Are you in the know as to patents? 

{'Ohliînil 

DRIVi-IM \ 

RATHERINE SPENCER, BARBARA WENDEL L 

TRACYJ STANWYCK COREyI 

' 

ADAMS RIB' THELMAJORDON" 

WED-THUR-FRI CASH FUND S5000.' 

because of fhe exclusive patented method 

of 

mounting, 

WAGNER PLASTIC LETTERS 

• are now made windproof, yet are easy to change. 

• cannot ireeze to the sign. 

• can be slacked in storage without warping. 

MORE SIZES 

4", 6", 8", 10", 17" 

MORE COLORS 

Gorgeous red, green, blu 

amber and black. 

because of patents, only 

WAGNER WINDOW-TYPE FRAMES AND GLASS UNITS 

• permit openings ond billing space ol ANY HEIGHT OR LENGTH IN 

ONE PANEL. (Especially important with drive-ins as they require 

extra large displays.) They're the strongest made. 

• lyermit servicing lamps, neon and glass without removing the 

frames. They are installed separately and before the glass. Reduced 

maintenance alone pays for them in a year. 

TWINDRIVE-IN MILb 

'"" NOW 

I PI AY MO 

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN 

»"» MUTTON - MUSIWl COMEDY 

because of patents, only 

WAGNER STEEL PANEL CHANGEABLE COPY DISPLAYS 

• permit the mounting ol letters directly on the face oi the sign. 

• have no channeled bars or other obstructions to catch dirt and 

result in streaking the face. Water and soot drain to the rear 

of each panel, making it practically self-washing. 

• can be shipped knocked-down for inexpensive handling in transit. 

Easily and quickly assembled and installed on simple framework 

supports or against any wall. 

• permit the installation of the only lifetime porcelain enameled 

steel backgrounds without ruinous and tmsightly chips on the face. 

Wagner also makes aluminum letters in the world's largest 

range of sizes, styles and colors. They're also slotted and 

patented. 

Sold everywhere by dependable dealers who plan ond supervise 

each installation. Send coupon today. 

because of patents, only Wagner offers 

FLEX-WORD FRAME UNITS 

for space saving and easy iorming oi small size copy. Make 

word plates unnecessary. 

WAGNER SIGN SERVICE, INC. 

218 S. Hoyne Avenue Chicago 12, Illinois 

Please send detoils and prices on Wagner O Frames G Steel 

Panels D Plastic Letters n Aluminum Letters. 

D Please send BIG FREE CATALOG on Wagner show-selling 

equipment, the largest line in the world. 

NAME 

THEATRE 

STREET 

CITY & STATE. 

I BOXOFFICE December 2. 19.S0 37

*^^^J^

T 

I outlet 

I 

i 

I Forced 

I 

Every Seat Is a Perfect Seat 

with the NewTRANS-COLOR 

Polarized Convex 

PROJECTION SCREEN 

At the right are diagrams 

of the floor layout 

of the indoor driye-in and 

the shops and recreation 

units which lie in its perimeter. 

The 11 ramps are 

outlined with entrance 

drives and concrete rampend 

islands shown. 

In the curved strip at 

the top of the diagram is 

the layout of shops and 

entertainment units around 

the edge of the building. 

including the declcs supporting the automobiles, 

and the use of fabricated steel 

columns, trusses, purlins and joists above. 

"Columns shown on the preliminary 

sketches are located to limit maximum 

spans of primary and secondary trusses to 

a maximum length of 280 feet. The more 

generally used types of trusses for these 

spans would have depths, from bottom to 

top chords, of approximately 30 feet. 

Structural costs could be greatly decreased 

by using shorter spans and additional 

columns, but the additional columns, particularly 

when placed closer to the screen 

would eliminate quite a number of parking 

areas for viewing purposes. In any 

case, the larger structures would be up to 

90 feet in overall height, grade to roof. 

"The roof should be divided into a number 

of smaller 'drainage areas,' each with 

MAY DROP 

OTHER UNITS 

"Construction of the indoor drive-in theatres 

without facilities for other activities 

would be considerably less expensive, and 

might be more practical in locations where 

sufficient income could not be realized 

from the additional space. This type of 

construction could be designed to more 

readily take advantage of the natural 

topography of the site." 

1^ 1 1 BOXOFFICE : : December 2. 1950 

According to Wallace Agey, vice-president 

and sales manager of the developing 

firm, the smaller units mentioned by the 

engineers can be built for approximately 

one million dollars. The larger twin drivein 

unit they see as a three-million-dollar 

project, and add that the interest and 

imagination of several of the country's 

larger drive-in theatremen have been 

caught by the unusual features of the 

scheme. 

USE IN-CAR SPEAKERS 

In the drive-in theatre portion of the 

project, in-car speakers will serve patrons 

as in the usual outdoor situation. Instead 

of speaker posts, however, the new plan 

calls for recessed speaker containers in 

concrete dividers which will separate twocar 

parking stalls. The walk-in balcony 

I 

will 

its own drainage outlets. In certain locations 

be served by standee speakers. 

it would be necessary to combine the Placement of a large stage in front of 

conduits for roof drainage into an the screen, and the fact that all ramps will 

underground storm sewer for disposal at a be connected by gently sloping walkways 

suitable outlet. Under certain conditions will make it possible to use the huge auditorium 

for the larger structures this could require 

for stage presentations, even with 

four to five-foot storm sewers. 

seats instead of autos if desired. 

"Heating and air conditioning requirements 

would vary a great deal, depending the fact that the large roof can be sup- 

Unique in construction of this type is 

upon location and manner of operation. ported quite safely by only three columns 

ventilation for removal of exhaust on each side of the twin units. These six 

fumes would be a critical requirement in 

any case. 

roof supports eliminate screen visibility for 

only 12 cars on each side, a total of 24 

in the entire auditorium. 

A large exhaust system has been engineered 

to remove all motor gases created 

by the incoming cars. 

Flexibility of design allows for several 

layouts, all smaller than the one pictured 

here. A single-screen theatre will accommodate 

slightly more than 900 cars or an 

alternate twin plan will accommodate 

1,200 cars. Neither of these plans, however, 

includes the recreation or shopping center. 

Gives true third dimension illusion, bringing 

out real figures and depth, eliminating distortion 

and keystoning from any viewing 

angle. No eye strain or glare, adding greatly 

to patron comiort. 

IT IS A PREVIEW AUDIENCE BUILDER 

Unilorm light intensity over entire 

no dork or hot spots. Polarization improves 

color projection by softening color. Convex 

design enables speakers to be placed behind 

screen without distortion and provides for better 

sound distribution. 

Sturdily constructed with aluminum framework 

in any size as required. Made to correct 

defects in sight and sound for each 

situation. Easily and quickly installed. 

pTc full details WRITE now or use 

ISCREENi the FREE postcard at page 35- 

Wnte in this ad's key number, 39-A 

TRANS-COLOR SCREEN CO., Inc. 

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N. C. 

STRfCKLAND 

TXi MAU Of HICHUT qÂlITT 

IMPROVED! 

FIELD TESTED! 

MOTION PICTURE TYPE 

RECTIFIER BULBS 

have enabled several manuiacturers to design 

higher voltage rectifiers than previously possible, 

because of their outstanding characteristics. 

Perhaps they can solve your bulb problem, too, 

as they are made for every type of theatre rectifier. 

Advise us oi your application, ond we will 

make a recommendation without obligation. 

STRICKLAND ELECTRIC CO. 

1427 E. 18fh Ave. Columbus 11, Ohio 

39

PART in 

A Manual of 

Drive-ln 

Design and Operation 

by GEORGE M. PETERSEN 

Choosing the Proper Drive-ln 

Site Can 

Build 

Business at the Boxoffice 

Despite the current ban on drive-in construction we will continue 

to present Mr. Petersen's monthly series. Even at this time 

they can be of great service to the showman who is planning to 

build at a loter date. 

Of current significance is the fact that much informotion contained 

in each installment can be of great value in up-grading the 

facilities of existing drive-ins. Readers concerned with the latter 

qualification will be interested in the author's comments on operations 

under the NPA restrictions which appears on page 43. 

Sq. Feet 

TABLE CONVERTING SQUARE FEET TO ACRES 

X*FTER THE EXHIBITOR has determined the approximate capacity 

for his drive-in theatre, the next step is to locate a site 

for the project that will come close to meeting his requirements. 

Few sites will be found that will have all of the desirable features 

listed below, so, provided more than one site is available, 

the exhibitor must evaluate the various existing features for and 

against each site. 

Contrary to general opinion, a much better land deal can 

be made by the exhibitor retaining the services of an experienced, 

honest realtor rather than by one who handles the transaction 

himself. The commission is paid by the seller anyway and the 

realtor can not only save the exhibitor considerable time, but 

can usually negotiate a better deal because of his more intimate 

knowledge of the value of the property in question and, frequently, 

because of friendship with the seller. 

The important features to be considered when selecting a 

site are as follows: 

1. Obtaining sufficient size. 

2. Automobiles should be parked facing in a westerly direction. 

3. General slope of land 

4. Natural aids to drainage. 

5. Type of highways available to sue. 

6. Proximity of railroad crossings. 

7. Number of traffic lights to be passed. 

8. "Distance from center of potential patronage area 

9. Surrounding neighborhood. 

10. Power supply available to site. 

11. Public utilities available to site 

12. Zoning for drive-in theatres. 

SIZE OF SITE 

The average prospective drive-in exhibitor shows a woeful 

lack of understanding of the dimensions of land required for 

these operations. The following table was prepared to provide 

him with a quick resume of various factors. Of course, oddshaped 

and iiTPsular-shappd plots are nfton developed into sue-

cessful drive-ins, but the square fool area will be approximately 

as shown. The depth dimensions in the table are from the screen 

to the rear of the rear drive and to these depths you must add 

the distance from the highway to the screen. The actual acreage 

that wUl have to be purchased may exceed that quoted, since the 

seller frequently refuses to sell a portion of his tract if a small 

acreage is left him. 

umber ol 

TABLE OF SITE REQUfflEMENTS

A Manual of Drive-ln Design 


In localities where level, slightly rolling land is not available, 

the yardage of material to be moved will be excessive. As an 

example is a drive-in theatre in the vicinity of Pittsburgh, Pa., 

where the last ramp is 35 feet above the highway and where 

some 45,000 yards of material had to be moved. On another site, 

on the opposite side of the same city, the rear ramp was sixteen 

zi 

iyÛ'cS^^"' 

MARyUflHB 

ILLUSTRATION NO. 5. Here is a plan somewhat similar to that shown 

in illustration No. 1 in that the combination of the two drives provides 

sufficient holding space during the rush period until all incoming traffic 

can use the regular entrance drive. 

ILLUSTRATION NO. 6. Plans such xis this one, which provides for two 

or more entrance drives, often prove satisfactory since the drives will hold 

a large number of cars. This plan does require one additional usher to 

direct the cars from the several lines into the two lines that pass the 

boxoffice. 

feet below the level of the highway. Another theatre, in southern 

New York state, was 32 feet lower at the last ramp than at the 

highway. Such sites can be turned into workable drive-in theatres 

if the expense involved is of secondary importance and if the 

potential business appears to warrant the expenditure. More detailed 

information on this subject is given under the heading of 

"Grading and Drainage." 

NATURAL AIDS TO PROPER DRAINAGE 

Under this feature of the site, the exhibitor should endeavor 

to locate some natural or existing means of disposing of surface 

water from the theatre area. Such items as brooks, creeks, ditches, 

swales, natural sink-holes, or other surface conditions will be of 

assistance to the engineer when he is planning the drainage system 

for the area. 

TYPES OF HIGHWAYS AVAILABLE TO THE SITE 

The exhibitor should check the number of highways that are 

available to the site and also consider the type of each highway. 

There is considerable difference of opinion on the subject of Just 

what type of highway is best suited for traffic to drive-in 

theatres, although after many years' study of actual operating 

conditions in many drive-ins, it is my opinion that the most 

desirable location is on a well-maintained, secondary road a 

short distance from a high-speed thoroughfare. 

There are several excellent reasons for this opinion: chief 

among them is the fact that a traffic light, or a traffic officer, 

may be placed at the intersection of the two highways to properly 

and effectively control traffic to and from the theatre. A 

drive-in theatre entrance directly from a main, high-speed artery 

presents numerous traffic hazards caused by the incoming patrons 

crossing traffic lanes at various places instead of in one specific 

location where such traffic can be controlled. Also, there is less 

opportunity for traffic accidents and less interference with the 

non-theatre-bound traffic if the the theatre is located on the 

secondary road. 

GRADE CROSSINGS 

The necessity of traveling over railroad grade crossings is a 

definite negative vote against a site! This type of traffic hazard 

should be eliminated, if possible, or an alternative site chosen. 

p. P,eo« .end in.ormo.-on on: ^^.^^^^^ ^^^^^„ ,^^,, nearest Timber Structures office, or fill in and mail the coupon. 

Timber Structures, Inc. 

Screen Towers As You Want Them 

Low Cost... Sturdy... Durable 

curved to assure freedom from keystoning. 

SIMPLE ERECTION 

position, or it 

0. Box 3782 b. ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ Tower 

p. O. BOX 3782-G • PORTLAND 8, OREGON 

Build your drive-in theatre around a Timber Strucmres screen tower, and 

you get a low cost installation that will give you long time service with a 

minimum of maintenance. 

PRICED AT $2,067 UPWARD 

The A-frame screen tower, illustrated here, is made in three sizes: 30-ft. x 40-ft.; 

37'/2-ft- X 50-ft.; and 45-ft. x 60-ft. Prices include all necessary hardware. 

Made of structural quality Douglas fir timbers, the A-frame screen tower is 

designed to withstand wind velocities up to 100 miles per hour. To save erection 

time and labor, face of the tower is made of -%-in. exterior grade waterproof plywood, 

with all sides and edges primed and sealed against moisture. Surface is 

The A-frame screen tower may be completed on the ground and swung into 

may be erected in place. Glare curtains, ladder and walkway optional. 

For further information on the A-frame or Swing-Up screen towers, see your 

Offices in New York; Chicago; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas, 

Tpxhs: fCugeno, Oregon; Seattle and Spokane, Washington. 

TIMBER STRUCTURES. INC., of CALIFORNIA, Oakland, Calii. 

TIMBER STRUCTURES of CANADA, Ltd., Peterborough, Ont 

Local Representatives Coast to Coast 


Many regular patrons of drlve-ln theatres 

are women who are hesitant about driving 

over grade crossings with their children 

unless the crossing is properly guarded. 

The watchmen, when they are provided 

for crossing duty, are usually off duty 

after 6 p. m. and the crossings are left 

unguarded throughout the night hours. 

There can be no argument with the 

statement that persons who are out for a 

pleasure ride desire to avoid as many traffic 

lights as is possible. For this reason 

the exhibitor should pay close attention to 

the subject of traffic lights and select a 

site that can be reached by the greatest 

number of patrons having to drive through 

the least number of traffic lights. 

PROXIMITY TO CENTER OF PATRON AREA 

It is advisable to select a site as close as 

possible to the center of the area in which 

the potential patrons live. This statement 

does not mean to convey the idea that the 

site should be close to the community, but 

refers to it being close to the center of a 

group of several small towns. 

There are several legitimate differences 

of opinion on the subject of whether the 

drive-in theatre should be located as near 

as possible to the largest community which 

it is to serve, or whether it should be located 

several miles out in the country. It is my 

opinion, again based upon study of many 

successful operating drive-ins, that the 

most desirable site is near the larger centers 

of population in which the majority 

of patrons work in factories or offices and 

a few miles from town as mentioned previously. 

When the drive-in is to be erected 

in the center of several rural communities, 

however, this item is not so important so 

long as the site is on a good highway and 

is readily accessible from all of the communities 

that it will serve. 

NEXT MONTH . . .

Discuss Advantages of 

In-Car Heaters at the Drive-ln 

With problems of increasing competition, 

drive-in showmen from all over the 

country met at the recent TOA convention 

in Houston to di.scuss common problems. 

cost of $17.50 for each heater. 

Of particular interest was the consensus 

of opinion that in-car heaters can increase 

POWER COSTS A FACTOR 

business profitably in climates where mild An added problem of 

winters without too much snow would 

normally cause the darkening of a drive-in 

during winter months. 

More nearly Reproduces the 

The general opinion seemed to be that 

entire sound range. 

best results were obtained from use of 

the 400-watt heater, while problems in 

power rates and vandalism seemed to vary 

in different localities. 

IF A SMALL SPEAKER WERE CAPABLE 

YOU WOULD NOT FIND A 12-INCH SPEAKER 

PREFER 400-WATT HEATERS 

IN YOUR RADIO OR SOUND SYSTEM 

According to an Abilene, Tex., exhibitor 

who installed 475 of the 200-watt heaters 

at his drive-in last season, the entire theatre 

will be changed over to 400-watt heaters 

this season. The original cost was $10,- 

000 and there is to be an additional $10,- 

000 for the change this year. 

ONLY 

A Georgia showman told fellow theatremen 

that his experience had proved the 

ONE 

*>*>#>>* *^ #> 

BEST 

200-watt heaters adequate as long as there 

was no wind. All of his later installations 

year's operation. 

T/je "CO-OP" 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

IS THE FINEST 

Increase Your Family Patronage! 

DRIVE-IN SPEAKER EVER PRODUCED 

REGARDLESS OF PRICE 

theft prevention it 

DIECAST ALUMINUM 

each plug. 

Enteitain the children with th* lotMt Idddi* 

riding doTices. Compl«t« Una of minicrtur« trains* 

auto rides, pony ridei, and airplon* rid«K. Immediate 

delivery. Temu arranged. 

KING AMUSEMENT CO. 

Ml. damans. Mich. 

tire circuit is disconnected. 

DRIVE-INS! 

