JANUARY

AMab^^^
BRITISH FILM, A CHRISTMAS CAROL
WINS DECEMBER BLUE RIBBON AWARD
?aqe 24
hATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION
I: eluding thi Seitionil Nevrs Paget of AH Editioiii
JANUARY 12, 1952

HBBHBaBIfiiHHBiaK^HB^i^BBB^
^^^ma^B^m
yiease! In all newspaper ads: "The Armed
Forces Need Your Blood — Give Today!"
-G-M LEAPS THE INDUSTRY !
The First
Reports Are In!
Variety, Showmen'sTrade Review, M. P. Herald,
M.P. Daily, announce ^^Top Hits of 195 1 ''
as
voted by exhibitors. M-G-M leads with not
just one top hit, but with more top mone y
hits than any other company."" Watch for
more trade paper annual reports. Prediction:
a landslide for M-G-M, as
usual!
In Variety, M-G-M has 8 out of first 20; next company 2. In Showmen's Trade Review Annual, M-G-M has the
2 top pictures and 4 out of first 10, which is twice any other company. In M. P. Herald, M-G-M has 4 out of the 7
top-grossing pictures, nearest company 1. In M. P. Daily, out of the 7 listed M-G-M has 4, nearest company 1.
^

!
FORECAST: M-G-M AGAIN IN '52 !
The M-G-M Studio has never in its
history had a more powerful array of
product than right now. To mention just a few: "THE WILD NORTH"
(Ansco color), "LONE STAR", and the following in Technicolor —
"IVANHOE", "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN", "THE MERRY WIDOW",
"SCARAMOUCHE", "SKIRTS AHOY!", "LOVELY TO LOOK AT"
and many more. And of course, The Great "QUO VADIS", the boxoffice
giant of all
time
The First M-G-M Trade Shows of 1952
FEB. 12th (
Except N.Y.\
Feb. 15th )
THE BELLE
of NEW YORK
a gay TECHNICOLOR
Musical in the
M-G-M manner
ATLANTA
BOSTON
BUFFALO
CHARLOTTE
CHICABO
CINCINNATI
CLEVELANO
OALLAS
DENVER
OES MOINES
OETHOIT
INOIANAPOLIS
ALBANY
Starring I'red Astairc • V'era-Ellen • Marjorie Main • with Keenan
Wynn
• Alice Pearce • Clinton Sundberg • Gale Robbins • Color
by Technicolor « Screen Play by Robert O'Brien, Irving Elinson
ST
Adapted for the Screen by Chester Erskine • Erom the Play
by Hugh Morton • Music by Harry Warren Lyrics by Johnny
Mercer Directed bv Charles Walters Produced by Arthur Freed • •
JACKSONVILLE
KANSAS CITY
lOS ANGELES
MEMPHIS
MILWAUKEE
MINNEAPOLIS
NEW HAVEN
NEW ORLEANS
NEW YORK
OKLAHOMA CITY
OMAHA
PHILAOELPHIA
PITTSBURGH
PORTLANO
LOUIS
SALT LAKE CITY
SAN FRANCISCO
SEATTLE
WASHINGTON
20th- Fox Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
M-G-M Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
H. C. Igel's Screen Room
2Dth-Fox Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
Paramount Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
MaxBlumenthal'sSc.Rm.
20th-Fox Screen Room
Florida State Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
United Artists' Scr. Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
Warner Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
20th-Fox Screen Room
M-G-M Screen Room
2Dth-Fox Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
M-G-M Screen Room
M-G-M Screen Room
B. F. Shearer Screen Rm.
S'Renco Art Theatre
20th- Fox Screen Room
20th- Fox Screen Room
Jewel Box Preview Thea.
RKO Screen Room
1052 Broadway
197 Walton St., N. W.
46 Church Street
290 Franklin Street
308 S. Church Street
1301 S. Wabash Ave.
1638 Central Parkway
2219 Payne Ave.
1803 Wood Street
2100 Stout Street
1300 High Street
2310 Cass Avenue
326 No. Illinois St.
128 East Forsyth Street
1720 Wyandotte St.
1851 S. Westmoreland
151 Vance Avenue
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
1015 Currie Avenue
40 Whiting Street
200 S. Liberty St.
630 Ninth Avenue
10 North Lee Street
1502 Davenport St.
1233 Summer Street
1623 Blvd. of Allies
1947 N. W. Kearney St.
3143 Olive Street
216 E. First St., So.
245 Hyde Street
2318 Second Ave.
932 N.Jersey Ave., N.W.
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/15
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2/12
2 P.M.
2 P.M.
2 P.M.
2 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2 P.M.
1 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
2 P.M.
1 P.M.
1 :30 P.M.
1 P.M.
8 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2 P.M.
12 Noon
1:30 P.M.
2 P.M.
2 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
2:30 P.M.
1 P.M.
1 P.M.
11 A.M.
2 P.M.
2 P.M.
1 P.M.
1 P.M.
1:30 P.M.
1 P.M.
2 P.M.
ALBANY

Keaelo hoiAito beodl
,v

miN 52
im aSSL In OanuoJu/ii

FIGURE
OF THE
SPY !
ames Mason sees all, knows all, and sells all-to the highest bidder-in "5 Fingers," suspensefilled
20th Century-Fox thriUer due in March. Co-starring Danielle Darrieux and Michael
= Rennie, the Otto Lang production, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, profiles history's most
noterions spy from the best-seller, "Operation Cicero."
(Advertisement)

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Puhlisheil in Nine Sectional Editioni
BEN SHLYEN
Editor-in-Chief and Publisher
lAMES M. JERAULD Editor
NATHAN COHEN ...Executive Editor
lESSE SHLYEN Managing Editor
IVAN SPEAR Western Editor
L L. THATCHER...Equipmenl Editor
lOHN a TINSLEY. Advertising Mgr.
Published Every Saturday by
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS
Editorial Offices: t) Itocliereller I'laza, New
York 20. N. Y. Jolin (1. Tlnsley, AdvertlsliiK
Marinser; Jnnres M. Jerauld. Editor;
Chesfor I'rleclmnn. Edilor Sliowmandlser
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The MODEliN TllEATIIE Section Is Included
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Ordway 3-4812. Adverllslng: Jerry Nonell.
Howard BIdg.. 209 Post St..
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In
Canada
Calgary: The Herald. Myron l.aka.
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St. John: 116 Prince Edward. W. MrNiiltr
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JANUARY

NEW COMPO P. R. PLAN SHIFTING
EMPHASIS TO LOCAL THEATRES
Their Great Entertainment
Values Will Be Stressed
Instead of Hollywood
NEW YORK—A new Council of Motion
Picture Organizations public relations plan
submitted to major company presidents
calls for a change of emphasis from Hollywood
to the local theatre. Arthur L. Mayer,
executive vice-president, said during the
week that all component parts of it are intended
to center public attention on the
theatre as the only place where the best in
entertainment can be found.
The plan, as proposed, consists of a cooperative
advertising campaign, more
Movietime star tours, a speakers' bureau
and a greater publicity effort.
"In.stead of glorifying Hollywood as the
source of the best entertainment," the plan
says, "and instead of making claims for the
industry, our public relations program should
point to the local movie theatre as the possessor
of these vast entertainment resources.
For it is not Hollywood that is in competition
with television. Nor is it the industry.
The competition is between the local movie
theatre and the living-room television .set.
"MUST MAKE PUBLIC BELIEVE"
"In meeting it and in destroying the public
belief that pictures are not as good as
they used to be, we must not only convince
the public that the movie theatre has production
values possessed by no other form
of entertainment; we must make the public
believe these values are so important that
they outweigh the comfort and convenience of
staying home and watching a show in the
living room."
As examples of entertainment resources,
the plan .says that "if a young actress is a
hit tonight on Broadway she will soon be
seen at the neighboring Bijou, that the novelist
writing in his London flat is producing
a story for the local theatre, that, in short,
the world is being constantly combed for
new players, writers, designers and musicians,
so that the local movie theatre may display
their talents."
While the majors have appropriated $150,-
000 for a new series of star tours, the advertising
campaign proposals are being studied
by a committee of the Motion Picture Ass'n
of America composed of the advertising heads
Are Mayer
Indications
Will Leave COMPO
NEW YORK—Arthur L. Mayer, executive
vice-president of the Council of Motion Picture
Organization, will
sail for Eiirope March
U for a two-month
combination pleasure
and business trip. The
date is less than a
month after the scheduled
COMPO annual
meeting at which officers
will be elected, and
Mayer's plan to leave
the country then bears
out his repeated statement
that he will not
remain in his present Arthur L. Mayer
post after this term.
In the meantime, a nominating committee
is seeking a replacement for him. While Ned
E. Depinet, president, has said he would like
another to take over his post, efforts are
being made to have him reconsider. The annual
meeting is scheduled for February 14, 15.
of the companies, with Charles Simonelli
of Universal-International as chairman. The
plan offers a choice of space schedules. One
calls for the use of 600 lines in 220 daily
papers in 103 cities of more than 100,000
population at a cost of $54,000. The other
calls for the use of 1,000 lines in the same
papers at a cost of $90,000.
The advertising campaign would be conducted
over a period of months, with one
ad for each month, instead of having one
big ad, with pictures from all ten companies
listed, appear in one month, as in 1951. Each
company would prepare and place its copy
for the month assigned it. and meet the costs.
All companies would use the .same amount
COMPO POSITION ON HOLLYWOOD MISBEHAVING'
of space in their ads for an industry institutional
message. The rest of the space
would be devoted to copy about their current
best pictures.
The plan notes that since loss of patronage
is due to many reasons, "it would be
foolish to expect a public relations campaign
to remove all of them; indeed, one of the
big errors of our business is that it has galloped
off in all directions to disprove criticisms
and as a consequence has got nowhere."
Some of the reasons that have been advanced
for a decline in patronage are listed
as a public belief that pictures have deteriorated
in quality; competition from television;
night sports and other attractions; the high
cost of living, including installment buying;
Hollywood scandals; Congi-essional charges
of Communist influence; a lack of babysitters
and a lack of parking space. The problems
of high living costs, babysitters and parking
space are dismissed as either of secondary
importance or beyond the power of the industry
to correct immediately.
Charges of Communist infiltration, the
plan says, while causing personal embarrassment,
haven't been followed by evidence of
loss of patronage for the better pictures due
to the charges. It is asked if a campaign refuting
the false charges would increase audiences
and, if so, how important would the
increase be compared to results obtained by
attacking other problems on the list?
THINKING ON SPECIAL GROUPS
Influence of Exhibitor on Hometown Press tfie
As to Hollywood scandals, the plan finds
that some loss in patronage due to them
cannot be retrieved by a public relations
campaign "while actors and actresses continue
to get into police court jams, and that
they wiU continue seems inevitable. Moreover,
if we try to convince the public that
all the people of Hollywood are just like the
people next door, we will not only run the
risk of being proved liars the next day, but
may destroy one of the principal assets
of our business—the fascination which the
glamorous sinner has for the person of virtue.
So, the plan notes, while misbehavior
should not be dismissed as unimportant,
it should be handled as a part of
a campaign and not as a major problem. It
calls for efforts to improve the kind of news
The plan continues:
"As for the special groups that may have
been kept from our theatres by suspicion of
our industry, it is open to question whether
they would be convinced of our patriotism
by any appeal to the public. Indeed, such
an appeal might only keep the issue alive
and give these groups further opportunity
to attack us. At any rate, there are other
methods for reaching them, best of which
seems to be personal conversations with
leaders of the aggrieved groups with proof
being offered of the industry's record in eliminathig
subversives. Considerable progress
has been made already along this line, so
much so, in fact, that it is doubtful if company
presidents would approve any campaign
which would carry this issue to the general
public."
As to the belief that pictures are poor, the
plan comments that while the accusation has
been made before, "this time the accusation
came at the very moment when a new and
powerful competitor of motion pictures entered
the scene. Accordingly, the competition
of television, night sports and other attractions
and the belief that pictures have
lost their quality will be treated as one problem,
with television the symbol of all com-
(Continued on page 10)
Answer
sent from Hollywood, but suggests that the
greatest opportunity for correction is local,
that is, "exhibitors should immediately talk
to their local editors when their newspapers
carry anything from Hollywood that
is unfair to the picture business. The Influence
of a local business man on his
hometown newspaper is greater than that
wielded from any other source.
BOXOFFICE
:: January 12, 1952

SUES FOR MILLION \
IN FILM SLANDER
Stanley Kramer Fights
Attack on Character;
Wins Quick Backing
HOLLYWOOD—Declaring that he is
striking
a blow on behalf of the entire industry as
well as seeking full indemnification for himself,
Producer Stanley Kramer has instituted
a $1,000,000 suit for libel against the Wage
Earners Committee.
The committee has been picketing Kramer's
Columbia production, "Death of a Salesman,"
at Warners' Beverly Hills Theatre, attacking
the film and the producer in circulars
distributed by the pickets and sent through
the mails—largely to exhibitors throughout
the country.
Outraged, he said, over the allegation contained
in the circular that he is "notorious
for his Red-slanted, Red-starred films,"
Kramer instructed his attorneys, Zagon,
Aaron & Sandler, to file the libel action in
superior court.
CALLS STATEMENT A LIE
"The statement is a lie and the committee
knew it to be a lie. The Wage Earners Committee
nevertheless has taken irresponsible
and malicious action," the producer declared.
"I cannot speak for the film industry, but
I say for myself that when such a group
pickets a theatre on such a basis it pickets
the entire industry. We of the industry are
lethargic and long-suffering in the face of
abuse. We have much to be proud of and
we need not run to cover in fear every time
some irresponsible group chooses to attack
on the basis of its own special brand of
Americanism. Our films and our contributions
stand for a lot more than that."
Kramer's action won quick support within
the industry.
Eric Johnston, president of the Motion
Picture Ass'n of America, made it plain in
a statement issued Thursday (10) that he
favored a hit-back policy against industry
detractors.
"Our industry never objects to honest criticism,
but we do resent false attacks," he
said. "One of the things of which Hollywood
is proudest is the fact that in none of the investigations
has there been any evidence of
Communist propaganda in motion pictures.
Our industry is proud of that record. It is
proud of its Americanism."
Kramer called the attack on him a "serious
Industry Leaders Rally
To Back Court Action
The motion picture industry quickl.v
came to the support of Stanley Kramer
in his $1,000,000 suit against the Wage
Earners Committee. The suit almost immediately
became a symbol of the industry's
determination to fight out against
unfair attacks.
The Council of Motion Picture Urganlxations,
through its executive director,
Arthur L. Mayer, wired Kramer that
COMPO pledges its wholehearted support
"to help you fight this issue to
a successful conclusion." He added that
"combating false accusations against
patriotism in the industry is one of
COMPO's major activities" and that
Kramer is to feel free to call on COMPO
for aid.
On the west coast, pledges of support
came immediately from the Ass'n of Motion
Picture Producers, the Society of
Independent Motion Picture Producers
and the Independent Motion Picture Producers
Ass'n.
Y. Frank Freeman, board chairman of
the AMPP, declared that the Wage Earners
Committee pamphlet made vicious and
unfounded charges against the industry
and that it will support Kramer in his
suit. Statements of support also were
issued by Ellis Arnall, SIMPP president,
and Gunther Lessing, board chairman;
I. E. Chadwick, IMPPA president, and
Dore Schary, production chief for Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer. Chadwick pointed out
that Kramer's stand was the first "in
our industry's history against the slanderous
attacks of pressure groups."
breach of fundamental American rights,"
when such an organization, assertedly without
responsible investigation or "fair and
open hearings of any kind" can "slander a
man's good name, and worse, use the United
States mails to further that slander."
He emphasized his willingness to undergo
"careful scrutiny by truly responsible people,"
but said he would "fight back at anyone who
attacks my good name, my patriotism or the
motives behind my work ... I intend to get
Rally to Support of Kramer's Million-Dollar Suit
Eric Johnston Y. Frank Freeman Gunther Lessing
STANLEY KRAMEK
In a Fight for the Industry
the record clear and obtain lull indemnification."
Little is known by Kramer, his attorneys or
HoUywoodians generally about the Wage
Earners Committee, its membership, its sf)onsorship
or its ultimate aims. At the press
conference at which he announced filing of
the libel suit, Kramer stated that it had come
to his attention that the WEC had hinted
there were approximately 50 other feature
films—current and upcoming—that would be
subjected to the same picketing procedure
and other harassment.
Only four persons—officers of the WECwere
named in the complaint drawn by
Kramer's attorneys. They were Norman S.
Smith, L. V. Vincent, K. J. Cunningham and
R. H. McCannon. As far as is known, none
has ever been identified with the film industry.
Additionally there were 1 to 100 John
Does, through which legal procedure, it was
pointed out. Kramer's counsel hoped to
"smoke out" the committee's membership and
goals.
Kramer said that as yet he had sought
no aid or cooperation from the Motion Picture
Industry Council, the Motion Picture Ass'n
of America or other all-industry bodies. He
said such backing of his fight will be sought
of them, as well as from merchant organizations
and other California groups interested
in fair play and the best interests of the
community.
Universal Yearly Earnings
Jumps Over 1950 Profit
NEW YORK—Universal Pictures Co., Inc..
reports a consolidated net profit of $2,092,783
for the 53 weeks ended Nov. 3. 1951. This
figure, which is after provision of $3,300,000
for federal taxes on income and excess profits
and after a provision of $500,000 for contingent
liabilities, is subject to year-end audit
adjustments. The consolidated net profit for
the preceding fiscal year of 52 weeks was $1,-
355,886, after provision of $950,000 for federal
taxes on income.
The 1951 figure is equivalent to $1.92 per
share on the 960,498 shares of common stock
outstanding, compared to $1.14 per share on
the common stock, after dividends on the preferred
stock for the preceding fiscal year.
During the 1951 fiscal year, the company
reduced its indebtedness under the 1950 bank
credit by $1,741,000 to $3,312,000. It also
acquired $1,190,000 principal amount of its
3-h per cent debentures, reducnig the amount
in the hands of the public to $3,205,000 at the
fiscal year-end.
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952

I
'
^^
"PuUe ^eat^
David J. Greene Group Gets
Two on RKO Theatres Board
stockholders at meeting in Wilmington,
Del., elect Ben Fleming Sessel, vice-president
of Irving Trust Co., and William J. Wardall,
retired, for Irving Trust Co.; for management,
Sol A. Schwartz and Edward J. Raftery; for
Greene's group, Greene and A. Louis Oresman,
former regional director of the War
Production Board.
*
$3,000,000 Antitrust Suit
Started in Denver
Cinema Amusements, Inc., headed by Harris
P. Wolfberg, is suing RKO, Loew's and
20th-Fox for damages said to have been incurred
after taking over the Broadway in 1944.
-K
Company Heads Gathering
In Florida for Meeting
Albert Warner, Jack Cohn, Nicholas M.
Schenck already in Miami Beach; Ned E.
Depinet, John J. O'Connor, Y. Frank Freeman
leaving soon.
X
Proposed Loe'w's Decree
Will Go to Court Soon
Divorcement discussions with Department
of Justice in antitrust case practically finished
and approval of judges may be sought
late this month.
Warners Will Not Furnish
Films for Skiatron Test
Informal statement says company sees no
need for TV subscription tests until FCC de-
I fines policy; 20th-Fox, Universal not to act;
Paramount only company yet to grant request.
Antitrust Action Is Filed
For Studio in Chicago
Suit in behalf of theatre, formerly operated
by Herbert Elisburg, charges majors prevented
obtaining fia'st run pictures; the Studio
is now the Ziegfeld, owned by Lopert Pictures
Co.
Film Company Dividends
Belo'w Previous Year
Total for November 1951 reached $558,000,
1 as against $726,000 for November 1950; divi-
^
dends in 1951's first 11 months totaled $28,-
109,000, compared to $30,463,000 1950 period.
-K
Industry Meets on Method
Of Spurring Recruiting
Progress toward cooperation with the Depai-tment
of Defense in adding women to the
ai-med forces was made at a conference at
COMPO headquarters in New York.
Monogram-AA Schedules
Meetings on Policies
Top brass huddles called for late this
month at the studio; saturation bookings for
two Cinecolor specials, "Port Osage" and
"Rodeo," and "Waco," in sepiatone, will be
discussed.
10
Control of UA Depends
On Audit in 45 Days
NEW YORK—Another 45 days will pass
before an audit of United Artists books
shows how much profit the company made
during its fii'st year of operation under the
Aj-thur B. Krim-Robert S. Benjamin-Max E.
Youngstein-Matthew Fox-William J. Heineman
management, but these men are confident
that the profit will be "substantial."
Krim made this statement to the tradepress
Tuesday (8) in the form of a "progress
report," one of a series he has held during
his term of office as president.
If the figures turn out as expected, this
group, with Arnold M. Picker, who recently
joined the company as head of the foreign
department, will be able to take over complete
voting control of the organization for
the next nine years and will be able to acquire
one-half of the 16,000 shares. Mary
Pickford and Charles Chaplin will retain
their 8,000 shares, but will have no voice in
the management.
Under the terms of the agreement by
which Krim and his associates took over
management from Paul V. McNutt, Max
Kravitz and Frank L. McNamee they had
three years in which to put the company on
a profit basis, with the understanding that
at the end of any one year during the first
three in which the company was in the
black their ten-year stock agreement would
become effective. The contract went into
effect Feb. 7, 1951.
Krim said he and his aides were surprised
by their first-year success in spite of their
optimism. He said: "Frankly it was unexpected."
The first nine weeks were shaky, Krim
admitted, as the losses that had been accumulating.
The following eight to ten weeks
were better and the remainder of the year
showed steady improvement. Foreign income
improved at the same time.
Krim paid tribute to many exhibitors
who had helped by booking pictures. Heineman
agreed with this. He explained that at
first exhibitors were skeptical and did not
believe that the company faced the probability
of collapse. When they became convinced,
he said, they rallied "magnificently"
to the support of the company.
The results were the result of teamwork.
Krim continued, and in making this statement
he paid tribute to Youngstein's energetic
exploitation. The company is now "well
set up" for product, Krim declared, with the
lineup running into 1953. The last year previous
to 1951 in which the company showed a
profit was in 1946.
It has been the custom to refer to the
8,000 shares not owned by Pickford and
Chaplin as "treasury shares." Krim said
there were now no treasury shares, but he
did not go into details on this point. It
was surmised that these may have been
put up as collateral for a $2,000,000 revolving
fund with which the new management
began operations.
Walt Disney Net Profit for Year Drops;
Receipts From 'Alice' Not Included
LOS ANGELES—Walt Disney
Productions
reports a consolidated net profit of $429,840
for the fiscal year ending Sept. 29, 1951, equal
after preferred dividends to 65 cents per
share on 652,840 shares of common outstanding.
This compares with a profit of $717,542,
equal to $1.06 per share on the common for
the preceding fiscal year.
Gross income was $6,287,539, compared with
$7,293,849 for fiscal 1950.
Roy O. Disney, president, pointed out that
the net for the year did not include much
of the receipts from "Alice in Wonderland,"
which was released in July. Fir.st ca.sh returns
from this production were received only
one week before the end of the fiscal year.
In the preceding year the gross included receipts
from "Cinderella," which was released
in February 1950.
The company redeemed all its outstanding
preferred stock Jan. 1, 1951, at $25 per share,
plus accrued dividends.
Debentures were reduced by $40,110 and on
September 29 totaled $660,210, a reduction of
$703,990 from the original total of $1,364,200
in 1945. A long-term .serial loan, which was
originally $1,000,000 in 1948, was reduced by
$279,224 during the year, leaving only $57,085
at the year-end. This balance was paid off
in December, 1951, when revenues from publications,
the sole security for the loan, exceeded
expectations.
An increase in current bank loans of $423,-
197, Disney said, was less than had been anticipated,
due to the excellent results from
"Cinderella" and the release of blocked funds
in France.
COMPO Plan
(Continued from page 8)
peting attractions. That this is the major
problem of all those we have listed there can
be little doubt."
While a public relations program should
not be confined to refuting criticism, the
plan notes, such criticism should not be
ignored. It suggests that a publicity man in
each exchange territory be designated as a
sentinel. It would be his duty to forward all
press criticisms, except those of individual
pictures, to COMPO. When criticism is
especially unfair, a delegation of local exhibitors
would call on the newspaper editor.
If they felt it would injure them to protest,
they could accompany some other Industry
representative while he protested, the implication
being that the local exhibitors
shared in the protest.
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952

;iS^^^Sr^#•#
q^fi^o^*i«i***"^*^ r ^^^^^^H ^iCX Century -Fox's ^^^^^^^^^H
A great motion picture in the
tradition of "A LETTER TO THREE
WIVES " and "ALL ABOUT EVE."
starring
With
KEENAN WYNN- EVELYN VARDEN
Written for the Screen and Produced by Directed by
NUNNALLY JOHNSON . JEAN NEGULESCO
Based on a story by I.A.R.WYLIE
Ov^'^^'''^Ir^^t^
There's No Business
CtNTURY-roX
Business

Am
20TH-FOX HAS 36 FEATURES
SCHEDULED FOR FULL YEAR
More Than 12 to Be Color;
Far-Ahead Delivery to
Help Merchandising
NEW YORK—For the first time in the
company's history, 20th Century-Fox has
a full year of releases set. At the company's
sales convention held here this week, Al
Lichtman, director of distribution, announced
a complete 12-month schedule for
1952 which includes 36 features which are
either completed or shooting.
More than 12 of the pictures will be in color
and all of them will be delivered months in
advance so that long-range advertising, publicity
and exploitation campaigns may be
worked out in ample time for mass audience
penetration.
A THREE-POINT PROGRAM
Lichtman outlined a three-point program
designed to give the company a maximum
merchandising of all pictures.
The program, he said, will Involve all
phases of operation and is dependent on
three premises: (1) The ability of the production
organization to produce the highest
quality pictures at costs commensurate with
the current market; (2) A top-notch distribution
effort by each member of the sales
force to insure widest circulation of the
lineup, via a sales policy calling for fair and
square dealing on all sides; (3) An equal advertising,
publicity and exploitation effort
aiding exhibitors to reach a maximum audience
for every picture with the highest returns.
"This effort must embrace the highest
imagination and ingenuity in the licensing
and exploitation of our pictures in every
community of the world," Lichtman declared.
"It must be understood that no second-class
effort will accomplisli this result,
Just as no second-class effort was able to
produce the kind of picture that you will have
the privilege to distribute this coming year."
W. C. Gehring, executive assistant general
sales manager, opened the first convention
session with an invocation and welcoming addresses
by Spyros P. Skouras, Lichtman and
Murray Silverstone followed. During the
first three days, discussions were led by
Lichtman, and Edwin W. Aaron and Arthur
Silverstone, assistant general sales managers.
TO REORGAPaZE TECH>fIQUES
Skouras, in welcoming the sales force, declared
that the "techniques of both the advertising
and distribution departments must
be completely reorganized and reset to conform
with conditions that beset us today and
meet the taste and demand of the public."
"This year we will have one great advantage,
because practically all of the important
pictures will be in your hands far
ahead of release dates and you will be able
to give each picture the kind of handling it
deserves."
All product will be backed with unusual
plans in promotion, exploitation and advertising,
Skouras said.
Al Lichtman, vice-president and director of distribution for 20th-Fox, is shown
outlining 1953 selling. In the photo, L to R, are: William C. Gehring, executive general
sales manager; Lichtman; Spyros Skouras, president who was on hand to welcome
the delegates, and Murray Silverstone, president of the 20th-Fox International
organization.
Fox Product Lineup for
JANUARY: "Decision Before Down," produced and
directed by Anotole Litvak; "Joponese War Bride,"
a Joseph Bernhord production, and "The Model and
the Marriage Broker."
FEBRUARY: "David and Bathsheba," in its first
general releose; "Phone Call From o Stranger/' produced
by Nunnally Johnson, and "Red Skies of Montana,"
in Technicolor, produced by Samuel G. Engel.
MARCH: "5 Fingers," produced by Otto Lang,
starring James Mason, Danielle Darrieux and Michael
Rennie; "Return of the Texan," directed by Delmar
Daves, starring Dole Robertson, Joanne Dru and
Walter Brennon, and "Vivo Zopata," a Dorryl F.
Zonuck production directed by Elia Kazan, starring
Marlon Brando and Jean Peters.
APRIL: "With a Song in My Heart," for Easter
release, produced by Lamar Trotti in Technicolor, starring
Susan Hoyward, Rory Calhoun, Dovid Wayne
and Thelma Ritter; "Pride of St. Louis," produced
by Jules Schermer, starring Dan Dailey and Joanne
Dru, and "Rose of Cimarron/' an Edward L. Alperson
production in Natural Color, with Jack Beutel, Mala
Powers and Bill Williams.
^^
MAY: "Belles On Their Toes," produced by Samuel
G. Engel in Technicolor, starring Jeanne Croin,
Myrna Loy, Debra Poget and Edward Arnold; "Down
Among the Sheltering Palms," directed by Edmund
Goulding in Technicolor, starring William Lundigan,
Mitzi Gaynor, Jane Greer, David Wayne and Gloria
DeHaven, and "Outcasts of Poker Flat/' produced
by Jules Blaustein m Technicolor, starring Dale Robertson,
Anne Baxter, Miriam Hopkins and Cameron
Mitchell.
Big Spring Campaign
For Viva Zapata'
NEW YORK—One of the big spring
promotions for 20th-Fox will be for "Viva
Zapata," a March release. First event in
the campaign will be a combined fashion
show, dinner and preview January 14 for
more than 400 newspaper fashion representatives,
department store merchandising
heads and the magazine and syndicate
press at Toots Shor restaurant.
Movietone News will cover the event and
an expanded version of the show will be
used on the Kay Windsor TV outlet later
on. This 16mm version will be available
without cost to the stations as well as to
stores for showings in windows, lobbies
and other vantage points.
12-Month Period
JUNE: "Kangaroo," filmed in Technicolor in Austrolia,
directed by Lewis Milestone, starring Maureen
O Hara and Peter Lowford with Finlay Currie, and
"We're Not Married," a six-episode drama written
and produced by Nunnally Johnson, starring David
Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Fred Allen, Ginger Rogers,
Paul Douglos, Eve Arden, Mitzi Gaynor, Eddie Bracken,
Walter Brennon and Hope Emerson.
JULY: "Lydio Bailey," produced by Jules Schermer
in Technicolor, starring Dale Robertson and Anne
Francis with Charles Korvin; "Cry of the Swamp/'
produced in Technicolor by Robert L. Jacks, starring
Jean Peters, Jeffrey Hunter and Constance Smith,
and "Don't Bother to Knock," produced by Jules
Bloustein, starring Richard Widmark and Marilyn
Monroe.
AUGUST: "Diplomatic Courier," produced by Casey
Robinson, starring Tyrone Power, Patricia Neal, Hildegorde
Neff and Stephen McNally; "Dream Boot,"
produced by Sol G. Siegel, starring Clifton Webb,
Ginger Rogers and Anne Francis, and "Les Miserobles,"
directed by Lewis Milestone, starring Debra Paget,
Robert Newton and Michael Rennie.
^SEPTEMBER: "Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie,"
produced by George Jessel in Technicolor, starring
David Wayne, Jean Peters and Hugh Marlowe, and
"O. Henry's Full House," a five-episode collection
of O. Henry stories, including "The Gift of the
Magi," starring Jeanne Grain and Farley Granger,
"The Cop and the Anthem," starring Charles Laughton
end David Wayne; "The Clarion Call," starring
Richard Widmark and Dale Robertson; "The Last
Leaf," starring Anne Baxter, and "The Ransom of
Red Chief," starring Clifton Webb.
OCTOBER: "Way of a Gaucho," produced by Philip
Dunne in Argentina, in Technicolor, starring Gene
Tierney and Rory Calhoun, and "Deadline— U.S.A.,"
produced by Sol G. Siegel, starring Humphrey Bogart,
Ethel Barrymore and Kim Hunter.
NOVEMBER: "Darling, Growing Younger/'
starring Cory Grant, and "What Price Glory/' produced
by Sol G. Siegel in Technicolor, storring James
Cogney, Dan Dailey and Corinne Calvet.
DECEMBER: "How High Is Up?," produced by
Charles Brockett in Technicolor, starring Anne Baxter,
and "Snows of Kilimanjaro," to be produced by
Dorryl F. Zonuck in Technicolor, starring Gregory
Peck and Susan Hoyward.
Five additional features, other than the studio-made
product, will be released to fill out release schedules
for June, September, October, November and December.
Charles DePccul Dies
SAULT STE. MARIE. MICH.—Funeral
services were held January 5 for Charles
DePaul, 70, head of the Soo Amusement Co.
who died at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.. December
31. He was an exhibitor for 39 years.
12 BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

Paramount Presents
yc«Ry
iiiiiimiii.4Biis
in.
ffrtL WwMilLi^ PRODUCTION,
CORINNE CAIVET-MARION MARSHALL
• w,i., ROBERT STRAUSS o„«.h by HAL WALKtR screnp,., t, JAMES ALLARDICE
ar,d • •
MARTIN RAtKIN Ao.i,i,on,i d.iogu. b, JOHN GRANT Adapi.i,on t, ELWOOD ULLMAN
Mem a play by Henyon NichoKon ind C'vitle^ Robmvon
• A P^Mmou'il Pictjfp
RANG IN A HAPPY 1952
FOR EXHIBITORS IN
HUNDREDS OF PREVIEW
ENGAGEMENTS NEW YEAR'S
EVE... BELL-RINGING PROOF
THAT THIS IS THEIR
TOP GROSSER TO DATE!
GETYOURDATEINNOW!

—
Lightweight Film Cans
Urged As Economy Step
NEW YORK—Use of some form of light-
'
weight film container for print shipments in
order to reduce exhib-
~~
^ itor costs from 33 to
40 per cent is urged
by Henry Reeve of
Menard, Tex.
R e e V e's suggestion
has been sent out in
mimeographed form by
the New York office
of Theatre Owners of
America.
"Rounding out 30
years in this business,"
Reeve wrote, "I note
Henry Reeve
that film carrying containers
today are identical to the ones used
in 1922. In the last 18 months we know
how largely the industry's print situation has
been changed to acetate-non-inflammable
stock. Why, then, the continued use of unnecessary
heavy cans in view of the miracles
of modern scientific development of plastics,
veneers, and many lightweight metals?
"A varying transportation saving of 33%
to 40 per cent is possible to theatre owners
on single and two-reel subjects—and a considerable
saving on larger shipments—not at
all a small item to small town theatres which
are today paying $100 and upward each
month on 200-mile hauls—and more as exchange
distance increases.
"A concrete example can be definitely set
forth. In my home theatre the twice-weekly
newsreel usually comes out in a metal can
total weight of shipment being ten pounds
the cost, 52 cents each way, or a total of
$1.04 for each issue. Sometimes the shipment
is in a common cardboard container—weight
five or six pounds—a round-trip cost of
60 cents.
"All shorts are now on acetate, and while
it is true that no figures are at hand for
feature shipments as yet, a proportional saving
is possible. Even the application of this
plan to short subjects only would make a
substantial saving to the individual exhibitor.
"Incidentally, the fact that our government
greatly concerned over the metal situation
is
is another prime consideration.
"There is no question that investigation
and experimentation should be made. An Immediate
change might not be feasible, because
it has taken some time to effect the
present acetate status.
"Such a reduction in weight would certainly
result in a most helpful economy in
theatre operation—in overhead reduction
which we well know is steadily becoming a
more and more necessary item In healthy
theatre operation."
Circuit Court Rules ICC
Governs Film Deliveries
SALT LAKE CITY — More and "better"
service in the transportation of film in the
Salt Lake exchange area was seen this week
tlu-ough a court ruling that the Interstate
Commerce Commission has exclusive Jurisdiction
over transprartation of motion picture
films within the state of Utah.
The ruling came from the United States
court of appeals in Denver and was a reversal
of a decision by Federal Judge Willis W.
Ritter, U.S. district court of Utah. It was
in favor of Wycoff Co., Inc., a trucking
line operating in Utah, Idaho, Montana and
parts of Wyoming.
In the original ruling. Judge Ritter held
that the Public Service Commission of Utah
and not the ICC had jurisdiction over the
shipments. The court of appeals reversed this
ruling. According to latest information, the
state of Utah will carry the case to the
Supreme Court of the United States.
As explained by Milton S. Wycoff, operator
of the Wycoff company, Utah's agency
had required reshipment of film to Salt
Lake from outside points after its use before
it could be sent to other cities. For
instance, he could not haul between Rock
Springs and Greenriver, Wyo., after film had
been used in either city, without reshipping
to Salt Lake.
Under ICC jurisdiction, he is able to ship
film to and from any point in the area
in which he has ICC permission. This, as
explained by Wycoff, means he does not have
to ship film back to Salt Lake and then
reship it to the other points which he services.
A further benefit to the industry from
the reversal will be that New York offices
of distributors will have to be acquainted only
with ICC rules on distribution of film rather
than with the rules of Utah and the ICC.
Montana and Idaho agencies have recognized
the Jurisdiction of ICC over shipment of films
and this problem has not existed in those
states.
Wald-Krosna Extend Pact
For One Year at RKO
HOLLYWOOD—Weeks of speculation anent
their future liaison with the Howard Hughes
company ended Monday (7) when the Jerry
Wald-Norman Krasna production deal with
RKO Radio was extended for another year.
Agreement on the extension was reached by
C. J. Tevlin, RKO Radio studio head, and
W-K's representatives, David Tannenbaum
and Lew Wasserman, after lengthy negotiations.
A statement from the Hughes studio declared
the principals negotiated, "on an exploratory
level." several varying formats and
that "after careful consideration" the original
contract—signed a little over a year ago
— "was considered by far the most practical."
Therefore the original formula, with respect
to origin of properties, approval and casting
thereon will be retained.
Under the new arrangement Wald will assume
complete production responsibility for
the W-K unit and will function as executive
producer. Krasna, who had originally shared
in the production supervision, will now write
and direct two top-budgeted productions.
Domestic Problems
No. 1 for Johnston
NEW YORK—Because many important domestic
problems confront the industry Eric
Johnston, president of the Motion Picture
Ass'n of America, has not decided .vhether or
not to make a foreign trip. If he does make
one, it will be for about a week to Brazil and
Uruguay.
The Brazil trip would be for the purpose
of discussing with government officials thenattempt
to enforce a decree requiring the export
of as many Brazilian newsreels, shorts
and documentaries to this country as are sent
to that country by American companies. As
a result of this new decree, American newsreels
have suspended shipments to Brazil.
Another BrazUian problem is a renewed attempt
to enforce an old so-called "one-ineight"
quota law which has been dormant
for some time. Under the terms of that law
every theatre can be required to show all-
Brazilian programs every eighth week. The
principal reason for non-enforcement to date
has been the lack of sufficient Brazilian
product and opposition of Brazilian exhibitors.
The Uruguay trip would be for the purpose
of attending the Film Festival there. The
State department has suggested the desirability
of the trip to Johnston.
Another Brazilian problem is a new limitation
on the export of funds which hits
film companies.
Outstanding among the domestic problems
is the coming hearing of the Federal Communications
Commission on the industry application
for assignment of television wavelengths
for theatre use. The hearing is scheduled
for next month. Johnston will be one of
the first speakers in support of the application.
He pointed out that the A.T.&T. and the
broadcasters are opposed to the assignment
of wavelengths to theatres.
"It may be a case of now or never," said
Johnston. "We must put up a united front.
There will be a meeting Friday to discuss
our presentation. We have decided that we
want the wavelengths, to argue why we are
entitled to them. Time is pressing."
"Should the wavelengths be on a common
carrier basis?" he asked. "Should we agree
to cooperate on public service use of these
bands?"
There are other pressing problems in Hollywood,
he said, but he did not go into details
on these.
G. G. Johnson, Researcher,
Will Join MPAA Jan. 15
NEW YORK—G. Griffith Johnson, ESA
economic adviser to Eric Johnston, while the
latter was head of that organization, will join
the Motion Picture Ass'n of America next
Tuesday (15) as head of research. The association
has been without a research expert
since Robert W. Chambers resigned about
two years ago.
The proposed new research activities will
call for a constant study of economic conditions
in the foreign as well as domestic
fields. Eric Johnston pointed out at a tradepress
luncheon Tuesday (7) that knowing
what is going to happen in advance can be
very important to the industry.
14 BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

THE BOOKING OF THE WEEK
...DESIGNED
TO HIGHLIGHT
CURRENT AND
CHOICE PRODUCT
PURPLE H^ART PIARY
THINGS YOU'LI
NT TO KNOW
ted by millions of
K 'admirers, TV fans!
The singing, laughing,
loving picture of Frances
Langford's own Armylife
story! Singing 6 hot
•ongs that set 9 million
GI hearts apounding!
Presold by her syndicated
column! Sizzling
with Tony Romano's TVfamous
voice and guitar!
Zany laughs from Ben
Less), TV and nitery favorite.
"Marquee value."
(Boxoifice) "Large presold
audience." (Showmen's
Trade Review)
Popular entertainment,
human interest, emotional
tug." (Hollywood
Reporter.)
44
m
IRELEASE
DATE:
IDISTRIBUTOR:
\^

—
A FOUR-YEAR CAMPAIGN IS SUCCESSFUL
Tribute to the Industry
For Cancer Hospital
BOSTON—Industry leaders, doctors and
scientists and men prominent in public life
came here Monday (7i for the dedication of
the Jimmy Fund building.
They knew in a general way that it was
the culmination of a four-year campaign of
Variety Club of New England and the Boston
Braves of the National league. What
they didn't know until they heard it from the
lips of various speakers was that it is the
first institution of the kind in the world and
is regarded by doctors and researchers as
one of the outstanding moves of the generation
to find the cause of cancer in children
and to eradicate it if possible.
Cancer is common in children and works
much more rapidly than in adults. That is
why scientists consider this new step important,
because whatever is learned among children
will be applicable to adults.
OUTSTANDING P. R. PROJECT
Outside of the purely scientific aspects of
the projects it has proved to be an extraordinary
public relations undertaking that has
captured the imaginations of boys and girls
and men and women.
More than $1,500,000 has been collected in
nickels and dimes and quarters, with some
larger contributions from New England industries.
Radio networks, the Boston Braves,
all the Variety Club members, governors of
six states, and church leaders of all faiths,
have joined in the effort.
A bank advanced money on loan to hurry
the completion of the building. Another
$1,000,000 is needed, and an annual maintenance
fund will be required. Everybody is
confident this will be secured.
Tlie building is a four-story structure with
Walt Disney characters painted on the walls
of the lower floor, with a merry-go-round in
the waiting room. It also has a miniature
railroad that goes through tunnels and has
stations and crossings and a television set
all designed to relieve the nervous strain of
the young patients.
MANY RESEARCH LABORATORIES
On every floor are research laboratories.
The institution is a part of the Children's
hospital and the researchers will have the cooperation
of the Harvard Medical school. It
has been given $100,000 worth of apparatus
through Dr. Shields Warren, director of the
Division of Medicine and Biology of the
Atomic Energy Commission. That's how modern
it is.
Samuel Pinanski, chief barker (^ Variety
Club of New England, outlined the history
of the campaign—a remarkable story. The
day after Jimmy was taken to a ball game
by Jim Britt, baseball announcer, and a combined
radio broadcast and television program
was put on, automobiles began stopping at the
Children's hospital to leave donations. Boys
and gii-ls sold lemonade along the highways
of New England and sent in the profits.
Arthur Lockwood, exhibitor, was the master
of ceremonies at the dedication.
Others who spoke were: Britt; J. Wells
Farley, president of the Children's medical
center: George Packer Berry, M.D., dean of
Harvard medical school; J. R. Heller, M.D.,
director of the National Cancer Institute and
representative of the United States Public
Health Service: Louis R. Perini, chairman of
the building committee, and also part owner
of the Boston Braves: Martin J. MuUin, president
of the Children's Cancer Research
Foundation and also a leading New England
exhibitor; Archbishop Cushing; Shields Warren,
M.D., director of the division of medicine
and biology. Atomic Energy Commission, and
Sidney Farber, M.D., scientific director.
Dr. Farber, who is nationally known, introduced
his staff of researchers, both men and
women.
At a banquet which followed at the Statler
hotel in the evening the motion picture industry
received a memorable public tribute.
Marc Wolf, international chief barker of
Variety Clubs International, received an almost
continuous round of applause as he
enumerated the children's projects carried on
by tents throughout the country.
Gael Sullivan, executive director of Theatre
Owners of America, was toastmaster.
Presentations of awards of merit were made
as follows:
By Secretary of Labor Maurice Tobin to
Martin J. Mullin; by Ned E. Depinet, president
of RKO and of COMPO, to Carl Haffenreffer,
well-known brewer, who was a pioneer
in the Jimmy fund movement; by
Thomas Holmes to Hector Pelletier; by Warren
Giles to Jimmy Britt; by Walter Brown
to Calvin Favorite; by Earl Torgeson to A.
Edward Lalli; by Ford Frick, baseball commissioner,
to Louis R. Perini, part owner and
manager of the Boston Braves.
Towne Appeals Denied;
Huge Verdict Stands
WASHINGTON — Both the Milwaukee
Towne Theatre and the six major distributors
were turned down by the Supreme Court
this week (7) in their appeals from an original
$1,295,878 antitrust damage verdict.
The theatre appealed from a circuit court
decision which sliced the damages to $941,574
and the attorney's fees from $225,000 to $75,-
000 while the majors wanted a rehearing
on the grounds that the award was excessive
and unrealistic.
Unless the high court reverses itself and
agrees to hear the appeals—a rarity—the
verdict of $941,574 will stand. Despite the
slicing by the court, it remains one of the
highest damage claims ordered paid by the
courts in the many antitrust suits brought
against the producer-distributor companies.
The $1,125,000 damage award in the suit
of the Brookside Theatre Co. in Kansas City
against Fox Midwest and the distributors is
now the top verdict. This award, however,
has been appealed and if the circuit court
reasons along the same lines as it did in the
Towne case, this large verdict likewise may
be decreased.
Hughes Stock Rights
Argued Before Court
WASHINGTON—The Supreme Court wa«
told Monday (7) that the Justice department
"went beyond" the provisions of the
RKO consent decree virtually to the point of
"confiscation" when it asked the New York
statutory court to direct the sale of Howard
Hughes' stock holdings in the new RKO theatre
company.
The lower court ordered the Irving Trust
Co.. trustee of the 929,000 shares, to sell the
stock within two years if Hughes had not
disposed of it by Feb. 20, 1953.
T. A. Slack, attorney for Hughes, declared
that the court "improperly and without legal
foundation modified the terms of the consent
decree." There was no agreement by Hughes
and no evidence presented to the court in
support of the D of J position, he added.
NEED DECREE CLARIFICATION
There was only one question to be settled
by the high court, Slack stated, and that was
the proper interpretation of the consent decree's
provision regarding the Hughes stock.
This section, which Hughes agreed to "voluntarily"
although not a defendant, expressly
stated that Hughes was to sell his stock in
one of the two new companies or put it into
a voting trust with a court-appointed trustee
which was to "remain in force" until he disposed
of them. Slack argued. There was no
agreement of any sort regarding a forced
sale, he added.
The government, represented by Justice
department attorney Philip Marcus, contended
that the fundamental premise on
which the entire Paramount case was based
was the prime necessity of complete divorcement
of exhibition from production-distribution,
and that one of the means of achieving
this was to see that large stockholders did
not retain holdings in both new companies.
He pointed to the later Warner, Paramount
and Fox consent decree as examples.
The government never contemplated that
Hughes would be able to draw profits from
both companies—hold control of the picture
company and receive dividends from the theatre
company—Marcus contended. This situation,
he said, would be an "incentive" for
the picture company to favor the theatre
company in the licensing of its films. Objective,
he said, was to get Hughes "out of the
picture" of one or the other of the companies.
•NO DOUBT AS TO INTENT'
There was no doubt at any time, Marcus
stated, that it was the Government's intention
that Hughes was to sell his stock. He
admitted there was a "gap" in the decree
provision, but said this was left to be filled
in by the District Court under the "express
provision" of the section that the court was
to establish reasonable terms and conditions.
The disputed order accomplished this, he
said, and added that he considered the disposal
period permitted "very reasonable."
(Irving Trust is to get rid of the stock within
two years after next February's deadline).
The order did not amend the decree as
claimed by Slack, he said, but was issued pursuant
to the section of the decree containing
the provision for the stock disposition.
He maintained his position despite a severe
hammering from the court, with many of
the justices intimating doubt that requirement
for sale was spelled out in the terms
of the decree.
16 BOXOFnCE January 12. 1952 !

*?'i^.^- ..-^\.. ..
^^-..
THE LOVABLE, LAUGHABLE, WONDERFUL
FAMILY OF RADIO FAME
now upnarioaslY delightful on the screen/

WB Sells 32 Theatres,
Speeds Big-Screen TV
NEW YORK—Warner Bros, has sold 32
theatres in the last year, in addition to 11
other properties, for $7,106,000, Harry M.
Warner reported to stockholders this week.
The WB president said the sales brought a
profit of $2,208,000 net, before provision for
federal income taxes.
Not all of the theatres disposed of were
required to be divested under the government
consent decree. Only ten of the 32
theatres were sold under divestiture provisions.
The company at present has entered
into the sale of two theatres and one nontheatrical
property, with one of the theatres
subject to the divestiture provisions of the
decree.
The stockholders report included comments
on television, reorganization plans, a new
stock acquisition plan and business trends.
BIG-SCREEN INSTALLATIONS
Warner said that theatres owned by the
company in New York, Philadelphia, Washington,
Pittsburgh and Milwaukee have already
installed big-screen television systems
and an additional 20 systems have been ordered,
of which seven are currently being
installed. Despite these installations, the report
stressed the point that "the utilization of
large-screen television is still in the development
stage and the ultimate benefits are yet
to be determined."
Warner also revealed that the board of
directors is convinced, in view of a number
of changes in the status of the industry in
the last year, that a new plan of reorganization
will be necessary. The present plan was
drafted and approved by the board just one
year ago, and at that time "reflected the
judgment of the board of directors as to existing
conditions and conditions that might
exist when such divorcement should actually
be effected."
Since the adoption of the plan, it was explained,
changes which have taken place
within the industry, the divestiture of theatres
and the acquisition of common stock
have shifted the thinking of company directors.
BETTER TAX PROVISIONS
"Furthermore," it was pointed out, "the
revenue act of 1951 contains a new section
commonly called the 'spin-off section, relating
to tax-free organizations. The plan of
reorganization provided for a split-up into
two companies and the dissolution of this
company, which was the only effective plan
of reorganization which the internal revenue
company would then approve as tax free. It
may prove to be beneficial to take advantage
of the new 'spin-off provision which would
not require the dissolution of this company."
The company president also revealed that
the company plans to appropriate $15,000,000
to be used for the purchase by Warners of
approximately 1,000,000 shares of common
stock. Last July, the same amount was spent
to buy 1,015,915 shares of common and, as a
result, the company on less net income was
able to increase its dividend payment.
Blumberg Going to Coast
NEW YORK—Nate J. Blumberg, Universal-
International president, who recently left a
hospital after a stay of several weeks, will
leave for the coast shortly with Mrs. Blumberg.
His doctors have advised him to rest.
NO OTHER MEDIUM CAN REPLACE MOTION PICTURES'
Zukor Still the Optimist
On His 79th Birthday
DE MILLE TOASTS ZUKOR—Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board of Paramount
(fourth from left), who attended a cocktail party at the Radio City Music Hall
for the opening of "The Greatest Show on Earth," is toasted by, left to right:
Charlton Heston, Cecil B. DeMille and Betty Button, two of the stars and the director
of the picture, and Gus Eyssell on Zukor's 79th birthday.
NEW YORK—The strains and stresses
within the industry since nickelodeon days
have left Adolph Zukor, Paramount chairman
of the board, unruffled. Talking to wellwishers
Monday (7) on his 79th birthday and
49th year in show business, the industry's
"elder statesman" saw reasons for solid satisfaction
in past achievements, decried waves
of hysteria that have afflicted the industry
from time to time and took the calm view
that motion pictures have a happy future.
"No other medium can replace motion pictures,"
he said. "Call it optimism or common
sense. Perhaps it is a little of each."
Zukor has been and still is an advocate of
hard work, and he long ago realized that
many busy executives who have retired in
the expectation of living a life of ease have
found time hanging heavy on their hands.
His whole life is wrapped up in motion pictures,
and he will never stop contributing to
their advancement.
Companies Settling
HOLLYWOOD—Ending Utigation that began
four years ago, out-of-court settlements
were being arranged in the actions brought
against the major companies by industryites
who were labeled the "unfriendly ten" when
they were convicted of contempt of Congress
during the early stages of the house un-
American activities committee's probe into
alleged Communist infiltration of the motion
picture trade.
Such settlements have already been reached
in the damage actions filed against Loew's,
Inc., by Scenarists Dalton Trumbo and
Lester Cole, whose writing tickets were canceled
by Metro In 1948. These suits were dismissed
"with prejudice." signifying that the
scriveners may not file other actions for the
Zukor's birthday message to the industry
had to do mainly with solutions to boxoffice
problems. He called good pictures the key
to good business. He warned producers that
they should make the types the public wants
rather than what they like. If they don't do
so. he said, their product will soon find a
resting place on a shelf. He coupled showmanship
with good pictures as a means
toward a prosperous future.
Zukor discussed arbitration briefly and conservatively.
He said that it may work if the
various segments of the industry get together
around a conference table and show a real
interest in developing a system, and that the
sooner the effort is made, the better it will
be for all.
Late in the afternoon, Zukor left for a
cocktail party at Radio City Music Hall given
in honor of Cecil B. DeMille and Betty Hutton.
As he entered unannounced, the guests
sang "Happy Birthday to You."
Out of Court With 'Unfriendly Ten'
same cause. In other words, the action is ended.
Further participation by MGM, Warners,
Universal-International and Columbia in the
general conspiracy action brought against all
the majors by Albert Maltz and the other
members of the "unfriendly ten" was ended
at midweek with the payment of an aggregate
of more than $100,000 to Robert W. Kenny,
attorney representing the plaintiffs.
Remaining to be settled were suits filed
against 20th Century-Fox by Ring Lardner
and against RKO Radio by Adrian Scott.
jr.
As concerns settlement of the Trumbo and
Cole actions against Loew's, Attorney Kenny
did not disclose the amount paid but said the
suits were dismissed "for reasons very satisfactory
to Cole and Trumbo."
18 BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

se.ssion
IHeK €utd Sf^ent^
'Wainex Gets Extension
QNE of
the reasons Warner Bros, applied
for and received a six-month extension
of the time limit on divorcement was the
need for re-examining the situation as a
result of chanjiint; business conditions. A
new reorganization plan may be presented
at the annual stockholders' meeting.
During the fiscal year ending August 31
the company began carrying out the divestiture
requirements of the consent decree
and 24 theatres were sold, including
eight on which divestiture was required.
Of these. 16 were owned in fee and eight
leased. Five leases on other houses expired
and were not renewed. Since August
31, eight more theatres have been sold.
The aggregate sales price of the houses
was $7,106,000.
Negotiations are on for further sales.
The decree required divestiture of 54 theaters
within one year, but new conditions
have developed. The plan adopted by the
board Jan. 11. 1951. and approved February
20 by the stockholders doesn't fit new
conditions. This plan provided for two
new companies, but it has developed that
a new "spin-off" section of the Revenue
Act of 1951 relating to tax free reorganizations
may make it desirable to continue the
present company and organize a new theatre
company, instead of organizing two
new companies.
The new plan has not been prepared yet,
but will be soon, according to the annual
report.
The company also proposed to buy more
of its own stock. Between February 20
and July 3, 1951, it purchased 136,300
shares. Up to July 17, 1951. purchase of
1,015,915 shares had been made at a cost
of $15,000,000. Consideration is being
given to appropriating another $15,000,000
for stock purchases, and. if it is adopted,
the stockholders will be asked to approve.
W. J. German, Inc.
^J^piAAAM J. GERMAN added "Inc." to
his name on the 30th anniversary of
his connection with Jules E. Brulatour,
Inc.. from which he took over the distribution
of all Eastman professional motion
picture film the first of the year.
Brulatour was a spectacular figure in
the film business from the earliest days
when he imported Lumiere raw stock from
Pi'ance in competition with the Eastman
domestic product. Brulatour. of course,
quickly became nationally known as the
distributor of a large percentage of all the
film used in this country after he took
over distribution of Eastman raw stock.
German also has been well known during
30 years of his association with Brulatour
as vice-president and general manager.
What the younger generation probably
never knew or has forgotten is that German
also was an Eastman man. He joined
the company in 1906 and held a number
of important positions with Eastman up
to 1922. when he joined Brulatour.
It will be recalled that the first projec-
-By JAMES M. JERAULD
tion of a motion picture on a screen before
a paying audience was April 23. 1896, just
about ten years before German entered the
business. He has been intimately connected
with every important development
in the industry since that time.
July Competition
pniLCO CORP. has signed with NBC to
sponsor television coverage of both national
political conventions in July with
a minimum coverage of 60 hours for each
convention. The Republican convention
will start July 7 and the Democratic July
21.
Where do T'V-equipped theatres fit into
this, if any place? If it turns out that they
can't buy the shows, competition will be
tough during most of July.
National political conventions have some
of the drama of the Kefauver telecasts,
because many well known personalities are
involved. In addition, there is spectacle.
With an estimated total of 18,000,000 homes
equipped with television and with Philco
planning to have "open house" telecasts in
all its agencies, it can be figured that a
lot of people will be watching the dancing
lines of TV tubes.
A Los Angeles theatre bought into the
Rose Bowl football telecast New Year's
day. Possibly a similar arrangement can
be worked out for the conventions.
Good Exploitation
J^ONTE SALMON, managing director of
the Rivoli Theatre, New York, observed
years ago that people like to sign
their names to things—especially petitions.
It's the autograph-seeking complex in reverse.
So Monte put up a big petition in the
Rivoli lobby asking patrons to sign, so the
Academy will choose Anatole Litvak as
best director of the year. Thousands of
names were affixed daily. What this did in
the way of word-of -mouth advertising can
only be guessed.
20 Memphis Drive-ins
Still Open Weekends
MEMPHIS—Instead of closing lor the
winter as they have in .seasons past,
around 20 drive-ins of the Memphis trade
territory are keeping open thLs year for
weekend operation as long as the weather
permits. A mild winter so far has made
it possible and a profitable operation.
Among the outdoor theatres which announced
a policy of weekend operation
throughout the winter are 71 Drive-In.
Port Smith, Ark., owned by William L.
Spicer; 8 Drive-In, Houston, Mi.ss., owned
by the partnership of Alphine & Hall;
Big Four Drive-In. Benton. Ark., owned
by H. T. Crawford, and Poinsett Drive-
In. Marked Tree. Ark.
Distribution Changes
Made by Lichtman
NEW YORK— AI Lichtman, 20th Century-
Fox distribution director, reported to the
Monday (
7
1 of the sales meeting that
he had made changes in distribution setup.
W. C. Gehring has been made executive assistant
general .sales manager and will continue
to assist Lichtman in all matters connected
with his department.
Edwin W. Aaron, western sales manager,
and Arthur Silverstone, eastern sales manager,
have been named assistant general
sales managers. Aaron will supervise detailed
sales operations throughout the U.S. and
Silverstone will supervise all circuit and key
city sales as well as the Canadian branches.
Glenn Norrls, Washington branch manager,
has been made division manager of a new
Atlantic division consisting of Washington.
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. E. X. Callahan
will resume his duties as New England division
manager, supervising the Boston and New
Haven exchanges.
Joseph Rosen. Cincinnati branch manager,
has been transferred to the managerial post
in Washington, and Robert McNabb. Cincinnati
sales manager, has been made branch
manager there. Marvin Doris. Atlanta salesman,
will manage the Jacksonville exchange
to be opened February 4.
Townspeople Help to Get
Theatre Going Again
SENECA, MO—When the Grand Theatre
burned here recently, the whole town turned
out to get movies going again—and Mrs.
Esther Cole and Albert Tourtillot, owners of
the theatre, have learned how important it is
to have the goodwill of your patrons.
The theatre is now operating in a makeshift
auditorium in one of the business blocks.
The owner of the appliance store in the
building made the room available.
When the theatre burned down, teenagers
helped pick up such useful items as bolts
and other small items from the debris. Volunteers
along with workmen hired by the
theatre owners helped install projection,
chairs and other equipment—some of which
was borrowed from exhibitors in nearby
towns.
The town will get a new theatre on the
site of the one which was destroyed. Meanwhile
the make.shift auditorium in the Mc-
Corkell building will .serve patrons.
Alexander Paid Exhibitors
$3,100,000 During 1951
COLORADO SPRINGS. COLO—Exhibitors
were paid around $3,100,000 for .screening
time in 1951 by the Alexander Film Co., J. D.
Alexander, president, said in an address at
the company's 33rd annual year-end national
sales convention here. He said the exhibitor
accounts amounted to 12 per cent increase
over 1950.
Alexander also pointed out that 23.000 local
screen advertising campaigns had been
sold in addition to substantially increasing
national bookings throughout the country.
The company is currently servicing some 25.-
000 theatre screen advertisers, he added.
BOXOFFICE January 12. 1952 19

miimmuMgjgmaiiimigm
—
Triple Features No Boxoffice Builder
Detroit Exhibitors Find a Lot of Headaches Go With Three Films on Program
By H. F. REVES
DETROIT—Triple bills, which were quietly
appearing in one house after another in the
Detroit area, have been dropped as a matter
of policy in many local theatres in the past
month. Frequently the policy had been
adopted almost unconsciously, and in reaction
to a similar policy adopted by an opposition
house, but the recent spotlight turned
upon the situation by stories in BOXOFFICE
has caused a general reassessment of the
entire picture.
Piincipal major companies, though not all,
have declined to serve houses with product
for use in triple bills for any show, and this
has resulted in simple cancellation of the
extra feature when that company's product
has been on the bill, while the house may
continue to show a third feature on another
program change. This frequent switching
of policy makes any statistical summary of
the present impossible to compile. The situation
is further complicated by the factor that
exhibitors in individual instances have used
the extra feature but avoided mention of it
in their newspaper advertising, restricting
promotion to local and point-of-sale types
of advertising.
Independent and other small distributors
have been undoubtedly hurt to some extent
by the drop in demand for a third feature,
since it has meant a lessening of demand for
their low-priced product, including reissues.
The independent exchanges are a valued aid
to the small exhibitor in helping him to fill
out his program with low-budget second features,
but the third feature market is almost
a brand new one in this territory, not one
on which the independent distributors have,
so far, based their economic livelihood.
The use of triple bills has been heatedly
defended by many independent exhibitors.
Typically, Max Gealer, supervisor of Associated
Theatres, said that "The small exhibitor
has adopted them in self-defense as the
one chance of survival. It is boxoffice
what the exhibitor puts into the bank—that
is the ultimate test of a policy."
Another reasoned defense in individual situations
was made by Lou Mitchell, general
manager of the Kilbride circuit, who said
that "in certain houses we cannot get enough
good product to play two good features, and
are obliged to go into triples on one change."
The Globe, a Kilbride house, typically uses
triple features on Saturdays, with an all-action
program, but the circuit has tried and
abandoned triples at the Alhambra. Competitive
factors make the difference. On the
same street, the opposition Includes the Amo
in one direction, with a 25-cent admission
and triple bills, and the Seville in the other
with triple bill policy and a dish giveaway,
for at least part of the week. Hence, the
Globe, Mitchell feels, is forced to use some
triple bills to meet the opposition.
The position of the writer, not usually a
matter of news interest, may be summarized
because of the discussion this issue has
aroused locally:
1. Triple bills may seem the necessary salvation
of especially the small exhibitor in
some instances; but the policy should be
carefully considered and adopted in full
knowledge of its hazard, not allowed to creep
in and become an established fact before
the industry is really conscious of what is
happening.
2. Triples appear to be a cheapening of
good showmanship, by transferring emphasis
from quality to quantity of attractions.
3. Three features cannot be as effectively
exploited as two or one, because, like the
once-prosperous vaudeville stage they require
a scattering of emphasis rather than a concentration.
4. While triples may satisfy the steady
showgoer who is the backbone of the motion
picture audience, they will drive away
the occasional and marginal audience which
is essential if the boxoffice level is to be
raised to a genuinely profitable level. Many
patrons are kept away by a double feature
bill.
One major problem has been disclosed by
the current situation; the desirability of providing
for a guest feature suitable for children
on the Saturday matinee show. Exhib-
Coming from RKO . . . TAe Pre-
The Greatest of
Featuring HOWARD HILL, World's Greatelth

itors and distributors have reached a deadlock
on this point, with many houses dropping
or planning to drop PTA-sponsored
shows for the youngsters as a result. Reason
lies in the insistence of major distributors,
as indicated, for instance, in letters sent to
theatres by the local MGM exchange, that
their pictures cannot be shown on a triple
bill, and the strict interpretation that the
Saturday matinee must be cleared out, and
the house technically closed between matinee
and evening show's.
In practice, exhibitors contend, this will
not work out. Exhibitors object, for instance,
to keeping adult patrons who may
come early, waiting until perhaps 5:30 p. m.,
until the Saturday matinee is over, before
selling them a ticket. In effect, this would
mean closing down the boxoffice at about
1 p. m. on Saturdays, and result in driving
away a certain small percentage of adult attendance.
"Are the four and five adults who may
come to a children's matinee to govern the
policy?" Gealer asks. "Unless they came
with their youngsters, they are interested
in the regular show, not the children's features.
It is the regular featiu-es of the day
that are advertised out front, not the kids'
.show, and that it what brought these fewpatrons
in. You can't throw them out after
they've seen a western and a few shorts."
Gealer points out that his Trenton Theatre,
for instance, regularly kills the feature
of the day. sometimes both of them, if they
are not considered acceptable for children
by the Legion of Decency, for the Saturday
matinee .show, and may run only the PTAapproved
guest feature and shorts on the
matinee.
Entire
City Block Bought
For Theatre Parking Lot
ST. PETERSBURG. FLA. — Florida
State Theatres has acquired an entire
city block to provide parking facilities for
patrons at three of its theatres. The
acquisition of such an important piece of
property for parking by theatre customers
was interpreted as a step in the direction
of holding moviegoers.
Frank H. Bell, district manager for the
circuit, who announced the purchase said
that his company had long been thinking
in terms of providing parking facilities
for patrons, close enough to the theatres
.so that patrons would not have to walk
long distances.
The parking area will accommodate
300 cars. It will be open to the general
public in the daytime, but after 6 p. m.
will be available only to theatre patrons.
A compromise of this rigid home office
rule in the interest of industry goodwill
seems in order, which would allow the exhibitor
to cooperate with his local PTA and
other groups by playing. a special picture for
the youngsters on the Saturday matinee,
without requiring him to shut up the theatre
afterwards in order to legally terminate
the matinee.
A sensible way of programming to meet
the requirements of the situation was outlined
by Mitchell, which avoids emptying the
hou.se but takes advantage of the usual low
point of boxoffice business from 4 to 6 p. m.
In a typical Saturday show consisting of
film A. an adult feature, and a picture with
good general interest like "Rhubarb." plus
a children's guest feature like "The Wizard
of Oz." Mitchell proposes scheduling "Rhubarb."
followed by "Wizard of Oz." then
"Rhubarb" again. In that way. the youngsters
would actually have to sit through
"Rhubarb" twice before they'd even have a
chance to see the Film A. Their natural
restlessness, plus the necessity of getting
home for supper, should take care of the situation
with little difficulty.
Programming difficulties akin to the triple
bill issue are also plaguing the few 24-hour
houses here. Question at i.ssue is when a new
program should begin, and the basic rule
against allowing exhibition of a new film to
start before 8 a m. of the playdate presents difficulties.
These houses, such as the Loop, an
Associated circuit house, have a product
problem for the first eight hours of the day.
Inequity of the situation is dramatically
highliglited. according to Gealer. because
in the past distributors allowed percentage
pictures to be started at 9 p. m. of the preceding
day. and took their share of the boxoffice
from 9 p. m.
Upstate, the triple bill situation does not
seem to be affecting any Michigan towns to
any extent. Single bills prevail generally.
and the widespread dominance of the Butterfield
circuit is probably an important force
for conservative industry sanity in this respect.
In some areas, as at Saginaw and
surrounding towns, double bills are commonly
used on the Friday-Saturday change only,
with singles the rest of the week.
Proved Boxoffice Sensatton!
Wild Animal Pictures!
Jrcher, Hunting Big Game with Bow and Arrow!
Distributed by
R K O
RADIO

—
. . 20th
. . Dean
. .
. . Over
^oU^(4A

Monogram Has 87 Features
For Monogram Sales Week
HOLLYWOOD—For its second annual observance
of Monogram week, scheduled for
February 10 through 16, Monogram is making
available 87 Cinecolor and black-andwhite
features, including some reissues, and
the "Little Rascals" lineup of short subjects
to its 37 company-owned and franchise-operated
exchanges in the U.S. and Canada.
The product parade, as disclo.sed by President
Steve Broidy, will be highlighted by four
new- Cinecolor specials, "Aladdin and His
Lamp," starring Patricia Medina and John
Sands, "Fort Osage," with Rod Cameron and
Jane Nigh, "Flight to Mars," toplining Marguerite
Chapman and Cameron Mitchell, and
"The Highwayman," with Charles Coburn,
Wanda Hendrix and Philip Friend. Current
releases will be augmented by such earlier
entries as "It Happened on 5th Avenue" and
"The Babe Ruth Story."
Also among the product available will be
26 Bowery Boys comedies, both current releases
and reissues.
Four "Rascals' for February
HOLLYWOOD—Four more comedies in
Monogram's "The Little Rascals" comedy
series have been given February release dates.
Going out February 3 will be "Fish Hooky"
and "Came the Brawn," while "Sprucin' Up"
and "Feed 'Em and Weep" are set for distribution
February 17.
An Exhibifor Finds Some Real Values
In Boosting Church Attendance
By EDWIN A. FALK,
Rojry Theatre, Billingi, Okla.
It is our contention that a town without
good schools, nice churches and a movie
theatre is not much of a town. For better
than two years we have been running a
stock "Go to Church" trailer on our screen,
this was just a general purpo.se trailer but
created considerable goodwill for us. Recently
our Methodist minister asked if we
would run a special "See You in Church
Sunday" trailer that was to tie in with a
national go to church campaign. We told
him that we would gladly do this and in the
final arrangements we had a leader made
stating that the following "See You in
Church Sunday" trailers were sponsored by
the churches in our area. All of the
churches cooperate on this with the exception
of one group which does not believe
in shows. The cooperating churches
furnished the special trailers and paid for
the prefix trailer, we donate the screening
time. Our only requirement in all of this
was that the cooperating churches must be
listed alphabetically so that we could not be
accused of any discrimination.
Perhaps some theatremen wonder how
this can pay off in other than goodwill.
Frankly, if all we ever got out of it was
just the goodwill, we would be mighty
happy, but recently the.se ministers showed
us how much they appreciated our attitude
toward the churches by doing as fine a job
of promoting a picture as anyone could ask
for and I am sure that when we have another
film coming up that warrants their
wholehearted endorsement we can mighty
certainly depend on it.
I would suggest that small town theatremen
think this matter over very carefully.
If the churches in your community cannot
prcsper, your chances of prospering look
mighty slim to me. We have found that it
pays us to tell people to "Go to Church" as
we .see these church people in our show on
Monday night and they all feel fine toward
us for helping fui'ther the churches' cause
in our community.
Retitles Lupino Film
NEW YORK—RKO has changed the
title
of "One False Move, " the Filmakers' feature
starring Ida Lupino and Robert Ryan, to
'The Ragged Edge."

