Boxoffice-Feburary.27.1954

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FEBRUARY 27. 1954
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An all-out pledge to aid the Crusade for Freedom was made at o meeting with Barney Boloban, president
of Paramount Pictures and New York state chairman of the campaign Some of the porticipants
in the meeting (I to r.): Louis A. Novins, assistant to Balaban and vice-president of the Crusade,
Emanuel Frisch, president of the Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n; Horry Brandt, president
of Independent Theatre Owners Ass'n; Boloban; Wilbur Snaper, president of Allied Theotre Owners of
New Jersey, and Dick Pitts, representing Walter Rcode jr., president of Theatre Owners of America
by Auocia
I' Koruai City, Mo S
TOO per vear, tiotionot"*
National executive edition
Give Your Support
CRUSADE
FOR FREEDOM
Week of March /5 21

I
B\GGESf
e TOP THEM Alpf
"Mogambo" started the Hit Parade in October, launch
ing a new M-G-M record of 8-pictures-in-a-row at th
famed Music Hall! Now "THE LONG, LON(
TRAILER" is delighting audiences of the world's mo?
famous theatre, with a terrific line-up of other big M-G-J
hits to follow one after another. On Broadway an
across the nation it's a happy celebration as M-G-M'
30th Anniversary rolls merrily along!
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner,
Mel Ferrer, Amie Crawjord
Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz Elizabeth Taylor, Vittorio Gassman, John Ericson Bin...

HEMHifY'Rc
^^^OH,
TBS
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'iff.
MGM
SAlUTi
''i^ed"'T^Pof''y con,.
William Holden, June Allysoii, Barbara Stanwyck, Fredric March,
Walter Pidgeon, Shelley Winters, Paul Douglas, Louis Calhern
'^^gnifi cen/
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loh!

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VCMOCK ON WOOD.. You AND CinemaS^O^^ **^^^
||(1;\ Iw^'
The big, big all-around promotion
starts with a bang! Full -page ads in LIFE (April 5),
LOOK (April 6) and 16 other national
~
magazines cover every moviegoer
in every corner of the land right up to
and including the opening! \
And the happy, happy music
hits the air-waves way in advance,
with more top tunes than any
Doris Day picture before!
luckii M^'^"- Doris Day- Robert Cummisi
-** %J -^ -*- with EDDIE FOY, JR„ NANCY WALKER, MARTHA HYER, BILL GOODWIN, MARCEL DALIO, HAYDEN RORKE and JAMESJI ^\

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iv music
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idvance
"%1^ -'^-^'"^ ^^'^^"Tea-oss
.he screen
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kaleidoscopic sm.\e ac f^^sh,
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than any
ione vva* born to catch- .^
Cine,na.cope .al ^^^ ^^ ^,, Do u
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unny anlu. (-^h Broad
^"'^/"py^a SUvers ^
Robera:um-n^;J^;^^^.,,ov,3r.to.o(l^
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ONE OP '""^
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^'^''l hU Hopes', 'R^-!'^'-"; * ', '1 Wanna
^^^^.'' -Super^uuon Son. ^^^.
pines-
Parisian Prem ^nd ^^ .
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Sina Uke an ^nf^e
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mot-''" V'""'*^
O,.uOVE.M^TCHb^.n,.J0°
ifHiL Silvers., cinemascope ..oWarnercolor
...,(1 by JAMES O'HANLON, ROBERT O'BRIEN and IRVING ELINSON From a Story by JAMES O'HANLON, Music by SAMMY FAIN • lyrics by PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
j^Jrf • Produced by HENRY BLANKE • Directed by JACK DONOHUE

!
SOMETHIHG DIFFERENT! SOMETHING NEf
Now Cinemascope gives your audiences a front-row
seat to the fabulous $6.60 musical
just as Broadway cheered it . . . with all its songs, stos,
dances and fun
CiNEMiscOPi
n glorious COLOR in the wonder of STEREOPHONIC SOUn
GRAHAM • EARTHA KIIT • ROBERT CLARY • ALICE GHOSTLEY • „*»»;*«»;« . m^-Smn
2o.;c'enS^

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(THATCHER.
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13S0CIATED
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. Sara
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: 6149
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7ii^ o/- (Ae '??io/ion ric/jMe /tidaShi/
W NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
I lishtd in Nine Sectional Editions
N S H L Y E N
,Eilor-in-Chief and Publisher
LET'S
GET TOGETHER!'
litssongSi
5TERE0PH
(VLD M. MERSEREAU. .Associate
Publisher & Gcnerol Manager
S M. JERAULD Editor
HAN COHEN. .Executive Editor
ijS SHLYEN. . . .Manoging Editor
V/ SPEAR Western Editor
.Equipment Editor
io'.IS 5CHL0ZMAN. Business Mgr,
ijblished Every Saturday by
PUBLICATIONS
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In Advertising—672 S. LaFayetle
lace, l ihu industry
in its fight to throw off the shackles of political
censorship. Judge Sam C. Blair, of the Cole
County Circuit Court in Jefferson City, Mo.,
ruled the Kansas City, Mo. censorship ordinance
is unconstitutional, declaring it to be in violation
of tlic I'irst and I'ourtcenlh .\inendments of the
(Constitution of the I nited States. In so doing,
the judge reversed the order and ruling of a
local board of appeals, which had banned "The
Moon Is Blue" from being shown in Kansas City.
This is the first time that censorship of entertainment
films, per se, has been declared unconstitutional,
the only other such ruling having
applied to newsreels in a contest that took place
in Ohio last year.
.\s in the Ohio case. Kansas City authorities
decided not to appeal the ruling. W bile this puts
an end, temporarily at least, lo the local censoring
body, it may be expected that some of the
|>ressure groups will wage a cami>aign lo restore
it, perha])s under a new ordinance that will follow
the pattern adopted by slate censor boards
to comply with recent decisions of the I . S. Supreme
Court.
The "do-gooders" may be expected to lake the
alarmist view that, with censorship powers removed
from Kansas City, there will be a flooding
of theatre screens with wild and lurid films that,
heretofore, have been barred. That is most unlikely,
Ycl, just a coui)le of such films, publicly
cxliiiiitcd. could do untold harm, not i>nly lo ihe
industry in Kansas City and environs, but
throughout the nation.
Vie must caution against the teinptalion, particularly
on the part of those who may incline,
under the stress of the times, lo east discretion
to the winds, only to reap a whirlwind. .Vnd, of
course, there are the opportunists who care little
about the industry's tomorrow, seeking only to
make a "fast buck" today.
If the industry wants to hold the gains it has
made in its lotig fight for freedom from political
censorship and to be rid of the extraordinary
costs involved and the besmirching of the screen
that it has caused, it must zealously guard against
any violation (if its right to that freedom.
\Jiy^ /%JL/U^^
M~»l

KANSAS CITY CENSORSHIP ACT
IS RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Cole County Judge Points
To U.S. Court Decision;
City Will Not Appeal
KANSAS CITY—For the first time censorship
of entertainment films has been ruled
unconstitutional, the only other ruling having
applied to newsreels in a test case in Ohio
last year. As a result, no permits will be
required now for the showing of motion pictures
in Kansas City, according to Guy Rice,
assistant to city counselor David M. Proctor.
The ruling is tantamount to abolishing censorship
here unless a new ordinance is passed
which restores limited powers to a censorship
body.
DECIDED AT STATE CAPITAL
The decision was handed down Tuesday
(23) by Judge Sam C. Blair in the Cole
County district court at Jefferson City, Mo.,
where the suit had been filed by Holmby
Productions, Inc., United Artists Corp., and
Dickinson, Inc., against the Kansas City
Board of Appeals. Rice, who has been defending
the case, said there would be no
appeal from the decision and that the city
would live up to the spirit and intent of
the decision. The action in this case of not
appealing the ruling to a higher court parallels
that taken in the Ohio case, serving to block
the industry from obtaining a ruling in a
higher court which would eventually lead to
the U.S. Supreme Court.
Judge Blair based the decision on his interpretation
of rulings made by the high tribunal,
stating:
"This court is one of circumscribed authority
and power in this instance and it is
forbidden to adjudge at large on questions
whose answers previously have been authoritatively
given by the Supreme Court of the
United States. That court already has answered
the question raised by this proceeding,
and, as a consequence, I can do no more than
repeat that answer."
RULED ON PRESENT LAW
After citing numerous Supreme Court decisions,
the ruling went on to say, "Owing
to the failure of the ordinance to establish
a constitutional form or method of censorship,
the authorities of Kansas City were
without any right to censor . . . This court
can only rule, and must rule, the present
ordinance and the censorship exercised to be
unconstitutional and unenforceable for offending
against the Constitution of the United
States by denying the right of free speech
and the free press under the first and 14th
Amendments ... In these circumstances, I
deem it unnecessary to rule whether the
ordinance and the censorship exercised contravene
Section 8 of Article 1 of the Constitution
of Missouri."
The judge further ruled: "An ordinance
of Kan.sas City, Mo., declares 'no person shall
exhibit in the City any motion picture which
is immoral, obscene or detrimental to the
public good, or rent, sell or give the same to
any other person for the purpose of exhibition
. . Moreover, no person may exhibit
.
any motion picture without first securing 'a
Newspaper Against Censorship
The following is an editorial which appeared in the Kansas City Star on February
24, in regard to the decision on the censorship of ''The Moon Is Blue." It
reflects public opinion in the city which had already been allowed to see the stage
play in the Music Hall, with a professional cast, and a locally -produced version
of it in the Resident Theatre.
Regardless of constitutionality censorship
of motion pictures is not the city's
business. If we had a wave of dangerously
immoral pictures the whole country would
be confronted by the same problem and
action would check to the federal government.
Now Kansas City's old censorship
ordinance has been held unconstitutional
by Judge Sam C. Blair of the Cole county
circuit court. It is an emphatic decision
which cites a list of Supreme Court
opinions.
We hope this is the end of the ordinance
which the city inherited from the era of
silent films. The basic danger is indicated
by the judge's decision when he held that
the ordinance violated the constitutional
. . . Violations
certificate of approval' from the authorities
of Kansas City who must view the picture
and be satisfied it is not 'immoral, obscene
or detrimental to the public good."
are sought to be deterred by serious
penalties.
"By what standard or measures the authorities
are to judge the picture, or what
qualities it must possess or lack, is to be
determined by the authorities in the light
of such concepts as they hold of what is
'immoral, obscene or detrimental to the
public good.' For the ordinance entirely
fails to undertake any specification or definition
of what its framers meant to exclude
and to include by employing these terms."
Under the city ordinance which went into
effect Dec. 22, 1952, motion pictures could not
be shown here without a permit from Les L.
Warren, superintendent of commercial recreation.
Mrs. Lora Williams is in his department
as a "reviewer" ("censor" is a taboo
term), and she could pass a picture simply
because it had the production code seal if she
wished, or from her study of other reports
on the film. Or she could request a special
screening of the picture and could call in
the Board of Appeals, consisting of two men
and three women, appointed by the mayor,
who could overrule Mrs. Williams. Kansas
City had been censoring films under an older
ordinance established many years ago.
In the case of "The Moon Is Blue," which
does not have the production code seal, Mrs.
Williams passed it with two suggested deletions
of dialog. These the producers were
unwilling to make, so she asked the Board
of Appeals to see the picture and make the
decision. By a vote of three to two, the
board refused it a permit, which action
caused the court action ending in the decision
in favor of the plaintiffs.
principles of free speech and free press.
In this land of the free censorship is a
governmental weapon to be used only in
cases of absolute necessity. Certainly it
is not necessary for Kansas City to censor
motion pictures.
This particular incident might appear
more ridiculous than dangerous. The court
action was the result of the local board's
effort to ban the film, "The Moon Is Blue"
which is being shown even in the small
cities of church-going rural Missouri. And
apparently it aroused no issue of sin where
it was shown.
But any threat to the basic constitutional
guarantees of free expression is not funny.
At least the banning has served one good
purpose. It prepared the way for disposal
of the old censorship ordinance.
Ordinance Imperils
Theatre Licenses
NEW YORK—The power of the Newark,
N.J., police to halt showings of "lewd, obscene
and indecent" films will be strengthened to
include the power to revoke theatre licenses if
a proposed ordinance becomes law.
The ordinance has already passed its first
reading and will have its final reading
Wednesday, March 3. The schedule calls for
it to be published and ten days thereafter
it would automatically become law.
The document was prepared by John B.
Keenan, commissioner of public safety. The
Federation of New Jersey Theatres is deeply
concerned, not only because their licenses
can be revoked upon the showing of a film
judged by the police to be in the "lewd, obscene
and indecent" category, but also because
the ordinance would cover "misrepresentation"
in billboard advertising and exploitation
displays, including those in theatre
lobbies.
Exhibitors said that at some future time,
under a new city administration, the police
might exert pressure in the hope of a handout
by ruling that advertising over-played
the merit or the story content of a film.
Freedom Trailer Ready
NEW YORK—A Bing Crosby trailer
will be available to exhibitors throughout
the country for showing in their theatres
during the week of March 15-21 to promote
the collection of signatures to the
Crusade for Freedom Scrolls and Truth
Dollars in their lobbies.
I
«ff,l
8 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

•jiiiifll
^ ^THIRTY NEW FILMS IN MARCH,
SAME NUMBER AS LAST YEAR
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prtpared liy
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Ubeintie'lewti
lijialsol starring Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall and the
Bowery Boys; "Loophole." starring Barry Sul-
and Dorothy Malone, and "Mr. Potts
iseintW 3oes to Moscow," produced in England with
Dscar Homolka, Nadia Gray and George
BBd advertisins anJ livan
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L«ijtleii"
17 to Be in Color Including
Three in CinemaScope;
Four 3-D Features
By FRANK LEYENDECKER
NEW YORK—Despite the slackening of
production in Hollywood, the month of
March will see at least 30 new features, plus
two reissues, put into release, the same
number released in March 1953. Seventeen
of the 30 pictures for March 1954 will be in
color, compared to 15 for March 1953.
Three of the March pictures will be in
Cinemascope, "Rose Marie." MGMs second
in that proce.ss. and "Night People" and "New
Paces" from 20th Century-Fox. Four will be
in 3-D, Warner Bros.' "Phantom of the Rue
Morgue," Columbia's "Jesse James vs. the
Daltons." RKO's "Dangerous Mission" and
Univer.sal-International's "Creature From the
Black Lagoon." All but the last named are
in color.
OTHERS DUE IN COLOR
The other features in color will be: "Saskatchewan,"
"Carnival Story," "The Naked
Jungle," "Ride Clear of Diablo," "Gog,"
"Dragonfly Squadron," "Tennessee Champ,"
"Battle of Rogue River" and "Racing Blood,"
all in the action-adventure category, and
"Red Garters," a musical, and "Genevieve," a
comedy from Britain.
Other dramas for March will include: "Act
of Love," "Heidi," "Flight Nurse," "Crime
[Wave," "Duffy of San Quentin," "Loophole,"
'Blackout" and "Fangs of the Wild." More
than the usual number of comedies will include:
"Beat the Devil." "It Should Happen
to You," "Paris Playboys" and "Mr. Potts
Goes to Moscow." No program westerns are
listed. The two reissues, both from RKO, are
"The Enchanted Cottage" and "Tall in the
Saddle," originally released in 1945 and 1944,
Sspectively.
LINEUP BY COMPANIES
Broken down by companies, the March 1954
releases will be:
ALLIED ARTISTS—"Dragonfly Squadron."
'^°'°''' starring John Hodiak, Barbara Brit-
-on and Bruce Bennett; "Paris Playboys,"
i^ole.
COLUMBIA— "It Should Happen to You,"
iB'Jieliope''** itarring Judy HoUiday. Peter Lawford and
fack Lemmon with Michael O'Shea; "Battle
)f Rogue River." in Technicolor, starring
3eorge Montgomery, Martha Hyer and Richird
Denning; "Jesse James vs. the Daltons,"
n Technicolor and 3-D, with Brett King and
Sarbara Lawrence, and "Bait," starring Hugo
iaas, Cleo Moore and John Agar.
LIPPERT — "Blackout," starring Dane
15.21 to pi* Jlark, and "Fangs of the Wild," with Charles
oiMaK'
'" *
Jhaplin jr., Margia Dean and Onslow Stevens.
METRO - GOLDWYN - MAYER — "Rose
*arie," in Technicolor and CinemaScope,
Acetate Film Tests Held by Eastman
Reveal Vast Safety Improvement
NEW YORK — "There is a vast improvement
in the safety factors of acetate film over the
old nitrate film." according to Emanuel
Piisch, president of the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres A.ss'n, reporting on the recent
demonstration conducted by Eastman
Kodak Co. in Rochester.
Fi'isch was one of a group of exhibitor
leaders. New York City officials, including
representatives of fire, licenses and fire prevention
departments, and radio and TV executives
who were guests at Eastman Kodak at
the demonstration, which was a "purely educational"
project, Fi'isch said.
Nine tests using both acetate and nitrate
film were made, to show the burning of 1,000
feet of film in loo.se piles, to show decomposition
fumes, to show wood exposure fires
of film in tin cans, u.sing fire extinguishers
to show extinguishment of acetate film fires,
using waterhose to show extinguishment attempts
on nitrate fire and using acetylene
torch on both acetate film in can and on an
exposed role.
City officials were "impressed" by the
demonstration, the first they had seen of the
safety values of acetate film, and eventually
the demonstration may result in lower insurance
rates on film storage, Frisch said.
The EK officials present included: Ethan
M. Stifle, manager of the east coast division
of the motion picture department, who arranged
the demonstration and who acted as
host in the absence of E. P. Curtis, vice-presi-
starring Ann Blyth, Howard Keel and Fernando
Lamas with Marjorie Main and Bert
Lain-, and "Tennessee Champ," in Ansco
Color, starring Shelley Winters, Keenan
Wynn and Dewey Martin.
PARAMOUNT—"Red Garters." in Technicolor,
starring Rosemary Clooney, Jack Carson,
Guy Mitchell, Joanne Gilbert and Pat
Crowley, and "The Naked Jungle," in Technicolor,
starring Charlton Heston and Eleanor
Parker.
RKO RADIO — "Dangerous Mission." in
Technicolor and 3-D. starring Victor Mature,
Piper Laiu-ie. William Bendix and Vincent
F>rice, and "Carnival Story." in Technicolor,
starring Anne Baxter, Steve Cochran and
Lyle Bettger.
REPUBLIC— "Flight Nurse," starring Joan
Leslie, Arthur Fr&nz. Forrest Tucker and Jeff
Donnell.
TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX — "Night
People," in Technicolor and CinemaScope,
starring Gregory Peck. Broderick Crawford
and Rita Gam with Anita Bjork and Casey
Adams; "New Faces." in color and Cinema-
Scope. starring Ronny Graham, Eartha Kitt,
Robert Clary and Alice Ghostly, and "Racing
Blood." with Bill Williams. Jean Porter and
Jimmy Boyd.
dent; Dr. Emmelt K. Car\er and Dr. Louis
Eilers, assistants to the general manager of
Kodak Park Works; Dr. J. H. Sterner, medical
director; Dr. D. Fassett, medical department,
who di.scu.ssed the toxicity of gas.ses evolved
in combustion of motion picture film; Allen
Cobb, safety director, and hLs assistant. Earl
Wallace, and Robert M. Corbin. a.ssistant
manager of the motion picture department.
In addition to Fri.sch, other guests included:
John McCullough, director of technical services.
Motion Picture Ass'n of America; D. John
Phillips, executive director of MMPTA; Joseph
D'Agastino, National Broadcasting Co.;
Henry Anderson, American Broadcasting-
United Paramount Theatres; Daniel Bizocco,
National Screen Service; Henry Grossman,
Columbia Broadcasting Co.; Benjamin Lorber,
Universal-International; Arthur Perles,
Columbia Broadcasting; Chester Ross, president
of Bonded F^lms Service; Arthur C. Ford,
New York City Department of Water Supply.
Gas and Electricity; Edwin W. Kleinert, NYC
Board of Standards and Appeals; Edwart T.
McCaffrey, NYC Department of Licenses;
Nicholas J. Kelly, NYC Department of Water
Supply, Gas and Electricity; Vincent Matties,
representing NYC F^e Commissioner Edward
F. Cavanagh jr.; Lt. E. J. Holdsworth, representing
Deputy Chief Arthur J. Masset. in
charge of divisions of Fire Prevention and
Combustibles, and Deputy Chief Edward Connors,
member of NYC Board of Standards and
Appeals.
UNITED ARTISTS—"Beat the Devil," produced
by John Huston, starring Humphrey
Bogart, Jennifer Jones, Gina Lollobrigida and
Robert Morley with Peter Lorre; "Act of
Love," produced by Anatole Litvak. starring
Kirk Douglas and Dany Robin with Robert
Strauss and Gabrielle Dorziat; "Gog," in
color, starring Herbert Marshall, Constance
Dowling and Richard Egan, and "Heidi," produced
by Lazar Wechsler, with Elsbeth Sigmund.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL — "Saskatchewan."
in Technicolor, stan-ing Alan
Ladd and Shelley Winters with J. Carroll
Naish; "Ride Clear of Diablo," in Technicolor,
starring Audie Murphy, Susan Cabot and Dan
Duryea; "Creature From the Black Lagoon,"
in 3-D, starring Richard Carlson and Julia
Adams with Richard Denning, and "Genevieve,"
in Technicolor. J. Arthur Rank production
with John Gregson. Dinah Sheridan.
Kenneth More and Kay Kendall.
WARNER BROS.—"Phantom of the Rue
Morgue," in WarnerColor and 3-D, starring
Karl Maiden, Claude Dauphin and Patricia
Medina with Steve Forrest; "Crime Wave."
starring Sterling Hayden. Phyllis Kirk and
Gene Nelson, and "Duffy of San Quentin,"
starring Louis Hayward, Joanne Dru and Paul
Kelly with Maureen O'Sullivan.
OXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