Seat pedestrian-patrons in 

c^meticem 

Outdoor 

Theatre Chairs 

Cradleform j.ols ood de 

curved backi insure comi 

Bock and seat 

solid 

wood. All pans durably finished 

for outdoors—hardware 

O0» %» FACTORY 

ed to st-r< 

IS NOW COMPLETEI 

ffi' ElKtric Conveyors, Infa-nd Bahlilable 

for 

(Als< 

2 INCHES on the end of YOUR NOSE 

« jifc CONE -^^^-^^ SPEAKER '^î^ « 

WHALE OF A DIFFERENCE 

MOST CONCERNS 

BOAST THEIR PRO- 

DUCT AS BEST, BUT 

ONLY ONE TAKES 

'JJifcast .^luininiiin Speakers, ^n 

2027 So S.cond SI Si. U'..,: 4. VU. 

^ /|i 

AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY 

Grond Ropids 2. Michigon 

Branch Offices and Distributors in Principal Cities 

are receiving the 400-watt units. On the 

installation of 450 in-car heaters at a new 

550-car drive-in this theatreman gave his 

wiring costs as $9,600 with an additional 

the Georgia location 

was a power company ruling which increased 

his entire electric power bill the 

year 'round by establishing the demand 

charge according to the heat load during 

the early and late portions of the season. 

The power cost during the times heaters 

were used was doubled, he explained, adding 

that the addition was still profitable 

since attendance had been as good in 

February as it was in June. 

Another Texas showman said his local 

power company had arranged a special 

rate for his heater system. 

A Texas showman who had kept some 

rather accurate records, announced that 

he has found it cost 14 cents to operate a 

heater for a two-hour-and-forty-minute i 

period. His observation was that it had 

proved profitable to install heaters In a 

climate where heat was needed more than 

40 days in any year. This statement was 

predicated on an admission price of 50 

cents with the heater cost spread over one 

This exhibitor spent approximately 

$31,000 to install heaters in an 

800-car system. 

In the field of operating problems and 

was strongly suggested 

that each heater be equipped with its 

own switch and that a lock be placed on 

Some exhibitors who use heaters 

employ a screen trailer explaining that 

the heaters will not work on any electrical 

circuit except the theatre's so there is no 

advantage to taking the heater home. They 

also suggest the possible danger of attempting 

to disconnect an in-car heater. Others 

wrap the two heater wires separately so 

that if either wire is cut or broken the en- 

that MT miniature trains are 

the drive-in's most popular 

"ADDED ATTRACTION" 

® 

1 

Write tor FREE Details and Specifications 

on the MT Miniature Trains. 

MINIATURE TRAIN CO. 

RENSSELAER. INDIANA 

44 


New York Night Club Decor Inspires 

Theme for Texas Drive-In Screen Tower 

Impressive in its modern treatment is the new Jefferson Drive-In Theatre on West Jefferson 

Boulevard in Dallas, shown above. The drive-in accommodates 700 cars and was built by Harold 

Gibbons, who also owns the Pike Drive-ln on the Fort Worth highway. The Jefferson was designed 

by theatre architect Jack Corgan. 

A RESEARCH BUREAU 

for MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS 

ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION 

The MODERN THEATRE PLANNING INSTITUTE 12-2-50 



Gentlemen: 

Please enroll us in your REf/EARCH BUREAU to receive inlormotion regularly, as 

released, on the following subjects for Theatre Planning: 

D Acoustics 

D Air Conditioning 

D Architectural Service 

D "Black" Lighting 

D Building Material 

n Carpets 

D Coin Machines 

a Other Subjects 

D Complete Remodeling 

n Decorating 

n Drink Dispensers 

n Drive-In Equipment 

n Lighting Fixtures 

n Plumbing Fixtures 

n Projectors 

n Projection Lamps 

n Seating 

Q Signs and Marquees 

Q Sound Equipment 

n Television 

n Theatre Fronts 

n Vending Equipment 

Theatre Seating Capacity 

Address 

City 

; State 

Signed 

(Owner-Manager) 

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

are provided on page 35 of this issue. 

Architectuial 

Advisory Staii 

THE PLANNING INSTITUTE is conducted in 

collaboration with the following theatre 

architects, structural designers and engineers 

who have agreed to act as technical advisers 

to the Institute and editorial text contributors 

to The MODERN THEATRE section of BOX- 

OFFICE from their respective localities, 

ATLANTA, GA. 

Tucker & Howell, Rhodes-Haverty Bldo 

BOSTON, IVIASS. 

W. Ctiester Browne. 184 Boylston St. 

CHARLOTTE. N. C. 

IVI. R. Marsll, 509 Builders Bldj. 2 

CHICAGO. ILL 

Roy B. Blass, 30 N. LaSalle. Cliicago 2 

Erwin G. Fredrick, 225 N. IVIicliigan Ave, 1 

Edward Paul Lewin, 134 N. LaSaMe St, 2 

Rapp & Rapp, 230 N. Micliioan Ave. 1 

CINCINNATI, OHIO 

Grunkemeyer & Sullivan, 3717 Eastern Ave. 

CLEVELAND. OHIO 

Georae A. Ebclino, Colonial Arcade 15 

DALLAS, TEX. 

Jack Corgan, 2008 Jackson St. 1 

DECATUR, ALA. 

Albert R. Frahn 

DENVER, COLO. 

Charles D. Strong. 416 C. A. Johnson Bldp. 

DES MOINES. IOWA 

Wethcrell & Harrison, 506 Shops Bldj. 

DETROIT, MICH. 

Charles N. Agree. 1140 Book Tower 26 

Bennett & Straight, Schaefer BIdg., Dearborn 

HENDERSONVILLE, N. C 

Erie G. Stillwell. Inc. 

JACKSONVILLE. FLA. 

Kemp. Buncli & Jackson, 402 Fla. Theatre BIdg. 

KANSAS CITY, MO. 

Robert 0. Boiler and Dietz Lusk Jr., 

Associated Architects. 7332 Brooklyn Ave. 

KNOXVILLE. TENN. 

Fred Manley Associates. 216 Twelfth St. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 

S. Charles Lee. 164S Wilshire Blvd. 14 

Paul R. Williams. 3757 Wilshire Blvd. 

MINNEAPOLIS. MINN. 

Liebenberg & Kaplan, 710 McKnight BIdg. 

MONTREAL. QUE.. CAN. 

Henry E. Grecnspoon. 1434 St. Catherine W. 

NASHVILLE, TENN. 

Marr & Holman, 701 Stahlman BIdg. 3 

NEW LONDON, CONN. 

Arthur Deimel. Mohican Hotel BIdg. 

NEW YORK, N. Y. 

Michael J. DeAngelis, Paramount BIdg. 18 

Wm. I. Hoh.iuser, Inc.. 1S41 Broadway 23 

OMAHA, NEB. 

H. A. Raapke, 1611 Davenport St. 

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

David Supowitz, 246 S. 15th St. 

PITTSBURGH. PA. 

Victor A. Rigaumont, 5471 Coral St. 

PORTLAND, ORE. 

J. W. DeYoung, 730 S. W. Salmon St. 

ROCHESTER, N. Y. 

Michael J. DeAngelis. Cutler BIdg., 42 East Ave. 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 

Paul K. Evans. 246 E. First South St. 

SAN ANTONIO, TEX. 

Spillman & Spillman. Chandler BIdg. 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 

Vincent G. Raney, 233 Post St. 

TORONTO. ONT., CAN. 

Kaplan & Sprachman, 305 Dundee St., W. 

NOTE: Tbe Institute does not undertake tile 

professional functions of an architect or designer. 

Its service is intended merely to 

place our readers in touch vrith reliable local 

sources of preliminary information and advice 

on tlieatie planning and structural problems. 

gg 

\ BOXOFFICE :: December 2. 1950 

45

EQUIPMENT €r 

DEVELOPMENTS 

Mills Offers Gravity-Fed P-595 

Freezer for Theatres 

A gravity-fed 

freezer for frozen 

batch ice 

with 

IM 

i„ ^ custard 

cream, 

or 

complete 

^ /W\ ^^- I refrigerated mix tank 

of five-gallon capacity, 

has been added to 

the ice cream freezer 

line of Mills Industries. 

Stainless steel 

piping conducts mix 

from tank to freezer 

barrel, a distance of 

only 18 inches. 

The maximum flow 

is approximately 15 

gallons of mix an hour. The tank can be 

cleaned easily in position. If desired, a side 

cabinet can be added for storage. 

Offer Vend and Display Packs 

In New Candy Bar 

P-596 

The Big Pay candy bar, which has recently 

been added to the Hollywood Candy 

Co.'s line of confections, is available to the 

theatreman in both the 120-count vend 

pack and the usual 24-count display box. 

The new bar is a combination of coconut 

nougat, toasted almonds, caramel and 

chocolate. According to the Hollywood 

officials the bar has received very favorable 

reception. 

New Paint Provides P-597 

Fire Protection 

A protective fire-retardant paint which 

has been used with outstanding success for 

several years in Canada, has recently become 

available through the Ocean Chemicals 

Corp., American franchise holders. 

The paint, which may be used on any 

paintable surface, protects from fire by 

swelling into a thick, resisting crust to seal 

oxygen from the wall or ceiling which has 

been painted. Without air. of course, it 

is Impossible for the heat of flame to support 

combustion. Woods will char or 

smolder, but will not burn when treated 

with the new product. 

FOR MORE 

INFORMATION 

USE Readers' 

Bureau Coupons, page 35 

Foam-Type Upholstery Cleaner P-598 

Requires No Rinsing 

A foam cleaner for 

theatre upholstery 

and rug fabrics which 

requii'es no mixing or 

rinsing is offered by 

the Magicleaner Co. 

A pan, a brush and a 

sponge are the only 

tools actually required 

to apply the 

cleaner which wiU 

not burn or explode. 

Cleaner from the 

original container is poured onto a sponge 

which is squeezed until all the liquid is 

foam. Since the cleaner does not penetrate 

the fabric, it dries quickly and requires 

no rinsing. Magicleaner can also 

be used in several types of upholstery and 

rug cleaning machines. 

New Lighting System P-599 

Allows Shallow Mounting 

A new, compact, extra-shallow fluorescent 

lighting system for slimline and 40- 

watt bipin lamps, called "Strip-Line," and 

available in seven different types, is announced 

by Benjamin Electric Mfg. Co. 

Its unusually shallow channel-depth of 

slightly less than one inch makes it possible 

to use this system in extremely 

limited space, such as is often the case 

with cornice lighting, illumination of glass 

blocks, charts, murals and shadow boxes 

and show window lighting. 

The new system includes high -power 

factor junction-box type ballasts, which are 

mounted remotely from the channel so 

that the strips may be attached flush with 

the ceiling; special terminal block, which 

eliminates wiring, soldering, wire nuts and 

wire splicing in installation and exclusive 

"Inter-Lok" construction by which channels 

may be locked together without couplings 

in any one of three different ways. 

Candy Display Rack for 

Theotre Counters 

P-600 

For the refreshment service counters of 

theatre lobby stands where space is often 

at a premium the Chase Candy Co. has 

prepared a wire serve-yourself display rack 

to hold six rows of cellophane packed candies. 

This makes it possible for the theatre 

patron to chose from an ample selection 

of bulk candy. 

Screen Beading Featured in 

New Theatre Paint Line 

Im 

^ 

P-601 

A three-step process for converting a 

regular theatre screen into a beaded screen 

is featured in a complete new line of exterior 

and interior theatre paints offered 

by Drive-In Theatre Mfg. Co. 

The unique screen treatment process 

consists of a screen coating, screen bead 

adhesive and blow gun-type of tool for 

spraying glass beads onto the surface. 

Also included in the line is building 

paint, brick and masonry paint, aluminum 

paint, border masking for screens, varnishes, 

chrome finishes and materials for 

use with them. 


— 

— 

Carton Protects Carbons 

During 

Storage 

P-602 

a::::E 

tr^ 

A new, self-locking container for projection 

carbons has recently been announced 

by the National Carbon division 

of Union Carbide & Carbon Corp. The 

carton is said to add materially to the 

convenience and protection of carbons 

which are stored in the theatre previous 

to use. 

Because of long flaps which fold into 

the box, which is actually of one-piece design, 

the carton remains intact even when 

opened. No staples, tape or string is used 

in storing the boxes. 

Ample Warning in 

Reelend Alarm 

P-603 

We install itwe 

service it 

When you get set for television in your 

theatre, RCA Service Engineers are prepared 

to help you. 

These experts have received intensive 

training in the television laboratories and 

factories of the Radio Corporation of 

America and are qualified to supervise 

the installation of complete theatre TV 

systems and keep them running. 

They will see to it that all video equipment, 

including coaxial lines and antennas, 

are installed for maximum operating efficiency. 

They will give whatever operating 

instructions are necessary to your projectionists 

on handling the equipment. They 

RCA Service Engineers on 

television assignments are 

factory-trained experts. You 

can depend on them to keep 

your theatre TV equipment 

at peak efficiency. 

will be on ready call for quick emergency 

service. 

Like the Service Plan for motion picture 

equipment, RCA's new Theatre TV 

Service includes periodic inspection calls 

and unlimited emergency service—at reasonable 

rates. Tubes and components are 

replaced without additional charge when 

Parts Plan is included. 

t -f f 

IMAGINE IT— television programs on 

your screen with reliability corresponding 

to a motion picture show. It's a fact 

when it's backed by RCA Service. Write 

for complete information. 

A new reelend alarm which not only 

gives the projectionist a constant reading 

on the projection time left in any reel but 

also sounds three distinct bell warnings 

near the end of each reel is announced by 

the Reversible Sign Co. 

A soft rubber roller, which rides on the 

film, is designed to avoid film scratching 

and is light in weight to avoid wear on 

the roller itself. The film arm can be 

raised out of the way for quick and easy 

threading. Adjustments make it possible to 

set alarm rings for any spots from zero 

to five minutes before the reel end. 

According to the manufacturers, the 

alarm is easily attached to any make of 

projector magazine. 

RCA SERVICE COMPANY. IMC. 

A RADIO CORPORATION ofAMERICA SUBSIDIARY 

CAMDEN. NEW JERSEY 

WHEN LIGHTS GO OUT- 

Your Best Friend is a 

_ LAMPLIGHTER ^^«eTê*f^ UNIT 

Avoid Panic and Injury 

^, Just one of many models 

W INQUIRE NOW! 

PRODUCTS CO., 

95 ATLANTIC AVE. 

BROOKLYN 2, N. Y. 

'^%p6c\a\ii\s in Emergency Lighting" 

INC. 


47

PO0 

TO 

DRIVE-IN 

GREATER 

PROFITS 

Add Directional Signs 

To General Line 

MATINEE 

" - • 50< 

•^H'ÊN ,; 

20 

f 

P-604 

is returned to its container on the post. 

Known as a Speaker-Lok, the unit was 

demonstrated at the recent TESMA trade 

show in Chicago and the TOA convention 

in Houston. 

When a speaker has been withdrawn 

from the metal container, which is also 

said to protect speaker components from 

the elements in non-show hours, the lid 

locks in the open position and cannot be 

closed in any way except by replacing the 

speaker. When the lid is closed the iron 

guards are dropped to release the locked 

wheel. 

To the line of admission signs on plastic, 

both illuminated and unlighted, the Associated 

Ticket Co. has added new directional 

signs for theatre use. Employing 

various methods of display, the signs may 

carry whatever copy the theatreman wishes 

since each sign is made to order. 

New Ceiling Air Distributors 

For Non-Recessed Installation 

P-606 

Wheel Lock Eliminates 

Speaker Loss 

P-605 

From New Jersey to Missouri, Poblocki 

& Sons are furnishing thirteen drive-in 

signs for one of the oldest and largest 

circuits in the country. An exclusive 

phenomenal flashing scheme is the outstanding 

feature on all these signs. Investigate 

Poblocki "knov/-hov^" first, and 

be convinced that your best drive-in 

advertising will be done with a Poblocki 

sign. 

A new device which requires exact positioning 

of the drive-in theatre patron's 

car to obtain an in-car speaker from a 

special metal container, utilizes metal 

guards before and behind one front wheel 

to hold the car in position until the speaker 

Designed for installation where the outlet 

cannot be recessed into the ceiling, two 

new Barber Colman air distribution outlets 

have adjustable air deflection and a high 

aspiration rate. Outlet extends only a few 

inches above the ceiling surface. 

Venturi-Flo units in the new models are 

available as supply or combination supply 

and return outlets. Supply air deflection 

is adjustable from vertical to horizontal 

in supply outlets and limited in combination 

units to prevent short circuiting of 

supply air to the return opening. Outlets 

are supplied in a wide range of sizes in a 

baked metalescent aluminum finish or 

prime coat for painting. 

Modernize Your Boxoffice 

SPEAKER 

OPENING GRILL 

PROGRAM TIME SCHEDULE HOLDER 

A great convenience for patrons and timesaver 

for cashier. Sturdily constructed of 

tempered presdwood for standing or hanging. 

Plastic disks with offset 

louvres permits perfecl 

hearing , yet prevents 

cold oij rushing into 

ticket booth. For any 

round speaker open- 

size 

ing, easily attached. 

ROLL 

TICKET HOLDER 

Rigidly constructed al 

tempered presdwood 

with hardwood varnished 

roller Wall, table 

shelf mounting, inexp 

sive but durable. 

i^riiTe{Zi.A?,DS6?rs-m^ 

âsaamm 

TICKET vnNDOW SPACE COVER AND LOCK 

Heavy clear plastic, custom made for any 

size opening. Inside stainless steel locks 

prevent vandalism. 

For full particulars, write to the company direct or use 

the FREE postcard at page 35. This ad's key No. is 4S-B. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE MFG. CO. 

729 Baltimore Ave. Kansas City, Mo. 


' 

^ 

j 

Hydropel Is Waterproof P-607 

Coating for Masonry 

A new product in the field of waterproofing 

is announced by United Laboratories. 

Inc. Known as Hydropel. the product is 

a transparent water-repellent coating for 

exterior masonry surfaces of many kinds. 

The completely new formulation of 

Hydropel is radically different from cement 

and other similar paints or coatings. 

It does not form a film on the surface and 

is completely invisible. The original texture 

and color of the building is retained. 

Operator Convenience Featured 

In Multi-Clean Scrubber 

P-608 

A NEW 

POBLOCKI 

ACHIEVEMENT 

Making it's bow at the TOA convention 

in Dallas, the portrait 

type case excited hundreds of 

exhibitors. They realized that 

the shadow box, tri-dimensional 

effect gives great prominence 

to poster advertising. The great 

beauty of the extra wide, stainless 

steel molding is an attention 

Scrubbing controls at his fingertips, plus 

ease of manipulation of the entire unit, 

are features of the new Multi-Clean rug 

scrubber models designed to make it easier 

for the operator to clean larger carpet 

areas more efficiently. 

the line are powered by electric motors 

from a third-horsepower up to a full 

horsepower. Brush sizes of the various 

machines range from 12 to 19-inch spreads. 