. . The
BOB CRATCHIT (MERVYN JOHNS) AND HIS FAMILY ARE
ADMIRING MRS. CRATCH ITS WONDERFUL PLUM PUDDINC
'4 Christmas Carol' (UA) Wins
December Blue Ribbon Award
By VELMA WEST SYKES
•THE UNITED ARTISTS release, "A Christmas Carol," has been voted the December
Blue Ribbon Award for December. It is fitting that this Dickens classic, which carries
such a beautiful story of family life by the Bob Cratchits, should be the National
Screen Council's choice for a family picture. Tender, exciting, with a stern note of social
responsibility for which Dickens was far ahead of his time, this tale has been a household
legend for so long that its translation to the screen so expertly is a gift to the
cinema industry that will win it more friends and influence more people than is the
case with the average picture. The cast and the direction are outstanding and the ghost
sequences do not have such horror aspects as would have ruined the general theme of this
immortal story.
.
. . . Obviously
As yet it has not had wide playing but it
should be a picture that bobs up perennially
at Chi-istmas time, although by no means
confined to that period. Its boxoffice score,
though above average, is not sensational,
but again this may indicate a steadier appeal
rather than a topical one. In the art
houses or in neighborhood and small town
theatres it should have equal appeal because
its story is so generally known and so
generally loved.
Reviewed November 3 in BOXOFFICE,
this in part is what the reviewer had to
say; "This British-produced feature, given
proper exploitation, undoubtedly can constitute
a successful booking in selected
houses picture is substantially
enough produced, with characteristic English
attention to details of atmosphere and
period . . . Alastair Sim as 'Scrooge' dominates
the thespian department
merchandising must stress the lit-
erary source."
Plaques Go Overseas
Blue Ribbon Plaques will go overseas to
the stars and featured members of the cast
and to outstanding members of the production
staff. This group includes George Minter,
managing director for Renown Pictures,
Brian Desmond Hurst, producer and
director, and Noel Langley, screenplay
writer, of the production staff. Members
of the cast who will receive Plaques are
Alastair Sim (Scrooge), Kathleen Harrison
—
(Mrs. Dilben, Clifford MoUison (Mr. Wilkins),
and Jack Warner (Mr. Jorkins).
Comments written by NSC members on
their ballots are appraisingly enthusiastic:
"My pupils loved 'A Christmas Carol.' "
Elisabeth Murray. Long Beach Teachers'
Ass'n . . "The Charles Dickens classic is
.
truly a wonderful story and the film version
renews our faith in our fellowmen and in
God. "—Mrs. Wayne F. Shaw, N.S.U.S.D. of
1812, Lawrence, Kas.
"A bull's-eye! In this holiday season,
what other film can possibly approach it?
It is an honest treatment of the Dickens
classic, with treacle at a minimum, although
some may find Alastair Sim's nature too
kindly for Scrooge."—Russell Rhodes, New-
York Journal of Commerce.
"This is fine—but how many young people
know about Dickens?"—Helen Bower,
Detroit Free Press. To which we answer, if
they have not read the book and do not know
it from that, how much better that they
may become interested through the picture
—perhaps to go back and read the book.
"Everybody should see "A Christmas
Carol' once a year."—Elsie Clanahan, Belleville
. . . "De-
(Ill.i Better Films Council
lightful!"—Flo Beach Rowe, WSLB, Ogdensburg,
N. Y. . . .
" 'A Christmas Carol' is
a wonderful gift for anyone at this season.
Seldom have I seen a picture which followed
the story so accurately—and Alastair Sim
is magnificent as Scrooge."—Dorothy R.
Shank, WEBR, Buffalo.
THE REFORMED MR, SCROOGE ARRIVES AT THE CRATCHIT
HOME WITH PACKAGES FOR ALL—ESPECIALLY TINY TIM
Scrooge
Alastair Sim
Mrs. Dilber
Kathleen Harrison
Mr. Jorkins Jack Warner
Jacob Marley
Michael Hordern
Bob Cratchit
Mervyn Johns
Mrs. Cratchit Hermione Baddeley
Peter Cratchit John Charlesworth
Tiny Tim Glyn Dearman
Scrooge, as a young man George Cole
Alice, young Scrooge's sweetheart
Rona Anderson
Fan, Scrooge's sister Carol Marsh
The Cast
Fred, Scrooge's nephew Brian Worth
Fred's wife Olga Edwards
Mr. Fezziwig Roddy Hughes
Mrs. Fezziwig
Hattie Jacques
Mr. Wilkins
Clifford Mollison
The Spirit of the Past Michael Dolan
The Spirit of the Present
Francis De Wolff
The Spirit of the Future C. Konarski
Undertaker
Ernest Thesiger
Old Joe , Miles Malleson
Laundress
Louise Hampton
Managing Director for Renown
Pictures
George Minter
Producer and Director
Brian Desmond Hurst
Screenplay by
Noel Langley
Original Story by Charles Dickens
Music Composed by Richard Addinsell
Musical Director Muir Mathieson
Production Manager Stanley Couzins
Production Staff
Director of Photgoraphy
C. Pennington-Richards
Art Director Ralph Brinton
Film Editor
Olive Donner
Makeup Artist Eric Carter
Costume Designer
Doris Lee
Special Costumes Designed by
Constance Da Pinna
Hair Stylist
Betty Lee
U This Award is jiven each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstanding merit
and suitability for family entertainment. Council membershio comprises motion picture editors, radio
film commentators, and representatives of better film councils, civic and educational organizations.

. . „
—
John Kunsky Is Deal-
Pioneer Exhibitor
DETROIT—The death of John H. King. 77,
better known here as John Kunsky. in Enclno.
Calif., last week (2i removed probably the
best known figure in Detroit's era of silent
motion pictures. Kunsky. in association with
the late Arthur Caille, an amusement device
manufacturer, opened the first Casino Theatre
on Monroe Avenue in 1905. It ir, generally
called the first motion picture theatre in
the city.
The partners soon acquired other theatres
and. in 1907. they opened the Royal Theatre,
the first de luxer. At the peak of his operations
he owned 20 theatres which later became
the United Detroit Theatres, the dominating
single factor in first and second run
operations in this town. The TJDT circuit is
an affiliate of United Paramount Theatres.
Kunsky sold his interests to Paramount in
1929. At one time he was heavily interested
in West Coast Theatres and was a vicepresident
of First National Pictures. Since
1936. Kunsky had little contact with the industry
here. After .selling his theatres, he
acquired some radio properties and operated
a large resort in northern Michigan.
In the Newsreels
Movietone News, No. 3: Caidinal Spellman in
Korea; tour US llyers treed; Chelsea oris ball in
London; C-46 crashes near Salamanca, N. Y,; sports^
Rose, Cotton and Sugar bowls.
News of the Day, No. 237: Bowl classics— Rose.
Orange, Sugar and Cotton; Libya hails independence;
holiddy air tragedies; ransomed U.S. airmen
Paramount Mews, No. 40: Football welcomes New
yeai- Jt Orancj^-, Sugar, Cotton and Rose bowls.
Universal News, No. 523: Four bowl games.
Woraer Pathe Nevre. No. 42: The Bowl games; tour
ireed U.S. ilyers tell their story; lost plane found
with 14 alive; London fights its worst fire since
the bhtz.
•
Movietone News, No. 4: Churchill here for top
level conierences; the captain who wouldn't leave
his Houndermg ship. Senator Lodge puts Ike's hat
m ring with his O.K.; troops take part for first time
in atom-bomb test; sports—Australia takes Davis
cup, aqua artistry in Florida.
News of the Day, No. 238: The Enterprise; Churchill
and Truman in capital official films of atom blast;
Ike gets into race for President Davis cup winner;
aquatic thriller
Paramount News, No. 41: Sports—hot and cold
Toronto— trotting races; Miami—sunshine regatta,
prominent men in the news—General Eisenhower
and Winston Churchill, Indo-China— rebels beaten
again; England—heroic tale of the sea; Nevada
troops and the A-bomb.
Universal News, No. 524: Churchill; sea epic;
Eisenhower tosses hat iin ring; Indo-China war;
atomic tests.
Warner Pathe News, No. 43: Winston Churchill
here: Enterprise under tow; Lodge enters Eisenhower
m New Hampshire primary race; Ike reviews the
first of his Europe command; U.S. troops in atombomb
test; Australia beats U.S. for Davis cup.
Zone Franchise System
Planned by Hallmark
WILMINGTON. OHIO—Kroger Babb, president
of Hallmark Productions, has announced
plans to decentralize its roadshow
organization in order to cope with presentday
operating methods. Plans call for a zone
franchise system to replace the present zone
manager system. With this conversion in
mind. Babb said that all zones are now
available for franchise ownership.
A brochure covering the new type distribution
is in preparation. Zone managers will
continue with the company under their old
1951 financial arrangement and convert
routes start-^d on "Why Men Leave Home"
and "One Too Many" into "Prince of Peace,"
"Mom and Dad," "Sideroad" and "She
Shoulda Said No" playdates at their present
point of advance bookings.
William Lynn
NEW YORK—Funeral services for William
Lynn, 63, famous stage comedian who recently
completed three films in Hollywood,
were held at St. Matthias Roman Catholic
church, Ridgewood, N. J., January 8. Lynn
died in New York hospital January 5.
Carl M. Weber Dies
ROCHESTER. N. Y.--Carl M. Weber, president
of the Weber Machine Corp.. manufacturers
of projection equipment, died on December
18.
Irving Mack Sees Gain
In 1952 Screen Ads
Filmack Trail-
CHICAGO—Irving Mack of
ers reports that if present indications continue.
1952 will see screen advertising in the
greatest number of theatres ever. The most
prevalent trend noted, he said, is the movement
on the part of many exhibitors to
solicit their own screen advertising among
local stores and firms. He said he believed
commercial screen advertising, and added
source of theatre revenue, particularly
throughout the southern states for years, is
also firmly established now on a national
and local basis.
Filmack is preparing a brochure, as an aid
for exhibitors engaging in .screen advertising
for the first time, outlining the different
methods and most popular styles of theatre
advertising.
Peiken to Levin Associates
NEW YORK—Max Peiken. formerly associated
with Confidential Reports. Inc.. as assistant
controller, has been named controller
for Jack H. Levin A.s.sociates, n-tional .survey,
research and checking company. He will
be in charge of all financial matters for the
firm in the executive offices in New York.
Alson & Brown, accounting firm, will handle
these matters for Levin Associat'?s.
Telenews Digest. No. IB: Korea—the test of patience;
New York—Acheson sees a fateful new year;
Austria—airmen freed; New Jersey—the slow job of
retooling; England—North Atlantic gale whips England's
shore; Holland—Royal Dutch navy ends a
postwar chore—minesweeping; London—the "Abominable
Snowman" gives Britons a laugh; football
Sugar bowl.
Telenews Digest, No. 2A: Churchill arrives; Atlantic—skipper
slays on; France—Eisenhower marks
SHAPE'S birthday; Washington— Ike's hat in ring;
New York—night skiing.
P. A. Williams on Coast
LOS ANGLES— P. A. Williams, sales executive
for the March of Time, is due to arrive
here from New York on January 17. He will
stop at the Ambassador hotel. He will go
from here to San Francisco, arriving there
January 2L
^J^-"^
More profit with LIPPERT!
rMViB;W;

our THIS MONTH!
BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
Now Printing
A Goldniioe of Booking loforniatioo
5%
TELLS
YOU:
WU?
Are the most popular stars?
Is King of the Cowboys?
Are the top hit producers?
Are the leading directors?
Made the most hit pictures?
Turned out the best shorts?
Stars in what '50-'5l films?
Distributes foreign films?
Wkai?
Are the year's hit films?
Was their boxoffice rating?
Is the biggest grosser?
Films scored above arerage?
Films scored below average?
Are their release dates?
Is their running time?
Reissues are available?
Is in store for / 952-53?
The next BOXOFFICE BAROMETER will soon be ready for distribution
to the more than 23,000 subscribers of BOXOFFICE.
The film industry's most complete and practical booking and
buying guide will be published this month as a second section
of BOXOFHCE.
Long established as the most authoritative and useful reference
source on product information, BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
is relied upon by virtually every exhibitor for the record of grosses
and ratings at the boxoffice of films that have played during the
past season. No other source is so complete in details on released
pictures and their stars — as well as on the complete data
covering the forthcoming features.
Contents will include: The All-American Screen Favorites Poll of
1951 — Features and Shorts Indexes oi 1950-51 — Picture Grosses
— Outstanding Hits — Production Trends — Advance data on
films in production or completed for release — Many other service
features of practical use-value designed to help attain top showmanship
and boxoffice profits in 1952.
A SEPARATELY BOUND
SECTION OF
••.%v
m
m
:-Mi^
ANOTHER "NO. 1" SERVICE
TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS OF THE
INDUSTRY'S NO. 1 MAGAZINE:
m^
GREATEST PLUS VALUE IN THE INDUSTRY

, Judge
I
Theatre Construction,
Openings and Sales
CONSTRUCTION:
Arlesia, N. M.—Roy Barllelt. owner ol the Landsun
and Costilla theatres, as well as the Circle-B
Dnve-In, has purchased a site near here tor a
dnve-in to open about Easter time.
Booneville. Miss.— A new 300-car drive-in, the 45,
completed is ready ior spring has been and opening
by W, H Brown and E. O, Roden.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa— Construction has started on
a new dnve-in on the old Marion road near First
E in the avenue Armar-CeMar Acres area,
Detroil—A new theatre to replace the 2C0-seat
Lona m Mancelona is the 500-seat theatre constructed
by R. Curtis Guthrie. Mancelona is a small town
near the northern part of the Lower Peninsula
Fairlee, Vi.— Leighton K. Godfrey Associated En-
terprises IS constructing a dnve-in at Orford, N, H.
Hud. on, Ohio—M. H Phillips is building 200-car
dnve-m here tor spring opening.
Indio. Calif.—Michael Levinson has been given
approval tor construction of a drive-in on Highway
99 LeRoy Pawley, operator oi the
Desert and the Aladdin theatres, is asking approval
for construction of a 300-car drive-in.
Las Vegas, Nev.—A dnve-in is planned for the
Henderson area by Earl Bros., who operate theatres
at Henderson and Boulder City.
Lexington, Neb.—Loton Todd, who recently bought
a ten-acre tract on the west side of town, is building
a new drive-in, to open next spring. It will
have a capacity of SOO cars.
New Madrid, Mo.—Construction of a SOQ-car drive-in
on Highway 61 near here has been started by Norvm
Garner, who operates the Family Drive-In on Highway
60, just west ol Dexter, Mo.
Oklahoma City, Okla.—The Bomber, a new ozoner,
IS going up on the corner of Douglas and NE 15th,
to be completed by March 1. R. Lewis is the
builder,
Oshkosh, Neb.—Construction has been approved
for a drive-in here, to be built by Merril Nygren and
Hank Hines. It will hove space for 250 cars.
Piesque Isle, Me.—Charles Brooks is completing
plans for construction of his first drive-in for late
summer
Tulia,
openings,
Tex.—A 400-car drive-in is being built west
town by the Tulia Theatre Co.. owner of the
of
Royal and Gay theatres.
Wauchula, Fla.—Carl Floyd oi Haines City, operator
of the Floyd Theatre chcin, plans to build a
C50-car dnve-in between Wauchula and Bowling
Green as coon as materials can be assembled.
OPENINGS:
Bathurst, N. B.—The Kent Theatre has been opened
here, with seating capacity of a about 400, Fred
Fellows IS manager.
Crane, Tex.—The new Derrick Drive-In is expected
to be ready for opening early in 1952.
lacksonville, Fla.—The 700-car Suburban Center
Dnve-ln will open about January 15.
London, Ky.—The Ronnie Dnve-In, erected by
Jimmy Min-nix of this place and Carl Carloftis ol
PineviUe, on a tract purchased by them last year
at Lily, Ky., was opened in December It has space
for 500 cars and perking lor another 400.
Oklohoma City—The Chieftain, 730-seater, was
opened m early tall by R. Lewis Barton ol this city
Barton sold his Pryor Theatre interests and has leased
the Stroud to Joe Stnbling ol Davenport,
Winnipeg, Man.—The new $100,000 Garry Theatre,
owned by Rudy Bessler, opened recently
SALES:
Blythedole, Ark.—The 500-car Starview Dnve-In,
owned by Warren Moxleu, has been sold to a client
of O M Farmer
Chicago— Albert
of Carbondale,
Dezel, William
111.
Flemion and Edward
Shulman have acquired the stock of Irving
Teicher in the Studio Theatre Corp. of Detroit,
Comanche, Tex.—Additional purchase oi land ior
Cjrtor s Dnve-In is reported by Jack Arthur and
Harold Flemons ol Stephenville, Tex.
Halstead, Kas.—Clinton Hill and George S^ort oi
Wichila have bought the Ideal Theatre here Irom
W. B Cook.
Marissa, 111.—The Gem Theatre, a 300-seater, has
been sold by Frank A. Finger to T. D, Beninati,
manager and co-owner oi the Capitol Theatre in
Pinckneyville, 111.
Minot, N. D.—The 526-seal Strand was sold by the
Minnesota Amusement Co. to an unnamed party.
Nellleton, Miss.—Charles Boren jr. has bought the
Joy Theatre Irom A. R. Marler and will book and
buy m Memphis
New York—Loews, Inc., which has operated the
Nationcl Theatre in the Bronx ior 30 years, has purchased
the 2,200-seat theatre and building from a
New York group,
Oakland, Iowa—Howard E Brookings has sold the
Avoca, Iowa, theatre business and equipment to
Kenneth Gregg, elleclive February 1.
Pine Bluil, Ark.-C F. Bonner and F A. Stringer,
owners ol the Pines Movies Drive-In here, have purchased
several acres ol land adjoining their drive-in
and will enlarge it to 700-car capacity irom its present
473,
Sylvia. N. C—The drive-in here hccs been sold by
E Y Heil to J. E. Massie oi V/aynesville.
Future of Films Brightest
In Years, Says DeMille
NEW YORK—-The future of motion picture.s
is brighter than it has been in some
time," according to Cecil B. DeMille. who has
completed his 69th feature. "The Greatest
Show on Earth." which he confidently expects
to be one of the biggest grossing pictures
in the industry, just as his preceding picture,
"Samson and Delilah" is second only to
"Gone With the Wind" as the biggest grosser
of all time. "Samson" has already grossed
over $12,000,000 and will go to $17,500,000 before
it is played out. DeMille said,
"With TV in the same state that motion
pictures were in many years ago—drawing
audiences because of novelty only, with patrons
willing to see almost anything—motion
pictures are now iji show busines for the first
time," DeMille said. This is a healthy condition,
as he sees it, because people will shop
for their film entertainment and come to see
a picture because they have heard about it
and they won't come to .see just any old film
in order to get warm in winter, get cool in
summer or just to sit down,
'LENGTH MAKES NO DIFFERENCE'
"Greatest Show" is two hours and 32 minutes
long but DeMille believes that length
makes no difference and audiences will stay
in a theatre as long as they are interested.
DeMille hopes the length will discourage
double features, which he compares to two
dinners at one sitting—something that will
only bring on indigestion.
DeMille. who was 70 in 1951. confided that
he has actually completed 70 features, if he
could count two features, which he completed
for other directors, as one extra picture. They
were: "Nan of Music Mountain." which he
completed for Du-ector George Melford in
1917, and "Chicago," which he completed for
Director Pi-ank Erskine in 1928.
While he hopes to start his 71st feature
some time during his 71.st year, DeMille has
not definitely selected his next subject although
he is "flirting" with "Helen of Troy,"
about whom more has been written than any
figure except Jesus of Nazareth, he .said.
He is also interested in several other story
ideas but does not want to mention them yet
for fear that some other producer will rush
with the Motion Picture
to register the titles
Ass'n.
ATTENDS FIRST PERFORMANCE
DeMille, who arrived in New York January
5 to give newspaper, magazine and radio interviews
for "The Greatest Show on Earth,"
which opened at the Radio City Music Hall
Thursday ilOi, always sees every picture of
his "through as far as it will go." He attended
the first performance at the Music
Hall to listen to the reaction of patrons and.
from New York, he will go to Atlanta. New-
Orleans and Dallas to promote the film
there.
Betty Hutton. one of the stars, was also
In New York to publicize the Radio City opening
and she will cover about 15 other exchange
cities while Charlton Heston will go
to Detroit and Chicago and Dorothy Lamour.
Cornel Wilde or one of the other stars will go
to every exchange city. DeMille prai.sed Mi.ss
Hutton as the best performer he has ever
worked with and mentioned Barbara Stanwyck,
who played in "Union Pacific," as next.
He also praised Heston as "a magnificent
actor" and James Stewart.
DeMille estimated that the "Greatest
Show" troupe traveled over 41,000 miles from
the time production started in August 1949
after several years of preparation on the picture.
The picture had 83 shooting days and
was "the most difficult picture he or anyone
ever made," he said. He made it almost with
a silent picture technique, meaning that, because
he had to make use of dramatic circus
moments and fit them into the story, he had
finished the picture long before his writers
had finished the script. The picture cost
just under $4,000,000 for the negative and
he also praised Y. Frank Freeman, Paramount
vice-president and studio head, who
let him shoot the picture without restrictiorLs
on the budget or the script.
Jesse L. Clark, Veteran
Florida Showman. Dies
JACKSONVILLE — Jesse L. Clark, who
spent a lifetime in show business, died at the
age of 66 on January 2 in Boston, where he
had gone the week before for a physical
checkup. Starting as a child tenor in a
church choir inspired him to form the Dixie
Troubadours quartet and he was subsequently
an actor, singer, stagehand and theatre manager.
The A.sheville, N. C. youth managed his
first theatre for S. A. Lynch in 1931 and came
to Jacksonville to manage the Arcade when
Lynch sold his circuit to Florida State Theatres.
In 1922 he took over the Palace and
later became district supervisor here. Florida
State transferred him to Tampa in 1931 to
open a district office there and direct the
chain's expansion program. He built or acquiied
theatres for the firm in several Florida
cities. Exactly five years before his death,
Clark returned to Jacksonville to become general
manager of Florida Theatres, Inc., which
he held until his death.
Every woman who has ever
been whispered to,
will go..
More profit with LIPPERT!
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952 27

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attraction In the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 i

: January
CHESTER FRIEDMAN
EDITOR
HUGH E. FRAZE
Associate Editor
mmj
SECTION
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN
p. romouon tii
Movietinie U.S.A. originated in
Texas, so we are surprised to note
in the mail a photo which proves
that accidentally at least one exhibitor
down there is overlooking
the spirit and intent of good public
relations in advertising.
The photo shows a theatre marquee
with a three-line attraction
sign. Copy on the top line reads,
"When Redskins Rode"; second line
copy is, '"Margaret O'Brien," while
bottom line lettering spells out, "Her
First Romance." Put them together
and you have the kind of small town
stunt that is neither funny—nor
money in the boxoffice.
Desk cleaning for the new year
brings to light a memo we jotted
down during the recent TOA convention
in New York. One of the
speakers the committee had at a
luncheon represented the public relations
and press branch of the military.
Exhibitors in the smaller towns
should not overlook the fact the
armed forces and the national guard
are under orders from the top brass
to extend every possible cooperation
to theatres in promoting pictures
about their respective branches of
service.
— Chester Friedman George Robinson Vanie ( liauvin Tony Maselia
Two of 40 British Campaigns Win
Places on December Honor Roll
Sam Springfield J. J. Joines Dale Lee .lohn Barrett
One of the most difficult assignments Romford, E.ssex, England.
BOXOFFICE staff writers had during 1951 Original idea: George Robmson iBOXwas
te select the Honor Roll Citation winners OFTICE Honor Roll, December 19491,
from a record number of entries received Odeon Theatre. St. Thomas. Ont.. Canada.
from theatremen in the month of December.
The quality and merit of the promotions There were more than 40
submitted by leading contenders required British
further deliberation before the committee
which appraises the campaigns and ideas finally
and Canada.
narrowed the list down to the most
outstanding in each facet of exploitation.
The December Honor Roll includes the following
list of showmen:
Lobby: Dale Lee. Dream Theatre, Coeur
d'Alene. Idaho.
who was ill
Front: Cass Smith. Music Box. Tacoma,
Wash.
Ballyhoo; Jack Arthur, owner-manager.
Majestic, Stephenville, Tex.
Window: John Barrett, American Theatre,
Roundup. Mont.
Display ad: Sanford Jordan, State.
Raleigh, N. C.
Co-op ad: Tony Ma.sella. Palace, Meriden.
Conn.
at no cost.
Program: J J. Joines. Martin. LaFayette,
Ala.
month to
Public Relations: Sam Springfield
(BOXOFFICE Honor Roll. October 1949),
Palace Cinema. Eltham, England.
General fieup: S. Harvey, Ritz Cinema,
m.
.As the spokesman expressed it at
the time, when permission is granted
to producers to film a picture, the
approval carries with it an automatic
sanction for aid in arousing
wide public interest in the picture
and getting the greatest number of
people possible to see it.
Every January nearly everyone
gives out awards for something or
other which is the best something or
other of the past year. We'd like to
get on the bandwagon. Every year
we receive hundreds of exploitation
campaigns from exhibitors. If we
ever dig out from under the pile of
campaigns we have received on "The
Day the Earth Stood Still" we are
going to nominate that picture for
the most exploited during 1951.
That is—if we dig out from under
this year.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser
:
campaigns from
contributors in competition with .several
hundred managers in the United States
Sam Springfield of the Palace,
Eltham, England, earned his .second citation,
having been previously honored in
October 1949. Springfield recently put on a
private showing of the theatre's current feature
in the home of an 81 -year-old woman
and who had never before mi.ssed
a change of program at the Palace in 29
years. The theatre gained national renown
in the front pages of leading papers throughout
the country.
The other English winner. Manager S. Harvery
of the Ritz. Romford. Essex, tied up
with the road safety committee in bringing
a 16mm trailer of "Captain Horatio Hornblower"
to the attention of .5.000 school pupils
BOXOFFICE awards ten citations every
theatremen who submit outstanding
ideas and promotions in each pha.se of
exploitation, advertising and publicity, and
which are received at the Showmandiser .section,
9 Rockefeller Plaza, New York 20, N. Y.
12, 1952 — 5 — 29

Interboro
Draws Holiday Crowds
With Films of School Children
ISLAND "JI:^!?^
and 204tb Street
^ BOTS and GIBLS #
SEE YOURSELF b the MOVIES!
HOLLYWOOD COMES TO
HOLLIS
WATCH r^ MOVIE MAN!
He WiU Be at Your School Yard to Take Moving Pictures of Y.
After School DuriDR the Week of Dec. 9ih
The Motion Ptelores Taken of Von and Your Friend
Will Then Be Shown on Onr K^reen During ihe
Entire Xmas Holiday Week
Starting DECEMBER 22nd
Jamaica" STOVE
and FURNITURE CO.
168-09 JAMAICA AVENUE
REpublic 9-1735
S«r\'lni; I. I. For Over ao Years with Ihe riDesI
FarBlmre, AppUant^N anil Bome Fnrnlshlog*
"See Yourself in the Movies" was the slogan
coined by Abe Vallet. district manager
for Interboro circuit theatres on Long Island,
N. Y.. as insurance for attendance during
the Christmas week school recess.
The slogan was backed by merchants, assistance
of principals in public and pai'ochial
schools and a comprehensive advertising and
exploitation campaign.
A sponsor received partial credit for the
local movies at each theatre under Vallet's
supervision: the Island at Hollis; Garden,
Springfield Gardens; St. Albans, St. Albans;
Cambria, Cambria Heights; Linden, Jamaica,
and Laurelton, Laurelton.
Animated Robot Set
On Theatre Marquee
A realistic looking 9>L;-foot robot did an excellent
job of preselling "The Day the Earth
Stood Still" for Vincent McKay, manager of
the Kayton Theatre, Montgomery, W. Va.
McKay designed the robot and had it made
by a welding shop from stovepipe and 28-
gauge steel. The figure was mounted on a
truck and paraded around town beginning
two weeks before opening. At peak hours, it
was displayed out front with spotlights trained
on it. A small bulb inside the eye-piece was
hooked up to a flasher.
"See" boards and still boards were designed
for double duty, serving in the lobby
prior to playdate and out front during the
engagement. Teaser trailers were screened
four weeks preceding opening, and sound effect
records were played over the house public
address system just before the feature was
.screened.
Outside ballyhoo included the distribution
of 2,000 .special heralds.
Return of Vaudeville
Rates Full-Page Ad
When vaudeville recently reopened at the
Ben All in Lexington. Ky., Manager John
Hutchins promoted a full-page newspaper coop
from neighborhood storekeepers. The page
30
I
LOOK KIDDIES I
I SEE YOURSELF |
1^^
'to
IN THE MOVIES
AND SEE TOUII FRIENDS
Theatre displays, trailers and special heralds
announced that movies would be taken
in the schoolyards of the neighborhood
schools and the youngsters were advised the
films would be screened during the week of
December 22-29. Announcements also were
made in classrooms. On the appointed day,
a cameraman appeared at the playground,
his car bannered with additional signs, while
the enthusiastic kids went through their unrehearsed
paces.
Vallet reports in each instance, the kids
and their parents turned out to insure above
average business during the holiday week.
The expenses were moderate.
was headed, "Vaudeville is back again," and
included a four-column display ad in the
center of the page on the opening vaudeville
program. Surrounding this were merchant
ads welcoming the return of live entertainment
to the city.
Toss Coins for Hospital
In Till the Cup' Stunt
Helen Colocousis, manager of the St. James
Theatre in Asbury Park, N. J., helped swell
the Will Rogers Memorial hospital Christmas
fund, as part of her campaign for "Come Fill
the Cup." Before a large display in the
lobby advertising the picture, she placed three
small cups, one invited patrons to toss coins
into them. Persons who succeeded received
free tickets to see "Come Fill the Cup." All
proceeds were turned over to the fund.
Chariot From 'Quo Vadis'
Is Used in Kansas City
When MGM shipped one of the original
chariots used in filming "Quo Vadis" to
Kansas City, Manager Howard Burkhardt of
the Midland Theatre used it extensively to
get his Christmas opening date before the
holiday crowds of shoppers.
A driver, garbed in one of the costumes
u.sed in the picture, drove the chariot and a
team of horses through the downtown area
for four days. Signs plugged the dates.
— 6 —
Appearances by Slar,
Interviews, Boosl
'Want You' Bow
Elmer Pickard, manager of the Boyd in
Philadelphia, arranged an interview with
Farley Granger, star of "I Want You," with
89 teenage editors as part of the advance
campaign for that picture. Granger, in the
city for the premiere of the film, presided
at a forum of the school-paper journalists
which was covered by the daily papers.
The star made appearances on nine radio
and television shows and was honor guest at
a pre.ss luncheon, resulting in additional publicity
for the picture.
The title song was well promoted by Philadelphia
disk jockeys and local band leaders
at restaurants and night clubs. Barbara
Wilson, Inquirer film critic, interviewed the
producer of the film, Samuel Goldwyn, via
long distance phone, reporting the interview
in her column.
A screening for officers of the General
Federation of Women's Club and the Junior
and Senior Chambers of Commerce resulted
in extra news breaks. The opening was
further promoted via a saturation radio campaign
and a television trailer .
For the picture's opening in Boston, Al
Margolian, publicist for the Astor Theatre, recorded
46 separate newspaper breaks based
on a similar campaign. Lizabeth Watts of
the Boston Globe interviewed Goldwyn on
the telephone and there were a series of
screenings for civic groups including the
Boston City club.
Army and Red Cross loin
Blood Deal on 'Bayonets'
Army cooperation and a tieup to recruit
donors for the Red Cross blood bank aided
Lou Cohen, manager of the Poll Theatre,
Hartford, Conn., in his campaign for "Fixed
Bayonets." An army sound truck with banners
toured the downtown streets for four
days. The recruiting program gave the picture
several plugs in radio advertising, and
all men enlisting in the army opening day
of the picture were guests of the management.
Junior Red Cross members distributed
pledge cards to potential blood donors in the
theatre lobby. Also in the lobby was an exhibit
obtained from the Red Cross, with a sign
urging the public to donate blood for our
soldiers in Korea. This was tied in with a
display for "Fixed Bayonets."
Stork Derby Launches
New Year at Syracuse
A stork derby, promoted by Harry Weiner,
manager of the Eckel Theatre and sponsored
by neighborhood business firms, brought a
capacity crowd to the theatre January 1.
Weiner promoted more than $5,000 in gifts
for the parents of the first child born in
Syracuse in 1952. Each participating merchant
set aside a window for a display of the
gifts and signs announcing the father of the
lucky child would receive them on the stage
of the Eckel.
The newspapers and radio reporters went
along with the promotion on stories and
follow-up pictures.
BOXOFTICE Showmandiser January 12, 1952
: :

: January
'
Herald for 'Mailman'
Pegs Double Tie-in
With Food Chain
Arthur Price, exploiteer for Wometco
neighborhood theatres in Miami and Miami
Beach, worked an effective tieup with the
Food Fair supermarket chain on "The Barefoot
Mailman." The stunt was used at the
Surf and Cameo theatres.
The Food Fair paid the printing costs for
several thousand heralds extending season's
greetings to the public and urginjc Ihcm to
see "The Barefoot Mailman" as a holiday
treat. The heralds were consecutively numbered,
and recipients were invited to bring
them to the theatre lobby where they could
check to see if their numbers were posted on
a lucky-number list, in which event they
received a free guest ticket to see the picture.
The circulars had a single fold. The outside
page was made up to simulate a large
envelope imprmted with a U.S. postmark and
canceled stamp, and copy: "A holiday treat
via 'The Barefoot Mailman.' " Price had a
theatre usher appear at the Food Fair during
the height of the shopping season to distribute
heralds to customers.
When "A Song to Remember" was booked
for a reissue engagement at the Cameo and
Mayfair art theatres. Price tied in with a local
record shop which paid for the imprinting of
5,000 postal cards as a mailing to members of
the Opera Guild, a music conservatory, and
the University of Miami Symphony club. In
addition, the RCA "Victor distributor supplied
albums of Chopin music recorded by Jose
Iturbi for use in promoting the picture over
radio stations, and made possible several
music store tieups.
Vaudeville Week Given
Proclamation by Mayor
With vaudeville booked in to support "Let's
Make It Legal," Adam Goelz, manager of
the Hippodrome in Baltimore, landed in the
daily papers with pictures and stories founded
on a welcome proclamation issued by Mayor
D'Alesandro. The proclamation designated
the week coincident with the vaudeville as
"Vaudeville Week in Baltimore."
Goelz took Sharkey the seal, one of the
acts, to the Saturday night basketball game
between Baltimore Bullets and the Indiana
visiting team. Sharkey put on his act for
the crowd and was televised throwing the
ball out at the start of the game.
Radio also helped to stimulate attendance
after Goelz booked other acts for personal
appearances on 22 shows over six stations.
Teaser Campaign Raises
'Yesterday' Interest
"Born Yesterday" was presold to Miles City,
Mont., theatre patrons when Fi-ank Boedecker,
manager of the Park, launched a
newspaper teaser campaign two weeks before
opening. In the personal columns of the
local paper, he ran provocative ads like.
"Wanted—A Dumb Blonde, etc." An another
page he used one-column star cuts of Judy
Holliday and offered free theatre tickets to
readers who identified her. Another of his
layouts recommend that people with "Home-
I-Tis" reserve a seat at the Park during the
"Born Yesterday" playdates.
Paola, Kas., Showman Gets Over
7he Mountain on $44 Budget
MOUNT f^'^^^
Mi
ppi
Dan Flanagan, manager of the Paola
(Kas.) Theatre, spent total of $44.12 to
advertise and exploit "Comin' Round the
Mountain." He got every cent back with
interest after the receipts were tabulated.
The major share of the budget, $32.24,
spent to reach 1,500 rural householders
with special circulars delivered by mail
and an additional 1,500 heralds for local
distribution.
Newspaper ads and the cost of mats
which the paper published gratis added
$10.38 to the expenses. Flanagan then
got three boys to drive around town in a
stripped-down model-T Ford. They were
dressed in hillbilly outfits which they supplied
and added false beards and corncob
pipes to their disguLses at a cost of $1.05
to the theatre. Personal services of the
three and the car were .secured for a few
passes.
Flanagan invested 45 cents in a record
of Dorothy Shay singing "Feudin" and a
Fightin'." This was played following each
close-in for a period of two weeks prior
to the picture's opening, simultaneously
with the spotting of a three-sheet set on
one side of the stage.
CAROLERS ON SLEIGH BALLYHOO CHRISTMAS'
With some iancy talking and the cooperation of the elements, Allan Perkins, manager
of the Roxy at Midland, Ont„ promoted the perfect outdoor ballyhoo for "A Christmas
Carol. " His glib tongue provided a hay-covered sleigh, a team of horses, a board suitable
for posting a six-sheet, a car battery and a couple of auto headlights for illumination plus
the high school girls glee club. The singers entertained with appropriate selections. Snowstorm,
traditional in Canada during the holiday season, put the final realistic touch to
the scene. Perkins reports: "Business satisfactory in spite of seasonal slump and the storm."
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser
:
12, 1952 — 7 31

IWmamiTiTMiHMM
: January
Attraet'AMe
Display Ads
fabulous 11^ Saga of "^
Aoiys boldest Piiaf ^
C0f(^t
A Love Story of Two People
-who were only human!
Bright
^Victorj^
ARTHUR KENNEDY
PEGGY DOW
.- JILIA ADAMS
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fAOAnifRicAninRftRis'i
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Larry Graburn, ad head for Odeon in Canada, offers two recent
examples of campaigns which demonstrate his versatility in extracting
sales copy and illustrative material having special appeal for
Canadian patrons. Shading effect on ad at left is an original innovation
created by Graburn.
HEIDOVCR
CLARK
CABLE
At left
and below are three creative display
ads devised by Erv Clumb, ad manager
for the Towne Theatre in Milwaukee.
Competition from circuit-operated
downtowm theatres in that city keeps
Clumb on his mettle. His ads consistently
dominate the amusement pages
because of their unusual size and attractive
appearance.
Three layouts which introduce a note of originality to ads which
recently appeared in the Seattle (Wash.) newspapers. They are
from the pen of Willard Coghlan, John Hamrick's art director in
that city.
fKZzni
32 — 8 BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
12, 1952

"
Ballyhoo on Streets,
And Mail Campaign
Add 'Dividend'
Lions and Theatre Unite
To Put on Xmas Show
For the fifth successive year, Arthur Hallock,
manager of the Paramount Theatre in
Baltimore, ran an annual party the day before
Christmas for boys and girls up to 13
years of age, under the sponsorship of the
Lions club of Overlea.
Twelve hundred free tickets were distributed
through two neighborhood school.s
Every boy and girl received a free box ol
candy in addition to a small gift. Sant:
Claus made a personal appearance and helpc >
distribute 200 prize gifts to lucky-numbei
holders. Supplementing the screen show
were several stage acts.
The annual Christmas party makes .solid
boosters of the youngsters for the Paramount
throughout the year.
Lou Cohen Reserves
City Park Benches
For 'Too Young'
Gordon Gotts, nianam'i- of the Majestic in
Dundas. Ont., u.st-d strong outside exploitation
for "Fatlier's Little Dividend." Five
thousand special programs were circulated
throughout the town and in rural areas by
direct mail at a cost of $165. Merchant ads
covered the full cost of this promotion. Merchants
also paid for a full-page newspaper
Invisible Fish Returns
Ralph Piazza, manager of the Rialto, Lockport,
N. Y., revived the invisible goldfish
stunt to exploit "The Lost Continent." In a
prominent window he displayed a fi-shbowl
with the sign: "The only speckled invisible
goldfish in captivity . . . You can't see it but
you will see, etc., etc., in 'Lost Continent,'
Piazza got the library to exhibit books on
prehLstoric themes with a card announcing
his playdates.
Free Show tor Kids
Bill Smarr. manager of the Arcade in
Cambridge, Md., had a local merchant sponsor
a free show for kids of the community
December 24. In past years, it required ten
store-keepers to rent the theatre for the annual
free show. Smarr narrowed the field
down to one, thereby limiting the amount of
reciprocal advertising.
Gum Prevents Jitters
When Seeing 'Mob'
Roy Prytz, manager of the Granada in
Duluth, Minn., has used many good exploitation
stunts which have been reported in the
Showmandiser section. None has been as
successful as his latest, he reports. The deal
was used for "The Mob" and involved tieups
with Western Union and the distributor of
Beechnut gum.
Starting two weeks in advance, Prytz imprinted
several thousand small cards with
a one-column ad mat and copy reading:
"Chew this instead of your fingernails when
you see the exciting new hit, etc." To these
cards were stapled pieces of sample gum.
Western Union supplied a uniformed mes-
co-op ad in the Dundas Star.
One thousand special heralds were promoted
on a co-op. as were 1,000 shopping bags
imprinted with picture and theatre copy. senger to distribute the cards and samples
Grafton's, Ltd., used a display in the window on a busy downtown intersection. People
tieing in kiddies' wearing apparel and merchandise.
Granada manager the stunt is inexpensive
lined up to get theirs and according to the
Placards were placed on every light pole enough and effective enough to be utilized
in Dundas with theatre advertising, and a by other exhibitors either for "The Mob" or
special theatre front was constructed from any picture with an exciting story plot.
lithos and stills. Across the front of the
marquee, a clothesline was strung with
diapers attached to spell out the picture Free Show
title.
Brings in Toys
An usher dressed in a tuxedo pushed a For Needy Families
baby buggy through the streets, with a sign
Dale Lee,
announcing
manager of the
the Dream playdates. Gotts
and
posted onesheets
on milk wagons a week
Wilma at Ceour d'Alene, Ida., and the Athletic
prior to opening,
and
Roundtable and fire
rigged up
department staged
a public address system
a collection of toys for the
in front
children of
of the theatre over which
needy
nursery
families as
music
a goodwill
was played
promotion prior to
to entertain passersby.
Christmas.
The Roundtable sponsored a free kiddy
matinee at the theatre at which an old,
soiled or broken toy was accepted as admission.
The toys were turned over to the fire
department for repairs and distribution. Several
hundred youngsters attended the show.
Store Courtesy Contest
Aids 'Weekend Father'
A contest sponsored by the Frank and Seder
department store helped advertise "Weekend
With Father" for John Walsh, manager of
the Fulton at Pittsburgh, Pa.
The store ran a one-month contest among
its employes stressing courtesy, with 25 winners
receiving theatre passes to see "Weekend
With Father."
The store promoted the contest through
counter and window displays and through
signs posted on bulletin boards in locker
rooms.
Lou Cohen, manager of the Poll Theatre in
Hartford, Conn., and assistant Norman Levinson
used several effective stunts on "Too
Young to Kiss." Cards with copy, "Re.served
for those not 'Too Young to Kiss.' etc.," were
placed on 20 park benches. An attractive
young model distributed 3.000 candy kisses in
envelopes imprinted with copy, "Here's a kiss
for you from those 'Too Young to Kiss,' etc."
The model toured the downtown streets in
the vicinity of Trinity college, attracting considerable
attention.
A contest was promoted on WTHT, inviting
listeners to submit a list of motion picture
titles in which the word "kuss" appears. Theatre
pas.ses were offered to winners.
Window displays were arranged with 12
downtown stores, tieing in cosmetics and display
art advertising the picture.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : January 12, 1952 9 —
33

Bumper Strips Plus Truck Signs
Proclaim 'Earth' in Rouyn, Que.
Inspired by the excellent advertising kit
provided by the distributor on "The Day the
Earth Stood Still," and by the exploitation
efforts of American showmen as reported in
BOXOPFICE, Bob Martino. manager of the
Capitol in Rouyn, Quebec, utilized strong outdoor
promotion to publicize the picture.
Martin obtained stories in English and
French newspapers for four weeks prior to
opening. In addition, the press used mats.
A set of large cutout letters was prepared
reading. "Startling! Unbelievable! 'The Day
the Earth Stood Still.' " These were covered
with Lure-Lite paint and tacked on the
masking below the screen. During the screening
of the trailer, the letters were spotlighted
from the booth.
Circular beaverboard cutouts were mounted
on small tripods, with provocative copy, and
placed in the foyer, mezzanine and lobby.
The doorman and ushers wore armbands lettered
with the picture title. A set of four
teaser trailers was used, each of which was
tinted blue by holding gelatin in front of the
projection aperture.
Two 24-sheets, obtained gratis from the
distributor, were posted three weeks in advance.
Cutouts of robots made from 24-
sheets and animated with blinking eyes were
displayed on the marquee. Bumper cards
were placed on employe vehicles, banners
were displayed on the back of soft-drink delivery
trucks, and 15 one-sheets were posted
in the business section of town in addition
to billboards regularly covered by the theatre.
Martino planted the radio transcription of
the Elmer Davis and Drew Pearson commentaries
anent the picture on his local radio
station. A false front was constructed for
the run.
Proclamation Sets Up Deal
With Civil Defense
Charles Graziano, manager of the Paramount
Theatre in Syracuse, N. Y., used every
possible facet of promotion on "The Day the
Earth Stood Still." Animated displays in the
theatre lobby and a giant cutout of a robot
on the marquee which billowed colored steam
held the attention of spectators because of
their dramatic appearance. Special sound
effects were amplified out front to provide
T>*^mw Sim STILL
^
Cmm TO CAPITOL D£C. 2i4 ^
These photos indicate how Bob Martino had
bumper strips on almost every motor car in
Rouyn, Que., for "The Day the Earth Stood
Still."
audible as w-ell as visual effect to an animated
false front during the run.
The mayor issued an official "alert" day
proclamation in connection with civil defense.
The administrator of that organization
ordered a special test of air raid sirens
on opening night of the picture, with local
newspapers and radio stations making announcements
to the effect that this w-as in
connection with "The Day the Earth Stood
Still."
Invitations were extended to all public officials
and the press to attend the opening
night showing, with newspapers carrying special
stories of this. Air force A-board signs
throughout the city were posted with onesheets.
Two news agencies tied in by distributing
500 bulletins announcing a tieup on sciencefiction
Bantam books. The Onondaga news
agency bought the back page of 5,000 tabloid
heralds and had their news carriers deliver
them with daily newspapers. Half the cost
of 500 window cards was also paid for by
this firm, and the cards were displayed at
all stores and newsstands where Bantam
books are sold.
1 MCLW^WK
\

Big Television Center
Planned in New York
NEW YORK—Development of a huge television
center in the block between Central
Park West and Columbus avenue at 66th
street is under discussion. The proposal may
include a new structure for staging sports
events and other spectacles especially for TV
use, and there is a probability that this will
there.
also be used for staging events for largescreen
theatre television.
WOR-TV dedicated a building called "television
square" on the block running from
67th to 68th street Wednesday (9).
On Tuesday Webb & Knapp, big real
estate firm, made it known that it had purchased
from the American Broadcasting Co.
the St. Nicholas ai-ena located in the block
and that at the same time ABC had purchased
the remainder of the block and would
consolidate most of its Manhattan operations
The Webb & Knapp announcement used
a lot of complicated words to say that the
place might be developed into "what may
be called a low-cost spectacle point of high
potential."
United Paramount Theatres executives refused
to comment. A request for permission
to merge ABC and United Paramount is now
before the Federal Communications Commission.
For the past four years there has been
talk of building a huge sports arena financed
by the Ti'iborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
at Columbus Circle ten blocks south of
the new television center. This has become
dormant.
The new venture is regarded as a move to
supply large-scale program material without
restrictions by sports promoters.
B'nai B'rith Lodge Event
Has Civil Rights Drama
NEW YORK—A dramatic presentation,
"Our Children's Tomorrow," dealing with the
civil rights theme, was the feature of the
B'nai B'rith Cinema lodge dinner, on behalf
of the Joint Defense Appeal, at the Hotel
Plaza Thursday (10). Robert A. 'Vogeler, Dr.
William Jan.sen, superintendent of New York
City schools; Ezio Pinza. screen star and
Metropolitan Opera singer: Monte Irvin, star
infielder of the New York Giants: Ben
Grauer, radio commentator, and Mel Allen,
sportscaster, took part in the drama.
The meeting was a tribute to Richard
Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, producers
and composers of "South Pacific" and "The
King and I," who were given testimonial
awards. Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee
was a speaker.
Harry Brandt was chairman of the evening
and Kitty Carlisle, musical comedy star,
and S, Arthur Glixon were co-chairmen.
Sam'l Freedman Purchases
Two Theatre Properties
NEW YORK—Samuel Freedman, theatre
operator, has purchased the 1,600-seat Palestine
Theatre property at Clinton street and
the Charles Theatre property, 185 Avenue
B., consisting of an 800-seat theatre, six stores
and offices, from Brandt Theatres, headed
by Harry Brandt.
Honor Cantor
Birthday
At $1,000-Plate Drive
NEW YORK— Eddie Cantor's 60th
birthday celebration will be the occasion
for a "Bonds of Israel" campaign dinner
at the Waldorf-Astoria January 21 at
which it is hoped to raise $2,000,000.
Guest,s will pay $1,000 a plate.
George Jessel will be toastmaster. The
national co-chairman and sponsors at the
event include Barney Balaban, Paramount
president: Jack and Harry Warner
of Warner Bros.: Spyros P. Skouras,
president of 20th Century-Fox, and Jack
Benny, Oscar Hammerstein II, Mayor
Vincent R. Impellitteri, Fannie Hurst,
Abel Green, Sen. Herbert H. Lehman,
William Morris jr,, Herbert Bayard
Swope, Walter 'White, Jennie Grossinger
and Benjamin Abrams, president of
Emerson Radio.
Impellitteri Favors
City Ticket Tax
NEW YORK—A New York city
admissions
tax, to be added to the 20 per cent federal
tax, was proposed by Mayor 'Vincent R.
Impellitteri at a meeting of the New- York
State Chamber of Commerce January. The
new tax was one of the 21 sources under
consideration to raise the $200,000,000 needed
for the 1951-52 budget.
The city admissions tax will yield $12,000,-
000 annually, according to the mayor's figures.
The city already is empowered under
state legislation to impo.se the tax. The
mayor's list of proposed taxes also includes
an increased gross receipts -tax, a vending
machine tax and a tax on realty sales.
Exhibitor reaction to the tax proposals
was that now that the mayor had laid his
cards on the table it was up to the film
industry to unite to combat the move. If the
city should adopt the move, it would set an
example for other cities in the U.S. While
this city now is paying $97 per capita,
Washington residents pay $126 as his or her
share of the city's tax bm'den and each resident
of Birmingham, Ala., pays only $20.
However, Washington residents escape the
state taxes paid in other cities.
Court Postpones Hearing
Of Shea Trust Petition
NEW YORK—A new date of January 23 has
been set for the hearing in Bronx surrogate
court of the petition of Dorothy Shea for an
accounting of the Maurice A. Shea trust.
The hearing' was originally scheduled for
Thursday (9). She is the wife of Gerald
Shea, president of Shea Enterprises. The
petition named E. C. Grainger, former president
of the circuit, and Edward C. Raftery of
the law firm of O'Brien, Driscoll & Raftery
as sole surviving executors and, with Tliomas
E. Shea, as trustees of the estate.
Loew's Messenger Killed
NEW YORK—Robert V. Darcy, 17-year-oId
messenger for Loew's International, was killed
by a taxicab in Times Square at 45th street
Wednesday (9>, while the streets were crowded
with pedestrians.
Albany TOA to Hear
Sullivan This Week
ALBANY—Gael Sullivan, executive director
of national TOA, will speak at a luncheon
meeting of the northern-western district of
Albany TOA in the Hotel Woodruff at Watertown
Monday (14). This is the gathering
which Don Gilson had to postpone from December
18 because a .snowstorm the previous
day clogged all the city's arteries and made
travel impossible.
Sullivan wa.s to be the top speaker on that
occasion. Harry Lamont, who presided at
the Albany session December 17. Jules Perlmutter,
al.so a temporary director, and Lewis
A. Sumberg, executive director-counsel, will
be among those meeting Sullivan in Utica
on Sunday and traveling with him to Watertown
the next day. It is expected 35 to 40
will attend the luncheon. Sumberg will report
on legislation and the grievance panel
may hold a session there.
Si Fabian's eloquent address at the Albany
meeting will be repeated, via transcription,
in Watertown. Bob Lamont made a recording
of it. A general meeting is tentatively
scheduled for this city later in January.
Joe Miller Successful
In Swelling TOA Rolls
ALBANY—The small exhibitor has everything
to gain and nothing to lose by joining
TOA, says Joe, Miller, a member of the temporary
board of directors for the reactivated
Albany unit and longtime Columbia manager
in Albany and Buffalo. "TOA will protect
the small exhibitor against adverse legislation,
on taxation and many other matters,"
he commented. "The little exhibitor
can not fight these things by himself.
He is lucky to have a man like Si Fabian
(who spoke at a recent luncheon-meeting
here) giving his valuable time to TOA. The
little fellow's share, in dues, is very small.
It
does not really carry his end."
Miller reported success in obtaining mc:r.-
berships for the Albany area organization.
He pointed out that he had been active in
helping to organize the MMPTOA in Buffalo,
Rochester and Syracuse in 1919, and also had
traveled for that organization in New England.
Charley O'Reilly and Sidney Cohen
were its top men. Jimmy Walker, then a
state senator, was counsel, Miller stated. "We
had a fine slogan—something like 'If one is
hurt, all are hurt,' " he reported.
Herman Gelber Renamed
Head of Projectionists
NEW YORK—Herman Gelber has been reelected
president of the Projectionists Local
306, defeating Harry Storin and William
Salke. Al Kunzie was elected vice-president,
replacing Storin. S. D'Inzillo and Harry Garfman
were re-elected business agents, Ernest
Lang was i-e-elected recording secretary, Izzy
Schwartz was named financial secretary and
Abe Ke.ssler was elected treasurer.
James C. Petrillo, president of the American
Federation of Musicians, and an AFM
committee will meet with Hollywood studio
executives in Miami starting January 15 to
"either extend the present AFM pact with
the studios or write a new one," according to
an AFM executive.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 35

. . Nancy
. . Sam
. . Denise
. . Joan
. . The
. . John
. . . James
. . Y.
. . M.
. . Walt
. . Alfred
BROADWAY
which made the trans-Pacific trip from Aus-
IJerlMTt Wilcox, British producer, and his tralia with her . Frank Freeman, Paramount
vice-president and studio head, ar-
actress-wife Anna Neagle sailed on the
Queen Mary after a two-week visit in the rived for a series of conferences with home
U.S. comedienne,
Hermione Gingold, British office executives.
was on the same boat . liner arrived
the preceding day with Winston Churchill, Maurice N. Wolf, field assistant to H. M.
Hazel Scott, noted pianist; Sir Tliomas Richey, MGM exhibitor relations head, spoke
Beecham, British orchestra leader, and Vera before the Lions club in Florence, S. C, Januai'y
11 and then headed for Newton and
Lynn, radio and recording star, aboard . . .
James A. FitzPatrick, producer of travel shorts Conover, N. C, where he will speak before
for MGM, and wife sailed on the Caronia the joint meeting of the Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis
and Optimist clubs . . . Joseph A.
for an African-Indian cruise to four continents
in 100 days .
Valentine, film actress, Walsh, head of branch operations for Paramount,
has gone to the west coast on his
arrived from Europe on the He de France.
branch inspection tour . . . Fred Herkowitz,
Nanette Fabray, Broadway musical comedy RKO Theatres publicist, was married Friday
star, left for the MGM studio to start work to Ir.ngard Hauser. a translator for law
on "I Love Louisa" . Darcel, star of firms, by Judge Samuel F. Cooper, Newark
MGM's "Westward the Women," went to the chief magistrate. Herkowitz has been with
studio to report for another picture . . . RKO for 17 years.
Francis L. Sullivan. British actor, has left for
Hollywood to start work in the Pine-Thomas Dorotiiy Conner, executive secretary at the
picture, "Caribbean Gold" . Beal, who 20th-Fox home office, was married to J. Harold
Rosenblatt of Baltimore .
recently completed his .screen comeback role
and
in Columbia's "My Six Convicts." will appear Mrs. Hitchcock have arrived in New York
in Chekov's "Ivanov" at the Brattle Theatre. where the Warner director will give away his
Cambridge, Mass. . Camden, who daughter Patricia when she marries Joseph
makes her film debut in the lead of "Captive
E. O'Connell jr. of Boston January 17. Hitch-
City." forthcoming Robert Wise picture cock expects to return to Hollywood, after a
for United Artists, left for Vienna to play short New York stay, for his next production
opposite Francis Lederer in "I Was Jack for Transatlantic Pictures.
Mortimer."
David A. Lipton. Universal vice-president
in charge of advertising and publicity, arrived
from Hollywood for ten days of conferences
with home office executives. While
here, he will set promotion plans on "Bend
of the River" . Zimbalist. producer
of "Quo Vadis." got in from the coast and
sailed Saturday (12) on the He de France for
Paris to prepare for his next picture on foreign
soil.
Stirling Silliphant, eastern publicity manager
for 20th-Fox, returned from a trip to
San Francisco and Washington, where he coordinated
plans for the arrival of "Miss
Kangaroo" in those two cities. Loretta
North, "Miss Kangaroo" herself flew in from
San Francisco to Washington, where she presented
her credentials to the government. She
is accompanied by a pair of tame kangaroos
Silas F. Seadler, MGM advertising head,
went to the studio to spend ten days looking
at new product to be released before Easter
Gediman has been named executive
vice-president of the American Weekly,
a newly created post. Gediman has been associated
with the Heart Advertising Service
for the past 20 years . Lambader.
Kansas City franchise distributor of Astor
Pictures, spent several days conferring with
R. M. Savini on 1952 product.
Joao Gilbin, Brazilian baritone who won
"The Great Caruso" voice contest, sponsored
by MGM, Coca-Cola and Pan-American Airways
in Latin America, left for Rome to claim
the first prize, a one-year scholarship at the
La Scala Opira House, Milan, with travel and
living expenses paid . L. Simons, home
office aide to H. M. Richey, MGM exhibitor
relations head, returned to his desk after a
week's illness.
Boys Club to Honor
Skouras for Gift
NEW YORK—George P. Skouras, circuit
head, and J. Willard Hayden, president of the
Charles Hayden Foundation, will be honored
by the Boys Club of Queens at a dinner
Thursday (17) in the Astor hotel. Skouras
Theatres has donated land for a club and the
foundation has pledged a conditional gift of
$500,000 for erection of a building.
The $500,000 grant called for the acquisition
of property, which the circuit has supplied,
and the raising of a working capital fund of
$200,000. The dinner will open the fund-raising
campaign. Tex McCrary, newspaperman
and radio and television personality, will be
toastmaster, according to Meyer J. Baranco.
club president.
Skouras said that the circuit bought the
land because "it feels that the future and
destiny of America is in the hands of the
coming generation," and that an organization
such as the Queens group "will help future
generations to think clearly so that they
will carry on the ideals and beliefs of the
fathers of this nation, which have created a
civilization second to none in the history of
mankind."
Besides being founder and head of Skouras
Theatres. Skouras is president of the United
Artists theatre circuit. The Queens club is
affiliated with the Madison Square Boys club.
Th aims of the clubs are to promote the
physical, mental and moral wellbeing of boys,
and to inculcate in boys the principles of
neighborly brotherhood, good-fellowship,
sportsmanship and fair play.
Macy's Takes Page Ads
For 'Greatest Show'
NEW YORK—To herald the Radio City
Music Hall opening of Cecil B. DeMille's "The
Greatest Show on Earth" January 10, Macy's
took a full-page ad in the New York Times
and a double-page spread in the Daily News
headed. "Macy's presents your unofficial
year-end report of a 'Greatest Show on
Earth' with a salute to John Ringling North
and his circus and to Cecil B. DeMille and
his new circus movie." The accompanying
copy told of outstanding events in Macy's
store during 1951.
Fernando Gimenez of RKO
Dies After Long Illness
NEW YORK—Fernando Gimenez. who has
been in charge of Spanish titling in the foreign
division of RKO Pictures since 1935, died
Tuesday (8) after a long illness. He was 53.
Gimenez was a native of Spain. He entered
the film business 25 years ago. His wife and
two children survive.
'ROUND THE WOKLD—Twentieth Century-Fox international department representatives
seen attending the first big international sales meeting the company has
ever staged, held this week in New York City, are left to right: Emanuel Silverstone,
Albert Cornfield, Murray Silverstone, Edward Cohen, Edward Ugast, Leslie Whelan
and Alan Silverbach.
Results of Para. Drive
NEW YORK—Twenty-nine domestic and
Canadian branches went high over their
quotas in the Paramount Booker- Salesman's
Month drive, which was held this year in
honor of E. K. O'Shea, vice-president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp. New
Haven and St. John. N. B.. scored the top
sales marks.
36 BOXOFFICE January 12. 1952

—
—
WELCOMED INTO CLIU— Sada Snyder
of Paramount's advertising department
is welcomed into tlie company's
"25-Year Club" by Adolpli Zukor, who
presents her with a gold watch. Jerry
Pickman, vice-president and director of
advertising, publicity and exploitation,
helps Miss Snyder hold a scroll which she
also received as a gift.
Paramount Theatre Has
5th RKO Since Summer
NEW YORK—RKO, which is currently playing
its fifth picture at the New York Paramount
since la.st summer. "Double Dynamite,"
has also booked two more to play the theatre,
according to Robert Mochrie. RKO general
sales manager. "The Las Vegas Story."
starring Jane Rus.sell and Victor Mature, will
open January 30. followed by "A Girl in
Every Port." staiTing Groucho Marx. Marie
Wilson and William Bendix.
Since September, "His Kind of Woman."
"Plying Leathernecks," "Two Tickets to
Broadway" and "The Racket" also have
played the Paramount. The only other company's
pictures booked there in the fivemonth
period were Columbia's "The Mob"
and "Scandal Sheet," which will open January
16. The last Paramount picture to play
the house was "That's My Boy," in August
1951.
Paramount's "The Greatest Show on Earth"
opened at the Radio City Music Hall Thursday
(10 1 and "Detective Story" is in its tenth
week at the Mayfair, while "My Favorite
Spy" is in its second week at the Globe, all
in the Times Square district.
John Cunningham Named
To Columbia Ad Post
NEW YORK—John Cunningham, who
joined Columbia in October 1950. has been
named as special assistant to the advertising
and publicity director with the title of creative
advertising manager. Before joining Columbia.
Cunningham was with the Huber,
Hoge & Son agency, and prior to that he
held posts with Warner Bros., the Buchanan
agency and Donahue & Coe.
'Kangaroo' Party for Kids
NEW YORK—Loretta "Miss Kangaroo"
North acted as hostess at a party for children
of tradepaper representatives, magazine
and newspaper columnists and radio and TV
personalities at the 20th Century-Fox Little
Theatre Saturday afternoon (12). The two
pet kangaroos, Joey and Matilda Roo, were
on hand and the youngsters saw a 45-minute
cartoon screening, which spotlighted kangaroos.
Broadway Business Remains Strong
As Big Films Stay After Holiday
NEW YORK—Business at the majority of
Broadway first run houses continued good
past the holiday period, mainly becau.se most
of the strong pictures held over. With the
children returned to school, the evenings
were better than the daytime periods.
Still leading the entire field, but in its final
week, was "I'll See You in My Dreams" and
the annual Radio City Music Hall Nativity
stage spectacle, which grossed over $700,000
for its five weeks at the world's largest
theatre. Next in popularity was "Double
Dynamite" with Tony Bennett on the .stage
of the Paramount, which had a strong second
week and held for a third. Tlie third
stage-screen hou.se, the Roxy, also had a good
third week with "Elopement" and brought
in "The Model and the Marriage Broker"
Friday (11 1.
Best among the straight film hoases were
the Victoria, with "Death of a Salesman" in
its third week: "I Want You," in its third
week at the Criterion, and "My Favorite Spy,"
in its second week at the Globe. "Quo Vadis,"
now continuous at the Astor after finishing
a seven-week run at the Capitol, had a
big ninth week. "Detective Story" remained
good in its ninth week at the Mayfair.
"The Lavender Hill Mob" still led the art
house pictures in its 12th week at the Fine
Arts, followed by "Pandora and the Flying
Dutchman" in its fifth w^eek at the Normandie.
Three other art hou.ses brought in
new films, "Bonnie Prince Charlie," "It's a
Big Country" and "Tom Brown's School
Days," Cecil B. DeMille's "The Greatest Show
on Earth" also opened at the Music Hall
Thursday
(lOi.
(Average Is 100)
Astor—Quo VadU (MGM), 9th wk 120
Bi)ou—Henry V (UA), 3rd wk. oi two-a-day,
return run 90
Copilol-Westward the Women (MGM) 110
Criterion— I Want You (RKO), 3rd wk 120
Fine Arts- The Lavender Hill Mob (U-I), 12th wk .120
(Snader), 2nd wk 100
55th Street— Wonder
Globe—My Favorite
Boy
Spy (Para), 2nd wk 120
Guild—The Red Shoes (UA), 2nd wk. of return
engagement 100
Loews Slate—The Wild Blue Yonder (Rep) 110
Little Carnegie-Rashomon (RKO), 2nd wk 110
Maytair— Detective Story (Para), 9th wk 110
Normandie Pandora ond the Flying Dutehmem
(MGM), 5th wk 115
Paramount—Double Dynamite (RKO), plus stage
show, 2nd wk 120
Paris—The River (UA), 17th wk. of two-a-day 100
Park Avenue—The Clouded Yellow (Col), 8th wk.. 100
Radio City Music Hall— I'll See You in My Dreams
(WB), plus stage show, 5th wk 125
Rialto— Hotel Sahara (UA) 110
Rivoli—Decision Before Dawn (20thTox). 3rd wk .115
Roxy—Elopement (20th-Fox), plus stage show, 3rd
'See You in M'y Dreams'
Packs 'Em in Buffalo
BUFFALO — "111 See You in My Dreams"
iWBi, jammed 'em in for a very healthy
week and will hold over at the Paramount,
while RKO's "Double Dynamite" went over
for one of the best second weeks in many a
moon at the Century. Warners' "Distant
Drums" held up well for a second seven-day
stand. "Quo Vadis" took 160 per cent in
its second week and will go into a third at
the Buffalo. There has been no adverse
criticism of the advanced admissions.
Buiialo— Quo Vadis (MGM), 2nd wk 160
Center-Distant Drums (V/B), 2nd wk 100
Century Double Dynamite (RKO), 2nd wk 105
Cinema Tight Little Island (U-1) 90
Lafayelle-Weekend With Father (U-1) 90
Paramount— I'll See You in My Dreams (WB) 120
Teck—The Time of Their Lives (Realart);
Little Giant (Realart) 95
'Two Tickets to Broadway'
Leads Pittsburgh With 90
PITTSBURGH—"Two Tickets to Broadway"
at 90 per cent gro.ssed the highest of
some less than average figures. The others
fell steadily down the boxoffice barometer
by 10-degree drops. "Quo Vadis" was in its
fifth week at advanced prices. The Stanley
offered a double reissue bill and the J. P.
Harris dualed two MGM pictures, the first
time this company's product ever flashed on
this theatre's .screen.
Fuhon—Hotel Sahaio (UA); A Christmas Carol
(UA) 55
Harris— Mr. Imperium (MGM). Calling Bulldog
Drummond (MGM) 70
Penn— Quo Vadis (MGM), 5th wk 80
Stanley—Captain Blood (WB); Casablanca (WB),
Wa Tickets to Broadway (RKO)
Hea-vy Snows Hurting
Bahimore Business
BALTIMORE—Downtown business suffered
a slight drop due to weather conditions.
Baltimore has had more snow in the last
few weeks than in the last two winters. This
has caused a traffic condition which prevents
normal movement and tends to keep
people out of the downtown area. The week's
leaders included "Westward the Women" first
week and two holdovers, "Distant Drums"
and "My Favorite Spy."
Century—Westward the Women (MGM) 125
Fine Arts— Dante's Inferno (ZOth-Fox), 4th wk 91
Hippodrome-On Dangerous Ground (RKO) 102
Keiths—My Favorite Spy (Para), 2nd wk 114
Mayfair—Wild Blue Yonder (Rep), 2nd wk 103
New— I'll Never Forget You (20th-Fox) 100
Playhouse—A Christmas Carol (UA), 3rd wk 100
Stanley—Distant Drums ;WB), 2nd wk Ill
Town—The Family Secret (RKO) ...100
Valencia Mr. Imperium (MGM); The Man
With a Cloolc (MGM) 106
New Commodore Owners
Discontinue Kid Shows
BUFFALO— Special children's matinees at
the New Commodore Theatre, recently
acquired by William Brett and William P.
Rosenow, will be discontinued this year. "We
90
B3th Street—Angel with the Trumpet (Snader),
3rd
Sutton-Tales ot HoHmonn (Lopert), 2nd
have tried to give the children the best in
of
return engagement
entertainment at these special shows." it said
-Lux 52nd Street—Man With a Cloak (MGM)
5th
in a statement released by the new owners,
Trans-Lux 60th -Street-The Golloping Major
"and the national Legion of Decency has
(Souvaine), 3rd wk 95
Trans-Lux 72nd Street—Caesar and Cleopatra been the guide in obtaining the pictures most
(UA). revival, 'llh wk 100
suitable. However, we are forced to discontinue
the shows due to the lack of interest
Victoria—Death ol a Salesman (Col), 3rd wk 130
Warner—Distant Drums (WB), 2nd wk 105
and, until more interest is shown, the special
Saturday matinees will not be .scheduled."
James Reynard Gets Teck
BUFFALO—James Reynard, former assistant
manager at both the Shea Kensington
and Buffalo theatres, was appointed manager
of the Teck, Shea's downtown moveover
house. Reynard succeeds Leonard Jozwaik,
who resigned.
BOXOFFICE January 12. 1952 37