J-PM
^uUe ^e^it4^ Ty^o Senators in Plea
For Excise Tax Cuts
Strong Administration Fight
Against Tax Repeal Seen
Eisenhower's excise tax program, which includes
tlieatre admissions, not likely to be
reduced, and any cuts made should be balanced
by increases elsewhere, according to
Treasury Secretary Humphrey.
•
Legitimate Theatres in Drive
To Repeal Admission Tax
Ralph E. Becker, who represents a number
of associations interested in the "live" theatre,
makes appeal to Congress along the lines
of the COMPO campaign on behalf of films.
•
Senate Group to Continue
Trade Practices Probe
Sources close to Sen. Andrew P. Schoeppel
(R., Kas.), chairman of the Senate small
business subcommittee, said that Schoeppel
has not lost interest in the subject.
•
Allied Stock Acquisition
Plan Reaffirmed by Board
New York meeting decides to use all means
including appeals to stockholders of "one of
the existing film companies" and a proxy fight
if necessary; claims support of "persons with
large investments."
•
Fibn Promoting Industry
Ready in About a Week
"Invitation to Hollywood" is title of test
subject in series of clips; stars to go on television
under MPAA auspices; Robert Weitman
of AB-PT reports; approval of AFM to
be sought soon.
*
Justice Dept. Gives AB-PT
New Divestiture Deadlines
Date for selling remaining 15 or 76 Interstate
Theatres required under the consent
decree advanced from March 1 to September
3 ;
deadline for divestiture of 45 other AB-PT
theatres also postponed to September 3.
•
Dick Powell May Become
Head of RKO Production
Admits having received proposal from Howard
Hughes and says he will discuss it with
him when he finishes work on "The Conqueror";
rumors of impending change current
for past three weeks.
•
Eastman Kodak's Earnings,
Sales Up 10% in 1953
Consolidated net earnings were $50,171,153,
or $2.86 a .share on 17,400,217 common shares,
and consolidated net sales were $633,688,918,
annual report says; most of gain from photographic
business.
^
Skouras Will Bypass Rank
In Stereophonic Dispute
To sell in open market as British theatre
chain refuses to install Pox sound in more
than 75 houses already contracted for; equipment
manufacturers plan financial aid to independents.
WASHINGTON—Sen. Walter P. George (D.,
Ga.) on Friday (19) told the Senate that some
excise taxes should be eliminated and others
should be cut as a means of getting the economy
back into high gear. On the previous
day, Sen. Andrew P. Schoeppel (R., Kas.),
speaking directly about the admission tax,
called for its removal this year.
Senator Schoeppel said, "It is a matter of
common knowledge that the (film) industry
is experiencing serious economic problems.
The exhibitors in my state are under great
pressure as a result of declining boxoffice
and the effect of the onerous 20 per cent admissions
tax which, incidentally, I earnestly
hope will be eliminated in this session of
the Congress."
Senator George, ranking minority member
of the Senate Finance Committee, which
considers tax legislation, made his excise
statement in connection with introduction of
a bill increasing personal and dependents income
tax exemptions from the present $600 to
$800 for the tax year 1954 and to $1,000 for
succeeding years.
He told the Senate, "There are two things
that ought to be done now in our economy
as far as taxation is concerned. One is the
increase of these exemptions. The second is
the reduction or elimination of the excise
taxes, where reductions or eliminations can
be made. The Treasury will lose some money,
but I wish to say now that the Treasury will
lose some money if unemployment reaches
four million or five million people."
Associated with George in introduction of
the income tax bill were two other minority
members of the Senate Finance Committee,
Senators Robert S. Kerr (D., Okla.) and
J. Allen Frear jr. (D., Del.).
Rep. Hale Boggs (D., La.) on Tuesday (23)
attempted unsuccessfully to write into the
omnibus tax revision bill a provision cutting
to 10 per cent all excise taxes currently above
that level. This would have included film
theatre admission taxes.
The tax revision bill is currently being considered
section-by-section by the House Ways
and Means Committee, of which Boggs is a
member. Rejection came on a straight partyline
vote after chairman Daniel A. Reed
(R., N.Y.) ruled the Boggs motion out of order
on the grounds that it violated the agreedupon
procedure not to take up rates in connection
with the code revision measure.
Public Rates Ticket Tax
Only Minor Nuisance
MINNEAPOLIS — The Sunday Tribune's
Minnesota Poll to ascertain what federal
excise taxes Minnesotans are most desirous
of having eliminated had theatre tickets far
down on the list.
Only 2 per cent of those interviewed named
the federal admission tax. This compared
to 32 per cent, who wanted to get rid of
telephone and telegraph federal excise taxes.
Taxes on refrigerators and home freezers
were most disliked by 22 per cent followed
by 16 per cent for new automobiles and 7
per cent for tires and inner tubes. Trailing,
but ahead of theatre admissions, were electric
light bulbs, cosmetics and travel tickets.
However, the admission tax tied with the
federal taxes on sporting goods and led television
sets, furs, musical instruments, jewelry,
luggage, cameras and film in public dislike.
Interviewers handed lists of the taxes to
men and women comprising a representative
cross-section of the state's adult population
and asked "suppose you had your choice of
getting rid of one of these special taxes—
which one would you pick to do away with?"
They also were asked for their second and
third choices.
Allied Arbitration Nod
Still Appears Unlikely
BULLETIN
NEW YORK—At the end of the first
day's meeting of the national Allied
board, Abram F. Myers, chairman, said,
"The board, of course, will take note
of the invitation extended by Eric
Johnston, but any action probably will
not be announced at this time."
He added that it will be up to the
Motion Picture Ass'n to release the text
of Allled's letter when it is received.
- life
NEW YORK—The prospect of national
Allied participation in the arbitration conference
suggested by Eric Johnston, president
of the Motion Pictui-e Ass'n of America, did I
not appear any brighter dui-ing the week.
When Abram P. Myers, general counsel, was ii
asked at the opening of the two-day board
meeting here if arbitration was on the agenda
he replied that there was no set agenda.
The other organizations which had received
the Johnston invitation for a gathering
with distributor representatives here had
u
; it IB-?^'-
.:,-•, Oi.
Sjiite,IiK..I
;x-!sar 'ite W
either accepted or were about to do so. PFosSkoiu
Southern California Theatre Owners Ass'n
mailed its acceptance the middle of the week.
Theatre Owners of America and the Inde^
pendent Theatre Owners Ass'n had previously
accepted ___^ f
_
With the expressed hope that out of the^^l'S'- w v
parleys will come "some kind of system of
arbitration of disputes involving exhibitors
and distributors," the SCTOA will send three
representatives to a proposed meeting to discuss
the arbitration endeavor.
In a letter to Johnston, Harry C. Arthur jr.,
SCTOA board chairman, said he, as well as
Al Hanson of the board and the association's
counsel would be on hand for the conferences,
the exact date for which has not been set.
Metropolitan Motion Picture Theatre Owners
Ass'n had expected to draft its acceptance
at a meeting during the week, but the session
was postponed to next week by Emanuel
Prisch, president. Its acceptance will go to }
MPAA then.
Barbara Stanwyck to Dallas
HOLLYWOOD—Glamor in the person of
Barbara Stanwyck will be Hollywood's representative
at the forthcoming Variety Clubs
International 18th annual convention, to be
held in Dallas late in March. She will present
the annual Humanitarian award.
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BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

'
I
CINCINNATI—New
: February
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Depth Vuers Making
Rimless Glasses
rimless 3-D glasses at
10 increase in prices are now in mass producion
here, it was announced by Depth Vuers.
nc, one of the three manufacturers of polar-
«ed three-dimensional glasses, in the U.S.
pt John F. Dreyer, president of Depth Vuers,
j nc, the fast-growing firm in Cincinnati's
Jim
uburb. Blue Ash. Ohio, made the announceaent
that his firm recently expanded into a
modern factory to tuin out the glasses
tiktendofUiefmi
,rge,
large quantities to meet the demand, caused
tbt oalioaal AlU
fytn, [hairoaD, sail,
•y the many three-dimensional films being
miill tab Dill
leased in the next few^ weeks.
theaw
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'
Depth Vuers, Inc., has been manufacturing
aper-frame type 3-D glasses since the early
art of 1953, when Aich Oboler's "Bwana
evil" startled Hollywood into a landslide of
ichnical developments in the film industry.
Made of polacoat-polarized plastic film
hich is much heavier than heretofore used,
tie new glasses permit a full unobstructed
ision of wide screens. Attractively colored
letal temple bars hold the lenses ni place
nd firmly hold the glasses to the wearer's
ead. Although they fit over regular glasses,
clip-on model for those who wear glasses
^^ ^^ ^^^^^ production soon. Modern, curvedins
styling aid in removing disturbing back
[flections
Jpyros Skouras to Describe
Jew Eidophor Models
NEW YORK—New developments in the
idophor system of color theatre television
ill probably be made known when SpjTos P.
koiu-as. president of 20th Century-Fox, rejms
from Europe in about a week. He has
een reported to be satisfied with the progress
eing made by Cinemascope, and to feel that
le company can now return to promotion of
idophor.
Earl I. Sponable, technical research direc-
)r, and Skouras have visited Zurich, Switzerliid,
during their stay abroad to check up on
le latest Eidophor models. Home office
fficials said Skouras will probably describe
lem at a press conference soon after his
iturn.
Arnold Picker of UA Back
'rem Latin America Tour
NEW YORK— Arnold M. Picker, vice-presi-
!nt of United Artists in charge of foreign
stribution, has returned from a tour of
Uin American branches in connection with
35th anniversary observance. He left
|inuary 24 and visited Cuba, Puerto Rico,
^nidad, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama,
:ru, Chile, Argentina. Uruguay and Brazil.
New One-Track 3-D Unit
To Be Sold by Pola-Lite
NEW YORK— A single-track 3-D projection
unit, which will eliminate the necessity for an
extra projectionist or for intermissions will
be offered by the Pola-Lite Co. early in
March, according to Al O'Keefe, vice-president
in charge of di.stribution. At the same
time, Pola-Lite will offer to exhibitors new
full-vision 3-D gla-sses with improved polarization
and all-plastic frames and with
collapsible earpieces for those patroas who
wear permanent glasses.
These two new Pola-Lite 3-D developments
will be a great shot-in-the-arm for 3-D, according
to O'Keefe, first because the modest
price of $100 cash, together with a minimum
order for 6,000 Pola-Lite glasses over a period
of one year, will enable the small town and
neighborhood houses to show 3-D, and .second,
because Pola-Lite has completed negotiations
with Universal-International to make prints
of two new 3-D features, "The Creature From
the Black Lagoon" and "Taza, Son of Cochise,"
available to exhibitors on the new
Pola-Lite 3-D system. Both will be available
for the new system early in March.
O'Keefe .said.
KASIER TO OPERATE
The new Pola-Lite 3-D system, which ha-s
replaced the Moropticon unit, eliminates all
synchronization devices, eliminates running
two machines, does away with a second operator,
cuts 3-D carbon and electric consumption,
eliminates large reels and special re-
The unit contains its own
winding equipment.
filters and prevents the film from going out
of synchronization, as well as eliminating eyestrain
due to two variations of light, according
to O'Keefe. The operation with the Pola-
Lite 3-D system will be the .same as when
the theatre projects 2-D or flat pictui'es.
O'Keefe believes that the new system will
make it possible for from 8,000 to 10,000 additional
theatres to run 3-D pictures, instead of
the less than 3,000 now equipped for 3-D.
The new Pola-Lite glasses will still sell for
ten cents, he said.
O'Keefe, who spoke to exhibitors at conventions
in Boston. Chicago and the drive-in
gathering in Cincinnati, said they were in
favor of 3-D "when we get some good 3-D
pictures." He said "Hondo" has played to
more people than did the first Warner Bros.
3-D feature, "House of Wax," and that the
RKO Theatres circuit underestimated its
quota of gla.sses by 90,000 during its showings
of "Hondo" on the Metropolitan chain recently.
LISTS FORTHCOMING FILMS
In addition to the two Universal-International
pictures, O'Keefe mentioned Warner
Bros.' "Phantom of the Rue Morgue" and
"Dial M for Murder, " RKO's "The French
Line" and "Son of Sinbad." Columbia's "The
Mad Magician." "Gog" and "Ring Ai-ound
Saturn" from United Artists and "Gorilla at
Large " 20th Century-Fox as examples
of good 3-D product soon to be released by
the major companies. However. O'Keefe believes
that 3-D pictures should be of the
"hoiTor" or adventure variety and that the
medium added little or nothing to "Miss Sadie
Thompson,
"
Rita Hayworth picture.
O'Keefe has found that quality 3-D pictures
appeal directly to audiences ranging in age
from tots to 30 years of age—and that repre-
.sents 85 per cent of the picture-going audience,
he said.
The new Pola-Lite 3-D projection unit can
be installed by any projectionLst and weighs
only three and one-half pounds. It is 11 'j
inches high, seven inches wide and three and
one-half inches deep and fits right over the
lens.
The new 3-D system has improved on the
theory of Moropticon, '"which was not satisfactory."
according to O'Keefe. The company
now inactive, but Matthew Pox. one of the
is
organizers, is also one of the organizers of
Pola-Lite.
Kupper Leaving 20th-Fox;
Pattinson to Be Successor
LONDON— William J. Kupper, managing
director of 20th Century-Fox in Great
Britain since 1947 and associated with the
company since 1919, will resign his post as
of March 31 to return to California in early
April. He will be succeeded by James E.
Pattin.son, now general sales manager, who
will become head of the company in Great
Britain.
Albert Cornfield, managing director for
Continental Europe. Scandinavia, the Middle
East and North Africa, will supervise the
20th-Pox operation in Britain.
Kupper, who is an American, started in the
film industry with World Film Corp. He had
held several 20th-Fox managerial posts, including
general sales manager for the U.S.
and Canada, before going to England. Pattinson,
who is British, entered the industry
with Famous Films in 1919 and was branch
manager for Goldwyn Films and FBO before
joining Fox in 1931 as head of the Birmingham
branch. He became general sales manager
in 1946.
Alex Harrison to Assume
Aaron Post Temporarily
NEW YORK—Alex Harrison, 20th Century-Fox
home office representative, will
temporarily fill the post of western sales
manager, formerly held by Edwin W. Aaron,
who died February 20. Decision on u permanent
appointment to the post will be made
following the return of Al Lichtman. dLstribution
director, from Miami.
Chesapeake Rejects Bids
For Old ELC Pictures
NEW YORK—Chesapeake Industries has
rejected all bids for theatrical and television
rights to ten features formerly owned by
Eagle Lion Cla.ssics and acquired by Chesapeake.
Bidding was closed February 15, and
a few days later Chesapeake said the bids
were unsatisfactory. All of the films have
been shown in theatres but none on television.
jiUiiai**
fpCE
jjWXOFFICE :
27, 1954
11
.
febU"!'

THE
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Year histi

LER STORY
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vof

: February
RKO Legal Moves Spread
Chill Over Wall Street
NEW YORK— Court maneuvers aimed at
delaying the sale of RKO Pictures stock to
Howard Hughes chilled the speculative fever
that had the New York Stock Exchange in
a state of excitement for a week. The stock
hovered around 5'- all week, which is SO cents
below the $6 offer made by Hughes,
Attorneys agreed Thursday (25) to delay
the court move in New York and to proceed
with action pending in Delaware chancery
court March 8. An injunction to halt approval
of the sale to Hughes at a special meeting in
Dover March 18 is scheduled.
Louis Schiff and Jacob Sacks, attorneys
who filed the Wilmington plea for an injunction,
appeared Saturday . Titled "Price of
Liberty," the film will be released March 26
for theatrical distribution throughout the
country through the cooperation of the MPAA.
RKO Realigns Domestic Sales Setup
With Three Executives Promoted
NEW YORK—Transfer of Walter E. Branson
from the post of assistant sales manager
for RKO to that of general nianaficr of foreign
operations, has
resulted in three other
promotions and a realignment
of the sales
organization.
Herbert H. Greenblatt,
midwestern district
manager, has been
named central division
manager with headquarters
in Chicago.
J. Herbert Macln-
branch manager in Cleveland and Pittsburgh
before becoming midwestern district manager
in 1944.
tyre, western district
manager, has been
named western
H. H. Greenblatt Harry Gittleson J. H. Maclntyre
divi-
sion manager, with headquarters remaining Maclntyre joined RKO in 1927, having previously
in Los Angeles. Nat Levy continues as head
been with Pathe. He was district
of the eastern and southern division, with manager for the south and for New England
headquarters at the home office.
before moving to the coast in 1941.
Harry Gittleson, sales administrative manager,
Gittleson joined PBO, predecessor of RKO,
has been named as executive assistant in 1926 and was editor of the house organ
to the general sales manager.
for 13 years. He joined the sales staff in 1942
Greenblatt started with RKO as a salesman and was named as domestic sales administrative
in the Chicago branch in 1932. He served as
manager last year.
Quality Slereosound
Is Vital Hoff Says
OMAHA—J. Robert Hoff, executive vicepresident
of the Ballantyne Co. here, this
week urged exhibitors to install only the
highest-quality stereophonic .sound in their
theatres, warning that inferior or underpowered
systems might well destroy the public's
interest in the industry's new film presentation
media.
"The entire industry," Hoff said, "is trying
to sell patrons on new developments in motion
picture pre.';entation.
"When you sacrifice quality stereophonic
sound, you destroy the very thing that 20th
Century-Fox, the other film companies and
equipment manufacturers are striving for—
better sound to attract more patrons to your
theatres."
Hoff noted that there was great pressure to
bring stereosound prices down, but he
warned that there is a limit to low prices and
the point eventually is reached where quality
sound must be sacrificed for price. He pointed
to his own company's package price of $3,195
for small theatres, and he added that Ballantyne,
on occasion, had refused to sell inferiorquality
sound to theatremen who wanted it.
"Any other policy." he .said, "would be
detrimental to the theatre industry," and that
the installation of small-theatre systems in
larger houses could lead to "stereophonic
sound that is inferior to the optical sound"
the theatremen are replacing.
Asks Regular Admissions
For CinemaScope Films
LOS ANGELES—Admission prices for
Cinemascope films has been the subject of
a running correspondence between 20th
Century-Fox and the Southern California
Theatre Owners Ass'n, it was disclosed this
week by Harry C. Arthur jr., the latter organization's
board chairman.
In an initial letter to Spyros Skouras, 20th-
Fox president, tribute was paid to Cinema-
Scope for its "tremendous contribution to the
industry," but the SCTOA suggested that the
wide-screen process should be made a "massentertainment
medium" by letting it be shown
at regular prices. This policy, Arthur informed
in the communique to Skouras, would
raise over-all attendance and equal, if not
surpass, present CinemaScope grosses.
This missive was answered by Al Lichtman,
20th-Pox sales head, in Skouras' behalf,
Lichtman pointed out that distributors are
prohibited from fixing admission scales, but
admitted there has been a "general increase"
in ticket prices.
In reply, Ai-thur requested his original letter
be brought to the personal attention of
Skouras and declared the distributors had
informed that exhibitors "would have to
raise admission prices" to obtain better-quality
product, "particularly those produced in
CinemaScope."
UA Takes 'White Mane'
NEW YORK—United Ai-tists has taken over
distribution of "White Mane," produced by
William L. Snyder, and now in its 11th week
at the Little Carnegie Theatre. It is being
shown on a dual bill with "Heidi." It will go
into release within a month.
loibid
\j
A
14 BOXOFFICE
:
27, 1954

