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APRIL BLUE RIBBON AWARD WON<br />
BY WITH A SONG IN MY HEART<br />
Page 33<br />
S. i;,..i,al Kil.l .1. I<br />
.<br />
S-,'1 L-M YA-'.<br />
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION<br />
Includmi Ihi Stitiwtl Ntwi Pa|a •< AM C
:%<br />
^-'"1<br />
II<br />
mg<br />
PROJECTION ROOM<br />
PRIVATE<br />
is<br />
Believing!"<br />
i<br />
i^'<br />
V
THEY CAME<br />
"SEEING<br />
THEY SAW:<br />
BELIEVING'<br />
"SCARAMOUCHE"<br />
(Technicolor)<br />
Stewart Granger, Eleanor Parker,<br />
Janet Leigh, Mel Ferrer,<br />
Henry Wilcoxon, Nina Foch<br />
"LOVELY TO LOOK AT"<br />
{Technicolor)<br />
Kathryn Grayson, Red Skelton, Howard<br />
Keel, Marge and Gower Champion,<br />
Ann Miller<br />
"THE MERRY WIDOW"<br />
(Technicolor)<br />
Lana Turner, Fernando Lamas<br />
"IVANHOE"<br />
(Technicolor)<br />
Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor,<br />
Joan Fontaine, George Sanders,<br />
Emlyn Williams<br />
"PAT AND MIKE"<br />
spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn,<br />
Aldo Ray<br />
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE"<br />
{Technicolor)<br />
Mario Lanza, Doretta Morrow<br />
THEY BELIEVED<br />
I<br />
md they'll tell the nation that<br />
M-G-M HAS<br />
THE PICTURES!<br />
AND THERE ARE LOTS MORE JUST AS BIG: "Skirts Ahoy!" {Tech.) • "Carbine Williams" • "Above<br />
j\nd Beyond" "Mr. Congressman" • • "The Girl In White" • "The Story of Three Loves" {Tech.) • "One Piece<br />
iBathing Suit" (Tech.) "Plymouth Adventure" {Tech.) "Prisoner of Zenda" • • (Tech.) "Everything • I Have Is<br />
Vours" {Tech.) •<br />
"Tribute To A Bad Man" • "The Devil Makes Three" • "Fearless Fagan" • and others.
About<br />
Ab PHl
» i<br />
I<br />
i 1<br />
^<br />
WESSON • VIRGINIA GIBSON •<br />
. _<br />
PHyiLIS<br />
SCREEN PLAY BY<br />
KIRK •<br />
PRODnrFn<br />
AILEEN STANLEYS.<br />
nv DIRECTED BY 7<br />
lEY-LARRY KEAIING-CLIFF FERRE-JOHN BAER-PEIER MILNE -WILLIAM JACOBS-ROy Del RDIH<br />
NUMBERS STAGED AND<br />
> BY LeRoy Prinz<br />
^^-<br />
^^<br />
. . . y\>0-CA> ^ti^uuiHxnxL 'r^\xxrudkj o-u-eA^tb Pcu^U /f
I<br />
rhe"Cheap€r hy f^e\<br />
Dozen" Fatni/y<br />
ALBANY<br />
MII/f/eAPOUS<br />
...and now we're coming<br />
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE<br />
o<br />
to your house- to stay I<br />
j^<br />
CENTURY-FOX BUSINESS!
u^ o/' (/le //lo^icn ri'c/mj^ //ulii4h//<br />
HE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
Publithed in Nine Sectional Editions<br />
BEN SHLYEN<br />
';dilor-in-Chief<br />
and Publisher<br />
\MES M. lERAULD Editor<br />
ATHAN COHEN ...Executive Editor<br />
;SSE SHLYEN Managing Editor<br />
/AN SPEAR Western Editor<br />
L THATCHER.. ..Equipment Editor<br />
|5HN G. TINSLEY. Advertising Mgr<br />
Publistied Every Saturday by<br />
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS<br />
ubiication Offices: 83S Van Brunt Rlvd<br />
•nias City 1. Mo. Natlian Tolien, Execn-<br />
« Mllor; Jf.«e Stilyen. JIannglnj EdI<br />
'r: Morris Sctilozman. Business Manager<br />
L. Thalfhrr, Editor The Modern Theatre<br />
Action: llerliert Roiish. Sales Manager<br />
I'lephone nieslnlit 7777.<br />
Ijitorial Offices: 9 Rockefeller Plaza, Nen<br />
'of» SO. N. y. John 0. TInsley. Advertls-<br />
*t Manager; James M. Jerauld, Editor:<br />
liester Friedman. Editor Shovrmandlser<br />
{•ctlon: Lou n. Gerard. Editor Promotion<br />
I'Ctlon: A. J. Stocker. Equipment Adverlilng.<br />
Telephone COlumbus 5-6.170.<br />
intral Offices: Editorial—624 8. MIchI<br />
in Aie.. Chicago 5. 111. Jonas Perlherg.<br />
I— hone WEtjster 9-4745. Advertising<br />
"lit Wacker Prlte. Chicago 1. 111.<br />
; Hutchison and E. E. Yeck. Tele-<br />
,nc ANdoter 3-3042.<br />
.estern Offices: Editorial and Film Adver-<br />
'ilng—0404 Hollywood Blvd.. Hollvwond<br />
jl. Calif. Ivan Spear, manager. Telelone<br />
Ol.ad-stone 1186. Equipment and<br />
|in-Fllm Advertising—072 S. l.aFayette<br />
lirk Place. Los Angeles, Calif. Boh Wett-<br />
!ln. manager. Telephone DUnklrk 8-2280<br />
'ashinnfon Offices: Al Goldsmith. 1365<br />
illonal Press BIdg. Phone MPtroiinlltnn<br />
;I01. Sara Young. 415 Third St.. N W,<br />
'mdon Offices; Sunnybrook Farm. Cole-<br />
Im's Hatch. Sussex. Telephone Cole-<br />
!iD's natch 95. John Sullivan, manager.<br />
'ie M«nERN TnF.ATItE Section Is Iniided<br />
In the first Issue of each month<br />
PROMOTION Section Is Included In<br />
i«<br />
}e third Issue of each month.<br />
'htnt: 21-23 Waller Ave.. J. S. Cnnners<br />
Irmlnglnm: The News. Eddie Badger.<br />
'Bton: Frances W. Harding. Lib. 2-9305<br />
larlolte: Emory WIster. Charlotte News<br />
oelniutl: 4029 Reading, Lillian Lazarus,<br />
leieland: Elsie I.oeh, Falrmount 1-0046.<br />
Iillas: 612^4 E. Jefferson, Frank Bradley<br />
ifiter: 1645 lafayelte. Jack Rose,<br />
js Moines: Register- Tribune, Russ Schoch.<br />
,'trolt: Fox Theatre BIdg., H. F. Reves.<br />
dianapolls: Route 8. Box 770, Howard<br />
IM. Rudeaux. GA 3339.<br />
mphls: 707 Spring St., Null Adams.<br />
:e«poIls: 2123 Fremont. So.. I,es Rees.<br />
i» Haven: 42 Church. Gertrude Lander.<br />
w Orleans: Frances Jordan. N.O States.<br />
?<br />
la. City: 1740 NW. 17th. Polly Trlndle.<br />
Iiaha: 911 51st St.. Irving Baker,<br />
inadelnhla: 6363 Berks. Norman Shigon.<br />
[tjtiirjh: R. F. Kllngensmlth. 516 Jeannette.<br />
Wllklnshurg. Churchill 1-2809.<br />
rtland. Ore.: Arnold Marks. Oregon<br />
'Joiinial.<br />
l.oiils: 5149 Rosa. David Barrett.<br />
It Uke City: Deseret News. H. Pearson.<br />
!» Antonio: 326 San Pedro. B-30380.<br />
jL. J. B Kctner.<br />
|i Francisco: Gall LIpman. 25 Taylor St..<br />
lOrdwa; 3-4812. Advertising: Jerry No-<br />
•ell. Howard BIdg., 209 Post St.,<br />
VOkon 6-2522.<br />
iltle: 1303 Campus Pkwy. nave Ballard<br />
In Canada<br />
my: The Herald. Mvrnn Laka.<br />
ntreal: 4330 Wilson. Rov Carmlchael<br />
John: no Prince Edward. W. McNulty.<br />
•onto: R R. 1, Tork Mills. M. Galhralth<br />
acmiier: f.yrlc Theatre BIdg. Jack Prnr<br />
nnlpeg: 282 Rupertsland. Ben Somraers.<br />
Mifflber Audit Bureau of Circulations<br />
lered as Second Cla.ss matter at Post<br />
Ice. Kansas CItv. Mo. Sectional Edition.<br />
"0 per year: National Edition. 17.50<br />
A Y<br />
• I<br />
61<br />
1 0, 19 5 2<br />
No. 2<br />
A «_^^^ CC.L'RATE diagnosis is essciiliai to (he<br />
cure of huniaii ills. Wlipii a doctor knows what's<br />
wrong with a patient, he usually can prescribe<br />
the proper medicine for the cure. This should<br />
also work in the case of business "illness." Find<br />
the trouble cause and the means of overcoming<br />
it is the more easily discerned.<br />
This, at any rate, is proposed in an interesting<br />
letter received from John D. Fernicola.<br />
exhibitor at Cenlreville. Md.. who seems to be<br />
a rather good diagnostician himself. Mr. Fernirolas<br />
letter follows:<br />
Wien a theatre suffers a drop in crosses<br />
it is comparable to a person who finds himself<br />
losing weight and cannot account for it.<br />
The loss in weight to a human is cause for<br />
alarm and he is immediately dispatched to a<br />
physician to determine the reason.<br />
A race horse with good breeding who fails<br />
to live U|) to expectations means an investigation<br />
bv the owner, trainer, jockey and the<br />
stable boys in an effort to determine what is<br />
wrong. The veterinarian is called in, the feed<br />
examined and every other avenue explored. In<br />
other words, a clinical experiment is carried<br />
on in an effort to solve the problem.<br />
Now, what does the loss in weight of a person<br />
or the failure of a horse to develop have<br />
to do with the motion picture industry? ... a<br />
great deal because, like the human and the<br />
horse the industry must establish a "THE-<br />
ATRE CLINIC" for the purpose, of research<br />
in an effort to cure the ailing boxoffice.<br />
A THEATRE CLINIC<br />
The motion picture industry knows the<br />
value of clinics and their effect upon extending<br />
the life span of Americans. I believe,<br />
therefore, that it will realize the importance<br />
of creating one for itself and save theatre lives.<br />
So let's get to work in our own clinic for<br />
our own benefit and help put the patient back<br />
on the road to recovery:<br />
1. Establish the Theatre Clinic in fart,<br />
press releases.<br />
instead<br />
2. Find out if the patient is a seasonal sufferer and,<br />
if so, prescribe mediration to give him relief<br />
during that season.<br />
3. Delve into the exploitation, advertising and publicity<br />
used.<br />
4. Examine the heart (bookings) thoroughly.<br />
(a) Determine if the same type of programs are<br />
used continually on weekends,<br />
fb) If musicals are used too often or too close.<br />
(c) If percentage pictures hurt or help a theatre.<br />
(d) What an exhibitor has left for midweek.<br />
te) What types of bookings have caused a drop in<br />
teenage and children's attendance.<br />
(f) Whether film rentals have actually increased<br />
during the low gross periods as against periods of<br />
higher grosses.<br />
These are some of the problems involved<br />
for clinical study. There are others and<br />
knowledge of which would be beneficial to<br />
distributor and exhibitor alike.<br />
of<br />
The Theatre (iliiiic must not be an individual<br />
company venture; it must be a coordinated<br />
effort with each company represented<br />
to study the diagnosis and then join<br />
in )irescribing for the jiatient so that the<br />
dosage of medication will be uniform and<br />
therebv expedite the recovery of the patient<br />
and, when that is accomplished, the recipient<br />
of the good mediet's solve the problem by being honest<br />
with each other. If after the companies reach<br />
an accord as to what the prescription should<br />
be and the patient refuses to take the medicine,<br />
then the case is incurable. However, I doubt<br />
if there is a person who wants to die without<br />
exhausting every means of salvation.<br />
Surveys and Movietime I .S.A.s are temporary<br />
relief measures. The first thing to do<br />
is to determine the cause of the "pain" and<br />
then work at getting the patient on his feet<br />
until a substantial recovery has been effected.<br />
From that point on, he is on his own. When<br />
the patient has recovered sufficiently or has<br />
been saved, it not only benefits him, but insjiires<br />
the doctor to continue his good work<br />
and help others in similar circumstances.<br />
Mr. Fernicola's Theatre Clinic idea might well<br />
be a topic of discussion and consideration for<br />
the forthcoming Texas COMPO conference to<br />
be held at Dallas on June 9-11 at which representative<br />
exhibitors from all parts of the country,<br />
as well as distributors and producers will be<br />
present.<br />
Technological<br />
•K *<br />
Progress<br />
There is a growing interest in engineering<br />
among motion picture people which Peter Mole,<br />
president of the Society of Motion Picture and<br />
Television Engineers, views optimistically for<br />
future motion picture progress. In his opening<br />
address to the gathering of SMPTE members<br />
at the 71st semiannual meeting at Chicago, Mr.<br />
Mole again stressed the need for the industry's<br />
businessmen — producers, distributors and exhibitors—to<br />
team more closely with their engineers.<br />
In this way. he pointed out, the technological<br />
advances vital to the industry's business<br />
success could be achieved.<br />
Through the coordination of these effort*,<br />
aided by the skill and technical knowledge of<br />
SMPTE members, there is envisaged the practical<br />
development of third-dimension films for<br />
theatre use; new or enlarged facilities for color<br />
filming; improvements in screen design or il<br />
lumination of the surrounding area, among<br />
other things that will enhance the patron-at<br />
traction value of motion picture presentation.<br />
\JL^ /OMuLfi^l^
;<br />
ALLIED ASKS FOR OPEN BIDDING;<br />
HITS UPPED-ADMISSION FILMS<br />
Nat'l Board Also Reiterates<br />
Its<br />
Preference for Allinclusive<br />
Arbitration<br />
COLORADO SPRINGS—Tlie board of<br />
Allied States Ass'n at its spring meeting<br />
this week struck out at "blind" competitive<br />
bidding and terms for pictures which force<br />
exhibitors to increase their admission<br />
prices.<br />
On arbitration, the board said it "regrets<br />
that the distributors apparently are unwilling<br />
to agree to an all-inclusive arbitration<br />
system along the lines recommended<br />
by Allied" and authorized its representatives<br />
on the arbitration panel to continue<br />
working for such a system.<br />
TO WITHHOLD ITS STAND<br />
Allied will withhold approving or disapproving<br />
action until a final draft of a plan<br />
acceptable to distributors is presented to the<br />
Allied board for action.<br />
The board approved a strong statement of<br />
its position on competitive bidding.<br />
"Allied always has opposed competitive bidding<br />
for many reasons which have often been<br />
expressed, especially that it tends to a monopoly<br />
by the exhibitor having the 'long<br />
purse.' " the statement said.<br />
"Nevertheless this board recognizes that,<br />
despite its protests, competitive bidding is<br />
still being imposed by the distributors upon<br />
the exhibitors and is aware that many complaints<br />
have been received at national headquarters<br />
of irregularities in the consideration<br />
of the bids and the awarding of the pictures."<br />
The board was convinced that the only<br />
way that these abuses can be eliminated and<br />
confidence in the practice maintained is for<br />
the distributors to reveal all bids to the<br />
bidders after an award has been made. It<br />
called upon the distributors to make this<br />
reform.<br />
"In view of the fact that open bidding prevails<br />
in public contracts and in other industries,<br />
we can only assume that blind bidding<br />
is used by the distributors for the purpose<br />
and with the effect of concealing irregularities<br />
and discriminations in making the<br />
awards," the statement read.<br />
'COULD WELL BE SUICIDAL'<br />
On increased admission pictures, the board<br />
said the practice of asking such high rentals<br />
for pictures that upped scales are forced upon<br />
theatremen "could well be called suicidal<br />
when viewed from an industry standpoint."<br />
"The exhibitor knowing the demand of the<br />
public for the best in boxoffice attractions<br />
has a gun pointed at his head and the fatal<br />
choice of la) not running such productions<br />
and depriving his patrons of widely advertised<br />
and publicized attractions or (.b) transferring<br />
the gun to the public's head with a<br />
demand for admissions far in excess of normal<br />
and greater than they can afford under<br />
the present economic conditions."<br />
This, said the board, "presents an almost<br />
impossible choice with the exhibitor in the<br />
middle and having to 'pay' with public ill<br />
At the Allied board of directors spring meeting at the Broadmoor hotel, Colorado<br />
Springs: Standing, left to right, Ben Marcus, Milwaukee, treasurer; Trueman Rembusch,<br />
Franklin, Ind., named Allied representative of the interim cominitt«e to operate<br />
COMPO. Seated, left to right, John Wolfberg, Denver, secretary; Col. A. H. Cole,<br />
Dallas; Wilbur Snaper, New York, president, and Abram F. Myers, Washington, D. C,<br />
chairman and general counsel.<br />
will whichever way he goes." Such a situation<br />
is intolerable and one that Allied cannot<br />
too forcefully call to the attention of those<br />
who make the final decision, the distributors,<br />
the statement declared.<br />
The board also took an exceptional action<br />
in a statement attacking selling practices of<br />
Paramount. A statement was formally issued<br />
pointing out that a poll of Allied units across<br />
the country on film selling abuses by all the<br />
film companies was taken and "the conclusion<br />
was reached that the No. 1 offender is<br />
Paramount Film Distributing Corp." Most<br />
complaints were that the company was consistently<br />
over-allocating pictures, imposing<br />
zone and mass bidding, continuing distribu-<br />
Report ASCAP Ready<br />
To Tax Non-Film Music<br />
COLORADO SPRINGS — A b r a m F.<br />
Myers, Allied's general counsel, reported<br />
that Ascap intends to again license the<br />
use of music in theatres, this time for<br />
music which is not on the actual film,<br />
at the meeting of the Rocky Mountain<br />
Allied unit this week. This includes incidential<br />
music, use of records or wire recordings<br />
of anything that Ascap controls.<br />
The proposed charges, he revealed,<br />
would run about as follows: $15 a year<br />
for theatres of 600 seats or less; $24 for<br />
theatres 600 to 1,200 seats, $36 for 1,200 to<br />
1,600 seats; $48 for theatres over 1,600<br />
seats. For drive-ins, the fee would be $3<br />
a month for 350 cars or less; $4 for<br />
350-650 cars; $5 for 650 cars or over.<br />
Myers said the present plan is to put<br />
the license plan into effect in about six<br />
months.<br />
tion of Pine-Thomas pictures when Pine-<br />
Thomas films are being shown free on TV,<br />
employing the "silent treatment" in solicitation<br />
by its sales force "in the cases of those<br />
exhibitors who elect to exercise their legal<br />
rights in buying selective deals."<br />
The board also said a complaint was that<br />
the company used top boxoffice attractions,<br />
such as "Sailor Beware," to increase top<br />
rentals, "thereby establishing new precedents<br />
and a yardstick for a general increase in all<br />
future deals."<br />
The board named Trueman Rembusch as<br />
Allied's representative on the three-man<br />
board which will operate COMPO until an<br />
executive director is employed.<br />
Attending the meeting were: Wilbur<br />
Snaper, New Jersey; A. F. Myers, Washington;<br />
Ben Marcus, Milwaukee; John Wolfberg,<br />
Denver; Ray Feeley, Boston; Leon B. Back,<br />
Baltimore; Rube Shor, Cincinnati; Morris<br />
Finkel, Pittsburgh; Martin G. Smith, Toledo;<br />
Allen Johnson, Grand Rapids; Charles Niles,<br />
Anamosa, Iowa; Jay Wooten, Hutchinson,<br />
Kas.; Bennie Berger, Minneapolis; R. Vernon<br />
McGinnis, Tulsa; Abe Berenson, New<br />
Orleans, and H. A. Cole, Dallas.<br />
RKO Theatres Net Profit<br />
Down for First Quarter<br />
NEW YORK—Sol A.<br />
Schwartz, RKO Theatres<br />
president, reported Tuesday (6) that<br />
the consolidated net profit for the first 1952 ||<br />
quarter was $137,867.39 after taxes and all<br />
other charges and that it included $7,264.56<br />
from the sale of capital assets before taxes. ,<br />
This was a decrease from 1951 figures when ;<br />
the company reported a consolidated net<br />
,<br />
profit of $441,941.72 after taxes and all<br />
charges, including a profit of $370,703.49 from<br />
the sale of capital assets before taxes.<br />
'<br />
%t<br />
8 BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952
MGM TO PRODUCE 81 FEATURES.<br />
39 IN COLOR. BY JAN. I 1954<br />
So Dore Schary Reveals<br />
To Top Exhibitors at<br />
Big Studio Conclave<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Dore Schary told the<br />
nation's top exhibitors at the "Seeing Is<br />
Believing" conference that a total of 81<br />
Important pictures will come from Metro-<br />
Goldwyn-Mayer by Jan. 1, 1954.<br />
Schary. MGM's vice-president in<br />
charge of<br />
production, made the announcement at the<br />
opening session of the unique production<br />
presentation, attended by approximately 100<br />
important exhibitors and representatives of<br />
the tradepress. It was the largest delegation<br />
of theatremen ever assembled at one studio.<br />
They were studio guests for a three-day<br />
period, during which visitors looked at new<br />
pictures and participated in discussions of<br />
merchandising problems.<br />
SCHARY, REAGAN, DIETZ HOSTS<br />
Along with Schary, hosts included Charles<br />
M. Reagan, company sales manager; Howard<br />
Dietz, director of advertising, publicity and<br />
exploitation, and studio executives.<br />
Included in the 81 productions which the<br />
company will have in the next 18 months, 19<br />
are completed and ready for release, 11 are in<br />
production and 53 are in active preparation,<br />
Schary said. Approximately half, 39, will be<br />
in color—the majority in Technicolor and a<br />
limited number in the Ansco Color.<br />
"Such long-range plans offer powerful evidence<br />
of the faith of our company's officials<br />
in the future of the picture industry," he<br />
said. "The investment in such a production<br />
program is obviously tremendous and I can<br />
think of no greater demonstration of confidence<br />
in the future of any business."<br />
The studio chief said that many of the<br />
story properties are in final script form, ready<br />
at any time to go before the cameras. This,<br />
he pointed out, will prove a powerful factor<br />
in curtailment of casting problems due to<br />
overlapping commitments of stars and directors.<br />
The exhibitors, most of whom were flown in<br />
for the affair, were preceded by Reagan, Dietz,<br />
H. M. Richey, Si Seadler, the firm's advertising<br />
director; Dan Terrell, exploitation<br />
chief, and E. M. Saunders, assistant to<br />
Reagan.<br />
SEEING IS BELIEVING' THEME<br />
The "Seeing Is Believing" slogan was fashioned<br />
as the theme for the screening of six<br />
new Metro features. To be shown were<br />
"Scaramouche," a Carey Wilson production<br />
in Technicolor, directed by George Sidney;<br />
"Ivanhoe," in Technicolor, megged by Richard<br />
Thorpe for Producer Pandro S. Herman;<br />
The Merry Widow," in Technicolor, produced<br />
by Joseph Pasternak, directed by Curtis<br />
Bernhardt; "Because You're Mine," Technicolor<br />
musical, also a Pasternak production,<br />
which Alexander Hall directed; "Lovely to<br />
Look At," in Technicolor, directed by Mervyn<br />
LeRoy, produced by Jack Cummings and "Pat<br />
and Mike," a Lawrence Weingarten production,<br />
megged by George Cukor.<br />
Highlights from pictures currently before<br />
^tJAj-T<br />
\<br />
*\1l-<br />
DORE SCHARY<br />
"... 4 Devionstration of Confidence"<br />
the cameras were also to be screened. In<br />
conjunction with the screenings, the assembled<br />
showmen were to be queried for their<br />
reactions to the new product and exploitation<br />
and merchandising suggestions thereon.<br />
Also on the agenda were tours of the studio,<br />
luncheons and buffet suppers, and a dinner<br />
party Saturday evening (10) to conclude the<br />
meetings.<br />
The 53 pictures which MGM has on its<br />
future schedule include;<br />
Never Let Go, starring Clark Gable, to be produced<br />
by Clarence Brown, with Delmer Daves directing.<br />
The Naked Spur, starring James Stewart, Robert<br />
Ryan, Janet Leigh, to be produced by William Wright,<br />
directed by Anthony Mann.<br />
Guests at MGM's 'Seeing Is<br />
ALLIED STATES:<br />
Ben Morcus, Milwaukee<br />
Wilbur Snaper, New York<br />
John Wolfberg, Denver<br />
TOA:<br />
Max Connett, Newton,<br />
Miss.<br />
Leonard Goldenson, N. Y.<br />
J, J. O'Leory, Scranton<br />
Walter Reode jr., N. Y.<br />
John Rowley, Dallas<br />
Mitchell Wolfson, Miami<br />
MMPTO:<br />
Edward Rugoff, N. Y.<br />
Horry Goldberg, N. Y.<br />
Russell Downing, N. Y.<br />
Leo Brecher, N. Y.<br />
ITOA:<br />
Max Cohen, N. Y.<br />
Wm. Namenson, N. Y.<br />
Julius Sanders, N. Y.<br />
Dave Weinstock, N. Y.<br />
WTO:<br />
H. V. Harvey, San Francisco<br />
Ben Levin, Son Francisco<br />
AT-LARGE:<br />
George Aurclio, Phoenix<br />
Elmer Boloban, Chicago<br />
F. H. Bcddingfield, Charlotte<br />
Bennie Berger, Minneapolis<br />
)oe Blumenfeld, Son Froncisco<br />
George Bowser, Los Angeles<br />
William Connors, Seottle<br />
James Coston, Chicago<br />
Joseph J. Deitsch, Jocksonville,<br />
Flo.<br />
Glen Dickinson jr., Konsas<br />
City<br />
Oscor Doob, N. Y.<br />
Gaston Dureau, New Orleans<br />
Claude Ezell, Dallas<br />
S. H. Fobion, N. Y.<br />
Wm. Formon, Seattle<br />
Horry French, Minneapolis<br />
Dominic Frtsino, Springfield,<br />
III.<br />
Ted Gomble, Milwoukee<br />
Morton Gerber, Washington<br />
J. B. Glochepo, Springfield,<br />
III.<br />
Chos. Gilmour, Denver<br />
Rolph Goldberg, Omoho<br />
Wm. Gotdmon, Philodelphio<br />
Julius Gordon, Beoumont<br />
M. F. Gowthorpe, Detroit<br />
H. S, Griffing, Oklo. City<br />
R, J. Griffith, Dollos<br />
Jim Harrison, Atlonto<br />
Young B*ii, in Technicolor, with Stewart Granger,<br />
Joan Simmons, Charles Loughton, to be produced by<br />
Sidney Fronklin and directed by George Sidney.<br />
Jullui Coeior, Shakespearean drama, in Technicolor<br />
with an all-star cost, produced by John Houseman<br />
The Moking of o Morin«« m Ansco Color, with on<br />
all-star cost of young MGM personalities, to be produced<br />
by Dore Schory<br />
The Student Prince, Technicolor musical starring<br />
Mono Lanza, from Sigmund Romberg's sta9C success,<br />
to be produced by Joe Pasternak and directed by<br />
Curtis Bernhordt<br />
Small Town Girl, Technicolor musical starring Jone<br />
Powell, to be produced by Joe Pasternak. Leslie<br />
Kordos to direct.<br />
The Sobb*n' Women, Technicolor musicol from<br />
story by Stephen Vincent Bcnet, with 14 stors, to<br />
be produced by Jack Cummings.<br />
Voquero, Technicolor outdoor drama by Frank Fenton<br />
to be produced by Stephen Ames.<br />
All the Brothers Were Valiont, Technicolor adventure<br />
dromo stornng Robert Toylor ond Stewort Granger<br />
To be produced by Pandro S. Bermon.<br />
Brigadoon, Technicolor musical starring Gene Kelly<br />
and Kathryn Grayson, to be produced by Arthur<br />
Freed<br />
Prince Valiont, in Technicolor, adopted from King<br />
Feotures historicol Sunday feature which has an<br />
oudience of 43,000,000 readers.<br />
The Girl Who Hod Everything, stornng Elizat>eth<br />
Taylor, William Powell, to be produced by Armand<br />
Deutsch.<br />
Jumbo, Technicolor musical extravaganza, stornng<br />
Red Skelton, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds,<br />
music by Richard Rodgers ond Lorenz Hart, to be<br />
produced by Roger Edens.<br />
Lotin Lovers, in Technicolor, starring Lana Turner<br />
ond Fernando Lomos, to be produced by Joe Pasternak.<br />
The Lonesome Gal, to be produced by Nicholas<br />
Noyfock.<br />
Sombrero, in Ansco Color, starring Pier Angeli,<br />
Riccrdo Montolban, Vittorio Gossmonn and Cyd<br />
Charisse, to be produced by Jack Cummings ond<br />
directed by Norman Foster.<br />
Dongerous When Wet, Technicolor extrovagonzo<br />
starring Esther Williams, Fernando Lamas, Marione<br />
Mom, to be produced by George Wells with Chorles<br />
Walters directing.<br />
Apoche Troil, storring Gilbert Roland, to be produced<br />
by Hayes Goetz and directed by Horold Kress.<br />
Remains to Be Seen, from New York stage hit by<br />
Howard Lindsey and Russell Grouse, to star Debbie<br />
Reynolds, to be produced by Arthur Hornblow jr.<br />
Jetterson Selleck, best-selling novel by Carl Jonos,<br />
starring Spencer Tracy, to be written, produced ond<br />
directed by Joseph Monkiewicz.<br />
Years Ago, stage hit by Garson Konin and Ruth<br />
(Continued on page 10<br />
Believing' Conference<br />
Roy Hendry, Solt Loke<br />
City<br />
Earl Herndon, Ind'nopolis<br />
Earl Hudson, Detroit<br />
J. C. Hunter, Tulso<br />
E, L. Hymon, N. Y.<br />
Phil Isley, Dollos<br />
H. E. Jomeyson, K. C.<br />
W. K, Jenkins, Atlonto<br />
Harry Kolmine, N. Y.<br />
Jock Kirsch, Chicago<br />
Senn Lowler, K. C.<br />
Mortin Levine, N. Y.<br />
M. A. Lightmon sr.,<br />
Memphis<br />
Robert Lippert, L. A.<br />
Dole MocForlond, Des<br />
Moines<br />
George Monn, Son Froncisco<br />
Ted Monn, Minneopolis<br />
E. D. Martin, Columbus,<br />
Go.<br />
Jock Mottock, Portland<br />
Pot McGee, Denver<br />
H, B. Meiselmon, Chorlotte<br />
George Milner,<br />
Son Froncisco<br />
M. J. Mulltn, Boston<br />
Marshall Noify, Son<br />
Froncisco<br />
Robert Noify,<br />
Son Froncisco<br />
R. J. O'Donnell, Dollos<br />
Sam Pmonski, Boston<br />
Bert Pirosch, L. A.<br />
Mike Rosenberg, L. A.<br />
J. J Rosenfield, Spokonc<br />
Ed Rowley, Dollos<br />
Louis Schine, Gloversville<br />
Fred Schwartz, N. Y.<br />
Sol Schwortz, N. Y.<br />
B. F. Shearer, Seottle<br />
Ed Silverman, Chicago<br />
C. P. Skouros, L. A.<br />
George Skouros, N. Y.<br />
Roy Smort, Chorlotte<br />
Fred Stein, L. A.<br />
Worth Stewort, Chorlotte<br />
Dove Wollerstein, Chicago<br />
F. G. Weis, Sovonnoh<br />
R. M. Weitmon, N Y.<br />
Ed Zobel, L. A.<br />
Jerry Zigmond, Son<br />
Francisco<br />
TRADEPRESS:<br />
Charles Alicoote<br />
Gene A rnee I<br />
Joy Emanuel<br />
Pete Harrison<br />
Red Konn<br />
Charles E. Lewis<br />
Mortin Quigley ir.<br />
Joe Schoenfeld<br />
Ben Shiyen<br />
Mort Sunshine<br />
Mo Wax<br />
VV R Wtlkerson<br />
BOXOFTICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952<br />
I'i.
Have<br />
IPui^C ^Cat^<br />
Six Exhibitors to Testify<br />
For FCC Against Para.<br />
The following will be a.sked to explain how<br />
Paramount's trade practJces before divestiture<br />
affected tliem: Mrs. J. M. Anderson,<br />
Boone, Iowa: Carl Kniidsen, Seward, Neb.;<br />
Fred F. Curdts. Greenville, S. C: Charles<br />
Walder. Miami, Fla.; Arthur- P. Saas. and<br />
San; C. Myers, both of Chicago.<br />
*<br />
TV Earnings Are Added<br />
As MPAA Dues Basis<br />
These lire based on one-half of I per cent<br />
of the domestic gi-oss of the companies: hope<br />
to counteract losses sustained through divorcement<br />
of theatres from Uie majors.<br />
*<br />
Theatre Video in<br />
Color<br />
Is Planned by RCA<br />
David Sarnoff. board chairman, tells stockholders<br />
at 33rd annual meeting about an experimental<br />
program to provide for conversion<br />
of its present black-and-white equipment.<br />
*<br />
Two N. Y. Antitrust Suits<br />
Ask $7,500,000 Damages<br />
Samuel I. Orson and Harold W. F^-iedman<br />
seek $4,500,000 for alleged discrimination in<br />
rentals and clearances against the Colonial<br />
Theatre, Albany, and TC Theatre Corp., operator<br />
of the Biltmore, Mount Vernon, wants<br />
$3,000,000.<br />
*<br />
Ted R. Gamble Will Seek<br />
TV Station in Portland<br />
Now head of Northwest Television & Broadcasting<br />
Corp., as well as theatre group and<br />
will apply to Federal Communications Commission<br />
for channel allotment.<br />
Emphasizes Film Theatre<br />
Aids Retail Business<br />
"Provides a great stimulant by attracting<br />
people into business sections of towns and<br />
cities," Maurice A. Bergman, U-I public relations<br />
director, tells Junior Chamber of Commerce<br />
in Canton, Ohio.<br />
*<br />
U.S. Firms. British Income<br />
Continue Upward Trend<br />
Total of $45,752,000 for year ending March<br />
31 was within $2,142,000 of the 1947 record<br />
and the gain is continuing with the help of<br />
receipts from the Eady plan.<br />
Compromise Film Agreement<br />
With Belgium Is Approved<br />
Eric Johnston, MPEA president now in<br />
France, and Belgian minister of economics<br />
sign pact providing voluntary limit of 251 on<br />
U.S. feature imports in order to avoid quota.<br />
*<br />
Universal Chicago Meeting<br />
On Sales and Promotion<br />
Home office sales executives, district managers<br />
and promotion executives will convene<br />
at the Hotel Blackstone, May 14-16, to discuss<br />
"The World in His Arms" and other top<br />
product.<br />
William Fox, Founder of Film Empire<br />
Bearing His Name, Is Dead at 73<br />
NEW YORK—Wiliiim Fox, wlio.se Sl,600<br />
investment in a nickelodeon shortly after<br />
the turn of the century brought him a personal<br />
fortune of more than $35,000,000 in the<br />
MGM Product<br />
(Continued from page 10)<br />
Gordon, to star Spencer Tracy and Debbie Reynolds,<br />
to be directed by George Cukor and produced by<br />
Lawrence VVeingarten.<br />
Rose Marie, Technicolor musical of the famous<br />
Fnml operetta, to be produced by Arthur Hornblow<br />
jr. and directed by Mervyn LeRoy.<br />
Battle Circus, to be produced by Pandro S. Berman<br />
from original story by Alien Rivkin and screen play<br />
by Richard Brooks who also will direct.<br />
My Mother and Mr. McChesney, starring Greer<br />
Garson, with Donna Corcoran, from Good Housekeeping<br />
story by Mary McSherry, to be produced<br />
by Edwin H. Knopf.<br />
Coptoln Quicksilver, to be produced by Armand<br />
Deutsch,<br />
I'm From Missouri, Technicolor musical starring<br />
Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye, to be produced by<br />
Arthur Freed.<br />
House of Seven Flies, to be produced by William<br />
H. Wright.<br />
Beau Brum met. Technicolor adventure story, starring<br />
Stewart Granger, to be produced by Sam<br />
Zimbalist.<br />
Crest of the Wove, starring Van Johnson, to be<br />
written, produced and directed by John and Roy<br />
Boulting.<br />
The Last World, to be produced by Carey Wilson<br />
from G screen ploy by Wilson and Al Lewin.<br />
Moonfleet, from novel by M. Mead Falkner, to be<br />
produced by William H. Wright.<br />
O, Promise Me, Technicolor musical to be produced<br />
by Jack Cummings from an original by Vera<br />
Caspary.<br />
Wind From the East, to be produced by Armand<br />
Deutsch from an original story being developed by<br />
Allen Rivkin.<br />
Robinson Crusoe, Technicolor adventure drama<br />
starring Stewart Granger, to be produced by Sam<br />
Zimbalist, from the novel by Daniel Defoe.<br />
The Romberg Story, starring Kurt Kasznar, Technicolor<br />
musical to be produced by Arthur Freed.<br />
The Sheriff of Siskiyou, to be produced by Stephen<br />
Ames.<br />
A Steak for Connie, to be produced by Stephen<br />
Ames, from original comedy by Max Shulman and<br />
Herman Wouk.<br />
I Love Louiso, Technicolor musical storring Fred<br />
Astaire, to be produced by Arthur Freed, with songs<br />
by Howord Dietz and Arthur Schwartz.<br />
Interrupted Melody, Technicolor drama with music<br />
starring Lana Turner, bosed on the autobiography of<br />
Marjorie Lawrence to be produced by Jack Cummings.<br />
Invitotion to the Dance, Technicolor musical starring<br />
Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron to be produced<br />
by Arthur Freed from original idea by Kelly who<br />
also will direct.<br />
Mogambo, Technicolor adventure drama starring<br />
Clark Gable, to be produced by Sam Zimbalist.<br />
Montes, the Motodor, Technicolor drama storring<br />
Ava Gardner, Fernando Lamos, Ricardo Montalban^<br />
to be produced by Jack Cummings.<br />
Dreom Wife, original screen play by Sidney Sheldon<br />
and Herbert Baker, to be produced by Sidney<br />
Sheldon,<br />
Flesh ond the Devil, starring Ava Gardner, Fernando<br />
Lamas and Ricardo Montalban, to be produced<br />
and directed by Clarence Brown.<br />
Give a Girl o Break, Technicolor musical to star<br />
Marge and Gower Champion, produced by Jack<br />
Cummings.<br />
1920s, died Thursday 181 at the aRc of 73.<br />
For almost a decade he had lived in retirment<br />
at his Long Island home, no longer<br />
an industry figure. His empire cracked during<br />
the depression days, and crumbled when<br />
the government successfully prosecuted<br />
charges of conspiring to obstruct justice and<br />
defraud the government.<br />
The exhibition, production and distribution<br />
company he founded four decades ago was<br />
the basis of the present-day 20th Century<br />
Fox.<br />
He quit his job as a garment worker and<br />
bought a nickelodeon in Brooklyn to enter<br />
the industry. In the early years his partners<br />
were B. S. Moss and Sol Brill. In a few<br />
years he went into distribution and in 1913<br />
formed Box Office Attraction Co. It was at<br />
this point that the late Winfield Sheehan<br />
became associated with him. In 1915, he<br />
founded the Fox Film Corp. to produce, distribute<br />
and exhibit films. In two years, the<br />
company was established on the west coast<br />
and the gala era was on. At one time, Fox<br />
bought Loew's Inc. for $44,000,000 but the<br />
courts forced its return.<br />
The crash in 1929 started the rapid deterioration<br />
of the Fox empire. He, personally,<br />
was plagued with suits by stockholders,<br />
tax liens, by corporations for breach of contract.<br />
In 1936, he went into voluntary bankruptcy.<br />
That was his bowout in the film<br />
business formally, althougli he had no connection<br />
with the Fox organization after 1931.<br />
The Desperate Search, story by Arthur Mays, produced<br />
by Matthew Rapf.<br />
Men Don't Cry, original by Jock Leonard ond Marion<br />
Wolfe, screenplay by Jock Leonard, produced<br />
by William Grady jr.<br />
Fast Company, scieen ploy by William Roberts,<br />
produced by Henry Berman.<br />
Riptide, by Mourice Zims, produced by Sol Fielding.<br />
See How They Run, story by Mary<br />
Vroman, screen ploy by Emmett Lavery,<br />
by Sol Fielding.<br />
Code Three, screen play by Richard<br />
produced by William Grady jr.<br />
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, based<br />
of short stories by Max Shulman, to be<br />
by Arthur Loew jr.<br />
Elizabeth<br />
'<br />
produced<br />
\<br />
Wormser, \<br />
on series i<br />
produced<br />
I<br />
I<br />
Currently before the cameras, Dore also revealed<br />
are some of the most important productions on<br />
MGM's schedule, including the Technicolor sea dromo<br />
'Plymouth Adventure," starring Spencer Tracy, Gene<br />
Tierney, Van Johnson, Leo Genn, Dawn Addoms,<br />
produced by Dore Schary, directed by Clarence<br />
Brown.<br />
"Prisoner of Zendo," Technicolor classic starring<br />
Stewart Granger, Deboroh Kerr, James Mason, Louis<br />
Coihern, Jane Greer, produced by Pandro S. Berman,<br />
directed by Richard Thorpe; "The Story of Three<br />
Loves," romantic trilogy in Technicolor with on oflstar<br />
cast including Leslie Caron, Farley Granger,<br />
Ethel Barrymore, produced by Sidney Franklin, directed<br />
by Vmcente Minnelli; Moira Shearer, James<br />
Mason, Agnes Moorehead in "The Jealous Lover,"<br />
produced by Sidney Franklin, directed by Gottfried<br />
Reinhardt and Pier Angeli ond Ricardo Montalban<br />
in "Equilibrium," produced by Sidney Franklin, directed<br />
by Gottfried Reinhardt.<br />
"Tribute to a Bad Man," starring Lana Turner,<br />
Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Barry<br />
Sullivan, Gloria Grohome, Gilbert Roland, produced<br />
by John Houseman, directed by Vincente Minnelli;<br />
"Lili," Technicolor drama starring Leslie Caron, Mel<br />
Ferrer, Jean Pierre Aumont, Kurt Kosznor, Zso Zsa<br />
Gabor, produced by Edwin H. Knopf, directed by<br />
Charles Walters.<br />
"I Love Melvin," in Technicolor, starring Donald<br />
O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds, to be produced by<br />
George Wells from his own screenplay, directed by<br />
Don Weis, bosed on an original by Laslo Vadnay.<br />
"Time Bomb," storring Glenn Ford and Anne<br />
Vernon, to be produced by Richard Goldstone from<br />
novel by Kem Bennett with Ted Tetzlaff directing.<br />
"Rogues' March," adventure story, starring Peter<br />
Lowford, Richord Greene, Janice Rule ond Leo G.<br />
Carroll, produced by Leon Gordon from his own<br />
screenplay, directed by Allan Davis.<br />
"Sky Full of Moon," starring Corleton Carpenter,<br />
Jan Sterling, with Keenan Wynn, screenplay by Norr<br />
man Foster, produced by Sidney Franklin jr.<br />
"Everything Is Yours," Technicolor musical<br />
starring Marge and Gower Champion, Dennis O'Keefe,<br />
Monica Lewis, produced by George Wells, directed<br />
by Robert Z. Leonard; "You For Me," starring Peter<br />
Lawford, Jone Greer, Gig Young, produced by Henry<br />
Berman, directed by Don Weis.<br />
20th-Fox to Make 'Robe'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—"The Robe," the late Lloyd<br />
C. Douglas' best-selling novel published in<br />
1942, finally is to be made into a motion picture<br />
by 20th Century-Fox. Franic Ross will<br />
produce the story, wliich will be filmed here<br />
and in the Holy Land, starring Tyrone Power.<br />
W<br />
10<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
:<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952
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"THE JAZZ SINGER" W^^^ DORIS DAY<br />
DANNY THOMAS<br />
COLOR BY<br />
THE EDDIE CANTOR STORY<br />
TECHNICOLOR<br />
THE SEA ROGUE "fis^ ERROL FLYNN<br />
R^a^ BURT LANCASTER<br />
HIS MAJESTY O'KEEFE<br />
"KISS ME AGAIN<br />
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THE GRACE MOORE STORY<br />
THE SYSTEM<br />
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GORDON<br />
COLOR BY<br />
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COLOR BY<br />
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HUMPHREY BOGART<br />
DAY M^-^RAE<br />
BROADWAY REVISITED" JANE WYMAN ^»;;^<br />
COME ON, TEXAS<br />
THE END OF THE RAINBOW<br />
HELEN OF TROY" P»i^<br />
SALLY<br />
COLOR BY<br />
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BASED ON A COMEDY<br />
BY DAMON RUNYON<br />
7Sm«^<br />
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Printed in U.S.A.<br />
BOXOFFICE, <strong>MAY</strong> 10th, 1952
Home-Town Editors Meet the Exhibitor<br />
150 of Them Talk Over Mutual Problems at North Central Allied Forum<br />
By LES REES<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Industry here is still<br />
talking about uniqueness of North Central<br />
Allied's annual convention which was different<br />
in a number of respects from any<br />
the oj'ganization ever held.<br />
In the first place, it was devoted principally<br />
to making an ally of the press and<br />
paving the way for closer exhibitor-editor<br />
relations through the first theatre ownernewspaper<br />
editor clinic anywhere, which<br />
consumed the entire opening day session.<br />
Secondly, it made history as far as NCA<br />
is concerned by not adopting a single re.solution<br />
condemning high film rentals, percentage<br />
and variou.s trade practices or attacking<br />
distributors. Never before has the body foregone<br />
such a field day.<br />
BENNIE BERGER ELECTED AGAIN<br />
Third, it elected Bennie Berger president,<br />
although he did not attend the meeting. He's<br />
Northwest Vai-iety club chief barker and he<br />
was in Las Vegas at the International Variety<br />
clubs' annual convention.<br />
The sole resolutions adopted put NCA on<br />
lecord against industry arbitration unless it<br />
includes film rentals and to renew the fight<br />
for the elimination of the 20 per cent federal<br />
admission tax. Directors were instructed<br />
to notify distributors of the body's attitude<br />
toward arbitration and to get a campaign<br />
launched to line up the territory's U.S. senators<br />
and congressmen against the admission<br />
tax.<br />
Much of the convention's second day session<br />
was devoted to consideration of the present<br />
and likely future impact of television on<br />
exhibition, and views expressed by circuit<br />
owners who have had experience with this<br />
new competition were both optimistic and<br />
pessimistic.<br />
While there were no resolutions concerning<br />
the subjects, allegedly um'easonably high<br />
percentage and film rentals, forcing of pictures<br />
and improper competitive bidding came<br />
in for a discussion during an open forum.<br />
GEORGE MURPHY IN AN ADDRESS<br />
The 150 newspaper editors and publishers,<br />
present as exhibitors' guests, heard MGM<br />
star George Murphy give a talk on industi-y<br />
problems and answer questions. They also listened<br />
to Ted Mann, NCA president, and RKO<br />
sales promotion manager Leon J. Bamberger<br />
tell why newspapers and theatres should<br />
present a united front to TV.<br />
Other .speakers<br />
Included Bill Diehl, St. Paul Pioneer Press<br />
movie editor and critic, RKO star Margaret<br />
Sheridan, and Claude Swanson, editor of the<br />
Fairmont, Minn., Sentinel.<br />
Harold Field, owner of 20 small-town Iowa<br />
theatres, and Ben Friedman, pioneer circuit<br />
owner, on the convention's second day with<br />
no editors present, told what TV is doing to<br />
their theatres and gave their views on how<br />
it will affect small-town exhibitors in the<br />
territory still untouched by it, and their<br />
opinions on exhibitor's future.<br />
Berger was returned to the presidency<br />
which he held for six terms until Mann was<br />
elected last year to succeed him. Because<br />
of the press of outside business the latter<br />
refused re-election.<br />
Th exhibitor-editor forum was considered<br />
so successful that it likely will be made an<br />
annual event. Out of it was expected to<br />
come mutual aid in helping to combat TV's<br />
inroads.<br />
Efforts were made to bring the newspapwr<br />
editors to a realization that the theatres and<br />
the pre.ss have a community of interests, that<br />
TV threatens newspaper advertising as well<br />
as theatre attendance, and that the local theatre's<br />
demi.se would adver.sely affect the<br />
newspaper and other busine.ss interests in<br />
the town. The theatre's value and importance<br />
to the town were particularly stressed.<br />
The newspaper editors left the meeting,<br />
however, impressed by the fact that while<br />
TV is not to be dismissed lightly as a competitor<br />
for theatres as well as newspapers<br />
and that the showhouses at this critical period<br />
need a helping hand from the press.<br />
which also can count on the theatres for<br />
assistance, the exhibitors still have confidence<br />
regarding exhibition's future and that the<br />
Television Is a threat to newspaper advertising<br />
as well as theatre patronage.<br />
"Stay-at-homes are not good sjjenders. TV<br />
keeps people at home, but the theatre, with<br />
the newspaper's help, draws people to Main<br />
Street where they buy the local merchant's<br />
products that are advertised in the local<br />
pre.ss. If the theater falls to survive because<br />
of stay-at-homes, the local newspapers not<br />
only loses its advertising, but the home town<br />
merchants also are likely to suffer and decrease<br />
their linage and to push products<br />
advertised over TV."<br />
Mann also made the point that there are<br />
signs that the tide now Ls starting to turn<br />
and people gradually are watching TV less,<br />
as the novelty wears off and the quality of<br />
its entertainment fails to improve, and coming<br />
more often again to the theatres, especially<br />
since Hollywood is producing better<br />
pictures than ever. Murphy predicted that<br />
the great increase in the number of color<br />
Introduces Stars to His Home-Town Editor<br />
Fred Schnee, exhibitor of Litchfield, Minn, (second from left), whose convention<br />
guest was Roy Anderson, editor of the Litchfield News, introduces him to Margaret<br />
Sheridan, RKO star, and George Murphy, MGM star representing the Hollywood<br />
Coordinating Committee.<br />
theatre is a very live "corpse." despite reports<br />
to the contrary, and will continue to<br />
survive.<br />
Editors also<br />
carried away the thought that<br />
aid can be extended the theatres by having<br />
a uniform advertising rate for showhouses<br />
and other lines of business and by opening<br />
news columns as much as possible to items<br />
publicizing the theatres and their attractions.<br />
Mann. Murphy. Diehl and Field painted<br />
moderately bright and optimistic pictures regarding<br />
exhibition's future. Friedman, whose<br />
circuit includes two Minneapolis suburban<br />
theatres, spread plenty of gloom and fright<br />
while describing the boxoffice havoc wrought<br />
to local neighborhood and suburban houses<br />
since TV's advent here more than two years<br />
ago.<br />
"If the crepe hangers are right in their<br />
prediction that TV is going to kill off the<br />
theatre business, then newspapers, too, are<br />
in for serious trouble," Mann declared at the<br />
forum's outset. "It behooves you editors to<br />
become movie boosters for your own good.<br />
pictures and the advent of the third dimension<br />
and other such developments would accelerate<br />
the trend back to the showhouses.<br />
He thinks that TV should be utilized more<br />
to advertise films in theatres.<br />
Field told how his theatres' boxoffice collapsed<br />
in the Iowa towns where TV is received,<br />
despite the fact that no conceivable<br />
stone was left unturned to combat the new<br />
competition. However, he was reasonably<br />
optimistic regarding the future, held out hope<br />
for exhibitors present and ended his talk on<br />
a cheerful note.<br />
While grosses in hLs TV towns declined as<br />
much as 60 per cent at their lows, there are<br />
indications now that rock bottom has been<br />
scraped and a slow reversal of tr^d is under<br />
way. he revealed. The change in public attitude<br />
in the TV towns started after the<br />
"Movietime U.S.A." campaign. Before that,<br />
people only were talking about what they<br />
were seeing on TV when they gathered in<br />
groups, he found. When the movie industry<br />
itself began talking about pictures in the theatre,<br />
then busine.ss picked up. he said.<br />
B0X0F7ICE ;<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952 17
11 Top-Budget Films<br />
On Warner Bros.<br />
Summer Schedule<br />
Variety in Theme,<br />
Seven of Them to Be in Color<br />
NEW YORK—Warner Bros, has placed 11 top productions on its<br />
release schedule for the late spring and summer months—big pictures<br />
for which long-range exploitation and selling plans have been created.<br />
The big push to provide these 11 pictures with top merchandising<br />
over the next four months got under way at the regional sales<br />
conventions held in New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Chicago.<br />
The product will put variety on the nation's screens. Three of<br />
the pictures are outdoor adventure films, two are musicals, another<br />
is a baseball story, one is a religious drama, still another is a sophisticated<br />
comedy. Color will make seven of the 11 an added selling point.<br />
for Warners have provided Technicolor to five of the pictures, their<br />
own WarnerColor to one and Natural Color to another.<br />
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatimo<br />
V/ARNiRCOLOR<br />
Gilbert Roland, Angelo Clark, Suson Whitney<br />
if<br />
V<br />
ft<br />
Film Story of Will Rogers<br />
Two popular American personalities will be brought to the screen<br />
in "The Story of Will Roiers" and "The Winning Team" which is the<br />
story of the famous pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. Will Rogers<br />
jr.. who already has had a career as a congressman, will play the role<br />
of his father.<br />
The summer's product will carry a heavy lineup of top star names,<br />
with boxoffice draw, including Errol Flynn. Joel McCrea. Yvonne De<br />
Carlo. Eddie Bracken. Doris Day. Gordon MacRae. Randolph Scott.<br />
Gloria Swanson. Ronald Reagan. Jane Wyman. Virginia Mayo, Don<br />
DeFore. Gilbert Roland. Burt Lancaster and Ray Bolger.<br />
Warners, however, is not neglecting the "new faces" angle, and<br />
practically every picture to be released will have at least one newcomer<br />
in a principal role. In "Mara Maru." the new face is Raymond<br />
Burr, who slimmed down from 300 to 185 and won the role of Errol<br />
Flynn's rival for Ruth Roman's affection. In the musical, "About<br />
Face." Aileen Stanley jr.. Joel Grey and Cliff Ferre will be introduced.<br />
Grey is an Eddie Cantor comedy protege and Ferre is a dancer-actor.<br />
In Gloria Swanson's new picture. "3 for Bedroom C." James Warren<br />
gets his chance as a romantic hero. Eva Bartok. from Europe, makes<br />
her debut in "The Crimson Pii-ate" and Allyn McLerie and Mary Germaine<br />
are new faces in "Where's Charley?"<br />
Elaborate promotional and advertising programs have been<br />
created for the summer's product, plans for which were revealed to<br />
the sales force by Mort Blumenstock. the company's advertising, publicity<br />
and exploitation chief. For example, arrangements have just<br />
been completed to rename U.S. Highway 66 the "Will Rogers Highway."<br />
and the 66 Highway Ass'n will distribute a million windshield stickers<br />
advertising the film.<br />
For the Gloria Swanson Picture. "3 for Bedroom C," the Santa<br />
Fe railroad, whose trains are shown in the film, will carry special<br />
advertising in more than 500 daily newspapers and 700 weeklies,<br />
plus distributing special flyers in Harvey system restaurants and<br />
dining cars.<br />
Ties with Colgate, Lux and Chesterfields for tie-in advertising in<br />
national magazines have been made for a number of the other pictures.<br />
She's Working Her Way Through College<br />
TECHNICOLOR<br />
Virginia Mayo, Ronald Reagan<br />
The Story of Will Rogers<br />
Will Rogers Jr., Jane Wyman<br />
TECHNICOLOR<br />
I<br />
i«
Color, Names in the Warner Summer Lineup<br />
Corson City WARNERCOLOR The San Francisco Story<br />
Lucille Norman, Randolph Scott<br />
Yvonne De Carlo, Joel McCrea<br />
Where's Charley?<br />
Allyn McLerie, Ray Bolger, Mory Germaine<br />
TECHNICOLOR
Much as we would have wished, we could not bring<br />
thousands of exhibitors to California to see the great<br />
M-G-M attractions that are literally the talk of the<br />
industry<br />
V<br />
Therefore we are rushing prints as fast as possible for<br />
trade-showings so that exhibitors everywhere may attend<br />
our ''Seeing Is Believing Trade Shows" of the pictures<br />
m<br />
that are to be the life-blood of film business in the<br />
coming months!<br />
ATTEND THESE TWO<br />
TERRIFIC TRADE SHOWS S<br />
See for yourself these M-G-M attractions and watch for<br />
coming "Seeing Is Believing'' M-G-M Trade Shows!
<strong>MAY</strong> 12- PAT AND MIKE<br />
n<br />
y<br />
When Preview-audience reception confirmed M-G-M's belief that this Tracy-<br />
Hepburn comedy is even funnier than "Adam's Rib" we moved its release<br />
into early summer to give theatres the benefit of a truly outstanding attraction<br />
when the need is greatest. A unique teaser campaign is under way<br />
across the nation that will continue from now right up to release. In<br />
*<br />
addition to the stars, the new favorite Aldo Ray and a flock of headline<br />
male and female sports personalities make it the year's most unusual offering.<br />
Ult<br />
«T(T«<br />
10: N<br />
lUI.O<br />
onE<br />
tH<br />
CH 30<br />
tlh NATI<br />
Cll lAND<br />
DA'S<br />
0£i R<br />
OE: OINES<br />
OE IT<br />
mciAPOUS<br />
IA13NVILLE<br />
(A S CITY<br />
10:1GEIES<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
H. C. Igel's Screen Room<br />
RKO Palace BIdg. Sc. Rm.<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
Paramount Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
Max Blumenthal's Sc. Rm.<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
Florida State Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
United Artists' Screen Rm.<br />
1052 Broadway 5/12<br />
197 Walton St., N. W. 5/12<br />
46 Church Street 5/12<br />
290 Franklin Street 5/12<br />
308 S. Church Street 5/12<br />
1301 S. Wabash Ave. 5/12<br />
16 East Sixth Street 5/12<br />
2219 Payne Avenue 5/12<br />
1803 Wood Street 5/12<br />
2100 Stout Street 5/12<br />
1300 High Street 5/12<br />
2310 Cass Avenue 5/12<br />
326 No. Illinois St. 5/12<br />
128 East Forsyth St. 5/12<br />
1720 Wyandotte St. 5/12<br />
1851 S. Westmoreland 5/12<br />
2 P.M.
'Tftcd' ^utd Sf'^^^tt^<br />
Discordant Note<br />
HBRAM K MYERS. Allied board cliairmnn<br />
and general counsel, sounded the<br />
first discordant note in the arbitration<br />
negotiations Monday c28i when he said<br />
the results of the conferences had been<br />
"meagre."<br />
His statement came as a surprise to some<br />
of the men who had viewed the progress<br />
with great satisfaction and hoped the concessions<br />
from all sides would be formulated<br />
to the satisfaction of both the distributors<br />
and exhibitor groups later this month.<br />
Allied is represented on the committee that<br />
will put the proposals on paper.<br />
Allied wants an agreement on arbitration<br />
of runs, a problem that has caused endless<br />
disturbance in some cities where distributors<br />
have avoided any appearance of uniformity<br />
since the antitrust decrees placed<br />
the burden of proof for the need for runs<br />
on the distributors. This is one of the<br />
things that the Department of Justice will<br />
have to approve so that the decrees can<br />
be amended.<br />
Another problem that has resulted in<br />
widespread arguments under the decree<br />
regulations has been competitive bidding.<br />
Arguments about film prices, of course,<br />
have existed since the start of the business<br />
and probably will continue so long as buyers<br />
and sellers exist.<br />
If no agreement can be reached on formal<br />
arbitration of these two topics, it will<br />
still be possible to include them in the<br />
suggested conciliation plan. Western Theatre<br />
Owners has been able to settle disputes<br />
in this way, and a local conciliation<br />
plan worked out by Benny Berger and 20th<br />
CentuiT-Fox in Minneapolis showed something<br />
substantial could be achieved if both<br />
sides approached problems with a willingness<br />
to make concessions.<br />
It was this willingness that made rapid<br />
progress possible during the four days of<br />
discussion in New York. Its continuance<br />
can save the industry millions of dollars by<br />
eliminating or reducing suits.<br />
If amendments to the decrees are to be<br />
obtained, a unanimous front will have to<br />
be presented to the Department of Justice.<br />
Anything else could be disastrous.<br />
COMPO Committee<br />
TJNANIMOUS approval by member organizations<br />
of COMPO of Arthur L. Mayer's<br />
proposal that a three-man committee take<br />
over management until a president can be<br />
chosen has been obtained. Mayer suggested<br />
that one man each be chosen from the<br />
MPAA, TOA and Allied.<br />
Choosing the committeemen should be<br />
simple. Wilbur Snaper, national president<br />
of Allied, has headquarters in New York.<br />
MPAA headquarters are also located here,<br />
but it is considered unlikely that Eric<br />
Johnston would serve. At present TOA is<br />
being operated by Herman Levy, general<br />
counsel, in the absence of Gael Sullivan.<br />
Levy lives in New Haven, but is expected<br />
to spend considerable time in the metropolis<br />
while the arbitration discussions con-<br />
-By JAMES M. JERAULD<br />
tinue. Mitchell Wolfson. who would have<br />
to designate a representative, lives in<br />
Miami Beach.<br />
Naming of such a committee is important<br />
in order to keep interest in the organization<br />
alive and to prove that the three<br />
principal organizations named are willing<br />
to keep COMPO functioning.<br />
'Queen' a Real Hit<br />
TAflLLIAM J. HEINEMAN. vice-president<br />
in charge of distribution for United<br />
Artists, predicts a $4,000,000 gross this year<br />
for "African Queen." No city has failed to<br />
give the picture holdover engagements, he<br />
says.<br />
His analysis of returns to date were<br />
made on engagements in cities from Los<br />
Angeles to Boston, from Dallas to Minneapolis,<br />
and from Miami to Seattle, with<br />
Toronto included. A three-day weekend<br />
return on the Loew circuit in the metropolitan<br />
area showed the picture could hold<br />
up in neighborhood runs and smaller situations.<br />
These are the biggest returns on any<br />
United Artists film since "Red River,"<br />
which was released in the latter half of<br />
1948. It's hardly necessary to add that<br />
UA executives are quite cheerful these<br />
days.<br />
Foreign Film Runs<br />
pOREIGN films are certainly showing<br />
staying powers in the Manhattan sector.<br />
Of 18 runs more than three weeks in<br />
length, nine were foreign in the fourth<br />
week of April. "These were; "Passion for<br />
Life," third week of moveover after 16<br />
weeks at Cinema 48; "The Lavender Hill<br />
Mob," 28th week; "Jour de Pete," tenth<br />
week; "Pictura," third; "Tomorrow Is Too<br />
Late," third; "The Man in the White Suit,"<br />
fourth; "The Young and the Damned,"<br />
fifth; "Miss Julie," third, and "Encore,"<br />
fourth.<br />
Some have been persistently crowded;<br />
others have had ups and downs. Overhead<br />
in the small so-called "art" houses is low,<br />
so that moderate grosses are profitable.<br />
One of the by-products of these runs is<br />
the rapidly increasing interest in these imported<br />
films in other parts of the country.<br />
MPAA Gives $95,000<br />
For COMPO's Support<br />
NEW YORK—The financial situation<br />
of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations<br />
has improved materially with the<br />
payment to it of $95,000 by the Motion<br />
Picture Ass'n of America. At the time of<br />
its annual meeting in February, cash on<br />
hand had dropped to about $36,000. Tlie<br />
payment includes $75,000 of the $150,000<br />
pledged to finance Movietime U.S.A. tours<br />
and $20,000 for administration expen,ses.<br />
MPAA previously paid $85,000.<br />
IN<br />
THE TELEVISION ERA:<br />
Theatres to Remain<br />
Major Films Outlet'<br />
CHICAGO—Motion picture theatre.s rather<br />
than television will continue to be the primary<br />
means of exhibiting first-class motion pictures,<br />
lawyer.s attending the University of<br />
Chicago's one-day law school conference were<br />
told Monday i5i.<br />
With the television market dominated by<br />
networks and advertisers, the public and the<br />
people who produce films have a real stake in<br />
the u.se of theatres, Robert L. Wright, a<br />
Washington. D. C. attorney, .'aid. Wright, a<br />
former Chicagoan and a special assistant to<br />
the U.S. attorney general when he prosecuted<br />
the big film antitrust suit so told a luncheon<br />
meeting at the Quadrangle club on the Midway<br />
campus.<br />
"The one thing that .seems certain is that<br />
the producer cannot profitably sell a film to<br />
the public thi'ough theatres and at the same<br />
time let the advertisers give it away on television."<br />
"If the principal market for films should<br />
become television stations instead of theatres,<br />
film content would be determined by the same<br />
kind of judgment that now determines radio<br />
and television program content." he added.<br />
"It also seems clear films would then be<br />
subjected to a far more stringent censorship<br />
than now exists," he said. "No method has<br />
yet been devised for tuning out the child<br />
audience."<br />
Wright said that a film producers rewards<br />
"would then be determined by an advertisers<br />
judgment as to how much soap his picture<br />
might help to sell instead of how much people<br />
who are expected to look at it<br />
are willing<br />
to pay to see it."<br />
Other conference speakers included Herman<br />
Finkelstein, general counsel of the American<br />
Society of Composers, Artists and Publishers,<br />
who spoke on "Antitrust Laws."<br />
Harry E. L. Woolf of London<br />
On Visit to United States<br />
NEW YORK—Harry E. L. Woolf, executive<br />
of George Humphries & Co., Ltd.. London,<br />
and member of the executive committe of the<br />
Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund, was<br />
in the city for several days during the week<br />
prior to leaving for Hollywood. He will be on<br />
the coast for about two weeks.<br />
The Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund<br />
is the group for which the royal command<br />
film performances are given each year in<br />
London. Films for the next showing must be<br />
submitted by September 6. The viewing panel<br />
consists of three members of the British Film<br />
Producers Ass'n. the Motion Picture Ass'n of<br />
America and three exhibitors nominated by<br />
the Cinematograph Exhibitors Ass'n.<br />
The next royal command performance will<br />
take place at the Empire Theatre, Leicester<br />
Square. October 27. It will be the first during<br />
the reign of Queen Elizabeth.<br />
P. A. Williams Joins 20th-Fox<br />
NEW YORK—P. A. Williams has resigned<br />
as theatrical sales manager of March of Time<br />
to join the staff of Peter Levathes, head of<br />
short subject distribution at 20th Century-<br />
Fox. MOT will not replace him. but will<br />
concentrate on direct mail sales.<br />
22 BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952
Ted<br />
COMPANY EXECUTIVES MEET TO DRAFT 1952-53 PLANS<br />
PARAMOUNTS FAITH IN FILMS:<br />
SET 33 FOR NEXT 18 MONTHS<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Manifesting in concrete<br />
terms the company's faith in the industry's<br />
future. Paramount's bhieprints for a 33-picture<br />
releasing schedule from July 1952<br />
through December 1953 were submitted for<br />
discussion and analysis as the highlight of<br />
a week-long series of studio meetings attended<br />
by home office, distribution and production<br />
executives. The .sessions, which<br />
opened Monday (5) were the first such to<br />
be held on the west coast in three years.<br />
The long-range production and release<br />
plans were revealed to the assembled top<br />
brass by Y. Fi-ank Freeman, Paramount Pictures'<br />
vice-president and studio head, and<br />
Don Hartman, in charge of production. Significantly,<br />
more than two-thirds of the overall<br />
lineup of 33 features will be in Technicolor.<br />
BALAB.AN HAILS THE PROGRAM<br />
Barney Balaban. Paramount Pictures'<br />
president, hailed the 18-month program as<br />
"an indication of Paramount's supreme faith<br />
in the future of the motion picture business"<br />
and called it the "best product of this or any<br />
other company since the industry began."<br />
Such a flow of celluloid. Balaban declared,<br />
"will be far-reaching in stimulating the boxoffice<br />
uptrend which has been in evidence<br />
for some months." an upsurge which he said<br />
he was confident will "accelerate to a higher<br />
level in the fall."<br />
Balaban's optimistic prognostications were<br />
echoed by A. W. Schwalberg. president of<br />
the Paramount Film Distributing Corp., who<br />
presided over the studio huddles. The "tre-<br />
As they began a week-long series of studio huddles to view new product and map<br />
release and merchandising plans, top Paramount production and distribution executives<br />
took time out to pose for the photographer. In the usual left-to-right order,<br />
front row: A. W. Schwalberg, president, Paramount Film Distributing Corp.; Y. Frank<br />
Freeman, vice-president in charge of studio operations; Don Hartman, production<br />
head; Barney Balaban, Paramount Pictures president; E. K. O'Shea, vice-president<br />
of the distributing company. Second row: Joseph A. Walsh, exchange operations<br />
manager J. J. Donhue, central division head; Sid Blumenstock, advertising manager;<br />
Jerry Pickman, vice-president in charge of advertising, exploitation and publicity:<br />
George A. Smith, western division manager; A. M. Kane, south central division chief.<br />
Rear row: H. G. Minsky, mideast division manager; Gordon Lightstone, Cajiadian<br />
chief; Hugh Owen, eastern-southern head.<br />
DeMille: Great Harvests<br />
Still to Be Reaped<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Great harvests still<br />
are to be reaped in the motion picture<br />
field and the trade is now "in show business<br />
for the first time in 40 years," Cecil<br />
B. DeMille told Paramount's studio, home<br />
office, sales and distribution forces when<br />
he addressed a session of the week-long<br />
planning conferences staged here.<br />
DeMille again emphasized that, although<br />
his independent corporate setup<br />
is being dissolved because of the "tremendous<br />
tax burden." he has no intention<br />
of retiring and will give ".serious consideration"<br />
to the subject matter of his<br />
next production after he has returned<br />
from a three-week speaking tour.<br />
As concerns filmdom's future, the veteran<br />
producer-director stressed that today's<br />
movie patrons "go to see pictures,<br />
not to hold hands, to buy popcorn or to<br />
enjoy the air conditioning," and that consequently<br />
entertainment values must be<br />
powerful enough to overcome the lure<br />
of television.<br />
He indicated the possibility that "Helen<br />
of Troy" might be his next film venture.<br />
mendous array" of pictures will, he emphasized,<br />
be matched by "hard-hitting merchandising,<br />
" pitched at "top levels" to stimulate<br />
boxoffice patronage.<br />
In the vanguard of the 18-month releasing<br />
schedule will be the general release, in July,<br />
of Cecil B. DeMille's "The Greatest Show on<br />
Earth." The Technicolor entry has already<br />
had nearly 300 pre-release engagements. It<br />
will be followed, during the last half of 1952.<br />
by "The Savage." in Technicolor; "Encore."<br />
now being given limited pre-relea.se runs;<br />
"Carrie." "Son of Paleface," "Just for You."<br />
"Somebody Loves Me" and "Road to Bali,"<br />
all in Technicolor: two Pine-Thomas productions,<br />
"The Blazing Forest" and "Caribbean<br />
Gold," both in Technicolor: a Nat Holt production.<br />
"Hurricane Smith." in Technicolor:<br />
The Turning Point," and two Hal Wallis<br />
productions co-starring Martin and Lewis,<br />
The Stooge" and "Jumping Jacks."<br />
Planned for 1953 relea-se are such Technicolor<br />
entries as "Shane." "War of the Worlds,"<br />
"Botany Bay." "Pleasure Island." "The Stars<br />
Are Singing." "Sapphire Sal." "Girls Are Here<br />
to Stay" and "Topsy and Eva": three from<br />
the Pine-Thomas unit, "Tropic Zone." "The<br />
Rebel" and "Jamaica Run," all in Technicolor:<br />
one from Holt, "Pony Express," in<br />
Technicolor: one from Wallis, "Come Back.<br />
Little Sheba": and "Stalag 17." "Military<br />
Policemen." "Roman Holiday" and "Houdini."<br />
Of the 33 pictures, 21 have been completed.<br />
three are currently before the cameras and<br />
nine are nearing the sound stages.<br />
Participating in the huddles to analyze the<br />
picture-making lineup and the merchandising<br />
approach to be employed thereon were, in<br />
addition to Schwalberg. Freeman and Hartman.<br />
sales and distribution executives including<br />
E. K.<br />
I I O'Shea. Paramount Film<br />
Distributing Corp. vice-president: Joseph A.<br />
Walsh, exchange operations manager: George<br />
A. Smith. J. J. Donohue. A. M. Kane. Hugh<br />
Owen and H. G. Minsky. respectively western,<br />
central, south-central, eastern-southern and<br />
mideast division managers; Gordon Lightstone.<br />
Canadian general manager: home office<br />
executives including Russell Holman.<br />
eastern production head: Jerome Pickman,<br />
vice-president and national director of advertising,<br />
publicity and exploitation, and Sid<br />
Blumenstock, advertising manager and Pickman's<br />
assistant.<br />
Studio personnel taking part in the conclaves<br />
included Jack Karp. Freeman's executive<br />
assistant: D. A. Doran. Hartman's executive<br />
aide: William Meiklejohn. in charge of<br />
talent: John Mock, story editor, and Teet<br />
Carle, studio publicity director.<br />
Among the pictures screened for the delegates<br />
as part of the long-range exploitation<br />
and merchandising program were "Carrie."<br />
"Son of Paleface." "Somebody Loves Me."<br />
"Just for You. " "Caribbean Gold" and ""War<br />
of the Worlds."<br />
BOXOFFICE May 10. 1952 23
. . . THIS PICTURE'S COT 'EM! WATCH 'EJH STRETCHIHG OUT<br />
FOR MORE OF THOSE LOHG, LOHG "BORH YESTERDAY" RUHS<br />
^ • SPRINGFIELD<br />
BIJOU<br />
TOV/N<br />
.BALTIMORE<br />
...SALT LAKE<br />
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lAFAIfEm<br />
. .BOFFAtO<br />
introducing<br />
rroaucing<br />
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ALDO \<br />
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PICTURES<br />
presents<br />
RAY<br />
-Jud/s<br />
light of<br />
love!<br />
With MADGE KENNEDY • Written by RUIH GORDON and GARS0I1
HOLD ON TOR -<br />
AtBH<br />
-'*'""'"'<br />
,,..«.... VOUNOSTOWN<br />
ORPH.0— •''«'*°""<br />
. . DAYTON DENVER<br />
KEITH pARArAOUNT . • • •<br />
lAlCHlGAN<br />
ORPHEUrA<br />
DETROIT<br />
5TATE<br />
LOUISVILLE<br />
BOSTON oRPHEU^A • SAN FRANCSCO<br />
STATE<br />
ORPHEUfA<br />
ST. PAUL<br />
.pHARWS..."'^^^^"'^"<br />
iced byW1AN[[ • Oiiected by GEORG[ CUKOR
)<br />
Biggest Production Lineup<br />
n History for 20th -Fox<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Darryl Znnuck this week<br />
announced what he termed the biRgest longrange<br />
production schedule in the history of<br />
his company, 20th Century-Fox.<br />
On the eve of his departure for Europe,<br />
where he and Mrs. Zanuck will attend the<br />
Cannes Film Festival, the 20th-Fox production<br />
chief reported his company has 17 films<br />
completed and ready for release, another 12<br />
shooting or about ready to go before the<br />
cameras, 17 more to get into production this<br />
summer, and 30 scripts being prepared from<br />
which the remainder of the 1952-1953 program<br />
will be picked.<br />
Color will be a major factor in the new<br />
product. Of the 17 completed pictures, nine<br />
are in Technicolor. Of the pictui-es shooting,<br />
.si.x are in Technicolor, and of the remainder<br />
16 will be in color.<br />
MUST CHART PRODUCTION WELL<br />
There are vital industry factors involved in<br />
the long-range planning of production, according<br />
to Zanuck. "Never before in the<br />
history of the film business has the urgency<br />
of a long-range program been so vital," he<br />
said. "Maximum economy without the sacrifice<br />
of efficiency and quality is the only way<br />
the critical problems we are now faced with<br />
can be met and overcome. To achieve the<br />
utmost in efficient economy, the course of<br />
production must be charted far enough aheaj<br />
to enable us to know not only where we intend<br />
to go, but where we should be at any<br />
given time. Recognizing this fact, we of 20th<br />
Century-Fox have embarked on the biggest<br />
long-range production schedule in the company's<br />
history."<br />
Pictures completed and ready for release<br />
include:<br />
"Belles on Their Toes," "Kangaroo," "Lydia<br />
Bailey," "Wait Til the Sun Shines, Nellie,"<br />
"What Price Glory," "Way of a GaucTio,"<br />
"Lure of the Wilderness," "Treasure of the<br />
Golden Condor" and "The Snows of Killimanjaro,"<br />
all in Technicolor, and "The Outcasts<br />
of Poker Flat," "Diplomatic Courier," "We're<br />
Not Married," "Les Miserables," "Dream<br />
Boat," "Don't Bother to Knock," "Monkey<br />
Business" and O. Henry's "Bagdad on the<br />
Subway," including five of the author's stories.<br />
LIST OF PICTURES BEING MADE<br />
The pictures in production or ready for<br />
immediate production are: "Stars and Stripes<br />
Forever," "Pony Soldier." "Tonight We Sing,"<br />
"Bloodhounds of Broadway," "The Parmer<br />
Takes a Wife," "Niagara" and "Powder<br />
River," all in Technicolor, and "My Wife's Best<br />
Friend," "Night Without Sleep," "Something<br />
for the Birds, " "Big Man" and "My Cousin<br />
Rachel.'<br />
Scheduled for production this summer are:<br />
Evangeline," "The Queen of Sheba," "Call<br />
Me Madam," "White Witch Doctor," "The<br />
Desert Rats," "Music in the Air," "Ramona"<br />
and "King of the Khyber Rifles," all in Technicolor,<br />
and "The President's Lady," "Gentlemen<br />
Prefer Blondes,<br />
" "Man on the Tightrope,"<br />
"90 Saddles for Gobi," "Baptism of Fire,"<br />
"Blaze of Glory," "The Form Divine," "Hands<br />
Across the Sea" and "Taxi."<br />
26<br />
DARRYL ZANUCK<br />
'Long-Range Planning Vital'<br />
Will Draft Operating<br />
Plan for Arbitration<br />
NEW YORK—Plans for operating an arbitration<br />
system will be drafted Tuesday (13)<br />
and Wednesday by the committee on rules<br />
and reported to a second full-dress arbitration<br />
conference scheduled for May 26. The<br />
committee meeting was called Tuesday (6) by<br />
Herman M. Levy, chairman, and will be held<br />
at the headquarters of Theatre Owners of<br />
America, 1501 Broadway.<br />
Members of the committee who were notified<br />
of the meeting are Adolph Schimel, Universal-International;<br />
Austin C. Keough,<br />
Paramount: Irving Moross, Columbia; Theodore<br />
R. Black, Republic; Robert W. Perkins,<br />
Warner Bros.; Abram F. Myers, National Allied;<br />
L. S. Hamm, Western Theatre Owners;<br />
Milton C. Weisman, Independent Theatre<br />
Owners Ass'n, and Mitchell Klupt, Metropolitan<br />
Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n.<br />
They will draft operational plans for the<br />
six subjects held by the arbitration conference<br />
to be within the .scope of arbitration.<br />
These are clearances, runs, forcing, contract<br />
violations, discrimination in competitive bidding<br />
and over-payments or over-bidding to<br />
deprive another exhibitor of films through<br />
competitive bidding.<br />
The problems of financing an arbitration<br />
setup and inclusion of film rental complaints<br />
will not come within the scope of their work,<br />
as no decision was reached on these subjects<br />
at the conference.<br />
"The task of finalizing the arbitration plan<br />
is a difficult one," Levy said, "and will be<br />
approached by the attorneys with the same<br />
spirit of cooperation that guided and impelled<br />
the members of the conference.<br />
Advertising Code Unit<br />
Reports on '51 Work<br />
NEW YORK—The year 1951 saw an increase<br />
over the previous economy-wave year<br />
in the amount of motion picture advertising<br />
and publicity materials serviced by the advertising<br />
code administration of the Motion<br />
Picture Ass'n of America, but in most instances<br />
the totals when compared with record<br />
years were not impressive. What seemed to<br />
count most was the indication of an upward<br />
trend.<br />
A total of 13,387 advertisements were submitted<br />
and 708 rejected or revised. The total<br />
was 2,833 more than that of 1950, 447 more<br />
than for 1949, 4,696 le.ss than for 1948 and<br />
5,225 less than for the peak year of 1947. The<br />
lowest year since 1934 was 1943 when only<br />
9,243 advertisements were submitted.<br />
RECORD IN POSTERS ><br />
On the other hand, posters set a record in<br />
1951 with 2,832 submitted for approval, of<br />
which 123 were rejected or revised. The<br />
nearest figure was 2,599 in 1949.<br />
Still photographs took a big jump to 109,147<br />
from the previous year's total of 86,077, with<br />
2,053 rejected or revised as compared with<br />
2,541 that got into hot water in 1950. The<br />
record year, however, remained 1937 with a<br />
figure of 129,456. The year 1941 was next<br />
with 121,584.<br />
The stills are passed on by the MPAA on<br />
the coast and are intended for use in many<br />
ways, including advertising layouts, posters<br />
and pressbooks. One rea.son for the big 1951<br />
increase was said to be the Movietime U.S.A.<br />
campaign. Some thought it was also due to<br />
an increased use of art in advertising, but<br />
there was not general agreement on that.<br />
Publicity stories rose to 15,104 from 12,365<br />
in 1950, but was considerably under the record<br />
year of 1946 which had a total of 22,995. Of<br />
the 1951 total only eight were rejected or<br />
revised.<br />
Exploitation ideas rose to 4,490 from 3,383<br />
in 1950 in comparison with 12,100 in the<br />
record year of 1935 and 10,554 in the second<br />
best year of 1939. Since then there was an<br />
intermittent decrease to the low of 1950. Of<br />
the 1951 total only four were rejected.<br />
Miscellaneous accessories, including lobby<br />
display cards, window cards, heralds and<br />
throw-aways, were submitted in the number<br />
of 5,580 compared with the record low of<br />
4,090 for 1950. Fifty-nine were rejected or<br />
revised. The record year was 1935 with a<br />
total of 11,100. Since then no year has shown<br />
totals in five figures.<br />
21 TRAILERS REJECTED<br />
Trailer scripts and finished trailers totaled<br />
875 in 1951. with 21 rejected or revised, compared<br />
with 596 preview trailers in 1950. The<br />
record year was 1941 with 1,129. Since then<br />
the totals by years were 918, 405, 320, 378, 441.<br />
521, 516, 596 to 875 in 1951.<br />
Pressbooks totaled 516 in 1951, with only<br />
one rejected or revised, compared with 457<br />
the previous year. The record year was 1941<br />
when the total was 539.<br />
Since then the totals<br />
by years were 508, 436, 397, 401, 440, 422, 490,<br />
444, 457 to 516 for 1951.<br />
MPAA also supplied figures on rejections or<br />
revisions for the period 1934-1951. For stills<br />
it was 1.18'^;, advertisements. 3.239^; posters,<br />
2.54';<br />
;<br />
ideas,<br />
0.53"?;;<br />
0.28 '^i.<br />
publicity stories 0.11''^; exploitation<br />
0.18'; ; miscellaneous accessories,<br />
trailers, LSO^f, and for pressbooks.<br />
BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952<br />
i<br />
f
Majors Lose Appeal<br />
On Biggest Verdict<br />
KANSAS CITY—The major film<br />
distributors<br />
are about to hand over the biggest check<br />
ever paid out in an antitrust damage suit<br />
brought against them by an exhibitor.<br />
It will be for $1,331,678.10. plus any further<br />
Interest at the rate of about $200 a day for<br />
each day the amount remains unpaid—and<br />
it goes to the Brookside Theatre Corp. of<br />
Kansas City and its owners, W. D. Fulton<br />
and Stanley H. Schwartz.<br />
The majors this week lost their fight to<br />
win a review of the case by the United States<br />
Supreme Court, when the high court denied<br />
a petition for certiorari, and thereby upheld<br />
the lower courts and a district court jury<br />
verdict of the heavy damages.<br />
The damage check outranked the payment<br />
to the owners of the Milwaukee Town Theatre<br />
by $300,000. Towne Theatre owners recently<br />
were handed a check for $1,023,125.01,<br />
then the largest antitrust damage award.<br />
Breakdown of the total award to the Brookside<br />
shows the original district court award<br />
of $1,125,000 damages: $100,000 attorney fees;<br />
$7,987.09 in court costs, and $98,591.01 interest.<br />
More Color, Premieres, Big Names<br />
j^ ^^y Monogram 1952-53 Program<br />
M k<br />
At the Monogram meeting: L to R<br />
(seated) Harold Mirisch, Morcy Goldstein,<br />
President Steve Broidy, James Priciiard,<br />
L. E. Goldhammcr, Edward Morey;<br />
(standing) Harold Wirthwein and Walter<br />
Mirisch, discussing 1952-53 plans.<br />
Variety May Produce Color Short<br />
To Show Its<br />
LAS VEGAS—Variety Clubs International<br />
will expand its public relations program both<br />
locally and on the international level as a<br />
result of action taken at the 16th annual<br />
convention held here last week. One of the<br />
principal projects to be undertaken may be<br />
a two-reel color short subject to be shown<br />
in all theatres.<br />
Charles Skouras. president of National Theatres,<br />
proposed the production of this film<br />
to the convention and it received a favorable<br />
reaction. He suggested that it might be called<br />
"The Heart of Show Business" and tell the<br />
story of the various charity projects carried<br />
on by the individual tents.<br />
Skouras suggested also that theatres play<br />
it at average two-reel subject rentals. Bob<br />
Humanitarian Work<br />
O'Donnell of the Interstate circuit, pledged<br />
playing time on that circuit if the subject is<br />
produced. John Chisholm, Toronto, the newly<br />
elected press guy, will discuss production with<br />
Hollywood officials this week.<br />
Under a new public relations program to be<br />
devised, local tents will receive assistance for<br />
better radio and press coverage of their projects.<br />
At the final sessions, the election of international<br />
officers was placed under juriidiction<br />
of the executive director, and Colonel<br />
William McCraw supervised the balloting for<br />
the new slate of officers. Under the new system,<br />
each officer will be nominated and<br />
elected separately and not in a group as has<br />
been the practice.<br />
HOLLYWOOD—More pictures in color,<br />
stronger marquee names, and personal appearance<br />
tours and numerous world premieres<br />
to spark intensive merchandi.se efforts will<br />
characterize the basic format of the Monogram<br />
and Allied Artists production and release<br />
.schedule for the 1952-53 sea.' on.<br />
Such were the blueprints studied when the<br />
companies' top sales executives met with<br />
studio officials at a two-day planning conference<br />
held here Friday and Saturday H, 2i.<br />
At the conclusion of the sessions. President<br />
Steve Broidy di.sclosed that the 1952-53 program<br />
will be announced in detail at a series<br />
of regional meetings to be held later this<br />
year under the supervision of Morey Goldstein,<br />
vice-president and general sales manager.<br />
In addition to<br />
Goldstein and Broidy, those<br />
in attendance included Edward Morey, vicepresident,<br />
and L. E. Goldhammer, eastern<br />
sales chief. New York; James A. Prichard,<br />
.southwest sales manager, Dallas; Harold<br />
Mirisch and G. Ralph Branton, vice-presidents;<br />
Walter Miri.sch, executive producer;<br />
Harold Wirthwein, western sales head, and<br />
John C. Flinn, advertising-publicity director.<br />
During his stay here, Goldstein announced<br />
Monogram would place three films in national<br />
release this month. First to go, on Sunday<br />
i4i, was "Kansas Territory," starring Wild<br />
Bill Elliott, which will be followed Sunday<br />
(111 by "Desert Pursuit," with Wayne Morris,<br />
and "African Treasure" on Sunday i25>.<br />
While here, the sales executives also conferred<br />
with studio brass on the upcoming national<br />
Monogram Drive-In Week, which begins<br />
Saturday i24i, and mapped sales policies<br />
on such new AA relea.ses as "Battle Zone"<br />
and •Cow Country," soon to go into production.<br />
Variety officers aft«r their election last wdk: I. to R (seated): John Harris,<br />
international big boss; Jack Beresin, chief barker R. J. O'Donnell, international ringmaster;<br />
Marc Wolf, honorary main guy; (standing) J. J. fhisholm, press guy: William<br />
McCraw, executive director John Rowley, second assistant chief barker; George<br />
Eby, doughguy; George C. Hoover, first assistant; Murray Weiss, property master.<br />