Boss Censor Loses to Exhibitor
In Baltimore Police Court Tilt
BALTIMORE — Magistrate Marshall A.
Levin ended the "Dante's Inferno" censorship
case in central police court by dismissing the
show-cause summons against Walter Gettinger.
operator of the Fine Arts Theatre
here. Sydney R. Ti-aub. chairman of the state
board of motion picture censors, protested to
the end.
The stormy hour-long hearing was almost
entirely a series of exchanges between Magistrate
Levin and Traub. At one point Traub
declared: "Don't make him innocent (Gettinger)
and the board guilty. Since I've been
before you I feel as if I've been the one on
trial—me, a state official ..."
FILM OPENED DECEMBER 13
But only once was Traub at a loss for
words. It happened when Magistrate Levin
declared, "It is my feeling that article 66A
(law establishing Maryland film censors) is
an unconstitutional enactment." Traub
shrank back from the magistrate's bench and
started to say. "If you think the act is unconstitutional
..." and then was unable to
finish the sentence.
This was the sequence of events leading up
to Thursday's (3) hearing:
On December 13, Gettinger began showing
a version of "Dante's Inferno" containing
a few feet of film deleted by the
Maryland censors in 1935.
Gettinger ran the film through Sunday
without obtaining the board seal.
He got the seal on Monday for the
version he showed, which included the
material rejected in 1935.
Traub wrote asking an explanation.
He received no reply and therefore obtained
a show-cause summons for Gettinger.
All concerned made their first appearance
in police court December 27 when,
after an hour and one-half hearing, the
case was postponed until January 3.
Gettinger testified he had not answered
Traub's letter because he thought the matter
had been straightened out through the Motion
Picture Theatre Owners of Maryland. In
one of the few sentences spoken at the second
hearing by anyone other than Traub and
Magistrate Levin, Lauritz Garman, president
of the MPTOM, said Gettinger had misunderstood.
"I told him that I hoped it was
straightened out, not that it was straightened
out," Garman declared.
VIOLATION CALLED NOT WILFUL
Magistrate Levin, saying he would avoid the
constitutional issue, said Gettinger violated
the law but that it was a "technicality" not
wilful.
"The lack of seal and perforation was discovered
Thursday, Friday was the big snowstorm,
Saturday; and Sunday the board of
censors was closed, Monday Gettinger got
approval," Magistrate Levin ruled.
"But he defied the board, he defied the
board," Traub protested.
"This summons is dismissed and that's
that," said Magistrate Levin.
Robert Marhenke Asks
Modernization of Board
ESSEX, MD.—The time has come to modernize
the Maryland censor board, Robert T.
Marhenke. manager of the Highway Theatre
here, contends in a letter he has written to
State Senator Turnbull of Towson. Md.
Marhenke charges Sydney Traub. chairman
of the board, is incompetent and asks appointment
of an exhibitor to a reorganized
agency. His letter follows:
"As a motion picture theatre operator, I
believe the time has come to modernize the
motion picture censor board laws. The censor
board was created many years ago during
the silent picture era. Today the morals
of- American pictures are cleaner than any
other form of entertainment. The Motion
Picture Production code is voluntary selfrestraint
and it came about because the producers,
distributors and exhibitors wanted it.
The morals are also watched by the Catholic
Legion of Decency, Federation of Women's
Clubs, Protestant organizations and many
others.
"Recently an exhibitor was summoned into
central police court in Baltimore by censor
chairman Sydney Traub because an old film
which was censored 16 years ago failed to
have a censor seal on it, a technicality which
should have been handled in a more sensible
manner, but unfortunately Mr. Sydney Ti'aub
has been the worst chairman of the censor
board since it began operation. He has created
many unnecessary hardships upon the
exhibitor, film producers and the public.
Since he has been in office, Mr. Sydney
Traub has proven in more ways than one
that he is not qualified to be chairman of
the censor board. Only recently, among
other things, he tried to ban the showing
of 'All Quiet on the Western Front,' a film
that won the Academy award the year it
was made.
"I recommend that among other changes
that should be made to modernize the censor
board laws that by a law an exhibitor
should be named to the three-place board.
Never since the board's existence has the
governor named an exhibitor from the industry
to serve on the board. I am sure that
the MPTO will cooperate with you in modernizing
the censor board of Maryland."
Educators See 'Queen'
NEW YORK—An invitational preview of
John Huston's "The African Queen," being
distributed in the U.S. by United Artists, was
held for the Institute of Visual Arts at the
American Museum of Natural History Friday
(11). William Jansen, New York City superintendent
of schools, and other figures in the
educational field were among the guests.
Open Door to Newspapermen
NEW YORK—Working facilities will be
provided out-of-town newspapermen at the
headquarters of the Council of Motion Picture
Organizations in the Paramount building,
according to notification mailed Movietime
U.S.A. publicity chairmen this week.
Paramount Meeting
In New York Jan. 14
NEW YORK—Paramount will hold the first
1952 divisional sales managers meeting at the
Hotel Plaza January 14-16. according to A.
W. Schwalberg, president of Paramount Film
Distributing Corp.
One of a series of periodic meetings, the
three-day meeting will analyze forthcoming
product from a sales and merchandising
standpoint. The pictures are: Cecil B. De-
Mille's "The Greatest Show on Earth," Hal
Wallis' "Sailor Beware," Nat Holt's "Flaming
Feather," George Stevens' "Something to
Live For," the Perlberg-Seaton "Aaron Slick
From Punkin Crick" and Leo McCarey's "My
Son, John."
The division managers who will attend the
sessions include: Duke Clark, south central;
Howard Minsky, mideastern; J. J. Donohue,
central: Hugh Owen, eastern and southern,
and George A. Smith, western. Also, Gordon
Lightstone. Canadian general manager.
The home office executives scheduled to be
present will be: Barney Balaban, president of
Paramount Pictures Corp.; Adolph Zukor,
chairman of the board: Paul Raibourn, vicepresident
in charge of budgets, planning and
television; E. K. O'Shea, vice-president of
Paramount Film Distributing Corp.; Jerry
Pickman, vice-president in charge of advertising,
publicity and exploitation; Oscar
Morgan, general sales manager of short subjects
and Paramount News; Sid Blumenstock,
assistant director of advertising, publicity and
exploitation; Robert J. Rubin, assistant to
Balaban; Monroe R. Goodman, assistant to
Schwalberg; Al Kane, assistant eastern and
southern divi-sion manager, and Henry Randel.
New York district manager. Also the
following department heads: Fred Leroy.
statistical; Arthur Dunne, contract; Martin
Friedman, playdate; Harold Beecroft, bidding,
and George Schur, assistant to Joseph A.
Walsh, branch operations.
MOT 'Marines' Feature
Gets National Release
NEW YORK—The March of Time's feature
picture. "We Are the Marines," will go
into national release in February, following
its return first run at the Guild Enterprises'
Embassy Theatre on Broadway and the Newark
in New Jersey, which started January 9.
The picture will go into other Guild theatres
later in January.
"We Are the Marines." which orginally
opened at the Globe Theatre. New York, in
1942. has been edited down to 56 minutes
from its original 66 minutes. "The Ramparts
We Watch." MOT feature which played the
Guild houses in November, will also be made
available for general release.
Guild Enterprises has also completed a deal
with Phil Williams, theatrical sales manager
of March of Time, for the entire 205 issues
of the "History-in-the-Making" series to
play the Guild houses, according to Norman
ELson, president. The original Guild-MOT
deal in October called for the first 75 issues.
The new deal means that the theatres will
be playing March of Time on a twice-weekly
change for over two years, the largest single
deal in Guild Enterprises history, Elson said.
"Public enthusiasm had been so great on
the first issues that, within the next few
months, I will re-book Volume I, Nos. 1-3-4-
5-8 and Volume II, Nos. 2-3," Elson stated.
38 BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

. . . "Distant
. . Manager
. . Norman
ran
. . Jim
. .
. . Exhibitor
PETULA IN M,',V YORK — Petula
Clark, British actress and Britain's top
female television star, is grreeted on her
arrival in New York by Alfred E. Daff,
left. Universal director of world sales,
and Charles J. Feldman, domestic sales
manager. Miss Clark will help promote
the J. Arthur Rank picture, "White Corridors,"
which U-I will release in the U.S.
Eastman Kodak Appoints
Seven New Executives
ROCHESTER—Charles K. Flint, vice-pre.sident
and general manager of Kodak Park,
has made seven executive appointments at
the Eastman Kodak Co. plant.
They are: James S. Bruce, supervisor in
the Kodak Park paper service division since
1944, who has been named assistant superintendent
in the same division; George R.
Clark, technical associate in tiie roll coating
division, who has been named assistant
superintendent in the same division; Jerome
E. Doyle, in the purchasing division since
January 1950, who has been named assistant
director of the division; John W. Parker,
supervisor of plate and graphic arts film
emulsions since 1946, who has been named
a.ssistant superintendent of the division;
Charles F. Payne, associated with the paper
mill at Kodak Park since 1932 in various
production and staff capacities, has been
named assistant superintendent, paper mills
division; Lloyd A. Smith, supervisor of the
color products staff, who has been named
assistant superintendent of the film emulsion
division, and Dean S. Tillson. in charge of
quality and waste control, supervision of induction
and training and other staff assignments,
who has been named assistant superintendent,
paper finishing division.
James P. Culhane. who has been division
manager in charge of distribution and planning
at the distribution center, has been
named assistant manager of this department
in charge of production scheduling, estimating
and distribution to Kodak domestic
branches and overseas outlets. George E.
Yeomans. who was named assistant to the
manager of the distribution in February 1949.
has been named assistant manager for operations
responsible for warehousing, shipping,
orders and billing and tabulating.
Dr. Kenneth C. Mees, vice-president in
charge of research for Eastman Kodak and
a world authority on photography, completed
40 years of service with the company January
1952. He is the author of some 150
publications, including more than 100 scientific
papers.
ALBANY
^hris Pope, Schiue feature booker, came
here from Gloversville and attended the
Siena-Temple baskgtball game with General
Manager Gus Lampe and Seymour L. Morris,
exploitation-publicity director . . . Fabian
.
Iheatres gave $25 in cash to the first baby
torn in 1952 Alex Sayles set
p a Mystery Man search through the Times-
I
Union for the showing of "Detective Story"
;U the Palace. A $400 TV-radio-phonograph
combination was the prize.
Manbeck Theatre Corp. of New York filed
notice with the secretary of state that it
had increased its capital stock from $20,000
Paramount publicity man
to $50,000 . . .
Edward J. Wall arranged for a preview of
"Detective Story" for members of the Albany
Loretta Young and husband
police force . . .
Tom Lewis were in Troy to visit his
brother.
VVoodrow Campbell has resigned as head
booker and office manager for RKO. He
joined the company last summer after serving
for some years in the Warner Theatres contact
department. Bill Williams, former
booker-office manager and now a salesman,
took over Campbell's duties temporarily. Jack
Schnitzer also came in from Boston to help
•
Drums" eight and onehalf
days at the Strand and Manager Al
LaFlamme said patron comment on the fil.ii
was excellent.
Jules Perlmutter, Lake George and
Watervliet exhibitor, has leased the Richmondville
Drive-In from Ed Hotaling of
Oneonta. Perlmutter operates three ozoners
in Lake George and two conventional theatres
in Watervliet . White, general
sales manager for National Roadshows.
Steubenville, Ohio, was due here for talks
with Ben Smith, upstate representative for
"Uncle Tom's Cabin." They planned to go
on to Boston. The picture has played a
number of Schine and Kallet situations to
good business.
Mrs. Vicki Grygiel, Universal biller, appeared
on TV Showcase over television station
WRGB, Schenectady, in the Amateur
Song of the Week feature. Mrs. Grygiel's
second composition, "The Sun Always
Shines," was sung by Garry Stevens .
Johnny Capano, State. Troy, said he met with
success in presenting a daily change of bill
during Christmas week. He charged children
only 14 cents admi.ssion. compared with
20 cents last year. Capano booked two German
pictures January 3. 4. in a tieup with
the foreign language department of Russell
Sage college.
Mrs. Bertha B. Brainard Gardner, mother
of John W. Gardner of the Colony in Schenectady,
died recently. Mrs. Gardner was
the widow of John W. Gardner sr., who
operated the Peai'l. one of Albany's first
nickelodeons on Central avenue. She lived
here for many years, but after her husband's
death moved to Schenectady. She had
been ill since July . Cols, former
chief sound engineer for Warner Theatres
upstate, has been transferred by Altec frotr
the Bronx to Cleveland. He joined Altec
as a sound technician last summer and first
served in New Haven. He left Albany over
the weekend for his new assignment.
Johnny Ray has returned to the booth at
the Colonial after recovering from an illness
which had required treatment in Albany
Variety Club member Gene
hospital . . .
Teper has taken over the checking and valet
concession in the Ten Eyck hotel . . . Harold
Gabriiove. chairman of the Variety Big
Brother drive, his wife and their daughter
spent the holidays in Tucson, Ariz. Gabriiove,
pr2.?iQent of RTA Distributors and one-time
thea;re manager in New York City and Penn-
.sylvania, plans to spend some time at the
Boca Haton club, Boca Raton. Fla., in February.
.
Harry Alexander. U-I salesman, and his
wife were among those attending a special
performancs of "Lady in the Dark" at the
Playhouse forecasts on the
business outlook for 1952 continued to pour
in this week. Gus Lampe. general manager
of the Schine circuit; Seymour L. Morris,
director of exploitation and publicity for
Schine. and Frank Wieting of the Park,
Cobleskill, joined in commenting optimistically
on the business outlook. All agreed that
the downward spiral in theatre business
should be ended in 1952 and the trend start
upward.
New RCA Communications
Posts for Rau, Latimer
NEW YORK— David S. Rau has been
elected vice-pve-ident and chief engineer
of Radio Corp. of America Communications,
according to H. C. Ingle.-, president. He has
been assistant vice-president and chief engineer.
C. W. Latimer, former vice-president
in charge of engineering, has been named
vice-president and chief technical consultant.
He has been with RCA since its formation in
1919 and was elected a vice-president in 1940.
Wed
Leonard Balaban Is
To Maxine Abbe Israel
NEW YORK—Maxine Abbe Israel, daughter
of Bert E. and Mrs, Israel of Providence,
R. I., and Leonard J. Balaban, son of Barney
and Mrs. Balaban of Rye and New York City,
w-ere married Sunday (6i in the presence of
their families at the Park Avenue synagogue.
Judy Balaban. sister of the bridegroom, was
maid of honor and Burt Balaban, brother, was
best man. A reception followed at Sherry's.
After a trip to Mexico, the couple will live
in Gainesville, Ga.
Mrs. Skouras Plans Concert
NEW YORK — Mrs. Spyros P. Skouras.
chairman of the Queen's Fund for Orphans
of Greece, is arranging a second benefit concert
by the New York Philharmonic-Symphony
orchestra conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos.
The concert will take place at Carnegie
Hall February 9. Guest artists will
include Gina Bachauer. pianist; Elena Nicolaidi.
contralto, and Nicola Moscona, Metropolitan
Opera basso.
WB to Show Crawford Film
r^EW YORK—Warner Bros, will nationally
tradeshow "This Woman Is Dangerous," starring
Joan Crawford, Dennis Morgan and David
Brian, January 23. The picture will be
nationally released February 9.
BOXOFFICE January 12. 1952 39

. . . Bob
. . Wahneta
. . The
. . Charles
. . Tommy
. . William
. . . Jack
. . The
. . The
. . Wayne
. . lATSE
. . Roxian
. . Gene
. . The
. . Leonard
. . Alex
. . Gene
. . Mike
. . B.
. .
. .
PITTSBURGH
several months, was scheduled to reopen
Ann
January 12 for weekend operation
McCrea of DuBois, Pa.,
. . .
who went to Hollywood
recently, will make her initial appearance
in 20th-Fox's "Deadline, U.S.A." She
plays a corpse.
/"•harles F. Fickinger, former Coudersport
84 Van Braam Street Mrs. Biamonte (Laura) is their only child in which Dana Andrews will recreate activities
of Matt Cvetic. local undercover man
PITTSBURGH 19, PA. i
Judd, Columbia manager, attended
a division meeting at Washington w'hose story was told in Warners' "I Was a
Phone Express 1-0777 f
Are Bttttr Th%n E»g • How's Your Equipnuntt this week . Harris Northside. closed Communist for the FBI." Matt's son Dick is
j
and Ford City exhibitor who has been
resigning
moon in
at MGM.
Florida
The
and
Houghs
make
will
their
honey-
home at
under treatment at the South Side hospital, Drexel Hill. Philadelphia.
joins the original shoe store.
was to check out this week. He owns the
Jack Goldberg of United Theatre Advertisers
Co. is back at his desk after a five-
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Noonan of the State
Ford City, which is operated under lease
in Youngsville are the parents of a daughter
named Deborah . at McKees
by Leo Galanis . Sheftic at Boswell
week vacation tour with stops at Chicago,
goes dark January 13 . . . After more than
Madison, Albuquerque and Los Angeles .
Kocks is going into a special and partial
15 years with the Warner circuit here. Al
George Wain, having returned from service
two-for-one plan as an experiment. Shea's
Skigen has resigned to enter the furniture
with the navy, again is bookkeeper at Republic
. . . The Weschler Co., leading retail
Orpheum at McKees Rocks has been showing
business. Succeeding him as manager of the
its Sunday feature late every Saturday night
Kenyon on the north side is Carl Czolba
shoe merchants in Erie for the past 50 years,
as an added attraction preview . Ritz
from the Melrose. The new Carrick manager
has purchased Hyre's Bootery on Peach
at Export now is open only three evenings
is Ray Laux. who switched from Brentwood's
Whitehall, now managed by former
men's shoe depai-tment. The Weschlers own
street and will operate it as an exclusive
weekly . Oriental at Rochester. Pa.,
advertised the installation of new sound
assistant Alma Lyte.
an operate the Colonial Theatre, which ad-
equipment.
taxes included.
this weekend.
James Retter, Warner salesman who was
Waynesburg borough council is decreasing
its real estate tax from 20 to 19 mills but
seriously injured in an auto accident a month
The Cadogan at Cadogan closed at year's
ago. is recuperating at South Side hospital.
end and will not reopen . Autry
there's a catch to it. of course. Within recent
months, the Waynesburg taxing body
A complete right leg cast was removed this
will bring his western entertainment to the
week and a smaller cast now cases his fractured
leg. Pain from fractured ribs was
formances January 29 . . . Al Wheeler, for-
Gardens here for matinee and evening per-
enacted mercantile taxes, amusement taxes
and service taxes on professional men and
easing up. too. and face lacerations had
mer local film salesman now with Monogram
at Washington, and his wife vacationed
skilled craftsmen . Local 171 was
nearly disappeared. He has been enjoying
represented in the recent American Federation
of Labor day here by James A. Sipe.
visits, notes and telephone calls from friends
here at the home of his brother Hymie, of
in the industry . . . Roseanne Feinberg,
Screen Guild . . . The Rialto in uptown
the father of the local's newly elected business
representative. James V. Sipe . . . Top
secretary at the Associated Drive-In Theatres
office on F^lmrow, was back on the job
film market has been redecorated and all
Fifth avenue, the theatre nearest to the
admission price at the Squirrel Hill, which
after vacationing in Florida . . . A. C. Lyles.
seating newly upholstered. Advertising
inaugurated a first run policy, is 85 cents;
representative of Paramount producers Bill
stresses special selected attractions for adults
matinees, 65 cents; children. 28 cents, all
Pine and Bill Thomas, was expected here
Tuesday- Wednesday-Thursday.
State College (Pa.) Television Cable Co. The basement of the Brighton at New
Jake Blatt of the Blatt Bros, circuit is
has been incorporated to construct, erect Brighton is for rent . Jaffurs was
a grandpop. A son named John Paul was
and maintain electronic devices and facilities a varsity football letter winner at Penn. He
born December 30 to his daughter Mrs. James
for the reception of television . . . Patrons of
Jansen of Corry . Dortic. who
the Penn and Capitol at Butler were asked
spent most of his 35 years in the industry
to leave the theatres the night of the big
here and who manages the Columbia branch
fire at Offutt's department store and were Sam Fineberg. who resides at Phoenix. Ariz..
at Albany, was a visitor last week with Mrs.
given return stubs. The theatres were opened was expected here this week in connection
Dortic. They were en route to Albany after
the following day . Kelly. MGM with the Alexander-RCA Theatre Supply
enjoying the holiday season with his parents
at Augusta. Ga. . Bello. vet-
star, stopped here briefly for visits with his
business which he owns in partnership with
parents, the James P. J. Kellys, and sisters.
Tom McCleary. Jim Alexander of this equipment
house is recuperating slowly from his
eran Nanty Glo .showman, was laid up with
With a new long-term contract with Leo the
a strep throat but is again back on the job
illness.
Lion, Gene was enroute to Munich. Germany,
where he will star in "The Devil
Ruskin. former Columbia salesman,
now resides at HoUis. N. Y. . . . Benjamin
Makes Three" . Brenkert of the
Ralph Pielow, MGM branch manager, was
M. Siegel. one of the 26 persons killed in the
Brenkert light projection family of Detroit
very pleased last weekend with a visit by his
C-46 crash in the hills of Cattaraugus county,
was
was one of the "iron men" of Washington
and Jefferson college's national cham-
son Ralph jr.. a 20th-Fox branch manager in
the son-in-law of retired city exhibitor
the midwest . Pearlman. Warner
Israel Roth. Surviving are his wife Ethel
pionship football team of 1921. W&J
salesman here several years ago and later
sent
and three children.
with the
only 11 men to the famous Rose bowl game
company in New York state, was
expected this week to fill in temporarily in
Bernard Burns, manager of the Rex at at Pasadena 30 years ago. They didn't need
the West Virginia area, covering for Jimmy
Corry. and Angela Lubowiecki of Corry were substitutes, or even a substitute.
Retter, who is hospitalized with a broken
to be married January 12 . . . Don "Bucky"
Tate. IllinoLs freshman and defen.sive tackle The Park Theatre building at Johnstown, leg . . . Johnny Thompson, UA exploiteer,
who played a hangup game at the Rose bowl recently sold for $200,000 by Paul and Ernie was here in the interest of "Another Man's
against Stanford, is a .son of Mr. and Mrs. Panagotacos to Harry L. and Ida Rose Diamond,
is being remodeled. Tlie theatre, Associated Drive-In Theatres, is spending the
Poison" . . . Norbert Stern, who heads the
Albert R. Tate of New Castle, Pa. Pop is the
well-known theatre owner . C. closed several weeks ago. is being converted winter months at Miami Beach . . . David C.
Powelson. who has resigned as manager of into a drug store . . . Johnstown city council
abandoned the proposed gross receipts uary 11 family night party at Variety Club.
Silverman and his RKO gang hosted the Jan-
the State at Washington. Pa., had been associated
with the Warner circuit for 27 years. tax business to its
His new post is at the Grand in Steubenville. mercantile tax . . . The Times at Braddock
Lou Ponsetto of the Warren and Strand at
Ohio . Gardner. MGM booker had been scheduled for closing January
Apollo is selling Admiral television sets and
5
for a number of years, and James Hough of but the theatre will continue in operation
othen electrical appliances . J. "Bert"
Philadelphia, an engineer, were married December
29 at Rochester. Pa. Mrs. Hough is supervising manager for the Crystal Amuse-
under direction of R. S. "Russ" Wehrle.
Redfoot. Winder exhibitor who recently acquired
the Pitt and Bedford at Bedford under
lease from Mrs. Harry R. Cromwell, stated
ment Co.
this week that he is pleased with progress he
on and expects broaden
Mr. and Mrs. Franco Biamonte of the has made there in the booking situation and
Dattola at New Kensington announce the is much impressed with the friendliness of
SAM FINEBERG
birth of their first child, a daughter named the Bedford county folks . Winograd.
TOM McCLEARY
Marie Antoinette. The grandparents here Rochester. Pa., exhibitor, is vacationing in
are the Bart Dattolas, long-time exhibitors. Florida ... Of interest is a new radio series
is a son of James Jaffurs. Glassport exhibitor,
whose home in Wilkinsburg was
badly damaged by fire several weeks ago .
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

. . Volunteer
. . When
. . The
a member of the local Warner circuit managerial
staff.
Everett, now blocked out from television reception
because of high mountains surrounding
the town, is to have a community antenna
and cable service. Everett TV Corporation
this week petitioned for incorporation and
permission to build an aerial atop a mountain
near the Bedford county community. A coaxial
cable will carry TV signals down the
mountain and they will be piped into private
homes workers are at some
.
theatres to raise funds for the March of
Dimes . the old "March of Time"
issues are revived for theatre exhibition, look
for the Hanna-Acme organization to handle
it physically. M. of T. has been an exclusive
for television recently . . . Mr. and Mrs. David
Leslie Lowenthal will make their home in
Mount Vernon, Ohio. Bride is the former Rita
Lois Frankel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irving
(UA) Frankel . Nixon offering on
stage for the week of January 21 will be
"The Moon Is Blue."
James Hendel to Manage
Souvaine in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH — Souvaine Selective Pictures
has acquired offices at the Acme-
Franklin-Hanna headquarters on Filmrow,
with James Hendel in charge. Formerly
with Eagle Lion here and on the west coast,
Hendel returned to Pittsburgh last week
after vacationing in Florida.
Some weeks ago he was named a district
manager for Souvaine and will supervise
branch operations at Washington, Philadelphia
and here. Initial lineup of releases includes
a dozen British and several French
films.
Herb Shearer Disposing
Of Hiland in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH—The Hiland Theatre building
in North Homewood avenue and the theatre
business has been sold by Herb Shearer
to Joseph W. Sieff, optometrist in the building.
Johnny Copeland continues as manager
of the Hiland.
Herb Shearer's father was one of the pioneer
nickelodeon operators here and the family
has been in exhibition as long as there
has been an industry. The retiring exhibitor
is in the construction business with his brother
George and in the future he will devote all
of his time to that industry.
Nat'l Review Board Honors
'Murder in Cathedral'
NEW YORK—"Murder in the Cathedral,"
British-made feature based on T. S. Eliot's
play and released in the U.S. by Classic Pictures,
has been given starred selected pictures
rating, the top honor of the National Board
of Review, in the weekly guide to selected
pictures.
"The Greatest Show on Earth," Cecil B
DeMille picture for Paramount, and "I Want
You," Samuel Goldwyn picture for RKO, were
given selected pictures rating.
Paul Lees Returns to Screen
Paul Lees, who temporarily gave up acting
to enter the real estate business, has returned
to the screen to play in Paramount's
"Los Alamos."
Philip Bordonaro Named
By 444 for nth Year
NEW KENSINGTON, PA.—Philip "Blacky"
Bordonaro. first projectionist in the Allegheny
valley to become a union operator, has
been named president of lATSE Local 444
for the 11th consecutive year. Also secretary
of the lA's fourth district, composed of Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia,
Delaware and the District of Columbia, Bordonaro,
then aged 16, was the youngest member
of Local 387, forerunner of Local 444,
which began in the old Nixon at Tarentum.
F. P. "Reel" McCoy was re-elected secretary
of Local 444. He also is secretary of the
lATSE Tri-State Ass'n which covers western
Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia.
Other Local 444 officers were elected as
follows: Walter Austin. vice-president;
Charles Wolfe, treasurer; Joseph J. McClosky,
business agent; Howard Wolfe, Ralph Milbargtr
and Joseph Mickelic, trustees.
Now having 28 members, Local 444 was
chartered April 14. 1916, with 19 members.
Ten charter members remain active and one
member is serving with the armed forces
in Germany. Charter members will be honored
at annual installation ceremonies in the
McAllister building Wednesday (16).
Columbia Branch Heads
Meet in Washington
WASHINGTON—A. Montague, Columbia
general sales manager, held the second of
a series of sales meetings of home office
executives and division and branch managers
at the Statler hotel Tuesday and
Wednesday (8, 9i.
Others who attended from the home office
were: Rube Jackter, assistant sales
manager; Louis Astor, circuit sales executive,
and George Josephs, assistant to
Montague.
Present from the field were: Sam Galanty,
mideastern division manager, and the
following branch managers: Ben Caplon.
Washington; Oscar Ruby, Cleveland; Phil
Fox, Cincinnati, and Jack Judd, Pittsburgh.
Meetings will be held in Chicago and
New York later in January.
Percentage Suits Settled
In Western Pennsylvania
WAYNESBURG. PA. — Percentage suits
brought by eight dLstributors last July against
John and Werner Lund in the court of common
pleas of Greene county. Pa., have been
.settled and judgments have been entered.
The settlement called for full payment of
shortages charged by the distributors.
The theatres involved were the Lund in
Carmichaels; Rialto in Daisytown; Park in
Clarksville; Arcadia in Marianna; Family
in Mather; Circle in Bobtown, Pa., and Grand
Opera House, Buckhannon, W. Va. The
judgments with interest aggregated $21,064.97.
Souvaine's 8th Office
PITTSBURGH—James Hendel, divisional
manager of the Pittsburgh. Washington and
Philadelphia territories for Souvaine Selective
Pictures, will open the doors of the newest
Souvaine office on Boulevard of the Allies
Monday (14i. The office is the eighth
on the Souvaine list, which includes New-
York. Los Angeles, San Francisco. Chicago.
Baston. Atlanta and Cleveland.
Pioneer Exhibitor
Al Weiland Retires
CORAOPOLIS. PA —The Fifth Avenue here
closed its doors and one of the real pioneers
in the motion picture industry has retired.
Among the first local film distributors and
exhibitors was A. A. Weiland, who is now
withdrawing from exhibition. The theatre
here, which he hsis operated for ten years,
will be remodeled and converted into a commercial
business property. Prior to coming
into Coraopolis. he had opened and operated
theatres in the Bellefield-Schenley district of
Pittsburgh and in Wilkinsburg. For many
years he operated the old Rialto on Brownsville
road.
In the earlier days. Weiland had owned
and managed various other theatres. He
owned and operated independent film exchanges
in the very early days of the nickelodeons.
In recent years he has resided at
Conneaut Lake, where he has devoted his
time and efforts to constructing and leasing
houses. Son Al Weiland jr. managed the
Fifth Avenue here and. with hLs family, resides
in the apartment over the theatre auditorium.
Following the death of his wife some years
ago, Al Weiland .sr remarried. All Filmrow
folks were surprised when Sadie Kelly, Pathe
and later RKO cashier, and the veteran showman
announced their marriage. Al Weiland's
name has been a standard "account" for as
long as there has been any semblance of an
industry. His retirement at this time is regretted.
Three theatres operated here until .some
years ago but now there remains only one
house, the Coraopolis, owned and managed by
the Sewickley Amusement Co., which is directed
by William R. Wheat III, son of the
late Sewickley exhibitor Billy Wheat jr.
Danzigers Acquire Rights
To Spanish Film Process
NEW YORK—Edward J. and Harry Lee
Danziger have acquired United States and
Canadian licenses for a new three-color film
process invented in Spain. They plan development
work.
The process uses a two-negative camera,
but the images are combined on a single
print for projection. A prism is used to
split the light beams on two panchromatic
black and white negatives. Four dye tanks
are used.
Daniel Aragones is the inventor. Speed and
low costs are claimed as the principal advantages
of the process.
Managers Usher in 1952
With Snacks and Coffee
LIGONIER. PA.- Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Seller
provided a surprise treat for those attending
their recent New Year's .show at the Vox.
Stationing themselves in the lobby, the managers
extended personal greetings and wishes
for 1952 and served sandwiches and coffee.
Complete Sound ond Projection Service
ATLAS THEATRE SUPPLY
402 Miltenberoer St.
on Gibson. Mor,
GRant 1-4281. Pdtsburoh.
MOTIOGRAPH — MIRROPHONIC
BOXOFFICE January 12. 1952 41

. .
. . Although
. . Charles
. . There
. . Felicia
. . Early
. . Said
. . Almost
. . Dalton
BUFFALO
. . . Dick
pill Twig, Warner salesman here, has been
transferred to the Boston office of the
company, where he will assume the duties
of sales manager for Beantown
Perry of the Albany Lippert office, was here
last weekend for conferences with Lou Leiser,
Lippert's Buffalo manager. Leiser, by the
way, reports business booming in his territory
Plans for discussion of the March
. . .
of Time's "The Fight for Better Schools," to
be shown at the meeting of the Clifton
Springs unit of the PTA this month, were
outlined at an executive board meeting at
the home of Mrs. Richard Renshaw, president,
there the other evening.
Loretta North, 19-year-old Australian girl
who won the national "Miss Kangaroo" contest,
will be here January 22 on her tour of
major cities with two full-grown kangaroos
and a chaperone, Mrs. Patti Spurgeon, wife
of an Australian naval commander, and a
keeper for the kangaroos. The 20th-Fox production,
"Kangaroo," filmed in Australia, will
be shown here at the Paramount Theatre.
Joe Lebworth of the Fox exploitation forces
has been in Buffalo laying plans for Loretta's
reception, in which he is being assisted by
Arthur Krolick and Charles B. Taylor of
Paramount Theatres ... A 15-year-old east
side boy was arrested the other evening and
turned over to the youth bureau for questioning
after he is alleged to have admitted
entering the Lyceum Theatre, 330 Broadway.
The boy told police he found a theatre door
open and a candy machine inside smashed
and the coins removed. He said he took two
boxes of candy ar.d left, and declared another
intruder had preceded him in the theatre.
The candy was recovered by the arresting
officers.
Word reaches Buffalo that Joseph A.
Schuchert, former Buffalo exhibitor and distributor,
and his wife are holding a series
of parties for friends at their home in Miami
Beach. Mrs. Schuchert also invited a group
of friends to the opening luncheon and fashion
show sponsored by the Miami Beach
Women's club of which she is a member.
Years ago, Schuchert was manager of the
old General Film exchange in Buffalo, later
operating several community houses .
Byran Stoner, who trained at the MGM exchange
here and now is west coast division
manager for 20th Century-Fox, was a visitor
along Buffalo's Filmrow last week, renewing
old acquaintances at MGM and other
exchanges.
A new motion picture lecture series has
started on Saturdays and Sundays in the
Dryden Theatre of George Eastman House
in Rochester. The series will feature "representative
American photoplays, 1915-1928,"
and 39 films have been selected. The series
started with "Sweet Alyssum," a 1915 drama
Always
Quickl
mmAMVuvmwmmMfmK'i.uw.vM'rmmm
starring Kathlyn WilUams and Tyrone Power
sr. The series will bring many stars of the
silent era to the Dryden screen, including
Doug Fairbanks, Mary and Jack Pickford,
Charlie Chaplin, Colleen Moore, Richard Dix,
Lillian Gish. Richard Barthelmess and
Jackie Coogan.
Elmer F. Lux, Bufalo city council presidentelect
and general manager of Darnell Theatres,
is an incorporator of Oswego Theatre
Corp.. organized to operate theatres in Oswego
and Ogdensburg. The two other incorporators
are Nina Belle Lux. the general
manager's wife, and Dorothea V. Sherman,
secretary to William Mahoney, Democratic
county chairman. Darnell will book for any
house acquired by the corporation. Lux wiU
address the members of the 6:29 club in
Buffalo Consistory January 25. Among industry
members of the club are Chai-les B.
Taylor, Paramount Theatres; William P.
Rosenow, Skyway Drive-In Theatres: George
Gammel. Gammel Theatres, and Constantine
J. Basil, Basil Theatres . now are
approximately 250,000 TV sets in Buffalo
WBEN-TV's area in western New York, as
compared with 171,211 on January 1. 1951, a
gain of some 70,000 during the year. The
figure excludes an estimated 20,000 sets in
nearby Canada, many of which regularly receive
only WBEN-TV . Sorci is
the new biller at Republic, succeeding Jane
Bogart. who re.signed. Joan Perillo, the new
booker's stenographer at the same office, succeeds
Use Mohr, who now is secretary to
Manager Leon Herman.
.
Frank Wyckoff has opened his new Economy
Poster Service exchange at 11 West
Tupper St. in Buffalo in March
there will begin to rise in the hilly farmland
in the town of Golden, N. Y., a giant antenna
tower higher than the Eiffel Tower in
Paris, long noted as the highest man-made
structure in the world. It will be the WBEN-
TV multipowered tower. Telecasting from
it is expected to start next fall. The tower
will telecast WBEN-TV programs into a
vastly increased area in western New York
and Canada ... It is interesting to note
that the wife of Thomas R. Sacher, veteran
Buffalo projectionist, once woi'ked on the
B. F. Keith vaudeville circuit with Mervyn
LeRoy, director of "Quo Vadis," when the
latter was on the stage quite a few years ago
and used to appear at the old Shea Court
Street Theatre. Mrs. Sacher used Betty Earl
as her stage name. Also interesting is that
Tom himself at one time was a checker for
the silent version of "Quo Vadis."
Vincent Faga and James Hayes, operators
of the Strand Theatre in Rochester, gave a
free party for the kiddies in the St. Paul
street house. Vine and Jim presented two
features and an Our Gang comedy for the
children, all of whom now are big boosters
of the Strand . B. Taylor of Paramount
Theatres was noted at the Greater
Buffalo Advertising club Ad-Vents editorial
staff dinner Friday night (11) in Marv Lester's
Hi-Gate restaurant. The dinner was
thrown by the club for the members of the
editorial staff of the club's weekly publication
. she's 80 years "young."
neighbors of Philomena Cavanaugh, 293
Fargo Ave., Buffalo, didn't overlook her during
the yuletide season. Said neighbors got
together and purchased the former Buffalo
newspaperwoman and Shea publicity staff
member a swell new TV set. "Cavvy," as she
is known to her many friends, was publicity
manager for Mike Shea in the old Court
street days and later moved to the Shea publicity
offices in the Buffalo Theatre building,
where she continued her work until her
retirement quite a few years ago.
Close to 1,000 orphans from three institutions
in the South Buffalo area were guests
of Manager Charles A. McKernan of the
Seneca Theatre at a party the other afternoon.
Charlie, by the way, is now vice-president
of the South Buffalo Businessmen's
Ass'n . Jerry Evarts in his Courier-
Express column "As We See It." the other
day: "A bottle of water from the Fountain
of Youth in St. Augustine, Fla., was delivered
to us by Charlie Taylor of Paramount Theatre.
Charlie said one swig of H20 from
[he spring found by Juan Ponce de Leon 438
years ago would produce eternal youth. So
we sampled the liquid and, believe it or not,
your wi'iter began humming nurs?ry rhymes
within minutes . forgot to report
that Charlie's gift was inspired by 'Distant
Drums,' a movie now at the Center, which
was filmed in the Florida Everglades, not
far from the historical fountain."
June Papero, former secretary to RKO
Manager Jack Chinell, has taken over the
position of secretary to Harry Berkson, manager
at Monogram . Burgett, popular'
exhibitor of Dunkirk, has taken over
the State in that western New York town and
has made extensive alterations and redecoration.
Burgett, his wife and son will leave in
February for a six-week vacation in Fort
Lauderdale. Fla.
Tent 7 Expects Sellout
For 1952 Installation
BUFFALO—Reservations are piling in for
the big event of Buffalo's show business people,
the installation of Variety Club officers
for 1952 at a dinner dance in the Park Lane
Saturday (19 1. The affair will be held in
the Norton room starting at 7 p. m. and the
steward at club headquarters in Delaware
avenue reported this week the ducats were
going fast at six dollars each.
Dave Miller, Buffalo U-I manager, is the
incoming Chief Barker and Murray Whiteman,
outgoing chief, becomes national canvasman.
An entertainment program is being
planned along with the lavish dinner
prepared by the hotel's noted Gus Economou.
Marc Wolf, International Chief Barker, will
install the 1952 Tent 7 crew.
New Post for Mannie Brown
BUFFALO—Mannie A. Brown, former
manager for Paramount here and prior to
that head of the same company's Montreal
and Toronto offices, has been appointed manager
for United Artists in Cleveland.
Brown has been city salesman for UA for
the past several months and a year ago was
general manager of the Eagle Lion Classics
branches in Albany and Buffalo.
Attendance Highest in Decade
Attendance at motion picture theatres in
Denmark was higher last summer than in any
summer in the last decade.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

. . . Ruth
. . Ben
. . Sam
. . Sam
. . Shep
. .
. .
Abe Sablosky Still
Active as Showman
PHILADELPHIA—One of the real oldtime
showmen in the theatre business here is Abe
Sablosky. He immigrated to America from
Russia at the age of 11 and was a peddler and
a cigar factory superintendent before he
opened the first nickelodeon in Montgomery
county. This venture wa-s so successful that
he soon became involved in building and
operating 14 other nickelodeons in the vicinity.
Together with John J. McGuirk he developed
and erected a chain of independent
theatres in this area. McGuirk and Sablosky
became as.sociated with the late Jules Mastbaum
and laid the foundation for the Stanley
Co. of America.
Sablosky also was active in First National
in Hollywood. Prior to this venture he had
produced films at Bettswood. Pa., but he later
abandoned production for theatre operation.
At one time Sablosky owned one third of
the franchise of MOM, and was responsible
for bringing Metro into the Philadelphia area.
He was one of the originators of the sale of
candy in theatres, putting Tootsie Roll vending
machines in the back of seats.
One of his pet projects was fire prevention
in projection booths, and he was instrumental
in making fire prevention devices compulsory
in the state of Pennsylvania, a law that
has since been duplicated by other states.
In 1927 the Stanley Co. was sold to Warners
and Sablosky resigned in 1928. intending
to retire. But he was back in the business
a year later and has remained active
ever since. The Sablosky holdings in Norristown
and Bristol have always remained intact
for the Sablosky family.
Goldman Predicts Video
Will Be Theatre Ally
PHILADELPHIA—Exhibitors need not be
afraid of television. They can make it an
ally in the same way they did radio, according
to William Goldman, prominent exhibitor
here.
"For the next 25 years," he said, "we will
be faced with television, which can be considered
more competitive than radio ever
was because it is ocular as well as audible.
Time and intelligent operation will tell the
tale. Exhibitors can no longer be apathetic
about the new media. They must revert to
the oldtime ballyhoo that was born with
show business and is now used in practically
every field but the show business.
"The oldtime theatreman had no background
in the industry and no textbook or
precedent to follow, and he was more agressive
than today's theatre operator. Maybe
we are too enlightened to face competition
as we did in the old days but, in order to
survive, we must return to the fundamentals
of show business and become showmen again,
dramatizing our product in order to sell it.
A fresh viewpoint is what today's exhibitor
needs.
Joseph G. Seyboldt Retires
ERIE. PA.—Tlie Gem on West Fourth street
closed for the last time at year's end with
pioneer exhibitor Joseph G. Seyboldt retiring.
The theatre property will be converted
into a commercial .storeroom.
Philadelphia Considers
Solution to Parking
PHILADELPHIA—An immediate realistic
approach to relieving the midcity traffic
problem has been proposed by the Philadelphia
Chamber of Commerce. Albert M.
Greenfield, president, said the chamber realized
that the city had several long-range
projects under consideration. However, he
said, "none of these gives immediate or even
ultimate relief to curb losses to stores, shops
and theatres through lost customers."
The organization recommended five measures
to the city traffic bureau, highway traffic
board and the parking authority:
More rigid parking regulations within the
central city business district, bounded by
Arch, Spruce, 6th and 18th, with no parking
permitted between 7:30 a. m. and 6:30 p. m.
No stopping of passenger cars and trucks
on the left side of streets within the district.
Revision of existing ordinances to establish
rigid penalties for violations of these measures.
Night deliveries by trucks, wherever possible.
An all-out appeal by top city officials to
the National Production Authority to obtain
allocations of steel needed for off-street parking
facilities, as already planned by the
Philadelphia parking authority.
Joseph Bugala of Manos
To Wed Dorothy Panosky
GREENSBURG. PA.—A theatre romance
is to culminate in a marriage of interest to
many members of the industry. Dorothy
Panosky of the Manos circuit headquarters
here is wearing a .sparkler which she accepted
during the holiday sea-son from Joseph
Bugala, Manos circuit city manager at Uniontown.
Dorothy has been a popular employe at the
general offices for eight years ana Joe has
been associated with the circuit for a long
period, being considered one of the best
showmen in the mideast. She is now secretary
to booking chief George Purcell. A
spring wedding is planned.
Pennsylvania Ozoners
Stay Open With Heaters
UNIONTOWN, PA.—Laskey Brothers have
installed 100 in-a-car heaters at their nearby
Starlite Drive-In. This outdoor theatre operated
through several past winter seasons
without the heater units.
Basle Brothers recently installed 200 heaters
at their Route 19 Drive-In near Washington,
Pa., and Ellis Brothers at Clarksburg,
W. Va., are keeping their Ellis Drive-In open
this winter for their second season with 200
in-a-car heaters.
Paul Qualtrough Sr. Dead
WILKINSBURG. PA —Paul Qualtrough sr.,
who was associated with the old Rowland
and Clark theatres, died January 3. A lifelong
resident here, he was a former secretary-treasurer
of Duquesne Garden and the
Pittsburgh Hockey club. He was a member
of Masonic and other fraternal organizations
and of St. Stephen's Episcopal church here.
Surviving are a son, daughter and three
grandchildren.
PHILADELPHIA
prank L. McNamee, partner in a chain of
theatres in eastern Pennsylvania, has
been appointed fire commissioner of the new
city administration. He was chosen for his
administrative ability. McNamee's civic interests
have included tlie National Infantile
Paralysis Foundation. He was chairman of
the Philadelphia organization from 1921 to
1943, and headed the March of Dimes drive
again in 1949.
Many of the new city officials attended the
annual inauguration of officers at the Variety
Club Monday (7i. Former U.S. Senator
Francis J. Myers was toastmaster . . . Councilman-elect
Victor H. Blanc, motion picture attorney,
was given the 1952 Award of Merit
by Upper Darby post of Jewish War Veterans
. . . Jose Fen-er was in town with the
legitimate stage show, "The Shrike," at the
Walnut . . . Rosalind Russell was at the
Forrest with the legitimate show, "Bell, Book
and Candle."
The third circuit court of appeals has denied
a petition of distributor defendants for
a rehearing in the Boulevard Drive-In case.
A WTit of certiorati to the Supreme Court is
the only course now left open . . . Varbalow's
refurbished Broadway in Camden, N. J., has
become the Midway and has been put on a
first run basis . . . The Tower in Camden,
N. J., has discontinued its weekend vaudeville
policy and has become a straight film house
Meritz is a new MGM biller.
. . . Norvall
.
A. M. Ellis' new offices on the third floor
1225 Vine St. are "plush" . . . The Roebling.
of
Roebling, N. J., has been shuttered . . .
Izzy Hirschblond's Community Theatre in
Tuckerton, N. J., has shuttered
E. Packwood has closed his Ritz in Mays
Landing, N. J. . . William Greenfield has
.
taken over the operation of the Carman .
The Uptown is going to Negro vaudeville policy
.. . Lynn Wolf, De Luxe Premium secretary,
has announced her engagement
Dave Barrist estate's Ritz Theatre has been
sold for $22,000.
Arthur W. Davis has been appointed regional
manager of the Hargrove National
Service System . Frank's Laurel Theatre
in Laurel Springs. N. J., has shuttered
again . Harris, American Film Co., is
being weighted down by a massive volume he
has secured from the government printing office.
The book, for which he paid $38, lists the
titles of all motion pictures from 1912 to
1938 . . . George Fishman's son David celebrated
his bar mitzvah.
Henry Freedman has instituted a new policy
at his Oxford Theatre by permitting entire
family groups to get into the theatre on a
99-cent admi.ssion on family nights . . . Eddie
Gabriel. Capital Film Exchange, said "Pattern
for Survival." civil defense subject,
played first run at the Goldman. "Captain
Boycott" and "Smugglers" played as first
run reissues at the News . Bloom,
20th-Fox city salesman, and Herman Hishhorn,
sales manager, were in Florida on vacation
. Diamond, 20th-Fox manager,
was in New York for a convention . , . Industryites
expressed their condolences to Irv
Blumberg, Stanley-Warner publicity chief,
on the death of his father-in-law, Gus Besterman.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 N 43

mamasm^amgmsittmiM
. . . Exhibitors
. . "Doc"
. . Sara
. . Sam
Governor of Maryland Seeks to End
Race Bias in Baltimore Theatres
BALTIMORE—Gov. Theodore R. McKeldin
instructed his commission of inter-racial
problems and relations to attempt an "orderly
and peaceful solution" of race discrimination
problems in Ford's and the Lyric theatres.
The governor denounced as an "absurdity"
practices under which one of the theatres
bans Negro actors from the stage and the
other segregates them in the audience. He
acknowledged that the "gap between our discriminatory
practices and our democratic
ideals" cannot be closed "in a single sweep."
but he asserted that "certain significant steps
can be taken now."
•NEGROES NEEDLESSLY AFFRONTED'
In his letter to William C. Rogers, commission
chairman, the governor wrote:
"Negro citizens of Baltimore have been
needlessly affronted by a policy which excludes
them from attending the performances
in Ford's Theatre, except in the rear of the
balcony.
"The resulting humiliation and resentment
has brought a picket line lo the doors of the
theatre. The picketing has persisted for several
years, and so has the policy. Many white
people have been reluctant to cross the picket
line, and so. in addition to the injustice involved,
there have been inconvenience to
many persons and economic loss. It may be
that this is a contributing cause to the scantiness
of theatrical programs now offered in
Baltimore.
"As often happens in cases of conflict,
emotions are aroused, both sides refuse to reexamine
the question and the quarrel grows
in bitterness. An unhappy stalemate follows,
which both contestants would perhaps like
to resolve, but they lack the means without
out.side help."
The solution of such problems was one of
the aims of the general assembly in establishing
the commission, he said.
"Discrimination between the races in theatres
and other cultural institutions is both
offensive and illogical. The absurdity of the
practice is illustrated by the grossly inconsistent
and arbitrary manner of its application
both in this state and elsewhere.
EXAMPLES OF 'CAPRICIOUSNESS'
"For example, in Constitution Hall in
Washington, Negroes are not permitted on the
stage, but may and do sit in the audience
without restriction. Simultaneously in the
same city, another theatre which has no objections
to Negro actors on the stage forbade
Negroes in the audience.
"Still other places of entertainment in that
city allow Negroes to appear on the stage and
also be in the audience without any type of
segregation, and apparently the general public
accepts the latter pattern as normal.
"A similar capriciousness is exhibited in
Baltimore. Negro artists are banned from
the stage at the Lyric, but members of their
race may and do sit through performances
without challenge or complaint from white
patrons.
race, religion or national origin. It may be
granted that we cannot in a single sweep
close the gap between our discriminatory
practices and our democratic ideals. This
cannot be fully obtained except through long
and patient effort, but certain significant
steps can be taken now and the matter I
have here outlined presents the opportunity
for one such step."
He asked the commission to accept the assignment
and report results of its efforts
"at your early convenience."
Ford's, the only legitimate theatre in Baltimore,
is owned by Morris Mechanic and
leased to the United Booking Office. Inc. The
lease expires in May 1953. The Lyric is owned
and operated by the Lyric Co. Most of the
performances In the theatre are musical concerts,
musical shows and operas.
The commission on inter-racial problems
was created by the 1951 legislature. Three of
the members are Negroes.
nonsegregation during a period from 1944 to
1946, during which time "no unpleasantness
arose." He said the theatres apparently were
attempting to "cater to a supposed demand of
white patrons" in both types of segregation.
But he said it was "seriously to be doubted
whether any considerable number of white Ford's Theatre has been picketed for the
people approve of such conduct ... It is past four years becau.'^e of its segregational
more probable that most people thoughtlessly policy, which assigns Negroes to the upper
accept these practices without realization of balcony via special entrance. Theatre Guild
the hurt being caused to all concerned." shows have been few and far between this
The governor said he preferred to believe year. Equity refuses to let any of its members
perform where a segregation policy is in
that the businessmen in charge of theatres
would not "wilfully persist in inflicting indignity
on this minor group if the matter WIDE EFFECT SEEN IN STATE
force.
were discussed with them in a fair and calm
The governor's order to the commission may
spirit by a representative public body like
have far-reaching effects upon the general
your commission."
theatre business in Maryland. Negroes are
"The goal of democracy," he continued, "is not allowed in motion picture theatres, or for
that no member of any minority shall suffer that matter, restaurants, hotels, night clubs
in any of his civil rights, regardless of his and similar places patronized by whites.
WASHINGTON
T ocal F-13 held its annual dinner dance and
installation of officers at the Elks club
with Jo.seph Basson of the lATSE coming in
from New York to install the officers. He
was accompanied by his wife. The following
officers were installed: president, I. Ehrlichman.
Universal; vice-president. Bob Miller,
U-I: recording secretary, Jeanette Adams,
MGM; financial secretary, Lillian Lee, Paramount;
treasurer, Mildred McDonald, RKO;
guardian. Jack Keegan, 20th-Fox; business
agent, Sara S. Young, 20th-Fox; executive
board, Jesse Smith, Edward Kushner, Charles,
Groff; board of trustees. Jack Kohler, Ray
Forman and Don Bransfield. Outgoing president
tor the last eight years—Agnes Turner,
RKO, was given a silver fruit bowl by the
past officers,
Loretta North, Australia's most beautiful
girl, who recently won the title of Mi.ss
Kangaroo over 35,000 contestants, flew to
Washington for an official reception at the
Australian embassy Wednesday (9). starting
at 5 p. m. The 19-year-old blue-eyed beauty
will be accompanied in her travels throughout
the United States by a pair of tame kangaroos.
Percy Spender, Australian ambassador,
staged a press reception in her honor. Miss
Kangaroo and her party, together with the
two kangaroos, Joe and Matilda Roo, will
leave Washington and embark on a 40,000-
mile tour of 32 cities, including three in
Canada, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
I. M. Rappaport's Town Theatre also was
picketed during a showing of "The Roosevelt
Story" and Loew's was threatened with picketing
when the first Louis fight exclusive telecast
was scheduled, but the pressure was
alleviated when a Negro house obtained
equipment and presented the fight simultaneously.
Subsequent telecasts were dropped by
the Negro houses and no picketing threat was
forthcoming.
Herman Rubin, pioneer exhibitor and owner
of the Century. Bluebird, and Palace theatres
in Petersburg. Va.. died . . . Mrs. Maizie Evans
came in town to book her New Theatre. Solomons,
Md. Her son Jack is spending his
Christmas and New Year's vacation touring
England and Switzerland with one of his
classmates . Westfall spent several
days on Filmrow booking his Rives and Rex
theatres in Martinsville and the Ritz Theatre
in Danville, "Va.
At 20th-Fox sympathy to Dorothy Morrow
in the recent death of her grandmother . . .
Elaine Holbrook, cashier's department, is out
sick . . . Leona Weedon returned to her desk
after an illness . . . Happy birthday to Jack
Keegan . Young entertained her
sister-in-law. Mrs. Joseph Shurdut, and niece
Harriett.
John Scully, district manager, visited the
Cashier Walter
local Universal office . . .
Bangs gave a cocktail party at his home on
Saturday prior to the Local F-13 dinner dance
... At Republic, Richard Yates was a Washington
visitor . . . Jake Flax's secretary Ann
Dinkel spent several days with her family
in Pennsylvania.
Vic Orsinger, Playhouse and Dupont theatres,
announces the oi>ening of offices for the
general practice of law in the new Wyatt
building
. Mellits, Dentonia Theatre,
Denton, Md., has entered a hospital in Philadelphia
for the treatment of a back ailment
seen on Filmrow included Dan
Weinberg, John Miller, John Fernicola, Dan
Atkins, Fred Klein, Jack Fruchtman.
"Ford's Theatre, on the other hand, follows
the converse rule. It accepts Negro actors,
but restricts the Negro theatregoers."
The governor observed that Ford's practiced
Filmrow Bowling league standings are as
follows: first place, Higteway Express Lines,
second place, RKO; third, tie between Universal,
20th-Fox and AUstars; fourth, Repub-
44
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952

. . . The
. . Mrs.
I
U-I),
I
RKO)
. . Harry
. . Robert
. .
lie-Clark; fifth, Columbia, and sixth, Warner.
Ali Feld holds the highest average for
the men, with Curtis Hildebrand second.
Pauline Struck is high woman, with Mrs.
Stanley Taylor second.
MGM notes: Rudolph Berger, southern division
manager, is visiting the Memphis exchange
. . , Cashier Anna Ridgely is ill with
bronchial pneumonia ... At RKO. Manager
Joe Brecheen spent Tuesday in Richmond
office is readying itself for the coming
visit of assistant division manager Dan
Loventhal in the interest of the Ned Depinet
drive . . . Agnes Turner, cashier, was toastmistress
at the installation of a new Soroptimist
club in Warrenton, Va. Miss Turner
is president of the local Soroptimist club.
Bill Hoyle, District Theatres publicity and
advertising head, spent this week in Roanoke
and Virginia . . . Shep Allen was master of
ceremonies of the ceremony opening the
March of Dimes booth in front of the Republic
Theatre . Laurene Jones is
looking forward to a birthday on January 18
. . . District Theatres can well boast of the
beautiful art work in front of the Republic
Theatre publicizing "Quo Vadis." The entire
front is encircled in red fluorescent lights and
is attracting a great deal of attention. Harold
Grott came in from the Harlem Theatre
in Baltimore to visit Bill Hoyle and to arrange
a similar front for the Harlem Theatre.
John A. Tondra, 45, president of the White
House Photographers Ass'n in 1951 and a staff
member of the United Press Movietime Television
News Service, died Saturday (5) at
Doctor's hopital. Tondra had been ill with
diabetes for the last two years. Born in
Ellenville, N. Y., he worked for several years
as a cameraman in Chicago and New York
and for the last 25 years worked for Fox
Movietone News and in recent months for UP
Movietone. Surviving are his wife Anne, his
father, a brother and a sister.
Virginia MPTA to Discuss
Costs at Feb. 13 Meet
RICHMOND—A series of conferences for
the purpose of discussing theatre costs and
other operating problems will be held during
the annual winter session of the Virginia
Motion Picture Theatre Ass'n to be held
February 13 at the Jefferson hotel. Social
activities will be held down so members can
eoncentrate on business problems. There w'ill
not be a banquet.
Chains Opening 'Poison'
NEW YORK—Many major theatre circuits
will participate in a mid-January saturation
opening of "Another Man's Poi^on," according
to William J. Heineman, United Artists
vice-president in charge of distribution. He
named Warners, United Paramount, Fox West
Coast, Fox Midwest, Loew's, RKO, Kera.sotes,
Westland, Fabian, Comerford, Wometco and
Famous Players.
ELMER H. BRIENT & SONS
925 New Jersey N. W.
Washington, D. C.
We Help You Make
40^ Movies Better Than Ever
Marc J.
Wolf Officiating
At Six Variety Events
NEW YORK—Marc J. Wolf, chief barker
of Variety Clubs International, will officiate
at six functions during January, including the
three in Chicago, Boston and New York during
the first week.
He installed officers for Chicago Variety
Club at the Congress hotel January 5, attended
dedication ceremonies of the Variety
Children's Cancer Research clinic in Boston
January 7 and attended the Charles E. Lewis
testimonial dinner at the Hotel Astor, New
York Friday (11).
Wolf will install new officers and crew of
the Indianapolis tent January 14, install officers
and crew of the Buffalo tent January 19
and speak at the annual banquet of the
Pittsburgh tent January 20.
The charity activities of the new Tokyo tent
in Japan are being taken care of by a series
of events that have raised sufficient money to
pay off the balance of their commitment to
the Japan Red Cross Baby's home, one of
the Tokyo tent's projects. Wolf reported.
Clubwomen Rate 3 of 14
For Family Audiences
NEW YORK—Three films are recommended
for family audiences, six for adults and young
people and five for adults of the 14 reviewed
in the January 1 listing of joint estimates
of current motion pictures prepared
by clubwomen. The three, which are also
listed as acceptable for children's programs,
are "Flame of Araby" (U-I), "Desert of Lost
Men" (Rep) and "Pecos River" (Col).
Listed lor adults and young people are
"Decision Before Dawn" (20th-Fox), rated an
outstanding picture of its type: "Boots
Malone" (Col), "The Model and the Marriage
Broker" (20th-Fox), "Hong Kong" (Para),
"The Wild Blue Yonder" (Rep) and "Fort
Defiance" (UA).
Listed for adults are "The Cimarron Kid"
"Finders Keepers" (U-I), "The Light
Touch" (MGM), "On Dangerous Ground"
and "Red Mountain" (Para>.
G. H. Mackenna Candidate
For Ad Club Director
BUFFALO—George H. Mackenna, general
manager of the Lafayette Theatre, flagship
of the Basil circuit, nominated for a directorship
in the Greater Buffalo Advertising club,
is conducting an intensive campaign for the
office. Nine other members also are seeking
office, but only five can be elected. Elmer F.
Lux, general manager of the Darnell Theatres
Corp. and city council president, is
manager of the Mackenna campaign. When
Lux ran for a similar post in the Ad club,
Mackenna was his campaign manager.
Mackenna is a member of the Buffalo city
expenditures committee. In the last campaign,
he managed the Lux campaign for
co(uicil president.
NY Bookings for 'Medium'
NEW YORK— "The Medium," Walter Lowendahl
production now being distributed in
the U.S. by Lopert Films, opened day and date
January 9 in nine Manhattan, Bronx and
Brooklyn theatres playing subsequent art
product. The booking was the first for the
opera film since it played a six-week first run
engagement at the Sutton Theatre.
BALTIMORE
JM^ilton Schwaber, Schwaber circuit head,
has returned from a Miami vacation . . .
Charles Reisonger, Edgewood projectionist,
is ailing in Mercy hospital . . . Madison Theatre
suffered considerable interior damage
due to a fire last week . Smeltzer
of the Warner exchange in Washington addressed
a meeting of the Motion Picture
Theatre Owners of Maryland last week .
Rodney Collier, Stanley manager, screened
"Room for One More" for the Boy Scout
leaders last week.
Charles McLeary, Parkway manager, has
left St. Joseph's hospital and is recuperating
at home . Daniel, Boulevard Theatre
projectionist, was hurt in an auto accident
Warner Theatres recently reopened
. . . the newly remodeled Frederick Theatre
in Frederick, Md. Jack Forney is manager.
Warner officials attending the opening
included Rodney Collier, George Crouch,
Frank LaFalce, Barney Reed and Charles
Grimes.
Pete Prince, MGM Baltimore salesman,
has been transferred to the Charlotte exchange
temporarily. Manager Jerry Adams
will cover the Baltimore territory . . Rus-
.
sell Harrington, Red Wing projectionist, is
ill . . . Eileen Brent is the new publicity
office assistant at the Century, replacing
Elmer Sease, who has been promoted to assistant
at Loew's Valencia, where he succeeds
Dave Stocket, who has left for service
in the air force . . . Variety Club installed
the new officer slate last week at a buffet
supper to which radio and TV personalities
The New Theatre in Reisterstown
were invited . . .
has completed its changeover from
metal marquee letters to the new plastic
type.
Newspapermen and radio and TV disk
jockeys thought Christmas was happening
all over again this week when Loew Publicist
Jack Sidney .sent them "Quo Vadis" neckties
and shorts as gifts and reminders that
the spectacle was due to open ... At the
same time, Adam Goelz, Hippodrome manager,
sent them a little white rabbit as a
gift and reminder that Blackstone and his
magic troupe would open a one-week stage
stand at his theatre.
Television Set Production
For November Declines
WASHINGTON—Television receiving set
production in November 1951 dropped 40 per
cent under the corresponding 1950 month, according
to the Radio-Television Manufacturers
Ass'n on Monday (
7 )
.
Pi'oduction of 415,332 receivers in November
brought the 11-month total to 4,798,056
sets and, according to RTMA, assured a 1951
total of more than 5 million sets. A total of
738.800 TV receivers were turned out in November
1950.
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR CONCESSION
CANDY—POPCORN—SEASONINGS—ETC.
STANDARD VENDORS, Inc.
921 E. Forf Avenue
Baltimore 30, Morylond
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 45