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EVERY PASSIONATE PAGE...
EVERY THRILLING MOMENT
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h
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"liieaiiileiithtBi;
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who
he adventures of Jason Starbuck, who ruled
forbidden Morocco and fought its wildest
revolt to free an American beauty he loved
from the hidden harems of that fabulous land!
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aid,
atreiiidiistr)'."aiii
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JEFF CHANDLER
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Loew's Ten-Year Profits
To $94,800,000 Total
NEW YORK—LoeWs, Inc.. profits after
taxes for the past ten years totaled $94,800,-
000. stockliolders were told Thursday (25) at
a meeting that was notable both for the record
attendance and for the absence of criticism
of management.
They were also told that second quarter
eainings of both the picture and theatre companies
will be at least as good as those for
the first quarter, and that the business trend
is "good." Earnings of MGM Records were
described as "much better," but currently a
little behind those of the preceding year. The
book value of the common stock, listed on the
New York Stock Exchange at UM. was given
as $26.63.
PENSION DONATIONS DOWN
A 50 per cent cut in company contributions
to the pension fund, effective March 1. will
mean a saving of $2,200,000 this year.
The board of directors was re-elected without
opposition.
Eighty-five and a half per cent of the
34,259 stockholders were represented at the
meeting. Shares outstanding total 5,142,615.
Additional oil companies have been approached
about the possibility of finding oil
on MGM studio property and a study is going
on, but there is no assurance oil will be found.
The tone of the meeting was set by one
veteran stockholder, who said he had received
$5 for each dollar invested. Lewis
Gilbert, well-known investor in film companies,
who often has been critical at stockholder
meetings, noted improvements in
management and revenue. He was told that
contract commitments had been reduced, but
others asked that all contracts be reviewed.
The contract of J. Robert Rubin, vice-president
and counsel, will expire August 31. It
has financial provisions retroactive to 1924.
Pending antitrust suits total 213. "Quo
Vadis" is being amortized and eventually will
show a profit. The company investment in
it in January was $3,600,000. Thirteen theatres
were sold during the year, none to television,
and no shorts were made for TV. The
reception of 3-D pictures varies widely according
to area, going over better than 2-D
in som.e places. The sum of $801,000 was paid
the 25 per cent minority stock interest in
Poli-New England Theatres, now wholly
owned.
TO IMPROVE TECHNIQUES
In response to questions, Joseph R, Vogel,
vice-president, said that Cinemascope is "far
from perfect," but that he was optimistic,
because the sound and photography will be
improved and nev/ projection lenses are coming
along. He said the company, in addition
to buying the lenses, pays 20th Century-Fox
a "small amount" a year for rights to the process
and "one or two other inventions." He
said the agreement could be terminated at
any time. Many MGM pictures will be made
in wide screen, but there was no prediction
as to the number in Cinemascope.
Advertising expenditures for the past year
totaled $5,300,000, or 8 per cent less than the
preceding year.
Shift Steinberg, Mesibov.
Champion at Paramount
NEW YORK—Paramount's home office
advertising, publicity and exploitation departments
have been
realigned by Jerry
Pickman, vice-president
in charge of advertising,
publicity and
exploitation.
J. Herbert Steinberg,
publicity manager,
has been named
exploitation manager.
Burt Champion is the
new publicity manager.
He will continue
J. H. Steinberg
direction of the
radio and television
promotional activities.
Sid Mesibov, who has been in charge of
exploitation, will handle national tieup.s and
special promotions.
Burt Champion
Sid Mesibov
Republic Stock Purchases
And Sales Are Reported
NEW YORK—Herbert J. Yates, president
and board chairman of Republic Pictures, sold
82,331 shares of common stock of the company
in June 1953, decreasing his holdings to
5,600 shares, according to a report to stock
exchanges under Securities and Exchange
Commission regulations.
Douglas J. Yates, a director, bought 250
shares of the common, increasing his direct
holdings to 2,650 shares. He also bought for
Tonrud, Inc., of which he is an associate,
82,331 shares, and sold 1,050 shares of common
in June and December 1953. His holdings now
total 183.516 shares. He also listed indirect
holdings of 12.200 shares of preferred stock.
'Miller Story' Record
NEW YORK—"The Glenn Miller Story,"
which opened in 200 key city situations for
the Washington's birthday weekend, has rolled
up receipts surpassing everything in the 40-
year history of Universal, according to
Charles J. Feldman, vice-president and general
sales manager. In many situations, the
James Stewart starring film has rolled up
more money in its first three days than other
top-grossing U-I films have grossed in a week,
Feldman said.
Report Record Year
For Technicolor
NEW YORK—Technicolor, Inc., in 1953 set
a record in production of films in Color by
Technicolor and a record in print output, and
earned record profits both before and after
taxes, according to the annual report is.sued
by Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president and general
manager, and its wholly owned subsidiary.
Technicolor Motion Picture Corp.
The net 1953 profit was $2,371,735, compared
with $2,069,206 in 1952; earnings per share
were $1.23, compared with $1.09V2, and dividends
per share amounted to $1.10 for a total
of $2,113,439. compared with $1 for a total
of $1,872,816 in 1952.
BIG INCREASE IN
SALES
Net 1953 sales were $37,701,770, compared
with $33,020,5.59 in 1952, and profit before
taxes on income was $7,425,569, compared
with $6,340,288. During the year about $763,000
was invested in permanent assets, making a
total investment in permanent assets of about
$7,496,000 since Jan. 1, 1945. j
Dr. Kalmus reported that the Technicolor ^
companies again closed the year "in a very
strong liquid position with $11,254,225 in current
assets against which were $7,658,028 in
current liabilities, namely, net current assets
of $3,596,197." The sum of $249,740 was received
in dividends from Technicolor, Ltd.
Earnings by quarters were $2,840,983, $2,316,-
611, $1,594,872 and $673,103. Dr. Kalmus
attributed the adverse effect on volume and
profit diu'ing the last quarter to industry
changes. He said these resulted in less picture
production and that the pictures produced
required a fewer number of prints because
all theatres were not equipped to handle
the new screen ratios. He said the relatively
low cost of Technicolor prints as compared
with competitive prints, elimination of the
excess profits tax and much greater use of
color augured well for the future.
Dr. Kalmus reported that 106 featurelength
pictures were produced in Color by
Technicolor or with prints by Technicolor in
1953, compared with the previous high mark
of 97 the preceding year. Output of 35mm
positive prints was 560,550,932 feet, exceeding
by nearly 100,000,000 feet the previous high
mark of 461,219,752 in 1952. He said that 99
feature-length pictures in Color by Technicolor
or with prints by Technicolor were either
being photographed or were in preparation
at the time of the annual report, or were
under contract to be produced during 1954.
MADE 21 3-D FILMS IN 1953
In 1953 there were 21 3-D pictures produced
in Color by Technicolor and three with prints
by Technicolor. He named seven Cinema-
Scope pictures since "The Robe" on which
the printing has been done or will be done by.
Technicolor.
The report also discussed an October 1953
life insurance company loan of $5,000,000 for
an expansion of facilities and working capital,
a voluntary price reduction of 35 cents a foot
August 1, the introduction of new film processing
techniques, its print contract with
Cinerama and the possible manufacture of
prints giving good 3-D pictures projected
from a single strip of positive film and
through a single projector.
SUPPORT THE CRUSADE FOR FREEDOM
16 BOXOFFICE
:
: February 27, 1954

.
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MY OADOV SAVS
H/S THEATRE BUSINESS IS
SKY M/GMTOO-
T[\MKS ro PAflA^AOUNT
WH^flE lh\£RE^RE. PLEAiT/
OF BIG P/CTURES
FOR ALL
THEATRES.'?/
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Yes, big pictures like:
THE NAKED JUNGLE ^
^ MONEY FROM HOME
. J. FOREVER FEMALE .^ RED GARTERS .
.
..^^k^
kfei
^. JIVARO . ... and for Easte^CASANOVA'S BIG NIGHT

Columbia Starts Lansing
Of 25 Top-Budgeters
HOLLYWOOD—What Harry Cohn, company
president, and Jerry Wald, executive
producer, hailed as the most important
schedule in Columbia's history got under way
this week with the launching of camera work
on "Thi-ee for the Show," Cinemascope and
Technicolor musical starring Betty Grable,
which will be followed during the balance
of 1954 by 25 other top-budget offerings,
many in Technicolor and several in Cinema-
Scope.
In addition to "Three for the Show," a
Jonie Taps production being megged by
H. C. Potter, the studio will gun:
"The Bandits," a Technicolor western to
be produced by Lewis J. Rachmil and directed
by Rudy Mate, starring Glenn Ford.
TYRONE POWER STARRER
"Mister West Point," starring Tyrone
Power and Maureen O'Hara, to be produced
in Technicolor by Robert Arthur, with John
Ford directing.
"Joseph and His Brethren," Biblical featui'e
in Cinemascope and Technicolor, a Wald production
which William Dieterle will meg.
"Violent Men," a Technicolor western starring
Randolph Scott, to be produced by
Harry Joe Brown.
"Speak to Me of Love," in Technicolor and
Cinemascope, to be directed by Norman
Krasna and produced by Wald, on location
in Paris.
"Phfft," a comedy to star Judy Holliday
and Jack Lemmon, with Fred Kohlmar producing
and Mark Robson directing.
"Reminiscences of a Cowboy," a Technicolor
western starring Montgomery Clift.
"Fanfare for Elizabeth," a story of England's
Elizabethan era, in Technicolor and
Cinemascope.
A Technicolor musical version of "My
Sister Eileen," starring Judy Holliday and
Jack Lemmon, Fred Kohlmar producing.
"Pal Joey," Technicolor picturization of
the stage play, a Kohlmar production.
"Jubal Troop," to be produced in Technicolor
by Lewis J. Rachmil.
MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY SET
"The Franz Liszt Story," Technicolor
musical biography, which William Dieterle
will direct for Pioducer William J. Fadiman.
"The Gilded Rooster," an action drama in
Technicolor.
"A Nice Place to Visit," from an original
by Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon.
"Picnic," from the Pulitzer Prize play by
William Inge, to be made in Technicolor.
"Richard the Lion-Hearted," historical
spectacle, which Kohlmar will produce in
Technicolor.
"River of the Sun," from the novel by
James Ramsey Ullman, to be produced in
Brazil by William J. Fadiman in Technicolor.
"Debut," a Technicolor musical which
Buddy Adler will produce.
Three pictures will be produced independently
by William Goetz for Columbia distribution.
They are "Guys and Dolls," screen
version of the Broadway musical; an untitled
original to star Danny Kaye, and
"Dawn in the Sky," an outdoor drama starring
James Stewart.
Three others will be supplied by Warwick
Pi'oductions, all in Technicolor. These
are "A Prize of Gold," in Cinemascope,
starring Richard Widmark: "Cockleshell
Heroes," and one untitled.
To be made in England by David Rose is
"The End of the Affair," starring Deborah
Kerr.
Loew's International
Winners Are Named
4

^1 Write
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COMPLETELV
^ *HILAR,IOUS/
'*s the cKie,
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SBE- IT!
EXACTLYAS IT
WAS Shown on
TWE NY STAGB
WASHINGTON
BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
AUDIENCES IN
LOS ANGELES
(VOGUE, LOS ANGELES,
LOYOLA, RITZ-AND
FOX-WEST COAST
SATURATION)
NEW YORK (VICTORIA)
AND PHILADELPHIA
(GOLDMAN) WILL BE
ROLLING IN THE
AISLES WHILE
BOXOFFICES WILL
BE ROLLING IN
THE DOUGH!
AMD THEH WATCH THE
MICHI6AH THEATRE
IH DETROIT!
"Audience laughed its collective head off!" -Hollywood reporter "There's every
Indication of money in this one, and plenty of it!"-FiLM daily "Happy outlook!

. .
:
7Hc*t €utd SvmU^
'Wide Screen Tiisi Runs
THERE'S an angle to Cinemascope bookings
with stereophonic sound about
which very little has been said during the
heated objections to the 20th Century-Fox
insistence on use of stereophonic sound.
It's this: Every new installation in a
town or city where Cinemascope has not
been shown makes that theatre a first run
with access to some of the most successful
pictures in years—pictures that are increasingly
valuable as attractions because of the
tremendous publicity buildups that show no
signs of slackening.
In Canada Famous Players Canadian is
adding installations at the rate of one a
day. In this country both RCA and Altec
Service have waiting lists for stereophonic
sound orders. Grosses are terrific after the
installations.
Take Walter Reade jr. as an illustration.
He played "The Robe" at Morristown and
Perth Amboy, N.J., and Kingston, N.Y.,
with one-channel sound. Twentieth-Fox
wouldn't give him any more bookings without
stereo sound, so he hastened to put the
equipment in, and at last reports some of
his competitors had joined the rush to
get orders on the books.
The indignation of exhibitors who object
on principle to being told by anybody what
kind of equipment they should install may
be justified, but principle loses its lure
when the men who get there "furstest with
the mostest and bestest" equipment draw
sidewalk lines that can be counted without
the aid of a checking service.
"The Robe" came back to Broadway at
the Globe Theatre after a campaign by
Harry Brandt that proved he didn't regard
it as a second run. Among other things,
he used trailers in 90 theatres to add to the
buildup.
No Eiiect at All
TV'S possible that movies have been overrated
as a cause of juvenile delinquency
and other deviations from the path of rectitude.
In a kindly article about Miss
Susannah M. 'Warfield, supervisor of the
Ohio censor board, Don Strause, staff
writer on the Columbus Citizen, states:
"Chances are that Miss Warfield will go
on just as she has for 32 years, watching
motion pictures to make sure they have
nothing in them that Ohioans shouldn't
see.
"A spinster nearing 60, Miss Warfield
is a Puritan. Period. She has seen more
movies probably than anyone else in the
world, the bad ones as well as the good ones.
She has seen them before the cuts were
made because she probably made the cuts.
But they haven't influenced her life.
"Miss Warfield does not drink, smoke or
run around with men. She does chew
gum .
"She takes her job seriously. It is her
whole life, in fact. She firmly believes that
it Is her duty to see to it that no movies
are shown in Ohio that would lead a single
child astray."
Bob Wile, executive secretary of the Ohio
By JAMES M. JERAUL»
Allied unit, has sent photostats of the
article to all members.
UA Boiling Along
\A7HEN Arthur B. Krim and his associates
—Robert S. Benjamin, Max E. Youngstein,
Matthew Fox and William J. Heineman—
took over United Ai'tists in 1951,
Krim began a series of press conferences
which he designated as "phase" reports.
The last one was Phase 3.
Youngstein may have pulled aside the
veil on Phase 4 the other day. He said UA
was financing 80 per cent of its releases,
with 48 of them set for 1954-55.
That's a feat! It was February 1951,
when the UA men started Phase 1 with a
frantic search for product and financing
sufficient to take over the company. In
February 1954, they have a release schedule
that compares favorably with any major
company, and find themselves in a position
to have something to say about the
type of pictures that the independents will
turn out.
Crack-of-the-Week
WRITES Bob Wile in an Ohio Allied
bulletin
"Some of the multiple-source sound
technique for drive-ins seems so involved
that the patron will have to bring his car
in the night before for wiring."
Charles Jones, secretary of Iowa-Nebraska
Allied, asked:
"Last year drive-ins contributed over
eight million bucks to Fox in film rentals.
Does it sound logical that a company would
sacrifice this revenue for the sake of putting
an extra speaker on the starboard
porthole?"
Circular Movies
H PROFESSOR at the University of
Illinois
has invented a system of showing
films in a circular theatre with a single
projector having standard lenses.
Fred Waller, the man who invented
Cinemascope, developed a system for showing
a film in a sphere. It was designed to
accustom aviators to having enemy planes
appear from all directions. It worked, too,
but there is no record of how many pilots
acquired stiff necks.
Publicity ?!!?
A PUBLICITY release from Columbia last
week started off this way: "Cleo Moore,
the curvaceous blonde with dynamite lips
who may launch a new long-kiss cycle in
Hollywood, will arrive in New York Fi-iday
(19) from Chicago where she made headlines,
when TV star Jack Eigen was fired
for bussing her for five minutes on his
show."
The release concludes with: "Outside of
her motion picture activities. Miss Moore
is best known as an artist, with her favorite
canvas being a rear view nude oil of
herself which she painted by standing in
front of an angled mirror."
Roderick Appointed
Army Ass't Sec'y
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—George H. Roderick,
American Seating Co. vice-president in
charge of operations, has been appointed
assistant secretary of the army by President
Eisenhower. Roderick will be in charge of army
George H. Roderick (right), former
operations vice-president of American
Seating Co., Grand Rapids, Micli., is congratulated
by Jolin Slezak, under-secretary
of the army, after he was sworn in as
assistant secretary. Looking on is Mrs.
Roderick. President Eisenhower recently
announced the appointment of Roderick
as assistant secretary of the army.
finance and general management, and will
work directly with Robert Stevens, secretary
of the army and a member of the President's
cabinet. Upon graduation in 1921 from the
University of Michigan with a degree in
mechanical engineering, Roderick joined
American Seating Co. He has been with the
Grand Rapids firm since that time.
After serving in various engineering positions
until 1939, Roderick was assigned to special
defense projects. In 1943 he became
manager of war products and had charge of
all war contracts for the company. He headed
the company's reconversion planning committee
in 1944. In April 1947 he was made
manager of research and development and
elected to a vice-presidency and to membership
on the board of dii'ectors.
Dr. Frayne of Westrex
To Make Global Tour
NEW YORK—Dr. John G. Frayne, engineering
manager of Westrex Corp., subsidiary
of Western Electric Co., Inc., will leave
Hollywood by airplane on February ^S for
Tokyo, Japan. He will be on a two-month
round-the-world trip to study the equipment
and methods used in the motion picture recording
studios and processing laboratories of
various countries, including Japan, Hong Kong,
Philippine Islands, Singapore, Indonesia,
India, Pakistan, Italy, Prance and England.
Movie Quip
Lon Cox who heads the theatre enterprises
bearing his name, reports a cute
little incident that occurred at the 'Vogue
Theatre, Salina. Kas.: A youngster, aged
three, approached the manager and asked
in a baby voice. "Mister, have you got a
flashlight?" The manager replied, "Sure,
sonny, what did you lose?" The child
came back, "My brother."
lO
t
20
BOXOFFICE Febi-uary 27, 1954
SI,

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VICTOR MATURE- PIPER LAURIE
WILLIAM BENDIX • VINCENT PRICE
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. . . Moulin
. . Femme
. . Columbia
—
. .
. . Also
^M^ewMd ^cfutnt
U-I Opens New Building
For Advertising Dept.
Only Two Story Purchases
Recorded for the Week
Activity in the acquisition of story properties
for filming wallowed in the doldrums
again, only two sales having been recorded
during the week.
Picked up by Republic were screen rights to
"Silver Rock," a western novel by the prolific
Luke Short, and which tome ran serially in
Collier's magazine last year. Kenneth Gamet
was inked to prepare the screenplay and the
property was placed on the slate of Producer-
Director Joseph Kane.
"All That Heaven Allows," a novel by Edna
and Harry Lee, went to Universal-International,
where it has been assigned to Ross
Hunter to produce. The romantic drama, set
in a small town, deals with a wealthy widow
By
IVAN SPEAR
who falls in love with her young gardener.
In sharp contrast, however, to the laggardly
pace in the purchase of plot material, writing
activity at U-I has hit its highest peak in
a year or more, with 32 scriveners at work
on 31 scripts. Of these stories, now in various
stages of preparation, 18 are originals, 11
were adapted from novels and two are based
on published short stories, according to a
studio breakdown.
Short notes from the sound stages: Universal-International
has officially opened its
new two-story advertising building on the
valley lot, the first such structure to be
erected by a major studio. It houses 16 members
of the advertising and promotion staffs
and 17 advertising art directors and artists
Productions, of which Alfred
Crown is the newly named president, has Richard Widmark to Star
entered into a co-production deal with Associated
British on "Moby Dick," pictiu-ization
In Film for Columbia
of the Herman MelviUe novel, which John Undoubtedly the busiest among filmdom's
Huston stellar
will produce and direct in Cinema-
personalities is Richard Widmark, who
Scope and color. Starring Gregory Peck,
ends his seven-year association with 20th
it'll
be made abroad for distribution by Warners Century-Fox with a topline in the Spencer
. . . National release dates on six MGM shorts
T:'acy starrer, "Broken Lance," and then in
were set by Fred Quimby, head of the studio
his new status as a freelancer will head the
shorts department. Going out Friday (19)
cast of "A Prize of Gold," a Warwick production
to be made abroad for Columbia re-
was "Glimpses of Western Germany," a
James A. FitzPatrick Traveltalk, followed lease . . . Until lately a Paramount contractee.
Gene Barry swung over to Universal-
Saturday (20) by "Drag Along Droopy," a
cartoon. In March a Pete Smith Specialty,
International to portray the heavy in "The
"Fish Tales," and a cartoon, "Impossible Tight Squeeze," in which Sterling Hayden
Possum," will go into release, while the April will supply the heroics and Gloria Grahame
schedule includes another from Smith, "Do the romantic interest ... If present casting
Someone a Favor" and, in May, "Out for Fun." activity on the Hecht-Lancaster production,
"Vera Cruz," continues much longer at the
same pace the thespian roster is going to be
nearly as large as the telephone book. Inked
for the feature, to be shot in Mexico with
Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster in the top
spots, have been George Macready, Ernest
Borgnine, James Seay, Serita Montiel, Jack
EUam, Henry Brandon, Jack Lambert and
Archie Savage—with lots more to come .
Paul Douglas and John Ericson joined the
roster of MGM's upcoming adventure drama,
"Green Fire," starring Stewart Granger and
Grace Kelly . booked young
Robert Francis for two feature assignments
in "Mister West Point" and "Those Reported
Missing" . . . Julia Adams will be Donald
O'Connor's co-star in U-I's "Francis Joins
the WACs" . lead opposite Wayne
Morris in the Allied Artists galloper, "Two
Guns and a Badge," is Beverly Garland.
Bosustow Is
President of UPA
Re-Elected
Marking the beginning of his ninth
term in those offices, Stephen Bosustow
has been re-elected president and chairman
of the board of United Productions
of America, which turns out cartoon
shorts for Columbia release and is also
active in the TV and commercial film
field.
At UPA's annual meeting of directors,
new board members added include George
Bagnall, Ernest Scanlon, Richard Hungate
and Pete Burness, while other directors,
Robert Cannon, T. Edward Hambleton,
Leo Rosen and Hervey Shaw, also
attended. A regular dividend was declared
on preferred stock.
Bosustow informed that UPA, which
established a New York studio three
years ago, will step up its eastern sales
and production activities this year and,
in line with that program, the board
named Don McCormick a vice-president
in charge of the eastern offices. /
Other officers re-elected were Cannon,
vice-president; Charles Daggett, vicepresident
in charge of public relations;
Hambleton, treasurer; Melvin Getzler,
assistant treasurer, and M. Davis, secretary.
Robert Pirosh Leaving MGM
To Produce Independently
Ending a five-year association as a writer
and director, Robert Pirosh is leaving MGM
—where he won an Academy Award for penning
"Battleground"—to produce and direct
an untitled independent effort abroad. His
last for Leo was the just-completed "Valley
of the Kings," co-starring Robert Taylor and
Eleanor Parker . in the independent
category is the package set up by Mickey
Rooney and Director Jack Donohue under
which the pint-sized player will portray
George M. Cohan in "Forty-Five Minutes
From Broadway," a musical biography of the
celebrated stage actor, writer, producer and
songsmith.
Dick Powell to Produce
'Conqueror' for RKO
Added to the RKO Radio slate for a
scheduled April start was "The Conqueror,"
Dick Powell's first productional effort for
the studio, for which John Wayne and Susan
Hayward have been set in two of the three
starring roles. The Technicolor adventure
spectacle, penned by Oscar Millard, relates
the story of young Ghengis Khan and the
romance that inspired him to become the
leading militarist of his day.
Powell is considering Mexico and North
Africa as possible location sites.
'MILLIONAIRE' KUDOS—Here is Nunnally Johnson, who wrote and produced
with the BOXOFFICE
20th Century-Fox's big-grossing "How to Marry a Millionaire,"
Blue Ribbon Awards with which he, the cast and others who contributed to the making
of the picture were presented when the National Screen Council adjudged the Cinema-
Scope entry the best picture "for the whole family" to go into release in December
1953. Johnson is a winner of several past Blue Ribbons; the others on his desk were
subsequently distributed to the indicated recipients.
Plan Color Cartoon Feature
Based on TV Character
Ever tighter is being woven the liaison between
motion pictures and television. Now
comes word that Bob Clampett, producer of
the top-rated TV show for the younger set,
"Time for Beany," and director Frank
Tashlin are planning a full-length color cartoon,
"Cecil," based on the "Sea-Sick Sea
Serpent" character in the video program.
22 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