Daff Joins Merger Talks<br />
Between Rackmil, Rank<br />
NEW YORK— Al Daff. head of Universal-<br />
International worldwide sales, joined Milton<br />
R. Rackmil, president of Decca Records, and<br />
J. Arthur Rank in London during the week<br />
in discussions of the proposed U-I-Decca<br />
merger. John Etevis, Rank managing director,<br />
al.so participated.<br />
The presence at the talks of Daff. who<br />
delayed his return until Monday (12i in<br />
order to attend, was seen as a new attempt<br />
to win approval of the merger from Rank.<br />
BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952 27
THE FIRST AMERICAN Pia<br />
THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE
RE MADE IN AUSTRALIA<br />
RATION DAY!<br />
\<br />
»<br />
..-.mK<br />
"3r'<br />
or<br />
Produced by Atsociofe Producer Directed by<br />
ROBERT 6ASSLERR0BERT SNODY LEWIS MILESTONE HARlJfKLEINER<br />
From a Story by MARTIN BERKELEY<br />
01 CENTURY-FOX BUSINESS!
I<br />
^oU^ftiAMd ^e^tont<br />
Production Pace for May Is<br />
By<br />
IVAN SPEAR<br />
Fair;<br />
33 Features Listed for Lensing<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Only moderate was the<br />
picture-making pace to which the film capital's<br />
major and independent picture-makers<br />
had geared themselves as the cinema citadel<br />
moved into 1952's fifth month. An aggregate<br />
of 33 features had either gone before the<br />
cameras in May's early days or were slated for<br />
sound stage treatment during the balance of<br />
the period.<br />
The total reflects a downward trend from<br />
the year's most active month to date, April,<br />
during which 37 subjects were earmarked for<br />
the green light. In the silver-lining department<br />
it might be noted, however, that May's<br />
tempo is more rapid than that established in<br />
February (26) or March (25).<br />
Fastest pace to be recorded was that of<br />
Monogram, which listed five starting subjects:<br />
Columbia, Metro and RKO Radio all<br />
had four features on their respective dockets.<br />
while Republic, 20th Century-Fox and Universal-International<br />
carded show money with<br />
three each.<br />
The roundup, by studios:<br />
COLUMBIA—A lineup of four starting subjects<br />
was in prospect at this studio. Although<br />
uncast at this writing, first to get under way<br />
was to be a serial, "Son of Geronimo," which<br />
will be produced by Sam Katzman and directed<br />
by Spencer Bennet. The cliffhanger<br />
is being followed by "Panhandle Territory,"<br />
a western, noteworthy because it marks the<br />
launching of a new series in which Jack<br />
Mahoney replaces Charles Starrett as thj<br />
square-jawed hero. Smiley Burnette continues<br />
AWARD TO -BELLES' — William C.<br />
Gehring (right), executive assistant general<br />
sales manager for 20th Century-Fox,<br />
accepts the plaque awarded by Ford<br />
Stewart, president and publisher of the<br />
Christian Herald, on behalf of the Protestant<br />
Motion Picture Council, for "Belles<br />
on Their Toes," as the "best picture-ofthe-month"<br />
for May.<br />
as the comedy support, with Colbert Clark<br />
producing. Fred Scars at the megaphone.<br />
Also on deck is "Blue Canadian Rockies," a<br />
Gene Autry sagebrusher. which George<br />
Archainbaud will pilot for Producer Armand<br />
Schaefer, while "Target Hong Kong" is in<br />
preparation as a Wallace MacDonald production.<br />
Sears is tagged to direct this one, also.<br />
but it Vios minus a cast as the month began.<br />
INDEPENDENT—For release through Realart,<br />
Jack Broder Pi-oductions set Maurice<br />
Duke to produce "White Woman of the Lost<br />
Jimgle," an action drama to be directed by<br />
William Beaudine, and marking the screen<br />
debut of a new comedy team, Duke Mitchell<br />
and Sammy Petrillo. Also in the independent<br />
category, with distribution arrangements not<br />
yet set, is "Crosstown,' a romantic drama to<br />
star Gloria Swanson, which is being prepared<br />
by American Pictures, headed by Alfred Zugsmith.<br />
Set to direct was Alfred E. Green.<br />
MGM—Romance, comedy and outdoor<br />
action fare constitute the month's slated output<br />
from this Culver City studio, where four<br />
pictures faced the starting gun. A manhunt<br />
in the High Sierras is the theme of "The<br />
Naked Spur," a William H. Wright production<br />
in Technicolor, with Anthony Mann directing<br />
a cast headed by James Stewart, Janet<br />
Leigh and Robert Ryan. Western adventure<br />
also characterizes the Hayes Goetz production,<br />
"Apache Trail," which toplines Gilbert<br />
Roland, Glenda Farrell and Robert Horton,<br />
and megged by Harold P. Kress. On the<br />
docket as Clark Gable's next is "Never Let<br />
Me Go," a love story localed behind the Iron<br />
Curtain, which will be directed by Delmer<br />
Daves for Producer Clarence Brown, while<br />
Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds are<br />
the co-stars of a Technicolor musical. "I Love<br />
Melvin." This one is being produced by<br />
George Wells and directed by Don Weis.<br />
MONOGRAM—What with "Battle Zone"<br />
and "Flat Top" appearing on its slate as part<br />
of a five-picture lineup, this film foundry appears<br />
to be going all-out for the national defense<br />
effort. The former, a Walter Wanger<br />
production for Allied Artists release, concerns<br />
a combat photographer, but was minus a<br />
megaphonist and cast early in the period.<br />
The latter, also uncast. is a Walter Mirisch<br />
production in Cinecolor, with Lesley Selander<br />
booked to direct. Mirisch also will produce<br />
"Hiawatha," based on Henry Wadsworth<br />
Longfellow's narrative poem, and which al :o<br />
is destined for Cinecolor treatment. Kurt<br />
Neumann will direct, with a thespian roster<br />
which was yet to be recruited as the month<br />
began. On Producer Lindsley Parsons' docket<br />
as a Kirby Grant starrer is "Timber Wolf," a<br />
story of the frozen north, while Whip Wilson<br />
toplines "Gun Smoke Range" as the latest<br />
in the series of we.sterns produced by Vincent<br />
M. Fennelly.<br />
PARAMOUNT — Keyed to the romantic<br />
comedy motif is "Pleasure Island," one of two<br />
films destined by the Marathon St. studio<br />
Columbia's Plugs Via<br />
Radio, TV Total 522<br />
Tho.se industry .segments which have<br />
been contending that the filmmakers are<br />
not taking full advantage of available<br />
media to plug new product were confronted<br />
with strong statistical rebuttal<br />
when Columbia disclo.sed the results of a<br />
quietly conducted radio-TV campaign.<br />
Between Nov. 1, IQ.'Jl, and April 30, 1952<br />
—and all originating in Hollywood—the<br />
company amassed a total of 522 radio<br />
and video plugs for its current reelases.<br />
Of these, 146 were on coast-to-coast<br />
shows, 261 were local, 84 were regional<br />
and 31 were broadcast overseas. The top<br />
week encompassed 35 broadcasts.<br />
In most instances the plugs were in the<br />
form of guest appearances by players and<br />
production personnel including such luminaries<br />
as Judy Holliday, Burt Lancaster,<br />
Loretta Young, Robert Cummings,<br />
William Holden, Joan Leslie, Gilbert Roland,<br />
Paul Henreid. Donna Reed, Anthony<br />
Dexter, Broderick Crawford, John Derek,<br />
Adolphe Menjou, Marie Windsor, Barbara<br />
Hale, Ellen Drew, Millard Mitchell,<br />
Pat O'Brien, Mickey Rooney, Arthur<br />
Franz. Jody Lawrance, Terry Moore and<br />
Aldo Ray.<br />
The picture most strongly promoted was ,<br />
Producer Stanley Kramer's "Death of a<br />
Salesman," which was cited on 123 shows.<br />
Next was "The Marrying Kind," with 81,<br />
followed by "Ten Tall Men," with 72.<br />
to begin camera work during the month.<br />
Starring Don Taylor, Elsa Lanchester and<br />
three British imports—Audrey Dalton, Joan<br />
Elan and Dorothy Bromiley—it details what<br />
befalls when a battalion of Seabees invade the<br />
lonely South Sea island where the three<br />
gii'ls have been brought up. The Paul Jones<br />
production will be directed by F. Hugh Herbert,<br />
who also wrote the script. Another upcoming<br />
starter is "Reach for the Stars," a<br />
romantic musical starring the youthful songstress,<br />
Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Lauritz<br />
Melchior of operatic fame. This one, an Irving<br />
Asher production, will be megged by<br />
Norman Taurog.<br />
RKO Radio—Despite Howard Hughes' widely<br />
discussed action in reducing the plant's<br />
payroll while completing the establishment<br />
of a screening system to ensure there will be<br />
no employment of Communist sympathizers,<br />
a brisk four-picture productional pace was<br />
being charted—one starter being studio-sponsored,<br />
the others stemming from independent<br />
units which have RKO Radio releasing commitments.<br />
Set to roll on the lot, with Robert<br />
Sparks producing and Lloyd Bacon as the<br />
director, was the tentatively titled "Beautiful<br />
but Dangerous," a starring vehicle for Jean<br />
Simmons and Robert Mitchum. This opus,<br />
originally tagged "A Likely Story," was acquired<br />
by the Hughes company from Paramount,<br />
and deals with a doctor in a small<br />
town in Arkansas. A contribution from Independent<br />
Artists, returning to lensing activity<br />
after a lengthy hiatus, is "Never Wave at<br />
a WAC," a service comedy starring Rosalind<br />
Russell and to be produced by her husband,<br />
Frederick Brisson. At this writing, however,<br />
no megaphonist had been recruited for the<br />
film. Likewise sans director were two upcoming<br />
Edmund Grainger productions, "Black-<br />
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30<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952<br />
\<br />
t
eard the Pirate" and "Split Second," Tlie<br />
former, in Technicolor, ha.s Robert Newton<br />
as the title-roler in a saga of buccaneering<br />
days: the latter, a suspense drama, was without<br />
a cast early in the month.<br />
REPUBLIC—As the first venture under a<br />
producer-director ticket recently signed with<br />
the btudio. William A. Seiter is readying "The<br />
Lady Wants Minli," one of three features<br />
to be given the green light at this valley studio<br />
during the month. Uncast as the month<br />
began. "Lady." deals with a woman who gets<br />
her mink coat the hard way— by starting a<br />
mink farm. Also in comedy vein is "A WAC<br />
From Walla Walla." ,i Judy Canova starrer.<br />
which will be produced in Trucolor by Sidney<br />
Picker and directed by R. G. Springsteen. Another<br />
starter is "Desperadoes' Outpost," in<br />
which Allan "Rocky" Lane rides thataway<br />
under the productional guidance of Rudy<br />
Kalston, with Harry Keller at the megaphone.<br />
TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX — Already<br />
under way, as the month began, for release<br />
through this company was "Panic Stricken,"<br />
a suspense drama being made under the aegis<br />
of Thor Productions, independent unit headed<br />
by Bert Friedlob. Co-starring Jo.seph Cotten<br />
and Teresa Wright, it is being directed<br />
from his own screenplay—by Andrew Stone.<br />
Two other projects, both comedies, are l>eing<br />
sponsored by the studio itself. Richard Widmark<br />
and Joanne Dru co-star in "Big Man."<br />
a Stanley Rubin production, with Robert Parish<br />
as the megaphonist, while Patricia Neal<br />
and Victor Mature are the topUners in "Old<br />
Sailors Never Die," to be directed by Robert<br />
Wise and produced by Samuel G. Engel. This<br />
one. which has a Washington background,<br />
deals with a high-pressure lobbyist and a<br />
bird-lover.<br />
UNITED ARTISTS—Slated to go before the<br />
Technicolor cameras on location in Samoa,<br />
for distribution by this organization, is "Return<br />
to Pai'adise," which will be made under<br />
the Aspen Productions banner. The independent<br />
unit is headed by Directors Robert<br />
Wise and Mark Robson, the latter of whom<br />
will hold the megaphone on the Gary Cooper<br />
starrer, written by James Michener of "South<br />
Pacific" fame.<br />
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL—The flavor<br />
of sagebrush permeates this valley studio's<br />
projected starting lineup for the period, two<br />
of the three-picture total being in the galloper<br />
category. Maureen O'Hara toplines "Cattle<br />
Kate," the story of a range war. which Lee<br />
Sholem megs for Producer Leonard Goldstein;<br />
Rock Hudson and Julia Adams have<br />
the leads in "Gun Hand." William Alland production<br />
based on the career of John Wesley<br />
Hardin, the Texas outlaw, which Raoul Walsh<br />
will direct. "The Great Companions," story<br />
of a traveling medicine man in Michigan at<br />
the turn of the century, co-stars Dan Dalley<br />
and Ann Blyth under the productional supervision<br />
of Albert J. Cohen and the directional<br />
guidance of Douglas Sirk. Significantly, all<br />
three<br />
vehicles are in Technicolor.<br />
WARNER BROS.—It's the third time<br />
around for "The Desert Song," Sigmund Romberg's<br />
perennially popular operetta, the new<br />
version of which is slated for Technicolor<br />
filming with Gordon MacRae, Kathryn Gray-<br />
.son and Raymond Massey in the key roles.<br />
The producer is Rudi Fehr and the opus will<br />
be directed by Bruce Humberstone. "The<br />
Desert Song" first hit the screen in 1929, starring<br />
John Boles, and was lensed again in<br />
1944 with Dennis Morgan as the topliner. Already<br />
before the cameras as the month began<br />
—on location in Hawaii—was "Jim McLaln,"<br />
a John Wayne starrer which marks the initial<br />
independent production venture for Wayne<br />
and his associate. Robert Fellows. Co-starring<br />
Nancy Olson, the picture is being megged<br />
by Edward Ludwig, and concerns a Texas<br />
cattle buyer who follows a trail of adventure<br />
to Honolulu.<br />
HollyAvood Talent Continues<br />
Many Gratis Appearances<br />
From two souricN canu- lurlhrr i-vidence of<br />
Hollywood's continuing; m'licro.sily iii the matter<br />
of supplying name personalities to supply<br />
entertainment for patriotic, public -service and<br />
fund-raising benefit programs.<br />
Filmdom has responded "generously and<br />
unselfishly" in supplying much-needed morale<br />
boosts for GIs stationed in such outlying<br />
areas as Alaska. North Africa and Korea, it<br />
was declared by Col. Joseph F. Goetz. chief<br />
of the armed forces professional entertainment<br />
branch, upon his recent arrival here<br />
from Washington, D. C. Colonel Goetz came<br />
in for conferences with Universal-International<br />
studio executives regarding arrangements<br />
for upcoming Alaskan military premieres<br />
of U-I's "The World in His Arms."<br />
The studio is sending 20 players, including<br />
Gregory Peck and Ann Blyth, to that northern<br />
territory in June for appearances at a<br />
series of openings in Anchorage and at major<br />
military installations.<br />
Simultaneously the Hollywood Coordinating<br />
Committee reported that during April 89 filmland<br />
personalities made an aggregate of 225<br />
appearances on 96 programs, including the<br />
entertainment of troops in camps and hospitals<br />
and on behalf of recognized national and<br />
local charitable organizations. The 1952 total,<br />
to date: 758 appearances on 274 programs:<br />
since June, 1946: 12,758 free appearances on<br />
4,455 public service events.<br />
This story was brought to 150 Minnesota<br />
newspaper publishers this week by George<br />
Murphy as another step in publicizing the<br />
program.<br />
Wald Buys Out Krasna<br />
In<br />
RKO Partnership<br />
One of filmdom's more widely publicized<br />
independent partnership operations<br />
was placed on a solo basis when<br />
Jerry Wald purchased Norman Krasna's<br />
interest in Wald-Krasna Productions and<br />
a.ssumed full control over the unit, which<br />
releases through RKO Radio.<br />
Krasna henceforth will devote full time<br />
to writing and directing on a salaried<br />
basis. The W-K outfit underwent a<br />
streamlining late last year, when its RKO<br />
Radio distribution contract was renewed,<br />
under which Krasna relinquished most<br />
of his executive duties and it was announced<br />
then that his attentions would<br />
be concentrated upon scrivening and<br />
megging assignments.<br />
Under the W-K banner, four pictures<br />
were produced—"The Blue Veil" and "Behave<br />
Yourself." already released, and<br />
"Clash by Night" and "The Lusty Men."<br />
With Wald remaining as executive producer,<br />
the company will continue operations<br />
with David Tannenbaum as president<br />
and Milton E. Pickman as vicepresident.<br />
Sol Siegel Is Named<br />
Fox Musicals Chief<br />
That filmmusicals, long a celluloid staple,<br />
are being regarded as increasingly Important<br />
by at least one major picture-maker was<br />
emphasized when 20th<br />
Century-Fox's Producer<br />
Sol C. Siegel was<br />
boosted to an executive<br />
status in charge of the<br />
Westwood studio's future<br />
tunefilm output.<br />
In announcing the appointment.<br />
Just prior<br />
to his departure for<br />
a European holiday,<br />
Darryl F. Zanuck, vicepresident<br />
in charge of<br />
production. di.sclosed<br />
that all producers who Sol ('. Siegel<br />
are working on properties of a musical nature<br />
will function under Siegel's supervision.<br />
while Siegel also will per-sonally produce "Call<br />
Me Madam," film version of the Broadway<br />
stage hit, which is due for camera work soon.<br />
Literary Activity Perks Up;<br />
Six Purchases Recorded<br />
Tiade was brisk in filmdom's literary mart,<br />
the picture-makers having unlimbered their<br />
bankrolls to the extent of six story purchases<br />
during the period. Added to his Columbia<br />
slate by Producer Stanley Kramer was "The<br />
Miracle at Kitty Hawk," a new novel by Fred<br />
Kelly and said to be based upon hithertounknown<br />
facts in connection with the successful<br />
aeronautical experiments of Wilbur<br />
and Orville Wright. Parenthetically, Warners<br />
have had "The Story of the Wright Brothers"<br />
on their schedule for several years . . .<br />
Bob Thomas. Hollywood correspondent for the<br />
Associated Pi-ess. sold his first original screen<br />
. . . "Poppa's<br />
. . Mutual<br />
story with the purchase by MGM of "For<br />
the Love of Mike." It deals with Mike<br />
Marienthal, one-time all-coast football star<br />
at UCLA, who lost a leg at Okinawa but<br />
overcame that handicap to become a successful<br />
high school football coach. Sol Fielding<br />
has been assigned as producer<br />
Delicate Condition." a nonfiction tome by<br />
Corinne Griffith, silent-screen star, went to<br />
Paramount, where it will be produced in<br />
Technicolor by Burton Lane. It's ba.sed on<br />
Miss Griffith's childhood in Texas, where<br />
her father was a railroad superintendent for<br />
Also acquired by<br />
the Cotton Belt line . . .<br />
Paramount was "The Shamrocks Are Coming,"<br />
an original .screenplay by Fred Finklehoffe,<br />
as a co-starring vehicle for Betty<br />
Hutton and Donald O'Connor. Set as producer<br />
was Robert Emmett IX)lan . For<br />
. .<br />
their Paramount releasing schedule. Producer<br />
William Pine and William Thomas<br />
picked up the screen rights to '"Morro Treasui"e."<br />
a new novel by David Duncan, and<br />
inked the author to develop the script. It's<br />
an adventure yarn of the Jivaro headhunting<br />
tribes in the jungles of Columbia .<br />
Pictures, headed by Jack Dietz and Hal E.<br />
Chester, purcha.sed ""Yellow Angels." a crime<br />
novel by Edward Helseth. and scheduled it for<br />
production this fall.<br />
Gable Off for Europe<br />
NEW YORK—Clark Gable sailed for Europe<br />
Tuesday i6i for .'ix months of picture<br />
making. He plans to make a picture in<br />
England and another in Africa.<br />
BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952 31
'<br />
when<br />
LETTERS<br />
Pleads for COMPO's Continuance<br />
To BOXOPFICE:<br />
It will be most regrettable, costly, and far<br />
reaching if the Council of Motion Picture Organizations<br />
is permitted to lag or pass out<br />
of the picture. Tlie motion picture industry,<br />
always a leader and a champion, should continue<br />
to champion its champion, COMPO.<br />
COMPO's great work is so far reaching and<br />
effective that its results will not show until<br />
the time COMPO doesn't exist, heaven forbid!<br />
Movietime U.S.A. last year was put on at a<br />
time when the industry was on its Icnees. It<br />
wa-s put on in a manner that showed this<br />
industry could fight, if organized against<br />
knockers, phony critics, alleged foreseers of<br />
gloom and w'ise guys.<br />
Today, because of COMPO, the theatres are<br />
getting stronger and stronger. 'Vou've got to<br />
sell and convince your public, on your merchandise,<br />
just as well as any other industry<br />
does, whether it is beer, cigarets, gasoline,<br />
soap or permanent waves.<br />
A foUowup on the<br />
great Movietime U.S.A.<br />
would be for COMPO and the industry to<br />
start this year, "a golden year" celebrating<br />
the motion pictures' 50 years of leadership in<br />
the entertainment field—and if we want the<br />
industry to continue its recovery, we've all<br />
got to fight for the survival and good health<br />
of COMPO—a most important factor in our<br />
business in these stressing times. It will be<br />
regrettable to see a repetition of the doors<br />
being locked after the stolen horse. Great<br />
effort, expense and ingenuity was put into<br />
COMPO. While it's still in existence, let's<br />
support and help keep it alive!<br />
MEYER STANZLER<br />
President.<br />
Independent Theatre Owners of Rhode<br />
Island, Providence, R. I.<br />
Thank You, Sir<br />
To BOXOFFICE:<br />
The mimeographed sheet from your circulation<br />
department in quest of renewals for<br />
subscriptions was one of the best I've ever<br />
seen. I know it must have done the job for<br />
you. I sometimes wonder though, if it isn't<br />
just a matter of letting your readers know<br />
when to re-subscribe. After all, there isn't<br />
another trade magazine that comes within a<br />
country mile of BOXOFFICE. I've been reading<br />
your excellent magazine since my projectionist<br />
days I<br />
I was 131. It is interesting<br />
to me that every theatre I've ever<br />
worked in lat everything from projectionist to<br />
manager) has been a sub.scriber to BOX-<br />
OFFICE. And, at every theatre I've worked<br />
in, BOXOFFICE has circulated to almost<br />
everyone of the staff. From this I gather<br />
that at least three people have a look at<br />
each issue, making your reader circulation<br />
closer to 75,000 than to the published paid<br />
circulation of some 25,000!<br />
now use BOXOFFICE primarily to<br />
While I<br />
keep up with everything in the production<br />
and exhibition field of motion pictures and<br />
am not able to use it as it is primarily intended,<br />
I do want to commend the Promotion<br />
Section as 1 believe it to be the finest feature<br />
you have ever added. I'm sure exhibitors<br />
feel the same. Of course, I always follow<br />
the Modern Theatre Sections, the Barometer<br />
Sections and, like everyone else, enjoy<br />
the Exhibitor Has His Say most of all the<br />
lesser features.<br />
Director of Operations,<br />
WBBM,<br />
Chicago, 111.<br />
BOB MARTIN<br />
Run the Cerebral Palsy campaign trailer. Avoiloble<br />
May 15 to July 1.<br />
M-G-M TRADE SHOW -<strong>MAY</strong> 15th<br />
IKGLORY ALLEY M<br />
ALBANY<br />
ATLANTA<br />
BOSTON<br />
BUFFALO<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
CHICAGO<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
CLEVELAND<br />
DALLAS<br />
DENVER<br />
DES MOINES<br />
DETROIT<br />
INDIANAPOLIS<br />
JACKSONVILLE<br />
KANSAS CITY<br />
LOS ANGELES<br />
MEMPHIS<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
NEW HAVEN<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
NEW YORK<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
OMAHA<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
PORTLAND<br />
ST. LOUIS<br />
SALT LAKE CITY<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
SEATTLE<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
M-G-M presents "<br />
Gilbert Roland •<br />
and Screen Play<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
H. C. Igel's Screen Room<br />
RKO Palace BIdg., Sc. Rm.<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
Paramount Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
MaxBlumenthal'sSc. Rm.<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
Florida State Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
United Artists' Scr. Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
W/arner Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
20th- Fox Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
M-G-M Screen Room<br />
B. F. Shearer Screen Rm.<br />
S'Renco Art Theatre<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
20th-Fox Screen Room<br />
Jewel Box Preview Thea.<br />
RKO Screen Room<br />
GLORY ALLEY<br />
John Mclntire<br />
by Art Cohn •<br />
1052 Broadway<br />
197 Walton St., N. W.<br />
46 Church Street<br />
290 Franklin Street<br />
308 S. Church Street<br />
1301 S. Wabash Ave.<br />
1638 Central Parkway<br />
2219 Payne Ave.<br />
1803 Wood Street<br />
2100 Stout street<br />
1300 High Street<br />
2311 Cass Avenue<br />
326 No. Illinois St.<br />
128 East Forsyth Street<br />
1720 Wyandotte St.<br />
1851 S. Westmoreland<br />
151 Vance Avenue<br />
212 W. Wisconsin Ave.<br />
1 01 5 Currie Avenue<br />
40 Whiting Street<br />
500 S. Liberty St.<br />
630 Ninth Avenue<br />
10 North Lee Street<br />
1502 Davenport St.<br />
1233 Summer Street<br />
1623 Blvd. of Allies<br />
1947 N. W. Kearney St.<br />
3143 Olive street<br />
216 E. First St., So.<br />
245 Hyde Street<br />
2318 Second Ave.<br />
932 New Jersey Ave.. N.W.<br />
Starring Ralph Meeker • Leslie Caron<br />
5/15<br />
and Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong and His Trum<br />
Directed by Raoul Walsh • Produ(
'mh a Song inMy Heart' (20th-fox)<br />
Wins April Blue Ribbon Award<br />
By DOROTHY F.<br />
MARTIN<br />
\<br />
New<br />
tars<br />
Paramount;<br />
><br />
\<br />
Op-<br />
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH gave<br />
him his big opportunity with Cecil B.<br />
DeMille. Next he plays the lead in an important<br />
adventure film, "The Savage" . .<br />
THE REBEL will be her next picture.<br />
She played top comedy in "Rhubarb"<br />
and for her dramatic work in "The Big<br />
Carnival" won an "Oscar" nomination . .<br />
;' "•"' "^i^V :. .<br />
'-:,<br />
THE ATOMIC CITY, now having its<br />
first<br />
engagements, focuses industrywide attention<br />
on this new actor who will also soon<br />
be seen prominently in "Stalag 17"<br />
. . .<br />
THE STARS ARE SINGING will<br />
be next<br />
to frame the superb soprano voice of<br />
the teen-age star first heard with Bing<br />
Crosby in "Here Comes The Groom". .
1 Audrey<br />
'<br />
Paramount, The Star Company, year after year sends the boxoffice the<br />
bigg^est marquee names whom exhibitors annually vote the industry's<br />
top money-makers. Now we present a dozen fresh youngs personalities<br />
as your assurance that the new star talent, which is so vital to our<br />
business, is constantly being developed for you at the Paramount Studio...<br />
(Moti of this liar lay-out or* availabU. Writ* in for tham.)<br />
Hepburn<br />
Rosemary Clooney<br />
I<br />
lOMAN HOLIDAY, to be filmed here and<br />
Italy by William Wyler, will introduce<br />
screen audiences the sensational star of<br />
liecurrent Broadway stage play, "Gigi" . .<br />
WAR OF THE WORLDS, H. G. Wells'<br />
science-fiction masterpiece, will give him<br />
an even more bigger role than he plays<br />
in "The Atomic City" or "Stalag 17". . .<br />
THE STARS ARE SINGING, a big musical<br />
in color by Technicolor, will be the<br />
first film for the recording star who clicked<br />
as the "Come On-A My House" girl . . .<br />
• '-^<br />
^R''<br />
Joan Taylor Tom Morton Mary Sinclair<br />
IE SAVAGE, new frontier epic, gives<br />
an a big boost toward stardom. She<br />
11 also be importantly featured with<br />
>b Hope in "Military Policemen" . . .<br />
THE STARS ARE SINGING will<br />
present<br />
this romantic, rugged hero to movie fans.<br />
We predict that he's got a great future<br />
as a leading boxoffice moneymaker . . .<br />
FILM DEBUT SOON in a Paramount picture<br />
to be announced shortly ... for the<br />
girl who is unanimously considered the<br />
finest young actress yet toappearonTV . .
I<br />
Giant Junket Helps Launch<br />
Nat Holt,<br />
inn 100<br />
'Denver & Rio Grande' Bow =<br />
By JAMES M. JERAULD<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—This is<br />
about 745 miles<br />
from Denver, not as the crow flies, but as<br />
the Denver & Rio Grande railroad flie.-, via<br />
Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Canon City, Royal<br />
Gorge, Sallda. Grand Junction and other<br />
points.<br />
Without a map this may not mean much to<br />
the reader, but with a view from a vista dome<br />
car or the rear platform of the private<br />
car of Wilson McCarthy, president of the<br />
railroad, it's a lot of scenery, ranging from<br />
farm country to industrial cities, fantastic<br />
rock formations and snow directly outside the<br />
car window, plus nearby peaks.<br />
Interruption—Zasu Pitts just came by and<br />
looked over our right shoulder. She was<br />
wearing a white duck coat, an engineer's cap,<br />
and white canvas gloves. For the next half<br />
hoiu- she is going to take lessons in running<br />
a Diesel engine.!<br />
ROAD PRESIDENT COOPERATES<br />
But to get back to the sequence of events.<br />
A year or more ago Producer Nat Holt decided<br />
the fight between the Denver & Rio<br />
Grande and another railroad for the Royal<br />
Gorge route would make a good movie story.<br />
It did. Then a few months ago Jerry Pickman,<br />
vice-president of Paramount Film Distribution<br />
Corp. and director of publicity and<br />
advertising, decided the people of the west,<br />
plus the press and radio representatives,<br />
should know about it. President McCarthy of<br />
the D&RG provided a special train and Gov.<br />
Dan Thornton of Colorado provided statistics<br />
and general information about the "greatest<br />
state in the Union." Nat Holt contributed<br />
some odd bits of information about the picture.<br />
About 100 press and radio representatives<br />
arrived in Denver May 1 and attended so<br />
many luncheons and other ceremonies in the<br />
first 24 hours, plus a ceremony crowning<br />
Cinder Ella with a floral wreath that they<br />
practically forgot whether they came up to<br />
help on publicity for the picture or to study<br />
Colorado's natural resources.<br />
TWO LOCOMOTIVES WRECKED<br />
Cinder Ella, by the way, is a 70-year-old<br />
locomotive that reached Denver from Philadelphia<br />
and helped make western history.<br />
Cinder's two sister (or is it brother?) locomotives<br />
were operating on a narrow-gauge<br />
branch of the Rio Grande out of Salida when<br />
Holt arrived with his Technicolor cameras.<br />
The two sisters (or brothers) were wrecked<br />
in a head-on collision for the picture, and<br />
Laura Elliot, young star of the picture, helped<br />
push huge chunks of the locomotives into the<br />
plant of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co. at<br />
Pueblo, Colo., during the course of the second<br />
stop.<br />
Getting back to the sequence again, Denver<br />
got itself into a dither the night of May 1 and<br />
most of May 2. Then the special train went<br />
down to Colorado Springs and a well-known<br />
newspaper man insisted he found three ducks<br />
swimming in his bath tub at the Broadmoor<br />
hotel. I<br />
The altitude affects anybody fresh<br />
from sea level.)<br />
Breakfast the following day was served from<br />
Paramount Take<br />
Newspapermen on a<br />
Mile Premiere Trip<br />
One of the high points in the premiere ceremonies in Denver came when the<br />
70-year-old locomotive used in "Denver & Rio Grande" was driven down one of Denver's<br />
streets. Shown here, at the ceremony are: (L to R) Nat Holt, producer of the picture;<br />
A. W. Schwalberg, president of Paramount Film Distributing Corp,, and Mrs. Schwalberg.<br />
the former Carmel Myers of silent movie fame; Wilson McCarthy, president of<br />
the D&RG; Laura Elliot and Forrest Tuclcer, stars of the film, and Governor Dan<br />
Thornton of Colorado.<br />
a chuck wagon in the middle of the main<br />
street, with the high school band playing and<br />
Arapahoe Indian maids and braves doing<br />
war dances nearby.<br />
The next day Pueblo turned out en masse<br />
(large crowd) for the third premiere. That<br />
was the place where the locomotives were<br />
melted and the visiting celebrities were<br />
singed as the doors of the huge furnace were<br />
opened.<br />
About an hour later 17 members of the<br />
caravan sat on a low dock at the Pueblo<br />
Country club with their feet in the cool water.<br />
9,000 WAIT AT CANON CITY<br />
This could have been the end of a perfect<br />
day, but the entire population of Canon City<br />
(9,000, maybe more) was waiting at 9:30 when<br />
the special train arrived there for another<br />
premiere.<br />
By this time, Forrest Tucker, who was acting<br />
as master of ceremonies on platforms in<br />
front of the theatres as well as inside them,<br />
was suffering from laryngitis, and Zasu Pitts<br />
had stopped waving with both hands in order<br />
to conserve energy for a slight movement of<br />
the left hand. After all, she explained, she<br />
has made 500 pictures, and there is a limit<br />
to the amount of waving a woman can do.<br />
Sunday (3) started off with a trip to the<br />
highest suspension bridge in the world over<br />
the Royal Gorge in a cavalcade of about 100<br />
automobiles.<br />
Later in the day the visiting celebrities<br />
stopped for an outdoor show at SaUda. After<br />
leaving Salida the troupe also left the Arkansas<br />
river which flows east and suddenly discovered<br />
they were going down grade with<br />
the Eagle river, which flows west, heading for<br />
Glenwood Springs and another premiere.<br />
By this time premieres were getting to be<br />
a habit. Monday there was another one, after<br />
approximately five hours sleep at Glenwood<br />
Springs, at Grand Junction. Prom there on<br />
there were outdoor shows and premieres to<br />
Provo and Salt Lake City.<br />
There have been exploitation stunts before,<br />
but never, so far as Nat Holt can recall (and<br />
he can recall some time back) that took in all<br />
the principal points of two states the size of<br />
Colorado and Utah.<br />
The governor of Colorado said the picture<br />
would be shown in 20,000 theatres to 50,000,000<br />
(He knows Jerry Rckman and Jerry<br />
people.<br />
may have spread the rumor.) The governor<br />
didn't stop at that. He said it was one of the<br />
greatest action pictures ever made. Maybe so!<br />
The governor also said he was in favor of<br />
General Eisenhower. This was by way of<br />
proving that he can pick a winner politically<br />
as well as cinematically.<br />
Time will tell.<br />
Delay 'Island of Desire'<br />
NEW YORK—United Artists has postponed<br />
release of "Island of Desire," David E. Rose<br />
production starring Linda Darnell, Tab<br />
Hunter and Donald Gray, from June 20 to<br />
July 23, according to William J. Heineman,<br />
vice-president in charge of distribution. The<br />
picture was filmed in Jamaica.<br />
Rossellini Starts Comedy<br />
ROSE, ITALY—Roberto Rossellini has begun<br />
shooting his first comedy, "'Where Is<br />
Freedom?" with Toto, Italian comedian,<br />
starred. Nyta Dover, an Austrian actress,<br />
and Franca Paldini are featured. The schedule<br />
calls for completion in two months.<br />
36<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952
TRADE<br />
SHOWINGS<br />
ALBANV<br />
Foil Scr. Rm.<br />
10S2 Broadway
Atlas Made 12 Million<br />
On RKO Investment<br />
NEW YORK— Atla-s Corp. made nearly $12.-<br />
000.000 from its RKO investment, Floyd B.<br />
Odium, pre.sident, told stockholder.s at the<br />
annual meeting May 2. Atlas also has investment's<br />
in Paramount. United Paramount.<br />
Walt Disney Productions and Motion Picture<br />
Capital Corp., which produced six features<br />
for Eagle Lion Classics release.<br />
Atlas also had been studying the television<br />
field with the possibility of making investments<br />
in this industry, according to Odium.<br />
Although Atlas has made no investment in<br />
TV as yet, he feels that the production end<br />
of the film industry "is going to be fully<br />
immersed in television" in an effort to meet<br />
the competition offered by home TV.<br />
Atlas, through its investmnt in Airfleet.<br />
Inc.. will have an interest in "Never Wave<br />
at a WAC. which Rosalind Ru.s.sell and her<br />
husband. Fred Bri.sson. will produce independently<br />
this summer for RKO release. N.<br />
Peter Rathvon. former RKO president, who<br />
now heads Motion Picture Capital Corp., reported<br />
to stockholders that all loans against<br />
the six pictures the corporation financed have<br />
been discharged.<br />
Records for U. S. Trailer<br />
NEW YORK—Fran Warren, singer, has<br />
completed recording of a trailer to be used<br />
to stimulate the recruitment of women in<br />
the armed forces. The trailer, sponsored by<br />
COMPO and the Defense Department, is being<br />
produced by RKO's Jay Bonafield.<br />
Has Been a Baby Sitter<br />
At Theatre for 23 Years<br />
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — The second<br />
generation of "theatregoers" is now sleeping<br />
in the nursery at the Florida Theatre.<br />
This fact was brought to light when<br />
Robert Heekin, manager of the Florida<br />
State Theatres showplace, celebrated the<br />
25th anniversary of the house last month.<br />
Mrs. Margaret Vogel, who has been in<br />
charge of the nursery ever since it was<br />
opened about 23 years ago, said a threeweek-old<br />
baby was her youngest charge<br />
ever, but that there is now frequently a<br />
child in her care these nights whose parent<br />
or parents she used to tend. The<br />
nursery has swings and sandboxes for<br />
older children and a sleeping room for<br />
the babies.<br />
50 Newspapers to Publish<br />
Gene Autry Comic Strip<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Activities of Gene Autry's<br />
commercial enterprises have been expanded to<br />
include a daily and Sunday comic strip, based<br />
on his theatrical and TV film adventures,<br />
which will be distributed by General Features<br />
Syndicate.<br />
The tieup was effected by Mitchell J.<br />
Hamilburg, Autry's agent. The strip is expected<br />
to be ready for nationwide syndication<br />
by August 1, with approximately 50<br />
new.spapers already lined up.<br />
20th-Fox Will Produce<br />
Gratis TV Trailers<br />
NEW YORK—Twentieth Century-Fox has!<br />
started on the production of television trailers,<br />
which will be offered gratis to exhibitors,<br />
according to Charles Einfeld, vice-president.<br />
The first trailers, of one-minute and 20-second<br />
duration, will be distributed for "Kangaroo,"<br />
June release which was filmed in Technicolor<br />
in Australia.<br />
The TV trailers will be prepared on all pictures<br />
considered suitable for advertising in<br />
the new medium and the only requirement<br />
for .securing them will be the submission on<br />
the part of the exhibitor of a schedule of<br />
stations he intends to use them on. The company<br />
will produce the trailers in any quantity<br />
warranted by the demand, and continued use<br />
of the medium will depend on the response<br />
of showmen to the offer, Einfeld said.<br />
The one-minute trailer will be utilized for<br />
regular spot advertising and the shorter one<br />
will be slotted into the station break segment.<br />
Nat'l Review Board Picks<br />
'Outcast of the Islands'<br />
NEW YORK—"Outcast of the Islands,"<br />
British-made feature distributed in this country<br />
by Lopert Films, has been given selected<br />
features rating by the National Board of Review<br />
in the weekly guide to selected picture,?<br />
"The Emperor's Horses" and "The Seeing<br />
Eye," Warner Bros, shorts, were also given<br />
special mention.<br />
I<br />
COLUMBIA PICTURES ANNOUNCES THAT PRINTS OF THE FOLLOWING<br />
PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN<br />
OUR EXCHANGES FOR SCREENING<br />
LORETTA YOUNG<br />
as PAULA<br />
with<br />
KENT SMITH • ALEXANDER KNOX<br />
Screen Play by JAMES POE and WILLIAM SACKHEIM<br />
BRAVE WARRIOR<br />
..c...,>, TECHNICOLOR<br />
....JON<br />
HALL<br />
with<br />
CHRISTINE LARSON • JAY SILVERHEELS • MICHAEL ANSARA<br />
Written for the Screen by ROBERT E. KENT<br />
,<br />
Produced by SAM KATZMAN • Directed by SPENCER G. BENNET Si<br />
Produced by BUDDY ADLER • Directed by RUDOLPH MATE'<br />
CHARLES STARRETT • SMILEY BURNETTE<br />
in<br />
THE ROUGH, TOUGH WEST<br />
with JACK MAHONEY • CAROLINA COTTON • PEE WEE KING & HIS BAND<br />
Written by BARRY SHIPIVIAN<br />
Produced by COLBERT CU^RK • Directed by RAY NAZARRO<br />
MONTANA TERRITORY<br />
In<br />
Color ijTECHNICOLOR<br />
with<br />
LON McCALLISTER • WANDA HENDRIX . PRESTON FOSTER<br />
Written by BARRY SHIPMAN<br />
Produced by COLBERT CLARK • Directed by RAY NAZARRO<br />
»1<br />
38 BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 19521 ii
offer "living-room" comfort<br />
Witll<br />
INTERNATIONAL Chairs<br />
-N today's competitive picture, home comfort has be-<br />
[ome a feature attraction. Do you offer the "comforts of<br />
'ome" in your theatre? You can if you install International<br />
'hairs.<br />
International chairs are the "easy chairs" of the thea-<br />
,:e.<br />
Yes, when you buy International, you add "livingtOOm"<br />
comfort to your theatre— and you get long-wearing<br />
! jhairs, styled in the modern manner.<br />
MAKE THIS 80-MINUTE TEST<br />
Go ahead— sit in one of your present chairs. Stay there through<br />
an entire feature. Can you honestly say you're comfortable?<br />
Or do you begin to wriggle before the last reel goes on? If you<br />
don't feel completely relaxed in your present seating, remember,<br />
your patrons don't either. You owe it to your customers to<br />
consider INTERNATIONAL chairs.<br />
See the INTERNATIONAL "2000" chair and the extra-luxury<br />
INTERNATIONAL "2300" chair at your RCA Theatre Supply<br />
Dealer's. He'll be glad to talk over the economics of adding<br />
home comfort to your theatre.<br />
EASTERN THEATRE SUPPLY CO.,<br />
INC.<br />
496 Peorl Street, Buffalo 2, New York<br />
ELMER H. BRIENT & SONS, INC.<br />
925 N«w Jersey Are., N. W., Woshington 1, D. C.<br />
BLUMBERG BROTHERS, INC.<br />
1305-07 Vine St., Philodelphio 7, Pa.<br />
CAPITOL MOTION PICTURE SUPPLY CORP.<br />
630 Ninth Avenue, New York 19, N. Y.<br />
ALEXANDER THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />
1705 Boulevard of Allies, Pittsburgh 19, Pa.
'<br />
Producer Urges Filmmakers to Talk<br />
To Moviegoers at Grass Roots Level<br />
NEW YORK—Every Hollywood producer<br />
or director artd writer should go out and talk<br />
to the people of the U.S.." according to Robert<br />
Welch, producer of Paramount's "Son of<br />
Paleface." which will be released this fall.<br />
Welch just completed 69 appeai-ances- in the<br />
upper New York state and New England area<br />
tor the Council of Motion Picture Organizations<br />
and he said he learned "a great deal"<br />
about the likes and dislikes of average moviegoers.<br />
The average film fan wants "fun and entertainment"<br />
in his pictures and is against<br />
"any social significance or preachment" on<br />
the screen when he attends a film theatre.<br />
Welch said he was surprised at how many<br />
moviegoers suspected Hollywood of Communist<br />
affiliations and he made certain to<br />
reassure those he talked to that there are<br />
fewer "Reds" in Hollywood than in the average<br />
American city.<br />
The Hollywood group on the COMPO tour<br />
with Welch included Pat O'Brien. Vera-<br />
EUen. Sally Forrest. Sterling Hayden and<br />
Anne Gwynne and they visited such cities<br />
as Elniira, Batavia. Buffalo. Niagara Falls.<br />
Binghamton and Jamestown in a week's time.<br />
Welch believes that if his newest picture.<br />
"Son of Paleface," can't combat TV and<br />
other forms of show busine.ss, nothing can,<br />
for it has something to please every taste.<br />
For the devotees of western fare on TV, the<br />
picture has Roy Rogers and his horse, Trigger;<br />
for Jokes and comedy, it has Bob Hope,<br />
and for sex, it has Jane Russell showing her<br />
beautiful legs for the first time, according<br />
to Welch. It also has Technicolor and songs,<br />
mcluding "Am I in Love," which is already<br />
on the Hit Parade.<br />
Welch, who returned to Hollywood May 7<br />
after press and broadcasting interviews in<br />
New York, has two Paramount pictures<br />
scheduled for production. "Six and Seven-<br />
Eights Park Avenue," from the old Broadw-ay<br />
hit, "June Moon," will be filmed in New<br />
York with either Donald O'Connor or Alan<br />
Young starred, and "Sing, You Sinners," is<br />
tentatively scheduled to star Jane Russell.<br />
Jimmy Durante and Yvonne de Carlo.<br />
Welch has noticed that the filming time<br />
on features is being gradually cut down<br />
and he attributes this, in part, to the use<br />
of a second-unit director to take the background<br />
shots, etc.<br />
PROfiummQ exmaiTORs SAY:<br />
In the Newsreels<br />
'<br />
I<br />
•<br />
Movietone News, No. 37: Supreme Court to rule<br />
on the steel seizure; Russians fire on French airliner<br />
U.S.<br />
Ike<br />
over<br />
deports<br />
on<br />
Germony;<br />
268<br />
farewell<br />
90,000<br />
aliens;<br />
tour<br />
on<br />
Salt Lake<br />
of Europe;<br />
strike<br />
City<br />
in<br />
battles<br />
fashions—French<br />
oil industry;<br />
floods;<br />
gloves.<br />
News of the Doy, No. 271: Steel crisis stirs<br />
nation; NATO troops on Rhine give Ike last salute;<br />
'<br />
French airliner shot up by Reds; Israel's 4th birthday;<br />
newest summer fashions; British horsemen in Olympic<br />
trials; motorcycle steeplechase.<br />
Paramount News, No. 74: Red jets fire on French<br />
plane; Eisenhower— find tour in Germany; Israel's<br />
own "fourth"; fashions for Main street; report on<br />
steel.<br />
Universal News, No. 557: Steel crisis; floods in<br />
France; fire m Indo-China; air raid drill—New Jersey;<br />
U.S. bonds; horse race m England; Partridge hunt<br />
in Spain.<br />
Warner Pathe News, No. 76: Ike bids French and<br />
British NATO troops farewell; NATO council holds<br />
first Paris session; Los Angeles—amazing plastic auto;<br />
the big bell is bock in Vienna; Allentown, Pa.<br />
Mom street fashions; Burbank, Calif.—the lion ond<br />
horse at dinner; Pons—spring madness on motorcycles.<br />
•<br />
Movietone News, No. 38: Truman conducts personal<br />
tour of White House; police battle Reds in<br />
Tokyo May Day riots; Wasp ond Hoshon rescue<br />
films; Ike bids farewell to his own GIs; Apple Blossom<br />
queen; Kentucky Derby.<br />
News of the Doy, No. 272: Japanese Communists<br />
battle police in wild riots; 61 saved in<br />
collision at sea; carrier crew aids children; American<br />
mother for 1952; Ike's goodby to GIs in Germany;<br />
1952 Kentucky Derby.<br />
Paramount News, No. 75: Reds riot in Tokyo;<br />
Chinese-born mother of 1952; British soccor cup<br />
final; 78th Kentucky Derby.<br />
Universol News, No. 558: Navy disaster; May day;<br />
USS Antietcm; Hill Gail wins Kentucky Derby.<br />
Worner Pathe News, No. 77: Tokyo Reds riot;<br />
first pictures of tragic navy collision; Washington<br />
Truman shows the White House; Kentucky Derby.<br />
•<br />
Telenews Digest, No. 188: Steel case tests executive<br />
powers; tragedy at sea; Berlin—Soviet jets shoot<br />
airliner; Germany—farewell for Ike; bosebatl—arch<br />
rivals join some team.<br />
Telenews Digest, No. 19A: Steel—White House talks<br />
collapse; Germany— Ike sees Adenauer; iaf>an—first<br />
week of independence.<br />
Wants'VOP" Again-<br />
Ready for "TPOP'\ Also!<br />
Knox Or.ve»«^J<br />
^,. Vernon,<br />
Oh<br />
So^sHoUmorUH<br />
Dear Krog:<br />
When con I get "Prince of Peace"<br />
again? First time I played it grossed<br />
$960. Second time, we did over $1,200.<br />
Third time topped $1,300. If I can get<br />
it for a week-end in June believe I can<br />
do $1,500.<br />
Also am anxious to<br />
book "The Power of<br />
Prayer." This sounds like a bell-ringer<br />
to me. What's the campaign like?<br />
Send me a press book.<br />
What's the chances of having Ginger<br />
Prince in person, sometime this summer?<br />
Drop me a line.<br />
Now in<br />
Releose<br />
• "Power of Prayer"<br />
• "Secrets of Beauty'<br />
• "Prince of Peace"<br />
• "Why Men Leave<br />
Home"<br />
• "She Shoulda<br />
SoicJ No "<br />
• "Sideroad"<br />
• "Mom and Dad"<br />
ALREADY 2,000 THEATRES HAVE<br />
INSTALLED THIS MIRACLE SCREEN!<br />
Tfiere MUST be a reason!<br />
Sincerely,<br />
RON<br />
Satisfaction in every seat!<br />
Plain to see from any angle!<br />
Eliminates glare and distortion!<br />
Gives amazing new depth!<br />
Perfect sound transmission!<br />
No perforations!<br />
IT'S EASY ON THE EYES!<br />
U HALLMARK U<br />
KROGER<br />
BABB<br />
President<br />
* HALLMARK BUILDING -k WILMINGTON, OHIO<br />
CYCL^AMIC<br />
CUSTOM<br />
SCREEN<br />
.F. SHEARER COMPAN<br />
lOS ANGELES 1964<br />
PORTLAND<br />
I9E4 South Vermont • RE. 31145 1967 N. W. Kearney • AT. 1543<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
SEATTLE<br />
243 Golden Gate Ave. UN. 1 181E 2318 Second Ave. •<br />
[I 8247<br />
40 BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952<br />
11
BOXOFFICE BAROMETER<br />
This chort records the performance of current ottrocfioni in the opening week of their first runs in<br />
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs<br />
are reported, ratings are added ond averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in<br />
relation to normal grasses as determined by the theatre managers With 100 per cent as<br />
"normol," the figures show the grots rating above or below that mark.<br />
.African «Jueon, The lUAi
I<br />
'<br />
'<br />
SSiiSSSS^^^^^SS<br />
Theatre Construction, Openings, Sales<br />
CONSTRUCTION:<br />
Amory« MUs.—A 250-cor dnve-in is under conif<br />
ruction for U. Walker.<br />
Amstordom, N. Y.—John and Peter Marotto are<br />
biiildmg a dnve-in to open obout June 1.<br />
Astorio, Ore.—Conttruction is to begin soon on o<br />
500-cor dnve-in for the J. J. Porker circuit.<br />
Boytown, Tex.^-Construction has begun on the<br />
Prince No. 1 Drive-In.<br />
Bollingham, Wash.—Lar-Gil, Inc , hos purchosed o<br />
site tor construction of drive-m.<br />
Brookfield, Mo.— F. G. Weary ond Elmer Bills hove<br />
slotted construction of a drtve-in on Highwoy 36.<br />
Buffalo, Wyo.—Sam Rosenthal is building a 300-<br />
car, $60,000 dnve-in.<br />
Chjboygan, Mich.—John Wagner is plonning to<br />
construct Q 300-car drivc-in.<br />
Clevelond, Tex.— A Cleveland theatre group headed<br />
by Glen H. McLom is plonning to erect the Twin<br />
Ranch Dr.ve-ln on Htghwoy 59.<br />
Corning, Ark.—Gordon Hutchins is constructing<br />
a 300-car dnve-in here.<br />
Cutoff, La.—The 300-car Bayou Drive- In is under<br />
construction for Richard Guidry and "Lefty"<br />
Cheromie.<br />
Denver, Colo.— A 1,000-car drive-in is to be built<br />
in the southeast section of the city by Atoz Amusements.<br />
Denver, Colo.—Wolfberg Theatres plans to construct<br />
a 1,000-car dnve-in in the southeast part of town.<br />
Erwln, Tenn.—The 500-cor Holidoy is to get under<br />
wov immediately for Capitol Amusements, Inc.<br />
Eunice, Lo.—The Liberty Theotre Co. is constructing<br />
o dnve-in.<br />
Foirview, Alto.—Local interests are planning to<br />
construct a $60,000, 400-seQt theatre.<br />
Fort Collins, Colo.—W. F. Aydelotte is planning to<br />
erect the 700-seat Aggie Theatre in the near future.<br />
Grace, Ida.—Lyie Tuttle plans to build a new theatre<br />
here soon.<br />
Harrisburg, III.—The Turner-Farrar circuit plans<br />
to construct a drive-in between here and Eldorado.<br />
Houston, Tex.—The 800-car, two-screen King Center<br />
Dnve-ln is under construction for LOG, Inc.<br />
Lees Summit, Mo.—A 250-car dnve-in is under<br />
way for Earl Jameson and Sam Abend.<br />
Little Rock, Ark.—A 400-car drive-in is under<br />
construction for Roy Cochran.<br />
Lowville, N. Y.—The Valley Brook Drive-In is under<br />
way for Robert Matusczcak.<br />
Manchester, Conn.—A 550-car drive-in is to be<br />
erected by Bernie Menschell and John Calvocoressci<br />
of Community Amusement Corp.<br />
Mobrldge, S. D.—Work is under way here on a<br />
300-car drive-in for Lloyd Kressly.<br />
Mount Vernon, Mo.— Ralph L. Roller sr. hos begun<br />
work on the 200-cor Roller Dnve-ln ot the<br />
junction of Highways 166 and 39.<br />
Nellbton, N. Y.—A 300-car drive-in has been<br />
started here by Cliff Hall.<br />
New Smyrna, Flo.—The 300-car Pine Crest Is<br />
under construction for Jack Kincheloo and Marvin<br />
Horvey.<br />
Narth Btnd, Ore.—William Graeper ond R. J.<br />
Mottechcck have purchased o site for construction<br />
of a dnve-in.<br />
Prince George, 6. C.— Locol interests have purchosed<br />
o site for erection of a $250,000, 750-seat<br />
theotre.<br />
Redmond, Ore.—Construction is under way on a<br />
drtvc-m for Mr. and Mrs. Milton L. Odem.<br />
Slinger, Wis.—A 500-car drive-in is under way<br />
here for Unit Theatre Co-<br />
Speorfish, S. D.—Work is to begin soon on the new<br />
Twin City Dnve-ln for the Black Hills Amusement Co.<br />
Spokone, Wash.—A 600-car, $100,000 dnve-in is<br />
under construction for Sunset Theatres, Inc.<br />
Sullivan, III.— Lee Norton plans to erect o drive-in<br />
Oil Route 33-121.<br />
Sullivan, Mo.—A. Schwartz is constructing the 300-<br />
car Gronde Drive-In on U.S. 66 near here.<br />
Uniontown, Po.—A new theatre is to be erected<br />
here os port of a suburban shopping center.<br />
Wakeeney, Kas.—V. E. Courtney is building the new<br />
Y Drive-In.<br />
Yelm, Wash.—Work has begun on the new Beverly<br />
Theatre for F. L. Willard and sons.<br />
OPENINGS:<br />
Ardmore, Ala.—A new drive-in has been opened<br />
by H. C. Austin.<br />
Belle Glades, Fla.—A new drive-in is to be opened<br />
on Highway 441 by Gold-Dobow soon.<br />
Decatur, Tex.—The Sunset Drive-In is to open this<br />
month.<br />
Edmonton, Alta.—The 800-seat Palace Theatre has<br />
been opened.<br />
Haines City, Fla.—The 300-car Loke Haines Drive-<br />
In has been opened by Floyd Theatres.<br />
Lowrcnceville, Vo.—The Pitts-Roth circuit is to open<br />
G drive-in here soon.<br />
Llbby, Mont.—The 475-seat Fawn Theatre has been<br />
opened by William Kienitz.<br />
Mancelono, Mich.— R. Curtis Guthrie has opened the<br />
ANSWER<br />
TO YOUR<br />
470-seat Lona Theatre.<br />
Mannington, W. Vo.—The 500-car Btackshere<br />
TECHNICAL<br />
PROBLEMS...<br />
Dnve-ln is to open some time this month for Mr,<br />
and Mrs. C. P. Church and David L. Rymer.<br />
Morshfield, Mo.—Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Schmidt have<br />
opened o drive-in here.<br />
Midland, Tex.— J. Howard Hodge & Associates hov0,<br />
opened the Fiesta Drive-In, 550 cars.<br />
Minden, La.—A 300-car drive-in hos been opened:<br />
by Bill Cobb and Mrs. Cheshoire.<br />
Missoula, Mont.—The New State Drive-In hos been<br />
opened here.<br />
New Madrid, Mo.— Norvin Garner has opened the<br />
new Mid-Way Drivc-ln on Highway 61.<br />
New York, N. Y.—The 550-5eat. $500,000 Beekmon<br />
Theatre has been opened by Edword N.<br />
Rugoff and Hermon Becker.<br />
Osage City, Kos.— Leroy Hitchings has opened a<br />
new dnvc-in here.<br />
Ronkin, Ten.—The SSO-seot Ford Theatre has<br />
been opened, replacing the town's old theatre.<br />
Suffolk, Vo.—The Pitts-Roth circuit has opened<br />
the Suffolk Dnve-ln.<br />
Tucson, Ariz.—Wes Becker ond Hugh Downs hove<br />
opened the La Fiesto Drive-In, 400 cars, as o<br />
Spanish-language house.<br />
Valdosta, Go.—A new drive-in has been opened<br />
here by Martin Theatres.<br />
West Plains, Mo.—Dean W. Davis is to open a<br />
250-car dnve-in here soon.<br />
Wynne, Ark.—The Imperial Theatre Co. has opened<br />
the Haven Drive-In on Highway 1<br />
SALES:<br />
Alton, III.—The Starlight Drive-In has been sold<br />
to Tom Bloomer by the Alton Starlight Corp.<br />
Avoco, lowo—Howard Brookings has purchased the<br />
Avoca Theatre from Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Gregg.<br />
Caldwell, Ida.—Virgil Odell has purchased the Chief<br />
Drive-In from Rex and Mojorie Moyle.<br />
Colorado Springs, Colo.— L. K. Lee has purchased<br />
the Northside and Storlite drive-ins.<br />
DeFuniak Springs, Fla.— E. L. Goodwin has purchased<br />
the Trail from John McEIvie.<br />
Denver, Colo.— L. K. Lee has purchased the controlling<br />
interest in the Monaco Drive-In.<br />
Early, Iowa—Floyd Hill and Ben Struchen have<br />
purchased the Early Theatre from Dick Waters.<br />
East Lansing, Mich.—The 700-car Crest has been<br />
token over by Ashmun Bros, circuit from William C.<br />
Annand.<br />
Greeley, Colo.—The Motorena Drive-In has been<br />
acquired by L. K. Lee.<br />
Greenwood, Ind.—M. D. Brazee has purchased the<br />
Greenwood Drive-In from A. J. Honsen.<br />
Headland, Ala.—Robert E. Solomon has sold a halfinterest<br />
in the Joyce Theatre to Fleming Moats.<br />
Johnstown, Po.—The Westmont Drive-In has been<br />
sold by Westmont Enterprises to the County Amusement<br />
Co.<br />
Joplin, Mo.—The Dickinson Operation Co. has purchased<br />
the Del Ray Theatre from Mr. and Mrs. Vera<br />
lEi<br />
si<br />
Blake Warner.<br />
Kennebec, S. D.—The Kennebec Theatre has been<br />
sold to F. G. Werden by George McKeever and the<br />
Gerald Schervem estate.<br />
Lake Worth, Fla.—The Worth Theatre has been<br />
sold by W. R. Shafer to Howell and Regan.<br />
Lime Springs, Iowa— Peter M. Kemmer has<br />
acquired the Lime Theatre.<br />
Monongahela, Pa.—WIlMom Groy has acquired the<br />
Anton Theatre from the Anton family.<br />
Morris, Minn.—M. G. Randgaard has bought the<br />
Evening Star Drive-In from George Dripps and Leonard<br />
Perkins.<br />
Mount Shasta, Calif.—Mr. and Mrs. Roy M. Avery<br />
have purchased the Shastona Theatre from Mr. and<br />
Mrs. M. E. Hammond.<br />
Nebo, III.—Mr. and Mrs. Percy R. Hays have<br />
acquired the Cozy Theatre from Earl B. Edith and<br />
Gordon Unglaub.<br />
Plymouth, III.—Johnson & Nooner hove taken over<br />
the Plymouth Theatre from the Plymouth Theatre Co.<br />
Poplar Bluff, Mo.—Rodgers Theatres hove taken<br />
over the Poplar Bluff Drive-In from Clyde Hogg.<br />
Quincy, Ore.—The Towne Theatre has been taken<br />
over by the John Lee circuit from Ebert & Butler.<br />
Sebring, Fla.—The Bonnet Lake Drive-In has been<br />
sold by C. C. ond Mary H. Sutton to the Foste Corp.<br />
Stanton, Mich.—Mr. ond Mrs. L. D. Rederstorf have<br />
sold the Sun Theatre to Russell Gates.<br />
i«-<br />
Bill<br />
l^H'l<br />
h<br />
The Altec<br />
Service Man and<br />
the organization<br />
behind him<br />
Distributors Wanted: All territories. Outstanding roadshow.<br />
Complete exploitation, including rural mail campaign.<br />
Write or Wire Bill Feld. 1112 High St., Des Moines, Iowa.<br />
Jtmoie THuiui:<br />
HUMAN Mt%IONi<br />
UIVB<br />
l6l Sixth Avenue,<br />
New York 13. N. Y.<br />
PROTECTING THE THEATRE—FIRST PLACE IN ENTERTAINMENT<br />
42
CHESTER FRIEDMAN<br />
EDITOR<br />
HUGH E. FRAZE<br />
Associate Editor<br />
OXOfflW<br />
SECTION<br />
Ik<br />
PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR SELLING SEATS BY PRACTICAL SHOWMEN<br />
^J^aiti oLJebut<br />
Several times since tiie war ended,<br />
(he tradepress has anticipated an<br />
overseas junket—often rumored in<br />
connection with a picture premiere<br />
—with successive disappointments as<br />
none materialized.<br />
Twentieth Century-Fox finally delivered<br />
with a perfect tie-in to promote<br />
the screen adaptation of the<br />
best seller, "Lydia Bailey." So down<br />
to Haiti, where the g^overnment<br />
played host to trade reporters and<br />
newspaper people, to participate in<br />
a world premiere as part of that<br />
country's celebration of the 150th<br />
anniversary of independence.<br />
The story of "Lydia Bailey" is set<br />
against the background of the revolution<br />
which freed Haiti from<br />
French rule. Background footage<br />
was shot in Haiti.<br />
We have attended many premieres<br />
but never saw anything on a scale<br />
that fired as much excitement<br />
throughout a nation. \ "Lydia<br />
Bailey" day officially proclaimed by<br />
the president, Col. Paul Magliore,<br />
brought a considerable portion of<br />
the country's population to Port-au-<br />
Prince where the Hollywood stars<br />
and the press were accorded honors<br />
which would do royalty proud.<br />
The citizens of Haiti have every<br />
right to be proud of their heritage<br />
and their independence which is<br />
modeled closely after our own democracy.<br />
They have every right to be<br />
proDd of the fact that 20th Century-<br />
Fox chose to premiere the picture in<br />
Haiti. And 20th-Fox officials have<br />
every right to be proud of one of the<br />
best conceived, organized and conducted<br />
promotion campaigns ever put<br />
on to sell a motion picture. You will<br />
be reading about it in magazines<br />
and newspapers for weeks to come.<br />
So will 150 million potential theatre<br />
patrons in the U.S.A.<br />
* * *<br />
— Chester Friedman<br />
year, 'Ma and Pa Kettle,' etc."<br />
With snow plaguing the farmers past E^ter,<br />
Showman in Small Town Makes<br />
Plymouth. N. H., has a population of 3,000,<br />
hence Sherburne Graves, manager of the local<br />
Plymouth Theatre, has to restrict his exploitation<br />
ideas so they wiU not make more than<br />
a 75-cent dent in his advertising budget.<br />
Graves has become pretty adept at getting<br />
maximum attention for his six bits, and the<br />
home folks are already wised up to the fact<br />
that when Graves does put out something<br />
special by way of exploitation, it is proof<br />
that the picture is unusually entertaining place a theatre sign inside<br />
and enjoyable.<br />
Most of the stunts are designed to create<br />
word-of-mouth publicity. They are not elaborate,<br />
but they certainly pay off at the boxoffice.<br />
inferior merchandise, etc."<br />
Many of the stunts run well under the<br />
75-cent limit, as with "Ma and Pa Kettle at<br />
the Fair." To put this one over. Graves borrowed<br />
a steamer device mounted on a trailer<br />
which is used to thaw out culverts. The engine<br />
makes a lot of noise and emits plenty of<br />
steam so that it's a surefire attention getter<br />
whenever it appears. Thirty cents was expended<br />
for a sign, lettered: "Why get all<br />
steamed up? Relax at the laugh hit of the<br />
BOUQUETS IN THE MAIL—"I<br />
not sending you more<br />
apologize for<br />
campaigns as I am an avowed follower<br />
of the Showmandiser."—Don<br />
Holdren, manager. State Theatre,<br />
Santa Barbara, Calif.<br />
"Showmandiser offers that necessary<br />
stimuli needed to get the ole<br />
bean working. It offers the most<br />
comprehensive exploitation coverage<br />
of all the trade papers."—Sherburne<br />
Graves, manager, Plymouth<br />
(N.H.) Theatre.<br />
7 5 -Cent Weekly Budget Go Far<br />
Steam and noise kicked up by this engine acts as surefire crowd collector. It steamed up<br />
the folks when "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair"plaYed the Plymouth Theatre. Total cost of the<br />
ballyhoo vras 30 cents.<br />
Graves invested 40 cents for a few signs<br />
which he placed at a hardware store near a<br />
group of snow shovels and a mound of snow.<br />
Copy read, "Discouraged with this awful<br />
stuff? 'Just This Once,' wouldn't you like to<br />
get away from it all? Be snug and comfy at<br />
the Plymouth . . . See 'Just This Once,' etc."<br />
"The Noose Hangs High" required an investment<br />
of 35 cents to get the hardware<br />
store, one of the town's better locations, to<br />
a rope noose suspended<br />
over the sidewalk. A rope led down<br />
from the sign to the store front, and small<br />
cards were lettered, "Don't be roped in by<br />
The big sign carried<br />
the theatre name, dates, title and stars of<br />
"The Noose Hangs High."<br />
A stunt that had all the women of the town<br />
talking demanded a 60-cent expenditure. The<br />
supermarket was offering a steak special.<br />
Graves got the manager of the meat department<br />
to display a sign, "Steak Special . . .<br />
With any purchase of beef over SI.50 you will<br />
receive an additional stake free." In his spare<br />
time. Graves made up a number of wooden<br />
stakes on which were pasted typewritten notices<br />
reading, "This is just your meat. I<br />
(Continued on following page)<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser May 10. 1952 — 109 — 43
I<br />
Mokes His<br />
Continued from preceding pagei<br />
I<br />
wooden stake my chances on it any other<br />
night, and don't bring any wooden nickels<br />
with you when you come to see 'Tlie Big<br />
Trees' at the Plymouth, etc."<br />
The merchants like to cooperate with<br />
Graves becau.se frequently his ideas are geared<br />
to increase their own volume of business.<br />
The five-and-dime store and the supermarket<br />
cheerfully displayed posters and accessories<br />
advertising "Singin" in the Rain" becau.se the<br />
Plymouth manager provided wonderful tie-in<br />
copy. The five-and-ten backed up a huge<br />
display of potato chips with the sign. "When<br />
the chips are down, it's 'Singin' in the Rain,'<br />
etc."<br />
The supermarket surrounded the theatre<br />
advertising on this picture with lettering on<br />
the window which read, "It's bubbly." Below<br />
it was a package of Rin.so and a soap display.<br />
Nearby was aiiother line of copy. "It's<br />
peppy" with an arrow pointing to a display<br />
of hot sauce. Spices were also featured in<br />
tht display, with an arrow coming down from<br />
the line, "It's spicy."<br />
In recognition of national Child's Best<br />
Friend week, the owner of the local pet shop<br />
gave Graves a litter of five-week-old puppies<br />
to give away to youngsters who submitted<br />
the best letters on "Why I would like to own<br />
a puppy" and attended a special Saturday<br />
matinee show. The Plymouth Record cooperated<br />
by publishing a two-column cut of<br />
tht puppies with an announcement of how<br />
cliildren could claim them.<br />
7 5 -Cent Budget Go For<br />
:^<br />
Graves' idea and 35 cents worth ol show card<br />
for the signs he painted got this laugh-provoking<br />
display at the local hardware store<br />
Plymouth. N. H. Rope noose surrounds title<br />
card and rope leading to the store front holds<br />
signs cautioning people not to get roped in<br />
with inferior merchandise when shopping.<br />
in<br />
Displays and Co-Ops<br />
Up Attendance for<br />
'Japanese Bride'<br />
Special exploitation paid off via increased<br />
boxoffiee receipts when W. S. Ba-skin jr., manager<br />
of the State in Gainesville, Fla., played<br />
"Japanese War Bride."<br />
Baskln had both cashiers dressed in Japanese<br />
costume to attract attention from pedestrians<br />
and motorists along the city's main<br />
thoroughfare. Comments, writes Baskin, were<br />
excellent.<br />
A full window display was arranged through<br />
the manager of the Variety Store, local dealer<br />
'<br />
for Kelvinator and television sets. The store<br />
has a choice location opposite the courthouse,<br />
and the window display featured stills, art<br />
and dramatic catch copy.<br />
The store sponsored a six-column, 11 -inch<br />
co-op ad in the Gainesville Daily Sun two<br />
days prior to opening, and a two-column, 20-<br />
inch ad appeared in the Sunday paper. The<br />
dealer additionally plugged the picture four<br />
times daily on his paid radio spots over station<br />
WRUF.<br />
Twenty-five window cards were placed in<br />
strategic locations. This was especially effective<br />
since this form of advertising is not<br />
usually used.<br />
An excellent review by the local drama critic<br />
gave further support to the picture, resulting<br />
in a big opening.<br />
Blood Bank Benefits<br />
On 'Refreal' Tieup<br />
W. F. Connolly, manager of the Babcock<br />
Theatre. Wellsville, N. Y., received extra publicity<br />
for "Retreat, Hell!" by tieing in with<br />
the national Elks armed forces blood donor<br />
program. Donor pledges were taken at a<br />
booth in the lobby a week prior to opening.<br />
To further exploit the picture, Connolly<br />
imprinted copy on menus in four prominent<br />
restaurants, set up full window displays in<br />
two stores on the main street, and planted<br />
three good newspaper breaks. A 12-minute<br />
radio interview and several radio spots were<br />
promoted a week in advance.<br />
The night before opening, the Elks and four<br />
Korean veterans home on leave participated<br />
in special stage ceremonies.<br />
For "Wild Blue Yonder," Connolly tied in<br />
with the air force recruiting service and arranged<br />
for a display of one-sheets on A-<br />
boards at good locations in Wellsville and two<br />
nearby towns.<br />
Ship Vets Are Guests<br />
At 'Okinawa' Opening<br />
The fact that the USS Blake, navy destroyer,<br />
appears in "Okinawa" prompted<br />
Prank Perry, manager of the Madison Theatre<br />
in Detroit, to institute a search for<br />
veterans who had served on the ship during<br />
and since World War II. The local press<br />
cooperated by publishing announcements that<br />
there would be an informal reunion for the<br />
former shipmates at the theatre opening<br />
night of the picture, with the veterans invited<br />
to be guests of the management.<br />
Forest Rangers Join<br />
'Montana' Promotion<br />
Mechanized firefighting equipment used by<br />
county forest rangers was exhibited in front<br />
of the Avon Theatre, Savannah, Ga., by Manager<br />
Cecil McGlohon to exploit "Red Skies<br />
of Montana." Included in the exhibit was<br />
a two-ton tractor and a power truck equipped<br />
with a pump. The chief forest ranger of<br />
Chatham county was on hand to give spectators<br />
first-hand information on how the<br />
equipment is used to control and combat<br />
wood fires in the area.<br />
The Savannah Evening Press ran two<br />
photos and a one-column story publicizing<br />
the exhibit.<br />
Outdoor Posting Assists<br />
'My Heart' in Grove, Pa.<br />
James Bell, manager of the Guthrie and<br />
Lee theatres, Grove City, Pa., sold "With a<br />
Song in My Heart" by posting three-sheets,<br />
distributing window cards, and running ads<br />
in two college papers, a high school publication<br />
and two rural papers. He set up a full<br />
window display at the Music Center, and<br />
pasted pressbook covers on the window of<br />
the theatre candy shop.<br />
Six 'Bugles' Windows<br />
Color blowups of stills from "Bugles in the<br />
Afternoon" were displayed in the windows of<br />
Berkson's, exclusive women's wear store in<br />
Kansas City, in a tieup made by Harold<br />
Lyon, manager of the Paramount Theatre<br />
there. Six large double windows were devoted<br />
to the displays, which also featured fashioiis<br />
in spring and summer sportswear. Credit<br />
cards were prorrunent.<br />
Theatre by Bend of River<br />
|<br />
Plugs Film by That Title<br />
When "Bend of the River" played the<br />
Wicomico Theatre, Salisbiu'y, Md., Manager<br />
i<br />
Joe McCann got a lot of free plugs through<br />
a curious coincidence. The Wicomico river<br />
flows close by the theatre, with a perceptible I<br />
bend in it. About a week before playdate, a<br />
local disk jockey pounced on the fact, mentioned<br />
it on the air, and repeated it when<br />
the picture opened at the request of Mc- .<br />
Cann, making announcements such as, "Now<br />
showing at the Wicomico Theatre on South .<br />
Division street, by the bend of the river . . .<br />
etc."<br />
The local angle developed into excellent<br />
word-of-mouth advertising for the film.<br />
Boat on Truck Makes<br />
'African Queen' Bally<br />
Fred Bartholdi, manager of the Paramount<br />
in Long Branch, N. J., mounted a flat-bottom<br />
rowboat on a trailer, painted the name, "The<br />
African Queen," on it, added a fake smokestack,<br />
and had it towed around the streets of<br />
the New Jersey shore area to advertise the<br />
playdates. With an usher and usherette as<br />
the occupants, dressed in raggedy clothes to<br />
suggest Bogart and Hepburn, the ballyhoo<br />
attracted considerable attention. A huge sign,<br />
done up to look like a sail, carried the theatre<br />
announcement.<br />
Bride Bally on Streets<br />
A pretty girl dressed in a wedding gown<br />
and veil was sent out by Bob Rappaport,<br />
manager of the Town Theatre, Baltimore, to<br />
stroll through the downtown section for "The<br />
Marrying Kind." She wore a proper sign and \i<br />
distributed heralds.<br />
44<br />
— 110 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 10, 1952 i
[<br />
nouncing<br />
I<br />
!<br />
and<br />
[<br />
museum<br />
[<br />
eluded<br />
1<br />
charge,<br />
( Further<br />
I<br />
of<br />
i<br />
> On<br />
I<br />
uniform<br />
'<br />
was<br />
I<br />
parked<br />
I<br />
advertiser<br />
I<br />
LOBBY DISPLAYS THAT ATTRACT THE EYE<br />
In connection with Odeon's recent showmanship drive. Mrs. Ann<br />
Thompson, manager of the Park, Vancouver, B. C. set up an exhibit<br />
ol new booth equipment being installed and learned her patrons<br />
were just as interested in it as they were in coming attraction<br />
displays at the theatre.<br />
Above, Matt Saunders, who is manager ol the Poli, Bridgeport<br />
Conn., scored double with this lobby exhibit of skates, dating back<br />
over past two centuries, \vhich he obtained from local hobbyisL<br />
The Sunday Post ran a three-column photo and story plugging<br />
"The Belle of New York."<br />
ti<br />
Navy Duck Ballyhoos<br />
'Okinawa' Premiere<br />
A navy amphibious duck equipped with a<br />
public address system provided Max Mink,<br />
manager of the Palace in Cleveland, with a<br />
colorful street ballyhoo heralding the premiere<br />
of "Okinawa." The duck, painted red, white<br />
and blue, was bannered with huge signs anthe<br />
film opening.<br />
advance ballyhoo was made possible<br />
when the navy permitted the theatre to<br />
post recruiting A^boards throughout the city,<br />
helped convert the Palace lobby into a<br />
of naval equipment. The exhibit ina<br />
torpedo, miniature ships, a depth<br />
antiaircraft guns and other articles<br />
navy warfare with which the public is not<br />
generally familiar.<br />
opening night, naval reserve units in<br />
paraded to the theatre. The public<br />
invited to inspect the duck which was<br />
out front.<br />
Balloons Are Lettered<br />
Paul Peterson, manager of the St. James<br />
Theatre, Asbury Park, N. J., purchased a<br />
quantity of army surplus weather balloons<br />
which he is using to exploit coming and<br />
current shows. With watercolor lettering of<br />
picture title and playdates on the inflated<br />
coverings, the balloons are displayed in the<br />
lobby and out front as an effective current<br />
flash.<br />
Heralds 'Lone Star'<br />
Harry Goldsmith, manager of the Palace In<br />
Lockport. N. Y., distributed several thousand<br />
heralds on "Lone Star." He promoted a local<br />
for the back page and had his<br />
ushers distribute the circulars without affecti<br />
i<br />
ing the theatre budget.<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 10, 1952<br />
Patrons Identify Stars<br />
For 'Starlift' Passes<br />
A. P. C. Bridger. manager of the Granada<br />
Cinema. Hove. Sussex. England, promoted<br />
"Starlift" with a star identification contest.<br />
Several thousand throwaways were imprinted<br />
with star cuts of some of the popular actors<br />
who appear in this film. Cash prizes and<br />
theatre tickets were offered to folks submitting<br />
lists with correct identification.<br />
Window displays were promoted with music<br />
shops, and 25 posters were sniped in choice<br />
locations throughout the area.<br />
For "Never Take No for an Answer."<br />
Bridger screened the film in advance for the<br />
mayor, senior members of the city council,<br />
clergymen and press. Coffee was served following<br />
the screening. Excellent publicity<br />
through newspapers and word-of-mouth resulted.<br />
Radio and Store Tieups<br />
Promote 'In My Heart'<br />
Two music shops tied in with Jim LaParr,<br />
manager of the Malone (N. Y.) Theatre, giving<br />
full window space to displays advertising<br />
"With a Song in My Heart." LaFarr promoted<br />
free radio plugs four days in advance, arranged<br />
for announcements at two local night<br />
spots where orchestras featured "Heart" music<br />
and got students of the local high schools to<br />
present five acts on the stage.<br />
Malres Army Tieup<br />
A recruiting tieup helped "Fixed Bayonets"<br />
for Jim Snelson. manager of the Gila Theatre.<br />
Safford, Ariz. Snelson obtained an exhibit<br />
of machine guns, bazookas and other<br />
weapons which he mounted behind a sandbag<br />
emplacement, backed by a large display<br />
board. During the run, the exhibit was moved<br />
out to the curb in front of the theatre.<br />
— Ill —<br />
Merchant Is Sponsor<br />
Of Kid Easter Show<br />
A cooperative tieup with a neighborhood<br />
merchant enabled Arnold Kirsch. manager<br />
of the De Luxe Theatre in the Bronx, N. Y.,<br />
to program and adverti.se an Easter morning<br />
show on Saturday, April 12.<br />
In addition to the regular screen attractions.<br />
Kirsch booked several cartoons and<br />
comedies. He distributed boxes of candy and<br />
toys to the first 500 children attending, bought<br />
with money collected from the sponsor. The<br />
merchant also paid the cost of a screen<br />
trailer, a 40x60 lobby display, and 5,000<br />
special<br />
heralds.<br />
Kirsch estimates tnat 500 youngsters beyond<br />
the regular patronage were attracted<br />
to the theatre for this show.<br />
In conjunction with the exhibition of an<br />
all Italian screen show, Kirsch distributed<br />
5.000 special heralds imprinted with an advertisement<br />
for a jeweler who underwrote<br />
the cost of this promotion.<br />
Pepsi-Cola Sponsors<br />
Saturday Kid Shows<br />
The local Pepsi-Cola distributor Is spon-<br />
.soring four consecutive Saturday matinee<br />
shows at the Ritz in Tiffin. Ohio, through a<br />
deal made by Manager Don Kaltenbach.<br />
Youngsters are admitted free on presentation<br />
of five bottle-caps, and each receives a lucky<br />
drawing ticket for every five presented to the<br />
doorman. The drink firm donates prizes for<br />
the drawing and the grand prize for the<br />
fourth Saturday—a new bike. In addition,<br />
every child attending the final matinee will<br />
receive a bottle of Pepsi-Cola. The sponsor<br />
uses banners advertising the .shows on all<br />
trucks, and supplies circulars and placards<br />
to all retail outlets In the area.<br />
45
, A<br />
j<br />
',<br />
y<br />
I<br />