1
TV Revenues in 1950
Triple 1949 Figures
WASHINGTON—Television station and
network revenues in 1950 more than tripled
1949 figures, it was revealed on Saturday i5)
by the Federal Communications commission
in its report on 1950 broadcast operations.
TV revenues increased by 208.7 per cent,
while total broadcast expenses were climbing
only 93.1 per cent. Thus TV stations were
able to cut their losses, before federal income
tax, from $25.3 million in 1949 to $9.2
million in 1950.
Total broadcast revenues in the TV industry
reached $105.9 million in 1950, with broadcast
expenses of $115.1 million. The figures
for 1949 were $34.3 million in broadcast revenues
and $56.6 million in broadcast expenses.
The figures show that TV is not doing too
effective a job of killing off radio, much less
motion pictures. Radio, AM and FM, total
broadcast revenues in 1949 were $415.2 million.
Despite the growth of television in the
meantime, radio revenues cUmbed 7.1 per
cent to $44.5 million in 1950. AM and FM station
and network expenses didn't climb as
much as revenue, only 3.8 per cent, from $362.5
million in 1949 to $376.3 million in 1950. Thus
broadcast income before federal income tax
in the radio field reached $68.2 million in
1950, 29.4 per cent above the $52.7 million in
1949.
The combined radio-television industry,
after paying TV operation losses, netted $59
million before federal income tax in 1950,
a jump of 115.3 per cent over the $27.4 million
net the year before. While 1,276 AM
radio stations in non-TV markets increased
their revenues 8.3 per cent; the 389 AM stations
in TV markets were also raising revenues
by 4.5 per cent in 1950 over 1949.
Of 106 TV stations reporting, 53 or exactly
half reported profitable operation in 1950.
The average loss of the other 53 stations was
$88,300.
In Los Angeles, FCC reported, TV revenues
were 42.3 per cent of that market's total
broadcasting revenues. In Philadelphia, Columbus,
Baltimore, New York, Washington,
D. C, Cleveland and Chicago the percentage
of TV to total revenues ranged between 30
and 40 per cent.
RCA Exhibit Hall to Show
New Radio, TV. Teletype
NEW YORK—The Radio Corp. of
America
exhibition hall at 40 West 49th St. will reopen
Monday (14) with a new type of appeal
for the public. Instead of static electronic
exhibits, according to Harry O'Brien,
manager, there will be seen in action overseas
telephone equipment, a wirephoto machine,
master communications control panel,
wire service teletypes, short-wave radio, television
cameras and facsimile equipment.
Passing pedestrians will see them through
large glass window panels.
Each morning, from 7 to 10 a. m., the
center will be used as a television studio for
the new National Broadcating Co. program,
Today, starring Dave Garroway, who will
utilize the equipment to gather news from all
over the world. He will be seen in person and
on TV sets in the windows.
Since it opened four years ago, the hall
has had more than 5,000,000 visitors.
46
Republic Sales Meeting
Is Held in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES—First in a series of four
regional sales meetings scheduled by Republic
to discuss current and upcoming releases
was held at the company's studios in North
Hollywood Wednesday and Thursday i9, 10
and will be followed by similar sessions in
Chicago, New York and New Orleans.
President Herbert J. Yates addressed the
local huddle, at which James R. Grainger,
vice-president in charge of sales, presided,
and plans called for them to appear at the
three succeeding conclaves.
Sales and merchandising campaigns were
discussed on "The Wild Blue Yonder," now
in opening engagements, and forthcoming
releases including "Hoodlum Empire," "The
Quiet Man." "Oklahoma Annie," "Lady Possessed,"
"Minnesota," "Bal Tabarin," "Gobs
and Gals" and "Song of Youth."
Attending the studio conferences were
Francis A. Bateman, Pacific coast district
chief, and branch manager Jack Dowd, Los
Angeles; George Mitchell. San Francisco;
Jack C. Partin, Portland; Paul McElhinney,
Seattle; Thomas McMahon, Salt Lake City,
and Gene Gerbase, Denver.
The Chicago .session will be held Monday
and Tuesday (14. 15 1 with personnel from
Chicago. Detroit. Cincinnati, Indianapolis,
Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Omaha,
Des Moines and St. Louis in attendance.
Participating in the New York parleys
Wednesday and Thursday 116, 17) will be
representatives of the New York, Philadelphia,
Washington. D. C. Pittsburgh. Boston,
Albany, Buffalo, New Haven and Cleveland
exchanges. The regional conclaves will end
with the New Orleans huddle Monday and
Tuesday (21, 22) to be attended by personnel
from New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlotte,
Tampa, Memphis, Dallas and Oklahoma City.
Film Company Dividends
Way Below Previous Year
WASHINGTON — Publicly reported film
company cash dividends in November 1951
were far below dividends during the same
month in 1950. according to the Department
of Commerce on Monday (7). Dividends in
the first 11 months of 1951 were also well below
the first 11 months of the year before.
The total of dividends for November 1951
reached $588,000. The figure for November
1950 was $726,000. Dividends in 1951 during
the first 11 months totaled $28,109,000, compared
to $30,463,000 dvnng the same 1950 period.
Columbia paid $399,000 in dividends during
November 1951. compared to $562,000 in the
same month in 1950. Continental Amusement
Co. paid $150,000 in November 1951 dividends,
compared to $125,000 in the same
month the year before. Loevv's Boston Theatres
paid out a total of $39,000 in dividends
in November 1951, which was the same total
as that paid out in the same 1950 month.
Britain Honors Moodabe
NEW ZEALAND—Michael Moodabe. governing
director of Amalgamated Theatres.
Ltd., has been elevated to the Order of the
British Empire by King George VI of England.
Amalgamated Theatres, New Zealand's
largest theatre circuit, is affiliated
with 20th Century-Fox and provides first
run outlets for the company product throughout
New Zealand,
Belgium Cuts Import
Of American Films
WASHINGTON—The most significant
development
for the motion picture trade in
Belgium during recent months has been a
Belgian government program designed to reduce
the import of United States films and
to increase Belgium's imports of films from
other European countries. Belgium is reported
to be running an export surplus with
other European countries and at the same
time incurring a trade deficit with the United
States.
In summary the import program of regulation
consists of the following points; (1) Prohibition
of payment for advertising accessories
in dollars. (2) The importation of
positive prints from the United States is to
be prohibited, except for color prints and
films of an exceptional character, and all
prints are to be made in Belgium. (31 Some
kind of quota limitation, as yet undefined,
may be placed on the number of United
States films to be imported. (4) Remittances
of dollars in payment of currently accruing
royalties on the exhibition of United States
films may be limited to some fixed percentage
of accruals.
Distributors have objected vigorously to
this program, especially the quota limitation
on imports of U.S. films. Industry representatives
have made several counter-proposals
to the Ministry of Economic Affairs
which they consider would be as effective in
accomplishing the government's objectives,
however, thus far these proposals have not
met with the approval of the Ministry.
United States distributors estimate that
about 350 to 400 feature length films and
perhaps 500 short subjects and newsreels are
required annually from the United States to
supply the Belgian market. Seventy-seven
per cent of the pictures booked into Belgian
theatres in the first half of 1951 were United
States films. Estimates of feature picture
imports into Belgium for the 1950-51 season
from countries other than the United States
are as follows; 85 French films, 35 British,
30 Italian, 30 German, and 15 from other
countries. United States films are well received
throughout all of Belgium.
GE and Du Mont Introduce
New TV Sets in Chicago
CHICAGO—The General Electric Co..
celebrating its 25th anniversary, showed its
first 20 -inch table television receiver as one
of five new models at the winter furniture
market opening here Monday (7). Paul
Leslie, television sales manager for the receiver
department, said at the same time
that list price adjustments have been made
on four 17-inch table models and one 17-
inch console.
Fourteen new chassis developments featured
the line of 11 new high-sensitivity
television receivers introduced by Allen B.
DuMont Laboratories. The new line, incorporating
glass rectangular picture tubes,
consists of six 20-inch console receivers, including
one complete home entertainment
combination unit, and five new 17 -inch sets,
one a table model. Prices are 10 to 15 per
cent below comparable models introduced last
year, according to Walter L. Stickel, national
sales manager.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

i Hollywood
OLLYWOOD
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER
Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear, Western Manager)
'Nelsons' Premiere
In Pittsburgh 16th
HOLLYWOOD—Launching more than 50
dates in the territory, U-I's "Here Come the
Nelsons" will have its world premiere
Wednesday (16 1 at the Fulton Theatre in
Pittsburgh. Promotional campaigns on behalf
of the opening are being conducted by
the American Broadcasting Co.. which carries
"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,"
and H. J. Heinz Co.. the program's sponsor.
The film, produced by Aaron Rosenberg and
directed by Frederick DeCordova, stars Ozzie
and Harriet Nelson and their two children.
Comedian Alan Young was master of ceremonies,
and appearances were made by Dan
Dailey, Eleanor Powell, Dinah Shore and
othei celebrities at the Thursday UO) benefit
premiere of Metro's "Pandora and the
Flying Dutchman" at the Egyptian Theatre.
Funds derived from the opening were earmarked
for the St. Sophia cathedral building
fund. Produced and megged by Albert Lewin,
"Pandora" stars James Ma-son and Ava
Gardner.
"For Men Only," produced for Lippert Pictures
release by Paul Henreid and William
and Edward Nassour under the banner of H-N
Productions, will be world-premiered Tuesday
il5» at the Paramount, Tabor and Weber
theatres in Denver. Henreid also stars in
and directed the offering, an indictment of
collegiate fraternity hazing.
Set to open late this month at the Hollywood
Paramount Theatre is "Latuko," a 50-
minute color film produced in Africa by an
expedition sponsored by the American
Museum of Natural History and headed by
Edgar M. Queeny. chairman of the board of
Monsanto Chemical Co. A portion of the
proceeds from the run will go to the museum.
U-I and crooner Frank Sinatra were the
hosts Tuesday i8) at a press review of the
Sinatra starrer. "Meet Danny Wilson." at
the Ambassador Theatre in the Ambassador
hotel. Following the .screening there were
refreshments and a "jam session," entertainment
and dancing.
Four independent theatres in the Kansas
City area, including the downtown sector,
will be tied into a day-date world premiere
Sunday (27) of Monogram's "The Steel Fist."
a behind-the-iron curtain drama starring
Roddy McDowall. The William F. Broidy production
will open at the Regent, Ashland,
Midway and Southtown theatres in the Missouri
metropolis.
Wallis Seeks Rights
To Enterprise Saga
Hollywood— .\ bid has been entered by
Hal Wallis Productions for film rights
to the headline-garnering story of Kurt
Carlsen, intrepid captain of the hurricane-wracked
freighter, Flying Enterprise,
who refused to abandon ship. Wallis has
opened negotiations with the Isbrandtsen
Line, owners of the crippled vessel.
In the event the negotiations are successful,
Wallis will assign writers to a
screen treatment as part of his 1952 output
for Paramount release. He plans it
as a Burt Lancaster starrer.
United TV Programs Gets
Cowboy G-Men Series
HOLLYWOOD — National distribution of
Cowboy G-Men, video film series starring
Ru.ssell Hayden and Jackie Coogan, will be
handled by United Television Programs, sales
organization headed by Gerald King. Seven
half-hour segments in the initial batch of
13 have been completed by Henry Donovan's
Telemount Pictures, with production to resume
late this month on the remaining six.
Succeeding Mike Stokey, Hal Roach jr. has
been elected president of the Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences. Other new
officers are Charles Ruggles and Don Fedderson,
vice-presidents: Betty Mears, secretary;
Ernest Felix, treasurer; Mildred Beach, secretary
to Felix; Isabelle Pantone, recording
secretary.
In a ten-year deal, the Frederic W. Ziv Co..
which produces transcribed and syndicated
radio programs, has signed Dana Andrews to
star in a radio .series. "I Was a CommunLst
for the FBI." which Ziv has acquired for
TV consumption from Matt Cvetic, former
FBI undercover agent. Warners made a
film version of the story last year.
Herbert Wixson, formerly with station
KMPC and the Don Lee-Mutual network, has
been named Pacific coast sales head for
Jerry Fairbanks Productions.
Nick Ray Completes Deal
HOLLYWOOD — By mutual agreement,
RKO and Director Nicholas Ray have dissolved
the latter's megging pact, effective
when he completes the Susan Hayward-
Robert Mitchum topUner, "This Man Is Mine."
He previously directed "Flying Leathernecks"
for Producer Edmund Grainger.
Hal Roach Jr. Called
On SWG Wage Charge
HOLLYWOOD—Its first move to crack
down on alleged violations of the differential
wage scale between theatrical and TV
film was taken by the Screen Writers Guild
board of directors in voting to summon Hal
Roach jr. before the SWG grievance committee
Tuesday (15). Roach engaged in both
video and theatrical filni production assertedly
engaged a scrivener for a TV assignment,
then set the picture for theatrical release
but failed to pay the writer the difference
in scales for the two mediums.
At the same board session it was voted to
drop the "ghost-writing" charge against Leo
Townsend. who in an affidavit previously admitted
he permitted his name to be used on
manuscripts submitted for possible studio
purcha.se and written by Dalton Trumbo and
Lester Cole of the so-called "unfriendly ten."
Committee reports will be presented at a
dinner meeting Monday (21) of the Screen
Producers Guild, following which a general
membership session will be held Monday (28)
to disclose the results of negotiations with
major companies anent the clarification of
producers' picture credits. William Perlberg,
SPG president, heads the negotiating committee.
Murray Kinnell, administrator of the
Screen Actors Guild's agency division since
1939, will retire from fuUtime duty, effective
February 28. A founder-member of the
SAG, he plans an European tour, following
which he will serve in an advisory capacity.
Kinnell will be succeeded by Chester L.
Migden. a member of the NLRB's legal department
for the past four years.
Ballots were mailed out Thursday (10) by
the NLRB and will be counted Monday (21)
in the bargaining election involving the independent
Screen Cartoonists Guild and the
lATSE. both of which seek jurisdiction over
pen-and-ink technicians at the Walt Disney,
Walter Lantz, United Pioductions of America,
Warner and MGM cartoon plants. Those
eligible to vote have their choice between
continuing as an independent guild or affiliating
with the lA.
Leases Bear Lake Area
HOLLYWOOD—William F. Broidy's Brodco
Corp., engaged in theatrical and TV film
production, has leased 110 acres of scenic
property at Big Bear Lake, Calif, for use
as a location site.
BOXOFFICE
:: January 12, 1952 47

STUDIO PERSONNEUTIES
Barnstormers
United Artists
lOAN CAMDEN, who has the femme lead in Aspen
Productions' "Captive City," planed lor New York
to appear in connection with advance promotional
for efforts the cnme-busting drama, directed by
Robert Wise.
Blurbers
Paramount
Added to the publicity staff was BOB GOODFRIED,
whose first assignment is as unit drumbeater on
Producer George Pal's "War of the Worlds." Goodfried
resigned as advertising-publicity director of
SherriU C. Corwin's Metropolitan Theatres, alter
several years in the post, to take on the new job.
Briefies
Metro
Producer Pete Smith will launch camera work
early next month on "Keep It Clean," dealing with
restaurants which try to sidestep local, state and
national sanitation lows. The Los Angeles health
department is cooperating in the production of the
short.
Warners
Art Gilmore is supplying the narration for Producer
Gordon Hollingshead's "Snow Frolics," a
Technicolor one-reeler dealing with winter sports
in Canada.
Cleffers
Metro
MIKLOS ROZSA has begun scoring "Ivanhoe."
DAVID ROSE was signed as musical director on
Everything I Have Is Yours."
Loonouts
RKO Radio
The studio exercised its option with 20th Century-
Fox to borrow VICTOR MATURE lor one picture this
year. Mature was on loan in I95I for two features,
"The Las Vegas Story" and "Androcles and the
Lion."
Meggers
Metro
"Lili," a Ralph Meeker-Leslie Caron-Ann Miller
topliner, will be directed lor Producer Edwin H.
Knopf by CHARLES WALTERS.
Monogram
Producer Vincent M. Fennelly inked LEWIS D.
COLLINS to direct "Dead Man's Trail," upcoming
Johnny Mack Brown-Jimmy Ellison western.
WILLIAM BEAUDINE will pilot "Bowery Leathernecks,"
next in the Leo Gorcey-Huntz HoII starring
comedies, for Producer Jerry Thomas.
Meggers
Paramount
Producer Nat Holt's "Hurricane Smith," sea drama
to star Yvonne DeCarlo and John Ireland, will be
directed by JERRY HOPPER.
20th Century-Fox
HENRY KOSTEH drew the directorial reins on
"Tonight We Sing," a biography of the stage
impresario, Sol Hurok, which will be produced by
George Jessel.
Options
Columbia
Producer Stanley Kramer, signed MAURICE MAR-
SAC, French actor, lor the Charles Boyer vehicle,
"The Happy Time," which Richard Fleischer is
directing.
CAROL FORMAN was set for the lemme lead opposite
Kirk Alyn in Producer Sam Katzman's serial,
"Black Hawk," under the direction ol Spencer
Bennett.
Independent
Hal E. Chester ol Mutual Films inked COLEEN
GRAY lor the lemme lead in "Models, Inc.," which
Reginald LeBorg is megging.
Metro
Cast with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn
in "Pat and Mike" were OWEN McGIVENEY and
JOSEPH BERNARD. George Cukor is megging the
comedy lor Producer Lawrence Weingarten. Broadway
actor FRANK OTTO joined the cast. SAMMY
"//KITE also was added.
Booked lor "Glory Alley," starring Ralph Meeker,
v^as PAT CONWAY. The Nicholas Naylack production
is being megged by Raoul Walsh.
Inked lor the Gig Young-Keenan Wynn vehicle,
"Days Before Lent," was ANN TYRRELL, former
Broadway actress. Gerald Mayer directs the John
Houseman production.
Monogram
Cast opposite Johnny Mack Brown and Jimmy
Ellison in "Dead Man's Trail" was PHYLLIS COATES.
Lew Collins is megging the western for Producer
Vincent M. Fennelly.
Paramount
OTTO PREMINGER, under contract to 20th-Fox
as a producer-director, dons greasepaint after a
six-year hiatus with his selection to portray a Nazi
officer in Producer-Director Billy Wilder's "Stalag
17." The lilm version oi the Broadway play toplines
'William Holden.
Producer Nat Holt inked JOHN IRELAND for the
male lead opposite Yvonne DeCarlo in "Hurricane
Williams," Technicolor actioner which rolls early
next month.
GINGER ROGERS will portray Vivian and BETTY
HUTTON was cast as Rosetta, in "Topsy and Eva,"
upcoming biography of the Duncan Sisters, which
IS being prepared by Producer Harry Tugend.
French actress SUZANNE CLOUTIER, handed a
long-term pact, and ALAN LADD will star in Producer
Joseph Sistrom's "Persian Gulf."
RKO Radio
Joseph Kaulman Productions tagged WALTER JACK
PALANCE, stage and screen actor, lor the male
lead opposite Joan Crawford in "Sudden Fear,"
suspense drama to be directed by David Miller.
CHARLES McGRAW obtained a release from the
balance of his acting ticket in order to freelance.
Under terms of the release he will return to the
studio some time this year for on as yet unselected
picture.
FRANK FAYLEN was given a character lead in
Wald-Krasna's "This Man Is Mine," starring Susan
Hayward and Robert Mitchum under direction of
Nicholas Ray. LORNA THAYER and CAROL NU-
GENT were inked for the film.
Republic
VAUGHN MONROE, bandleader-singer-actor, will
be the title-roler in "The Toughest Man in Tombstone,"
an upcoming musical western to be produced
by Sidney Picker. R. G. Springsteen will
direct.
20th Century-Fox
EVE ARDEN replaces Jan Sterling in Producer
Nunnally Johnson's episodic comedy, "We're Not
Married," which Edmund Goulding is megging.
GEORGE MACREADY drew a featured part in
Producer Jules Buck's "Condor's Nest," which stars
Cornel Wilde under the direction of Delmer Daves.
JAMES GLEASON was handed a featured role in
Producer Sol C. Siegel's "What Price Glory." Toplining
James Cagney, Dan Dailey and Corinne Calvet,
the World War I drama is being megged by
John Ford.
Cast in "Dream Boat," the Clilton Webb starring
comedy, were RUSS SAUNDERS and GEORGE BAR-
ROWS. Sol C. Siegel produces and Claude Binyon
is the director.
Actress JUNE HAVER was given a one-year option
hoist.
ANNE FRANCIS will share the stellar honors with
Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward in "^ows ol
Kilimanjaro," which will be personally produced by
Darryl F. Zanuck. The Technicolor drama is to be
directed by Henry King.
EZIO PINZA has been signed to portray the opera
star, Feodor Chaliapin, in Producer George Jessel's
"Tonight We Sing," the biography ol impresario
Sol Hurok. With Henry Koster meoging, the lilm
also will leature TAMARA TOUMANOVA, prima ballerina
ol the Paris opera.
Actress JOANNE DRU has been given an option
pickup for another year's term.
JEAN PETERS was handed a one-year extension
on her acting ticket.
Universal-Intemational
Contractee ALICE KELLEY was given a leatured
spot in the Errol Flynn-Maureen O'Hara starrer,
"Against All Flags," which George Sherman is directing
for Producer Howard Christie.
Set lor "Sally and Saint Ann," starring Ann
Blyth, was JOHN McINTlRE. The Leonard Goldstein
production will be megged by Rudolph Male.
ANN SHERIDAN and JOHN LUND will be starred
in "Just Across the Street," a domestic comedy
to be produced and directed, respectively, by
Leonard Goldstein and Joseph Pevney.
KATHLEEN HUGHES, recent college graduate, was
signed to a long-term acting ticket.
Cast as Irene Dunne's husband in "It Grows on
Trees," upcoming Leonard Goldstein production,
was DEAN JAGGER. The comedy will be directed
by Arthur Lubin.
Warners
Cast as a heavy in "Man With a Gun," Technicolor
western starring Randolph Scott, was MORRIS
ANKRUM. Robert Sisk produces and Felix Feist
IS the director. ROBERT CABAL was cast as th.;
Calilornia bandit, Joaquin Murietta. Also set for
the picture was JAMES BELLAH, college student
and son of author-scenarist James Warner Bellah.
Inked lor supporting parts in "Alexander, the
Big Leaguer" were RODNEY BELL, BILL SLACK,
TOM DALY, ALLEN RAY and RUSS CLARK, The
baseball drama stars Dons Day, Ronald Reagan
and Frank Lovejoy, with Bryan Foy producing and
Lewis Seller as the megaphonist. Cast in the picture
was FRED STEVENS.
Scripters
Independent
Producer Irving Allen ticketed TERENCE YOUNG
to develop "The Red Devils," a World War II drama,
Irom the book by the late Hilary St. George. Allen
plans to film it in England.
Paramount
FRANK BUTLER was assigned to develop the
screenplay for "Look Ma, I'm Dancin'," upcoming
musical based upon the Broadway stage success.
It will be produced by Burton Lane.
Story Buys
Paramount
"The Celebrity," a novel by Laura Z. Hobson,
was purchased and assigned to Everett Riskin to
produce. F. Hugh Herbert will write the screenplay
and direct.
Republic
With President Herbert J. Yates to personally produce.
Bob Considine's "The Great A-Bomb Robbery"
has been acquired. It deals with an espionage
ring which stole many ol the A-bomb secrets and
the capture ol the spies by the FBI.
20th Century-Fox
Number," a Broa 3y play by Arthur P.
Carter, was purchased and assigned to Jules
Schermer to produce. Set lor the top roles are
Richard Widmark, Cameron Mitchell and Ann Bancroft.
C. S. Forester's novel, "Single-Handed," was
purchased and added to Frank McCarthy's production
slate, with Valentine Davies set to prepare
the screenplay. The tome deals with British navy
maneuvers in the Mediterranean during World War I.
Technically
Independent
EDWARD MANN will edit Producer Alex Gottlieb's
"The Fighter."
Metro
ANNETTE KELLERMAN, one-time swimming champion,
was set as technical adviser on the Esther
Williams starrer, "The One-Piece Bathing Suit,"
which dramatizes Miss Kellerman's career.
Dance director on "Everything I Have Is Yours"
be NICK CASTLE.
Paramount
Dance numbers lor "Look Ma, I'm Dancin' " wiU
will
be staged by JEROME BOBBINS, New York stage
choreographer.
RKO Radio
Joseph Kaulman Productions booked CHARLES
LANG to lens "Sudden Fear."
20th Century-Fox
Cameraman EDWARD J. SNYDER
one-year contract extension.
Warners
STANLEY FLEISCHER was assigned as art director
on "The Jazz Singer."
Film editing chore on "The Miracle ol Our Lady
of Fatima" was drawn by TOM REILLY. JlMMr
McMAHON will be the assistant director.
PHIL QUINN was set as the assistant director
on "April in Paris."
MONTE MONTANA, rodeo rider^ and roper, will
supervise the rodeo sequences in "The Will Rogers
Story."
Title
Changes
Independent
"The Red Beret" (Irving Allen Prod.) to THE RED
DEVILS.
Metro
"The Seven Souls of Clement O'Reilly" to LILI.
"Keeping Fit" (Pete Smith short) to KEEP YOUNG,
Paramount
"Famous" to JUST FOR YOU.
"Hurricane Williams" to HURRICANE SMITH.
RKO Radio
Newlyv nd Ho eymc
jeci) to NEWLYWEDS TAKE A CHANCE.
Universal- International
"There's Nothing Like Money" to IT GROWS ON
TREES.
"Francis Covers the Big Town' to FRANCIS,
RACKET BUSTER.
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952

"
Sol Lesser Arranges
Big Production Year
HOLLYWOOD—Extensive production plans
in both the theatrical and TV fields during
the current year and in 1953 have
been formulated by Sol Lesser.
Now in final editing stages, "Tarzan's Savage
Fury" will be delivered to RKO Radio
for early release and filming will begin
late this year on "Tarzan Meets the Vampire,"
for distribution by the same company.
Also to be finished this year are
"lUa-Tica," a documentary adventure being
photographed in South America; "Mysterious
India," now being edited, and "Red
Sea Adventure," an undersea feature. Lesser
has not negotiated releases on this trio.
Distribution arrangements also remain to
be set on "Cave Woman," which will be produced
for the Les.ser organization by Aubrey
Schenck, "Night Without Stars," foreignmade
subject recently acquii-ed by Lesser,
and five Douglas Fairbanks sr. starrers which
the producer is to reissue in association with
Douglas Fairbanks jr.
His video plans include "Terry and the
Pirates," from the comic strip, to be lensed
in association with Fairbanks; a series under
the general title of Buried Treasure, and
Our Town.
Lesser is, however, withdrawing from Peerless
Television, which he and Edward Small
organized some months ago as a TV production-distribution
company, and which has its
headquarters in New York. Also in abeyance
at this time is Lesser's previously-announced
intention of participating, with Small and
Samuel J. Briskin, in an independent unit
organized as Associated Artists and Producers.
Century TV Firm Sues
Monogram and Officers
HOLLYWOOD—Charging that Wild Bill
Elliott was "induced" to break a contract
with Century Television Productions and instead
sign a ticket with Monogram to appear
in a group of westerns for theatrical
release, the TV firm filed a superior court
action against Monogram and three of its top
officers. President Steve Broidy, W. Ray
Johnston and Scott R. Dunlap.
Century contends that in June 1950 it signed
Elliott and made the pilot film of a proposed
video series and that the pilot was screened
for Broidy, Johnston and Dunlap in an effort
to seek financial backing. Some months
thereafter, the complaint alleges. Monogram
"enticed" Elliott to sign a contract.
RKO Editing Department
Operating Near Capacity
HOLLYWOOD—The new year's
early days
found the RKO cutting rooms operating near
capacity, with James Wilkinson, editorial department
head, supervising the sci-ssoring of
15 features and a two-reel comedy.
Features being edited are Clash by Night,
Macao, The Ragged Edge, Jet Pilot, The Big
Sky. Androcles and the Lion, The Narrow
Margin, Crack-Down, 3000 A.D., Rancho Notorious,
At Sword's Point, The Half-Breed,
Sword of Venus. Desert Passage. Marshal of
Pecos and Newlyweds Take a Chance, the last
a two-reeler.
MN
ITS closing issue of last year. Time
magazine listed ten motion pictures as
the "Choice of 1951." There was no amplification
of that cryptic caption, so the
reader was left to guess as to whose choice the
ten photoplays represented. Presumably they
were the selection of the news weekly's own
editors.
Despite such ambiguity as to the source
of the opinion, a .spot of analysis of the honored
ten should be of interest to those who
make and distribute Hollywood's celluloid
output.
In the first place, five of the ten, an even
50 per cent, were foreign productions—two
English, two French and one Italian. While
some of them had received reasonably enthusiastic
acclaim from critics and were accorded
comparable middle-bracket patronage,
mostly in the so-called art houses, by the
public, none of them could be considered a
hit by the doUars-and-cents revenue standards
by which the practically minded industryites
rightfully determine the merits of
contemporary product.
Obviously, then, they were selected because
of their artistry, their courage, their unusualness
or some of the many other abstract
facets employed by ivory-tower evaluators in
judging features.
In view of which, most startling are the
fiscal records of the quintet of Hollywoodproduced
films which completed Time's
"Choice of 1951." Two of that five, "An
American in Paris" and "Red Badge of Courage,"
came from MGM; another pair, "A
Place in the Sun" and "Detective Story,"
were Paramount offerings, while the fifth
was Warner Bros.' "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Referring to actual and acciu-ate statistics
on nationwide grosses, as printed in the Dec.
15, 1951, issue of BOXOFFICE, one finds
that of the above-listed five pictures, four
placed among the half dozen top grossers of
the season—up to that date. "An American
in Paris" was in first position with a whopping
194 per cent of average business; "Streetcar"
was a clo.se second, with a score of 180
per cent; "A Place in the Sun" was third,
credited with 143 per cent, and "Detective
Story" was running sixth, scoring 131 per
cent. The other members of the quintet, "Red
Badge of Courage," was paying its way with
and unimpressive 106 per cent, but was far
behind the leaders.
But the fact that four out of the five American
pictures were top grossers seems to indicate
that in making their selections tho.se
who determined Time's ten winnahs gave
some thought to financial returns. Or
it may have been because each member of the
chosen quintet was distinguished also for its
artistry, albeit it was considerably more on
the eye-to-doUars side.
Another interesting angle is to be found
— in the fact that two of the five "Streetcar"
and "A Place in the Sun"—were almost universally
appraised as strictly adult film fare
not advisable for juvenile patronage because
of their respective sex angles. And the same
is true of at least two of the foreign finishers.
So, those who wi.sh to draw conclusions
from Time's "Choice of 1951" have a number
of avenues of logic that might be explored.
There is apparently no one clear-cut diagnosis
that can be made, unless it is the
opinion that if pictures are to be artistic,
and in some instances sexy, Hollywood has
learned to make such art and sex pay off
much better than its foreign contemporaries.
Those filmmaking King brotiiers wiio have
had top spot in the opportunism league's
batting averages for lo! these many years
were dealt a sad blow last week when Paramount
Producer Hal Wallis announced that
"one of most dramatic stories to hit the nation's
front pages in years—the saga of sea
captain Kurt Carlson who has steadfastly
refused to abandon his foundering ship—will
be the basis of a new adventure story for
Burt Lancaster." Further perusal of the
press-stopping intelligence from Walter Seltzer,
Wallis' tubthuraper, revealed, however,
that the "new adventure story" had progressed
no further than "Wallis is entering
negotiations with the Isbrandtsen Line, owners
of the Flying Enterprise, for the story of
its intrepid skipper ..."
But the Kings managed to keep their slugging
level at an impressive .500 by declaring
What's the price that either picture is ever
made?
that they would begin filming an opus titled
"The Mink Coat," and based upon the current
Washington probe into income tax irregularities.
From Teet Carle's Paramount praisery, information
that "Producers William Perlberg
and George Seaton, who bring Dinah Shore
back to the screen in 'Aaron Slick From
Punkin Crick," will be the guests on Miss
Shore's coast-to-coast television show ..."
That's the old fight, boys. Such boring
from within may yet Uck TV.
Comes Alex Evelove, the bard of Burbank,
with word that "Jlembers of the Sadler's
Wells Theatre Ballet were special guests of
Randolph Scott at Warner Bros, studios
where the star is making . . . 'Man With a
Gun.'
Let it be hoped that, resultantly, the ballerinas
will not undertake an entrechat on
hossback or a pas de deux with sixguns.
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952 49

wmam
wm^Bammsmnsm
. . Katharine
—
^OHeto*t ^e^iont
T>ARELY HAS A PICTURE opened in London
to such unanimous praise as John
Huston's "The African Queen" which plays
the Warner Theatre on its pre-release from
this weelc. Scarcely a dissident note can be
found among either the trade or the lay
press in the chorus of praise for what is undoubtedly
a very fine film.
Since the film has already opened in the
U.S.A. a review would be out of place in this
column, but it might be of interest to readers
to know what the British press thinlc of it.
Milton Shuhnan of the Evening Standard
heads his article. "How Nice to Meet Miss
Hepburn in the Jungle" and in the body of
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his review, which takes up more than threequarters
of his available space says:
"In relating this unconventional but curiously
moving and exciting tale, John Huston
strings another brilliant gem to a directional
necklace already sparkling with such achievements
as "The Maltese Falcon," "The Treasure
of Sierra Madre" and "The Red Badge of
Courage" . Hepburn and Humphrey
Bogart fight a see-saw battle for domination
of the screen, but the director has
managed to make honors come out about
even. No finer compliment can I pay them
than that I can think of no one who could
have better fitted the parts."
Equally lyrical is the Evening Standard's
companion morning paper the Daily Express.
Leonard Mosley says: "I list this among my
ten top experiences as a critic. You will discover
that there are depths to Katharine
Hepburn that we have never dreamed of. Bogart's
performance isn't quite as good as
Hepburn's, but it is the best of his career
nonetheless. He starts out as a greasy,
drunken beachcomber. He ends as a very
human man."
Very often a film received enthusiastically
by the daily press is regarded with rather
more caution by the tradepapers, but this one
is an exception. May Furness of the Daily
Film Renter sums it up: "Human interest,
human daring and human love permeate a
film which brings tears, laughter and that
happy-ever-after feeling so rarely achieved
in these modern times. And its not escapist
it's merely magnificent. We won't frighten
off the bookers by calling this picture a masterpiece
which it
is."
Success for "The African Queen" means
success for independent distributor John
Woolf who put up the British end of the
money in exchange for the eastern hemisphere
rights. He needs, and deserves, a big
success now for although most of the films
he has financed will ultimately return more
than the investment, many are slow movers
and will take time to bring to profit. He has
considerable courage in backing people who
he thinks can make good pictures and such
courage deserves its reward.
THE REPORT OF THE 1951 CREW of the
London tent of Variety has just been issued
and shows an impressive record of achievement
for what is a comparatively new branch
of the show business charity. For the midnight
matinee held last December 10 in the presence
of the Duke of Edinburgh more than
$36,000 was realized from ticket sales alone
and although the final accounts have not
yet been prepared a check for $16,000 on account
was handed to the Duke on December
21 to be placed to the credit of the National
Playing Fields Ass'n.
The crew already has pledged to raise the
money for the Poplar Boys club for their
premises and equipment in a district which
is notoriously tough and where the need for
a community center for boys is very great.
Since the club was in need the money was
advanced by means of a bank overdraft guaranteed
by several barkers and the raising of
the money to pay off this overdraft will be
one of the first tasks of 1952. Another incident
during the year was the dedication of
a playground for children at Bermondsey,
money raised by the London tent.
High praise is due to C. J. Latta, 1951's
chief barker, who has now retired and been
replaced by Dave Griffiths, O.B.E. It is
typical of C. J. that, holding one of the biggest
jobs in the film industry, he should be
able to find so much time for Variety, a
cause that is obviously very near his heart.
Tom O'Brien, M.P., had paid tribute to him
at the dinner held during November prior
to the election of the new crew and O'Brien's
words were inspired by the feeling of the
old crew to their chief. Probably the main
reason for C. J. having so much time to devote
to Variety is that he is one of the very
few executives who believe, and in fact insist,
that his subordinates make their own
decisions. So many managing directors like
to hold all the reins in their hands, but at
Associated British, department heads do manage
their departments and are responsible
to C. J. after they have made their decisions.
THE FIGURES JUST ISSUED by the British
Film Pi-oduction Fund show that the
Eady levy during its first 11 months of operation
produced no less than $3,000,000. This
was for the 47 weeks ended on Aug. 4. 1951
during which the sum of one farthing per
seat was returned to the fund. If the national
boxoffice take continues at the 1951
level the gross payments into the fund for
1952 should be more than three times that
amount since the levy was increased to three
farthings from August 4.
So far. $2,576,700 has been paid out to
producers of which $2,320,000 has been paid
for feature films and $256,500 for shorts.
Another $683,000 remains to be distributed
for the first year.
This bonus to producers will be doubly
welcome if rumors persistent in Wardour
street, about the future of the National Film
Finance Corp., are true. These rumors take
two forms. First, that the Tory government
will not implement the promise of the previous
Socialist administration to give the
corporation a further $6,000,000 and second,
that the corporation might continue but under
new management. Those passing on the
rumors point out that although the Socialist
promised the money without opposition by
the Tories who were the minority party in
Parliament at the time, no effort has been
made to bring the matter before the House
of Commons since the new government assembled.
The feeling is that Winston
Churchill may be of the opinion that with
Eady money flowing in, the producer can
finance his future films without the help of
the corporation. Those who foretell a
change in management are basing their assumption
on the grounds that the corporation's
officers are not civil servants whose
jobs are safe forever, but private individuals
working for a concern which is under the
direction of the government. Since they
were appointed by a Socialist government it
may be that the Tories feel that a change is
due.
Ace Herman in New Post
HOLLYWOOD—Leonard W. "Ace" Herman,
associate producer with Lindsley Parsons
for the past five years, has been named
secretary-treasurer of Lindsley Parsons Productions.
Inc., releasing through Monogram.
Next on the unit's docket is a Wayne Morris
starrer, "Big Wilderness."
50 BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

. . Wayne
^
'Bend of Rive/ Premiere Festivities
Will Include Steamboat Race
PORTLAND—A steambuat race on the Columbia
river, making use of local craft; a
northwest radio network hookup the night
of the premiere to bring the arrival of
James Stewart, Julia Adams and other star
personalities to listeners throughout Oregon
and a huge night parade aj'e already on the
rapidly developing plans for the world premiere
of the Mount Hood and Portlandfilmed
Technicolor western, "Bend of the
River," here January 23.
More than 800 invitations have been issued
for the 7:30 p. m. first of two showings on
premiere night, .screening at the J. J. Parker
2,000-seat Broadway Theatre. Something like
1,000 seats will go on sale to the public
Wednesday (16) on a first-come, first-served
basis. While no advance will be made in
adult admissions, no children's tickets will
be available. The price will be 90 cents
regardless of age. Altogether, about 3,000
people will be able to see the stars' personal
appearances on stage.
The picture will be shown on a single bill
policy for the first week only, opening at
11:45 a. m. and running continuously. On
January 28, another U-I drama, "The Lady
Pays Off," will be added as a second feature.
The attraction is booked to open in many
other Oregon cities after its January 23
premiere here.
In addition to the premiere events listed,
there will be a squai'e dance at the Ai-mory
here. It was sold out almost immediately
after it was announced. The Armory can
accommodate 800 dancers and another 800
spectators.
Both the Portland Journal and the Portland
Oregonian are making plans for advertising
tie-ins. while the Portland Retail
Trade bureau w'ill honor the stars of the
film at its annual banquet.
Publicity men from the Universal-International
studios in Hollywood have set up
an office here, with Allan Warshauer and
Mike Vogel, both lifetimers in the motion
picture exploitation field, in charge.
PORTLAND
lyTr. and Mrs. Jack Felix returned after a
. . . Paramount
two-week vacation in Denver. He is
manager at Monogram . Thiriot,
Paramount manager, returned to his deck
Friday (4) after a leave during which he
visited throughout the southwest
was expecting a visit from Joe Walsh,
exchange operations manager, on Wednesday
i9). Walter Hoffman, Pacific coast exploiteer,
was in during the week . . . Dick
Lange of RKO reports Allan Welder, exploiteer.
was in town working on "I Want You,"
the Samuel Goldwyn production which will
have its initial run in four neighborhood
houses starting February 27 . . The Japanese-made
.
film, "Rashomon," termed the
best foreign film in 1951, will be press-previewed
here next week. It is earmarked for
the Guild, art house.
HELD OVER 2d WEEK
First Re-issue Date
Buy it Book it NOW
Theatrical Sales Manager
The March of Time
369 Lexington Avenue
New York 17, N.Y.
SEND FOR PRESSBOOK ng Time 56 Mi
The annual Evergreen-J. J. Parker party
for exhibitors, branch managers and members
of the press in the Portland area was
held in the Benson hotel on Friday (4) . Evergreen
executives, including Rass Brown, Oregon
district manager, and Seattle executives
Tedford and Christy were on hand while
J. J. Parker Theatres was represented by
Jack Matlack and Harold A. Lake. More than
100 guests and their ladies attended.
Jack Partin, Republic manager, was in Los
Angeles for a meeting of branch managers.
FROM 'BOOT CAMP' TO
GUADALCANAL
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Zoning Granted for Airer
Appealed at Indio, Calif.
INDIO, CALIF.—A zoning variance granted
Judge LeRoy Pawley to construct a 300-car
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city council by J. Frederick Rosen, attorney
representing property owners within 300 feet
of the site in question. Rosen also represents
a syndicate which plans to construct
an ozoner near Highway 99 near the eastern
limits of the city.
Pawley was granted the zoning variance
with the agreement that construction would
be launched within six months and that the
drive-in would be completed not later than
six months thereafter.
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BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952
51

LOS ANGELES
T\ea.th came to two exhibition veterans.
Dying at his home in Encino was John
H. King, 77, retired founder of the Kunsky
circuit of Michigan, who is survived by his
wife, whUe Harry Britwar of the Prudential
chain in New York City died while on holiday
here. His body was shipped to Farmingdale.
N. Y., for burial ... On his annual
winter vacation here, and ducking out on
those midwestern snowstorms, is Morrie
Snead, operator of a theatre in Council Bluffs,
Iowa.
After operating them on lease for several
months, Frank Harris and Joe Fink have
turned the Cameo Theatre here and the
Monterey in Monterey park back to the James
Edna & Don Gran
Sioux Rapid^'^°^°
Edwards circuit, which is shuttering them
for the time being ... On sick leave for the
past couple of months, Al Bowman, U-I salesman,
was a Filmrow visitor. He feels fine
but hasn't gone back to work yet . . . Another
visitor was Al Zimbalist, assistant to
Edward L. Alperson, independent producer.
Among the shoppers for film and supplies
were Ralph Ratliff, manager of the Ritz in
Inglewood; Ford Bratcher, Starlight Di-ive-In,
and Mose Hernandez, operator of the Royal
in Guadalupe . . . Cpl. Douglas
of John DeCosta of the local
DeCosta, son
RKO branch,
flew back to the McChord air base where
he is stationed, after a Christmas furlough
Alex Cooperman of
with his parents . . .
December \9, 1
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olv for Reid
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BUSINESS
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Local Screen Advertising of Quality
BREVITIES
/ZeJ A. iZa^f
FILM INDUSTRIES, INC.
the Lux Films branch, headed for San Francisco
on business.
Cliff Harris, Monogram salesman, headed
for Ai-lzona on a selling trip . . . Joy Joyce
has taken over as manager of the Meralta
Theatre in Culver City, a unit in the Phil
Isley circuit. Joyce is a nephew of Alice
Joyce, one-time star of the silent screen.
Harold VVirthwein, Monogram-Allied Artists
western sales manager, checked out to
confer with exchange managers in Salt Lake
City, Denver, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Minneapolis
and Chicago on plans for launching
Monogram week February 10-16.
Joseph A. Walsh, head of branch operations
for Paramount, left for Seattle and
Portland after a week's stay at the local exchange.
He is currently on the west coast
on a month's inspection tour.
Eugene Heilig Opens
After Facelifting
EUGENE. ORE.—After a S27.000 remodeling
job, the Heilig Theatre here was reopened
Friday ill) with "Weekend With Father."
The remodeling job took some three months,
but the theatre was closed to the public less
than a week, reports Jack Baldock, manager.
The modernization included a marquee
and redoing of the entire auditoruim, which
included the installation of rocking-chair type
seats by B. P. Shearer.
An open house was held following the opening
with Western Amusement Co. executives
from Los Angeles and Seattle on hand, as
well as visitors from Portland's Filmrow. Ted
Jones, president of the theatre chain, made
the trip up from Los Angeles, as did Bill Jenkins,
manager of the Seattle office.
Western Amusement operates three theatres
in Eugene, the Mayflower, Lane and
Heilig, as well as conventional theatres and a
drive-in in nearby Springfield.
Neighboring Town Offers
Show to Heatless Dillon
BRECKENRIDGE, COLO.—Mr. and Mrs.
Lester Adrian closed the Dillon Theatre last
month, announcing they were unable to heat
the theatre building properly. With the sudden
cold and closing, the managers canceled
scheduled bookings of "The Prince Who Was
a Thief" and the following week's "Mark
of the Renegade."
To provide adequate film entertainment for
the region, a matinee has been scheduled in
Breckenridge each Sunday at 3:30. allowing
the people of Dillon to make the trip here
and return to their mountain homes by
dark. There will also be two shows Sunday
evenings. The local theatre operates on Sundays
and Wednesdays.
QUICK THEATRE SALES!
Selling theatres is our business. Live
organization, quick results. When others
foil, give us o try, post record of sales
is our proof.
UNITED STATES COVERAGE
Inquiries Answered Immediately
Write Irv Bowron, Sales Mgr.
2269 Ford Parkway
St. Paul, Minn.
208 South LoSalle St.
Chicago, Illinois
4229 N

—
. —
—
—
'Death of Salesman Is Impressive
In Its Third Los Angeles Week
TRIBUTE TO 'PARIS' CREATORS—
Metro's "An American in Paris" was
chosen by the National Screen Council
as the best feature to be released during
November 1951, and resultantly those
associated in the making of the Technicolor
musical were recipients of the coveted
monthly BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon
Awards. Top, with his plaque, is Arthur
Freed, who produced the Gene Kelly
starrer; at bottom is Director Vincente
Minnelli.
SEATTLE
T ippert's Seattle office rated second in the
final accounting of the annual 13-week
collection drive which ended December 14.
According to Manager Jack Engerman, the
Salt Lake City office came in first . . . Lionel
and Corrine Brown's son. daughter-in-law
and two children visited them from California
over the holidays. Brown operates the
Princess in Edmonds ... A bout with the flu
put a damper on Evelyn Taylor's planned
New Year jaunt to Vancouver. She is a
booker at Universal.
Jim Durgan, Hamrick publicity man. spent
the Christmas and New Year holidays visiting
relatives in San Diego . . . Oscar Chiniquy,
local manager for National Theatre
Supply, left by car for Los Angeles where
he will vacation for several weeks . . The
.
Junior Mercy's and their five children have
returned from their holiday vacation at Sun
Valley.
Jack Burk, 20th-Fox manager, has left for
New York to attend a meeting. He was
joined in Portland by Charlie Powers. Portland
manager . . . Jack Engerman and Harry
Lewis have returned from a Lippert sales
convention in Chicago . . . R. J. Peratovich
jr. is here from Klawock, Alaska. He is buying
and booking and attending the University
of Washington.
After a tour of France with her husband
Corinne Calvet has returned to work on
"Sailor Beware" at the Paramount studio.
LOS ANGELES—The postholiday period
found local first run grosses holding up very
well, although only two new bills made their
appeaiance and there was a preponderance
of holdovers. "I'll See You in My Dreams"
opened strong at 150 and "Death of a Salesman,
'
in its third week, scored an impressive
140. "Quo Vadis" took 200 in its sixth
week at advanced prices.
(Average Is 100)
Chinese, Uptown, Los Angeles, Loyola— The Model
and the Marriage Broker (20th-Fox), Crazy Over
Horses (Mono), 2nd wk 75
Downtov Paramount, Hawaii—My Favorite Spy
(Para), 2nd wk. HO
Egyptian. State—Westward the Women (MGM),-
The Unknown Man (MGM) Znd wk. ... 120
Fine Arts—Tony Draws a Horse (Cinema Dist.),
3rd wk. .
50
Four Star, United Artists-Quo Vadis (MGM),
Rth wk 200
Vjx Wilshire—The Atican Queen (UA), advanced
^prices, 2Tid wk 150
C.Iobe, Ritz, Vogue Decision Before Down
(20lh-Fox), 3rd wk no
Hillstreet, Pantages—Two Tickets to Broadway
(RKO), 3rd wk 90
Hollywood Paramount— I Want You (RKO),
advanced prices, 3rd wk, 110
Orpheum, Ins, El Rey—Weekend With Father
(U-l); Elephant Stampede (Mono) 100
Warners Beverly—Death oi a Salesman (Col),
advanced prices, 3rd wk 140
Warners Downtown, Hollywood, Wiltern I'll See
You in My Dreams (WB) 150
Ten Tall Men' Grosses 190
In Seattle Opening
SEATTLE—"Ten Tall Men" roared into
the Coliseum here to pace all local first runs
with 190 per cent, while the Orpheum gro.s.sed
a fine 10 per cent on its opening of "Distant
Drums," dualed with "Finders Keepers."
Third best in its opening was "My Favorite
Spy" at the Paramount with 140.
Blue Mouse—New Mexico (UA); Hotel Sahara
(UA)
Coliseum—Ten Toll Men (Col); Crazy Over
70
Horses (Mono) 190
Fifth Avenue—Elopement (20lh-Fox); Northwest
Territory (Mono), 4 days of 2nd wk 90
Liberty—Weekend With Father (U-I)...
125
Music Bex -I Want You (RKO) 120
Hall—Callaway Went Thalaway (MGM),
8nd
70
Orpheum—Distant Dr (WB); Finders Keepers
_ (U-I)
ount—My Favorite Spy (Para); Slaughter
Trail
(RKO)
Ten Tall Men' Takes 200
In Big Frisco Opening
SAN FRANCISCO—Columbia's "Ten Tall
Men" was a hit here the same as elsewhere,
with a smashing 200 per cent opening week.
Other notable figures were scored by U-I's
double bill of "Flame of Araby" and "Finders
Keepers." which hit 165 per cent, and the
holdover of Paramount's "Favorite Spy."
which made 150 per cent in its second stanza.
"Quo Vadis" registered 200 in the sixth week
of its advanqed price engagement.
Cinema—Elopement (20th-Fox) 100
Fox— Distant Drums (WB); Bonnerline (MGM) ISO
Golden Gate—Double Dynamite (RKO) 100
Loew's Warfield—Quo Vadis (MGM), 6th wk 200
Orpheum—Ten Tall Men "" ;i 200
Paramount—My Favorite Spy (Para), 2nd wk 150
St. Francis—Slarlill (WB) 125
United Artists-Flame o{ Aroby (U-I); Finders
Keepers (U-I) 165
Business in Spurt
At Denver
DENVER — Business has been improving
rapidly. "Distant Drums" and "Purple Heart
Diary" packed the Denver and Esquire, where
they were held two extra days. "Westward
the Women" packed the Broadway, and held.
"My Favorite Spy" was nearly as good in its
second week as in its first, and held for a
third. "An American in Paris" got a third
week at the Orpheum.
Aladdin, Tabor, Webber—Weekend With Father
(U-I); The Big Night (UA) 150
Broadway—Westward the Women (MGM) 255
Denham—My Favorite Spy (Para), 2nd wk 120
Denver, Esquir.— Distant Drums (WB); Purple
Heart Diary (Coi) 200
Orpheum—An American in Paris (MGM), 2nd wk..,120
Paramount—The Lady Says No (U-1); Badlands ol
Dakota (Realarl) 90
Rialto Fixed Bayonets {?Oth Fox) Badmon's Gold
(UA), 2nd d. t. wk 125
Vogue—Odette (UA) 100
'Distant Drums' Tops All
Holdovers in Portland
PORTLAND—•Distant Drums" hit a 170
per cent second week at the Paramount here
despite a siege of snow and ice which, because
of their rarity, always keep Oregon
residents close to their firesides. Another
audience puller was "My Favorite Spy," with
140 and 150 ratings at the Orpheum and
Oriental, respectively. The roadshow run of
"The River" showed a healthy 250 per cent
for the 400-seat Guild Art Theatre. All of
the top grossers were holdovers.
Broadway—Flame of Araby (U-1), 2nd wk 110
Guild—The River (UA), 2nd wk 250
Mayfair—New Mexico (UA) 75
Music Box—House of 1,000 Women (SR).... 90
Oriental—My Favorite Spy (Para). 2nd wk. 150
Orpheum—My Favorite Spy (Para). 2nd wk 140
Paramount— Distant Drums (WB), 2nd wk 170
United Artists Callaway Went Thataway (MGM),
2nd wk
MONTANA
100
n world premiere of "Red Skies of Montana."
a story about firefighters most of
which was filmed in and around Mis.soula,
will be held there as a memorial to three
firemen killed in the collapse of a fire-weakened
wall recently. The premiere will also
be a method of raising more funds for families
of the men, according to word Lssued by
Bob Bothwell. manager of Fox Intermountain
theatres at Missoula, who said, "20th-Fox's
story of Montana's smoke jumpers, 'Red Skies
of Montana,' will be shown here as a special
premiere to raise funds." Seats will go at $5
and $10 each. The picture stars Richard
Widmark, Constance Smith, Jeff Hunter and
Richard Boone.
Bill Lohse, son of Mrs. Ed Krunweide of
Great Falls, has a part in a Hollywood picture
recently filmed at Fort Benning, Ga.
Lohse, a paratrooper there, has been cast as
a rigger in the film, "Jumping Jack," and
appears in a closeup shot as well as group
FYee balloons, serpentine
action series . . .
and noisemakers were distributed at a big
New Year's midnight show at the Civic Center
Theatre in Great Falls . . . The annual
Hair Fashion Forecast style show was presented
on the stage of the Civic Center at
an evening show recently.
THEATRE /ALE/
7146
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 53

. . The
. . The
. . Douglas
. . RCA
. . James
. . . Fred
. . Tom
SAN FRANCISCO
T eonard Smith, theatre manager, again has
been named chairman of the March of
Dimes drive for the Davis area . . George
.
Leathurby, genial manager of the Irving Theatre
here, did a bang-up job on selling theatre
script gift books during the holiday season
. . . Guerneville's River Theatre was
closed for two weeks, according to Manager
Dave Williams. It reopened January 4.
Rhonda Fleming was among those waiting
it out at Squaw Valley where power lines
were down and snowplows were stalled . . .
Manager Jack Allen of the Stage Door Theatre
had an outstanding display during "A
Streetcar Named Desu'e" run. Jack arranged
with the Paul Elders book store for a display
of all Tennessee Williams works in the
theatre lobby . Fairbanks jr. was
in for the opening of his film, "Another
Man's Poison," starring Bette Davis and Gary
Merrill, at the United Artists, January 8.
Hal Honore, district manager for Westside
Theatres, will join station KIBE as sales and
promotional representative February 1 . . .
Rowland Lloyd is now manager of the Altos
Theatre in Los Altos, succeeding Bert
Schweitzer, who was granted a leave. Lloyd
has been in the business 25 years, the past
11 yeai's as film booker, buyer and manager
of the Aaron Goldberg chain here . . . Patti
Page appeared at the Paramount Theatre
here on a four-day deal this week.
"Lady Possessed" was world-premiered at
the St. Francis Theatre Wednesday (8) ...
Al Vaughan of Sam Goldwyn Productions
and Fred Calvin, RKO, were here to do their
bit for the opening of "I Want You" at the
Golden Gate January 16. Appearing on stage
opening day for all shows will be Farley
Grainger and Dana Andrews . . Golden
.
State circuit has purchased the Foothill Theatre
in Oakland from the Robert L. Lippert
Chain . Pix Theatre in Oakland was
purchased by Nabhan-Sayegh from Thys
Winkle.
L. E. Blair of Chester leased his Chester
Theatre for the four winter months and is
currently a civilian employe of the marine
corps here . . . Carl Hunt of Dinuba Theatres
has opened offices in the Golden Gate
Theatre building to handle booking and other
business transactions . Doolittle,
Western Theatrical Equipment, and Susan
Orendorf, MGM, were married January 5 in
Las Vegas . Chowchilla Theatre lobby
is being recarpeted . Service has a
new engineer, Don Burke, who succeeds Russ
Davis.
John Krause Promoted;
Harry Ashton in Golden
GOLDEN, COLO.—John Krau.se, who has
been with the Golden Theatre for the past
three years, has been promoted to management
of the Santa Pe Theatre at Eighth
street and Santa Fe drive and has already
assumed the new duties.
Harry Ashton of Spokane, Wash., has been
named by the Atlas Theatre Corp. to manage
the Golden. He arrived last month and
is now in charge of the circuit's Golden office.
Hans Salter will compose and conduct the
ioore for Universal's "Hear No Evil."
Five Seized in Thefts
At Phoenix Theatres
PHOENIX—Two local college students were
held in connection with the theft of eight
loudspeakers from the Silver Dollar Drive-In.
The pair were taken into custody at a Tempe
dormitory after campus police found the
speakers in an automobile owned by one of
the suspects. According to sheriff's deputies,
the youths admitted taking the speakers, valued
at $13 each, while attending the theatre
the night before their arrest.
Police in Baton Rouge, La., arrested three
17-year-old boys who were implicated in a
recent robbery at the Cinema Park Drive-In,
in which $600 was taken. A 16-year-old
Phoenix boy, who claimed he joined the
trio
after the theatre theft and left them before
they were picked up in Baton Rouge, tipped
off the story to Phoenix police.
On the bright side of the ledger, a 15-yearold
ticket seller at the Studio Theatre foiled
an attempted New Year's eve holdup by refusing
to take the gunman seriously. The
girl said a man walked up to the boxoffice
and demanded she turn over the theatre receipts.
"Go on, you're kidding," she told him.
"No, I'm serious," he replied, pulling back
his coat and showing her a gun in a holster
attached to his belt.
When the girl still made no move to hand
over the money, the gunman said, "Kid,
you've got more guts than I thought you
had," and walked away. Police were called
after the theatre manager learned of the
incident.
PHOENIX
IJollywood actress Bonita Granville will hold
down the star role in the legitimate
production of "Affairs of State," which ushers
in a ten-week series of plays at the Sombrero
Playhouse under the aegis of Ann Lee and
Dick Charlton. The Louis Verneuil comedy
has been running for more than a year on
Broadway.
The 18-year-oId candy counter attendant
at the Strand Theatre was stabbed in the
lobby of the theatre by her estranged husband,
who inflicted a cut in the girl's side
before being restrained by bystanders. The
husband was jailed . . . More than $1,500 was
raised for Arizona Boys Ranch in two shows
staged in Yuma by the cast and technicians
filming Columbia's "The Sabre and the Arrow"
there. Broderick Crawford and Barbara
Hale, stars of the picture, appeared at both
performances. In return, the lai'gest department
store in Yuma remained open the Sunday
before Christmas for the benefit of the
Hollywood group, who othenvise would have
been unable to get in any Christmas shopping.
To Start 'The Ring'
HOLLYWOOD—With a midmonth starting
date. King Bros. Productions secured shooting
space at the Samuel Goldwyn studios for
"The Ring," independent venture based upon
a novel by Irving Shulman. Release arrangements
will be set after filming is completed.
United States Dominates Market
United States 16mm entertainment films
dominate the market in Costa Rica.
DENVER
prank H. Ricketson jr., president of Fox
Intermountain Theatres who recently returned
from his second tour of Europe since
World War II, is writing a series of articles
on the various countries he visited. The
series are running in the Denver Post.
Paul Henreid, star and producer of "For
Men Only," will be in Denver January 15 for
the opening of his film at the Aladdin. Tabor
and Webber. The companion film will be
another Lippert film, "Man Bait." Oscar
Kantner, recently hired by Lippert, is in
Denver doing promotion on these films and
also laying the groundwork for another Lippert
double bill, "Navajo" and "Stronghold."
which will go into the same theatres February
5. Kantner is expected to spend considerable
time in the Denver and Salt Lake
areas promoting Lippert films.
Harry Graham of Graham Theatre Supply
is seriously ill in St. Luke's hospital. He
has been under an oxygen tent for the better
pai't of three weeks. His brother and
partner Joe is still ill at home . Smiley,
general manager of Realart Exchanges, has
sold the Kansas City branch to Walter
Lambader, who has installed Robert Herrell,
formerly of Denver, as manager. Smiley is
spending the week at the Salt Lake City
branch.
Robert Patrick, inventor of Movie Sweepstakes,
has gone east to answer a flood of
inquiries regarding the theatre attendanceboosting
game. Patrick, a partner in the
Lakewood, is doubling the attendance on the
night each week he uses the game there . . .
Tom Bailey's Salt Lake City Lippert exchange
finished first in the Lippert drive.
Bailey's Denver branch finished fifth.
Filmrow visitors included Tom Knight,
Riverton, Wyo.: Merle Gwinn, Benkelman,
Neb.; Herbert Gumper, Center; L. T. Rademacher,
Edgemont, S. D.; Neal Beezley, Burlington,
and C. E. McLaughlin, Las Animas
Zekman has sold his interest in
the Park to his partner Sam Dunevitz, who
also operates- a booking and buying service.
George Frantz, theatre engineer and appraiser,
has gone to New Mexico where he
will supervise the rebuilding of the El Raton
in Raton, which was damaged by fire a few
weeks ago, and also will look after the building
of a 250-car airer, with room for expansion,
at Socorro. Frantz will then go on
to Santa Pe to inventory the properties belonging
to the Greer interests, which includes
theatres.
Parkrose Airer Closed
PARKROSE, ORE.—Ray Mills, manager of
the Sandy Boulevard Drive-In, kept the
ozoner operating in December before he
closed for the season. Mills said he would
probably reopen in March, depending on
spring weather conditions.
y
We
have the
lo. Quick Acrioal
lor
VOUB
THEATRE
THEATRE EXCHANGE CO.
201 Fine Arts BIdg. PorHand 5. Ornoni
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

Ice and Sleet Disrupt
St.
Louis Area Trade
ST. LOUIS— Ice and .sleet storms in southeastern
Missouri, central and .southern Illinois
caused terrific havoc, with overall losses
running into millions of dollars. Throughout
the entire midwest, weather continued this
week to be a major factor contributing to bad
business.
In this area, ice-covered roads were impassable
and miles of telephone and electric
lines were down. Some 20 Missouri towns
were isolated, telephone communication was
cut off entirely and in many places electric
service was disrupted. Many motion picture
houses and other businesses were compelled
to close.
In Cairo electric service was on an intermittent
hit-arid-run basis. Elizabethtown,
Golconda and other communities reported
the worst ice storm in 15 years. Most of the
film salesmen working out of St. Louis remained
in town throughout the week. Some
tried to go out, but found conditions "terrible."
Herman Gorelick. co-manager of Realart,
and Jack Kane, Lippert salesman, w'ere
ice bound at Vandalia, 111.; Homer Hisey of
Warner Bros., found it impossible to get
out of Cape Girardeau, one of the hardest-hit
communities. Bill Sharpe of Paramount managed
to get to Harrisburg, 111., while Amos
Leonard of Warner Bros, had many haii--
raising experiences battling the ice in the
Whitehall, Roodhouse and Hardin sections
of Illinois.
The telephone company reported 36 communities
cut off from service out of St.
Louis. Some 238 long-distance circuits and
2,500 telephones were out of service in those
cities.
Bill Kubitzki Reopens
Improved Louisburg Sun
LOUISBURG. KAS.— Bill Kubitzki, manager
of the Sun Theatre, reopened the house
for business in December. The free shows
for children at 1 and 3 p. m., sponsored by
the businessmen of Louisburg, were the first
performances in the theatre for more than
a month. "Show Boat" was in for three days
as the reopener and then Kubitzki planned
to revert to his former Thursday-Saturday
and Sunday-Monday changes.
The Sun underwent a complete going-over,
being redecorated and a gas, blower-type
heating plant installed. Hailing the Sun's reopening,
the Louisburg Herald said editorially,
"The people of this community did not realize
the importance of having a good movie
house until it was closed for a few weeks."
Urbans Buy Out Partner
In Welling at Natoma
NATOMA, KAS. — A business change of
ownership of interest to the community and
surrounding area was the change of hands
at the Welling Theatre. Mr. and Mrs. Herman
Urban purchased the interest of Lawrence
Gilbreath of Lucas last month and will
continue to manage the theatre as they have
the past year.
The Urbans and Gilbreath purchased the
theatre from Gus Breeden in August 1950 and
have steadily improved the situation.
Arthur Cole Is
Elected
Kaycee MPA President
Stanley Durwood
James Lewis
KANSAS CITY—The Motion Picture Ass'n
of Kansas City in its annual election of
officers Friday (4) named Arthur Cole, Paramount,
industry representative and unofficial
dean of Filmrow, as president for the forthcoming
year, succeeding Elmer Rhoden sr.,
president of Fox Midwest Amusement Corp.
One of Cole's first official acts was to
name the retiring MPA president as chairman
of the organization's charity and welfare
committee to carry on Rhoden's longplanned
desire to see the MPA take on as
a project provision of summer camp facilities
for some 25 to 50 local needy and worthy
boys.
AIDED FIVE LAST YEAR
The MPA made a start in that direction
last year by sending five boys from an orphan
home to Boy Scout camp, but further moves
had been deterred until recently when the
way was cleared by federal action in recognizing
the MPA as a charitable, and thus
tax-free, organization.
Rhoden announced at the Friday meeting
that in order to see his desire for summer
camp facilities met, he would give a sizable
gift to the MPA for establishment and maintenance
of the plan. Cole named R. F. Withers,
Republic manager, as co-chairman of the
charity and welfare committee.
Other officers elected at the meeting were
James Lewis, RKO, first vice-president; Stanley
Durwood, Durwood Theatres, second vicepresident,
Senn Lawler, Fox Midwest, renamed
secretary, and Sam Abend, Exhibitors
Film Delivery, treasurer.
COLE NAMES CHAIRMEN
Cole appointed chairmen of MPA committees,
naming Ed Hartman of Motion Picture
Booking Agency chairman of the membership
committee, with Woody Sherrill of MGM as
co-chairman. Cole charged Hartman and
Sherrill with the duty of building up membership
and with the responsibility of putting
on a strong and effective drive for newmembers.
The new MPA chief urged renewed
efforts on the part of all to bring in additional
members, pointing out that the organization
loses many members in moves from
the city and urging that plans for an extensive
membership drive be drawn up and
carried out in force.
As for his own election as MPA president,
Cole said he felt "greatly honored."
"I think there's a very serious need for the
Motion Picture Ass'n of Kansas City," Cole
said. "It can and does do a lot of good in
ARTHUR ( OLI
behalf of the industry and the industry needs
the MPA."
Cole named R. R. Biechele of Consolidated
Agencies as chairman of the legislative committee,
with Felix Snow, lATSE regional vicepresident,
as co-chairman. Jim Lewis was
renamed chairman of the activities committee,
with J. R. Neger, 20th-Fox manager, cochairman.
Howard Burkhardt was renamed chairman
of the public relations committee, with George
Baker of Consolidated Agencies as co-chairman.
MPA members discussed further plans for
carrying out a good public relations campaign
in behalf of the motion picture industry
here. It was agreed that the membership
would fight for proper recognition of
the industry and fight agaiiast bad publicity
and bad opinions of the industry.
Miller Theatre Buys Out
Hiway From T. L. Dickson
FESTUS, MO.—H. E. Miller, owner of the
Miller Theatre, has completed an agreement
to purchase the Hiway Theatre in Crystal
City, Mo., from its owner T. L. Dickson.
Miller Theatre, Inc., was to take possession
January 1 of the new situation.
Dickson has been in the theatre business in
the Twin Cities for the past 20 years. The
Miller Theatre, which has been in operation
in Festus for 40 years, is owned by H. E. and
Mrs. Miller and his sister Frances Miller.
Mike Edel in Dallas
DALLAS — Mike Edel, representative for
Mack Enterprises and located in Centralia,
111., and his family spent the holidays here
with D. F. McCrosky and his family. The
Edels said the weather was wonderful during
their entire visit and that one of the
highlights of the visit was watching girls at
the pool in Fort Worth swimming on Christmas
day.
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952 55