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—
YOUR ADVERTISING BUDGET
AND YOUR INCOME TAX
An Expert Explains How a Cut in Advertising
Can Boost an Exhibitor's
Income Tax Bill
tion expenses as a means of meeting his
individual income tax on theatre earnings.
He is indulging in other economies of a
questionable nature. Temporarily, at least,
he may seem to accomplish the laudable
objective of holding down his income tax
bill. In the long run such a policy will
result in a reduction in his income taxes
the hard way. That is, such expensive
economies will result in a reduction at the
boxoffice and of net income on which his
tax bills are computed.
NOT NONPRODUCTIVE LUXURY
Such a policy presupposes advertising
and promotion is a nonproductive luxury
which can be dispensed with largely. It
assumes boxoffice receipts and net profit
will remain constant even though promotion
is pared. This is at odds with reality.
It should be remembered, of course,
throughout this discussion that productive
advertising is being referred to. the kind of
advertising that pays its own way and shows
a net return.
However, for the sake of argument, let's
assume for a moment there will be no ill
effects from a reduction in the promotion
budget. Does the smaller outlay fully accomplish
the laudable objective aimed at
by such economy? Is the money not expended
for promotion entirely available for
a theatre owner's tax biU?
APPLIED AS A 'SAVINGS'
Suppose a theatreman pares $1,000 off
his advertising budget with a view to applying
this "saving" to his tax bill. Pi-ovided
everything works in his favor, this simply
means his net earnings are increased by
the exact amount of the unexpended $1,000.
Thus, as his net earnings have been increased
by $1,000 he has an additional tax
assessment levied against that amount in
addition to the tax levy against earnings
below the extra $1,000. So, only part of
the so-called savings can be diverted to pay
the tax he'd have had without the reduction
in advertising. That is, if he is in the
38 per cent bracket, the tax on the expense
reduction of $1.000—or additional net
earnings as it becomes—will be $380. This
leaves only $620 (instead of the anticipated
$1,000) with which to meet the tax bill on
By HAROLD J. ASHE
"I can't afford to do more advertising," the earnings below the $1,000 additional
a theatre owner pleaded recently. In justifying
earnings.
his sharply reduced advertising and What has just been pointed out indicates
promotion budget he cited his high income
tax bill.
the fallacy of such an economy even on the
false assumption that a theatre owner can
In fact, what this theatreman is attempting
reduce productive advertising and feel no
to do is reduce his legitimate promo-
ill effects in gross receipts and net profit.
Actually, the moment promotion is sharply
reduced, the boxoffice can be expected to
slip, even though this may not be immediately
visible as to cause. It is significant
that with a high break-even point, net
earnings are bound to drop faster than
gross receipts. Conceivably, net earnings
may drop to the pKJint where no income tax
results. However, this is an exr>ensive way
to beat the tax collector.
With heavy taxation, a far better case
can be made for increasing advertising appropriations,
provided only additional promotion
is productive. Only part of each
advertising dollar represents a cash outlay,
after incoine taxation. And, of course, it
represents no real unproductive cost if it
accomplishes its purpose.
THE REAL TAX OUTLAY
Even assuming that additional advertising
brings in no more business—though it
should and that is its functional purpose
consider what the real outlay is when income
taxation is reckoned with. The accompanying
table shows how the net cost of
the advertising dollar drops as the tax
brackets rise. (1953 tax rates.)
xable Income
Harold J. Ashe has written extensively on tax motters.

~'
, be
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: February
—
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Ike gold pointers.
Poromount News, No. 54: Nation responds to free-
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IIN'G
RETUKNS
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Movietone News, No. 17: Forty-fifth d
parade in Korea stirring sight; evocui villages
irn
plane but pi
Forouk's treasures sold at
auction;
Howoiians display water wizardry.
the 45th division; Seoul suffers serious tire loss;
U.S. lets tour Latin America; marine colonel faces
treasures; police get orders via cop radio; world title
ll'iriois— freedom crusade; Californio—crash tests;
Holland—skating marathon; Fronce—skiing.
Seoul 45th division in last review before leoving;
America sends tons of relief goods to needy; inferno
oil fire rages as rips worehouse; air force on Lotin
Amer.can goodwill tour; queen tours steel capitol
of Austrolio, Egypt auctions treasures of Kirig Fan
chiefs
for
foshions for spring;
ships.
April
general;
.: Red Chir
talks;
irt
foshil
Springs; driver dies on runaway bobsled;
excel at circus tricks.
News of the Doy, No. 252: Big Four in Berlin
reach dead end—Dulles home; new deep sea diving
record—2'j miles down; jet bombers in Africa flight;
cornel derby, stars off for Brazil film festival; Mari-
Paramount News, No. 55: Arctic maneuvers in
Europeon curling championship Germ isch- Part inkir-
iron curtain refugees; California— jet trainer; New
York— "Genevieve" premiere; California—Nimitz and
scouts; Hcwaiion fashions; Lake Placid—snow sculp-
Warner Pathe News, No. 57: Ike colls for drive
tram to hop peaks; Burbank, Calif.—new jet built
for fashions; GIs mobilize in Korea— Marilyn's there;
stuff.
land forest warden; Harlem Beaux Arts boll.
Telenews Weekly, No. 8: Storms sock Europe; explorers
scole peaks—probe cove depths; Potsdam
newsmen pierce iron curtain; Korea— fighting 45th
heads homeward; Italy— Premier Mario Seel bo's cobinet
sworn in; Rhodesia—first parliament opens amid
scenes of splendor; Hawaii—eager residents sign
blockbuster petition for statehood; California— border
guards corral wetbacks; Korea—war dogs become
oirdoles in novel helicopter training; New York—86
refugees from Soviets flown to freedom; Washington
—Lindbergh to become generol; Sweden—skiers soar
in world jump.
depend on the automobile industry for a lot
of sales, exhibition or film dLstribution. Its
sole purpose is to bring to the aid of every
facet of the motion picture industry those
national manufacturers whose product would
also be curtailed by the growing millions of
nightly televiewer stay-at-homes."
Levin also reported that the digest of a
recent CR 3-D survey will be continued and
augmented by a questionnaire to be mailed
to 3,000 theatre managers in cities not at present
covered by the survey. About 50,000 theatre
patrons have been polled to date on their
reactions to the 3-D technique and the use of
viewers.
Almost Double 1952
BOSTON— Polaroid Corp. did a record
business in 1953 with sales totaling $26,003.-
656, almost double that of 1952 when the
total was $13,393,259. The 1953 net was
$1,515,024. or $3.32 a share, compared with
$597,210, or $1.32 a share, for 1952.
Edwin H. Land, president, reported that
1954 started with a backlog of orders for
both its photographic products and 3-D
viewers.
The company is still working on its Vectograph
single-projector 3-D process and has
closed a deal with Technicolor Motion Picture
Corp. for film processing.
[Heidi'
Braiuit'
Came^f
Melbourne to See Kaye
NEW YORK—-Knock on Wood," Paramount
film starring Danny Kaye. will open
March 4 at Melbourne, Australia, as a benefit
for the Women's International Hospital
Charity, sponsored by Lady Norman Brookes.
The Duke of Edinburgh and Australian dignitaries
will attend.
Drive-ins, RENEW SPEAKERS NOW!
Any molie in-cor sptokeri rtconditioned
"just Ilk* n*w". Repointtd, all
dtfcctive or doubtful parts rtplactd,
tcst*d in sarvic*. G*t compitt* datoils!
In lots of 40. only $2.fS rach!
Altec's current installation rate accounts for 75% of total stereophonic sound salesi
Broadway or Main Street, theatre owners know Altec's engineering skill and
knov;-how assure perfect installation, sure service.
That's why Brandt's GLOBE. Broadway, New York, (pop. 8,CXX),000) and
the OPERA HOUSE, Lebanon, New Hampshire, (pop. 4,614) signed
Altec stereophonic installation and service contracts!
SPECIALISTS IN MOTION PICTURE SOUND
161 Sixth Avenue, New York 13, N.Y.
firsi•American jpuwtucfci
i
1717 Wyandotte St.,
[BOXOFFICE :
27, 1954
25

Ten Distributors Set
For Hallmark Films
HOLLYWOOD—Ten distribution
franchise
representatives have been signed to distribute
Hallmaik's initial package of three features
starting immediately. Kroger Babb, president
of Hallmark Pioductions, Inc., announced.
He expects to close deals in 20 more exchange
centers within 30 days.
The distributors signed are George and
Sherman Foreman, Jacksonville and Atlanta;
Ed Salzberg, Cincinnati; Moe Esserman, Indianapolis:
Leo Gottlieb, Cleveland; Jack
Harris. Philadelphia; Sam Wheeler, Washington,
DC; Jack Engerman and ZoUie
Volchok, Portland and Seattle, and Duke
and Bob Clark, San Francisco. They will distribute
"The Prince of Peace," entirely in
color; "She Shoulda Said No" with "G.I.
Love," color featurette, and "Half Way to
Hell."
Babb said "Half Way to Hell" has been
pulled out of distribution tempyorarily after
early test dates last fall and 30 minutes of
footage added to make it the most complete
story of communism vs. democracy ever presented
on the screen. Babb expects to have
it ready for national release in April.
A double-feature package program of two
one-hour films for May 15 release is planned
by Hallmark. One will be in color, the other
black and white. Titles are to be announced
later.
Early Drive-In Openings
Aided by In-Car Heaters
COLUMBUS, IND.—Early openings this
year of drive-in theatres in states north of
the Mason-Dixon line are planned through
the installation of in-car electric heaters, says
Gordon T. Ritter, electric housewares sales
director of Arvin Industries, Inc.
Ritter says that heavy January and February
orders of his company's portable electric
fan-forced heater, specifically designed for
outdoor theatre use, indicate that many operators
plan on opening 15 to 45 days earlier
this year.
The new unit, introduced last fall, is the
outgrowth of Arvin's 20 years of experience
as builders of electric room heaters. The
in-car heater is designed for easy handling
and distribution by outdoor theatre attendants.
Known as Model T-90, it has a 500-watt
capacity and operates on 208 volts, AC.
Edwin Aaron of 20th-Fox
Dies Suddenly at Home
NEW YORK—Edwin W. Aaron, western
•sales manager for 20th Century-Fox, died
suddenly Saturday
(201 at his home, 45
East End Ave. He was
59 years old. Previous
to joining 20th-Fox,
Aaron was with MGM.
He was a sales executive
for more than 25
years.
Surviving are his
wife, Dorothy Aaron,
and a daughter, Mrs.
Herbert Nusbaum.
Edwin W. Aaron Services were held
Tuesday at 11 a.m. at
the Riverside Memorial chapel, 76th street
and Amsterdam avenue.
William K. Howard Dies;
Veteran Film Director
HOLLYWOOD—Death of a lingering illness
claimed William K. Howard, 54, veteran
film megaphonist, who began directing films
in 1924. He had been inactive, because of ill
health, for several years. He entered the
motion picture business with a film exchange
in Cincinnati, then became a theatre manager.
Some of his top-ranking productions
were "This Side of Heaven," "Johnny Come
Lately," "Thundering Herd," "The Valiant"
and "When the Lights Go on Again."
'Pinocchio' Running Up
Big New England Gross
NEW YORK—The first week's run of Walt
Disney's "Pinocchio" in New England will
realize higher grosses than those two years
ago of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,"
according to Charles Boasberg, general sales
manager. He said the picture would gross
$33,450 at the Memorial Theatre, Boston, and
over $17,000 at the Albee, F>rovidence. It will
hold over at the two houses, Keith's in
Lowell, Mass., and several others.
The New England opening of "Pinocchio"
in 200 houses was heavily exploited through
a tie-in with 900 First National stores, newspaper
advertising and the use of radio and
television. There was also an active "chalktalking"
campaign.
U-I Latin Managers
Going to Argentina
NEW
YORK — Universal-International
home office executives will meet with representatives
from 20 Latin American countries
at Buenos Aires starting March 15. Milton
Rackmil, president, and Alfred E. Daff, executive
vice-president, will head the New York
delegation. Air Commodore F. M. F. West,
managing director of J. Arthur Rank Overseas
Film Distributor, will fly from London
to attend and will be guest of honor.
Others from the New York office will be
Al Lowe, Latin American supervisor; Portunat
Baronat, director of publicity, and Joseph
Mazer, in charge of the overseas 16mm
department. Cesar Aboaf, recently appointed
special field representative for J. Arthur Rank
pictures in Latin America, also will attend.
There will be previews of "The Glenn Miller
Story," "Magnificent Obsession," "The Par
Country," "Saskatchewan," "Yankee Pasha,"
"Wings of the Hawk," "Golden Blade" and
"Taza, Son of Cochise." Rank pictures to be
shown will be "Genevieve," "Desperate Moment"
and "Both Sides of the Law."
Monroe Isen, U-I general manager in Argentina,
will be host. Others who will attend:
Brazil—Rudi Gottschalk, general manager;
Daniel Tikhomiroff, administrative manager,
and Enderson de Figueiredo, sales manager;
Colombia—Jorge Isaza, managing director of
Cine Colombia; Cuba—Ramon Garcia, manager;
Chile—Raul Viancos, manager; Dominican
Republic—Morris Paiewonsky, manager;
Ecuador—Francisco Puig, manager; Panama
and Central America—Saul Jacobs, manager;
Peru and Bolivia—Alejandro Undurraga,
manager; Puerto Rico—Harold Dudoff, manager;
Trinidad—Walter Lambert, manager;
Uruguay—James Alexander, home office representative;
Venezuela—Tony Garcia, manager.
Rosalind Russell Leaves
Stage for Films Soon
NEW YORK—Rosalind Russell will leave
"Wonderful Town" at the Winter Garden
April 3 to make "The Girl Rush," an Independent
Artists production to be produced by
Frederick Brisson for RKO release. It will be
a Technicolor musical. It has been previously
thought she would not be available until midsummer.
MARCH 22-23-24-25 1954

TUie Me^ttbft
THctuAs meAxJicimlUlna^ GuicU^
CIRCUS PARADE OF CINEMASCOPE
A circus poradc of coming CinemoScope attractions is stopping patrons in the lobby of ttie Paramount Ttiea
trc m Toledo, Ohio. Six wagons constructed for o local circus ballyhoo were borrowed by Fred S Lenti
for the clever promotion. The porade of six wagons is headed by o 12 'oot clown Titles of six films in
the new medium oppeor on banners on each wagon and inside each caged oftoir with dummy film cons
The floors of the wagons ore sprinkled with glitter, and the whole poradc is brilliantly illuminated with
spotlights. The big clown corries o banner reading, "Presenting the Paramount Theatre Circus Parade of
CinemoScope Hits "
|

1
t
City Hails 'Miller' and New Theatre Firm-
Peak in Newspaper Coverage Achieved by Nick Sonday
In Introducing Film and New-Vu Theatres to Wichita, Kas.
,. .;». --.^-^.^
mchi6ti!re^l:omeAjiEW-VU THEATRES!
IntroiJiK '! ' ihv Mami'^iment Starting Thursday' THE FIRST IN NEW-VU THEATRES BIG PARADE Or HITSI
I'/
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rtc NCVV VU THEATRES — ^ «tjT«ii r«i.ci
=;.^^
flj!^E|ALLVSON '
GlEMMllER
STORY
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entered the theatre outlined by two large
floodlights supplied by the base. There
was a brief stage salute to Glenn Miller
and the film by an air base color guard,
while several generals and other top rank- fk
ing officers and their wives looked on from * I
the capacity audiences.
The record album was the mainstay of
the radio promotion.
The well-rounded promotion illustrates
what work, enthusiasm with a good measure
of nerve that won't take no for an
answer, plus a foundation of practical skill
and experience can accomplish.
Showman Sonday proves again that
there's lots of gold in promotion. His
achievement not only assured lots of ticket
sales for "The Glenn Miller Story" but
literally made a whole city and surrounding
area sit up and take notice that a livewire
group of citizens was on the job able
and eager to provide "wonderful entertainment."
J*'
swf i'
s m »-
liiicarcardsi
Th.s two-page spread was part of a four-page section which appeared in the Wichita Beacon wel
coming New-Vu Theatres and heralding "The Glenn Miller Story." The other newspaper in Wichita
published a one-page co-op ad and scattered a score or more congratulotory ads on the same date
throughout the paper and the Eagle Sunday magazine section, Nick Sonday, general manager of
New-Vu Theatres, figured this would be more effective than two similar sections in both newspapers.
New York 'Miller' Campaign
Includes
Many Ideas
Several days of concentrated promotional
activity, utilizing every means of attracting
attention to the gala affair, preceded
the opening of "The Glenn Miller
Story" at the Capitol Theatre in New York.
A major portion of the advance cami
i!(rs jKi slun
AandTV
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sTijtMi the TO
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ffl Benny G«e
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The coming of New-Vu Theatres and
"The Glenn Miller Story" to Wichita, Kas.,
last week was a twin event well fit to test
the mettle of any showman. The challenge
was made to order for C. A. Shultz and
N. J. Sonday, president and general manager
of the new operating company, who
are eager beavers when it comes to anything
in exploitation.
Shultz, head of Consolidated Agencies
of Kansas City, and associates organized
New-Vu to take over seven theatres on a
leasing-option-to-buy deal from Sullivan
Independent Theatres. Sonday was manager
of the first run Uptown Theatre in
Kansas City before joining New-Vu.
As copy in introductory ads reads. Sonday,
who executed the promotion, literally
set out to inform "everyone about all the
wonderful entertainment in 'The Glenn
Miller Story,' " and the improvements and
many fine pictures booked by New-Vu
Theatres.
And he practically succeeded through the
city's two newspapers, the Beacon and the
Eagle; by radio and TV, music stores, dance
halls, bill posting and by whole-hearted
cooperation of the army air force base
at Wichita. The film opened Thursday (18
in the Crest and Crawford theatres, each
about 1,300 seats, to packed houses.
Sonday sold the publishers and advertising
managers of the Eagle and Beacon
on the cooperative promotion so well that
"The Glenn Miller Story" and news of the
coming of New-Vu theatres appeared on
practically every page of the Eagle on
the Sunday before opening and in one
whole section of the Beacon.
"We didn't want the same thing in both
papers." Sonday explained.
The Beacon published a two-page spread
headed "Wichita Welcomes New-Vu Theatres."
with merchant and supplier ads on
the other two pages of the section along
with news articles. The Beacon ran a page
co-op with congratulatory ads run throughout
the Sunday edition.
In all. there were approximately 50 congratulatory
ads welcoming New-Vu and
mentioning the film.
The newspaper promotion was the most
extensive ever seen in Wichita on a film.
It was due to footwork, telephone calls and
enthusiasm of Sonday himself, who not
only got the advertising departments behind
the plan, but went out and worked
with the individual ad salesman, submitting,
names of prospects and making calls.
Two-thousand jukeboxes in the city and
county were posted with "Glenn Miller"
cards, displays were put in at the city's
eight music stores and a deal was made with
all the dance pavilions by which 50 passes
were awarded to patrons to see the film,
while the two theatres in turn awarded
dance hall tickets to the first 50 persons
at each of the boxoffices.
The climax on opening night brought
top brass from the army air force, who
As part of the opening doy ceremonies of "The
Glenn Miller Story" at the Capitol Theatre in New -,
York, Hulan Jack, president of Manhattan borough f
(top photo), renames 50th street and Broadway to
Glenn Miller Square with an assist from Eagle Scout
David Weisberg, orchestra leader Claude Thornhill,
Queen of Glenn Miller week Beth Miller and Ray
Eberle, well-known vocalist. Bottom, crowds gather
in the Capitol lobby to enter the Webcor story contest,
one of the promotions attending the opening.
-i> contest UK
28
64
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser : : Feb.
27, 1954
A