The art of giving local residents something to talk about is given extra consideration by H. L.<br />
Durst at his 87 Drive-in, Fredericksburg, Tex. The drive-in did unusually fine business on the third<br />
run showing of "Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town" recently with the use of the truck ballyhoo pictured<br />
above. Durst goes in for extensive odvcrtising and ballyhoo on all presentations at the drive-in.<br />
Jeweler Underwriles<br />
Hunt for Diamonds<br />
diamond hunt for real diamonds provided<br />
cogent exploitation for the double-feature<br />
^<br />
combination of "Diamond Frontier" and "Dia-<br />
^<br />
mond City." when it played the Esquire in<br />
; Toledo.<br />
i" Manager Frank Manente tied up with the<br />
~<br />
Dan-Chester Co., Toledo jewelers, to obtain<br />
; a large quantity of rhinestones and four quarter-carat<br />
diamonds for the hunt,<br />
J<br />
t All the stones were placed in a glass bowl<br />
;.<br />
and an attendant stood in front of the<br />
theatre and Invited passersby to select one<br />
stone. It was then placed In an envelope<br />
and sealed and the person was directed to<br />
visit the Dan-Chester store for appraisal.<br />
Those who were fortunate in having selected<br />
i<br />
one of the genuine diamonds received with it<br />
« a gold ring and free mounting.<br />
» The store used co-op ads to publicize the<br />
> hunt. Manente promoted the giveaway with<br />
J<br />
300 window cards, trailer and lobby display.<br />
Mystery Voice Radio Quiz<br />
Promotes 'A Stronger'<br />
A tieup with a morning disk jockey show<br />
helped "Phone Call From a Stranger" for<br />
John Manuel, manager of the Strand, Cumberland,<br />
Md. Manuel persuaded the local<br />
postmaster, a well-known citizen, to make a<br />
two-minute tape plug for the picture. This<br />
was used as a mystery voice gag on the radio<br />
show, and the first five people to call the<br />
station and properly identify the voice received<br />
free guest tickets to see "Phone Call<br />
Prom a Stranger."<br />
Benefit Show for PTA<br />
Ed Mott, manager of the Wooster (Ohiol<br />
Theatre, recently put over a benefit showing<br />
of 'Tt's a Big Country." The local PTA group<br />
sponsored the benefit and received a share<br />
of the proceeds in return for promoting the<br />
sale of tickets in schools. Mott received a<br />
letter from the president of the organization<br />
thanking him for making it possible to show<br />
a substantial gain in the treasury and for<br />
presenting a picture "which we could all feel<br />
proud of."<br />
46<br />
National Guard Assists<br />
"Bayonet' Promotion<br />
Citizens of Opelika, Ala., had an opportunity<br />
to inspect the local unit of the national<br />
guard in conjunction with the engagement<br />
of "Fixed Bayonets" at the Martin Theatre.<br />
Battery B of the 278th antiaircraft battalion<br />
held open house at the armory, then marched<br />
to the Martin Theatre where they gave a<br />
demonstration of their weapons and engaged<br />
in a mock battle with a plane from Maxwell<br />
Field. The local guardsmen were guests of<br />
Manager Duke Stalcup at the opening show<br />
of the film.<br />
The Opelika Daily News gave the tieup<br />
advance readers and ran photos of the battery<br />
in action in front of the theatre with full<br />
credits.<br />
Fake Headlines Yield<br />
Publicity for 'Worlds'<br />
Jim Christensen, manager of the Easton<br />
1<br />
White<br />
I<br />
I<br />
White<br />
'<br />
a<br />
'<br />
borhood<br />
I<br />
I<br />
: Rogers<br />
I<br />
! and<br />
Voices oi 'Snow White'<br />
On Hookup oi Phones<br />
Charm Youngsters<br />
John J. Rogers, manager of the Hope In<br />
Providence, R. I., packed the kiddles (and<br />
many adults) in for "Snow White and the<br />
Seven Dwarfs." The exploitation feature that<br />
had everyone around this popular neighborhood<br />
talking, consisted of a battery of Frenchstyle<br />
telephones arranged on a counter set<br />
at the right height for the small fry. When<br />
the tots lifted the telephone receivers off<br />
the hooks, voice of one of the seven dwarfs<br />
or Snow White recounted the story of the film,<br />
or sang songs from the attraction.<br />
This stunt had the kiddies lined up in<br />
droves waiting for their turn to listen in. A<br />
series of phonograph records were ingeniously<br />
tapped in to the telephone circuit, and<br />
by simply lifting the receiver of the hook, the<br />
records automatically started playing.<br />
In addition, Rogers gave away hundreds of<br />
i<br />
gifts in what was probably the greatest giveaway<br />
feature ever put on locally by a neighborhood<br />
house. The gifts ranged from Snow<br />
coloring books, model airplanes. Snow<br />
White records and games, to expensive View-<br />
Master stereoptic viewers complete with Snow<br />
reels, all in full colors.<br />
Also, in one of the very rare occasions when<br />
downtown store cooperated with a neighhouse.<br />
Cladding's exclusive women's<br />
and children's store, gave ten Snow White<br />
T-shirts every day to the first ten juveniles<br />
purchasing tickets at the Hope. Bernice of<br />
» Providence, another swank shop, which adjoins<br />
the Hope, tied in with a blouse promo-<br />
I<br />
tion.<br />
was assisted by Charles R. Darby,<br />
district manager for Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises,<br />
operator of the Hope, Avon Cinema<br />
Castle.<br />
Merchants in Wisconsin<br />
Help With Full-Page Ads<br />
Milwaukee area theatres in recent weeks<br />
have had amazing luck in selling full-page<br />
cooperative ads to merchants in the theatre<br />
Erv Clumb, manager of the Towne,<br />
vicinities.<br />
Milwaukee, arranged for ten merchants in his<br />
area to sponsor a full-page Easter-time ad<br />
for his engagement of "Singin' in the Rain."<br />
Merchant ads appeared at the sides of the<br />
full page in the form of 2x3-inch Easter<br />
eggs, while the entire center of the page was<br />
devoted to photographs from the film, name<br />
of the theatre and playdate.<br />
At about the same time, Butch Schlax, city<br />
manager at Kenosha, and John Falco, city<br />
manager, Beloit, used full-page merchant ads<br />
on their engagements of "Quo Vadis." The<br />
ad run by Schlax was headed "A Roman<br />
Holiday of Special Events." In Beloit, the<br />
Goodenough Music store offered a "Quo<br />
Vadis" scarf with the purchase of every album<br />
of the film's musical score.<br />
Has Bunny Giveaway<br />
An all-cartoon show was booked by George<br />
Robinson, manager of the Odeon Theatre, St.<br />
Thomas, Ont., as a business stimulant for<br />
Easter Monday morning. Robinson promoted<br />
six live Easter bunnies which he gave away.<br />
Ploza Theatre, London, Puts Over<br />
Greatest Ballyhoo for Earth'<br />
When "The Greatest Show on Earth" played<br />
the Plaza Theatre in London, merchants<br />
backed the campaign with one oi the most<br />
extensive co-ops in years. In all ol the city's<br />
iamous market and tourist points, business<br />
firms happily displayed window signs, posters<br />
across their store fronts and interior posters<br />
advertising the Plaza. Haymarket, the Strand,<br />
Record Tieups Assist<br />
Neighborhood House<br />
Ralph Moyer, manager of the Boulevard<br />
Theatre, Jackson Heights, N. Y., used a special<br />
transcription record to advertise "Viva<br />
Zapata!" during intermissions over the house<br />
public address system. Blowups of newspaper<br />
ads were displayed in ten neighborhood stores.<br />
For "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,"<br />
Moyer promoted a record player for the theatre<br />
lobby and entertained patrons with recordings<br />
of the film's song hits. The cooperating<br />
merchant devoted a full window to a<br />
"Snow White" display, tied in with the<br />
Bendix washing machine.<br />
Scout Court for 'More'<br />
Colorful stage ceremonies featuring the<br />
presentation of the Eagle Scout court ushered<br />
in the opening of "Room for One More" at the<br />
Palace, Lockport. N. Y., and rated columns<br />
of free publicity and photos. The affair was<br />
set up by Manager Harry Goldsmith. During<br />
the evening, the American Legion citizenship<br />
award was presented to a local Scout, and a<br />
group of Cub Scouts were Indoctrinated Into<br />
a troop.<br />
Leicester Square and Oxiord Circus were all<br />
sites for these elaborate displays. World<br />
famous shops which had never used theatre<br />
tie-ins broke precedent for the premiere at<br />
the Piccadilly Circus attraction. Pictured, upper<br />
left, is ostentatious spectacular which<br />
adorned front of the Plaza. Other photos show<br />
window displays.<br />
Curiosity Is Aroused<br />
By Barefoot Bally<br />
White barefoot prints around every mailbox<br />
in town plagued the public curiosity and<br />
brought excellent business to the Town Theatre<br />
in Prophetstown, 111., when "The Barefoot<br />
Mailman" showed there.<br />
Manager Paul Beck, who for several years<br />
was an instructor for a silk screen process<br />
school, used his knowledge of the process to<br />
exploit the film. Two weeks before the playdate.<br />
Beck obtained permission from the<br />
mayor to screen the walks. He used white<br />
water color, which would wash off with a rain<br />
or two.<br />
He screened many white barefoot prints<br />
near every mailbox In town and leading up to<br />
the boxes. He also screened barefoot prints<br />
coming out of the post office and leading to<br />
the outside mail box.<br />
After the advertising for the picture waa<br />
put on the screen in the theatre and in the<br />
lobby. Beck went back to the mailboxes and<br />
and printed the film title near the barefoot<br />
prints.<br />
Great curiosity was aroused throughout<br />
the small town by the stunt.<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmondiser :<br />
: May 10, 1952 — 113 47
'<br />
star Signs Autographs in Store<br />
To Aid Singin" Promotion<br />
With the engagement of 'Singin' in the<br />
Rain." Boyd Sparrow, manager of the Warfield<br />
in San FYancisco, observed the 30th<br />
anniversary of the theatre opening.<br />
Debbie Reynolds, star of the film, made four<br />
personal appearances at the theatre for the<br />
anniversary celebration, and gave Sparrow excellent<br />
cooperation with press interviews, appearances<br />
on radio shows and a visit to<br />
Hale's department store. The music department<br />
used newspaper co-op ads tied in with<br />
record albums, and the store took additional<br />
co-op ads for its appliance department.<br />
Sparrow promoted a quarter-page newspaper<br />
co-op ad congratulating the theatre on<br />
the occasion of its anniversary. James Mc-<br />
Millin, assistant manager at the Warfield,<br />
promoted a five-deck birthday cake from<br />
Blum's of California, famous confectionery<br />
firm. The huge cake was cut by Debbie<br />
Reynolds during one of her stage appearances<br />
at the Warfield. Portions were distributed to<br />
patrons as they left the theatre by a troop<br />
of Girl Scouts doing their daily good deed.<br />
At both ends of the theatre marquee, an<br />
electric sign topped with lighted candles reminded<br />
the perambulating public of the anniversary<br />
celebration.<br />
Bendix Distributors<br />
Aid Frisco Contest<br />
For 'Snow White'<br />
;<br />
,<br />
Manager Mark Ailing and publicist Bill<br />
Blake of the Golden Gate Theatre, San<br />
Francisco, had two local distributors of Bendix<br />
sponsor a contest among teenagers as<br />
exploitation for "Snow White and the Seven i<br />
A local Snow White and Prince Charming<br />
Dwarfs."<br />
were selected from hundreds of entrants who<br />
participated in preliminaries conducted by<br />
Les Malloy on his KGO-TV program. The<br />
two stores and the theatre split the cost<br />
of all advertising, and finals were conducted<br />
i<br />
at the Emporium department store, one bf<br />
the sponsors.<br />
Top prizes offered were round-trip allexpense<br />
tours to Mexico City, promoted from<br />
the Mexican Tourist bureau. In addition, the<br />
contest wimiers received a Bendix automatic<br />
washer, and all runnersup received merchandise<br />
prizes from the sponsors.<br />
The Disney studio arranged to have<br />
,<br />
Adrianna Caselotti and Clarence Nash, the<br />
voices of Snow White and Donald Duck,<br />
available for personal appearances. They visited<br />
public and parochial -schools, appeared<br />
,<br />
at the Emporium and were interviewed on<br />
numerous radio and television programs.<br />
The contest sponsors imprinted 10,000 Bendix<br />
comic books with full theatre credits,<br />
for distribution to theatre patrons.<br />
Tieups were made with music stores via<br />
Victor records, and additional window displays<br />
were promoted from Sherman Clay,<br />
Kress, and Woolworth's.<br />
Excellent newspaper cooperation provided<br />
extra stimuli for patron attendance during<br />
the playdates.<br />
Television Promotion<br />
Helps 'Green Glove'<br />
When "The Green Glove" played the RKO<br />
Grand in Cincinnati, Manager Elwood Jones<br />
engaged a fortune teller for the entire week,<br />
with an eye to women patronage, and had<br />
her comfortably ensconced in a booth on the<br />
mezzanine floor. The stunt was publicized in<br />
newspaper ads and in the theatre lobby.<br />
A heavy package-deal schedule of television<br />
time was purchased on station WLW-TV. The<br />
station sponsored a contest for free. A pretty<br />
model appeared on various programs with a<br />
plastic jeweled glove and invited the stars<br />
to see if their hands would fit the mold.<br />
Two hundred teaser cards were posted<br />
around town, with copy: "What was the<br />
mysterious power of 'The Green Glove?' For<br />
the answer see, etc." Both the Cincinnati<br />
Enquirer and the Times-Star were generous<br />
with art breaks.<br />
'Rain<br />
Contest in Paper<br />
A newspaper contest on 'The Belle of New<br />
York" was promoted by A. P. C. Bridger, manager<br />
of the Granada Cinema in Hove, Sussex,<br />
England. The Brighton and Hove Gazette<br />
invited readers to submit the titles of previous<br />
films in which Fred Astaire had starred,<br />
offering cash and passes for the most complete<br />
lists.<br />
Michigan Airer Manager<br />
Plans Heavy Promotion<br />
Bob Tuttle. manager of the Sky Drive-In at<br />
Adrian, Mich., no sooner reopened the situation<br />
(With nearly 7,000 postcard announcements)<br />
than he plunged into a program of<br />
promotion, which included a delayed fireworks<br />
display which was rained out the first<br />
few opening nights.<br />
His activities so far include distribution of<br />
passes to all participants in the local cancer<br />
fund drive, an Easter egg hunt and Easter<br />
sunrise services and arrangements for daily<br />
radio spots.<br />
Manager Tuttle and owner Bill Jenkins are<br />
planning a remodeling of the 465-car situation<br />
for next year.<br />
Wrist Watches Awarded<br />
In Contest on 'Snow White'<br />
Five thousand heralds, imprinted with a<br />
mat for a coloring contest, were distributed<br />
by Arnold Kirsch, manager of the De Luxe<br />
Theatre in the Bronx, N. Y., to promote<br />
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Wrist<br />
watches, promoted from a local jeweler, were<br />
awarded to the six children who submitted<br />
the best drawings. The prizes were presented<br />
from the theatre stage on opening day.<br />
Kirsch had the watches mounted on a card<br />
in the boxoffice well in advance, with an<br />
announcement of the playdates and the contest.<br />
His Ad Budget Low, He<br />
Banners Tram Anyway<br />
Getting around something to achieve the<br />
same end, if it can't be done in the usual way.<br />
Is a specialty of J. B. Fisher, manager of the<br />
Broadway Cinema, Southampton. England.<br />
He had a chance to prove it recently when he<br />
played "A Streetcar Named Desire" and realized<br />
that his<br />
budget did not permit the cost<br />
of placing streamers on corporation buses.<br />
Fisher looked around and discovered that<br />
a number of trams which had been discarded<br />
two years ago were dumped near the railway<br />
station, facing a busy road. He forthwith obtained<br />
permission from the town and country<br />
planning department, no mean feat in itself,<br />
and posted his streamers on a tram of his<br />
own selection.<br />
According to reports, this did a fine outdoor<br />
selling job at small expense.<br />
'WorWs' 3-Sheet in Lobby<br />
Using a threesheet cutout mounted with<br />
stills. Bob Thomp.son, manager of the Hippodrome,<br />
Gloversville, N. Y., made up an effective<br />
lobby display for "When Worlds Collide."<br />
With the copy, "Look what can happen<br />
to New York City 'When Worlds Collide,'"<br />
the display was on view in the lobby In advance<br />
and moved out to the sidewalk during<br />
the run. Three thousand heralds, the back<br />
page of which Thompson sold to a local restaurant<br />
to defray the cost, were distributed.<br />
48 — 114 — BOXOFFICE ShowmandiBor :: May 10, 1952
i<br />
I NEW<br />
I committee<br />
I<br />
I ica<br />
'<br />
of<br />
; with<br />
I<br />
i executive<br />
'<br />
meantime,<br />
Stock Exchange Film<br />
Hit at Paramount<br />
NEW YORK—The New York Stock Exchange<br />
has become a producer and come up<br />
with a short subject that may get a lot of<br />
playing time before the year's end. The<br />
statement, of course, belongs in the category<br />
of guesswork, but there are two things at<br />
present in its favor. One is that the film<br />
attracted a lot of attention when shown recently<br />
at the Paramount Theatre here and<br />
the other is that there is no rental charge.<br />
It might also be added that United Paramount<br />
Theatres has scheduled it for theatres<br />
in Phoenix. Tucson. San Francisco. Salt<br />
Lake City. Buffalo and Des Moines, and says<br />
there will be still other bookings.<br />
The film is a 12-minute Technicolor short<br />
titled "What Makes Us Tick." It is frankly<br />
public relations for the Wall street trading<br />
center, but palatable because it doesn't try<br />
to sell anything. Stock Exchange officials<br />
didn't plan to show it in commercial houses,<br />
but somehow UPT got hold of it and decided<br />
to give it a tryout at the Paramount.<br />
The results, as noted on audience-reaction<br />
cards, surpassed expectations. Comments<br />
were many and varied, among them on the<br />
negative side "propaganda" and "commercialism."<br />
although the film stresses exchange<br />
care in selecting the stocks it lists and cautions<br />
people to be wary in their investments.<br />
On what may be called the black ink side<br />
were dozens of requests for similar films with<br />
suggested topics. Among the topics were the<br />
cause of strikes, information about preferred<br />
stocks and bond issues, and more investment<br />
information. The point was, as the UPT<br />
management saw it, that the film left nobody<br />
cold and that the majority liked it. So it's<br />
going out to other theatres in the circuit.<br />
Incidentally, UPT officials said it was the<br />
first documentary of its type to be shown at<br />
the Paramount.<br />
MPAA and TOA Selecting<br />
COMPO Representatives<br />
YORK—Selection of a full thi-ee-man<br />
to direct the Council of Motion<br />
Picture Organizations neared completion late<br />
'<br />
in the week following the naming of Trueman<br />
T. Rembusch as NJ^tional Allied representative.<br />
The Motion Picture A.ss'n of Amerwas<br />
expected to follow up its approval<br />
the three-man plan at its annual meeting<br />
the appointment of Austin C. Keough.<br />
Paramount vice-president and general counsel,<br />
and Theatre Owners of America was<br />
expected to name S. H. Fabian, chairman<br />
of its executive committee.<br />
Besides their known abilities, one advantage<br />
would be that both are located in the<br />
Paramount building where COMPO makes its<br />
headquarters. The three-man unit would be<br />
in charge until a new president and new<br />
vice-president are named. In the<br />
Robert W. Coyne, special coun.sel,<br />
is in charge, assisted by Charles E. McCarthy,<br />
information director.<br />
WB Declares Dividend<br />
NEW YORK—The board of directors of<br />
Warner Bros. Pictures. Inc.. has declared a<br />
dividend of 25 cents per share on the common<br />
stock, payable July 5 to stockholders of<br />
record June 6, 1952.<br />
Bordonaro Case Jury<br />
Hears WB Zone Head<br />
BUFFALO Charles A. Smakwltz. Albany<br />
zone manager for Warner Theatres, the first<br />
witness called by Paramount Plclines. RKO<br />
and Warner Bros.. In the second antitrust<br />
damage suit brought by Bordonaro Bros,<br />
Theatres of Olcan. denied categorically he<br />
had knowledge of any conspiracy to deprive<br />
Bordonaro's Palace Theatre of first run films.<br />
The second Bordonaro suit covers the period<br />
between Sept. 15. 1946. and March 15.<br />
1948. and asks $161,592 triple damages. The<br />
first suit covertKl the period previous to<br />
Sept. 15. 1946. and resulted in a judgment,<br />
returned in 1948. for the Bordonaros.<br />
On cro.ss-examination by Francis T. Anderson<br />
of Philadelphia, Bordonaro coun.sel.<br />
Smakwltz testified, "If there had been a conspiracy,<br />
I would have known about it." Anderson<br />
then referred to the previous successful<br />
suit and asked Smakwilz If he were aware<br />
that a federal court jury had found the defendants<br />
guilty of conspiracy in 1948.<br />
"To my knowledge, that wasn't a conspiracy,"<br />
the witness declared.<br />
On direct examination by Fi'ank O.<br />
Raichle, counsel for Warners and Paramount,<br />
Smakwltz said that he never knew of any<br />
agreement and that he never received any<br />
instruction as to how he should deal with<br />
RKO and Paramount in booking films.<br />
Smakwltz explained that he was in charge<br />
of buying and booking films for 21 Warner<br />
theatres, including the Haven in Olean, during<br />
the damage period and still is. He advanced<br />
the opinion that the Haven Theatre<br />
is a better located and appointed theatre<br />
than the Palace, and that it "consistently has<br />
outgrossed the Palace when showing films of<br />
comparable quality." He denied that the<br />
Haven has some "wooden .seats," as charged<br />
by a witness for the plaintiff.<br />
Answering Sidney B. Pfeifer, RKO counsel,<br />
Smakwltz testified that he sought to book five<br />
feature films and a fight picture released by<br />
Two N. Y.<br />
Antitrust Suits<br />
Ask $7,500,000 Total<br />
NEW YORK—Triple damages totaling<br />
$7,500,000 were asked in two antitrust<br />
suits filed Monday (5) in federal court<br />
here. Samuel I. Orson and Harold W.<br />
Friedman asked $4,500,000 for alleged discrimination<br />
in rentals and clearances<br />
against the Colonial Theatre, Albany,<br />
from 1947 to 1951, when it closed. Defendants<br />
are Warner Bros. Universal-International,<br />
United Artists, 20th Century-<br />
Fox, Paramount, RKO, Loew's, Columbia,<br />
Fabian Theatres, Mark Strand Corp.,<br />
Copia Realty Corp. and Fast Theatres.<br />
TC Theatre Corp., operator of the Biltmore<br />
Theatre, Mount Vernon, asked<br />
$3,000,000 in damages for the period 1937-<br />
1950. Defendants are the eight majors,<br />
Brandt Theatres, Skoura.s Theatres, Parkway<br />
Theatres, DonnI Blair Amu.sement<br />
Corp., Embassy Vernon Corp., Mount<br />
Vernon Corp. and Wlllard Amusement<br />
Corp.<br />
UKC) during that period but was told Uuit<br />
they had been leased by the Palace. He added<br />
that he was unable to get Paramount or<br />
RKO pictures for some of the other Iheatreii<br />
under his supervision.<br />
Judge John Knight, hearing the cose with<br />
a Jm-y of 12 and two alternates, denied defen.'<br />
e motions to dismiss the suit.<br />
Both Raichle and Pfeifer argued that the<br />
plaintiff failed to prove either the existence<br />
of a conspiracy or that it had suffered damage.<br />
Raichle maintained that the plaintiff<br />
failed to show that Warner Bras, "did anything<br />
that it didn't have a right to do." He<br />
asked Judge Knight rhetorically what Warner<br />
Bros, was supposed to do — "tell Paramoiuit<br />
and RKO that It couldn't buy their<br />
pictures because It would be sued?"<br />
"I'll tell you what Warner Bros, could have<br />
done," Anderson Interposed. "It could have<br />
told the otht'r two defendants, 'We've been<br />
caught redhanded and let's cut It out; give<br />
Bordonaro a fair shot at your pictures.'<br />
Raichle charged the expert witness called<br />
had failed to establish a basis for hl.s estimate<br />
that the Palace should have grossed $600<br />
dally during that period.<br />
"This Is the most tenuous and scantiest<br />
proof of conspiracy I have ever come across,"<br />
Pfeifer charged.<br />
Judge Knight admitted Into evidence the<br />
judgment of the first case and Indicated that<br />
he would reconstruct for the jury pertinent<br />
portions of the record .so that the jury could<br />
determine whether the same conspiracy<br />
existed in the present damage period. He said<br />
the record would be conclusive as to the<br />
existence of a conspiracy prior to 1946 but<br />
not conclusive proof of any conspiracy continuing<br />
In the present damage period.<br />
He also admitted Into evidence consent decrees<br />
entered into by Paramount and RKO<br />
with the goveriunent, giving up their theatre<br />
holdings. The admi.sslon was objected to at<br />
great length by Raichle and Pfeifer.<br />
Phillips and Sunshine<br />
To Aid OMPI of N. Y.<br />
NEW YORK— Audience promotion activities<br />
and public relations for the Organization of<br />
the Motion Picture Industry of New York<br />
will be taken over soon by D. John Phllllp.s of<br />
the Metropolitan Motion Picture Tlieatres<br />
Ass'n and Morton Sunshine of the Independent<br />
Theatre Owners A.ss'n. Pioneering work<br />
to lay the framework for future activities was<br />
begun a year ago by Lynn Farnol. special representative<br />
on a three-month appointment<br />
but continued to the pre.scnt time. An article<br />
by him, "Reaching Tomorrow's Patrons<br />
Through the Public SchooLs," featured the<br />
Pi-omotlon Section in the April 19 Issue of<br />
BOXOFFICE.<br />
Review Board Rates Two<br />
NEW YORK Tlie May 3 weekly guide to<br />
motion |)ictures published by the Natloiul<br />
Board of Review lists only two. "If Mo.scow<br />
Strikes" (March of Tlmei Is rated for mature<br />
audiences and "Diplomatic Courier" (20th-<br />
Fox) for the family.<br />
BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952 N 49
. . Carl<br />
. . Charles<br />
. . Dorothy<br />
. . Charles<br />
. .<br />
'<br />
I<br />
BROADWAY<br />
. . . Jules Lapidus. Warner<br />
Tames Velde. United Artists western sales<br />
manager, left May 6 for a visit to the St.<br />
Louis exchange<br />
Bros, eastern and Canadian sales manager,<br />
returned from Toronto . M. Amory,<br />
vice-president in charge of sales for Souvaine<br />
Selective Pictures, planed to London<br />
to look over new product for U.S. distribution<br />
. Peppercorn. RKO Canadian<br />
district manager, returned to Toronto following<br />
a New York visit and Leon J. Bamberger,<br />
RKO sales promotion manager, got back<br />
from the North Central Allied convention in<br />
Minneapolis May 5.<br />
Van ileflin. Paramount star; T. S. Eliot,<br />
English poet and playwright, and Sam and<br />
Bella Spewack, authors of "Kiss Me. Kate,"<br />
arrived from Europe on the Liberte. The<br />
same liner sailed back to Plymouth with<br />
Clark Gable, who will appear in "Never Let<br />
Go" in London: Sol Lesser, who produces<br />
the "Tarzan" pictures for RKO, with Mrs.<br />
Lesser; Peter Cusick, British producer;<br />
Menasha Skulnik. Yiddish star, and Mandel<br />
Silverberg, attorney for RKO, aboard .<br />
Floyd Odium, pre.sident of Atlas Corp.. and<br />
William Wyler. Paramount producer-director,<br />
who will make "Roman Holiday" abroad,<br />
sailed for Europe on the Queen Elizabeth.<br />
The same liner had arrived in New York two<br />
days earlier with Vincent Korda, director for<br />
London Films, and Raymond Paige, orchestra<br />
leader, aboard.<br />
.<br />
Blanche Livingston. RKO Theatres publicity<br />
department, flew to Europe for a threeweek<br />
vacation in Rome, Switzerland and<br />
Betty Hutton. who closed a fourweek<br />
Paris . . .<br />
run at the Palace May 9, and Charles<br />
O'Curran, her husband, left for a four-week<br />
vacation in Mexico Kingsley,<br />
MGM writer, arrived from the coast for a<br />
two-week vacation in New England . . . Ernest<br />
Emerling, advertising-publicity director for<br />
Loew's Theatres, will fly to Rome Sunday<br />
111) with Mrs. Emerling . C. Moskowitz,<br />
vice-president and treasurer of Loew's.<br />
Inc.. left for a Miami vacation accompanied<br />
by A. Weltman of the legal department.<br />
WIND UP BLUMBERG DRIVE—N. J.<br />
Blumberg, center, president of Universal<br />
Pictures, is host at a reception for company<br />
executives to mark the successful<br />
completion of the 18-wcek worldwide<br />
Nate Blumberg 40th .Anniversary sales<br />
drive. Charles J. Feldman, domestic sales<br />
manager, is on the left and Americo<br />
Aboaf, foreign sales manager, is on the<br />
right of Blumberg in the conference room<br />
in the New York home office.<br />
Perry Charles Services;<br />
Veteran Film Publicist<br />
NEW YORK—Funeral services for Perry<br />
Charles. 56. veteran theatre and motion picture<br />
publicist, were held at the William Mc-<br />
Donald funeral home, Jersey City. May 9.<br />
Charles was found dead at the Hotel Belvedere<br />
May 6. having apparently suffered a<br />
heart attack two days previously.<br />
Charles began his career as publicist for<br />
Nicholas and Joseph Schenck at Palisades<br />
park in the summer and for Loew's Theatre<br />
publicity department during the winter. With<br />
the building of radio station WHN (now<br />
WMGM). he became a radio announcer and<br />
commentator and he originated what later<br />
became the Major Bowes Amateur Hour.<br />
Later, he served as star contact man for<br />
MGM. personal press representative for Frank<br />
Sinatra and. in recent months, he had been<br />
a free lance radio and TV Writer. His wife,<br />
Virginia, and a daughter, survive.<br />
NEW YORK—Motion Picture Ass'n of Americo'<br />
committees for 1952 hove been set up os follows:<br />
Executive— Eric Johnson, chairman; Barney Boloban.<br />
Note J. Blumberg, Steve Broidy, Jock Colin<br />
Ned E. Depinet, Nicholas M. Schenck, Samuel<br />
'
Belles on Toes<br />
at Roxy and Two<br />
Art House Films Start Big in N, Y.<br />
RIVOLI LAUNCHES PAL MONTH—<br />
Joe Louis, ex-heavyweight champion of<br />
the world; Carol McCrory, member of<br />
the Stork club TV show; Rabbit Maranville,<br />
famous shortstop member of the<br />
Boston National league "miracle" team,<br />
and Montague Salmon, managing director<br />
of the Kivoli Theatre. New York, all<br />
at right of picture, hand out bags of<br />
peanuts and literature on "How to Play<br />
Baseball" by Dizzy Dean to every child<br />
attending the opening performance of<br />
"The Pride of St. Louis," 20th Century-<br />
Fox screen biography of Dizzy Dean.<br />
Some 5,000 PAL children attended the<br />
two special children's opening day shows<br />
at the Kivoli May 3.<br />
'Latuko' Opens in Newark<br />
Despite Police Threat<br />
NEW YORK—Norman Elson, head of the<br />
chain of Embassy theatres, began showing<br />
"Latuko," African jungle film, Friday (9) at<br />
the Embassy in Newark despite a threat of<br />
police action because it shows natives without<br />
clothes. He had been promised the support<br />
of Producers Representatives, distributors, if<br />
a court fight developed. The police had cited<br />
a local ordinance providing a jail term for<br />
the exhibition of a film showing certain parts<br />
of the human body uncovered.<br />
New York censors have banned the film and<br />
the case is now in the courts. It is the property<br />
of the American Museum of Natural<br />
History, which considers it a dignified treatment<br />
of tribal life. It has been shown in<br />
over 200 situations in the U.S. without police<br />
interference, according to Irving Lesser of PR.<br />
Decca Earnings Decrease<br />
NEW YORK—Consolidated net earnings of<br />
Decca Records for the first 1952 quarter<br />
amounted to $231,580 after provision of $236.-<br />
867 for income tax, equal to 30 cents a share<br />
on the 776.650 shares of capital stock outstanding.<br />
The 1951 quarterly net earnings<br />
were $314,375, or 40 cents a share.<br />
MAIL IN DATES<br />
TODAY<br />
ALBERT<br />
DEZEL'Nc<br />
831 S.Wobash CHICAGO<br />
NOW BREAKING<br />
ALL RECORDS !i<br />
-S UMTSHOWS<br />
ART OF LOVE<br />
ID-ROOM DIPLOMAT<br />
BIRTH OF LIFE<br />
BURMNG QUESTION<br />
SMMNGVEMT<br />
HOW TO TAKE A BATH<br />
NEW YORK—"Belles on Their Toes" at<br />
the Roxy and two new films at the art houses,<br />
"Never Take No for an Answer" at the new<br />
Beekham and "The Narrow Margin" at the<br />
Trans-Lux 60th Street, did the best bu.slness<br />
among the 11 pictures that opened in Manhattan.<br />
"Margin," an RKO programmer, wa.s<br />
hailed as a "sleeper" by the critics and<br />
broke the record at the Tians-Lux previously<br />
held by "So Long at the Fair" in 1950.<br />
Others that had good opening weeks were<br />
"Atomic City" at the Mayfair and "The Pride<br />
of St. Louis" at the Rivoli. "Macao" was<br />
just above average in its first week at the<br />
Paramount and "Edward and Caroline" benefited<br />
by critical praise in its first week at<br />
the Little Carnegie.<br />
"The Man in the White Suit" led all the<br />
holdovers with smash business in its fifth<br />
week at the Sutton. "Singin' in the Rain"<br />
and "The River" both held up well in their<br />
final weeks. The former had a good sixth<br />
week at the Radio City Music Hall and "The<br />
River" completed 34 weeks at the Paris, 26<br />
of them at two-a-day. The Ballet Theatre<br />
company on the stage of the Warner Theatre<br />
did little to boost business for "Mara<br />
Maru," which had a mild second week.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Asfor My Six Convicts (Col), 6th wk 90<br />
Baronet The Perfectionist (Discina) 1 GO<br />
Beekmcn Never Toke No for on Answer<br />
(SouvQine)<br />
Capitol My Son John (Para), 4tti wk<br />
Criterion The Green Glove (UA), 2nd wk<br />
Fine Arts The Lavender Hill Mob (U-l), 29th<br />
125<br />
90<br />
95<br />
wk 100<br />
55th Street—The Prize (Clossic) 100<br />
Globe Red Mountoin (Para), 2nd wk 105<br />
Guild If Moscow Strikes (MOT) 95<br />
Holiday Loyolo— Soldier Soint [Simpex), 2nd wk. . 1 1<br />
Little Carnegie Edword ond Caroline (Classic) .. 1 1<br />
Loew's State Tomorrow Is Too Late (Burstyn),<br />
4th wk 95<br />
Maytair Atomic City (Pora) 115<br />
Normandie Encore (Para), 5th wk 110<br />
Paramount Macao (RKO), plus stage show 110<br />
Pans The River (UA), 34th wk 95<br />
Park Avenue You Con'f Beat the Irish<br />
(Stratford) 100<br />
Radio City Music Hall Singin' in the Rain (MGM),<br />
plus stoge show, 6th wk 105<br />
Rialto Okinowo (Col), 2nd wk 90<br />
Rivoli The Pride of St. Louis (20th-Fox) 110<br />
Roxy Belles on Their Toes (20th-Fox), plus stage<br />
show 120<br />
Sutton The Man in the White Suit (U-l), 5th<br />
wk 140<br />
Trans-Lux 52nd Street No Resting Place<br />
(Classic) 100<br />
Trans-Lux 60th Street The Norrow Margin<br />
(RKO) 150<br />
Victoria The Marrying Kind (Col), 8th wk 100<br />
Warner Mora Moru (WB), plus Ballet Theatre<br />
on stage, 2nd wk 95<br />
World Miss Julie 'Trans-Global), 4th wk 95<br />
Business Is Better<br />
In Buffalo Theatres<br />
BUFFALO — With improved product on<br />
most screens, business picked up a bit. The<br />
Paramount and Center inaugurated their part<br />
in the nationwide UPT May-June Movie<br />
Jubilee drive with the showing of "The Lion<br />
and the Hor,se" at the Paramount and "Anything<br />
Can Happen," at the Center. Both<br />
houses recorded better than average busines,s.<br />
"Rancho Notorious" did well at the<br />
Century and so did "Flesh and Fury" at<br />
the Lafayette.<br />
Buffalo Invitation (MGM); Return of the<br />
Texan l20th-Fox) 95<br />
Center Anything Con Hoppen (Paro) 95<br />
Century Rancho Notorious (RKO) 100<br />
Cinema King Solomon's Mines (MGM) 85<br />
Lafayette Flesh and Fury (U-l) 105<br />
Paramount The Lion and the Horse (WB) 100<br />
Teck Singin in the Rain (MGM), 4th wk 110<br />
Palace Back to Films<br />
After Hutton 2-a-Day<br />
.New Vork— The KKO Pahice, which<br />
ha.s been playing twn-a-day vaudeville<br />
since cr 1!)5I, revcrlrd li) clghl actii<br />
of vaudeville and a f 50.<br />
Eorle—Sound Off (Col) • • 65<br />
Fox—The Pride of St. Louis ;20th-Fox) ; . . . . 97<br />
Goldman The Marrying Kind (Col), 4th wk 60<br />
Mostbaum The Africon Queen (UA), 3rd wk 95<br />
Midtown Thief of Domascus (Col) 55<br />
Randolph Singin' in the Roin (MGM), 4th wk. . . 85<br />
Stanley Moro Moru (WB), 2nd wk 40<br />
Stanton My Six Convicts (Col) .120<br />
Trans-Lux My Son John (Poro) 1.25<br />
Home Town<br />
Gene Kell'ey's<br />
Gives 135 to 'Rain'<br />
PITTSBURGH—"Singin' in the Rain" gave<br />
this city—Gene Kelly's home town, one of<br />
its rare good percentages. Its 135 figure was<br />
the Golden Ti'iangle's biggest moneymaker<br />
and almost as much as at least three of the<br />
other downtown first runs combined.<br />
Fulton Vivo Zopotal :20th-Fox), 2nd wk 45<br />
Harris—With a Song in My Heart (20th-Fox),<br />
•<br />
2nd wk 55<br />
Loews Penn Singin' in the Rain (MGM) IJS<br />
Stanley My Son John (Poro) ^5<br />
Warner Torion's Sovoge Fury (RKO) 70<br />
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BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952 51
. . Gerry<br />
. . The<br />
. . Irwin<br />
ALBANY<br />
posed with Mrs. Johnny Evers, whose husband<br />
was star second baseman for the Chicago<br />
Cubs and the Boston Braves.<br />
\iralter R«ade's Broadway, Kingston, made Cliff Swlclt is building a Toonerville Ti-olley<br />
a pitch to the older women by advertising<br />
that it would provide a car for the Johnny Capano has put into effect a<br />
ride for the Lamonfs Vail Mills Drive-In<br />
. . .<br />
opening of "Steel Town" Sunday afternoon summer schedule at the State. Tioy. which<br />
for women 65 or older who lacked transportation.<br />
Newspaper copy suggested that<br />
provides for continuous weekday performances<br />
.<br />
Ullman. son of Saul J.<br />
they phone the theatre between 1 and 5 p. m.<br />
Ullman, upstate general manager for Fabian,<br />
A Henry J. sedan, courtesy of the Orchard<br />
and Albany Law school junior, is working at<br />
Motor Co., was<br />
the<br />
used . . . Schine's Avon, Mohawk Drive-In weekends. He will be<br />
Watertown, collected 60 cents for adults manager in<br />
until<br />
June after the scholastic year has<br />
6 p. m., 90 cents after 6 and<br />
ended . . .<br />
35 cents for<br />
Charlie Hill, closing the season<br />
at<br />
children during the engagement of "Quo<br />
Malcolm Atterbury's Playhouse, has<br />
shifted<br />
Vadis."<br />
to the Mohawk Drive-In as crewman.<br />
Buster Foley. Ritz electrician, doubled into<br />
The one-night booking of "The Law and the Mohawk until Hill was available.<br />
the Lady," an older Greer Garson picture,<br />
produced business for the Riverview<br />
"The spring<br />
Drivein,<br />
Rotterdam.<br />
has been earlier this year and<br />
drive-in<br />
Harry Lamont booked the<br />
business has accordingly been better<br />
feature after Miss Garson's<br />
than for<br />
recent local appearances<br />
with a Movietime<br />
a comparable period last season."<br />
Harry<br />
U.S.A. unit Lamont, head of Lamont Theatres,<br />
. . .<br />
Neil Hellman informed<br />
reported. "I<br />
the projectionists<br />
have come to the conclusion<br />
union and<br />
that<br />
exchanges that he would<br />
weather is<br />
close<br />
the biggest single factor in<br />
the Royal and Paramount<br />
outdoor<br />
here<br />
operation. It is<br />
Sunday ill).<br />
even more important<br />
Hellman's<br />
than<br />
Palace, Troy, the<br />
product,<br />
third conventional<br />
house in the<br />
although the latter is never<br />
to be<br />
string, has been dark<br />
underestimated" ... A glowing tribute<br />
since<br />
to the<br />
fire severely damaged motion<br />
the interior three<br />
picture industry and the<br />
weeks ago . Atkin. Warner<br />
Movietime<br />
Theatres<br />
exploiteer.<br />
U.S.A. stars—Greer Garson. Victor<br />
Jory.<br />
and Fred Daiger, manager<br />
Audrey Totter. Don Taylor, Archie<br />
of the Albany convention<br />
Mayo<br />
bureau and former<br />
and Sam Marx—was expressed by M.<br />
E.<br />
WXKW program Fitzgerald,<br />
manager, are handling publicity<br />
for the<br />
member of the executive board<br />
of<br />
annual<br />
the<br />
Tulip Schenectady<br />
festival, to be<br />
county chapter of the<br />
held from May 14 through 18 under<br />
American Cancer society,<br />
sponsorship<br />
in a letter to exhibitor<br />
of the Junior Chamber of Commerce.<br />
chairman Lamont.<br />
The Palace dualed "Love Is Better Than<br />
Ever" with "The Wild North" . . . Harry Fabian Theatres Offers<br />
Lamont and wife attended the Saturday<br />
Managers Sharing<br />
night<br />
Plan<br />
benefit performance of "Light Up the<br />
Sky" at the Playhouse. Malcolm<br />
NEW<br />
Atterbury<br />
YORK—A sharing plan providing for<br />
said in a curtain<br />
theatre manager talk that the<br />
participation<br />
theatre<br />
in<br />
would<br />
any increase<br />
reopen next<br />
during June,<br />
fall . Whitehall<br />
July<br />
Drive-In<br />
and August of the boxoffice<br />
on the<br />
gross<br />
Whitehall-Comstock over<br />
road<br />
the<br />
reopened same 1951<br />
for<br />
period was outlined<br />
the third season May 2 under<br />
Tuesday (6) at<br />
the management<br />
of Anthony and John<br />
a meeting of field men of<br />
Fabian<br />
DiResta.<br />
Theatres. In<br />
brothers.<br />
addition, there will be<br />
This is a new<br />
total<br />
setup.<br />
prize<br />
Anthony having money<br />
purchased<br />
the interest<br />
of at least $1,500. The<br />
meeting,<br />
of Raymond Shovah. a<br />
attended by 75 circuit heads and<br />
partner of<br />
field<br />
John DiResta for two<br />
personnel,<br />
years was addressed by S. H. Fabian<br />
. . ,<br />
Registration for the Variety-Albany<br />
and<br />
Boys<br />
Samuel Rosen, circuit heads; Philip Harling.<br />
club Camp Thacher at Thompson Edgar<br />
lake<br />
Goth. Nat Lapkin.<br />
is<br />
Edward Fabian,<br />
under way although it will not open<br />
Lou Golding.<br />
until<br />
Joseph Egan. Bernie Brooks<br />
July 1. The Times-Union, which<br />
and Mary<br />
cooperates<br />
Becker.<br />
on the promotion and publicity, printed<br />
Speakers<br />
a<br />
at the luncheon were Al Lichtman,<br />
three-column picture of Al Singelman.<br />
20th<br />
physical<br />
director, signing up two boys.<br />
Mccormick. RKO advertising director, and<br />
Century-Fox distribution head; S. Barret<br />
Max E. Youngstein, United Artists vice-president.<br />
Youngstein said UA will award $500<br />
Art Moger, Warner exploiteer in Boston,<br />
paired with Gerry Atkin, Warner Theatres for the best campaign on one of its films.<br />
zone drum-beater, on promotion for Mrs.<br />
Grover Cleveland Alexander and "The Winning<br />
Team." The widow of the great pitcher Loew's Theatres Switches<br />
was introduced from owner Tom McCaffrey's<br />
box at Hawkins stadium in Albany, where 9 Metropolitan<br />
she<br />
Managers<br />
NEW YORK—Loew's Theatres has made<br />
several managerial transfers in the metropolitan<br />
area.<br />
Prank Doherty, formerly manager of Loew's<br />
BOOK IT NOW!!! 86th Street, is now manager of Loew's ApoUo;<br />
Allan Isaacs, formerly of Loew's<br />
WAHOO<br />
Avenue B, is<br />
is {he world's most thrilling<br />
screen game. Now being used has been made manager of the Avenue B.<br />
now at the 86th Street and Mrs. Bessie Dove<br />
successfully by hundreds Irving<br />
of<br />
Gross,<br />
indoor<br />
formerly of the Apollo, is now<br />
at<br />
and the Victory<br />
outdoor<br />
and Larry Stark has<br />
theatres<br />
been<br />
all over America. transferred from the Victory to the Spooner.<br />
Send for complete details, fie sure Jack Blum has been transferred from the<br />
and give seating or car capacity.<br />
Spooner to the Boulevard and Leo Sidosky<br />
from the Boulevard to the 167th Street. Joseph<br />
Hollywood Epstein<br />
Amusement<br />
has been transferred<br />
Co.<br />
from the 167th<br />
831 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, III.<br />
to the Burnside Theatre and Sylvia Scharfman.<br />
formerly of the Burnside, is now at the<br />
Grand Theatre.<br />
LETTERS<br />
Commends Equipment Dealer for Aid<br />
To BOXOFFICE;<br />
The writer, a newcomer to the trade, was<br />
informed by several experienced exhibitors<br />
that BOXOFFICE is the most popular trade<br />
magazine. Therefore, I am interested in relating<br />
the following incident.<br />
Our school board decided to open a theatre<br />
and selected me to purchase the necessary<br />
equipment.<br />
I arrived at Albany Theatre Supply Co. on<br />
Thursday. April 10. where I met Mr, Jack<br />
McGrath and informed him of my needs.<br />
I<br />
studied the complete booth unit displayed and<br />
operating on the showroom floor of this wellstocked<br />
establishment and after my selection<br />
of the outfit, I inquired about the possibility<br />
of a performance on Saturday, April 12.<br />
Mr. McGrath immediately contacted the<br />
factories involved and service crews needed<br />
and Saturday evening, much to the P.-T.<br />
Ass'n's delight, our complete installation of<br />
sound and projection equipment was in perfect<br />
operating condition and 300 new seats<br />
ready for use.<br />
I am impressed with the splendid cooperation<br />
we received and feel certain that with<br />
capable supply dealers like Mr. McGrath's<br />
company serving the theatres, exhibitors'<br />
chances of obtaining equipment in the hour<br />
of need, is far greater than we can appreciate<br />
and only because of the foresight and<br />
"the show must go on" spirit that exists<br />
among the manufacturer, supply source and<br />
service crews throughout this fine country of<br />
ours.<br />
P. J. McMENAMIN<br />
President,<br />
Union Free School District No. 4,<br />
Lyon Mountain, N. Y.<br />
Max Friedman Acquires<br />
Two Wellsville Units<br />
ALBANY—Max Friedman is making his<br />
first venture into theatre operation, the former<br />
Warner Theatres buyer and booker having<br />
taken over May 2 the Babcock and Temple<br />
in Wellsville from the Warner circuit.<br />
Friedman, who resigned recently from the<br />
buying-booking post, reportedly assumed an<br />
eight-year lease on the theatres.<br />
The Babcock seats around 700; the Temple,<br />
an older house, 400. A block apart, they<br />
are two-floor situations. Wellsville is a village<br />
of 8.000 in the oil-producing section of<br />
western New York. Friedman had been<br />
negotiating for the situations since March<br />
and finally closed the deal in New York. He<br />
worked for Warners here 17 years.<br />
V&S Amusement Leases<br />
Theatre in Parkchester<br />
NEW YORK—The V&S Amusement Corp.,<br />
headed by Joseph and Seymour Selig, have<br />
taken a 21 -year lease on the Rosedale Theatre,<br />
adjacent to Parkchester Village, from the<br />
Rosedale Engineering Corp.<br />
The theatre, which is located within one<br />
block of the Bronxdale housing development<br />
now in construction by the City of New York,<br />
is being refurbished, painted and re-equipped<br />
with modern installations, including provision<br />
for large-screen television. The new housing<br />
development will accommodate 1,800 families.<br />
52 BOXOFFICE : : May<br />
10, 1952
,<br />
Paul<br />
I<br />
'<br />
the<br />
, New<br />
'<br />
mlere<br />
'.<br />
plane,<br />
I<br />
day<br />
I<br />
On<br />
I<br />
I<br />
as<br />
I<br />
Thousands<br />
I<br />
At<br />
!<br />
out.<br />
I<br />
I later<br />
. . Alex<br />
. . Carol<br />
Press Group to Haiti<br />
For 'Bailey' Debut<br />
PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI—This i-L'public<br />
had its first world premiere of a Hollywood<br />
motion picture last Sunday (4) when 20th<br />
Century-Fox presented "Lydia Bailey" to a<br />
distinguished audience, including Piesid(>nt<br />
Magloire.<br />
The premiere had special significance, since<br />
Haiti is celebrating the 150th anniversary<br />
I<br />
of its independence. The story of "Lydia<br />
Bailey" is presented against a background ol<br />
republic's fight for freedom.<br />
In honor of the occasion. President Magloire<br />
proclaimed "Lydia Bailey" day and invited<br />
48 journalists and trade reporters from<br />
York to spend four days in Haiti to<br />
participate in the celebration and the preof<br />
the picture. The group made the<br />
trip in a chartered Pan American Airlines<br />
which also carried Anne Francis, star<br />
of the film; William Marshall, featured<br />
player, and a party of 20th-Fox exploiteers.<br />
The plane arrived in Port au Prince Saturand<br />
was greeted at the airport by a<br />
committee headed by Guy Douyon. director<br />
1 general of Haiti's National Office of Tourism.<br />
1 Mayor Nelaton Camille extended an official<br />
\ welcome at the Hotel de Ville.<br />
Lydia Bailey day (Sunday), the guests<br />
were received by Pi-esident Magloire at a<br />
morning reception. A car caravan took them<br />
i for a scenic tour of Kenskoff, high in the<br />
mountains. Luncheon was served at Le<br />
Refuge, a mountain retreat often described<br />
"the Switzerland of the Caribbean."<br />
of spectators lined the avenue<br />
of march during the evening to witness the<br />
colorful procession as stars, the press and<br />
leading Haitian dignitaries moved along a<br />
preannounced route in cars to the Theatre des<br />
Casernes for the premiere of "Lydia Bailey."<br />
A display of fireworks illuminated the route.<br />
the theatre, leading society folk turned<br />
Stage ceremonies included folk dancing.<br />
The New York newsmen and the film stars<br />
attended a ball given by the president.<br />
OVERSEAS PREMIERE—Louis Decatrel<br />
(left), consul-general of Haiti, bids<br />
bon voyage to Anne Francis and William<br />
Marshall, two of the stars of 20th -Fox's<br />
"Lydia Bailey," as they board the flagship<br />
for the Port-au-Prince premiere of<br />
the Technicolor adventure. A party of<br />
newspapermen, trade press, magazine and<br />
wire service writers left Idlewild airport<br />
May 3 for the junket, one of the most<br />
colorful sendoffs ever given a film.<br />
Chairmen Are Selected<br />
In Buffalo Palsy Drive<br />
Arthur Krolick Max Yellen<br />
Myron Gross Charles Kosco<br />
BUFFALO—Max M. Yellen, head of the<br />
company operating the Century Theatre,<br />
and Arthur Krolick. general manager for<br />
United Paramount Theatres in Buffalo and<br />
Rochester, have been named co-chairmen<br />
of the cerebral palsy drive which will be<br />
launched in western New York on May 25.<br />
Myron Gross of Cooperative Theatres has<br />
been appointed chairman of the drive-in theatres,<br />
and Charles B. Kosco, manager here<br />
for 20th Century-Fox, will be in charge of<br />
the subsequent run houses.<br />
The appointments were made at a meeting<br />
of local exhibitors in the Variety Club<br />
which organization sponsors the cerebral<br />
palsy clinic in the Children's hospital. Special<br />
posters showing Pat O'Brien visiting<br />
the Variety Club clinic during his recent<br />
visit to Buffalo with the Movietime U.S.A.<br />
troupe will be used in the lobbies of all theatres<br />
participating in the drive.<br />
Harry M. Kalmine Presides<br />
At Warner Theatres Meet<br />
NEW YORK—Harry M. Kalmine, president<br />
and general manager of Warner Tlieatres,<br />
held a meeting of zone managers at the<br />
home office May 5.<br />
Zone managers who attended: Alfred D.<br />
Kvool, Chicago; Nat Wolf. Cleveland; Harry<br />
Feinstein, New Haven; Frank Damis. Newark;<br />
Charles A. Smakwitz, Albany; Ted Schlanger,<br />
Philadelphia: Moe A. Silver. Pittsburgh, and<br />
George A. Crouch, Washington.<br />
The home office executives present: Miles<br />
Alben, Max Blackman, Frank Cahill, Nat<br />
Fellman, Harry Goldberg, Louis J. Kaufman.<br />
Herman R. Maier, Frank Marshall. Harold<br />
Rodner, W. Stewart McDonald. Frank Phelps,<br />
Bernard Ro.senzweig and Ben Wirth.<br />
Kodak Ups Charles Snead<br />
NEW YORK—Charles D. Snead has been<br />
named manager of the cellulose products<br />
sales division of Eastman Kodak Co. by<br />
James E. McGhee, vice-president.<br />
BUFFALO<br />
IWTrs. (irovcr C'Icveland Alexander, wife of<br />
the famous piU:hinK star, was here last<br />
week In behalf of "The Winning Team," the<br />
story of her late husband's ba.scball career.<br />
She was accompanied by Art Moger, Warner<br />
publicist. She threw out the first ball at<br />
the Buffalo-Syracuse game In Offerman stadium<br />
and was guest at a noon luncheon attended<br />
by Arthur Krolick. Charles B. Taylor<br />
and Leon Serin of United Paramount Theatres,<br />
newspaper representatives and baseball<br />
officials. "The Winning Team." will be<br />
shown at the Center .soon.<br />
Sam Sunness of Blnghamton now Is booking<br />
and buying for the Vestal Theatre In<br />
Vestal. B. N. Pearlman formerly had this<br />
assignment . Stornelli has reopened<br />
the Star in Middleport. and Jack H. Boyd<br />
has taken over the Star in Caledonia, formerly<br />
operated by Arthur W. Copeland.<br />
Mark L. Sanders, who had been managing<br />
the Stai-lite Drive-In in Wauchula. Fla., Is<br />
back managing the Seneca near Geneva.<br />
NY.... Mayor Joseph Mruk declared<br />
last<br />
Sunday Eddie Cantor Red Cro.ss Blood Donor<br />
day. The comedian put on his one-man<br />
show in Kleinhans Music Hall. Admi.sslon<br />
gratis to those who gave a pint of blood . . .<br />
The TV link between Toronto and Buffalo<br />
will be ready in September . . . Arthur Krolick<br />
and Charlie Taylor are cooperating with<br />
a University of Buffalo fraternity which<br />
was to u.se "The Greatest Show on Earth"<br />
as the theme for a float in the big Moving-<br />
Up day parade Saturday. Much paper from<br />
the picture was plastered on the big trailer.<br />
The UPT executives also will donate guest<br />
tickets as prizes for the best floats.<br />
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."<br />
starring Rudolph Valentino, was shown in<br />
the Dryden Theatre in Rochester . . . The<br />
Frankie Carle orchestra was featured in a<br />
combination stage and screen program at<br />
the Mancuso Theatre in Batavia last Sunday<br />
(4) and attracted overflow crowds at<br />
each show . Bell, manager of the<br />
Perkins Theatre Supply Co. branch in the<br />
Film building, said the office is moving from<br />
the fourth to the second floor . . . Shea's<br />
Buffalo put on its annual party last Saturday<br />
for the Evening News newsboys and<br />
got a lot of splendid publicity in that newspaper,<br />
A laige number of prizes were presented<br />
to the boys on the stage of the ace<br />
Shea house.<br />
The Buffalo area drive-ins got a real<br />
break in the weather for the first several<br />
weeks of the 1952 season when summertime<br />
temperatures were the rule.<br />
Theatreman Retains Contract<br />
BUFFALO—Supreme Court Justice Raymond<br />
A. Knowles has upheld the stadium<br />
and auditorium Ijoard in awarding to Dewey<br />
Michaels, prominent Buffalo exhibitor, the<br />
1952 contract for stock car races in Civic<br />
stadium. Three other bidders had asked that<br />
the contract be annulled. Michaels operates<br />
the Palace and Mercury theatres here. The<br />
board, with one dissenting vote, awarded the<br />
contract March 27 to Michaels on his bid of<br />
20 per cent of the gro.ss receipts to be paid<br />
to the city.<br />
Your help appreciated—run the Cerebrol Polsy<br />
trailer. Available from May IS to July 1.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952 53
Mrs,<br />
, , Abe<br />
, , Paramount<br />
, , , Harry<br />
, , , Josephine<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
, , Dorothy<br />
, ,<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
. . Thieves<br />
. . .<br />
Ocrren stars Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie<br />
will eieet fans in tlie lobby of the Midtown<br />
May 14 when their new film. "No Room<br />
for the Groom," opens there<br />
ignored noon-day crowds on Tuesday (29^<br />
to break into two trucks of the ABC Vending<br />
Machine Corp. and steal .^SSO in small<br />
change The Motion Picture Preview<br />
Group, with Mrs, Arthur Goldsmith presiding,<br />
held a luncheon program Thvu'sday (1).<br />
Developments in the motion picture field wei"<br />
discussed and a feature of the entertainment<br />
was a parade of Stare of Today, with costumes<br />
and outfits worn in current pictures<br />
taking the place of the usual fashion show,<br />
Mrs. Earl Nullen was chairman of luncheon<br />
arrangements, a.ssisted by Mrs, Samuel Epstein.<br />
Mrs, Robert Straus. Mrs, Herman Radis<br />
and Mrs, Walter Wright jr.<br />
The Palace Theatre will become an allnighter<br />
when the Stanley-Warner Savoy<br />
shutters . , , Robert Abel and Art Silber are<br />
now representing Dari-Delite Corp. in Pennsylvania,<br />
The company operates modern soft<br />
ice cream stores from coast to coast, Abel<br />
and Silber headquarter at the Girard Theatre<br />
,, , Edna R, Carroll, chairman of<br />
the state censors, will head the motion picture<br />
committee for Pennsylvania week. October<br />
13-19. for the fifth successive year.<br />
. , Cpl.<br />
Lillian Mars is a new bookkeeper at Warners,<br />
replacing Cele Brodsky Shectman, who<br />
has resigned to become a housewife ,<br />
Alvin Milgram. son of Dave Milgram. De<br />
Luxe Premiums, w'as home on leave , . .<br />
Hugh McKenzie. RKO tub-thumper, has gone<br />
to Boston and has been replaced by Ralph<br />
Banghart,<br />
Earl Shaffer is new in the tabulating department<br />
at Stanley-Warners . , , Jim<br />
Catena. Stanley-Warner contact department,<br />
has resigned,<br />
"Faithful City," made in Israel, will be the<br />
next feature to play the Aldine, After it finishes<br />
its run. the theatre will be closed for<br />
the summer as in past seasons. The Aldine<br />
closes because it is not equipped with air<br />
conditioning , Sunberg is no longer<br />
operating and managing Mrs. Green's Towne<br />
and Adelphi theatres, Joe Abrams. projectionist<br />
at the Casino, supposedly is going to<br />
take over the operation of the Adelphi.<br />
Other theatres which have shuttered in<br />
the last month include Iz Barowsky's New<br />
Jewel, Harry Pearlman's West Allegheny and<br />
A, M. Ellis' Breeze , Theatres<br />
has changed the children's admission<br />
charge at the Tower from 9 to 20 cents. A<br />
spot check by zone manager Wren indicated<br />
that this new admission policy had a negligible,<br />
if any, effect on the number of paid<br />
admissions.<br />
United Artists will w^or Id -premiere "The<br />
Fighter" at the Stanton May 29. Richard<br />
EVERYTHING FOR YOUR CONCESSION<br />
CANDY—POPCORN—SEASONINGS—ETC.<br />
STANDARD VENDORS, Inc.<br />
921 E. Fort Avenue<br />
Baltimore 30, Marylond<br />
Conte will appear at the theatre in person<br />
Brillman. office manager, report.^<br />
that Screen Guild has acquired f )r distribution<br />
in this territory Joseph Burstyn's "Tomorrow<br />
Is Too Late" and "Miracle of Milan."<br />
. . One-half<br />
. . .<br />
Exhibitor Sam Frank's son Al has gone on<br />
active duty in the naval reserve<br />
.<br />
dozen theatres in Philadelphia have adopted<br />
an amateur night policy to help revive the<br />
boxoffice. These theatres are the Park, President,<br />
New Colonial. Carman. Uptown and<br />
Erlen John Gillespie, exhibitor in the<br />
Shamokln-Mount Carmel area, after playing<br />
a short subject. "The Piano Tuner," three<br />
times, went to see Benny Harris, American<br />
Films, who handled the subject. Gillespie<br />
said: "Ben. stop sending me that subject on<br />
'The Piano Tuner.' My piano is already<br />
tuned."<br />
. , ,<br />
Sam Tannenbaum now is booking and buying<br />
for William Ford's Lyi'ic in Maple Shade.<br />
Mel Fox is now operating the Roxy<br />
N. J. . . .<br />
The Variety Club barkers returned from<br />
the Variety Club convention in Las Vegas , , ,<br />
Joe Leon, U-I branch manager, returned<br />
from his vacation in Nassau. Bahamas . , ,<br />
Emily Szczepanski is a new bookkeeping machine<br />
operator at MGM,<br />
Morton Gerber Named<br />
District Corp. Chief<br />
WASHINGTON—Directors of the District<br />
Theatres Corp. here have elected Morton<br />
Gerber. former vicepresident,<br />
to the presidency<br />
of the circuit,<br />
succeeding Harry<br />
Preedman, who was<br />
elevated to chairman<br />
of the board.<br />
Other officers elected<br />
include Seymour<br />
Hoffman and Robert<br />
Freedman, vice-presidents:<br />
Eugene Kramer,<br />
vice-president and<br />
secretary, and Fritz<br />
Morton Gerber<br />
D.<br />
Hoffman sr., treasurer.<br />
Gerber, formerly with the national advertising<br />
department of Warner Bros, in New<br />
York, became an executive with District Theatres<br />
when the circuit took over the Lichtman<br />
chain six years ago. He is a former<br />
chief barker of the local Variety Club.<br />
Hoffman came with the Lichtman chain in<br />
1927 and stayed on as controller for District<br />
Theatres, Before that he was with Harry<br />
Crandall Theatres,<br />
National Is Reopened<br />
WASHINGTON—The National Theatre,<br />
closed because of a row with Actor's Equity<br />
over the theatre's segregation policy back<br />
in July 1948. reopened on Monday (5) with<br />
Ethel Merman starting a four-week run in<br />
"Call Me Madam."<br />
ELMER H. BRIENT & SONS<br />
925 New Jersey N. W.<br />
Washington, D. C.<br />
EVERYTHING<br />
for the<br />
MODERN THEATRE<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
Qeorge Crouch, Wainer Theatres zone manager,<br />
was married to Mary Davis last<br />
week. They are honeymooning in Bermuda<br />
, , , C. E. McGowan, contact department<br />
. , Lenore<br />
. , ,<br />
manager, returned to his office after attending<br />
the annual meeting of Warner Bros,<br />
contact managers in New York .<br />
Saunders, part-time .switchboard operator,<br />
has resigned to move to Florida<br />
Forney has resigned as manager of<br />
Jack<br />
the<br />
Tivoli in Frederick, Md. John Hersh, former<br />
assistant to Manager George Payette at the<br />
Maryland in Hagerstown, is replacing Forney.<br />
Lou Boas, theatre auditor from the home<br />
office, is in Washington for the first time<br />
in nearly a dozen years, auditing theatre<br />
books here . . . Sid Zins, publicity repre.sentative<br />
for Columbia, is working with Frank La-<br />
Falce, director of publicity for Warner Bros.<br />
Washington zone; Florenz Hinz, his assi-stant,<br />
and Fred McMillan, manager of the Warner<br />
Theatre on the opening of "Paula." Zins is<br />
also giving help to Sid Hoffman, manager of<br />
the Metropolitan, for the opening of "Okinawa"<br />
and "Sound Off."<br />
MGM Office Manager Joe Kronman cut<br />
short his Florida vacation to fly back home<br />
with his wife and son Bob. The boy, 10 years<br />
old, was taken ill and had to be hospitalized.<br />
Tony Muto, 20th-Fox Washington repre-<br />
. . .<br />
sentative, will be King for the Day, when the<br />
Variety Tent 11 gives a special spring luncheon<br />
honoring Secretary of the Navy Dan<br />
Juanita Gerding<br />
Kimball Monday (19) . . .<br />
is the new clerk in the cashier's department<br />
at 20th-Fox Mary Lou Bean has been<br />
promoted from bookers clerk to branch manager's<br />
Leona Weedcm has returned<br />
secretary . . ,. to the booking department as secretary<br />
to booker Jack Kohler,<br />
Jeannine Colllnson won a trophy as a member<br />
of the Southern Maryland Bowling<br />
league, which won first place this week ,<br />
Branch Manager Joe Rosen, accompanied by<br />
salesman Dan Rosenthal, spent Wednesday<br />
At Paramount,<br />
visiting Baltimore exhibitors , , ,<br />
Jack Howe celebrated his birthday<br />
Evans is contemplating moving<br />
to San Francisco.<br />
Local F-13 held a regular monthly meeting<br />
on Monday evening in the Carlisle hotel . . .<br />
The mother of Ambrose and Mathew Cremen,<br />
Carey Theatre, Baltimore, died last<br />
week . Ann Fleming celebrated<br />
her first wedding anniversary . . . Regina<br />
Lust, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Ben Lust,<br />
Lust Theatre Supply Co,, was given a surprise<br />
shower Wednesday evening in Solomon's<br />
restaurant. Miss Lust is engaged to<br />
marry Philip Trupp, a World War II veteran<br />
now attending Maryland university,<br />
Filmrow Bowling league standings are as<br />
follows: Highway Express Lines in first place;<br />
20th-Fox, second; Republic, third; Universal,<br />
Warner and RKO, tied for fourth; Allstars,<br />
fifth, and Columbia, sixth, John O'Leary<br />
continues to hold first place for highest average<br />
for the men with Charles Groff a close<br />
second. Pauline Struck still holds high average<br />
for the women ,<br />
Kolinsky,<br />
Variety Club secretary, has moved from<br />
Brentwood Village to a beautiful new apartment<br />
in the Quebec House,<br />
54 BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952
II<br />
I<br />
I<br />
Motion Picture Theatre Ass'n has been ex-<br />
j<br />
tended showman Kroger Babb, head of Hall-<br />
Productions, Inc., to be the keynote<br />
at its convention here June 17, 18,<br />
according to Carlton Duffus, executive secre-<br />
i<br />
I<br />
marls<br />
[; speaker<br />
'<br />
I<br />
, mark<br />
> and<br />
\<br />
speak,<br />
. Vlrginny<br />
! happen<br />
I<br />
I plate.<br />
. . Richard<br />
. . Announced<br />
. . The<br />
. . D.<br />
Thomas,<br />
No One Wants to Protest<br />
Sunday Drive-In Shows<br />
BEAVER, PA.—Indoor theatre owners and<br />
managers of Beaver county who complained<br />
to the public prosecutor that all but one of<br />
the outdoor theatres in the county were operating<br />
Sunday shows illegally, but who<br />
balked at officially presenting such information,<br />
prefer that the onus of an action,<br />
which would be received with ill-grace by<br />
the public, fall on an official public body.<br />
The Tusca in Brighton township is the<br />
only drive-in in the county entitled to operate<br />
on Sundays since voters there approved<br />
this issue via referendum.<br />
Jesse C. Lund, manager of Aliquippa's<br />
three theatres for the Al-Penn Theatre<br />
Corp., publicly charged that DLstrict Attorney<br />
Richard P. Steward had failed to assume<br />
the responsibilities of his office. Steward's<br />
attitude in the matter is "that where<br />
there is a threat to public morals, my office<br />
will act immediately on its own initiative.<br />
Where there appears to be a technical violation,<br />
however, responsibility rests with the<br />
parties in<br />
the dispute."<br />
State police may be called into the affair,<br />
an indoor theatre representative stated.<br />
BEAVER FALLS, PA.—Robert S. Higgins.<br />
manager of the Rialto Amusement Co. here.<br />
said that most of the indoor theatre owners<br />
and managers of Beaver county are not in<br />
sympathy with or involved in efforts to enlist<br />
the district attorney's aid in a campaign<br />
to close drive-in theatres on Sundays.<br />
After contacting most of the indoor theatres,<br />
and finding no opposition, Higgins said the<br />
pressure "applies only to the local situation<br />
in Aliquippa."<br />
Regarding increased competition from outdoor<br />
theatres and television. Bob Higgins<br />
had this to say: "You can't legislate against<br />
competition, but you can meet it and overcome<br />
it with better service and better products.<br />
That's what most of us in the indoor<br />
theatre business are doing."<br />
Kroger Bobb to Keynote<br />
\<br />
Virginia MPTA in June<br />
RICHMOND—An invitation by the Virginia<br />
! tary.<br />
Virginia hams, but it should be interesting.<br />
j<br />
Reserve me a strong microphone and a big<br />
Thanks—and if living, I'll be there."<br />
Complete Sound and Projection Service<br />
ATLAS THEATRE SUPPLY<br />
Gordon Gibson, Mgr.<br />
402 Millenberger St., GRant 1-4281. Pittsburgh, Pa.<br />
MOTIOGRAPH — MIRROPHONIC<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
Duffus said after his organization voted<br />
to invite showman Babb he sent the Hallchief<br />
a telegram inviting him to speak<br />
received an immediate reply, "I can't<br />
but will be happy to talk on my pet<br />
subject—showmanship—at your convention.<br />
First time I've ever had an invitation to Ole<br />
and Lord only knows what may<br />
what this 'ham' clashes with all those<br />
. . .<br />
XirUliam Hock, manager of the Ambrldge at<br />
Ambridge. resigned effective May 10. Employed<br />
by the Warner circuit for the past 24<br />
years, seven of which were in Ambridge, he Is<br />
entering the accounting field with the Pittsburgh<br />
Construction & Home Housing Co.<br />
in an executive position immediately<br />
The Pai-k at Homestead Park now is closed<br />
Tuesday-Wedne.sday-Thur.sday ... A new<br />
drive-in theatre is under construction at<br />
Brookville . . . Tommy Cowell of the Lakeview<br />
Drive-In on East Lake road at Six-<br />
Mile Creek in Erie awaited May weather<br />
before turning on lights .<br />
Republic<br />
exchange lopped from the payroll Dave Ferguson,<br />
shipper; William Roads, salesman, and<br />
an inspector.<br />
May 1 was Advertisers day at Ficks Drive-<br />
In, east of Brownsville. The management<br />
gave aw'ay sample merchandise to all patrons<br />
as follows; popcorn, chewing gum,<br />
.<br />
. . . Film<br />
plastic pins, aspirin tablets, chlorophyll tabs,<br />
bubble gum. cookies, dog food, etc., plus, by<br />
showing a ticket stub, 50 cents on a lubrication<br />
and oil change, a can of household oil<br />
or lighter fluid, and a surprise package from<br />
a market E. Sylvers and his<br />
mental act was featured all week at the<br />
Limestone Drive-In near Bradford<br />
procurement for video is in a critical stage,<br />
according to R. C. Dreyfus-s. film manager<br />
for WDTV here, which runs 85 to 92 hours<br />
of film a week.<br />
Eddie Cronenweth. longtime Hollywood<br />
photographer, at last report was given a<br />
50-50 chance of recovery after being shot<br />
through a lung by four stickup men in a<br />
Los Angeles area night club. He is a na-<br />
. Mrs. EUzabeth Mctive<br />
of Wilkinsburg and friend of this correspondent<br />
since early boyhood . . . Walter<br />
Bedel. RKO shipper, entered the armed<br />
forces Thursday. Before departing, the RKO<br />
gang said goodby at a dinner served at the<br />
exchange and prepared by "Chef" Frank Ray.<br />
longtime shipper<br />
Kenna Bonistall,<br />
. .<br />
who died this week, was<br />
the widow of the late film salesman Frank<br />
C. Bonistall. Among survivors are her<br />
brother James O'Keefe, another film industry<br />
Variety Club's annual golf<br />
pioneer . . . tournament wiU be held June 16 at the<br />
Churchill Valley country club.<br />
.<br />
. .<br />
. . . Mrs.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Klingensmith will celebrate<br />
their 15th wedding anniversary on May<br />
26. He is the Columbia salesman and father<br />
of four sons opening of the<br />
new season for the Westmont Drive-In near<br />
Johnstown had to be set back a week w'hen<br />
workmen didn't complete their remodeling<br />
John Pfeil and George Urban. lATSE<br />
.<br />
Local 561 president and busine.ss agent, respectively,<br />
have been named delegates to<br />
the Tristate Ass'n convention in Pittsburgh<br />
Bob Higgins, manager of the<br />
June 8 . . .<br />
Rialto in Beaver Falls, is registering 18-to-28<br />
gals for the Miss Beaver Valley contest June<br />
24, offering a scholarship award<br />
George W. Eby initiated divorce proceedings<br />
against the Harris Amusements auditor.<br />
The Basle at Washington, Pa., recently<br />
used newspaper ad copy urging fans to see<br />
"African Queen," which was being exhibited<br />
at the opposition State . J. Shepherd,<br />
manager of the State in Altoona, has completed<br />
plans for cooperation with radio station<br />
WVAM for the Miss America elimination<br />
contest May 21 . . . Beverly Duarte.<br />
named Miss Steel Town at Dlp.son's Plaza,<br />
Erie, won an air-travel weekend in Hollywood<br />
with a side trip to the Willow Run<br />
auto plant.<br />
The former Colonial at Coverdale now Is<br />
plumber's supply store . . Bill Thomas.<br />
a<br />
.<br />
Zelienople exhibitor who worked for months<br />
preparing plans for construction of a modern<br />
motel there, has postponed thl.s project<br />
Drake Amusement<br />
due to excessive costs . . .<br />
Corp. has renovated and beautified the Auto<br />
Drive-In near Titu.svllle . . . Shirley Shuster<br />
has resigned office duties with National<br />
Nate Lazier, Berle Vending manager,<br />
Screen . . .<br />
was a Filmrow visitor. Years ago he<br />
was a local neighborhood exhibitor and made<br />
appearances here several times weekly.<br />
Open New Craft Avenue<br />
Theatre in Pittsburgh<br />
PITTSBURGH—The new Craft Avenue<br />
Theatre of the Pittsburgh Playhouse will be<br />
dedicated May 10. Following a preview performance<br />
of "Wonderful Good," the invited<br />
audience will tour the new building, formerly<br />
the Tree of Life synagogue, adjoining the<br />
Playhouse, which will now be known as the<br />
Hamlet Street Theatre. Different plays will<br />
be offered simultaneously in the adjoining<br />
establishments.<br />
The new hou.se .seats 554, compared to 342<br />
in the original Playhouse. Steel, seats and air<br />
conditioning system at the Craft Avenue were<br />
purchased from the former Barry in downtown<br />
Pittsburgh, which was torn down to<br />
make way for a parking lot. New lighting<br />
system was installed at a cost of $40,000. The<br />
two theatres have a joint entrance, a large<br />
basement workshop and 13 dressing rooms.<br />
This makes space for enlarging the Playhouse<br />
restaurant and building a mezzanine<br />
cocktail lounge, scheduled for completion this<br />
summer.<br />
Switch Film Handling<br />
Service in Pittsburgh<br />
PITTSBURGH—Film Distributors, unit of<br />
National Film Service operated under franchise<br />
here by George Callahan, president of<br />
Exhibitors Service Co.. now is physically handling<br />
United Artists prints from shipping<br />
quarters at 1623 Blvd. of the Allies. Acme<br />
Distributing Co., formerly associated with<br />
the Callahan firm, now has no connection<br />
with the shipping and film trucking organization.<br />
Acme, operated by Lou Hanna and FYank<br />
"<br />
"Bud has shipping quarters in the<br />
rear of the Acme-Franklin-Hanna office at<br />
1709 Blvd. of the Allies. Product of the<br />
Crown, Franklin and Monogram exchanges<br />
is physically handled by Acme.<br />
SAM FINEBERG<br />
TOM McCLEARY<br />
84 Von Broom Street<br />
i<br />
PITTSBURGH 19, PA.<br />
Phone Express 10777<br />
Mo-ies Art Bttttr Than E»tf - How's Your Equipmmm<br />
BOXOFFICE ;<br />
; May<br />
10, 1952 55
'<br />
Universal Will Hold<br />
Chicago Meetings<br />
NEW YORK—Universal will hold a series<br />
of sales and promotion meetings of its home<br />
office sales executives, district managers and<br />
promotion executives at the Hotel Blackstone,<br />
Chicago. May 14-16. to map sales and promotion<br />
plans on "The World in His Arms" and<br />
other top product for the summer months.<br />
The meetings follow the conclusion of the<br />
"Nate Blumberg 40th Anniversary Sales<br />
Drive." which launched the company's yearlong<br />
observance of its 40th year. Plans for<br />
the second half of the anniversary year will<br />
be finalized at the Chicago meetings. Those<br />
attending will see the first screening of "The<br />
World in His Arms." the high-budget Technicolor<br />
picture starring Gregory Peck and<br />
Ann Blyth.<br />
Alfred E. Daff, vice-president and director<br />
of world sales, and Charles J. Feldman, domestic<br />
sales manager, will head the group of<br />
sales executives attending the meetings.<br />
Others w'ill include: Ray E. Moon, assistant<br />
domestic sales manager; F. J. A. McCarthy.<br />
southern and Canadian sales manager; Foster<br />
M. Blake, western sales manager; P. T. Dana,<br />
eastern sales manager; James J. Jordan, circuit<br />
sales manager, and Irving Sochin, assistant<br />
to Feldman.<br />
The district sales heads present will be:<br />
John J. Scully, Boston; P. F. Rosian, Cleveland;<br />
M. M. Gottlieb. Chicago; Barney Rose,<br />
San Francisco; James V. Frew. Atlanta, and<br />
Henry H. Martin. Dallas.<br />
David A. Lipton, vice-president in charge of<br />
advertising and publicity, will head the group<br />
of promotion executives, including: Charles<br />
Simonelli. manager of the eastern advertising<br />
and publicity department; Philip Gerard,<br />
eastern publicity manager, and Jeff Livingston,<br />
eastern advertising manager.<br />
Alfred E. Daff Is Elected<br />
To U's Board of Directors<br />
NEW YORK—Alfred E. Daff, vice-president<br />
and director of world sales for Universal Pictures<br />
Co., Inc., has been elected to the board<br />
of<br />
directors.<br />
William J. German resigned a few days<br />
before from the board, giving as his reason<br />
presture of other duties. Nate J. Blumberg,<br />
president, accepted with "deep regret,"<br />
Daff started with Universal in Australia<br />
more than 30 years ago as a booker and salesman<br />
and was. made director of world sales in<br />
1951.<br />
Daff joined Milton R. Rackmil. president<br />
of Decca Records, and J. Arthur Rank in London<br />
during the week in discussions of the proposed<br />
U-I-Decca merger. John Davis. Rank<br />
managing director, also participated.<br />
MPEA Member Companies<br />
Divide Jap Licenses<br />
NEW YORK—Agreement on a division of<br />
Japanese import licenses w-as reached by<br />
members of the Motion Picture Export Ass'n<br />
Monday (5i. Nine were assigned to Loew's.<br />
eight to 20th Century-Fox. seven each to<br />
Warner Bros, and Paramount, six each to<br />
RKO, Universal-International and Columbia,<br />
five each to United Artists and Republic and<br />
four to Allied Artists. The effective period<br />
runs through September 30.<br />
Paramount Nominates 14<br />
For Re-Election June 3<br />
NEW YORK — The Paramount<br />
Pictures<br />
Corp. management has nominated 14 members<br />
of the present board of directors for reelection<br />
at the annual meeting of stockholders<br />
to be held at the home office June 3.<br />
according to a proxy statement mailed to<br />
stockholders by Austin C. Keough, secretary.<br />
The nominees are Barney Balaban, president;<br />
Y. Frank Freeman, vice-president of<br />
the west coast studio; A. Conger Goodyear,<br />