. . Exhibitors
. . Tilden
. . Gordon
. . Ruth
ST .
LOUIS
fhe testimonial luncheon for Tom Edwards
of Farmington, Mo., immediate past president
of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners
of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and Southern
Illinois will be held in the Crystal room of
the Sheraton hotel Tuesday (29). Further
details of the gathering are to be decided at
a meeting of the special committee in charge
of arrangements to be held on Thursday
(10 Walter E. Branson, western division
1 . . .
sales manager, and Herb Greenblatt, midwestern
district manager for RKO. presided
at a sales conference here January 7, 8 in
connection with the 1952 Ned Depinet drive.
.\nother Christmas season affair was a fried
chicken dinner at Ausburg's Blue Moon at
DuQuoin, 111., just before Christmas for the
Fox Grand Theatre staff, guests and Manager
Leon Koch seen along Filmrow
included John Rees. Wellsville; Prank
.
X. Reller, Wentzville; Charles Beninati,
Carlyle; Forest Pirtle, Jerseyville; Rani
Pedrucci, Jerseyville; Ed Clark, Mattoon:
Walter Ku-kham, Kansas City. Commonwealth
cii-cuit; Joe Goldfarb, Alton, and A. H. "Gus"
Boemlsr, Alton.
Paul Krueger, co-general manager of the
Fred Wehrenberg circuit, his wife and son
Ronnie have returned from an extensive tour
of Mexico. They enjoyed the dehghtful
weather south of the Rio Grande much better
than that Florida climate we inadvertently
dropped them into . . . Returning from
Florida on Monday (7i were Tom Bloomer,
Bloomer Amusement Enterprises, Belleville,
and MPTO president, his wlfj and son
Tom jr.
Eddie Rudolph, owner of the State at Columbia,
111., is a patient in St. Elizabeth's
hospital at Belleville, recovering after a heart
attack several days ago Dickson
.
has returned from Phoenix, Ariz., to complete
a deal with Harry Miller of Festus, Mo., for
BRAND NEW • TERRIFIC
Wire, write, phone
MACK
ENTERPRISES
state Theotre Bui'ding Centrolia, Illinois
the sale of the Hiway and Roxy theatres m
Crystal City, Mo. Miller plans to close the
Hiway for extensive remodeling and modernization.
The Roxy, B-house, has been dark
for some months. Dickson plans to make
Phoenix his permanent home. Mrs. Dickson
has been residing there because of her health.
Officers and directors of the Motion Picture
Theatre Owners of St. Louis. Eastern
Missouri and Southern Illinois will hold their
February meeting on February 12 . . . The
. . . Mrs.
son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Blount of Potosi,
Mo., born at the St. Louis ChUdren's hospital
on Kingshighway on December 17, is responding
n.cely to special treatment. The Blounts
alfo have a 6-year-old daughter
B3SS Schulter, owner of the Columbia and
Roxy theatres, was surprised on her birthday
when several of her friends brought a birthday
cake. Mrs. Schulter took time out to
enjoy the cake, cookies and coffee.
Bill Peppes, co-owner of the Criterion Theatre,
had a number of friends in to celebrate
his birthday. It was open house at the
Peppas home .
Halloran, manager
for 20th-Fox, has gone to New York City
for a national sales conference . . . Lester
Bona, Warner Bros, manager, attended a
joint meeting of the company's midwest and
prairie districts at the Blackstone hotel in
Chicago.
Harry H. Haas, Paramount manager, was
in Farmington, Mo. . Lee, picture
report clerk for Paramount, Is back on the
job after being ill . . . Hubert Lyons, who had
been United Artists salesman in the Little
Rock area, has been brought here to take
over the southern lUinois territory formerly
handled by Jack Kane, now on the local
Lippert sales staff. Lyons has had many
years of experience as a film salesman. He
was with RKO in the south for 20 years before
joining United Artists.
. . . John D.
Hall Walsh, prairie district manager for
Warner Bros., is making a nice recovery at
DePaul hospital after an operation and is expected
to return home soon
Giachetto. manager of the Frisina Amusement
Co. Roxy, Springfield, 111., recently was
named co-chairman for the 1952 March of
Dimes campaign in that city . . Department
.
store sales in St. Louis the week ended December
29 were 6 per cent ahead of the same
seven-day period in 1950. The Eighth Federal
Reserve district as a whole gained 9 per
cent. Louisville had a gain of 19 per cent;
Memphis, Tenn., 6 per cent; Little Rock, Ark.,
10 per cent, and seven smaller cities gained
17 per cent as a group.
Discuss Educational TV
ST. LOUIS—Problems Involved in a proposed
establi.shment of a nationwide educational
network were discussed at a conference
called by Mayor Joseph M. Darst held
in his office at the city hall Monday (7) and
attended by educators from some 18 states.
The conference discussed such matters as
costs, how the network could be financed,
the sums to be contributed by individual stations
and problems of programming and a
technical nature. A working committee is to
be appointed to review the day's discussions
and to study the problems further. The FCC
has expressed interest in such a network.
Mayor Darst stated.
Harry M. Lubliner
Buried at Chicago
CHICAGO—Harry M. Lubliner, 72, a motion
picture theatre pioneer in the midwest,
died of a lieart attack Saturday night (5) in
Miami, Fla. The funeral was held here
Tuesday (8). Lubliner was president of the
eld Lubliner & Trlnz theatre circuit, which
one time operated 25 theatres in the Chicago
area. Before coming here, Lubliner opened
the first motion picture house in Milwaukee,
the Electric.
His sons Robert and Howard now operate
the Four Star and Clark theatres here in
association with Sam and Edward Trinz. Also
surviving are his wife Bee and two daughters,
Mrs. Muriel Winter of Milwaukee and
Mrs. Gladys Rubin of Miami.
Bruce Lewton, 57, Stricken;
Lewton Truck Line Head
ST. LOUIS—Funeral services for Bruce
"Gill" Lewton, 57, head of the Lewton Truck
Line and a motion picture film hauler in the
St. Louis area for the last 35 years, were
conducted here Wednesday (2>.
Lewton stai-ted his film delivery service
about 1926, serving a number of theatres in
the western part of St. Louis and in St.
Louis county. Some years later he sold this
route to the late Harry Kahan. At one time
Lewton also had a film delivery route across
south central Illinois to Fairfield and Mount
Carmel. In recent years he hauled film to
theatres in Columbia, Fulton, Warrenton,
Wentzville and intermediate points. He also
operated a general freight truck line to Kansas
City.
He Is survived by his wife Mlnet, his
mother, daughter Gloria and brothers Lacy
and Denzle. Lewton was a member of Mount
Moriah lodge A.F.&A.M., Scottish Rite, the
Shrine. American Legion, Forty-and-Eight,
Tiger Shrine club of Columbia and the Motor
Carrier club of St. Louis.
Patronage Lack Closes
Two Geneva, Ind., Theatres
BERNE, IND. — Eli Dubach of Hartford
township has been appointed receiver of the
Star Theatre and Llmberlost Drive-In at
Geneva, and of all property credit rights and
effects of the company. He was named receiver
late last month in the Adams circuit
court in the case of Wilbur Meller vs. Clyde
Nihiser.
Dubach said he expected to close the Star
in Geneva for the present and the Limberlost
has been closed for some time.
EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE
Personalized Service
St. Louis Theatre Supply Company
THEnTREEquipmEnrCo.
ADAMS 8107
56
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

i.
-^ ^ESS THAN YOU DREAM^
^,^. AVOID PROB«*J?
^^:>:>^- _..--°;:>^-
':r:

. . Fred
KANSAS CITY
Tack Braunagel, director of drive-in opera-
' tions for Commonwealth Theatres, returned
to Kansas City for one day last week to speak
at the annual Screen advertisers meeting
here. Braunagel had started his annual vacation
attending the Sugar Bowl game in New
Orleans. He left last Friday (4i which also
was his birthday, to take a Caribbean cruise
. . . R. M. Shelton, Commonwealth general
manager, was to return to the office Monday
i7) after a short vacation trip during which
h':- attended the Sugar Bowl game.
Filmrow visitors were few and far between
following the holidays. They included S. H.
Bagby jr.. Gem, Hunt-sville; Gene Michaels,
Michlo, Braymer; W. L. Presley, Till, Hamilton,
and Lee Sproule, Newton . . . C. H. Badger,
general manager of Stebbins Theatre
Equipment Co. returned from his holiday
visit to Wichita with glowing praises of his
young grandson, whom he visited there.
Glenna Cooper, former Windsor, Mo., girl
and a graduate of Christian college at Columbia,
is the new bookers secretary at Republic
M. W. Faulkender has sold his
. . . Royal Theatre in Leonardsville, Kas., to Mr.
and Mrs. Gilbert Malustrom. Faulkender
. . .
was on Filmrow recently and purchased new
lamps and rectifiers from Shreve Theatre
Equipment Co., for the Waterville, Kas., theatre,
Shreve
which he has purchased recently furnished new Irwin chairs for the
Church of Christ churches in Chillicothe and
Gallatin, Mo.
Mr. and Mrs. John R. MoElwee have sold
their Roxy Theatre at Blue Springs, Mo., to
Mr. and Mrs. Ned G. Busher of Kansas City,
Carpets - Door Mats
B I G E L W
* S M I
T H
U. S. ROYALITE
SHAD-0-RUG
Complete Installation Service — Free Estimates
R. D. MANN CARPET CO.
928-930-932 Central Victor 1171 Kansas City, Mo.
Room 455, Paul Brown Building Chestnut 4499 St. Louis, Mo.
LAMP SALE!
Order a case or more
and get a
Order now for the whole New Year:
30 % DISCOUNT
You can assort any and oil sizes. We hove the most complete stock of ol
lomps used in and around the theatre.
217 W. 18th, K. C, Mo.
Phone HA. 7849
THEATRE MARQUEES
Attraction Boards
Vertical Signs Neon Signs
UNITED NEON COMPANY
4607 Prospect. Kansas City. Mo,, Phone AR. 8208
Satisfaction — Always
MISSOURI
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
I. I. KIMBRIEL. Manager
Phone BAltimore 3070
115 W. 18lh Eansos City 8, Mo.
SHREVE Theatre Supply Co
Finest Hybrid POPCORN with Top Pop-Out
in 10-Lb. Moistureproof PLASTIC BAGS
ACTUALLY COSTS LESS than Canned Corn
. . . only slightly more than corn in 100-pound sacks!
Easier to store and handle. Moisture content perfect.
GOLDEN FLAKE PROCESSING COMPANY
3706 Broadway Kansas City. Mo.
mu MPKDM
STAGE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
JllUilMlUClUll
Mo. The Bushers took possession of the
house on January 1. The McElwees, who
have operated the Roxy for ten years, pioneered
in Blue Springs. There had never
been a seven-day per week theatre operation
in Blue Springs before the McElwees opened
the Roxy. The McElwees also sold theiihome
in Blue Springs and are moving to
Clinton, Mo.
Ben Marcus, Columbia district manager;
his wife and son Phillip completed a short
visit in Omaha . . . Joe Silviano is new third
shipper at Columbia . . . Larry Biechele held
a New Year's eve party at the Bellerive
hotel.
Dave Trogdon has joined the Columbia booking
staff . . . W. C. Silvers, Cameron, Mo., was
on Filmrow .
Harpst, general manager
for Allied Independent Theatre Owners
of Kansas and Missouri, has been under the
weather for the last week. Harpst had a
very severe cold and took some penicillin
shots. He had a bad penicillin reaction,
forcing him to remain at home in bed most
of the week. Dorothy O'Connor, his secretary
at Allied, carried on at the office and
Harpst did some of his work from the telephone
at his home.
Eddie Mansfield. Commonwealth city manager
here, came up with the explanation
this week of what happened to the announced
big-screen telecast of the Rose Bowl football
game, slated for the Ashland, on New Year's
day. Theatre telecasting of the game, Mansfield
said, had been okayed by NBC-TV and
by the Gillette Razor Co.. sponsors of the
affair. The game had been advertised for
theatre telecasting, but on the day before the
big affair the officials of the Tournament of
Roses said they would not release the sports
spectacle for theatre telecasting.
The Ute Theatre at Mankato. Kas.. was
scheduled to reopen at midweek after renovation
by owner Jess DeLong. According to
word on Filmrow here. DeLong has installed
a new canopy at the Ute and has redecorated
the auditorium.
BOWLING
KANSAS CITY—Team standings in .the
higher echelons of the Filmrow Bowling
league remained unchanged in the postholiday
season, with Ritz Theatre continuing
to pace the men's division and Hartman's
All stars widening the margin of its lead
in the women's league.
Men's league standings;
Team Won Lost Team Won Lost
Ritz Theatre 3G 12 Film Delivery 2 22 2G
Michael's 28
MGM
2G
Fox Trotters 22

—
'Detective' Cops Lead
In Chicago's Holiday
CHICAGO—Only two new entries did well,
while business at other first runs was just
fair as rain and slushy streets dampened
holiday spirits and made most folks welcome
1952 at home. "Detective Story" opened very
good and "I'll See You in My Dreams,"
•sparked by personal appearances of Danny
Thomas, did big New Year's eve and day.
"Ten Tall Men" was average, which is all
that could be said for the opening of "Two
Tickets to Broadway" and "Callaway Went
Thataway," too. The Ames Bros, headed the
stage show with the latter at the Oriental.
ChK
(Aveiaae Is 100)
-rU See You in My Dreams (WB), plus
stage
.115
Grand—Weekend With Folher (U-I)
Monroe—Happy Go Lovely (RKO), Hard, Fast and
Beautiiul (RKO), 2nd wk 90
McVickers—An American in Paris (MGM); Anne
o( the Indies (20th-Fox) 90
Oriental—CallaWay Went Thataway (MGM), plus
stage show 105
Roosevelt—Distant Drums (WB); The Highwayman
(Mono) 90
State-Lake—Ten Tall Men (Col), Fort Defiance
(UA) 90
United Artists- Two Tickets to Broadway (RKO),
The Whip Hand (RKO) 95
Woods—Detective Story (Para) 120
World Playhouse—The Emperor's Nightingale
(Rembrandt) 110
Ziegleld—The River (UA), 7lh d t wk Good
'Lavender Hill Mob' Paces
Kansas City at 250
KANSAS CITY—"The Lavender Hill Mob"
at the Vogue continued to pace local first
runs in an eighth week and went on for a
ninth stanza. Other first runs were up considerably
despite foul weather.
Esquire—Japanese War Bride (2ath-Fox); Northwest
Territory (Mono) 90
Kimo-The Happiest Days of Your Life (London).... 100
Midland—Quo Vadis (MGM), 2nd wk 205
Missouri— One Foot in Heaven (WB), Captain
Blood (WB), 3 dovs, reissues 100
Paramount— Distant Drums (WB) 200
Tower, Uptown, Fairway and Granada Elopement
(20th-Fox); Yellow Fin (Mono) 100
Vogue—The Lavender Hill Mob (U-1), 8th wk 250
Holiday Grosses Good
All Over Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS — Holiday grosses were
good at all the first runs. "Quo Vadis"
topped the list with a $30,000 or better gross
and the other theatres held their own.
Circle—Elopement (20lh-Fox) 110
Indiana—My Favorite Spy (Para) 100
Keith s- Fixed Bayonets (20lh-Fox), 2nd d. t. wk... 90
Loew s- Quo Vadis (MGM) 300
Lvr.r— The Tanks Are Coming (WB) 110
First
Is
Large-Screen TV
Installed in Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS — RCA direct television
equipment has been installed in the Indiana
Theatre here, the first large-screen TV installation
in Indiana. The first use will be
made of it Wednesday il6) when the Sugar
Ray Robinson-Graziano fight is televised.
The installation was by Midwest Theatre Supply
Co.
.n.„^^».m**,A.l^.^n:T^
Indianapolis Area Trade
Off; Optimism for '52
INDIANAPOLIS—Optimism was the feature
attraction as both exhibitors and distributors
turned the page to 1952 "bookings."
Louisville was the hardest hit city in the
territory during 1951.
Grosses in all theatres there were down,
including the drive-ins, as compared to 1950,
but the first runs in Indianapolis were up
slightly over 1950. according to 20th Century-
Fox, which adds that drive-ins in the vicinity
of the exchange center grossed as well or a
little more than 1950. This company reported
Bill Feld to Take Over
Realart in Des Moines
"
KANSAS CITY— Bill Feld. owner of Triangle
Films here, revealed this week that he
would leave Kansas City immediately to take
over the Realart Pictures franchise in Des
Moines. The Realart Des Moines office is located
on Filmrow in Des Moines and services
both Iowa and Nebraska theatres.
Charged on Film Count
KANSAS CITY—Three local men have entered
pleas of not guilty in federal district
court here to charges of conspiring to send
ob.scene motion picture films through interstate
commerce. They are William H. Andlauer.
J. M. Cotey and Martin H. Zucca. The
men were charged with sending three rolls
of film from Kansas City to Junction City.
Kas., via Railway Express. The films were
found by postal inspectors. Trial was .set
for January .21.
Mount Prospect House Reopened
MOUNT PROSPECT, ILL.—The Prospect,
which has served this community for one
year, reopened December 26 after installing
a new 27,648-square inch Cycloramic screen.
For its reopening day, the house gave a special
children's matinee and then opened to
the public at 6:30 p. m.
Edward S. Soyre
CHICAGO—Edward S. Sayre. 74. died here
Saturday i5i. Sayre was the owner of the
Universal Theatre Premium Co. on Filmrow.
which he established over 30 years ago.
a healthy year in the area, with wide distribution
of its product being responsible,
but noted that there was no especial trend
toward improved business conditions in the
conventional houses when the drive-ins
closed for the season, as had been expected.
While officers and directors of Allied Theatre
Owners of Indiana were heartened during
1951 by a continued numerical increa.se
in the organization, they were even more encouraged
by the growing active participation
by each individual member. More and more
members are bringing a greater diversity of
individual problems to their a.s.sociation to
seek a solution in cooperation with their fellow
showmen. An increasing number of members
are making themselves readily available
for service on assignments to promote and
protect the interests of exhibitors as a whole.
Because of this attitude, ATOI looks forward
to 1952 as a year of accomplishment.
Exhibitors working together will improve intra
industry relations, increa.se the prestige of
their business in the public eye and bring
audiences back to the boxoffice, they believe.
The Allied New Year bulletin .said. "With so
many members contributing their work and
ideas as well as their financial support, the
organization will be strong and courageous
in maintaining the rights of its members and
defending the industry wherever it is unfairly
and unjustly attacked."
The Warner exchange claimed it broke all
existing records in 1951, cited six outstanding
attractions and said its studio's plans for
1952 were the biggest it ha.s ever had.
Monogram here reported a very satisfactory
1951 and said it expected 1952 to be the best
year the company had ever experienced in
this territory. It is preparing for Monogram
week February 10-16 and says it is receiving
wonderful cooperation from every exhibitor.
The local Realart exchange reported a very
healthy 1951 and said it was facing 1952 with
optimLsm. Lee L. Goldberg, owner of the Cincinnati
and Indianapolis Realart offices, said
he has acquired two additional .series of pictures,
one consisting of 13 Harold Bell Wright
and Zane Grey action features and the other
comprising "Stagecoach," "The Long Voyage
Home" and 13 Hopalong Cassidys.
KMTA Board Discusses
Spring Airer Confab
KANSAS CITY—The board of directors of
Kansas-Missouri Theatre A.ss'n, meeting here
Wednesday i9> at a luncheon began preliminary
discussions of the annual KMTA
spring drive-in meeting.
The Wednesday meeting was the first time
that many of the directors had met Louis
Higdon of the new Mldcentral Theatres.
Among those attending the directors meeting
were C. E. "Doc" Cook, Maryville; Homer
Strowig, Abilene; Dale Danielson, Russell;
Jim Cook. Maryville; Je.ss DeLong, Mankato;
Elmer Rhoden jr.; Higdon; Martie Landau,
Horton; Lauren Turner, Independence; Virgil
Harbison, Tarkio; Clarence Schultz; R.
Fite; Elmer Bills. Salisbury: Earl Jameson jr.;
Glen Hall, Cassville; Ken Winklemeyer, Boonville;
Ernie Block, Sabetha; Prank Weary sr.,
Frank Weary jr., R. R. Biechele and J. Leo
Hayob.
theJSEtre equipment
442 NORTH ILLINOIS STREET
INDIANAPOLIS
INDIANA
"Everything for fhe Theatre"
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 59

'Cimarron Kid Makes Kansas City Bow Allied Plans Events
Shown at a reception for exhibitors the tradepress and the stars of "The Cimarron
Kid" in Kansas City Sunday are, left to right: John Hudson, Elmer Rhoden sr.,
president of Fox Midwest Amusement Corp.; Audie Murphy, star of the film; Elmer
Rhoden jr., film buyer for Commonwealth Theatres, and James Best.
KANSAS CITY—The territorial premiere
of U-I's "The Cimarron Kid" was staged
here Tuesday (8) with stage appearances by
the film's stars at three of the four Fox Midwest
first runs in which the picture bowed.
Audie Murphy, star of the film, together
with Yvette Dugay, Beverly Tyler, John Hudson
and James Best, featured in the film,
gave stage acts at the Tower at 2;45 p. m.;
the Granada in Kansas City, Kas., at 1:20
and the Uptown at 9 p. m. The stage appearances
were presented as actual stage shows.
Murphy was emcee; Miss Tyler sang several
numbers, and Miss Dugay, Best and Hudson
gave a skit, entitled "The Villains," which
is a satire on western films.
The premiere here followed an extensive
personal appearance tour on the part of
Murphy. Best and Hudson throughout this
territory. The three men made appearances
in Lawrence last Thursday; in Topeka on
Friday; Wichita Saturday and returned to
Kansas City for a reception and tea at the
COMPO President Urges
Booking of Free Film
KANSAS CITY — Russell Borg. Warner
Bros, manager here and president of the local
Council of Motion Picture Organizations, last
Friday (4) called a meeting of local film
executives to view the film, "One Who Came
Back," and to urge distributor salesmen and
branch managers to work for saturation
bookings of the film in all area theatres.
The 21-minute short subject was produced
on the fighting front in Korea and is the
story of rescue work behind enemy lines.
It was produced by the Disabled American
Veterans, the Department of Defense and
the Ass'n of Motion Picture Producers and
it Is being offered free of charge to motion
picture theatre operators.
Every theatre in the area is asked to book
the film, which Borg said is a production
that every American should see. The film
is available at National Screen Service, where
there are U prints, and a one-sheet is furnished,
also free of charge, with the film.
Muehlebach hotel Sunday.
Among local industryites attending the reception
were Elmer Rhoden sr.. president of
Fox Midwest; Elmer Rhoden jr., film buyer
for Commonwealth; Leon Robertson, FMW;
R. R. Biechele, Consolidated Agencies; Arthur
Cole, Paramount, industry representative;
Glen Dickinson sr., Dickinson Operating
Co.; FYed Souttar. FMW; Ralph Adams,
FMW; Ben Shlyen. BOXOFFICE; Claude
Moore, FMW; Chet Hilton, FMW; Ralph
Morrow, FMW; Nick Sonday. FMW; Tommy
Taylor, Charles Cook and Carol Cook, Mr.
and Mrs. Jack Langan, Larry Kline, his
wife and daughter, Mrs. Doris Carson, and
Duke Hickey, all of U-I.
At Lawrence, Murphy attended a reception
and dinner and was a guest at Kansas
university and at an American Legion meeting.
The tour and the premiere were arranged
by Duke Hickey, U-I exploiteer, and
Nate Shapiro, U-I Chicago exploiteer, who
came here to help out.
National Screen is handling bookings and
shipping of the films, Borg said.
Salesmen and branch managers of the film
companies are lining up bookings for the
film in the territory, Borg .said, and J. R.
Neger. 20th-Fox manager, is handling first
run bookings. It is hoped, Borg added, that
the first run bookings of the subject can be
played on a day-and-date basis in all first
run houses.
Revive 'Smilage Books'
MT. PULASKI. ILL.—The Mount Pulaski
Theatre is selling coupon books of tickets,
dubbed "Smilage books" from the time they
were first issued as gifts to doughboys in
1917 and 1918, and advertising them as ideal
wedding, birthday or anniversary gifts.
Old Dunkirk Theatre Burned
DUNKIRK. IND.—Fire destroyed the twostory
Knights of Columbus building here
January 1. The building formerly was a
motion picture theatre.
For Spring Meeting
KANSAS CITY—Plans for the national
drive-in theatre owners convention and
national drive-in equipment show in conjunction
with the annual meeting of the
Allied Independent Theatre Owners of Kansas
and Missouri are being .set up by President
Jay Wooten and the board of directors.
The convention and equipment show will
be held March 4-6 at the Continental hotel
here. The annual affair was switched to
the Continental to provide adequate space
for the equipment show, which in recent
years has outgrown the original site, the
Phillips hotel.
The convention, usually staged in May, was
.set for March this year, according to Wooten,
in answer to pleas from drive-in owners who
had complained that the convention would
be of more value to them if it were held
before the opening of the drive-in season.
Topics already set up for di.scussion in
the Allied sessions include theatre production
of its own light and power where services
are bad or where prices are prohibitive;
wage and hour laws; OPS ceilings on concessions
merchandise; new federal taxes; film
buying, in accordance with the national
Allied resolution calling for an end to discrimination
against drive-ins; discriminatory
insurance rates, particulai-ly in respect to
drive-ins with steel screen towers, which must
pay high rates for windstorm coverage.
Wooten and the directors said that many
national exhibitor leaders will be on hand
to discuss theatre operations and that both
indoor and outdoor operators are urged to
attend the convention and bring up problems
of their own operations.
Wooten also reminded exhibitors that hotel
reservations would be difficult to secure and
urged them to send in requests for reservations
as soon as possible to the Allied office
here.
W. D. Fulton Starts Airer
Near Kansas City, Kas.
KANSAS CITY, KAS.—W. D. Fulton, operator
of the Avenue and Electric theatres
here and of several other theatre properties,
has started construction of a 1,000-car drivein
at the junction of highways 32 and 132
near here.
Feature of the drive-in, Fulton said, will
be a device by which the open-airer will be
able to operate in the daytime. Fulton said
that he has a building permit for the ozoner
and has purchased all the materials. The
airer is located on a 32-acre site.
Joyce Hitchings Builds
Osage City, Kas., Airer
KANSAS CITY—Leroy Hitchings of
Osage
City, Kas., was on Filmrow here this week
and revealed that his wife Joyce is building
a 320-car drive-in at Osage City. The homeowned
airer will be operated by Mrs. Hitchings
who is new to the film industry.
Ground has been broken on the drive-in
and construction is under way with opening
slated for April. The airer is being completely
equipped by Shreve Theatre Supply
Co. here.
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952

Fox at Fort Scott, Kas.,
Rebuilt and Opened
FORT SCOTT. KAS.— The new Fox Theatre
here, formerly the old Liberty, but now
rebuilt virtually from the ground up. made
its official debut Wednesday i9i with many
executives of the Fox Midwest Amusement
Corp. here for the events.
Elmer Rhoden .sr.. president of FMW. made
the formal presentation of the new theatri'
to the mayor and the citizens of Fort Scott,
in the opening ceremonies which were
launched at 6:30 p. m. Also in attendance
were Edd Haas, district manager in this
area for FMW, and other home office officials.
The theatre was rebuilt by FMW from
the walls in. The basic structure and the
walls were repaired and the rest of the theatre
is entirely new, including floors, balcony,
decorations and seating.
Following the invitational opening of the
Fox, at which "My Favorite Spy" was the
feature film, guests and FMW officials attended
a buffet supper and cocktail party
at the Fort Scott Country club.
The theatre purchased new American
Bodiform chairs from National Theatre Supply
Co. in Kansas City and, despite the extreme
cold, ice and snow, apparently looked
forward to the coming summer in installing
a new Icreamolator.
Special features of the 800-seat Fox includes
two colorful 35-foot oil murals depicting
Market Square in the early days of the
city and dragoons on parade in Carroll plaza.
The murals were painted by George Kieffer
of Springfield. Mo., and represent a combination
of old photographs loaned to FMW by
a local collector.
In the Market Square scene on the north
theatre wall, old buildings, costumes and
horsedrawn vehicles are shown, along with
a picture of the "old scale house." The Carroll
plaza scene, on the theatre's .south wall,
depicts a row of mounted dragoons with two
buglers in the center and the old officers'
quarters, three buildings of which are still
standing, in the background. Dragoons are
dressed in plumed caps, dark blue jackets
and light blue trousers. Jackets of the
buglers are bright red.
Edward B. Rowe, 60, Dies;
United Film Employe
KANSAS CITY—Edward B. Rowe, 60, assistant
sales manager for United Film Service
Co. who has been with the firm for 16
years, died here after a six-week illness.
Services were held at noon Tuesday (8)
at St. Mary's Episcopal church and pallbearers
included W. Hardy Hendren jr., president
of United Film, and Jack Hillyer, advertising
and public relations man for the
firm.
Rowe was born in Boston and had been
a resident of Kansas City for 20 years. He
was graduated from the Harvard university
business school in 1922 and was accountant
for an engineering firm in the Orient before
he moved to Kansas City. He is survived by
his wife Florence and two sisters.
Review 90 Films in Chicago
CHICAGO — The Chicago motion picture
censor board reviewed 90 pictures (433.000
feet I of film last month, rejected four foreign
films, classified for adults four foreign
films, and made six cuts.
A, V, Cauger Film Service Co. Holds
Annual Meeting for
..";f\«7..
Salesmen
Shown attending the A. V. Cauger Film Service, Inc., annual meeting in Kansas
City are, left to right, back row: Rus Oliver, Art LaMan, Ray Fleming, Les Groves,
V. A. Julian, Mayor Bob Weatherford of Independence, Kenneth Miller, John Connally,
Ernie Spaulding, Jim Cornwell and Ted Cauger. Front row: Jerry Staten,
Frank Thornton, Lorraine Thornton, John Hawkins, Bill Mingus, Dan Lindsay, Jack
Hynes, John Swafford and Nina M. Cauger.
KANSAS CITY—Some 25 sales representatives
of the A. V. Cauger Film Service, Inc.,
of Independence, Mo., attended the annual
company sales meeting at the Continental
hotel here recently. Cauger men from Mis-
silver dollars packed in Christmas socks.
Events of the meeting included luncheon
and banquet speeches by Tom Collins, public
relations official for the City National bank
here: Arch Maulsby of the Office of Price
Stabilization: Roy Cory, Advertising & Sales
club: Mayor Bob Weatherford of Independence,
and Ray Everson of the General
Screen Advertising, Chicago.
Cauger representatives attended a dinner
dance at the Southern Mansion on the first
night of the meeting and a banquet at the
hotel the following evening. On the third
day. representatives saw a .screening of the
new Ansco Color film ad productions and
dealer signature trailers and a review of
manufacturers-dealer programs.
The A. V. Cauger Film Service firm was
organized by the late A. V. Cauger in 1933.
The present company, located in suburban
Independence, has expanded its operations
Kaycee Realart Franchise
Goes to Walt Lambader
KANSAS CITY—Walt Lambader's United
Film exchange here has taken over the Realart
Pictures franchise from Harris P. Wolfberg
and John Wolfberg of Denver, effective
January 1. Transferred from Realart to
United are Dorothy Warneke, booker, and
Bob Harrell, salesman. Nina Bridges remains
as office manager at United.
Lambader expects to announce many new
attractions later, including lineups from Realart,
Bob Savini, Jack Broder and Hunt
Stromberg.
Takes Over Gem Theatre
NEW CANTON. ILL.—Howard Gates, who
has been operating a 16mm motion picture
house in Chapin, 111., has completed negotiations
to take over the Gem Theatre here,
owned and managed for some years by John
Cobb, who plans to devote his entire time
to teaching school.
souri. Kansas, Illinois. Oklahoma, Texas. Arkansas,
Kentucky and Tennessee came here
for the meeting, which climaxed an eightweek
sales contest in which prizes were quality merchant film advertising service to
to nine central states. The firm offers high-
theatres. Upon the death of the elder Cauger
in 1946 the operation of the business was
taken over by his wife. Nina M. Cauger, and
his son, Ted R. Cauger, who had just returned
from the armed forces upon completion
of his four-year enlistment.
The Cauger home office is located in virtually
the exact center of the territory which
it serves. The business met with success
from its inception and has continued to
grow. From a small beginning, with service
in a few theatres, the company has expanded
until it now has film service in leading theatres
in the many cities in which it operates.
Osage County Expecting
Two Ozoners This Spring
OSAGE CITY, KAS.—Osage county, which
has never had a drive-in theatre, will probably
have two this season. In addition to
the recently announced ozoner for Midcentral
Theatres, the new home-owned Hillcrest
Drive-In will start construction soon.
It will be located on Highway 50 one mile
north of town.
Meanwhile, C. J. Almond, drive-in theatre
construction supervisor for the Midcentral
circuit, was here last month making final
plans for the circuit's situation, which will
be given the name of Midcity Drive-In. It
will be located on Highway 50-N, between
Osage City and Burlingame, on the W. R.
Williams place. It will be 300-capacity and
work will start on or before January 20,
depending on W'eather, for a spring opening.
Poles for the screen tower have arrived here.
Almond advised Max Thomas, manager of
the Osage Theatre, that plans are complete.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 61

. . . Roy
. . . Roy
. . James
. . Bell
. .
Chicago Tent Installs
Joe Berenson Slate
CHICAGO—Over 150 members and guests
turned out for the annual installation dinner
of Variety Club of Illinois in the Congress
hotel Saturday night (5). Warren Brown,
sports editor of the Chicago Herald-American,
was toastmaster and introduced Marc
Wolf, Variety International chief barker, and
William McCraw, executive director, who
spoke briefly.
Richard Finnegan, publisher of the Chicago
Sun-Times and chairman of the board of
directors of LaRabida Jackson Park sanitarium,
thanked members of Variety Club for
their support and many donations to the
sanitarium for treatment of the children with
rheumatic heart disease. Chief Barker Joseph
Berenson, Irving Mack, Jack Kirsch and
John Jones outlined plans for fund-raising
drives and social events for 1952.
The new officers and crew installed: Berenson;
Arthur L. Manheimer, first assistant
chief barker: Sam Levinsohn, second assistant:
Ted Reisch, doughguy: Bruce Trinz,
property master, and Edward Brunell, Richard
Graff, John J. Jones, Irwin Joseph, Clarence
Keim, Kirsch, Irving Mandel, Leo A.
Miller, Jack Rose and Mayer Stern. Delegates
to the national convention are Rose
and Mack.
After the installation ceremonies, a buffet
dinner was served, followed by entertainment
by stage, radio and night club stars with Al
Goering at the piano and Paul Marrs as
emcee.
fice, Pathe Industries, and became district
manager for the company. Campbell continued
to work for the company for about a
year.
He then resigned to return to theatre management,
which he has been following for
nearly 15 years. Miller said that the Friday
night stage shows would continue under
Campbell's supervision.
Miller operates the Fort Drive-In in addition
to the Bev and his other theatre holdings
include the 50 Hiway Drive-In, Jefferson
City and interests in the Cedar Drive-In,
Lebanon, Tenn. Miller also is building the
new Cowtown Drive-In in South St. Joseph.
He resides in Kansas City, Mo., at 5839
Paseo.
CHICAGO
Neighborhood theatres had waiting lines
most of New Year's week for the first time
in many weeks, and charged 98 cents after
. . . The
6:30 on New Year's eve, with children 25
cents . . . Bill Hollander, B&K advertising
chief, now has a namesake, a grandchild,
born to the Marshall Hollanders
State in Terre Haute has been purchased by
Alliance, giving the circuit a total of six
theatres had film delivery troubles recently
because of the severe cold snap and snow
The Peotone (111.)
piled up on all streets . . .
Theatre has been closed temporarily by Lyle
Robert J. Busch, manager of
Bertrand . . .
Koerner Film Service, is the father of a baby
boy named William Allen . & Howell
gave 2,278 employes turkeys as holiday gifts.
Phil Yordon, the former Chicagoan who attained
fame and fortune as a writer in Hollywood,
has just signed with Lippert Productions
as writer-director. Bob Lippert exhibited
the contract at the recent convention here
Coleman, former operator of the
Attorney John Sullivan
Beverly, died . . .
filed a brief in the Alex Theatre case, now
in Judge Walter LaBuy's court, asking that
the film companies answer the interrogations
The Edward Wolk
he filed previously . . .
Equipment Parts Co. has bought the Revue
Theatre property at 3950 Elston Ave., and will
utilize the building for storage purposes.
.
Charles Wolk, son of Edward Wolk, married
Enid Gaynes. The couple is honeymooning
in Mexico Gorman has been
named manager of the Carnegie Theatre .
Gene Atkinson, business agent of the projectionists
union, has returned from his Florida
Jack Campbell to Manage
vacation . . . C.
Leavenworth, Kas., W. Carter has been named
Bev
manager of the Stark Theatre in Toulon, 111.
LEAVENWORTH, KAS.—Jack Campbell
Haines, Warner division manager,
has been named manager of the Bev Theatre
here, effective immediately, by Beverly
presided at a two-day meeting of midwest
and prairie district managers in the Blackstone
hotel. Attending were A. J. Shumow
Miller, Kansas City owner of the house.
Campbell has been directing the Friday
and Harry Seed, Chicago: Nat Marcus, Milwaukee:
Leon Mendelson, Des Moines: F. J.
night City Motors-Kan Sun Milk jamboree
on the stage of the theatre since the Bev
Hannon, Omaha: Lester Bona, St. Louis: Art
reopened last October. He originally worked
Anderson. Minneapolis; Joe Baringhaus, Detroit,
and Hall Walsh, Indianapolis.
for Miller at the Bev Theater when it opened
in February 1950 and stayed with the house
until shortly before it closed for the summer.
Since that time, Campbell has been directing
$10,000 Damage by Fire
western and hillbilly shows in Leaven-
To Ritz
worth, DeKalb,
in Mooresville
Mo., and Sunflower. Kas.
This will be the third time Campbell has MOORESVILLE, IND.—Mrs. Harriet Alexander,
manager of the Ritz Theatre, which
worked for Miller, the first time in 1945
immediately following his was badly damaged in a late December fire,
discharge from the
navy in World War II. At that time, Campbell
said last week that they hoped to have the
worked for Miller as a salesman when theatre open again by January 10.
Miller owned and operated PRC in Kansas An explosion that blew a hole in the wall
City. Miller later sold out to the home of-
between the theatre and a market was the
first sign of the disaster. It is believed to
have come from the burning of all the
oxygen in the theatre. Estimates on the dam.-
age ran in the neighborhood of $10,000, with
partial insurance on both building and theatre
equipment. The building is part of the
Hickman Turley estate and Mrs. Turley
planned to repair as soon as work could be
started. The local fire department was credited
with a top job in protecting the theatre
and adjoining business section.
Mr. and Mrs. John Alexander took possession
of the theatre the past year, buying it
from William MacNabb. They were just entering
their busiest season when the fire hit
them, with the drive-in competition out of
the way.
p-vtr
r^
AWARD TO THEATKEMAN — An
award recently was presented to Harold
Lyon, managing director of the Paramount
Theatre, Kansas City, by Paramount
pictures for the best campaign
to be conducted on one of that company's
product. Lyon won the first prize
in the contest for his exploitation campaign
on "Here Comes the Groom." Shown
here presenting the prize to Lyon, standing
at right, is Harry Hamburg, Paramound
branch manager in Kansas City,
center, and looking on at left,
Paramount exploiteer.
Jim Castle,
Open Belleville Lincoln
After Year's Remodeling
BELLEVILLE, ILL.—The renovated Lincoln
Theatre was formally "opened" here recently
by the Fox Midwest circuit although
the showplace had never missed a performance
during the year-long remodeling program.
The improvements feature a modernistic
front along Main street, including additions
to the theatre, the Lincoln soda shop to
the east and Worth's Hollywood to the west.
All three business fronts are done in light
gray structural glass trimmed with aluminum
and stainless steel. The theatre front includes
a triangular-shaped marquee with recessed
lights in its ceiling and a five-line
attraction board. The tallest neon sign in
Belleville bears the theatre name in pink,
amber and green.
Interior improvements to the house include
moving the ticket window to one side
of the angled entrance, where three sets of
double stainless steel and glass doors permit
easy ingress and egress. Recessed lighting
illuminates the red tile floor and green walls
of the lobby. There are also changes in foyer,
lounges, snack and candy bars and the addition
of an infant's lounge.
The Lincoln's foyer was enlarged by moving
walls forward and providing convenient
entrance to the lounges and restrooms and to
the concession room. The large general lounge
in the basement provides a place for patrons
to wait. At separate ends of the general
lounge ai'e the entrances to the ladies powder
room and the men's smoking room.
The infant lounge was added for the convenience
of parents. This room, inside the
theatre proper, is completely soundproofed but
has an independent sound system and a
solid plate glass front. A new entrance,
directly from the lobby, provides access to
the .second floor offices and business houses.
62 BOXOFFICE :: January 12. 1952

Theatre TV Debuts
At Carib in Miami
MIAMI—Show business history was made
here on New Year's day when theatre television
came to the Carib Theatre. WTVJ
televised the Orange Bowl game, and the
public was invited to view the event on the
Carib's big screen. There was no admission
charge.
Although, beyond newspaper notices and
radio spots, there was no special publicizing
of the Carib's TV party, people lined up early
at the boxoffice to be inside the theatre at
the kickoff. There was a long queue waiting
when the boxoffice opened.
Sonny Shepherd and other Wometco executives
said they were well pleased with the
experiment and gratified at the size of the
turnout.
Popcorn, soft drinks and other refreshments
were hawked up and down the aisles
in order further to create an outdoor atmosphere.
Patrons paid for these, though the
show was free. Those wishing to remain for
regular performances of the current picture
did so at the regular admission.
The televised event was the first such experiment
in the south. The Carib is the first
theatre to install theatre television and the
installation is an all-electronic RCA projector.
The unit is equipped with a special
throw lens to accommodate the 90-foot distance
from the projector to the screen.
Mitchell 'Wolfson. president of TOA and
of WT'VJ, said that the Carib TV event was
"an experiment." "We feel that there is a
great future ahead for theatre television,"
Wolfson said, speaking just before the Orange
Bowl telecast, "and the Orange Bowl game
will provide us with a good indication of the
public's reaction to the new media."
Four Partners Building
Drive-In Near Opp, Ala
OPP. ALA.—The Dixieland, a 300-car
drive-in, is under construction between Opp
and Elba. Cost is approximately $40,000.
The theatre is being built by Bill Ward.
Dan Page and Ches Gautney, all of Opp
Route 3, and John Young of Opp. It is
hoped to have the theatre in operation the
first part of February.
Dothan Ends Bike Giveowa'y
DOTHAN, ALA.—January 12 saw the windup
of a five-week promotion campaign by the
Martin Theatre and 13 merchants. A boy's or
girl's bicycle was given away each Saturday
during the five weeks.
SPECIAL TRAILERS
Quality & Service
Serving theatres in the South for 31 years.
12 cents per word
Lowest cost anywhere
Strickland Film
Co.
220 Phorr Rood, N. E. Atlonto
'Trembling Earth' Latest
Premiere in Waycross
WAYCKOSS. GA.—The Waycros.s and
Ware county Chamber of Commerce will
sponsor the werU premiere of "Land of the
Trembling Earth" here January 16. The
Warner Bros. Technicolor picture is a story of
wildlife exploits in the Okefenokee swamp
and most of the picture was filmed there.
Plans are under way for a colorful premiere
which will include the picture's debut at the
Lyric Theatre, preceded by a stars' dinner.
"Land of the Trembling Earth" was filmed
by Ted Saizis and Vincent Saizis of Birmingham,
Ala., r.ew.reel cameramen, and features
David A. D-iLie, Okefenokee naturalist.
DaLie tangles not only with diamondbaek
rattlesnakes and cottonmouth moccasins in
the film but also with an Okefenok2e bobcat,
a bear and alligators.
Twentieth-Fox recently filmed a feature,
"Swamp Girl," around Waycross and it is
expected that world premiere will al-:o be
held in Waycross. Last summer the world
premiere of "Queen for a Day" was held here
and 1941 saw the debut of "Swamp Water,"
first screen version of the Vereen Bell novel
based on the Okefenokee swamp.
Merritt and Kennedy
Unite in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM — Five downtown theatres
are now being operated jointly by Prank Merritt
and Richard M. Kennedy under an agreement
which became effective January 1. The
five houses are the Strand, which has been
operated by Kennedy, and the Empire, Melba,
Lyrx and Royal, which have been operated
in the past by Merritt under the name of
Acme Theatres Co. The new organization
will retain the Acme name.
At the same time, Kennedy disclosed that
he has abandoned plans to convert the Temple
Theatre into a de luxe theatre because
of his failure to obtain federal government
approval for the installation of air conditioning
and other equipment. The Temple is
under lease, expiring in April, to Wilby-
Kincey, which also operates the Alabama and
Ritz here. It has been used in recent years
almost exclusively for roadshow attractions.
No announcement has been made whether
Wilby-Kincey will seek to renew the lease.
Tlie Royal, one of the five theatres involved
in the Kennedy-Merritt deal, is now
closed. It is undergoing extensive renovation
and is expected to be reopened in 30 to 60
days. Kennedy also operates theatres in Ensley,
Montgomery, Selma and Jasper.
NTS Installs at Ashland
ASHLAND. ALA.—The Ashland Theatre
now has Magnarc projection lamps with a
Hertner transverter and a new Walker plastic
molded screen. The installation was under
the supervision of James G. Thigpen of National
Supply in Atlanta.
Ga-Ana Pops Most Corn
GEORGIANA, ALA.—The Ga-Ana Theatre
was winner of first prize in the six-month
popcorn sales contest for houses in the Fred
T. McLendon circuit. Mrs. Mary Dorriety,
concessions attendant, was awarded a cash
prize of $75.
Jesse L.Clark Spent
Lifetime in Theatres
JACKSON'VILLE—Jesse L. Clark, who spent
his entire life in the show busine.ss, died
January 2 in Boston, where he had gone the
JESSE L. CLARK
week before for a physical checkup. Clark
was born near Asheville, N. C July 8, 1885.
His reputation as a child tenor in a church
choir inspired him to form the Dixie Ti-oubadours
quartet with which he toured the south.
During his career he was an actor, singer,
stagehand, musician and theatre manager. In
1915 he became manager of a vaudeville and
fil.Ti house under S. A. Lynch, who at one
time owned a large number of theatres in the
south. When Lynch sold out to Florida State
Theatres, Clark came to Jacksonville as manager
of the Ai-cade Theatre. In 1922 he took
over the Palace Theatre and booked vaudeville
and legitimate shows here from New York.
He later became district supervisor here and
in 1931 was transferred to Tampa to open
a district office there and direct the corporation's
expansion program on the Gulf
coast. He built or acquired theati-es for the
firm in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton,
Plant City. Fort Myers and Sarasota.
Just five years ago, on January 1, he returned
to Jacksonville to become general manager
of Florida Theatres, Inc., a position which
he held until his death.
Clark was prominent in civic and fraternal
affairs in Florida. He was the first president
of the Jacksonville Exchange club, which
was organized in 1924; a Mason, a member
of the Variety Club, an Elk- and a member of
the Jester club here.
Clark is survived by his wife Ethel; a sister,
Mrs. Wessie B. Hirt. Jacksonville; a brother
Thomas S. Clark, Asheville, and several nieces
and nephews. Funeral services were held
in Tampa and burial was in Tampa's Myrtle
Hill cemetery.
$100,000 Suit to Court
WEST PALM BEACH—A damage suit
for
$100,000 has been filed in circuit court by
Manning Sherman and his wife Beatrice
against Florida Coastal Theatres. Mrs. Sherman
asks damages for alleged injuries suffered
in a fall at the theatres.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 SE 63

!
. . Bob
—
—
At 'Drums' Premiere
Wtien "Distant Drums" was world-premiered
at tlie Matanzas Theatre in St.
Augustine recently, the event was signaled
throughout the state as Florida Motion
Picture day. Gov. Fuller VV'arren, who issued
the proclamation, attended the premiere
festivities with city and state officials
and business leaders. Alari Aldon
and Richard Webb, who have leading roles
in the film, also were present.
Top photo shows the official army guard
at the Matanzas Theatre, while the center
photo shows Mr. and Mrs. Webb, Miss
.\ldon, Governor and >Irs. Warren and St.
.Augustine Mayor and Mrs. Hobson Cone,
all at the premiere reception.
Bottom photo: Stars Mari .Aldon and
Webb head a parade through the city.
Other premiere events included a street
dance, art exhibits, contests and a water
ballet.
MIAMI
p
Y. Stafford, manager of the Miami Drivein
has installed new equipment and is
.stres.sing the improvement in his advertisuig
. . . Manager Don Tilzer of Claughton's
Grove took a look at — the Florida weather, a
look at his marquee "A Place in the Sun"
and made arrangements for the presentation
of one large bottle of Copper Tan suntan lotion
to be given to the first 100 adults attending
the Monday evening performance.
For the premiere of "A Song in My Heart."
.scheduled for the Carib February 22. Sonny
Shepherd plans to bring Susan Hayward
here for a personal appearance. The film
is the life story of Jane Froman and it is
r.ot unlikely that further ballyhoo for the
premiere may result from Miss Froman's
appearance here at the same time, if she accepts
a club engagement in Miami Beach as
usual.
The Magic Screen of
The Future ... NOW
Perfect sound transmission
Producer Filippo Del Giudice spoke before
tlie Miami Beach Exchange club and discussed
prospects of this area becoming a film
producing center . Daugherty, manager
of the Olympia, arranged a three-day
engagement of the Georgia Glee club under
direction of Walter Herbert.
(fi^^^ more light at
. . .
lower amperage
Elimination of backstage
Reverberation
Custom Screen
Perfect vision in Front
Rows
Better Side Vision
'Patent applied (o
WIL-KIN THEATRE SUPPLY, INC
Atlanta, Georgia Charlotte, North Carolina
"Everyt/iing for the theatre except film"
64
BOXOFFICE
:: January 12, 1952

Gulf States Allied
To Give Luncheon
NEW ORLEANS—Allied Theatre Owners of
the Gulf States is sponsoring a cocktail party
and luncheon January 21, 22 for exhibitors in
the New Orleans exchange territory, according
to Abe Berenson, president.
The cocktail party is scheduled at 7 p. m.
January 21 in the Gold room of the Roosevelt
hotel. The luncheon will be at noon the
next day at Lenfant's restaurant, 5236 Canal
Blvd. Both are limited to men exhibitors.
Members and nonmembers are urged to attend
both events, which are open to exhibitors
in the exchange area without charge.
Highlighting the luncheon will be discussions
of serious problems confronting exhibitors in
every town in the United States, Berenson
said.
Ticket reservations to both events are available
at the Allied offices, 223 South Liberty,
the chief executive announced, and all exhibitors
in the territory are urged to attend.
The Allied boai-d meeting will be held at
the organization's office at 10 a, m, on January
22.
Weather Delays Opening
Of New Melbourne Airer
MELBOURNE, FLA.—The opening of the
Brevard Drive-In, located between Melbourne
and Eau Gallic, scheduled for a holiday event,
has been delayed for several weeks. Reason
for the dslay was due to weather conditions
which prevented a proper .setting of the
asphalt on the ramps.
RKO Sets Area Openings
For 'Tembo' in January
NEW YORK—RKO will hold area openings
of "Tembo." the Howard Hill animal
feature in Ansco Color, in 50 southern theatres
and 50 theatres in the Oklahoma territory
beginning January 22. The picture had
a successful test run in Texas through R. J.
O'Donnell's Interstate circuit.
Hill will make personal appearances at the
southern openings at the Joy Theatre, New
Orleans; Hart, Baton Rouge; Strand, Shreveport,
and Paramount, Jackson, Miss. Harry
Reiners, former field man with RKO, will
return on a temporary assignment to handle
the appearances for Terry Turner, RKO director
of exploitation.
Alabama Increase in Year
BIRMINGHAM—Theatre receipts in Alabama
in September were 2.8 per cent under
those for August, but showed an increase of
7.3 per cent over September a year ago. The
figures were compiled by the University of
Alabama bureau of business research and
were based on sales tax collections.
HELD OVER 2d WEEK
First Re-issue Date
Buy it Book it NOW
Ed Diemmer Recovering
BRUNSWICK, GA.—Ed Diemmer, owner of
the Starlight Drive-In, suffered a heart attack
December 12 but is now able to be out
for a few hours each day, according to word
reaching BOXOFFICE from Mrs. Anne
Trimm. manager of the theatre on U.S. 17 N.
FROM 'BOOT CAMP' TO
GUADALCANAL
Disney Seeks War Relics
JACKSONVILLE— Wait Disney has asked
Georgians to help him collect props for a fulllength
production of "The Great Locomotive
Cha.se," about the General and thi Texas
engines. It is the story of a little locomotive
that "thought it could," and did, recapture a
Confederate engine purloined by Yankee
spies during the war between the states.
Mark Dupree Kiwanis Head
DAYTONA BEACH—Mark Dupree, manager
of the Florida State theatres, was installed
as president of the Kiwanis club here.
Theatrical Sales Manager
The March of Time
369 Lexington Avenue
New York 17, H.Y.
SEND FOR PRESSBOOK
-^fltfflfeh.
Running Time 56 Uinutei
Rhonda Fleming Signs Contract
As a result of her outstanding performance
in "Crosswinds" and "Hong Kong" Rhonda
Fleming has been signed to a contract by
William Pine and William Thomas.
AL ROOK'S
Film Booking Office
Let Us Buy and Book for
Your
Theatre
P. 0. Box 1422 Phone EVergreen 2240
Atlanta,
Georgia

. . Bob
. . Ralph
,
.
. .
. .
1
CHICAGO,
. . Jack
. . The
MEMPHIS
n boy, their first child, was born to Mr. and
Mrs. Grady Goodwin at Baptist hospital.
Goodwin is a booker for 20th-Fox. The baby
has been named James Carlton Goodwin .
Drive-ins which this weelc announced they
were closed until spring include the Chief
Drive-In, Cleveland, Miss., owned by B. F.
Jackson; MET-O-MO-V, Jackson, Tenn..
owned by Malco Theatres, Inc.: Drive-In Theatre,
North Little Rock, owned by Malco; 78
Drive-In. Tupelo, Miss., owned by J. M.
Miller, and Philadelphia Drive-In, Philadelphia,
Miss., repr3sented as agent in Memphis
by Exhibitors Service Gregory of
.
the Dickinson Operating Co., owners of the
Victory Theatre at Hot Springs. Ark., announce
that its name has been changed to
Spa Theatre and that after remodeling the
theatre is now open for business.
Jeff Williams, Universal salesman, is back
from a vacation in New Jersey and Floyd Harvey,
another Universal salesman, has returned
from a vacation in Bells, Tenn. .
Universal's Memphis office is busy with the
Nate Blumberg sales drive in honor of Universal's
and Mr. Blumberg's 40th year together
in business .
Carpenter, head
booker at Universal, attended the New Year's
ABC
THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES
ATLANTA
Phone ALPine 7887
P. 0. Box 1345
BUYING
BOOKING
AGENTS
JACKSONVILLE
Phone 5-9227
P. 0. Box 88
R. J. (Hap) Barnes Karl (Bud) Cholmon
day Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans .
John Gannon, salesman for Universal, and
Mr.;. Gannon were in a car that was involved
in an accident with another car on Memphis
street. Mrs. Gannon was injured but is recovering
nicely.
Visiting mid-south exhibitors included:
From Arkansas: Roy Bolick. Kaiser, Kaiser:
Mrs. R. S. Bowden. Joiner. Joiner; K. H. Kinney,
Hays, Hughes; J. W. Crabtree, Merlu.
Clarendon, and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Cochran,
Juroy. North Little Rock, and Main at Little
Rock. From Tennessee: Aubrey Webb, Webb,
Ripley; G. H. Goff. Rustic, Parsons, and Norman
Fair, Fair. Somerville. From Mississippi:
Jack Watson, Palace, Tunica, and Paul
Myers, Center, Lexington.
Coloring Contest Pays
At New Orleans House
NEW ORLEANS—Holland M. Smith, man-
An ice storm hit sections of Missouri and ager of the Saenger, obtained surprising results
from a holiday promotion based on the
Kentucky, causing a power failui-e at Palmer,
Mo., so R. R. Clemmons, who operates the comic strip, "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindesr,"
appearing in the New Orleans States,
Missouri Theatre at Palmer, closed temporarily.
He and his family came to Memphis and the Monogram short by the same name.
on business during the temporary closing . . . The short subject opened at the Saenger
Lippert Pictures' Memphis exchange reports on Christmas day along with "My Favorite
it is in third place in a company collection Spy." Over 250 entries were made in a comic
John Carter, 20th-Fox salesman, strip coloring contest in the December 20
drive . . .
has recovered from an operation at Baptist States.
hospital and will return to his territory January
14.
Contest rules appeared in one day's editions
only of the States and Times-Picayune
on December 19. Based upon originality and
In these instances. Smith pointed out, results
could not be tabulated, but both pictures
drew in above the average boxoffice.
For "Streetcar" window cards were displayed
in record shops advertising Capitol's
albums of background music from the film.
For "A Place in the Sun," replicas of the
gowns worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the
picture were di.^ played in the lobby of the
F.oosevelt hotel.
Penal Youths See Show
MARIANNA, FLA.—The manager of the
Ritz Theatre hosted between 500 and 600
boys from the Florida Industrial School for
Boys at a special show recently. The theatre
was filled to capacity.
CHARLOTTE
porrest Tucker, Republic star, was here
Friday of last week to entertain veterans
of the Korean war at a party and buffet
supper m the Charlotte hotel. He came here
from Raleigh, accompanied by Bill Saal, Republic
vice-president. He visited the children
at the Thompson orphanage and then
left for Atlanta for appearances there. Tucker
is on a tour in behalf of "The Wild Blue
Yonder," in which he is stai-red.
Everett Olsen, Paramount exploiteer here,
attended the Maryland-Tennessee football
game in the Sugar Bowl at New Orleans
New Year's day. He spent the remainder of
the week planning advertising campaigns for
new Paramount releases in New Orleans and
Memphis . screening committee of
the Theatre Owners Ass'n of North and South
Carolina met here Monday to review "One
Came Back." a short sponsored by the Disabled
American War Veterans. Harry Hardy
served as chairman in the absence of H. F.
Kaicey . London, Republic salesman,
spent his vacation in Florida . . . Howard
Cabe of Stewart & Everett Theatres was ill
one day last week.
Clergy Invited to Screening
RAYNE, LA.—A special invitation was extended
to all pastors, priests and nuns of the
Rayne area to attend the showing of "Thunder
on the Hill" at the Jay-Acadia Theatre
recently by C. B. Hardy, manager of the
artistic ability, the winner was offered 25
tickets to the show for a film party any day
theatre.
during the run of the picture.
Kathryn Ann Kelly, the 11-year-old winner,
gave her film party December 28 for 24
of her school friends. Two other promotions
sponsored recently by the Saenger were in
total seating capacity of 140,000.
connection with "A Streetcar Named Desire"
and "A Place in the Sun."
Latest statistics show that there are 442
motion picture theatres in Denmark with a
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DELRAY BEACH, FLA.—New seats have
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Tent 13 Will Sponsor
July 4 Bowl Fiesta
DALLAS—Variety Tent 13 of Dallas has
leased the Cotton Bowl, sc3ne of the annial
New Year's day football classic, July 3, 4 for
a big fireworks celebration and entertainment,
C. A. "Pappy" Dohen, chief barker,
disclosed at the club's annual installation
dinner in the Adolphus hotel here Monday
night (7).
There will be a motor car giveaway each
night, several big vaudeville acts and appearances
by motion picture stars.
Following the dinner, John Rowley, retiring
chief barker, introduced Wallace Walthall
who delivered the eulogy to members who
died during the last year, as has been his
annual custom.
"It is no mawkish sentiment that we feel
sincere sorrow over the severance of ties of
affection and regard which bound us together,"
he said. "The very atmosphere of
this assembly, your presence here—former
comrades and co-workers of the esteemed
dead—invokes an emotion that is difficult to
repress."
The departed members: Ben Ferguson, Tom
Forner, Doc Moon, E. P. Simmons, Sam
Maceo, Sol Dreyfus, Henry M. Bell, T. J.
Guinan, John Jenkins, R. F. Cornes, Joseph
Billup.s and Raymond Collins.
Rowley voiced appreciation for the fine
job performed by Ed Gall and W. O. Bankston
in selling the coupons for the 1951
awards of two automobiles, through which
$17,717 was raised for the club.
Dolsen also disclosed that the Variety
Club's Boys Ranch will go into the chicken
business, while the club will sponsor the appearance
at the state fair this year.
The new chief barktr said the club is
planning on chartering a special train to
carry delegates from Texas to the Variety
International convention at Las Vegas, Nev.,
April 28 to May 1. He urged the showmen
to arrange their reservations before February
15.
Tent 17 will give a dinner for Rowley, the
retiring chief, at the clubrooms February 1.
Committee chairmen for 1952 as announced
by Dolsen are:
Boys Ranch—Al Reynolds.
Entertainment—W. L. Marshall.
Golf tourney—Matt Dowling.
Heart—Louis Charninsky.
House—Don C. Douglas.
Legal—L. M. Rice.
New Year's eve party and publicity—Ray
Beall.
Radio and television—Clyde Rembert.
Fair Park activities—Kendall Way.
Saturday night parties— Harold Schwarz.
Mike Edel in Dallas
DALLAS — Mike Edel, representative for
Mack Enterprises and located in Centralia,
111., and his family spent the holidays here
with D. F. McCrosky and his family. The
Edels said the weather was wonderful during
their entire visit and that one of the
highlights of the visit was watching girls at
the pool in Fort Worth swimming on Christmas
day.
During the first six months in 1951, domestic
film production in Japan totaled 106
feature films, 156 newsreels and 120 shorts.
Happy Birthday Again
OKLAHOMA CITY—C. A. "Dewey"
3ibbs, Columbia manager here, and Mor-
I'is Loewenstein, Majestic Theatre owner.
C. A. Gibbs Morris Loewenstein
celebrated another birth anniversary together
Monday night (7i, making it their
eighth annual joint celebration.
The pai-ty was held at Variety clubrooms
for the first time, and also observing anniversaries,
and in the same party, were
Dr. Paul Hendrix and Ben Klusmeyer.
Each year these men are feted by their
wives and observe their birthdays jointly.
There were favors, a bouquet for the table
and white carnations for the men and
cake, baked by Mrs. Loewenstein. Individual
cakes also were served to all other
guests at the club that night, and there
was a full house.
Most Dallas First Runs
Fall Below Average
DALLAS—Most of the first run percentages
were under the average mark last week, with
only "I'll See You in My Dreams" going over
by a mere 5 per cent.
(Average Is 100)
Maieslic—Westward the Women (MGM) 90
Melba— Crosswinds (Para) 90
Palace— I'll See You in My Dreams (WB) 105
Rialto—Warpath (Para) 75
Tower—The Red Badge of Courage (MGM) 85
Dallas F-53 Elects
DALLAS—Film Exchange Employes Local
F-53 elected the following officers at their
last meeting: Walter Hansen of 20th-Fox,
president; Roy Smith, U-I, vice-president:
LeRoy Whittington, MGM, business agent:
Mary Bitting, Columbia, recording secretary;
Ruth Marlow, RKO, financial secretary, and
Louis Fulenwider, Republic, sergeant at arms.
Still
Doing Business
At Same Old Tent
HALLETTSVILLE, TEX. — E. C. Williams
has moved to East Bernard from
the valley with his tent motion picture
theatre. It is now located on the empty
lot next to the Marik building here. The
showman was originally contracted to do
business from November 16 to 25 but said
he would stay as long as business permits.
Williams' tent is a large one with seats
for 200 patrons. He exhibits a feature
and cartoons each day, with changes of
program every second day. The theatre
has a 16mm projector and an 8xl0-foot
screen. Popcorn will be sold. Williams
has been in show business for 23 years.
Howard Bland Dies;
Taylor, Tex., Leader
TAYLOR, TEX.—Howard Bland, who 16
years ago became associated with Rowley
United Theatres here, died last week (3) of
a heart attack only a few hours after he
and his wife Lillian had viewed a motion picture
at one of the houses which comprised a
part of his extensive business interests. He
would have been 60 February 9.
The funeral was held Friday at the Bland
residence, with the pastors of the Fii'st
Christian and First Presbyterian chi rches in
charge. John H. Rowley, Don Douglas, Mr.
Dowd and Mr. Elder of Rowley United Theatres
drove from Dallas for the services. Surviving
are his wife Lillian, a daughter Bonnibel,
who is an interpreter for the Texas
Good Neighbor commission in Austin, and
two sisters, Mrs. J. C. Callahan and Mrs.
Zella Bland Jones, both of Tyler.
Bland's business activities, besides his theatre
interests with Rowley, were extensive
and conducted under the name of H. Bland
& Co. In an interview shortly before his
death he confirmed for publication that the
gross dollar volume of H. Bland & Co. in
1950 was around $3,000,000. A friend, commenting
on the business acumen of Bland,
said, "His chief assets were a telephone line
and a wide acquaintance in Texas, Arkansas
and New Mexico.
The original Bland trading interests have
been altered considerably in the last decade,
buc Bland still prided himself in the fact
that he trafficked in agricultural commodities
of all kinds with virtually no limit.
Bland perhaps was highly appreciated in
this community for his outstanding civic efforts.
Of all his civic interests, however, one
was outstanding. Bland, mere than any other
individual, is credited with taking the Blacklands
out of the mud. Highway development
was a passion with Bland, who at the time
of his death was one of the directors of the
Texas Good Roads commission.
Bland was a rather famous entertainer.
Each year at the annual convention of the
Texas Cotton Ginners Ass'n, usually in Dallas,
he was host at a party. He was proud
of the fact that he was personally acquainted
with nearly every cotton ginncr in the state.
He was a charter member of the Taylor Rotary
club, ami in 1946 he was named the
outstanding citizen of the city, an award
made annually by the club in cooperation
with other civic organizations in the city.
The theatres owned by Bland and Rowley
United were the Don, Howard, Ritz and
Texas Drive-In.
Decatur Airer for April
DECATUR, TEX.—Jim Miller, local theatre
manager, announced this month that
construction will start soon after the first of
the year on the drive-in Just west of Sunset
Hill to be known as the Sunset Drive-In.
Opening date is set for April. Critical materials
for construction are now in storage.
TEI's Clute Destroyed
CLUTE, TEX.—The Clute Theatre htrj,
owned and operated by Theatre Enterprises
of Dallas, was destroyed in a $103 000 *'ive
which destroyed two other businesses recently.
Cliff Mann managed the theatre.
DOXOFFICE :: January 12. 1952
sw 67

. .
DAL LAS
Exhibitors on the Row: Jewel Archer, Wes-
Mer Drive-In, Mercedes: Gerald Ebeier.
King Drlve-In. San Marcos: Sidney Smith,
Limestone, Groesbeck: C. O. Simmons, Plaza,
Denton; H. H. Stroud, Strand, Hamilton: N.
M. Son, State, Plainview: F. R. Jones, Texas,
Palestine: J. L. Whitehouse, Valley, Valley
Hills.
Also Owen Killingsworth, Dixie, Athens:
Mr. and Mrs. Temple Summers, Palace, Glen
Rose: W. E. Cox. Tower. Seminole: Howard
and Pete Shabay, Mesquite Drive-In, Jacksboro:
W. E. Guest, Palace, Grapevine: Homer
Hodge. Queen, Winters: I. B. Walker, Dixie
Drive-In, Olden: Norman Hodge, Queen,
Merkel: Marvin McLarty, Circle Drive-In,
Lubbock: J. Beeson, Fiesta Drive-In, El Paso:
G. H. Hall, LaVista, Sonora; John Foster,
Texas. Odessa; O. B. Laird, Plaza, Odessa:
Alway
Quickl
CHICAGO,! 327 S.WQbash
NIW YORK, 630 Ninth Am
Fort Keith, Palace, Granbury; Lloyd Franklin,
Sunshine, Clovis, N. M.
Coy Foe, an alumnus of Texas Christian at
Fort Worth who is working in Hollywood,
has obtained backing for a picture based on
the career of Dutch Meyer, famed coach of
the New Year's day Cotton Bowl game contest.
Coach Meyer will be able to leave
for Hollywood when the school closes in
June, where he is scheduled to act as technical
adviser. Many of his famous players will
appear in the film, thanks to the TCU file
of motion pictures on TCU games dating back
to 1932.
.
Mac McCrosky returned after two weeks
in Los Angeles. Hollywood and San Francisco.
He bought some new pictures on the
Virginia Bullard has returned to the
trip . . .
20th-Fox staff after a year's absence
20th-Fox has installed automatic film inspection
machines.
Jack Swig-er reports the horse racing theatre
promotion for which he is Texas representative
has been launched in several Ezell
& Associates situations . . . Genevieve Koch.
Mary Carrier, Tommy Manion and Manager
Claude York and his wife of UA were early
on the li.st of blood donors at UA . . . F. W.
Zimmerman, San Marcos, has bought out
Interstate interests in the Palace, Texas and
Start the New Year Right
Hays theatres there. Texas Theatre Service
will do his booking. Zimmerman still thinks
the theatre business "is great" after 30 years
in the business.
Homer Bankhead, assistant office manager,
resigned at National Screen Service, effective
Friday (11). Mary Will Jackson is being
promoted to succeed him, with Norma Henderson
moving up to replace Miss Jackson as
billing clerk.
Corpus Christ! Citizens
Resume Drive-In Attack
CORPUS CHRISTI—The Civic Betterment
League, which in June 1950 opposed the drivein
theatre proposed by Leon Newman and
C. A. Richter in the Snyder tract on a site
across South Staples from Buccaneer Gardens,
has begun prepai'ations to launch a new
attack on the project near the W. B. Ray
High school.
The league has appointed two committees,
one of which will talk to the zoning and
planning commission to discuss why that
group has twice recommended approval of
the theatre. The other committee will circulate
petitions to cover areas not covered 18
months ago. Last month the board of education
went on record against the proposed
ozoner for the third time.
Mexico
Star Returns to
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX.—Luis Aguilar,
Mexican film star, returned to Mexico City
following a five-day visit here. Mr. and Mrs.
M. L. Ramirez gave a buffet .supper for him
and approximately 15 guests attended.
In Austria approximately 70 per cent of all
U.S. films are dubbed.
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• 308 S. HARWOOD
• DALLAS, TEXAS ^
* p. O. BOX 2207
PHONE RI-6134
WAREHOUSES
HOUSTON— 120 Commerce.
BEAUMONT— 550 Moin Siree
LUBBOCK— 1405 Avenue A.
BUFFALO COOLING EQUIPMENT
lOth Fl., 2nd Unit. Santa Fe Bldg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Dallas, Tex.
NOTICE
Heavily financed, reliable exhibitor has chosen
us to locote substantial theatres in Texas or
nearby, FOR IMMEDIATE PURCHASE.
FINANCING PLAN ESPECIALLY ATTRAC-
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OR CONSOLIDATION.
(1st run, suburbans or drive-ins) Towns 4,000 up.
WRITE OR PHONE IN
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WITHOUT OBLIGATION.
ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Specialists
3305 Caruth, Dallas, Texas
Telephones: EM 023S • EM 74S9
6"; BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

MODERN THEATRE
EQUIPMENT CO.
has moved to 1916 Jackson Street
• For
Your Convenience
• For additional
space
• For larger Repair Department
• For large inventory for emergencies
"Next time you are in Dallas,
stop at our new location and
let me show you around.
"Formal opening will be announced
later. Watch for it!"
. . . Henry Sorenson
"FINEST IN THE SOUTH"
MODERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
1916 Jackson Street Phone Riverside 5009 NIGHT WOodlawn 2547
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952
gg