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I
'Sadie Curves TV Contest J°S ^'=9; ^ame
Pulls Packed House
Deftly Handled at Duluth
A mainstay of the promotions
being carried out for "Miss
Sadie Thompson" in its regular
release bookings is a television
contest for the women,
in which they are asked to
GIRLS!.
HCftC'S ALL 1
match curves with Rita Hayworth.
Columbia has arranged
a tieup with the Sylvania Corp.
to provide a 21 -inch Sylvania
TV set for the winner of each
competition.
Deft execution of the contest
in a rounded-out campaign was
accomplished by Richard
Empey and William Ross of the
Granada Theatre in Duluth,
Minn., assisted by John Thompson,
Columbia publicist.
Contest entry blanks, one of which is
reproduced herewith, were distributed in
restaurants, dime stores, schools, beauty
salons, women's clubrooms, by all Duluth
Sylvania dealers and in the Granada lobby.
A 40x60 on the competition was set up in
the lobby with a $410 Sylvania TV set,
which was awarded to the winner.
The TV promotion, which centered on the
"curves" contest, built up from use of the
Sadie dance strip and contest plugs on up
to the big final event; namely, the appearance
of 11 finalists and selection of the
winner. Used on the TV programs to
supplement the spoken plugs were a lifesize
cutout of Rita Hayworth and the
40x60 display, with the TV announcer
pointing out on the cutout just where the
measurements had to match.
All in all more than $400 worth of TV
time was devoted to the contest and picture
at no cost to the Granada.
The two Duluth newspapers used photos
of Empey and the winner of the TV set,
while local Sylvania dealers ran a half-page
co-op ad. In addition, the Arthur Murray
dance studio gave away slips for free lessions
to the first 100 persons entering the
Herb Taylor uses litesize Rita Hoyworth cutout
to explain the match-Rita's-curves contest to TV
viewers at Duluth. Sylvania TV set and 40x60
display also oppeared on the TV program.
r Ch«nc« (0 Match
RITA HAYWORTH ..
MISS SADIE THOMPSON
And WIN This
Beautiful
RADIO STATION WE8C
21 inch
SYLVANIA
HaujLicht
HAVC TO DO
GRANADA THEATRE STARTING JAN
fUlTMW CONTEST
Many thousands ot circulars like this are being distributed to
promote TV contests in behalf of "Miss Sadie Thompson."
theatre the first four days, and advertised
this in newspaper ads.
Saturation spots were used on WEBC
and WDSM, the two Aldo Ray interview
platters were broadcast on WEBC while
all the disk jockeys played the "Sadie"
records.
Empey and Ross arranged a special
schedule for screen trailers.
Sixty-six women and girls entered the
contest, won by Joy Hawkinson, 16. After
the final appearance on TV, the winner and
the other ten finalists were treated to dinner
at the Radio Grill, where pictures were
taken.
'Love' Star Receiving
Intensive Buildup
Additional boxoffice strength on the
local level should be derived from the
carefully planned, cross-country personal
appearance tour of Fi'ench screen beauty
Dany Robin, who makes her film debut in
UA's "Act of Love," opposite Kirk Douglas.
Flown from France several weeks ago,
the pert Parisian has been seen or heard
or read about by millions of potential patrons
throughout the country via her
round of interviews, and guest appearances.
During her stay in New York alone, Miss
Robin has appeared on 26 radio shows and
telecasts, participated in 30 interviews and
posed for many magazine cover and layout
photos.
A national letter-writing contest, combined
with the intensified buildup of the
lovely blonde star should lend heavy support
to local playdates of the picture.
lOOF Sponsors Show
Manager Bob Anthony an-anged a benefit
showing of "The Sea Around Us" and
"Affair With a Stranger" at the State
Theatre, Cortland, N. Y., sponsored by the
Friendship encampment of lOOF, a unit
of 50 members.
At Miami Flagler
A theatre game, built along the lines of
the oldtime forfeits, has been packing
patrons into the Miami Flagler on Wednesday
nights. The game costs nothing, except
for prizes and minor equipment, most
of which, in the case of the Flagler, has
been promoted from nearby merchants.
Three persons are called on stage and
asked questions. Failure to answer results
in their taking part in a prearranged stunt.
The first stunt to be tried consisted of three
participants trying to beat each other in
"eating" lengths of string until they
reached the $5 attached in the middle of
the stage. This jumped attendance on the
following Wednesday.
The second stunt, on the following
Wednesday, found the three losers being
required to eat three cakes without using
their hands. The cakes were supplied by
a neighborhood bakery.
On the third Wednesday, Manager Oscar
Ramirez said, the house was jam-packed.
This time, three men, coats and shirts removed
and aprons covering their clothing,
staged a boxing match while balancing
pies on their heads and protecting sacks
of eggs tied around their necks.
The stunt night program was launched
as part of the Flagler management's effort
to make the theatre a gathering spot for
neighborhood families. It was instituted
after management of the house was taken
over by John A. Grimaldi, Inc.
First step in bidding for neighborhood
trade by the new management was complete
renovation of the house, including
installation of new tiled lounges. Ramirez
then made patrons feel at home by greeting
them each night in the lobby.
In addition, the theatre policy was
switched to three nights of Spanish-language
films and four of American.
The Wednesday game stunt is on a Spanish-language
film night and Ramirez says
the Spanish -speaking audience literally
tears the roof off the house in its enjoyment
of the stunts.
Miniature Zoo Set Up
In Lobby for 'Mogambo'
Manager Bill Burke set up what amounted
to a miniature zoo in the lobby to plug
his playdate on "Mogambo" at the Capitol,
Brantford, Ont.
A 24 -sheet was used as a background for
the several cages of peacocks, pheasants,
monkeys and birds resembling parrots.
Imitation grass, bamboo and large palms
provided jungle atmosphere and the display
attracted a lot of attention and comment.
When "The Robe" was booked into the
Capitol, Burke landed a major portion of
a full newspaper page detailing the installation
of Cinemascope with scene stills
from the picture and full credit.
I
30 — 66 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
: Feb. 27, 1954

Li
: Feb.
"
^Jeliaiii5
wataloDglt.
^' ^«s been p
fflecos^j
Dior ami,
« o! tie 1
•'^WonstastJ
^^•oanswti
to Mat (
^^ ia tiie iniij,
•f^iatiendanteom
Aid by Army Assures
Standout Promotion
For 'Cease Fire'
Till' may(jr. the army recruiting service,
the police force and local merchants joined
in an outstanding civic demonstration
through the efforts of Manager Ted Davidson,
with an assist from F^-ank Dean and
recruiting Sergeant Mandy, in promoting
the traffic-stopping premiere for "Cease
Fire!" at the Strand Theatre in Perth
Amboy, N.J.
For the first step, one of the leads in the
picture, Sgt. Henry Goszkowski, who is employed
in Perth Amboy, w-as enlisted in the
campaign. The first break was a fivecolumn
writeup with a picture in the local
newspaper, the result of a personal inter-
ij.
loll
losers
view.
B'v oa the
^ three
Through the cooperation of Colonel
Brunner, chief of staff at nearby Camp
w cakes lithoat IS Kilmer, the 25th army band paraded
through town to the theatre where it entertained
cakes were
waiting crowds. Mayor Plynn and
Goszkowski, riding in a bannered open car,
ioM MS jam-pja^ promoted from the local Ford dealer, headed
ei coals and shins
the motorcade through the street which
had ben blocked off to all traffic. The
Mveriag their
police department also furnished a motor
Batch while balau
escort and a .spotlight truck to light up the
and prottcl
; te necks,
preplan was laie
front of the theatre.
On stage before the show, with the Camp
Kilmer color-guard standing at attention.
the mayor presented Goszkowski a citation
from the city of Perth Amboy. Following
the impressive ceremony, Lt. Col. F. R.
Purcell, the technical adviser on the picture,
made a short .speech detailing problems involved
in making the film.
The theatre lobby display featured an
exhibit of army equipment and a 40x60
blowup of the newspaper article on Goszkowski,
which attracted a lot of attention.
Heralds printed locally were distributed
in advance of playdate and all daily and
weekly newspapers cooperated with preopening
and after-opening WTiteups.
As part of the festivities attending the opening
"Cease Fire!' at the Strond in Perth Amboy,
'f
i^ iergeant Henry Goszkowski, who appeored in a
he' eatured role in the picture, and Mayor James Flynn
esJ r. are greeted by o color-guard as they arrive ot
theatre after a parade through town.
jjl^lOXOFTICE Showmandiser :
27. 1954
College Town Exhibitor Musf Know
Campus Folk and Work With Them
Complete cooperation with college and
civic officials is Manager J. P. Harrison's
secret for succe-ssful operation of a collegetown
theatre. Harrison, who manages Interstate
Theatres houses in Denton, Tex.,
said he believes the manager must work
with the student body and faculty at all
times.
It is a bad idea," he said, "to work
crossways against them. We must make
a special point to get to know college
officials. One of the best ways to do this
is to be active in civic organizations, since
many college officials and instructors belong
to these groups.
WORKS WITH COLLEGE OFFICIALS
"Theatre managers," he continued,
"must be alert to the type of material
shown in college towns. They should at
least have enough respect for the students
to keep the screens clean at all times."
As evidence that Harrison's cooperation
with the colleges in the area. North Texas
State college and Texas State College for
Women, he offered a letter from J. C.
Matthews, president of North Texas.
"I want you to know," the letter read,
"that those of us at the college appreciate
the many courtesies which you have shown
the staff, the athletic team, special class
groups and others in the past."
Harrison said that the fact Denton is a
college town brings up new problems in
theatre management. The entire theatre
policy is geared to meet the demands of
the students, who make up the largest part
of the audience.
ARRANGES SPECIAL SHOWING
"We don't really have any problems in
our operation," Harrison said, "because
all the groups work together." The groups
include the theatre staff itself and various
college organizations. For example, Harrison
gave a special showing of "Death of a
Salesman" for the College Players, a North
Texas dramatic group, which soon was to
give the play from which the picture was
adapted.
Recently a special screening was given for
Dr. Mai-y Patchell, English instructor at
North Texas, of "Three Girls Prom Rome,"
in which Dr. Patchell appeared.
Harrison has devised many stunts to tie
in with the colleges. Some time back, for
a special midnight showing of "The Mating
Season." Harrison arranged with Imogene
Bentley. dean of women at North Texas,
and with officers at Sheppard air force
base in Wichita F^Us to have a group of
airmen escort North Texas coeds to the
show. The group met at the Union building
on the campus, then attended the picture.
The balcony of the Campus was especially
reserved for them.
"Their meeting tied in with the picture's
title," Harrison said, "because there was no
prearranged date made by anyone and each
— 67 —
airman simply picked out the girl he wanted
to go with on first sight. Hence, it was
•The Mating Season."
Harri.son aLso has conducted beard-growing
contests for such films as "Up Front"
and "Jes.se James." There was a special
goatee-growing contest for "An American
in Paris." Several .style shows have been
held and assistance has often been given
in the yearly beauty contests by getting
out-of-town judges to decide the contests.
Street Name Change
Helps 'Millionaire'
A stunt that will work just as well in
many other towns throughout the country
was put over by Manager Lou Cohen and
assistant Norm Levinson to promote the
opening of "How to Marry a Millionaire"
at the Poll, Hartford, Conn.
Locating a Monroe street in Hartford, the
men notified the local newspaper they were
temporarily changing it to "Marilyn Monroe
Street, the Sweetest Street in Hartford."
While Levinson held hands with a
life-size cutout of the star and Cohen
climbed the pole to put up the name change,
the Hartford Courant cameraman recorded
the "ceremony" for all interested parties.
The stunt received a two-column art and
story break.
Free Show for Elderly
To keep interest alive during the third
week of his playdate for "The Robe" at
the Tlvoll Theatre, Hamilton. Ont., Manager
Jim McDonough ran a special .show
for the inmates of the local Aged Ladles
Home, receiving a three-column picture
and story break in the town newspaper
and at the same time promoting good
public relations for the theatre.
31

LOCAL TIEUPS BACK AIR HOOKUP
ON PROMOTION OF RUE MORGUE
The above three-dimensional display illustrates the effect in several planes of depth, which becomes
evident when the blinker light floshes on and off. The left picture shows how it looks with
the light off and the right one with the light on.
A king-size publicity and promotion campaign,
whicli included programs on 19 TV
stations and approximately 40 radio stations,
in addition to advertisements in
leading newspapers throughout the Cincinnati,
Cleveland and Indianapolis exchange
areas provided saturation coverage
for the gala premieres of Warner Bros. 3-D
production, "Phantom of the Rue Morgue,"
at 250 theatres.
Trailers and recorded announcements
had been furnished the stations well in advance
of the mass opening so that the participating
theatres were able to publicize
their playdates along with the air plugs by
arranging contests, stunts and promotions
with the program director of the station
or stations nearest their towns.
An advance news kit containing publicity
stories, scene stills, mats, exploitation
suggestions and other pressbook material
for newspaper as well as air show tie-ins,
had been mailed to all theatres with directions
for making the most effective tieups.
Additional TV trailers and spot announcement
records for extra air time purchases
were sent free to the theatres upon request.
The fact that the picture is based on
Edgar Allen Poe's famed horror story,
"Murders in the Rue Morgue," offered an
opportunity for tieups with local libraries
and book stores via displays of the author's
works. Mystery book publications in five
and dime stores, newsstands and other
outlets could be utilized for further plugs
on the picture.
Special screenings for feature writers, TV
and radio personnel and local mystery enthusiasts
also could be arranged. The stunt
of one person attending a screening alone
at midnight, and then offering his comments
on a taperecorder or in a newspaper
32
interview could also be arranged.
A coloring contest mat for use in the
local paper, distribution from the theatre
or to imprint merchant bags, and News
heralds with space on the reverse for a
co-op ad are available from National
Screen.
A giant illuminated shadowbox, five feet
high, 3! 2x11/2 is available for lobby display.
When the lights are on the Phantom
in the picture is visible but disappears when
the light goes off, producing an unusual
effect. Only a limited number of the displays
are available.
(For further information consult the National
Pre-Selling
Guide on the picture.)
Evan Thompson Shifts
Food School to Theatre
An institutional promotion tieup that resulted
in front page newspaper breaks was
achieved by Manager Evan Thompson to
publicize the Fox Theatre in Hackensack,
N.J., as a center of civic activities in Bergen
county.
After several years of effort, Thompson
persuaded the Bergen Evening Record to
hold its 16th annual cooking school at the
Pox Theatre on four successive mornings.
More than 25 national manufacturers of
foods, condiments and kitchen products
joined the paper and cooperating local merchants
in conducting the affair and offering
free gifts to those attending. Photos of
participating personalities, co-op merchant
and dealer ads and publicity stories
gave prominent mention to the Fox, and
more than 1,500 women were expected to
attend the four morning sessions. Additional
breaks in the newspaper occurred as soon
as the meetings got under way.
— 68 —
Toronto 'Kate' Buildup
Ranges From Stores
To Street Stunts
A special niglit screening for disk jockeys,
press folk and MGM Records sales representatives,
arranged by publicist Gerry
Collins, helped set the pattern for the
campaign on "Kiss Me Kate" at Loew's
Uptown Theatre in Toronto, Ont.
One hundred window cards were distributed
to hotels, restaurants, bus and train
depots, 25 other cards were spotted in stores
in tlie downtown area and 100 two-color
folders, imprinted with theatre copy, were
placed in downtown locations at streetcar
and bus stops.
16MM TRAILER IN STORE
Sheet music and records of the music in
the picture featured many of the store windows
and in one department store, a 16mm
trailer ran on a continuous projector.
A special teaser screen trailer used two
weeks in advance was followed by the regular
trailer. A crossplug trailer ran at
Loews Yonge Street. Two boys dressed in
a donkey costume with a banner reading,
"Everyone but me is going to the Uptown
Theatre to see 'Kiss Me Kate' and you
know what I am," paraded the downtown
area.
Reviews of the music on records were
published in the Globe, Mail and Telegram
and a two-column scene cut from the picture
broke in the Canadian High News.
The local Motorola TV Co. used stars from
the picture on screens of TV sets with
proper credits in newspaper ads. Steam's
beauty parlor used a cooperative ad as did
the local MGM Record dealer distributors.
Radio stations were supplied with "Kiss
Me Kate" albums and stations CKFH,
CHUM, CFRB, CJBC and CBC, the Canadian
government network, all used air
shows built around the story and music
from the picture, providing extensive coverage.
10,000 SAMPLE CANDIES
Door panels, banners and a large standee
with magic mirror effect, decorated the
lobby, and 10,000 sample candies were distributed
in envelopes, bearing theatre imprint,
in a tie-in with the national promotion
of the Life Saver Co.
Another stunt that earned good newspaper
coverage and word-of-mouth publicity
was a press luncheon arranged for three
film critics in honor of Bobby Van, a
featured dancer in the film and who was
making a local personal appearance. Each
of the papers carried details of the affair.
Music Shops Aid 'Hans'
Music and radio stores helped Manager
B. H. Greene promote "Hans Christian
Andersen" at the Regal Cinema, Leicester,
England. Records and sheet music with
cutout stills and a poster with full credit
for the show featured window displays in
both stores.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :
j
: Feb. 27, 1954 ,

I
.
NATIONAL PRE-SELLING GUIDE
A report on new films for which national pre-selling
campaigns hove been developed. Listed with each picture
are tie-ins which hove been created, plus tips to exhibitors on how to use these pre-selling aids to exploit the picture locally.
BAIT )li=^/|
,.,,^ helped home office.
Col.
Si'KiM \l M ; \ pniviicativc pose of (;icii
«illi Warning" copy for general (lis-
\lnipif
Irilnillcm and package stuffers. uilli riKirn for
i \l,il Ir.iiii
ihi-aire credits, is availuld 21
.N.ilional .Screen.
Si'KiiM. \cCESS0mts: Four-page 9x12 fidder
licrald, special poses of Cleo Moore for windi.w
displays in stills Nos. PI, P2, and P3 and
an advance trailer, all available friin) National
ESCAPE FROM FORT BRAVO MGM
Si'Kc:iAL .Aht: a Iwo-eolnnin artist's pen and
iiik drawing of the three stars in the picture
uilh an anecdcile on each, drawn liv Wi'cv
I Tadaii, Inr a newspaper |)laril. Order
^
Mai 2\ liniii National .Screen.
Mts.c: 'I'lic two songs from the picture.
".Soothe My l. inclus at S4.U) a ihoiis.
and. order from National Screen.
Special AccH:-S.soKtr-;s: Valances, usher badges.
auto bumper strips, flag banner and five-piece
streamer, all in fluorescent satin, plugging
picture and Cinema.Scope. availabli' from .National
Flag Co.. 4.3 West 21st St.. New York.
Two Technicolor traili-rs. one in CinemaScope
the other regular style, on order from National
Screen.
,m PHANTOM OF THE RUE MORGUE WB
MUI"p\m;,,\ |l>ri S', ; \ m,,,|,| i 1 1 iiMlill.llr.l. -it
piece, standing .') feet high, 3'j feet wide, .iiui
I'i feel deep to provide startling dimensional
effect by means of flashing lights, is available
ji'd'Hans.- in limited quantity at $1.S.96 on order fnun
Warner ISros. exchange or display department
at
Foijr.Pace Herald: Measuring 6x9 on the
front cover and with an inside spread 9x12.
this eye-catching herald is available at S.3..Sfl
.a thousand from National Screen.
Niws I'l.vsji \I\i: laldoid-si/.e throwaway
nuasuring ll-',4 inches deep for local printing.
Order mat 806-.S01X from National Screen.
Tie-In I'ii's: I'romote merchants iuoi> ad
for reverse side and use as ihrowaways,
hag sluljers, newspaper inserts, and lobby
lilouup display.
SiupowBox: Illuminated 31) frame-displa>
measuring 16x19 inches for cashier's window
l.dd>v ilisplav. and store tieups, priced at $9..S0
for I Kit c.dorpbcio. plus $6..S0 for frame. On
order from Paul A. Hesse Sludi

i
'
»
BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent at
"normal," the figures show the gross rating above or below that mark.
j
i
Bad for Each Other (Coll 80 80 90 100 120 95
Bigamist, The (Pilmakers)
Border River CU-I)
Cease Fire (Para) 100 70 175
100 112
Command, The CWB)
138
Conquest of Cochise (Col) 100 95 150
Desperate Moment (U-I)
Donovan's Brain (UA)
Drums of Tahiti (Col)
Easy to Love (MGM) 125 150 160 150 100 100 150 100 130 145 200 110 90 140
Eddie Cantor Story, The (WB) 145 165 250 120 140 100 135 105 105 170 190 125 100 110 175 105
El Alamein (Col)
Fangs of the Arctic (AA) 100 100 100
Flight Nurse (Rep) 120 85 100 150 100 80 75 50 90 125 60 105
Forbidden (U-I) 95 90 150 90 75 100 110 80 135 105 105
Forever Female (Para) 65 100 90 90 80 120 140 80 95 60 125 90 130 90 112
Give a Girl a Break (MGM) 100 100 90 90 87
Glass Web, The (U-I) 140 100 100 115 100 100 85 80 115 100 100 100
Great Diamond Robbery, The (MGM) 85 100 100 90 94 .
Gun Belt (UA) 100 100 150
His Majesty O'Keefe (WB) 150 165 185 95 125 95 150 120 100 110 150 100 180 125 100 125 130 95 128
i
Jennifer (AA) 100 100 100 100 100 60 85 90 110 125 93
King of the Khyber Rifles (20th-Pox) 220 300 255 175 245 150 180 210 200 135 110 185 130 240 300 200 183 i
Living Desert, The (Disney) 200 125 220
Man Crazy (20th-Fox)
Miss Sadie Thompson (Col) 135 260 260 135 250 115 215 200 190 170 155 220 135 175 175 183
Money From Home (Para) 140 200 190 150 160
i
Nebraskan, The (Col)
Paratrooper (Col) 300 150 190 120 110 75 175 160 95 100 100 150 130
Prisoners of the Casbah (Col) 100 100 100
Saadia (MGM) 80 91
t
voef:->
Sea of Lost Ships (Rep) 85 90 235 100 90 100 95 105_ lf|s:i, ,
Shark River (UA) 94
Stranger on the Prowl (UA) 100 102
Taza, Son of Cochise (U-I) 120 100 130 100 90 75
Three Sailors and a Girl (WB) 125 75 160 120 115 90 110 95 130 110 105 110 90 100 110 105 110 110 125 110
Three Young Texans (20th-Pox)
Thy Neighbor's Wife (20th-Fox)
Topeka (AA)
90^
War Arrow (U-I) 200 115 165 100 110 75 80 100 100 115
Wicked Woman (UA)
80 100 103
TOP
THE
HITS
OF
WEEK
Individual runs, not an average.
Pictures with less than five runs
do not appear In
the chart above.
1. King of the Khyber Rifles i20th-Fox)
San Francisco 300
2. Glenn Miller Story, The (U-I)
Cliicago 275
Kansas City 200
3. Hell and High Water (20th-Fox)
Denver 210
Cleveland 200
4. Money From HonK Pjui
Memphis 200
5. Command, The (WB)
Buffalo 200
6. Living Desert, The (Disney)
Boston 200
7. Paratrooper (Col)
Buffalo 200