chairman of the board of directors of Gaylord<br />
Container Corp.; Stanton Griff is, investment<br />
partner, Hemphill, Noyes & Co.;<br />
Duncan G, Harris, president of Brown, Harris,<br />
Stevens, Inc.. real estate firm; John D. Hertz,<br />
partner of Lehman Bros.; Austin C. Keough,<br />
vice-president, secretary and general counsel;<br />
Earl I. McClintock. executive vice-president<br />
of Sterling Drug Co.; Fred Mohrhardt,<br />
treasurer; Maurice Newton, partner of Hallgarten<br />
& Co.; Paul Raibourn. vice-president<br />
in charge of budget and planning; Edwin L.<br />
Weisl, attorney and partner of Simp.son.<br />
Thacher & Bartlett; George Weltner, president<br />
of Paramount International Films, and<br />
Adolph Zukor, chairman of the board.<br />
All of the Paramount Pictures executives,<br />
except Mohrhardt and Raibourn, own shares<br />
in the corporation, the largest holding being<br />
Balaban's 28,500 shares. The outstanding<br />
voting secui'ities of the corporation April 28<br />
consisted of 2,326,707 shares of common stock.<br />
Under the corporation's bylaws, the original<br />
Paramount board of 16 members will be<br />
gradually reduced by death, resignation or<br />
other cause until it stands at 11 members.<br />
DuPont First Quarter Net<br />
Drops to $1.06 a Share<br />
NEW YORK—E. I.<br />
du Pont de Nemours &<br />
Co. net income for the first quarter of 1952<br />
totaled $50,812,906, equal after dividend requirement<br />
of $2,774,956, to $49,037,950, or $1.06<br />
a share on the 45,213,173 shares of common<br />
stock outstanding. This compared with a net<br />
for the same 1951 quarter of $59,557,552 which<br />
after preferred dividends was equal to $56,-<br />
782,566, or $1.25 a share on the 45,077,115<br />
shares of common stock then outstanding.<br />
Sales for the first quarter this year totaled<br />
$382,563,192 and there was $2,666,066 of other<br />
operating revenues, compared with $380,590,-<br />
721 and $2,280,719 respectively in the first<br />
quarter of 1951. The company said for the<br />
first time that it is seeking substantial tax<br />
refunds from the government.<br />
Leo McCarey Gets Award<br />
From Catholic Group<br />
NEW YORK—Leo McCarey, producer-director<br />
of Paramount's "My Son John," received<br />
the 1952 award of the Catholic Institute<br />
of the Press at the organization's annual<br />
communion breakfast May 4. McCarey was<br />
the fourth recipient of the award, which is<br />
presented each year to the person "who is<br />
distinguished by the manner in which he has<br />
reflected Christian principles and fostered<br />
good citizenship through his work in his<br />
chosen field." The organization previously<br />
presented a special commendation to Paramount<br />
for the general excellence of "My Son<br />
John."<br />
U.S. defense needs your copper drippings.<br />
U.S. Films Dominate<br />
World Screen Time<br />
NEW YORK—Three-fourths of the world's<br />
screen time is filled by U.S. motion pictures,<br />
according to an official tabulation by the<br />
Motion Picture A.ss'n of America. It ILsted the<br />
number of theatres in 1951 as 99.617 and their<br />
seating capacity as 54.107,150 compared with<br />
91,609 theatres of 49,119,691 capacity in 1949.1<br />
The 1951 figures by area follow: I<br />
Europe—53,659 theatres, 25,389,424 capacity,<br />
U.S. percentage of screen time 63; South<br />
America—6,070, 3,522,987, 64 per cent; Mexico<br />
and Central America—2,338, 1,722,305, 76 per<br />
cent; Caribbean area—835, 491,647, 84 per.<br />
cent; far east—7,369, 4,549,663, 48 per cent;<br />
middle east—349, 223,908, 57 per cent, south<br />
Pacific—2,285, 1,448,144, 65 per cent; Africa—<br />
1.301, 890,058, 63 per cent; Atlantic islands—<br />
152, 69,503, 73 per cent; Canada— 1,795,<br />
930,161, 75 per cent; U.S.— 19,797, 12,384,150,<br />
90 per cent; Puerto Rico— 142, 75,000, 95 per<br />
cent; Alaska—28, 14,000, 95 per cent; Hawaii<br />
—108, 50,000, 90 per cent.<br />
Canadian drive-ins are estimated at 66<br />
with a seating capacity of 46,200 and U.S.<br />
drive-ins at 3,323 with a capacity of 2,300,000.<br />
In both instances the capacity is estimated on<br />
the basis of an average of 700 a theatre.<br />
Source material come from the U.S. Department<br />
of Commerce.<br />
UA Closes Deal to Handle'<br />
UCB Product in Brazil<br />
NEW YORK—United Artists has concluded'<br />
a long-term deal with Uniao Cinematografica<br />
Brasileira,<br />
the largest national film company<br />
i<br />
in Brazil, whereby UA will take over the<br />
physical distribution of UCB's feature films.'<br />
shorts and newsreels and service them<br />
through its exchanges in that country.<br />
Details of the agreement, which is effective<br />
July 1, 1952, were finalized in Rio de Janeiro by<br />
Arnold Picker, vice-president of UA in charge<br />
of foreign distribution, who cut short a European<br />
trip to fly to Brazil and set the deal<br />
with A. A. Ribeiro, president of UCB.<br />
Picker has returned to the home office,<br />
after a seven-week tour of UA offices in-<br />
Great Britain and continental Europe.<br />
Crown Represents SIMPP<br />
At French Pact Talks<br />
NEW YORK—Alfred W. Crown, vice-president<br />
of Samuel Goldwyn Productions, left<br />
by plane Tuesday (6) for France to represent<br />
the Society of Independent Motion Picture<br />
Producers in film pact negotiations. He will<br />
join Eric Johnston, president of the Motion,<br />
Picture Ass'n of America, and John G. Mc-'<br />
Carthy. vice-president, at Cannes and then<br />
attend the concluding negotiations at Paris.<br />
He is expected to return late in the month.<br />
Italy Delays Turnover Tax<br />
On American Companies<br />
NEW YORK—Italy has postponed its turnover<br />
tax on American companies. Government<br />
officials have consented to further postponement<br />
of plans to levy a tax on deals by<br />
U.S. distributors in that country for an "indefinite"<br />
time. The original deadline was<br />
May 30.<br />
56 BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952
I<br />
;<br />
To<br />
1<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Lindsley<br />
i producers<br />
bOLLYWOOD<br />
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER<br />
^Hollywood Office— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager)<br />
'<br />
Mutual Schedules<br />
Seven More Films<br />
HOLLYWOOD—With one picture, "Models,<br />
Inc.." completed and set for early release<br />
through its own franchise exchanges. Mutual<br />
Pictures, headed by Jack Dietz and Hal E.<br />
Chester, has outlined a production schedule<br />
to embrace seven more features during the<br />
remainder of the year.<br />
Titles include "The Prison Story," "The<br />
Monster From Beneath the Sea." "Jamaica<br />
Passage," Virgin Island Mutiny." "War<br />
Dance," "Wild Girls of the Road" and "Yellow<br />
Angels."<br />
Lesser Joins Sequoia;<br />
Company to Lens 'Bull'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—With Sol Lesser as a financial<br />
participant. Sequoia Productions has<br />
been set up by Jules Levy, Arthur Gardner<br />
and director Arnold Laven as an independent<br />
unit. The latter three recently made "Without<br />
Warning," in which Lesser acquired a<br />
substantial interest, and which is being distributed<br />
by UA.<br />
Planning two pictures a year, Sequoia will<br />
first lens "Harness Bull," from a novel by<br />
Leslie White.<br />
Trilogy of Prison Tales<br />
To Hartford and Paal<br />
HOLLYWOOD—A trilogy<br />
comprising three<br />
prison stories—one American, One English.<br />
one Italian— will be produced by Huntington<br />
Hartford and Alexander Paal, with releasing<br />
arrangements to be made upon its completion.<br />
Tagged "Hello Out There," the opus comprises<br />
one episode already completed, starring<br />
Marjorie Hartford and megged by James<br />
Whale.<br />
Alternate Producers<br />
Parsons and Wil-<br />
1 liam F. Broidy henceforth will alternate as<br />
of the action pictures starring<br />
Kirby Grant and being released by Monoram.<br />
Next in the series, based on stories by<br />
'ame.s Oliver Curwood, will be produced by<br />
Broidy. Titled "Yukon Gold," it is scheduled<br />
to roll late this month.<br />
!1<br />
Wald Gets U.S. Okay<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Department of Defense<br />
authorization has been given Pi-oducer Jerry<br />
Wald to film "The Long, Gray Line." a West<br />
Point cavalcade in Technicolor.<br />
Krippene Forms TV Unit<br />
For Adventure Series<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Count that week a total<br />
loss videowise in which at least one new corporate<br />
enterprise does not complete organizational<br />
plans and take its place among the<br />
growing clan of TV producers.<br />
Latest such is a unit formed by Ken Krippene,<br />
of the documentary film field: James<br />
Black, executive of Radio America in Lima,<br />
Peru, and Robert Colison. of Panagra airlines,<br />
who are mapping plans for a series of<br />
52 13-minute TV adventure films utilizing<br />
South American locales. Krippene. who<br />
recently lensed "Lost Emeralds of Illa-Tica"<br />
for Sol Lesser, will write and direct the new<br />
series.<br />
* * *<br />
Jerry Fairbanks Productions booked John<br />
Archer to star in "America For Me." a 30-<br />
minute subject planned for theatrical, commercial<br />
and video release, and sponsored by<br />
Greyhound. With a four-month shooting<br />
schedule, it will be filmed in 16 different<br />
states. Fairbanks will photograph it in Technicolor<br />
for its theatrical and commercial release,<br />
while the TV prints will be in black<br />
and white.<br />
Valentino Kin Sue<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Edward Small Productions<br />
and Columbia were listed as the defendants<br />
in a $500,000 superior court damage action filed<br />
by Alberto Guglielmi Valentino and Maria<br />
Guglielmi Strada, brother and sister of the<br />
silent screen idol. They charge Small was<br />
not authorized to utilize the name, likeness<br />
and purported life story of Rudolph Valentino<br />
in "Valentino," and allege it maligns his<br />
reputation, character and memory.<br />
Passion Play to Be on Film<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Scheduled for production<br />
in Europe this summer by Paul Kohner, veteran<br />
talent agent, is "Oberammergau," film<br />
version of the Passion Play which has been<br />
presented annually for the past century by<br />
the residents of Oberammergau, Germany.<br />
The opus, to which Kohner will have western<br />
hemisphere distribution right*, will be produced<br />
in Bavaria in English and German<br />
versions.<br />
To Giannini Luncheon<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Industryites will be represented<br />
at a luncheon to be given Wednesday<br />
(14) by the A. P. Giannini Scholarship Foundation<br />
in honor of the late founder of the<br />
Bank of America. Joseph M. Schenck will<br />
preside, with A. J. Gock, Louis B. Mayer,<br />
Emile A. Pozzo and Charles P. Skouras completing<br />
the arrangements committee.<br />
Writers to Take Stock<br />
On Hughes Dispute<br />
HOLLYWOOD—An analy.M.-, ol llie present<br />
status of its dispute with Howard Hughes<br />
and RKO concerning .screen credits on a recent<br />
release, and a discussion of plans lor<br />
pursuing the i.ssue, will highlight a special<br />
membership meeting called for Wednesday<br />
(211 by the Screen Writers Guild.<br />
As had been expected, the SWG filed an<br />
application for a writ of mandate with the<br />
district court of appeals, asking that Superior<br />
Judge Roy L. Herndon be compelled to appoint<br />
an arbiter in the current contractual<br />
dispute between the guild and RKO, involving<br />
scenarist Paul Jarrico and "The Las<br />
Vegas Story." Judge Herndon recently denied<br />
an SWG request that he appoint an<br />
arbiter to represent RKO on a three-man<br />
panel and ruled that the guild's basic rights<br />
were not involved.<br />
The matter received industrywide attention<br />
recently when Hughes dropped Jarrico's<br />
name from the picture's credits, declared he<br />
would not arbitrate the matter, challenged<br />
the SWG to call a strike and went into court<br />
in an effort to protect his studio from any<br />
po.ssible claims that might be filed by the<br />
scenarist. Subsequently Jarrico, a so-called<br />
"unfriendly" witness at a house Un-American<br />
Activities Committee hearing, brought a<br />
breach of contract suit against the Hughes<br />
company.<br />
• « •<br />
New officers and members of the board of<br />
directors of the Screen Directors Guild will<br />
be chosen Monday (2i at the annual business<br />
meeting. George Sidney is the incumbent<br />
president.<br />
• • *<br />
Seeking wage increases and improvements<br />
in working conditions, the recently-organized<br />
Motion Picture Screen Cartoonists Local 838<br />
has entered into new contractual negotiations<br />
with the five major cartoon producers. The<br />
pen-and-inkers are bargaining with Walt Disney.<br />
Walter Lantz. Metro. Warners and<br />
United Pi-oductions of America.<br />
Fourth-estate stuff is on the agenda for<br />
Ronald Reagan, president of the Screen Actors<br />
Guild, who will participate in a newspaper<br />
publishers conference in Hartford. Conn.,<br />
June 4 and will be the principal speaker at<br />
the national convention of the American<br />
Newspaper Guild in Portland, Ore., in July.<br />
lewish Benefit at Club<br />
HOLLYAVOOD-With George Jessel as<br />
master of ceremonies, the Hillcrest Country<br />
club held its annual dinner on behalf of the<br />
United Jewish fund Wednesday night.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952<br />
57<br />
I
to<br />
'<br />
•<br />
STUDIO PERSONNELITIES<br />
Barnstormers<br />
Monogram<br />
Cowboy stor WHIP WILSON well hcodlmp the threcdoy<br />
annual Salinas, Colif., junior rodeo, which opens<br />
Fridoy (16) under sponsorship of the Monterey<br />
county sheriff's posse<br />
Blurbers<br />
Independent<br />
PAUL SIMOU has loined the Howard G. Mayer-<br />
Dale O'Brien public relations organization os ossistant<br />
to Normon Siegcl, west coast office manager.<br />
Briefies<br />
Universal-International<br />
With Will Cowan producing and directing, Jimmy<br />
Dorsey and his orchestra ore starring in a musicol<br />
feoturette. Also oppeonng in the short ore Herb<br />
Jeffries, Red Norvo end Johnny Mock.<br />
Cleffers<br />
Columbia<br />
Bockground scores for 'Affair Jn Trinidod" end<br />
"Assignment—Poris" ore being written by GEORGE<br />
DUNING.<br />
Monogram<br />
MARLIN SKILES was set as music director on<br />
"Army Bound."<br />
Republic<br />
Composer STANLEY WILSON was given o controct<br />
renewol.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
Musical score for Thor Productions' "Panic Stricken"<br />
is being composed by DMITRI TIOMKIN.<br />
Universal-International<br />
FRANK SKINNER is composing and will conduct the<br />
score for "It Grows on Trees."<br />
Meggers<br />
Metro<br />
CAREY WILSON draws the producer assignment on<br />
"Prince Voliant," Technicolor film version of the<br />
King Features historical adventure cartoon, which is<br />
being scripted by Alec Coppel.<br />
RKO Radio<br />
RAOUL<br />
Edmund<br />
WALSH<br />
Groinger's<br />
is to be lensed in<br />
OS the title-roier.<br />
wos booked to direct Producer<br />
"Blackbeard the Pirate/' which<br />
Technicolor with Robert Newton<br />
Republic<br />
"Rosito From Rio," next starring vehicle for Estelita<br />
Rodriguez, will be directed by R. G. SPRINGSTEEN<br />
for Producer Sidney Picker.<br />
Warners<br />
Norma Productions, headed by Burt Lancaster end<br />
Harold Hecht, inked BYRON HASKIN to direct "His<br />
Majesty O'Keefe," in which Lancaster will star and<br />
which will be filmed on location in the Fiji Islands.<br />
Options<br />
Columbia<br />
JANE WYMAN was inked for the starring role in<br />
"Happy Birthdoy," film version of the Broadway ploy<br />
by Anita Loos.<br />
Inked for "Jack McColl, Desperado," was EUGENE<br />
IGLESIAS.<br />
Metro<br />
A top featured port in "Rogues' March," starring<br />
Peter Lowford, went to JOHN LUPTON. Leon Gordon's<br />
Technicolor production is being directed by<br />
Allan Davis.<br />
BOBBY VAN, comedian ond doncer, was cost in<br />
the Jane Powell starring vehicle, "Small Town Girl,"<br />
which will be produced by Joe Pasternak and megged<br />
by Leslie Kardos. ANN MILLER was cast.<br />
Monogram<br />
BRUCE BENNETT was inked for one of the starring<br />
roles n "Flat Top," Cinecoior special being<br />
produced by Walter Mi rise h and megged by Lesley<br />
Selonder.<br />
Paramount<br />
Pine-Thomos Productions booked WENDELL COREY<br />
for a starring role with Ray Millond in "Jamaica<br />
Run," Technicolor adventure drama, which Lewis R.<br />
Foster will direct.<br />
RKO Radio<br />
ROBERT MITCHUM will star with Jean Simmons<br />
in Producer Robert Sparks' "Beautiful But Dangerous,"<br />
which Lloyd Bacon will direct.<br />
Republic<br />
Stoge ond video octor BEN COOPER makes his<br />
screen bow in "Thunderbirds," which is being produced<br />
and directed by John H. Auer with John Derek<br />
ond John Borrymore jr. toplined. BARBARA PEPPER<br />
was cost.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
RICHARD WIDMARK replaces Gory Merrill os<br />
Joanne Dru's co-star in "Big Man," a Stanley Rubin<br />
production, which Robert Parrish will direct.<br />
Handed a supporting role in the Anne Baxter-<br />
Mocdonald Corey starrer, "My Wife's Best Friend,"<br />
was ANN STAUNTON. Richard Sole is megging for<br />
Producer Robert Bossier.<br />
Universal-International<br />
MAUREEN O'HARA was booked as the title-roler<br />
in "Cattle Kate," Technicolor sogebrusher which is<br />
in preparation as a Leonard Goldstein production.<br />
Lee Sholem will meg.<br />
ALAN LADD will topline "Desert Legion," upcoming<br />
Technicolor adventure drama, which is destined<br />
for camera work in June under the product iona I<br />
guidance of Ted Richmond.<br />
As his first starring assignment under a new threepicture<br />
ticket, JOEL McCREA will topiine "Lone<br />
Hand," Technicolor western to be produced by Howard<br />
Christie.<br />
Cast in Producer Albert J. Cohen's "Magic Lady"<br />
was LYNNEE ROBERTS. Loretta Young and Jeff<br />
Chandler ore starred under the direction of Joseph<br />
Pevney.<br />
Warners<br />
STEVE COCHRAN joined Kathryn Grayson and<br />
Gordon MocRoe in the topline of Producer Rudi<br />
Fehr's Technicolor musical, "The Desert Song," which<br />
IS being directed by Bruce Humberstone. WILLIAM<br />
CONRAD IS portraying a heavy.<br />
Set for a role in the Alan Lodd-Virginio Mayo<br />
vehicle, "The Iron Mistress," was ROBERT EMHARDT,<br />
New York character actor. Gordon Douglos is megging<br />
the Technicolor film for Producer Henry Blonke.<br />
Comedian VINCE BARNETT was cast in "Springfield<br />
Rifle." PAUL KELLY drew a top character role<br />
in the Gary Cooper starring western, which is being<br />
produced in WarnerColor by Louis F. Edelmon. The<br />
director is Andre DeToth.<br />
DORIS DAY and GORDON MACRAE will be reteamed<br />
in the upcoming musical, "By the Light of<br />
the Silvery Moon," which William Jacobs will produce.<br />
Scripters<br />
Metro<br />
W. R. BURNETT is developing "Sheriff of Siskyou,"<br />
from a story by Bret<br />
Ames production.<br />
Harte, as on upcoming Stephen<br />
Producer Edwin H. Knopf's original, "Elegance," is<br />
being screenplayed by SALLY BENSON. Located in<br />
New York and Paris, it deals with ballroom dancing<br />
in the 1920s.<br />
RKO Radio<br />
Producer Sol Lesser tagged CARROLL YOUNG to<br />
develop "Tarzon ond the Vompire" as the next in<br />
the jungle-mon series storring Lex Barker.<br />
20th<br />
Century-Fox<br />
SAMUEL FULLER has been set to pen "Blaze of<br />
Glory," suspense drama, which he will also direct<br />
for Producer Jules Schermer.<br />
Warners<br />
Producer-Director Alfred Hitchcock signed GEORGE<br />
TABOR I pen "I Confess," upcoming Montgomery<br />
Clift vehicle, to be made under the banner of Hitchcock's<br />
Quebec Productions.<br />
FRANK DAVIS has been assigned to work on the<br />
screenplay of "The Helen Morgan Story," upcoming<br />
biograpnicol musicol, which Robert Arthur will produce.<br />
Story Buys<br />
Columbia<br />
Producer Stanley Kromer purchased "The Miracle<br />
at Kitty Hawk," a novel by Fred Kelly, based on<br />
recently unearthed documents concerning the Wright<br />
Bros.' successful aeronautical experiments.<br />
Independent<br />
Hal E. Chester, production chief for Mutual Pictures,<br />
purchased screen rights to "Yellow Angels," a<br />
crime novel by Edward Helseth.<br />
Metro<br />
"The Long Way Up," an original with a sports<br />
background by John McNulty, was purchased and<br />
assigned to Mctthew Ropf to produce. McNulty and<br />
Louis Morheim ore colloboroting on the . screenplay.<br />
"For the Love of Mike," on originol by Bob<br />
Thomas, Hollywood correspondent for the Associated<br />
Press, was acquired and assigned to Sol Fielding<br />
to produce. It deals with Mike Morienthal, UCLA<br />
football star who lost o leg at Okinawa but nevertheless<br />
returned to college as an assistant football<br />
coach.<br />
Film rights were obtained to "Turning Wheels,",<br />
a novel about South Africa by Stuart Cloete, and,<br />
Sam Zimbalist has been assigned to produce. If<br />
will bo mode on location on the Dark Continent.<br />
i<br />
Paramount<br />
Producer Hal Wallis acquired "Route 66," on<br />
originol about the trucking industry by Pedie Drucker.<br />
It has been sot for fall lensing with Burt Loncoster<br />
and Charlton Heston as the stars.<br />
"Poppa's Delicate Condition," a biographical tome<br />
by Corinno Griffith, silent screen stor, was acquired<br />
for production by Burlon Lane as a Technicolor comedy<br />
with music. The yarn deals with Miss Griffith's<br />
childhood in Texas, where her father was o roilrood<br />
superintendent.<br />
"The Shamrocks Are Coming," an original screenplay<br />
by Fred Finklehoff, was acquired as a starring<br />
vehicle for Betty Hut ton and Donald O'Connor.<br />
will be produced by Robert Emmett Dolon.<br />
It<br />
"Turmoil," a novel by Lester Del Rey, was picked<br />
up ond added to Pot Duggan's production agendo.<br />
Universal-International<br />
For production by Aaron Rosenberg, rights were<br />
acquired to "Wings of the Vulture," by Gerald Droy-><br />
son Adams, who was inked to develop the screenplay.<br />
The yarn is localed in Mexico In the early<br />
1900s.<br />
Technically<br />
HOWARD KOCH<br />
"The Naked Spur,"<br />
Metro<br />
ill be the ossistant director on<br />
Monogram<br />
DAVID MILTON was set as art director and AUS-<br />
TEN JEWELL OS second assistant director on "Flot<br />
Top." REAR ADMIRAL LESLIE E. GEHRES {Ret.) was<br />
set OS technical director. He served as a coptoin<br />
during the Pacific campaign in World War II.<br />
Universal-International<br />
Art director assignments include HILYARD BROWN:<br />
to "Cattle Kate." ERIC ORBOM to "The Great Companions,"<br />
ond RICHARD RIEDEL to "Mississippi<br />
Gambler."<br />
Warners<br />
IVAN VOLKMAN draws the assistant director chores;<br />
on "His Majesty O'Keefe."<br />
"The Desert Song" wilt be edited by WILLIAM<br />
ZIGLER.<br />
EDWARD CARRERE was set as the art director on<br />
"The Private Life of Helen of Troy."<br />
Title<br />
Changes<br />
Independent<br />
"Red Sea Adventure" (Sol Lesser) to UNDER THE;<br />
RED SEA.<br />
20th Century-Fox<br />
"The Problem Is Love" to BIG MAN.<br />
Universal-International'<br />
"Demon Carovan" to DESERT LEGION.<br />
"Joshua" to LONE HAND.<br />
Warners<br />
"Donger Forward" to TOP SECRET.<br />
LAMPS Show May 19<br />
LOS ANGELES—The LAMPS, organization<br />
of Los Angeles motion picture salesmen, will<br />
stage its third annual "Laugh Parade" benefit<br />
show May 19 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.<br />
Produced by Cliff Harris and a committee<br />
including Wayne Bateman, Ed Leven and<br />
Bill Wall, the show will feature Dennis Morgan,<br />
Michael O'Shea, Virginia Mayo, Howard'<br />
Duff, Ronald Reagan, Eddie Bracken, and<br />
Ann Blyth, who has been named Queen of<br />
the LAMPS for 1952.<br />
Named 'Convoy' Chairman<br />
HOLLYWOOD — General chairman in<br />
charge of the local visit of the "Alert America<br />
Convoy," government-sponsored exhibit<br />
of war and defense weapons, is Charles P.<br />
Skouras, president of National Theatres and<br />
Fox West Coast, appointed to the post by<br />
Mayor Fletcher Bowron. The convoy opens<br />
its Los Angeles stand Saturday (17) at the<br />
armory in Exposition park, continuing<br />
through Thursday (22)<br />
The need for copper is drastic—save drippings.<br />
|<br />
Is<br />
58 BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952
i<br />
1<br />
FRESNO,<br />
I<br />
I 360-seat<br />
Variety 38 Launches<br />
Statewide Campaign<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—Variety Tent 38 forinally<br />
launched its heart fund campaign this<br />
week, with every hamlet and city in the state<br />
expected to be contacted before the drive is<br />
over.<br />
Under the direction of Eddie Terhune. former<br />
EKO fieldman here the tent has worked<br />
out a plan for dividing the state into nine<br />
districts, with a committee including the<br />
theatre manager and owner, members of the<br />
press and radio and civic organizations in<br />
each.<br />
The local committees will sponsor a free<br />
night at theatres, with admission to be by<br />
invitations obtained through a donation to<br />
the tent's cerebral palsy fund drive. The<br />
townspeople, therefore, will see a show for<br />
their contribution rather than being dunned<br />
to give something for nothing. At the theatre,<br />
drawings will take place, the prizes<br />
to be donated merchandise.<br />
Another facet of the campaign will be<br />
"telefund" marathon to be conducted over<br />
radio and television stations in the area.<br />
These are being lined up for early in June.<br />
Prior to that time, however, a film showing<br />
those afflicated with cerebral palsy will be<br />
shown in theatres and drive-ins of the area<br />
and collections made at that time. These<br />
collections will be made at regular shows and<br />
not necessarily at the special shows at which<br />
all proceeds will go to the fund.<br />
Bill Gordon, chief barker and general director<br />
of the campaign, has pledged $20,000<br />
will be the tent's expenditure on charity.<br />
NMTA Meeting June 17. 18<br />
At La Fonda, Santa Fe<br />
ALBUQUERQUE. N. M.—The New Mexico<br />
Theatre Ass'n will hold its annual convention<br />
at the La Fonda hotel in Santa Fe on<br />
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 17, 18, according<br />
to E. F. Stahl, publicity representative<br />
of NMTA, At the April meeting of the board<br />
of directors in Albuquerque, Tom Ribble of<br />
Duke City was elected to fill the unexpired<br />
term of George Tucker, who resigned. Ribble<br />
was a member of the nine-man board and<br />
Prank Peloso of Albuquerque was elected to<br />
fill the vacancy on the board created by Ribble's<br />
election.<br />
Marlin Butler. Albuquerque theatreman and<br />
secretary of NMTA. was elected by the NMTA<br />
board as its appointee to the national TOA<br />
Arbitration committee. Stahl's home base is<br />
Melrose, N. M., where he has the Rialto Theatre.<br />
Ben Nakamura Purchases<br />
Fresno, Calif., Lyceum<br />
CALIF.—Ben Nakamura, owner<br />
I of the Cal Theatre here, has purchased the<br />
Lyceum Theatre from Hardy's Theatres. The<br />
house will be remodeled and capacity<br />
increased to 550 seats when government<br />
restrictions on building are lifted.<br />
Nakamura, who during World War II managed<br />
eight theatres for the army in Camp<br />
Robinson, Ark., is a veteran of four and onehalf<br />
years in the army.<br />
Hardy's still owns and operates the Esquire,<br />
Hardy's Mayfair and Fulton theatres here in<br />
addition to others throughout the state.<br />
MT<br />
was. to say the least, ironical tlminR.<br />
Appearing ius the principal speaker at the<br />
recent testimonial dinner accorded the<br />
motion picture Industry by the Los Angeles<br />
Chamber of Commerce, and commending the<br />
trade's 50th anniversary, Eric Johnston, president<br />
of the Motion Picture A.ss'n of America,<br />
profusely exuded confident assurances that<br />
motion picture exhibitors had nothing to fear<br />
from the competition of television.<br />
In fact, he held, video constituted a "sleeping<br />
giant" which placed motion pictures on<br />
the threshold of a "new and prosperous age,"<br />
which will be brought to fruition through a<br />
marriage of movies and TV.<br />
Eloquent and inspiring were the Johnstonian<br />
observations, but like most of the industry<br />
soothsayers who have brought their erudition<br />
and platitudes to bear on the future<br />
relationships between motion picture theatres<br />
and the newcomer medium, the MPAA<br />
chieftain was a bit ambiguous as to when,<br />
where and how the happy nuptials would be<br />
consummated.<br />
Just a few days later, the Federal Communications<br />
Commission revealed the removal of<br />
the "freeze" on new television stations, which<br />
action turned on the green light for the<br />
construction of a possible new total of 2,053<br />
stations in 1,291 communities. The FCC ruling<br />
provides for 70 new ultra-high-frequency<br />
channels to supplement the existing 12 veryhigh-frequency<br />
bands, in which latter category<br />
108 stations are currently in operation.<br />
It seems that the prospective bride is gaining<br />
weight very rapidly. Perhaps it might be<br />
a good idea for the groom and his clairvoyant,<br />
debonair best man, to either put her on a<br />
diet or conceive some workable approach to<br />
an early wedding. Otherwise the prospective<br />
bridegroom may not have the strength to<br />
carry her over Mr. Johnston's optimistic<br />
threshold.<br />
Eric Sokolsky, space-snatcher for Samuel<br />
Fuller Productions, broadcasts that "Samuel<br />
Fuller not only wrote, produced and directed<br />
*PaTk Row' but he is in full charge of the<br />
promotion of his picture. His first step was to<br />
hold a special premiere at the Waldorf-<br />
Astoria for members of the American Newspaper<br />
Publishers Ass'n during their annual<br />
convention last week."<br />
And If the mighty midget of movie-making<br />
was running true to form, he probably included<br />
a few thousand well-chosen words as<br />
to how the assembled publishers could best<br />
manage their respective journals.<br />
Wonder whatever happened to Orson<br />
Welles?<br />
It was smuggle-counterfeit-money-overthe-border<br />
day at Republic. Trade -screened<br />
were "Wild Horse Ambush," in which phony<br />
dough was shipped over the Mexican border<br />
secreted in the manes of wild horses, and<br />
"Border Saddlemates," wherein the queer<br />
money came into the U.S. from Canada in<br />
crates containing silver foxes.<br />
Those mysterious hombres tailing Roy Barcroft<br />
are FBI men. He was the brains tjehind<br />
the mobs in both pictures, thereby establishing<br />
himself as indisputable king of the celluloid<br />
counterfeiters.<br />
HO HUM DEPARTMENT<br />
(Teet Carle Division)<br />
"Laura Elliot, star of Nat Moll's 'Denver<br />
& Rio Grande,' wa.s notified yestrrday she<br />
has been viitrd '.Miss .Strike' by the FirKi<br />
Marine Air Wing statinncd in Korea."<br />
Huh: Barbara Payton has been "Ml«s<br />
Three Strikes" for lo! these many months.<br />
The main title of "Fame and the Devil,"<br />
Italian-made opus imported by Herman<br />
Cohen for distribution by Realart, lists the<br />
last five cast members as Ferruccio Tagliavinl,<br />
Marcel Cerdan, Carlo Campanini, Leonardo<br />
Corte.se and Bill Tubbs.<br />
Apparently Mummer Tubbs doesn't subscribe<br />
to the time-honored adage alxiut<br />
"When in Rome ..."<br />
Otherwise he would have changed his name<br />
to<br />
Guglielmi Tubberino Galvanizo.<br />
Publicity and advertising chiefs of motion<br />
picture distributing companies were in receipt<br />
of letters from one James V. Demarest,<br />
president, the American Legion 1952 National<br />
Convention Corp.. soliciting advertising for<br />
the convention program, and at stratospheric<br />
space rates.<br />
The anticipated paucity of film advertising<br />
in the planned brochure indicates that the<br />
trade's space buyers may be paraphrasing a<br />
hoary ditty, "Don't Feed the Hand That's<br />
Biting You."<br />
Declare RKO Radio press agents, "A new<br />
dry water effect ... for use in connection<br />
with the filming of studio scenes on board<br />
the Revenge for Edmund Grainger's 'Blaclcbeard<br />
the Pirate' promises to save considerable<br />
time and construction cost on future sea<br />
pictures."<br />
If the technicians could squeeze the water<br />
out of Praise Pundit Perry Lieber's releases<br />
the new creation wouldn't be necessary.<br />
For some inexplicable reason, whenever a<br />
rugged hero of the sagebrush tosses fists and<br />
lead on a job for a railroad, he must be the<br />
silent type. For instance, there was Alan<br />
Ladd in the title role of Faramount's "^Vhispering<br />
Smith," while Randolph Scott in the<br />
topline of Warners' excellent actioner, "Carson<br />
City," portrays one "Silent Jeff."<br />
One of these days Bob Lippert should be<br />
getting around to making "Mumbling Moe of<br />
the B. & O."<br />
Alex Evelove, Burbank's brightest blurber<br />
Burbank ain't such a big place—reveals that<br />
"Eight white French poodles whose owners<br />
would permit them to dye for movies have<br />
been finally found by Warner Bros, and the<br />
tinted dogs go to work ... in "April in<br />
Paris.'<br />
Old poodles never dye—they only bark<br />
away.<br />
EOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952<br />
59
'<br />
'<br />
i<br />
^
START COMPO ON MAIN STREET,<br />
COLE COUNSELS MOUNTAIN ITO<br />
Council Idea Praised as<br />
Bigger Than Allied by<br />
Texas Leader<br />
COLORADO SPRINGS—The Council of<br />
Motion Picture Organizations is bigger than<br />
Allied—bigger than any one of the groups of<br />
which it is composed—Col. H. A. Cole of Dallas,<br />
longtime warhorse in Allied activity, declared<br />
at the convention of Allied Rocky<br />
Mountain Independent Theatres here Tuesday<br />
and Wednesday.<br />
Cole, Abram Myers, Charles Niles, Wilbur<br />
Snaper and Abe Berenson, who attended the<br />
national board session here earlier in tlie<br />
week, stayed over for the ARMIT convention.<br />
But COMPO, like any other joint effort of<br />
the industry, must start on Main street, "for<br />
there is where the admissions come from."<br />
"COMPO started out in the manner of a<br />
man trying to build the tenth story of a tenstory<br />
building first," he said, but that is not<br />
the way to erect anything substantial, as<br />
everyone knows.<br />
TELLS OF TEXAS SUCCESS<br />
Cole described how the COMPO idea has<br />
succeeded in Texas. Texas COMPO Showmen,<br />
Inc., operating under a paid manager, from<br />
its own headquarters, has a $30,000 annual<br />
budget, $20,000 from the circuits and the remainder<br />
from independent exhibitors. Under<br />
COMPO direction Movietime U.S.A. ran two<br />
weeks in Texas, compared to one in most<br />
areas. Texas COMPO also has organized a<br />
speakers bureau, which in the last five<br />
months has sent out more than 150 speakers<br />
to appear before service and civic clubs.<br />
Speakers receive their expenses when they<br />
ask, but are paid no fees.<br />
"What has been done in Texas," he said,<br />
"can be done anywhere on a comparable<br />
scale."<br />
EXHIBITOR CONVERTED<br />
As an illustration of the good done by the<br />
speakers bureau Cole related that a smalltown<br />
exhibitor, a good mixer and a good<br />
speaker, was asked to travel about 150 miles<br />
to address a service club. Arriving at the<br />
town at about 2, he looked up the manager,<br />
and to his surprise, found the theatreman had<br />
put out no publicity on the meeting. But the<br />
visitor made the talk anyway, with the result<br />
that the local manager came into COMPO.<br />
The exhibitor said he had made more friends<br />
as a result of the talk by the visitor than he<br />
had made in<br />
the three months he had operated<br />
the theatre. And when Cole asked the<br />
-peaker how much he wanted for expenses he<br />
-aid: "Nothing. I got more out of it than<br />
the local exhibitor. Call on me anytime."<br />
Cole said the public relations angle, especially<br />
in the small towns and cities, is vitally important.<br />
Cole said he insisted that Texas COMPO<br />
have its headquarters separate from the<br />
Texas Allied offices because COMPO "is the<br />
bigger."<br />
Cole told of the coming fight against the<br />
20 per cent tax, and declared that the big<br />
fight must come from the Main streets, with<br />
Litfle<br />
Known Northern Territory<br />
Of Australia Will Be Filmed<br />
By WILLIAM BEECHAM<br />
Bureau, BOXOFFICE<br />
Australian<br />
PERTH, W. A.—Plans have been announced<br />
by Chailes Chauvel for a new Australian feature<br />
production, "Jedda," which will be filmed<br />
in the Northern Territory with an Arnhem<br />
native as the principal character. First location<br />
center will be Alice Springs, but the<br />
outdoor unit will gradually move north, filming<br />
an area which, even to Australians, is<br />
almost an unknown world. Chauvel says that<br />
he and his wife have spent two years on research<br />
for this film, and he adds that a<br />
Hollywood tieup for distribution has already<br />
been arranged.<br />
* * *<br />
the exhibitor, every one of them, contacting<br />
his congressmen and senators in the fight.<br />
He said that only in a complete united effort<br />
can the tax be gotten rid of.<br />
Snaper. Allied States president, told of the<br />
success the national headquarters is making<br />
in ironing out difficult situations, especially<br />
in the buying of films. Snaper counseled exhibitors<br />
not to go about public relations as if<br />
they were knitting a sweater during the day.<br />
then letting other persons unravel the yarn<br />
at night. He urged the theatre owner and<br />
manager to work at public relations all the<br />
time and to see to it that the theatres force<br />
keeps up the good work.<br />
He told how Allied was working to keep<br />
the distributors as well as the exhibitors<br />
happy, working just as hard on a $2.50 problem<br />
as on larger ones, for many times the<br />
$2.50 meant more to the exhibitor than the<br />
larger amount meant to<br />
the larger exhibitor.<br />
Snaper said that losses of patronage due to<br />
television is dropping mainly because the<br />
standard of TV programs is dropping. He<br />
said the principal competitor in television Is<br />
with the stations that are showing old film,<br />
with one New York station devoting 70 per<br />
cent of its evening time to this.<br />
The convention got under way Tuesday<br />
with about 60 present.<br />
George Murphy, the MGM star, told of his<br />
conviction that COMPO would promote harmony<br />
between distributor and exhibitor, and<br />
bring the industry home to the man in the<br />
street as nothing else has ever done. Murphy<br />
told of his varied experiences, both as an<br />
amba.ssador of goodwill for COMPO and<br />
as a military camp entertainer.<br />
Murphy said major studios are bending<br />
every effort to coordinate efforts on improving<br />
public relations activities. He said everyone<br />
connected with the Industry should name<br />
The 20th Century-Fox production, "Kangaroo,"<br />
starring Maureen O'Hara. Peter Lawford,<br />
Chips Rafferty and Richard Boone, will<br />
be given a benefit preview for the Red Cross<br />
June 4 at the Regent theatres in Sydney. Melbourne<br />
and Adelaide: at the Civic Theatre,<br />
Canberra, and at the Town Hall, Port<br />
Augusta. The outdoor .scenes were shot In the<br />
Port Augusta area.<br />
• • «<br />
N. W. Demlng, executive of Warner Bros..<br />
has been in Sydney seeking an "exotic" girl<br />
to play the leading feminine role in a film<br />
which is to be shot in Fiji. The feature will<br />
star Burt Lancaster, and there is a po.sslbiUty<br />
that some .scenes will be shot in Sydney.<br />
Location work will be undertaken between<br />
July and September next.<br />
• • •<br />
Net profit of Hoyts (Bondii. Ltd.. Sydney,<br />
for the year ended last December 30, was<br />
£8.492, a drop of £985 as compared with the<br />
figure of the previous year. Depreciation allowance<br />
was £3,247. But the ordinary dividend<br />
is steady at 8 per cent, leaving £492<br />
to carry forward, bringing the total carryforward<br />
to £15,087.<br />
himself a committee of one to act as a goodwill<br />
ambassador for the motion picture business.<br />
He declared there is so much good in<br />
the business, in the people that work in and<br />
operate it, that one need never be at a loss as<br />
to what to talk about.<br />
Charles Niles. national chairman of the<br />
Caravan, told of the plans to make the Caravan<br />
more lively and interesting. He said it<br />
would be pepped up with more foUowups on<br />
grosses and other factors and beneficial to<br />
all theatremen that .studied it.<br />
Abe Berensen. New Orleans, national Allied<br />
director, gave a light and airy dissertation<br />
on show business, and taking his own boyhood<br />
and youth as an example, he told what<br />
an admi.s.sion to a theatre had meant to him.<br />
Social activities included cocktail parties<br />
given by the Alexander F^lm Co.. with J. Don<br />
Alexander as host, at the Antlers hotel. On<br />
Tuesday the women were taken on a tour<br />
of the famed Will Rogers shrine. Garden of<br />
the Gods, to a private art exhibit and a tea.<br />
The final order of business was the election<br />
of a board of directors, which will in turn<br />
elect officers at their January meeting. New<br />
directors<br />
Colorado—John Wolfberg. Joe Ashby. Gus<br />
Ibold. Denver: Neal Beezley. Burlington: Mrs.<br />
Mary Lind McFarland, Rifle: James Peterson.<br />
Littleton: John Roberts, Port Morgan: Fred<br />
Hall, Akron: Lloyd Greve. Eagle: Elden<br />
Menagh. Fort Lupton: Fred Anderson, Eaton:<br />
Robert Smith. Steamboat Springs: J. K.<br />
Powell. Wray.<br />
Nebraska—Mrs. Marie Goodhand. Kimball:<br />
Dorrancy Schmidt. Bridgeport: Robert Kehr.<br />
Ogallala.<br />
Wyoming—Lloyd Kerby, Worland: Fred<br />
Curtis, Thermopolls.<br />
New Mexico—Burle Ungle, Estancia; John<br />
C. Wood, Springer.<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952 61
|<br />
'<br />
'Macao' and 'Encore'<br />
Lure Los Angelenos<br />
LOS ANGELES—Outstanding scores by<br />
two new first run attractions helped considerably<br />
in enlivening what otherwise was a<br />
dull week at the ticket windows. Tlie British-made<br />
"Encore" knocked off an impressive<br />
210 per cent, while "Macao" lured in<br />
the Russell-Mitchum fans to the tune of a<br />
180 per cent at two houses.<br />
(Average Is tOO)<br />
Beverly Conon— Rosho-Mon (RKO), 8th wk 75<br />
Chinese, Los Angeles, Loyola, Uptown The Pride<br />
of St. Louis (20th-Fox), Moylimc in Moyfoir<br />
(Rcalart) 100<br />
Egyptian, State—Singin' in the Rain (MGM),<br />
4th wk 90<br />
Fine Arts—My Son John (Pare), 2nd wk 125<br />
Four Stor— Encore (Pora) 210<br />
Fox Wilshire—The Africon Queen (UA), odvonced<br />
prices, 1 9th wk 75<br />
Hollywood Paramount—Anything Can Happen<br />
(Para) 90<br />
Orphcum, Warners Beverly—The Greotest Show<br />
on Eorth (Pora), 1 1 th wk 90<br />
Pontages Hlllstreet—Macao (RKO), Rood Agent<br />
(RKO) 180<br />
United Artists, Hawaii—Roncho Notorious (RKO),<br />
2nd wk 125<br />
Vogue—Quo Vadis (MGM), 3rd wk 125<br />
BOOK IT<br />
NOW!!!<br />
WAHOO is the world's most ihriliing<br />
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successFully by hundreds oF indoor<br />
and outdoor theatres all over America.<br />
Send for complete details. Be sure<br />
and give seating or car capacity.<br />
Hollywood Amusement Co.<br />
831 S, Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, III.<br />
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SAN FRANCISCO<br />
plumenfeld Theatres announceci that the<br />
Esquire in Oakland will shift to foreign<br />
. . .<br />
films, beginning with "La Ronde" from first<br />
run American films . . . Betty Padgett. 16,<br />
who won the Snow White contest for her<br />
acrobatic dancing, and Bob Thein, 18, who<br />
won the Prince Charming title for his baritone<br />
singing, were chaperoned by columnist<br />
Marsh Maslin to Mexico for eight days,<br />
courtesy of the Golden Gate Theatre, which<br />
sponsored the contest to advertise "Snow<br />
Lew<br />
White and the Seven Dwarfs"<br />
Rosen, Royal Amusements, flew in from<br />
Honolulu en route to his Los Angeles office.<br />
. . .<br />
Tony O'Brien, Philippine Air Lines pilot,<br />
husband of Paraluman, Filipino motion picture<br />
actress, was a recent visitor at the Royal<br />
Amusements office here The Andrew-s<br />
Sisters will be at the Warfield Theatre for<br />
one week starting May 28 . . The Fox<br />
.<br />
Theatre will go in for a continuous policy<br />
of stage show attractions the end of this<br />
month. For a while at least, this puts<br />
"pending" on the deal rumored that the<br />
city would take over the Fox for convention<br />
use.<br />
Jack AUen, manager of the Stage Door<br />
Theatre, worked out a promotion deal with<br />
local surgical houses for a display on "The<br />
Man in the White Suit" . . . John Norcop,<br />
publicist, returned to his post at the Fox<br />
Theatre here . . . The manager at the Tower<br />
Theatre is John Dostal, formerly of New<br />
Orleans . . . Ai-thur Barnett, Rex Theatre,<br />
Oakland, was on the Row last week showing<br />
pictures he had taken while vacationing in<br />
Honolulu.<br />
Hill's Drive-In, Riverdale, was opened May<br />
1 by Dr. Gerald Hill. It was Preddey<br />
Earl Boles is contemplating<br />
equipped throughout . . .<br />
the opening of the Pic<br />
Theatre<br />
in Crescent City May 14. The new house is<br />
using Century projection equipment and<br />
Ideal<br />
chairs.<br />
. .<br />
Anson Longtin, Oak Park Theatre, Sacramento,<br />
was along the Row booking and buying<br />
. . . Arthur Unger, popcorn and premium<br />
man, was off to Los Angeles on business<br />
. . . Bruno Vecchiarelli, Monte Vista<br />
Drive-In, and Ken Wright, Manor Theatre,<br />
Sacramento, were on the Row . Doc Henning,<br />
Lippert Theatres, was in the hospital<br />
for a checkup.<br />
Harry Morgan, doorman at the Warfield<br />
Theatre, was promoted to the post of assistant<br />
manager, replacing John Watley, who resigned<br />
to go to Germany ... A thousand<br />
green gloves were distributed throughout the<br />
city for "The Green Glove," opening at the<br />
Orpheum Theatre. Seven of the green gloves<br />
will be tagged with word identifications making<br />
them redeemable for cash prizes ranging<br />
from $5 to $100. Fifty other gloves will<br />
contain passes<br />
to "The Green Glove" film.<br />
Wirthwein on Midwest Trip<br />
Harold Wirthwein, Monogram-Allied Artists<br />
western sales manager, checked out on<br />
a two-week swing through the midwest in<br />
connection with the company's upcoming National<br />
Drive-In week, which opens Saturday<br />
(24). His itinerary includes Chicago,<br />
Milwaukee, St. Louis and Kansas City.<br />
MKKT THE t'KKW—George Bowser, seated at center, general manager of the-<br />
Fox<br />
West Coast circuit, is the new chief barker of Tent 25, Variety Club of southern<br />
California. Posing with him, just after the new crew was elected, are Hugh Brucn,<br />
seated at left, first assistant chief barker, and, standing, left to right, VV. II. "Bud"<br />
Lollier, property master; Lloyd Ownbey, dough guy, and Mort Scott, second assistant<br />
chief barker. Not shown in the photo are the new canvasmen, Willard Keith, Howard<br />
Stubbins, Ralph Zimmerman, Al Hanson, O. N. Srere and Kzra Stern.<br />
LOS ANGELES<br />
\X7ayne Batcman, U-I salesman, was slightly<br />
injured and his car badly damaged in a<br />
There were two theatre<br />
freeway accident . . .<br />
closings, as the Eastland circuit darkened<br />
its Linda, neighborhood house in the southeastern<br />
section of the city, and Frank Calbos<br />
shuttered his Anaheim in Anaheim . . .<br />
A visitor from Buffalo was Dave Miller, U-I<br />
manager there, who is the guest of Sid<br />
Sampson, retired Canadian sales manager for<br />
20th Century-Fox, now residing here . . . Off<br />
on a swing around his territory, with stopovers<br />
scheduled for Salt Lake City, Denver<br />
and other cities, was Bernie Wolf, National<br />
Screen Service district manager ... Ed Penn,<br />
salesman for Lippert Pictures, returned from<br />
a San Diego trip.<br />
Visiting old friends along the Row was<br />
Betsy Bogart, a Warner booker for 30 years<br />
until her recent retirement . . . Also glimpsed<br />
on the Row: Aldon Brinham, booking and<br />
buying for his Lyric Theatre in Monrovia;<br />
Nick Goldhammer, Monogram's eastern division<br />
sales manager; Carl Buermerle, general<br />
manager of the Cooperative Booking<br />
Service of Detroit; Jack Zide, owner of the<br />
Realart exchange in that city, and Don Alexander<br />
and M. J. Mclnanery of the Alexander<br />
Film Co. in Colorado Springs . . . Jerry<br />
Zigmond, west coast division manager for<br />
United Paramount, planed to San Francisco<br />
for huddles with Edward L. Hyman, the circuit's<br />
vice-president, and Hyman's aide Bernard<br />
Levy.<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952 63
I<br />
'<br />
SALT LAKE<br />
piood troubles continued to plague Utahans<br />
this week, and especially hard hit was the<br />
theatre business. Grosses were reported considerably<br />
below normal. The Park Vu Drivein<br />
was still under water, and to add insult<br />
to injury, thieves swiped a sump pump from<br />
the property. The Mario in Sugar House<br />
has been closed for several days due to<br />
threatening waters. Generally, delivery<br />
schedules were maintained and no damage<br />
was suffered by theatres other than the Park<br />
Vu, which was right in the middle of the<br />
heaviest flood area.<br />
she had become almost a fixture, to go to<br />
work for Sidney L. Cohen who resigned as<br />
a.ssociate general manager of the firm to organize<br />
his own film service company . . .<br />
Hugo Jorgenson of Rigby was the only exhibitor<br />
we saw along Filmrow last week.<br />
What happened to all the others?<br />
Barney Rose, U-I district sales manager,<br />
was in for a routine meeting with Buck Wade<br />
and the local force. The local branch hasn't<br />
been able to get up among the leaders in<br />
sales drives recently due to the terrible business<br />
in Salt Lake. And incidentally, that<br />
bad business is not a disease the theatres<br />
alone are suffering. Retail establishments<br />
aren't doing too hot.<br />
Ray M. Hendry, vice-president and general<br />
manager of Intermountain Tlieatres. was one<br />
of 100 exhibitors to attend the special showings<br />
of MGM pictures at Culver City this<br />
week . . . Three branch managers were on<br />
sales trips to Montana, although they didn't<br />
necessarily travel together; namely, Tom Mc-<br />
Mahon of Republic. W. W. McKendrick of<br />
United Artists and Harold Green of Columbia.<br />
Tom. incidentally, insists we spell his<br />
name McMahon and not MacMahon.<br />
we've been wrong so long.<br />
Sorry<br />
Manager Bill Gordon of Warners and<br />
salesmen Keith Pack. Perry Brown and Dick<br />
Stafford returned from Chicago, where they<br />
attended a company sales meeting . . . Norma<br />
Palosky quit Intermountain Theatres, where<br />
QUICK THEATRE SAUS<br />
Selling theatres is our business. Live<br />
organizotion, quick results. When others •<br />
fail, give us a try, past record of sales<br />
is our proof. *<br />
DRIVMN THEATRES<br />
Use Tape Recorded Pre-Show &<br />
Intermission Musical Programsproduced<br />
espeaially for DRIVE-IN use, with onnouncements<br />
designed to boost concession sales<br />
and highlight theatre policy. Intermission program<br />
is live organ music.<br />
Avoiloble in ony length at $2.75 per 14 hour of<br />
program material. Use your own tope recorder or<br />
buy a tape playback at<br />
deoler's cost from Empire.<br />
Get complete detoils NOW<br />
Write or wire direct to<br />
EMPIRE RECORDING CO.<br />
3221 So. Acomo St.<br />
Denver, Colo.<br />
Programs ovoiloble for<br />
FREE audition.<br />
Franchise holders wanted.<br />
THEATRE /ALE/<br />
.ARAKELIAN<br />
rnAHCieco<br />
PHONE PROSPECT 5-7146<br />
After the regular meeting of Variety Tent<br />
38 of this week, most of the men gathered<br />
around in bunches downstairs and missed a<br />
swell meeting of the ladies of Variety. The<br />
girls went in for something educational. They<br />
listened to five exchange students from the<br />
University of Utah explain conditions in their<br />
homelands—Germany, Iran, soutli Korea,<br />
Holland and Greece.<br />
SEATTLE<br />
fvyronogram salesman Bob Walker was in<br />
Spokane last week. He was joined there<br />
by Manager Ed Cruea, who had been in Yakima.<br />
Also in Yakima was Neal Walton, manager<br />
for Columbia here . . . Walter Hoffman,<br />
Paramount northwest publicity director, returned<br />
from a trip to Billings, Mont., where<br />
he handled the opening of "The Greatest<br />
Show on Earth" . . . Vic Gauntlett, advertising<br />
manager for Evergreen Theatres, has returned<br />
to work after recovering from a stomach<br />
disorder.<br />
UNITED STATES COVERAGE •<br />
Sam Davis, manager for MGM, and salesman<br />
Harry Landstrom and Ai-ney Eichenlaub<br />
Inquiries Answered Immediately #<br />
Write Irv Bowron, Soles Mgr. ^ attended the regional meeting in San Francisco<br />
FRED . . . Mike Powers, 20th-Fox eastern<br />
B. LUDWIG, Realtor<br />
Washington salesman, was in the office . . . Attending<br />
5711 E Burnside * Portland 15, Oregon<br />
the Apple Blososm festival in We-<br />
natchee May 3, 4 were Mr. and Mrs. Anatole<br />
Malysheff (Paramount booker), Ted Hackley<br />
and Ronald Gibbon.<br />
Paramount's "The Denver & Rio Grande"<br />
opened at the Coliseum Tuesday (6) and also<br />
played simultaneously at 47 other theatres in<br />
Washington, two Idaho towns iSandpoint and<br />
LewistonJ and the three Alaskan cities (Anchorage,<br />
Juneau, and Ketchikan).<br />
Morrie Ninuner's Y Drive-In in Spokane<br />
will open for the season May 14 . . On the<br />
.<br />
Row were Junior Mercy, Yakima; Mike Barovic,<br />
Puyallup; Max Hadfield; Eddie Snow,<br />
Mount Vernon; Walter Graham, Shelton;<br />
Corbin Ball, Ephrata; Lionell Spiess, Dayton;<br />
G. O. Spencer, Tacoma; Allen Pallock, Mount<br />
Vernon, and H. J. Taylor, Sequim.<br />
Dr. Roger Manvell, head of the British Film<br />
Academy since it began in 1937, spoke at several<br />
lecture sessions at the University of<br />
Washington recently. He said the Henrietta<br />
is the equivalent of Hollywood's Oscar in<br />
Great Britain and they are a big headache.<br />
Five Henriettas are awarded yearly to the<br />
best films and performances. "We have an<br />
awful time getting them through customs into<br />
other countries and then getting them back<br />
again at the end of the year to be awarded<br />
again," he said.<br />
THEATREMEN GET TOGETHER—<br />
Ray M. Hendry, left, vice-president and<br />
general manager of Intermountain Theatres,<br />
chats with Harry David who used<br />
to hold that position and is now assistant<br />
to Producer Nat Holt sr. They talked over<br />
old times during premiere of "The Denver<br />
& Rio Grande," which brought Harry<br />
back to Salt Lake. Ray worked for Harry<br />
as assistant theatre manager and theatre<br />
manager.<br />
Hamrick Drops Ad Dept.;<br />
Will Coghlan Promoted ;<br />
SEATTLE—John Hamrick Theatres' cen-1<br />
tral advertising and publicity department has!<br />
been dissolved in a move to streamline and.<br />
economize on advertising efforts. In the fu-'i<br />
ture, each theatre manager will create his;<br />
own advertising campaigns. Willard Cogh-I<br />
Ian, former advertising-publicity manager for!<br />
the circuit, has been promoted to assistant'<br />
city manager. In this new capacity, he will;<br />
take over active management of the Orpheum'<br />
Theatre and continue to supervise all advertising.<br />
Bill Kelly was named new assistant man-j<br />
ager at the Orpheum. In another theatre]<br />
shift in the circuit, Keith Stowe becomes sec-i<br />
ond a.ssistant manager at the Music Hall. In|<br />
taking over the Orpheum management, Cogh-1<br />
Ian replaces Marvin Fox, who was trans-j<br />
ferred to Portland as Hamrick city manager<br />
upon Virgil Faulkner's recent resignation.<br />
Seymour Peiser Joins<br />
Metropolitan Circuit<br />
LOS ANGELES—Seymour Peiser has joined<br />
|<br />
Sherrill C. Corwin's Metropolitan Theatres asj<br />
the circuit's publicity-advertising director.<br />
Until about a year ago, Peiser had held a^<br />
similar berth with Fox West Coast, fromij<br />
which position he resigned to go into private<br />
business in northern California.<br />
Douglas Gets First Airer<br />
DOUGLAS, ARIZ.—Tliis city's first drivein,<br />
the Fort Cochise, opened here last weeki<br />
as a Ti'i-Delta Amusement Co. operation.<br />
Tony Bustamonte, who manages the corporation's<br />
other theatres in Douglas, is also in<br />
charge here.<br />
Fulton Theatre Is Sold<br />
FRESNO—Hardy's Theatres, Inc., has sold<br />
the Fulton Theatre to the Fulton Theatre Co.<br />
of San Francisco. John Parsons of San<br />
Francisco heads the company which will take<br />
over the theatre on May 15.<br />
]<br />
\ ^<br />
4<br />
i<br />
64 BOXOFFICE : : May<br />
10, 1962
n<br />
j<br />
committee,<br />
I<br />
There,<br />
'<br />
'<br />
]<br />
pancy<br />
i Hutchinson<br />
'<br />
Chamber<br />
I<br />
honoring<br />
I Harvey<br />
I<br />
'<br />
[<br />
Electric.<br />
I show<br />
'<br />
I<br />
I<br />
Convention Special<br />
Will Leave May 14<br />
KANSAS CITY—The Kansas-Missouri Theatre<br />
Ass'n "convention on a train" will leave<br />
Kansas City at 8 a. m. Wednesday (14) morning<br />
aboard a special train for Hutchinson and<br />
Larned, Kas.<br />
Senn Lawler, chairman of the convention<br />
said this week that plans call for<br />
arrival in Hutchinson a little after noon.<br />
the passengers will attend the world<br />
premiere of 20th-Fox's "Wait 'Til the Sun<br />
Shines, Nellie," which was photographed in<br />
the Kansas town last year.<br />
Cars of the special train will be sidetracked<br />
in Hutchinson and will be ready for occuagain<br />
at 10 p. m. The special will leave<br />
between 11 p. m. and midnight<br />
and go on to Larned. where the passengers<br />
Thursday morning (15 1. At noon the Larned<br />
of Commerce will host a luncheon<br />
John A. Schnack, who has been<br />
a film exhibitor for 50 years in that community.<br />
At the luncheon the KMTA will honor<br />
Schnack with a scroll commemorating his<br />
I<br />
will attend a KMTA business session on<br />
years in the industry. The special train will<br />
[<br />
leave Larned at 3 p. m., and will stop at<br />
Newton, where passengers will dine at the<br />
House. The train will arrive back<br />
in Kansas City at about 11 p. m.<br />
I<br />
I ups on the train.<br />
Cost of the trip is $40 per person, including<br />
first class fare, Pullman, gratuities and set-<br />
j<br />
Meantime, in Larned. civic dignitaries will<br />
stage a parade in honor of Schnack and the<br />
'<br />
theatres will hold special performances with<br />
special acts. The Strand Theatre will play<br />
"Wait 'Til the Sun Shines, Nellie," and the<br />
Schnack's house, will play "Rodeo."<br />
There will be special acts at the Electric, in-<br />
1 eluding a trampolin act, a magician and a<br />
ventriloquist.<br />
Thursday evening the Chamber of Commerce<br />
will act as host at a banquet for<br />
Schnack, at which many western Kansas exhibitors<br />
will be guests. Bob Carney, Monogram<br />
salesman, will be headline speaker at<br />
banquet,<br />
the<br />
In Larned, all of next week is being set<br />
j<br />
aside to honor the exhibitor. There will be<br />
t<br />
many civic affairs to mark his 50 years in<br />
I<br />
business.<br />
Riverside Drive-In Opens<br />
After Flood Repairs<br />
KANSAS CITY—The Riverside Drive-In,<br />
flooded out by the Missouri river two weeks<br />
ago, reopened Thursday (8i night after repair<br />
of some $20,000 flood damage.<br />
Jack Braunagel. chief of drive-in operations<br />
for Commonwealth Theatres, said that<br />
25 workers and three trucks have been w^orking<br />
for the last ten days to remove silt<br />
from the area. Scrubbing and disinfecting of<br />
all facilities was completed and shrubbery<br />
was replaced.<br />
The Riverside equipment was saved from<br />
the flood when the drive-in was evacuated<br />
about four days before dikes broke and let<br />
the river inundate the area. Equipment was<br />
re-installed early this week.<br />
><<br />
July 1.<br />
Cerebral Palsy Trailer available from May 15 to<br />
President Truman, Staff to Attend<br />
'Team' Premiere at Reunion of 35th<br />
SPRINGFIELD, MO.—President Harry S.<br />
Truman and his staff and members of the<br />
35th Division Ass'n will make up the body<br />
of celebrities w'ho will attend the world<br />
premiere of Warner Bros. "The Winning<br />
Team" here during the annual 35th division<br />
reunion early in June.<br />
Don Walker. WB publicist, and Chamber<br />
of Commerce and civic officials have been<br />
working out details for the celebration at<br />
which Ronald Reagan, star of the film; his<br />
wife Nancy Davis and Mrs. Grover Cleveland<br />
Alexander will appear.<br />
The film, "The Winning Team." is the<br />
life story of baseball hero Grover Cleveland<br />
Alexander, one of the immortals in the<br />
National Baseball Hall of Fame.<br />
In connection with the 35th division convention<br />
here the mayor of Springfield and<br />
members of the 35th Division A.ss'n attended<br />
a recent Warner Bros, meeting in Chicago.<br />
They presented a citation to Warner Bros.<br />
Bob Withers June Drive<br />
Started at Republic<br />
KANSAS CITY—The annual<br />
Bob Withers<br />
June campaign got off to a roaring start at<br />
Republic here and bookers at<br />
K. F. Withers<br />
the exchange reported this<br />
week that exhibitor cooperation<br />
has been excellent. The<br />
campaign—called the Withers<br />
Self-Defen.se drive—covers<br />
the months of May, June<br />
and July.<br />
For 16 years, June and Bob<br />
Withers, Republic branch<br />
manager, have been synonymous in the minds<br />
of area exhibitors. In June the local Republic<br />
branch makes an all-out drive for<br />
added business in honor of Withers.<br />
And each year Withers comes up with a<br />
new gimmick to attract exhibitor attention<br />
and to give exhibitors something to talk<br />
about. This year the gimmick is a yellow<br />
plastic chicken which lays an egg. Republic<br />
salesmen take the chickens into exhibitors'<br />
offices, place them on the de.sk and .say:<br />
"Don't let Bob Withers lay an egg during<br />
June."<br />
In addition, the salesmen deliver small<br />
leather-bound notebooks to the exhibitors as<br />
gifts. Last year during the Withers campaign,<br />
measuring tapes were given out as<br />
gifts and the previous year steel rulers were<br />
given.<br />
Sanders Theatre Closes<br />
INDIANAPOLIS — The Sanders Theatre<br />
Fountain Square closed April 28, and the<br />
building will be remodeled and lea.sed to three<br />
.separate busine.sses, according to officials of<br />
the Fountain Square Theatre Co. More than<br />
a year ago, the Granada Theatre closed and<br />
the building was remodeled into a variety<br />
store. Now only one theatre is left on<br />
Fountain Square.<br />
for bringing the premiere of the film to<br />
Springfield. They also extended an invitation<br />
to the mayor of Chicago to attend the<br />
premiere and the 35th division meeting.<br />
The film will open June G in three Springfield<br />
theatres and will be part of a two or<br />
three-day celebration. Walker .said this week.<br />
President Truman ha.s indicated that, barring<br />
a world crisis, he plans to attend the<br />
35th division reunion, an affair he rarely<br />
misses. His cowln. Gen. Ralph Truman, a<br />
resident of this city and a high official In<br />
the 35th Division Ass'n. al.so is taking a big<br />
part in arranging the celebration.<br />
The 35th Division Ass'n is made up of men<br />
from all over the U.S. and its territories<br />
who .served in that division during World<br />
Wars I and II. Up until the end of World<br />
War II. the division was made up largely of<br />
men from Nebraska, Kan.sas and Missouri.<br />
Since World War II the 35th division has<br />
been assigned to the states of Ml.s.souri and<br />
Kansas only. However, in army .service men<br />
from other sections of the country and Its<br />
territories have served with the 35th division<br />
but it retains its "local" character.<br />
Popcorn Ass'n Holds<br />
St. Louis Gathering<br />
ST. LOUTS—The sales advantages of popping<br />
corn in the theatre lobby in plain view<br />
of the potential customers were stressed at<br />
the quarterly meeting of the Popcorn Processors<br />
Ass'n at Hotel Jefferson May 1, 2. William<br />
Traubel of Embro Popcorn Co., St. Louis,<br />
chairman of the association, presided at the<br />
gathering.<br />
The matter of the contemplated Popcorn<br />
institute came up and the final decision may<br />
be reached by the board of directors in the<br />
next 30 days. The institute, as presently visualized,<br />
would not confine its membership to<br />
popcorn processors, but anyone interested in<br />
the popcorn bu-siness. directly or indirectly,<br />
could join.<br />
The advantages of direct popping of corn<br />
in the theatre lobby came out in the over-all<br />
di.scu.ssion of markets for popcorn and methods<br />
for their stimulation. One point stressed<br />
by members of the as.sociation is that the<br />
theatres and other retailers of popcorn can<br />
and do make a better margin of profit on<br />
popcorn than on some other items they<br />
handle. There is a fascination in .seeing corn<br />
popping right before your eyes that actually<br />
creates sales, the proces-sors said.<br />
its<br />
The Popcorn institute is to have as one of<br />
chief functions the increasing of the publics<br />
demand for popcorn through advertising,<br />
educational campaigns, etc.<br />
The outlook for the 1952 planting of popcorn<br />
is still very much a big question mark.<br />
It is still, perhaps, two or three weeks too<br />
early to attempt any final conclusions.<br />
Reopen Route 4 Drive-In<br />
VIRDEN, ILL.—The Route 4 Drive-In near<br />
Thayer has been reopened for the 1952 season<br />
bv W. E. "Bill " Swift of Virden.<br />
:' '<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
;; May 10, 1952<br />
65
. . The<br />
CENTRAL ILLINOIS<br />
. . .<br />
The Great States Orpheum in Springfield<br />
had a busy week with two film program<br />
changes and two stage show attractions— the<br />
legitimate roadshow. "Mr. Roberts." with Tod<br />
Hunter, and the "Big Show" stage attraction,<br />
starring Fi-ankie Laine and Patti Page,<br />
followed by the roadshow engagement of "The<br />
Greatest Show on Earth" The Tivoli,<br />
550-seat subsequent run downtown Springfield<br />
house, operated by Frisina Amusement Co..<br />
will close May 15 for the summer.<br />
The 66 Drive-In being built by Kerasotes<br />
Theatres is expected to be in operation by<br />
Many Springfield exhibitors and<br />
May 30 . . .<br />
managers attended the Motion Picture Theatre<br />
Owners meeting at Taylorville Tuesday<br />
The Hillcrest Drive-In on Route 78<br />
(6) . . .<br />
between Canton and Fai-mington opened for<br />
the season late in April.<br />
Ralph Lawler's Peoria Drive-In has installed<br />
new projection equipment and an<br />
enlarged screen tower . Kerasotes<br />
Lawford Theatre in Havana has built a<br />
combined snack shop and newsstand in a<br />
small storeroom next to the theatre with an<br />
entrance from the theatre lobby . . . There<br />
^
I<br />
constructing<br />
I<br />
I<br />
,<br />
appearance<br />
I<br />
Ing<br />
. chased<br />
,<br />
Missouri<br />
'<br />
pari<br />
. . . R.<br />
KANSAS CITY<br />
Jameson and Sam Abend of Exhibitors<br />
Film Delivery are shooting for a July 4<br />
opening date of the new drive-in they are<br />
at Lee's Summit. Jameson said<br />
last weekend the site was being graded . . .<br />
Another new territory drive-in will make its<br />
this summer. Glen Jones i.s build-<br />
an open-airer at Gravois Mills, Mo., in<br />
I the heart of the Missouri Ozarks. Jones pur-<br />
RCA equipment from L. J. Kimbriel of<br />
Theatre Supply.<br />
"Chuck" Shreve has bought out the interest<br />
of his partner Joe Allard in the Giles Theatre<br />
here. Young Shreve. son of equipment<br />
dealer J. Walter Shreve, took over total operation<br />
of the house May 1. Allard has not<br />
announced a new connection . . . R. F. Withers,<br />
Republic manager, left for a Chicago<br />
sales meeting with Republic president James<br />
R. Grainger.<br />
Linda Baker, daughter of George Baker of<br />
Consolidated Agencies, was pictured in this<br />
week's Life magazine in a review of Kansas<br />
City. Linda, who has been photographed<br />
frequently for her horsemanship, will be 13<br />
years old on May 27 . . . Salesman Howard<br />
Strom is on a tour of the territory for Poppers<br />
Supply . . . George Harttmann, owner<br />
of the Ai-mour Theatre, North Kansas City,<br />
was in town from his home in California.<br />
. . . Cecil Mayberry, operator<br />
Visitors on Filmrow included Avon Gregg,<br />
Kelly. Waukeeney: Tom Spurgeon, Moderne,<br />
Stanbury: Ray Brown, Park, El Dorado<br />
Springs, who operates the Park Theatre there<br />
for Walter Lovan . . . Ray Miner has taken<br />
over operation of the Aladdin Theatre,<br />
Mound City, Kas.<br />
of the Main at Berryville. Ark., and the<br />
Nu Basin at Eureka Springs, was a recent<br />
visitor to Filmrow.<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Munson were in town<br />
booking for their drive-ins at Arkansas City,<br />
Scott City and Winfield. They also were buying<br />
product for their new drive-in at Norton,<br />
Kas. The Munsons plan to open that hou.se<br />
Jack Braunagel, head of<br />
about June 1 . . .<br />
ROONEY IN KANSAS CITY— .^ctor<br />
Mickey Rooney was in Kansas City recently<br />
for interviews and personal<br />
appearances for Columbia's "Sound Off"<br />
at the Missouri Theatre. Shown with<br />
the actor at the Municipal airport are<br />
Columbia manager Tom Baldwin, right,<br />
and Gay S. Pinnell, Columbia salesman.<br />
BOXOFTICE :: May 10, 1952<br />
drive-in operations for Commonwealth Theatres,<br />
returned from a trip to Waynesvllle<br />
and Columbia.<br />
LouLso Ilildebrand of Columbia returned to<br />
Universal as bookers steiwgrapher . . . Elmer<br />
Bills of Salisbury was on Filmrow Tuesday<br />
W. McEwen, 66, a former film .salesman,<br />
died this week. McETwen had been a<br />
film salesman in Omaha before coming to<br />
Kansas city. He held the Bank night franchise<br />
here for some time, before the states<br />
of Missouri and Kan.sas ruled the game<br />
illegal.<br />
RC.\ Theatre Division<br />
Manager Don Davis<br />
left Sunday for Taylorville, 111., where he attended<br />
the Motion Picture Theatre Owners<br />
of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri and Southern<br />
Illinois convention. Finton Jones, theatre<br />
insurance men, also planned to attend the<br />
meeting. Davis then returned to Kansas City<br />
and planned to take the Larned, Kas., trip on<br />
the KMTA "convention train" for the John A.<br />
Schnack 50th anniversary celebration. He will<br />
go on to the Independent Theatre Owners of<br />
Arkansas convention May 19-21 at Little<br />
Rock.<br />
Charles Decker, booker at Lippert Pictures,<br />
has joined Monogram in the same capacity.<br />
Decker was with Monogram before<br />
joining Lippert. He replaces Marguerite Levy<br />
at Monogram.<br />
Star Aids Ozark Affair<br />
At Request of Manager<br />
BRANSON, MO.—Paramount star Forrest<br />
Tucker arrived in town Thursday, at the invitation<br />
of Steve Miller, Owens Theatre manager,<br />
to highlight five days of Ozark festivities.<br />
One of Tucker's first duties was to crown<br />
the Buccaneer queen, chosen by member.^ of<br />
the Paramount talent department, from various<br />
high school beauties. Also on Friday he<br />
awarded prizes at the national Foxhound<br />
trials and to the bench show winner. Some<br />
3,000 persons were in for the awarding of<br />
prizes. Saturday he was to be guest of honor<br />
at a local square dance and barbecue. Sunday<br />
he is scheduled to play in a charity golf<br />
match for the Branson hospital. He will play<br />
with the local winner against Don Gardner,<br />
former Chicago pro and trick golfer.<br />
Monday Tucker will be the guest of Jim<br />
Owens on the Ozark Float trip. Photographing<br />
the events for several sports magazines<br />
will be Townsend Godsey. Official Ozark illustrator<br />
Steve Miller, who does art work in<br />
addition to his theatre duties, will do art<br />
work during the Tucker visit for several national<br />
publications. Thursday, Tucker will<br />
be in St. Louis for Armed Forces day along<br />
with Secretary of the Navy Dan A. Kimball.<br />
Miller played Tucker's "Flaming Feather"<br />
during the actor's visit.<br />
Gates Buys Hull Theatre<br />
HULL, ILL.—The Hull Theatre, 260-seater,<br />
owned and operated for several years by Mr,<br />
and Mrs. Glenn J. Geyer, recently was sold<br />
to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gates of Barry, 111.,<br />
who also own the Gem Theatre at New<br />
Canton, 111. Their son Tony is the manager.<br />
Geyer now is employed as an operator at<br />
the Union Electric Co.'s substation in Hull.<br />
George Vosgovec, who makes his debut in<br />
Paramount's "Anything Can Happen," was<br />
once known as the Czech Charlie Chaplin.<br />
Ass'n Dinner-Dance<br />
Reservations Due<br />
Kansas (it.v — lilm iii(lu>tr.vi(es thin<br />
week were urgrd to grl rcMTvallons in<br />
immediately fur the .Ma.v I!) .Motion Picture<br />
.\ss'n of (ireater Kansas City dinnerdance<br />
at Milburn (ounlry cluli.<br />
J(M' Neger, '.JOth-Fox nianager and<br />
ticket committee chairman, said that reservations<br />
must lie made by .May U for<br />
those desiring tables at the dinncr-dani-e.<br />
He and .lim Lewis. KKO manager and<br />
general chairman for the affair, arranged<br />
for letters to be sent out this week<br />
urging meml)ers of the .MI'.X and their<br />
guests to make reservations immediately.<br />
Cost of the dinner-danee is $5 per person.<br />
Only First Run Pictures<br />
At Starland Drive-In<br />
MOUNT VERNON, ILL.- Tlie new Starland<br />
Theatre opened the night of April 30<br />
under the management of Frank Glenn. Only<br />
first run pictures are shown. It has room for<br />
700 cars.<br />
The Starland gives Mount Vernon five<br />
theatres—two drive-ins and three downtown<br />
hou-ses. the Granada. Plaza and Stadium, all<br />
operated by the Fox Midwest Theatres.<br />
BOOK IT<br />
WAHOO is<br />
NOW!!!<br />
the world's most thrilling<br />
screen game. NoW being used<br />
successFully by hundreds oF indoor<br />
and outdoor theatres all over America.<br />
Send for complete details. Be sure<br />
and give seating or car capacity.<br />
Hollywood Amusement Co.<br />
831 S, Wobash Avenue, Chicago S, III.<br />
Satisfaction — Always<br />
MISSOURI<br />
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY<br />
L. I. KIMBRIEL. Manager<br />
Phono BAltimore 3070<br />
115 W. 18lh Kansas City 8. Mo.<br />
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />
Laroest coverage in U.S. No "Net" list-<br />
MiQS. Hrgliest reoutation for hnow-hovi I<br />
211(1 fair OealinQ. 30 years exgerience in-<br />
cliulnig exliibition. Ask Belter Business Bureau,<br />
or our customers. Know your brolter<br />
ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Speciolists<br />
3303 Caruth. Dallas. Texas<br />
Teleolioiies: EM 0238- EM 7489<br />
CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED<br />
Finest Hybrid POPCORN with Top Pop-Out<br />
in 12'/j Lb. Moisturcproof PLASTIC BAGS<br />
ACTUALLY COSTS LESS thon Canned Corn<br />
. . . only sliglttly more than corn in 100-pound sachs!<br />
Easier to store ant] handle. Moisture content perfect.<br />
GOLDEN FLAKE PROCESSING COMPANY<br />
3706 Brcailway Kansas City, Mo.<br />
{<br />
67
. . . Tom<br />
. . AI<br />
. . Edna<br />
. . Dick<br />
. . . Don<br />
. . Piper<br />
|<br />
CHIC A GO<br />
If twin bill comprising a motion picture and<br />
a legitimate play seems about as unliliely<br />
an attraction as a showman could put together,<br />
but it has proved worlcable in two<br />
suburbs this season. A Downers Grove Little<br />
Theatre ^'oup enacted full-length plays along<br />
with the regular run of films in a neighborhood<br />
film house and turned 'em away. Now<br />
Jaseph Emma, owner of the Deerpath Theatre<br />
in Lake Forest, has launched a series of<br />
one-act plays paired with motion pictures.<br />
Otto Eitel hosted Cecil DeMille at a cocktail<br />
party in the Bismarck hotel last week<br />
preliminary to the opening of "The Greatest<br />
Show on Earth" at Eitel's Palace. The De-<br />
Mille picture is getting a big buildup via<br />
DRIVE-INS!<br />
DRAW CROWDS<br />
WITH FIREWORKS!<br />
Buy direct from the manufacturer.<br />
PR0GRAMS-$50 and up.<br />
Liability Insurance and<br />
Expert Operators available.<br />
Film Trailer is loaned with each display.<br />
Wf/te for FREE literature.<br />
Paramount Fireworks Co.<br />
p. 0. Box 1272 Tulsa, Oklohoma<br />
I<br />
ONE COLOR • TWO COLOR<br />
PROGRAMS<br />
Covering ONE or TWO WEEKS!<br />
ONE DAY SERVICE — On Request!<br />
• Your Inquiries Solicited •<br />
Theatrical Advertising Co.<br />
"Serving Exhibitors for 35 Years"<br />
2310 CASS AVE. DETROIT 1, MICH.<br />
Phone: WO. 1-2158<br />
.w^>OOO0OOOOOOOOOOOOOO<br />
EVERYTHING FOR THE THEATRE<br />
St. Louis Theatre Supply Company<br />
Arch Hosier<br />
3310 Olive Street, St. Louis 3, Mo.<br />
Telephone JEIierson 7974<br />
CHAIRS REBUILT IN<br />
YOUR THEATRE<br />
By Experts in Their Field<br />
Write for Quotations<br />
Chicago Used Chair Mart<br />
829 So. State St. Chicago 5<br />
TV. radio and newspapers .<br />
. . Ted Myers<br />
retired at U-I after 25 years as salesman<br />
Wright & Henrich Co. look over<br />
. . .<br />
the Manor<br />
Kermit Rus-<br />
and reopened Monday (51 . . .<br />
•sell. formerly with Paramount, has joined<br />
the U-I sales department.<br />
Kube Lovine is renting out his Kankakee<br />
Drive-In for picnics to clubs and other organizations<br />
and the idea is going over big.<br />
Other drive-ins will follow the idea ... En<br />
route to the west coast, Barney Balaban,<br />
Paramount president, visited his brother<br />