According to the manufacturer, no adjustment 

is necessary to switch from wet 

to dry pickup. An independent motor cooling 

system is installed and the motor is 

sealed against dirt, dust and water. 

PICTURE WINDOW SIZE 

The large glass size gives a picture window effect, 

allowing use of several posters in various combinations. 

You need all the advertising you can 

get — and you get all you need with Poblocki 

portrait type, picture window poster cases. 

getter, yet artfully demands attention 

for the posters within, 

which is set back in greater 

depth, highlighting the poster 

message. 

is 

The overall impression 

one of luxury, and greatly improves 

the appearance of any 

theatre. 

Portrait poster cases are custom 

built in any size, to fit your particular 

front. 

The additional cost 

will be forgotten when you see 

how portrait cases improve your 

theatre facade. 

ARE YOU USING ALL YOUR DISPLAY 

SPACE TO BEST ADVANTAGE? 

Light Polarized by P-609 

Convex Screen 

A result of 35 years of study and experimentation, 

the Trans-Color projection 

screen recently presented to the industry 

at a theatre premiere, offers solutions to 

many of the problems with which theatremen 

have been faced in recent years. 

A viewing angle increased to 80 degrees 

without distortion is achieved by providing 

a true convex shape to the screen surface. 

Masking and framing problems are solved 

by keeping the masking in a flat plane and 

mounting the screen in a lightweight 

aluminum frame which brings the entire 

load within limits which makes it practical 

to ship the unit by air if necessary. Assembly 

is said to require only a few minutes' 

time. 

By polarizing the light the screen affords 

less glare and gives color projection a 

softer, more lifelike quality. A variety of 

surface treatments are available in the 

screen which now employs screen material 

of the Williams Screen Co. 

m ^ppfiii 

Why limif your poster advertising to 

e, the Borry theatre, Pittsburgh, 

;ingle case 96"x96". At right, the 

e, Chattanooga, Tenn., with a 

nbined box office and poster case. 

Poblocki & Sons 

Milwaukee, Wis. 

"standard" size cases, when Poblocki can 

give you many extra square feet of show 

celling space. Utilize all your available 

front to get your poster advertising across 

to the public in jumbo Poblocki cases, 

custom built to your exact specifications.

— 

Choose the 

Super that 

Meets Your Special 

Needs 

Any one of these Super Specialized Theatre Cleaners will solve any ond 

all of your cleaning problems to your complete satisfaction. All are designed 

and tool-equipped for the dependable and thorough performance 

of every cleaning job. All are rugged, portable, with fast positive pick up. 

The MODEL M. A streamlined Super for heavy duty general use. Light 

weight, ready portability, simple operation. A safety trap catches without 

damage metal and other solid objects picked up by floor tool. 

The MODEL QS. A quiet suction cleoner with the same powerful 

Super pick up. Practically noiseless operation. Cleans efficiently 

without disturbing or interferring with entertainment. Light weight 

and easily portable on any kind of floor. 

The MODEL QR All Super features plus wet pick up. Carpets 

2. Model QS. 

and rugs can be dried after shampooing where they lie. Suds and 

scrub water removed from bare floors. Saves time, expense, and inconvenience. 

Standard tool equipment enables you to do general and usual cleoning. Special tools for 

specific and difficult tasks may be obtained at small additional cost. 

Ask your supply dealer for a demonstration. See for your self why thousands of theatre 

owners 'solve their problems with a Super. Write for complete data. 

NATIONAL SUPER SERVICE COMPANY, INC. 

1941 N. 12th Street, Toledo 2, Ohio 

SUPER SUCTION 

Tlie following concerns have recently 

filed copies of interesting descriptive literature 

with the Modern Theatre Information 

Bureau. Readers who wish copies may 

obtain them promptly by using the Readers' 

Bureau postcard in this issue of The Modern 

Theatre. 

L-1210—A SINGLE SHEET which tells the 

advantages of a new textbook on advertising 

for the theatreman is offered by the 

Helpful Pi-ess. According to the publisher, 

this service makes it possible to test the 

effectiveness of your advertising before it 

is published. The author is Calvert Lindquest. 

advertising and sales consultant. 

L-iail—A FOUR-PAGE FOLDER of the Lucky 

Club Co. tells the story of its line of franchise 

beverages in the soft drink field. A 

full range of flavors, an advertising program 

to back up the dealer and a comprehensive 

profit story is told in the literature. 

L-1212—A TWO-COLOR SINGLE SHEET Of 

the Fred Hebel Corp. describes and illustrates 

a coin-operated new ice cream vender. 

The unit offers buyers a choice of 

five different flavors of stick confections. 

Because cartoning of individual bars is unnecessary 

with this dispenser, an additional 

profit is available on each bar. 

L-1213 An attractive full-color folder 

of the murals available to the theatreman 

for dressing a dull corner or wall is offered 

by Foto Murals of California. The brochure 

gives sizes and price of each mural 

and answers a number of the questions 

sure to be asked by the exhibitor interested 

in this novel decorative treatment. 

An "Added" Service to Our Customers 

All ADC Curtain Tracks are now being furnished with sash cord for hand-operated 

tracks and wire-center bell cord for machine operated tracks — AT NO 

EXTRA COST! And, it's the world's finest cord, too. Immediale delivery oi cord 

for replacement or stocking purposes. Available in all sizes for all ADC Tracks 

and for use with Autodrape & Silver Service Curtain Machines. 

AUTOMATIC 

DEVICES COMPANY 

116 N. 8th St. Allentown, Pa. 

SUPPORT THE MOST CELEBRATED CURTAINS IN THE WORLD 

Announcing ""PERFECTION IN REFLECTION' 

25 YEARS EXPERIENCE 

SeamUÂ SUoen. a*ut SeeunicA^^ TOAlte ScneeM4. 

POLA-RAY NOW PRESENTS 

THE PROJECTION SCREEN OF TOMORROW 

CUSTOM-BUILT SCREENS TO MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS 

SEAMLESS SILVER - SEAMLESS WHITE - VINYL - PROXYLIN 

POLA-RAY PRODUCTS FULLY GUARANTEED 

Dealer Inquiries Invited 

POLA-RAY PROJECTION SCREEN COMPANY, INC. 

5401 CAHUEN6A BLVD. NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. 

L-1214 Sixteen pages of interesting 

photographs, drawings and descriptive 

matter are contained in a recent catalog 

of J. R. Clancy, Inc., manufacturers of all 

kinds of curtain controls and stage equipment. 

Shown in the book are outstanding theatre 

installations of contour curtains, the 

motorized bandcar described in this issue 

of The Modern Theatre and other units 

of staging equipment. 

L-1215 Pull presentation of the new 

General Precision Laboratories' Videofilm 

method of presenting theatre television is 

included in a booklet offered by National 

Theatre Supply Co. The book pictures each 

element in the chain of equipment which 

takes the image from a television camera, 

records it on film, processes that film and 

puts a finished picture on a theatre screen 

within 60 seconds. 

Suggested methods of using the complete 

system, plus a diagramatic outline of operation 

is included in the book. 

L-1216 Complete, up-to-date reference 

manuals, designed for use by architects, 

contractors and supervisors, and classifying 

proper floors to suit various conditions 

in industry, have been prepared by Multi- 

Clean Products, Inc. These manuals pro- 

50 

Tho MODERN THEATRE SECTION

— 

vide for improved floor appearance, longer 

life and reduced repair and replacement. 

They contain detailed instructions for the 

proper care and maintenance of wooden, 

asphalt tile, terrazzo, rubber tile, concrete 

and linoleum floors. 

Also included is a full-color brochure 

showing various floor installations and listing 

a breakdown of maintenance cost 

figures. 

L-1217 An interesting, fully illustrated 

brochure on Dek-Tufts, for custom-building 

simulated upholstery, is available from 

Deks, Inc. The four-inch squares are available 

in 11 decorative colors and are tough, 

durable acetate construction. A center hole 

in each tuft provides access for a single 

nail which will hold the square in place on 

any wooden surface. 

By combining various colors to form interesting 

patterns, the squares may be used 

to provide decoration to theatre standee 

rails, doors, entranceways, or refreshment 

service counter fronts. 

L-1218—A QUICK EASY-TO-READ, four-page 

booklet issued by National Theatre Supply 

presents a large illustration of the new 

Excelite arc lamp, and states its outstanding 

features. 

The new lamp has been designed for use 

at drive-ins or conventional theatres with 

large screens. 

L-1219 — Two SINGLE SHEETS issued by 

National Heaters, Inc., clearly state the 

case for the drive-in in-car heater. By 

pointing out that a normal operating 

season can be extended a total of approximately 

20 weeks in spring and fall, the 

literature suggests that National heaters 

can add considerable drive-in revenue. 

L-1220—A FOLDED. TWO-COLOR booklet of 

Theatre Equipment Co. of America features 

its Teca in-car speakers which are priced 

as low as $11.50 a pair, and also illustrates 

and describes other speakers in the line 

which sell for as much as $18 a pair. In 

addition to speakers, the literature lists 

downlights, coiled cords and special theftresisting 

cord. 

L-1221—A FOUR-PAGE, TWO-COLOR booklet 

issued by FYigidbar, Inc., illustrates, with 

blueprint-style cross-section drawings, the 

new frozen confection vender which puts a 

refrigerated product within the customer's 

reach for added sales. 

The booklet illustrates the Plexiglas lid 

which covers merchandise in the top of the 

unit, and explains that the vender may be 

used either for self-service or by a clerk. 

The unit is available in either floor or 

counter models. 

L-1222—A SERIES OF ATTRACTIVE CatalOgmanuals 

have recently been released by the 

C-O-Two Fire Equipment Co. The manuals 

illustrate various uses of the fire extinguishers, 

give specifications and construction 

drawings plus suggested techniques 

of use. 

It's Available Everywh«« 

Because It's Demanded Everywhere! 

Gives popcorn wonderful 

butter-like flavor, color and 

aroma . . . produces fewer 

"duds" ... no pre-heating 

needed . . . always 

liquid ... comes in 

gallon can easy to 

use, easy to store 

... no waste . . . 

costs less to use. 

S^^'. 

Made of American Ingredients— Alvâys Available! 

Modi by C. P. Siaenin's Sons Inc. phuo. 34. po. 

POPPING OIL SPECIALISTS TO THE NATION 


51

increîsem 

WITH BLACK LIGHT 

INTERIOR DECORATION 

The novel decorating effects 

obtainable with GLO-CRAFT 

Black Light Units and GLO-CRAFT 

fluorescent products are endless. 

Murals and other types of Block Light 

decoration have become recognized 

as a potent drov/ing card in many 

theaters throughout the v/orld. Theater 

ov/ners have reported intense 

interest in the captivating beauty of 

GLO-CRAFT Black Light Decorating. 

Svîtzer Brothers have the technical 

knov/ledge to aid you in drav/- 

ing more patrons to your theater 

through the use of v/ell-planned 

GLO-CRAFT Black Light effects. 

SmilHR BROIHEIIS, inc. 

4732 St. Cloir Ave. • Cleveland 3, Ohio 

"The First Name in Fluorescence" 

Looking for EXTRA INCOME? 

i^~mr~^ 

Earn EXTRA 

Money with 

Penny 

Candy & Gum 

Vending 

Machines 

aboui PEOPLE / and PRODUCT1 

Charles f. Wilson Robert R. Anderson 

HoBART C. Ramsey, president of Worthington 

Pump & Machinery Corp., announced 

recently the election of Charles 

E. Wilson, former president, to the position 

of chairman of the board of directors of 

its subsidiary, the Worthington-Gamon 

Meter Co. Robert R. Anderson was elected 

president of the firm which manufactures 

liquid meters. William C. Flanders was 

elected vice-president in charge of sales, 

and Walter H. Zeis secretary-treasurer. 

Because of the expansion of business. 

Edgar A. Bowman has recently moved his 

entire plant facilities to 682 Sixth Ave., 

New York 10, N. Y. Just barely settled in 

the new quarters, output of the expanded 

operation is in full swing to meet customer 

orders. 

Interviewed on television at the recent 

TOA convention in Houston were Charles 

P. Skouras, left, of 20th Century-Pox and 

Mrs. Herbert Griffin, wife of the vicepresident 

of International Projector Corp. 

A. E. Hungerford. of General Precision 

Laboratories, conducts the interview as 

part of his firm's demonstration of theatre 

television equipment at the show. 

New windproof. slotted changeable 

copy letters developed by Wagner Sign 

Service, Inc., have recently been released 

to theatremen. 

This new windproof slot, a feature which 

is exclusive with Wagner, affords a positive 

lock which prevents letters blowing off the 

sign even in the most extreme wind. The 

letters are also said to be easier to change 

than previous letters. 

iiiii 

In keeping with plans to have experts 

in various fields on hand in display booths 

at the TESMA show last month, Jake 

Mitchell, Worth Laird, Bill LaVezzi, Tom 

LaVezzi, Jerry Kremer and Bob LaVezzi 

manned the LaVezzi booth to give visitors 

authoritative data. 

Edward f. Ruder 

Recently named 

advertising manager 

of the Angelica Uniform 

Co. is Edward 

P. Ruder. Ruder advances 

into the position 

opened by the 

promotion of John 

Levey to the position 

of Director of Sales 

and Promotion. 

Neighborhood Theatres as well as larger theatres 

with balconies and lounges can profit. 

You'll get extra income at no increase in 

overhead with these "easy-to-operate" machines. 

lot in Key No. 52-B on the postage-lree cord. 

WRITE DEPT T TODAY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 

COLUMBUS VENDING 

CO. 

2025 E. Main Street Columbus 9, Ohio 

NOW — NEW LOW-COST 

ADLER "SECTIONAD" 

CHANGEABLE LETTER 

DISPLAY 

WrUt for Iniormatlon 

ADLER SILHOUETTE LETTER CO. 

30214 W. 36th St.. Chicago 32. Illinoii 

OVER SOOl EXTRA 

PROFIT EVERY MY! 

''?u)£C?C]>2(L(L'^ SAMITARY ICE SHAVER 

You Make Money Faster with SNO-MASTER 

The ONLY Automatic Ice Shaving Machine 

100 lbs. or ice will make about 400 ten-ounce Sno-Cones 

Cost about $6. Brinos $40. Net $23! That's PROFIT! 

l-iir rlcl:ilK WKITK now or use the FKBE piistcard lit page .fS 

SNO-MASTER 

Every Feature You've Wanted 

in a REEL-END ALARM! 

^ See at a glance the lime in 

minutes rcmalnino on reel. 

•K 3 Alarms! 2 single rings, one 

double. g!>es time to check 

carbons in larngs, etc. 

-K Adjustable from lero to 5 

minutes from end of reel after 

first ring Soft rubber 

that rides film can't sci 

it. Arm raises out of way 

threading. Very little pressdre; 

Attoches easily to $1050 

ANY magazine 

iPjoafi 

From your dealer r VV HATKE 

'"^^ ^' *-""' 

52 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION 

i

EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

ABOUT 

PICTURES 

Just as the Barometer vage shovts first run reports on current pictures, this 

department is devoted for the most part to reports on subseauent runs, made 

by 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 *>. 

COLUMBIA 

Candid Microphone (Col) — Short. It is 

taking this series time to catch on, but now 

some of my patrons are asking for this excellent 

short series. Allen Funt, the originator, 

has a clever idea and most of the 

situations are very humorous. It's fun to 

watch people when they don't know they're 

being watched. I hope these shorts click. 

Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.— 

Carl Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis. 

Local and surrounding area patronage. ' * * 

Father Is a Bachelor (Col)—William Holden, 

Coleen Gray, Mary Jane Saunders. This 

is an excellent small town picture. It was 

only fair on drawing power but the film 

rental was low and our net was $5 over the 

minimum satisfactory. It is good for Sunday 

or weekend at low rental. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, State Theatre, 

Olivet, Mich. Small town, rural and college 

patronage. * * * 

Fortunes of Captain Blood, The (Col) — 

Louis Hayward, Patricia Medina, George Macready. 

Too much costume and not strong 

enough cast caused the wallopin' we took 

on this one. Paired with Republic's "Flaming 

Fury" and on this bill the patrons enjoyed 

it much more than they did old Captain 

Blood. Costume flickers are dead for this 

location. Played Sat. (preview). Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Clear and 90 degrees.—Jim Dunbar. 

Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Kas. Downtown 

subsequent run patronage. 

' * '' 

Good Humor Man, The (Col)—Jack Carson. 

Lola Albright, Jean Wallace. This is a low 

grade of slapstick and has no drawing power 

here. We lost heavily and should not have 

played the picture. Weather: Fair.-E. A. 

London, State Theatre, Olivet, Mich. Small 

town, rural and college patronage. 

* * * 

EAGLE LION CLASSICS 

Federal Man (ELC) — William Henry, 

Pamela Blake. This is a fine action picture to 

double with that western on Fri., Sat. A good 

print and sound made this one okay, and no 

company yet has beaten Eagle Lion's terms. 

You fellows in the rural towns, sit up and 

take notice! Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold. 

—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla. 

Small town and rural patronage. * * * 

Naughty Nineties (ELC) — Reissue. Bud 

Abbott, Lou Costello. These two boys never 

fail me at the boxoffice. This was one of 

their first efforts and just as entertaining in 

the slapstick vein as ever. Don't miss it if 

these boys do business in your locality. 

Doubled it with "Wagonma.ster" (RKO>, a 

different style of western with plenty of action 

and drama for all. This weak cast performed 

ably. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair 

and cold.—Jim Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, Wich- 

Spoilers, The (ELC) — Reissue. Marlene 

Dietrich, John Wayne. Naturally, we can say 

this went over to a full house because it was 

our annual free Halloween show. The show 

itself was pretty good. It had quite a bit of 

action. If we could have as many people come 

when they pay as when they don't, we might 

start making some money. Played Tuesday 

only. Weather: A little cool.—Theron Pollard, 

Garfield Theatre, Garfield, Utah. Min- 

' 

ing town patronage. 

Desperadoes (Col)—Randolph Scott, Glenn 

Ford. If you have an action house or get Timber Fury (ELC)—David Bruce, Laura 

results from western pictures, this is your Lee, Nicla DiBruno. Only the children and 

answer. It is a lovely picture of its kind.— the most simple souls waste their money on 

Harland Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, 

Ont. Small town patronage. ' * * one isn't doing his books justice. I don't 

these James Oliver Curwood stories. Some- 

be- 

tion they like here.' Played Sun.. Mon. patronage. 