. . Howard
. . Corky
. . Recent
. . Lamont
. . Ditto
. . We
. . And.
. . Peter
. . When
. . A.
. . J.
OKLAHOMA CITY
Tex., died January 3 of a heart ailment.
Christine Roberts of the in
.
.
.
T ee Guthrie of Wheeler. Tex., and Lamar
\\» 6l««*
Guthrie of Erick. Okla.. brothers who Bland was founder-president of Taylor
are uiterested in .several theatres, were Row Amusement Co.. which operates Taylor's
visitors, as were Herb Boehm of Watonga. three theatres.
H. S. McMurry, Dumas. Tex., and F. D. Cummings
of Stratford, Tex. . for Mr.
J. A. "Smiddy" Smith. Columbia salesman,
who was wounded in the leg while hunting
and Mrs. C. L. Lance of Ringling. Mr. and
during the holidays, was back at work January
7 . understand the C. L. Lance
Mrs. O. K. Kemp of Poteau and Mr. and
Mrs. Jesse Sloan of Cyril . . . The Lances
party for the salesmen was full of fun. The
attended the Kentucky-Texas Christian Cotton
Bowl football game in Dallas New Year's
Lances of Ringling gave an open-hou.se during
the holidays at their home, and on the
day. Also there were the Glen Thompsons.
same day Mr. and Mrs. Ed Crews of Waurika
Sam Brunk, Paramount salesman and gave a steak and rib barbecue dinner in their
trustee of the American Federation of Musicians
home which also was well attended and lots
Local 375. reports the union Sunday of fun for the salesmen. The next day Mr.
(6) voted to support Movietime Oklahoma and Mrs. Claude Thorp of Ryan, assisted by
100 per cent . Guthrie, son of Lee Aaron Burns of Henrietta. Tex., and his wife
Guthrie. Wheeler. Tex., escaped without a had the salesmen in for a dinner party. The
scratch when his Buick overturned
Cement
recently menu included turkey, chicken, duck and
pheasant, just to name a few of the holiday
. . .
Cement has recovered from the flu and was dishes the following day Mr. and
a Row visitor Monday . King of Mrs. Houston Burns. Apache, feted the salesmen
Marietta returned from a deer hunt in
with another dinner party.
Arkansas with a ten-point deer.
M. W. Osborne, 20th-Fox manager, went
John Trotter, Warner manager, reports to New York for a sales meeting C.
"Westward the Women" set a new house Lyles of Hollywood was in the city one day
record on its opening day . . . All theatres did to do advance promotion on "Hong Kong."
good business on New Year's eve with many The film will play the Criterion ... On the
of the situations going to $1 on admission. Row to book and buy were Vance Terry of
Many of the houses were packed and jammed Woodward. Eddie Holt of Coalgate and Bob
for two shows . Row visitors included
John Terry, Perry; Eddie Jones of of Connie Carpou, MGM salesman, was fea-
Walker. Broken Arrow . Carpou. son
the Sand Springs Drive-In and Mrs. Elizabeth
tured as Little Mr. Downtowner in the
Tucker. Guthrie.
weekly magazine, Oklahoma City This Week.
Young Peter's picture and a personality profile
Amos Page of the Avalon in McLean. Tex.,
feature were carried in the magazine.
has purchased the Rogue in Matador. Tex., The Carpous also have a son Nick two months
from L. H. Dirickson. and is moving his old. Peter Carpou. Connie's dad, has been
family, including a baby boy, to Matador to visiting here for a few weeks from New York.
take over. His mother, Mrs. Madge Page
of the Rogue in LeFors. Tex., will manage Roy Avey jr.. Video booker, was the winner
the Avalon for her son. according to reports
at the Variety Club automobile give-
"Son" Bland, 50. Taylor, away Monday night (7i. He had a choice of
$2,000 ca.sh or a new auto. Tent 22 is giving
an auto away at exhibitors night, the
first Monday night in each month. This
YOU GET ^ASr£R S€R¥W£! was the second in the series of car giveaways.
A Tinker air force base employe won
"Wi WHEN YOU ORDER
the big prize the
sPEcm
first month . C.
Hunter. Tulsa Downtown Theatres president,
and wife enjoyed a short holiday in Biloxi,
TRHILEHS
Miss.
Pat McGee of Denver, general manager of
Cooper Foundation Theatres, and wife arrived
here Thursday i3i two days past due.
They left Denver the preceding Tuesday by
plane, but couldn't land when they got over
mOTIDIPICTUIESEIIOICECo
the city so returned to another port and
125 HYDE ST. SAN FRANCISCO (2), CALIF. tried later to fly in, but again the plane
Gerald L. Karski President couldn't set down so the couple went to
Wichita Falls, Tex., and boarded a bus for
Oklahoma City, finally arriving safely. They
left by air Sunday for Denver so they would
be at home to get their children back in
school.
The Ralph Drewrys of Tulsa Downtown
Theatres held an open-house during the holidays
in their new home. The Drewrys recently
acquired a large home, in one of the
older sections of Tulsa, which they have
redone in modernistic decor . Senator
Kerr et al. officially acquires station
'( \)TELENEWS
KTOK here, the C. B. Akerses will spend
pai't of the time in an Oklahoma City dwelling.
Akers is now vice-president of Kerr's
station KRMG. Tulsa. Akers and his wife
Margaret plan to spend about two weeks
out of each month here so the former can
supervise the management of KTOK, as well
as KRMG.
The George Fishers of MGM returned from
holiday visits in Tulsa and Dallas ... At
the Variety party Monday night were the
Akerses. the Eddie Holts, Coalgate; the E. R.
Slocums, El Reno; Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Mc-
Murray of Dumas. Tex.; Mr. and Mrs. O. K.
Kemp. Poteau; Johnny Fagan of Borger, Tex.,
and his partner, Harold Wilson of Amarillo;
Bill Slepka, Okemah, and Bucky Harris,
Universal exploiteer from New York. Mrs.
Holt reported her miniature Christmas village
drew thousands of persons from Okla-
Also at the
homa and other states . . .
Vai-iety party were Mrs. L. H. Goerke. Canton;
Mrs. Rhoda Cates, Selling, and Les
Nordean, Konawa.
The Theatre Owners of Oklahoma board
met Monday at the Variety Club with E. R.
Slocum, El Reno, presiding. The next session
will be February 4. The session was
attended by Morris Loewenstein. president;
Bill Slepka. Mrs. Avece Waldron. H. D. Cox,
Vance Terry, Charley Procter, C. B. Akers,
J. C. Hunter, Ted Butterfield, all directors,
plus Mrs. Rhoda Cates, Selling; Mrs. L. H.
Goerke, Canton; Herb Boehm, Watonga; Les
Nordean. Konawa; Mrs. Elizabeth Tucker,
Guthrie, and Polly Ti-indle, BOXOFFICE.
About 350 invited guests attended a .screening
of "It's a Big Country" at the Harber
Saturday morning (5). Manager Gordon
Leonard sent out printed invitations to civic
leaders, representatives of the local clubs and
associations and schools, city, county and
state officials . . Lieut. James Watkins,
.
son of Jake Watkins of National Theatre
GRIGGS CHAIRS
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Their Beauty sparl(le5i
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gives years of service.
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Comfort in
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Belton, Texas
r^-I..^ f^.r PAINT UP YOUR THEATRE!
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DRIVE-IN THEATRE PAINTING
E. L. EVANS & SONS
THEATRE SEAT INSTALLATION
Dallas, Texas
E. L. Evans, Sr., YU-3397
Westerns-Features-Serials
Tower Pictures Co
HAROLD SCHWARZ
302 S- Harwood St. Dallas 1. Texa
Phone RA-7736
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

—
Supply, is home on a 30-day leave before
going overseas. He has been stationed in
California at Camp Roberts, but is slated to
leave for Korea February 1 ... On the Rowwere
Bill Jones. Sand Springs and Skiatook;
Oral Wingard of Jay; Frank Nordean. Maud;
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Rains. Fort Cobb; Walsie
Campbell. Newkirk; Paul Campbell, Pauls
Valley and Wynne Wood, and G. L. Doughty
Garber.
of
Icy bad weather put a freeze on the boxoffice
for "Candida" which was presented at
the Municipal auditorium, star-ring Olivia
two performances. It was
Curran presentation. The
DeHavilland,
a Braucht
for
&
houses were about a third full . . .
Bobby
Breen, HKO child singing star of a decade
or moiP ago, now on Eddie Cantor's T^V
show, opened Brook Hollow, a night club,
with a one-week engagement. Morris Loewensteln.
president of Theatre Owners of
Oklahoma and owner-manager of the Majestic,
emceed Breen's first show Monday.
Breen. a veteran of three years' war service,
vocalized to capacity crowds except for the
two nights that the roads were impassable
due to ice and sleet. The new night club
is located a few miles -from Oklahoma, City.
C H. "Buck" Weaver jr., manager of the
Hi-Park Drive-In at San Antonio, was a
holiday visitor in Oklahoma City. Little
"Buck" was accompanied by his wife and
two children George and Mignonette. Mrs.
Weaver is formerly of Tonka wa. Okla.
Weaver sr.. manager for Paramount here,
had a big time playing Santa and babysitting
with his grandchildren.
Virb Conley Installs
Custom Built Marquee
PERRYTON, TEX.—The Ellis Theatre got
the finishing touches of its new look when a
giant marquee was installed last month acro.ss
the front of the theatre building and the two
adjoining business houses. The marquee is
50x12 feet and made of porcelain and glass.
It contains many feet of neon tubing, a row
of flasher bulbs around the bottom, giant
light tubes inside the sign and there are 16
floodlights that shine through the sign to
illuminate the .sidewalk below. The attraction
space uses letters a foot high.
Manager Virb Conley said the sign was
custom built by the Claude Federal Co. and
the steel shortage delayed its shipment several
months.
Set for 'Full House'
Set for sequences in 20th-Fox's "The Full
House." the five-episode subject based on
short stories by O. Henry, were Anne Baxter
and Richard Widmark.
to force development of the center on a large
rather than a small scale.
Next, individual property owners began to
appear. K, D. Jakovich. who owns considerable
realty within the proposed theatre neighborhood,
said he had no objections to a revision
of the zoning amendment. He befciciea
Marfini's $200,000 Theafre Project
Puts Galveston Citizens in Two Camps
GALVESTON, TEX.—G. Martini, president
of Martini Theatres, struck a formidable snag
in his proposal to amend the zoning laws for
block 483 in the former east end flats to
permit construction of a $100,000 to $200,000
theatre building. A number of protests were
lodg-ed with the board of city commissioners
against the project but several citizens upheld
Martini's proposition as a mark of
progress here. Tlie commissioners, on the
suggestion of Mayor Cartwright. deferred action
on the proposal until the next meeting.
James Piperi. attorney for the showman,
pre.sented the proposal to the board. He
said the building would be an asset to the
east end. was badly needed and would be
the forerunner of a community shopping
center in an area where it is sorely needed.
Piperi read a letter from Dr. Leake of the
University of Texas commending Martini's
proposal and expressing hope the project
would become a reality. The letter 'emphasized
the need for recreational facilitie.s
for members of the student body and faculty
—in close proximity to the medical center
and also stressed the need for shopping areas
and efficiency apartments for school medical
personnel.
Two men appeared supporting the Sealy &
Smith foundation opposing the rezoning of
this one particular lot. It was declared that
the theatre in this location would conflict
with proposed expansion plans the foundation
has in mind for the medical center. A
number of property owners also appeared,
asking a denial of the application on the
grounds the site was within a residential area
and rezoning would tend to retard residential
development. It was alleged erection of the
theatre would reduce the value of adjacent
property. It was asserted another area has
been zoned for business and would be the
logical location for a theatre.
Former City Attorney Watson appeared
and said Galveston lagged far behind other
cities in the state in providing commodious
commimity centers with neighborhood theatres
and asked the board to use its
influence
HELD OVER 2d WEEK
First Re-issue Date
Buy it Book it NOW
heved a modern theatre would be an adjunct
to the city and urged the board to
grant the application. A Mrs. Randolph,
also an east end property owner, favored
amendment of the zoning laws so the theatre
could be constructed.
Martini himself said it was his intention to
construct a theatre covering the full block.
He said he had sought to acquire other property
in the suggested commercial zone but
that the price asked was exorbitant. Other
property owners, too. had said they might
have use for their property at some future
time, he added.
San Angelo Negro Theatre
Opens to Overflow Crowd
SAN ANGELO. TEX.—The management
had to set up makeshift aisle .seats to accommodate
the overflow crowd at the opening
last month of the 707 Theatre for Negroes.
For the first showing of "Young Man With
a Horn" at 7 p. m.. every seat in the hou.se
was taken, aisle seats were installed and there
was still a standing audience.
Don Fuller, o-wner of the Roxy Theatre, and
Bob Hendrick. part-owner of the Star Dust
and Belvue Drive-In theatres, are owners of
the new colored patronage house, located at
707 Randolph St. C. R. Johnson, Negro real
estate dealer, is the manager. Floral arrangements
from a dozen or more San Angelo
businessmen were on display opening night.
FROM 'BOOT CAMP' TO
GUADALCANAL
#:^s
H ASTOR ofFISe nrmii film ceheii
Theatrical Sales Manager
The March of T i me
369 Lexington Avenue
New York I 7, N. Y.
SEND FOR PRESSBOOK Running Time 56 Minutes
BOXOFFICE
January 12, 1952
70-A

. . "Two
. . Two
SAN ANTONIO
TJtrs. Frank Bennack, Mrs. Albert Bloom and
Mrs. Hayden Miller, representing the
Parent Teacher council, made a call on police
officials, including Vice Squad Sgt. Wilton
Shaw and Juvenile Bureau Capt. G. E.
Matheny in a move to clamp down on suggestive
film advertising, according to the
newspaper. After a long conference, it was
agreed to take the matter up with the city
council. Target of the PTA group was movies
billed "for adults only" and showing "undraped
women." The ladies said such advertising,
especially to juveniles, is misleading
and suggestive. They want the city ordinance
that will stop it to become effective.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans play the 1952
Fat Stock Show and Rodeo in Houston January
30 through February 10 ... In Waco
recently to receive honorary degrees of doctor
at law at Baylor university were Katharine
Cornell and Brian Aherne. This was
held in the dedication of the school's new
$2,000,000 Armstrong-Browning library . . .
R. A. Stewart returned from a business trip
to Floresville.
Lieut. Lee Roy Handley, a former Interstate
employe here, has returned home from
Japan and Korea, where he has been on duty
for more than three years . Tickets
to Broadway" brought long lines to the Aztec
Theatre boxoffice last week . holdovers
were on the film menu: "The Blue
Veil," which had an extended date at the
Hollywood PAWD FILM IT
A Real ^ IT EXPLODES
Exploitation {
, ,
if RIGHT IN
'Natural" ^ -»' YOUR FACE
7Ae
riCTUM
THAT
EXPOSES
THE
•*F(X"OF
THE /
RiNCr/
m-Dom
GIRL
0>&
i
Female Wrestlers!
Promoters try
to "rig" a
Clean Sport
Lots of New
Angles . . and
Quite a few

. . Bob
. .
Fl. Worth 'Spy' Figures
In City Garbage Issue
FORT WORTH—Mrs. Sylvia Davidson, who
lives at 1729 Colvin St. here, won two objectives
with her letter to Bob Hope. The first
result was the selection of her home as the
site of the Texas opening for Hope's new film.
"My Favorite Spy." while the second result
was the abandonment of city plans to locate
a sanitary garbage dump near her neighborhood.
One of her main arguments in the letter
was, "If the city fathers see all the Hollywood
celebrities there (in my home), maybe
they will be ashamed to put a garbage dump
there."
Mayor Edwards who attended the festivities
in Mrs. Davidson's home, strongly hinted that
the city will take its garbage elsewhere. Mrs.
Davidson, wearing an orchid from Hope in
her hair and a $13,000 "borrowed" mink stole,
greeted the hundreds of guests who crowded
the front lawn and squeezed into her 12x13-
foot living room to see the film. Starlet Caroly
Jones, accompanied by Bobby Peters
wearing a frock coat and a lei. arrived in a
garbage truck behind a motorcycle escort.
Music was provided by Bob Crawford's band.
Radio announcers interviewed arriving guests
and television cameras whirred.
Rancier Opening in March
KILLEEN. TEX.—Killeen's new drive-in is
rapidly going up and Ace Clary says it will
be opened some time in March 1952. It will
be named the Rancier and be the most elaborate
in this part of Texas. Screen will be
44x56 feet. The NPA recently granted authority
to complete coiastruction of the
ozoner.
Two MiUion Feet in Stock
SPEAKER CABLE
Without Priority
2 Conductor No, 17 AWG Solid Copper Flat Parollel
Construction Rodent Resistant Non-woter Absorbent
Jacket tor Direct Earth Burial O.D. .35x,20-inch,
Packoged 2,500 ft. on Returnoble Reels or 500 -ft.
Coils, Price FOB Houston. Texas: On 500 ft.
$60,00 per M ft. 2500 ft. Reels $40,60 per
Coils
M ft.
Reel Deposits $5 00 ecrch Shipping Wt, Net 50 lbs,
per
M ft,
SOUTHWESTERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.
1622 Austin St,, Houston, Texas, Phone CA-9906
DISTRIBUTORS FOR ELECTRIC WIRE AND CABLE
CO, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS
FORT WORTH
/"•harles E. Carden. Interstate Theatre suburban
city manager here, reports the big
problem in this rapidly growing city is the
manpower shortage. This is reflected in difficulty
in obtaining help for proper theatre
operation . Johnson, manager of the
Ridglea, put on a big promotion for "When
Worlds Collide," using a 24-.sheet over the
concession stand as the center of interest.
Bob has built up a tine mailing list by personally
going up and down the streets in
the neighborhood and listing the home occupants.
. . .
Howard Yarbrough, manager of the Bowie,
was a first sergeant in the same company
Bob
with this writer at Camp Crowder
Narowitz, River Oaks, had a wonderful record
on Saturday showing of "Red Badge of Courage."
He had Mrs. March of the Castlebury
school tell all the school students about the
interest value of this film . . . Howard Hildreth
and Ed Hough were busy at the Tower
Theatre.
Mrs. Aubray Seddon gave us the feminine
slant on managing a theatre, the Gateway.
She has a capable doorwoman. Mrs. Caylor.
During 30-minute power shutdown sometime
ago, Mrs. Caylor kept her head and assembled
all the children in the lobby, telling them
.
Personal greetings from Hope were given stories until the power came back on
Mrs. Davidson and guests in a special film Ralph Druy. owner of the Morgan, was in
preceding the feature picture. Hope referred the projection booth. He said he had found
to the premiere as "the Confederate premiere"
short synopses of pictures u.seful in his ad-
and said that it was too bad Crosby
Met Clyde Allen, manager of
vertising . . .
couldn't be there along with "the other the Parkway, and J. D. Wells of the Seventh
garbage men." Hope said he would help in Street Art Theatre.
her fight to keep the garbage away from the
Ray Jones of the Worth was not very
area.
happy, having had a tooth pulled . . . Harry
As a special memento of the occasion Peters
Gould of the Palace said he plays B-pictures
presented Mrs. Davidson a "silver galvanized
sometimes and then special roadshow pictures.
garbage pail."
An Interstate Theatre usher showed guests
to their seats and regular 35mm projectors
were set up in the kitchen to show the film.
Dismiss Patent Suit
Bobby Bixler. Paramount exploitation director
from Dallas, and Dan Gould. Inter-
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX.—A federal court
suit by Park-In Theatres against Lone Star
state publicity and advertising director for
Theatres over alleged infringement of patent
Fort Worth, worked together in arranging
rights has been dismissed by Judge James
the premiere.
V. AUred on the request of all parties to the
suit. The suit was filed December 2.
The 62 motion picture theatres in Costa
Rica have a seating capacity of 13,000.
Allied of Oklahoma
Session January 21
OKLAHOMA CITY — Allied Independent
Theatre Owners of Oklahoma unit will meet
January 21 at Tent 22 Variety quarters in
the Black hotel for the group's third session
since its organization at Tulsa in late
1951.
The session will begin at 11 a. m. Chief
Barker C. H. Weaver said Variety will have
an open-house that night, with bingo games
and a buffet supper.
Hai-old D. Bowers of Tulsa is president
of the new Allied unit. All other leaders
in the organization are from Tulsa or that
vicinity and include R. V. McGinnis, chairman
of the board and counsel; Bernard J.
McKenna jr., secretary: Earl Snyder, treasurer,
and Eddie Jones, membership committee
chief.
All exhibitors are invited. A clinic on film
problems will be held. Several new directors
will be added to the board, and a delegate
will be chosen to the AUied national board
meeting in Washington February 5, 6.
* MACHINE FOLD
* ROLL, SINGLE-DUPLEX
• RESERVED SEAT
• BOOK STRIP
THEATER GIFT COUPON BOOKS
SEASON PASSES — ONE TIME COMPS.
^—A^eetufAGY—>
SOUTHWEST TICKET & COUPON CO.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
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BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 70-C

!
SciapHahaik !
. . Scrap!? precious
It's needed . . . badly ... to maintain vital steel production.
Every plant has some— search out the iron and steel scrap in yonrs
Among the most-needed industrial commodities, today, is junk.
Yes — junk iron and steel,
called scrap.
One half of the ingredients in making new steel is old iron and
steel—collected from the waste of metal-working and from obsolete
products made of steel.
6,000,000 EXTRA TONS NEEDED
Today, not enough scrap is being obtained from normal sources
to meet the demand of increased steel production.
We must get more scrap from other sources. One of these
sources may very well be your place of business.
NON-FERROUS SCRAP IS
NEEDED, TOO!
This advertisement is a contribution,
in tite national interest, by
HERE'S WHAT'S NEEDED
For help in this emergency, search your place for scrap; specifically:
obsolete machinery and equipment . . . no-longer-used
jigs and fi.xtures . . . worn-out or broken chain, wheels, pulleys,
gears, pipe, etc. . . . abandoned metal structures.
If it's gathering rust or dust, it may be scrap—and more valuable
being remade into steel
than cluttering up your premises.
Write for booklet, "Top Management: Your Program for Emergency
Scrap Recovery", addressing The Advertising Council,
25 West 45th Street, New York.
mSCRAPPy SMS
offms£
B O X O F F I C
E
7a-D BOXOFFICE
:: January 12, 1952

Member Drive Begun
By Des Moines Tent
DES MOINES—More than 100 members of
Variety Club attended a kickoff luncheon for
the new year Monday i7) at the Standard
club. This was the largest Variety Club
meeting ever held here, and the new officers
headed by Milt Feinberg as chief barker,
predict that 1952 will prove a profitable year.
With the hope of building up the membership
of Tent 15 and taking on more charitable
projects, Feinberg feels that all industry
men should review the national creed of
the Variety Club, which reads as follows;
What is the Variety Club?
Strangely enough, the Variety Clubs of
America—a nationwide charitable institution—was
conceived for purely social reasons.
A group of 11 men, all good friends
who met every night in Childs Pittsburgh
restaurant, decided on Oct. 10. 1927. to
lease a room at the William Penn hotel
where they might meet to enjoy each
others company. The name Variety was
chosen for the group because each of the
men represented a different branch of industry.
The group had no charity, had
no reason for existing; in fact, it would
not be existing today if not for a stroke
of fate which intervened. On Thanksgiving
day 1928. a distraught mother left
her one-month old baby in the nursery
of the Sheridan Square Theatre at Pittsburgh,
with a scribbled note to the effect
that she could not care for the child.
The group of 11 men accepted the responsibility,
placed the child in an institution
and eventually in a home. But
this insight into the plight of unfortunate
children was the inspiration that
provided the growth of Variety Clubs
throughout the United States. Because
of this wait, more than one-half million
children receive aid from the Variety
Clubs of America each year. Does anyone
wonder then why the fellows of Variety
have adopted the sacred shibboleth;
-A little child shall lead us."
Bob Conn, 20th-Fox manager, was named
to head the membership drive. With Des
Moines theatremen already participating 100
per cent, an effort will be made to interest
exhibitors and theatre managers around the
state who are not yet Variety members.
Bob Lindberg. director of the YMCA. .spoke
in behalf of underprivileged and needy boys,
and suggested a home for such boys which
needs support and might possibly be a project
for the Des Moines group.
Leon Mendelson, Warner branch manager,
chairman of the entertainment committee,
announced the first social event of 1952—an
Inaugural ball to be held February 8 at the
Standard club. It is hoped that either Bill
McCraw or Marc Wolf. International Chief
Barker, will attend this dinner dance. Plans
are also under way for the third annual golf
tournament to be held in June.
Form Stage Show Firm
MILWAUKEE—C&G Theatre Co.
has been
formed here with a capital .stock of 85 shares
of common without par value to own. lease,
manage and operate vaudeville and legitimate
stage productions in theatres. Incorporators
are Chai-les F. jr. and C. Morse Puis
and Arleen B. Nolander.
lowans Regard Showman's
Dollar 'Sale' Pig in Poke
WASHINGTON, IOWA—They were .selUng
silver dollars for 85 cents at the State Theatre
her? last week and they had a heck of
a time getting people to buy. When it was
all over, not all of the bargain dollars were
dispo.sed of, and those who had purchased
them did so only after a struggle.
Theatre Manager Alva Hopper reported
that of the 50 silver dollars he had acquired
Even then, some of them refu.sed the offer!
Maybe folks in Wa.shington just don't need
the money.
Pay-If-Satisfied Deal
Is Offered on 'Victory'
MINNEAPOLIS—The trade here watched
with interest the gimmick employed by Bennie
Berger's local first run Gopher Theatre
to get "Bright Victory" off to a good start.
The film's stars are not yet sufficiently prominent
to mean much to the marquee here,
so that the Gopher realized that unusual
methods would have to be used to get the
customers in at the outset. Believing the picture
to be one of the year's best, it felt that
word-of-mouth would help considerably to
attract patronage. Accordingly, the Gopher
advertised that on the opening day i9i all
comers would be admitted free with the
understanding that if they enjoyed "Bright
Victory" sufficiently and thought it worth
the admission price they'd pay at the boxoffice
as they departed. If they didn't feel
fully satisfied, a trailer informed them, they
didn't have to pay anything.
Ray Miner Will Return
To Home Town, Moran, Kas.
LADYSMITH. WIS.—Ray
Mmer. manager
of the Miner Amusement Co. properties here,
has resigned and will move to Moran. Kas.,
his former home. Miner took over the management
of the two Ladysmith theatres when
W. K. LaMere was transferred to Rice Lake.
Wis. Miner's future business plans are indefinite.
New manager of the local theati'es will be
John Lovely, who has been associated with
Miner here for the last five years.
Pierre State Ruined
PIERRE, S. D.—The State, 420-seat theatre
of which Leo Peterson is co-owner and operator,
was gutted by a fire. The $50,000 damage
is covered by insurance and the house
will be rebuilt. Peterson and his partner
also own and operate the 600-.seat Grand
here and are erecting a drive-in outside the
town.
Alters & Son Reopens
Remodeled Allerlon
KEYSTONE. IOWA—Alters & Son completed
remodeling of the AUerton Theatre
and held grand opening recently. Formerly
known as the Ace. the theatre name was
changed by the Allers shortly after it was
purchased from Dwight Ayres last summer.
Changing the name was the beginning
for his advertised "clearance sale." 47 finally of a complete overhauling that has been in
were sold for 85 cents each, but not without progress ever since and was celebrated with
a lot of persuasion. Joan Heck, who presided the grand reopening.
at a booth .set up for the sale in the inner The first major change was a new background
in the display window at the front of
lobby of the theatre, had a mighty difficult
time trying to sell the money. She concluded
that Washington theatregoers are black with two openings for advertising and
the building. This was done by painting il
mighty suspicious of a bargain.
current shows and some future bills. At
Some of the customers said they just didn't
the same time, a new neon sign was added
want to carry a heavy silver dollar in
that designates the theatre in bold, colored
theii"
letters
pockets or pur.ses. Manager Hopper then
and adds considerably to the illuminat.on
of Keystone's Main street.
suggested they buy the dollar for 85 cents,
take it to the ticket window and exchange Biggest improvements were to the interior,
it for a paper
where all seats were
dollar.
replaced with the pushback
type, covered in red plastic that wears
well and washes easily. Additional improvements
included installation of six sets of
wall lights and a new screen.
NCA Asks Members Start
On Newspaper Forimi
MINNEAPOLIS— North Central Allied has
requested members to start extending invitations
to publishers and editors to attend the
NCA
newspaper forum and advertising clinic
will conduct at its convention here next
spring.
One of the main purposes of the forum and
clinic is to convince the publishers and editors
that the theatres are a substantial business
and cultural asset in their communities,
and that it is to the newspapers' advantage
to help the theatres to keep the showhouses
alive. This is not only because of the news-
))apers' advertising revenue from the theatres,
but also because the latter attract people anil
trade.
"We hope you can afford to bring your publisher
or editor here as your guest," the NCA
bulletin reads. "If not, get him to come wilh
you at his own expense. He will have two
great days obtaining an insight into our industry
and what makes it run. He will .see
and meet stars and leading figures in the
newspaper, advertising and film businesses.
"He will have a lot of fun. But, more important,
he will go home with a better knowledge
of the movies and the movie theatre.
And that will mean that, with this better
knowledge of your theatre and your problems,
he will be a more .sympathetic and understanding
friend, and you will have achieved
a master stroke of public relations at the
grassroots level."
Has 'Hiawatha' Footage
MINNEAPOLIS — William Bray po.s.se.s.sc :
the only remaining footage of a motion piclure.
"Hiawatha." filmed hereabouts by the
late Carl Laemmle. When he made "Hiawatha"
Laenunle was a disgruntled Wisconsin
exhibitor. When he couldn't get enough
satisfactory pictures he decided he would film
some him.self. He later became a distributor
here and Bray, then a boy of 12. was on?
of his employes. Laemmle presented him the
film.
BOXOFFICE January 12. 1952 NC 71

. . Ralph
. . The
. . Al
. . Fi-ances
. . The
OMAHA
TJenry McGrath, general manager of FEPCO
Theatre Advertisers, underwent surgery
at Immanuel hospital . . . Jim Sparks, former
Omaha and Des Moines Filmrower, visited
Omaha while on furlough from Camp
Carson, Colo. He will go from here to Ft.
Riley for specialized training
States will do the booking and buying for
the Hastings Strand and Drive-In, former
Tri-States holdings taken over by Strand
Amusement Co.. under direction of Fred
Teller.
Jimmy Slatter, manager of the Town, is
vacationing in Kansas City . Ord
Theatre was the scene of a meeting of 500
members of the Loup Valley Rural Electric
Membership Ass'n .
Blank of the
Admiral is taking a western trip . . . Jack
Jorgens, MGM salesman, has a new company
Plymouth.
District Manager B;n M r^as was in
Omaha over the weekend. Joe Jacobs, Columbia
manager, reported he would go to
Chicago for a discussion of releases for the
next three months, which will include "Ten
Tall Men," "Boots Malone," "Man in the
Saddle," "The Family Secret" and others,
with home office officials present along with
branch heads from Omaha, Minneapolis, Kansas
City and Des Moines .
Majestic
at Lexington has new American Bodiform
chaii-s.
Max Rosenblatt, RKO manager, visited
. . . Bill
.
Falls City Kolitz, district manager
from
.
Denver, was in Omaha for a two-day
Barker
Ned Depinet drive meeting
of the Co-Op Booking Service was kayoed
by a cold Kosiut has resigned
as secretary to 20th-Fox Manager J. E. Scott.
Rich Wilson and Jack Jorgens, MGM salesmen,
said they both have gone on a diet—
Jorgens on doctor's orders becau-se he gained
so rapidly after quitting smoking and Wilson
"because I should have dieted a long
.
One of series of Think
Pieces about improving
your theatre and its
equipment.
Come ona Our House . .
. . . we'// show you everything'.
RCA products are
among the best to
be had—buy wisely
AN INVITATION FOR LEARNING
Like to browse for your house, to see what's
new? We know how you feel. Come in, tell us
you just wont to look around. Spend all the
time you wish and we will not interfere-only
help you when asked . . . it's a real college
education in what showmen can use. Then
when you do buy, you'll be happier.

leissues.
. . Harry
'Blue Yonder' Reaches
125 at Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS—Tlie fast post-Christmas
boxol'fice pace slackened somewhat, but "My
Favorite Spy," "Distant Drums." "The Wild
Blue Yonder" and "Westward the Women"
came through with healthy grosses. The
Lyceum had "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman"
as one of its infrequent film offerings.
The house is primarily a legitimate
touring stage attraction theatre.
*
,
(.Average Is 100)
Cenluiy Elopement (20lh-Fox), 2nd wk 95
Gopher Westward Ihe Women (MGM), 2nd wk. . 95
Lyceum- Pandora and Ihe Flying Dutchman
(MGM) 100
Lyric—The Wild Blue Yonder (Rep) 125
Orpheum— The Magic Carpet (Col), The Lady and
the Bandit Coil
Pan- Destry
I
Rides Again (Realarl), The Daltons
Ride Again v K-' .il .Tl) S5
Radio Cil, My Favorite Spy (Paia) 110
Stale— Distant Drums (WB), 2nd wk 115
World An American in Paris (MGM), 8lh wk 175
Ride in Jet Plane Brings
In Publicity for 'Yonder'
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Amusement
Co. garnered a substantial amount of
free advertising on radio and television as
the result of a stunt it cooked up for "The
Wild Blue Yonder" at the Lyric.
Arrangements were made by the MAC with
the air corps here to give John Ford, leading
newscaster on television and radio station
WTCN. a ride in one of its jet planes at 575
miles an hour. And then MAC had the ride
filmed, showing Ford in the air. On his radio
programs that night Ford related his experience
and told of the thrills which his fii-st
ride in the lightxiing-fast plane afforded.
Later, on his television program, he showed
the film and gave a running commentary on
the ride.
Drive-In at Madison, Wis.,
Sold to 20th-century Corp.
MADISON, WIS.—The Badger Outdoor
Theatre near here has been purchased from
J&M Enterprises by MadLson 20th Century
Drive-In Corp., affiliate of Madison 20th Century
Theatres Corp., which operates the Parkway.
Orpheum. Strand and Madison here.
The ozoner was opened four seasons ago
and is the only outdoor house in this area.
Purchase price of the theatre is reported to
have been near $150,000. Dean Fitzgerald !:i
said to be head of the owning corporation,
with Asher Levy, Chicago: Ray Read. Milwaukee,
and Martin Thompson, Iron Mountain,
Mich.
Collins Businessmen Get
Local Theatre Reopened
COLLINS. IOWA—The Collins Theatre has
reopened after being dark for a number of
weeks. Reopening was made possible through
the cooperation of a number of Collins businessmen,
it was reported. Owner and manager
of the house is H. L. Rumbaugh.
Bob Whelan Is
Winner
MINNEAPOLIS—Bob Whelan. RKO Orpheum
manager, and his wife will receive an
all-expense paid trip to New York as the
result of winning first prize in Columbia Picture's
"Sirocco" showmanship contest.
DBS MOINES
gill Feld, former Republic manager here,
was in town looking for office space for
a branch of Realart Pictures which he will
head. The exchange will serve the Omaha
and Des Moines territories. Since leaving
Des Moines, Feld has been with Triangle
Films in Kansas City and St. Louis . . . Lou
Levy will entertain Universal men from
Omaha at a meeting at Hotel Savery here
January 13-15. Manny Gottlieb, district
manager, will conduct the meetings which
will be attended by local salesmen and bookers,
and Iz Weiner, Omaha manager, and
his salesmen and bookers. Plans for the
Nate Blumberg drive which runs to May 3
will be discussed.
Several Filmrowers have returned to their
jobs after illnes.ses. Dale Yaryan and Kathryn
Volk are both back at U-I. Joe Foley,
Monogram salesman, is on the road again
after a week's bout with the flu . . . The old
ELC office space has been rented by Holland
Furnace Co. . . . Jack Deinema. son of
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Deinema of Waverly.
has a role in the film "Telephone Creek."
which was shown in his hometown the first
they have named Happy Daze Ranchhouse,
144 S. Avon, Burbank. Calif.
J. J. Sparks, former RKO booker, was in
Des Moines on fm-lough last week. "Sparkle"
has been assigned to Ft. Riley for eight
weeks of training and will then report back
to Camp Car.son in Colorado . Wi.se.
RKO Theatres division manager, was here
from Minneapolis. Among exhibitors on the
Row were Harry Pulley, Kanawa; Leo Wolcott.
Eldora: Tessie Han.son. New Sharon;
M. L. Dickson. Mount Pleasant, and Ja('k
Bauma. Pocahontas.
New Leasing Deal Set Up
For Lancaster Theatre
LANCASTER. WIS.—The city coiuicil heri
has approved an arrangement with Lancaster
Theatres, Inc., under which the firm will pay
the city a total rental of $53,100 in 14 years
for the Grantland Theatre. This lakes the
place of a former arrangement by which the
theatre company paid the city $175 per
Stewart Simpson, recently back from Korea,
has taken over his duties as chief operator
at the Coed Theatre in Fairfield. Simpson
and his Japanese wife are happy to be
back in the United States . . . Nathan Sandler
has a new granddaughter, born to his son
Jay and Mrs. Jay ... Jo Kauffman, formerly
with Warners, is now working part time for
Nathan Sandler Theatre Enterprises as a
month. The new arrangement calls for a
stenographer.
monthly rental of $300 until Nov. 1, 1955. and
$325 a month for the next ten years.
The new contract gives the theatre company
the right to use the house for films,
stage shows and TV, but the city reserved the
right to use the house on 18 evenings and 30
days each year.
Minnesota Collections Slip
MINNEAPOLIS— Minnesota's federal admission
tax collections for December reflected
the year-end boxoffice slump. Total returns
for the month were $312,000, compared to
week of the new year ... An Indianola
woman, Mrs. Jay Wilson, received a Christmas
greeting from Leota Lane, film actress
who formerly lived in Indianola, wishing
holiday greetings to her many Iowa friends.
$349,000 for December 1950.
In the letter she stated that she and her
husband Jerry Day have sold their home on
Laurel Canyon and purcha.sed a ranch which
More than 1,500 extras and bit players are
listed during the current period on three productions
at the Paramount studio.
ORDER YOUR POPCORN SUPPLIES FROM US
White Japur^ese Hulless Popcorn Per 100 lbs. $13.95
South American Yellow Hybrid Per 100 lbs. 10.00
(Packed in 50 lb. bags)
Liquid "Popsit Plus" Seasoning Per Cose 14.50
(Packed 6 gallons per case)
"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per 50 lbs. 14.50
Morton's Popcorn Salt Per Case 2.95
10c Popcorn Boxes, 2 ounce Per 1000 11.25
10c Popcorn Boxes, 1% ounce Per 1000 10.00
1 lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, brown Per 1000 1.80
1 lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, white Per 1000 2.20
Vi lb. Popcorn Bags, flat bottom, brown Per 1000 1.20
IVi lb. Popcorn Bags, pinch bottom, white Per 1000 1.95
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 4.60
Prices Subject to Change Without Notice
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952 73

. . The
. . Hy
. . The
. . Eph
. .
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR THE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
325 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 1, Mo.
Gentlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive inlormation regularly, as released, on
the following subjects for Theatre Planning
n Acoustics
Lighting Fixtures
a Air Conditioning
q Plumbing Fixtures
n Architectural Service
Projectors
n "Black" Lighting
Projection Lamps
n Building Material
n Carpets
D Seating
D Coin Machines ° ^'^ns and Marquees
D Complete Remodeling Sound Equipment
n Decorating D Television
D Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts
n Drive-In Equipment Q Vending Equipment
D Other Subjects
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City
State
Signed
Postage-paid reply cords for your further convenience
in obtaining information are provided in The MODERN
THEATRE RED KEY SECTION (Nov. 24, 1951).
MINNEAPOLIS
The film industry will benefit pricelessly in
a publicity way from a Minneapolis Sunday
Ti'ibune promotion now being launched.
It'll be a match photo contest and each Sunday
for an extended period the Tribune will
publish pictm-es of screen stars as they look
today and of their baby pictures. Readers
entering the contest will match up the photos
and the winners will receive substantial cash
prizes. The contest was explained to 250 circulation
supervisors and their wives at a dinner
meeting given by the paper. Leslie Caron.
star of "An American in Paris." and her husband,
George A. Hormel II. scion of the
wealthy Austin. Minn., packing family, were
guests.
Miss Caron and her husband visited the
local MOM exchange, greeting employes and
visitors. Royal Johnson, livewire World manager,
arranged to have a picture taketi in
front of the theatre where "An American in
Paris" was in its ninth week. Johnson's clever
ads, frequently changed, are winning much
praise in local film circles . . Republic's
.
well-exploited "The Wild Blue Yonder" will
have racked up a 16-day nui before it winds
up at the local Lyric.
Louis Orlove, MOM exploiteer, returned
from Florida where his mother is .seriously
ill . . . Condolences to Fay Dre.ssell, RKO
manager, on the death in Los Angeles of his
mother . Chapman, Columbia manager,
attended the Chicago sales meeting .
M. A. Levy and Ralph Pielow, 20th-Fox district
and branch manager, went to New York
to look over 1952 product.
The Lyceum charges 90 cents evenings and
76 cents to 6 p. m. for "Pandora and the Plying
Dutchman." which opened last Sunday to
fine business. Manager James Nederlander is
miffed over the Metropolitan Opera Co. booking
of "Die Fledermaus" into the Minnesota
Northrop auditorium, which is state owned.
The regular Metropolitan Opera annual engagements
are held in the Lyceum under the
sponsorship of and for the benefit of the
Minneapolis Symphony orchestra.
Harry French jr. and George Shepard,
Minnesota Amu.sement Co. executives, attended
a United Paramount Theatres conference
in New York . Rosen, assistant
MGM manager, suffered slight injuries
in an auto accident . suburban Mound
Theatre has been sold by Lyle Carisch to Ray
Lee . University of Minnesota-Illinois
basketball game last Saturday night drew a
paid attendance of 17,862. the largest crowd
to see a Gopher basketball contest in two
years.
Condolences to the family of Casper Grengs
of Sherwood, N. D.. owner of the theatre
there for the past nine years, who died at
the age of 52. The wife and four children
survive ... A. A. Fisher, Republic district
manager, was a visitor.
Charter Three Firms
MILWAUKEE—Marguerite Roche, Bernard
C. Westfahl and Harvey C. Hartwig have
incoi-porated tlu-ee theatre companies in three
Wisconsin towns. They are the Cameo Theatre
Co.. Oshkosh; the Fifth Avenue Theatre
Co., La Crosse, and the Badger Amusement
Co., Eau Claire, each with a capital
stock of 100 shares of common, no par value.
Fox Milwaukee Cuts
Price for Teenagers
MILWAUKEE—Fox Wisconsin Sunday put
into effect reduced admissions for teenagers
at 17 theatres here. Teenager prices at the
downtown Wisconsin, Palace and Strand
now are 44 cents, tax included, compared to
the adult admission of 98 cents. The teenager
price at the Allis, Garfield, Jackson, Modjeska.
Paradise, Plaza, Princess, Riviera, Sherman,
Uptown, Varsity, Shorewood and Venetian
are 40 cents.
Al Hopper Ends '51 With
Two-House Remodeling
WASHINGTON, IOWA—Al Hopper, manager
of the State and Fox theatres, neared
completion of his remodeling program with
the end of 1951. The two restrooms and two
lounges were painted and redecorated and
new furniture was placed in the lounges for
added comfort. The lobby and foyer were
painted and new drapes placed over the foyer
doors. Repair of the auditorium seats was
the last item on the agenda and Hopper
expected that to be completed soon.
The manager stressed that programs would
start on schedule at the improved Fox Theatre
and that a new record player had been
installed for "overture" music.
Salesman Jack Andrews
Is Top Santa Claus
NORFOLK. NEB.—Elton Benson, manager
of the Granada, has added a postscript to
the Christmas season disclosing Jack Andrews,
Paramount salesman, is a topnotch
amateur Santa Claus.
Andrews, after serving as Santa for kiddies
at the Granada, carried on the act for children
in his neighborhood in Norfolk, where
the Andrews family lives.
Visititig the family next door, the neighbors'
little girl said. "Aw. that's Jack Andrews."
"No it isn't." her brother insisted. "Jack
Andrews wouldn't have brought me this electric
train."
Pete Rouman Celebrates
30th Year in Industry
RHINELANDER, WIS. — Pete Rouman,
owner of the remodeled Majestic here, had
a double occasion to celebrate during the
holidays. He observed his 30th year in show
business.
Rouman came here in 1904 and after operating
other businesses here, opened the
State Theatre. He later leased the Majestic
and he still operates both houses.
74
BOXOFFICE
:: January 12, 1952

• .
Flashbacks of 1951 in Cleveland Territory
Voiding of Charity Bingo, First
Large-Screen TV Showings Among Events of the Year
By ELSIE LOEB
CLEVELAND—Highlights of motion picture
industry events in 1951:
January
Thirty theatre closings in this area were
laid to obsolescence, with patrons shifting to
the newer houses. Variety Club celebrated
New Year's with open house instead of the
customary dinner dance. Ray Schmertz. 20th-
Fox. and Bernie Rubin, Imperial, underwent
surgery. Five subsequent run houses presented
live New Year's eve shows, namely
Hilliard Square. Lake. Lorain-Fulton. Mayland
and Richmond.
Herb Horstemier opened a booking-buying
agency in the Film building. Jerry Lipow.
MGM salesman, became a papa. Edward
Raab. Akron theatre owner, acquired two
drive-ins: the Starlite and Ascot. The Palace
in Ashtabula and Star in Delphos reopened.
Exhibitors reported good business over the
long first-of-the-year weekend. Jerry Lamm
announced the birth of a son and second
child. Lieut. Donald Wolf, son of Nat Wolf,
MARTIN SMITH
left for active duty at Camp Hood in Texas.
President of Independent Theatre Owners
Paul Scholz bought Walter Olds' interest in
of Ohio during 1951
Argus. Inc. The Jack Gertzes vacationed in
Palm Springs, Calif.
manager, succeeding Rube Perlman. Ernie
A sign of improvement was the number of
Sands joined Warner sales force, succeeding
part-time houses going back to full time.
Dave Kaufman, killed in an automobile accident.
Peter Rosian was appointed Univer-
Seymour Morris, head of Schine's publicity
department, at a regional meeting here
.sal district manager with headquarters in
stressed the importance of children's shows.
Cleveland to suceed Peter Dana, now division
George Bressler returned to the industry as
manager. Harry Charnas was in Cleveland
U-I booker. Judd Spiegle joins ELC as salesman
succeeding Art Levy promoted to ELC Manley closed its Cleveland office and
for the marriage of his niece. Eileen Fishman.
Pittsburgh manager. Sam Friz, manager of
Wade Carr moved to head the Detroit office.
the Medina Theatre, was recalled to active
Shelby repealed 3 per cent admission tax.
naval duty.
Cleveland newspapers advised theatre owners
February
of an advertising rate boost, effective April 1.
Horace Adams asked first run for his Marion
Drive-In. Marion, and reduced clearances
March
for his other ozoners. Richmond The-
George Gilliam resigned from Warners to
atre celebrated its .second birthday, and was join Schine as Cincinnati booker. Ray Brown
awarded plaque as one of the finest theatres sr., Warner Theatres district manager, died
built during preceding year. Peter Wellman of heart attack. Paul Gusdanovic closed his
relinquished the Mahoning Theatre. Youngstown.
Corlett Theatre in Cleveland. Loew's Park
NTS held national .sales meeting in introduced midweek amateur nights at regu-
Cleveland.
Ernest Schwartz elected president of Cleveland
lar prices.
Grosses that started upward, began to
Motion Picture Exhibitors A.ss'n for 18th slump again. Ohio Supreme Court voided
consecutive term. Telenews Theatres celebrated
charity bingo, upholding common pleas Judge
its tenth anniversary. Frank Cost, Frank J. Merrick and the court of appeals.
theati-e manager, urged national TV advertising
Six subsequent Cleveland hou.ses raised ad-
of pictures. Heavy snowfall slowed mission a nickel to 55 cents: namely the
down traffic but film deliveries got through. Colony. Vogue. Fairmount. Mayland. Shaker.
Leo Gottlieb became new Lippert branch Richmond. Cleveland showmen set a $1,000
contest with the News to boost interest in
pictures.
BUI Twigg appointed manager of Milt
Mooney's branch buying-booking co-op in
Buffalo. George Tarassoff resigned as ELC
booker to become Columbia booker, succeeding
Tony Laurie who went into the insurance
busine.ss.
April
Pour Ohio bills received ITO approval.
They were HB 429 to re-establish a 3 per
cent state admission tax instead of municipal
tax power: SB 232 to regulate hours of
employment for females and minors in times
of national emergency: SB 213 to protect the
right to work as enacted by 17 states; SB 258
to limit municipalities from enacting local
admission tax ordinances higher than 3 per
cent.
Nat Charnas closed his Bijou in Toledo.
Mannie Youngerman succeeded Joel Golden
as ELC .salesman. Bob Blitz promoted at
Warnei's from booker to salesman. League
of Showmen's Wives netted $500 from the
second annual rummage sale. Eddie and Ethel
Bergman celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
Sam Holtz celebrated his 21st anniversary
as owner of the Film building barber
shop. Herbert Scheftel and Alfred G.
Burger, who bought the Hippodrome building,
announced that on July 8 they will take
over operations of the Hippodrome, operated
by Warners since 1933.
May
Cleveland clubwomen objected to Rita Hayworth's
return to screen. Harry Weiss elected
president of the Cleveland Salesmen's club,
succeeding Sam Lichter. Variety Club sold
its Euclid avenue building to American Legion
Post 2. Leo Jones' Carey Theatre was
closed as result of a fire.
Bernie Rubins buys Realart franchi.se for
northern Ohio. Owners Joe Krenitz and
Irwin Gross closed the Cedar Theatre. "The
Great Caruso" played to over 38,000 paid admissions
in its opening week in Cleveland.
June
Bob Richardson resigned as UA city salesman
to join Souvaine Selected Pictures .
The Five Points Theatre. Akron was converted
into a church. Charles Rich turned
back to Northio the Clyde Theatre in
Clyde. State in Fremont and State in Danville.
Ky. Akron grosses hit bottom, while
some other cities report improvement. Charles
(Continued on following page)
Peter Rosian
Ernest Schwartz
.Meyer Fine
Charles Rich
Charles Deardourff
BOXOFFICE :: January 12. 1952
ME
75

Summary of Industry Activities in
Cleveland Territory
(Continued from preceding pagei
Rich forms Rich Releasing Co. to distribute
foreign films through Imperial Pictures. Tlie
E.squire was closed. Pvt. Thurman Hetzler
jr.. manager Capitol Theatre, Sidney, reported
missing in action in Korea.
Capacity crowd viewed first TV largescreen
presentation at the RKO Palace to sec
the Louis-Savold fight. Jack Silverthorne
transfers from Telenews manager to manager
of Hippodrome, with John Kois succeeding
at Telenews, renamed Tower Theatre
with feature film policy.
July
Second TV Palace presentation of Murphy-
LaMotta fight was a sellout. Bill to restore
3 per cent amusement tax to stat* died in
committee. Third TV presentation at Palace,
the Layne-Marciano fight, brought only
a three-quarter hou.se. Kroger Babb, Hallmark
president, and Mrs. Babb celebrate
their 23rd wedding anniversary. Truckers
strike tied up all deliveries except films. Jules
Livingston Republic salesman, promoted to
manager of New Haven branch.
August
Palace introduces vaudeville on a two-aday
reserved .seat basis, with Spike Jones and
his musical depreciation cast. Marvin Harris
leaves Paramount in Toledo, as manager,
buying Nat Charnas' Avalon, Lyric and
Myster theatres. Jim Scoville of Scoville.
Essick & Reif circuit, now retired, was here
from Tucson, Ariz. G&P Amusement Co.
antitrust hearing slated to start September
17.
Movietime U.S.A. with Meyer Fine as local
chairman, given 100 per cent exhibitor support
at industry meeting. Leo Jones builds
the Indian Trail Drive-In on route 23. Pete
Bathory joined Milt Grant's Silk Screen Process
Co. Spring business boost started a nose
dive.
Bennett Goldstein named to head Schinc
booking staff. Market Square Theatre dismantled
and converted into a liquor store.
September
Independent Poster Rental Co. .settled monopoly
suit vs. NSS. Jack Gertz bought a
hotel in Saluda, N. C. Martin Smith. ITO
president, underwent surgery. Bill Kunzman
retired from National Carbon after 42 years
with the company. Movietime kickoff rally
at WHK studios heard Robert J. O'Donnell
and Arthur Mayer explain its aims and purposes.
Dick Wright named Movietime secretary.
RKO Palace had sellout for Robin.son-Turpin
TV fight presentation at $2.40. Karl
Fasick, Loew's Park Theatre manager, promoted
to advertising director for Loew's
houses in Boston. Cleveland bingo ruling
went to Ohio supreme court on appeal of Albert
D. Langman. Esquire Theatre leased to
TV station 'WXEL. Cleveland Colo.s.seum loge
voted to go along with national organization
on wage scale settlement.
October
Sid Holland, Fairview Theatre manager,
died of a heart attack. Pep-Saddler TV fight
at RKO Palace had smallest TV crowd to
date. Thomas Urbansky, owner of Lorain-
Fulton Tlieatre died as result of attack by
hoodlums in his leather store. Mrs. Nazera
Zegiob, Lorain circuit owner, died, following
a long illness. Charlie Deardourff, retired
MGM exploiteer, and Mrs. Deardourff celebrated
their 50th wedding anniver-sary.
Lee Stacel, Republic booker, drafted into
the army. No kicks against advanced scales
for top grade pictures reported. Annual Community
fund official reel is written and produced
by Nat 'Wolf. Variety Club leased
space in Carter hotel.
November
Meyer Fine, Sam Stecker and associates
bought lesae on the Hollenden hotel. Charlotte
Kendis elected president of League of
Showmen's Wives to succeed Mrs. Nat Barach.
Milton Mooney temporarily closed his Buffalo
co-op branch to reopen in spring. Bill Twigg.
its manager, joined Warners as salesman in
Albany territory. George Davis. Wellsville
exhibitor, ill at Pittsburgh's Allegheny General
hospital . . . G&P Amusement Co. monopoly
suit, before Judge Emerich Freed
closed. Wallace Elliott appointed manager
of the Fairview Theatre to succeed the late
Sid Holland.
December
Two thousand attended annual National
Automatic Merchandising A.ss'n convention
in Public Hall. Carl Schwyn bought Maumee
Tlieatre, and acquired .sole interest in the
Paramount. Toledo. December 17 was Movie
Industry Blood Donors day. Newspapers announced
another two-cent a line advertising
rate boost. Ambassador Theatre sold to a
church. New Theatre construction ordinance
proposed to require parking provision for
every six theatre seats. Selected Theatres
bought Biggio's Grand Theatre in Steubenville.
Variety Club initiated new Carter hotel
clubrooms.
In Memoriam
Harry A. Flinn, Berea Theatre, Berea.
Ray Brown sr., Warner Theatres district
manager.
Sandor Klinger, former owner of the Ritz
Theatre.
Edward Gibbons, Carey Theatre, Carey,
Ohio.
Sid Holland, Fairview Theatre, Cleveland.
Walter Benjamin, Commercial Interiors,
Inc.
Philip Kendis, owner of Poster Rental Co.,
predecessor to National Screen Service .
lATSE Local 160 lost ten members during
the year just ended. They were:
Paul Pavlich, Willis Reed, Gerald Knippenberg,
Al Dolan. Kenneth Prater, George
Buchleitner, John H. Fitzgerald, Herman
Sperber, J. M. Schwartz. A. Jay Smith.
Donald Graham Succumbs
INDIANAPOLIS— Donald Graham. Indianapolis
architect who designed scores of theatres
throughout the midwest, died December
21. He designed the Rivoli and Granada
here the Tivoli at Richmond. Ind., and
several houses owned by the Balaban & Katz
chain at Chicago.
for
OUTiTANOINC CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ENCINECniNC
Projectionist Invites
Soldier's Kin to Newsreel
TOLEDO—Thomas Liggett, projectionist at
the Dixie Theatre neighborhood theatre,
spotted a friend of his in a newsreel of soldiers
in Korea and held a private showing
and repeat performance of the film for Mrs.
Helen Matthews, mother of Cpl. William Roberts,
and other members of her family so that
they, too. could see the film.
The newsreel showed Corporal Roberts, assigned
to an army heavy mortar unit, kneeling
bareheaded at an outdoor Catholic service
only 200 yards behind the front lines in
Korea. Liggett ran the newsreel over several
times last week before the regular showing,
so that Mrs. Matthews, her two sons and her
daughter-in-law could see the film.
Film Delivery Halted
To Give Men Holidays
CLEVELAND— Film delivery service to theatres
located outside greater Cleveland was
suspended on Christmas and New Year's days
this year in order to give employes a holiday
at home with their families. Exchanges and
exhibitors gave their full cooperation to carrying
out the policy.
All film haulers in the Cleveland territory
serving out-of-town theatres are expected to
participate in this policy each year from now
on, Louis C. Gross, president of the Ohio
Ass'n of Film Carriers, said.
Thertre EquipmEHT Co.
Forum Sets Price Policy
AKRON. OHIO — The Forum has announced
new prices: 30 cents for matinees,
39 cents for evenmgs, and 16 cents for children
at all times. The house is a subsequent
run and offers double features.
osmssEs^
aoDs^oamna
76 BOXOFFICE January 12. 1952

Academy
. . Florence
. . Santa
. . Leonard
. . Nate
. . Harry
. .
CLEVELAND Cleveland MPEA Meets
M'orman Shepherd has been transterred
from the local Scliine office as booker to
Oswego, N. Y. Friedman, office
.
manager for Manny Stutz' Realart and Four
Continent exchanges, has resigned. She plans
a stay-at-home vacation before taking on a
new job . . . Liz Ochs flew home in a surpri.se
visit from Puerto Rico to spend Christmas
with her husband Herb, who had planned to
join her there, where she was visiting daughter
Sue and husband Lieut. Harry Welsh of
the air forces.
Maurice Barck, co-owner with his brother
Sam of the Park Auto Theatre at Salem,
has announced the engagement of his son
Alan to Marcia Lois Abramson of Columbus,
Ohio. Alan is a .senior and Marcia a sophomore
at Ohio State university. Another son.
.Edward, an OSU freshman, has gone to Mexico
City as an exchange student at the University
of Mexico.
I
Leo Jones notified the exchanges that he
has clo.sed his Upper Theatre, Upper Sandusky,
until further notice . Bigelson.
former Union Theatre manager who spent
the holidays in Cleveland, has returned to
Florida for the rest of the winter . . . Max
Shenker. the Berlo man now vacationing in
Tucson, soon will be off on a side trip to
Charlie Gottlob of the
the west coast . . .
Mount Pleasant Theatre is in Mount Sinai
hospital for a checkup . Claus hung
a round trip ticket to Mexico on the Gilbert
Lefton Film Service) Christmas
tree. They have been studying Spanish on
a hunch that this long anticipated trip would
materialize.
.Iiilianne Sabot, sister of RKO booker John
Sabot, an army nurse, broadcast from Korea
on Christmas day. She has been in the battle
area for a year and a half. John is getting
a tape recording of her 8-minute broadcast
. . . Marvin Harris. Toledo circuit owner,
says business took a turn for the better during
the holidays.
Exhibitors on Filmrow were conspicuous by
their absence. August Ilg was in from Lorain.
Al Ploenes from Akron and George
Wakely from Woodville . Greenberger.
manager of the Fairmount Theatre,
established an alltime high attendance when
some 10.000 paid admission in three evenings
and one matinee to see "The Lavender Hill
Mob," which he was showing fu'st run in the
city. The 1.700-seat house had them standing
in line at the boxoffice for every performance
and parking space in the 1.000-car
theatre lot was at a premium. Not only a
n^w theatre record but a new neighborhood
record is being established by this picture,
which will be held for an extended engagement.
Usual run of an English picture at
the Fairmount is two or three days.
Jim Levitt, Universal salesman, spent the
week in the office in an effort to make up
new records on theatres in his territory to
replace records stolen from his car parked
in front of Mount Sinai hospital while he was
visiting his mother, a patient in the hospital.
Howard Easterwood Dead
MONROEVILLE. OHIO—Howard Easter-
W'ood. 66. former stage manager of New
York theatres and onetime a.s.sociate of Florenz
Ziegfeld. died here recently.
To Elect Officers
CLEVELAND -The annual meeting of the
Cleveland Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n
and election of officers for 1952 was to be
held in the a,ssociation headquarters Thursday
110). A buffet luncheon at 12:30 preceded
the business meeting.
Ernest Schwartz, as.sociation president for
the last 17 years, had no opponents for the
position and his re-election for an 18th term
was a foregone conclusion. Announcement of
the meeting included a statement that President
Schwartz would have an important message
to deliver to members and urged all to
attend.
During the 40 years that the Cleveland
Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n and its predece.ssor,
the Exhibitors League, has been in
existence, it has been headed by only eight
presidents. They were Sam Bullock. Ben
Sawyer. Henry Lustig, O. E. Belles. John J.
Harwood. E. C. Flanigon. George Palda and
Ernest Schwartz. Flanigon and Schwartz are
the only ones still living.
Cleveland Variety Sets
Jan. 18 Installation
CLEVELAND—The Variety Club has set
January 18 as the date for initiating new
Chief Barker Henry Greenberger and honoring
his predecessor. Abe Kramer. Announcement
says the ceremony will start with a
banquet in the Carter hotel ballroom for
members and their wives. March Wolf. Variety
Club chief, and his wife are expectd
to attend. Jack Silverthorne. manager of
the Hippodrome, is chairman of the committee
in charge. His aides are Sanford
Leavitt. Al Sunshine and Leonard Greenberger.
Al Champagne Renamed
DETROIT— Al Champagne. 20th-Fox booker,
was re-elected business agent of lATSE
Local F25 of front office employes. He also
will serve as acting president since the local
has had no president or vice-president for the
past couple of years. Other officers elected;
Ann Rogell, General Theatre Service, financial
secretary; Yvonne Gilling. corresponding
secretary, and Margaret Studebaker, Republic,
treasurer.
Seek to Void Kentucky Tax
HICKMAN. KY.— Circuit Judge William B.
Ardery has been given the task of deciding
whether Kentucky's 15-year-old amusement
tax is valid. Theatre interests here have filed
suit to test the constitutionality of the tax.
The allegation is also made that though the
act was imposed for the purpose of helping
to pay off the state debt, that since the
debt has been paid the act is still in force
and confiscatory.
Mrs. Joe Leavitt Dies
CLEVELAND—Funeral .services were held
in the Cohn-Margowsky funeral home Sunday
i6i for Mrs. Joe Leavitt. who died at her
wniter home in Miami. Fla. Mrs. Leavitt was
the wife of Joe Leavitt. charter member of
lATSE Local 160. In addition to her husband,
she is survived by two sons, Sanford
of the Washington Theatre circuit and Morton,
an architect, and four grandchildren.
COLUMBUS
n visit
by Helen FausnauKh, waitress at Columbus
Country club and winner of the
Columbus Star's Queen of Tra.vs contest, at
the MGM and RKO studios in Hollywood
trip has been arranged by Harry Schreiber,
RKO city manager, and Walter Ke.ssler.
Loew's Ohio manager. Mrs. Pausnaugh received
a week's trip to Hollywood as first
prize in the statewide contest.
J. Real Neth of Neth Theatres, is convalescing
at home following his recent hospitalization
Charlotte Curtis of the Columbus
. . . Citizen editorial staff took over the
duties of Norman Nadel. Citizen theatre editor,
during the latter's Broadway visit .
Kenneth Baker subbed for Mrs. Mary Mc-
Gavran Koebel, Ohio State Journal theatre
editor,
during her brief illness.
A. C. Lyles, executive of William Pine-William
Thomas productions, was scheduled for a
one-day stop here in advance of the Pine-
Thomas production, "Hong Kong." Art
Leazenby. exploitation director, Detroit, Para-
. . . Julian
mount, was here lining up radio, pre.ss and
television appearances for Lyles
Lesser, producer of "Whispering Smith vs.
Scotland Yard" and "Suicide Smith," was in
town for the holidays with his wife. They
were visiting Mrs. Lcsser's mother. Mrs. Alfred
Kobacker. They also were accompanied
by their sons, Stephen, 12, and John, 8.
Survey by the Columbus Citizen of TV
viewing habits of teenagers revealed that
watching television has kept 40 per cent of
the group at home more. Most of this group
said they go to fewer motion pictures than
before. "Tliis trend is especially noticeable
during the first months that a TV .set is in
the home." says the report. "Later, the .students
find themselves more or le.ss returning
to their former routines" . Schreiber
was one of the judges in the Columbus Dispatch
Jolly Christmas gift contest.
Ray Branch Resolves
To Honor Inductees
Hastings, Mich. — Ray Branch, local
theatre owner, made a New Year's resolution.
The showman said he has seen
too many Hastings and Barry county
young men board a bus here for induction
into the armed services with little
or no recognition given them. He resolved
to do something about it.
He announced that on .Tanuary 1 1 he
would play host to iH young men who
will leave for induction Monday (14).
along with their wives or sweethearts and
parents, at a special program at the
Strand Theatre at 9 p. m. The program
was to have special reference to the men
departing for service. At the end of the
show, the inductees were to be greeted
by the mayor and chairman of the county
board of supervisors. .Xnd they were to
receive farewell gifts from the theatre
manager. He added he would continue
the program each month. A war veteran
himself. Branch has a .son now serving
with the marines.
Ray Branch, who served for 20 years
as president of the Michigan Ass'n of
Theatre Owners, believes this is the first
time a theatre has given this sort of recognition
to men leaving for induction.
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952 77

—
. . Don
- .
. . Amy
. . Art
. . Lieut.
. . Doug
. . James
, , Max
. . Joe
. . Murray
. . Mrs.
—
24-HOUR
Projection and Sound
SERVICE
THEATSP EQUI PMENT
^1 ri/i^
Cq
^^i0l0»^^ 106 Michigan St., N.W.
f'^ji^' Grond Rapid:; 2, Mich.
Tal. elendole 4-88S2>Higli>s & Sundays 3-2413
L for November 1951 was $10,360.52 le.ss
than for a corresponding month in 1950.
However, revenue for July through November
1951 was $31,799.28 higher than for a similar
period in 1950 . . . Switow's subsequent run
neighborhood Cozy, managed by Joe Hedden
has undergone redecoration with new
items of furni.shings added. Included was new
carpet.
Exhibitors on the Row: R. L. Gastrost. Viclory.
Vine Grove: Mr. and Mrs, Clyde
Marshall, Columbian, Columbia; Oscar Hopper,
Arista, Lebanon: George Peyton, Griffith,
LaGrange: A. N. Miles, Eminence, and
Homer Wirth. Crane, Indiana . Stein
kamp of the French Lick Amusement Co. was
ill during the greater part of the holidays, but
is up and around again carrying on business
as usual.
Charlie Wells of the Falls City Theatre
Equipment Co. staff here received a surprise
visit from his brother Malcolm, an actor
who has appeared on the New York stage . .
Helping to ring out the old year, the Twin
Drive-In featured a fireworks presentation
on New Year's eve. The Twin is headed by
Lou Arru.
Albert Dezel Recovering
DETROIT—Albert Dezel. head of the domestic
and foreign film distribution firm of
that name, has returned from the hospital
and reports he is getting along well. He
expected to be back at work .soon.
DETROIT
IJarry F. Brown, operator at the Farnum.
who is a lover of Michigan forests, has
bought a home in his old home town of
Corpus Christi, and figures on being down
there by next winter . Gealer, A.ssociated
circuit supervisor, manages to get
winded by those stairs at the Loop.
Nig;htingale notes: Floyd Akins figures all
those low scores came from the boys trying
to figure how to dig their cars out of the
snowbanks , Watson amazed the gang
by really working with the business end of a
mop to keep the place dry . Bea
(Vesteri Douville had a birthday party at her
home December 27 (she likes them right
after Christmas) —but only one candle.
Pearce Parkhurst, Lansing Drive-In manager,
is hibernating at Hollywood, Fla., but
making his headquarters at the neighboring
Dania Drive-In . F. Sharkey, Cooperative
Theatres film buyer, is heading to
New York to attend the Charles Lewis testimonial
dinner as the delegate of Detroit Variety
Club . Howard Stewart, head
of Detroit censorship activities, is planning
to retire next August . Lee hosted the
tradeshowing of "Decision Before Dawn"
Thursday at the 20th-Fox exchange screening
room . Wright, who has been
acting as film editor of WWJ-TV, is .switchhig
back to radio announcing.
. . . Ernest
George H. Roderick, vice-president in
charge of manufacturing for American Seating
Co., is the new president of the Grand
Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Ziegler is coming from the Universal Albany
office to fill the booking desk here, while
Harold Morri.son is being upped to office
manager.
. . . Joseph
Ed Johnson, recently president of Michigan
Allied, is back on his feet again after a bout
Mrs. Harlan Starr, wife of the
of flu . . .
Monogram manager, is expected to be able
to return home in a few days, following a hip
Syd Bowman, United Artists
fracture . . .
manager, was kept home by a .severe cold . . .
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Filipczak. who are opening
the Hoover, were down o:i the Row to
get acquainted with the business
Baringhaus, Warner manager, attended a
Chicago sales meet . Devaney,
RKO manager, is vacationing in the south
on a motor tour.
Ray Cloud, Columbia salesman, vacationed
in the Cincinnati territory . . . W. P. Daw.son,
operator at the Roxy, did the repair job
himself on his hydramatic drive in his Cadillac,
the fifth of that brand he's had in a
row . Brown, switchboard girl at
Cooperative Theatres for nearly ten years, is
leaving to become a hou.sewife . . . Jack and
Mae Krass, circuiteers, enjoyed Friday night
supper at Norm's delicatessen.
AUTO CITY CANDY CO.
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78 BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