John, who was at Michael Reese hospital for<br />
a checkup.<br />
. . .<br />
Frank Capra, Paramount director, and wife<br />
stopped on his way east . . . Ditto, O. B.<br />
Johnston, vice-president of the Disney studio<br />
Ralph Kettering, the theatre executive,<br />
. . . Jesse Lasky, plans to<br />
is a granddaddy. His .son Tom became father<br />
of a baby boy named Ralph Thomas<br />
Kettering III. The mother is the former Shirley<br />
who<br />
Deane<br />
make a film called "The Big Brass Band,"<br />
was in Joliet to look over the grade and<br />
high school bands there which have won<br />
national championships recently . . . The<br />
Monroe, operated by James Jovan, has installed<br />
three sections of pushback seats and<br />
is preparing to add a fourth section of Airflo<br />
rocking chairs.<br />
Ben Lauire, Columbia manager, returned<br />
from a Florida vacation, while Oscar Bloom,<br />
his sales manager, left for a Florida stay . . .<br />
The Red Cross has raised 85.2 per cent of<br />
its $3,750,000 goal in this area. The amu,sement<br />
trade division directed by Hai'ry Balaban<br />
is striving to help finish the drive this<br />
month . Golden, formerly with city<br />
sales department at Republic, is joining the<br />
Milwaukee MGM exchange . . . Salesman<br />
Harold Loeb, 53, died from a heart ailment<br />
at Michael Reese hospital. He had been with<br />
20th-Fox for over 30 years . . . Lou Goldberg,<br />
president of the Colosseum of Motion Picture<br />
Salesmen's loge here, has called a meeting at<br />
the Allied offices May 26.<br />
Maurice A. Alschuler, 68, owner of the<br />
Vision Theatre property, died at Billings<br />
hospital . . . RKO Theatres has moved its<br />
offices from the Palace Theatre building to<br />
the Grand Theatre on North Clark street,<br />
following withdrawal from Palace management<br />
. . . Dave Wallerstein, B&K general<br />
manager, and his wife returned from a twoweek<br />
vacation at Sun Valley, Ida. . . . B&K<br />
is now operating its Coronet in Evanston under<br />
an art policy. Hector Bishop is the house<br />
manager . Frank, MGM exchange<br />
office manager, is on her southern vacation<br />
trip.<br />
Rogrer Glover has been named assistant on<br />
the managerial staff of B&K Tivoli . . .<br />
Girard Vitu was named manager of the<br />
Jefferson Theatre, 750 cars, at Fort Wayne<br />
Harmeson opened the Alliance cir-<br />
. . .<br />
.<br />
cuit's South Drive-In near Anderson. Ind.,<br />
giving Alliance two ozoners in that area, the<br />
other being the Northside The Strand<br />
Theatre antitrust case has been assigned to<br />
Judge Igoe's court, but no date has been set<br />
as yet for the hearing DeLuca,<br />
manager of the Alec Theatre, reports that the<br />
house is installing a new RCA Synchro-<br />
Screen.<br />
Gregory Peck in 'Roman Holiday'<br />
Gregory Peck will star in "Roman Holiday,"<br />
modern romantic comedy to be produced by<br />
William Wyler for Paramount.<br />
ST,<br />
LOUIS<br />
•Phc prciiminary plans for a propo.sed urban<br />
redevelopment housing project in the<br />
DeSoto-Carr area include a motion picture<br />
theatre, probably with stage facilities, in<br />
addition to three 11-story apartment buildings,<br />
an 18- or 20-story hotel and public<br />
.school building. The plans have been filed<br />
with the slum clearance and urban rehabilitation<br />
division of the federal housing and<br />
home finance agency. The project for Negroes<br />
would be privately financed under the provisions<br />
of the Missouri urban redevelopment<br />
act.<br />
The annual Dimig & Doane fashion revue<br />
for summer was presented at the Lory Theatre,<br />
Highland. 111., recently. Admission was<br />
by tickets distributed by the department store.<br />
The pi-ogram included a special film on shoes,<br />
a regular feature film, the fashion revue and<br />
dance numbers<br />
cently included<br />
. . . Exhibitors<br />
Tom Gates, owner<br />
here<br />
of<br />
re-<br />
theatres<br />
in New Canton and Hull, 111.; A. B.<br />
"Buzz" Magarian, East St. Louis; Judge Frank<br />
X. Reller, Wentzville; Herman Tanner, Van-j<br />
dalia, Mrs. Regina Steinberg, Madi.son, 111.<br />
Davis of Kansas City, representative<br />
of RCA, dropped in May 5 and later<br />
attended the MPTO gathering at Taylorville.<br />
Mrs. Sarah Lefkowitch, 73 years old,<br />
i<br />
mother-in-law of Hemian Gorelick, co-owner 1<br />
of Realart Pictures of St. Louis, died in Chicago<br />
recently . . . Tommy James and Dick'<br />
Fitzmaurice represented the St. Louis Variety<br />
Club at the Variety International convention<br />
in Las Vegas.<br />
Joe and Lou Ansell plan extensive alterations<br />
to their Empress Playhou.se, 3616 Olive,<br />
St., in preparation for the 1952-53 season.<br />
The lobby is to have a complete remodeling<br />
job and numerous improvements are to be<br />
made to the stage. The Ansells recently completed<br />
a 16-week season at the theatre. Negotiations<br />
are in progress with several stars,<br />
among them; Gloria Swanson, John Garfield,<br />
Lizabeth Scott, Jo-seph Cotten, Veronica<br />
Lake, Mickey Rooney, Joan Blondell. Vincent<br />
Price, Ilka Chase, Judy Holliday and Melvyn<br />
Douglas . . . After announcing that the thea-,<br />
tre had been closed for the season, the management<br />
of the American Theatre booked)<br />
"Good Night. Ladies," a farce that has played<br />
j<br />
the house on two previous occasions, for two<br />
weeks opening May 19.<br />
.<br />
Fred M. Joseph, chairman of the St. Louis<br />
county democratic central committee and attorney<br />
for theatre owners of this area on<br />
various occasions, has filed as a candidate<br />
for representative-at-large Laurie<br />
and Tony Curtis were due here May 7 for<br />
personal appearances with "No Room for the<br />
Groom." The Sheraton hotel management<br />
[<br />
arranged to provide Piper with a suite that •<br />
includes a kitchen . . . Lester Bona, St. Louis<br />
manager, and Hall Walsh, Pi-airie district<br />
manager for Warners, headed the local contingent<br />
to the regional sales conference in<br />
Chicago May 1, 2.<br />
Mrs. John Hawkins 111<br />
KANSAS CITY—Mrs. John Hawkins, wife<br />
of the southern Missouri salesman for A. V.<br />
Cauger Co., entered Research hospital here<br />
Tuesday (6) for surgery. She will be confined<br />
about two weeks. The family home is<br />
in<br />
Springfield, Mo.<br />
MU<br />
i<br />
68 BOXOFFICE : : May<br />
10, 1952 h^
'<br />
change<br />
I<br />
'<br />
Edwards<br />
I<br />
McLendon Circuit Managers Meet at Monroeville, Ala,<br />
I<br />
Managers of the Fred T. McLendon circuit gathered recently at<br />
a conference in Monroeville, Ala., with Ralph B. Mann of the Monroe<br />
Theatre in tliat town as the host manager. The McLendon<br />
circuit operates theatres in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi,<br />
North Carolina and Louisiana. The group above are shown at a<br />
luncheon given during the conference: Mrs. H. R. Chapman and<br />
Mr. H. R. Chapman, Cantonment, Fla.; Thomas R. Parish, Clayton,<br />
Ala.; Howard McGill, Brundidge, Ala.; N. . Bush, East Tallassee,<br />
Ala.; Robert Summerlin. Fairhope, Ala.; Frank Thompson. Tuskegee.<br />
Ala.; Haywood Hanna, Milton, Fla.; Manager Mann; Fred T. .Mc-<br />
Lendon; Ben Countryman, and A. L. Morgan, Union Springs, .Ala.;<br />
Milton Dorriety, Georgiana, .Ala.; Bill Cox, Milton, Fla.; .'Mrs. Ralph<br />
B. Mann; Walton B. Johnson, Union Springs; Mrs. Jeffrie Jones,<br />
Frisco City, Ala.; Miss Sally McMillan, Bay Minette, Ala., and Ben<br />
Tisdale, Foley, Ala. The home office of McLendon Theatres is<br />
located in Union Springs.<br />
Realart of Ga. Opens<br />
Branch at Tampa<br />
TAMPA, FLA.—John W. Mangham of Realart<br />
Productions of Georgia. Atlanta, this<br />
week announced that his company would open<br />
a fuUtime distribution branch here. Mangham<br />
said that the splendid support and increased<br />
business enjoyed by the firm since it<br />
opened its Tampa shipping department last<br />
year had brought about the decision to set<br />
up a regular exchange here.<br />
On May 5 all booking records, exhibitor<br />
'<br />
cutoff records, files, etc., will be shipped here<br />
and from that date the Realart Tampa ex-<br />
can accept spot bookings and conj<br />
tracts from Florida exhibitors. Watchword<br />
j<br />
of the new branch will be "Service Beyond<br />
the<br />
Contract."<br />
J. Raymond Edwards, who has been with<br />
Realart since its inception, will manage the<br />
t<br />
Tampa branch. The office will be located at<br />
208 W. LaFayette. Phone number is 87-4811<br />
» and post office box number is 3004.<br />
invited all Florida exhibitors to<br />
t<br />
visit the new branch at their first oppor-<br />
tunity.<br />
Repair Mountain Home House<br />
MOUNTAIN HOME, ARK.—An<br />
extensive<br />
program of improvements and redecoration<br />
has been completed at the Baxter Theatre.<br />
The four-year-old house is one of the most<br />
modern in the Ozarks. Its interior was done<br />
over and seats reconditioned. Indirect fluorescent<br />
lighting was installed and a drink dispenser<br />
and cigaret machine added to the<br />
concession.<br />
Gulf Allied to Combat<br />
State Sales Levy Tax<br />
Travis Arnold Starts His<br />
Theatre Spring Cleaning<br />
MALVERN, ARK.—Travis Arnold, manager<br />
of the Malvern theatres, has started<br />
spring house cleaning at all three situations.<br />
At the Ritz, the lobby, standee, rest and cryrooms,<br />
boxoffice and concession are being<br />
painted and redecorated. The Joy Theatre is<br />
being painted and its restrooms renovated.<br />
At the Malvern Drive-In, new paint is going<br />
on, the concession is being redecorated and<br />
landscaping put in while playground equipment<br />
is being set up.<br />
The management expects to make the<br />
ozoner one of the best in the state. New<br />
swings, a miracle whirl, castle tower and slides<br />
and a merry-go-round will be set up in the<br />
playground area and comfortable chairs will<br />
be furnished .so parents can sit nearby and<br />
watch the show while the children play. The<br />
Malvern remained open last winter.<br />
Bullet Fatal to Wife<br />
CHARLOTTE — Mrs. Margaret Armstrong<br />
Patrick, 33, whose husband operates a drivein<br />
here, was fatally shot in her theatre apartment<br />
last week. W. M. Patrick jr., the husband,<br />
said she accidentally discharged the<br />
pistol which she kept with her while working<br />
in the ticket booth.<br />
NEW ORLEANS—Directors of Allied Theatre<br />
Owners of the Gulf States, at a meeting<br />
at the Jung hotel last week (29) resolved to<br />
"kill the Louisiana sales tax bill, which has<br />
been so widely proclaimed to be unjust, in<br />
view of the fact the film industry at present<br />
is the only one which has a commodity in<br />
which wholesale and retail sales tax is<br />
charged." Harold Bailey, ATO secretary, reported<br />
Don George was placed in charge of a<br />
committee to campaign for defeat of the sales<br />
tax. He plans to take immediate action.<br />
Among other business covered was the<br />
unanimous endorsement by the members to<br />
organize a local Variety Club. Bailey expects<br />
to get an organization campaign under way<br />
immediately.<br />
Among those attending the luncheon and<br />
meeting were Buford Strange, Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Claude Darce. Locke Bolen, Joe Guillory, Jack<br />
Downing, Sammie Jackson, Don George, Abe<br />
Bcrenson. Harold Bailey, L. C. Montgomery.<br />
Milton Guidry. Barney Woolner, Paul Brunet,<br />
J. H. Parker, Frank DeGraauw, F. G. Prat<br />
jr., Nick Lamantia, B. V. Sheffield, Teddy<br />
Solomon and Mrs. Krisler.<br />
Plan Studio in Hialeah<br />
MIAMI—The mayor of Hialeaii. according<br />
to the News, is preparing an announcement<br />
concerning the use of the old Amelia Earhai't<br />
hangar for motion picture production.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952 SE 69
.<br />
. . The<br />
. . The<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
Jl be Bercnson, president of Allied Theatre<br />
Owners of the Gulf States, motored to<br />
Colorado Springs with Mrs. Berenson to attend<br />
the annual Allied directors meeting .<br />
Laurel, Miss., was "spooked" at midnight this<br />
week (91 by Preacher Crosley, who sponsored<br />
an engagement of '"rhe Raven" in the Royal<br />
for the benefit of his daughter's high school<br />
The Citizens Committee Against<br />
club . . .<br />
Daylight Saving Time, led by Barney Woolner<br />
of Drive-In Movies, Inc.. and backed by<br />
all local showmen, won its campaign. Fast<br />
time was defeated in New Orleans by a vote<br />
of 37.088 to 9,184.<br />
Malco is experimenting at the Crescent<br />
Drive-In with a Thursday night money giveaway.<br />
Sammy Wright is trying the same in<br />
his Don, Gulfport . . . RKO closed the Liberty<br />
April 31. This St. Charles avenue theatre<br />
formerly was a holdover house, and recently<br />
1913 - 1952<br />
39 Years
RL<br />
ROOK'S<br />
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ATLANTA<br />
T Warren Butler, southern manager for National<br />
Flooring Co., returned from a vacation-business<br />
trip to Guatemala . . . E. A.<br />
Garrity, manager of the Dixie Drive-In at<br />
Macon, is hospitalized there. W. D. Smith,<br />
assistant at the Stewart Drive-In. Atlanta,<br />
is subbing at the Dixie . Dixie Lee<br />
Drive-In at Lenoir City. Tenn., has opened,<br />
with Mose Waller managing and Exhibitors<br />
Service handling the boolting and buying.<br />
R. L. McWilliams and J. G. Thlgpen of National<br />
Theatre Supply sold A. C. Austin of<br />
Ardmore. Tenn., complete bootli equipment<br />
and speakers for his new drive-in. which will<br />
open about June 1 ... J. G. Thigpen, NTS,<br />
furnished 35mm sound equipment and a projector<br />
for Spellman college . . . H. P. Rhodes<br />
N0T5H0WN0N<br />
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ABC<br />
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ENTERPRISES<br />
ATLANTA<br />
JACKSONVILLE<br />
Phone ALPine 7887 Phone 5-9227<br />
P. 0. Box 1345 P.O. Box 88<br />
BUYING<br />
BOOKING<br />
AGENTS<br />
R. J. (Hap) Barnes<br />
C. B. (Cliff) Wilson<br />
Karl (Bud) Chalman<br />
R. A. (Rex) Norris<br />
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FOR: ENTRANCES. AISLES. CONCESSIONS<br />
NATIONAL FLOOR PRODUCTS CO.<br />
Southern Office—Atlanta, Ga.<br />
. . .<br />
was in Knoxville, Tenn.. and Columbus, Ga..<br />
on business Curt Shreve. manager here<br />
for the Manley popcorn company, spent a<br />
vacation at Michigan City, Ind.<br />
Ruben Joiner visited with his 19-yearold<br />
son who is in the navy at Bainbridge,<br />
Ga. . M. Smithson will reopen the Barwick<br />
Theatre, Thomasville, this summer<br />
Floyd Stowe of Jack-<br />
with 16mm films , . .<br />
•sonville. Fla.. is now handling the booking<br />
for S. M. Blackmon's Skyview Drive-In for<br />
Negroes at Cocoa, Fla. It has a car capacity<br />
of 100.<br />
. . Har-<br />
William H. Hendrix has sold his Southern<br />
Aire Drive-In at Lewisburg. Tenn. .<br />
riet Duval. ABC Theatrical Enterprises, visited<br />
her husband, Sgt. Robert Duval, at Ft.<br />
Bragg. N. C, where he is a paratrooper .<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Maple of the Lincoln<br />
. .<br />
in<br />
Bessemer, Ala., are expecting a baby in<br />
Eugene Skinner.<br />
August, their third child . . .<br />
Dixie Drive-In Theatre, was back from<br />
a fishing vacation off the keys of Jacksonville.<br />
He says everyone was catching plenty of<br />
fish.<br />
. . . R. E. Solomon, owner,<br />
C«cil Hartwell, owner of State in Bessemer,<br />
is also managing the Ensley . . . James Cagle<br />
of the Lyric. Pell City, moved to his farm.<br />
Sonny Raines of<br />
15 miles from the city . . .<br />
the Frolic in Bessemer now is in Washington<br />
in charge of the recreation center at the<br />
army base there<br />
and K. E. Moates, manager of the Joyce<br />
Tlieatre at Headland, Ala., were in town.<br />
Howard Schuessler, who books for the Joyce,<br />
left for St. Marks, Fla., on a fishing trip<br />
with friends . . Cerebral palsy theatre advertising<br />
.<br />
is being handled by National Screen<br />
Service. Two shippers and two girls have<br />
been added in the NTS office . . . Mel Brown.<br />
Peachtree Art Theatre, reports new seats<br />
have been installed in the whole center section<br />
of his theatre, by American Seating Co.<br />
Bob Moscow of the Rialto here put on a<br />
street ballyhoo for "For Men Only." Pretty<br />
girls from a local modeling school, dressed<br />
in red nylon net dresses, passed out cards<br />
showing a girl dressed in a very low-cut dress.<br />
Under the picture was the name Tracy and a<br />
phone number, ALpine 6485. Moscow said<br />
Columbia's "Scandal Sheet" was the next<br />
booking , . Charlie Karr, Martin Theatres<br />
.<br />
booking office, will spend his vacation in<br />
Texas.<br />
W. W. Edwards has closed the Avon, Art<br />
and Norwood in Birmingham and the Fox<br />
Standing in the lobby<br />
in Brighton, Ala. . . .<br />
of the Newmar In Birmingham, Jlmmie Hello,<br />
salesman for Astor Pictures, said he noted<br />
Manager Lane greeted four out of every<br />
five patrons by name. Lane will entertain<br />
his son and family from Sioux Palls, S. D.<br />
Bob Corbett will relieve Lane while he is on<br />
vacation.<br />
Bill Hampton, manager of Lyric, Birmingham,<br />
is resigning to join Independent Theatres<br />
of Chattanooga . . . Lizabeth Scott, actress,<br />
was in Birmingham entertaining 25,000<br />
people at the Legion Field "Music Under the<br />
Skies." Tommy Dix was emcee . . . Astor's<br />
"Les Miserables" will open at the Peachtree<br />
Art June 4.<br />
W. M. Richardson, Astor president, gave a<br />
fresh fish dinner at the Variety Club (2) for<br />
theatre bookers and friends. He caught the'<br />
fish himself. Present were Hap Barnes, Cliff<br />
Wilson, Johnnie Harrell, A. B. Padgett, Al<br />
Rook. Tom Jones. Roy Avey. Guy Brown,<br />
Dan Hill, Wilby-Kincey's Fitzgerald, Don,<br />
Hassler and Mark Barre.<br />
'f<br />
George Roscoc, Columbia manager, was inj<br />
Nashville on busine.ss . . . Ethel Hartman appeared<br />
on the local Rumpus Room TV program<br />
which features a "bride of the day,"<br />
and .she received many gifts. Miss Hartman<br />
will be married in June.<br />
Georgia Theatres News: Juanita Brown<br />
plans to resign soon to become a mother.<br />
F. M. Lanier, who left on a vacation, is resigning<br />
to enter another bu.siness. A goingaway<br />
luncheon was given for both .<br />
. . E. E.<br />
Whitaker attended the Variety International<br />
convention in Las Vegas .<br />
C. Simmons<br />
. . F. R.<br />
of 20th-Fox was on a vacation in Mi-ssi.ssippi<br />
visiting his grandchildren .<br />
who has been sick, is<br />
Dodson,<br />
not expected back fori<br />
three weeks . . . Cecil Peacock the 20th-Fox<br />
salesman is in Tennessee; Ben McChesney is<br />
in south Georgia and Maurice Mitchell is<br />
drumming up business throughout Alabama.i<br />
. . . Sam<br />
Nelson Towler of Lippert left on a vacation'<br />
McCook, head MGM booker, is enjoying<br />
a vacation in New Mexico ... He<br />
will then go to California to tour the studios<br />
. . . Gable Smith, secretary to the MGM man-'<br />
ager, is engaged to marry Sgt. Joseph Drutowski<br />
of Milwaukee . . . Ben Butler, salesman,<br />
was one of the pallbearers at the Lester'<br />
Neely sr. funeral. Harris Wynn is selling for<br />
MGM in south Georgia and Jim Stanton is<br />
covering Tennessee and north Georgia.<br />
Judson Moses, MGM field press representative,<br />
and Emory Austin, division publicist<br />
were in Miami on a test showing May 8 at<br />
the Olympia and Beach theatres of "The!<br />
Girl in White" starring June Allyson;<br />
and Gary Merrill. The picture is based oni<br />
the life story of Dr. Emily Barringer, firstj<br />
woman ambulance driver during the first'<br />
world war. Dr. Barringer was technical adviser<br />
for the picture.<br />
Frank Jones, 65, former Monogram book-j<br />
keeper, died recently at his home .<br />
Chatham, secretary to A. C. Bromberg, recently<br />
spent a weekend with her husband who<br />
is in the service at Jacksonville . . . Jimmie<br />
Hobbs, manager, returned from Jacksonville,'<br />
Jim tllmer, Paramount booker, and his wife.<br />
Pat became parents of a baby daughter ...<br />
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72 BOXOFFICE : : May<br />
10, 1952
Roland Fairchlld of Realart, Jacksonville,<br />
Fla., was here for a sales meeting . . . RKO<br />
District Manager Dave F*rince was in Chattanooga<br />
calling on Joy Solomon of Independent<br />
Theatres . . . Joe Murphy of U-I is spending<br />
every day of his vacation playing golf . . .<br />
P. T. Murray, head of branch operations for<br />
tJ-I, was in from New York . . . The U-I<br />
building will be ready for occupancy about<br />
May 9.<br />
Bill Little of WB was vacationing at home<br />
farming. J. F. Kirby left for New York Sunday<br />
(4). Ralph lannuzi, manager, journeyed<br />
to Vidalia . . . Steve Justus, Columbia salesman,<br />
was married to Clara Ungar of Buenos<br />
Aires. The bride will arrive in United States<br />
in June.<br />
O. C. Alexander of Wil-Kin Theatre Supply<br />
SPECIAL TRAILERS<br />
GOOD and FAST<br />
and packed with StU-MANSHIf is what<br />
you always get from reffobfe<br />
CHICAGO<br />
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MmmNEW YORK<br />
630 Ninth<br />
Avenue
. . Jack<br />
HART BEATS<br />
In Alabama<br />
pLOODLIGHTS spotted on blooming Howers<br />
of all varieties at night make of the Clanton<br />
Drive-In a veritable fairyland. The ozoner<br />
is surrounded by flowers which include crimson<br />
clover, many varieties of roses, petunias,<br />
thrift and others. Even the peach and apple<br />
blossoms are lighted at night. There are<br />
flowers in bloom all .season at the Clanton.<br />
Annual spring painting was in progress<br />
when I arrived and Joe Jackson was on the<br />
job with the painters. Mrs. Myrtle H. Wilson<br />
was supervising the planting of more<br />
flowers.<br />
Jackson took me on a tour of the airer and<br />
said that every scrap of paper is removed<br />
from the drive-in early each morning. Even<br />
the roadside Ls cleaned at least twice a day<br />
for quite a distance beyond the theatre. He<br />
said that there never is a time that someone<br />
on the theatre staff isn't at the drive-in to<br />
show visitors around the grounds or to answer<br />
questions from patrons.<br />
Jack.son had just added another ramp to<br />
the theatre and he has hghted signs on all<br />
highways leading past the drive-in telling<br />
how many miles away the ozoner is located.<br />
The drive-in advertises on a 6:15 a. m. radio<br />
program of hillbilly music and has time<br />
signals each hour telling what is playing at<br />
the Clanton. Ad boards in small communities<br />
are kept up to date by local patrons who<br />
receive passes for the job.<br />
All of the promotion, coupled with selectivity<br />
in giving patrons shows they want to<br />
see, gives Jackson good attendance. Pubhc<br />
relations and goodwill are maintained by special<br />
events. Currently, Joe is chairman of the<br />
cancer drive and has been asked to head the<br />
Complete<br />
line of standard<br />
Nelson Towler of Lippert said he was well<br />
pleased with reviews of "Outlaw Women" by<br />
the tradepapers. When the Palms Drive-In,<br />
Atmore, playing "Lightning Strikes Twice,"<br />
lightning destroyed the powerhouse and<br />
melted the switch panels. But repair crews<br />
had it in operation for the show that night.<br />
Martin Theatres has put into effect a cir-<br />
accessoriesall<br />
companies<br />
annual Peach festival drive.<br />
At the drive-in he examines every speaker<br />
each morning and those which are found to<br />
be defective are left lying beside the post until<br />
repaired or replaced later in the day.<br />
None are allowed to be defective when the<br />
show opens.<br />
Mrs. Wilson's love of flowers and Jackson's<br />
.showmanship have made of the drive-in far<br />
more than just a place for showing films.<br />
The flowers and the showmanship have given<br />
the drive-in a personality and charm that<br />
appeals to everyone.<br />
After a splendid dinner, we left the Clanton<br />
and the hospitable people who operate it<br />
for the drive home.<br />
* * *<br />
Ted Toddy of Toddy Pictures made a business<br />
trip to New York. Jack Dumestre jr.,<br />
left for the Variety convention in Las Vegas.<br />
The THC Drive-In, Adamasville, which is being<br />
built by George Thornton and Ray Horn,<br />
will be equipped with RCA equipment<br />
throughout by the Southeastern Theatre Supply<br />
Co.<br />
Harold George has resigned as manager of<br />
the Scott Drive-In, Decatur. He said he<br />
planned to locate elsewhere as a manager as<br />
soon as he found a position.<br />
* * *<br />
POSTERS!<br />
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EXCHANGE, INC.<br />
221 South Liberty St.<br />
Phone RAymond 3563<br />
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THEATRE POSTER<br />
EXCHANGE, INC.<br />
184 E. Calhoun Ave.<br />
0pp. Union Station<br />
Phone 37-3836, Memphis 3, Tenn.<br />
FLOWERS ENHANCE DRIVE-In—The<br />
abundance of flowers which beautify the<br />
Clanton Drive-In at Clanton, Ala., are<br />
the result of much work by Mrs. Myrtle<br />
H. Wilson, shown in the photoi^aph with<br />
theatreman Joe Jackson. Her love of<br />
flowers is shown by the beautifully<br />
blooming hydrangea plant in the background<br />
of the picture.<br />
cuitwide insurance plan covering hospitalization<br />
and group life insurance.<br />
« « *<br />
W. J. Rudd has replaced Fleming Moats<br />
at the Ritz Theatre, DeFMniak Springs, Pla.<br />
John Neely has moved from the Grand The-<br />
,<br />
atre, Carterville, Ga., to the Ritz at Panama .<br />
City, Fla.<br />
The Rexview Drive-In, Columbus, was host<br />
to about 3,000 persons for Easter morning<br />
'<br />
services. Mr. and Mrs. Foots Moses of the '<br />
Bell Theatre, Marietta, have a new son,<br />
j<br />
'<br />
named Kerry Stephen.<br />
JACKSONVILLE<br />
Q<br />
O. Ray jr., booker at Warners, is recovering<br />
W. O. i<br />
after a tonsillectomy . . . Williamson visited ... J. P. Kirby, H. R. Kistj<br />
ler. Jack Kirby and R. H. Dunbar, branch ;<br />
manager, attended the southeastern district<br />
sales meeting in New Orleans . Rigg,<br />
former office manager at Paramount, stopped<br />
at the local office on a trip up from Miami.<br />
Ed McCloskey, exhibitor from Lake Worth,<br />
was in as well as Hugh Martin of Columbus,<br />
Ga. . . . Carl Carter was booking on the Row<br />
all week. Carter and his wife will attend the<br />
opera in Atlanta the first part of May .<br />
Paul Hargett, manager at Columbia, returned<br />
from a trip to the west coast of Florida.<br />
. . i<br />
Ruby Tuoy recently returned from a vaca-<br />
:<br />
tion in High Point, N. C. . . . Milton Frackman<br />
of Miami and Louie Kanaris, St. Augustine,<br />
were here . . . Bill Cumbaa, Leesburg; L.<br />
. . Calling at Exhibitors Service<br />
O. West, St. Marys, Ga., and Hilliard Pla.,<br />
and J. N. Wells of Kingsland, Ga., were on<br />
the Row .<br />
were Jack Barrett of Monogram, Bill Aliz,<br />
Waycross, superintendent of theatre for L. A.<br />
Stein, and Jack Kirby of Warners.<br />
Charles King will book for the new 500-car<br />
Filmland Drive-In in Lakeland, owned by Bill<br />
Klem and Joe Florita . . . Robert Capps, MGM<br />
office manager, took a week of his vacation<br />
. . . Mrs. Sarah Keller, booker's secretary, is<br />
taking a leave to join her husband in Baltimore<br />
... Ed Matthews, MGM booker, and his<br />
wife Dorothy resigned to move to Georgia.<br />
I<br />
74 BOXOFFICE<br />
: : May 10, 1952
1 pointed.<br />
I<br />
i<br />
and<br />
j( and<br />
!t Mrs.<br />
; by<br />
;<br />
luncheon<br />
I a<br />
I<br />
'<br />
Tunstill<br />
I<br />
M.<br />
,<br />
the<br />
'<br />
, back<br />
'<br />
I<br />
'<br />
I<br />
j<br />
Mississippi<br />
!<br />
Mrs.<br />
I<br />
. . R.<br />
M E<br />
MPHIS<br />
•phe Pines Theatre at Mountain Home, Ark., Roosevelt at HoUendale; L. B. Bays, Grenada,<br />
has been purchased by R. H. Bowers from Grenada; J. C. Bonds, Von, Hernando; Max<br />
E. C. Menard . . . R. W. Clark, owner of the Connett, Roxy, Newton; J. R. Adams, Rebel<br />
Louisville Drive-In, Louisville, Mis.s., was in Drive-In, Oxford; C. N. Eudy, Houston, Houston,<br />
and Lester Llgon, Victory, BurnsvUle.<br />
Memphis booking for the new outdoor theatre<br />
.. A group of Memphis and midsouth<br />
exhibitors, attending the Variety International From Arkaniuus came J. K. Jame.sson, Joy,<br />
affair at Las Vegas, were eye-witnesses to the Bald Knob; Mrs. C. A. Snow, Swifton, Swifton;<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Henley Smith, Imperial,<br />
atom bomb blast during that time. Ben<br />
Bluestein, Memphis Tent 20 delegate, said, Pocahontas; Mrs. J. R. Keller and Mrs. R. S.<br />
"We were standing right in front of Thunderbird<br />
hotel when it went off. We were about Hughes; Roy Bolick, Kal-ser, Kaiser; Doug-<br />
Bowden, Joiner, Joiner; K. H. Kinney. Hays,<br />
80 miles away. We saw the flash of light and lass Pierce, Rand, Pocahontas; Mo.ses SUman,<br />
then a little old cloud went up and got that Lux, Luxora; William Elias, Murr, Osceola,<br />
mushroom shape. We were a little disap- and Troy Ray, Cushman, Cushman.<br />
We had been told we would feel the<br />
vibration and we didn't feel anything."<br />
Henry Picliens of the Semo at Steele, Mo.,<br />
was in town . B. Gooch, Gooch, Selmer;<br />
In the party from Memphis and the territory<br />
were M. H. Brandon, Memphis chief ington; Louise Mask, Luez, Bolivar, and Onie<br />
W. F. Ruffin jr., Ruffin Amusement Co., Cov-<br />
, barker, accompanied by Mis. Brandon: Mr. Ellis, Mason, Mason, were in town from Tennessee<br />
points . . . Ben Y. Cammack, district<br />
Mrs. R. L. Bostick, Mr. and Mrs. Orris<br />
[<br />
Collins, Paragould; Nathan Flexer, Waverly, manager for RKO in Dallas, was a visitor at<br />
and Kemmons Wilson, Memphis exhibitor . . the company's Memphis exchange . . . The<br />
Bluestein visited Hollywood before returning Buffalo Theatre, Linden, Tenn.. was reopened<br />
I<br />
to Memphis ... On Sunday, May 11, ten for weekend operation . . . Allen West, son of<br />
I movie stars were scheduled to be in Memphis J. A. West, owner of the Hollywood, Memphis,<br />
to promote Movietime U.S.A. and attend the is seriously ill at Methodist hospital.<br />
Cotton Carnival. Variety Club has a party<br />
scheduled with R. V. Reagin and Fordyce Marvin Morris, assistant manager of the<br />
Kaiser, entertainment chairmen, handling arrangements.<br />
MGM, together with Loew's accept a position in Houston, Manager J. H.<br />
Warner Theatre, Memphis, has resigned to<br />
State and Loew's Palace, is bringing the stars McCarthy announced. Henry Rogers of<br />
to Memphis. Allied is cooperating.<br />
Memphis has been appointed to succeed Morris<br />
.. . Hazel Young resigned as Warner cashier<br />
and was replaced by Kathleen Kiem . . .<br />
A big party will be staged at Variety Club<br />
May 24, 8 p. m. to 2 a. m. Tickets are $10 Ray Roy Belew, concession agent for Royal<br />
each . . . T. O. Baldridge, popular pioneer American Shows and widely known in show<br />
Memphis film salesman, is recovering from a<br />
business, died at the age of 50 in Baptist<br />
major spinal operation at Methodist hospital<br />
hospital in Memphis last week. He lived in<br />
will probably be in bed for some time . . .<br />
Tampa, Fla.<br />
Norman Calquhoun has been succeeded<br />
Mrs. Richard Settoon as general ladies<br />
chairman at Variety for the next<br />
Council Overrules Mayor<br />
1 six months . . . Barker Jack Katz entertained<br />
group of managers from Arkansas, Kenj<br />
tucky and Tennessee for Tenarken Para-<br />
I mount at Variety Club.<br />
The Cottonatta, all-cotton fashion show.<br />
was held at W. C. Handy Theatre as part of<br />
I<br />
the Cotton Makers Jubilee, Negro version of<br />
I<br />
i<br />
the Cotton Carnival . . . Lanelle Everitt, 20thf<br />
Pox stenographer, underwent surgery at<br />
Methodist hospital . . . Clayton TunstUl, divii<br />
sion manager of Malco Theatres, made a busi-<br />
f<br />
j<br />
ness trip to Helena . . . Mr. and Mrs. Jack<br />
are vacationing in Oklahoma City.<br />
Tunstill is manager of the Crosstown Theatre<br />
in Memphis.<br />
A. Lightman sr., president of Malco<br />
Theatres, and Robert F. Appleyard, New<br />
I<br />
•<br />
York, paired to win competitive honors in<br />
southeastern regional bridge championships<br />
held at Miami. Lightman is vacationing<br />
there . . . Neil Murphy, salesman, is<br />
at Monarch Theatre Supply Co. from a<br />
leave of absence . . . Irving Peck, Warner<br />
Sign Co., Chicago, was a Monarch visitor . .<br />
J.<br />
;<br />
V. Frew, district manager, Atlanta, was a<br />
visitor at Universal . . . Nelson Towler of Atlanta,<br />
division manager, was at Lippert Pictures'<br />
Memphis exchange on business . . .<br />
Miss<br />
1<br />
Bess Thomas, general clerk at Warner<br />
Bros., resigned and v/as replaced by Mrs.<br />
j<br />
Mary C. Higgs.<br />
exhibitors on the Row included<br />
J. C. Noble of the Temple at Leland and<br />
On Blue Law Change<br />
HAPEVILLE. GA.—The seesaw battle for<br />
Sunday motion pictures in this community<br />
turned in favor of the theatres again recently<br />
when the city council overrode the mayor's<br />
veto of a Sunday film measure.<br />
By a vote of four to one, the council rejected<br />
Mayor Frank Lea's veto of a motion<br />
allowing the one theatre in town to operate<br />
on Sunday. The vote came after a long discussion<br />
in which Councilman Tom Morris,<br />
opposed to Sunday shows, brought in the<br />
"Biblical aspects" of the measure.<br />
Don Charles Jones Buys<br />
Gilbert Site in Jasper<br />
JASPER, AUK -Don Charles Jones htt.s<br />
purchased the Iht-alro here from J. C. Gilbert.<br />
The new owner, who Is a .son of County<br />
Judge Will Jone.s, said he would continue<br />
the same policies as Gilb
MIAMI<br />
TNirector Je Lerner, heading the crew of<br />
"The Miami Story," being filmed here, is<br />
using dozens of locales, including the homes<br />
of Mai Marshall. Ed Parker, Talem Wofford,<br />
Jorge Sanchez and Lou Wi\lters' night<br />
club. Roy Evans' yacht. "For Evans' Sake,"<br />
is also being used for scenes. The cast, headed<br />
by John Loder, has been working more than<br />
a week and has been entertained by many<br />
localites ... A Sunday early evening special<br />
at the Boulevard Drive-In was a square<br />
dance jamboree with a well-known hillbilly<br />
orchestra. Square dancing has become one<br />
of the most popular features of the theatre's<br />
activities.<br />
For "Tony Draws a Horse," at the Mayfair<br />
Art Theatre. Walter Klements had a tie-in<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRES<br />
Use Tape Recorded Pre-Show &<br />
Intermission Musical Programs-<br />
Produced especially for DRIVE-IN use, with announcements<br />
designed to boost concession soles<br />
and highlight theatre policy. Intermission program<br />
is live organ music.<br />
Available in ony length at $2.75 per 1/2 hour of<br />
program material. Use your own tope recorder or<br />
buy a tope playback ot<br />
dealer's cost from Empire.<br />
Get complete details NOW!<br />
Write or wire direct to<br />
EMPIRE RECORDING CO.<br />
3221 So. Acoma St.<br />
Denver, Colo.<br />
Programs ovoilable for<br />
FREE audition.<br />
Franchise holders wanted.<br />
Florida's FIRST Supply House<br />
NOW HAS TWO CONVENIENT<br />
LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU<br />
UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORP.<br />
no Franklin St.<br />
Tampa, Fla.<br />
Phone 2-3045<br />
329 West Flagler St.<br />
Miami, Fla.<br />
Phone 3-S038<br />
»;^<br />
ACTtOMl<br />
CONCESSION
Fellow Showmen Pay<br />
Tribute to Rowley<br />
John H. Rowley<br />
DALLAS—Pilmrow personnel here paid<br />
tribute to John H. Rowley of Rowley United<br />
Theatres on receiving the news that he was<br />
elected second assistant<br />
chief barker of Variety<br />
International at<br />
the Las Vegas convention<br />
last week. Don C.<br />
Douglas, speaking for<br />
the Rowley organization,<br />
said, "We are<br />
proud to have oiuyoung<br />
executive climb<br />
to this high position of<br />
international importance."<br />
Kyle Rorex, coordinator<br />
for Texas<br />
COMPO Showmen—"Knowing John through<br />
his great efforts in Texas COMPO. I know he<br />
will be as big as Texas to Variety International."<br />
Paul Short, — division manager for National<br />
Screen Service "I was most happy to learn<br />
of this signal honor bestowed on our youngest<br />
Tent 17 president."<br />
Wallace Walthall, home office representative<br />
for NSS and charter member of Tent 17.<br />
joined "with the many friends and associates<br />
of John Rowley in expressing delight and<br />
ple&sure in the knowledge that he has been<br />
elected to this high post. It is my firm conviction<br />
that he will prove a credit to the<br />
club and to himself, and wear his honors becomingly.<br />
He is perhaps the youngest man<br />
to be put in an exalted position in Variety<br />
International."<br />
F. E. Schmitz Discontinues<br />
Business in Muenster<br />
MUENSTER. TEX.—F. E. Schmitz, owner.<br />
has discontinued business at the Relax Theatre.<br />
He said he regrets closing the place and<br />
is especially sorry to disappoint regular patrons<br />
but circumstances do not permit him<br />
to continue the business.<br />
During the two years the theatre has been<br />
in operation, he said, he has not had a<br />
penny of return from it. It has barely held its<br />
own in meeting current expenses but he has<br />
made no return on his investment nor even<br />
accumulated a small reserve to offset depreciation<br />
of equipment, Schmitz said. All this.<br />
he added, has been in spite of the fact that<br />
all employes have worked for small pay in<br />
order to help make ends meet. Under the circumstances,<br />
Schmitz said he feels it would<br />
be poor business to continue wearing out<br />
equipment with no apparent chance of earnmg<br />
a return.<br />
He said he is ready to let someone else try<br />
the theatre. He will sell or lease but will not<br />
continue the operation himself.<br />
Palacios Gets Theatre<br />
PALACIOS, TEX.—The Hollywood Theatre<br />
has reopened and filmgoers saw their first<br />
show in Palacios since the old Capitol burned<br />
April 2. J. G. Davis, manager of the house.<br />
said the policy will be single bills on Friday<br />
and Saturday instead of the usual double<br />
feature because of the limited seating capacity<br />
at the Hollywood.<br />
COMPO Sponsors Plea to Exhibitors<br />
To Enforce Care in<br />
UAI.I.A.s KxhibilDis unci film exchange<br />
persdiuul ri'icraiy bruut;ia to the attention of<br />
Texas COMPO facts indicating that u small<br />
percentage of exhibitors have been careless<br />
in handling of film, which has resulted not<br />
only in inconvenience, but unneces.sary additional<br />
expense. As a result, a meeting was<br />
called in the office of Jack Houlihan, manager<br />
for Republic, attended by the managers<br />
of other exchanges, Kyle Rorex. executive director<br />
of Texas COMPO; Paul Short, division<br />
manager of National Screen, and Col. H. A.<br />
Cole. After considerable discu.ssion it wa-s<br />
decided that the following bulletin No. XI<br />
should be printed and ^ent to exhibitors over<br />
the state.<br />
HASTE AND WASTE IN FILM HANDLING<br />
This office has been requested to seek<br />
your cooperation in the handling of film in<br />
your theatre. There have been complaints<br />
from hundreds of exhibitors and all the film<br />
exchanges that a vast amount of money is<br />
being wasted and many theatres in the stale<br />
are suffering a great inconvenience due to<br />
erroneous labeling of film cans and the discarding<br />
of numbered space—clear leaders,<br />
and reel bands while the film is in the theatre.<br />
This is due to carelessness on the part of<br />
the projectionist and the persons responsible<br />
for receiving and shipping the film in the<br />
theatre. In order to prevent further occurrence<br />
of this malpractice we are enclosing<br />
two reminder cards with a request that you<br />
post one in your projection booth and one in<br />
your receiving and shipping department.<br />
Please caution your employes to adhere to<br />
the following procedure;<br />
1. Please place correct shipping label<br />
on film can ... do this immediately<br />
upon receipt of the film while it is fresh<br />
Crockett Amusement Co.<br />
Completes Rio Drive-In<br />
CROCKETT. TEX —The Rio Drive-In. just<br />
south of the city limits on Highway 45. was<br />
to be opened to the public the first week in<br />
May. Construction was started last September<br />
but discontinued during the winter and<br />
its recent resumption was interrupted by intermittent<br />
rains. The theatre is owned and<br />
operated by the Crockett Amusement Co..<br />
of which Mrs. Pauline Callahan is resident<br />
partner and principal stockholder, and Olan<br />
Dickey is the local manager.<br />
The Rio has a 300-car capacity with the<br />
individual speaker system. A 60-toot tile<br />
building houses the booth, restrooms and<br />
concession. The screen is 35x47.<br />
New Chief Opened<br />
LIVINGSTON. TEX—The 300-car Chief.<br />
Livingston's first drive-in, two miles south of<br />
town on Highway 59, was opened April 30 by<br />
Prank Fain.<br />
Richard Hand Back at Melody<br />
NORTH JUDSON. IND.—Richard Hand is<br />
again managing the Melody Drive-In at Bass<br />
Lake.<br />
Handling Film<br />
on your mind . . . don't wait until late at<br />
night after you finish with it when you<br />
are tired and anxious to leave for home,<br />
2. Plea.se don't discard numbered space<br />
and clear leaders ... If It Is necessary<br />
to detach a leader by all means place It<br />
back in the film can . . . remember there<br />
Is a shortage of film . . . when you throw<br />
away these leaders you not only waste<br />
money you put a strain on .scarce raw<br />
stock as leaders have to be replaced. During<br />
the last month each exchange has<br />
reported a loss of thousands of feet of<br />
leader film.<br />
3. Plea.se place the correct reel title<br />
band on each reel . . this is vitally Important<br />
.<br />
to the next theatre using the<br />
film (in cases where it Is nece.s.sary for<br />
the film transfer companies to circuit<br />
features and shorts i. Incorrect reel bands<br />
require an unnecessary lo.ss in manpower<br />
in ihe film exchanges as well a-s loss in<br />
time which affects clearance playing time<br />
for other theatres.<br />
4. Plea.se place the reel in the right can<br />
. . . don't be half sure . . . double check<br />
the reel band with the film can label . . .<br />
Don't put a Warner reel in a Paramount<br />
can, etc. . . . this negligence causes a great<br />
inconvenience not only to the exchanges<br />
involved but also to the next exhibitor<br />
scheduled to use the film, due to the time<br />
lost correcting the mistake.<br />
your Texas COMPO office urgently requests<br />
your cooperation to alleviate this matter.<br />
Where reports of negligence in film handling<br />
are reported the theatre will receive our correspondence<br />
asking better cooperation. If<br />
the practice continues, the exchanges may<br />
find it to necessary make a charge to offset<br />
the cost and inconvenience.<br />
Add Four More Drive-Ins<br />
In Oklahoma and Texas<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY—Four new drive-ins<br />
are going up in this part of the southwest<br />
and one has been sold. Mrs. Opal Gray has<br />
opened the Squaw Drive-In at El Reno. Okla..<br />
after purchasing, remodeling and renaming it.<br />
The new construction includes the justcompleted<br />
ozoner which Garland Wilson<br />
opened Monday i5i at Shattuck. Okla.. one<br />
at Sunray. Tex., which Ben Adams of the<br />
Palace there will unveil about May 15 and<br />
an outdoorer being built by Amos Page of<br />
the Rogue in Matador. Tex., which he expects<br />
to open about June 1.<br />
In addition to those three new outdoor<br />
situations. L. D. Burns is building a drive-in<br />
at Grandfield. Okla.. which he says will be<br />
operating by June 1.<br />
Only 'Song in My Heart'<br />
Hits Average in Dallas<br />
DALLAS—First run grosses were mostly below^<br />
average last week, only "With a Song In<br />
My Heart" hitting the 100 mark.<br />
Average Is 100)<br />
Coronet- Blithe Spirit ISR) 85<br />
Moicstic Witti o Song in My Hoort (20th-Fox) . . 1 00<br />
PolQce Mocoo (RKO) 75<br />
Tower—When in Romo (MGM) 75<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952 sw 77
. . Vaiiety<br />
I<br />
DRIVE-INS!<br />
DRAW CROWDS<br />
WITH FIREWORKS!<br />
Buy direct from the manufacturer.<br />
PR0GRAMS-$50 and up.<br />
Film Trailer is<br />
Liability Insurance and<br />
Expert Operators available.<br />
loaned with each display.<br />
V^rite for FREE literature.<br />
Poramount Fireworks Co.<br />
p. Box 1272 Tulso, Oklahomo<br />
BUY AND SELL<br />
Through Classified<br />
DALLAS<br />
^ol. H. A. CoU', who attended the Allied<br />
board meeting at Colorado Springs, was<br />
back Thursday (8) . . . J. F. MacCrosky<br />
due<br />
of Mack Enterprises Just returned from a<br />
business trip through the northern states,<br />
including Minneapolis and Chicago. Mack<br />
Entcprises moved this week from 408 South<br />
Harwood to larger quarters on the second<br />
floor at 308 South Harwood . Tent<br />
17 postponed its May 5 meeting to May 12<br />
because of the delayed return of many delegates<br />
from Las Vegas.<br />
Buddy Harris, Ernest L. Herber, Ernest<br />
Rocket and Wallace Walthall were in the<br />
Filmrow personnel who took an active part<br />
in the recent Shrine convention and parade<br />
starting from Young and Harwood streets.<br />
W. J. "Dutch" Cammar, Lippert manager, is<br />
a member of the Shrine Patrol and also on<br />
the degree teams in Scottish Rite, working<br />
on the seventh, 19th and 32nd degrees.<br />
Popcorn CAN Mean Poppin' Profits!<br />
Frank Bradley, BOXOFFICE representative,<br />
had as his guests at a Variety Club<br />
dinner Monday (5), the Unified Team of<br />
Women in Armed Services, and Nell O'Connell,<br />
as part of their heavy two-day itinerary<br />
in Dallas. Mi.ss O'Connell coordinated theii<br />
program as president of Town North Business<br />
and Professional Women's club, which<br />
spon.sored the visit with the American A.ss'p.<br />
of University Women and Dallas Federatior<br />
of Women's clubs. Chief Barker C. A. Dolsen<br />
spoke to the women about the work ol<br />
the club and particularly the Boys Rancl"<br />
activities. He invited them to a dinner af<br />
the ranch Saturday.<br />
Charles Stark, son of J. W. Stark, an exhibitor<br />
in Leavenworth. Kas., is active ir<br />
extracurricular activity at Southern Meth-'<br />
odist university. He is chief announcer foi<br />
the radio station and active in Phi KappEj<br />
Alpha. He has arranged a "Greatest Show<br />
on Earth" party for May 9 at the fraternitj;<br />
house and will carry the circus theme froir'<br />
sawdust to 24-sheets across the top of th(!<br />
house. Robert Bixler, Paramount man here<br />
is assisting in the arrangements.<br />
Neal Houston Joins<br />
Tower Sales Staff<br />
DALLAS—Neal Houston, for more than 3(<br />
years a film salesman on Dallas Filmrow, ha;<br />
joined the Tower Pictures organization witl"<br />
Harold Schwarz and Walter Penn, two othei<br />
longtime film salesmen in the southwest.<br />
Houston left Republic to go with Tower<br />
He had been with Republic for the last sever<br />
years and prior to that was with 20th-Fo><br />
for 17 years. His first seven years in distribution<br />
were spent with Paramount. Houston<br />
started in show business as a boy working<br />
with his father, who owned theatres in Sherman,<br />
Tex.<br />
He will cover Texas and parts of Oklahoma<br />
for Tower.<br />
"I will be very happy to meet my friend;<br />
either here at 302 South Harwood or in the<br />
territory," Houston said this week. "There<br />
EQUIPMENT DISPLAY SALES<br />
OARDEN WAREHOUSE, 1209 Commtro, Houston<br />
OKLA. THEATRE SUPPLY CO., 62'> W. Grond, Oklo. Cily<br />
SOUTHEASTERN EQUIPMENT CO., 214 S. LIbtrly, New Orleons<br />
WAREHOUSES<br />
HOUSTON— 120' Commcici.<br />
(EAUMONT—S50 Moln Slrtal.<br />
LUIIOCK—I40S Avinui *.<br />
also are many new exhibitors I want tc,<br />
meet."<br />
Houston is justly proud of his two sons<br />
both of whom are in the armed services<br />
Neal B. jr. is in Kokura, Japan, teaching<br />
psychology and English at the University ol'<br />
Kokura. He has been in that post since-<br />
September. George is in the coast guard at<br />
Houston.<br />
Jack Houlihan, Republic branch managerl<br />
was high in his praise of Houston's abiUty.<br />
,<br />
"He is a salesman who knows the exhibitors'<br />
problems," Houlihan said. "And he i'<br />
in a good position to sell them the right pic-'<br />
tures for their situations. He is honest anc<br />
frank in his selling methods and one witf<br />
whom any exhibitor can discuss his problem."<br />
freely."<br />
Your help appreciated—run the Cerebral Pais)<br />
trailer. Available from May 1 5 to July 1.<br />
312 S. Harwood<br />
Phone: STerling 3511<br />
Dallas, Texas<br />
I^<br />
Here is a "kid-show natural" ... 56 minutes of action packed thrills . . .<br />
Featuring James Newell, Lightning, the dog and THUNDERCLOUD<br />
RENFREW OF THE ROYAL MOUNTED'<br />
A John L. Franconi Enterprise . . . C. B. (Connie) Dreher, Branch Manager<br />
78 BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 195:
Low operating and maintenance cost!<br />
Installation costs only Va to V2 that of<br />
other systems!<br />
• Easily operated by your projectionist. No<br />
other technicians required!<br />
• Fully guaranteed for one year!<br />
Contact us now, while equipment is<br />
available. Avoid watting years tor delivery.<br />
MODERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO<br />
214 South St. Paul St., Dallas, Texas<br />
• Installation supervision, regular inspection<br />
and service by Altec Service Corporation,<br />
and any necessary replacement<br />
parts, cost-free for one year!<br />
• Guaranteed 90-day delivery!<br />
BOXOFFICE ;; May 10, 1952 79
. . Variety<br />
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• MACHINE FOLD<br />
• ROLL, SINGLE-DUPLEX<br />
• RESERVED SEAT<br />
• BOOK STRIP<br />
THEATER GIFT COUPON BOOKS<br />
SEASON PASSES — ONE TIME COMPS.<br />
-A:eeu*AGY-<br />
SOUTHWEST TICKET & COUPON CO.<br />
2110 CORINTH ST. • Harwood 7185 • DALLAS, TEX<br />
Kendall Way to Direct<br />
Circus of Tent 17<br />
DALLAS—Kendall Way, Interstate Theatres,<br />
has been appointed general chairman of<br />
tlie Variety Club International Circus to be<br />
sponsored by Tent 17 and held during the<br />
State Fair of Texas October 4-19. Head-<br />
(|uarters for the undertaking will be made in<br />
mom 756. Adolphus hotel here.<br />
Way has the backing of a strong committee,<br />
including R. J. O'Donnell. International ringmaster:<br />
C. A. Dolscn, chief barker: William<br />
O'Donnell. Interstate circuit: Julius Schepps.<br />
past president of Tent 17: John H. Rowley.<br />
Rowley United Theatres: J. S. Caffo. Theatre<br />
Enterprises: James O. Cherry. Interstate city<br />
manager: E. L. Harris, Aleander Film Co.;<br />
Sam Landrum. Jefferson Amusement Co.:<br />
George Preston and Ray Beall, advertising<br />
and publicity.<br />
Japan Exports to U.S.<br />
Approximately one-third of the films exported<br />
by Japan in 1951 came to the United<br />
States.<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
C'rank Aydelotte, who once managed the!<br />
Britton theatres and the Royal at Tulsa,'<br />
is planning a new theatre in Fort Collins,-<br />
Colo. In business with his father-in-law,!<br />
R. H. Doudy, also a former Oklahoman. Ayde-.<br />
lotte revealed plans to Oklahoma City friendsi<br />
that include a 700-seater for about $100,000.'<br />
Construction is slated to begin immediately.:<br />
This new theatre will make a total of slx5<br />
situations for the town. Aydelotte and his,<br />
father-in-law own the Trail there. Tlie new!<br />
house is to be the Aggie, which will be builtj<br />
where the hotel stood until it burned dowi<br />
last December.<br />
Received a message or two from Ona and'<br />
Morris Loewenstein from Las Vegas, Nev.,|<br />
there for the Variety parley, Tlie TOO presl-i<br />
dent and his wife made yours truly's mouth!<br />
water with the pretty pictures from the Fla-i<br />
mingo hotel. And, they advised, "This is,<br />
part of what you've missed" . Tent,<br />
22's monthly board session will be held May<br />
12. the same day as the Theatre Owners of<br />
Oklahoma board meets. Both meetings will be,<br />
in the Variety headquarters at the Black;<br />
hotel.<br />
MOSQUITOES, GNATS, FLIES, are not allowed at this theatre<br />
DRIVE-IN<br />
T IH E IRI T IR '<br />
Safe, sure, cleon FOG from your own big Fogger. Cleans 'em out up to 1/2 mile from your theatre for less<br />
than $1.00 a day. Proven an economical way to control all flying insects by Army, Navy and cities oil<br />
over U. S. Fully protected by Guarantee and Service Policy.<br />
"Bye Bye B. O. Blues"<br />
NOT $1700 - NOT $1200 - BUT $950<br />
For a Full-Size Fog Machine for Heavy Duty Work Under Worst Conditions<br />
"PUBLIC HEALTH INSECTICIDAL FOG MACHINE"<br />
$950.00 READY FOR OPERATION-NO EXTRAS<br />
Extended Payment Plon Avoilable for First Time: Only 4 admissions per night, payable monthly, will<br />
give you complete freedom from pests.<br />
All Types of Special Equipment and Insecticides<br />
Public Health Equip. 6c Supply<br />
Phone BEL. 3-3421 P. 0. Box 4143, Sta. "A" 517 N. W. 19th St. San Antonio, Texas.<br />
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY<br />
Largest coveraoe in U.S. No "Net" listinos.<br />
Higl'est reputation for know-how<br />
and fair dealing. 30 years experience including<br />
exhibition. Ask Better Business Bureau,<br />
or our customers. Know your broker.<br />
ARTHUR LEAK Theatre Specialists!<br />
3305 Caruth, Dallas. Texas<br />
Teleuhones: EM 023S • EM 74S9<br />
CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE<br />
INVITED<br />
Westerns-Features-Serials<br />
Tower Pictures Co.<br />
HAROLD SCHWARZ<br />
302 S. Harwood St. Dallas 1. Texas<br />
Phone RA-773S<br />
Farm AwarcJ to Be Given<br />
By Karl Hoblitzelle<br />
DALLAS—The Karl Hoblitzelle achieve-;<br />
ment award for the advancement of Texas',<br />
rural life will be presented to the Texas<br />
scientist who in the last three years has made<br />
the greatest contribution to agriculture in the<br />
state at the annual open house of the Texas<br />
Research foundation May 21 at Renner. Tex,<br />
The agricultural award given by Hoblitzelle.,<br />
president of Interstate Theatres, consists of<br />
$5,000 in cash and a gold medal. The annuali<br />
meeting of the research group last year at-i<br />
tracted more than 2.000 farmers, businessmen'<br />
and theatre executives. The meeting is jointly<br />
sponsored by the supporters of the founda-1<br />
tion. the Dallas Chamber of Commerce and<br />
the Dallas Citizen council.<br />
Of the award Hoblitzelle. who also Is president<br />
of the research foundation, said;<br />
"The purpose is to encourage significant<br />
contributions to the advancement of our agricultm-e<br />
and to create the widest possible<br />
awareness among our people of the need for'<br />
better systems of farming."<br />
The awards, made for the first time lastl<br />
year, were established by Hoblitzelle through]<br />
the foundation. The foundation started in'<br />
February 1944 as the Institue of Technology<br />
and Plant Industry and was at first a branch<br />
of the Southern Methodist university. It was<br />
separately incorporated in May 1946 and has<br />
since functioned as a nonprofit corporation<br />
financed in its entirety by business and industry.<br />
Korda to Make and Show<br />
;<br />
Cinerama Process Films<br />
NEW YORK—Sir<br />
Alexander Korda, chairman<br />
of London Films, has obtained the exclusive<br />
rights to production and exhibition<br />
of films made with the Cinerama process in<br />
the eastern hemisphere from Thomas-Todd<br />
Productions, Korda will make a full-length<br />
feature Cinerama film in color for presentation<br />
in London in September simultaneously<br />
with the presentation here on Broadway of,<br />
Thomas-Todd Cinerama color films,<br />
i<br />
80<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952 (
,<br />
Day<br />
'<br />
I<br />
comedian<br />
. . .<br />
jqew films opening along the local Ruilto<br />
included "Fanny" at the Arts Theatre.<br />
"The Pride of St. Louis" at the Aztec and<br />
"Todos Son Mis Hijos" at the Alameda. "This<br />
is Korea" plu.s "The Sea Hornet" were dual<br />
billed at the Empire, and "Red Mountain"<br />
opened at the Majestic Highlight of the<br />
week was the Israel Celebrates Independence<br />
program at the Municipal auditorium on<br />
Wednesday night i30). Pi-incipal .speakers<br />
were Vice-President Alben W. Barkley, radio<br />
Phil Baker and Dr. Frank King-<br />
the columnist and radio commentator<br />
to the two-hour show was $1.20.<br />
Music was furnished by Melvin Winters and<br />
his WOAI staff orchestra . Berry.<br />
Theatre Supply Co., Dallas, was a<br />
t<br />
dom,<br />
1<br />
National<br />
'<br />
I Admission<br />
. . kkJnops<br />
. . batHot<br />
. . Sam<br />
SAN ANTONIO<br />
visitor.<br />
A. Bow, personal manager of Maria Antonieta<br />
Pons of Mexico City, recently spent<br />
I some time in San Antonio . . . Jewell Truex,<br />
I<br />
manager, Azteca Films, returned Monday (5i<br />
from a business trip to New York . . . Eleven<br />
local theatres are now playing Spanish language<br />
films.<br />
. . "The<br />
. . . Clasa-<br />
"Uncle Willie" of Dallas, headlined the<br />
entertainment program at the Home showheld<br />
in the Bexai" County Coliseum .<br />
Greatest Show on Earth" went into its fourtli<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Frank<br />
week at the Texas . . .<br />
Gillespie of the Spring Theatre, Roaring<br />
Springs, were here booking Mexican pictures<br />
for their house in north Texas<br />
Mohme's chief booker. Edward G. Edwards,<br />
says that their new release for Mother's day<br />
is "Todos Son Mis Hijos," starring Carmen<br />
Montejo, Blanca De Castejon and Jack Cordero.<br />
It is a story of motherly love.<br />
George Santikos, owner-manager of the<br />
WIID FURV<br />
RURTIING OUT OF TH^KlES<br />
Moil mcrcrlcit of living<br />
fhmgt, a Golden EoqI* ttnkvi<br />
o baby . . . Rghn<br />
o man on a h
j<br />
MACK ENTERPRISES<br />
Present<br />
the Daring Drug Expose<br />
of Shame, Horror and Despair<br />
IMflW<br />
«?n ^T'lTiiTiiiT'TiYPnnni ^r»<br />
SMOKEI<br />
NOT RECOMMENDED<br />
rOP CHILDREN /<br />
AWARDED FIRST<br />
"Academy of<br />
PLACE<br />
Profits"<br />
And Soon! Brand New!!<br />
"STRIPTEASE -GIRL"<br />
MACK ENTERPRISES<br />
408 South Harwood<br />
DALLAS, TEXAS<br />
CLASSIFIED ADS—EASY TO USE<br />
May 15 Opening in Sudan<br />
For New Stevens Ozoner<br />
SUDAN, TEX.—Work was progressing<br />
steadily on the new drive-in seven miles east<br />
of Sudan on the Amherst corner of Higliway<br />
84 early this month and A. Stevens, the owner,<br />
thought the opening could be held on the<br />
scheduled May 1 date if not sooner.<br />
Inclement weather retarded construction<br />
somewhat but the framework for the screen<br />
was completed in April and the electric wiring<br />
was done. The building for the projection<br />
equipment was being completed at the end of<br />
last month and the driveways were being put<br />
in order in May.<br />
Air TV Show From Stage<br />
Of Woodlawn Tavern<br />
SAN ANTONIO—The first local television<br />
program to be televised from a theatre stage<br />
was aired from the Woodlawn Sunday evening<br />
(271. It was the "Time for Teens," popular<br />
KEYL show with Frank Bennack jr.<br />
acting as master of ceremonies.<br />
Theatregoers saw the on-the-spot telecast<br />
for the first time at this independent neighborliood<br />
house. Members of the audience also<br />
had the opportunity to participate in the<br />
special show. The regular feature picture was<br />
"A Streetcar Named Desire." A second telecast<br />
will emanate from the stage of the<br />
Woodlawn May 25.<br />
535,000 Improvement at State<br />
WICHITA FALLS, TEX.—Manager Homer<br />
Reynolds is completing a $35,000 redecoration<br />
program at the State Theatre, 817 Indiana.<br />
Improvements to cost $4,000 remain to be<br />
completed. The house starts off a new first<br />
run policy with "Bugles in the Afternoon,"<br />
followed by "Streetcar Named Desire."<br />
Save all copper drippings for metol drive.<br />
TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR PROJECTION BOOTH<br />
REPLACE WORN & OBSOLETE ITEMS<br />
Amplifiers<br />
Strong Lamps<br />
Speakers<br />
Rectifiers<br />
Tubes<br />
Wenzel Projectors<br />
Sound Heads Rectifier Tubes<br />
Exciter Lamps—Sand Urns<br />
Photo Electric<br />
Cells<br />
Popcorn Machines—Reels<br />
Sno Cone Machines—Film Cabinets<br />
Peanut Machines—Film Tables<br />
Deep Frye Machines—Tickets<br />
Hot Dog Machines—Ticket Machines<br />
Light Fixtures<br />
Projection Machine Parts<br />
Film Splicers<br />
AND MANY OTHER ITEMS<br />
BERBER BROTHERS<br />
"Fair Treatment and Adequate Service for 25 Years"<br />
408 S. HARWOOD DALLAS I, TEXAS<br />
BUFFALO COOLING<br />
EQUIPMENT<br />
lOfh Fl., 2nd Unit, Santa Fe BIdg. BUFFALO ENGINEERING CO., INC. Do I las, Tex.<br />
Newspaper Criticism<br />
Disturbs McCarey<br />
NEW YORK—Leo McCarey, producer-director<br />
of "My Son John," has reported<br />
that criticism of the picture by .some New<br />
York newspaper reviewers has disturbed himi<br />
greatly. He said he was not trying to deny<br />
the right to criticize a picture but that he<br />
was hurt by personal criticism within some<br />
of the reviews which intimated he was a<br />
bigot and a fascist.<br />
McCarey said he did not know what he<br />
would do about the situation, but that he<br />
would have to do something to protect his<br />
reputation. He added that he might arguf<br />
it out face to face with the reviewers. Only<br />
about half of them were critical. Others applauded<br />
the picture. To date, it has been<br />
shown outside New York only in Hartford,<br />
New Haven and San Francisco, and the reviews<br />
in those cities were favorable, he said.1<br />
It had been his hope, he said, that the pic-(<br />
ture would be opened throughout the U. S.|<br />
rather than in New York to get a cross-section<br />
of opinion, but Paramount wanted a|<br />
New York opening.<br />
One review supplied the inference, accord<br />
ing to McCarey, that the<br />
1<br />
picture in turn in<br />
ferred that the only alternative to Commu-'<br />
nism was Catholicism. There was also critl-j<br />
cism of the character treatment of the Le-i<br />
gionnaire father because the father was madd<br />
to appear corny and slowwitted in contrast<br />
to his Communist son. The charge also was!<br />
made that the mother, played by HelenI<br />
Hayes, was quick to condemn her son before<br />
he had been convicted of the serious offense<br />
of treason.<br />
"The criticisms can't go unanswered," Mc-<br />
Carey said. "They reflect on my integrity<br />
and charge false motives in making the picture.<br />
I never ran into this sort of thing before.<br />
It's the first direct attack on me. Art<br />
goes out the window if you can't characterize<br />
people in films. It will be too bad if others<br />
planning to make similar pictures are<br />
frightened off. The theme of the picture is'<br />
that the teachings of Communism are not'<br />
conducive to love for the home."<br />
McCarey did not identify the newspapersj<br />
carrying the reviews to which he objectedi<br />
or tlie reviewers. He said the picture cosi'<br />
$1,800,000 but that "I am not concerned witlany<br />
pocketbooks but only with my own reputation."<br />
He plans to leave in May to dc<br />
research in Europe on a picture to be mad(<br />
there later. He said: "I will try a message<br />
picture again."<br />
Adci to the Hazards<br />
Of a Theatre Cashier<br />
FORT MYERS, FLA.—Mrs. A. J. Bruner<br />
cashier at the Arcade Theatre, called for police<br />
when an unexpected customer waddlec<br />
up to her booth. Her cries fsr help brought<br />
Manager Byron Cooper on the run and Mrs<br />
Bruner was saved a personal encounter witt<br />
a three-foot alligator when Cooper grabbec<br />
a broom and jammed him against the bas(i<br />
of the booth. !<br />
When three policemen arrived on the soen(<br />
they made a simultaneous grab at vital parti<br />
and picked up the 'gator bodily. He wa'<br />
tossed into the back of the police cai<br />
where two of the officers held him dowi<br />
while the third drove to the city jail. Hen<br />
the 'gator was kept in confinement for thi<br />
night.<br />
80-B BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952
Film Exports Valued at $503,657<br />
Exports of Japanese motion pictures in 1951<br />
were valued at $503,657, more than three<br />
Umes the 1948 exports.<br />
ASTOR<br />
picniRES mm<br />
Mtm nt ncKson smiJS<br />
DALLAS 1, TEXAS<br />
BOOK IT<br />
WAHOO is<br />
mvwtw-<br />
NOW!!!<br />
ihe world's most thrilling<br />
screen game. Now being used<br />
successfully by hundreds of indoor<br />
and outdoor theatres ail over America.<br />
Send for complete details. Be sure<br />
and give seating or car capacity.<br />
Hollywood Amusement Co.<br />
831 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 5, III.<br />
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^r^r^r^r^r^r<br />
Two Million Feet in Stock<br />
SPEAKER CABLE<br />
Without<br />
Priority<br />
2 Conductor No. 17 AWG Solid Copper Flat Parallel<br />
Construction Rodent Resistant Non-water Absorbent<br />
Jacket tor Direct Earth Buriol O.D. .35x.20-inch.<br />
Packaged 2,500 ft. on Returnoble Reels or 500 ft.<br />
Coils. Price FOB Houston, Texas: On 500 ft. Coils<br />
560.00 per M ft. 2500 ft. Reels $40.60 per M ft.<br />
Reel Deposits $5.00 eoch. Shipping Wt. Net 50 lbs.<br />
per M ft.<br />
SOUTHWESTERN THEATRE EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
1622 Austin St., Houston, Texas, Phone CA-9906<br />
DISTRIBUTORS FOR ELECTRIC WIRE AND CABLE<br />
CO. OF HOUSTON, TEXAS<br />
SPECIAL TRAILERS<br />
GOOD and FAST<br />
and packad with SCU-MANSHIf i$ what<br />
you a/way< gtt from rtllable<br />
NEW YORK<br />
630 Ninth<br />
MWiUil^<br />
Avenuo<br />
AT&T Rushes Cable<br />
For Southwest<br />
-I cm Eastorn Ldltion<br />
NEW YORK—Becau.se of public Interest In<br />
the coming national political conventions, the<br />
American Telei)hone & Telegraph Co. i.s rushing<br />
the extension of network television facilities<br />
to provide .service to Miami, New<br />
Oilfiins. Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and<br />
olilalioina City early in July. The network<br />
additions were originally scneduled for tlie<br />
last lialf of the year. Exten.sion of service<br />
lo iulsa and San Antonio will not be feasible<br />
by July, the company said.<br />
NEW COAXIAL CABLE<br />
Tlie work includes equipping an existing<br />
coaxial cable between Jaclisonville and Miami,<br />
completion of a new coaxial cable between<br />
Jackson, Mi.ss., and New Orleans, equipping<br />
d, cable between Jack.son and Dallas, equippiiiti<br />
uic recently completed cable between Dallas<br />
and Houston, and provision of microwave<br />
raaio-relay facilities Irom Dallas to serve Fort<br />
Worth and Oklahoma City.<br />
'ine new schedule will provide one television<br />
channel to serve the new cities in July,<br />
i-lans aie to provide, late in 1952, two channels<br />
to Texas pomts now having two television<br />
stations on the air.<br />
The networks have elaborate plans for televising<br />
the conventions. Philco will sponsor<br />
National Broadcasting Co. coverage and Westinghouse<br />
that to be provided by Columbia<br />
Broaacasting System. Westinghouse has also<br />
arranged to sponsor telecasts over a DuMont<br />
network consisting of WABD, New York;<br />
WTTG, Washington; WDTV, Pittsburgh, and<br />
WGN-TV, Chicago. The prediction has been<br />
made that whUe the 1948 conventions reached<br />
into 403,000 television homes, the 1952 conventions<br />
will be seen over 17,300,000 sets<br />
across the country. That total will rise now<br />
that the telephone company is expediting extension<br />
of its network facilities.<br />
Network plans ai-e also under way for pohtical<br />
campaign coverage prior to the conventions.<br />
This will include a 13-week "getout-the-vote"<br />
series.<br />
COURSE NOT CLEAR<br />
Just where theatre television fits into the<br />
picture isn't clear at this time. Televisionminded<br />
exhibitors have said that an early<br />
decision on participation isn't called for because<br />
the Republican convention doesn't begin<br />
until July 7 and the Democratic convention<br />
untU July 21. Then, too, no theatre could<br />
carry more than flashes of convention activities<br />
without disrupting its regular programs,<br />
and it would be difficult to determine<br />
in advance just when the most dramatic moments<br />
will happen.<br />
Television-minded exhibitors undoubtedly<br />
will want to show their audiences dramatic<br />
moments from the conventions, but to date<br />
they haven't reached a decision on how to go<br />
about this. They say there is still plenty of<br />
time in which to make arrangements, since<br />
the Republican convention isn't until July 7<br />
and the Democratic convention until July 21.<br />
Though they may run up against some snags<br />
in negotiating the right to participate, they<br />
are confident that both the political parties<br />
and the program sponsors will be agreeable<br />
because both will want to reach as many<br />
people as possible.<br />
Run the Cerebral Palsy campaign troiler.<br />
May IS to July 1.<br />
AT 12 O'CLOCK..<br />
A LADY WITH A FUTURE!<br />
AT 12:05...<br />
A<br />
WOMAN<br />
WITH A PAST!<br />
AT THESE ASTOR EXCHANGES:<br />
ASTOR-302' 2 $. Horwood St.-Dallas<br />
DIXIE FllMS-218 S. liberty St.-New<br />
Orleans<br />
ASTOR-408 S. 2nd St.-Memphis<br />
pi<br />
i<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952 80-C
^<br />
REMARKABLE<br />
\<br />
RESULTJSU<br />
«uviii!IJ<br />
kBUSH MtKUt<br />
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idtrt<br />
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pHOHtS<br />
y([b>l«' 9-3951<br />
i<br />
^952<br />
Apr ii z'+i<br />
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Kansas City ,<br />
Cansa= -- _<br />
\1<br />
Every<br />
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Will Be<br />
Interested<br />
.rlV ^en yesfS no^ ,<br />
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have<br />
sola --; S0.1- g oeli-ov oellov<br />
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^^^<br />
readers tnt ^^ ^.^^t. comtjlete.<br />
,<br />
^ff teVt ve vant. ^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^<br />
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Read this letter<br />
from on experienced<br />
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—all from BOXOFHCE<br />
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\ Tell your story to<br />
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BOXOFFICE<br />
80-D BOXOFFICE<br />
: : May 10, ISSi
NEWSPAPERS AND THEATRES<br />
VIEWED AS NATURAL ALLIES<br />
Bamberger Informs NCA<br />
How Film Ads Create<br />
Reader Interest<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—"In the press, the inovif<br />
industry has comrades in a common came.<br />
Leon J. Bamberger, .sales promotion manager<br />
of RKO, told the combined meeting of North<br />
Central Allied Independent Theatre Owners<br />
and the newspaper publishers and editors of<br />
their communities at the Nicolet hotel May<br />
1, 2.<br />
According to Bamberger, Raymond Mc-<br />
Kinney, national advertising representative<br />
of the Gannett newspapers, recently said:<br />
"Amusement news, pai-ticularly motion pictures,<br />
is just as important as world news.<br />
The newspaper is the greatest ally of the<br />
motion picture. We have common interests."<br />
STAV-AT-HOMES A THREAT<br />
McKinney observed that newspapers have<br />
a community of interest with all business<br />
but a special affinity for motion picture theaatres<br />
because, in the final analysis, both are<br />
selling a perishable product. He pointed out<br />
that if people are going to adopt the habit<br />
of staying home, it will hurt the newspapers<br />
as well as business for the stay-at-home is<br />
not exposed to the influences of new-spaper<br />
advertised products, including motion pictures.<br />
"Since the days of the town crier and,<br />
later, of the first newspaper, the daily press<br />
has been the best means of telling the public<br />
what amusement is coming to town," Bamberger<br />
said. Studies conducted by the Advertising<br />
Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization<br />
supported by advertisers, advertising<br />
agents and newspapers, show that amusement<br />
advertisements have thi-ee or four times<br />
as high a readership in proportion to their<br />
size as many of the other classifications of<br />
neW'Spaper advertising, he pointed out.<br />
ADS ARE TOP READING<br />
"The universal appeal of the movies gets<br />
the advertising off to a flying start. Then<br />
the dramatic scenes from the pictures and<br />
the romance and drama of the copy all add to<br />
the attention-arresting quality of a good<br />
movie advertisement. It is good for the<br />
newspaper to publish that kind of advertising<br />
Which interests and serves the most people.<br />
And I believe, and I am sure you do<br />
too, that amusement advertising has all the<br />
qualifications for broad appeal."<br />
Bamberger discussed newspaper rates for<br />
motion picture advertising and mentioned the<br />
Hartford Times, which gives motion pictures<br />
the same rate as the general rate: the<br />
Binghamton, N. Y., Post, which met with<br />
local exhibitors to discuss what might be<br />
done to stimulate movie attendance and now<br />
gives motion pictures the retail rate, and<br />
the afternoon Chronicle, Houston, Tex.,<br />
where the exhibitors formed a newspaper rate<br />
committee and were able to effect a 40 per<br />
cent reduction in rates.<br />
"You may remember the time, when to<br />
review a picture was unthinkable on the part<br />
of a newspaper," Bamberger said. "Now that<br />
Bennie Berger Returned<br />
To North Central Helm<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Bciniie Berger. a founder<br />
and perennial president of North Central<br />
Allied, was returned to the No. 1 office, suc-<br />
BENNIE BEKGEK<br />
ceeding Ted Mann, at the election winding<br />
up the annual convention here last Friday C2)<br />
is the accepted thing, yet there are still newspapers<br />
that do not provide this service to their<br />
readers. That's why we continue to have<br />
canned reviews in pressbooks. The producers<br />
and distributors are right with you and, because<br />
our interests are in so many ways<br />
closely related, one with the other, and with<br />
the press, let's all go forward together in<br />
the future, shoulder to shoulder."<br />
Sidelights<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—For the first time in the<br />
convention history of North Central Allied,<br />
people were turned away at an opening<br />
luncheon, although it was held in the spacious<br />
Nicollet hotel Minne.sota Terrace. Newspaper<br />
editors and publishers were guests at the<br />
luncheon.<br />
* * «<br />
Circuit owner Harold Field, talking to the<br />
convention on TV, pointed out that it would<br />
delay television's arrival in a community<br />
wliere there is competition for station permits<br />
and where the FCC has to hold hearings.<br />
Field also said "that Sunday, April 27, with<br />
high temperatures and lots of sunshine, wa.s<br />
the worst Sunday ever experienced by his<br />
theatres and by many of the territory's<br />
houses.<br />
• • •<br />
Jack O'Brien, Tracy, Minn., exhibitor and<br />
a director of NCA, was unable to attend the<br />
convention because he was undergoing an<br />
operation at the Mayo clinic at Rochester.<br />
Martin Lebedoff. like Mann, declined to be<br />
a candidate, and was succeeded as treasurer<br />
by James Zein.<br />
Retiring president Mann succeeded Lebedoff<br />
on the board of directors. Advisory committee<br />
members Henry J. Greene and Jack<br />
Hcywood were added to the board with the<br />
abolishment of that committee, except for<br />
A. A. Kaplan, who declined to be a director.<br />
Officers retaining their posts were: E. L.<br />
Peaslee, Stillwater, first vice-president; R. J.<br />
Risch, Appleton, .second vice-president; Jack<br />
Wright, Red Wing, secretary, and S. D. Kane,<br />
executive counsel.<br />
Directors re-elected were Joe Milnar, Spring<br />
Valley; Will Glaser, Faribault; George Granstrom,<br />
St. Paul; John E. Johnson, Deer River;<br />
Lowell Smoots, Little Falls: C. Fred Schnae.<br />
Mike Cooper, Grand Forks, N. D.;<br />
Litchfield:<br />
Gordon Aamoth, Fargo: George S. Gould,<br />
Glencoe; A. L. Anderson, Plankinton, S. D.;<br />
Ralph Green, Al Lee and E. R. Ruben. Minneapolis;<br />
Burt Par.sons, Springfield, Minn.: Jack<br />
O'Brien, Ti'acy; Cal Nygaard, Brainerd, and<br />
the officers.<br />
He sent a note saying he was with the<br />
gathering in spirit. He was re-elected to<br />
the board in absentia.<br />
* * «<br />
Bert Parsons, St. Cloud, Minn., exhibitor,<br />
told the meeting thai after he had paid a<br />
visit to the Department of Justice in Washington<br />
last February, it became easier for<br />
him to obtain desirable pictures through<br />
competitive bidding. He purchased one of<br />
the three Minne.sota Amusement Co. houses<br />
that the Paramount consent decree required<br />
the circuit to relinquish.<br />
Ted Mann, owner of the World here and<br />
other theatres, revealed that he had made<br />
such a visit also with gratifying results.<br />
• « •<br />
Cocktail parties were given for the convention<br />
crowd by Reid H. Ray Films and the<br />
Alexander Film Co. Two pictures were previewed<br />
by 20th-Fox.<br />
Exhibitors Win Watches<br />
At North Central Allied<br />
MINNEAPOLIS— Paul Snyder of Warren,<br />
Minn., and Georce Westerman of Graceville.<br />
Minn., won watches as attendance prizes at<br />
the North Central Allied convention here this<br />
week.<br />
The prizes were given by United Film<br />
Co., producers of .spot advertising films for<br />
theatres. Lowell Kaplan of Minneapolis won<br />
a toilet set; Harvey Thrope of Crosby a<br />
table lighter set and Gordon Lee a table<br />
BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952 NC 81<br />
lighter.