Weather: Fair. — Jim Mote, Friendship 

Theatre, Sterling. Okla. Small town and Happy Years, The (MGM)—Dean Stockwell, 

Darryl Hickman, Scotty Beckett. This 

rural patronage. * * * 'Comments of the Week' 

Show Diverse Views 

"THIS WEEK we take the opposing views 

of two exhibitors and run them for 

further comment from exhibitor readers. 

One from Clinton Bahensky of the Time 

Theatre at Albert City, Iowa, read: 

"The big pictures just won't do business 

in a small town after they have played 

all around you." 

ita, Kas. Downtown subsequent run patronage. 

A few days later this one came in from 

* * * 

Ken Gorham of the Town Hall Theatre 

at Middlebury, Vt., as follows: 

"Playing this film ahead of the Roxy 

(New York City), also ahead of nearby 

cities, stripped me of much good advertising." 

Anyone want to comment further on 

this? 

Black Hand (MGM)—Gene Kelly, J. Carrol 

Naish, Teresa Celli. In my estimation this 

is not suitable for the rural situations, although 

there are action and suspense aplenty 

in it. Note to MGM (trailer department): 

Any scenes with a crying woman in them 

are boxoffice poison for the small towns. 

Won't all you small town fellows agree on 

lieve they're this bad. Played Fri., Sat. 

that? ... I would like to see special trailers 

Weather: Fair.—Jim Mote, Friend.ship Theatre, 

Sterling, Okla. Small town and rural 

made for rural trade use. Played Wed., Thurs. 

patronage. * * * Weather: Extremely fine for November.—I. 

Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla. Small 

LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS 

town and rural patronage. * * * 

Deputy Marshal (LPi—Jon Hall. Frances Conspirator (MGM)—Robert Taylor, Elizabeth 

Taylor, Robert Fleming. This is a good 

Langford. Dick Foran. This is an aboveaverage 

western that I used to replace my picture that didn't set the world on firemediocre 

usual western series. Business was excellent 

turnout. Played Mon., Tues.—Har- 

because of the co-feature, "In Old Missouri" land Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, 

(Rep). No complaints. Played Fri., Sat. Ont. Small town patronage. * ' * 

Weather: Cold.—Ralph Raspa, State Theatre, 

Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage. * * * 

Duchess of Idaho (MGM)—Esther Williams, 

Van Johnson, John Lund. If this picture had 

been given to us rental free, we would have 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

just made expenses and our minimum net. 

Annie Get Your Gun (MGM)—Betty Hutton, 

Howard Keel, Louis Calhern. This ranks 

The story is weak and the title is extremely 

weak. If Metro had substituted "Sun Valley" 

as the finest entertainment we have ever 

for "Duchess," the picture would have had 

shown on our screen. Our film rental was 

more drawing power. We cannot recommend 

too high and consequently our net was only 

the picture for small towns. Played Sun., Mon. 

at the "get-by" figure. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Fair.-E. A. London, State Theatre, 

Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, State Theatre, 


Olivet, Mich. Small town, rural and 

patronage. 

college patronage. 

Battleground (MGM)—Van Johnson, John Duchess of Idaho (MGM)—Esther Williams, 

Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban. This epic win Van Johnson, John Lund. Like all other 

be good when it is reissued the third or fourth Esther Williams pictures, the story material 

time. Comments were fine and attendance was weak, but very likable and entertaining. 

normal and a little over for three days midweek. 

The excellent story, cast and direction 

Of course the average patron likes them 

simple and this one was just that. Paired it 

made it thoroughly entertaining. Coupled 

with "Woman on Pier 13" (RKO) and of the 

it 

with "Shanghai Chest" (Mono), a below par 

two. Duchess was best liked and sold the 

Charlie Chan feature. Played Tues., Wed., most tickets. Business was just about normal. 

Thursday. Weather: Clear and warm.— Jim Played Sat. (preview). Sun., Mon. Weather: 

Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, Wichita. Kas. Downtown 

subsequent run patronage. * * * tre, Wichita, Kas. Downtown subsequent run 

Clear and warm.—Jim Dunbar, Roxy Thea- 

patronage. 

WFather of the Bride (MGM) — Spencer 

Combination They Like 

Tracy, Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor. This 

comedy is too sophisticated for our people. 

In 'Riding High' 

Our attendance was low and the picture did not 

TJIDING HIGH (Para) — Bing Crosby, please the majority who came. The film rental 

Coleen Gray, Charles Bickford. This was twice what it should have been—you 

is much better than I had been led to know the rest of the story. Played Sun., Mon. 

believe. I couldn't find a thing wrong Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, State Tlieatre, 

with it. It has just about the combina- 


is 

a high grade family picture with only fair 

BOXOFFICE BooldnGuide Dec. 2, 1980

I 

Rep), a bill for the 

drawing power. It is worth a Sunday date in were all fine in it. Played Pri., Sat., Sun. 

.-.mall towns at low flat rental. We netted Weather: Good.—Frank E. Sabin, Majestic 

• 

my dark night, for my Catholic patrons. atre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining patronage. * Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair and cold.— 

The priest announced it here and in a 

Jim Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Kas. 

nearby town. As a result, had a nice crowd. Wagonmaster (RKO) — Ben Johnson, Downtown subsequent run patronage. * * * 

This is something all Catholics are interested 

in, regardless of locaUty. The sound western that pleased my fans no end. The Fighting Kentuckian, The (Rep) — John 

Joanne Dru, Harry Carey jr. A very unusual 

wasn't quite up to par but the ceremonies novel musical background was outstanding Wayne, Vera Ralston, Philip Dorn. It seems 

and church scenes were good. Played and gave us a very good Sun., Mon. boxoffice. John Wayne can do no wrong. He works in 

Thursday. Weather: Fair. — Jim Mote, It was better than "Fort Apache," and was all types of action plays and the verdict is 

Friendship Theatre, Sterling, Okla. Small sold flat, for a change. Weather: Snow and always good. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: 

town and rural patronage. * • * wind. — Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre, 

just enough to get by. Played Sun., Mon. Theatre, Eureka, Mont., Small town and 

Weather: Fair.—E. A. London, State Theatre, rural patronage. • • 

From • 

Recent Illness 


* patronage. * 

CINCE ' 

contributors to these columns 

Lives of a Bengal Lancer (Para)—Reissue. 

Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone. This did not have become a family, in a sense, 1 

Reformer and the Redhead, The CMGM)— do near the business that "Beau Geste" gave think others will be interested in this 

Dick Powell, June Allyson, David Wayne. us, but satisfied the patrons. The print was communication from E. A. London of the 

This was an opportune picture, played two not too good and the sound recording was State Theatre at Olivet, Mich., which 

days prior to the general election. It did average 

far from being good. This is a nice weekend says: 

business and is a comedy-angle picture, picture, though. What a cast for a movie! 

"I am sorry to have neglected your 

with a few animals to please the kids. Played Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool.—Ken Christianson, 

Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. 

department but I have been ill since June 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Cool.—D. W. Trisko, 

and have been 

Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz. Mining patronage. 

Small town patronage. * * • 

unable to participate in 

' 

the operation of our theatre. Fortunately, 

' * 

Riding High (Para)—Bing (3rosby, Coleen my wife is an excellent manager or we 

Reformer and the Redhead, The (MGM)— Gray, Charles Bickford. After all the lemons would have been forced to close our theatre. 

Dick Powell, June Allyson, David Wayne. Bing has appeared in, I was a httle afraid 

I have somewhat recovered and will 

Funny? You bet! This is a fine family picture 

of this one, but it was pleasant surprise. try to be a regular contributor again to 

that I recommend to all exhibitors. An The picture is on a down-to-earth level and EHHS. It is still the most valuable de- 

trailer excellent plus a fine cast helped to helped to raise Bing's stock. It has an excellent 

partment of BOXOFFICE." 

cast, with special mention to William 

sell this one. I let the first ten redheads in 

Orchids to Mrs. London for seeing that 

free but 16 showed up, so I let them in too. Demarest, Clarence Muse and Coleen Gray. 

the 

The price was a little steep, but I had 

show went on during her husband's 

so The picture built attendance from the first 

illness 

many good comments that maybe it was night. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather: 

and we are glad to learn of his recovery. 

worth it. Played Sun.. Mon. Weather: Cold.— Cool.—Carl P. Neitzel, Juno Theatre. Juneau, 

Carl Neitzel, Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Wis. Local and surrounding area patronage. 

Local and surrounding area patronage. * • * 

• • * 

Skipper Surprised His Wife, The (MGM)— 

REPUBLIC 

Robert Walker, Joan Leslie, Edward Arnold. 

Arkansas Judge (Rep) —Reissue. Weaver 

This is a good little comedy. We expected 

Help Called It a Jewel 

Bros, and Elviry. I played this oldie starring 

better business but I guess we shouldn't complain. 

It's still better than Korea. Played That Pleased Everyone against a personal appearance of Roy Rogers 

the Weaver Bros, and Elviry with Roy Rogers 

Wed., Thurs.—Harland Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, 

Chatham, Ont. Small town pa- 

—Jane Wyman, Dennis Morgan, Eve Ar- 

us normal business. It is a good hillbilly pic- 

LADY TAKES A SAILOR, THE (WB) and Dale Evans in the trade area, and it gave 

* * tronage. * den. This is another one I missed because 

we were headed for Texas, but my Thurs., Fri. Weather: Cold.—Ken Christianture 

that your country people love. Played 

help tell me that it was one of those son, Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small 

MONOGRAM 

jewels that please everyone. They said town and rural patronage. * * * 

Master Minds (Mono)—Leo Gorcey, Huntz Jane was never better and that people 

Hall, William Benedict. If these Bowery Boys left raving about what a grand picture it Blonde Bandit, The (Rep)—Dorothy Patrick, 

go in your town, this is a good one. It has was. Business was slightly above average 

Gerald Mohr, Robert Stockwell. Re- 

plenty of laughs doubled with "Trail's End" 

for the change. I'd sure advise you public makes a good grade of program pic- 

(Mono) to ten per cent above average busi- to use it. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. tures. Although there were no name stars 

ness. Played Pri. night, Sat. afternoon. Weather: Perfect.—Bob Walker, Uintah in the cast, the story was very good and the 

~ 

Weather: Very cold, below freezing.—N. D. Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small town and picture plea.sed. Doubled with "Susanna Pass" 

which made up good Patterson, Tate Theatre, Coldwater, Miss. rural patronage. » » * 

Small town and rural patronage. 

weekend. Business was average and comments 

* 

were favorable. Played Fri., Sat. 

Triple Trouble (Mono)—Leo Gorcey, Huntz 

Weather: Fair.—Carl F. Neitzel, Juno Theatre, 

Juneau, Wis. Local and surrounding area 

Hall, Pat Collins. If you play this series', 

RKO RADIO 

get this soon, as it's better than some of their 

patronage. * • 

last pictures. Weather: Fair. — Jim Mote, Tarzan's Magic Fountain (RKO) — Lex 

Friendship Theatre, SterUng, Okla. Small Barker, Brenda Joyce, Albert Dekker. I didn't Brimstone (Rep) —Rod Cameron, Adrian 

town and rural patronage. * * * have much of an opportunity to see this first Booth, Walter Brennan. This was well received 

by my above-average audience. It's a 

of the Barker series, but in general the chimp 

PARAMOUNT 

seemed to carry the entire production. Judging 

from the laughs rolling forth, it was more as it contains plenty of action. This does. 

bit old, but no feature can be too old as long 

Dear Wife (Para)—William Holden, Joan comedy than jungle adventure. Business was Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold.—Ralph 

Caulfield, Edward Arnold. This was enjoyable 

from start to finish. I wish it were pos- 

whether Barker rates better than Weiss- 

Rural patronage. * * * 

just normal so I can't tell by the boxoffice Raspa, State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va.. 

sible to buy one a week as good as this. Edward 

Arnold, Bill Holden and Joan Caulfield (Rep.) Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Clear and Dakota (Rep)—Reissue. John Wayne, Vera 

muUer. Coupled it with "Rock Island Trail" 

warm.—Jim Dunbar, Roxy Theatre, Wichita, Hruba Ralston. I don't know whether this 

Kas. Downtown subsequent run patronage. is reissued in your exchanges, but here it has 

proved very worth while. The print was good 

A Special Documentary 

and John Wayne, as usual, never fails to pull 

They Live by Night (RKO)—Cathy O'Donnell, 

Farley Granger, Howard DaSllva. This action and this picture can be used either at 

them in the front doors. There is plenty of 

Gets Special Handling 

HOLY YEAR 1950 (20th-Fox)—Documentary. 

is a very good crime-doesn't-pay show. Noth- 

the head or the tail of the week. I coupled 

I ran this featurette with a ing big is to be expected from it. Played Fri., it with a fair but high-priced film, "Iroquois 

short, musical western and cartoon on Sat. Weather: Cool.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz The- 

Trail" (UA) to above-average business. 

(Continued on page 4) 

Washburn, N. D. Small town patronage. * • • E. A, London Recovers 

BOXOrnCE BooklnGuide :: Dec. 2, 1950

Exhibitor Has His Say 

(Continued from page 3) 

Good. — Prank E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre, 

Eureka, Mont. Small town and rural patronage. 

• • • 

Macbeth (Rep) — Orson Welles, Jeanette 

Nolan, Roddy McDowall. I had an idea it 

would not be too good at the boxoffice, but 

being a college town, we did very well indeed; 

for the title of "Macbeth" is really something. 

It is worth good playing time. Played Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Pretty cold and stormy.— 

Ken Gorham, Town Hall Theatre, Middlebury, 

Vt. College patronage. • • • 

This reissue is a fine war picture. If the war 

in Korea is helping your boxoffice with war 

pictures, this is one of the best. Terms are 

most reasonable, too. Played Sun., Mon. 

Weather: Cold.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, 

Vernon, Fla. Small town and rural patronage. 

... 

Mister 880 (20th-Pox)—Burt Lancaster, 

Dorothy McGuire, Edmund Gwenn. This, 

ladies and gentlemen, is a natural. It is a 

great story (yes, wonderful!) and Edmund 

Gwenn is absolutely tops. In fact, they love 

him in our city. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. 

Weather: Good.—Ken Gorham, Town Hall 

Theatre, Middlebury, Vt. College patronage. 

. » • 

Competitor's Appraisal 

Not the Same as His 

COMANCHE TERRITORY (U-I)— 

Maureen O'Hara, Macdonald Carey, Will 

Geer. Our competitor played it and we 

asked for his comments. He said it was 

beautiful and a good cast but not much 

else. I can't agree, as it did above normal 

business for us and we received more good 

comments than poor, so it was okay for 

us. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: 

Fair and cool.—Ken Christianson, Roxy 

Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small town 

and rural patronage. 

* » • 

Plunderers, The (Rep) — Rod Cameron, 

Ilona Massey. Adrian Booth. This is a nice 

western from Republic in color, that did above 

average midweek business. It had romance, 

comedy, Indians and all the contents that 

make a "western" for the small town. It was 

sold right and pleased all. Played Tues., Wed., 

Thurs. Weather: Cool. — Ken Christianson, 

Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small town 

patronage. * * • 

Rock Island Trail (Rep)—Forrest Tucker, 

Adele Mara, Adrian Booth. This is a nice 

Technicolor action picture for the weekend. 

We should have had more business but on 

Saturday they had a Catholic wedding, and 

there isn't anything I've run, even from 

MGM, that can buck this kind of celebration, 

and it's only once in a lifetime. However, I 

wish they would marry any day but Saturday. 

Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Cold.—Harland 

Rankin, Rankin Enterprises, Chatham, Ont. 

Small town patronage. • • • 

20th CENTURY-FOX 

AU About Eve (20th-Fox) — Bette Davis, 

Aime Baxter, George Sanders. My personal 

comment is that Pox made a poor selection 

when they attempted, and then gave up, what 

they believed to be a good stunt in showing 

this. This picture has questionable morals, 

has very flippant remarks, and while well 

done, was not too well received. It's too bad 

Bette Davis ran out of cigarets. Played Sun., 

Tues. Weather: Rainy.—M. W. Mattecheck, 

Mack Theatre, McMinnville, Ore. City and 

rural patronage. * . • 

VCome to the Stable (20th-Fox)—Loretta 

Young, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe. I 

played this Sun., Mon. and believe me, I 

sometimes wonder what patrons really want 

for entertainment. We had poor houses for 

this excellent film. Play it at all times—even 

if only to satisfy yourself.—Dave S. Klein, 

Astra Theatre, Kitwe/Nkana, Northern 

Rhodesia, Africa. Mine and government employe 

patronage. » 

Guadalcanal Diary (20th-Fox) — Reissue. 

Preston Poster, Lloyd Nolan, WUliam Bendix. 

Says Occasional Fantasy 

Was Well Received 

DESTINA'nON MOON (ELC)—Warner 

Anderson, John Axcher, Tom Powers. 

This picture was well received, and while 

fantasy, it was a good drawing card. 

Most people expressed satisfaction. One 

like this occasionally is different and is 

well received. Played Wed., Sat. Weather: 

Rainy.—M. W. Mattecheck, Mack Theatre, 

McMinnville, Ore. City and rural patronage. 

• • • 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Champagne for Caesar (UA)—Ronald Colman, 

Celeste Holm, Vincent Price. This is a 

very good comedy take-off on the radio quiz 

shows, with Vincent Price stealing the bows. 

The picture did just average business and the 

title confused the patrons until they had 

seen the picture. Play up the laugh angle, as 

there is an over-abundance of guffaws. In 

most cases, comedies mean cash! Played Sun., 

Mon. Weather: Cold.--Carl F. Neitzel, Juno 

Importance of Titles 

To Drawing Power 

LONDON of the State Theatre at 

Jl A. 

Olivet, Mich., has analyzed the business 

slump in his locality as follows: 

"Our business has been down for about 

16 months. We have made a careful study 

of our local situation and believe we have 

found the reasons: 1. Not enough good 

pictures (with strong stories). 2. Even 

fewer strong titles. 