Boston Variety Club
Elects Walt Brown
BOSTON—Directors of the Variety Club of
New England met last week and elected
Walter Brown, president of the Boston Garden
Associates, chief barker for 1952. Others
elected were Max Levenson, first assistant
chief barker for another year; Philip Smith,
president of Smith Management Co., second
assistant chief: Louis Richmond of Richmond
circuit, doughguy for another term,
and Michael Redstone, Redstone Drive-In
Theatres, property master.
Directors, besides the above, are Martin J.
MuUin, Arthur Lockwood, James Marshall,
Theodore Fleisher and Harry Browning. Samuel
Pinanski, president of ATC, is the outgoing
chief barker for 1951.
Half of Providence Team
Of Critics Selects 'Ten'
PROVIDENCE—Paul B. Howland, feature
film writer on the Providence Sunday Journal,
has picked his "Best 10." A half-million
moviegoers in this area annually speculate
on how the experts will pick 'em, and Howland
is one of their "bellwethers."
Topping the ratings was "A Place in the
Sun," followed by "A Streetcar Named Desii'e,"
"Tales of Hoffmann" and "An American
in Paris." Others on the list included
"Born Yesterday," "Oliver Twist," "David and
Bathsheba," "The Magnificent Yankee," "The
Red Badge of Courage" and "Cyrano de
Bergerac." A large segment of local film
fans concurred with the popular viewer and
critic but others bemoaned the fact that "The
Great Cai-uso," "Angels in the Outfield" and
"Father's Little Dividend" failed to land in
the select group.
It was expected that Bradford H. Swan,
drama critic of the Providence Bulletin-Journal,
would release his list of the top ten
films within a week or ten days. The big
question among local movie fans was whether
Swan would see "eye-to-eye" with his colleague
Howland.
Lippert Opens in Boston;
Irv Mendelson Manager
BOSTON—Lippert Films has officially
opened its Boston exchange at 12 Piedmont
St., headed by Irving Mendelson as branch
manager. The office, formerly occupied by
Eagle Lion, has been repainted and redecorated
and on opening day was filled with
baskets of flowers from industry well-wishers.
Arlene Kisloff, formerly of United Artists,
has been appointed secretary to Mendelson,
Jack Hill is head booker and Irving Shiffman
is handling Connecticut through the
New Haven office. The five New England
states, excluding Connecticut, will be handled
through the Boston exchange.
Reasons for Optimism Are Voiced
At hiartford; Providence Ups Ads
HARTFORD—Optimism in the motion picture
industry as it goes into 1952 is attributed
to a variety of factors, including:
111 Stepped-up advertising and publicity
on the part of distribution interests. Independent
exhibition particularly felt hurt during
the last 12 months by the cutting down
on advertising in both trade and lay press
by the industry.
(2i Belief that television will not be the
great opponent is seemed to be in 1951. No
television outlets have been authorized for
the metropolitan Hartford area yet, and television
men here feel that it will be at least
two years before this city will have any
outlet. The area has been authorized to operate
a minimum of three television outlets.
(31 The remarkable growth of the outdoor
theatre in the entertainment picture. The
1951 exhibition year saw extensive construction
in the drive-in field, and 1952 finds at
least one new project.—a 700-car drive-in in
Bloomfield, to be operated by Phil Maher
and Peter LeRoy—under construction.
Lou Cohen, Loew's Poli, said he is looking
forward to the early development of the
three-dimension picture.
Similar comments are being voiced by such
motion picture editors as Allen M. Widem
of the Hartford Times, who wrote that "there
is a bright future for the film industry, because
the industry has not only resumed its
course of top quality product, but is also
actively .soliciting public opinion on just what
the public is looking for in the way of screen
entertainment. That is a mighty important
facet of contemporary motion picture operation.
"Movies are certainly better than ever."
1952 Picture Looks
Bright at Providence
PROVIDENCE—The 1952 picture looks extremely
bright and promising, according to a
consensus of Rhode Island exhibitors. Off to
a good start with excellent New Year's eve
business, local owners and operators got an
exceptionally good break from the long weekend
occasioned by the closing of 85 per cent
of all retail stores from Saturday night until
Wednesday morning. Additionally, manufacturing
plants, jewelry houses, coal, lumber
and building concerns, as well as mercantile
offices, observed the three-day holiday.
Thousands of workers foimd themselves with
plenty of time on their hands and the theatres
for the most part did business reminiscent
of boom years.
Local operators are optimistic because of
the fine quality of product coming out of
Hollywood, and especially so with what they
see on the horizon. While several local industries,
chiefly machine tool parts and
jewelry, have been hard hit by government
controls and shortages, unemployment hereabouts
is not critical at the moment. A bit
of facelifting is going on in local houses,
which indicates that exhibitors are willing to
spend to attract patrons.
The Majestic Theatre, one of the last to
fall in line in offering refreshments to patrons,
is installing a confection case. The entire
lobby is being renovated with a beautiful
off-the-street boxoffice supplementing the indoor
ticket seller. When installation, renovating
and repainting is completed, the Majestic,
already an ornate hou.se. will present
a front and lobby comparable to the finest in
New England.
Even local newspapers are recognizing the
increased quality of films coming to town.
Giving further evidence of their faith in the
film future of this city, exhibitors have apparently
stepped up their 1952 advertising
budgets, judging by the greatly increased use
of newspaper display space. Furthermore,
full advantage is being taken of advertising
space available on buses, cabs and trucks.
Joe Minsky in New Haven;
Herb Copelan to Havana
NEW HAVEN — Harry Feinstein. Warner
Theatres zone manager here, announced the
appointment of Joseph Minsky as booker for
the New Haven zone, to succeed Herbert
Copelan, who leaves for new theatre enterprises
in Havana January 12. Minsky, who
reports here officially Monday (14), was formerly
booker for Warner Theatres in New
Jersey for more than a year.
Tent 31 in New Club
NETW HAVEN—Variety Club Tent 31 of New
Haven met Thursday evening ilOi at the new-
Orchard street club headquarters for a business
meeting. Members made further plane
toward adoption of a permanent "heart" project
for this area and di.scussed future social
activities of the group.
All! METAL COLLECTION—This truck, manned by 20th-Fox shippers, collected
a load of metal scrap for the government around the Boston film district. James Connolly,
Al Cohen, Bill Lynde, Phil Engel, publicist, and Johnny Mullally.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952 NE 79

. . . Harry
. . The
. . RKO
. . The
ma^^mtaUtm
. . The
. . Congratulations
. . Rumor
. . Alec
. . Also
. . Mary
. . Peter
. . The
—
8)
—
NEW HAVEN
. . .
TTariety Club's New Year's party was attended
by some 75 members and friends
and enthusiastically received by all as
B&Q's
the
club's best social evening to date
1,250-seat Palace in New Britain, built about
1900 and closed for the past five weeks for
interior renovation, reopened under the continued
capable management of John D'Amato.
Kroehler Push-Back seats have been installed
on the main floor and a cement floor, new
carpet, screen and projection improvements
were included in the complete redecoration.
The report is the Palace is now "intimate
and cozy."
Norman Ayers, Warner district manager,
was welcomed back warmly after a sick leave,
then left for this week's home office sessions
in New York . Rialto in Hartford has
notified exchanges of a change of name to
the Art Theatre .
auditor William
Watson was at the local exchange.
Strand Amusement's 580-seat Colonial at
Bridgeport, which on December 2 adopted a
Saturday-Sunday operation instead of full
week with four changes, will return to full
week, two changes, as of January 20 . . . Sam
Seletsky, once with Republic here and lately
with B&Q in Boston, has resigned to join the
Phil Smith circuit . . . Carl Reardon is working
hard to launch the Nate Blumberg drive,
January 5 through May 3, with a bang . . .
And at RKO, Barney Pitkin and his staff are
deep in the Ned Depinet drive, which opened
December 22.
Comings and goings: Harry Feinstein, Warner
zone manager, and his family drove to
Pittsburgh to visit friends over the holidays
Olshan, Milwaukee Columbia manager,
was in to see family and friends in New
Haven . . . Sid Lax, also formerly with Columbia
here and now Minneapolis salesman,
was a Clu'istmas present to his parents, Dr.
and Mrs. Lax of New Haven . Ray
Cairns, Metro salesman, spent part of their
vacation in Philadelphia . . . Vincent Falanga,
former MGM shipper here, had an expensive
BOOK IT
WAHOO is
O.V .l J .
'MIWW
NOW!!!
the world's most thrilling
screen game. NoW being used
successfully by hundreds oF indoor
and outdoor theatres all over America.
Send for complete details. Be sure
and give seating or car capacity.
Hollywood Amusement Co.
831 S, Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, III.
Christmas visit to New Haven from Ft. Dix
when he lost a wallet containing a sizable
sum of money.
L. J. Hoffman is spending a winter vacation
in Florida . Dr. J. B. Fishmans, of the
circuit by the same name, left for Miami
Beach by car January 7 . . . The Phil Saslaus
of the same outfit are already enjoying moon
and sun over Miami . Perakos of
B&O Theatres plans a February vacation to
Palm Beach and Key West . Carl Reardons
of Universal revisited their former home
town, Jersey City, over the holidays . . . Bill
Hutchlns, National Theatre Supply manager
in Philadelphia, formerly in New Haven, paid
Meadow street a call.
Marshall Pitkin, son of RKO Manager
Barney Pitkin, returned to his west coast marine
base after a furlough at home . . . Lieut.
Tom Ried, who recently visited with his wife
and in-laws, the Earl Wrights of Columbia
here, after 51 weeks overseas and at the
Korean battlefront, has been reassigned to
Parris Island . Schimel, U-I salesman,
returned Monday from a two-week vacation
in New York and New Jersey.
Phil Saslau of Fishman Theatres was reelected
president of Camp Laurelwood. which
includes extensive work with underprivileged
children . to Phil Gravitz,
Metro manager, who has bought a new home
in Westville . to the Nathan Podoloffs
of the New Haven Arena, who are grandparents
. has it that Sam Zipkin
of Universal will soon take the fatal step.
Visitors from around the state included Leo
Ricci of Meriden, Sam Cornish, Niantic; John
Perakos and Ernie Doreau, New Britain: Joe
Reed, Washington, and George Comden,
Westport . Worstell of the Metro
staff is back at her desk after being on the
sick list . . . Whalley, Whitney and Westville,
starting giveaway of china series with matching
glassware . . . Paramount Theatre is
offering Annie Oakleys to blood donors for
Red Cross.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
'The Manchester Union-Leader published a
lengthy feature story on the career of a
local girl, Clara DeFreitis, a Hollywood film
stai-let and TV performer known as Charlita.
The Queen city grocer's daughter, who got
her start by singing in Boston night clubs,
played the role of Maria Diego, Latin singer,
in "Come Fill the Cup."
The former Star Theatre building in Concord
has been purchased by Nile E. Faust, a
local automobile dealer, who plans to convert
the ground floor into two stores and the
second floor into business offices. 'When the
Star was closed December 1, Concord was left
with only two film houses. The Star property
has an assessed valuation of $55,780 . . .
The gaiety of New Year's eve was much in
evidence at the State and Strand theatres in
Manchester, where midnight shows were presented.
Fenton D. Scribner, prominent Nashua theatreman
and city chairman of the U.S. Savings
Bonds campaign, has been presented a
citation by State Director Loren A, Littlefield
for his bond-selling efforts.
'Want You' 2nd Week
Leads Boston Runs
BOSTON—Only one gross fell below 100
per cent in the first week of the new year
reports. Along with 299 other spots in the
country, the Metropolitan started a New
Year's eve screening of Paramount's "Sailor
Beware" at 5 p. m. for a 200 per cent onenight
showing, auguring well for its regular
booking next month in general release. "Quo
Vadis," which had opened Christmas morning,
showed 350 per cent in its first full
week, including a New Year's eve stand. The
Pilgrim became a new first run and did good
business. "I Want You" was a top scorer,
with 140 in its second.
(Average Is 100)
Astor— I Want You (RKO), 2nd wk -
Beacon Hill—A Christmas Carol (UA); Oliver
140
Twist (UA); Marie du Port (Belllort) 90
Boston 'Tales of Robin Hood (LP) Flame of Araby
-
(U-I) 100
Exeter Street—The Clouded Yellow (Col), 2nd wk...ll5
Memorial—Double Dynamite (KRO); The Whistle
at Eaton Falls (Col) 110
Metropolitan My Favorite Spy (Para); New
Mexico (UA) -
Paramount and Fenway—Distant Drums (WB), St.
100
Benny, the Dip (UA) 135
Sellout The Tall Target
Pilgrim—The (MGM);
(MGM) 120
State and Orpheum—Quo Vadis (MGM) 350
Grosses Show Upturn
In Hartford
HARTFORD—Only local holdovers were
"The River," playing at road.show prices at
the Art, and "Man in the Saddle," at E. M.
Loew's. both in second weeks.
AUyn-The Wild Blue Yonder (Rep); The Well
(UA) -
Art—The Hiver (UA), 2nd wk
100
100
E. M. Loews—Man in the Saddle (Col); Hideout
(Snader), 2nd wk 85
Poli—Westward the Women (MGM); The Unknowm
Man (MGM)
UO
Palace—On the Loose (RKO); Secret FUght (U-I)_105
Regal—Kentucky (20th-Fox); Smoky (20th-Fox),
reissues 80
Strand—Distant Drums (WB); Pardon My French
(UA) 120
lENE Calls Directors
On Pre-Washington Talks
BOSTON—Because the subject of arbitration,
so highly spotlighted by the industry
today, is to be discussed in full at the Allied
national board meeting in Washington February
5. 6, Ray Feeley, executive secretary of
Independent Exhibitors, Inc., of New England,
called at special directors meeting for Tuesday
at the lENE headquarters.
1
The New England group has been polling
representative members on this subject. After
study and review, the recommendationse will
be presented to the national board in Washington.
Members planning to attend the
Washington meeting are Feeley, Norman
Glassman, president of lENE: LesUe Bendslev,
Arthur K. Howard, Walter E. Mitchell, Leonard
Goldberg, Meyer Stanzler, Melvin Safner,
Ted Rosenblatt, James Guarino, Irving Isaacs
and Nathan Yamins, the latter leaving his
winter home in Palm Beach for the occasion.
'Student Prince' Canceled
HARTFORD—Because of road tour commitments
in the west, the Bushnell Memorial
auditorium January 15, 16 booking of the
stage musical, "The Student Prince." has
been canceled. Also canceled were dates in
New Haven, Pi-ovidence and Baltimore.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

. . Charles
. . Irving
. . The
Mayer Asks Showmen
Help Defense Exhibit
BOSTON—Martin J. Mullin, president of
New England Theatres; Samuel Plnanski,
president of American Theatres, and Ray
Feeley, executive secretary of Independent
Exhibitors, Inc.. oi New England, have been
asked to serve on a New England committee
for a program recommended by the federal
civil defense administration sponsored by
COMPO, according to Arthur L. Mayer, executive
vice-president.
The program, to be financed by the Valley
Forge Foundation, consists of a series of
civilian defense exhibits in 68 leading American
cities. Each city will be visited by one
of three motorized civilian defense convoys,
composed of trucks distributing the exhibit
paraphernalia. The exhibits will show destruction
by bombings and the plans for preventing
complete confusion and chaos in their
wake. The exhibits will be set up in armories
and public auditoriums for free showings.
Pi-ior to the arrival of the convoys in his
city, the mayor will ask one or more outstanding
local exliibitors to serve on a committee
with other leading citizens to see that
the activities are conducted in a showmanlike
manner. In this city, the offices of
American Theatres, New England Theatres
and Independent Exhibitors will lend their
efforts and publicity-trained personnel to put
over the venture. AH theatres will be requested
to .show a brief trailer which National
Screen will be asked to prepare to advertise
the exhibits.
John Chapman Appointed
Court Square Manager
HARTFORD—George E. Landers, division
manager for E. M. Loew's Theatres, has appointed
Jolin Chapman, former manager of
the Milford (Conn.i Drive-In, as manager
of the Court Square Theatre in Springfield,
replacing Sam Schechter, who resigned.
Schechter, at one time manager of the Colonial
here, is understood planning to get
into business outside this industry.
Joe Foss, formerly at the Ware in Beverly,
Mass., has been named manager of the State
in Holyoke.
Cops
Copper Kudos
BOSTON—In compliance w^ith the government's
request for copper drippings from
carbons, Capitol Theatre Supply has announced
that the Union Theatre, Attleboro,
Mass., a B&Q Associates house, has turned
in 110 pounds of the scarce material. Kenneth
Douglass, president of Capitol, believes
this must be a record in the country for
one theatre of 1,000 seats, and has highly
commended Manager Roxy Pichi and projectionists
Winthrop Wetherbee and Edward
Ringuette for their patriotic efforts.
BOSTON
Tames Reynolds has taken a winter lease on
' the Stowe Centre Theatre at Stowe, Vt.,
which is connected with the Stowe Centime
Inn, a popular skiing resort. With excellent
skiing weather conditions early this winter,
the theatre opened December 15 for evening
shows only . Tobey has closed the
Lyric Theatre at Riverside, R. I., temporarily
and is concentrating on the operation of the
Strand at Westboro, Mass.
Gussie Gordon, rewind girl at Warners who
was struck by a car while crossing the street
in Dorchester two months ago, is back on the
Sympathy to the family of Everett
job . . .
Parker, relief operator at the Capitol, Allston,
who died at the Cambridge City hospital after
an illness of two weeks. A member of Local
182, he was 47 years old.
Ken Douglass of Capitol Supply, who is a
member of the program committee of the
Boston Rotary club, was assigned to report
on the address of Dorothy Adlow, art critic
of the Christian Science Monitor, who spoke
on American art . . . January 11 is the date
for the New England premiere of "Bonnie
Prince Charlie" at the Kenmore Theatre.
"The Ski Chase" will complete the bill . . .
Nate Levin, sales manager at Monogram, returned
to his desk for a few hours a day
until doctors grant him full time. He was
recently operated on a second time.
Ruth Soker, secretary at Columbia Pictures,
will be married February 3 at Chateau
Garod in Brookline to Arthur Sobil of Lawrence.
After a honeymoon trip, she will return
Norman Zalkind,
to her office . . . Strand Theatre, Fall River, is recovering in
a Fall River hospital from a gall bladder
operation . Mendelson. branch manager
of the new Lippert film exchange,
hosted his first trade screening when "For
Men Only" was presented at the RKO screening
room . Levenson circuit has
closed the Terminal Theatre in the South
Station, a short subjects theatre, as of December
28.

. . Frank
. . The
. . Tony
. . Don
. .
. . . Mickey
. . Guest
HARTFORD
TJob Howell has been promoted from assistant
at the Empress, Danbury, to manager
of the Regal here, succeeding Joe Stanwood
. , Horace McMahon, player in "Detective
Story," has been named Man of the
.
Year by the Norwalk Jewish center . . .
Harry Green, Alexander Films, New York,
was a local visitor . . . Phyllis Selvin, former
secretary to AI Schuman, general manager,
Hartford Theatre circuit, is now married
and is living in Texas.
Ernie Grecula jr., son of the Hartford Theatre
cii-cuit executive, is marking his third
birthday . . . Tlie Al Schumans of the Hartford
Theatre circuit are observing their fifth
anniversary . . . Cpl. Bill Daugherty was in
town from Suffolk air force base. New York.
The former Plaza, Windsor, manager, is with
the 103rd fighter interceptor wing as projectionist
Ted Harris, State, was in New
. . . York on business.
. . . Thieves broke into
Cpl. Al Lessow, formerly with the Loew's
Poll houses here, in Waterbury and Springfield,
came in from Pine Camp, N. Y., on a
weekend furlough
the Crown Theatre and took $45. The theft
was discovered by William Wilson, house
porter. According to police, entrance was
gained by forcing a rear door to the building.
The safe was removed from the second
floor manager's office and taken to the projection
booth, where it was forced.
. . . Cpl. Bill Moore, for-
Tony Casante, former Strand assistant, has
joined the navy
.
tic . . .
.
.
mer manager, Danbury Drive-In, is in Germany
with the army occupation forces. He
was recently recalled to active duty
Sam Cornish was in from the Niantic. Nian-
Rube Lewis of lATSE is in Florida
on vacation Joe Dolgins are back
from Chicago, where they visited their son
and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Dolgin McWeeney was in town
from the Pine Drive-In, Waterbury . . . Joe
Callahan of UA was another local visitor.
Mrs. Nancy Stern, New York, representa-
tive for David O. Selznick, was in town . . .
Bernie Stevens has resigned as assistant
at the Princess, and was replaced by Hugh
Connors, formerly a film checker . . . Harry
Albee, Pike Drive-In projectionist, now is
doing relief at the Strand and State. Tom
Harries, another Pike boothman, is relieving
at the Regal . DeCarlo, formerly with
the Warner circuit in this area, is now reported
working for the Bank of America in
Los Angeles Chambers, at one
time, advertising and publicity director for
Western Massachusetts Theatres, now is employed
by Filmack in Chicago.
Erwin Needles to Radio Job
HARTFORD—Erwin Needles, son of Henry
L. Needles of the Art Theatre, has joined the
World broadcasting system. New York, as
New York-New England advertising representative.
He will continue to work out of
Hartford.
Motion picture films produced in Denmark
bring the best revenue per picture in that
country.
WORCESTER
TJob Portle, manager of the Loew-Poli Elm
Street, reports 1,500 attended the annual
children's holiday party . columnists
in the Telegram and Gazette during the
vacation of Jimmie Lee were Ernest Emerling
of Loew's, Inc., Johnny DiBenedetto, acting
manager of the Poli, and Bob Portle of
Death took George E.
the Elm Street . . .
Richards, 63, projectionist at the Capitol in
Winchendon. He was accorded a military funeral.
Harry Fischer, who used to be a stock company
comedian here, has just become manager
of the Broadway in Springfield . . . The
roller coaster at White City park, is being
torn down . . . Jack Hauser, stage manager
at the Poli, was discharged from City hospital
after an illness with pneumonia ... A
children's party was conducted in the Family
in Maynard, sponsored by the theatre, the
Veterans Council and the Holy Name society
Israel, formerly at the Playhouse,
announced her engagement to Leonard Balaban,
son of film magnate Barney Balaban.
Joe Mathleu, Winchendon theatreman, bid
in the Nipmuck park amusement property in
Mendon when it was sold at mortgagee's sale.
His mortgage on the property is $35,000, and
his bid was $25,000 . . . Ei-nie Sharaf, who
operated the Rialto here many years, was
married in Scarsdale, N. Y., to Mrs. "Shirley
The ice show that usually plays
Wells . . .
the Auditorium here each winter to excellent
business won't reach Worcester this season.
Join the Widening Circle
Send in your reports to BOXOFFICE
on response of patrons to pictures
you show. Be one of the many who
report to —
THE EXHIBITOR HAS HIS
SAY
Address your letters to Editor,
"Exhibitor Has His Say," 825
Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City,
Mo.
A Widely Read Weekly Feature of Special Interest
BOXOFFICE
Al'ways in the Forefront With the Ne-ws
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1962

. . . Robert
. . Stan
Tent 28 Holds Benefit
Five Art Films Offered
For Toronto Patrons
TORONTO—The film fans are getting
quite a choice of "off-the-beat" pictures at
local art theatres. Leading the parade, of
course, was "Laughter in Paradise" which
was in its 14th week at the International
Cinema. The special engagement of "The
River" at $1 top was held for a second week
at the Towne Cinema.
Allen's Hollywood opened with the Canadian
premiere of "The Galloping Major,"
while the Astor drew nice crowds with "Mr.
Peek-a-Boo." which was held for a second
week. In the foreign-language section, "Angelo"
was playing at the Lesters' Studio on
College street.
Hunter Parades Streets
With 'Crosswinds' Sign
A street ballyhoo was used to good effect
by Ray LaBounty, manager of the Liberty
Theatre, Cumberland, Md., to advertise
"Crosswinds." An usher dre.ssed in hunter's
jacket and pith helmet carried a sign through
the streets reading, "Wanted ... A companion
to accompany me on an expedition
through head-hunter country . . . See 'Crosswinds,'
etc."
LaBounty sold the back page of a special
herald to a merchant and had 2.000 of them
distributed house-to-hou.se. He displayed a
giant cutout of an African native in front of
the theatre which was very impre.ssive.
Famous Players Obtains
Lease on Windsor Kent
TORONTO — Famous Players Canadian
Corp. announced recently it had acquired the
lease of the Kent at Windsor, effective immediately.
The Kent was the only theatre
operated in Windsor by Odeon Theatres. It
becomes the seventh unit of Famous Players
in that city. A renovation project is planned
for the Kent, according to Eugene Fitzgibbons,
district manager.
With 'Show' Premiere
TORONTO—The barkers enjoyed another
rousing night (10) lor the fifth annual benefit
performance of Tent 28 at the Imperial.
Betty Hutton headed the stage bill and a
world premiere of "The Greatest Show on
Earth."
Miss Hutton was surrounded by a brilliant
stage show, produced by Jack Arthur of Famous
Players. The card was made up of
vaudeville attractions and local talent, including
the Leslie Bell singers. Bus Strike Cripples
A large orchestra, under the dii-ection of
Ellis McLintock, provided musical accompaniment.
Musicians donated
Downtown
their services with
Toronto
the approval of the local union. A circus TORONTO — Commotion, confusion and
motif prevailed throughout the show. Lome congestion resulted here from a sudden strike
Green officiated as the Voice of Variety in of trolley and bus operators and brought a Lou Neima of New Glasgow, N. S.. a retail
the stage prologue and Monty Hall was the serious situation for business activities, particularly
in the downtown district where the-
jeweler and horseman, is said to be considering
converting a race track into a drive-in.
master of ceremonies.
All branches of the entertainment business atres felt the brunt of the strike.
The location is near New Glasgow. Thus far
cooperated in rounding out the program, acts The 3,800 employes of the city transportation
commission left their jobs early Friday
he has had no affiliation with theatre business.
and services being contributed by the stage,
concert field, radio, night clubs and theatrical morning (4), practically without warning.
W. W. O. Fenety of Fredericton, N. B., a
unions, as well as the film industry.
Mayor Allan Lamport immediately broadcast
veteran exhibitor (Gaiety and Capitol), is
With prices scaling from $5 to $10 in a appeals to all people who could do so to
mulling plans for a drive-in near Fredericton,
theatre with 3,343 seats, a full measure of remain away from central Toronto. Main
where the first maritimes airer was established
early last summer by Ashley Burnett
financial support was provided for the tent's thoroughfares became jammed with long
chief project, the Variety Village vocational lines of cars and trucks, however.
on his farm at Springhill, a Fredericton suburb.
school for crippled boys, and the anticipated Stores were deserted, some large business
result was a good $30,000 for the Heart fund. establishments closed down completely on
It was followed late in the summer by one
The ticket sale was in charge of a committee
headed by Gordon Lightstone whose with another fall of snow. Deliveries were
Saturday and the situation was made worse
near Summerside, P. E. I., with Reg Pope,
owner of the Regent at Summerside, sponsoring
this second situation. Pope is heading
campaign e.xtended over more than two next to impossible, with film trucks being
months. There were many workers for the delayed along with others.
a new drive-in project in suburban Moncton,
cause under the general supervision of Chief Neighborhood theatres were not seriously
N. B.. that is almost ready for spring opening
when the financing problems are all
Barker R. W. Bolstad and Past Chief Barker affected in.sofar as patronage was concerned.
J. J. Chisholm, and under the continuing Other cities and towns were affected because
ironed out.
interest of J. J. Fitzgibbons and Morris Stein, the strike halted the intercity bus service of
previous chief barkers.
Gray Coach Lines, also operated by the
Toronto commission, and the interurban railway
trains were jammed. Outside bus lines
could not enter Toronto because of franchise
restrictions.
The theatre companies organized emergency
measures to cope with the tangle.
Five Airer Projects
Added in Maritimes
ST. JOHN. N. B.—Several projects, considered
already in the making, have been
added to the definite commitments of the
Franklin & Herschorn and Famous Players
circuits for drive-in construction in the
burgeoning outdoor theatre field here.
The F. G. Spencer company, based at St.
John and in which Famous Players owns a
half interest, is reported invading open air
exhibition at Charlottetown on Prince Edward
Island and also near Wolfville in the
Annapolis valley of Nova Scotia. Spencer
operates regulation theatres in the maritimes,
with two at Charlottetown, one at Wolfville
and two at Kentville. The proposed airer
near Wolfville would also cater to Kentville.
Seven Book 'People'
TORONTO—Seven Toronto subsequent run
theatres of the Famous Players circuit were
lined up in chain booking for "People Will
Talk" as the Show of the Week. The group
consisted of the Alhambra, Beach, College,
Palace, Parkdale, Runnymede and St. Clair.
Pat Morgan, Canadian radio singer, will
make his screen debut in Perlberg-Seaton's Howard Chuman has been signed for a role
"Somebody Loves Me" at the Paramount.
in Warner Bros.' "Mara Maru."
TORONTO
gob Harvey, formerly with Famous Players Variety Tent and his first big job was for
Canadian, has been named manager of the benefit performance at the Imperial featm-ing
Betty Hutton and "The Greatest Show
the Odeon at London, where Jim Hardiman
formerly presided. Hardiman was promoted on Earth" . Helleur. film critic of the
to the Odeon head office here some time ago
Rounseville, singing star of "Tales
of Hoffmann," which played an extended engagement
at the Towne Cinema, was the
guest artists of the Toronto Symphony
orchestra concert at Massey Hall here Friday
night (4) where he received much acclaim.
Roy Miller, manager of the Lincoln at St.
Catharines, left by automobile with his wife
and two children for a month's vacation in
Florida. He is a past president of the Motion
Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario . . .
A recent visitor in Toronto was Arthur Silverstone,
home office official of 20th-Fox, who
was formerly Canadian division manager here.
James R. Nairn, advertising manager of
Famous Players Canadian, has been appointed
press relations chairman of the Toronto
Toronto Telegram, has received high praise
for his one-man campaign to round up parcels
and money to provide cheer for convalescent
soldiers in the three Toronto military
hospitals. The response to the drive,
conducted in his column, almost overwhelmed
him.
Arch H. Jolley, executive secretary of the
Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario,
has a special slogan for the New Year: "Do
in '52 what was left undone in '51" . . . Irene
Dunne, talented Hollywood star, is exjjected
here for the first communion breakfast of
Catholics in the motion picture industry at
the Royal York hotel Sunday (20) which is
scheduled to follow the mas,'? in St. Michael's
cathedral. Arrangements for the breakfast
are being organized by J. J. Fitzgibbons.
BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952
K as

. . . Arthur
. . Many
. . Latest
. . Jack
. . Frank
. . Oldtime
. . Trevor
. . The
. . . Ernest
, . . Irene
MONTREAL
poyal Journey," the color film of the recent
tour of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke
of Edinburgh across Canada, may well be
the National Film Board's first moneymaker.
A full-length production, it already has attracted
the attention of Hollywood and two
large distributors are reported bidding for
rights to distribute it in the United States.
Tlie film, which is running here at the Capitol,
got royal sendoff when Mayor Camillien
Houde arranged a special reception at the
city hall in honor of the occasion, followed
by a preview of the French language version
in the city's own theatre at the Botanical
Gardens.
The Lachute in Lachute, about 40 miles
from Montreal, was officially opened when
William Trow and the Marchand Bros., owners,
got a large audience, even though a raging
snowstorm prevented some of those invited
from other centers reaching the theatre.
The premiere presentation was "Golden
Girl," and the gathering included the mayor
and aldermen and members of the Chamber
of Commerce. Afterwards, a reception
was held at the Lachute Golf club.
Thomas Archer, film and music critic of
Montreal Gazette, in reviewing the year, remarks
that the revival of old Chaplin films
proves that the motion picture has produced
its classics. Film societies have sprung up
to take care of former material which, commercially,
it would not be possible to revive
in public theatres. "Especially in the United
States," he adds, "funds have been found to
perpetuate the art of the film." Remarking
that American film producers fear the eventual
results of television. Archer comments
that television is, after all, but an extension
of film technique.
Max Vosberg and Herman Vosberg, bookers,
respectively, at MGM and J. Arthur
French MRT players, played a variety of
stage and radio roles. She was at one time
named Queen of Radio in the annual contest
conducted here by a local French radio newspaper.
Miss Guilbault gained her greatest
acting fame as a featured player in the Fridolin
tragicomedy, "Ti-Coq."
Canadian film users, the Financial Post
reports, soon will have a central directory of
som'ces from which to make their choice.
Crawley Films is preparing the list of sponsored
films available free in Canada and
will distribute the directory without charge.
The list will also serve to consolidate records
of such films in Canada. Companies, associations,
provincial governments and individuals
who distribute free sponsored films are
asked to send details to Crawley Films, Ottawa.
Jean Ouimet is now head shipper at Empire-Universal,
while Em'ico Pietrobruno is
Total cost of taking 30,000 feet
booker . . .
of film for the National Film Board production,
"Royal Journey," processing it and cutting
it to feature length is reported to have
been about $70,000, which should give it a
chance of showing a net profit. The film
opened at the Palace December 28 following
its preview at the Botanical Gardens and a
reception given by the mayor and his wife
at the city hall, to launch it . . . The
United States film industry and the Canadian
government will continue their working
agreement, styled the Canadian Cooperation
Project, for another year.
Snakemen Employed
Two professional snakemen were employed
to clean out the jungle sites before camera
work began on Warners' "Distant Drums" in
the Florida Everglades.
VANCOUVER
.
Rank, are mourning the death of their father
on New Year's day Roher, president
of
.
Peerless Films, left on New Year's
eve for Toronto to spend two weeks at the
head office there . . . Eloi Cormier, sales
representative of Peerless, is on the sick list
Bell, assistant booker at RKO, 'Dusiness at theatres here and Victoria was
spent the New Year's holiday in New York down 5 per cent from a year ago, theatremen
reported, mostly because of tough win-
City . Canadian film executives
sent their sympathy to J. Arthur Rank when ter weather . Empire-Universal
news was received here of the death in London
employes were given cash gifts to mark the
of his brother, James V. Rank, noted company's 20th anniversary. The veterans
British sportsman and former president of also will get an extra week's vacation from
Joseph Rank, Ltd., the largest flour milling now on. E-U is Canada's oldest distributing
concern in Britain.
company Soltice of the Pines
Drive-In at Penticton and Len Johnson of
Robert Montgomery, screen actor, dii-ector
the Cascades Drive-In at
and producer, is scheduled to address Montreal
Canadian club on "One Continent Indi-
Burnaby were along
Filmrow shopping for summer products.
visible" . . . National Film Board has issued
Mickey Goldin of the Studio gave a New
a timely documentary on the Alberta oil industry
which is experiencing an unprece-
Year's party for his staff and the trade . . .
Christmas ticket gift sales were on a par
dented boom . Cameo short of Associated
Screen Studio is "Canadian Head-
with a year ago, and theatre employes did
well cashing in on commissions . , . Rodney
lines of 1951," directed by Gordon Sparling.
McArthur, after 23 years as shipper at MGM,
It reviews in picture the highlights of the
resigned to enter another business, and was
year in Canadian news, sports and amusement.
succeeded by Roy Cloustein, former booker at
Paramount in Calgary . Fox is the
Mrs. Julien Major, better known to thousands
new poster clerk at MGM.
of French-speaking stage and radio
fans as Muriel Guilbault, 28, was found dead The Roxy, 450-seat suburban theatre,
in the bathroom of her home January 3. Dr. closed but it may reopen under new management
E. Goldstein pronounced the actress dead
The Roxy is an oldtimer of the
after artificial respiration had been tried. shooting gallery type . chief cameraman
The French-language star, member of the
for the National Film Board's "Royal
Storms and Strike
Hit Toronto Gross
TORONTO—Local first runs struck another
snag when, on top of a series of serious
storms, a strike was called by the street railway
union which put a crimp in most business
operations. Extended engagements were
in progress at six theatres when the trolleys
and buses stopped. Top grosser was "My
Favorite Spy" at the Imperial in its second
week.
(Average Is 100)
BiltmoFP—The Window (RKO); Lilli Morlene (RKO) 95
Fairlawn—Anne of the Indies (20th-Fox); Savage
Drums (LP) 95
Hyland—The Lavender Hill Mob (U-I). 9th wk 85
115
Imperial—My Favorite
Loews—Across the
Spy
Wide
(Para),
Missouri
2nd wk
(MGM), 2nd
wk
- 105
Odeon—Ivory Hunter (lARO), 2nd wk 90
Girl (20th-rox) Sheas—Golden 110
-
Tivoli, Capitol—Detective Story (Para); Lost Planet
Airmen (Rep) 100
University, Nortown—Elopement (20th-Fox) 100
Uptown-Flame of Araby (U I) 100
Vicloria, Eglinton—Royal Journey (Col); The
Wooden Horse (London), 2nd wk 100
Week Slo'w
Vancouver
With Several Factors
VANCOUVER—The usual after Christmas
slump, winter weather and admittedly weaker
fare held down business last week. New
Year's eve owl shows were down due to hazardous
traffic conditions. Best showings were
by "Royal Journey" plus "Elopement," in a
holdover week at the Strand, and "Anne of
the Indies" in its second week. Both shows
were held.
Capitol—My Favorite Spy (Para). 2nd wk Good
Cinema—The Tanks Are Coming (WB); Look
for the Silver Lining (WB) Good
Dominion—Detective Story (Para), 2nd d. t.
wk -- Fair
Orpheum—Starlift (WB) Average
Paradise—Sunny Side of the Street (Col); The
Harlem Globetrotters (Col) Good
Plaza—Anne of the Indies (JOlh-Fox), 2nd wk Good
Strand- Elopement (20th-Fox), Royal louiney
(NFS), 2nd wk Excellent
Studio—No Highway in the Sky (20lh-Fox)
2nd wk Fair
Voaue—Weekend With Father (U-I) Fair
Journey" was Osmond Borradaile, now a
part-time dairy farmer near Chilliwack, B. C,
who is retired after a career in British and
The only theatre in
American pictures . . .
Drummeller, Alta., coal mining town, the
630-seat Napier, was destroyed by fire. Damage
to the theatre and office building was
around $130,000. The theatre was built over
40 years ago and was owned by the Coyle
estate of Montreal. Marge Playle was the
local manager. A new theatre will be erected
on the site this summer if a permit is
granted for steel and building equipment.
The outdoor theatres to date have not made
any agreement with the projectionists union.
The drive-in operators are expected to insist
on one man in a booth in place of two
for the new season . . Frank Gow, Famous
.
Players district manager, is back at his desk
after a spell in hospital . . . Ted Ross, JARO
booker, who w-as laid up over the holidays
with a leg injury, also was back on the job
Sauer, manager of the Odeon
Theatre in West Vancouver, became father
of a son, a Christmas present for the Sauers
Falvey, Dominion Theatre cashier,
was married to Gordon Schnepf of Port
Alice, B. C. She will continue as cashier.
84
BOXOFFICE :: January 12, 1952

. . "Laughter
Bruce McLeod Plans MA R I T I M E S
Hamilton Theatre
TORONTO—Bruce McLeod, general manager
of Independent Theatre Services and
owner of a number of theatres in Ontario,
plans to construct a unit in the mountain
suburban district of Hamilton, where the
local population has jumped to an estimated
30,000. Associated with McLeod is Harold
Pfaff, a former employe of Paramount here.
McLeod recently opened the 500-seat Reo
in Hamilton and is reported to be identified
with the Fox at Stoney Creek, near that city.
For some years, he has operated theatres in
Kitchener, Elmira, Strathroy, Parkhill and
other centers.
OTT AW A
.
•The Royal Journey," National Film Board's
feature-length color picture of the Canadian
visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke
of Edinburgh, proved such a popular attraction
at the Famous Players Capitol that it
is being transferred to the screen of Henry
Marshall's Regent here in
Paradise" has caught the fancy of Ottawans
and has been held for a third week at the
Little Elgin by Manager Ernie 'Warren.
The screen policy of the Capitol was interrupted
'Wednesday night by Manager T. R.
Tubman for the concert appearance of 'Victoria
de los Angeles. Metropolitan opera
soprano . 'W. Arthur Irwin, film commissioner,
. .
has brought out that the National
Film Board has produced approximately
2,500 film subjects, including factual shorts,
newsreels and cartoons, during its 13 years of
operation. The present output averages 130
films a year for theatrical and nontheatrical
distribution. Irwin is the third NFB chief,
his predecessors being John Grierson and
Ross McLean.
Manager Clare Chamberlain of the Winchester
at nearby Winchester threw a happy
year-end party for members of the staff and
their families. Gifts were distributed and
the program included the screening of a
wildlife film . . . Mrs. Gord Beavis. wife of
the Odeon manager, has been ill, necessitating
an operation in Ottawa Civic hospital.
Ottawa is one of the 17 cities in Canada
which will be toured by Tommy Trinder and
his "Royal Command Music Hall 'Varieties"
from England starting in February under the
auspices of Toronto 'Variety Tent 28. Proceeds
of the tour, which will extend from
Montreal to 'Victoria, will be turned over to
the Variety 'Village School for Crippled Boys.
Trinder. popular comedian, has appeared in
no less than nine royal command performances
in Britain.
•Phe first screening in New Brunswick of
"Royal Journey," color film of the recent
tour of Canada by Prince.ss Elizabeth and the
Duke of Edinburgh, was at the Gaiety, Fredericton,
owned and managed by W. W. O.
Fenety. After the Fredericton showing, the
picture hit the theatre trail through New
Brunswick, with a week in St. John, four
days at Moncton and two days at Fredericton.
The provincial premiere at Fredericton was
for one night to invited guests.
. . . Robert
The Casino, Halifax, was used for a Sunday
night film and program by Odeon with a
silver collection for Gyro club charities. The
picture was "The Blue Lagoon"
Snyder. New York independent producer, visited
Halifax while en route home from Italy,
where he made a preliminary sm-vey for a
picture to be based on the life of Leonardo
da Vinci, the painter. About two years ago,
he produced a picture about Michelangelo,
another Italian painter.
At the recent annual meeting of the Fredericton
Exhibition, W. W. O. Fenety, owner
of the Gaiety and Capitol, was renamed vicepresident
of the company. The exhibitor has
been active in the Fredericton fair organization
many years ... In financial difficulties
are the Moncton. Sydney and Glace Bay
clubs of the Maritime Hockey league. The
operations of the St. John team also are decidedly
in the crimson. Theatres have been
suffering less from hockey this season than
in many winters.
A member of a party of Hollywood stars
who made an appearance at a theatre at
Harmon air field, was Walter Pidgeon. a
native of St. John, who started his acting
career there as an amateur. Others in the
group were Keenan Wymi, Carleton Carpenter,
Audrey Totter, Carolina Cotton, Betty
Butler and Debby Reynolds. Shown on the
screen in the base theatre at about the same
time was "The Unknown Man." with Pidgeon
and Ann Harding. The party was en route to
HANDY
Europe and Harmon was the only interruption
for the trip. For the air force men,
Pidgeon did .some warbling, his first in several
years, although his debut at St. John
was in that category.
The commercial premiere of "Royal Journey"
in Nova Scotia was at the Paramount.
Halifax, for a week. Previously there was a
private .showing for a group of guests, including
provincial officials. Brief talks were
given by Bob Roddick, district manager of
Famous Players; Freeman Skinner, Paramount
manager; F. E. Murray, National Film
Board, makers of the film.
Joe Babb, Montreal, a brother of Sam
Babb, manager of the Mayfair, St. John, has
become interested in TV and has started to
sell film in Quebec province in advance of
the introduction of television. Buddy Babb,
another of the Babb brothers and who has
his base in New York City as a filmer of
shorts and commercial films, also is active
in television there. Another brother Abe has
remained at St. John, and is a store employe.
A. Lee White, the only South American in
the distribution colony at St. John, .soon will
marry a young woman who lives in Rothesay,
nine miles east of St. John. He has been
district manager for RKO for about a year.
Predecessors in the ranks of filmers who
have been married at St. John have been
Charlie Chaplin, dominion manager for
United Artists, at Toronto, who was wed
while managing the UA e.xchange here;
George Heiber, manager of the UA exchange
at Montreal, married a sister of Mrs. Chaplin
while he was Chaplin's successor at St.
John; Mitchell Bernstein, at the time concentrating
on film distribution out of St.
John; Sam Jacobs, manager of the Monogram
branch at Montreal, and formerly directing
the company's St. John branch; Pat
Hogan. manager of the Famous Players
branch at St. John.
Toronto Leads in TV Sales
MONTREAL—Tlie Toronto-Hamilton area
led the way In purchases of television sets in
Canada during the first 11 months of 1951.
The Radio-Television Manufacturers Ass'n of
Canada said 14.122 units valued at $7,635,711
were sold in Toronto-Hamilton district in
this period. Total sold in Canada was 35.719
units, valued at $18,573,207.

VH^H^^ /ineSetteft^lUutSf^-.MO^ ABOUT YOUR THEATRE?
To mn public favor, your theatre needs:
PATRON
COMFORT
CHARM of COLOR
HARMONY of
DESIGN
Improvement
PAYS-
DO It
\ NOW!
MODERN
THEATRE
Theatre improvements are reported
in detail in the monthly
Modem Theatre section of
BOXOFFICE. The hows and
whys are detailed and pictured
to make them easy for you to
use in your own theatre, for
your own local needs.
Be sure to read this big, wellplanned
section, issued the
first Saturday of each month.
The information offered is invaluable
for any progressive
exhibitor.
Always out front
with leadershipplans—
methods
Improvements are an investment that pays.
Many a closed house lacks only the extra appeal
of color, design and patron comfort.
Thousands of passive ticket buyers can be
changed into enthusiastic supporters by extra
eye appeal, comfort appeal of an improved
modern building.
BOXOFFICE, from every angle, gives you
information you need and inspires you with
courage to do as others are doing to make
your business hum.
Keep up with the times—ahead of the demands. The
public is flocking back to pictures, disappointed with other
forms of entertaiiunent. Is your house clean and wholesome,
attractive at all times?
OXOFFICE
SG BOXOFFICE January 12, 1952

—
0)(0FflCE(BlJDiiJJ]i/^JJJD5
The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT
An open jorum in wfiich, for the most part, exhibitors report on subsequent-run
showings of pictures. One (•) denotes a new contributor; two (**) is one who
has been reporting for six months or longer; (•**) a regular who has been
reporting for one year or more. These columns are open to all exhibitors.
COLUMBIA
Good Humor Man, The (Col)—Jack Car-
.soii, Lola Albright, Jean Wallace. This is
a real good comedy that played to about
average midweek right after Christmas. The
film rental was too high for me on that
change but it is a good show and could play
your Sunday change. Played Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Cold, snow.—Curt and Elsie Bigiey,
Princess Theatre, Humeston, Iowa. Small
town, rural trade. * * *
Outcasts of Black Mesa (Col)—Charles
Starrett, Smiley Burnette. Martha Hyer. This
is a typical Durango Kid-Burnette western
and not much different from many others.
They rate a third or fourth from the top
among the western favorites here. Played
Saturday. Weather: Bad.—Audrey Thompson,
Ozark Theatre, Hardy, Ark. Rural, small
*
town trade.
Saturday's Hero (Col)—John Derek, Donna
Reed, Sidney Blackmer. As a picture, I
wouldn't walk around the corner to see it.
Played it only one day as a fill-in. There
was too much repetition here, I think, was
the trouble. Played Friday. Weather: Clear
and cool.—Herman M. Perkins jr.. Alpha
Theatre, Catonsville, Md. General patronage.
*
Texans Never Cry (Col)—Gene Autry, Pat
Buttram, Mary Castle. This failed us miserably
as Autry's popularity here is slipping
badly to what it used to be. Played Fri.,
Sat. Weather: Cold.—Harland Rankin, Plaza
Theatre, Tilbury, Ont. Small town trade. •' • *
LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS
Colorado Ranger (LP>—Jimmy Ellison,
Russ Hayden, Raymond Hatton. Tliis is a
fair western—good enough for a weekend
double. It is short enough and about on a
par with many others you've shown. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—Mayme P. Musselman,
Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas. Small
town trade. * * *
Three Desperate Men (LP)—F>reston Foster,
Jim Davis, Virginia Grey. Don't be
afraid of this one for Fri., Sat. It is similar
to "Jesse James" and other big westerns.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—L. Brazil
jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small town
trade. * * *
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
UAngels in the Outfield (MGM)—Paul
Douglas, Janet Leigh, Keenan Wynn. This
is a very good ba.seball picture with just a
little religion that did very nice business
during the holidays. We advertised "money
back," but no claimants. The picture is good
enough for your best time, and with a little
help from you, will do business. Played T"ues,
through Thurs. Weather: Cold.—Mayme P.
Musselman, Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas.
Small town trade. * * *
^Father's Little Dividend (MGMi —Spencer
Ti-acy, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Bennett. Tliis
is another good one from Metro that played
to about 25 per cent above average. We need
Keep 'Em Coming, He Says
PICTURES
Like This Musical
•TWO TICKETS TO BROi\DWAY (RKO)
Tony Martin, Janet Leigh, Eddie
Bracken. Keep 'em coming like this one.
Musicals usually go well here. I found
this one a little better than average,
more like it. You can't go wrong here and although maybe Christmas was the wrong
you can buy it right. Take notice, Metro! day to play it—played Tues., Wed.
How about this for a title for the next one, Weather: Clear and cold.—Herman M.
"Grandpa's Exemption?" We would write you Perkins jr.. Alpha Theatre, Catonsville,
a story to go with the title if we had the time Md. General patronage.
—and we bet we could do it! No charge for
the title, Metro. Played Sun., Mon., Tues.
Weather: Good.— Ciu:t and Elsie Bigiey,
PARAMOUNT
Princess Theatre, Humeston, Iowa. Small
Appointment With Danger (Para)—Alan
town, rural trade. * * *
Ladd, Phyllis Calvert, Paul Stewart. This is
Red Badge of Courage, The (MGM)—Audie a true story about the postoffice inspectors
Murphy, Bill Mauldin, John Dierkes. Comments
were divided on this one. I thought good. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—L.
which is well made and comments on it were
it quite good and it should fit into any spot, Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small
due to its .short running time. A dandy trailer town trade. * ' *
will help "Red Badge" along. Played with
"Cyrano de Bergerac" (UA) to below average
business. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Crosby, Jane Wyman. Alexis Smith. This is
Here Comes the Groom (Para) —Bing
Clear but cold.—Don Donohue, Novato Theatre,
Novato, Calif. Small town trade. * *
the same old story—a complete floperoo.
When *
they play all theatres in the county before
we get them, the results are disastrous,
but you know how — it is. It's the
Watch the Birdie (MGM)—Red Skelton,
Arlene Dahl, Ann Miller. This is a good economics of the business "no prints," you
comedy picture for the middle of the week. know. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs. Weather:
Played Tuesday. Weather; Mild.—L. Brazil Cold.—Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novato,
jr., New Theatre, Bearden, Ark. Small town Calif. Small town trade. * * *
trade. ' * * Peking Express (Para)—Joseph Cotten,
Corinne Calvet, Edmund Gwenn. This is just
MONOGRAM
a program picture which failed to draw and
Ghost Chasers (Mono)—Leo Gorcey, Huntz failed to please those who came. Joseph
Hall, Lloyd Corrigan. We had a very poor Cotten is not liked here. Played Fri., Sat.
trailer on this, so were out of luck. Business Weather: Good.—E. M. Freiburger, Dewey
was 50 per cent below normal for the Bowery Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town trade. * * '
Boys. The trailer was what killed it for us, Samson and Delilah (Para)—Hedy Lamarr.
as the picture is up to the Bowery Boys Victor Mature, George Sanders. This is a
standard. Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Fair. very big picture and with drawing power that
—Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Washburn,
N. D. Small town trade. * * '
set. We played four days with Saturday and
will surprise you on any time you can get it
had good crowds each night. The big scenes
Navy Bound (Mono)—Tom Neal, Wendy are really big, the cast is swell, and the color
Waldron, Regis Toomey. I used this as a second
feature and it fills the bill well in this will show you a nice profit. Played Wed.
almost perfect. Work a little and this one
category. Tom Neal is capable in the leading through Sat. Weather: Fair and warm.
role. Played Saturday. Weather: Bad.—Audrey
Thompson, Ozark Theatre, Hardy, Ark. coln, Kas. Small town trade. * * *
Mayme P. Musselman, Roach Theatre, Lin-
*
Rural, small town trade.
Warpath (Para) — Edmond O'Brien, Dean
Jagger, Forrest Tucker. This is one of the
better western actions involving army life
Played for Second Time during Custer's Indian fighting. It drew
well. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Okay.
To Record Business
D. W. Trisko, Ritz Theatre, Jerome, Ariz.
CT.4RS IN MY CROWN
Mining trade. * »
(MGM)—Joel
*
McCrea, Ellen Drew, Dean Stockwell. When Worlds Collide (Para)—Richard Derr,
I played this fine picture in March of Barbara Rush, Peter Hanson. This did about
1951 to very good business. The roads the same as "Destination Moon"—just average.
A lot of older folks don't seem to care
were in very bad condition, so I brought
it back this fall and doubled it on my for this "scientific" stuff. And any time
Saturday change to the best Fri., Sat. George Pal thinks he can replace vi'esterns
business we have had since coming to with these science pictures, he had better
Humeston. When you liave about 400 think again. I think there are too many on
seats in a small town and can fill up the market already. One a year is aplenty.
and have them waiting for the next show, Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good.—R. L.
then evidently you are showing something
the people like. We played this Rural and small town trade. « » •
Stanger, Windsor Theatre, Windsor, Colo.
fine picture for the second time to 75
per cent above average business. You can
RKO RADIO
do the same, providing you played it Bombardier (RKO) — Reissue. Randolph
before in bad weather. Weather: Perfect.—Curt
and Elsie Bigiey, Princess the target with this one! Personally, I don't
Scott, Pat O'Brien, Anne Shirley. RKO hit
Theatre, Humeston, Iowa. Small town, think much of war pictures, but this one
rural trade. * * *
(Continued on next page)
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :
: January 12, 1952

: January
—
The
EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
turned out okay. I only played it one day,
though—Thursday. Weather: Clear and cold.
—Herman M. Perkins jr.. Alpha Theatre,
*
Catonsville, Md. General patronage.
Drums in South the Deep (RKO)—James
Crai°. Guy Madison, Barbara Payton. This
is no'thingto write home about. Patron comment
was about evenly divided. Played with
••Anne of the Indies" (20th-Foxi to below
average business. However. RKO sold this
one about right. The combination just
didn't jell. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Clear. — Don Donohue, Novate Theatre,
Novate, Calif. Small town trade. * * *
Make Mine Music (RKO)—Benny Goodman,
Dinah Shore, the Andrews Sister. Undoubtedly
Disney's genius cannot be denied
but he must realize that a film without a
story is not going to find the same appeal
as a film with one. This is a brilliant picture.
Some of the episodes like Benny Goodman's
"After You're Gone," 'Alice Blue Bonnet"
and "Peter, the Wolf" are excellent—
but these do not go far toward making the
film a moneymaker. As long as Disney films
have a story, there'.s nobody to touch him.
This received a mixed reception—and above
all, it did not please the children. Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Warm.—Dave S.
Klein, Astra Theatre, Kitwe/Nkana, Northern
Rhodesia, Africa. Business and mining
* * "
trade.
i—Reissue.
They Got Me Covered ( RKO
Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Otto Preminger.
Our basketball professional and high school
games kept this from doing extra business,
but this is still good for a lot of laughs. We
were smiling because we made a few bucks.
Why can't Hope's pictures all be this good?
Played Tues., Wed. Weather: Cold.—Ken
Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D.
Small town trade.
* ''
REPUBLIC
Showdown (Rep)—William Elliott, Walter
Brennan, Marie Windsor. This is better than
the average western that drew less than average
business, with another good pictm-e on
a weekend double bill. It has action, a good
cast, and a good story, so should have had
a better draw. Played Pri., Sat. Weather:
Cold.—Mayme P. Mus.selman, Roach Theatre,
Lincoln, Kas. Small town trade. * * *
Joan of Ozark (Rep)—Reissue. Judy Canova,
Joe E. Brown, Eddie Foy jr. When these
two mouths get together, it can't spell anytliing
but fun, and any country audience will
eat it up. I had a dozen people ask why
Joe and Judy never team up atiymore. If
any of you have played this recently or are
going to play it, see if my eyes were playing
tricks—or does Gene Kelly do a dance number
in this? Doubled with "Rose of the
Yukon" to 150 per cent for midweek. Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Wind and rain.—Bob
Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small
*
town, rural trade.
" '
20th CENTURY-FOX
Anne of the Indies (20th-Pox) — Louis
Jourdan, Jean Peters, Debra Paget. Here is
a complete bust if there ever was one. Business
was below average and thus my film
rental percentage was top-heavy. Lately Fox
has been fudging a little and putting a few
of its pictures too high. I haven't had one
that paid its way since "The Day the Earth
Stood Still." Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Clear.—Don Donohue, Novato Theatre, Novate,
Calif. Small town trade. * * *
Bird of Paradise (20th-Fox)—Louis Jourdan,
Debra Paget, Jeff Chandler. Here's a
nice little film. The story is very flimsy but
the color is the best we have seen in many
years. Debra Paget has made a hit here. I
hope Fox puts her in more shows. No one
actress has made such an impression as she
has. The entire production is well done and
is entertaining. The ending was disliked by
all. We played to sellout business but this
was also due to a scoop we had. The first
rugby (football* test between the South Africans
and Scotland, we flew up to our theatre
from Britain three days after the test was
played. The picture showed Fri., Sat. Weather:
Rain.—Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre,
Kitwe/Nkana, Northern Rhodesia, Africa.
Business and mining trade.
' * '-
''
Follow the Sun (20th-Fox)—Glenn Ford,
Anne Baxter, Dennis O'Keefe, This didn't do
business. We have no sun—only winter and
television. Played Mon., Tues. Weather: Cold.
—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury,
Ont. Small town trade.
* *
For Heaven's Sake (20th-Fox) — Clifton
Webb, Joan Bennett, Robert Cummings. This
had an excellent trailer, but brother, beware!
The picture is a fancy dud in all ways.
It is not for a small town. If your Fox salesman
tries to sell you this, shoot him—and if
you already have it, shoot yourself! Business?
What business? Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Cold.—Ken Christianson, Roxy
Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small town trade.
t„, Frogmen, The (20th-Fox)—Richard Widmark,
Dana Andrews, Gary Merrill. This
clinker established a new boxoffice record on
Calls This One Swell
For Action Night
OTEEL HELMET, THE (LP) — Gene
Evans, Robert Hutton, Steve Brodie.
This is a very good war picture that drew
average or better on a weekend double
bill. We let it get old but it seemed to
be very timely, and are glad we did.
It is not the type for your best time, but
swell for the action night. Played Fri.,
Sat. Weather: Very good.—Mayme P.
Musselman, Roach Theatre, Lincoln, Kas.
Small town trade.
•* * *
preferred time—for low grosses. The people
walked out after the show with grim faces.
War dramas are through here, and only one
more to play off. Where are Fox's bread-andbutter
pictures? I can't find them, and I've
played quite a few Pox films.—Bob E. Thomas,
Orpheum Theatre, Strawberry Point. Iowa.
*
Small town, rural trade.
Meet Me After the Show (20th-Foxi—Betty
Grable, Macdonald Carey. Eddie Albert. This
is a very good show and well liked. I had a lot
of satisfied customers. Shows like this make
good business. Played Sun. through Tues.
Weather: Good.—M. W. Mattecheck, Mack
Theatre, McMinnville, Ore. City and rural
trade. * * *
Millionaire tor Christy, A —
(20th-Fox)
Eleanor Parker, Fred MacMurray, Richard
Carlson. Here is a good comedy but it did not
di-aw, and I took a loss on it. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Good.—E. M. Freiburger,
Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla. Small town
trade. * * *'
Mother Didn't Tell Me (20th-Fox)—Dorothy
McGuire, William Lundigan, June Havoc.
Just between us two, there was very little for
mother to tell. The cast did a good job but
the story was very weak. I had a good house
the first night but fell down a httle the second.
It did average business on Fri., Sat.
Weather: Cold.—Fred L. Murray, Strand Theatre,
Spiritwood, Sask. Small town, rural
trade.
•
* * *
UNITED ARTISTS
Rogue River (UAi — Rory Calhoun, Peter
Graves, Prank Fenton. This is a good action
picture in color but it was too old when I
played it, so business was just average.—E. M.
Freiburger, Dewey Theatre, Dewey, Okla.
Small town trade. * • *
Vicious Years, The (UA)—Tommy Cook,
Sybil Merritt, Eduard Franz. It's a mystery
to me why such pictures as this don't get
the advertising they deserve. There are some
colossal productions built up and advertised
for months before being released—then upon
release they aren't worth seeing—for free!
J. D. Wilbanks, Wagon Wheel Drive-In, Spearman,
Tex. Small town, rural trade. *
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
Blue Lagoon, The (U-I) —Jean Simmons,
Donald Houston, Noel Purcell. We picked
this up for Christmas eve and we did all
right, but had a lot more squawks on account
of the dialect, which was hard to
understand out here where we talk American.
Played Sunday. Weather: Cold.—Mayme P.
Musselman, Roach Tlieatre, Lincoln, Kas.
'' '' *
Small town trade.
Francis Goes to the Races (U-I)—Donald
O'Connor, Piper Laurie, Cecil Kellaway. I
don't know why Hollywood is so obsessed
with liquor drinking that they even have
to get the mules drunk in a picture now.
In a small town the almost-ever-present
drinking in pictures is a thorn in the exhibitor's
side, in my opinion.—Walt Rasmussen,
Star Theatre, Parkersburg, Iowa. Small town,
rural trade. * * *
Groom Wore Spurs, The (U-I) —Ginger
Rogers, Jack Car.son, Joan Davis. I let the
local Eastern Star chapter have this as a
benefit show, and they packed the house by
selling tickets in advance. The audience
laughed a lot and folks thoroughly enjoyed
themselves. However, I know that if I had
played it without making it a benefit show, it
would not have brought them in. Use some
push on this one and your patrons will be
well satisfied with the show. Played Tuesday
only. Weather: Cold.—Carl P. Neitzel,
Juno Theatre, Juneau, Wis. Local patronage.
* * *
Thunder on the Hill (U-D—Claudette Colbert,
Ann Blyth, Robert Douglas. This was
well received here. The boxoffice showed better
than average, and that's what we want.
A lot of new faces appeared that we hadn't
seen before. Monday was good but Tuesday
fell off, probably due to bad weather, rain
mixed with snow. Played Sun., Mon., Tues.—
G. P. Jonckowski, Lyric Theatre, Wabasso,
Minn. Small town, rural trade. *
WARNER BROS.
Fort Worth (WBi—Randolph Scott, David
Brian, Phyllis Thaxter. Randolph Scott is
always tops here and this one proved no
exception. Personally, I think Scott is fine
in the western and adventure type of show.
Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good.—Audrey
Thompson. Ozark Theatre, Hardy, Ark. Rural,
small town trade. *
Flame and the Arrow, The (WB)—Burt
Lancaster, Virginia Mayo, Robert Douglas.
There is no argument about this picture. It
is really worthy of screen presentation and
did extra business. Played Fri., Sat. Weather:
Fair.—Harland Rankin, Plaza Theatre, Tilbury,
Ont. Small town trade. * ' *
Strangers on a Train (WB)—Farley Granger,
Ruth Roman, Robert Walker. This story
is very good. It is well-made, with excellent
acting—the story of a screwball trying to
trade the murder of the other fellow's
estranged wife for the murder of his own
father. The action is very good in the last
reel and business was 'average. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Good.—D. W. Trisko, Ritz
Theatre, Jerome. Ariz. Mining trade. * * *
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :
12, 1952

An Interpretive analysis ot lay and trodepress reviews. The plus and minus signs indicate degree ot
merit only; audience classification Is not rated. Listings cover current reviews, brought up to dote regularly.
This department serves also as an ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature releases. Numeral preceding titk
li Picture Guide Review page number. For listings by company, in the order of release, see Feature Chart,
}]mm
iJjB£
H Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary ++ is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.
A
1239 Abbott & Costello Meet llie Invisible
Man (82) Comedy U-l 3-17-51 +
Abilene Trail (64) Western Mono
£ l-S -s
° 1^ ^1 >t
g sS I I tS- fel eI
- ±
7+
2+3-
4+4—
+ + 7+3-
- + 2+6-
S+1-
+ 7+2-

KcviEW DIGEST ++ Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; — Very Poor. In the summary ^ is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.

H Very Good; + Good; — Foir; — Poor; = Very Poor. In the lummory H is rated 2 pluses, - as 2 minuses REVIEW DIGEST
CD hc^ > tZ xir ixE zo
1293 Pardon My French (SI) Comedy U* 9-1-51- - :t ± +
1261 Passaue West (SO) Wtslern Par« 4-26-51 +
1234 Payment on nemand (90) Drama RKO 2-24-51 ft
1323 Pecos River (55) Western Col 12- 1-51 +
1274 Pekinu Express (85) Drama Para 6-30-51 3:
1291 People Aosiiisl O'Hara (103) Drama MGM 8-25-51 H
1287 People Will Talk (110) Comedy 20lh-Fox 8-18-51 +
Plione Call From a Strailoer
(96) Drama 20th-Fox
1279 Pickup (78) Drama Col 7-21-51 +
1263 Pier 23 (59) Drama LP 5-26-51 ±
1288 Pistol Harvest (SO) Western RKO 8-18-51 +
1282 Place in the Sun. A (122) Drama ... Para 7-28-51 ff
1289 Pool of London (86) Drama U-l S- 18-51 ±
1225 Prairie Rouniliin (53) Western Col 1-27-51 d:
1212 Prelude to Fame (78) Mus-Dr U-l 12- 9-50 f
1221 Pride ol Maryland (60) Drama Rep 1-13-51 +
1266 Prince Wlio Was a Tliief (88) Drama.. U-l 6- 2-51 +
1256 Prov»ler. The (92) Drama UA 5-5-51 +
1318Puriilc Heart Diary (73) Col 11-10-51 +
Drama
Q
I2j)g Ouehec (85) Urama Para 3-10-51 ±
1244 Oiieen lor a Day (107) Drams UA 3-24-51 +
1320 Quo Vadis (172) Drama MGM 11-17-511+
K
1309 Racket, Tlie (90) Drama RKO 10-20-51 +
1309 Raoinu Tide. Tlie (92) Drama U-l 10-20-51 -
1235 Raton Pass (84) Western WB 3- 3-51 ±
1238 Rawliide (86) Wesl-Dr 20th-Fox 3-10-51++
1288 Red Badue of Courage (69) Drama MGM 8-18-51 +
1214 Redliead and the Cowboy (82) Drama Para 12-16-50 —
1319 Red Mountain (84) Western Para 11-17-51 ±
Red Skies of Montana (,.) Drama -20th-Fox
1302 Reunion in Reno (80) Drama U-l 9-29-51 +
1216 Revenue Agent (72) Drama Col 12-23-50 +
1284 Rhubarb (94) Comedy Para 8- 4-51 +f
1230 Rhythm Inn (71) Musical Mono 2-10-51 +
1276 Rich, Young and Pretty (95) Musical.. MGM 7- 7-51 +
1232 Ridin' the Outlaw Trail (56) Western Col 2-17-51 ±
1299 River. The (99) Drama UA 9-22-51 +
1284 Roadblock (73) Drama RKO 8-4-51 +
Roaring City (57) Drama LP
1284 Rodeo Kino and the Sinoiita (67) West.. Rep 8- 4-51 ±
Room (or One More (95) Comedy WB
1229 Rough Riders of Diirango (60) Western Rep 2-10-51 +
1229 Royal Wedding (92) Musical MGM 2-10-51++
8
1247 Saddle Legion (60) Western RKO 4-7-51 +
1324 Sailor Beware (106) Comedy Para 12- 1-51 +
1275 St. Benny, the Dip (80) Comedy UA 7- 7-51 ±
1084 Samson and Delilah (128) Drama Para 10-29-49 ff
1254 Santa Fe (89) Western Col 4-28-51 +
1295 Saturday's Hero (111) Drama Col 9- 8-51 +
1278 Savage Drums (70) flJvDr LP 7-14-51 *
1245 Scarf. The (86) Drama UA 3-31-51 ±
1302 Sea Hornet (84) Drama Reo 9-29-51 ±
1258 Sealed Cargo (90) Mys-Dr RKO 5-12-51 +
1226 Second Woman. The (91) Drama UA 1-27-51 +
1274 Secret of Convict Lake. The (83) Dr.20th-Fox 6-30-51 +
1274 Secrets of Monte Carlo (60) Drama.. Rep 6-30-51 -
1327 Sellout. Tlie (S3) Drama MGM 12-15-51 ±
1195 September Adair (104) Drama Para 10-21-50 +
1327 Shadow in tlie Sliy (78) Drama MGM 12-15-51 ±
1211 Short Grass (82) Western Mono 12- 9-50 ±
1268ShowBoat (108) Musical MGM 6- 9-51 H
1217 Sierra Passage (80) Western Mono 12-23-50 ±
1272 Silver Canyon (70) Western Col 6-23-5' +
1306 Silver City (90) Drama Para 10- 6-51 t-
1246 Silver City Bonanza (67) Western Rep 3-31-51 -r
1273 Sirocco (98) Drama Col. 6-30-51 +
1264 Skipalong Rosenbloom (72) Comedy UA 5-26-51 +
Sky High (60) Comedy LP
1311 Slaughter Trail (78) Drama RKO 10-27-51 ±
1259 Smuggler! Gold (64) Adv-Dr Col 5-19-51 +
1252 Smugglers Island (75) Drama U-l 4-21-51 +
Smoky Canyon (.,) Western Col
1263 Snake River Desperadoes (54) Western Col 5-26-51 ±
1226 So Long at the Fair (85) Drama UA 1-27-51 + ±
±
+
Something to Live For (..) Drama ...Para
1316South of Caliente (67) Western Rep 11- 3-51 + —
1243 Soldiers Three (92) Drama MGM 3-24-51+ ± +
1315 Son of Dr. Jekyll. The (76) Drama Col 11- 3-51 + ± ±
1229 Spoilers of the Plains (67) Western Rep 2-10-51 ± +
Stagecoach Driver (52) Western Mono
Stage to Blue River (56) Western Mono
1218 Stage to Tucson (82) Western Col 12-23-50 + i: ±
1313 Starlift (103) Musical WB 11- 3-51 + + +
Steel Fist (73) Drama Mono
1222Ste«l Helmet, The (84) Drama LP 1-13-51 + +! +f
1271 Stop That Cab (56) Comedy LP 6-23-51 ±
Stormbound (60) Drama Reg
4+5-
+ + + ++*+ ^+2-
H ++ +t H H t+ 144-
± + ± 4+2-
± + H -t- ± ± B+4-
+ ± ++ ± H + 10+2-
tf H H tt H +- 12+
± ±

;
(W)
Feoture productions by company in order of release. Number
time is in porentheses. Type of story is indicated by letter:
Comedy; (D) Dromo; tCD) Comedy-Dramo; iF) Fantasy; (M)
Releose number follows: U denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribboi
raphy. For review dotes and Picture Guide page numbers, sec
e is national releose dote. Running
imbinations thereof as follows: (C)
Western; (SW) Superwestern.
Winner, ij denotes color photog-
Digest.