j<br />
Summer Hits Chicago;<br />
'Pride' Best Newcomer<br />
CHICAGO—"The Pride of St. Louis" wa^i<br />
the best of the newcomei-s, such as they were,<br />
with holdovers in a great majority of the<br />
first runs. The first wai'm weather of the<br />
year downed theatre grosses while outdoor<br />
amusements did capacity. School holidays<br />
helped matinees.<br />
(Avoroge Is 100)<br />
Corncgic— Dcod o» Night (U-l) 100<br />
Chicago—The Pride o» St. Louis (20th-Fox), plus<br />
stoge show 1 05<br />
Eitel's Palace Singin' in the Roln (MGM), 3rd wk.. 1 10<br />
Grond— Vivo 7opoto' (20th-Fox), 3rd wk 105<br />
Oriental Quo Vodis iMGM), 1 1th wk 105<br />
Roosevelt Jock ond the Beonstolk (WB); Thief of<br />
Damascus (Col) 90<br />
State-Lake — My Six Convicts (Col); Sound Off<br />
(Col), 2nd wk 90<br />
, Surf—The Mon in the White Suit (U-l), 2nd wk.. 100<br />
United Artists—The Green Glove (UA); Mutiny<br />
(UA) 90<br />
Woods Five Fingers (20th-Fox, 2nd wk 105<br />
World Ployhousc Mirocle in Miion (Burstyn), 3rd<br />
wk 105<br />
Ziegteld— Night Train to Trieste (Lopert); Passport<br />
to Pimlico (Lopert), reissues 95<br />
Percentages Wilt at 100<br />
As Minneapolis Hits 95<br />
MINNEAPOLIS— Even the newcomers, "My<br />
Six Convicts" and "Belles on Their Toes,"<br />
suffered in the unseasonably hot weather that<br />
sent people motoring and to the parks, bathing<br />
beaches and drive-ins. The highest percentage<br />
in town w'as 100 and the thermometer<br />
itself hit 95 on Sunday.<br />
Century The Grcotest Show on Earth (Pore), 3rd<br />
wk 100<br />
Gopher Young Man With Ideas (MGM) 80<br />
Lyric The African Queen (UA), 3rd wk. ...... 100<br />
Piy—The Pride of St. Louis (20fh-Fox), 2nd wk... 90<br />
Rodio City Belles on Their Toes (20fh-Fox) . . . . 95<br />
RKO Orpheum My Six Convicts (Col) 100<br />
RKO Pan—Under Age (Col); Missing Daughters<br />
(Col), reissues 80<br />
State Flaming Feather (Pora) 85<br />
World Singin' in the Rain (MGM), 4th wk 100<br />
'African Queen' Stands<br />
Out at Omaha<br />
OMAHA—The slight upsurge in boxoffice<br />
receipts following the flood took a tumble<br />
the next week, with only "The African Queen"<br />
at the State doing much to brag about. All<br />
the houses were moaning after a poor weekend.<br />
The area's first balmy Sunday found<br />
the highways loaded with trippers and yards<br />
full of gardeners. The stage show, "Good<br />
Night, Ladies," hit $12,000 in four days at<br />
the Omaha.<br />
Omaha Frankenstein (U-l); Droculo (U-l), reissues<br />
Orpheum Five Fingers (20rh-Fox); Return of the<br />
80<br />
Texan (20th-Fox) 90<br />
Paramount Something to Live For (Para) 90<br />
RKO Brandeis Retreat, Hell! (WB) 100<br />
State—The African Queen (UA) 110<br />
Town—The Wicked City (UA); Good Time Girl<br />
(UA); Man From the Block Hills (Mono) 90<br />
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Warners Turns Over Basement of<br />
In Sheboygan, Wis., for Gl Center<br />
SHEBOYGAN, WIS.—A lea.se has been<br />
signed by the Rex Theatre management and<br />
the Servicemen's center here for the use of<br />
the theatre basement for meetings of the GIs.<br />
Warner Bros, operates the theatre. The location<br />
is reported ideal for the purpose. It<br />
will be opened May 15. There is a recessed<br />
floor for dancing and the main area of the<br />
basement has proper facilities where card<br />
games and billiards can be played by the men.<br />
Other entertainment will also be held in the<br />
large space,<br />
A newspaper item announcing the opening<br />
included this quotation: "The Warner brothers<br />
are very proud of their American citizen-<br />
.ship and always are very patriotic. In keeping<br />
with the generosity that has been practiced<br />
for years by these film producers, this<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
n nd Then There Were Four," with Jimmy<br />
Stewart telling the story, has been getting<br />
rave notices particularly from suburban<br />
West Allis. The police department there uses<br />
the film on traffic offenders. Before going<br />
before the judge for the expected fine or sentence,<br />
all are forced to sit through the showing<br />
of the picture. Having seen the film they<br />
are then taken to court, where the judge<br />
takes over. "Get any good out of that motion<br />
picture?" he'll start. "Yes, your honor,"<br />
is the usual response. "Did I say anything<br />
about your license?" "You took it up already."<br />
"Well," concludes the judge, "see me next<br />
Saturday about it." For those who fail to<br />
respond to the roll call each morning, there<br />
is another angle to the approach, because His<br />
Honor can be mighty rough on the smart<br />
alecks.<br />
Those exhibitors who wish to take advantage<br />
of the sporting blood in their patrons,<br />
in addition to holding down on their<br />
expenses, can secure "Winners All" from the<br />
Milwaukee Sentinel free of charge. The film<br />
rates, too, as an excellent civic gesture, as<br />
it portrays behind-the-scenes stuff on five<br />
different derbys held last year. It can be had<br />
merely by phoning Derby Director, Daly 8-3900.<br />
Formerly of Milwaukee, Stanley Meyer is<br />
now in Hollywood, making motion pictures<br />
for television, dealing with the narcotics problem<br />
. . . Screen star Tyrone Power is slated<br />
to make a personal appearance at the Auditorium<br />
here November 25 in "John Brown's<br />
Body." Local concert manager Ray Mitchell<br />
handled the booking.<br />
Edward G. Robinson, well-known Hollywood<br />
star, came to the rescue here recently<br />
of Leo V. Gordon by putting up $8,000 bond.<br />
Gordon who appears with Robinson in the<br />
play, "Darkness at Noon," which was playing<br />
at the Davidson Theatre a week ago, was<br />
strolling down the avenue and without provocation,<br />
according to the witnesses, began<br />
fighting with one Richard Williams, Chicago.<br />
Williams received a skull fracture and is in<br />
serious condition at Columbia hospital.<br />
Rex<br />
gesture is further evidence that they like to<br />
work cooperatively with communities in which<br />
Warner Bros, have theatres."<br />
Arrangements for the use of the theatre<br />
basement were made with A. D. Kvool, Warner<br />
Theatres zone manager in Milwaukee,<br />
after consultation with the company's legal<br />
department in New York City, and the contract<br />
was signed by Leo Schuessler, manager<br />
of the Rex Theatre. There is to be no charge<br />
|<br />
for the use of the basement by the servicemen<br />
until, such time as it is found that Warner<br />
Bros, may need the basement for theatre<br />
purposes.<br />
In 1951, from May 30 to November 15, 8,000;<br />
servicemen are reported to have taken advantage<br />
of the Servicemen's center in its<br />
old quarters.<br />
Sheldon Grengs Buys<br />
Duluth Downtowner<br />
DULUTH — Sheldon Grengs, independent<br />
circuit owner, has purchased for a reported<br />
$110,000 a long-term lease and equipment of<br />
the downtown first run Granada Theatre in<br />
this city, third largest in the state with a<br />
population of 104,066.<br />
Grengs bought the 1,000-seat house from<br />
Sidney Blackmore, who has successfully operated<br />
it since its construction some 22 years<br />
ago.<br />
Grengs' purchase comes in the face of<br />
ever-increasing TV competition, which it is<br />
believed will reach this city within a year.<br />
It also came despite the fact that the buyers<br />
of two St. Paul downtown first run theatres<br />
have abandoned the houses and are trying<br />
to get the courts to compel the Minnesota<br />
Amusement Co. to take them back, rescind<br />
the deal and return the $75,000 already paid<br />
on account.<br />
Locally, the theatre which Grengs purchased<br />
is in competition with three MAC<br />
houses. Grengs also recently built a second<br />
drive-in in the LaCrosse, Wis., area near<br />
here, but still outside the TV belt.<br />
In addition to the Granada, there also<br />
have been a number of smaller theatre deals<br />
in the territory during the last six months.<br />
In all instances the theatres which have<br />
been bought were in small towns where TV<br />
has not yet reached.<br />
Installs New Reflectors<br />
COLFAX, IOWA—Jim Long, manager ofj<br />
the Star Theatre here, has installed new reflectors<br />
on his projectors.<br />
SPECIAL TRAILERS<br />
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and pockad<br />
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CHICAGO<br />
1327 S.<br />
Wabash<br />
82 BOXOFFICE May 10, 19521<br />
m
, Twin<br />
I<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Ralph Green has a per-<br />
mJt to build a new Minneapolis neighborhood<br />
theatre, but he is not going to use it. He<br />
I<br />
said the project has been abandoned "in<br />
of the developments affecting exhibi-<br />
The permit was obtained by Green<br />
I<br />
only after a hard fight more than two years<br />
' ago. Then it was held up by the freeze on<br />
building materials luid theatre construction.<br />
How conditions locally have changed in<br />
I<br />
I that time is graphically illustrated by this<br />
i<br />
'<br />
I<br />
view<br />
I<br />
tion."<br />
I<br />
I<br />
I<br />
and<br />
'<br />
, Omaha<br />
\ OMAHA—Oscar<br />
'<br />
i<br />
street<br />
'<br />
Weiner<br />
I<br />
I<br />
pants<br />
;<br />
The<br />
I<br />
: runs<br />
; Pilmrow.<br />
'<br />
1<br />
ply<br />
[<br />
-Amusement<br />
I<br />
nounced<br />
I<br />
theatre<br />
'<br />
I<br />
I George<br />
1 Danico,<br />
]<br />
busine.ss<br />
j<br />
in<br />
1 BOXOFFICE<br />
. . Edward<br />
. . Ted<br />
Ralph Green Shelves<br />
Cily Project<br />
I<br />
case. When Green and his associates pur-<br />
1 chased the property as a site for the new<br />
'<br />
theati-e, it was the city council's policy not<br />
1<br />
to allow any more local showhouse construction<br />
on the grounds the city already<br />
was overseated and additional theatres<br />
would lower entertainment standards.<br />
f<br />
t North Central Allied vigorously opposed<br />
\<br />
the granting of a permit to Green and its<br />
representatives appeared at public hearings<br />
1 held by the city council license committee<br />
to voice objections. Green, however, enlisted<br />
1 support from labor unions and residents of<br />
the area where the theatre was to be built<br />
he finally won out.<br />
Asked if he is going to build now that the<br />
green light has been given to such projects.<br />
Green said the project has been permanently<br />
shelved "because of what television is doing<br />
to exhibition in Minneapolis." He also announced<br />
he is gradually relinquishing all of<br />
his theatre holdings and is engaged in other<br />
I<br />
lines of business.<br />
"I've torn up the permits. If a wanted a<br />
neighborhood or suburban theatre I could<br />
buy almost any of the existing ones here and<br />
at a bargain price, too."<br />
Oscar Hanson Will Build<br />
Row Structures<br />
W. Hanson, former operator<br />
of Theatre Booking Service, has purchased<br />
property at the northeast corner of 14th<br />
\<br />
and Capitol avenue from William M.<br />
for an indicated price of $65,000. Depending<br />
on the leases he can obtain, Hanson<br />
said he plans to build three one-story commercial<br />
buildings.<br />
There has been some talk one of the occumight<br />
be the Paramount exchange.<br />
present Paramount quarters are in the<br />
* area which has been designated for the new<br />
city auditorium. The property, 66 feet wide,<br />
through to Davenport street, center of<br />
It includes a one-story building<br />
formerly occupied by the Weiner Tire & Sup-<br />
Co. The purchase is subject to a $50,000<br />
I first mortgage.<br />
Davenport, Iowa. Drive-In<br />
Sold to Illinois Men<br />
DAVENPORT, IOWA—The Bel-Air Drivein<br />
has been sold to the newly organized F&D<br />
Corp. of Iowa. The sale was anby<br />
Fred Danico, manager of the<br />
which has been owned by the Bel-<br />
Air Drive-ln Theatre Corp. The new owners<br />
are James J. Finoglio of Oglesby, 111., and<br />
V. Dinelli of Peru, 111. A succe.ssor to<br />
j<br />
who is planning to enter a different<br />
field in Chicago, will be named. The<br />
Bel-Air is a 700-car theatre and was opened<br />
1947.<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
T\"n I'ulmquist has resigned from Reid H,<br />
Ray Films to Join the Monogram sales<br />
staff. He wa.s with Monogram once before<br />
. . . Republic<br />
is cutting down its local .sales<br />
staff, resulting in the departure of George<br />
Murphy, its newest member . Mann,<br />
retiring NCA president, and Harry B. French,<br />
Minne.sota Amusement Co. president, were In<br />
Los Angeles visiting the MGM studio as two<br />
of the company's 100 exhibitor guests . . .<br />
Local exchanges have been notified by the<br />
Rib Lake, Wis., theatre that it is shuttering<br />
because of high taxes. The hou.se seats 400<br />
and the town of 1,000 will be without any film<br />
entertainment in con.sequence.<br />
Pretrial depositions were taken in the suit<br />
brought by Montgomery, Rydeen, et al,<br />
against the Minnesota Amusement Co. to<br />
have their purchase of the St. Paul downtown<br />
A Strand and Tower theatres rescinded<br />
and the $75,000 already paid on the $150,000<br />
purchase price refunded .<br />
Kintop,<br />
manager of the MAC Arion, local neighborhood<br />
house, was transferred to the Lyric,<br />
Duluth. No succes.sor has been appointed<br />
yet . . . MGM exploiteer Louis Orlove was<br />
in from Milwaukee to plug "Quo Vadis" in<br />
the territory. He has been notified by his<br />
company tliat world premiere of a short.<br />
"Gymnastic Rhythms," which has to do with<br />
the performances of a Swedish girls gymnastic<br />
team is scheduled for the Twin cities,<br />
one of the country's largest Scandinavian<br />
communities.<br />
Paramount booker George Engleking is<br />
spending his vacation painting his home . . .<br />
MGM is planning a big campaign here for<br />
its Pete Smith short, "Mealtime Magic,"<br />
which recently had its world premiere in<br />
Eau Claire, Wis., where the Presto cookers,<br />
which it concerns, are manufactured. A number<br />
of the cookers will be given away to<br />
theatre patrons. Owners of the factory are<br />
Minneapolitans . . . S. D. Kane, North Central<br />
Allied executive counsel, said his 11 -year-old<br />
DON'T WAIT<br />
dauglUcr Kathleen was badly injured when<br />
struck by an automobile. At this writing<br />
her condition still was critical.<br />
Two holdup mi-n who robbed the St. Paul<br />
Mounds, Independent neighborhood house, of<br />
$29 last March and were spotted by police<br />
as they ran from the showhouse pleaded<br />
guilty to first degree robbery and were sentenced<br />
in Ramsay county district court to<br />
five to 40 years in prl-son . . Actor George<br />
.<br />
Murphy flew from here to Denver to addre.ss<br />
an Allied States meeting there.<br />
Transfer Larry Stewart<br />
To MAC House in Huron<br />
MADISON, S. D. — Larry "Pearshape"<br />
Stewart, who had been manager of the State<br />
Theatre for three and one-half years, was<br />
transferred to Huron, where he will manage<br />
the Huron, also a Minne.sota Amu.sement Co.<br />
situation. Woodrow Praught. district manager<br />
for the company in Sioux Falls, made the<br />
transfer.<br />
During Stewart's tenure, the State was reconditioned<br />
and redecorated throughout, with<br />
a newly arranged lobby, new front, air conditioning<br />
added and auditorium repairs. His<br />
move to the larger theatre was a promotion.<br />
Reel Fellows Plan Dance<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—The Reel Fellows club of<br />
film sales manager and salesmen will hold<br />
its annual dinner dance and revue at the<br />
Hotel Nicollet May 16. The affair will be the<br />
most elaborate in the organization's history.<br />
Tickets are $6 per person.<br />
Shutter Bobbins for Summer<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—The Robbins in suburban<br />
Robbinsdale has been closed for the summer.<br />
Volk Bros, also operates the new $500,000.<br />
1,200-seat Terrace in Robbinsdale.<br />
Till Your Projector Breaks Down.<br />
Have It Overhauled Now in Our Modern<br />
Repair<br />
Shop.<br />
We Supply Loan Equipment Free of Charge.<br />
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />
1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa<br />
:<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952<br />
83<br />
P
'<br />
'<br />
OMAHA<br />
Zt D. Goldberg, head of Goldberg Theatres,<br />
was in Hollywood as one of a group of<br />
industry leaders invited by MGM to visit the<br />
studio and view new pictiu-es . . . Big Jim<br />
Morton. Cleveland, who spent 35 of his 68<br />
years behind bars, was in Omaha to boost<br />
the coming Brandeis attraction, "My Six Convicts,"<br />
and planned to go on to Lincoln to<br />
visit Warden H. H. Hann at the state penitentiary.<br />
Morton's visit was timely in that<br />
Al Johnson, 23, a few days later confessed in<br />
a Topelta, Kas., church to an $835 banlc robbery<br />
at Hoyt, Kas., four years ago, boosting<br />
interest in the Brandeis billing.<br />
Joe Jacobs. Columbia manager, announced<br />
the exchange was back in first place in the<br />
Around-the-World sales drive. Omaha has<br />
been first twice before in competition with<br />
Des Moines, New Haven, Albany and Portland.<br />
Jacobs attended a Nebraska exhibitors<br />
meeting in Lincoln last week . . . Jim Schlatter,<br />
Town Theatre manager, reported two weekend<br />
midnight shows packed 'em to the rafters . . .<br />
Aldo Ray, at the Brandeis to plug "The<br />
Marrying Kind," rated heavy publicity in the<br />
press . . . Pat Halloran, 20th-Fox salesman,<br />
spoke on the motion picture industry before<br />
the state convention of the Nebraska Federation<br />
of Women's clubs at the Fontenelle hotel.<br />
When Max McCoy, 20th-Fox salesman, finally<br />
ran down A. J. Anderson, exhibitor at<br />
Exeter, Neb., he found the showman laying<br />
Unoleum for free in the basement of the<br />
Methodist church . . . Bill Laird, RKO office<br />
manager-booker, took part of his vacation last<br />
week . . . Max Rosenblatt, RKO manager,<br />
his office fifth place in<br />
Depinet drive which ends June 26.<br />
reported<br />
Ned<br />
was in the<br />
Fred Fejfar, MGM salesman who was laid<br />
up recently with a sinus infection, is back on<br />
the office sick list . . . Rich Wilson, MGM<br />
salesman, finally got his boat-painting job<br />
finished and gave his new outboard engine a<br />
tryout at Carter lake . . Johnny Jones flew<br />
over the flooded Missouri river area in a<br />
friend's Stinsou plane.<br />
Iz Sokoloff of National Screen Service reported<br />
a hangup meeting on his return from<br />
the Variety Club national convention at Las<br />
Vegas. Other Nebraskans present were Myer<br />
Stern and Eddie Shafton, Omaha tent representatives,<br />
Mrs. Esther Green of Omaha, Ann<br />
Schrieber, Wisner, and Georgia Rasely. O'Neill<br />
. . . Mrs. Evelyn Cannon, MGM office manager,<br />
says her husband Mike is doing an excellent<br />
job of painting their house—and<br />
himself.<br />
Among exhibitors visiting Filmrow were<br />
Paul Ti-amp, Oxford; Bob Krueger. Sioux<br />
City; Don Campbell. Central City, back after<br />
an illness; Mi-s. Alfred Haals, Red Oak; Reggie<br />
Gannon, Schuyler; Phil Lannon, West<br />
Point, and Frank Cook, David City.<br />
Benefit for Red Cross<br />
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA—The Council<br />
Bluffs Drive-In held a benefit showing for<br />
the Pottawattamie county chapter of the Red<br />
Cross. All proceeds from the regular Friday<br />
night show were turned over to the Red<br />
Cross. In addition, girls in Red Cross uniforms<br />
were present at the theatre soliciting<br />
contributions.<br />
^ARilNISTPLAU,.<br />
PUTTING ON STEAM—Joe H. Jacobs, Omaha Columbia manager, and members<br />
of his staff posed in front of an impressive booking booth while the Omaha office had<br />
possession of the Rube Jackter trophy for first place in Group 6 of Columbia's date<br />
drive. On top of the booth is an electric marquee sign furnished through the courtesy<br />
of Glenn SUpper. National Theatre Supply manager. Left to right: Paul Fine and Ed<br />
Cohen, home office representatives, office manager John Trude, Jacobs and salesman<br />
Marty Grassgreen. The Omaha office held the trophy for two two-week periods.<br />
Ray Mellenberndt Sells<br />
Theatre in Wakonda, S. D.<br />
WAKONDA, S. D.—"Willie" Wetland of<br />
Vermillion has purchased the Wakonda Theatre<br />
from Ray Mellenberndt and taken possession.<br />
The latter, who bought the situation<br />
two years ago. improved the property to make<br />
it as good as any in the territory and exhibited<br />
first-run product. The Mellenberndts<br />
expected to move to Rock Rapids about the<br />
first of May and he will manage the Rapids<br />
Theatre. He sponsored many community<br />
events here.<br />
Weiland is not a stranger to Wakonda and<br />
has been employed as a mechanic here. He<br />
is a World War II veteran and was recently<br />
discharged after having been called back into<br />
service.<br />
Interest in Deadwood<br />
DEADWOOD, S. D.—Although no local<br />
person apparently is interested in rebuilding<br />
the Deadwood Theatre, which recently was<br />
destroyed by fire, the city council said it has<br />
received inquiry from an outsider on whether<br />
a permit would be granted for such a project.<br />
Tlie council declined to give any of the<br />
particulars.<br />
Bob Holdridge to Build<br />
SHENANDOAH, IOWA — Bob Holdridge<br />
plans to open a drive-in on Highway 2 west<br />
of Shenandoah. Holdridge said he purchased<br />
15 acres of land on the Malloy farm for the<br />
theatre. Construction is expected to get under<br />
way at once.<br />
Honor Miskell Daughter<br />
OMAHA—Barbara Ann Miskell, 13, daughter<br />
of Tristates District Manager William<br />
Miskell, has been awarded a scholarship to<br />
Duchesne school for girls.<br />
DES MOINES<br />
. . .<br />
. . Mr. and Mrs. Johr<br />
T eon Mendelsohn, Warner manager, anc<br />
salesmen Bert Thomas, Stanley Soderberg<br />
and Norman Holt returned from meet-i<br />
ings in Chicago Helen Knop, Warnersj<br />
was on a two-week vacation which she if<br />
spending at home .<br />
Shultz, owners of the State in State Center<br />
are giving free admittance to one show ti<br />
the local person whose name appears at th(;<br />
top of their weekly theatre advertisement ir,<br />
the State Center Enterprise.<br />
. . Free<br />
Most of Universal's office force<br />
I<br />
attendee'<br />
the May 3 wedding of Bernice Dykstra, cashier,<br />
and Glen Erickson at Grandviev<br />
Lutheran church. Peggy Paschall, former<br />
Universal stenographer, sang at the ceremony.<br />
Bernice will return to her duties a<br />
the exchange after a honeymoon .<br />
Shader, Columbia home office,<br />
was here las<br />
week working on publicity for the picture "MJ .<br />
Six Convicts" , . . Iz Weiner. Universal Omahij I<br />
manager, was a guest in the local exchange.<br />
Drive-in theatres continue to bow: Thi<br />
Star-Vu Theatre in Panora opened May . . 2<br />
The Corral in Storm Lake had a May 6 opening<br />
with 4-H boys and girls handling th(<br />
.<br />
ticket sales. All proceeds of the evening wen'<br />
to the 4-H clubs of Buena Vista county .<br />
The Ti-i-States LeClaire Theatre in Molini<br />
has closed . . Robert Flauher, new manager<br />
.<br />
of the Strand and drive-in theatres foiu<br />
Central States in Mason City, has films a.*|<br />
his avocation as well as his vocation. Botl<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Flauher are interested in homi<br />
films and shoot 8mm. They do their owi<br />
editing and titling of films.<br />
Republic was without the services of Man<br />
ager Paul Webster recently while he re<br />
cuperated from three-day measles . . . Joanni<br />
Hoffman, Republic, spent last weekend ii<br />
Omaha.<br />
84 BOXOFFICE May 10, 195:
. Legion<br />
',<br />
CLEVELAND—In<br />
I<br />
Legion<br />
I<br />
any<br />
j'<br />
What<br />
:<br />
peared<br />
I<br />
mainder<br />
I one<br />
I<br />
i<br />
book—or<br />
I<br />
dramatic<br />
i<br />
then<br />
I<br />
Pen Portrait of Small-Town Exhibitor<br />
Leon Robbe's Success Is Founded on Sincere Interest in Life in Rural Area<br />
DETROIT—Friendly personalized operation<br />
of 8 theatre is an essential policy in the<br />
conduct of a small-town house, as demonstrated<br />
by Leon Robbe, owner of the 320-seat<br />
Elsie Theatre at Elsie, Mich.<br />
A midstate town of about 1,400. which doubled<br />
In population in the past decade or so,<br />
located in Shiawassee county, Elsie is a<br />
friendly little center with dairy and oil refinery<br />
interests in the center of a generally<br />
prosperous rural ai-ea. Many of the families<br />
have lived in that vicinity for generations, so<br />
that there is a deep sense of community kinship<br />
as they have frequently intermarried.<br />
However, there are other strains present to<br />
maintain the sectional vigor. A sizable group<br />
of Polish settlers came into the area thi-ee<br />
generations ago, and today their descendants<br />
support a Polish Catholic church.<br />
Robbe came into the community four years<br />
ago to take over the newly built theatre<br />
when the health of the owner, C. M. Hovey,<br />
failed. The house, of attractive modernistic<br />
design, is a good example of small-town postwar<br />
theatre construction, located a few doors<br />
away from the main intersection of the town.<br />
Since his aiTival. Robbe has built a niche<br />
for himself in the community, with the<br />
obvious liking and respect of the people as a<br />
whole. For a while he operated the Family<br />
Drive-In at St. Johns, some 15 miles away,<br />
but disposed of this to concentrate entirely on<br />
the operation of the Elsie.<br />
Robbe has been a showman for years, but<br />
this is his first real theatre venture. For<br />
some time he operated a traveling circuit of<br />
merchant-sponsored free shows in various<br />
communities in central Michigan, and came<br />
to know the people and the problems of<br />
the exhibitor from the "oppo.sltlon" side.<br />
Probably es.sential to hi.s background is the<br />
fact that he comes from a farm family and<br />
understands rural and small town people. He<br />
knows how to meet with them, to find subjects<br />
of common Interest in casual discussions<br />
on the street or in the lobby.<br />
The Elsie today is a family activity. Robbe<br />
himself is usually on duty during .show hours,<br />
as most small-town exhibitors try to be.<br />
Mrs. Robbe assists in the operation of the<br />
house, and their 11-year-old son Ronnie runs<br />
the popcorn machine and sells his product<br />
three nights a week.<br />
Ronnie Robbe's activity may be considered<br />
typical of the small-town approach. He has<br />
a definitely useful and economically rewarding<br />
activity—but not enough to cut too seriously<br />
into his normal amount of free time<br />
for play and other activities, nor to interfere<br />
with school work. Ronnie also operates<br />
a 1-cent candy vender in the lobby, and, in<br />
season, has a popcorn concession at the local<br />
ball park. Ronnie practically grew up in<br />
show business: his father cai-ried him in one<br />
ai-m while he was busy selling tickets and<br />
handling show operation at the age of three<br />
months.<br />
Leon Robbe does his own buying and booking<br />
of films, keeping in close touch with the<br />
comparative merits of product—as applicable<br />
to the needs of his own situation. He is<br />
thoroughly aware of significant trade developments,<br />
through close attention to the tradepapers.<br />
He comes to the film exchange center<br />
at Detroit once a month to handle all<br />
his booking problems. The trip is always<br />
made on a Thursday, which is usually one<br />
of the off days of the week at the theatre.<br />
so that Interference with business Is at a<br />
minimum. Knowing the pictures that are<br />
coming to the house, he Is able to mention<br />
casually to patron.s the features In each<br />
which will appeal to them Individually, something<br />
he could only learn through knowing<br />
his patronage per.sonally.<br />
The house has tried stage .shows, since the<br />
house Ls equipped with a sizable stage. The<br />
appointments in the Elsie are generally of<br />
high quality, and an iaspection of the hou.se<br />
shows that standards of operation are kept<br />
up. A small group of western artists, from<br />
radio .stations at Saginaw or St. Louis (Mich.)<br />
has been u.sed, and the idea .seemed to go<br />
over very well the first time. Robbe does<br />
not feel that repeat engagements of this type<br />
prove too profitable.<br />
Normally, the house operates on three<br />
changes a week, giving patrons a wide .selection<br />
of available films on a double bill policy.<br />
Advance programs are widely distributed<br />
tluough the usual available channels, and<br />
display advertising in nearby community<br />
papers and other appropriate local advertising<br />
are used.<br />
Bank night is a feature of every Tuesday<br />
night at Elsie. This has become an institution,<br />
so well accepted that the people<br />
turn out for it, regardle.ss of whether there<br />
is any sizable sum in the bank or not.<br />
The Elsie Theatre, utilizing a fine, if small,<br />
phy.sical plant, adequately maintained, has<br />
combined individualized booking and a<br />
friendly interest in his patron-s under Robbe's<br />
tutelage into a well-established community<br />
The area has television—but he is<br />
institution.<br />
not worrying unduly—the people still go to<br />
the show.<br />
^Cleveland Critic Blasts<br />
Picket Threat<br />
j<br />
answer to the American<br />
pronouncement that it would picket<br />
theati-e presenting on its screen an actor<br />
or actress on its black list for being Comi<br />
munist or Communist sympathizers, W. Ward<br />
^ Marsh, Plain Dealer film critic, asks:<br />
Communist influence has ever apon<br />
the motion picture screen—since<br />
the days when Hollywood, as well as the reof<br />
America, considered Russia a<br />
f<br />
( friend . . .<br />
?"<br />
I<br />
In particular. Marsh makes a case for Larry<br />
Parks about whom he says: "If there ever was<br />
a guy I'd stake my political shirt on its is<br />
Larry Parks." Commenting on the fact that<br />
Parks'<br />
t<br />
"confession of error" got him nowhere<br />
with the public, he asks, "Why doesn't somedrag<br />
up former Ambassador Davies'<br />
"Mission to Moscow" for his stand—and War-<br />
I ner Bros, for making the picture from that<br />
i<br />
remember Samuel Goldwyn for<br />
North Star" or MGM for "Song of Russia"?<br />
"I hope," says Marsh, "that Eric Johnston<br />
and the Legion can work out something less<br />
than picketing theatres. If not.<br />
maybe the theatres would like to picket<br />
I those few remaining Legion posts which do<br />
not look upon the slot machines as a violaf<br />
of the law? I<br />
tion<br />
Anyway you look at it, Hol-<br />
lywood doesn't merit this threatened disaster<br />
from the Legion.<br />
New Chief for Local 5. AFM<br />
DETROIT—Eduard Werner, acting president<br />
of the Detroit Local 5, American Federation<br />
of Musicians, was elected president<br />
for a two-year term. Werner formerly was<br />
director of the Michigan Theatre orchestra.<br />
Other new officers: George Clancy, elected<br />
secretary for his 20th year; Jack Cooper, vicepresident,<br />
and Howard "Hud" Green, former<br />
assistant business agent, upped to treasurer.<br />
Elected directors were Andrew Izzo, Art<br />
Black, Arthur "Buddy" Fields, Russ Weaver.<br />
Carl Austin. Jack Weick, and Bob Turner, all<br />
for terms of two years. Jack Ferentz, former<br />
president and now assistant to national<br />
President James C. Petrillo, flew in Wednesday<br />
(23> to swear in the new officers.<br />
Reject New B'uilding Code<br />
MANSFIELD, OHIO — Richland county<br />
commissioners recently rejected a propo.sed<br />
new building code prepared by the county<br />
engineer. The vote came with only one more<br />
public hearing on the proposed code to have<br />
been held.<br />
Wind Smashes Drive-In Screen<br />
CROOKSVILLE, OHIO—A miniature<br />
tornado<br />
smashed the screen of the Starlite Drive-<br />
In at Six Mile Furnace near here, operated by<br />
Dorman Law, The heavy windstorm struck<br />
Easter Sunday.<br />
One-Night Stage Show<br />
Draws 8.500 at Detroit<br />
DETROIT—A tryout of a one-night stage<br />
show policy drew 8,500 people to the Pox<br />
Theatre Sunday night. The attraction was<br />
"The Biggest Show of 1952," starring Frankie<br />
Laine and Patti Page, with a scale running<br />
S1.80 to $3.60, compared to the normal 95-cent<br />
admission at this house. All seats were reserved.<br />
The house drew a capacity of 5,100 for the<br />
first performance, but only 3,400 for the<br />
second show. Drop was attributed by David<br />
M. Idzal, manager, to the late starting hour<br />
9:30 p. m., which proved too late for Detroit's<br />
showgoing habits on Sunday night.<br />
Employe Is Injured in Fall<br />
YOUNGSTOWN—Thomas Koker. 15, anemploye<br />
at the North Side Drive-In Theatre,<br />
suffered cuts on his face when he fell ten<br />
feet to the ground from a platform while<br />
changing a sign.<br />
Altec Sound in Memorial<br />
DETROIT— Altec is installing a new Altec-<br />
Lansing sound reinforcing system in the new<br />
Allen County War Memorial auditorium at<br />
Fort Wayne, Ind., seating 8.000 people, according<br />
to Fred C. Dickely. Altec manager.<br />
ji BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952<br />
ME<br />
85
. . Judd<br />
. . The<br />
. . Dorothe<br />
. . Ralph<br />
. . Henry<br />
. . Paul<br />
CLEVELAND<br />
pine weather put the world on wheels over<br />
the weekend and the exhibitors report new<br />
all-time low grosses . . . Sam Galanty. Columbia<br />
district manager, was in town on the<br />
usual business of selling circuits . . Rudy<br />
.<br />
Norton, former Paramount salesman and in<br />
recent years an independent theatre circuit<br />
owner, is now down to one theatre, the<br />
Princess in Wauseon. Effective May 1, he<br />
sold his Ohio Theatre at Kenton to his competitor.<br />
Carl Coffee, owner of the Kenton<br />
Theatre . Spiegle, representative for<br />
Classic Pictures in the Cleveland and Cincinnati<br />
territories, is releasing "Chained for<br />
Life," an exploitation picture st-arring the Hilton<br />
sisters of stage fame, who will maice personal<br />
appearances with the picture. Spiegle<br />
also handles "Teen Age" and "Youth Aflame."<br />
Leo Gottlieb, Lippert manager, has set first<br />
runs on two of his pictures. "Valley of the<br />
Eagles" opened May 9 at the Hippodrome in<br />
Cleveland and "Navajo" opens day and date<br />
May 28 in three Modern Theatres houses, the<br />
Mayland. Cleveland; Vine, Willoughby, and<br />
Berea, Berea . . . Jaclc Gertz of Jacic L. Gertz<br />
Enterprises and Howard Reif of Modern Theatres<br />
were in Louisville for the Kentucky<br />
Derby . . . Jimmy Shulman, son of Jacic Shulman,<br />
owner of the Lexington and other theatres<br />
in and near Cleveland, left by plane for<br />
a five-weelc automobile tour of Europe.<br />
. . .<br />
Two situations in this territory have been<br />
scratched from the theatre directory. The<br />
Stork Theatre, Cleveland, and the Forest<br />
Theatre, Forest, have been dismantled<br />
H. C. Lance notified exchanges that the Diana<br />
Theatre, Rittman, will close as of May 28 . . .<br />
Just to make things more complicated, parking<br />
meters have been erected on Payne avenue<br />
between East 23rd and 24th streets, right<br />
in the heart of Filmrow . Logan,<br />
who came here a couple of weeks ago to join<br />
the Warner booking department, couldn't<br />
find a place to live so she has gone back<br />
to her home town, Detroit.<br />
Frank Porozinslii of the New Victory and<br />
Garfield theatres and a couple of crates of<br />
oranges arrived simultaneously from his Florida<br />
orange grove . Mrs. Hyman Kaplan,<br />
whose death was reported in last week's BOX-<br />
OFFICE, w^as not the wife of the former<br />
owner of the Southern Theatre. The latter is<br />
convalescing after an operation.<br />
U.S. defense needs your copper drippings.<br />
WANT TO IMPROVE<br />
YOUR THEATRE BUSINESS?<br />
THEATRE MARQUEES<br />
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DESIGNERS .. ENGINEERS .. MANUFACTURERS<br />
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"for Oyer a Quarter Century"<br />
Visitors on Filmrow last week were more<br />
plentiful than usual. Among them were Fied<br />
Falcone, Belvedere Drive-In, Painesville; Ed<br />
Modi, State Theatre. Bainesville; Joe Robins<br />
and Paul Ellis, Warren; Bernard Dobbins,<br />
manager of Slavik's Capitol, Mount Gilead;<br />
John Matty, Mary Jane, Amherst, and the<br />
Ritz, Huron; EUie Staup, Capitol, Dephos;<br />
Jack Gutilla and his father, Roxy Theatre,<br />
DeGraf ; Frank Slavik of Middlefield, Tiltonsville<br />
and Louisville, and Blair Russell, Millersburg.<br />
Paul Ellis of the Robins circuit is just over<br />
Eugene Rosenbluth.<br />
a pneumonia spell . . .<br />
ex-e.xhibitor, is back from a Florida winter . . .<br />
Howard Roth, Paramount office manager, and<br />
Mrs. Roth leave May 10 for their annual trek<br />
to Texas to vacation with their families . . .<br />
Word has just reached here that Sid Cooper,<br />
until recently local United Artists manager,<br />
now UA manager in New Haven, has a brand<br />
new daughter named Susan Lee . . . Oliver<br />
Theatre Supply Co. has been named theatre<br />
distributor for Plastic Plants, Inc., manufacturers<br />
of indoor plastic garden and lobby<br />
flower boxes.<br />
Jimmy Ochs, youngest son of the Herb<br />
Ochses, has completed his marine boot training<br />
at Parris Island and, after a short leave<br />
at home, reports to the intelligence department<br />
of the marine air base at Cherry Point,<br />
N. C. . . . Lieut. Harry Welsh, son-in-law of<br />
the Ochs family and stationed in Puerto<br />
Rico, is on three months tour of duty in<br />
Europe . Coburn has leased the<br />
Shoreway Theatre from R. E. Young and has<br />
installed a National Theatre Supply orangeade<br />
dispenser . McCavitt, former assistant<br />
manager at the Palace here, has been<br />
appointed manager of the Falls Theatre, Cuyahoga<br />
Palls, a Washington circuit house.<br />
Joe Leavitt, projectionist and father of<br />
Sanford Leavitt of the Washington circuit,<br />
was operated on Friday (2) at Mount Sinai<br />
Eddie Miller, former manager<br />
hospital . . .<br />
of the Hippodrome, last reported ill at Lawson<br />
General hospital in Chamblee, Ga., has<br />
been discharged from the hospital and rejoined<br />
his father in St. Petersburg . . . Mary<br />
Simmons, in private life the wife of RKO<br />
manager Jack Bernstein, while waiting for a<br />
summons to New York to audition for the<br />
Metropolitan Opera, signed a contract to<br />
sing with the Cleveland Symphony in the<br />
fall. This will be her second appearance<br />
Ted Barker, Loew's<br />
with the orchestra . . .<br />
Theatres publicity director, who went into<br />
St. Vincent's Charity hospital for a checkup,<br />
learned he has the chronic industry ailment<br />
—an ulcer—and is on the usual uninteresting<br />
diet.<br />
When in Loew's State Theatre, ask EMvision<br />
Manager Frank Murphy to show you the<br />
new picture of his son Mike . . . The Al<br />
Sunshines of Advanads and the Oscar Rubys<br />
of Columbia retiu'ned the first of the week<br />
from the Variety convention in Las Vegas . .<br />
Bill Stahl celebrated his first year in Cleveland<br />
as National Theatre Supply salesman<br />
May 1 . . Nat Wolf, Warner Ohio zone manager,<br />
.<br />
has completely recovered from an eye<br />
ailment that has bothered him since the first<br />
of the year . Greenberger, Community<br />
circuit official, is back at his deck following<br />
a minor operation.<br />
Cleveland Sub Runs<br />
Balk on Percentage<br />
CLEVELAND—Exhibitors in the Cleveland<br />
exchange area are in unanimous agreement"<br />
that theatre patrons are becoming \'<br />
increasingly<br />
selective; that they are giving the"<br />
average picture the brushoff and are supporting<br />
only the unusual productions. Specifically<br />
they point to "David and Bathsheba,"<br />
i<br />
"Quo Vadis," "The Greatest Show on Earth" i<br />
and "The Detective Story" as among the few<br />
]<br />
productions that have done business at the I<br />
boxoffice within the past year. A result of<br />
this selectivity, it is pointed out, is that the<br />
patron, the theatre owner and the industry<br />
as a whole depend upon pictures of outstanding<br />
boxoffice drawing power not only for profit<br />
but for survival.<br />
"The African Queen," a United Artists release,<br />
is one of the features that has proven<br />
boxoffice power; it is a picture that the<br />
exhibitors need to bolster los.ses on average<br />
pictures and one that the industry needs to<br />
maintain its public relations status.<br />
"The African Queen" played a successful<br />
four-week downtown first run in Cleveland.<br />
It was then offered to all subsequent runs right<br />
down the line, on a straight percentage basis.<br />
This is allegedly only the second picture on<br />
general release to be sold under this policy<br />
The other one was "Battle-<br />
in this territory.<br />
ground." Most Cleveland sub-subsequent run<br />
exhibitors, it is reliably learned, have declined<br />
to go along with this policy although they<br />
believe that in so doing the public is being<br />
deprived of seeing one of the outstanding<br />
present day pictures.<br />
To break the deadlock, one of the leading<br />
Cleveland theatre owners offered to accept<br />
all of the United Artists terms provided he<br />
was guaranteed 25 per cent profit of the<br />
film rental paid to United Artists but the<br />
offer was rejected.<br />
Big Springtime Display<br />
Has Hearts and Posies<br />
Bill Trambukis, manager of the Regent in<br />
Harrisburg, Pa., had a giant "springtime" display<br />
in the lobby to herald coming attractions.<br />
Decorated with trellises and flowers, the display<br />
featured a heart cutout for each liooking,<br />
with star heads in the center of each heart.<br />
The cutouts were suspended from sprigs of<br />
flowers to provide movement, and light<br />
springtime music and love songs were played<br />
over a concealed public address system.<br />
Hold 'Singin' in Rain' Contest<br />
COLUMBUS—Nine local Ross Cleaner<br />
stores and Loew's Ohio Theatre staged a tune<br />
sentence contest for the engagement of "Sinin'<br />
in the Rain" at the theatre. Some 40<br />
prizes were awarded. Prizes included gifts<br />
of the Ross water-repellent process and guest<br />
tickets to the theatre.<br />
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86 BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952
THEY'RE<br />
COMING<br />
FROM<br />
ALL<br />
OVER<br />
to the<br />
CONVENTION<br />
INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS OF OHIO<br />
HOTEL HOLLENDEN<br />
CLEVELAND<br />
<strong>MAY</strong> 20-21<br />
CLIP and MAIL<br />
Your Reservation<br />
NOW<br />
THE INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS OF OHIO<br />
HDQTS: HOTEL HOLLENDEN <strong>MAY</strong> 19, 20 and 21, 1952<br />
Circle<br />
ROOM ACOMMODATIONS Desired:<br />
Single $4.50, $5, $6, $7, M<br />
Double Bed $7, S7.50, $8, $9, $10<br />
Twin Beds $9, $10, $11, $12, $14<br />
Parlor, Bedroom $18, up<br />
Parlor, 2 Bedrooms $30, up<br />
Nome<br />
Address ...<br />
NOTl: If no rooms are available in your selected rate brocket, next<br />
higher rate will prevail.<br />
Dofe of Arrivoi.. Time..<br />
BOXOFTICE :: May 10, 1952 87
. . Aldo<br />
. . Ray<br />
. . John<br />
. . The<br />
.100<br />
Michigan Flesh ond Fury (U-l); The Cimarron<br />
Kid (U-l)<br />
. lOOt<br />
Polms-State The Bottle at Apache Poss (U-l),<br />
Fighting Rots of Tobruk (U-l) 95<br />
United Artists Singin' in the Rain (MGM),<br />
3rd wk<br />
90<br />
Censors in Detroit Cut<br />
"Deadline' Proves Lifeline<br />
To Cleveland First Runs<br />
j<br />
Only 75 Feet of Film<br />
CLEVELANI>—"Deadline—U.S.A." was the!<br />
DETROIT—Detroit censors, under the direction<br />
of Inspector Herbert W. Case and<br />
only picture downtown that made a show-<br />
ing. It hit a satisfactory 125 per cent. Competition<br />
was at a minimum because of hold-<br />
Lieut. Howai-d Stewart, found only 75 feet of<br />
|<br />
objectionable film to slash out of 418,000 feet<br />
overs at four of the other f ir.st runs. "Greatest<br />
reviewed during April. Total .snipping was<br />
Show" closed its run in its sixth week on<br />
a marked drop from the record high of 7,000<br />
a fair note. "The Lion and the Hor.se" hit!<br />
feet taken out in March. One cut only was<br />
average while most of the others fell below.<br />
ordered, in a film by an independent American<br />
company. Most eliminations have usually<br />
Weather; fine.<br />
Allen The Lion and the Horse (WB) 100<br />
been in foreign films in recent months.<br />
Hippodrome Deadline— U.S.A. (20th-Fox) 125<br />
Footage reviewed in April included 315,000 Lower Mall Lady Possessed (Rep) 100<br />
I<br />
Palace Flesh ond Fury (U-l) 85<br />
feet of English, 89,000 of Mexican and 14,000 Ohio Sailor Beware (Para), 5th wk 90!<br />
of Arabian. The censors also made 27 personal<br />
visits and inspections of theatre fronts 6th wk 75<br />
State Singin' in the Rain (MGM), 2nd wk 85<br />
;<br />
Stillman — The Greatest Show on Earth (Para),<br />
and ordered one objectionable front altered. Tower With a Song in My Heart (20th-Fox),<br />
3rd d. t. wk 80<br />
Has Two 25-Year Employes<br />
Cincinnati Business Bad<br />
^<br />
AKRON—The Palace, which last week observed<br />
its 26th birthday, has two employes CINCINNATI—Business was under that of<br />
But "Fingers' Holds Over<br />
who have been with the house more than 25 the previous few weeks, with only two of the<br />
years. They are Hal Claflin, Cuyahoga Falls, downtowners reaching par. "Five Fingers"<br />
who has served that entire period as house was moved to the Lyric for a second week,<br />
electrician, and Bill Kappel, who came to the however. Very warm weather prevailed.<br />
Palace as assistant stage manager six months Albee Five Fingers (20fh-Fox) 95<br />
after the theatre opened. He is now stage Capitol The Pride of St. Louis (20th-Fox) 100<br />
Grand Love Is Better Thon Ever (MGM); Young<br />
manager. Claflin is 61 and Kappel is 66.<br />
Man With Ideas (MGM) 105<br />
Keith's Flaming Feother (Para) 85<br />
Lyric The Narrow Morgin (RKO); The Poce That<br />
Thrills (RKO), 4 days; King Solomon's Mines<br />
(MGM); The Devil's Doorway (MGM) 90<br />
Palace Scandal Sheet (Col) 90<br />
Order Surprise Closing<br />
For Cinema Art House<br />
DETROIT—The surprise closing of the<br />
Cinema, first run art house for a decade, was<br />
ordered Monday by the Martin Cinema Corp.,<br />
headed by Sam Baker, which had run the<br />
back extending below<br />
house. Neil Tailing, Cinema manager, was In<br />
!<br />
the dark as to the future plans, indicating the ;<br />
possibility that the house may be remodeled,<br />
1<br />
or reopened in the fall. It is understood that<br />
the lease has some time still to run.<br />
The Cinema has suffered competition from<br />
three suburban art houses in the past two<br />
months.<br />
the finest, soundest<br />
UCP Re-Elects Earl Hudson<br />
DETROIT—Earl J. Hudson, president of<br />
|<br />
United Detroit Theatres, has been re-elected<br />
president of the United Cerebral Palsy Ass'n<br />
of Michigan. Recognized as a national leader<br />
|<br />
ERNIE FORBES THEATRE SUPPLY<br />
in this important field of charitable work,<br />
214 West Montcalm Blvd.<br />
Hudson has devoted much of his time in re-<br />
J Detroit, Michigan WOodward 1-1122<br />
j<br />
\<br />
|<br />
DETROIT<br />
Dud Sampson, MGM salesman, has bought<br />
a new home on Lenox avenue—moving<br />
back to his old neighborhood .<br />
ely, Altec chief, headed lo<br />
. .<br />
Fort<br />
Fi-ed Dick-<br />
Wayne on<br />
business Doyle and Bob Seelcy of<br />
Altec displayed their prowess as moving engineer<br />
when the firm went into new quarters<br />
Ray is due here for a personal<br />
appearance in connection with ""nie Man-ying<br />
Kind" Sklar. pai-Lner in the<br />
National Theatre with Saul Korman, now has<br />
his offices in the Bankers Equitable building.<br />
Sol Kiim is back from a quick buying trip<br />
to New York, checking product for his art<br />
. . Jack Broder returned<br />
policy at the Krim .<br />
to town en route west. His mother is still<br />
seriously ill here . . . Construction is reported<br />
well under way on the new M53 Drivein<br />
at Bad Axe to be managed by Joseph<br />
Kitchen and run by the Ashmim and Kitchen<br />
interests . . . L. D. Rederstorf. who recently<br />
sold the Sun at Stanton to Ru.s.sell Gates,<br />
has bought the Red and White grocery there<br />
from George Bisbee.<br />
Ben Wachnansy is arranging a special celebration<br />
for Nick George's tenth anniversary<br />
in show business . . . Jack Saxe of Monogram<br />
moved to his Belle River cottage.<br />
Sydney Bowman, Ed Blgley and Don Martin<br />
of UA journeyed to Grand Rapids to attend<br />
the farewell dinner for Walter J. Norris<br />
Frank J. Dow'ney, Lou Marks, Jack<br />
. . . Rider, Bud Sampson and Charles Dietz are<br />
going to Cincinnati for the MGM sales meet<br />
May 12-14 ... J. Marke has closed the Civic<br />
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at Romulus . Grande in Delray, recently<br />
closed by Community Theatres, is reported<br />
reopened by parties unknown.<br />
. . . Ray<br />
Bill Hurlbut is back from his quick west<br />
coiust trek for a Monogram meet<br />
Schreiber of Midwest circuit wi.shes business<br />
would improve like the weather . . . Frank<br />
J. Downey, MGM manager, Dillon M. Krepps,<br />
United Artists Theatre manager, and Neil<br />
Tailing, retired manager of the Cinema, were<br />
representatives of the industry at the Detroit<br />
Motion Picture council meeting on Friday.<br />
Dick Osgood, radio commentator on<br />
show business, talked on "The Responsibility<br />
of the Critic to the Public."<br />
Detroit Grosses Fall<br />
As Top Hits Die Out<br />
'<br />
DETROIT—Local grosses continue very unsatisfactory.<br />
The extended runs of the roadshows<br />
and more recent top Easter bookings<br />
are now approaching an end. Spring weather<br />
also proved effective opposition.<br />
(Avcroge Is 100)<br />
j<br />
Adams—Quo Vadis (MGM), 9fh wk 901'<br />
Cincmo Mon of Aran (Classics); Edge of the<br />
World (Clossics) 60 •<br />
Fox With o Song in My Heart (20th-Fox);<br />
The Bushwhackers (Rcolort), 3rd wk<br />
Madison The Greatest Show on Earth (Para),<br />
lOth wk<br />
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88 BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952 Ijl
I gales<br />
BOWLING<br />
DETROIT—United Artists took the finalhalf<br />
title in the Film Bowling league by two<br />
points, to become co-champions for 1951-52<br />
season with Republic, winners of the first<br />
half. The final standings:<br />
Team Won Lost Teom Won Lost<br />
ilA ... 34 22 Monogram ... 27 29<br />
Republic 32 24 Allied 23 33<br />
Thcotricol .30 26 RKO 22 34<br />
Team high three-game scores of the season<br />
were: UA 1.971. RKO 1,891. Monogram 1,871.<br />
Singles: UA 731, RKO 709, Allied 684.<br />
Individual high .scores: Stanley Malinowski<br />
596. Lou Metzger 584, Walter Goryl 577; for<br />
singles: Jack Zide 243, Malinowski 239, Eai-1<br />
England 232, Art Koskie 232.<br />
Individual averages for the season:<br />
Group 1—Walter Goryl 167. Lou Metzger<br />
166, Stanley Malinowski 160. Eai'l England<br />
159, Arthur Koskie 159. Jack Zide 155.<br />
Group 2—Fred Sturgess 156, Sidney Golos<br />
156, Bert Holmes 154, Bill Kozaren 154, Dave<br />
Kaplan 153, Harvey Thombley 151.<br />
Group 3—Robert Buermele 148, Eddie Loye<br />
147, Jack Haynes 146. Stanley Baran 144,<br />
Ralph Forman 143, Jake Sullivaii 142, Jack<br />
Saxe 142, Arthur Thombley 138.<br />
Group 4—Harry BaJk 138. Irving Katcher<br />
133, Jim Beck 132, Mickey Zide 131.<br />
Miscellaneous—Cliff Perry 144, Ernie Forbes<br />
jr. 110, Lou Mark 107.<br />
DETROIT—Lorenzens Flowers won an easy<br />
first in the Nightingales Bowling league for<br />
the season, with final team standings:<br />
Teom Won Lost Teom Won Lost<br />
Lorenicn 76 36 NTS 55 57<br />
McArthur 63 49 Amuse. Supply .49 63<br />
Not'l Corbon ..63 50 Altec 46 66<br />
Locol 199 57 55 Forbes 40 72<br />
Jack Lindenthal was captain of the winning<br />
team for the second year in a row; only<br />
last season it was the National Carbon outfit<br />
which he headed.<br />
The 27th year of bowling for the Nightinwas<br />
wound up with some good scores<br />
rolled—Roy Thompson 211-211-215 (637), Calvin<br />
CoUard 213 i554), Jack Colwell 192-194<br />
(5381 Carl Larsen 199 (529), Gilbert Light 202<br />
(5281, Jack Lindenthal 192 (509), Carl<br />
Mingione 190 (520), Joe Foresta 195, and<br />
Eddie Waddell 209.<br />
Special feature to close the season, following<br />
the winning of the William Kramer<br />
trophy by 401 pins from Cleveland Local 160<br />
was the award of the Gutter cup to the<br />
indefatigable secretary of the Nightingales,<br />
Floyd H. Akins, in recognition of his achievements<br />
during the season.<br />
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Allied of Mich. Protests<br />
Hike in Postal Rates<br />
DETROIT — Formal protest against the<br />
.scheduled increase in postal rates on third<br />
class matter, to be effective July 1. Is being<br />
made by Allied Theatres of Michigan. Executive<br />
Secretai-y Ernest T. Conlon is directing<br />
the protest to Rep. Gerald Ford of Michigan,<br />
pointing out that it will work a direct hardship<br />
upon patrons of small-town and rural<br />
theatres.<br />
Circularization of rural mail routes in the<br />
vicinity of a theatre, to a radius of about 25<br />
to 50 miles, depending on local conditions, is<br />
widespread, but with the increa.'^e to one<br />
and one-half cent-s per piece, this would probably<br />
become prohibitive for exhibitors. The<br />
i-esult. Conlon said, "may deny residents of<br />
rural routes and others from being informed<br />
as to entertainment programs established for<br />
their enjoyment."<br />
Conlon proposes an amendment to the regulations<br />
which would establish a rate of one<br />
cent per piece up to 100 miles, pointing out<br />
that third class matter mailed greater distances<br />
involves extra handling costs, but that<br />
his protest is directed to cover cases where<br />
all the mailing matter involved Ls distributed<br />
from one postoffice to rural routes.<br />
Allied's board, scheduled to meet here May<br />
14, is expected to set the annual convention<br />
dates at that time. Opinion within the organization<br />
is divided between setting the<br />
state meeting before or after the national<br />
gathering.<br />
Talent Search Being Held<br />
By Dayton Keith Again<br />
DAYTON—Elimination rounds in a talent<br />
search for radio and television are being conducted<br />
at the Keith's Dayton again this year<br />
with winners to receive cash prizes and radio<br />
and TV contracts with the WLW stations.<br />
Dayton winners will be given merchandise<br />
prizes by the theatre.<br />
A Dayton group has taken an option on a<br />
two-acre site for construction of an art center,<br />
to include a theatre and tea room. The site<br />
is on Dorothy Lane, between Route 25 and<br />
Springboro pike. Harry Griffith, Dayton<br />
architect, is drawing plans for the center.<br />
Ypsilanti Airer Opened<br />
YPSILANTI, MICH.—Roger R»binson held<br />
a gala opening for the Ypsi-Ann Drive-In this<br />
season with a double feature bill and free<br />
souvenirs.<br />
New Offices for ALTEC<br />
DETROIT—Altec Service is moving to<br />
larger quarters at 719 Fox Theatre building<br />
here. Fred C. Dlckely Is the manager.<br />
Use Strand for Benefit Drive<br />
AKRON—The Strand Theatre was tnken<br />
over by the Children's haspital on two Saturdays.<br />
May 3 and May 10, and invitations<br />
were mailed out to all young.sters who made<br />
donations to the hospital. "The Lion and *hc<br />
Horse" was shown May 3, and "Mara Maru"<br />
May 10.<br />
More Tickets Sold in 1950<br />
The number of tickets sold for motion pictures<br />
in Amsterdam in 1951 was 13,357,913<br />
compared with 13,739,469 in 1950.<br />
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L
0///e Brooks, Butterfield Circuit<br />
Employe for 28 Years, Retires<br />
DETROIT—J.<br />
Oliver Brooks, widely known<br />
in the Michigan film business as OUie. retired<br />
Friday i2> after 28 years with the Butterfield<br />
Theatres circuit as a key executive<br />
of Michigan's biggest chain. A charter member<br />
of Detroit Variety Tent 5. he has established<br />
a wide ciirle of friends.<br />
His lengthy history in show business, going<br />
back to the turn of the century, covers<br />
a wide range of activities. He started at the<br />
age of 18 as U-easurer of the International<br />
Theatre at Niagara Falls, N. Y., moving on<br />
to Utica in a smiliar capacity with the Majestic,<br />
a legitimate house.<br />
He next opened the new Jefferson Theatre<br />
at Auburn for the famed Tliomas Mott Osborne,<br />
penologist, and managed tJiis legitimate<br />
theatre. Next stop was at Syracuse,<br />
where he was company manager for a dramatic<br />
stock company at the Weiting Opera<br />
House. Returning to Utica. he managed the<br />
Majestic for seven years.<br />
He then went to Rochester, where he managed<br />
the Ontario Beach Park for a year for<br />
the New York Central railroad, going back<br />
to Utica to open the Lumberg Theatre, a<br />
vaudeville house, as manager. A year later,<br />
he went with the Lewis J. Morton Opera<br />
companies, associated with the Shubert interests,<br />
as general manager in charge of<br />
musical stock companies in several eastern<br />
cities. He returned to Albany to open the<br />
Albany Grand, a vaudeville house, then back<br />
to the Morton Co. to manage companies<br />
which he took to the West Indies, Central<br />
and South America, and a year with the<br />
Gentry Brothers circus advance crew.<br />
In between he was advance man with the<br />
first Edi.son "talking" pictures working out<br />
of New York with the company that played<br />
the Asbury Park. N. J., area; bought one of<br />
the first roadshow pictures for the Ohio territory,<br />
"The Inside of the White Slave Traffic":<br />
took out "Les Miserables"—roadshowed at<br />
$1.50—in Ohio and Pennsylvania for Mannie<br />
Mandelbaum of Cleveland; was advance man<br />
for "Neptune's Daughter" and then "Quo<br />
Vadis" roadshows in the Pennsylvania territory.<br />
He switched to selling film for Paramount<br />
in Pittsburgh, then owned independently by<br />
James Steele, and was transferred to Detroit<br />
when Paramount bought the local exchange<br />
about 1915 from George W. Trendle and the<br />
late John Kunsky cKing). becoming Paramount's<br />
first branch manager here. Brooks<br />
switched to the 20th-Fox sales staff and took<br />
charge of the Detroit Opera House on the<br />
Campus when Fox leased that house for a<br />
time. Going into the army, he was successively<br />
in charge of Liberty Theatres at Camp<br />
Sherman. Ohio, and Camp Custer, Mich.,<br />
with the rank of captain, in World War I.<br />
After discharge. Brooks worked for MGM<br />
and United Artists, handling roadshows, and<br />
then for Fox as a special representative for<br />
a year. Wanting to settle in Detroit, he<br />
moved to Universal as a salesman, and then<br />
was sent to New York as assistant to Jules<br />
Levy, then a-ssistant eastern sales manager.<br />
July 5, 1924, he made his final switch, to<br />
Butterfield Theatres, becoming head booker<br />
in charge of legitimate road-shows, vaudeville<br />
and motion picture bookings for over 100 theatres.<br />
Tlu-ee years ago he gave up booking<br />
responsibilities to become director of public<br />
relations for the circuit. His position will be<br />
taken over by Walter J. Norris, former city<br />
manager at Grand Rapids.<br />
OUie Brooks will make his home at the<br />
summer cottage he has owned for a number<br />
of years at Belle River, Ont., about 20 miles<br />
from Detroit. He plans to divide his time<br />
between there and Florida with Mrs. Brooks.<br />
They have no children.<br />
Freak Florida Wind Lifts<br />
Drive-In Theatre Screen<br />
CLEWISTON, FLA.—A freak wind which<br />
was limited to a small area and is supposed<br />
to be part of the storm which wrought havoc<br />
in Arkansas and Tennessee, lifted the outdoor<br />
screen under construction at the Sugarlan<br />
Theatre and laid it flat on the ground. Workmen<br />
on the job had climbed down at noon<br />
and were eating a short distance away. When<br />
they returned at 1 o'clock they found it lying<br />
flat down.<br />
The supporting posts had been lifted by the<br />
force of the wind from the five-foot holes.<br />
There was no evidence of force except that the<br />
screen was horizontal on the ground instead<br />
of perpendicular. T. E. Markette, owner, said<br />
the loss is completely covered by insurance.<br />
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May 15 to July 1.<br />
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />
BOXOFFICE:<br />
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The MODERN THEATRE Section).<br />
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THEATRE
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BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952 91
j<br />
Special Art Policy Lifts<br />
Neighborhoods Out of Rut<br />
Studio, Coronet and Center in<br />
Detroit Saved From<br />
Probable Closings by Well-Exploited Bookings<br />
DETROIT—A coordinated effort to present<br />
special attractions thiat will draw a definite,<br />
if limited, audience, backed by a well-planned<br />
cooperative exploitation effort is currently<br />
rescuing three Detroit neighborhood theatres<br />
from a probably permanent shuttering. The<br />
Studio, Center and Coronet, built within the<br />
last two months into a genuine little circuit<br />
of art film houses for the first time in the<br />
history of this area, have worked up business<br />
to the point where total grosses, as well<br />
as the film rental tm-ned over to the distributors,<br />
will stand comparison with major first<br />
run houses.<br />
ABOUT THREE DOZEN DARK<br />
Detroit, with boxoffice business at new lows<br />
in a town periodically accustomed to depression,<br />
has about three dozen closed houses,<br />
mostly the small-to-medium sized neighborhood<br />
theatres. A similar fate has been overtaking<br />
the marginal houses for yeai's, since<br />
the early postwar boom dropped off in 1947.<br />
But a developing experiment showed there<br />
was another possibility.<br />
The 800-seat Colony on the far east side<br />
w'as closed about two years ago by the former<br />
owner, and some time later was taken<br />
over by Albert Dezel and William Flemion,<br />
given some extensive facelifting, and reopened<br />
as the Coronet with an art-film policy at 80<br />
cents admission.<br />
In May 1951, the northwest section Dox<br />
Theatre was closed by the owner, and, like<br />
the Coronet earlier, this 400-seater seemed<br />
doomed. Edward L. Shulman, together with<br />
Dezel and Flemion, took it over, spending<br />
about $10,000 on remodeling, including reseating,<br />
and reopened it as the Studio under<br />
a similar policy. Some day-and-date bookings<br />
were tried with the two houses on an<br />
experimental basis from time to time, enough<br />
to show the merit in the idea, but it was not<br />
made a steady policy yet.<br />
SPARKPLUGS IDEA<br />
Dezel, an experienced distributor himself,<br />
acted as the sparkplug of the idea, and convinced<br />
a shrewd veteran exhibitor, Alex<br />
Schreiber, head of Associated Theatres, to<br />
put the 800-seat Center into the new art circuit.<br />
A few months before, Schreiber had<br />
dismantled the Norwood, located right across<br />
the street w-hen the Center was not prospering<br />
under a standard picture policy, despite<br />
its favorable situation on the main street in<br />
the midtown business and shopping area of<br />
the city, with excellent transportation from<br />
all directions, and only three miles from the<br />
downtown district. Schreiber, flying in from<br />
California to handle local business interests<br />
about two months ago, frankly told the<br />
writer that he was trying the art film policy<br />
as "a last resort" before being forced to close<br />
the house.<br />
The cooperative experiment started February<br />
14 on a modest scale with "Kon-Tiki"<br />
which played two weeks on a third run basis<br />
after a first run at the Cinema and a second<br />
run at thiee scattered neighborhood houses.<br />
One of the second runs was the Punch and<br />
Judy, which chai'ged its usual 70-cent admission,<br />
while the Coronet, only two miles<br />
away, brought the film back for a subsequent<br />
run a month later at the 80-cent figure, compared<br />
to the normal 60-cent charge for third<br />
run houses in this city. The successful outcome<br />
of this engagement presented some<br />
solid evidence that price is not the determining<br />
factor in a theatre engagement here.<br />
"Caesar and Cleopatra," booked in as a<br />
reissue, was the next to play the circuit, and<br />
results convinced the organizers that the<br />
policy was successful enough to make a bid<br />
for first run product.<br />
"La Ronde" was next, and it completed a<br />
three-week run. Handicapped by not too<br />
favorable reviews and publicity treatment,<br />
this film turned in a combined gross of $14,-<br />
000 for the run, and netted the distributors<br />
a film rental of $5,500, figures frankly in excess<br />
of the average weekly gross for downtown<br />
first runs, excluding the two largest<br />
houses, during the past year. For an art<br />
film to draw business like this, and from<br />
neighborhood houses, is close to unprecedented.<br />
OFFER 2,000 SEATS<br />
Such bookings usually have been restricted<br />
to the 460-seat capacity of the first run Cinema<br />
in the past. The combined houses offer<br />
2,000 seats, a capacity larger than that of the<br />
Madison or Adams and equivalent to the<br />
United Artists among major first runs. They<br />
also are offering a closer location to the<br />
average patron's home, and ample on-street<br />
parking facilities, contrasted to the poor parking<br />
lot conditions downtown.<br />
Prices were raised to 95 cents, the same as<br />
charged by the standard first runs. No complaints<br />
were received from the Studio or<br />
Coronet patronage, and only a few at the<br />
Center, wiilch went up from 50 cents, while<br />
catering to a mixed clientele, including residents<br />
of many apartment and rooming<br />
houses in the vicinity. None of the complaints<br />
on the increase were serious.<br />
The Center runs a continuous policy, noon<br />
to midnight, while the Coronet and Studio<br />
run three a night, with a late show on Saturday<br />
and a Saturday matinee. The single<br />
bill policy makes possible this extra show at<br />
the latter houses.<br />
Programming is carefully selected, with<br />
the shorts booked to fit the feature. Most<br />
shorts have been specially bought in New<br />
York, rather than from the usual local exchange<br />
stock. The shorts are balanced to the<br />
main features. Typically, "Geometry" was<br />
shown with "Rasho-Mon." "Concert Hall<br />
Favorites" also was used.<br />
Currently playing is "Rasho-Mon," set for<br />
two weeks; followed by "Les Miserables," two<br />
weeks; "The Mill on the Po," "Oh Ameha,"<br />
"Anna" with the same cast as "Bitter Rice,"<br />
and the Ingrid Bergman film tentatively titled:<br />
"Europe 1951."<br />
A close-knit organization to make this a<br />
functioning group is the key to the present<br />
success of this "circuit." Working together<br />
on the project are Dezel, Shulman and Flemion;<br />
Max Gealer, supervisor of the A.ssociated<br />
Tlieatres interests; William Clark of Clark<br />
Theatre Service, who handles the booking,<br />
and Harold C. Berg, in charge of exploitation.<br />
A well-integrated promotional program under<br />
Berg's direction is undoubtedly the one<br />
practical factor making this policy click. This<br />
has included a wide range of media, selected<br />
to match each picture. Because of the wide<br />
range of film subject matter and presentation,<br />
each one has presented a new field of<br />
special appeal to a new audience.<br />
Maihng lists are used—a carefully selected<br />
list of 10,000 names receives a neat four-page<br />
mailing piece on each attraction, timed to<br />
arrive about four days ahead of opening.<br />
Earlier the Studio and Coronet built up lists<br />
of 3,500 and 4,500 names, respectively. The<br />
Center started a month ahead to build a list<br />
and secured 2,000 names. Registration cards<br />
are placed in the lobbies, and a trailer is run:<br />
at each house, inviting patrons to leave their^<br />
name and address.<br />
TRAILERS IN ALL THREE<br />
Screen trailers are used on all coming at'<br />
tractions, naming all three theatres, so that<br />
all benefit from the total promotion.<br />
The art houses are spending money for<br />
promotion like a first run. The budget on<br />
"Kon-Tiki" was about $1,000; on "Caesar and<br />
Cleopatra," $1,200; "La Ronde," including preopening<br />
and first two weeks. $2,000, and "Les^<br />
Miserables," $1,500. The direct mailing tol<br />
the regular lists costs about $300 each time.<br />
Special tieups are worked out like those<br />
planned by an exploitation-minded downtown<br />
house manager. For "Rasho-Mon," typically,<br />
a tieup with an overseas airline was made,<br />
promoting flights to Japan. Two window displays<br />
with special art posters, about 40x60'<br />
inches, of scenes from the picture, were placed<br />
in the airlines window at a point of high<br />
downtown traffic with the names of the three<br />
theatres prominently displayed.<br />
A high-class art house type of operation is<br />
being maintained. Dezel and Schreiber personally<br />
visited every art house in New York<br />
City to study operation there, and have re-'<br />
vamped operating policies to conform. Popcorn<br />
was banned, for instance. However, the<br />
houses do continue to operate the candy<br />
stands, as is done in similar houses else-,<br />
where. Lighting and sound were improved,'<br />
and ventilation is closely checked to main-><br />
tain a pleasing general house atmosphere for<br />
the class of clientele developed.<br />
WORK ON CLUBS<br />
Special contacts were made with women's<br />
clubs and other organizations and with<br />
church groups, to make the new house policies<br />
known to them, and the result was to bring<br />
back to the theatre some people who had<br />
not been to a motion picture show in years.<br />
Paradoxically, it has apparently been harder<br />
to sell the distributors than the public, until<br />
the totals of a few grosses like the $5,500<br />
film rental for "La Ronde" were on paper,<br />
since the idea of selling art films to a group<br />
of neighborhoods on a first run basis was at<br />
first glance surprising. These theatres, working<br />
together, have managed to bring art films<br />
into approximately the same class for potential<br />
business as the average standard first<br />
run, and keep their own doors profitably open<br />
at the same time.<br />
<<br />
92 BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952
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Charles E. Smith Dies;<br />
Execufive for WMT<br />
SPRINGFIELD—P e r s n n e 1 misfortune<br />
struck the Paramount Theatre twice within<br />
six weeks when Charles E. Smith of Holyoke.<br />
general manager for Western Massachusetts<br />
Theatres and acting manager of the Paramount,<br />
suffered a fatal attack in Pittsfield.<br />
At tiie time of his death, he was filling<br />
in at Paramount for Edward A. Smith, who<br />
recently went to the Springfield hospital after<br />
suffering a near-fatal heai-t attack. The latter<br />
will not be able to resume his duties<br />
for a long time.<br />
Charles Smith, who w^as 54, started his<br />
theatre career as an usher, and had been<br />
with the Samuel Goldstein enterprises for<br />
most of his professional career. He wa-s politically<br />
active in this area and leaves his wife<br />
and a daughter.<br />
More Video Stations<br />
Seen Long Way Off<br />
BOSTON—While the FCC has authorized<br />
five new TV channels for this city, a considerable<br />
amount of red tape must be unsnarled<br />
before a new station gets on the air, according<br />
to a spokesman for one of the major TV<br />
companies. The addition of even one new TV<br />
channel here is a long way off. he added.<br />
After July 1, the deadline for station apphcation,<br />
the FCC will begin hearings on the<br />
cases of more than 2,000 expected applicants.<br />
First to be heard will be those from communities<br />
without TV facilities, next those in<br />
one-channel areas, and so forth. Massachusetts<br />
cities, such as Springfield and<br />
Worcester, therefore, could have a station<br />
of their own before a new channel is opened<br />
in Boston. Additional delay is anticipated<br />
because of the FCC's lack of manpower in<br />
handling the paper work involved, and from<br />
court cases which may result in battles over<br />
a given channel. Even with these problems<br />
out of the way, the business of construction<br />
still remains to be launched which brings up<br />
the question of shortages in materials needed.<br />
Those in the know hazard the optimistic<br />
guess that Boston will have one more channel<br />
some time in 1954. Others feel that we<br />
may have to be content with our two present<br />
channels for the next three to four years.<br />
Ronald Reagan to Speak<br />
At Hartford Symposium<br />
HARTFORD—Ronald Reagan, president of<br />
Screen Actors Guild, has confirmed arrangements<br />
to attend the second Hartford<br />
Times motion picture industry symposium<br />
June 4 at Times Tower atop Talcott mountain,<br />
Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion<br />
Ass'n of America, will be the keynote<br />
speaker, with guests representing Massachuand<br />
Connecticut newspapers,<br />
Several top executives of the film industry<br />
are to attend from both New York and Los<br />
I<br />
Angeles.<br />
[<br />
main objective of the day-long sessions<br />
I will be discussion of the common ailments of<br />
I the motion picture industry as related to the<br />
newspaper field.<br />
The<br />
, initial symposium, held February 5 at<br />
the Hartford club, was attended by some 20<br />
circuit executives and representatives of<br />
MPAA and COMPO. The session, praised by<br />
executives, has been duplicated in key cities.<br />
Sam Horenstein Marks 25 Years<br />
With Manley, and 65th Birthday<br />
BOSTON—Sam Horen.stein, Mauley district<br />
miuiagtr in New England, celebrated his 65th<br />
birthday and 25 years<br />
with the Manley cornpan<br />
y simultaneously<br />
April 15. Manley, Inc..<br />
presented him an automatic<br />
.shock-protected<br />
wrist watch .suitably<br />
engraved.<br />
Horenstein wa-s born<br />
in Poland and came to<br />
this country when he<br />
was 8 years old. .settling<br />
with his parents<br />
in New Bedford. At<br />
Sam Horenstein the age of 14 he got a<br />
job as a bobbin boy with the Acushnet Mills,<br />
receiving $3.48 a week for working from 6:30<br />
a. m. to 6:30 p. m. .six days a week. He<br />
augmented this salary by selling newspapers<br />
and shining shoes after hours. Later he<br />
entered the dry goods business where he<br />
remained until he wa-s 25.<br />
Be became associated with Manley purely<br />
by chance. Answering an ad in a national<br />
magazine, he w'as hired as a salesman for<br />
Manley in the eastern territory, working out<br />
of New Bedford. The popcorn busine.ss was<br />
then in its infancy and there were many<br />
discouraging weeks of unrewarding work. But<br />
he believed in his product and decided the<br />
Manley machine was the finest popping<br />
machine on the market. His enthusiasm won<br />
Boston Rain Shrinks<br />
All But 'White Suit'<br />
BOSTON—The .second w^eek of "The Man<br />
in the White Suit" was the individually highest<br />
gro.sser in town in a week of almost continuous<br />
rain which did not help tlie boxoffice.<br />
Equaling its first week, the British<br />
film w'ill stay several stanzas. "With a Song<br />
in My Heart" and "Singin' in the Rain" continue<br />
strong in their holdovers,<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Astor With a Song in My Heort (20th-Fox), 3rd<br />
wk 120<br />
Beacon Hill The River (UA), 4th wk 80<br />
Boston Sound Off (Col); Stormbound (Rep).... 100<br />
Exeter Street The Man in the White Suit (U-l),<br />
2nd wk 150<br />
Majestic Never Take No for on Answer<br />
(Souvoine), 3rd wk 75<br />
Memorial Deadline— U.S.A. (20th-Fox); Whispering<br />
Smith vs. Scotland Yord (RKO) 90<br />
Metropolitan When in Rome (MGM); Love Is<br />
Better Than Ever (MGM) 100<br />
Orpheum Singin' in the Rain (MGM), 3rd wk...l00<br />
Paramount ond Fenway Return of the Texan<br />
(20th-Fox); Hong Kong (Poro) 100<br />
Stote Whistling in Dixie (MGM), Whistling in the<br />
Dork (MGM), reissues 70<br />
'Singin' in Rain' Hits 180<br />
In Second Hctrlford Week<br />
HARTFORD—"Singin' in the Rain" was the<br />
g;lty's brightest news in weeks, doing 180<br />
per cent in a second week at the Palace.<br />
Allyn Fort Osage (Mono); Aladdin and His Lamp<br />
(Mono) 80<br />
E. M. Loow Sound Off (Col); Thief of Domoscus<br />
(Col), 2nd wk 110<br />
Poll Belles on Their Toes (20th-Fox); Troin of<br />
Events (Fine Arts) 120<br />
Palace Singin' in the Rain (MGM), 2nd wk 180<br />
Regal The Africon Queen (UA), 3rd wk 115<br />
Strond The Green Glove (UA). The Lion and the<br />
Horse (WB) 90<br />
him many friends and new easterners. In<br />
1946 he was named district manager for<br />
New England and moved hLs headquarters<br />
from New Bedford to 45 Church St. In the<br />
heart of the film district, where he ha.s<br />
enlarged his staff and his offices. Today<br />
he estimates that seven out of every ten<br />
popcorn machines In New England are Manleys.<br />
He has built up the Manley bu.slness In<br />
thLs ten-ltory at Indoor theatres, drive-las,<br />
amusement parks, drug stores, supermarkets,<br />
racetracks, ballparks and is now entering a<br />
new group of users, parochial and public<br />
.schools and churches.<br />
It is not unusual to discover District Manager<br />
Horenstein behind the counter at the<br />
opening night of a new drive-in theatre,<br />
busily popping corn, dispensing It In boxes<br />
and cheerfully selling It to the customers.<br />
He believes in the personal training of clerks<br />
hired to dispense his product for the most<br />
efficient operation.<br />
In 1946 Sam and his wife moved to Waltham.<br />
where he entered into community affairs.<br />
He is a member of the board of directors<br />
of the Waltham Family Service, a subsidiai-y<br />
of the Community Chest. He belongs<br />
to the Variety Club of New England and the<br />
Zionists organization. He has three sons<br />
Milton, a salesman in Los Angeles; Irving,<br />
who is associated with him in the popcorn<br />
business, and Robert, a .sergeant In the air<br />
force.<br />
Fall River Theatres<br />
Hurt by Bus Strike<br />
FALL RIVER—Theatres in cities such as<br />
Fall River where travel is stalemated by a<br />
bus strike are excellent places in which to<br />
rest tired and aching feet and let tempers<br />
cool off. A few days ago tw'o irate and annoyed<br />
women stepped into the Empire Theatre<br />
to rest, physically and mentally, after a<br />
run-in with a clerk in a nearby shoe store.<br />
This city has been in the throes of a bus<br />
strike for eight weeks, with no form of public<br />
transportation coming in from the .suburbs.<br />
Needless to say that business and entertainment<br />
spots are taking their share of lost<br />
patronage. One theatre, the Capitol,<br />
closed its doors for the duration of<br />
strike.<br />
The two women had walked from<br />
has<br />
the<br />
the<br />
east end to the center of the city to shop.<br />
One. tempted by a shoe display in a center<br />
store, stopped in with the intention of<br />
securing a new pair when she recognized<br />
a clerk as a former bus driver who is on<br />
strike.<br />
"You are forcing me to walk by your<br />
strike." she told the surprised young man. "but<br />
I'll be d . if I'll wear the shoes you're<br />
selling to do it in." she told him. With a<br />
few more epithets spoken in a loud voice, she<br />
and her companion departed. They sought<br />
solace and comfort at the nearby EUnplre<br />
Theatre,<br />
Your help opprcciotcd—run the Ccrcbrol Polsy<br />
troJIor. Available from May 15 to July 1.<br />
:: May 10, 1952<br />
NE<br />
93<br />
f
. . Tony<br />
. . Mrs.<br />
. . Jim<br />
. . The<br />
. .<br />
.<br />
W >i /? 7 f O R D Irving Hillman Wins FALL RIVER<br />
Toe Mansfield, UA exploitation man, was in<br />
town working with Bob Howell of the<br />
Warner Theatres on "The Green Glove" .<br />
Ray Title has resigned as manager of E. M.<br />
Barbara Moore<br />
Loew's Hartford Drive-In . . .<br />
has resigned as cashier at the E. M. Loew's . . .<br />
Jim McCarthy, Strand manager, was vacationing<br />
in Miami Beach . Totman of<br />
the Warner circuit was called to Philadelphia<br />
by the death of a brother-in-law.<br />
.<br />
. . . Some<br />
.<br />
The Al Schuinans of the Hartford circuit<br />
returned home from a two-month stay in<br />
Miami . . Harry Feinstein was in from New<br />
Haven on Warner circuit business<br />
3,000 children were guests of Loew's Poll and<br />
a group of businessmen at a stage and ..creen<br />
performance, arranged by Tom Carey of<br />
Carey Theatrical Enterprises. Harry Foster<br />
Welch, as Popeye, was the stage headliner<br />
L. J. Calvocoressci, father of John Calvocoressci<br />
of the Community Amusement circuit,<br />
died in New York. He was a retired<br />
importer and president of the Hellenic Orthodox<br />
cathedral. New York.<br />
The two Lockwood-Gordon hou.ses. the<br />
Plaza and Webb, ran daily matinees during<br />
school vacation week . Joe Dolgin is<br />
in charge of a hat contest slated for the May<br />
28 meeting of the Old Peoples Home of<br />
Hartford . Boscardine is running $1<br />
Family night programs on Thursday nights<br />
at the Colonial, Canaan . Harry F.<br />
Shaws of Loew's Poll circuit are on a vacation<br />
cruise . . . Mrs. Russ Grant, wife of<br />
Loew's Theatres home office publicist, gave<br />
birth to a baby daughter in New York. Russ<br />
was formerly assistant manager at the Palace.<br />
Arnold Van Lear, Paramount exploiteer, was<br />
back on the job, following an illness . . . Lou<br />
Brown and Lee Rosenberg of Loew's Poli circuit<br />
were around town.<br />
SPECIAL TRAILERS<br />
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and packed wilh StU-MANSHIP is whof<br />
you aJwayt got from r«/iob(e<br />
CHICAGO<br />
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Waboth<br />
iJII.'ifA^!!<br />
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Sweepstakes Prize<br />
BOSTON—Pour quarterly winners were announced<br />
in the Warner Theatres monthly<br />
Sweepstake drive. They are:<br />
Yankee handicap,<br />
Irving Hillman, manager<br />
of the Roger<br />
Sherman Theatre, New<br />
Haven, first. He w'on<br />
monthly sweepstakes<br />
prizes in January and<br />
February. Second place<br />
went to Andy Sette of<br />
the Capitol, Springfield.<br />
Special awards<br />
went to Jim McCarthy,<br />
Strand, Hartford, and<br />
to Murray Howard, the<br />
Warner at Worcester, Irving Hillman<br />
for outstanding campaigns.<br />
Honorable mention was given to Jim<br />
Tobin, Warner at Bridgeport, and to Ben<br />
Gruber, Broadway at Lawrence.<br />
Rainbow cla.ssic—Jack Melincoff. Palace.<br />
Lawrence, and Jack Harvey, Palace, Danbury<br />
tied for fir..t. Tliere also was a tie for second<br />
spot by Joe Miklos, Embassy, New Britain,<br />
and Joe Bornstein, Strand, New Britain. Honorable<br />
mention went to Vic Morelli, Empress,<br />
Danbury.<br />
Lobster stakes—John Petroski, Palace, Norwich,<br />
won top honors with Jim O'Laughlin,<br />
Port, Newburyport, as second. Honorable<br />
mention was given to Russ Barrett, Capitol.<br />
Willimantic, and to Jack Shields, Capitol,<br />
Ansonia.<br />
Atlantic furlong—^George Haddad, Gen. Willimantic,<br />
was first with Guido Luminello.<br />
Warners, Lawrence, second.<br />
March Sweepstakes winners were Andy<br />
Sette, Springfield, first; Jack Melincoff. Lawrence,<br />
second: Jim Tobin. Warners, Bridgeport,<br />
third. Honorable mention was awarded<br />
to Joe Miklos, Embassy. New Britain; Jim Mc-<br />
Carthy. Hartford; Joe Bornstein, New Britain,<br />
and Julia Smith, State, Waterbury.<br />
Former Child Star in Cast<br />
Mitzi Green, former child star, has drawn<br />
a featured role in Producer George Jessel's<br />
"Bloodhounds of Broadway," a 20th-Fox film.<br />
Cerebral Palsy Trai:er available from May 15 to<br />
Ju y 1.<br />
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />
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THEATRE
SPRINGFIELD<br />
Tn the first major theatre robbery here in<br />
years. Maimjcer Ed Harri.son of the Bijou<br />
was forced at Runpoint to open the office<br />
safe late one night and the lone robber emptied<br />
the safe of $.500 and e.scaped after rlppinK<br />
out the telephone wires. Harri.son told<br />
detectives that he was clasinK for the night<br />
at about 12:30 a. m.. when he heard a knock<br />
on the outer door. A man told him he had<br />
lost his car keys in the theatre and requested<br />
permission to look for thsm. Once In, he<br />
looted the saie and escaped.<br />
STAR VISITS BOSTON—Tab Hunter,<br />
star of "Island of Desire," visits with<br />
Harry Segal, United .Artists manager in<br />
Boston, at left, on Hunter's recent tour<br />
in behalf of the picture. Hunter is meeting<br />
press and radio personnel in connection<br />
with the film, in which he plans his<br />
first film starring role. Shown at right<br />
is Dick Owen, west coast publicity representative<br />
for VA.<br />
MAINE<br />
ly/Tanager Ralph Tully, State, Portland, will<br />
hold the semifinal tryouts in the Sunbeam<br />
bread contest in May. Applications are<br />
available in the theatre or at the grocers.<br />
"My Son John" is scheduled to open at the<br />
State May 2 with heads of local Legion posts<br />
as special guests. Tully's assistant Mrs.<br />
Francis is on vacation. The State had two<br />
kiddy shows, one presenting "Sleeping<br />
Beauty." featuring 160 pupils of St. Patrick's<br />
school on the stage and "Five Little<br />
Peppers in Ti'ouble" on the screen. Th.e second<br />
show presented "Hills of Home" on the<br />
screen with giveaways of free photo rings<br />
to each child.<br />
.At the Capitol, Leon Macholl. former chief<br />
of service at New Haven's Loew's Poll, is<br />
new a.ssistant. Don d'Mour. assistant, resigned<br />
to take an Industrial position ... At the<br />
Art, Gloria Cai'abetta, assistant, is leaving to<br />
take a new position.<br />
BOWLING<br />
BOSTON—The Theatrical Bowling league<br />
race was won by the Kenmore team, composed<br />
of Capt. Joe Sandler, Pat Rahilly, Joe<br />
Abramo, Joe Leahy and Mike Piante. The<br />
second-half finals:<br />
Team<br />
Jack Sullivan, manager of the Empire, is<br />
father of a daughter. Coleen Sue. Sullivan<br />
entertained 25 boys from the Por^and Boys<br />
club at the showing of "Captive City." In<br />
return, the boys gave him a pledge for fighting<br />
juvenile delinquency, crime and corruption.<br />
Manager Vicki Cousins Alewine of the Civic<br />
and her new coast guard husband have a<br />
house on Staten Island and Vicki plans to<br />
leave Portland May 30. The Civic entertained<br />
the local first division veterans at "Retreat,<br />
Hell!" Six Apache Indians visited town in<br />
connection with "The Battle at Apache Pass."<br />
Larry Capillo. Maine, ran "Snow White and<br />
the Seven Dwarfs" and "South of Caliente"<br />
on an early-bird show during vacation.<br />
Saco Drive-In opened April 12 . . . David<br />
Baker. Cape Elizabeth, headed for Hollywood<br />
in April as accompanist and ari'anger<br />
for Judy Garland.<br />
Sentry Lodge Installs<br />
BOSTON—When the new officers of the<br />
Brookline Sentry of Bnai B'rith were installed<br />
May 4. Martin Levine, an executive<br />
of Brandt Theatres. New York, acted as the<br />
installing officer. Samuel Pinanski, president<br />
of American Theatres Corp., is the new president.