"Titles are extremely important. They 

should be pleasing, morally clean and 

wholesome, and they should refer to the 

main theme of the story. Among the 

newer good pictures we have some extremely 

weak titles: 'Two Weeks With 

Love,' 'To Please a Lady,' 'Toast of New 

Orleans,' 'Devil's Doorway,' 'Duchess of 

Idaho,' "The Jackpot,' Ittister 880.' 

"When we have a good picture with a 

good title we have good business and if the 

producers will give us a higher percentage 

of these, we won't have to worry about 

television or anything else." 

Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Local and surrounding 

area patronage. • • • 

Love Happy (UA)—Marx Bros., Ilona Massey, 

Vera-Ellen. I thought this would be a 

natural for small towns but it didn't click 

here. The price was okay though, so we 

aren't kicking, even though we had slightly 

below average business. Played Thurs., Fri., 

Sat. Weather: Nice.—Clinton Bahensky, 

Time Theatre, Albert City, Iowa. Small town 

and rural patronage. 

• 

Red River (UA)—John Wayne, Montgomery 

Clift, Walter Brennan. This one came 

through under the toughest circumstancespouring 

rain both nights. The picture itself 

is two years old. Nevertheless, it was the 

best Tuesday in four months and an average 

Wednesday, so no complaints from me. 

Weather: Rain.—Don Donohue, Novate Theatre, 

Novato, Calif. Small town and rural 

patronage. 

• 

UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL 

Abbott & Costello in the Foreign Legion 

(U-D—Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Patricia 

Medina. This team in a first run feature 

really brought out the laughs but not the 

crowd. We've had plenty of comedies lately 

and the people are eating them up. Played 

Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—Ralph Raspa, 

State Theatre, Rivesville, W. Va. Rural patronage. 

» • • «. 

I 

Buccaneer's Girl (U-D—Yvonne DeCarlo, ' 

Philip Friend, Robert Douglas. If there's anyone 

in your vicinity who likes pirates, then 

this will be okay. I like this sort of stuff so 

I thought it altogether too short, but there 

aren't enough in Fruita who have my taste. 

However, it did fair business for the midweek 

and I about broke even. If I were to do it 

over it would go on a double Fri., Sat. If 

you can buy it right for such a program, it 

should make some dough in action spots. 

This has a nice cast, fine color and a fair 

story. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Beautiful.—Bob 

Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, 

Colo. Small town and rural patronage. * * • 

Kid From Texas, The (U-D—Audie Murphy, 

Gale Storm, Albert Dekker. I guess if 

you're going to film the life of Billy the Kid. 

there's going to be a lot of blood spilled, and 

Universal certainly gets that part of the job . 

done royally. It's a pretty fair western, J 

though, and Audie Murphy makes quite a ] 

convincing counterpart of the notorious gunslinger. 

If you haven't given them an overdose 

of horse opera this year, then this 

should be the one you're looking for. Played 

Fri., Sat. Weather: Perfect.—Bob Walker, 

Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Rural patronage. 

• » • 

WARNER BROS. 

Colt .45 (WB)—Randolph Scott, Ruth Roman, 

Zachary Scott. This is truly a superwestern 

in every sense of the word. It has 

plenty of everything to satisfy every moviefan. 

Comments were better on this than 

on any western I have played this year. 

The boxoffice was slightly below average, but 

I had a near record attendance of kids. 

Many sat through it twice or until the parents 

dragged them out. Played Fri., Sat. 

Weather: Cool.—Carl Neitzel, Juno Theatre, 

Juneau, Wis. Local and surrounding area 

patronage. 

• • • 

South of St. Louis (WB) — Joel McCrea. 

Alexis Smith, Zachary Scott. This picture 

is well done and the selection and work of 

the actors are excellent. Joel McCrea and 

his supporting male actor thrill, while Alexis 

Smith wows the audience. It is well directed 

and expensively done. Patrons liked it and it 

drew above average attendance.—C. E. Bennewitz. 

Royal Theatre, Royalton, Minn. 

Small town patronage. • * * 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Dec. 2, 1950

• 

llCassino 

5 

Alphabetical Picture Guide Index and 

REVIEW DICES 

^ 

A 

^ Abbott and Costello in the 

Foreign Legion (82) U-l 7-22-SO 

i5 Across the Badiands (55) Coi 9-16-50 

,)3Adam and Evalyn (93) U-l 11-26-49 

ISAdmirai Was a Lady, The (85) UA.. 5-13-50 

!6AII About Eve (138) 20-Fox 9-16-50 

MAIi Over the Town (88) U-l 6-11-49 

57 All the Kino's Men (109) Col 11- 5-49 

)4 Always Leave Them Laughing 

(116) WB 11-26-49 

18 Amazing Mr. Beecham, The (85) ELC 1-14-50 

11 Ambush (89) MGM 12-24-49 

)2 American Guerrilla in the Philippines 

(105) 20-Fox 11-11-50 

10 And Baby Maites Three (84) Col.. .11-12-49 

14 Annie Get Your Gun (107) MGM.. 4-15-50 

12 Arizona Cowboy, The (67) Rep 5- 6-50 

Arizona Territory (56) Mono 

J Armored Car Robbery (67) RKO 6-17-50 

12 Asphalt Jungle, The (112) MGM.. 5-6-50 

:0 Astonished Heart, The (92) U-l 2-25-50 

» Avengers, The (92) Rep 6-24-50 

B 

Backfire (91) WB 1-21-50 

iSBagdad (88) U-l U- 3-49 

.7 Baron o( Arizona. The (97) LP 2-1B-50 

3 Barricade (75) WB 3-U-50 

a Battleground (118) MGM 10- 8-49 

13 Beauty on Parade (66) Col 4-15-50 

J Belle of Old Mexico (70) Rep 2-4-50 

9 Bells of Coronado (67) Rep 1-21-50 

;i3 Between Midnight and Dawn 

(89) Col ll-lS-50 

of 1 Beware Blondie (66) Col 4-8-50 

Beyond the Purple Hills (70) CoL.. 7-22-50 

6 Big Hangover, The (82) MGM 3-18-50 

:gBii Lift, The (120) 20-Fox 4-22-50 

Big Timber (73) Mono 

:0 Black Hand (92) MGM 1-21-50 

; 8 Black Rose, The (119) 20-Fox S-19-50 

1 Blazing Sun, The (70) Col 11-11-50 

12 Blind Goddess, The (88) U-l 7- 9-49 

) 2 Blonde Bandit (60) Rep 1-28-50 

Blonde Dynamite (66) Mono 

ISBIondie's Hero (67) Col 3-18-50 

J 8 Blues Busters (64) Mono 10-28-50 

11 Blue Grass of Kentucky (72) Mono. 1-28-50 

i 9 Blue Lamp, The (84) ELC 6-24-50 

i 5 Bodyhold (63) Col 2-11-50 

Bomba and the Hidden City 

(71) Mono 

17 Bomba on Panther Island (77) Mono. 1-14-50 

1 

Bond Street (107) Mono 6-10-50 

19 Borderline (88) U-l 1-21-50 

3 Border Rangers (57) LP 9-30-50 

11 Border Treasure (60) RKO 9-2-50 

UBorn to Be Bad (94) RKO 8-26-50 

IS Born Ycstwdav (98) Col 11-25-50 

17 Boy From Indiana (66) ELC 4-22-50 

1 5 Branded (95) Para 11-25-50 

H Breaking Point. The (97) WB 9- 9-50 

I J Breakthrough (91) WB 11- 4-50 

I J Bright Leaf (110) WB 5-27-50 

1! Broken Arrow (93) 20-Fox 6-17-50 

I I Girl Buccaneer's (77) U-l 3-4-50 

1 1 Bunco Squad (67) RKO 8-19-50 

C 

II Caged (97) WB 5-6-50 

H Captain Carey, U.S.A. (83) Para.... 2-25-50 

I (Captain China (96) Para. 11- 5-49 

II Captive Girl (74) Col 4-29-50 

1! Capture, The C91) RKO 4-8-50 

1 : Cargo to Capetown (80) Col 4- 8-50 

1! Cariboo Trail, The (81) 20-Fox.... 7-15-50 

to Korea (58) Para 9-30-50 

li Chain Gang (70) Col 10-21-50 

1 I 

Chain Lightning (94) WB 2-4-50 

1. Challenge to Lassie (76) MGM 10-29-49 

I Champagne for Caesar (99) UA 2-11-50 

1 

I 

Cheaper by the Dozen (86) 20-Fox 4- 1-50 

1' Chinatown at Midnight (67) Col. .. 12-17-49 

1: Cinderella (75) RKO 12-24-49

t Fvits. 

. 

- V«rf Good: - Good: = Fain - Poon = V^ry Poor. Is tha amnmarj tt is rated as 2 ploa**. = as 2 mi-nnif 

3 

T^ (109) P2.1. 

i u £ i li i| 

? T| 5 I- 

E ^1 S| î 

ZK >.h. xm ^m . ma 

.^xi2Gar La HalKaj (92) UA 11-26-19 

Uajafeaar Oae-En (7S) UA 7- 1-50 

l064Jatsaa S»ts A«aai I96) CaL 8-20-49 

U74 JaaHe StaB»e«e (60) Raa- 8- 5-50 

8r-l- 

6-6- 

13— 

5-1-1- 

KH. Tke (73) ELC 

1203 Kaasas Rai4cn (80) U-l U-lS-50 

ai4 Kci ta tae Dt; (100) BGB 2- 4-50 

1070 Ki< Fr«a CtMlaM. Tkt (89) Rca. 9-10-49 

llZlKia Fre* Teoi. Tke (78) U-l 3- 4-50 

1189 Kiir or Be KIHed (68) ELC »• 30-50 

Killer Skart (76) Maaa. 

-1 Kit* Tint Stanch Baa Y«k. n* 

•H 

( Beiieati as FrifWaai Citjr) (77) 

CaL 7-29-50 

'^ Kia tkc Uaavf (78) Cat 4-22-50 

-S Kai4 Hearts aaa Cwaacts (106) ELC 5-15-SB 

-.>OKk>| Sdaaor s Bines (105) BGB 9-30-50 

1082 Kin tar Cvlim. A (88) HA 10-22-49

9! 

++ Vory Good; + Good; * Fcrir; — Poor: = Very Poor. In th« ummarY ^ U rated aa 2 plusei, — as 2 miniiaes. 

t' Pur.w Marshal (60) Reo 1-14-50 — 

li!P»itK o( Caori, The (94) ELC 12-10-49 + 

U,Plas< Belrne Me (57) MGM 3-11-SO ±: 

Kl N" ^"^ (79) ELC 12- 3-49 + 

Tlie lliPrMie. (65) LP 10-29-49 - 

'llil'»« 

- Prelude to Fame (. .) U-l 

Prtlty Baby (92) WP 7-29-50 + 

T 

"U PriKe o« Foxes (107) 20-Fm 8-27-49 ++ 

^3 Prisoneo in Petticoats (60) Rep... 9-23-50 

^ Prbw Warden (62) Col 12-10-49 + 

>V.Pj|»y 

Island (69) Col 11-18-50 ± 

Q 

'a a*»saml (79) UA 3- 4-50 H 

J 

B 

Ratfar Secret Senlce (59) LP 1-28-50 ± 

C' Raiders of Tomahawk Creek 

> (55) Col U- 4-50 + 

y Rjoie Justice (57) Mono. 

y Rauft Land (56) Mono 

-i: Raiture (79) ELC 4-15-50 ± 

^ Red Desert (60) LP 12-31-49 * 

41 Red, Hot and Blue (84) Para 6-25-49 ± 

>!Rol Shoes. The C134) ELC 10-23-48 + 

:ij Redwxx) Forest Trail (67) Rep 9-23-50 + 

>t} Reformer and the Redhead, The 

(90) MGM 3-11-50 + 

± 

RoKgades of the Saje (56) Col. . . l-Zl-50 .C 

-U Return of the Frontiersman (74) WB 5-20-50 ± 

kU RetiiTi of Jesse James. Tlie (75) LP 9- 9-50 + 

: RIoir from Tucson (60) RKO 6-17-50 + 

= ::} High (112) Para. 1-7-50 ++ 

t Cross C90) MGM 8-26-50 -f 

: Grande (60) Reo 11-11-50 ^ 

.L RxkeUhip XM (78) LP 

D RKlinc Horse Winner, The (90) U-l 

5- 6-50 

6-17-50 

-|- 

+ 

.a: Rock Island Trail (90) Rep 5- 6-50 + 

t Rocky Mountain (S3) WB 10- 7-50 -|- 

U; Rof«s of SherYicod Forest 7- 1-50 + 

(80) Col. 

The 9-16-50 ± 

i; Rookie Fireman. (63) Col 

U-l 12-17-49 ± 

U-l . . 4-15-50 ± 

iC RiHtd O'Riordans. 

U Ron for Your 

The 

Money. A 

(76) 

(83) 

.-L Rustlers or Horseback (60) Rep.. .11-25-50 + 

S 

Si) S^dle Tramo U-l 9-2-50 

HI Salt Lake Raiders (60) 

a6) 

5-27-50 

++ 

* 

Salt to the Dnil (Reviewed as 

C 

Rep 

!- fiiie Us This Day) (120) ELC .. 12-17-49 ± # 

At Saason and Delilah (130) Para ...10-29-49 +f -H- 

Ij Sands of loo Jima (109) Rep 12-24-49 

U Sarmba (64) ELC 4-1-50 

+ 

— 

i: 

= 

J*l Safê Horde. The (90) Rep 7- 8-50 ± ± 

43 Secret Fury. The (85) RKO 4-29-50 + + 

Para. 10-21-50 ±. 

-U Sevteaber 

U 7U Ocean 

.4J SMm on 

Affair, 

Drive 

the Wall 

The (103) 

(102) 

(84) 

Col 

MGM... 

7-22-50 

3-25-50 

+ 

# 

± 

+ 

:t 

43 Stakedown (80) U-l 8-26-50 ± ± 

Rep + 

±i 

j43 Slitwdown. The 

a Sideshow (67) 

(86) 

Mono 

9-2-50 

6-17-50 

-f 

± 

;43 Side Street (83) MGM 12-31-49 ± 

.41 Sima (83) U-l 5-6-50 ± 

K Silent Dust (82) Mono 11-26-49 

a Siafini Guns (91) Reo 3-18-50 

± 

+ 

± 

* 

'43 SUn« Surprised His Wife. The (86) 

t 

HGM 5-13-50 - ± 

^ 

City. Tlie illSta»in« (85) U-l 9- 9-50 + ± 

.4> Sm« Do« (63) Mono. 7-22-50 + S: 

:43 Se Yoong. So Bad (91) 6- 3-50 + ± 

UA 

+ 

+ ±. 

)U Sms of New Mexico (71) Col 

O Seetli Sea Sinner (88) U-l 

1-21-50 

1-14-50 

43 Sorthside I-IOOO (73) Mono 10-14-50 + * 

. 

43 in Hunt (74) U-l 6-10-50 + ± 

. . S«i»i Dance Katy (76) 

: 

Mono — 

. .43 State Frijht (110) WB 3- 4-50 + ±l 

43 Stes In My Crown (90) MGM ... J- 4-50 -(- -)- 

- 41 Sble Penitentiary (66) Col 6-10-50 * :t 

U Sterr of Molly X, The (82) U-I..U-19-49 + ±. 

^ Streets of Ghost Town (54) Col 8-12-50 -1- 

•C StrMiboli (51) RKO 2-25-50 * - 

i3 Saeer StMk (109) MGM 8-12-50 ++ 

U Simlownen. The (90) ELC 1-14-50 ++ 

4+ 

± 

• 

- >i: Snset Boulevard (110) Para. 4-22-50 ++ -1- 

- >U Saset in the West (67) Rep 

; ^ti S» Sets at Dawn, The (76) 

9-30-50 

ELC. .11-11-50 

-f- 

— 

-H iZ zaca.Z XQ 

i

| 

FEATURE CHART 

Apr 

22 

Apr 

29 

May 

27 

Jun 

3 

Jun 

10 

Jun 

17 

Jun 

24 

Jul 

1 

Jul 

8 

COLUMBIA 

ii (84) Comedy 232 

FATHER IS A BACHELOR 

William 

a (7U) 

Uolilen-C. 

Western 

Gray 

248 

MULE TRAIN 

a (67) Comedy 2U6 

BLONDIES HERO 

I'enrij Sliieldon-L. Slmms 

Aritiur Lake-M. Kent 

It—Mar. 18—PG-U28 

53 (73) West-Dr 230 

©THE PALOMINO 

Jeronw Courtland-B. Tyler 

Joseph Callela-R. BoberU 

R—Jan. 27—PQ-1111 

gtj (63) Melodrama 216 

BODYHOLD 

Wlllard Farker-L. Albright 

Hillary Brooke-A. Jenkins 

R—Keb. U—l'G-1116 

John Ireland-E. Bucbanafi 

R—Apr. 8—PG-1131 

@ (64) Com-Dr 210 

MILITARY ACADEMY 

WITH THAT TENTH 

AVENUE GANG 

R—Mar. 25—PG-1128 

EAGLE LION 

(85) Comedy 021 

The Amaiinu Mr. Beecham 

A. E. Matthews-C. Parker 

Marjorle Pleld)ng-J. Carey 

II—Jan. 14—PG-1108 

(87) Comedy 019 

THE GREAT RUPERT 

Jimmy Durante-Terry Moore 

Tom Drake-Frank Ortb 

It—Jan. 7—PO-1105 

(77) Drama 023 

The Golden Gloves Story 

J. Dtinn-K. O'Morrlson 

[Ol (81) Drama 

THE VICIOUS YEARS 

(66) Drama 024 

BOY FROM INDIANA 

Lon McCalllster-Lols Butler 

Blllle Burke-Geo. Cleveland 

K—Apr. 22—PO-1137 

(62) Drama 069 

The Fightinn Stallion 

Bill Edvtards-Dorls Merrick 

Forrest Taylor-Don Harvey 

R— .\lay 20— PG-1147 

(66) Drama 070 

(8S) Comedy 234 

A Woman of 

FORBIDDEN JUNGLE 

Distinction 

Rosalind fiussell-J. Carter Don H.irve>-Alyce Loula 

Furrtsl Tailor-Kobt. Cabal 

Ray Mllland-E. (Ircenn 

R—Mar. 4—FG-1122 II—May 13— PG-1145 

B (70) Drama 208 [D (79) Drama 

TYRANT OF THE SEA 

Rhys Williams- H. Hanoell 

RAPTURE 

Glenn Langan-L. Miller 

V. Perklns-D. Lloyd 

18—PG-1125 

R—Mar. 