I
ALBANY
\
blyman
L
iN.Y. Solons to Define
Censorship Law
Favorable committee action on
one of the two Biydges-Fitzpatiick bills
clarifying "immoral" and "incite to crime" in
I
the state film licensing law was predicted in
an authoritative quarter Tuesday. The lower
house judiciary committee, of which Assem-
James A. FitzPatrick. Plattsburg Republican,
is a member, will consider the state
education department-drafted measures at a
meeting either March 2 or March 9. Decision
on which to press for passage presumably
will have been made before then.
The upper hou.se education committee,
Iwhich Senator Earl W. Brydges, Niagara Falls
[Republican, chairmans, has the bills. It is
[not certain which body will act first. Howlever,
adoption of one bill—they propose a
[general and specific definition of "immoral"
laind set forth the same definition of "incite
|to crime"— is believed likely.
A printing jam, due to the fact 1,500 bills,
Itacluding these two, were introduced Februlary
16, delayed delivery to the senate and
lassembly document rooms. However, mimeoigraphed
copies of the censorship proposals
Iwere available to legislators Tuesday. Pi'inted
Icopies were scheduled to be on hand Wednes-
|day or Thursday.
[thereof, immediately prior to shipment for
projection purposes, is sought by Local B-51.
The union's position is that film exchanges
now^ "introducing false and unsafe econotties
by their failure to provide the proper
spectlon and repair of such films." As a
[result, "a dangerous and unsafe condition is
treated by the projection of unrepaired films
ad the fire hazard to members of the public
greatly increased." In addition, employes
engaged in film inspection and repair "are
|t)eing deprived of necessary work and the
projectionists have found their work much
nore difficult."
JRoth Handling 'La Ronde'
NEW YORK—Leon Brandt has been rebained
by Robert and Raymond Hakim to
liandle publicity in connection with the New
ISfork opening of "La Ronde." the French
Ijicture which was so long banned but will
Kinally open early in March. Norman Rose-
Inont will assist Roth with the local publicity
and exploitation.
Hearing Held in Albany
On Truck Rate Hikes
Buffalo Catholics Urged
To Boycott Xine'
BUFFALO—The Most Rev. Joseph A.
Burke, bishop of the Buffalo Catholic Diocese,
in a pastoral letter read last Sunday at all
masses, urged preservation of the motion picture
production code and declared that if
the code is rendered inoperative, "we can be
sure that our motion picture theatres, and
probably later al.so television, will be flooded
with a deluge of indecency, immorality and
smut."
Bishop Burke .said the latest attack on the
code comes in the form of the picture, "The
French Line." which does not have the code's
seal of approval and he urged Catholics to
follow this course in relation to the picture;
"First, if the film is advertised for any theatre
in the diocese, protest at once, preferably
by phone, but at least by letter.
"Secondly, if any theatre actually shows the
The amendment to the New York city adpicture,
write the manager a letter and tell
Iministrative code, proposed in a bill recently
|introduced by Senator Mario
him that you, or your organization will not
M. DeOptatis,
attend his theatre, or any affiliated theatres,
rooklyn, and Assemblyman Irving Kirschenfor
six months."
|baum, Manhattan, to prohibit the bringing of
film into theatre booths unless it has been
|inspected and repaired, and bears evidence
ieads Virginia Censors
RICHMOND—Mrs. Lollie C. Whitehead,
imherst, has been chosen as director of the
tate division of motion picture censorship.
lOW the nation's only all-woman motion picure
censorship panel. She replaces James B.
Jeverley jr., who died last month.
istroUte in 44 Loew's Theatres
CHICAGO—Bill Dassow. division sales manger
of Radiant Mfg. Corp., reported here
.lat Astrolite Cinemascope screen installaons
have been placed in 44 theatres of the
oew's chain.
Narcotics Official Would
Retain Dope Films Ban
BALTIMORE—A general rise in dope traffic
will "inevitably follow" if Mai-yland rescinds
its ban on motion pictures dealing with
narcotics, is a warning issued by H. J. Anslinger.
federal commissioner of narcotics here.
His statement was in answer to a letter from
Sydney R. Ti-aub, chairman of the state board
of motion picture censors, directing attention
to a bill pending in the current session of the
state legislature, which would limit the censors
to suppression of only those films deemed
"indecent or obscene."
TUO :MlLLIONrH COPY—Victor Savillc,
producer-director; DoukUs M.
Black, president of Doubleday. and
Thomas B. (ostain, author, proudly "-
amine the two millionlh copy of C'ostain's
popular novel, "Thr Silver Chalice," under
which Saville will produce and direct as a
Cinema.Scope production for Warner Bros.
The book was published by Doubleday.
ALBANY—Smith & Howell Service's petition
for a 10 per cent increase in film deliveries
to upstate theatres was argued at a
two-hour hearing Thursday before Morris
Goldfarb, public service commission examiner.
Francis E. Smith, Smith & Howell secretary,
iiuestioned CPA George C. McGriUis, petitioner's
lone witness, on revenues of film and
general commodities in 1953, operating expen.ses.
operating ratio and 1954 "projection."
McGrillis disclosed; Total revenue last
year was $329,724; operating expense; $321,-
622; revenue films only S234,852. Net income
reported to the Interstate Commerce Commission,
with interest and deductions figured,
was $4,123.
NO EXPENSE BREAKDOWN
The accountant, serving the company 22
years, did not submit breakdown operating
expenses for film deliveries, which Howard
M. Antevil, Schine circuit attorney, and
Leonard L. Rosenthal, counsel for Smalley
Theatres and a group of northern New York
independents, contended should be offered.
Lawyers, and Charles Horwitz, Schine expenditures
control chief, underlined previous
increases allowed the petitioner, including the
10 per center last August. Horwitz testified
the number of deliveries diu-ing same period
had been reduced, making it "more difficult"
to book and circuit.
McGrillis predicted increased operating
charges in 1954. due to union's seeking 15
cents hourly increase, $2 weekly for pensions,
$3 welfare fund. Pension now effective one
division.
Antevil claimed Smith, who did not take
the stand, was in effect "testifying" during
the quiz of Horwitz.
M.AY REOPEN HEARING
Antevil brought out sharp increases in
petitioner's film and total revenue since 1945-
47 and pointed out drive-in openings outbalanced
conventional theatre closings.
Rosenthal, Horwitz joined him on the latter
point.
The hearing may be reopened after the
use makes another check, certain records
are submitted for protestants file memo.
Richard W. Kemper, Dipson zone executive,
represented that chain, which would be
affected in the Buffalo district if the increase
were allowed.
Norfolk Moton Offers
'The Robe' for Negroes
NORFOLK- The Moton Playhouse, this
city's only neighborhood theatre for Negro
patronage, has been reopened with "The
Robe" following a three-month closing for
remodeling and installation of Cinemascope
and stereophonic sound.
Bryan T. Rhodes, general manager of Levine
Theatres, supervises the theatre with
Vernon Wise as house manager. Two rows
of seats were removed from the 577-seat luxury-type
house to make room for the 42-
foot seamless Miracle Mirror screen.
The Moton Playhouse is the first theatre
.south of Baltimore to offer "The Robe" for
Negro patrons.
DXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954
35

—
—
—
—
—
— —
—
,
Smash Business on Holiday Weekend;
'Trailer Has Strong Opening Week
NEW YORK—The long holiday weekend,
through Washington's bii'thday (22) brought
smash business to the majority of the Broadway
film palaces with waiting lines in evidence
on Saturday and on the Monday holiday.
"The Long. Long TVailer" at Radio City
Music Hall had the biggest Washington's
birthday take in the theatre's history with
a three-hour wait for daytime patrons, and
"The Glenn Miller Story" at the Capitol
and "Act of Love" at the Astor had second
weeks which equaled the opening weeks.
Two new art house pictures, "Genevieve"
at the Sutton and "La Lupa" at the World,
had record opening weeks, the former registering
one of the all-time highs and the
Italian picture playing to the best business
since "Bitter Rice" in 1950. Several other
art houses, including the third week of "The
Holly and the Ivy" at the Trans-Lux 60th
Street; the 11th week of "The Conquest of
Everest" at the Fine Arts and the 50th week
of "Lili" at the Ti-ans-Lux 52nd Street,
equaled or exceeded preceding weeks.
Two picturizations of stage musicals, "New
Faces" at the Roxy Theatre and "Top
Banana" at the Victoria, had unusually strong
opening weeks as did "Riot in Cell Block 11"
at the Mayfair. Even the Palace, with "Highway
Dragnet" and the only stage show in
the Times Square district, had a big week,
far above previous stanzas. "This Is Cinerama,"
which added extra holiday performances,
had a big 36th week of two-a-day
at the Warner. The picture is now in its
72nd week in the Broadway area and the end
Palace Highway Dragnet (AA), plus vaudeville .. 1 20
Paramount— His Mojesty O'Keefe (WB), 3rd wk.llO
Pans—The Captain's Paradise (UA), 21st wk
(MGM), wk
105
105
Plozo
t.
Radio
Julius
City
Caesar
Music Hall The
17th
Long,
d.
Long Trailer
(MGM), plus stage show 155
R.voli- King of the Khyber Rifles (20th-Fox),
9th wk 100
Roxy New Faces (20th-Fox) 1 65
Sutton—Genevieve (U-l) 195
Trans-Lux 52nd
1)0
Trans-Lux
Lili
60th—The
(MGM),
Holly
50th
ond
wk
the Ivy
(Pacemaker), 3rd wk 115
Victoria Top Banona (UA) 150
Is V(^arner This Cinerama d. t,
two-a-day
(Cinerama), 36th
wk. of I 50
World Lo Lupa (Levey) 200
300 ior "Glenn Miller' Story'
Is Buffalo High
BUFFALO— Basil's Lafayette really went
to town with "The Glenn Miller Story" turning
in a handsome 300 and the best week
in a year or so. Everybody was praising the
picture. The Century also reported an outstanding
seven days, with "Hell and High
Water" attaining a smash 240. "Cease Fire,"
supported by an Audrey Hepburn ("Monte
Carlo Baby") second feature and a sneak
preview the last night of the engagement,
went over for a 125 in the Paramount.
Buffalo Knights of the Round Table (MGM),
4th wk 120
Center—The Command (WB), 2nd wk 115
Century— Hell and High Water (20th-Fox) 240
Cinema The Living Desert (Disney), 3rd wk....l05
Lafayette The Glenn Miller Story (U-l) 300
Paramount Cease Fire (Para), Monte Carlo Baby
(Filmakers) 125
Teck Follow the Fleet (RKO); Out of the Past
(RKO), reissues 95
ball season to really cash in on this sports epic.
Fulton
Horns
Crazylegs (Rep),
It Should Happen
Flight Nurse (Rep)
to You (Col),
70
,110
Penn—Wicked Woman (UA) 75
Stanley—The Command (WB), 2nd wk 100
Warner—This Is Cineramo (Cinerama), 10th wk. , 280
New Cretors Is Installe(d
PLAINFIELD, N.J.—The Paramount Theatre
has installed a new Cretors Improved
Hollywood popcorn machine.
AT 'GENEVIEVE' OPENING—Harry
Fellerman, head of U-I sales special films
division and wife meet Clem Perry, managing-
director of the Sutton Theatre as
they arrive to attend the premiere of
"Genevieve," a benefit performance for
the New York Herald-Tribune's Fresh
Air fund.
Loew's State to Resume
Stage-Screen Programs
NEW YORK—The Times Square district,
which has been without a stage-screen show,
with the exception of the film-vaudeville bill
at the RKO Palace, since the Paramount discontinued
stage shows last May, will have a
new stage-screen bill when Loew's State begins
a new policy April 17, in time for Easter.
Julius LaRosa and Ella Fitzgerald will head
the stage program at Loew's State but the
accompanying picture has not yet been set.
of the run is not in sight.
'Miller' Stands Out
"It Should Happen to You" was strong in In Baltimore
"It Should Happen to You," the current picture
at the State, will be followed by "Sas-
its sixth week at Loew's State and "His
BALTIMORE—Openings were somewhat
Majesty O'Keefe" had a good thir-d and final
disappointing as to crowds, and a rainy katchewan," Universal-International picture,
week at the Paramount. "Money From weekend failed to help boxoffice business. some time in March, Loew's State has been
Home." the first Paramount picture to play The Monday holiday, however, brought out playing straight films for several years.
at the name house in a year, opened Friday
film fans and the overall grosses for the
(U-l). revival, 2nd wk
100
115
will
(26). "She Had to Say Yes" and "Bait" also week were about average. An exception, however,
was "The Glenn Miller Story" which Paramount to Have Three
opened during the week at the Criterion and
Holiday, respectively.
was playing to capacity. "The Moon Is Blue"
On Broadway in March
(Average Is 100)
was still big in its second week.
Astor Act of Love (UA), 2nd wk
NEW YORK—Paramount, which opened
125 Century Knights of the Round Toble (MGM),
Baronet Intimate Relations (Carroll) 115 4th wk 100 "Money From Home" at the Paramount Theatre
Friday (26), the first Paramount picture
Capitol The Glenn Miller Story (U-l), 2nd wk...l75 Hippodrome The Glenn Miller Story (U-l),
Cinema Verdi Genoese Dragnet (IFE), 2nd wk...lOO 2nd wk 200
Criterion Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue (RKO), Keiths Money From Home (Pora), 2nd wk 120 at that house in a year, will also open two
3rd wk 105 Little The Living Desert (RKO), 6th wk 85 other pictures in Broadway first runs during
Fine Arts—The Conquest of Everest (UA), 11th Moyfair Tumbleweed (U-l) 90
wk 120 New—
March or early April.
Hell and High Water (20th-Fox) 115
55th Street April 1, 2,000 (Lewis) 100 Playhouse—The Moon Is Blue (UA), 2nd wk 200 "Red Garters," the Technicolor musical
Globe How to Morry o Millionaire (20th-Fox), Stanley The Boy From Oklahoma (WB) 85
I5th wk starring Rosemary Clooney and Jack Carson,
Town Rob Roy, the Highlond Rogue (RKO).... 100
Guild Hamlet follow "Act of Love" into the Astor, and
Little
Loew's
Carnegie— Heidi (UA), 10th wk 110
Stote It Should Happen to You (Col),
drama starring Charlton Heston and Eleanor
Holiday Duffy of San Quentin (WB), 2nd wk.,.100
"The Naked Jungle," Technicolor adventure
6th wk 120 Grosses Dip Slightly
Parker, will follow "Riot in CeU Block 11"
Moyfair Riot in Cell Block 11 (AA) 150
New York Tomorrow Is Too Late In Pittsburgh Week
(Burstyn),
into tlie Mayfair.
revival, 2nd wk 1 00 PITTSBURGH—Gros.ses dipped under recent
takes at downtown theatres, with
Normandie The Golden Coach (IFE), 5th wk...ll5
"Cinerama" away out in front in its tenth
week at the Warner. The Fulton probably
played "Crazylegs" too late after the foot-
Shea Circuit Theatres
In Contest for 'Kettle'
NEW YORK—Twelve Shea circuit theatres
in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Ohio
will participate in a prerelease contest on
U-I's "Ma and Pa Kettle at Home," an April
release. The new "Kettle" feature will open
between March 7 and April 3 in each theatre
and prizes will be offered on the basis of comparative
increases in gross, in each situation,
over the previous "Kettle" pictures which
played these Shea houses. Extensive campaigns
are already saturating the areas.
I
i:
f
36
BOXOFFICE February 27, 1954
f'StTCl

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23
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. . Gene
. .
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. . Jeanne
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Greene Appointed Counsel
Of the Reade Interests
NEW YORK— Bernard L. Grfeiif, Trfiilon
attorney, has been appointed general counsel
of Walter Reade Theatres by Walter Reade
jr.. president. His
headquarters will be at
701 Seventh Ave.
Besides 40 conventional
and drive-in
theatres, the Reade interests
include the new
television .station
WRTV at A.sbury Park.
•
N.J., food supplying
and restaurant operation,
motel operation
and real estate.
Greene has been a
Bernard L. Greene
practicing attorney in
New Jer-sey for 16 years, a lifelong resident of
Trenton and prominently identified with civic
and philanthropic activities there. He will
continue to make hLs home there.
Awards to Reade Managers
In 'Fourth Quarter Drive'
NEW YORK—Managers of Walter Reade
theatres located in Kingston, N. Y., and
Asbury Park Freehold and Plainfield, N. J.,
won prizes in the circuit's "Fourth Quarter
drive, according to Walter Reade jr., pre.sident.
The drive, from October through December,
was designed to reward managers
for outstanding advertising, promotional, public
relations and theatre management during
the holiday period.
First prize went to Kingston, where Joseph
Sommers, city manager, and Charles Gordon,
manager of the Broadway Theatre, shared
the award. Sommers also shared with Roy
Blumenheim. manager of the Strand Tlieatre,
Freehold, a special cash prize for the best
results in the sale of Christmas scrip books.
Second prize went to John Balmer, city
manager of the Strand, Plainfield, which he
will share with managers of the Paramount
and Oxford. Robert Hynes, city manager of
Reade theatres in Asbury Park, won third
prize.
In a special contest for nonmanagerial
personnel in the sale of Christmas scrip
books, first prize went to John Ta.sjian of the
Freehold, Strand, second to Phoebe 'Van
Wagener of the Kingston Tlieatre, third to
Ted Fulton of the Plainfield Straiid and
fourth to Fred Hopper of the Kingston
Theatre.
Charles Moss to Europe
To View Foreign Films
NEW YORK— Chark'.-> B, Mess, operator
of the Criterion Theatre, left on the Queen
Mary Friday i26i for a tour of the production
centers of Europe. He will visit studios in
Rome, Paris and London to view recently
completed product, which he may book at
his theatre.
The shortage of Hollywood product makes
lit necessary for the exhibitor who formerly
ilayed only American pictures to give serious
onsideration to foreign films," Moss said.
He will also investigate production facilities
Itor TV films.
Korean war veteran Glenn Denning has
oeen cast in Warners' "Battle Cry," Cinema-
Scope picturization of the World War II
Diovel by Leon Uris.
BROADWAY
. . . Wolfe
America Aboaf, vice-president and general
manager of Universal-International Films,
foreign distribution subsidiary of Universal,
left Saturday i27i for a flying trip of key
territories prior to attending the U-I Latin
American sales conferences in Buenos Aires
March 15. He will visit Puerto Rico, Trinidad.
Venezuela, Brazil and Uruguay
Cohen, president of Warner International,
.sailed for London on the Queen Mary Friday
(26) for London, first stop on a global
tour covering foreign offices as far as Japan
. . . Curtis Bernhardt. MGM director who
completed "Beau Brummell" in England,
planed in Februai-y 24 and left the following
day for the coast . . . Tom Baldridge. MGM
field pre.ss representative in Washington,
D.C.. retiu-ned to his headquarters after a
home office visit.
Cleo Moore, starred with Hugo Haas in
Columbia's "Bait," dished out kisses to all
comers at the Holiday Theatre between 9:30
and 10:30 a. m. and 8 to 9 p. m. on opening
day 1 1 of the picture . Barry, star
of Paramount's "Red Garters," who has been
publicizing the picture on radio and TV, returned
to Hollywood February 22 . . . Robert
Taylor. MGM star who recently completed
"Valley of the Kings" in Europe, arrived from
Florida February 21 to see the new Broadway
shows.
.
.
Anthony Ross, Broadway stage star, flew
to the coast to play in Paramount's "The
Country Girl" starring Bing Crosby
Nancy Walker, who completed "Lucky Me"
in Cinemascope for Warner Bros., has returned
to New York with her baby and
nurse Reade jr., president of
Reade Theatres and Theatre Owners of
America, left for the coast . . Joseph H.
.
Moskowitz. 20th-Fox vice-president and eastem
studio representative, got back from
Hollywood February 24.
Nat Levy, RKO eastern and southern division
manager, went to Washington and
Pittsburgh. Walter Branson. RKO general
manager of foreign operations, accompanied
by Robert Wolff, managing director of RKO
offices in the United Kingdom, went to Hollywood
for ronferenrps with J, R. Grainger,
I.OIUH IN ItOMI — l.miis I.nhrr
(cpnteri. Kcnoral mannRpr of I'nitcd .\rttists'
fort'iKn cicpartmrnt. is Rrectcd on his
arrival in Komo by Kurt rnger (left I. I'.V
representative in Italy, and Mario Zama,
general manager of I).K..\.R. Films, during
LoImt's eight-week tour of offices in
Europe and the Far East in ronneetion
with the :!.'>tli .\nniversary sales drive.
president, and C. J. Tevlin, vice-president
in charge of studio operations . . . Douglass
R. Ornstein, managing director for United
Artists in Argentina, is in New York for
home office conferences . Lefebre,
European and Middle East sales manager of
the 20th-Fox International Corp., is here for
home office meetings and will stay until
March 6.
Clifton Webb, Rita Gam and Sloan Simp-
.son were among the entertainment field
notables who attended the Broadway reopening
of "The Robe" at the Globe Saturday
morning i27i ... Rex Harrison and Laurence
Harvey. British stars who are co-starred with
Virginia Mayo in Warner Bros. Cinemascope
picture, "The Talisman." flew to New York
Saturday i27i en route to England. Harri-son
will sail on the Queen Elizabeth March 5 and
Harvey will fly directly to London to complete
"Romeo and Juliet" for J. Arthur Rank.
Jerry Saeer, publicity director of the Criterion
Theatre, is recuperating from a recent
operation . Austin, MGM exploitation
director, has been confined to his home
with intestinal flu . Katz and
Alyce Schwetz of William D. Kelly's print
department at MGM. were married to men
outside the industry in late February .
Bernie Serlin of Warner Bros field exploitation
department became the father of Diane
Elizabeth, his first child, born to Mrs. Serlin
at French hospital February 20.
Helen Cohen left Lopert Films to rejoin
Sidney Deneau as his secretary at Paramount
Pictures . . . Anatole de Grunewald. producer-director
for J. Arthur Rank, returned to
England via BOAC Monarch, as did Gabriel
Pascal. British producer. Maurice Dent of
Adelphi Films of London got in from England
via BOAC . Kaplan, unit manager
for MGMs "They Had to See Paris.' planed
to Paris to join Jack Cummings. the director,
in seeking locations for filming.
Columbia Workers Granted
Weekly Wage Increases
NEW YORK - The Home Office Employes
Union. Local H-63. lATSE. and representatives
of Columbia Pictures and Columbia
International, have agreed on a new wage
contract for home office workers.
The new pact, which is retroactive to Oct.
29. 1953. will run until Aug. 31. 1955 and will
give workers a S4 weekly salary boost for those
receiving up to S37 weekly, a S5 boost for
those receiving up to S50 and S5.50 for those
abowe S50 per week. Election day. Columbus
day. Lincoln's birthday and Armistice day
were designated as half-holidays.
Services for Robert Ross
.\i;\V ^c)RK FuiUTal sir\ ht-.- ior Robert
Ross. 52. former talent scout in charge of
screen tests for Warner Bros, in the east,
were held at the Church of the Transfiguration
Friday (26 1. Ross, who had been playmg
in "Kind Sir," starring Mary Martin
and Charles Boyer at the Alvin Theatre, died
February 23. He is survived by his widow.
Margalo Gillmore, stage and .screen actress,
who is featured in "Kind Sir."
February 27, 1954 37
RlOXOFFICE : :
FFKJ'