. . Maurice<br />
. . "The<br />
BOSTON<br />
/Graphic Theatres' two drive-ins at Rockland<br />
and in Bangor, Me., opened May 2 with Al<br />
Lashway managing the former and Harold<br />
McCool the latter. Jame.s John.son has resigned<br />
as manager of Graphic's Campden<br />
Theatre to enter another field of busine.ss<br />
and was replaced by Kenneth Holdcn. promoted<br />
from assistant manager . . . Sympathy<br />
to Tom O'Brien, manager at Columbia, on<br />
the death of his older brother John.<br />
Ray Feeley, executive secretary of Independent<br />
exhibitors of New England, attended<br />
the .spring board meeting of National Allied<br />
in Colorado Springs ... A. P. Barr and Edward<br />
J. Morin have opened their new- Midhaven<br />
Drive-In. Middlebury. Vt., w^ith Affiliated<br />
Theatre.- handling the buying and booking.<br />
Arthur Howard, president of Affilated Theatres,<br />
and his wife Carol celebrated their<br />
25th wedding anniversary with dinner at<br />
Locke-Ober's and an evening of the theatre.<br />
Tlie office staff presented them a handsome<br />
piece of silver ... As part of the huge campaign<br />
for the world premiere of "Walk East<br />
on Beacon" at the Metropolitan Theatre,<br />
Columbia sent its star Virginia Gilmore to<br />
town to meet the press and to appear on several<br />
radio shows.<br />
•Tomorrow Is Too Late," the Italian film<br />
which is being handled in this territory by<br />
Joe Levine of Embassy Pictures, will open at<br />
the Beacon Hill May 23. Starring Pier Angeli<br />
and Vittorio DiSica, the Joseph Burstyn<br />
film is booked for an extended engagement<br />
with Prank Cronin helping Tom Dowd, manager<br />
of the Beacon Hill, on the ballyhoo. Joe<br />
Levine is planning to have DiSica visit Boston<br />
for a press interview.<br />
Sympathy to Jack Myers of Hub Film Co.<br />
on the death of his mother in New York. During<br />
his absence from his office, Arthur Rosenbush<br />
pinch-hit for him . . . Walter Mitchell<br />
of the Morse, Franklin, was at the Inde-<br />
Cinema Club<br />
pendent Exhibitors headquarters on his first<br />
visit since January when he slipped on the<br />
ice and tore a ligament in his right foot, causing<br />
a three-week hospitalization. He is now<br />
using a cane . Sidman, manager of<br />
the Hoosac Drive-In at Adams, which reopened<br />
for the .sea.son April 25, has made a<br />
tie-in with the local Royal Riding academy<br />
for free pony rides to the kiddies, which is<br />
meeting the approval of the parents as well<br />
as the youngsters. Sidman is planning to<br />
erect a stage on the property to show off<br />
future promotions for the early patrons.<br />
Vandals broke into the RKO exchange at<br />
122 Arlington St. over the weekend and stole<br />
11 typewriters, two adding macliines and a<br />
huge bookkeeping machine . Birth of<br />
a Nation," D. W. Griffith's epic .silent film,<br />
was withdrawn from a propased showing at<br />
the Fine Arts Theatre when it was learned<br />
that the exhibitors had failed to win approval<br />
from the Boston censor. "Charlie<br />
Chaplin at the Circus" was substituted. The<br />
Griffith film was sponsored by Cinema Society,<br />
Inc., a Cambridge group at 202 Brookline<br />
Ave. It is understood several groups protested<br />
the showing of the Civil War film on<br />
the grounds that it might stir up racial animosity.<br />
Charles Kurtzman, northea-stern division<br />
manager for Loew's, Inc., explained to<br />
the Cambridge group that as owners of the<br />
theatre, Loew's cajinot pennit the showing<br />
of any production that has not been approved<br />
by Walter Milliken, the censor.<br />
Stanley Moger, high school student son of<br />
Art Moger, Warner publicist, was chairman<br />
of publicity for the Dux club dance held at<br />
the Bradford, with all proceeds going to the<br />
United Cerebral Palsy Ass'n fund of Massachusetts,<br />
The club is made up of students<br />
at the Brookline and Newton high schools.<br />
highlight of the dance was the presentation<br />
of a Citation of Appreciation from the UCPA<br />
to the motion picture industry of America<br />
and accepted by June Havoc for "the motion<br />
Annual Dinner Dance<br />
Circus Room — Hotel Bradford<br />
Saturday, May 17 at 7 P. M.<br />
FILET MIGKON DINNER<br />
DANCING-FLOOR SHOW<br />
For reservations call<br />
Mel Davis, Republic<br />
or<br />
Larry Herman, Snider Circuit<br />
A<br />
picture industry's nationwide support and its<br />
contributions to sufferers the world over. 1<br />
A new 400-car drive-in is being constructed<br />
in Hadley, Ma,ss., by A. Woicekoski of Hadley<br />
for a mid-June opening. The Capitol Theatre<br />
Supply is equipping the theatre with complete<br />
RCA installations . . . When Michael<br />
Redstone opens the new Bay Shore Long<br />
Island Drive-In, it will also be equipped by<br />
Capitol Theatre Supply. The opening date is<br />
set for May 15 . . . John Mclntyre, former<br />
publicist for Shubert's Boston theatres, has<br />
joined the Alfred Black advertising agency,<br />
. . .<br />
specialists in theatre and amu.sement accounts,<br />
as account executive in charge of<br />
production Eddie Comi of Massachusetts<br />
Theatre Equipment Co., distributor of Century<br />
projectors, got the thrill of his life when<br />
his son Paul, a corporal in the 24th infantry<br />
division, walked into his office as a surprise.<br />
Paul had been in Japan and Korea for two<br />
and one-half years and was wounded three<br />
times. He will be discharged soon.<br />
Singer Johnnie Ray has been booked at the<br />
Metropolitan Tlieatre for one week, starting<br />
Ralph Banghart, the pubUcist,<br />
July 18 . . .<br />
exchanged stations with Hugh McKenzie in'<br />
Philadelphia May 1.<br />
The Theatre Equipment Dealers Ass'n has<br />
sent letters of commendation to Joe Cifre of<br />
Joe Cifre, Inc., and to Kenneth Douglass of<br />
Capitol Supply Co. for their excellent work,<br />
in collecting copper drippings from New Eng-,<br />
land theatres. They broadcast continuous appeals<br />
for all theatres in the area to save the<br />
drippings and help the drive for the vital de-i<br />
fense material. The drippings are sold and<br />
the money is given to the charity fund of the-<br />
Variety Club of New England, thus benefiting<br />
two worthy causes.<br />
I<br />
John Fagin, rnanager of the Strand in<br />
Dover, N. H., and Raymond McNamara, man-^<br />
ager of the Allyn in Hartford, Conn., have<br />
tied up with their Little league baseball club.si<br />
to handle tag days in their areas for the 1952<br />
Jimmy fund drive . . . Bill Koster, executive<br />
secretary of the Variety Club, arranged for<br />
the New England group to be headquartered,<br />
at the Desert inn in Las Vegas, Nev., dur-:<br />
ing the annual convention April 28-May 1.<br />
NEWHAMPSHIRE<br />
. . .<br />
•Phe Capitol in Hillsboro had an unusual program<br />
May 1, when it presented films of a<br />
recent pop concert sponsored by the Fortnightly<br />
club in the Hillsboro high school<br />
auditorium Dartmouth college in Hanover<br />
had the world premiere of the film, "Out'<br />
of This World," made by Lowell Thomas jr.,<br />
when he accompanied his father to Tibet in<br />
1949. There was an admission charge of $1|<br />
and proceeds were to be divided between the)<br />
Dartmouth Outing club and the scholarship)<br />
fund.<br />
The Pine Island Drive-In is in full swing<br />
for its new season.<br />
IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP.<br />
"The Best Value In Sound Service"<br />
Hancock 6-7984 445 Statler Building<br />
Boston, Massachusetts<br />
96<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 10, 1952)
'<br />
I has<br />
I<br />
was<br />
I<br />
Free<br />
I<br />
'<br />
At<br />
I<br />
1<br />
for<br />
'<br />
candy<br />
'<br />
One<br />
I<br />
I<br />
both<br />
.<br />
tive<br />
I<br />
25-Year<br />
I<br />
Employes Gel Chance<br />
To Share in Profit<br />
TORONTO—Staff week started off with a<br />
big splash May 1 at the Famous Players'<br />
Capitol in London, Ont., where W. K. Tiudell<br />
long been the manager. The getaway<br />
featured by a full page in the London<br />
Press which explained that the staff of<br />
;<br />
23 employes had taken over the operation of<br />
the theatre for the engagement of "Five<br />
Fingers."<br />
a staff meeting. Harry McLean was<br />
elected manager for the week, while the choice<br />
assistant manager was Mrs. Eric Bruner.<br />
cashier. McLean has been the chief projec-<br />
, tionist of the Capitol since it w-as opened and<br />
is a member of the Famous Players 25-Year<br />
club. Looking after the extensive exploitation<br />
were Acting Manager McLean. Mrs.<br />
Bruner, Sidney Shaw. Mrs. Blanche Boll.<br />
counter; Sidney Bradford, projection-<br />
Frank Mcllhargey, doorman; Keith Hart-<br />
I<br />
ist;<br />
. sell, usher, and Ai-thur Wheatley, ticket taker.<br />
of the stunts was the distribution of<br />
more than 100 prizes which the employes had<br />
j<br />
rounded up, these being presented to patrons at<br />
afternoon and evening ihow-s. Cooperanewspaper<br />
advertising was also secured.<br />
Announcement was made that, if the boxoffice<br />
quota was exceeded for the week, the<br />
[<br />
employes will split the excess profits, and it<br />
'<br />
looked as if there would be nice "spoils" in<br />
the final accounting. Incidentally, thi-ee members<br />
of the staff belong to the company's<br />
i<br />
club. In addition to McLean, they<br />
I<br />
are Sidney Shaw and 'William Newman, all<br />
'<br />
three being projectionists.<br />
Contests for 'Wild North'<br />
Feature of B. C. Debut<br />
VANCOU"VER—Ivan Ackery, manager of<br />
the Orpheum, staged the British Columbia<br />
premiere of "The 'Wild North" here. Since<br />
the story is laid in the Peace river country<br />
and since it was photographed in Ansco Color.<br />
Ackery first obtained the promise of $2,000<br />
from Canadian Ansco Color to underwrite<br />
the exploitation on the picture.<br />
Exploitation included an all-expense trip<br />
for a contest winner to Hollywood. Tieups<br />
were made with all drug and department<br />
stores boosting the picture and Ansco Color.<br />
The picture was given a big sendoff with<br />
searchlights, Indian chiefs, mounted police,<br />
bands and civic heads in attendance. A fUm<br />
of the opening ceremonies was shot by 'Wally<br />
Hamilton of Ti'ans-Canada Films and was on<br />
the screen the following day.<br />
The first week did capacity business and<br />
the second week nearly matched it.<br />
Show Films to Fanners<br />
TORONTO—A community Movie day was<br />
staged from morning to night at Mitchell.<br />
Ont., as a feature of the tow'n's Agricultural<br />
day under the auspices of the Chamber of<br />
'<br />
Commerce. Commercially sponsored and documentary<br />
films of interest to farmers and<br />
their families were screened continuously in<br />
the Crystal Palace at the local fair grounds.<br />
Gilt Books for Mother's Day<br />
TORONTO — Famous Players Canadian<br />
Corp. made another sales drive, with various<br />
forms of advertising, for it.s books of<br />
admission tickets as gifts for Mother's day.<br />
TV Advertising to Cost<br />
$1,600 an Hour in Toronto<br />
OTTAWA — Prospective televi.sion advertisers<br />
in Canada have leaj-ned what It will<br />
cost for programs when TV broadciists are<br />
launched at the end of Augu.st in Toronto<br />
and Montreal by the government -owned<br />
Canadian Bioadciusting Corp.<br />
A. Davidson Dunton, CBC general manager,<br />
announced that the hourly rate for<br />
Toronto would be $1,600, while that for<br />
Montreal will be only $500, based on the<br />
number of T'V receiving .sets. For the introduction<br />
of TV in Canada, four hours of<br />
programs daily are planned.<br />
Business and Weather<br />
Both Fair in Toronto<br />
TORONTO—The week had four holdovers.<br />
Business was fair but all the theatres were<br />
feeling the first result of daylight saving<br />
time in the nice w-eather.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Eglcnton—The Elusive Pimpernel (JARO) 110<br />
Hyland—Encore (Pora), 4fh wk 100<br />
Imperial, Nortown—At Sword's Point (RKO) 110<br />
Loew's—The Africon Queen (UA), 2nd wk 110<br />
Odeon—My Six Convicts (Col) 110<br />
Sheo's—With a Song in My Heort (20th-Fox), 4th<br />
wk 95<br />
University, Tivoli This Womon Is Dangerous<br />
(WB) 105<br />
Uptown—The Bottle ot Apoche Poss (U-l), 2nd wk. 95<br />
Victorio, Copitol — David ond Bothshebo (20th-<br />
Fox); It Happens Every Spring ':20th-Fox) . . . . 1 10<br />
'Wild North' Grosses Tops<br />
In Vancouver<br />
VANCOUVER—Daylight .saving time and<br />
the return of night baseball kept theatre<br />
grosses down in most cases. Only picture<br />
to boast outstanding business was "The<br />
Wild North," in its provincial premiere at<br />
the Orpheum.<br />
Capitol—My Son John (Para) Fair<br />
Cinema— Retreat, Hell! (WB); This Woman Is<br />
Dangerous (WB) Good<br />
Dominion—The Brave Bulls (Col); Room for One<br />
More (WB) Fair<br />
Orpheum—The Wild North (MGM) Excellent<br />
Plaza— Boots Molone (Col); Harem Girl<br />
(Col)<br />
Average<br />
State— Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (WB), plus<br />
stage show Fair<br />
Strand—With a Song in My Heart (20th-Fox),<br />
3rd d. t. wk Fair<br />
Studio— II Trovotore (Alliance) Average<br />
Vogue—Mo and Pa Kettle at the Fair (U-1). . . Good<br />
Won't Close Schools Even<br />
For 'Royal Journey' Film<br />
TORONTO—The York township board of<br />
education in suburban Mount Dennis turned<br />
down a proposal for the early closing of<br />
thi'ee local schools so that the pupils could<br />
attend a matinee showing at a nearby theatre<br />
of "Royal Journey," the color feature<br />
made last fall by the National Film Board.<br />
The suggested arrangement brought protests<br />
of "commercialism" and the possible lack of<br />
the admission price by some pupils.<br />
William Purcell. 64, Dies<br />
ANTIGONISH, N. S.—William Purcell, 64,<br />
of Antigonish, who had been manager of<br />
the Capitol Theatre for about 11 years, died<br />
in a hospital here. Prior to becoming manager,<br />
he had been on the staff for two years.<br />
He had been ill about six months. Surviving<br />
are three sisters.<br />
Finland's best year for motion picture attendance<br />
and activities was in 1951.<br />
mm\?sim<br />
COOLD<br />
NOT<br />
TAIAE<br />
1/<br />
7<br />
^<br />
her!<br />
I<br />
%<br />
HEDY<br />
LAMARR<br />
GEORGE CO.S.arring LOUIS<br />
SANDERSHAYWARD<br />
with<br />
Hillary Brooke * Gene Lockkart<br />
June Slofty • Rhyi Williami<br />
Ptodocd by JACK CHERTOK<br />
Directed by Edsat Ulmer<br />
Screenplay by Heib Meadow<br />
Baled on the novel "The Stfan3e Woman"<br />
by Ben Amei WiltianM<br />
A HvHt Stromb^rg Prodweffoo<br />
AT THESE ASTOR EXCHANGES:<br />
PEERLESS FILMS-277 Victoria<br />
Toronto<br />
St.-<br />
1/<br />
4<br />
A<br />
PEERLESS FILMS-5975 Monkland Ave.-<br />
Montreal<br />
BOXOFFICE May 10, 1952 97
. . "Lone<br />
'<br />
WINNIPEG<br />
T Arthur Kunk's General Manager Frank<br />
' Fisher spent several days recently visiting<br />
local Manager Phil GcUer, who reports that<br />
the JARO business for the first 13 weeks<br />
of the year was double that of the same period<br />
last year. Geller reported that rural exhibitors<br />
were very pleased with the British<br />
product which includes the royal command<br />
performance picture. "Ivory Hunter." Graydon<br />
Mathews, former Winnipeg film exchange<br />
manager, is now the St. John, N. B., manager<br />
for JARO.<br />
The Winnipeg Film Board of Ti-ade has<br />
elected Frank Davis, Warner Bros., president;<br />
Phil Geller. JARO, vice-president; Wolfe<br />
Blankstein, Empire-Universal, secretary;<br />
Meyer Nackimson, RKO. fire marshal, and<br />
Sam Swartz, international, a.ssistant fire<br />
marshal ... In Calgary, former Winnipegger<br />
Hector Ross was elected president of the<br />
Film Board of Ti-ade. Ross is Columbia manager.<br />
Other officers include F. L. Scott,<br />
JARO, vice-president; A, Elliott, RKO, secretary.<br />
Abe Feinstein, manager, and Peter Gold,<br />
salesman, recently attended the first Canadian<br />
sales convention of United Artists . . .<br />
Institutional advertising building up daily to<br />
announcement of a silverware set giveaway<br />
was sponsored by the Cohen Bros, who operate<br />
the Paris in St. Boniface. Showing a map<br />
. . .<br />
of the city and stres.sing that the Paris is<br />
"only three minutes from Portage and Main,"<br />
the ad announced "Here is the map to your<br />
treasui'e chest at the Paris Theatre<br />
Rogers Silverplate nights are Monday, Tuesday,<br />
Wednesday." All Paris Theatre ads now<br />
carry an Eiffel Tower silhouette as background<br />
to the signatiu'e.<br />
Somer James of Foto-Nite Distributors advises<br />
tliat the opening of Foto-Nite in Rothstein's<br />
Roxy in Selkirk, Man., broke all house<br />
records for Wednesday evening. Starting offer<br />
was $450 in cash and merchant-sponsored<br />
merchandise. The next Rothstein Foto-Nite<br />
opening will be at the Crest Drive-In in Yorkton,<br />
Sask.<br />
.<br />
The Theatre Poster Service has completed<br />
taking over the advertising department of<br />
Columbia and now is distributing all advertising<br />
accessories for Paramount, 20th-Fox,<br />
RKO, Warner Bros, and Columbia .<br />
den warm weather kept rural<br />
.<br />
houses<br />
Sud-<br />
thinly<br />
populated as farmers rushed out on their<br />
fields to clean up from last fall and prepare<br />
for this summer.<br />
Jock fmslie, manager of the State, advertised<br />
in north end store windows as follows:<br />
"I DARE YOU" to see "The Soul of a<br />
Monster" and "Cry of the Werewolf." In<br />
large letters at the bottom of the signs read<br />
the legend "No Sissies Allowed." The announcements<br />
also "guaranteed that neither<br />
picture won the Academy award, nor ever<br />
will."<br />
All three Winnipeg drive-ins now are in<br />
operation, taking advantage of the unusual<br />
early warm spring. Two of the ozoners are<br />
tied up with 12 indoor houses which operate<br />
Foto-Nite every Wednesday.<br />
Every day five names of residents of greater<br />
Winnipeg are selected at random from the<br />
city directory and appear in various places<br />
in the Tiibune want ad columns. When a<br />
person sees his name in the columns, he calls<br />
at the Odeon boxoffice and receives a pass.<br />
A total of 30 free tickets is given away every<br />
week.<br />
Approximately half of greater Winnipeg's<br />
houses will participate May 17 in the Rags<br />
to Riches drive being conducted for the White<br />
Cross Guild In cooperation with the Patriotic<br />
Salvage Corps. The children pay tlieir regular<br />
admission charge at the boxoffice and the<br />
guild offers a $5 cash prize at each theatre<br />
participating for the child bringing the largest<br />
bundle. Each child bringing a bundle is<br />
entitled to a lucky draw for ten other prizes<br />
provided by the guild. Two volunteers are<br />
provided at each theatre and the guild promotes<br />
trucks from business fii'ms to pick up<br />
the rags at the entrance of each theatre.<br />
Arrangements are being made by Mrs. Gordon<br />
E. Konantz of the White Cross Guild, and<br />
Ken Beach, secretary of the Manitoba Motion<br />
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n.<br />
The annual general meeting and dinner of<br />
the Manitoba Motion Picture Exhibitors Ass'n<br />
will be held June 2 at the Royal Alexandra<br />
hotel. Proceedings start with registration at<br />
12:30, lunch at 1. meeting and election in the<br />
afternoon, and dinner at 6. All exhibitors<br />
and managers intending to attend should<br />
write, phone or wire Ken Beach, secretary<br />
of the association.<br />
Bell & Howell Machine<br />
Shown at Open House<br />
TORONTO—Under the direction of District<br />
Manager J. J. Chlsholm, the Benograph division<br />
of Associated Screen News an-anged<br />
an open-house demonstration of the new Bell<br />
& Howell Filmosound 202 magnetic recording<br />
projector at the company's new showrooms<br />
at 108 Peter St., May 8, 9.<br />
Representatives of the sales and engineering<br />
departments of Bell & Howell, Chicago,<br />
looked after the visitors.<br />
Sell Theatre Seating<br />
TORONTO—A last chapter is<br />
being written<br />
for the Regent in Peterboro with the sale of<br />
570 seats from the theatre by the Canadian<br />
Theatre Chair Co. The Regent formerly was<br />
operated by Gordon C. Miller as an associate<br />
of Famous Players Canadian Corp., but it has<br />
been replaced by the Paramount.<br />
'Flesh' to Toronto Hollywood<br />
TORONTO—Allen's Hollywood premiered<br />
the British "Flesh and Blood" this week. At<br />
the Towne Cinema, "The Emperor's Nightingale"<br />
was held for a second week. This<br />
picture was produced in Czecho-Slovakia after<br />
the country's absorption by Soviet- Russia. A<br />
local observer, formerly a Czech national, told<br />
the press that the picture has a symbolic,<br />
though subtle, message of the desire for freedom.<br />
The International Cinema opened "The<br />
Magic Garden."<br />
Richard Jaeckel for Long Term<br />
Richard Jaeckel who appears in "Come<br />
Back, Little Sheba" has been signed to a<br />
long term contract by Paramount.<br />
One-Man-in-Boolh Law<br />
Passed by B. C. Solons<br />
VANCOUVER—The British<br />
Columbia government<br />
has amended the fire marshal's act<br />
to allow a one-man-in-a-booth operation in<br />
all BritLsh Columbia theatres. The former<br />
law called for two men in a booth in all theatres<br />
having a seating capacity of more than<br />
449.<br />
For the last 15 years, theatremen have<br />
sought a change to allow the one man operation,<br />
while projectionists have objected<br />
strongly to the change. All outdoor theatres<br />
and most independent houses now are changing<br />
over to the one man operation.<br />
A new contract calls for a 50 per cent increase<br />
in wages, which will give the projectionist<br />
an hourly rate of around $3.60. The<br />
cbcuits—Famous Players and Odeon—have to<br />
date made no move to sign new contracts.<br />
Union officials have met with the circuit<br />
heads but no agreements have been made.<br />
The projectionists local is trying to work out<br />
a deal whereby all its members will be kept<br />
working.<br />
OTTAWA<br />
T\T. J. J. McCann denied that the National<br />
Film Board had ever been a hot potato and<br />
emphasized that it had been organized for<br />
educational purposes. He testified at a<br />
House of Commons inquiry into the board.<br />
Resources Minister Winters expressed the<br />
view that the government should not compete<br />
with private enterprise and the film board<br />
was working on this assumption . . . Manager<br />
Ernie Warren of the Elgin is enthused<br />
over the success of "With a Song in My :<br />
Heart," which was in its fifth week.<br />
At the Elmdale, Manager Fred Leavens had<br />
a complete new show last Saturday for the<br />
juveniles with the program for two performances<br />
being "Black Beauty," "Oliver the<br />
Eighth" and two cartoons . Star" was<br />
good for a second week at the Regent, where<br />
Henry Marshall presides . . . There were comic<br />
books for the kids at the Saturday morning<br />
;<br />
show at the Francais and Bob Maynard,<br />
owner, wound up the day with an added variety<br />
show on the stage at night. The regular<br />
film show was topped by "Red Canyon."<br />
Despite a city hall delay over the construction<br />
permit, the Bell Telephone Co. of Canada<br />
is well advanced with the erection of a<br />
new top floor and television tower at its<br />
downtown office building through which the<br />
planned TV programs of the CBC for Ottawa<br />
will eventually be serviced . . . Gordon Beavls,<br />
formerly manager of the Odeon, is reported to<br />
have joined Biltmore Theatres in Toronto . .<br />
William McCauley, music composer of Crawley<br />
Films, was featured in his own compositions<br />
in a Dominion network program of<br />
the CBC, using music from five films.<br />
FPC Uses Slogan on Mail<br />
TORONTO—All mail going out from Famous<br />
Players Canadian Corp. features on<br />
postal meter cancellation the company's<br />
maple leaf ci-est and the wording, "Leaders<br />
in Entertainment for 32 Years."<br />
4<br />
98 BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952
I<br />
Sydney,<br />
i<br />
I<br />
I The<br />
. . . Dick<br />
. . Bob<br />
MARITIMES<br />
E<br />
d Lynn, owner and manager of the Strand,<br />
N. S., went to Boston for the wed-<br />
Iding of a niece. He was accompanied by Mrs,<br />
iLynn, The itinerary included stops at New<br />
[york, Toronto and Moritreal. Lynn has been<br />
at the helm of the Strand for over 35 years<br />
.Douglas S. Bacon, art director for War-<br />
'ner studios and a resident of Glendalo, Calif..<br />
[who died recently, was a native of Digby, N. S.<br />
When the Kiwanls club of Dartmouth. N. S.,<br />
. . .<br />
igave an ice show in the Dartmouth rink,<br />
chairman of the committee was Pat Dwyer.<br />
Anne<br />
manager of the Family, Halifax<br />
Muriel Lake, who died recently in Toronto,<br />
had been a stock actre.ss at Halifax between<br />
the two world wars. Her stage name was<br />
iAnne Carew.<br />
One of the sons of the late John Leger of<br />
\<br />
'Bathurst, N. B., is a doctor and so is a sonlin-law.<br />
The sons are Peter, a film exhibitor;<br />
jLeo. A:-thur and Dr. Edmund Leger, all of<br />
Bathuist. Dr. C. J. Veniot, a son-in-law, is<br />
la member of the Canadian senate and lives<br />
at Bathurst. Peter has headed the Capitol<br />
lat Bathurst many years as successor to his<br />
father.<br />
.<br />
A member of a committee of the Kinsmen<br />
club of St. John handling a safety program<br />
for school children is F. Gordon Spencer, general<br />
manager for the Spencer theatre chain<br />
With each purchase made by an adult<br />
. .<br />
from Cliff Maxwell, Ltd., operating a photo<br />
supply and film rental business in Halifax, a<br />
free ticket was given to any one of the town's<br />
three Odeon theatres. The distribution was<br />
for children only and limited to a specified<br />
Saturday afternoon.<br />
Aimed specifically for use by theatre cash-<br />
'iers and bank money dispensers is a jet gas<br />
jgun invented by a Halifax man. The invenition<br />
works on a pressure principle with dyed<br />
ammonium hydroxide shot from a small nozjzle.<br />
The gun will not kill or permanently<br />
jmaim but will disable anybody temporarily.<br />
Inventor is J. Dan Pride, a marine engi-<br />
!neer.<br />
i<br />
Human Body Is Analyzed<br />
.In 'Spotlight No. 3'<br />
MONTREAL—Associated Screen studios has<br />
{<br />
a new Canadian Cameo release, "Spotlight<br />
No. 3." which is being shown across Canada.<br />
It deals among other things with the human<br />
body and makes the remarkable statement,<br />
based on scientific findings, that the average<br />
human torso contains only enough fat<br />
to make six cakes of soap, enough iron to<br />
make six medium-sized nails, enough sugar<br />
to fill one small bowl and enough calcium to<br />
supply whitewash for a small chicken coop.<br />
On the other hand, its phosphorus content<br />
could supply heads for a thousand matches.<br />
Altogether, the body is worth commercially<br />
:ibout 98 cents.<br />
Technically known as a "split reel," "Spotlight"<br />
gives a glimpse of New Brunswick's<br />
amazing Magnetic hill, and for contrast show's<br />
the famed hockey broadcaster, Foster Hewitt,<br />
at work and relaxed. The short ends with a<br />
view of the big dinosaur cemetery in Alberta<br />
and startingly realistic pictures of some of the<br />
reconstructed prehistoric giants. Gordon<br />
Sparling directed.<br />
Canada Pioneers to Meet<br />
At Toronto on May 28<br />
TORONTO— May 28 ha-s been announced<br />
as the date for the 1952 annual meeting here<br />
of the Canadian Picture Pioneers. The president<br />
is O. R. Hanson who, with the late<br />
Cliiir Hague, founded the organization.<br />
Musical Tent Show to Bow<br />
TORONTO—Summer opposition to local<br />
theatres is Melody Fair, the musical lent<br />
show in Dufforin park, which will open its<br />
second .season of 12 weeks in June. Ben<br />
Kamsler and Leighton Brill have announced<br />
the scale of prices for the performances. Evening<br />
prices run from $1.50 to $3.40 while<br />
those for Saturday matinees are $1.15 and<br />
$1.70. The fii-st stage presentation will be<br />
"The Merry Widow."<br />
VANCOUVER<br />
IVAanagerial changes by Odeon circuit moved<br />
Helen Beetles, manager of the Metro. New<br />
Westminster, to the Odeon. Sapperton. She<br />
was replaced at the Metro by Rod Fisher,<br />
former manager of the Odeon in Ladysmith<br />
on Vancouver Island . . . George Gerrard of<br />
the Strand staff, who has been with Famous<br />
Players for 25 years, is hospitalized for an eye<br />
. . . operation Tom Sime, manager of the<br />
Yoho at Golden in the Rocky mountain area,<br />
reports his spring busines ahead of last year.<br />
Mrs. Doug Isman, wife of the International<br />
Film Distributors manager, was in the hospital<br />
for an operation . . , Jim Davie. RKO<br />
manager, and Jack Reid. JARO manager, are<br />
visiting outdoor theatres in the interior . . .<br />
Jack McNicol, manager of the Columbia, New<br />
Westminster, reports near-record business on<br />
"A Streetcar Named Desire" . . . Frank Mc-<br />
Kenzie did capacity on "The Greatest Show<br />
on Earth" at roadshow prices at the Paramount,<br />
New Westminster.<br />
Perry Wright, Empire Universal manager,<br />
is delighted with "Bend of the River" in outside<br />
situations in the territory . . . Audrey<br />
Jakes has replaced Irene Plant as contract<br />
clerk at JARO . Myers resigned from<br />
the Plaza to join local ice cream firm . . .<br />
a<br />
Staff week at the Dominion, Vancouver, and<br />
the New Westminster Paramount was rated<br />
in the concessions sales drive in Famous<br />
Players.<br />
Irma Miotto, Strand candy girl, is leading<br />
in the concessions .'.ales drive in Famous<br />
Players houses in the Briti-sh Columbia district<br />
Harold Warren, who operates four<br />
. . . theatres in the Alberni district of Vancouver<br />
Island, was a Filmrow visitor . President<br />
. .<br />
Brockington of Odeon Theatres was a visitor<br />
to Vancouver and Victoria ... A 20th-Fox<br />
crew is at Banff in the Canadian Rockies to<br />
shoot a Technicolor outdoor picture of the<br />
Royal Canadian Mounted Police.<br />
A new 500-seat quonset theatre is planned<br />
for Dryden by Plaza Theatre Co. . . . Charlie<br />
Krupp joined Alliance Films as western sales<br />
representative and will headquarter at Winnipeg.<br />
Krupp was formerly with 20th-Fox covering<br />
the Manitoba territory . . . Bob Owens,<br />
former Odeon employe, joined United Artist-s<br />
Letts. International Cinema manager,<br />
put on an excellent campaign for "Retreat,<br />
Hell!'<br />
AT 12 O'CLOCK..<br />
A LADY WITH A FUTURE!<br />
AT 12:05...<br />
A<br />
WOMAN<br />
WITH A PAST!<br />
AT THESE ASTOR EXCHANGES:<br />
PEERLESS FILMS-277 Victorig St.-<br />
Toronto<br />
PEERLESS FILMS-5975 Monkland Ave.-<br />
Montreal<br />
1^<br />
\ BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10. 1952<br />
99
. . Mrs.<br />
. . Gratien<br />
. .<br />
. . Leo<br />
'<br />
MONTREAL<br />
^inin? activities at St. Blaise de Banaute<br />
in northern Quebec are increasing to<br />
.such aji extent that a theatrcj is being erected<br />
there. A. O. Pi-evost of Rouyn. well-lcnown<br />
reaJ estate agent, has purchased land and a<br />
timber structure building has been completed<br />
and supphed with seats and .sound equipment<br />
by Perkins Electric Co. The theatre is named<br />
the Mel-O-Dee and is so designed that it<br />
may be enlarged later as St. Blaise grows.<br />
It was scheduled to open Saturday (10 1 under<br />
management of Prevost's two son.s.<br />
John Lavoic, who started theatres in St.<br />
Donat, L'Assomption and St. Raymond, and<br />
called each of them the Alouette. ha-s been<br />
operating a fourth Alouette in St. Micheldes-Saints<br />
for about a year, and will now<br />
operate a fifth in the neighboring town of<br />
St. Zenon. about ten miles from St. Michel.<br />
He has purchased from Perkins Electric Co.<br />
a laminated structure building, complete projection<br />
and sound equipment and theatre<br />
seats.<br />
Konieo Grenier of the Meteor. Dolbeau, has<br />
returned from an extensive tour of Europe,<br />
in the course of which he was received by the<br />
Pope. He also visited Africa where his son<br />
.<br />
is a missionary . . . Visitors to Filmrow included<br />
Guy Bachand, Rex, Sherbrooke, and<br />
Oscar Richai-ds, Belmont, Montreal, who has<br />
a new automobile Mildred Steven,<br />
contract clerk, 20th-Fox, reports the death<br />
of her mother-in-law . . . Hugh Mackenzie<br />
of RKO exploitation department. New York,<br />
has been in town on business . . . Suzanne<br />
Angers is a new addition to the office staff<br />
of Arrow Films and Denise Leduc has been<br />
added to the revising department of International<br />
Film.s.<br />
. . .<br />
Barbara Fradkin, who operates tlie bookkeeping<br />
machine at 20th-Fox, was entertained<br />
by the staff to mark a double occasion,<br />
her birthday anniversary and her engagement<br />
to Zavy Liebling. The wedding has<br />
been set for early September<br />
Lefebvre, head revisor at<br />
Mrs.<br />
Warner Bros.,<br />
C.<br />
reports<br />
the death of her husband . . . Exhibitors<br />
who recently returned from holidays<br />
in Florida include E. Beaumont, Laurier,<br />
Quebec City, and L. Payeur, Pigalle, Thetford<br />
Mines.<br />
Cadet Officer Pierre Barcelo of H. M. S.<br />
Lonnacona, son of L. P. Barcelo, president<br />
and manager of the Vox Theatre, Ville<br />
Jacque.s Cartier, soon will be posted with<br />
other navy cadet officers on a destroyer or<br />
frigate for a crui.se in European waters. The<br />
ship will return in mid-September. Cadet<br />
Officer Barcelo graduated in science from<br />
Mount St. Louis college and joined the .service<br />
two years ago for a five-year term .<br />
Holding the Canadian government's stand<br />
unfair in giving CBC a monopoly of television,<br />
J. J. Fitzgibbons, president of Famous<br />
Players Canadian, declared at the annual<br />
meeting, "the government is going to operate<br />
a business completely competitive with us."<br />
Comments at the annual meeting of United<br />
Amusements Corp. centered on the burden of<br />
taxation, which has reached the saturation<br />
point where the law of diminishing returns<br />
may begin to apply . Gelinas,<br />
French-Canadian comedian known professionally<br />
as Fridolin, is scripting a musical<br />
to be presented in French this fall. It will<br />
be followed by an English-language version,<br />
"Newfoundland Scene," produced by Crawley<br />
Films for Imperial Oil Co., has been selected<br />
film of the year in the 1951 Canadian Film<br />
awards. According to Canadian Film Board<br />
of Trade, theatres operating in Canada have<br />
increased in number to a new record total of<br />
1,927, an increase of over 70 in 14 months.<br />
The Montreal diocesan synod of the Church<br />
of England in Canada has decided to investigate<br />
the possibility of using television<br />
for religious purpo.ses and following a resolution,<br />
Bishop John Dixon will name a committee<br />
for the purpose. It was agreed by<br />
delegates to the synod meeting that church<br />
delegates should learn TV techniques before<br />
television begins in Montreal, so as to be<br />
ready to go ahead with suitable religious<br />
programs.<br />
TV Builders Plan for Fall<br />
MONTREAL—Television manufacturers are<br />
all ready for next autumn, when telecasting<br />
will become a reality in Montreal. Manufacturers<br />
recently met here to discuss service for<br />
prospective TV set owners. Realizing that<br />
service is even more essential with TV than<br />
for radio, the industry is making certain that<br />
enough competent service men will be available.<br />
Spokesman for the Radio and Television<br />
Manufacturers Ass'n meeting said there would<br />
be an ample supply of sets to meet the demand.<br />
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THEATRE<br />
STREET ADDRESS<br />
TOWN<br />
NAME<br />
STATE<br />
POSITION<br />
Dual Language Tracks<br />
Developed by NFB<br />
OTTAWA"The technical research divisior<br />
of the National Film Board has developed 8<br />
film with two sound tracks so that English<br />
and French versions are available on the<br />
same print, through which transition can bt<br />
effected in projection by a push-button method.<br />
Similiarly, with the two-track film, a<br />
switch can be made from dialog to music<br />
only, or vice versa. The mechanical arrangement<br />
also permits a combination of both<br />
voice and music as in normal practice<br />
through the use of a third button.<br />
;<br />
The dual language tracks are expected tc<br />
solve the problem of bilingual requirements<br />
in Canada. The standard soundtrack ha.'<br />
been replaced with separate tracks, each 5C<br />
thousands of an inch in width for 16mrri<br />
films. The projector adaptor will probably<br />
cost $10 to $15, it is stated.<br />
TORONTO<br />
T ou Kosefield, former owner of the Westdale<br />
at Hamilton, has been succeeded as treasurer<br />
of the Motion Picture Theatre Ass'n of<br />
Ontario by William Summerville jr., supervisor<br />
for Bloom & Fine Theatres of TorontBj<br />
a subsidiary of Famous Players . . . Managet<br />
Gerry Collins of Loew's Uptown will cooper-'<br />
ate with the Tri-Bell club in the staging ol<br />
. . .<br />
its annual variety show Sunday night (11)<br />
The St. Clair and Rogers Road theatres,<br />
both operated by the Aliens, have started<br />
dinnerware giveaways every night of the week<br />
except Saturday.<br />
J. J. Chisholm, past chief barker of Toronto'<br />
Tent 28, was responsible for arranging the<br />
appearance of the 30-piece Port William girl.'<br />
pipe band at the Las Vegas convention ol<br />
Variety International . McCarey, Hoi-'<br />
lywood producer, spoke at the annual dinner<br />
of the Ass'n of Canadian Advertisers May 2<br />
at the Royal York hotel ... A. J. Rosenberg<br />
has acquired the interest of Jerry Campbelf<br />
in five drive-in theatres, including the Dufferin<br />
at Toronto and others at Guelph, Saulte<br />
Ste. Marie, North Bay and Stratford.<br />
. . .<br />
During the third week of "With a Song injl<br />
My Heart" at the Hamilton Century, Man-| i<br />
ager Mel Jolley injected additional interest! i<br />
by giving film recordings to four women pa-(<br />
trons on each day in a tie-in with Moody's]<br />
Record Bar Miss R. M. Hooper had|<br />
purchased the 446-seat Rex at Tecumseh'<br />
Ont., from Mr. and Mrs. James Brown . .<br />
Manager Tom Daley of the Imperial, has beer<br />
surveying the flattening of the theatre's marquee,<br />
which is now almost flush with the<br />
facade, as a result of the city's order for the<br />
removal of all projecting signs on Yonge<br />
street.<br />
J. D. McCuUoch, vice-president of the Motion<br />
Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario<br />
opened his Iroquois at Petrolia, for a community<br />
program Sunday night by the Petrolia<br />
concert band.<br />
Walter Helm, veteran theatre manager<br />
at Stratford and Kitchener, is now managei<br />
of the Fox at Kitchener, it is announced.<br />
lOG<br />
BOXOFFICE :<br />
: May<br />
10, 1952
I<br />
I Gasoline<br />
I<br />
Harlem<br />
j<br />
Man<br />
ji FBI<br />
LP)<br />
OMICEfiiDDi^Jlli^^UJDS<br />
the EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
Alley (Col) — Scotty Beckett,<br />
Jimmy Lydon, Patti Brady. This was a per-<br />
I'ect picture for my situation or any small<br />
'own. I was afraid of it but it is okay. Not<br />
ii big picture but one that will draw the kids<br />
'ike mustard plaster. And, when you get<br />
he kids you get the adults too. This picture<br />
ilayed my theatre two days to outstanding<br />
.jusiness and pleased. The last reel will take<br />
ihe house down. Comedy is what they want<br />
'low-a-days. Played Tues., Wed. Weather:<br />
'?air and mild.—H. M. Swam, Maynard Thea-<br />
|,re. Maynard, Minn. Small town patronage.<br />
Globetrotters, The (Col)—Thomas<br />
aomez, Dorothy Dandridge, Bill Walker,<br />
iwhat a treat for a change, everyone was well<br />
bleased, even tickled those who knew nothing<br />
jibout basketball. They're really clever and<br />
|he advertising didn't flatter the picture one<br />
i)it. Boxoffice was about 100 per cent even<br />
|.hough the high school had its annual carni-<br />
I'al. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Pair.—G. P,<br />
fonckowski. Lyric Theatre, Wabasso, Minn,<br />
kural and small town patronage.<br />
1 Indian Uprising (Col)—George Montgomery,<br />
Ivudrey Long, Carl Benton Reid. This is a<br />
I'ery fine picture although the color is not as<br />
.'ood as Technicolor but think it still had good<br />
weekend entertainment value. We single billed<br />
|t to our satisfaction. Played Frl., Sat.<br />
jveather: Warm.—Harlan Rankin, Plaza The-<br />
[itre, Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. Small town<br />
patronage.<br />
in the Saddle (Col)—Randolph Scott,<br />
I'oan Leslie, Ellen Drew. Somehow the picture<br />
wasn't as good as I thought it would be.<br />
lUthough it did do average business for this<br />
lime of year. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:<br />
jyool, windy.—Orin J. Sears, Apache Theatre,<br />
'boving, N. M. Small town patronage.<br />
Sirocco (Col)—Humphrey Bogart, Marta<br />
I<br />
|roren. Lee J. Cobb. I have just started runjiing<br />
Columbia after almost a year and a half<br />
jind this was not so hot, at least not at my<br />
(Kjxoffice. Comments were divided. Some<br />
liked it. some did not. Played Mon., Tues.<br />
jVeather: Warm.—Kenneth Clem, Earle The-<br />
Taneytown, Md. Small town patronage.<br />
Iitre,<br />
Girl<br />
I<br />
LIPPERT PRODUCTIONS<br />
— Cesar Romero, George<br />
Brent, Audrey Totter. This is a great action<br />
ieature from little Lippert. Romero, Brent<br />
;.nd Raymond Burr were excellent in their<br />
jarts. Played this with "Sailor Beware"<br />
Para). Business was good. Played Sun., Mon.,<br />
j.^Mes. Weather: Cool and damp.—Graham<br />
j.nd Yarnell, Kramer Theatre, Detroit. Mich.<br />
.Neighborhood patronage.<br />
I Leave It to the Marines (LP)—Sid Melton,<br />
[dara Lynn, Margia Dean. Light and strictly<br />
lor the double header houses. Would rate it<br />
air. Played Sun.. Mon. Weather: Fair.—<br />
I^arce Parkhurst, Lansing Drive-In Theatre,<br />
|iansing. Mich. FamUy patronage.<br />
Little Big<br />
\ Horn (LP)—Lloyd Bridges, John<br />
Ireland, Marie Wind.sor. A nicely made little<br />
eature that the most critical found enterlaining<br />
and realistic. Terms were in proporjion<br />
to the average midweek business we<br />
jealized on Mr. Lippert's Indian epic. Played<br />
[Ved., Thurs. Weather; Nice.—Bob Walker,<br />
Hntah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small town and<br />
ural patronage.<br />
METRO-GOLDWYN-<strong>MAY</strong>ER<br />
PICTURES<br />
American in Paris, An (MGM) —Gene Kelly,<br />
Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant. Funny thing, almost<br />
invariably an Oscar picture flops here.<br />
I can't explain why in all ca.ses. However,<br />
in this case I think the picture was a little<br />
too "arty" for my type of audience. I bought<br />
it right and broke even, so won't kick. They<br />
can't all draw. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:<br />
Nice.—Marcella Smith, Vinton Theatre, Mc-<br />
Arthur, Ohio. Small town patronage.<br />
Angels in the Outfield (MGMi —Paul Douglas,<br />
Janet Leigh. Keenan Wynn. A .swell show<br />
and it pleased 100 per cent. Business was not<br />
too good because it had been played in first<br />
run houses near here but—it's still a swell<br />
picture. Darn few are better! Played Sun.,<br />
Mon,. Tues. Weather: Cold and Stormy.<br />
Bill Leonard, Leonard Theatre, Cedar Vale,<br />
Kas. Small town patronage.<br />
James Mason as Rommel<br />
Wows Them Here<br />
TXTE WERE STRUCK by the unusual report<br />
received from our contributor,<br />
Dave Klein, in North Rhodesia, Africa on<br />
"The Desert Fox" (20th-Fox). It is interesting<br />
to analyze this as compared to<br />
reports of smalltown and neighborhood<br />
exhibitors in this country. Writes Klein:<br />
"Did we pull them in for this one!<br />
We<br />
broke every existing record. Here's top<br />
entertainment with Mason coming out<br />
fighting. It took Fox to put him back in<br />
the moviegoers good books. The fellow<br />
who took the part of Von Runstedt just<br />
about stole the show. If you have been<br />
playing to poor houses of late, play this,<br />
sit back and you can keep on smiling!<br />
We brought in those, who made up their<br />
minds not to come, by using on all our advertising<br />
the speech Churchill made about<br />
Rommel and which is used at the end of<br />
the film. We, and Fox, did so well with<br />
this remarkable film that we are still<br />
smiling. Play it and then re-book it for<br />
more full houses. A record for any show<br />
here!"<br />
Next Voice You Hear, The (MGM)—James<br />
Whitmore. Nancy Davis. Gary Gray. Will<br />
have to go along with the other comments<br />
and give this our O.K. A nice family picture<br />
with a message. Attendance above average.<br />
Played midweek.—C. E. Bennewitz, Royal<br />
Theatre, Royalton, Minn.<br />
Texas Carnival (MGM) — Red Skelton,<br />
Esther Williams, Howard Keel. I ran the<br />
matinee on opening and in the booth this<br />
didn't .seem very funny. I sat down in the<br />
auditorium that night and how that laughter<br />
caught on. I suddenly found myself<br />
laughing like a fool at stuff that hadn't even<br />
brought a chuclcle when I was alone. Red<br />
and Keenan Wynn are great together. When<br />
the chuck wagon race hits the .screen they'll<br />
loosen every seat in the house. Business was<br />
excellent. You won't go wrong on this. Played<br />
Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Rain.—Bob Walker,<br />
Uintaii Theatre, Fiaiita, Colo. Small<br />
town and rural patronage.<br />
Westward the Women iMGM> — Robert<br />
Taylor, Denise Darcel. Hope Emerson. This<br />
is<br />
an exceptionally well done western with a<br />
different slant. It has some humorous spot'<br />
a.s well as plenty of action and the lauuli<br />
were the kind that you like to hear. It. ha<br />
a happy ending. If I had anything to do<br />
with the making of pictures I would surely<br />
"spot" In .some humor along the way and<br />
make all the endings HAPPY ones! We have<br />
enough troubles without tragic endings In our<br />
movies! Played Sun.. Mon. Weather: Pair and<br />
cool.—I. Roche. Vernon Theatre, Vernon, Fla.<br />
Small town and rural patronage.<br />
MONOGRAM<br />
Bad Boy (Mono i — Lloyd Nolan, Jane Wyatt,<br />
Audie Murphy. Here's an oldie that is very<br />
good but no draw at the boxoffice as the<br />
trailer showed nothing but hardboiled characters,<br />
shootings, etc. Naturally the parents<br />
don't like to bring their children to such entertainments<br />
so they stay home, too. So. the<br />
boxoffice was a flop. Still the film companies<br />
insist I play pictures of this sort.<br />
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Fair.—G. P.<br />
Jonckowski, Lyric Theatre, Waba.s.so, Minn.<br />
Rural and small town patronage.<br />
Cavalry Scout (Mono) — Rod Cameron,<br />
Audrey Long. Jim Davis. A very good picture.<br />
The color enhanced it very much, which<br />
it does in most ca.ses. In my opinion Technicolor<br />
is enough to lift a B picture into an A<br />
category. Played Fri., Sat—Harlan Rankin.<br />
Plaza Theatre. Tilbury. Ontario. Canada.<br />
Yukon Manhunt (Mono)—Kirby Grant,<br />
"Chinook," Margaret Field. Like it u-sually<br />
happens, this series has suddenly gone<br />
"stinko" after a good start. It is too bad they<br />
had to let them go to corn. Strictly a poor<br />
support for a double bill. We got a normal<br />
midweek on a dualer with "Father Takes the<br />
Air," but they let me know they didn't like<br />
this one on the way out. Played Wed.. Thurs.<br />
Weather: Cold.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre,<br />
Fruita, Colo. Small town and rural trade.<br />
PARAMOUNT<br />
Crosswinds (Para)—John Payne, Rhonda<br />
Fleming, Forrest Tucker. Don't get too<br />
steamed up about this one. Slow and draggy<br />
for the first half but finally gets going in the<br />
last half. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:<br />
Rainy.—Bill Leonard. Leonard Theatre, Cedar<br />
Vale, Kas. Small town patronage.<br />
Darling, How Could You! (Para)—Joan<br />
Fontaine, John Lund, Mona FYeeman. Not<br />
much of a picture, walkouts a-plenty. You<br />
won't mi.s-s anything if you pass it, we broke<br />
even on it. Played Tues.. Wed. Weather:<br />
Fair.—Ken Christiansen. Roxy Theatre,<br />
Washburn, N. D. Small town, rural trade.<br />
My Favorite Spy iPara)—Bob Hope, Hedy<br />
Lamarr. Francis L. Sullivan. One of the better<br />
Hopes. Tliey didn't break any walls down<br />
to get in but I sold a lot of popcorn and Coca-<br />
Cola. The fire truck eha.se really put them<br />
in the aisles. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:<br />
Warm.—Kenneth Clem. Earle Theatre.<br />
Taneytown, Md. Small town patronage.<br />
That's My Boy i Para)—Dean Martin. Jerry<br />
Lewis. Polly Bergen. The boxoffice held up<br />
okay despite the fact we had a big Farm<br />
Bureau meeting with a free show. Comment-s<br />
were very good. Lots of smiles on their<br />
faces as they came out after the show and<br />
that makes an exhibitor glow inside. This<br />
picture didn't have too much hokum and ii<br />
had a good story. Played Sun.. Mon,, T\ies<br />
Weather: Fair.—G. P. Jonckowski, Lyric Tlieatre.<br />
Waba.sso. Minn. Rural and small town<br />
patronage.<br />
(Continued on following page)<br />
1 iJOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 10, 1952 1
RKO<br />
j<br />
The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY<br />
(Continued from preceding page)<br />
RKO RADIO<br />
Alice in Wonderland i i— Technicolor<br />
Cartoon Feature. The usual good Disney Job<br />
but another tj-pe which simply will not draw<br />
in a small town. The teenagers groan when<br />
they learn it is booked. At the rental a.sked,<br />
it is not worth playing. We can do better with<br />
lower cost pictures with more adult appeal.<br />
Played Tues., Wed.. Thurs. Weather: Okay.<br />
—William J. Harris, Crown Theatre, Lincoln,<br />
Ark. Rural and small town patronage.<br />
I Want You (RKOi—Dana Andrews, Dorothy<br />
McGuire, Farley Granger. Wonderful<br />
feature, everyone in it does a fine job of acting,<br />
but business was off. We had 81 Sunday,<br />
80 Monday and 76 Tuesday so you can see<br />
they were three "hot" days. Played with "Just<br />
This Once" iMGM), Sun., Mon.. Tues. Weather:<br />
Warm.—Graham and Yarnell. Kramer<br />
Theatre. Detroit, Mich. Neighborhood patronage.<br />
Kon-Tiki iRKO)-Travelog. Thor Heyerdahl<br />
and the members of the expedition. This<br />
received the Academy Award for the best<br />
documentary of 1951 and deserved the distinction.<br />
It is an exceptionally entertaining film<br />
that played to capacity houses at every performance,<br />
including the .special ones. Opinion<br />
was divided—those who expected more action<br />
(and where they expected the action to come<br />
from we would not know!)—and those who<br />
just lapped it up. This is good entertainment<br />
for any situation. The book will sell it for<br />
you. It's something completely different and<br />
that's what the tills will look like in contrast<br />
to their appearance after the usual run of<br />
movies. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather:<br />
Fine.—Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre, Kitwe-<br />
Nkana, N. Rhodesia, Africa. Mining, government,<br />
business patronage.<br />
Nature's Half Acre (RKO)—Short. Another<br />
wonderful offering from Walt Disney that<br />
deserved the credit it received. Most comments<br />
were that this is not quite as good as<br />
the one before it, but nonetheless everyone<br />
said they would have hated to miss it. Played<br />
Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Nice.—Bob Walker,<br />
Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Rural and<br />
small town patronage.<br />
REPUBLIC<br />
Belle Le Grand (Rep)—Vera Ralston. John<br />
Carroll, Hope Emerson. This was good but I<br />
had a very, very poor Friday. The trailer<br />
w-as okay so guess it was the Easter season.<br />
Played Pri., Sat. Weather: Clear, cool.—Kenneth<br />
Clem, Earle Theatre, Taneytown, Md.<br />
Small town patronage.<br />
Fighting Coast Guard (Rep)—Brian Donlevy,<br />
Forrest Tucker, Ella Raines. Fair enough<br />
if you show double bills. A lot of old newsreel<br />
and navy shots used for filler. It will<br />
draw kids and action fans. Played Tues.,<br />
Wed.—Frank E. Sabin, Majestic Theatre,<br />
Eureka, Mont. Small town and rural patronage.<br />
In Old Missouri (Rep)—Reissue. Weaver<br />
Brothers and Elviry. This is just right for<br />
the small rural towns as it possesses a brand<br />
of humor that the average smalltown patron<br />
can enjoy and understand. Any time country<br />
crackers get the best of city slickers it is<br />
bound to make a hit in the sticks. This is<br />
rightly recommended for half of the usual<br />
double bill on PYi., Sat. Weather: Nice and<br />
warm.—I. Roche, Vernon Theatre, Vernon,<br />
Pla. Small town and rural patronage.<br />
20th CENTURY-FOX<br />
As Young as You Feel (20th-Fox) —Monty<br />
WooUey, Thelma Ritter, David Wayne. Monty<br />
Woolley is usually tops in comedy but I'm<br />
afraid this one slipped somewhere. It tried to<br />
be funny but only a few feeble laughs were<br />
raised by our patrons. They did not dislike it<br />
but nobody seemed impressed. Thelma Ritter<br />
was wasted in thLs one. We thought the show<br />
was stolen (what there was to steal) by Albert<br />
Dekker. If you have nothing better to play,<br />
then put this in. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:<br />
Fair.—Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre,<br />
Kitwe-Nkana, N. Rhodesia, Africa. Business,<br />
mining, government patronage.<br />
Decision Before Dawn (20th-Fox)—Richard<br />
Basehart, Gary Merrill, Oskar Werner. Here<br />
is a good feature but it should have been<br />
about 80 minutes instead of 119. It is a little<br />
too long. People were getting bored, not<br />
enough action. Business was fair. Played<br />
Wed., Thurs.. Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm.—<br />
Graham and Yarnell. Kiamer Theatre, Detroit,<br />
Mich. Neighborhood patronage.<br />
Halls of Montezuma (2ath-Fox)—Richard<br />
Widmark, Walter Palance, Reginald Gardiner,<br />
Excellent but brutal and bloody. Richard<br />
Widmark convincing in a tough role. Keeps<br />
the customers glued to their seats. Played<br />
Fri.. Sat., Sun.—Frank E. Sabin, Majestic<br />
Theatre, Eureka, Mont. Small town and rural<br />
patronage.<br />
Let's Make It Legal (20th-Fox)—Claudette<br />
Colbert, Macdonald Carey, Zachary Scott. I<br />
made a mistake and played this one midweek.<br />
Could hold up very well for a Sun., Mon. bill.<br />
A very funny, very clever, very sophisticated<br />
picture. It was well received, no walkouts and<br />
no complaints. Played Wed.—Marcella Smith,<br />
Vinton Theatre, McArthur, Ohio. Small town<br />
patronage.<br />
English Humor Uniunny<br />
In Small Towns<br />
COLDIERS THREE (MGM) — Stewart<br />
Granger, Walter Pidgeon, David<br />
Niven. This English stuff just doesn't go<br />
here. I got afraid of this one and ran it<br />
on ten-cent night. It was okay for that<br />
but it would have died a horrible death<br />
on a regular run. Funny in places. Let's<br />
say as funny as the English get which<br />
isn't very funny in small American towns.<br />
Played Monday only. Weather: O.K.<br />
Lloyd Hutchins, Center Theatre, Kensett,<br />
Ark. Rural patronage.<br />
Smoky (20th-Fox)—Fred MacMurray, Anne<br />
Baxter, Bruce Cabot. This drew very well at<br />
the boxoffice and pleased everyone who came.<br />
Comments on it were very good. It is a natural<br />
for the large and small town alike.<br />
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—G. P.<br />
Jonckowski, Lyric Theatre, Wabasso, Minn.<br />
Rural, small town trade.<br />
UNITED ARTISTS<br />
Enchanted Valley, The (UA)—Alan Curtis,<br />
Anne Gwynne, Charley Grapewin. This was<br />
a very fine picture and it did fair midweek<br />
business, about the average I would say and<br />
worthy of playing. Played Wed., Thurs.<br />
Weather: Warm.—Harlan Rankin, Plaza Theatre,<br />
Tilbury, Ontario, Canada. Small town<br />
patronage.<br />
Mrs. Mike (UA)—Dick Powell, Evelyn Keyes,<br />
J. M. Kerrigan. This ancient epic still gave<br />
me better midweek business than most of the<br />
new stuff I've been using in this spot. It's a<br />
great story that everyone liked and if you<br />
are like me and passed it up when it first<br />
came around you'd better go back and pick<br />
it up. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Beautiful.—Bob<br />
Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita,<br />
Colo. Small town and rural patronage.<br />
Queen For a Day (UAl—Phyllis Avery,<br />
Darren McGavin, Ruby Lee. It was a pleasure<br />
to stand at the door as a lot of happy showgoers<br />
left after this one. What a refreshing<br />
piece of entertainment. Business was extraordinary<br />
for a midweek. It's old as the hills,<br />
but it can be sold and it will make people<br />
come out who never see most films. Played<br />
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Snow.—Bob Walke<br />
Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small tow<br />
and rural trade.<br />
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL<br />
Arctic Manhunt (U-I) — Mikel Conra<br />
Carol Thurston, Wally Cassell. We used th<br />
with "The Vatican" which made an excellei<br />
Holy Week program. I took the booket<br />
word for "Arctic Manhunt" and got it i<br />
trade for a newer smeller. It turned oi<br />
okay at the boxoffice and was very pleasii,<br />
to the patrons. Played Wed., Thurs. Weatheii<br />
Cloudy, fail-.—G. P. Jonckowski, Lyric TIimI<br />
tre, Waba.s.so, Minn. Rural and small tow.<br />
patronage.<br />
Bedtime for Bonzo (U-I) — Diana Lyn<br />
Ronald Reagan, Walter Slezak. This was ei<br />
joyed by the kids but the<br />
be just another picture.<br />
adults found it '<br />
No comments, goc,<br />
or bad, were made on it. Most of our teet<br />
agers were at a dance being held a few mili<br />
away so our boxoffice was nothing over ave:<br />
age.—Don Haig, Paramount Theatre, Whit<br />
mouth, Manitoba, Canada. Small town ar<br />