Elsy Alblln-D. 

R— Apr. 

Dumbrllle 

15—PG-n35 

n (64) Western 266 (87) Drama 

THE PERFECT Outcast of Black Mesa 

OIB 

WOMAN 

C. 8tarrett-S. Burnetto Patricia Hoc-N. Patrick 

Stanley Holloway 

Bailey 

M. Hyer-Rlchard 

R—May 13—Pa-1143 I!—May 13—PO-1145 

(80) Drama 236 (68) Drama 029 

CARGO TO CAPETOWH KILL OR BE KILLED 

B. Craitford-B. Drew 

L. Tlerney-G. Coulourls 

(89) Drama 238 

NO SAD SONGS FOR ME 

Margaret Sullavan 

Wendell Corey-V. Llndtors 

R—Apr. 15—PG-11S3 

B (66) Drama 203 

BEAUTY ON PARADE 

Robert Hutton-R. Warrick 

L. Albrlght-J. RIdgely 

R—Apr. IB—PO-1133 

H (72) Drama 204 

CUSTOMS AGENT 

W. Eythe-M. Reynolds 

(70) Western 245 

COWTOWN 

Marlssa O'Brlen-R. Andres 

R—Sept. 30— PO-1189 

(104) Comedy 031 

Kind Hearts and Coronets 

Dennis Prlce-V. Hobson 

J. Greenwood-A. Guinness 

R—May 13—PG-1145 

(76) Drama 032 

t>The Jackie RobinsonStory 

Jackie Roblnson-M. Watson 

Ruby Dee-Richard Lane 

R—.May 20— PG-1147 

(91) Drama 107 

THE FALLEN IDOL 

Sir Ralph Richardson 

m (81) Drama 

GOOD TIME GIRL 

(90) Drama 012 

THE GLASS MOUNTAIN 

Dulcle Gray-M. Denlson 

ED (68) Documentary 

CONGOLAISE 

release dote. Production number is at right. Number in parentheses is running 

iumished by home oliice ol distributor; checkup with local exchange is re 

R—is review date. PG—is Picture Guide page number. Symbol U indicates BOXOFFlj 

Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Symbol Q indicates color photography. 

LIPPERT M-G-M MONOGRAM 

[5 (97) Drama 4902 

THE BARON OF ARIZONA 

Vincent Prlce-BUen Drew 

Beulab Bondl-V. Sokoloff 

R—Feb. 18—PG-1117 

H (65) Drama 4910 

Western Pacific Aoent 

Kent Taylor-Sheila Ryan 

K. Lowery-M. Knox 

It—Mar. 25—PG-1128 

@ (60) Western 4927 

HOSTILE COUNTRY 

James Elllson-R. Hayden 

Fuzzy Kjilght-R. Hatton 

K—May 27—FG-1149 

a (65) Mus-Com 4922 

EVERYBODY'S DANCIN' 

Spade Cooley-Rlcbard Lane 

Glnny Jackson-Hal Derwln 

It—Apr. 22—PG-1138 

& (53) Western 4928 

Marshal of Heldorado 

James EHllson-U. Hayden 

Fuzzy Knlght-R. Hatton 

(73) Drama 4910 

[5] 

OPERATION HAYLIFT 

B. Winiams-A. Rutherford 

NIgh-Tom Brown 

J. 

K—Apr. 29—PG-1140 

H (60) Western 4925 

COLORADO RANGER 

James Elllson-R. Hayden 

Fuzzy Knlght-R. Hatton 

R—June 10—PG-1164 

(78) Com-Dr 236 (92) Mus-Com 013 

KILL THE UMPIRE 

Wm. Bendli-Cna Merkel 

©THE GAY LADY 

Jean Kent-James Donald 

Ray ColUns-Olorla Henry BUI Owen-Lana Morris 

R—Apr. 22—P0-118T R—Jan. 28—PG-1112 

(82) Comedy 237 (96) Drama 027 (77) Drama 4904 

THE GOOD HUMOR MAN THE WINSLOW BOY 

g] 

ROCKETSHIP XM 

Jack Carson-Lola Albrlgtat Robert Donat-F. L. Sullivan Uoyd Brldges-H. O'Brien 

[B (54) Western 268 

TEXAS DYNAMO 

Sir Cedric Hardwlcke 

R—Mar. 11—PG-1123 

Osa Massen-J. Emery 

B—May 6—PG-1142 

(58) Western El (66) Drama 202 (84) Drama 025 

4930 

STATE PENITENTIARY THE TORCH 

E) 

WEST OF THE BRAZOS 

WarniT Baxler-K. Booth Paulette Goddard-0. J. Elllson-R. Hayden 

Roland 

Onslow Stevens-B. King 

II—June 10—PCt-llSS 

Pedro Armendarlz 

R—May 20—PG-1147 

R. Hatton-F. Knight 

R—June 3—PQ-1151 

(63) Actlon-Dr [5] (55) Western EH (91) M'drama 233 

666 

4926 

TIMBER FURY 

CROOKED RIVER 

Fortunes of Captain Blood 

Louis Hayward-P. Medina David Bruce-Laura Lee 

J. Elllson-R. Hayden 

F. Knlght-R. Hatton 

Q. Macready-Dona Drake N. DlBruno-Sam Flint 

R—May 20—PO-1148 R—July 1—PO-1161 

Jul 

15 

Jul 

22 

Jul 

29 

H (64) Mus-West 2B1 

HOEDOWN 

Eddy Arnold-Jeff Donnell 

Gulnn Williams 

It—July 8—PG-llM 


Beyond the Purple Hllli 

Gene Autry-Jo Dennlsoa 

Pat Buttram-D. Beddoe 

R—July 22—PO-1170 

(73) Melodrama 240 

CAPTIVE GIRL 

J. Wclssmuller-B. Crabbe 

Anita Uioest-RIek Vallln 

H— Apr. 29—PO-1139 

51 (71) Drama 220 

David Harding, Counterspy 

W. Parker-Audrey Long 

llovard Bt. John-F. Sean 

R—May 2T—P0-11B« 

(74) Drama •30 

IT'S A SMALL WORLD 

Paul Dale-Lorraine Miller 

Will Oeer-Bteve Brodle 

It—June 10—PG-1155 

(102) Drama 244 ED (84) Drama 016 

711 OCEAN DRIVE THE BLUE LAMP 

B. O'Brien-Joanne Dru Dirk Bngardo-J. Warner 

Otto Knjuer-flammy White 

R—July 22— PO- 1168 

JImmv nanlcy-FcKgy Evans 

R—June 24— FO-1159 

(80) Drama "243 iin45r Documentary 050 

©ROGUES OF 

DEATH OF A DREAM 

SHERWOOD FOREST Quentln Reynolds, 

John Derek- Diana Lynn 

B—July 1—PQ-1161 

rommentator 

B—.Inly 22—PO-1167 

53 (66) Drama 4923 

MOTOR PATROL 

Don Castle-Jane Nigh 

Owenn •'Connor 

R—May 13—PO-1144 

gg (55) Western 4929 

FAST ON THE DRAW 

James Ellison 

Russell 

Hayden 

53 (66) Drama 4920 

HI -JACKED 

Jim Davls-SId Melton 

Marsha Jones-David Bruce 

B—July 8—Pa-116S 

a (100) Comedy 18 

KEY TO THE CITY 

Clark Gable-Loretta Voung 

Marilyn Maxwell 

R—Feb. 4—Pa-1114 

m (99) Mus-Con) 19 

©NANCY GOES TO RIO 

Jane Powell-Ann Sotbem 

Barry SulUvan-C. 

R—Feb. 

Miranda 

4—PG-1114 

SH (92) Drama 24 

BLACK HAND 

Gene Kelly-J. Carrol Nalsh 

Teresa CelU-M. Lawrence 

R—Jan. 21—PG-HIO 

@ (87) Drama 2 

CONSPIRATOR 

Robert Taylor-B. Taylor 

R. Flemlng-H. Warrender 

R—Feb. 11—PG-1116 

(7) (84) Comedy 2: 

THE YELLOW CAB MAN 

Red Skelton-G. DeHavefl 

Walter Slezak-J. Qleaaon 

R—Feb. 25—PG-1119 

E3 (83) Melodrama 23 

SIDE STREET 

James Cralg-Paul Kelly 

Cathy O'Donnell-J. Hagen 

R—Dec. 31—PG- 1103 

El (93) Blst-West 24 

©THE OUTRIDERS 

Joel McCrea-Arlene Dahl 

Claude Jarman 

R—Mar. 

jr. 

11—PO-1124 

[a (90) Comedy 2. 

REFORMER AND THE 

REDHEAD, THE 

Dick Ponell-June AUyson 

R—Mar. 

11—PG-1124 

Comedy 2( 

mi (87) 

PLEASE BELIEVE ME 

Deborah Kerr-R. Walker 

Mark Stevens-P, Lawford 

R—Mar. 11—PG-1124 

53 (57) Western 4925 

WEST OF WYOMING 

Johnny Mack Brown 

Max Terbune-G. Davis 

a (71) Hlst-Dr 4902 

©Young Daniel Boone 

David Bruce-D. O'Flynn 

Krlstliie MUler 

R—Mar. 11—PG-1124 

53 (58) Western 4952 

OVER THE BORDER 


Wendy Waldron-M. Healey 

63 (76) Drama 4907 

KILLER SHARK 

R. McDowall-D. Fowley 

B Winters-R. Villln 

gi (76) Comedy 4922 

SQUARE DANCE KATY 

Vera Vague-Phil Brlto 

V. Wlllls-W. Douglas 

R—Aug. 5-FG-1173 

d] (55) Western 4»41 

GUNSLINGERS 

Whip WUson-A. (3yde 

Reno Browne-B. Kennedy 

gH (58) Drama 4926 

Mystery tha Burlesque 

at 

Gary Marsh-J. Uvesy 

Jon Pertwee-D. Decker 

R—Apr. 29—PG-1140 

S (66) Comedy 4909 

Jiggs and Maggie Out West 

Renle Rlano-Joe Yule 

Tim Ryan-Jim BannoD 

R—Mar. 25—PG-lia? 

13 (57) Western 4951 

SIX GUN MESA 


G. Davls-D. Moore 

[7] (61) Comedy 4917 

FATHER MAKES GOOD 

Raymond Walburn 

Walter Catlett 

It-June 3—PG-llBl 

Sa (84) Drama 27 S3 (70) Comedy 4914 

SHADOW ON THE WALL 

Ann Sothern-Zachary Scott 

LUCKY 

Leo Gorcey-Huntz 

LOSERS 

Hall 

Glgl Perreau-K. MlUer Hillary Brooke-B. DeU 

K—Mar. 25—PQ-1127 R—June 10—PG-1156 

isj (81) Comedy 

THE BIG HANGOVER 

Van Johnson-E. Taylor 

P. Warren-a Lockhirt 

R—Mar. 18—PG-1126 

(U (112) Drama 29 

THE ASPHALT JUNGLE 

Sterling Hayden-L. Calhern 

Jean Hagen-J. Wbltmore 

H—May 6—PG-1142 

a (107) Muslcil 39 

©ANNIE GET YOUR GUN 

Betty Hutlon-Howard Keel 

Louis Calhern-J. C. Nalsh 

R—Apr. 15—PG-1134 

56] (93) Comedy 3( 

UFathcr of the Bride 

Spencer Tracy-J. Bennett 

Elizabeth Taylor-B. Burke 

R—May 13—PO-1144 

ga (85) Comedy 31 

THE SKIPPER 

SURPRISED HIS WIFE 

Robert Walker-Joan Leslie 

Edward Arnold-S. Bylngton 

E] (96) Drama 41 

CRISIS 

Cary Grant-Jose Ferrer 

Paula Raymond-S. Hasso 

R—June 24—P0-11B9 

53 (98) Drama 3! 

©DUCHESS OF IDAHO 

B. Wllllams-Van Johnson 

John Lund-Paula Raymond 

It—June 17—PQ-11B8 

g] (110) Drama 3i 

©THE HAPPY YEARS 

D. Stockivell-D. Hickman 

8. Bcckctl-Leon Ames 

R—May 27—PO- II 80 

H (93) Drama 3 

MYSTERY STREET 

R. Montalban-8. Forrest 

B. Bcnnett-E. Lancbester 

R—May 20—P0-114a 

H) (62) Com-Dr 4912 

Humphrey Takes a Ctiance 

Joe KlrkAvood-Leon Errol 

K. Coogan-L. Collier 

R—July 1—PG-1182 

ES (67) Mys-Dr 4024 

©SIDESHOW 

Eddie Qulllan-D. McGuIre 

Tracey Roberts^. Abbott 

R—June 17—P0-11S7 

a (76) Act-Dr 4905 

THE LOST VOLCANO 

Johnny Sheffield 

Elena Verdugo 

R—July_^Pa-1164 

PARAMOUNT 

(105) Drama 491S 

PAID IN FULL 

Robert Cummlngs-D. Lynn 

LIzabetb Soott-Eve Arden 

R— Dec. 24—PGllDl 

53 (83) Drama 4918 

CAPTAIN CAREY, U.S.A. 

Alan Ladd-Wanda Hendrli 

Francis Lederer-J. Calleia 

R—Feb. 25—PG-1120 

m (112) Comedy 4917 

RIDING HIGH 

Blng Crosby-Coleen Gray 

Charles Bl?ktord-F. Olfford 

B—Jan. 7—PU-1106 

(98) Drama 4919 

NO MAN OF HER OWN 

Barbara Stanwyck-J. Lund 

Jane Cowl-PhylUs lliaiter 

R—Feb. 25— PG-1120 

® (104) Hlst-West 4916 

©The Eagle and the Hawk 

J. Payne-Rhonda Fleming 

Dennis O'Keefe-T. Oomei 

B—Feb. 11—PG-lllB 

RKO RADIO 

H (97) Mystery 

©THE MAN ON THE 

EIFFEL TOWER 

Charles Laughlun-F. 1 

R— Dec. 24—PQ-1102 

[g (81) Drama ( 

STROMBOLI 

Ingrld Bergman-R. Cesar 

Mario Vltale-M. Sponzo 

R—Feb. 25—PG-1119 

ED (64) Mystery 

The Tattooed Stranger 

J. Mlles-W. Kensella 

E] (75i Cartoon 

WQCINDERELLA 

EH (61) Western ( 

DYNAMITE PASS 

Tim Holt-Richard Mart 

Lynne Roberts 

R—Mar 25—PG-11J7 

a (60) Western () 

STORM OVER WYOMII 

Tim Holt-Rlcbard Marti 

Norecn Nash-B. Undent 

R—Feb. 18—PO-lllt 

51 (74) Drama i> 

Tarzan and the Slave I 

Lex Barker-Denlse Dan| 

Vanessa Brown-Robert i\ 

R—Mar. 25—PO-lUtI 

gl (86) Western i 

WAGONMASTER 

( 

Ben Johnson-Ward Bmi 

Harry Carey jr. -J. Dmi 

B—Apr. 15—PQ-118*. 

(11 (91) Outd"r-Dr ! 

THE CAPTURE 

Teresa Wright- V. Jorj 

d] (68) Documentary 

THE GOLDEN TWEHTI 

> 

(D (72) Drama 

DESTINATION MURDI 

H. Hattleld-J. Macken; 

(D (68) Drama ' 

ARMORED CAR ROBBI' 

H (liO) WMtvrn 

RIDER FROM TUCSOl 

H (118) Drama * 

©THE WHITE TOWEI 

Claude llalns-Valll 

54] (86) Drama 

THE SECRET FURY 

Claudette Cnlbrrt-K. R 

Jane Cowl-Paul Kelll 

R—Apr. 29— P0-114( 

E) (56) Western 4942 g] (91) Comedy 4922 [i] (73) Drama 

ARIZONA TERRITORY 

Wblp Wilson 

My Friend Irma Goes West 

Marie Wllson-Dlana Lynn 

The Woman on Pier 13 

Laralne Day-Bohcrt R' 

John Agar-Thom.is Oon 

Dean Marltn-Jerry Lewis 

R—June 3—PO-llBl R—Sept. 24— rU-107 

m (68) Mys-Drama 4923 

THE SILK NOOSE 

Carole L.ondls-Derek Farr 

Jwepb CiUlela 

53 (63) Outdoor-Dr 4919 

SNOW DOG 

Klrby Grant-Elena Verdugo 

Rick Vallln-Mllburn Stone 

It—July 22—FO-1169 

S (83) Drama 4023 

THE LAWLESS 

Macdonald Carey-G. Russell 

John Sands-Lee Patrick 

R— April 8— PG-1132 

15 (96) Drama 

OOTREASURE ISy 

Bobby Drlscoll-R. 

Basil Sydney-W. FlJ 

R—July 1—pn-iir

CHECK RUNNING TIME WITH LOCAL EXCHANGES 

FEATURE CHART

FEATURE CHART 


Week 

Endino

I 

r 

^• 


FEATURE CHART 

REPUBLIC 20TH-FOX UNITED ARTISTS UNIV.-INT'L WARNER BROS. FOREIGN FILMS 

^ 60) Western 4966 

ylUNTE HIDEOUT 

tl "Rocly" L«Be 

Wtller 

It 

12—PQ-11T6 

llH .ug. 

g 86) Drama 4924 

SHOWDOWN 

Tl 

Windsor 

W,!lllolt-M. 

Brennan-H. Morgan 

ff.^r 

ept. 2—PG-1182 

(81) West-Drama 020 

©CARIBOO TRAIL. THE 

liandolph Scott-J. Davis 

Karin Booth-Gabby Hayes 

R—July 15—PG-1168 

(83) Comedy 018 

STELU 

Ann Sherldan-D. Wayne 

Victor Mature-R. Stuart 

R—July 22—PG-1168 

(93) West-Drama 014 

©BROKEN ARROW 

James Stewart-J. Chandler 

Dobra Paget-B. Ruysdael 

R—June 17—Pa-1158 

Drama 4928 

019 

)60) 

;LY HEART BANDITS 

(120) 

©THE 

Drama 

BUCK ROSE 

atli by Patrlck-B. Fuller Tyrone Power-Cecile Aubry 

Jo Rockwell Orson Welles-J. Hawkins 

Eldredge-R. 

2—PG-1181 R—Aug. 19— PO-1178 

R.iept. 