. .
. . . The
. . . Two
. . Albany
ALBANY
T^onald G. Schine, head of the Schine circuit
realty department, saw the floor show
Saturday night i20i at the Ten Eyck hotel
before leaving for the south the next day .
Al LaFlamme. Strand manager, reported enthusiastic
comment on the local premiere of
"The Glenn Miller Story." and called the release
"a great family entertainment." Leo
Gi'eenfield. U-I branch manager, said he had
seen the film four times. Interest here was
so great that Pete Dana, U-I division manager,
phoned from Washington, D.C., for comments
on the film.
. . . Fabian's
Irwin Ullman, area promotionist for Fabian
Theatres, arranged for 300 women to
receive a jar of Welch's Fruit-of-the-Vine
jelly Thursday (25) at the Leland. Similar
gifts, part of a national campaign for the
product, were arranged for Proctor's Troy,
Cohoes and State at Schenectady
Palace and the Times-Union co-oper-
ated in a scrambled-movie-star-names contest,
breaking the day before Columbia's "It
Should Happen to You" opened. Prizes included
a $25 savings bond and ten pair of
tickets.
Senator Fred G. Moritt, Brooklyn Democrat,
photostated the BOXOFFICE story of February
13. quoting his request that the motion
pictui'e industry and its associations make
known their views on his bill to provide a
supreme court jury trial in cases of licensure
denial by the motion picture division of the
state education department.
Steady courage and quick thinking by
Helen Potocki, cashier at the Stanley, Utica,
and electrician Percy McCormac, supported
by prompt action on the part of Roland
Chesley, concert promoter and fUm series
sponsor, and Manager Andy Roy were credited
with foiling a daylight holdup attempt by a
30-year-old Utica man Monday. When the
police arrived, they found that the would-be
robber, described as a former inmate of a
mental institution, had no weapon. He had
put his hand in his coat pocket and given
a note to Miss Potocki saying "This is a silent
stickup—all cash or die." She fumbled around
and finally put $11 in a paper bag. Meanwhile.
Chesley slipped away to the office of
Roy who called police.
The sixth annual fa.'ihion promenade of the
Vincentian Institute Parent-Teachers Ass'n
will be held at the Madison March 2 . . .
F. Chase Hathaway, operator of the Hoosick
Drive-In, has been vacationing in Florida
Plattsburgh Drive-In is scheduled
to open early in March,
Ernie Stautner and Ed Hoffman, "co-owners
of the Sara-Pla Drive-In between Saranac
Lake and Lake Placid, visited Filmrow to
arrange for the 1954 opening . . Special
.
posters were erected on the front of the
Grand for the New York state premiere of
"Hell's Half Acre" Friday (19i. Paul Wallen,
manager, was host to Arthur Newman, Republic
manager, and Saul J. Ullman, Fabian
division manager, opening day . . . Leo Greenfield,
U-I manager, and John Scully, district
manager, discussed business in Gloversville
with George Lynch, chief buyer for Schine
circuit.
Bill With, Palace manager, was interviewed
on broadcasts from a New Moon
trailer to advertise "The Long, Long Trailer"
area drive-in operators, Johnny
Gardner of the Westmere and Alan Iselin
of the Auto- Vision, and their wives, recently
left for a Caribbean cruise .
area
representatives at the recent Allied Drive-In
convention at Cincinnati included Johnny
Gardner of the Turnpike and Westmere, and
Morris and Raphael Klein of the Hi-Way,
Coxsackie, Mountain and Hunter.
Marlene Dietrich Signed
NEW YORK—Mai-lene Dietrich has been
set to co-star with Orson Welles in "Mr.
Arkadine," which will be .shot in Italy, Spain,
France, Germany, Holland and Tangiers. It
will be a multi-lingual film. Akim Tamiroff
heads the supporting cast.
Mass Press Meeting Ends
News Boycott in Brazil
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL—A mass press and
radio interview of the American film stars attending
the International Film Festival February
23 ended the boycott by Brazilian newsmen
against the entire U.S. delegation following
two previous cancellations of the press interview.
Earlier, representatives of 32 newspapers,
radio and TV outlets presented a
resolution to representatives of the U.S. film
industry declaring their intention to refrain
from interviewing any member of the delegation
"either individually or collectively."
Eric A. Johnston, president of the Motion'
Picture Ass'n of America, held a reception
for delegates from all countries, as well as
Brazilian officials and film executives February
23. Johnston issued a statement that
said that Americans were happy to be in Brazil
and that he was sure the delegation was
anxious to meet the free Brazilian press.
The first screening of "The Robe," 20th
Century-Fox picture in Cinemascope, February
22, was attended by delegates from
many foreign nations and was enthusiastically
received.
Among the film notables attending the
Brazilian festival are: Eric Von Stroheim,
whose early films are being shown at morning
screenings at the MaiTocos, official Festival
theatre; Mervyn Le Roy, recently signed by
Warner Bros, to a producer-director contract,
who said he would consider making a picture
in Brazil's Vera Cruz studios, and Edwin
Gage, vice-president of Walter Reade Theatres,
who is vacationing in Brazil with Mrs.
Gage.
Stanley Warner TV Unit
To Be Launched Sunday
ALBANY—WTRI-TV will begin telecasting
Sunday (28) on UHF channel 35. The
station is operated by Van Curler Broadcasting
Corp., in which Stanley Warner Theatres
recently acquired a 50 per cent interest. The
transmitter site is at Bald Mountain, north
of Troy, from which local programs will temporarily
originate.
Edward L. Fabian is vice-president of Van
Curler. Samuel Rosen, brother-in-law and
partner of Si Fabian in Fabian Theatres, and
Si are board members. Paul Jacobson, Si's
son-in-law, is treasurer and assistant manager.
Col. Harry C. Wilder serves as president.
Pedro Saenz Quits RKO
NEW YORK—Pedro Saenz, general manager
of RKO Radio Pictures de Cuba, S.A.,
will resign his post Sunday (28), according
to work received by Walter Branson, manager
of all foreign operations. Saenz, who
has been with RKO since the establishment
of the office in Havana in February 1939,
will devote his time to outside interests.
FILM NOTABLES ATTEND PARTY—Russell V. Downing, center, president and managing
director of the Radio City Music Hall, was host at a reception held by the Organization
of the Motion Picture Industry of the City of New York for winners of the New York
Journal- American movie contest. Left to right: Dick Dickson, executive director of the
Roxy Theatre; Irving Evans, vice-president and assistant managing director of the Music
Hall; Judy HoUiday, star of "It Should Happen to You," currently playing at Loews State;
Downing, Samuel Rinzler, president of Randforce Amusement Corp; Martin Newman,
Century Theatres executive, and Emanuel Frisch, president of the Metropolitan Motion
Picture Theatres Ass'n.
Mrs. Goldwyn Sees Todd-AO
BUFFALO-Mrs. Samuel Goldwyn, her son,
Sam jr., and Gordon Sawyer, sound expert at
the Goldwyn studio, accompanied by James
Mulvey, president of the Goldwyn company,
were here early in the week for a demonstration
of the Todd-AO wide screen process
which Magna Corp. is to use in the filming
of "Oklahoma."
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ON 'EVKKEST' TOTK — Sir Kdmund
Hillary, left, conqueror of iMount Everest,
and George Lowe, right, photographer on
the Hunt-Hillary-Tensing expedition to
the world's highest peak, were greeted by
Lige Brien. llnited Artists director of special
events, on their arrival in New York
to begin a nationwide lecture tour backing
UA's "Conquest of Everest."
Former Director of Decca
Starts a Proxy Contest
NEW YORK- George L.
Lloyd, former director,
has started a proxy contest for control
of Decca Flecords, Inc. The annual meeting
will be held April 13.
Lloyd until recently was a member of the
Decca board. He has sent a letter to all stockholders
urging them to form a Decca Records.
Inc.. Stockholders Protective Committee.
Cards have been enclosed so the holders can
indicate whether they are for him or against
him. He calls Milton Rackmil a "one-third,
part time president."
Lloyd's letter .says he helped found Decca
and he owns 18.500 shares of common. There
are 1,485,900 shares outstanding.
Decca owns 60 per cent of Universal Pictures
Co., Inc., and Rackmil is president of
both companies.
The Decca board issued a statement in
which it was said that Lloyd had been voted
off the board February 11 after the board had
been reduced from six members to five. The
statement said the board had rejected "demands"
made by Lloyd which it did not consider
"in the company interest."
Goldwyn, Selznick Films
Denied UA; Will Reissue
NEW YORK—The plans of Samuel Goldwyn
and David O. Selznick to reissue some of their
earlier films have resulted in their declining a
United Artists invitation to take part in a
UA celebration of its 35th anniversary. The
request had been made for the right to
show the films as part of a -special program
by the Maseum of Modern Art here. The
films requested had been released by UA.
Goldwyn has already reissued "The Best
Years of Our Lives," and Selznick is preparing
"Gone With the Wind" for reissue.
The GoldwjTi films sought by UA included
"Stella Dallas." "Wuthering Heights," "Dead
End" and "Dodsworth." Tlie Selznick films
are "A Star Is Born," "Rebecca," "Spellbound"
and 'Nothing Sacred."
Goldwyn recently gave Mrs. Goldwyn the
rights to all his films ten yeai-s or more old.
and she has said she will release them in
blocks of two but has not identified them.
Selznick's plans are not known.
BUFFALO
•pill ('Olson, miinnwer of the Niagara. UPT
community theatre in Buffalo expects the
arrival of his eighth child in March. Bill
is the father of five boys and two girls. Bill
is starting to lay in a supply of stogies . . .
Though color television won't come to Buffalo
officially for several months, it already
has arrived on an experimental basis. TV
manufacturers in Buffalo and Toronto are
picking up network color reception from
WBEN-TV's regular black-and-white signal
through pilot receiver models.
The hot-dog dispensing pavilion on the
mezzanine of the Lafayette Theatre is going
like a house afire, says Bill Brereton, the
Biiiil circuit's public relations impresario.
In fact, .so well are the dogs .selling that an
enlarged dispensary already is under discussion
by Manager George H. Mackenna and
Basil circuit heads.
Chris D. Pope, booker for the Schine theatres
in western New York, wa-s a member of
the committee that planned the annual Ohio
State University day celebration in Buffalo
last Sunday . . Maivin Jacobs, chairman
.
of Vaj-iety Tent 7 heart committee, presided
at a luncheon in the Delaware avenue headquarters
Monday (22), at which time the
chairman sought ideas of members on the
charity work. There was a large attendance
of repre.sentatives of both exhibition and distribution.
The Buffalo Evening News is raising its
amusement rates, both local and national,
starting May 1, according to letters received
by managers from the sheet this week. Increased
production costs is given as a reason
. . . E. J. Wall, Paramount, was in last
week discussing promotion plans on "Jivaro"
and "Alaska Seas" with Arthur Krolick and
Charles B. Taylor at the UPT executive
Theatres could have cocktail
offices . . .
lounges, if a bill introduced in the state
legislature by Buffalo Republican Senator
Stanley J. Bauer, is passed. The measure
authorizes the state liquor authority to issue
licenses at one half the regular fee to theatres,
provided the sale of liquor is limited to
theatre patrons only. Patrons could not be
served earlier than 30 minutes before a show
starts, nor later than 30 minutes after it
concludes.
Safety qualities of Eastman Kodak motion
picture films were demonstrated at Kodak
Park in Rochester the other day before television,
motion picture and fire officials from
New York City. The series of test* compared
the burning characterLstics of older films
made of cellulose nitrate with Kodak's newer
Joseph J. Murphy,
.safety acetate films . . .
president of the Bath Drive-In Theatre, Inc.,
left for Florida via motor car for a rest.
Murphy ahso is owner of the Avoca hotel in
the town of the same name near Bath, and
Leon A. Herman, manager for Republic here,
is authority for the statement that the best
lobster meals in New York state are served
in Murphy's hostelry. Herman declares he
speaks from eating experience in said hotel.
Murphy will do all the buying for the Bath
drive-in this season.
Lou Beyer, buyer of films for the Hollywood
Theatre in Syracuse, who recently suffered
a heart attack, returned from a Florida
vacation and resumed his old job at the
Hollywood ... A large number of Buffalo
mdustryites attended the dnve-in pow-wow
in Cincinnati. In the delegation were William
P. Ro.senow, Skyway Drive-In Theatres; Myron
Gro.ss. Cooperative Theatres; Marvin Atlas,
Broadway Drive-In; Sid Cohen, Sheridan;
Harry Berkson and Nate Dickman, Delaware
outdoorer and three downstate driveins;
Mel Berman, Tristate Candy Co.; Leo
Katz, Western Auto Vending; Manfred Pickrell.
Eastern Theatre Supply, and Carl Bell,
Perkins Theatre Supply.
Through the Jerry Evarts column in the
Courier-Express, Robert T. Murphy, manager
of the Century, offered to admit free any
member of the clan MacGregor to .see "Rob
Roy." Proof at the boxoffice that your monicker
was MacGregor was all that was necessary.
Five neighborhood theatres installed Cinemascope
equipment and were presenting
"The Robe" at advanced prices this week to
excellent business. The five are the Bailey,
Kensington, River.side. Rivoli and Seneca.
Harry Rubin, chief of the UPT projection department,
supervised the Cinemascope equipment
installation in the Seneca ... In Rochester,
five neighborhood theatres aLso presented
"The Robe"; namely, Riviera, the
Madison, Monroe, Lyell and the Waring .
Ben Dargush, city manager for Schine in
Rochester, is back in his old headquarters
office in the Riviera, which has been reopened
after several week-s closing to repair
fire
damage.
Elmer F. Lux, head of the Elmart Theatres
circuit and president of the Buffalo common
council, urged Buffalo Business Federation
delegates at a meeting in Hotel Statler to
take more interest in government and asserted
that mounting costs of government services
were due in part to public apathy. "You
busine.ssmen have lost the power and
strength you should have in your government."
Lux declared. "Unless you take a
greater interest in government, you will find
government having a greater 'interest' in your
business."
Washington has been added to the territory
covered by Jay Golden. RKO Theatres district
manager, who headquarters in Rochester.
Arias Quality Pictures
In Distribution Field
NEW YORK— Arla.^ Quality Pictures has
been incorporated to distribute both U.S.
and foreign films. Henry R. Arias is president.
Leo Abrams, vice-president, and Myer
P. Beck, independent advertising and publicity
representative.
Arias, well known in the film export and
import field, will maintain his own foreign
distribution organization separate from the
new company. All domestic distribution will
be handled through the new company under
the supervision of Arias. Abrams and Beck.
Abrams was recently northeast division
.sales manager for National Screen Service.
Before that he was New York district manager
for Universal-International. He will
devote his full time to the new company.
Beck represents a number of producers,
among them Stanley Kramer, Benagoss Productions
and Otto Preminger. Offices will
be opened shortly and product announced.
0''
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954
39