.
I
Secrets
D.
. 51
D.
8
PARAMOUNT
Redhead and the Cowboy (82) D..5015
Glenn Kurd. KhiiTida Fleming. Alan liecd
IJMoflng Seoson, The (101) C..5016
Orni> TIcmcv. .li>liii I.und, Miriam Hopkins
i ©Samson and Delilah (128) ... O .. 5010
liir Matnie. llcily Lamarr. lleorgeSandtrs
Molly (83) C..5011
{Itfi, as The Goldberg-S)
lirrt. I'hlliii I,oeb
Ciitraili-
©Quebec (85) D. .5017
Jiilm P. llarDmorc Cnrlnne Talvcl, Knowles
ir..
Lemon Drop Kid, The (91) C..5018
llnh lliilH'. Marilyn Maxivcll. Lloyd Nolan
RKO
RADIO
IB Payment on Demand (90) D. .171
Bette Ilavis. Barry Sullivan. Kent Taylor
m Torion's Peril (79) D . . 1 72
\,e\ Barker. Virginia Huston. George Macready
a Saddle Legion (60) W..117
Tim Ihill. llorolbv Malonc, lilchard Martin
gl Footlight Varieties (61) M..116
.lack I'aar, Itiil Hullnns, Leon Krrol
H My Forbidden Post (70) D . . 1 14
Ava (laidner, MeUm houglas, Knli.Tt Milchum
REPUBLIC
[T] Silver City Bononza (67) W. .5051
Kvx Allen, liuddv Ebsen, Mary Ellen Kay
Cubon Fireboll (78) MC . . 5007
[D
E^tclila Kndritu.-/,, Warren Douglas
Eg ©Oh! Susonno (90) D. .5008
Ko.i Camiiuri. Adrian Booth. Forrest Tucker
a Insurance Investigator (60) D . . 5026
Richard Denning. Audrey Long, Hillary Brooke
g3 Heart of the Rockies (67) W..5042
Roy Rogers. Petuiy Edwards. Gordon Jones
Thunder in God's Country
I (67). W. .5052
Rex Allen. Mary Ellen Kay. Buddy EliBen
FEATURE
CHART
. .
20TH CENTURY-FOX
©Sword of Monte Cristo (80) . D . . 106
Kroegcr, P OeorKP JliinluomiTy, Rerry Corday
Lucky Nick Coin (87) D..108
GcorEc Ciilicn Gray, Goldner
l!;ift, Charles
©Bird of Paradise (100) D..109
Louis Jourdan. Ilrlira I'aci't. Jeff Chandler
Of Men and Music (85) M..137
Artur Rubinstein, Jan Peerce. Ilclfetz
Jascha
Kefouver Crime Invest. (52)
You're in the Navy Now (93).
D..138
.C . . 1 10
.
(Rev, as C S 'leakeltlel Gary Cooper
S.
Can Get It for You
I
Wholesole (91)
D..111
Dalley, Susan Sanders
lian Hayward. 0.
14 Hours (91) D. .114
Paul Douglas, Richard Ba.sehart. B. Bel Geddes
Appointment With Danger (90) D. .5019
Alan I.add. Jan Sterling. I'hyllls Calvert
©Lost Outpost, The (89) D. .5020
Ronald liratan, Itlinnda Ifleming, Peler Hanson
Deor Brot (82) D. .5021
I' Moiia rfernan. Edward Billy DeWolfe
Arjiold.
Trio (92) D . , 5030
.Ian Simniiins. Mkhiiel liennle. Anne Crawford
©Passage West (80) W. .5022
.liilin I'ayne, Arleen WUelan. O'Keeft
flennls
Big Carnival, The (112) D..5023
(l!cv. as Arc In the Hole)
Kirk nunjtlas. .Ian Sterling, Porter Hall
Peking Express (85) D. .5024
liiscpli Cnlten forlnne Calvet, Edmund Gwcnn
That's My Boy (98) C. .5026
liiTiii Martin. .Irrry Lev?ls. linth Hussey
©Worpolh (95) D. .5025
Rdmond OHrlen. Iiean Jagger. Forrest Tucker
Here Comes the Groom (1 14) . C . 5101
nine Crosliv. .lane Wvman. Kranchot Tone
Ploce in the Sun, A (122) D..5102
Mnnlcomerv Cllft. BHIzabeth Taylor
Rhubarb (94) C. .5103
I!ay Mllland. .Ian Sterling, Gene Lockhart
.
ID Tokyo File 212 (84) D. .175
Florence Marlv, Hoberl Peylon, K. Halda
B Kon-TikI (73) D. .173
1lior Heycrdahl. Knut Haugland
Ensealed Cargo (90) D..118
liana Andiens, ClaiHl,. Baleiula
Italns. Tarla
HI ©Jungle Heodhunters (65) D..177
Leu Cotlow, All Natlte Cast
is
I
©Best of the Badmen (84) W..176
lio.lert Hyan, Claire Trevor, .lack Biielcl
Hard, Fast and Beautiful (78).. D.. 119
I
Claire TYevor, Sally Fiurest, Carletoti Young
i «©Aliee in Wonderland (75). ..D. .291
(Walt nisney cartoon)
Lilli Marlene (73) D . . 203
Lisa Daniely, Hugh McDermott, J. Blylhe
IThis Is Korea (SO) Doc. 5127
iO] Flying Leathernecks (102) D. .261
John Wavne, Itnbert Ityan. Janis Carter
Roadblock (73) D. .204
W. .5062
Olarles McGrau, .loan DI.\on, Lowell Gilmore
Pistol Harvest (60) W..205 S Fort Dodge Stampede (60). . .
Ai:an "Rocky" Lane, Mary Ellrn Tim jD.iri Uixiin, Diehard Martin
Kay
lli>lt,
m His Kind of Woman (120) D. .201
Kobert Mitrlaim. .lane Russell, Price
Vincent
Si On the Loose (74) D . . 202
Joan Evans. Melvyn Douglas, Lynn Bar!
Behave Yourself! (81) CD. .206
I
Farley Granger. Shelley Winters, W. Demarest
Buckaroo Sheriff of Texas (60) W . . 5066
Mlebael Cliapin. Eilerie Janssen
In Old Amarillo (67) W. .5043
Roy lloKcrs. Hslelila K.iilrigin'X. I'niiiv H.lunrds
Wells Forgo Gunmoster (60). . W. .5061
Allan l-aiie. Mary Ellrn Kay, C. Jiilinsdu
Bullfighter and the Lady (87) D..5009
Ki.bcrt Slack, (lilhcrl Roland. Virginia Grey
Million Dollor Pursuit (60) . . . . D. . 5028
Penny Kduards. Grant Williers. Norman Biidd
of Monte Carlo (60). . .5030
Warren Douglas, Lois Hall, June Vincent
El Rodeo King and Senorita (67) W..5053
Rex Allen, Mary Ellen Kay, Buddy Ebsen
m Fugitive Lody (78) D. .5011
Janls Paige, liinnle Barnes, Tony Centa
El Arizona Manhunt (60) W..5068
Michael Chapln, Ellene Janssen. James Bell
Eil Havana Rose (77) D . 24
Eslelila Rodriguez, Hugh B. Williams
Herbert,
Follow the Sun (90)
D..112
Glenn Pord. Atine Baxler, O'Keefe
Denrds
Rawhide (86)
SW..113
Tyriore Poivcr. Susan Hayward, Hugh Marli
t'©On the Riviera (89) MC..115
Danny Kaye, Gene Tierney, Corlnne Calvet
. .
©Half Angel (80) D. .116
Lorctia Yoiulg. Joseph Kellaivay
Cotteti, Cecil
House on Telegraph Hill (93) , D. . 1 17
Richard liasehart. Valrntlna Corlesa
As Young As You Feel (77) . . . .C. . 120
.Monty Wool Thelma Darld Wayi
ley, Hitter.
Ouy Who Come Back, The (91 ) . . D . . 1 1
P.Md DiMiglas, Joan Iteiuiett. Linda Darnell
©Take Care of Little Girl (93) M..119
Je.Mine Craiti, Je.nn Peters, Dale Robertson
4,'Frogmen, The (96) D. .122
Dana Anilrews. Gary Merrill, Richard Wldmark
Secret of Convict Lake, The (83) D. .123
Glenn Ford. Gene Tierney, Blliel Barr7more
Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (88) C. .124
Clillnn Wrbb. .\,y,muv Dm. llugli Marloive
©Meet Mc After the Show (84) M. .125
Belly Cr.ible, M.ii'donald Carey, Rory Calhoun
People Will Tolk (110) C. .126
Cary Grajit. Jeanne Crain. F. Currie
Millionaire for Christy, A (90).. C. 127
Fred Mne.Miirray. Eleanor Parker, R. Carlson
Day the Earth Stood Still (92),. 0.. 129
Michael Rerinle. Patricia Nr.il, H. Mario
©Crosswinds (93) D. .5104
John Pavne. Khnnda Tucker
Fleming. Forrest
Darling, How Could Youl (96). .C. .5108
Joan Fontaine. John Lund. Mona Freeman
Detective Story (103) D..5111
Kirk llnuBlas, Eleanor Parker, W. Bendix
Submarine Command (87) D..5107
William lloldrn. Naiicv Olson. W. Bcndix
OWhen Worlds Collide (81) D. .5106
lilchard Derr, Barbara nu.sh, J, Hoyt
Hot Lead (61) W. .209
Tim Holt. Itlchard Martin. Joan Dixon
©Slaughter Troii (78) W. .207
Brian llordevy. Virginia Grey. A. Der'ne
I
©Drums in the Deep South (87). .D. .211
James Craig. Barbara Paytoo, G. Madison
jThe Blue Veil (114) D. .263
Jane Wyman. Charles Uughton. J. Blondell
Racket, The (90) D. .210
Robert Mltchiim, Lizabcth R.van
Scott, R.
Jungle of Chang (67) D . , 208
IKicumentary of Thailand
©Two Tickets to Broadwoy (106) M. .264
Janet Leigh, Tony Mirtln, Eddie Bracken
Whip Hond, The (81)
D..212
Elliott Reld, Carla Balenda, Tuttle
L.
[61 Adventures of Cpt. Fabian(IOO) D. .5101
Errol Flynn, Mlchellne Prelle, V. Price
HSeo Hornet, The (84) D..5102
Rod Cameron, Adele Mara. Adrian Booth
m Utoh Wagon Train (67) W .5054
Rex Allen. Penny Edwards, Buddy Ebsen
ES South of Callente (66) W..5151
Roy Rogers, Dale Evans. Douglas Fovvley
Street Bandits (54) D..5130
Penny Edwards, Robert (Tlarke, Boss
Desert of Lost Men (54)
Ford
W. .5063
Allen Lane, iilary Ellen Kay, Elliott
1{.
Stormbound (60) D . . 5032
Constance Dowling (Italian-language)
Desert Fox, The (87) D 130
J.ames Mason. .Ip^shm laiolv, Ilardwlek
C.
Journey Info Light (87) D..132
Slerling Il.ij.len, Vlieea l.lndfors, Mllrhsil
T.
No Highway in the Sky (98) D . . 121
James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Job 0.
Love Nest (84) C..131
.lone Haver, William Lundlgan, Frank Fay
Let's Moke It Legal (77) C..133
Claudette C(dbert, Macdonald Carey
©Anne of the Indies (81) D..134
Je.in Peters, Louis Jourdan. Debra Paget
©Golden Girl (111) M..136
Mitzi Gaynor. Dennis Day, D. Robertson
©Silver City (90) D..5112
Vi.mnr Ilirarlo. Edmond K. Arlen
O'Brien.
My Favorite Spy (93) C .5110
Bob Hope, Hedy Ijimarr, Sullivan
Francis L.
Double Dynamite (80) C..214
Jane l!u".ll. Prank Sinatra. Groucho Marx
On Dangerous Ground (82) D..215
Ida I.upino, Robert Ryan. Ward Bund
Overland Telegroph (60) W. .216
'nm Holt, Gall DaTis. Richard Martin
g Pols of the Golden West (68). .W. .
Rov Rogers. D.ile Rrans
©Honeyehlle (89) C. .
Judy Canova. Eddie Hale Foy jr., Alan ]r.
Elopement (81 ) C . . 141
Cllfhin Webb. Anne Francis, Wm. Lundlgan
©I'll Never Forget You (90) D. .142
I'yrone Po«er. Ann BIyth, Michael Rennl'
Girl on the Bridge, The (77). . . .D. .139
lln^;o Haa.s. Beverly Michaels. Robert Dane
Fixed Boyonets (92) D . . 140
Richard B.nsehart. Michael O'Shea. 0. Evans
I Wont You (102) D..251
Dornthy McGulre. Dint Granger
Andrews. F.
©Tembo (80) Doe . .
Howard
m Girl in
Hill
Every Port, A(86) C .
Groucho Mar.T. Marie Wilson. Bendlv
William
Q Woman In the Dork (..) D..
Penny Kduards. Ross Elliott
ra Captive of Billy the Kid (. .). .W. .
Allan "Rockv" Une
A Lody Possessed (. .) D. .
James M.isnn. June Havoc. Pamela KelUno
Decision Before Down (119). .. D. .205
Garv Merrill. Richard Ba.sehart
Model and the Morrioge Broker
(105) C..201
.Ie»nn» Craln. Scott
Japanese War
Brady.
Bride
Thelma
(91)
Rllter
D..
Don Taylor. Shirley Yamagnclil
Sailor Beware (106) C..5114
Iiean Martin. Jerry Lewis. C^Ivet
Corlnne
Something to Live For (..)... .D. .5105
Hiy Mllland, Joan Fontaine, T. Wright
©David and Bathshebo (116)..D..
Gregory Peck. Susan Hayward, It. Masscy
Phone Call From a Stranger (96) . .
Shellev Winters, Bette Davis, G. Merrill
@Red Skies of Montana (..)... .D. .
Richard Widmark. Jeffrey Hunter. C. Smith

i
Blue
I
Naughty
] Circle
1
So
i
Scorf,
L
.D.
i
Tomorrow
.0.
C.
D
4-
FEATURE
CHART
UNITED ARTISTS
Lamp, The (84) D. .016
Wiiiiiir, .limmv Hariley. Ilirk Bogarde
.l;irk
Arlefte (86) C. .226
My Outlaw Brother (82) D..209
(Km. MS Mv Brolher, the Outlaw)
'Second Woman, The (91) D..639
l!cil)iit Viiiirig. lifisy Drake, Sutton
John
ot Danger (86) 0. .207
Itav MiUanil. Patrieia Roc, Goring
Marius
Long at the Foir (85) D. .270
Gold (56) W..262
The (86) D. .644
Long Dork Holl, The D. .214
r (86)
l.illi l!r\ lljiiiMai, rainier, Tania Held
jWhen I Grow Up (90) D..215
.M. !!nhh\ lui-inll. linli.Tt Ppeston,
Skipalong Rosenbloom (72)
Scott
W .
Max II.M'iiin.'iim, Ma\ Baer. Jackie Coogan
Oliver (105) Twist D..216
i
jMon From Plonet X (70) D. .647
Try and Get Me (92) D. .643
li;pi ai Siaiiul of l'"ury) Lovejoy
Frank
First Legion, The (86) D. .648
{hnln Kni.r. Lyie Bettger. Leo G. Carroll
Odette (105) D. .652
.Anna Neagle, Trevor Goring
Howard, Marius
wier. The (92) D. .650
llcflin. Evelyn Keyes, John Maxwell
Var
FD (96) Fobiolo D. .651
Morgan, Henri Vidal, Michel Simon
lo
m Man With My Face, The (75) D . . . . . 659
Barrv Nelson, C. Lynn Ainley, Matthews
rill Three Steps North (85) D. .657
I.loyd Bridges, I-ea Padovani, Aide Fabrlzi
a Queen for o Day (107) D. .645
I'hvllis Avery. Ilarren McGavin
ra He Ron All the Way (77) D..646
John Garfield, Shellev Winters. W. Ford
Cyrono de Bergerac (113) D..660
Mala Powers, William Prince
.li..e Ferrer.
a Hoodlum, The (61) D. .653
awrenee Tierney, Allene Golra
Roberts, L.
Pardon My French (81) C.1402
I
Paul Henreid. Merle Oberon, P. Bonlfas
Four in a Jeep (97) D.1139
I
Viveea Lindfors, Ralph Meeker, M. Medwin
!©New Mexico (74)
D..649
l,ew .\vrrs. Marilyn Maxwell, Andy Pevine
! St. Benny, the Dip (80) C. .658
lili-k llavmi's. Nina Foch. Roland Young
1
Two Gals and a Guy (70) C. .654
Paige, Robert Alda, James Gleason
Obsessed (77) [B D.1188
Culver
Fitzgerald, Ilavid
BIGold
Farrar,
Roiders
Geraldine
(56)
B.
W.1172
George O'Brien. Sheila Talbot
Ryan, L.
SI Mister Drake's Duck (76) C..655
jr.. Douglas Fairbanks Yolande Donlan
5 Hotel Sohara (87) D.1143
Yvonne DeCarlo. Peter Ustinov, R. Culver
5 Mr. Peek-o-Boo (74) C.1146
Joan Greenwood, Marcel Arnold, R. Treville
UNIVERSAL-INT 3 |° WARNER BROS.
Abbott ond Costello Meet the
a ©Sugartoot (80) WD. 016
Invisible Man (82) C. .116 Randolph Scott, .\dele Jergens, Raymond Massev
Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Nancy Guild a Lightning Strikes Twice (91 ) O
Groom Wore Spurs, The (81) C. .114
. . 019
Ruth Roman, Richard Todd, M. McCambrldge
Ginger Rogers, Joan Davis, Jack Carson
Air Cadet (94) CD. .115
Stephen McNally, Alex Nicol, Gail Russell
©Lullaby of Broadway
i
(92) M
Up Front (92) C..118
David Wayne, Tom Ewell, Marina Berti
©Double Crossbones (75) MC..119
Donald O'Connor. Helena Carter. Will Geer
Ma and Pa Kettle Back
on the Form (80) C.ll?
Marjnrie Main, Percy Kilbride, Meg H.indall
Fat Man, The (77) D. .120
J. Scott Smart, Rock Hudson, Julie London
Katie Did It (81) C..122
Ann Blvth. Mark Stevens. Cecil Kellaway
©Smuggler's Island (75) D..121
Jeff Chandler, Evelyn Keyes, Philip Friend
©Apache Drums (75) W..123
Stephen McNally, Coleen WiUard Parker
Gray,
Hollywood Story (77) D..124
Richard Conte, Henry Hull, Julia Adams
Francis Goes to the Races (88). ,C. .125
Donald O'Connor, Piper Laurie
©Prince Who Was a Thief (88). D. .126
Tonv Curtis, Piper Laurie. Cecil Kellaway
Comin' Round the Mountain (77) C. . 127
Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Dorothy Shay
Iron Man (82) D..130
Jeff Chandler, Evelyn Keyes, Stephen McNally
©Mark of the Renegade (81). , .129
Ricardo Monlalban, Cyd Charisse, J. C. Nalsh
©Cottle Drive (77) W. .128
Joel McCrea, Dean Stockwell, Leon Ames
©Lady From Texas (78) D..136
Howard Duff, Mona Freeman, J. HuU
Reunion in Reno (80) C. .135
Mark Stevens. Peggy Dow, G. Perreau
©Golden Horde, The (76) D. .134
David Farrar, Ann Blyth, G. Macready
Doris Day, Gene Nelson, S. Z. Sakall
m Raton Poss (84) W. .021
Dennis Morgan, Patricia Cochran
Neal, Steve
IE Only the Valiant (105) SW. .022
Gregory Peck, Barbara Payton. Ward Bond
d]
I Was a Communist for the
FBI (83) D..023
Frank Lovejoy, Dorothy Hart, Phillip Carey
] Goodbye, My Fancy (107) C. .024
Joan Crawford, Robert Young, Lovejoy
Frank

10-11-51
. . 4-12-51
,,
.
Short subjeeti, listed by eompany, in order of reloase. Running time tollo
First dote is notionol
oting from BOXOFFICE
release, second the dote of review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dol
photography. >yiJOilfi] CIJilBT
Columbia
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rcv'd
ASSORTED COMEDIES
3425 The Awful Sleuth (16).. 4-19-51 ± 5-5
3416 Fun on the Run (16).. 5-10-51 ± 5-26
3426 Woo Woo Blues (16) ... 7- 2-51 + 7-^1
1951-52 SEASON
4411 Pleasure Treasure (17).. 9-10-51 -.
4412 She Took a Powder (16) .10-11-51 ± 11-24
4413 Trouble in Laws (16) . + 12- 1
4422 The Champ Steps Out
„_„,.,,,
11-15-51 + 12- S
(161 2)
4423 Traid'y Cat (16) 12-13-51 i: 1-5
CANDID MICROPHONE
.
(One- Reel
3554 Subject No. 4 (11)
Specials)
. +
±
4-14
3555 Subject No. 5 (lO'/j) . 6-14-51 6-23
3556 Subject No. 6 (10) S-15-51
1951-52 SEASON
4551 Subject No. 1 (10). .10- 4-51 » 11-17
4552 Subject No. 2 (11).... 12- 6-51 ± 12-22
CAVALCADE OF BROADWAY
3653 Havana Madrid (10) .. 4-12-51 + 5-5
3654 New^Vork After Midnioht
^_^^_^^ ^ 7-21
4651 The Gay Nineties (10) 11-15-51
.
1951-52 SEASON
4651 Eddie Condon's (10) .. .11-15-51 ± 12- S
COLOR FAVORITES
(Technicolor Reissues)
3608 Jitterbug Knights (7! '2) 4-15-51 + 4-14
3609 Birds in Lo.e (S) 5-17-51 =t 6-9
3610 Air
3611 The
Hostess
Egg Hunt

. 5-12-51
I Was
Bob
B.
Gregory
SHORTS CHART
1951-52 SEASON
S402 So You Want to Be a
7381 Reuben, Reuben (10) . .11-12-51 ± 11-17
riumber (10) 11-10-51
7382 Uncle Sam's Songs
8403 So You Want to Get It
(10) 12-31-51 + 12- g
EARTH AND ITS PEOPLES
7361 Nomads of tbe Jungle
(22) 11- 5-51 ff 11-10
7362 Water for Dry Lands
(19) 11-26-51 + 11-10
7363 An Island Nation (21) .12-24-51 +t 12- 1
7364 Deseit Nomads (..) 1-21-52
NAME BAND MUSICALS
6307 Frank DeVol and His
Orch. (15) 5- 2-51 + 5-19
6308 Eildie Peabody & Sonny
Bnrkc's Orch. (15)... 5-23-51 +6-9
6309 Snortsmcu and Ziggy
Elman's Orch. (15) . . 6-13-51 + 5-12
6310 Tel csa Brewer and Firelionse
Five Plus Two(15)6-27-51 + 6-30
1951-52 SEASON
7301 Tommy Dorsey and His
Oicliestra (15) 11- 7-51 ± 11-10
7W2 Woody Herman's Varieties
(15) 12- 5-51 + 11-17
TWO-REEL SPECIALS
6202 Aiimid the Benedict
(18) 8- S-51 ± 7-14
1951-52 SEASON
7?nl Daniier Under the Sea
(I6I/2) 12-10-51 ff 11-10
TECHNICOLOR CARTUNES
6328 Sill iiintime
(Reissues)
Serenade (7) 5-14-51 ± 5-12
6329Jiiiiole Jive (7) 6-18-51+ 6-23
6330 Who's Cookin' Who? (7) . 7-16-51
6331 Pieil Piiier of Basin Street
(7) 8-20-51
6332 100 Pygmies and Andy
Panda (7) 9-17-51
6333 The Fox and the Rabbit
(7) 10-15-51
1951-52 SEASON
7321 Loose Nut (7) 10-24-51 + 12-8
7322 Ahon Ben Boooie (7) . .11-19-51 ± 12- 8
7323 Painter and Pointer
(7) 12-12-51 ff 12- 8
7324 Bnlhino Buddies (..).. 1-7-52
VARIETY VIEWS
6345 Finny Business (9) . . . . 5-21-51 +6-9
6346 Cliihhy Cub (9) 6-18-51 ff 5-12
6347 Romeo Land (9) 8- 6-51 + 7-21
6348 r/loiikey Island (9) 9-10-51 ± 7-14
1951-52 SEASON
7342 Italian Interlude (9)... 11- 5-51 ± 12- 8
WOODY WOODPECKER CARTUNES
(Technicolor)
6353 Wicket Wackey (7) 5-26-51 ± 5-12
6354 Sliiio Shot 6% (7) . . . . 7-23-51 + 6-30
6355 Redwood Sap (7) 10- 1-51 ± 9-15
6356 Woody Woodpecker Polka
(7) 10-29-51 + 9-15
1951-52 SEASON
7351 Destination Meatball
(7) 12-24-51 + 11-10
7352 Little Monster (..) 2-25-52
Warner Bros.
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rev'd
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor Reissues)
7310 Book Revue (7) 5-19-51
7311 Stagefright (7) 6-23-51
7312 Sioux Me (7) 7-21-51
7313 The Stupid Cupid 9- 1-51
(7) . .
1951-52 SEASON
8301 Holiday for Shoestrings
(7) 9-15-51
8302 Lady in Red (7) 10-13-51
8303 Sniffles and Bookworm
(7) U-10-51
8304 Goldilocks Jivin' Bears
(7) 12- 1-51
8305 Of Thee I Sting (7) . . 1-12-52
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
7724 Rabbit Fire
(Technicolor)
(7) 5-19-51 # 6-30
7725 French Rarebit (7) 6-30-51
7726 His Hare Raising Tale
(7) 8-11-51 + 9- S
1951-52 SEASON
8723 Ballot Box Bunny (7).. 10- 6-51 ff 11-24
8724 Bio Top Bunny (7) . . . 12- 1-51
8725 0iieiation Rabbit (7)... 1-19-52
HIT PARADE OF GAY NINETIES
7803 The Naughty 20s (..). S-18-51
FEATURETTES
7105 Hunting the Hard Way
(20) 5-26-51
7106 Law of the Badlands (20) 8- 4-51
1951-52 SEASON
8101 The Knife Thrower (20) 9-29-51 ft 10-20
8102 A Lanoh a Day (20) .. 11-24-51
8103 I
HIT
Won't Play (20) 12-29-51
PARADE OF GAY NINETIES
Old New York (9) . . 4-28-51
7S05 In
7806 Musical Memories (9) . . 6-30-51
lOE McDOAKES COMEDIES
7485 So You Want to Be a
Paiierhanger (10) .... 6- 2-51 + 7-14
7486 So Yon Want to Buy a
Used Car (IB) 7-28-51 ±9-8
1951-52 SEASON
8401 So You Want to Be a
Bachelor (10) 9-22-51 + 11-10
Wholesale (..) 1-12-52
MELODY MASTERS BAND
1951-52 SEASON
8801 U.S. Army Band (10) .. 10-13-51 +
8802 Jan Garber and Orch.
(10) 11-17-51
MERRIE MELODIES
(Color)
7712 Hound for Trouble (7).. 4-28-51 +
7713 Early to Bet (7) 5-12-51 ff
7714 Room and Bird (7) 6- 2-51
7715 Chow Hound (7) 6-16-51 +
7716 Wearing of the Grin (7) 7-14-51
7717 Leghorn Swogijled (7).. 7-28-51 ff
7718 Cheese Chasers (7) 8-25-51 +
1951-52 SEASON
S701 Lovelorn Leghorn (7)... 9- 8-51 ff
S702Twcety's S.O.S. (7) 9-22-51 ff
8703 A Bear for Punishment
(7) 10-20-51
8704 Sleepy Time Possum (7). 11- 3-51
8705 Drip-Along Daffy (7) . .11-17-51
8706 Tweet Tweet Tweety (7). 12-15-51
8707 The Prize Pest (7) 12-22-51
8708 Who's Kitten Who (..) 1- 5-52
SPORTS PARADE
(Technicolor)
7507 Hawaiian Sports (10) .
+
7508 Birds and Beasts Were
There (10) 6-16-51 7509 Making Mountics (10) . . 7-14-51 +
7510 Kings of the Outdoors
(10) S-18-51
1951-52 SEASON
8501 Art of Archery (10) . .10- 6-51 8502 Cowboy's Holiday (10).. 11- 3-51 ±
8503 Every Dog Has His Day
(10) 12-22-51
TECHNICOLOR SPECIALS
7006 Stranger in the
Lighthouse (20) 5- 5-51 ff
7007 Sons of the Plains (19) 6- 9-51 +
7008 Enchanted Islands (20). 8- 4-51 ff
1951-52 SEASON
8001 Winter Wonders (20)... 9- 8-51 +
8002 Ride. Cowboy. Ride (20) .10-27-51 +
8003 Lincoln in the White
House (20) 12- 8-51
8004 Land of the Trembling
Earth ( .) 1-26-52
VITAPHONE NOVELTIES
7607 World of Kids (10) ... 6-23-51 +
7608 Disaster Fighters (10) . . 8-11-51 ff
1951-52 SEASON
8601 To Bee or Not to Bee
(10) 9-15-51 ±
8602 Lighter Than Air (10) . .10-20-51
S603 Stop! Look and Laugh
(10) 10-20-51 +
MISCELLANEOUS
11-10
11-24
Prod. No. Title Rel. Date Rating Rev'd
Monogram
LITTLE RASCALS
.
(Reissues)
Choo-Choo ( .) 10-28-51
Bargain Day (..) 11-11-51
Fly My Kite (..) 11-25-51
Shiver My Timbers (..).12- 9-51
Spanky (. ,) 12-23-51
Male and Female (..).. 11-11-51
Hide and Shriek (..).. .11-25-51 ....
Roamin' Holiday (..) .12-9-51 ....
Framing Youth (. .) 12-23-51
. Second Childhood (20) 1- 6-52
Pigskin Palooka (10)... 1- 6-52 ....
Shrimps for a Day (20) 1-20-52
Three Men in a Tub (10) 1-20-52
Republic
SERIALS
5083 Perils of the Darkest
Jungle 9-51 ....
6-
12 Chapters (reissue)
5084 Don Daredevil Rides Again
12 Chapters
THIS WORLD OF OURS
(Trucolor)
5074 England (9) 4-15-51
5075 Hawaii (9) 5-15-51
5076 Greece (9) 6-15-51
1951-52 SEASON
5085 Belgium (9) 7-15-51
5086 Switzci land (9) 9-1-51
Independents
Salzburg Fiesta (I21/2) Hoffberg +5-5
The Beautiful Blue Danube
(12i/j) Hoffberg 5-5
Polkas (I21/2) Hoffberg + 5-5
United Nations Screen Magazine
No. 5 (10) UN + 5-12
United Nations Screen Magazine
No. 6 (10) UN + 5.12
United Nations Screen Magazine
No. 8 (10) UN + 5-12
W. B. Yeats—A Tribute
(24) Brandon Films ff g. 9
231 (10) Pathe Cin + H-iQ
Pacific
COMING FEATURES
Listed
been
COLUMBIA
he
set
are productions on which national release dates hove not
#hich go beyond the dates covered by the Feoture Chart.
©Brave Warrior Jon Hall, Christine Larson
©Brigand. The. ... Anthony Dexter, Ron Randell
©California Conquest. Cornel Wilde. Teresa Wright
Clouded Yellow, The. .
. .Jean Simmons, T. Howard
©Cripple Creek George Montgomery
Dark Page, The.. John Derek, Broderick Crawford
Death of a Salesman F. March, M. Dunnock
First Time, The.. Robert Cummings, Barbara Hale
Four Poster, The... Rex Harrison, Lilli Palmer
©Golden Hawk, The.. Rhonda Fleming, S. Hayden
Harem Girl, The Joan Davis, Arthur Blake
Marrying Kind, The.. Judy Holliday, M. Kennedy
Okinawa Pat O'Brien, Richard Denning
Paula Loretta Young, Alexander Knox
Red Snow Guy Madison, Ray Mala
Saber and the Arrow. .Broderick Crawford, B. Hale
©Sound Off Mickey Rooney, Delores Sidener
(vjThief of Damascus. .Paul Henreid, Jeff Donnell
Woman in Question, The. Jean Kent. Dirk Bogarde
LIPPERT
Navajo
.'
Members of Navajo Tribe
©Outlaw Women. Marie Windsor, Richard Rober
Stolen Face Paul Henreid, Lizaheth Scott
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
©Because You're Mine Mario Lanza, J. Whitmorc
©Belle of New York... Fred Astaire. Vera-Ellen
Carbine Williams. James Stewart. Wendell Corey
Girl in White June Allyson, Arthur Kennedy
Glory Alley Leslie Caron, Ralph Meeker
Hour of Thirteen, The. Peter Lawford, D. Addams
a Stranger. James Whitmore, P. Raymond
©Ivanhoe Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor
Just This Once Peter Lawford, Janet Leigh
Love Is Better Than Ever Elizabeth Taylor
©Lovely to Look At. Kathryn Grayson. R. Skelton
©Merry Widow. Thc....Lana Turner, F. Lamas
Mr. Congressman Van Johnson. Pat Ncal
Pat and Mike. .Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn
©Quo Vadis Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr
©Scaramouche. .Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker
©Singin' in the Rain. Gene Kelly, D. O'Connor
©Skirts Ahoy Esther Williams, Joan Evans
Talk About a Stranger George Murphy, N. Davis
When in Rome Van Johnson, Paul Douglas
©Wild North, The S. Granger, W. Corey
Young Man in a Hurry Ruth Roman
MONOGRAM
African Treasure Johnny Sheffield
Desert Pursuit Wayne Morris. Virginia Grey
Hold That Line Leo Gorcey. Hunlz Hall
Jet Job Stanley Clements, Elena Verdugo
©Rodeo Jane Nigh, John Archer
Anything Can Happen, .
. Jose Ferrer, Kim Hunter
©Blazing Forest, The. .John Payne, Susan Morrow
©Botany Bay Alan Ladd, James Mason
Carrie Laurence Olivier. Jennifer Jones
©Denver & Rio Grande . E. O'Brien. S. Hayden
Encore Nigel Patrick, Glynis Johns
©Famous Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman
©Flaming Feather S. Hayden, Forrest Tucker
©Greatest Show on Earth, ,
Hutton, J. Stewart
Jumping Jacks Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis
Los Alamos Michael Moore, Nancy Gates
Military Policeman ,
Hope. Mickey Rooney
My Son John Helen Hayes, Van Hcflin
©Shane Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur
©Somebody Loves Me. Betty Hutton. Ralph Meeker
©Son of Paleface Bob Hope, Jane Russell
Stooge, The Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis
This Is Dynamite, .William Holden, Alexis Smith
©Thunder in the East, Alan Ladd. Deborah Kerr
©Warbonnet Charlton Heston, P. Hanson
RKO RADIO
Androcles and the Lion... J. Simmons. R. Newton
©At Sword's Point. .Cornel Wilde, Maureen O'Hara
Big Sky, The Kirk Douglas. Dewey Martin
Clash by Night ,. Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas
Ciackdown Bill Williams. Robert Armstrong
©Half Breed, The. ... Robert Young, Jack Buetel
©Jet Pilot John Wayne, Janet Leigh
Korean Story, The... Robert Mitchum, Ann BIyth
Las Vegas Story. .. .Jane Russell, Victor Mature
Macao Robert Mitchum Jane Russell
Montana Belle Jane Russell. George Brent
Ragged Edge, The Ida Lupino, Robert Ryan
Rancho Notorious ,. Marlene Dietrich, Mel Ferrer
This Man Is Mine, Susan Hayward, R. Mitchum
3,000 A.D Robert Clarke, Margaret Lynch
REPUBLIC
Bal Tabarin Muriel Lawrence, William Ching
Fabulous Scnorita, The Estclita Rodriguez
Gobs and Gals Cathy Downs, Bernard Bros,
Hoodlum Empire, .,, Brian Donlevy. Claire Trevor
Minnesota Rod Cameron, Ruth Hussey
©Oklahoma Annie Judy Canova
©Quiet Man, The, ,John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara
20TH CENTURY-FOX
©Belles on Their Toes.. Jeanne Crain, M. Loy
©Cry of the Swamp.. Jean Peters, Jeffrey Hunter
Deadline U.S.A. .. Humphrey Bogart, Kim Hunter
Diplomatic Courier. .Tyrone Power. Patricia Neal
Don't Bother to Knock. R. Widmark. M. Monroe
Down Among the Sheltering Palms. .W. Lundigan
Dream Boat Clifton Webb. Anne Francis
Five Fingers James Mason, Michael Rennie
Full House, The. .. .Jeanne Crain, Farley Granger
©Girl Next Door. The.... Dan Dailey. June Haver
©I Don't Care Girl. The..Mitzi Gaynor, D. Wayne
Les Miserables Michael Rennie, Debra Paget
©Lydia Bailey. ... Dale Robertson, Anne Francis
Outcasts of Poker Flat. .Anne Baxer, D. Robertson
Pride of St. Louis Dan Dailey, Jeanne Dru
Thy Neighbor's Wife Hugo Haas
Viva Zapata! Marlon Brando. Jean Peters
©Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie Jean Peters
©Way of a Gaucho. . . .Gene Tierney. Rory Calhoun
What Price Glory?. . . James Cagney. Dan Dailey
©With a Song in My Heart Susan Hayward
UNITED ARTISTS
©African Queen .. Katharine Heiiburn. H. Bogart
Captive City John Forsythe. Geraldine Hall
Green Glove, The.. Glenn Ford, Geraldine Brooks
High Noon Gary Cooper, Otto Kruger
One Big Affair. ... Evelyn Keyes, Dennis O'Keefe
Red Planet Andrea King, Peter Graves
©River, The, ,,. Arthur Shields, Nora Swinburne
Saturday Island Linda Darnell
Well, The Richard Rober. Barry Kelly
Vengeance Trail Bill Elliott. Peggy Stewart
©Wagons West Rod Cameron UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
©Wild Stallion. ,. .Ben Johnson, Edgar Buchanan ©Battle at Apache Pass. .Jeff Chandler, John Lund
©Bend of the River.. James Stewart, A, Kennedy
PARAMOUNT
©Bronco Buster John Lund, Scott Brady
©Duel at Silver Creek, The Audio Murphy
fgAaron Slick From Punkin Crick Alan Young
Francis Covers the Big Town .... Donald O'Connor
©Has Anybody Seen My Gal?.C. Coburn, P. Laurie
Here Come the Nelsons. .Ozzie and Harriet Nelson
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair. . . . Marlorie Main
Meet Danny Wilson Frank Sinatra. S. Winters
©Scarlet Angel. The. .Yvonne DeCarlo. R. Hudson
©Son of All Baba Tony Curtis. Piper Laurie
©Treasure of the Lost Canyon. W. Powell. J. Adams
©World in His Arms, ,
Peck. Ann BIyth
WARNER BROS.
©About Face. ... Eddie Bracken. Gordon MacRae
Big Stickup. The... Steve Cochran. Virginia Grey
©Big Trees, The Kirk Douglas. P. Wymore
©Bugles in the Afternoon Ray Milland
©Carson City Randolph Scott
©Crimson Pirate. .. .Burt Lancaster, Nick Cravat
©Lion and the Horse.. Steve Cochran, Ray Teal
M.ira Maru Errol Flynn
Night Beat Warren Douglas, Alan Hale
Retreat Hell!. .. .Frank Lovejoy, Richard Carlson
San Francisco Story ..Joel McCrea, Y. DeCarlo
©She's Working Her Way Through College. V. Mayo
This Woman Is Dangerous Joan Crawford
©Where's Charley? Ray Bolger, Allyn McLerie
10
BOXOFFICE BooWnGuide : : January 12, 1952

Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips
(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH

, , Of
. . He
. . That
. . Unless
—
. .
. .
. . . Winner
. . The
. . Loves
. . And
. . That
. . Dramatically
. . Daring,
. . The
. . Make
. .
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY: "Room ior One More"
Already the parents of three uninhibited youngsters, Betsy
Drake and Gary Grant want another, but aren't quite prepared
for the arrival of Iris Mann, cynical 13-year-old product
of divorced parents. Grant isn't happy about it, but
Betsy persuades him to let Iris stay, and she softens and
becomes one of the family. Next Betsy informs Grant that
they are taking another youngster from the welfare home
Clifford latum jr., a cripple described as retarded and mean.
Betsy again uses patience and understanding; his weakness
is strengthened through exercise, and the support of his
foster parents and the other children thaws out his bitterness.
Grant finally decides all the sacrifices have been
worth it in view of the love and affection that pervade
his home.
CATCHLINES:
A House Will Never Become a Home There's
.
Room for One More ... To Add to the Joys and Sorrows
.
The Laughter and Tears Make Life Worth While,
.
THE STORY:
"Crazy Over Horses"
The Bowery Boys, led by Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall, accept
My Girl, a horse, from Tim Ryan in payment of a $250
debt. Ryan has been boarding the horse for several months.
My Girl, in reality a good racehorse, is actually owned by
Ted De Corsia, a racketeer, who plans to run her in a future
race as a ringer for his long-odds entry, Tarzana. The boys
learn of this, and switch horses. De Corsia and his henchmen
uncover the plot and switch the nags back. This happens
several times, until finally the Bowery Boys have My Girl
and De Corsia has the no-good Tarzana, believing all is
well. The boys enter My Girl with Hall up as jockey; the
horse wins, De Corsia and his mob are arrested and the lads
cash in a big win ticket.
CATCHLINES:
Button, Button, Who's Got the Racehorse . . . It's the Bowery
Boys Back Again in the Funniest Comedy Yet . . .
They're
the Kings of Sports ... In a Hilarious Story About the Sport
of Kings.
THE STORY:
The Old West-
Gene Autry catches and breaks wild horses and sells them
to the Saddlerock stage line, his competitor being Lyle
Talbot, owner of a horse ranch. Two of Talbot's hoodlum
henchmen ambush Gene, leaving him for dead, but the town
parson and a traveling peddler, Pat Buttram, find him and
nurse him back to health. Then Talbot tries to pull a shady
deal to sell his horses to the stage line, but Autry discovers
the plot, and the result is that a stagecoach race is arranged
between towns to determine the relative merits of Autry 's
and Talbot's horses. The night before the race one of Talbot's
men loosens a wheel on Gene's stagecoach but is recognized
by a little girl. Gene loses the race when his stagecoach is
wrecked, but Talbot's scheme is bared and the crooks are
killed trying to escape.
CATCHLINES:
A Rousing Tale of Adventure in Rugged Frontier Days .
It's Gene Autry at His All-Time Best ... In a Rip-Roarin'
Action Saga . Blazing Bullets and Thundering Hooves.
THE STORY:
"Murder Without Crime"
When Derek Farr, a writer, quarrels with his wife, Patricia
Plunkett, she storms out and he goes to a bar and meets Joan
Dowling, who is introduced to him by Farr's friend and landlord,
Dennis Price. Farr becomes drunk and takes Joan to
his apartment, where, during a quarrel, she falls and strikes
her head. Believing she is dead, Farr puts her body into an
ottoman just before his remorseful wife returns. Meanwhile,
Price tries to blackmail Farr by revealing that he knows
about the episode with Joan. Realizing he is lost, Farr mixes
two drinks with poison in his own. However, Price switches
glasses and drinks. Dying, he tells Farr that he is not guilty
of murder because Joan is alive.
CATCHLINES:
Don't Reveal the Surprise Ending to Your Friends . . . Dennis
Price, Star of "Kind Hearts and Coronets," in a Tfiriller With
a Surprise Twist . Almost Paid for a Murder He
Didn't Commit ... A Poisonous Drink That Spelled Death
to One—Life to Another.
©U.
©St-
THE STORY: "The Greatest Show on Earth"
Above all else, Charlton Heston, manager of the Ringling
Bros.-Barnum & Bailey circus, loves the big show—and persuades
the owners to try one more full season, although the
circus has been having hard times. Heston hopes that a
sensational new French aerialist. Cornel Wilde, will draw
the crowds. However, Heston's job is complicated when the
girl he loves, Betty Hutton, also an aerialist, resents the fact
that Wilde draws top billing over her. Gloria Grahame, the
elephant girl, makes a play for Heston, which irks her boss,
Lyle Bettger, the elephant trainer. Heston fires Bettger, and
the latter plots a payroll robbery which wrecks the circus
train Heston is seriously injured, but Betty takes over to
run the show as Gloria pairs off romantically with Wilde.
CATCHLINES:
DeMille's Mightiest Masterpiece . Story of the
Biggest of the Big Tops ... Of the Men and Women Whose
Work and Play . and Hates . It the Greatest
Show on Earth-
THE STORY:
"Phone Call From a Stranger"
Although Helen Westcott confesses to her husband, Gary
Merrill, that she has changed her mind and decided not to
run away with another man, Merrill is convinced the marriage
is washed up. He planes to Los Angeles and, among
the passengers, meets Shelley Winters, a hardboiled hoofer;
Michael Rennie, a doctor who confesses he lied his way
out of a manslaughter charge, and Keenan Wynn, loudmouthed
salesman who boasts of his "sexy" wife. The plane
crashes; Merrill, only one of the four to survive, looks up
the relatives of each when he reaches Los Angeles. In the
process he discovers Wynn's "sexy" wife—Bette Davis— is
in reality a bedridden cripple. Shaken by her story of
Wynn's devotion, he tells his own—then decides to go back
to his wife.
.
CATCHLINES:
He Fled Blindly From the Shock of a Marriage That He
Believed Was Wrecked . Did Not Discover .
Was Almost Too Late Faith and
. .
Loyalty
Until It
Could
Save the Day.
THE STORY:
"Japanese War Bride"
While recuperating in Japan from injuries received in the
Korean war, Don Taylor falls in love with Shirley Yamaguchi,
a Red Cross nurse, and they marry. Arriving at the Taylor
family's home in Salinas, Calif., Taylor and his Japanese
bride move in temporarily, but friction arises because of the
jealousy of Marie Windsor, who still carries a torch for Don
although she is now married to his brother, Cameron
Mitchell. Shirley meets a Nisei family living nearby and
becomes friendly with Lane Nakano and his sister. Subsequently
she has a baby, and after the child is born Don receives
an anonymous letter hinting that the infant is not his, but
Nakano's. Shirley, afraid Don doubts her, runs away; Don
forces Marie to confess she wrote the note. He rescues
Shirley as she is about to kill herself, and they plan a
fresh start.
CATCHLINES:
Startingly Different . Compelling .
Introducing the Exotic Star of the Orient . . . Shirley Yamaguchi
... In Her First American Production .... In a Story
Poignantly, Thrillingly Told.
THE STORY:
"Miracle in Milan"
When a brisk little old lady finds a new-born infant under
a big cabbage, she raises the boy to be friendly and kind
When she dies, he is sent to an orphanage and, at 18, he
goes into the world with the desire to befriend everyone.
The boy makes friends with a hobo, who takes him to a
deserted meadow filled with shacks where the poor of Milan
live. Suddenly, oil is discovered on the land and the greedy
owner tries to dispossess the hoboes. But the old lady
descends from Heaven and gives the boy a dove which
will grant any wish he asks. He performs miracles for all
his hobo friends until two visitors from Heaven fly down
to retrieve the dove. The greedy landowner then hauls all
the hoboes off to prison but the magic bird returns and guides
all the hoboes straight into Heaven.
CATCHLINES:
The Most Enchanting, Engaging and Delightful Fantasy of
the Year . Man Who Directed "Shoe-Shine" and
"Bicycle Thief" Now Brings Forth Another Unusual Picture
of the New York Film Critics' Award as Best
Foreign Film of 1951 . Delightful and Different

j:
1 [i.irfioulars
' r
I .ind
. t;ive
M'Tience.
I
nept.
'
nr
602
iTES: 15c per word. TniniTnum S1.50, cash with copy. Four insortiona ior price ol three.
.OSING 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
naoer: One experienced operating theatre in
:ri:il community. Must be iiggressive exir
Good salary and working conditions.
family insurance. Sell yourself in first
rea,son for wanting change. Letter in
Itt u-e. Position in Midwest. Boxofllce. 4542.
ive-in manager wanted. Man to manage large
do luxe drive-in located in the Southeast.
iriiii operation. Fine opportunity (or the
III. in. Send picture, information regarding
lliiMtie experience, .salary expected, etc.. to
iur. 4543.
Protectionist, general maintenance. Small town
w Mexico. Starting salary $45 weekly. Boxice.
4544.
Wanted; Exploitation, promotion, assistant manr.
First run theatre, midwestern town 30.000.
product available. Must be go-getter; best
ercru'i's, good habits, bondable. Heal producer
write own ticket. Boxoffice, 4545.
Experienced projectionist wanted for Connecticut
atre (Jive references and salary desired. Boxice,
4548.
Drive-in theatre manager, metropolitan area;
te a\;v. salary and experience. Boxoffice. 4551.
Drive-in manager of ability can place himself in
position that nill give opportunity and monetary
urn. Nortti.rn Ohio location. Give full drIve-in
)ericnn' and expectancy. Write Boxoffice, 4552.
Outdoor theatre manager, all year around em-
)yniiiit Our theatre one of finest in the coun-
:iini rt'Muires man of all around outdoor operan
kiKiu-how. Group and family insurance. Give
mini mat ion in first letter, in confidence.
iMlioii in Midwest. AA BOXOFFICE. 624 S.
cliit:.i n Ave.. Chicago 5. 111.
Theatre managers wanted for small town Michin
theatres. Also two openings for managers
Ive-iiis Wife can manage concessions. State
first letter. and reference Box-
Vwiiiited: Experienced manager for first run sitii'M
State experience, age, reference. Write
w N Cochovcty. Avon Theatre. South Bend. Ind.
Wanted: Experienced drive-in operator, projectnist.
west Texas. Please tel! all first letter
d salary expected. Year round, permanent, ad-
4565.
.^..
Airmail to Boxoffice.
Excellent opcortunity .vh —
tahlished firm. Experience rebuilding theatre
ojcciion and sound equipment necessary. Boxfia-.
I5i;n
Thoroughly competent, willing worker wanted
tiduse manager, work under supervision owm-r.
r
.in.'tticr Must be willing to do anythng that
miN Knowledge of buying, bonking not
up.
stilt ill Must do some operating. Answer, givz
'
reference, lowest salary, late photo,
siniile. Boxoffice. 45G7.
ii.rful opportunity for manager new 700-seat
nn beautiful Mississippi gulf coast. IJnpnsslbility
right man. Unfurnished apartsalary
and percentage of gross. Wife act
lier if desired. Give qualifications, photo.
IS Boxoffice. 4568.
Need expert manager for modern drive-in Ihea-
' -nrithwest Louisiana. Salary plus percentage
i;lit man. Full particulars, please, Boxoffice,
POSmONS WANTED
Manager, 'M* \f;irs
.pinllation.
I'fcrred.
prnjectic
Drive-in
pcrience buying, booking.
New England territory
conventional. Boxoffice,
Projectionist, repairman, electrician, sound mainnani-c;
27 years experience; wants locate Florla.
Ciilf or border town. Interview first, my
;penst\ Boxoffice. 4572.
Manager. 6 years experience, some art work, exnitint:.
maintenance. Presently employed, mared.
nnc child, will go an>^vhere. Boxoffice. 4573.
POPCORN MACHINES
Popcorn machines, all maiies. JIUO up Kettle.
r i! mik''; popcorn machines, Con-;nlidated Con-
'-!i."- n]4 So, Wab.ish Ave. Hilcago 111,
kettles for all makes of machines
rar. M.mley pnppers. Candv corn equip-
EXCHANGES FOR SALE
oiportunity. "Mnlinii Vu'uw "Kxchangi
THEATRICAL PRINTING
STUDIO AND PRODUCTION
EQUIPMENT
my Eddy editinci kit uith ra^e. $2 50; Trcsto
- ^reorder olth pl.iyb.irk. $275; .\rtreeves
II recorder outfit. $1,995: Stliistek .i5/16mm
ri' reduction printer, rebuilt. $2,995; sound
'.^. single system, complete Belhowell outfit,
.Xuricon 16mm cnmera, $495: Kinevox
ft.. m. extends mike 15 $69.50; 16mm
t stand, complete. $2,250: Maurer resystem,
$1,995: Moviola Soundpii UHS,
'. $1,093; Bridsamatic 16mm automatic dedl:
machines, demonstrators. $795. Cash
lor used studio production equipment. Trades
C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602
i2nd St.. New York 19.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—USED
Two Powers projectors, Brenkerts new arc lamps,
UCA system, amplifier, speaker, complete to operate.
Bring your truck and $750. I£ex Tlieatre.
CotuUa. Tex,
Save 25% to 50% and more! lYade In your
old. wornout equipment for modern projection and
sound. Buy on time, pay out of increased boxoffice
receipts. Send etiuipment list and seating
capacity, llept. C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp.,
602 W. 52nd St.. New York 19. N. Y.
Two Holmes 35mm portable late model pro.;ectors.
like new. .Mso complete sound equipment.
J. $800. L. Hammer. Route 8. North Kansas
City. Vo.
Theatre years old. marquee, two with Wagner
10" Simplex projectors, rear shutters.
letters.
Two rectifiers. Eloctric ticket machine. KCA
sound No. 105. Two Brenkert lamps, KW.
1
Leonard Soskln, 12248 Grand River, Detroit 4.
Mlrh
Four Powers projectors, two Gardner lamps, pair
Wrber soundheads, pair SOS soundheads. RCA
amplifier. 10x12 screen, speaker, set rewinds,
Superstar popcorn machine, like new. Bring truck
and $800. Grove Theatre. Grove City, Ohio. Phone
H:i249.
GENERAL EQUIPMENT—NEW
Why pay more? Tempered M-asonite marquee letters
available in all colors: 4"—35c; 8"— 50c: 10"
—60c: 12"— 85c: 14"—$1.25; 16"—$1.50. Fits
Wagner, Adler, Bevelite signs. Dept. C, S.O.S.
Cinema Supply Corp.. 602 W. 52nd St., New
Vi.ik 19
Sell your picture and sound with flaraeproofed
fungiisproofed plastic screen. 391^0 sq ft.: beaded,
49y>c; reflectors, 20% off; coated lenses, $100
pair" A-25A amplifier. 25 watts w/monitor, $175;
Trusonic 2-Mav speaker system, $249.50. Dept.
C. S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W. 52nd St..
\>« York 19.
New bargains below present prices. Undercround
wire, arc lamps, rectifiers, speakers, projectors,
sound for drlve-ln. Boxoffice. 4570,
DRfVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT
Popcorn machines, half price. Wiener, Hamburger.
Sno-Cone, I'eanut Roasters. Bun Warmers.
I'oppers Supply, 146 Walton St.. Atlanta, Ga.
Drive- in theatre tickets. Send for samples of
our special printed stub rod tickets for drlve-lns.
Safe, distlnitive, easy to check. Kansas City
Ticket Co., Dent. 10. 109 W. ISlh St.. "Film
Row." Kansas City 8. Mo.
Drive-ins pay from income! Complete dual projection
and sound from $1,595: In-car speakers,
$15.95 pair, with junction box. All available on
Easy Payment Plan. Send for equipment list.
Dept. C, S.O.S. Cinema Supply Corp., 602 W.
St., 52nd New York 19.
SIGNS
Easy Way to Paint Sluns. Use letter patterns.
Avoid sloppy work and wasted time. No experience
needed for expert work. Write for free samples.
John R;ihn, B-1329, Central Ave., Chicago
51. 111.
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
Bingo with more action, $3.50 thousand cards.
Uso other games. Novelty Games Co., 1434
Bedford Ave., Brooklyn 16. N. Y
Giveaway New 1952 car. No cost to theatre,
or towns 5.000 population over. Merchant Advertising
tleup. Interstate Theatre Service, 1115
Eiist Armour, Kansas City. Missouri.
Comic books available as premiums, giveaways
your kiddy shows. Large variety, latest newsstand
at
editions. Comics Premium Co., 412B. Green-
St., N. C. wich Y. Publications for premiums
(exclusively! since 1939.
Bingo die-cut cards, 75 or 100 numbers, $3.50
per M. Premium Products. 339 W. 44th St., New
Vnrk 18. N Y
Double popcorn profits. Sell own pre-popped
corn, clubs, schools, taverns. Establish route
warmer, dispensers. Non coin. first this item
Be
your town. Ifs hot! Write High Hearth Enterprises.
S. Lewis, III., 551 Lomliard, or 240
Via Biiena Ventura. Rcdondo Beach. Calif.
Why suffer? Replace your worst nights with big
iixuffiee receipts, in advance! Costs theatre noth-
I;;. makes many new patrons! Successful showi.in
will personally disclose plan in letter for $5.
Innev back if it doesn't produce! Charlie Poori.in,
640 Mauch Chunk. Pottsville. Pa.
THEATRES WANTED
Theatre, Nebraska, western Iowa, northern Kansas.
No brokers. Over 400 seats. Town 1,800
population 01 over. Confidential. Experienced. L.
,1 Biirkllt. Sp.irta, Wis
Sell your theatre privately. 32nd year. Highest
reputation, know-how. Arthur Leak, Theatre
Specialist. 3305 Caruth, Dallas. Tex
Paying theatre. Stand Investigation. Town 1.500
over, .\rkansas. Texas. Oklahoma. Louisiana, New
Mexico. Boxoffice. 4536,
Wanted to buy: Several drive-In theatres. Please
give all information possible in first letter. Address
Dickinson Theatres. P. 0. Box 907, Mission,
Kas.
THEATRES FOR SALE
CLtflfilOG
Theatre For Sale; Selected listings in Oregon
and Washington now available. Write for list.
Theatre Exchange Co., Fine Arts Bldg., Portland.
build double parking Drlve-In theatre? under
franchise Patent 2.102.718. reissue 22.756. Up tn
30^c more seating capacity with little additional
cost. Louis Josserand, 3710 .Mt. Vernon, Hous-
Pacific Northwest theatres for sale. Write Irv
Bdwron. sales manager. Theatre Sales (Dlv. ).
Fred B. Ludwlg, Brk. 4229 N. E. Broadway,
Portland 13. Ore
Neighborhood theatre, St. Louis, 875 seats, fully
equipped. Now netting $16,000 yearly. Owner
full must devote time to other business; $20,000
down, balance easy terms. Boxoffice, 4527.
Orive-in theatre, Dallas, Tex. Beautiful, de
luxe: 600 speakers; all new equipment. Only
cliance to get into Dallas with drive-in; $135,000.
Some terms. "Joe" Joseph, 2021 Milton. Dallas.
290 seats. Small town between Dallas and
Waco. Brick building Included. $10,000 down.
"Joe" Joseph, 2621 Milton. Dallas.
Drive-in theatre nortiiern Ohio, on 80 acres.
Full set of farm buildings: 9 miles city 25,000.
Rich farming area, good hunting and fishing.
$75,000 cash for all this. For further details
write Raymond Ales, 151 W. Brown Ave., Carey.
Ohio.
Air conditioned, 572 seats, practically new
lot, building and equipment; large parking 210
feet on street. One-half cash and easy bahince
terms. Hi-Lawn Tlieatre. 2004 Grant Ave.. St.
Albans, W. Va. Phone 9541 or 81744
For sale by owner, theatre equipment and
brick building. Price $40,000 or will sell equipment
for $20,000 and lease the building. Almost
500, all upholstered chairs, Westlnghouse air
conditioning, new booth equipment in last two
years. Town of 1,200 ponulalion, good community,
good farming area and small towns close
by to draw from. Good popcorn business, also
one office and six-room apartment In building.
Reason selling, other interests. Mrs. T. H.
Sbthower, 136 Belmont, Wichita 8, Kas.
S.
Eastern Oklahoma family theatre. Aggressive
city 8.500. Owner states $250 weekly profit
conservatively: very satisfied but retirement distant
partner forces; $3,000 just spent remodeling,
decorating. Nearly new equipment. $21,000 down.
Leak. 3305 Caruth. Dallas, Tex.
ulati.
Southeast Missouri town 1.000 population, excellent
surrounding territory, 450-seat house,
in owner army and very desirous of selling.
is
estate not included. Gus J.
Will sacrifice, real
llaase. Theatre Broker. 726 MiM Bldg., Memphis
3. Tenn,
i^cw modern, finest equipment, air conditioned,
brick building. Louisiana's fastest growing industrial
city. Boxoffice, 4535
Non-competitive situation near Dalhis. 660
seats, refrigerated theatre, and 300 speakers,
steel tower drive-in already wired underground
for 100 more speakers. Fast growing town. Quick
payout. Tills year's income much higher than
previous years. Long lease at $350 month for both
properties. Price $100,000. Terms, halt down.
"Joe" Joseph. 2621 Milton. Dallas. Tex,
500-car drive-in. located on main highwas.
111. Mollne. Built in 1950. H. M. Foster, 3827
Central Ave,, Minneapolis, Minn.
Basin Orive-ln. Durango, Colo., 372-car. Monograph
equipped. Seven-month operation. Splendid
family operation. ConLict Ted Knox. 2054 Broadway.
Denver 2, Coin,
Traveling theatre bus, yellow co.ich, 70 seats,
fullv equipped, excellent condition. Reasonable.
Terms. Bo.voffice. 4550.
Finest county seat town, population 3.200. Only
theatre. 425 seats. A rare opportunity seldom
offered. $35,000 cash takes one-half interest,
will sell all. or Rivoli Theatre, Seward. Neb.
Central Illinois, good business town. New equipment,
330 seats; air conditioned. Two-story brick
building. $20,000 will handle. Boxoffice, 4546.
Only theatre, four years old. 540 seats, 20-ton
air conditioning. Three rentals plus nice modern
for apartment owner. Terms. $60,000. One-half
cash, balance five years. Must sell because of
sickness. Home Theatre, Zephyrhllls, Fla.
For sale: Tlieatre. fine opportunity: cheap. J,
StalUngs. 2543 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnati. Ohio.
Only theatre in southwest Kansas county seat
seats. Ide.il
town; 345 Competition 30 miles.
family. Other interests force sale. Modern home
opiional. Some terms. Boxoffice. 4553.
New Mexico; 2.000. New Simplex. Near caverns.
feet. 3,000 Good building goes. $300 week
profit. $15,000 down: $28,000 total. Boxoffice.
4556.
Two de luxe theatres, northwest Iowa. Towns
1,500 and 2.000. New buildings, top-notch situations.
Boxoffice, 4554.
Texas county seat, 4.000. Both shows. Remarkably
cooperative community. $39,000 down.
Rich cattle country. Similar near Dallas at
$35,000 down. Tills kind difficult locate. Eastern
Oklahoma family .show at $21,000 down. Ciiy
8 500. Arthur Leak, 3305 Caruth, Dallas. Tex.
Northern New Mexico. Only theatre county
scat. Population 7.000 320 seats. $10,000.
$2,250 handles. Write Boxoffice. 4555.
HflUSt
THEATRES FOR SALE (Cont'd)
520 seats, nearly new booth,
fine buildings, town 4,000, only theatre, $25,500
down, to reliable party. Near Joplln, Mo. Boxoffice.
4557.
One of the best suburban theatres in Mempiiis,
865 se.its, lireproof building, a real money maker.
Owner uislus to retire. This is a wonderful opportunity
for someone that wants a real proposition.
Will take about $60,000 cash payment to handle.
Boxoffice, 4560.
One finest suburbans New Mexico's leading city.
Personal visits only requested, as must see to
api>rcciate. $27.000 cash handles. Boxoffice, 4558,
$45,000 buys controlling Interest In $100,000
theatre corporation operating 600-seat house,
3V" years old. Terms to suit buyer. Boxoffice,
4561.
Completely modern 500-car Ne^• Mexico drlve-ln.
You or friends iiave enthused over this city, dominated
tills
by new money-making theatre. $00,000
down, Including valuable land; Truly unusual every
respect. Chance of lifetime. Boxoffice, 4559.
Two theatres: One is a ten-year lease for sale.
$7,500 cash and a honey of a proposition. The
other, for lease, is 800-seat house and $25,000
security. Boxoffice. 4563^
Northwest Arkansas growing town's only theatre.
Owner shows $6,500 profit. $9,000 down. Similar
north Texas, Arthur Leak, 3305 Caruth. Dallas.
Drive-in theatre. Simplex or Holmes equipped.
Operating year around. Co-op speakers; reasonable
price. Boxoffice, 4562.
San Antonio area. Exceptionally fine small
town theatre. $15,000 cash, reliable buyer.
You'll be pleased. 21 others from $9,000 down.
Arthur Leak. 3305 Caruth, Dallas, Tex.
THEATRE SEATING
Parts for ail chairs. Send sample tor quotation,
ensin Seating Co., Chicago 5.
Chair supplies. Bveiything for theatre dialra.
Feubin Seatuig Co.. Chicago 5.
Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity
wanted. Photographs mailed witli quotation. Fenaln
Seating Co.. Clilcago 5.
Seat covers; Sewed combinatiuna, all makes, ail
styles. Send your sample for quotation. Fensin
Seating Co., Ciiicago 5.
Patch-0-Seat cement. Patching cloth, solvent,
etc. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5.
Upholstery Fabrics; Ail kinds. All colors. Send
your sample for matching, i^'ensin Seating Co.,
Chicago 5.
Tighten loose chairs with Permastone anchor
cement. Fensin Seating Co.. Chicago 5.
No more torn seats: Repair with tlie original
Patch-A-Seat. Complete kit. $6. General Chair
Co.. Chicago 22. IIL
Chair Parts; We furnish most any part yon require.
Send sample for price, brackets, hacks
seats. and General Chair Co., 1308 Eistou Ave.,
Chicago 22, 111.
Several thousand used opera chairs now In
stock. Can furnish any amount you request. Full
upholstered back, insert panelback. boxspring and
spring edge seat. Write for photo and state
Incline. amount and We also manufacture new
chairs. General Chair Co., 1308-22 Elston Ave..
Chicago 22. 111.
Many years in the seating business Is yoar
guarantee. Good used chairs are not too plentiful
liut we have the pick. Full upholstered, panel
back and many other styles. We furnish proper
slope or level standards to fit your floor. All
size 18x21-inch *airs. Our prices are lowest.
Write for exact photo and price. We furnish parts
for all makes. Send sample. Good quality plastic
coated leatherette 25x26-inch. all colors. 55c ea.
Chicago Used Chair Mart, 829 South Slate St..
Chicago 5. 111.
No more loose chairs: Get "Firmastone" Anchor
ement, $5 per box. General Chair Co.. Clilcago
You'll be sitting pretty with these chair buys
of a lifetime: 200 Ileywood veneer, rebuilt. $3.95;
500 Heywood-Wakefield Inserted panelback. spring
cushion, rebuilt, $4.95. Many more. Send foe
Chair Bulletin. Dept. SOS. Cinema Supply
C,
Corp W. 52nd St., New York 19.
THEATRE TICKETS
Prompt service. Special printed roll tickets.
100.000, $26 70; 10.000, $7.80; 2.000. $4.95.
Bach change in admission price. Including change
in color, $3 extra. Double numbering extra.
F.O.B. City, Kansas order. Mo. Cash with Kansas
City Ticket Co., 109 W. 18th St., Kansas
Mo
City.
Drive-in theatre tickets. Send for samples of
our special printed stub rod tickets for drive-ins.
Safe distinctive, easy to check. Kansas City
Ticket Co., Dept. 10. 109 W. 18th St., "Film
Row." Kansas City 8, Mo.
MISCELLANEOUS
Tourist courts, Corsicana, Tex: 14 units: 3-bedroom
living quarters. Capacity business, $45,000.
Half down. "Joe" Joseph, 2621 Milton. Dalla.--
We i.ave several paying businesses for sale In
Dallas area. Let us know what you want. "Joe"
Joseph. 2621 Milton, Dallas.

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your local NSS
Exchange
nnnoniiL yjMUifatiar o
SERVICE
THE SROtTBT DRMU OF OUR HME!
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man.