Western 4953 

021 

Jje?) (96) Musical 

«1/V00D FOREST TRAIL ©MY BLUE HEAVEN 

Bi Allen-Jerr Donnell Betty Grable-Dan Dalley 

Ct 8ffitzer-Jane Darwell 

B-, ept. 23—PG-1187 

H90) Drama 5001 

StIENDER 

yâlstoD-J. Carroll 

m )t Breonan-J. Dwell 

Rict. 21—PG-1198 

^60) Melodrama 4929 

tl \tn in Petticoats 

:BTila Johns 

R—Aug. 5—PO-1173 

(78) Comedy (Oxford) 

A GIRL IN A MILLION 

J. Greennood-H. Wllliama 

R—Sept. 23—PG-1188 

(ElsUii 

(96) 

CHILD 

Drama 

OF MAN 

Tove Maes-Edvin Tlemroth 

R-ûly 22—PO-1169 

(81) Drama (DIat) 

TAINTED 

Pierre Fresnay-Balpetre 

R—Apr. 15—PG-1138 

(80) Drama (MOM) 

ANGELS OF THE STREETS 

Renee Faure-Jany Holt 

R—Apr. 15—PG-1136 

(93) Dr (Canton-Welner) 

MONELLE 

Louis Jouvet-Dany Robin 

R—Apr. 15—PG-1136 

(98) Mus-Com (Dlsclna) 

A ROYAL AFFAIR 

M. Chevalier-Annie Ducaux 

B—Apr. 15—PG-1136 

(109) Drama (FUms Inti) 

GATES OF THE NIGHT 

Nathalie Nattler-Carrett 

R—May 6—PG-1141 

(86) Comedy (Slrltzky) 

Scandals of Clochemerle 

Felix Oudart-Brochard 

R—June 10—PO-1155 

Britain 

(81) Comedy (London) 

of Happiest Days Your Life 

Ala.stair 8im-M, Rutherford 

U—Sept. 30—PG-1189 

(89) M'drama (Pentagon) 

THE LOST PEOPLE 

liennLs Price-Mai Zelterllnj 

R—Oct. 

14— PG-1193 

(75) Drama (Pentagon) 

Pink String and Sealing Wax 

Google WIthers-J. Carol 

R—Oct. 14— PG-1193 

(93) M'drama (Pentagon) 

THIRD TIME LUCKY 

Glynls Johns-n. Walsh 

U—Oct. 

Denmark 

France 

28—PO-1197 

(86) Drama (Dlsrtna) 

STORM WITHIN, THE 

Jean Marais-Josette Day 

R—July 

22— PG-1170 

(86) Musical (Lux) 

PARIS WALTZ, THE 

Y. Printemps-Pierre Fresnay 

R—Aug. 

19—PG-H77 

(97) Fantasy (Nayfack) 

NOAH'S ARK 

Pierre Brasseur-Alerme 

R—Sept. 9—PG-1184 

(87) Drama (Dlsclna) 

CHEAT, THE 

Simone SIgnoret-B. BUer 

R—Oct. 21—PG-1196 

(85) Fantasy (Dlsclna) 

SYLVIE AND THE PHANTOM 

Odette Joyeux-F. Perier 

R—Oct. 

21—PO-1195 

(86) Fantasy (Dlsclna) 

ORPHEUS 

Jean Marals-F. 

R—Oct. 

Perier 

14—PG-1194 

(94) Drama (Lopert) (100) Drama (Pathe) 

STRANGERS IN THE HOUSE SOUVENIR 

Raimu-Juliette Faber 

R—July 22—PG-1169 

Germany 

(88) Drama (Vogue) Dr (Frledberg-Katz) 

SEVEN JOURNEYS 

Bettina Moissi-E. Balqye 

(79) 

FILM WITHOUT A NAME 

H. Neff-WUly Fritsch 

R—July 29—PO-1172 K—Oct. 28—PG-1197 

(90) Fantasy (Lopert) 

ORIGINAL SIN, THE 

Bettina Molssl-B. Todd 

R—Sept. 9—PG-1183 

K '5) Drama 5003 

H. lETH 

.flr> Welles- J. Nolan 

9\ 'Herlihy-R. McDowell 

;;H!t. 16—PG-977 

"BS?) Outd'r-Mus 4944 

(BlTH OF THE 

rjEAT DIVIDE 

M 05) Super-West B004 

il GRANDE 

n 17) Western 4954 

W R MEXICALI STARS 

JMlen-D. Patrick 

60) Western 4974 

MISS0URIAN5 

' 

90) Outd'r-Dr 500S 

!"ORNIA PASSAGE 

t Tucker-Adele Mara 

Wis 

(92) Act-Drama 029 

TWO FLAGS WEST 

Joseph Cotten-Llnda Darnell 

.leff Chandler-Cornel Wilde 

R—Oct. 14—PG-1194 

(138) Drama 030 

ALL ABOUT EVE 

Bette Davis-Anne Baiter 

George Sanders-C. Holm 

R—Sept. 16—PG-1186 

(85) Drama 031 

THE JACKPOT 

James Stewart-B. Hale 

Patricia Medina-J. Gleason 

R—Oct. 7—PG-1192 

(105) Drama 032 

©AMERICAN GUERRILLA 

IN THE PHILIPPINES 

T>Tone Power-M. Prelle 

R—Nov. 11—PO-1202 

(92) Comedy 033 

FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE 

Clifton Webb-Joan Bennett 

Robert Cummlngs-B. Gwenn 

(113) Tragedy 

CYRANO DE BERGERAC 

Jose Ferrer-Mala Powers 

W. Prince-M. (ârnovsky 

R—Nov. 18—PG-1205 

53 (78) Comedy 642 

THREE HUSBANDS 

Eve Arden-Emlyn Williams 

Shepperd Strudwlck 

R—Nov. 11—PO-1202 


©KANSAS RAIDERS 

Audio Murphy-B. Donlevy 

Marguerite Chapman 

R—Nov. 18—PG-1203 

gS (83) Super-West 008 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 

Errol Flyim-Patrlce Wymore 

Scott Forbes-G. Wlillams 

R—Oct. 7—PO-1192 

(87) Comedy 102 

THE MILKMAN 

Donald 0'(kinnor-P. Laurie 

J. Durante-J. Holden 

R—Oct. 14—PG-1193 

(88) Drama 103 g| (107) Drama 009 

DEPORTED 

THE WEST POINT STORY 

Marta Toren-C. Dauphin James Cagney-V. Mayo 

Doris Day-Gordon MacRae 

Jeff Chandler-M. 

R—Oct. 

Bertl 

28—Pa-1197 R—Nov. 18—PG-1204 

(83) Drama 105 

UNDERCOVER GIRL 

Aleils Smith-Scott Brady 

Gladys George-R. Egan 

R—Nov. 11—PG-1202 

( . 

. ) Drama 106 

MYSTERY SUBMARINE 

Marta Toren-M. Carey 

Robert Douglas-C. Esmonrt 

a (91) Drama 010 

BREAKTHROUGH 

David Brian-John Agar 

Frank Lovejoy-B. (^mpbell 

B—Nov. 4—PO-1199 

S (94) Super-West Oil 

©DALLAS 

Gary Cooper-Ruth Roman 

Steve Cochran-R. Massey 

R—Nov. 25—PG-1206 

(90) Drama (Grandl) 

TOM BOLD 

Aldo Fabrizi-A. Benetti 

R—Apr. 15—PG-1135 

(85) Comedy (MPSC) 

MAD ABOUT OPERA 

Cino Bechi-Tito Gobbi 

K—June 10—PG-1156 

(112) Drama (Lux) 

BITTER RICE 

Silvana Mangano-D. 

K—Aug. 

Dowllng 

6—PG-1174 

(81) Comedy (Dlst.) 

MY WIDOW AND 

Vittorio DeSica-Isa Miranda 

R—Sept. 15—PO-1185 

(87) Drama (Films Int'l) (90) Drama (Lopert) 

WALLS OF MALAPAGA, THE DIFFICULT YEARS 

Umberto Spadaro-M. Miranda 

Glrottl 

Jean Gabin-Isa 

R—July 15—PG-1166 B—Sept. 16—PG-1186 

(80) Coro-Dr (Superfllm) 

ESCAPE INTO DREAMS 

Vittorio DeSiiH-A. Fabrizl 

R—July 22—PG-1170 

(79) Drama (Lui) 

PRELUDE TO MADNESS 

Roldiino Lupi-J. Servals 

R—July 29—PG-1171 

(91) Drama (Crest) 

HEART AND SOUL 

Vittorio DeSica-C. OgUottl 

R—Aug. 6—PG-1174 

(83) Drama (Glob 

BORDER STREET 

M. Bronlewska-D, laenlo 

R—June 10—PO-llM 

(96) M'drama (Lux) 

FLESH WILL SURRENDER 

Aldo Fabrizi-Y. S.anson 

Poland 

Spain 

R—Nov. 

4— PG-1199 

(92) M'drama (Globe) 

THE TWO ORPHANS 

Valentl 

Maria Dcnis-0. 

R—Nov, 4—PG-1199 

(97) Drama (Scalera) 

THE MULATTO 

Renato Baldini-U. Spadaro 

R—Nov. 4—PG-1200 

(115) Hist-Dr (Azteca) (102) Dr (CHasa-Mohme) 

THE MAD QUEEN REINA SANTA 

Reyes Maruchl Fresno-A. Vilar 

Aurora Bautlsta-K. 

R—June 10— P0-115S R—June 10—PG-1155 

(100) Drama (Scandla) 

SUNSHINE FOLLOWS RAIN 

Mai Zetterllng-Alf KJellln 

R—Feb 4—PG-1113 

Sweden

SHORTS CHART 

Columbia 

Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Ratinn Rev'd 

ASSORTED COMEDIES 

2426 One Shivery Night (I6I/2) 7-13 

2416 House About It (I6I/2) . . 7-20 

+ 

± 

8-5 

9-2 

1950-51 SEASON 

3411 A Biunder-ful Time 

(I61/2) 9-7 — 10-7 

3412 Foy Meets Girl (..).. .10- 5 

3421 Two Roaming Champs 

(161 2) 10-12 + 11-11 

3422 A Slip and a Miss (..).ll- 9 

CAVALCADE OF BROADWAY 

2654 Leon and Eddies (..).. 7-27 


3651 The Versailles (10) 10-26 + 12-2 

COLOR FAVORITES 

(Technicolor 

Reissues) 

2610 The Little Moth's Big 

6-1 7-8 

Flame (SI/2) r£ 

2611 The Timid Pup (7) 7-6 ++ 8-5 

2612 The Gorilla Hunt (8) 8- 3 . . 

. . 


3601 Happy Tots' Expedition 

(7) 9-7 ± 11-7 

3602 Und of Fun (7) 10-5 + 11-11 

3603 Peaceful Neighbors (..).ll-6 

FAVORITES 

COMEDY 

(Reissues) 

2435 His Ex Marks the Spot 

(I71/2) 5-25 ± 9-2 

2436 Oh. My Nerves! (17) 7-27 


3431 Shot in the Escape (19) 9-14 - 10-14 

3432 Free Rent ( . . ) 11-16 

FILM NOVELTIES 

3901 Stars of Tomorrow— "Tots 

and Teens" (10) 9-28 ± 10-14 

JOLLY FROLICS 

(Technicolor) 

2504 The Miner's Daughter 

(6/2) 5-25 ± 7-15 

2505 Giddyap (61/2) 7-27 + 9-2 


3501 The Popcorn Story ( . . ) . .11-30 

MR. MAGOO 

(Technicolor) 

3701 Trouble Indemnity (6I/2) . 9-14 +f 9-30 

ONE-REEL SPECIALS 

2555 Candid Microphone, No. 5 

(11) 6-15 -I- 7-8 


(IO/2) 8-17 



(11) 10-12 

MUSIC TO REMEMBER 

3751 Borodin's Prince Igor and 

Polovetsian Dances (91/2) • • • 

3752 Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker 

Suite (91/2) + 10-14 

3753 Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto 

in B-Flat Minor (10) + 11-11 

3754 Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite 

(9'/2) 

3755 Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture 

(11) 

3756 Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake 

Ballet (10) 

SCREEN SNAPSHOTS 

2859 Hollywood Ice Capades 

Premiere (10) 6-22 ± 8-5 

2860 Hollywood's Famous Feet 

(81/2) 7-20 


3851 30th Anniversary Special 

(11) 9-28 + 10-14 

3852 Fun at Shadow Mountain 

(91/2) 10-19 

3835 Hollywood Goes to Bat 

(91/2) 10-19 

STOOGE COMEDIES 

2407 Love at First Bite (16) .5-4 

2408 Self-Made Maids (16) ... 7- 6 ± 8-5 


3401 Three Hams on Rye 

(ISI/2) 9-7 ± 9-30 

3402 Studio Stoops (16) 10-5 

3403 Slap Happy Sleuths ) 11- 6 

. . ( . 

VARIETY FAVORITES 

3951 Korn Kobblers (11) 9-21 ± 10-14 

3952 Drug Store Follies (..).. 11-23 

WORLD OF SPORTS 

2808 Clown Prince of Golf 

(81/2) 5-25 ± 7-8 

2809 Diving Acrobats (9) 6-29 -|- 9-2 

2810 Kino of the Jockeys (9) 7-20 


3801 Snow Fiesta (9) 9-28 rt 10-14 

3802 King of the Pins (..).. 10-19 

3803 Mat Masters (..) 11-30 

SERIALS 

2180 Atom Man vs. Superman.. 7-20 -|- 7- i 

15 Chapter. 


3120Pir,ites of the High Seas. 11- 2 + 12-2 

15 Chapters 

Metro-GoldwYn-Mayer 

Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rev'd 

CARTOONS 

(Technicolor) 

W-46 Wags to Riches (7) 8-13 + 11-5 


W-132 Little Rural Ridino Hood 

9-17 10-1 

(6) 

11-5 10-29 

12-24 2-11 

W-135 Out-Foxed (8) 

W-137 Counterfeit Cat (7) + 

W-143 Ventriloquist Cat (7).. ++ 

W-140 Why Play Leap Frog (7) 2- 4 

5-27 7-1 

W-144 The Cuckoo Clock (7) . . -H- 6-10 7-22 

(8) 

W-146 Albert in Blunderland 

g-26 ± 9-9 


W-232 Garden Gopher (6) 9-30 

W-234The Chump Champ (7). 11- 4 

FITZPATRICK THAVELTALKS 

T-18 Roaming Through Northern 

Ireland (8) 7-9 ++ 10-15 


T-lllFrom Liverpool to Stratford 

(9) 9-10 + 10- 1 

T-112 Glimpses of Old England 

(9) 10- 8 + 10-29 

T-113 In Old Amsterdam (9)..U-12 + 12-24 

T-114 A Wee Bit of Scotland 

(10) 12-17 + 2-4 

. 1-21 

T-115 Land of Tradition (9) . . 

T-116 Colorful Holland (9) ... 3- 4 

T-117 Pastoral Panoramas (9) 4-15 -f 7-1 

(9) 5-20 

T-118 Roaming Thru Michigan 

+ 7-1 

T-119 To the Coast of Devon 

(9) 7-15 + 7-22 

T-120 Touring Northern England 

7-29 9-9 

(9) -f 

T-121 Land of Auld Lang Syne 

(8) 8-12 H 9-16 

T-122 Life on the Thames (9) 8-26 + 9-16 

GOLD MEDAL REPRINTS 

(Technicolor) 

W-161 Lonesome Mouse (8) 11-26 

. . . 

W-163 The Uninvited Pest (8) 4-29 

W-164 Yankee Doodle Mouse 

(7) 6-24 + 7-15 


W-261Zoot Cat (7) (reissue) .10- 7 

W-262 The Early Bird Dood It 

(9) 12-2 

NEWS OF THE DAY 

(Released Twice Weekly) 

PASSING PARADE 

K-76City of Children (10)... 8-27 

PETE 

S-60 Football Thrills No. 12 

SMITH SPECIALTIES 

(9) 8-27 


S-151 Water Trix (9) 11-5 S-152 How Come? (10) 11-19 + 

S-153 We Can Dream, Can't We? 

Short BubjectB, listed by company, in order oi release. Running time iollowa 

title. First date is national release, second the dale oi review in BOXOFFICE. 

Symbol between dates is rating irom the BOXOFFICE review. ttVery Good. 

+ Good. — Fair. — Poor. = Very Poor. O Indicates color photography. 

+ 10- 1 

12-24 

12-24 

2-11 

S-158 Did'Ja Know? (8) 5-6 -f 7- 1 

S-159 That's His Story (9)... 6-17 ++ 7-22 

S-160 A Wife's Life (8) 7-8 + 7-15 


S-251 Wrong Way Butch (10) . 9- 2 

S-252 Football Thrills No. 13 

(9) 9-9 tt 9- 9 

S-253 Table Toppers (g) 10-21 

SILVER ANNIVERSARY SHORT 

934 Some of the Best (40) . . 7-15 tf 7- 

THE MOVIES AND YOU 

Z-172 Moments in Music (10) . 7-13 + 7-: 

TOM & JERRY CARTOONS 

(Technicolor) 

W-44 Heavenly Puss (7) 7-9 + 10-: 


W-131 The Cat and the Mermouse 

(8) 9-3 H 10- 

W-133 Love That Pup (8) 10-1 + 10-1 

W-134 Jerry's Diary (7) 10-22 + 11- 

W-136 Tennis Chumps (7) 12-10 + 12-; 

W-13g Little Quacker (7) 1-7 + 2- 

W-139 Saturday Evening Puss 

(7) 1-14 

W-141 Texas Tom (7) 3-11 

W-142 Jerry and the Lion 4- 8 

(7) . . 

W-145 Safety Second (7) 7- 1 


W-231 Tom & Jeriy in the 

Hollywood Bowl (7) . . . 9-16 

W-233The Framed Cat (7)... 10-21 

W-235Cueball Cat (7) 11-25 

-f 2- 4 

Paramount 


tt 

I 

12

' 

. 


d. N o. Title Rcl. Date Rating Rev'd 

FEMININE WORLD 

r-^ 

12 Fashions of Yesteryear 

(Ilka Chase) (8) Nov. + 

MARCH OF TIME 

IS, No. 10 The Fight for Better 

Schools (20) Oct. + 

. 15, No. 11 MacArthur's Japan 

(IS) Nov. + 

. 15, No. 12 A Chance to Live 

(15) Dec. +^ 

No. . 16, 1 Mid-Century: Half 

Way to Where? (17) Feb. + 

.16, No. 2 The Male Look 

(16) Mar. + 

. 16, No.3 Where's the Fire? 