rural trade.<br />
Cattle Drive (U-D—Joel McCrea, Dea'<br />
Stockwell, Chill Wills. After having it pull(<br />
on us about four times we finally showed tb i<br />
fine picture. It is swell. If you can get Unj<br />
versal to stand still long enough, .show it. wj<br />
can't get 'em to stay hitched. Played Sun I<br />
Mon. Weather: Fine.—Orin J. Sears, Apacp'<br />
Theatre, Loving, N. M. Small town patronag"<br />
Cave of Outlaws (U-D—Macdonald Care:<br />
Alexis Smith, Edgar Buchanan. A superwes'<br />
ern with good casting, color and plot but ni;<br />
too good a title and weekend before Eastt<br />
kept it down to a miserable gross. "Cowboj<br />
in white shirts and full dress suits!" corr<br />
mented a few wise customers. All I can say<br />
that business was terrible! Played Thurf:<br />
Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—Ken Christiansoii<br />
Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small tow|<br />
trade.<br />
WARNER BROS.<br />
Close to My Heart (WB) — Ray MillMlIf<br />
Gene Tierney, Pay Bainter. Here is a veri<br />
excellent picture about a baby and the you<br />
couple who want to adopt it. I lost mon^<br />
on it but I am not sorry as it pleased all wli<br />
came. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cool.-'<br />
Kenneth Clem, Earle Theatre, Taneytov<br />
Md. Small town patronage.<br />
Distant Drums (WB)—Gary Cooper, Ma^<br />
Aldon, Richard Webb. We had the best Sur<br />
day and Monday business with this one sine<br />
December. Everyone who saw it liked it. y,<br />
has lots of beautiful scenes and plenty c<br />
action. Weather: Like summer.—Orin .<br />
Sears, Apache Theatre, Loving, N. M. Sma<br />
'<br />
town patronage.<br />
Fagin's Freshman (WB)—Short. We use (<br />
color cartoon on every program. Most old an<br />
young alike enjoy them. "Fagin's Freshmar<br />
was no exception to the rule. Played Sun., Moi<br />
Weather: Fair.—Pearce Parkhurst, Lansin<br />
Drive-In Theatre, Lansing, Mich. Family pa<br />
tronage.<br />
Jim Thorpe—AU-American (WB) — Biu!<br />
Lancaster, Charles Bickford, Steve Cochrai<br />
Above average sports picture due to Lar<br />
caster's excellent portrayal of Jim Thorp'<br />
Sports lovers everywhere will proclaim th;<br />
picture as outstanding of its type. Would rat,<br />
it as excellent entertainment. Played Er^<br />
Sat. Weather: Clear and cool.—Pearce Parkll<br />
hurst, Lansing Drive-In Theatre, Lansinj<br />
Mich. Family patronage.<br />
Starlift (WB)—Doris Day, Gordon MacRa'<br />
Virginia Mayo. A very nice musical corned:<br />
I believe it would have done a lot better if i<br />
had been in Technicolor but will hold up any<br />
way. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cool.-<br />
Kenneth Clem, Eaxle Theatre, Taneytowr<br />
Md. Small town patronage.<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 10, WS
i<br />
: 4<br />
: At<br />
I<br />
I<br />
I<br />
I<br />
'<br />
African<br />
Inttrprttlv* anolyili of lay and trodoran rovlowi. The plui and mlnui<br />
I<br />
algni Indlcoto degrat oi<br />
irir onir; audlanc* elostlflcallon li not roted. Llitlngi cover current revicwi, brought up to dot* regularly.<br />
i department isrvcs olso os on ALPHABETICAL INDEX to teoture releoies. Numeral preceding lllle<br />
|>lcture Guide Review poge number. For lutings by compony, In the order of reloaie, see Feature Chart.<br />
73^"<br />
ii5vj£!ij<br />
m^m<br />
Very Good; i Good; = Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. In the summary •<br />
is rated as 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.<br />
'<br />
7-21-51 + + +<br />
4-21-51 + + +<br />
11- 3-51 + S: -f -f<br />
?1 Chain of Circumstance (68) Drama Col 8-25-51<br />
: 6 Chicago Calling (74) Drama UA 12- 8-51<br />
- + ^<br />
^ ff +<br />
12-22-51 + +<br />
10-13-51 i + +f +<br />
2 6 Cloudburst (83) Drama UA 2-16-52 ± + + ±<br />
J 5 Clouded Yellow, The (96) Drama Col 10- 6-51 +<br />
-(-<br />
+ -f +<br />
2-16-52 -<br />
9-22-51 4+ + + + +<br />
6-23-51 + =t ± ff i: ± *<br />
9-15-51 +<br />
1-12-52 -f<br />
Criminal 1 Uwyer (74) Drama Col 8-25-51 +<br />
8t><br />
lo. Z Izo I<br />
]8 Aaron Slick From Punkin Crick<br />
'<br />
(95) Comedy Para 2-23-52 - ± ± + +<br />
^5 About Face (94) Musical WB 4-19-52 -f ± ± + -{<br />
Jl According to Mrs. Hoyle (60) Drama Mono 6-23-51 ±:<br />
io Across the Wide Missouri (81) Sup-West. MGM 9-22-51 + * ± It -f<br />
II Adventures of Captain Fabian (100) Drama. Rep 9-29-51 —<br />
y 2 African Queen, The (104) Drama UA 1- 5-52 H - tt « H<br />
Treasure (..) Drama Mono<br />
}1 Aladdin and His Lamp (66) Drama. Mono 2- 9-52 -f -f +<br />
15 Alice in Wonderland (75) Fantasy RKO 7- 7-51 -f-<br />
++<br />
1.6Along the Great Divide (88) West-Dr WB 5- 5-51 ff<br />
:!: tt<br />
I'3 American in Paris, An (115) Musical. MGM 9- 1-51 ff H H<br />
i'3 Angels in the Outfield (102) Drama MGM 9- 1-51 -f H H<br />
lOAnneof the Indies (81) Drama 20th-Fox 10-20-51 H + -H<br />
II Another Mans Poison (89) Drama UA 1- 5-52 -f + -<br />
11 Anything Can Happen (107) Comedy. ... Para 3- S-52 -f -f + -H<br />
] Apache Country (62) Western Col<br />
;.3 Apache Drums (75) Western U-l 4-28-51 ± + +<br />
Jl Appointment With Danger (90) Drama... Para 4-21-51 + + ++<br />
^ 3 Arizona Manhunt (60) Western Rep 9-29-51 i:<br />
1 3 As You Were (57) Comedy LP 3-15-52 +<br />
+<br />
7 As Young as You Feel (77) Com 20th- Fox 6- 9-51 ± + +<br />
Atomic City, The (85) Drama Para 4-12-52 + + ++<br />
Sword's Point (81) Drama RKO 2- 2-52 ± + +<br />
B<br />
^0 Bannnline (87) Drama MGM 9-22-51 ± + ± + +<br />
3 Barefoot Mailman. The (S3) Comedy Col 11- 3-51 -f ± +f ±<br />
9-29-51 ± ± + -<br />
4- 5-52 + f -H ff<br />
9-22-51 ft + -H +f<br />
2-23-52 -f ± + =t<br />
12 Belles on Their Toes (89) Comedy. .20th-Fox 4- 5-52 ^ tt « +f<br />
J8 Bend of the River (91) Drama U-l 1-26-52 ff +f ++ ff Vt<br />
)3 Best of the Badmen (84) Western RKO 5- 5-51 + ± tt +<br />
)8BiB Carnival, The (112) Drama Para 5-12-51 -f H -f ff<br />
-<br />
(Reviewed as Ace in the Holt)<br />
17Bii Gusher (68) Adv-Dr Col 7-14-51 -1-<br />
^7 Big Nioht, The (75) Drama UA 11-10-51 -f<br />
^2 Big Trees, The (89) Drama WB 2- 9-52 ± + ±<br />
Black Hills Ambush (54) Western Rep<br />
Blazing Bullets (51) Western Mono<br />
19Blu» Veil, The (114) Drama RKO 9-22-51 H -f +f ff<br />
l9 Bonanza Town (56) Western Col 7-21-51 + ± ±<br />
10 BMts Malone (103) Drama Col 12-22-51 + -f + -f<br />
lo Border Saddlemates (67) Western Rep 5- 3-52 ± ± -f<br />
Brave Bulls, The (108) Drama Col 5-12-51<br />
J7 H ff ff ±<br />
17 Bride of the Gorilla (68) Drama Realart 11-10-51 + ± +<br />
U Bright Victory (97) Drama U-l 7-28-51 -H- + tt ++<br />
^5 Bronco Buster (81) Drama U-I 4-19-52 + ± + + +<br />
^2 Browning Version. The (90) Drama U-l 11-24-51 ff + -f<br />
|9Buckaroo Sheriff of Texas (60) Western ..Reo 12-30-50 ±<br />
^6 Buffalo Bill In Tomahawk Territory<br />
I<br />
(64) Western UA 2-16-52 -f<br />
4 2 Bugles in the Afternoon (85) Drama WB 2- 9-52 +<br />
^'5 Bullfighter and the Lady (87) Drama.... Rep 5- 5-51 -f ft<br />
10 Bushwhackers. The (73) Western Realart 12-22-51 +<br />
ff H<br />
C<br />
.'5 California Passage (90) Western Rep 12-23-50 + + =t -f<br />
.'OCallaway Went Thataway (81) Comedy. MGM 11-17-51 + + + +<br />
JoCalling Bulldog Drummond (81) Drama. MGM 10-20-51 -f :t + ++<br />
yl Call of the Klondike (67) Drama Mono 12-23-50 -f =t +<br />
>2 Captive City, The (91) Drama UA 4- 5-52 ff H tt -H<br />
2- 2-52 +<br />
+<br />
6-16-51 +t<br />
ff ft<br />
4-19-52 -I-<br />
ff ff ff<br />
:OC»»j<br />
5- 3-52 -H-<br />
Manana (73) Musical Mono 7-21-51 -<br />
4BasketbaJI Fix, The (70) Drama Realart<br />
!<br />
12 Battle at Apache Pass, The (85) Drama .U-l<br />
i9 Betiate Yourself! (81) Comedy RKO<br />
17 Belle of New York, The (82) Musical MGM<br />
10 Captive of Billy the Kid (57) Western. Rep<br />
'OCipt. Horatio Hornblower (117) Act-Or..WB<br />
16 Carbine Williams (101) Drama MGM<br />
:;0 Carson City (89) Western WB<br />
Cattle<br />
Jo Drive (77) Western U-l<br />
a Cavalry Scout (78) Western Mono<br />
{4 Cate of Outlaws (76) Drama U-l<br />
^7 China Corsair (67) Act-Dr Col 6 9-51<br />
5 Christmas Carol, j A (86) Drama UA 11- 3-51<br />
Cimarron Kid. The (84) Drama U-l<br />
^ 7 Close to My Heart (90) Drama WB<br />
J 6 Colorado Sundown (67) Western Rep<br />
JOCome Fill the Cup (113) Drama WB<br />
UComln' Round the Mountain (77) Comedy. U-l<br />
'7 Corky of Gasoline Alley (70) Comedy Col<br />
,3 Crazy Over Horses (65) Comedy Mono<br />
«/><br />
± frfSf<br />
6+2-<br />
4+4-<br />
+ + 7+3-<br />
- + 2+6-^<br />
ff H 12+1-<br />
± - 6+3-<br />
+f i: U+l-<br />
-f =t 9+4-<br />
H H !+<br />
-f ++ 12+<br />
± * 10+2-<br />
± + 5+4-<br />
ff + 9+<br />
± 1+1-<br />
+ + 7+2-<br />
+ + 8+1-<br />
5+5—<br />
3+1-<br />
8+3-<br />
9+<br />
7+2-<br />
6+2-<br />
+ 8+3-<br />
5+4-<br />
8+<br />
+ 10+<br />
+ ± 7+4-<br />
ff 12+<br />
+ 13+<br />
+ 7+2-<br />
+ 8+2-<br />
+ ± 6+4-<br />
± + 3+5-<br />
+ + 7+4-<br />
ff + 12+<br />
± 4+3-<br />
+ + 7+<br />
3+2-<br />
+ tt 11+2-<br />
± ± 5+4-<br />
ff ff 13+<br />
-f 6+1-<br />
ff + 8+1-<br />
4+5-<br />
± 3+3-<br />
+ + 7+1-<br />
+ H U+<br />
± ± 6+6-<br />
+ ± 7+3-<br />
ff + 9+<br />
± 7+3-<br />
± 5+3-<br />
+ + 11+<br />
± ± 5+2-<br />
ff + 12+<br />
9+1-<br />
2+<br />
2+5-<br />
8+<br />
6+2-<br />
6+2-<br />
6+7-<br />
5+6-<br />
* * 7+7-<br />
ff 7+3-<br />
± + 6+3-<br />
8+4-<br />
6+4-<br />
6+1-<br />
± ± 5+6-<br />
ff 2: 9+1-<br />
± * 8+5-<br />
* 6+4-<br />
* 4+4—<br />
7+5-<br />
1286 Crosswinds (93) Drama Para 8-11-51 ff<br />
1294 Cyclone Fury (54) Western Col 9- 1-51 ±<br />
1204 Cyrano de Bergerac (112) Drama UA 11-18-SO H<br />
1276 Dakota Kid. The (60) Weitcrn Rep 7- 7-51 ±<br />
1288 Darling, How Could You! (96) Comedy Para S-lS-Sl ± - +<br />
1292 David and Bathsheba (123) Drama 20th-Fo« 8-25-51 H<br />
1296 Day the Earth Stood Still (92) Or 20th-Fox 9- 8-51 +<br />
1355 Deadline— US A. (87) Drama 20thFox 3-22-52 ff<br />
1253 Dear Brat (82) Comedy Para 4-28-51 +<br />
1328 Death of a Salesman (113) Drama Col 12-15-51 H<br />
1329 Decision Before Dawn (119) Drama 20th-Fox 12-22-51 +<br />
1357 Denver & Rio Grande, The (89) Drama. Pari 3-29-52 +<br />
1305 Desert Fox, Tlie (87) Drama 20th-Fox 10- 6-51 +<br />
1328 Desert of Lost Men (54) Western Res 12-15-51 +<br />
Desert Pursuit (71) Drama Mono<br />
1302 Detective Story (103) Drama Para 9-29-51 + ft H<br />
1296 Disc Jockey (77) Musical Mono 9- 8-51 + ± -f<br />
1326 Distant Drums (101) Drama WB 12- 8-51 + H +<br />
1207 Double Crossbones (75) Com-Mus U-l 12- 2-50 + —<br />
1319 Double Dynamite (80) Comedy RKO 11-17-51 + ±<br />
Down Among the Sheltering Palms<br />
(. .) Drama 20th-Fox<br />
1308 Drums in the Deep South (87) Drama.. RKO 10-13-Sl ± ±<br />
1312 Elephant Stampede (71) Drama Mono 10-27-51 ±<br />
1318 Elopement (81) Comedy 20th-Fox<br />
1361 Encora (89) Episode-Drama Para<br />
1262 Excuse My Dust (82) Mui-Com MGM<br />
XK<br />
Z(cla.alzol
REVIEW DIGEST Very Good; Good; — Fair; — Poor; — Very Poor. In the summary r; is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.<br />
M<br />
O<br />
CD
Very Good; " Good; — Fair; — Poor; — Very Poor. In the summary * is roted as 2 plustt. - OS 2 minuin. REVIEW DIGEST<br />
o<br />
00
C.<br />
I<br />
Valley<br />
1 Loon<br />
. . . M<br />
.CD.<br />
.<br />
I<br />
Disc<br />
I<br />
Afrleon<br />
nirmi mjiurr<br />
Feafurc productions by compony in order of release. Number In square is national release date. Runni'<br />
time is in parentheses. Type of story is indicated by letters and combinations thereof as follows:<br />
(<br />
Comedy; (D) Drama; (CD) Comcdy-Dromo; (F) Fontosy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SW) Superwestei<br />
Release number follows: v' denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award Winner. © denotes color photo<br />
raphy. For review dotes and Picture Guide page numbers, see Review Digest.<br />
>-<br />
i<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
BJi<br />
.<br />
Sirocco (98 j D . . 348<br />
Hiirriii(iii> ltt)t:.iri. l.oe J. Cobb, .Maria Tori'ii<br />
O Hurricane<br />
Two of a<br />
Island<br />
Kind<br />
(72)<br />
(7S)<br />
D . . 349<br />
D. .350<br />
f^ilnionil ilBriin. Llzabelh Scoll. Tmd .Moore<br />
Big Gusher (68) D . . 306<br />
U.iyiu- Mi'frls. I'rcston Kosler, Oofiithy Patrlclt<br />
Bononio Town (56)<br />
OMosk of the Avongor (83). .<br />
W. .367<br />
.D. .359<br />
John horck. Anthoii) Uuinn. Jody Lawrnncf<br />
WhistI* of Eoton Foils, The (96) D. .322<br />
Lloyd Ur)(l);rs. horolhy Cish, C. C-irponttT<br />
Never Trust a GambUr (79). . . .D. .326<br />
iMru ('l.irk. (Jill) D'lioniicU. Tom llr:iko<br />
Pickup (78) D. .357<br />
notfrl) .Mleh.u'ls. lliit;o Uias, .-Mian NI\oii<br />
Cyclone Fury (54) W..368<br />
l'liirle~ Starrftt. Smiliy Biirmllt', F. SMrs<br />
Chain of Circumstonca (68). . .D. .309<br />
.<br />
Itu- li.Trtl t:r.i>-.iin. .Marnaret Fit'lil, 0. Kowley<br />
~Saiurday's Hero (111) D..401<br />
Jiiiiti lurfk. Iiomi.i Herd. Sidney Blaokmer<br />
Lady and the Bondit, The (79). .D. .337<br />
Loiils lla>».ird. I'nlrlfla Medina, T. Tidly<br />
OSunny Side of the Street (71). .M. .408<br />
l''r.iiilik- l-iiMc. Hilly li.mlels. Terry Moore<br />
Mogic Foce, The (89) D. .402<br />
l.nllbr A.IUr. I'alrlela Knlitht. \V. U Shlrer<br />
Corky of Gasoline Alley (70).. D. 302<br />
Hills of Utah (70) W. .356<br />
OMagic Carpet, The (84) C. .410<br />
l.urilli- n.ill. John ,\i;ar, I'alrlela Medina<br />
Criminal Lawyer (74) D,.412<br />
I'lt oitrl.'n. Jane Wyalt, Jerome Co\\an<br />
Mob, The (87) D. .407<br />
llroiliTirk l>a»rord. Kiley<br />
Belly Buehler, If.<br />
Five (93) D. .371<br />
Willi. im Phlpps. Lee<br />
Silvan l)oui;la.s. Earl<br />
Jungle<br />
Kid From<br />
Manhunt (66)<br />
Amorillo, The<br />
D. .411<br />
W . .488<br />
(56) . . .<br />
OBorefoot Mailman, The (83). C. .404<br />
Utthert runimin^iS. Terry Moore. J Courtland<br />
Harlem Globetrotters, The (80). C. .405<br />
Thtini.H Cuniez, Harlem Glolielrollers<br />
Son of Dr. Jekyll, The (77) D. .409<br />
Uiui'; lla\\\ard. Jodv La\u.ince, .\. Knox<br />
Volley of Fire (63) W..353<br />
Gene Atitry, Pat Biittram, Gail Oavls<br />
OTen Tall Men (97) D, ,413<br />
Burt Lancaster. Jody Law ranee, G, Koland<br />
OMon in the Soddle (87) SW..420<br />
llandulph Seott. Joan Leslie. Ellen Drew<br />
Purple Heart Diary (73) D..421<br />
Fralift'S Lanijford. Tony hnmano. Ben Lessy<br />
Family Secret, The (85) D. .414<br />
l.ii- I. Cobb. Jolin Derek. Jody Lawrance<br />
Pecos River (55) W . . 484<br />
Cli.irles Sl.irretl. Smiley Burnettc, F. Jenks<br />
Boots Molone (103) D. .419<br />
Uilham llnUli'n. Johiinv Stewart, S- CIcment.s<br />
Olndion Uprising (70) SW..417<br />
(leiirce .\lomi;onKrv. Audrey Long, C. B. Reid<br />
Old West, The (61) W. .473<br />
liene Aiilry. Gail Davis, I'at Buttraro<br />
Smoky Canyon (55) W. .483<br />
Charles Statrell. Smiley Riirnette<br />
LIPPERT<br />
b G.I. Jane (62) C..5012<br />
J. .Ill Pinter. Tom .Neal, iris Adrian<br />
11 Yes Sir, Mr. Bones (54) M..5019<br />
Ad-Slar iMInslrei Show<br />
tio Varieties on Parade (60) M. .5020<br />
J.ukie (out; in, ,\il.SIai UeMle<br />
t!l Lost Continent, The (86) O. .5004<br />
I'es.ir llomero. Hillary Brooke, Clilck Chamller<br />
. 5023<br />
m Leave If to the Marines (66). . .C. .5005<br />
Sid .\l.lhiii, .Maia I..M111<br />
a As You Were (57) C .<br />
WiUiani 'ir.icy, Joe Sawyer, Russell IJicks<br />
ll Sky High (60) C , . 5024<br />
Sid Ml'IIiiii, Mara Lynn, Sam Flint<br />
M Highly Dangerous (81 ) D . .<br />
5029<br />
llaiii' Claik, Maigaiel Locknood, M. Goring<br />
H Unknown World (63) D..5101<br />
Iliuee Kellogt^. .Marilyn Nasli, Jim liannon<br />
i. FBI Girl (74) D . . 5002<br />
I'csar Uommi, Audrey Totter, George Brent<br />
H Superman and the<br />
(58)<br />
Mole Men<br />
O . . 5030<br />
George Reeves, Phyllis Coates. Jclf Corey<br />
[3 Great Adventure, The (75) . . . . D. .5021<br />
Dennis Price, Jack Hawkins, S. Mclvenna<br />
. 5008<br />
a| Toles of Robin Hood (59) D .<br />
Robert Clarke, .Mary llatcber, P. Cavanagb<br />
[TT] For Men Only (93) D..5102<br />
Paul Henreid. .Margaret Field. K. Sherman<br />
m Man Bait (78) O. .5103<br />
Gtoige Brent, MargueiTle Chapman<br />
M-G-M<br />
^1 Strictly Uishonorobl* (94) 0,.I3I<br />
t..:,u I'liiila, Janet Leigli, .Mlilaid iMltehcU<br />
lU. ©Show Boot (108) M..135<br />
IvalhriU (ii.ijsori, Howard Keel. Au (Jwdller<br />
I2!i Law ond the Lody, The (104). .C. . 136<br />
iiuer Garsoii, .MicIkuU Wilding. .Marjorle ,Malu<br />
PJi Tereso (105) 0,,137<br />
I'lei Angell, John Kricson, Patricia Colllnge<br />
OJ ©Rich, Young and Pretty (95).. M.. 138<br />
Jane Powell, Vie Damone, Danielle Danieux<br />
iH Toll Target, The (78) D. .139<br />
Diek I'u.u'lt, I'aula Raymond, Adolpbe .Menjoii<br />
ajl Strip, The (85) D..140<br />
Mickey Roouey, Sally Forrest. Monica Lewis<br />
D. .201<br />
lU People Against O'Horo (103). . .<br />
Spencer liaey, John Hodlak, Diana Lynu<br />
ill V^Angels in the Outfield (102). .O. .202<br />
I'aiil Uoughis, Janet Leigh, keenan Wynii<br />
^©Mr. Imperium (87) M..203<br />
Laii.i Tiiiiiur, i^iiii I'iuza, Barry Sullivan<br />
^ Red Bodge at Courage (69), , . .D. .204<br />
Aiidle Murphy, Bill Mauldln. J. Dierkes<br />
111 ©Texas Cornivol (77) C,,20S<br />
lied Skelton. iisther Williams, Howard Keel<br />
ijjj Bonnerline (88) D, .206<br />
s.tUj I' 01 lest. Lionel Barrymore, K. Brassell<br />
. 207<br />
Isj Man With a Cloak (81 ) D .<br />
Baibara Stanwyck, Joseph Cotten, L. Caron<br />
^ ©Across the Wide Missouri (81) SW. .208<br />
Clark Gable, John Hodlak, M. E. ,Marques<br />
[£i VQAmericon in Poris, An (113). M, ,209<br />
Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant<br />
itj Unknown Man, The (88) D. .210<br />
Waller Pidgeon. Ann Harding, Barry Sullivan<br />
mToo Young to Kiss (91) C. .211<br />
Van Johnson, June AUyson, Gig Young<br />
EJ Light Touch, The (107) D. .212<br />
Stciiart Granger. Pier Angeli, George Sanders<br />
EH Colling Bulldog Orummond (81).D..213<br />
Walter Pidgeon, Margaret Leigbton. R. Bcatty<br />
B Collowoy Went Thatowoy (81).. C. .214<br />
DiiMiUly McGiiire. Fred MacMurray, H. Keel<br />
g] It's a Big Country (89) Doc. .215<br />
Ethel Barrymore, G.ary Cooper, Van Johnson<br />
iO] Westward the Women (1 16) . . . . D. .216<br />
Riibeit Taylor, Denise Darcel, Julie Bishop<br />
©Pandora and the Flying<br />
[if<br />
Dutchman (123)<br />
D,.217<br />
.\va Gardner. James Mason. Nigel Patrick<br />
@ Sellout, The (83) D. .219<br />
Walter Pidgeon. Audrey Totter, John Hodiak<br />
MONOGRAM<br />
IJJ Yukon Manhunt (63) 0.t\%<br />
Klrby Grant, Chinook, Gail Davis, M, |)^<br />
[iS Stogecooch Driver (52) W,l|<br />
Whip \Vilsun, Fii/.zy Knight, J. Bannoiii<br />
H Let's Go Novy (68) C<br />
Leo Gorccy, Ilunlz Hall, Tom Ncal<br />
tL9l Oklahomo Justice (56) W.|lM<br />
Johnny Mack Brown, James B, 1<br />
Ellison,<br />
(—<br />
lJJ Wanted: Dead or Alive (58)..W.,1|4<br />
Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knight, J. Bannotr<br />
lis Joe Palooko in Triple Cross (60) D. Ill<br />
.loe Kirkwoiid, Cattiy Downs, James Qleiii<br />
Jockey (77) M, ,UI<br />
Gliiiiy Slmms,<br />
ID Whistling<br />
Michael<br />
Hills<br />
O'Sbea,<br />
(58)<br />
Nil<br />
W,l«<br />
Juliiiny Mack Brown, James N, '111<br />
(!3 Yellow Fin (74) 0,101<br />
Wajiie .Morris, Daraian (I'Flynn, Adrian oflilii<br />
©Highwayman, The (82) D..UII<br />
Pliilip Friend, Wanda Hendrix, C, Cobui<br />
S Elephant Stampede (71) D,1I0<br />
Joluiny Sheffield, lionna Martell, E, Esloa<br />
,<br />
Q] Lawless Cowboys (58) W,;1IS<br />
Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knlgbt, Ban;i Jim :<br />
ini ©Flight to Mors (71) 0,101<br />
Marguerile Cliapman, Cameron Mitchell :<br />
a Crazy Over Horses (65) C.114<br />
Leu Uoreey. Huntz Hall, David Gorsey<br />
gl Longhorn, The (70) W,ail<br />
Uiil miiotl, Phyllis Coates, Myron Hci'<br />
[Ij Texas Lawmen (54) W. 1«<br />
Jolinny .Mack Brown, James Ellison, L. II<br />
[S Northwest Territory (61) D.ilU<br />
Klrby Grant, Chinook, (iail Davis<br />
Sg Stoge to Blue River (56) W. 15»<br />
Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knight, J. B.mnor<br />
la Steel Fist (73) 0.217<br />
Roddy McDowell. Kristlne Miller, H. Libr<br />
Hi Texas City (54) W.241<br />
Joluiny .Mack Brown, James Ellison<br />
H ©Aladdin and His Lamp (66)..0.2n<br />
Patricia Medina, John Sands, Hiehard<br />
.<br />
Death of a Salesman (113) . . . .D. .423<br />
Frednc Marell. Mildred Dunnock, Mitchell<br />
First Time, The (89) C. . 424<br />
lIolHit Chmniinus. Barbara Hale, Mona Barrle<br />
Harem Girl (70) C . . 422<br />
Jo, in I'aus. Arthur Blake. I'eKKie Castle<br />
Hawk of Wild River, The (59). .W. .482<br />
lliarles Starrett, Smiley Eurnette. C. Moore<br />
51! Stronghold (73) D..5107<br />
Zadiai) Sciitt, Veionica Lake. A. DeCnrdova<br />
jsi<br />
HI Invitation (85) D . . 220<br />
Dorothy .McGuire. Van Johnson. Ruth Roman<br />
[3 Lone Star (94) D , . 222<br />
Clark G.ible, Ava Gardner, Broderick Crawford<br />
Shadow in the Sky (78) D . . 221<br />
.Naiicv Da\is, Ralph Meeker, .lames Whitmiire<br />
S ©Belle of New York, The (82). .M. .223<br />
Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellcn. ;\lariiirie Main<br />
ill Night Raiders (52) W.251<br />
Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knight, J. Bannor<br />
m ©Fort Osage (72) W. 102<br />
Rod Cameron, Jane Nigh, Morris Anllri,<br />
§3 Waco (68) W.2J4<br />
Bill Elliott. Pamela Blake. Rand Broo<br />
q; lis<br />
<<br />
My Six Convicts (104) D. ,430<br />
Ci her; Uoliiml. John Beal. M. Mitchell<br />
Okinawa (67) D. .432<br />
I'll II I'.rlen. Camernii Mitchell, K. Dennlnc<br />
Scandal Sheet (82) D. .415<br />
BrndiTlek Crawford. Donna Reed, John Derek<br />
Night Stage to Galveston (62).. D. 475<br />
Gi-Tie Auiry. Pat F.nttram, Virplnia Huston<br />
Jungle Jim in the Forbidden<br />
Land (65) D. .429<br />
©Thief of Damascus (78) D. .427<br />
Paul Henreid. Jeff Hnnncll. John Sntlon<br />
Marrying Kind, The (93) D..425<br />
Jiiil.v Miilliday. Aldo Ray, Madge Kennedy<br />
Laramie Mountain (53) D. .485<br />
Charles Starrett, Smiley Eurnette, F. Sears<br />
Walk East on Beacon (98) D. .426<br />
f:eiiri;e Morpliv. Virginia Gilmore. F. Dirrle<br />
Sniper, The (87) D. .434<br />
Arlhnr Fran?.. Adoipe Mcn.ou, Marie Windsor<br />
OSound Off (85) C. .428<br />
Miekev Rnonev. Ann James. John Archer<br />
Yank in Indo-China, A (67) . . . . D . .435<br />
Jnlin Arehrr. Douglas Dick. Jean WlUes<br />
Apache Country (62) W. .471<br />
Gene \iitry. Pat Riittram<br />
Novpio (70) Doc. .5104<br />
Navajo Indian cast<br />
of the Eagles (83) D. .5114<br />
Jack Warner, Nadla Gray, J. .McCallum<br />
[3 ©OuHow Women (75) D..5105<br />
Marie Windsor, Richard Robcr. Carla Balenda<br />
Shark (79) D..5111<br />
n.erge Raft. Dornlhy Hart<br />
g; stolen Foce (71) D. .5109<br />
Paul Henreid, Liziibeth Scott<br />
S Just This Once (90) D..224<br />
I'eter Lawford. Janet Leigh. Lewis Stone<br />
ti Love Is Better Thon Ever (81)..C..225<br />
Elizabeth Taylor. Larry Parks. Tom Tlllly<br />
i ©Wild North, The (91 ) D . . 226<br />
Stewart Grander. Wendell Corey, C. Charisse<br />
g Wings of Danger (72) D . . 51 06 55 ©Singin' in the Rain (103) .<br />
Zaebary Scott. Robert Realty, K. Kendall<br />
.227<br />
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds<br />
Talk About a Stranger (65). . . .D. .228<br />
li<br />
George Murphy, Nancy Davis, Billy Gray<br />
S^When in Rome (78) D,.229<br />
Van Johnson. Paid Douglas. J. Calleia<br />
lU Young Mon With Ideos (84). . .230<br />
Glenn Ford, Ruth Roman. Nadine Ashdown<br />
m Carbine Williams (101) D. .231<br />
J.imes Stewart, Wrndell C'orey. Jean Hagen<br />
m Girl in White, The (93) D. .232<br />
June Mlvson. G.irv Merrill, Arthur Kennedv<br />
.a ©Skirts Ahoy! (109) M,.233<br />
F.'.-ther Williams. Jnan Fvans. Barry Sullivan<br />
Hour of 13 (. .) D. .<br />
Peter Lawford. Dawn .\ddams<br />
.<br />
(U ©Rodeo (70) W, U<br />
Jane Nigh, John Archer, Wallace Ford<br />
a Hold That Line (64) C. 211<br />
Leo Gorcey. Huntz ll.ill, John Bromfle<br />
a Man From the Black Hills (51). W. ,241 ^<br />
'ohnny Mack Brown<br />
*'<br />
E) Jet Job (63) 0.21!<br />
Stanley Clements, Elena Verdugo, J. U i,Z<br />
m Gunman, The (52) W. 251<br />
Whip Wilson, Fuzzy Knight<br />
l©Wlld Stallion (70)<br />
.w.;20i<br />
Ben .lohnson. Edgar Buchanan<br />
gj Kansas Territory (65) W<br />
P<br />
Rill Elliott. Peggy Stewart<br />
IS Desert Pursuit (71) D<br />
Wayne Morris, Virginia Grey<br />
Treasure ( ..) D.207<br />
Johnny Sheffield. Laurette Lucz<br />
S] Gold Fever (..) ,<br />
0.<br />
John Calvert. Ralph Morgan<br />
lH Here Come the Marines (..)..C.<br />
Leo Goreey. Huntz Hall. Myrna Dell<br />
^<br />
i<br />
Jungle, The (..) D. .5112<br />
Rod Cameron. Cesar Romero. Marie Windsor<br />
i ©Scoromouche ( . . ) D .<br />
Stewart Granger. Eleanor Parker. Mel Ferrer<br />
]©Wogons West (.,)<br />
W.,<br />
Rod Cameron. PegRie Castle. Noah Beer|r.
I<br />
.C.<br />
. W.<br />
JARAMOUNT<br />
^pii«9« West (80) SW. 5022<br />
I'aviH', Adriil Wliil.ili. linl» irKiile<br />
lilui<br />
lig Cornivol, The (112) D. .5023<br />
; (Kei. as Ace In llio Holt)<br />
Ilk Ooiiel»s. Jan Sicrllns, I'ort Hall<br />
"^e"kiB9"ExprMS (85) D . . 5024<br />
C'oiliinu loitin. C'jilvcl, Bilminid 0«tiin<br />
l.x'Pb<br />
hot's My Boy (98) C. 5026<br />
'un Marliti, Jfrry Li'ivls. lliith Hiisscy<br />
IWorpolh (95)<br />
SW..5025<br />
Jmund llrien. IIMU Jauccr. Forrest TiK-ker<br />
^ete Comes the Groom (114). .C. .5101<br />
i!,i Crn>bj.<br />
Qce in<br />
J.ine<br />
the Sun, A (122). .. .D. .5102<br />
\V>m.in. Kranchot lorif<br />
onitumiT) nifi. Kli2.ibi'ih Taylor<br />
'huborb (94) C..5103<br />
[> Mllland. Jan Sterling, Cene Lockhart<br />
RKO<br />
RADIO<br />
Hi CjHappy Go Lovely (88) M.<br />
Iiuwd Niven, Vera-Kllen. Cesar Kumeru<br />
262<br />
'<br />
i UOAIicc in Wonderland (75) D 291<br />
(\\all In^n^•> cariooll)<br />
Lilli Morlene (73) 0. .203<br />
Lisa liatilely, lliigh McDermolt. J. BlyUie<br />
m His Kind of Womon (120): D. .201<br />
Robert .Milclm ni. Jane Uu^sell, Vincent I'rlee<br />
t6 On the Loose (74). .T. .7D. .202<br />
Joan Ktans, .Mel\>ii houglHs, Lynn Barl<br />
Si Behave Yourself! (81) CD. .206<br />
Farley Urannel. Shelley Winters, W. liernare^t<br />
REPUBLIC ^ £s<br />
JL. Dokoto Kid, The (60) W .5067<br />
.Michael Ihaidn. Kilcne J.ins .ii. J..nl.^ II.-II<br />
is. Rodeo King and Sonorito (67) W. 5053<br />
i:e\ .Mien, ,\!ar) Kllcn Kay. Buddy El»eu<br />
.is. Fugitive Lady (78) D. .SOU<br />
Jani.^ Paige, lllnnle Uarnei, Tony Cents<br />
:ii: Flying Leathernecks (102) D. .261 :ia; This Is Korea (SO) Doc S127<br />
John \\.i>iii, liiilieii IJyati, Janis Carter<br />
Roadblock (73) D . 204<br />
lliarhs .MeCrau. Joan Dlxun. Louell Ciliriiir,-<br />
Pistol Harvest (60) W..205 34 Fort Dodge Stampede (60). ,<br />
Tto.ky" Lane,<br />
.5062<br />
Kjy<br />
'I'im Holt. Juan lUxon. liieliarU .Martin<br />
.Ml.ui ,M,>ry Lllen<br />
iSj Arizona Manhunt (60) W. ,5068<br />
Michael Ctriiim. Kllene Jatissen, James Bell<br />
!: Havana Rose (77) D..S124<br />
(Istellla Rodriguez, Hu(h Herherl, B. Wdllums<br />
FEATURE<br />
20TH CENTURY-FOX<br />
Guy Who Come Bock, The (91) .<br />
CHART<br />
.118<br />
I'.iui lio.igljv Jo. .11 HriiJi.'tl.<br />
OTake Core of Little Girl<br />
l.lri.la<br />
(93)<br />
liarli.lt<br />
M .119<br />
J. 4111111- Crain, Ji-an I'ctera. Dale Rubrrt.-.in<br />
t^'Frogmen, The (96) D..122<br />
D..n4 .tiidrroi, Cjiy Merrill, Ulcblrd Wldmatk<br />
Sacral of Convict Loka, The (81) D. .123<br />
tilenn Ford, Geni- Tit-rnry. Ktlo-I Karr*more<br />
Mr. Belvedere Rings the Belt (88) C. 124<br />
CI. lion Wi-lib, Ji,.,niir llru, ll.i,:h Mar.oir<br />
OMeet Mo After the Show (86) M. .125<br />
Belly Grablr. M.irdonald (are). Rory Calltoun<br />
People Will Talk (110). . ..C. .126<br />
Cafv Grant. Jrjiirit- Craln, F. (^jrrle<br />
Millionaire for Christy, A (90). C 127<br />
Km-iI ,\|jr.\I.irtav. Eleanor Parker. R Carliuo<br />
Day the Earth Stood Still (92). D .129<br />
Mltliii. I llennle, Patricia .Neal, II Marlo<br />
C<br />
o<br />
c:<br />
in<br />
Crosswinds (93) D..5104<br />
I'ayne. Kltonda Klemint;, KorrtsI Tiickfi<br />
ilin<br />
orling. How Could You! (96) C. 5108<br />
i;in Kuiitaine. John Lnnd. .Mona Freeman<br />
etective Story (103) D. .5111<br />
tnk lluuslas. Elt.mor Parker. \V. Bendix<br />
jbmarine Command (87) D. .5107<br />
illiam HuliKn. .N.iiie> Olson. W. Bendi.\<br />
When Worlds Collide (81) D. .5106<br />
.chaiii litir, Barljai:! Rush. J. Hoyt<br />
Hot Leod (61) W. .209<br />
Tim Holt. Itiehard Martin, Joan Iilxon<br />
E osioughter Troil (78) W. 207<br />
Brian honlevy. \'irKinia drey, .\, Iteiiiic<br />
|o| ODrums in the Deep South (87). D. .211<br />
James Crain. Barbara i'ayton. G. .Madison<br />
m Blue Veil, The (114) D .263<br />
Jane Wyroan. Charles Laughlon. J, Blondell<br />
Racket, The (90). D. .210<br />
l;.ib.rt M.l.'lmm, l.izaheth Scott, It. llvaii<br />
Jungle of Chang (67) D..208<br />
lioeiimenl.iry of 'Hiailand<br />
0Two Tickets to Broadway (106) M. .264<br />
.lanet Leigh, Tony Martin, Eddie Bracken<br />
Whip Hand, The (81) D. .212<br />
Elliott Held. Carla Balcnda, L. Tuttle<br />
S Adventures of Cpt. Fabian(IOO) D, .5101<br />
Errol Flynn. .MIchellne Prelle. V. Price<br />
U Sea Hornet, The (84) D..5102<br />
Itod Cameron, .\ilele Mara. Adrian Booth<br />
is Utah Wagon Troin (67) W. .5054<br />
l;e\ .Ml.ii. I'.nny Edvvard-. Buddy Kljsen<br />
15 South of Coliente (66) W..515I<br />
Roy Rogers, Dale Evans. DouRlas Fouley<br />
m Street Bandits (54) D, .5130<br />
Penny K.lvvards, Ruberl Clarke, Ross Ford<br />
m Desert of Lost Men (54) W, .5063<br />
Allen L,ine. Mary Ellen Kay. I(. Elliott<br />
Stormbound (60) D. .5032<br />
C.insl.inee Howling (Italian-language)<br />
. 1 21<br />
Desert Fox, The (87) D. ,130<br />
J.iifn-s .Mason, Jessica Tandy. C. Ilard«lcke<br />
Journey Into Light (87) D . , 1 32<br />
Sleiliiig Hayden, VIveca Llndfor!, T .Milchell<br />
No Highway in the Sky (98) D<br />
J mil's SL-iari. M.irlrne lllelrich. G. Johns<br />
Love Nest (84) C. . 1 31<br />
June llaur. William Lundlgan, Frank Fay<br />
Let's Moke It Legal (77) C..133<br />
Claudelle Colbert. M icdon,itd Carey<br />
OAnne of the Indies (81) D, .134<br />
Jeati Piters, boils Jourdan, I'ebra Paget*<br />
eGo:dcn Girl (111) M..I36<br />
Mii/i G.iynor, DennU Day. D. Rnb<br />
TO<br />
<<br />
?43mething to Live For (90). .5105<br />
m Fontaine. Hay .Milland. Teresa Wright<br />
©Rancho Notorious (89) SW..221<br />
Marlene Dielrieb. .\rlhnr Kennedy. M, Ferrer<br />
©At Sword's Point (81) O 220<br />
Cornel Wilde, M.uireen O'llara. G Co..|)ir<br />
Poce That Thrills, The (63) . . .. D . . 213<br />
Bill WiUi.ims. Carla Baleuda. Frank Melluth<br />
Whispering Smith vs. Scotland<br />
Yard (77) O .<br />
Rasho-Mon (87)<br />
. 222<br />
D. .268<br />
Tusliini .Mifune. Machlto Kyo. M. Mori<br />
a Last Musketeer, The (67) W..5142<br />
Rex Allen. .Mary Ellen Kay, Slim Pickens<br />
^ OOklohoma Annie (90) C, .5122<br />
Judy Canova. John Russell, Grant Withers<br />
H Leadville Gunslinger (54) W,.5171<br />
Allan "Rocky" I.ane, Eddy Waller, B. Riley<br />
^<br />
[5] Five Fingers (108)<br />
.lames Mason, Danielle Darrleux.<br />
12, Return of the Texan (88). .<br />
Dile Poberlson. .lo.nne Dru. W.<br />
Viva Zopota! (110).<br />
. . .D .208<br />
I. Rennle<br />
. .D. .209<br />
Brennjn<br />
D . . 206<br />
Marlon Rr.itido. Jean Peters. Anthony Quinn<br />
><br />
TO<br />
>Aaron Slick From Punkin<br />
Crick (95) C. .5119<br />
llan Young. Dinah Shore. Robert Merrill<br />
riy Son John (122) D. .5116<br />
ielen Hayes. Van Heflin. Robert Walker<br />
i<br />
, 224<br />
Rood Agent (60) W. .223<br />
Tim Holt. Noreen Nash, Richard Martin<br />
Tarzan's Savage Fury (81) D. .225<br />
l.ex Barker. Dorothy H.irt. Palrlc Knowles<br />
Faithful City, The (85) D..<br />
.I.imie Smith, Ben Jo^ef, Israel Hanin<br />
Macao (81 ) D .<br />
Jane Russell, Robert MItchum, William Bendix<br />
'r\ Fabulous Senorita, The (80) D. .5125<br />
EslrMa. Itohert Clarke. Rita Morenn<br />
is) Hoodlum Empire (98) D. .5105<br />
Brian Donlevy. Claire Trevor. F. Tucker<br />
Tsj Border Soddlemotes (67) W, .5143<br />
\li\ All.n, M.irv Ellen K.iv<br />
is; Wild Horse Ambush (54) W. .5069<br />
Michael Chapin. Ellene Jnnssen<br />
i2lWith a Song in My Heart (117)M. .210<br />
Susan H.iyuard. Kory Calhoun, ttavld Wayne<br />
Pride of St. Louis, The (93) CD. .211<br />
Dan Dailey. .I.i.inne Dru. Richard Hylion<br />
. 21<br />
ORose of Cimarron (72) D .<br />
Jack Biietel. Mala Poners. Bill Williams<br />
M-o<br />
TO<br />
inything Can Happen (107). .<br />
.5117<br />
tie Ferrer. Kim Htinfer. Kurt Kaszner<br />
iRed Mountoin (84) SW. .5113<br />
Ian l,add. Mzabeth Scott, .\rlhijr Kennedy<br />
i?iHalf Breed, The (81) SW. ,<br />
Kdbert Yoiini:. Janis Carter. Jack Buclel<br />
Narrow Margin, The (71) D . . 226<br />
Ch.irl.- McGra.i. Marie Windsor. While<br />
Torget (61)<br />
J.<br />
W..227<br />
Tim Unit, Richard Martin. Linda Douglas<br />
ru Gobs and Gals (86) C. .5128<br />
Bernird Riotbers, Calhy nr>*vns<br />
S Black Hills Ambush (54) W..5172<br />
All.n "Rocky" Lane<br />
OBelles on Their Toes (89) C. .213<br />
.Mvm 1 Lciy. Jeanne Crain. Jeffrey Hunter<br />
Deodlinc— U.S.A. (87) D..215<br />
H.imrhf.-v Bog.irf. K:m Huiiti-r. K Barrymore<br />
Outcasts of Poker Flat (..)... D. .21*<br />
D.ile li'iilieitson. Anne Batter<br />
3<br />
><br />
tomie City, The (85) D .5120<br />
'ne Biitrv, l.ydl.i ("lark.-. Mirbael Moore<br />
iDenver & Rio Grande, The<br />
(89) D..511S<br />
I'<br />
'dmond O'Brien. Sterlinc Hayden. Dean .laccer<br />
OKongoroo (..)<br />
D..13S<br />
Maor.en It'll ir.i. P.-ter l*a»f.ird<br />
ODown Among the Sheltering<br />
Polma (, -) D. .<br />
Wllllim Ijllidlgan. Gloria DrHaien<br />
We're Not Married ( . ) . C. .<br />
Daitd Wayne. .Marilyn Monroe
,C<br />
. O<br />
, , ,C<br />
D.<br />
I Kill I . -Mai<br />
( Diseiua .<br />
I<br />
Denise<br />
.John<br />
.Hileeii<br />
.Hiihliv<br />
.Bernard<br />
.Phvllis<br />
.Puppet<br />
. . 11-<br />
FEATURE<br />
CHART<br />
00<br />
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Of UJ<br />
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UNITED ARTISTS g is<br />
1] Queen for a (107) Doy D. .645<br />
I'hjIlK Ann. Iiarri-n Mcllailn<br />
1) He Ron AM the (77) Woy O. .644<br />
Juhn (urllil.l. Shillo> Wintcri. W. Ford<br />
?S Cyrono de Bergeroc (113) 0.660<br />
Just- KtfrriT, Mala I'owors. William Prince<br />
ST Hoodlum, The (61) D. .6S3<br />
Livirtnri' Tk'rnry. .\lltne Koberts. L. Golm<br />
Pardon My French (81) C.1402<br />
I'aiil ll.nr.iil. MitIp Oberon, P. Bonlfiis<br />
JT Four in o Jeep (97) 0.1139<br />
Vjv>-.'a l.lnilrurs. R.'ilph MfokiT. M. Mrduln<br />
ii. ©New Mexico (74) O . . 649<br />
. 1 1 88<br />
Lr« A.vrc^. Marilyn Maxwell. Andy he^ini*<br />
ii St. Benny, the Oip (80) C. .658<br />
hli-k llaymi*. .Mna Focli. Itoland Younc<br />
)T Two Gals and a Guy (70) C. .654<br />
Janis IViiuc. U ohen Alda. James Gleason<br />
:*} Obsessed (77)<br />
11 IV Id F.irrar. Oeraldlne Fllzsfl'i. " Ciilter<br />
4- Gold Raiders (56) W.1172<br />
i;..^;.' IP Hrirn Sholla Ilvan. L. Talbnt<br />
:n Keves. [tennis 6'Keefe. M. Anderson<br />
S Green Glove, The (86) . 1 1 56<br />
Glenn Ford. Geraldlne Brooks. Gaby Andre<br />
m Tale of Five Women, A (86) 0.1161<br />
Bonar Colleano. Anne Vernon. Lana Morris<br />
. li; QRoyol Journey (50) Ooc 1 164<br />
Queen Elizabeth. Duke of Edinburgh<br />
©African Queen, The (1 04) n<br />
. 1 1 55<br />
Humtvhrey Bocart. K. Hepburn. R. .\IorIey<br />
aOMutiny (76) 0.1163<br />
Mark Stevens. Angela Lanshurv. P. Knowles<br />
Ji strange World (80) 0.1165<br />
Angelica Hauff. Alexander Car'os. f. Brorni<br />
ui Captive City, The (91 ) D .<br />
John Forsythe. Joan Camden. H J. Kennedy<br />
1 1 66<br />
1] Without Warning (75) . 1 168<br />
Adam Williams. Meg Randall. Edward Binns<br />
@ Red Planet Mors (87) W.1169<br />
Peler Graves, .\ndrea King<br />
51 Fighter, The (78) 0.1167<br />
Richard Come. Vanessa Brown. Lee J. Cobb<br />
IS ©Island of Desire (103) O.<br />
l.iiirta llarnrjl. Tab Hunter<br />
UNIVERSAL-INT'L<br />
. . 1 26<br />
Francis Goes to the Races (88). .C. .125<br />
Uinald o Cutiuor. Pilar Laurie<br />
©Prince Who Was o Thief (88) .<br />
Tonv Curtis. Piper Laurie. Cecil Kellaviay<br />
Comin' Round the Mountain (77) C. .127<br />
Bud Abbott. Lou Coslello. Dorothy Shay<br />
Iron Mon (82) 0. .130<br />
Jeff Chandler, Evelyn Keyes. Stephen McNally<br />
©Mark of the Renegade (81). SW. . 129<br />
Rlcardo Mounrnlhan. Cyd Charisse, J. C. Nalsh<br />
©Cattle Drive (77) SW . . 1 28<br />
Joel ,MrCrea, Dean Rtockwell, Leon Ames<br />
©Little Egypt (82) CD, 131<br />
Rhonda Flemlntt, Mark Stevene, N'ancy Guild<br />
You Never Con Tell (78) D..132<br />
Dick Povv.ll. IVgtiv How, Charles Drake<br />
Thunder on the Hill (84) 0, ,133<br />
riaudrtte Colbert, Ann BIylh, R. Douglas<br />
©Lady From Texas (78) 0. .136<br />
Howard Muff. Mona Freeman. J. Hull<br />
Reunion in Reno (80) C. .135<br />
Mark Stevens. Peggy Dovr. G. Perrcau<br />
©Golden Horde, The (76) 0,.134<br />
David Farrar. Ann Blyth. G. Macready<br />
Lady Pays Off, The (80) O, .202<br />
Linda Darnell, Stephen SlcNally. G. Perreau<br />
Raging Tide, The (94) , . 203<br />
Shelley Winters, Richard Conte. C. Bickford<br />
©Cove of Outlows (76) SW. .201<br />
.\lexls Smith. Macdonald Carey. Victor Jory<br />
Strange Door, The (80) 0. .204<br />
Cliarles Laiighton. Boris Karloff. S. Forrest<br />
Weekend With Father (83) C. .206<br />
Van Heflin. Patricia Neal. Gigl Perreau<br />
Bright Victory (97) O . . 208<br />
Arthur Kennedy. Peggv Dow. Nana Bryant<br />
©Flome of Aroby (77) 0. .207<br />
Maureen O'Hnra. Jeff Chandler. Lon Chaney<br />
©Cimarron Kid, The (84) W. .213<br />
Audie Murphv. Beverly Tyler. Yvette Dngay<br />
Finders Keepers (75) C. .211<br />
Tom Ewell, Julia Adams. Evelyal Varden<br />
©Bend of the River (91) SW, .212<br />
James Stewart. Arthur Kennedy. Julia Adams<br />
Meet Danny Wilson (88) C. .205<br />
Frank Sinatra, Shelley Winters, .\lex Nicol<br />
Here Come the Nelsons (73). , , ,210<br />
Ozzie Nelson. Harriet HUliard and family<br />
©Steel Town (84) O, ,215<br />
.\nn Sheridan, John Lund, Howard Duff<br />
©Treasure of Lost Canyon, The<br />
(81) 0, .209<br />
William Powell, Julia Adams, C. Drake<br />
Flesh and Fury (82) 0,.214<br />
Tnny Curtis, Jan Sterling, Mona Freeman<br />
Mo and Pa Kettle at the Fair<br />
(78) C, .216<br />
Marjnrie Main, Percy Kilbride, James Best<br />
©Battle of<br />
(85)<br />
Apache Pass, The<br />
SW..217<br />
John Lund. Jeff Chandler. Beverly Tyler<br />
Man in the White Suit (85) C, .282<br />
Alex Guinness, Joan Greenwood<br />
Red Boll Express (84) D. .218<br />
Jeff Chandler. Alex Nicol, Susan Ball<br />
©Bronco Buster (81) 0,219<br />
John Lund, Scott Brady, Joyce Holden<br />
No Room for the Groom (..)., .C , ,220<br />
Tony Curtis. Piper Laurie. Spring Bylngton<br />
WARNER BROS.<br />
U ©Fort Worth (80) SW . ,028<br />
K.inilolpli Seoii, David Brian, Phyllis Tbaxter<br />
91O0n Moonlight Bay (95) M,,029<br />
Dnri» Day. Gordon MncUac. Jack Smith<br />
tij Vx©Captain Horatio Hornblower<br />
(117) O 030<br />
Gregory Peck. Virginia Mayo, R, Beatty<br />
[Q Jim Thorpe—All American (105) 0, , 101<br />
Burt Lancaster, Charles Bickford. P Ttiaxter<br />
TH Force of Arms ( 1 00) , . 1 02<br />
William ilolilen, .Nancy tUson, Frank l,ovejoy<br />
SI Tomorrow Is Another Day (90), 0, 103<br />
Ruth Human, Steve Cuchran. L, Tuttle<br />
^ ©Painting the Clouds With<br />
Sunshine (87) M,,10S<br />
Dennis Morgan, Virginia Mayo, S, Z. Sakall<br />
jCome Fill the Cup (113) 0,106<br />
James Cagney, James Gleason. R, Massey<br />
® Close to My Heort (90) 0, ,107<br />
Kay Milland. Gene Tlerney. Fay Bainter<br />
ini Tanks Are Coming, The (90) , , , . O ,108<br />
Steve Cochran. Marl Aldon. Philip Carey<br />
E Slorlift (103) O, ,109<br />
lioris Day. Gordon MacRae. Ruth Roman<br />
I<br />
©Distant Drums (101) D ,111<br />
Gary Cnoner. Mari Aldon. Richard Webb<br />
ITI OI'II See You in My Dreams<br />
(110) M, ,112<br />
Doris Day, Danny Thomas, Frank Loveioy<br />
^ «,$Room for One More (95) , , , 113<br />
Cary Grant, Betsy Drake, Iris Mann<br />
fi] This Women Is Dangerous (97) D 114<br />
Joan Crawford, Dennis Morgan, David Brian<br />
H Retreat, Hell! (95) D.llS<br />
Frank Lovejov. Anita Louise, R, Carlson<br />
[B ©Bugles in the Afternoon (85) D. 116<br />
Ray Milland. Helena Caifer. Hugh Marlowe<br />
|2Z1 Streetcar Named Oe
I<br />
. 5-<br />
. 2-29-52<br />
1-25-52<br />
irt «ub|8ch, listed by company, in order ot rolcoso. Running time followj title. First dote is notional<br />
OM, second the date ot review in BOXOFFICE. Symbol between dates is rating from BOXOFFICE<br />
ricw. 44 Very Good, Good, it Foir, Poor. Very<br />
t<br />
Poor. O Indicates color photogrophy. UJOilTiJ lilJxlilT<br />
Columbia<br />
plJNa Title Rcl. O.ite R.itino Rev'd<br />
ASSORTED COMEDIES<br />
j4iPleasuf' Treasure (17).. 9-10-51<br />
U.She Took a Powder (16). 10-11-51 44lTrouble ill Laws (16). .10.11-51 ±<br />
44>Tht Champ Steps Out ,, ,^ ^, ,<br />
(16' 2) 11-15-51 +<br />
44i7rjidy Cat (16) 12-13-51 ±<br />
jj A Fool and His Honey<br />
*^'<br />
(16) 2-14-52 +<br />
.<br />
44|H.iopy-Go-Wacl(y (16) 2- 7-52 ±<br />
.<br />
11-24<br />
12- 1<br />
12- 8<br />
1- 5<br />
4-26<br />
3- 1<br />
U Rootin' Tootin' Tendcrleet<br />
(16) 2-14-52<br />
44 Aim. Fire. Scoot (16).. 3-13-52 ±<br />
44 Heebie Gee-Gees (16'/i) 4-10-52 +<br />
44; Hooked and Rooked ( .) 5- 8-52 ....<br />
CANDID MICROPHONE<br />
(One-Reel<br />
Specials)<br />
5-10<br />
5- 3<br />
4'; Subject No. 1 (10)... 10- 4-51 +- 11-17<br />
45 Subject No. 2 (11).... 12- 6-51 ± 12-22<br />
45 Subject No. 3 (10).... 2- 7-52 4 3- 1<br />
45,Subiect No. 4 (gVj) 4- 3-52 -I 5-10<br />
AVALCADE OF BROADWAY<br />
46 The Gay Nineties (10) .11-15-51 ....<br />
1951-52 SEASON<br />
.11-15-51 Condon's (10) .<br />
Hardy's (9! i) 2-14-52<br />
± 12-<br />
+ 4-12<br />
8<br />
46:Eddie<br />
46. Bill<br />
4«iCasa Seville (.) 4-24-52<br />
COLOR FAVORITES<br />
(Technicolor Reissues)<br />
46jThe Horse on the<br />
Merry-Go-Round (7).<br />
^<br />
9-13-51<br />
and the<br />
The Shoemaker<br />
Elves (8) 10-18-51 may Land<br />
jwtime<br />
(7)<br />
(7)<br />
12-13-51<br />
1-17-52<br />
± +<br />
.:ky Pigs (7) 11- S-51 +<br />
46,Bluebirds' Baby (7) 2-14-52 -f<br />
46(Monkey Love (7) 3-13-52 S:<br />
46)Babes at Sea (7) 4-10-52 S:<br />
46 1-24-52 +<br />
48
10-13-51<br />
9-22-51<br />
S-lS-51<br />
. .<br />
I<br />
8714<br />
'<br />
8707<br />
.10-20-51<br />
4-26-52<br />
. +<br />
.<br />
j<br />
SHORTS CHART<br />
TECHNICOLOR CARTUNES<br />
(ReiSMies<br />
6331 Pird Pii(r of Batii\ Strnl<br />
(7) 8-20-51<br />
6332 100 Pygmin and Andy<br />
Pandj (7) 917-51<br />
6333 Tht Fo> ind the Rabbit<br />
Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips<br />
(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE)<br />
High iVoon<br />
F<br />
Western<br />
Dr.i[na<br />
United Ariists (1159) 85 Minutes Rel. luly 30. '52<br />
In his lirst brush wiih sagebrush. Producer Stanley Kramer<br />
demonstrates that the same masterful touches ol showmanship<br />
that have distinguished his work on other subjects can<br />
be applied to westerns, into which general category this<br />
ialls, although the picture has a dramatic appeal lar beyond<br />
the call of run-o'-mill gallopers. Suspense, authenticity oi<br />
almosphere, a believable story, excellent perlormances by<br />
Gary Cooper and a sterling supporting cast, a haunting theme<br />
song and deft. direction are the film's most outstanding assets.<br />
It is inherently a high grosser, and whether or not it enjoys<br />
the profitable patronage it merits probably will depend on<br />
how the feature is merchandised. In situations where superwesterns<br />
thrive, it should be sold as such; elsewhere the<br />
campaign should concentrate on plumping the picture as<br />
strong drama. In either event the customers will be satisfied<br />
with who! they buy. Directed by Fred Zinnemann.<br />
Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado.<br />
Grace Kelly. Otto Kruger, Loa Chaney, Henry Morgan.<br />
Bov<br />
Kre)<br />
1.1<br />
lies ><br />
idwij.'<br />
No Room for the Groom<br />
F<br />
'"'"""<br />
Univ.-Int'l (220) 82 Minutes Rol. May 'S2<br />
Refreshing and wholesome treatment is administered to<br />
that lime-honored comedy situation in which circumstances<br />
and relatives erect a long string ol hurdles in the path ol<br />
a newlywed lad and lass desperately trying to consummate<br />
their marriage. While the picture seldom attains proportions<br />
ol hilarity, it engenders enough chuckles to engross<br />
the average ticket buyer leeking light celluloid lore. Because<br />
Tony Curtis and Piper Laurie appear to be currently<br />
popular with the younger generation, the film should find<br />
its largest popularity among those in that age bracket; and.<br />
resultantly, exploitation can best be built around the topliners'<br />
names. Under carelul direction by Douglas Sirk. they record<br />
ingratiating and reasonably restrained perlormances, even<br />
when the mirth content depends on slapstick. A large supporting<br />
cast is ellective, and technical details, under guidance<br />
ol Producer Ted Richmond, art ol high order<br />
Tony Curtis, Piper Laurie. Don DeFore. Spring Byinglon.<br />
Lillian Bronson, Paul McVey, Stephen Chase. Lee Aalcer.<br />
The Fighter<br />
United Artists (1167) 78 Minutes Rel. May 23. '52<br />
Producer Alex Gottlieb has made a realistic, hard-hitting<br />
programmer out of one of Jack London's lesser-known stories,<br />
"The Mexican." Laid in Mexico and El Paso, Tex., in the<br />
early part of the century, the picture's authentic backgrounds<br />
give ii almost a documentary-like flavor and the several<br />
'.errific prizefight sequences are comparable to those in<br />
"Champion" and "Body and Soul." The exciting ring scenes<br />
can be exploited to strong returns in the action houses. Elsewhere,<br />
the brief running time may relegate it to the duallers,<br />
where it will make above-average fore. Richard Conte, who<br />
looks the part of a moody Mexican and shows up exceptionally<br />
well in the ring, gives a good performance and has<br />
a fair marquee draw generally. Vanessa Brown makes an<br />
appealing American heroine and Lee J. Cobb and Frank<br />
Silvera stand out in Mexican roles. Directed by Herbert<br />
Kline.<br />
Richard Conte, Vanessa Brown. Lee J. Cobb, Hugh Sanders.<br />
Roberta Haynes, Frank Silvera. Claire Carleton.<br />
Gobs and Gals F<br />
F<br />
'"""'' '"'"' '"""<br />
Republic (5128) 86 Minutes ReL May 1. '52<br />
For the general run of warm-weather spring and summer<br />
bookings, here is a frothily farcical entry which utilizes a<br />
U.S. navy background to showcase the comedy talents of a<br />
new screen team, George and Bert Bernard, pantomimists<br />
whose activities heretofore have been committed to the<br />
vaudeville, nightclub and music hall circuits. In their screen<br />
debut they are supported by a roster of reasonably wellknown<br />
names in a vehicle of sufficiently impressive productional<br />
scope to indicate that it can be dated with satisfactory<br />
results on either end of almost any dual bill. The<br />
humor content is predominantly of the slapstick variety and<br />
the action moves along at a good clip under the directorial<br />
guidance of R. G. Springsteen. Exploitationwise, the navy<br />
atmosphere and comedy motif are probably the best items<br />
to stress, wi!h correlated plugs for the the Bernard duo.<br />
Sidney Picker produced.<br />
George Bernard. Bert Bernard. Robert Hulton. Cathy Downs.<br />
Gordon Jones. Florence Marly. Leon Belasco. Emory Parnell.<br />
;)-<br />
.ieatre\<br />
—^modclA-<br />
The Outcasts of Poker Flat F<br />
""'"'<br />
20th-Fox (216) 80 Minutes ReL May '52<br />
P.-obably the only ticket buyers v/ho might be disappointed<br />
in seeing the film version oi Bret Harte's widely read classic<br />
are those who accord it their patronage under the impression<br />
that they are going to see a routine, hell-ior-leather<br />
western. All that the lilm has lor such confirmed disciples<br />
ol sagebrush are locale, time and backgrounds. Consequently,<br />
the picture should be sold to a wider audience, and<br />
on its general appeal as stark, gripping drama—and lor its<br />
cast. Those customers—and they should be lorthcoming in<br />
profitable numbers—who seek it as such, certainly will be<br />
happy with the ollering. Because most of the action unfolds<br />
on one set, the feature has a stagey quality, which does not<br />
suffer because ol sterling perlormances and the skilllul directio.n<br />
ol Joseph Newman. Producer Julian Blaustein endowed<br />
the vehicle with technical and atmospheric qualities<br />
designed for realism.<br />
Anne Baxter. Dale Robertson. Miriam Hopkins. Cameron<br />
Mitchell, Craig Hill, Barbara Bates, Billy Lynn. Dick Rich.<br />
Models, Inc. F o,>..<br />
Mutual Productions 83 Minutes Rel.<br />
Although the motivating theme— a fool-there-was—has<br />
made its periodical appearance ever since motion pictures<br />
were invented, herein it is treated to an ultra-modern setting<br />
and supplied with enough new twists to justify its reuse.<br />
The picture has an exciting and suspenseful climax<br />
which just about evens the score for the lack of tempo in<br />
many of its early and intermediate sequences. In conventional<br />
'bookings, the film is sufiiciently helty, entertainmentwise,<br />
to carry its end of an average double bill. Where lurid<br />
merchandising is permissible, it can be used as an exploitation<br />
special—with accent on skin and sin—and might be<br />
parlayed into a sizable winner. The cast is sulliciently<br />
impressive in name value to help in either event, Perlormances<br />
are acceptable under Reginald LeBorg's direction,<br />
while Producers Jack Dietz and Hal E, Chester need not blush<br />
lor mountings or technical details,<br />
Howard Duff. Coleen Gray. John Howard, Marjorie Reynolds.<br />
Louis Jean Heydt. Ed Max. Benny Baker, James Seay.<br />
The Young and the Damned F ""<br />
Mayer-Kingsley 80 Minutes Rel.<br />
An intensely realistic, even shocking, picture dealing with<br />
juvenile delinquency in the slums of Mexico City, this Spanish-language<br />
film may be too strong for many adults. Although<br />
the principal characters are young teenagers, the<br />
story depicts depravity, viciousness and the sadistic beating<br />
ol blind and crippled beggars. While many art house patrons<br />
will be interested in its sordid qualities, exhibitors<br />
should stress "No One Under 16 Admitted." The picture<br />
has also recently been placed on the "Condemned" list by<br />
the Legion of Decency. As "Los Olividados," the film has<br />
won many international awards, including the Grand Prix lor<br />
Best Direction at the 1951 Cannes Film Festival. .Mthough<br />
it can be compared generally to the Italian-made "Shoe-<br />
Shine," this is far more brutal and ends on a note ol despair<br />
and tragedy. The acting is excellent as is Louis Bunuel's direction.<br />
Mayer-Kingsley is at 132 W, 43rd St. Mew York City,<br />
Roberto Cobo. Estela Inda, Alfonso Mejia. Miguel Inclan.<br />
Alma Fuentes, lesus Navarro. Francisco Jambrino.<br />
1372 BOXOFFICE<br />
9<br />
..diU- k<br />
KUlt/<br />
Mav 10. 1952<br />
No Resting Place<br />
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Drjma<br />
Classic Pictures 80 Minutes Rel. May '52<br />
A group ol migratory workers in Ireland, reminiscent of the<br />
Okies in "Grapes of Wrath," are the principals in this sombre<br />
British import. One laborer accidentally kills a game warden<br />
and the action revolves around his pursuit and eventual<br />
capture by a suspicious policeman. Suspense is mild and<br />
the chase lacks potency. The hunted man starts out as a<br />
victim of circumstance, but later you're often siding with the<br />
constable. The bleak, dilficult life led by these wanderers,<br />
or tinkers, is grimly depicted, relieved only by refreshing<br />
views of the Irish countryside. Michael Gough, currently<br />
seen in "The Man in the White Suit," creditably handles the<br />
star role. This may prove an acceptable supporting feature<br />
in art houses and might serve likewise in neighborhood spots<br />
where persons of Celtic origin will welcome the sound of a<br />
brogue and a sight ol the Auld Sod. Produced by Colin<br />
Lesslie and directed by Paul Rotha,<br />
Michael Gough. Eilhne Dunne. Noel Purcell. Brian O'Higgins,<br />
Jack McGowran. Diana Campbell. Maureen O'SuUivan.<br />
1371
. , . Entirely<br />
. . Becomes<br />
. . Linger<br />
. . The<br />
. . With<br />
. . Poignant<br />
. . The<br />
. . Today's<br />
. . The<br />
. . Richard<br />
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Adlines for Newspaper and Programs<br />
THE STORY: "No Room lor the Groom" (U-1)<br />
THE STORY: "High Noon" (UA)<br />
Tony Curtis just drafted, and Piper Laurie elope without<br />
telling Piper's mother, Spring Byington. Tony is immediately<br />
hospitalized with chickenpox and Piper returns home a bride<br />
in name only. Recovered, Tony is dispatched to the front,<br />
and when he returns ten months later he finds Piper, her<br />
mother and assorted relatives have moved into his big farmhouse.<br />
The relatives are employed by Don DeFore, a cement<br />
tycoon with a government
I<br />
; llir<br />
'<br />
'<br />
Projectionist<br />
'<br />
I<br />
lhe:ttre.<br />
j;E:S: 15c per word, minimum $1.50. cash with copy. Four insertions for price ol three.<br />
CI SING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to<br />
Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 1. Mo. •<br />
HELP WANTED<br />
THEATRES FOR SALE<br />
CLtflRine<br />
Theatre For Sale: Selecied llitln(i In Oregon<br />
and Wiuhlngion now iitllable. Write for llit.<br />
Ihealre Exchange Co., Fine Arti Bldg., Portland.<br />
Ore.<br />
Build double parking Drive- In theaitev under<br />
franchise Patent 2.102.718, reissue 22,750. Ip lu<br />
30"Vi mure aealing capacity Willi llltle additional<br />
cost. LouU Josserand, 3710 .Ml. Vernon, Houston.<br />
Tex<br />
Pacific Northwest theatres tor sale. Wrlie Irv<br />
Bowron. sales manager. Theatre Sales (lilv.),<br />
Fred B. Ludwig, Brk., 5711 K. Burnslde, Portland<br />
15, Ore.<br />
When in Dallas see Jue" Joseph, lexai.' Ihea-<br />
Ire Brokers, 204 Gable Bldg., Dallas. Tex. Phones<br />
LAkeslde 9437 or LOgan 8707.<br />
"Four sale or trade." Four-yeor-old theatre.<br />
four hundred seats, four rentals, four per cent<br />
Interest. Fourteen hundred population. Philomath,<br />
Ore. $25,000 down, $80,000 full price. Bulld-<br />
Ing and all Boxofflce, 4680.<br />
For sale: 300-SBat Idaho Theatre. Sumner, HI.<br />
By owner.<br />
West Texas, near Hobbs: Only theatre growing<br />
oil center, hirge drawing poiuilatlon. Includes<br />
nearly new e, Tex HlnUir wuth T^ui. 18<br />
iillierii from $9,000 down.<br />
Encelltnl imall town, Arkanui Oiarlu. Over<br />
$7,000 net. Boukii open. KImplei projection, BCA<br />
sound. 300 »eaii. I'2I.500 with lerffli. Including<br />
manonry building. Owner, Kuxnfrice, 4717.<br />
THEATRES WANTED<br />
TlicAtrc, Nebrjuki, weitem ioiia. oorttaerD Kmsai.<br />
No broken. Over 400 icsU, Ta»n 1,800<br />
population or over. ContldeotUI. Eiperlenced. L.<br />
J. Burkllt, Bparta. WU<br />
Need theaire liitingsl Want good pijrUig Ibca-<br />
Ires worth the money only. Have cllenta fur large<br />
drlvc-In theatres. "Joe" Joseph, 340S Milton,<br />
Dallas, Tex.<br />
Motion picture theatres open or closed, to purchase<br />
or lease. Broken protected. Steinberg<br />
.Management Corp., 250 W, 57th 6t,, New York.<br />
Want indoor or outdoor theatre Denver exclungc<br />
urea; will justify hired management. Itundown<br />
situation considered tf potential there. Boxofflce,<br />
4713.<br />
West Texas vicinity. Capable $'20,000 yearly<br />
profit. Cash If wanted. Indoor, outdoor or bolb,<br />
Boxulflce, 4714.<br />
Only theatre In town 2.900 to 5,000 In northern,<br />
central or southern state, with no drlve-tn<br />
compel it Ion. Buy or lease. ,\o brokers. Boxofflce,<br />
4 7 I.I.<br />
THEATRE SEATING<br />
Parts for all chairs. Send sample for quuutlon.<br />
Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5.<br />
Chair supplies. Eteryibing for theatre chain.<br />
Fensin Sealing Co., Chicago 5.<br />
Used chairs, guaranteed good. Advise quantity<br />
wanted. Photographs mailed with quotation. Fenaln<br />
Seating Co., Chicago 5.<br />
Seat covers: Sewed combinations, all makes, all<br />
styles. Send your sample for quotation. Feiuin<br />
Seating Co.. Chicago 9.<br />
Patch-0-Seat cement. Patching cloth, tolieni,<br />
etc. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5.<br />
Upholstery Fabrics: All kinds. All colors. Send<br />
your sample for matching. Fensin Seating Co.,<br />
Chicago 5.<br />
Tighten loose chairs with Permastone anchor<br />
cement. Fensin Seating Co., Chicago 5.<br />
Chair-ity begins at S.O.S. All types theaire<br />
chairs from $2.95. Send for Chair Bulletin. Dept.<br />
C. SOS Cinema Supply Corp . 602 W. 52nd St.,<br />
New York 19. Cable Sosound.<br />
Many years In Ihe sealing business Is your<br />
guarantee, (^od used chairs are not too plentiful<br />
but we have the pick. Full upholstered, panel<br />
back and many other styles. We furnish proper<br />
slope or level standards to fit your floor. All<br />
size 18 to 21-Inch chairs. Our prices are Iowe>l.<br />
W>lte for exact photo and price. We furnish parts<br />
for all makes. Send sample. Good quality plastic<br />
coaled leatherette 25x26-lnch. all colors. 55c ea.<br />
Chicago Used Chair Mart. 829 South Slote St..<br />
Chicago 5, III.<br />
No more torn seats: Quickly repair cuts and rips<br />
on leatherette seats with original I':ilch-A-8eat<br />
Specify color when ordering. Complete kit Inc.<br />
1 qt. leather coaling. $6. General Cliair Co,<br />
Chicago 22<br />
Chair Parts: We furnish most any part you require.<br />
Send sample for price, brackets, backs<br />
and seats General Chair Co.. 1308 Elston Ave..<br />
Oilcago 22. III.<br />
Several thousand used opera chairs no» In<br />
stock. Can furnish any amount you reqtiest. Full<br />
upholstered back, Insert panelback. boxspring and<br />
spring edge scat. Write for plmto and slate<br />
amount and Incline. We also manufacture new<br />
chairs. General Ctiair Co., 1308-22 Elslon Ave ,<br />
Chicago 22, III.<br />
No more loose chairs: Get "FIrmasinne" Anchor<br />
cement, $5 per box. General Chair Co., Cldcaeo<br />
22, 111,<br />
For sale: 331 seats, like new; upholstered seal.<br />
veneer back. $8 each. Free with deal. 1 full roll<br />
material to match and 1.30 all veneer scats.<br />
Imlte Inspedlon. Contact H. E. .Miller. Miller<br />
The.itre Bldg ,<br />
Festws, Mo<br />
MISCELLANEOUS<br />
Signature cuts. Identify your theatre wllli distinctive<br />
Sig Cuts by Art-Slgs. Write for sample<br />
prools An-Slg!. 710 Wesses Place. Orlando, Fla.<br />
CONSULTING SERVICE<br />
Brand new drive-in theatre service, first lime<br />
available! We check your operation, on the spot,<br />
advise you how It compares to the most successful,<br />
and help you make Inexpensive corrections. Have<br />
answers lo most concession, maintenance, booklntl,<br />
eiploltaiion, etc , questions you will ask. Why<br />
wonder, when you can find out? Service available<br />
to all drlve-lns, anytime, anywhere In Unlied<br />
Slates. Drive-In Consultants. Boxofflce. 4658<br />
pi
A SPECIAL<br />
SERVICE FOR<br />
EXHIBITORS.<br />
THE BOOKING OF THE WEEK<br />
THE SNIPER<br />
THINGS YOU'LL<br />
WANT TO KNOW<br />