(19) April +f 

. 16, No. 4 Beauty at Work 

(15) June ff 

. 16, No. S As Russia Sees It 

(16) Aug. ^ 

MOVIETONE ADVENTURES 

'lAhoy, Davy Jones (11) Oct -f 

^2 Aboard the Flattop Midway 

(8) Nov. 

6®Jewel of the Baltic (g) . Dec. -|- 

'3 Midwest Metropolis (11) . . Dec. ++ 

1950 SEASON 

1 ©Pattern of Progress (8). Apr. + 

MOVIETONE SPECIALTIES 

2 The Hunter (8) Aug. -f 

3 Shadows in the Snow (9). Sept. fill 

Mid-West Metropolis (9).. June ++ 

I 2 New York Philharmonic 

Orch. (10) July 

I 

3 Music of Manhattan (10).. July ^ 

MOVIETONE MELODIES 

1 Lawrence Welk and His 

Champagne Music (10).. Jan. ± 

2 Red Ingle and His Gang 

(10) Mar. n 

3 Skitch Henderson & Orch. 

(10) Aug. 

4 The Fontaine Sisters (8).. Oct 

MOVIETONE NEWS 

(Released Twice Weekly) 

SPORTS 

1 Skiing Is Believing 

2 From Jib to Topsail 

(10) . .Jan. 

(9) . . Feb. 

ff 

+ 

I ©Frolic in Sports (8) Mar. -f 

?3Drnng Maniacs (9) May + 

; i Shooting the Salmon Rapids 

:. (10) May + 

; J Action With Rod and Reel 

.. (10) June + 

;) Winning Form (10) July 4- 

:? Bowlers' Fair (8) Sent 4- 

: J Football Pay-Off Plays 

(10) 

; ) Circus on the Campus 

(10) 

2 ITee Girls (10) N 

+ 

11-19 

10- 8 

4-29 

1-14 

1-14 

4-29 

7- 8 

7-15 

9- 9 

9-16 



CARTOON MELODIES 

4388 Sailing With a Song (9). 10- 3 


5381 My Favorite Girl (10).. 11- 7 

5382 Songs of the Range (10). 12-26 ± 

5383 Dream Dust (10) 2-20 -f 

5384 Sing Your Thanks (10) . . 4- 3 i 

5385 Harmony Hall (10) 5-29 

5386 Melody Moods (9) 7-17 + 

5387 Sing Happy (10) g-28 + 

5383 Feast of Songs (10) 10-2 i 

MUSICAL WESTERNS 

4357 The Girl From Gunsioht 

(25) 

4358 The Pecos Pistol (26) 

9-15 ± 

10-27 + 


5351 Coyote Canyon (26) ... .11-17 u. 

5352 South of Santa Fe (29). .12-22 ff 

5353 The Fargo Phantom (24) 2- 9 -f 

5354 Gold Strike (25) 3-30 + 

5355 Rustler's Ransom (27).. 5-lg ± 

5356 Cactus Caravan (26) 7-6 ± 

5357 Western Courage (29) . . . 8-31 ff 

5358 Ready to Ride (25) 10- 5 

NAME BAND MUSICALS 

4311 Russ Morgan & Orch. (15) 9- 7 + 

4312 Skinnay Ennis & Orch. 

(15) 

9-28 -f 12-24 

4313 Rhythm of the Mambo 

(15) 10-26 


5301 Herman's Herd (15) 11-2 

5302 Lionel Hampton & Orch 

(15) 12-7 

5303 Freddie Slack & Orch. 

(15) 1. 4 

5304 Ethel Smith and the Henry 

King Orchestra (15) 2- 1 

. . 

5305 Sweet Serenade (15).... 3- 1 

530S Skitch Henderson & Orch. 

(13) 4-19 

5307 King Cole Trio and Benny 

Carter Orch. (16) 5-17 

5308 Claude Thornhill & Orch 

(15) 6-14 

5309 Sarah Vaughan & Herb 

Jeffries (15) 7-12 

5310 Red Nichols and His Five 

Pennies (15) 8-9 

5311 Salute to Duke Ellington 

(15) 8-30 

5312 Connie Boswell & Les 

Brown (15 Orch. 9- 2 

5313 Music by Martin (15).. 10-11 

Warner Bros. 


± 

SHORTS CHART

Los 

SHORTS REVIEWS 

Opinions on the Currtnf Short Subjects- 

— 

Pirates of the High Seas 

(15-episode serial) 

First episode 27 mins. 

Columbia 

Others average 16 mins. 

Good. Made to order for the serial devotees 

and the youngsters, this is an actionpacked 

chapter-play about modern day pirates. 

The husky acquatic star, Bu.ster 

Crabbe, supplies marquee value and is ideally 

suited to the role of a two-fisted commander 

of a little schooner in the South Seas. While 

the first episode devotes too much time to 

introducing the characters and setting the 

stage for later developments, it winds up 

in a blaze of flaming action. The second 

episode starts off at a fast pace and will 

keep its audiences on the edge of their seats. 

Lois Hall adds a touch of romance and Gene 

Roth and Hugh Prosser are among the 

double-dyed villains. 

The Versailles 

(Cavalcade of Broadway) 

Columbia 10 Mins. 

Good. Latest entry in the series devoted 

to Broadway nightclubs is an entertaining 

musical short even if some audiences may 

expect to see Edith Piaf. the current smash 

hit at the Versailles. However, Johnnie 

Johnston, popular radio and recording star, 

scores with his rendition of "La Vie En Rose," 

which Miss Piaf introduced and made famous. 

He also sings "You Can't Take It 

With You When You Go." Danton Walker, 

Broadway columnist, also introduces Copsey 

and Ayres, who satirize oriental dancers. 

Casper's Spree Under 

the Sea 

Paramount (Casper Cartoon) 8 Mins. 

Good. Imaginative, well drawn and should 

be especially appealing to women and children. 

Little Casper, the ghost, is cast out by 

the other ghosts because he doesn't scare 

anybody. He finds friends at the bottom of 

the sea. visiting a fish fair and meeting a 

pretty little goldfish. Goldie and the other 

fish are trapped in a net. Casper rescues them 

by scaring the wits out of the fishermen. 

Desert Hi-Jinks 

(Grantland Rice SportUght) 

Paramount 

9 Mins. 

Good. Interesting scenes of unusual sports 

in the Arizona and California deserts. They 

include skiing and tobogganing on the desert 

sands, and skiing on an irrigation canal 

pulled along by an automobile. Especially 

good are scenes of a variation of polo in 

which lariats are used, and a tortoise race. 

The Magnetic Tide 

20th-Fox (Documentary) 21 Mins. 

Good. This Cinecolor film produced and 

directed by Dorothy Silverstone tells the 

dramatic story of the new nation of Lsrael. 

It shows people at work and play, new arrivals 

from distant countries and many 

world-famous landmarks in both the Arab 

and Jewish sections of Jerusalem. There 

are also .shots of Haifa and Tel Aviv. Those 

of children are especially appealing. Unfortunately, 

some of the photography Is below 

par. 

Letter to a Rebel 

RKO (This Is America) 16 Mins. 

Very good. A reissue of an outstanding 

short, originally released during the 1947-48 

season. An excellent appeal for real unadulterated 

Americanism, it is more timely_ 

now than when it was first shown. It visualizes 

a letter sent by an editor of a small 

town newspaper to his son, who has expressed 

some so-called "liberal" ideas in a college 

editorial. He shows the boy how important 

the democratic belief in free enterprise is in 

comparison with the liberalism which considers 

all people "as a corrupt tool of a 

depraved economy." 

Crocodile Hunters 

RKO (Sportscope) 9 Mins. 

Good. An unusual and educational short 

dealing with the rivers of northern Australia, 

where native and white hunters seek 

the cunning crocodile. The aborigines harpoon 

the reptile as it hides at the bottom of 

the river while the professional white hunters 

use more modern equipment, such as snare 

traps. There are some frightening closeups 

of the ferocious reptiles struggling to escape 

from the hunters. 

Waiting for Baby 

RKO (Comedy Specials) 17 Mins. 

Good. An attractive and engaging pair of 

young players, Robert Neil and Suzi Crandall, 

are teamed as a couple who go through 

some of the usual newlywed troubles in the 

first of a new series. The young husband 

oversleeps each morning so his bride tells 

him that she has a surprise that will wake 

him up without fail. He takes it for granted 

she is going to have a baby so he buys toys 

and baby supplies until she thinks he is 

going crazy. It turns out that she has only 

bought an alarm clock which cries like a 

baby instead of ringing a bell. 

Grandma Moses 

AF Films (Art Short) 25 Mins. 

Very good. One of the finest educational, 

as well as inspirational, shorts. Dealing with 

the life and paintings of this most-talkedabout 

artist, it is ideal fare for the art 

houses, as well as regular theatres in key 

cities and in college towns. The 90-year-old 

Grandma Moses proves herself a natural 

actre.ss, one who is never conscious of the 

camera. Splendidly photographed in Technicolor, 

it shows the old lady in her farm 

house, in the fields and at her painting. 

Many closeups of her huge paintings, with 

their myriad details are also shown. Commentary 

and narration are by Archibald 

MacLeish and music is by Hugh Martin. AP 

Films is at 1600 Broadway, New York City. 

Future Releases 

Will Appear Next Week 

On This Page 

In the Newsreels 

Movietone News, No. 94: Winter joins War 

in Korea as Allies push on to border; Greek 

battalion sails for Korea: Purple Heart decorations; 

58 die in Alpine plane crash; helicopter 

lands in Vatican City; prince marks 

second birthday; women marines at boot 

camp; football—Illinois-Ohio State, Princeton-Yale. 

News of the Day, No. 224: GIs in Korea 

face bitter winter; Texas honors heroic Nisei 

ex-GIs; UN aids Arab refugees; "talking" 

elephants; Illinois up,sets Ohio State; Army 

tops Stanford. 

Paramount News, No. 27: Korea makes 

world headlines; elephant says a trunk-full; 

recover bodies of 58 victims in French Alps; 

football highlights—Illinois meets Ohio State, 

Los Angeles Rams collide with the New York 

Yankees. 

Universal News, No. 406: Korea; plane 

crash; UN aids Arab refugees; football 

Illinois-Ohio State. Princeton- Yale ; Angeles 

Rams vs. New York Yankees. 

Warner Pathe News, No. 29: UN troops near 

China border: Norwegian crown prince visits 

U.S.; Warner Bros, honored for "Breakthrough"; 

UN aid force for 750,000 Arab 

refugees; Germany—Nellie, the "talking" elephant; 

Army-Stanford game; Princeton- 

Yale; Los Angeles Rams-New York Yankees. 

• 

Movietone News, No. 95: All- American football 

team; flood in California; USS New 

Jersey recommissioned; Will Rogers memorial; 

Long Island railroad wreck. 

News of the Day, No. 225: Long Island 

railroad wreck; floods in the west; silks in 

fashion; New Jersey back in service; turkey 

for the Trumans; salute to Will Rogers; 

ECA chief in Korea. 

Paramount News, No. 28: First pictures of 

Russian troop training; school for turkey 

carving opens; hospital drive salutes Will 

Rogers; stockings in high fashion; Long 

Island train disaster stuns nation. 

Universal News, No. 407: Long Island railroad 

wreck; floods in the west; ECA administrator 

in Korea; Will Rogers memorial 

hospital; new star in Hollywood; Reds Bagnell 

ail-American material. 

Warner Pathe News, No. 30: Long Island 

railroad crash; California—floods rage on 

west coast; Washington—President gets first 

atomic dog tag; New York—Will Rogers hospital 

drive begins; Korea—ECA chief on 

mission to Korea; Hollywood—Ruth Roman 

opens marines' drive for toys for tots; new 

Episcopal bishop of New York is installed; 

navy's new skyshark has two-way propeller. 

• 

All American News, No. 423: Holiday season 

decorations; Missouri state teachers convention 

in Kansas City; sorority presents 

books to Carver university in Topeka during 

National Book week: New York university 

trampoline stars; Joe Louis trains 

for comeback. 

• 

Telenews Digest, No. 47 A: Korea—battle 

in the sky: people in the news—Maurice 

Thorez, Lewis Douglas. Otto Diehls and Kurt 

Alder: arms for the west; France—plane 

cra.sh; Philippines—105 Communists arrested; 

Israel—election brings big gains for Rightists. 

Telenews Digest. No. 47B: Report on rearmament 

in Germany; Korean civilians rebuild: 

Mayor Impellitteri vacations in Cuba; 

Germany—Perlon goes into production; New 

York—toy train mystery. 

14 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide Dec. 2, 1960

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips for Selling to the Publit 

FEATURE REVIEWS 

1 The Goldbergs F 

Paramount (5011) 83 Minutes Rel. 

; This ofiers delightful entertainment to a ready-made audi- 

: ence of the many thousands who have followed the fortunes 

: of the amusing Goldberg family for years on the radio and 

• now also see and hear its members on television. It is a 

(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE) 

: sure-fire attraction. Gertrude Berg, Philip Loeb and the 

: others, all borrowed from the radio-television show, are Pacifu 

• excellent. The direction by Walter Hart, who never lets "'^"'l' 

; the action become static during the folksy chatter, is top- 

: notch. The scene is laid in an apartment house in the Bronx 

1 "bounded by the Atlantic on the east and the United States 

• on the west." Molly's comments are priceless. She talks 

• about letting the children vacation at Pincus' Pines, warns 

: them against becoming "eardroppers" and observes: "Five 

: people, one bathroom, cooperation, please." It's great fun. 

• Gertrude Berg, Philip Loeb, Eli Mintz, Eduard Franz, Larry 

: Robinson, Arlene McQuade, Betty Walker.

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adlines for Newspaper and Programs 

THE STORY: , 

"The Mudlark" 

A waterfront waif, young Andrew Ray, picked up a medallion 

bearing the likeness of Queen Victoria. Curious to 

see the lady, whom he thinks looks like a "mother," he 

makes his way to Windsor Castle, where the queen—grieving 

over the death of her husband. Prince Albert—has been in 

(Alec Guinness) has been unsuccessfully attempting to persuade 

Victoria (Irene Dunne) to resume active participation ^p^ 

in the affairs of her country. When young Andrew is cap- .^^jj', 

tured a great furore develops; Disraeli, in an impassioned 

speech in the House of Comons, thumps for a program of 

social reform that would provide for such underprivileged 

youngsters: and Victoria appears again before her subjects. 

CATCHLINES: 

The Tender, Touching, Compelling Story ... Of a Great 

Lady Who Lived in the Past . . . Until a Wandering Waif 

Touched the Depths of Her Compassion . . . It's Heartwarming 

Entertainment.

. 

wi 

, Mioef. 

A:S: 10c per word, Tninimiim $1.00, cash with copy. Four insertions ior price of three. 

xi>lNG DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to 

Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1, Mo. • 

HELP WANTED 

extra cash? Manager, operators—daytime, 

U ur neighborhood merchants advertising gifts, 

ilcjrs, pencils, matches, etc. Average order 

;irn:25. Free samples. Klncole, 8916 Linwood, 

;«[ Mich. 

. 

HiOM". '^*" Kansas tow-n. Woman preferred. 

W^'e. -1086. 

theatre Savannah, Georgia. Must be 

[„ r'lil in exploitation. Please give full inft) 

.>ii .md send photograph. P. 0. Box 1294, 

• Oiiio Roadshow Exploitation picplus 

commission on book sales, 

experience. Boxoffice, 4088. 

Eiienced projectionist, married, no children. 

ji > -etl impcorn. Write first letter stating 

>uinif(i, referpflce and experience. PosirelMii 

drinker or noater. Boxoffice. 4089. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

ictionist, 28. married, do not smoke or 

6 yMFs experiwice. Now employed, desires 

prefers South. References. Boxoffice, 

Ire executive, early forties, excellent refer- 

;upervi.'=or or manager of de luxe operation 

or California preferred. Boxoffiw, 4071. 

ifler. booker, buyer. Young, now successnployed. 

Desires place with future. Prefer 

dent or small growing circuit. Best ref- 

Would like to have position where I 

lo booking and buying as I have devoted 

' 

my time to this. Boxoffice. 4073. 

Ire manager called to active duty being 

;ed due to dependency, as of December 

-iild like to re-locate. Boxoffice. 40T9. 

iger, proven buyer, booker, exploiteer. 

operation and malntenajice. wife cashier. 

ch;mge where winters are moderate or 

References, Veteran. Boxoffice, 4090. 

ger. age 38, veteran, draft exempt, fully 

iced publicity, promotions. Boxoffice. 4091. 

SIGNS 

Way to Paint Signs. Use letter patterns, 

loppy work and wasted time. No experi- 

?ded for expert work. Write for free samohn 

Ratm, B-1329, Central Ave., Chicago 

jTUDIO AND PRODUCTION 

EQUIPMENT 

lan processing iwntrol sensitometer. $795: 

SjTic Sound Dubbing Projectors, $395: 

Howell step printer, rebuilt. $995: 

16mm iens. original cost $1.800— $995: 

\rttli camera doliies 2 seats, $242.50: 

35mm step printers, with light changers. 

$795: Presto studio disc recorder. $195: 

55/16mm sound reduction printer, worth 

-$3,495: Prestoseal automatic hot splicer, 

iSmm. good used. $350; sensational new 

atic .Ir. 16mm developing machines (incl. 

1.095: Auricon Cinevoice. demonstrator, 

i-ton refrigeration plant. 230 DC motor. 

Cyemo 35mm spider turret news cameras. 

Jacltground process outfit with pro,iector, 

Selsyn motors, lenses. 15'x20' sween. 

$4,995. Send for catilog Sturelab Sup- 

Hept- C. S.n.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 

52nd St.. New Yorll 19. 

VE-IN THEATHE EQUIPMENT 

ins—Be Wise—Be Tlirifty. Order now 

Lay-A-ffay Plan. Small deposit holds 

It until re

PROJECTOR MECHANISM 

MANUFACTURED BY INTERNATIONAL PROJECTOR CORPORATION • DISTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY

Boxoffice-December.02.1950

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?