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PHILADELPHIA
rverctt C. Callow, director of advertising
and publicity for the Philadelphia zone of
Stanley Warner Theatres since 1938. has been
appointed Cinerama's director of advertising
and publicity, with headquarters in New Yorlc.
During World War II, Callow served as a
marine corps public information officer. He
was recalled in 1950 on a special assignment
to handle marine corps publicity, press, radio
and television on the staff of Adm. J. L. Joy
in the Far East. That tour of duty included
service in Korea.
The Anti-Defamation league of B'nai B'rith
sponsored six free motion picture parties for
school children of the Philadelphia area Monday
(221 in observance of Brotherhood week.
More than 10.000 children attended the six
programs, honoring Washington's birthday
and the opening day of Brotherhood week.
The program included human relations films,
especially appealing to young people, animated
cartoons and short subjects designed
to bring a message of friendship to children
of all races and nationalities. In addition to
the films, local sports figures Gil Turner.
Dave Zinkoff. Wilton Chamberlain and Dewey
Kling made personal appearances at the
theatres. The children also received free
candy and comic books dealing with human
relations subjects. The parties were held in
the State, Renel. Esquire. Benner, Grand and
Park.
C. Clark Hodgson, chairman of the Philadelphia
parking authority, said that Howard
T. Scott, the authority's managing director,
has been instructed to map a plan whereby
patrons of theatres near the authority's garage
at Walnut street west of 18th could pai-k
for three hours at a special rate of 50 cents
if the theatres would agree to advertise the
garage on their screens . . . Phil Silvers, star
of "Top Banana." made a personal appearance
to help publicize his picture.
Joe Nevison is resigning as district manager
for the A. M. Ellis Theatres to give full time
to an insurance position with Mutual of
Omaha ... Sid Mesibov. Paramount exploitation
manager, was in town on forthcoming
national tieups for "Knock on Wood."
John Ehrllch, former Republic booker, has
resigned. Talk on Vine street is that he will
become manager of the Stanley Warner Boyd
Schlanger. Stanley Warner zone
. .
manager short subject booker, is no longer
associated with the company
. Stanley
Smithers is no longer handling three-dimensional
glasses for Stanley Warner . . . John
Schaeffer. former salesman for Nelson Wax's
Boxoffice Pictures, is now an independent
distributor with temporary offices at Independent
Poster Exchange.
William Goldman, prominent circuit exhibitor,
disclosed that as a gesture of "good
neighborlines.s" he has withdrawn a plan to
build a $750,000 museum to house a collection
of ancient vehicles. He told the Lower Merlon
township board of adjustment that he wished
to withdraw his application for a zoning exception
for construction of the proposed onestory.
120x400-foot museum for a nonprofit
exhibition of vehicles used before the automobile
age. He said he was taking this step
because some of his neighbors did not approve
of the idea.
The Ambassador went on a foreign film and
art policy and the Hamilton will go on an art
policy on weekends, but will continue to play
the regular fare during the week . . . Norman
Shigon. known in the trade as Philadelphia
correspondent for BOXOFFICE magazine
and as an attorney, revealed that he is
getting ready to file his candidacy to run for
the state legislature in the Democratic primary
elections for the 52nd ward.
The Lansdowne borough council has voted
to protest the showing of motion pictures
labeled "for adults only." The borough council
acted on suggestion of a delegation from
St. Philomena's church, and it dii-ected
Borough Manager Fred Roberts to write a
letter to the manager of the Lansdowne Theatre
so that it may be forwarded to higher
echelons at Stanley Warner, who are responsible
for the bookings.
.
Nelson Wax is now doing the booking and
buying for the Standard, Royal and Stradford
theatres Bluebird is now running
Ben Harris reports that
Spanish films . . .
he recently sent out cards announcing that
he has four Cisco Kid subjects. To help give
the publicity some sparkle, he had the cards
illustrated with a picture of Leo Carillo and
himself. Now, some exhibitors have asked
for the subjects that featm-e Ben Harris as
the Cisco Kid. Harris also reports that his
American Films is releasing a 25-minute featurette
of a "minor Kon-Tiki" entitled "Cape- i
horn Passage."
;
Florence Resnick, 20th-Fox office managers
secretary, was on vacation .
Dunn,
20th-Fox cashier, was in St. Luke's hospital
for an operation . Shear, 20th-Fox
biller, has resigned to undertake the responsibilities
of motherhood . W. Sweigert, I
Universal sales manager, became a grand-'
father for the loiu'th time when his daughter
gave birth to a girl. Sweigert now has two
male and two female grandchildren.
The Stanley Warner Lindley is now on aj
policy of exhibiting German pictures on.
weekends . neighborhood theatre
going on an art policy is William Greenfield's
Ambassador . N. Goodman, president
of Metropolitan Printing Co., appointed
Jack Weiss as sales and promotion manager;
of the firm's poster and showcard depart-,
ment . Theatre Management's Sub-!
urban in Ardmore ran a benefit for a slain
i
Bryn Mawr taxicab driver with half the receipts
going to the family.
Ben Harris' American Films will handle'
physical distribution of "The Road to Ro-'
mance" series by Chevrolet, according to Jam
Handy representative John Golder . . .
Switches at MGM have Max Bronow handling
bookings for upstate Pennsylvania;
Charles Kasselman for the Stanley Warner
circuit and New Jersey, and Jack Smith, upstate
and upstate circuits. Dave Titleman is
handling city, suburban and first runs.
Domenico Lucenti, formerly with offices ati
the Broadway, now is trouble-shooting for'
Stanley Warner Theatres . . . Jules Chapman,'
in charge of exchanges for United Artists,,
was in Philadelphia looking over the new
quarters for the company.
NJ Bingo Decision Now
Up to Municipalities
NEW YORK—Three bipartisan bills regulating
bingo and raffles in New Jersey were:
signed into law February 20 by Gov. Robert
B. Meyner. They require municipalities to
put the question of legalization on local ballots
at the primary election April 20. The amend-!
ment to the constitution voted last Novem-,
ber provided only for local option. A municipality
can vote for or against playing of the|
games of chance within its borders.
The law provides that legitimate charitable,
religious and philanthropic enterprises can
operate the games, and it limits the values,
of prizes that can be offered.
The legislature has recessed to March 22.
It will then consider, among others, a bill
affecting the fund-raising activities of charitable
organizations. This went into the hopper
after revelations in New York state that
some professional fund raisers were keep-'
ing the bulk of the revenues from drives.
New Jersey exhibitors face stiff competition
in those areas where bingo will be
played. To make the best of a bad situation,
they are hoping that organizations running
the games will make use of their theatres,
Harry Brandt of the chain bearing his name,
has said the law will be tested if theatres are
ruled out as places of public assembly. Wilbur
Snaper. president of New Jersey Allied, said
he believed they will be used.
jjjVOSK-
Kjlennl
S .ibsecoi
s'pike,
SI
liKni
i lal no a*
!«. 11^
itoocCiij
ju
atioK
Reaae ji.
net dnti
.tw !«
I oilier
loclui:
f*
ito
aii opeitt
,::;l?0
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bM the dij
^11
brti,
MEETS FILMMAKERS—Leo Posel, operator of the Lyric Amusement Co. in
Philadelphia, and wife are flanked by Fredric March, left, and director Mark Robson
on the set of "The Bridges at Toko-Ri" at Paramount.
"Jason and the Golden Fleece," historical
novel by Robert Graves has been purchased
by Warwick Pictures.
40
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954,

I
ei
l-Cs;
. projectionist,
. . Horatio
. .
.
. . Manney
. . Glenn
. . D.
. . Gene
. . Sam
. . Pat
. . Sara
.
.
. .
. .
.
. .
Sin St,
^ promotion nrnn
uti ihowcaid dels
atre MmagBnEnt'
Reade Buys NJ Tract
For Eighth Drive-In
NEW YORK— Walter Reade Theatres ha.s
continued expansion of its interests through
the purcha.se of a large tract of land on
Absecon boulevard near Atlantic City for construction
of a 1,000-car drive-in and a large
recreation center, including a swimming pool.
I
One week before, the circuit bought the 900-
car Trenton drive-in at Trenton.
The late.st acquisition increases to eight
the number of outdoor theatres owned and
operated by the circuit. It also operates 40
conventional theatres in New York and New
Jersey.
The Absecon site is just off the WTiite
Horse pike, between Absecon and Atlantic
City, and two miles from the center of Atlantic
City. It was purchased from Ezra
Bell, Atlantic City hotel man.
'Jialieneaior8iii
Walter Reade jr., president of the circuit,
(IriwwitliiMiniie"
said the new drive-in will have the latest
innovations, including a new^ circular-type
giant screen to permit shows to start two
hours earlier than usual, in-car heaters for
: of He Road to
year-around operation and a very large children's
play area.
emletaccotdinstoj
Iota Mte
The swimming pool will have salt water and
iive Mas Bionow lui
the play area mechanical rides for adults as
'JKtatt Penisylm
well as children. There will be restaurant
;or the Stanley Wit
facilities and a picnic area, and pony rides
-ifr.ffliiMSinia:
throughout the day.
ate Titta
litst
niE,
UoniEljwitliolfiK
5 muWe-shooting
atie-,,. Jules ClJpn
{BALTIMORE
iiijs tor United Aiti^lgurglars broke into the office of the state
board of motion picture censors and made
an unsuccessful attempt to rob the safe
which contained only "about three or four
IdoUars." . . . Lou Gaertner of the Gaertner
scision M'
Theatres, invited members of the Washington
I
cipdities I films exchanges to be guests at the Balti-
^more Variety Club's stag night Tuesday (23i.
^asTtoJetsy*
A large delegation came over for the oc-
«»Slon.
;Mj20bvGov.M
Miaiie munitipalito ^^^^^ -Chubby" Caplan of Variety and his
'^''''°
m '"^^ ^^'" attend the New Orleans Mardi
OTipiilt Qjgg _ Charles Moses, Columbia Theatre
1 voted Isst "'
has been released from Sinai
, hospital where he was a heart patient
John Winn. Capitol projectionist, has returned
0!m ^ its to duty following a six-week illness
Caryl Hamburger, Little's manager, was
iitotlesitin
in New York this weekend seeing several
totluopic
Broadway shows.
it 1*
;ii'
others,
Baltimore Variety Club Chief Barker Rod-
recessed
sn«
t ney Collier and wife, were honored guests at
'is.
''*
the Variety Guild's annual party on St. Val-
^! Kent W f* entine's night . Buckley is resign-
I; J.
>Iew Tori! .
; " ing aj a.ssistant manager at the Town
; te offered.
W «re raisers red Routson. Playhouse manager, reports all
fad
s from dri'S P,
existing house records were being broken
with "The Moon Is Blue" Oscar Coblentz.
owner of the Alpha at Catonsville, hosted a
dl'
^
b*
siHalii locktail party for his daughter visiting here
iu^hftofabad!
from Florida Isador M. Rappaport. Hippodrome
and Town owner, returned from
•^tZp^»'^
his
ttieau
sjieiiseoi'""
"" Florida vacation.
rilbeWtei'"
,jfpubhcass«i»
rflbeiis"'-
P*' Golden ,
Lynchburg Isis Closed
LYNCHBURG. VA.—The Isis Theatre, once
Lynchburg's finest film palace, closed re-
;ently.
Ijjloiii
In recent years, the theatre became
'.he ;liiS
property of the Neighborhood Theatre
it
Richmond.
WASHINGTON
Llerc booking for their drive-in reopening
were Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Lane and Ray
Woodard . Lewis has taken over
the Carver Theatre at Anacosta . . . Evelyn
Butler celebrated her 21st year with the
Levine circuit in Norfolk and Portsmouth .
The Carver Theatre in Newport News is terminating
it-s lea.se March 1.
. . .
Newell Howard has put out a very attractive
pamphlet explaining the whys and wherefores
of Cinemascope for the benefit of his
patrons at the Boulevard in Salisbury
Jack Fruchtman has taken over the TivoU
and Frederick theatres in Frederick . . . MGM
office manager Joe Kronman and his wife
Esther won a prize waltz contest at the Variety
Club Valentine party . Jones and
her husband Charlie have moved into their
new home which they built in Clifton, Md.
. . . Elmer
Independent Theatre Service has taken
over the buying and booking for the State
Theatre and the Clarksville iVa.) Drive-In
and the Plantation Drive-In at Suffolk .
Filmrow folks who attended the Variety Club
initial King for a Night stag party in Baltimore
Tuesday included Phil Isaacs, Joe Gins,
Bert Freedman. Ray Forman, Elmer Moore,
Fred Beiersdorf, Fred Sandy, Milt Lipsner, Al
Wheeler. Herb Bennin, Joe Kronman, Paul
Wall and Jake Flax . Autry made a
one-night stand at Uline Area
Thompson, Independent Theatre Service, became
father of a baby daughter . . . "ThLs Is
Cinerama" is showing at $1 student matinees.
.
John Miller and Dan Weinberg were Filmrow
visitors . . . Ditto Clark Connellee .
Paramount booker Jane HaiTell celebrated
a birthday . Norris, 20th-Fox division
manager, went to New York to attend the
funeral of Edward Aaron Young
spent the weekend in Lexington Park visiting
her son and his family . Galanty of
Columbia was in Florida a fishing trip . . .
on
Booker Harold Goldstein received orders from
the navy for his annual two-week training
cruise. He is a member of the naval reserve
. Elxploiteer Sid Zins returned to Washington
after a 24-city satui-ation booking cam-
. .
paign of "Jesse James vs. the Daltons" .
Nat Levy and Bob FoUiard were at RKO.
.
.
Al Folliard's secretary. Audrey Miller, and
her husband Bob. booker at Universal, celebrated
their first wedding anniversary
Universal booker Nate Shor was ill . . . The
widow of the late Ben Lust will continue
to operate the Ben Lust Theatre Supply Co.
The company is soliciting orders for Cinema-
Scope installations, including Ampex stereophonic
sound H. Covington came in
from Ashland to buy and book.
General Precision Sets
4 Quarterly Dividends
NEW YORK— Directors of General Precision
Equipment Corp. have declared quarterly
dividends on the cumulative preferred,
the convertible preference, the cumulative
convertible preferred and the common stock,
payable March 15 to stockholders of record
March 5.
The payments will be: S1.25 per share on
the S5 dividend cumulative preferred stock.
series A. 1952; SI.25 per share on the $5
dividend convertible preference stock, series
B, C and D: 72'j cents per share on the
common stock.
Booking 'Switcheroo'
Pays in Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY Locally they call it the
"switcheroo."
Almost since motion pictures became a
main dish in this resort there have been two
types of operation here—the Boardwalk,
strictly for the visiting trade, with its higher
prices and more luxurious theatres, and the
Avenue or business dLstrict, with lower prices
and second run product.
Becau.se in the past, prices on the Avenue
were about half of those of the Boardwalk,
and pictures shown at the Avenue theatres
were only a week or so behind showings on
the Walk, natives shunned the showcase
presentations.
However, within the past few months a
considerable change has taken place. No
longer do first runs dominate the Boardwalk.
In fact, the majority of first runs have
been hitting the Avenue and then going to
the Boardwalk. George Hamid in his operation
of the Shore and Hollywood theatres on
the Avenue and Steel Pier on the Walk may
have started this reverse process. "Beneath
the 12-Mile Reef" played the Avenue first
and now is having an extended run on the
Walk. "Here Come the Girls" which opened
at the Steel Pier, after an extended run wa.s
switched overnight to the Shore. And so it is
with a number of other pictures. Two of the
spectacles "Ivanhoe" and 'Hans Christian
Andersen" opened on the Avenue rather than
the Walk. "The Eddie Cantor Story" moved
from the Warner into the Colonial with about
a week's lapse.
The Walter Reade drive-in during the latter
part of last summer also added a breakdown
to the Boardwalk exclusivene.ss when the
drive-in i located eight miles inland from the
Boardwalk) showed "Shane" at 60 cents while
it was still playing the Walk for $1.25.
Two managers who would not be quoted by
name said that the "switcheroo" is paying
off. A .survey among local exhibitors also
revealed that the audiences are starting to
come back as much as 40 per cent over this
time last year.
Pictures are playing much longer, dates
than formerly.
Five Films in Five Days
Break Records at Manila
NEW YORK—As a feature of the MGM
worldwide film festival five different pictures
were pre-released in a period of five
days from Monday through Friday at the
Ideal Tlieatre, Manila, states Morton A.
Spring, first vice-president of Loew's International
Corp.
Increased prices were charged. Lines circled
the theatre from the first to the last
performance each day and the police and
fire departments were used to control crowds.
2i,l#SOXOFFICE :; February 27, 1954
41

. . . Vacationing
. . The
. . Manos
. .
. . The
. . Lawrence
. . Ernest
. . Ficks
. .
. . The
. . The
. . Tom
. . George
. . Edward
: February 27, 1954
,
PITTSBURGH
T eroy Hoon, formerly of Filmrow and Exhibitors
Service Co., attended the recent
White House conference on highway safety.
For the past two years a representative of the
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Casualty Insurance
Co., Harrisburg, Roy is fleet safety engineer
for western Pennsylvania. His wife
Mary Jane, secretary at the Hanna Theatre
Service, is a sister of Frank J. 'Bud" Tliomas
of this office and is a niece of Lou and Joe
Hanna, who license and book for dozens of
indoor and outdoor theatres in the area, and
a niece of Ben Hanna, 20th-Fox shipper.
The Catherine Variety Fund, Inc., opened its
drive to raise $750,000 to build an addition to
the Roselia Foundling and Maternity hospital.
George W. Eby is fund president, and
Reggie Wilson is campaign chairman. The
fund was set up last year by the Variety
Tent 1. Active in the drive are Norman B.
Mervis, city exhibitor and chief barker of
the club, and the new officers. WDTV will
feature a Telethon April 24 to climax the
campaign.
Neighborhood theatres here, which have
Cinemascope production, "The Robe," are the
Arcade. Garden, Liberty, South Hills, Manor,
Mount Oliver, Oaks, Roosevelt. Schenley,
The Regal at Wilkinsburg
Stahl and Rowland . . .
is being remodeled into a furniture
Entries are being received by the
store . . .
Pittsburgh Press for its Oscar contest, which
closes March 13. There will be $500 in prizes
plus 110 pairs of tickets to downtown theatres.
.
.
Zoel P. "Zippy" Silverman resigned 20th-
Fox booking duties and he has returned to
studies at the University of Pittsburgh. He
is a son of David C. Silverman, local RKO
branch manager . Super 30 Drive-In
Theatre, near Irwin, jumped the gun and reopened
its new season last weekend
"Annapurna" will be exhibited here at the
Squirrel Hill Theatre theatres
adopted a 75-cent admission to Cinema-
Scope productions for college and high school
students with identification cards. Regular
admissions are 75 cents matinees and $1 evenings,
'children 35 cents all day . . . Variety
Club crewmen seek larger Monday lunch
turnouts and are pushing for Saturday night
dancing ., . . Russ Zebra, former film salesman,
visited on Filmrow.
Meade Theatre, Meadville, went dark after
exhibitions February 20, and the building will
be remodeled into a Salvation Ai-my home
in Florida are the Sammy
Speranzas, Warner circuit, and the Bill Finkels,
south side exhibitors.
Perry Nathan, National Screen branch manager,
has been turning in a very good job
as film industry and downtown theatre Red
Cross chairman . . . Grand at Fredericktown
is featuring a Saturday Shoppers matinee
at 20 cents to one and all with popcorn thrown
SAM FINEBERG
TOM McCLEARY
JIM ALEXANDER
I
P
I
84 Von Braam Street
|:!:
PITTSBURGH 19. PA.
|
Phone Express 1-0777
g
JMoiics Are Betttr Than E»« • Hoyn's Your Eguipnunt?^
42
in free to kiddys .
Stern has one
of those new battery-operated Fonadeks at
his Associated cii'cuit office on Filmrow.
With these sound boxes a person can carry
on a telephone conversation from the opposite
side of the room, or a ticket seller
may be answering a telephone call while engaged
in making change, etc., as the hands
are free with a Fonadek.
. . Ti-istate Drive-In Theatres
Recent visitors have included Bill Mansell
and Jules Lapidus. Warner executives, and
Ernest Sands, former local Warner salesman
and now Cleveland WB manager for this
company; Jerry Wechsler. former Warner
manager and now a J. Arthur Rank division
chief for U-I; Earl W. Sweigert. former
Paramount representative and local RKO
salesman, now U-I's Philadelphia sales manager,
and Midstate Theatres representatives
Fred Fisher and Bill Way . Drive-In
Theatre near Brownsville has joined the
Hanna Theatre Service circuit . . Francis
.
Guehl and his Universal gang hosted the
February 26 family night party at the Variety
Club .
Ass'n has renamed John A. Robb as general
counsel.
Joseph Gray jr., son of the Spangler, Pa.,
exhibitor, died February 18. He is survived
by his parents, his wife Viola, children James,
William and Judy, two brothers and five
Ernest Stern's Leona Theatre,
sisters . . .
Homestead, has promoted a series of Saturday
afternoon Morris Grinberg children's
amateur shows. Entrants are auditioned at
radio station WHOD. Each show will be recorded
and will be broadcast by WHOD the
following Saturday morning, according to
George Stern, who directs advertising for the
Associated circuit . . . Raymond J. Showe of
Theatre Candy Co. was a Filmrow visitor.
His warehouse and offices at 400 Dinwiddle
St. are only seven blocks from the celluloid
colony but he is seldom seen on the film cui'b.
With the closing of the Casino, this city's
only burlesque house, Karl Krug, Sun-Tele
drama editor, reported that this type of entertainment
may be all washed up here. Show
business grapevine has the Casino on the
block, with some reports linking Loew's cii'-
cuit as interested in the theatre as a replacement
for the Ritz, which the circuit
will lose in 1955.
Rudy and Sam Navari's Eastwood Theatre
on Frankstown road has been enrolled with
the Hanna Theatre Service for licensing and
booking . Monday Musical club of
Indiana, Pa., sponsored a three-day showing
of "Melba" at the Indiana Theatre . . . Penn
at Blairsville is installing Cinemascope .
The Van building on the Boulevard of the
Allies, which houses Co-operative Theatre
Service on the first floor, has a new gray
aluminum front replacing the broken black
glass facing . R. Carettie, RKO
salesman, has resigned to join Co-op as a
booker.
Dipson Asks Tax Drop
BRADFORD. PA.—William Dipson again
pleaded with the city council to rescind or
partially rescind its six-year-old 10 per cent
amusement tax. Representatives of all Bradford
amusements told the council that the
tax was partially to blame for the losses
in receipts.
Great pictures of the past are played on
Sunday evenings In the AMPAS's theatre
for their members.
RICHMOND
r\onald R. Hatch is new assistant manager
.
at the Beacon, Hopewell, replacing Mrs.
Benys Vaughan Keokuk Theatre,
Keokee, was closed following a fire . . . Senators
Byrd and Robinson met a group of exhibitors
of the Virginia MPTOA and discussed
the admission tax problem. The group
was headed by Leonard Gordon, president, .
and Carlton Duffus. public relations counsel,
and included Sidney Bowden, Norfolk; Den- "
ver Ayleshire, Luray; Jack Rumsey, Covington;
T. D. Feild, Abingdon; Frank Richardson.
Lynchburg; T. E. Wilson, Crewe; J. H.
McClelland, Covington, and Oliver Chandler,
Clarksville.
Air, Rich-
|
The Blue Star Drive-In
Broadway
is
Open
open now on
i
weekends .
|
open February 28 . . . Pitts cir- mond. will
cuit drive-ins are scheduled to open soon . . .
Joe Walsh was in booking and buying for
the Riverside Drive-In, Roanoke
Williams leased his Gretna Theatre. Gretna,
to Elbert Fairries . . . Ttie Virginia censor
board screeningroom in Richmond is equipped
for Cinemascope Halligan is making
plans to install CinemaScope in his Wil-
.
liamsburg. Williamsburg.
.
The Asta Theatre, Maryus, is showing 16mm
Independent Theatre Service
pictures . . .
is now booking and buying for the Sunset
Drive-In, Wytheville, and the Hiland Drive-
In, Rm-al Retreat .
Clanton of the
Daw, Tappahannock, is slated to open his
new drive-in May 15. Independent Theatre
Service will do the booking and buying . , .
Jack Lewis plans to install 3-D in the Hollywood,
Middleburg Lane is preparing
to open his Fort Drive-In at Bolivar,
Jimmy Ritchie, East End, was found dead
in his car after it went over an embankment
. . . James B. Beverly jr., director of
the state division of motion picture censorship,
died. He was named to the post in
March 1947. Mrs. Herbert B. Gregory, Roanoke,
has been named to the censorship board
by Attorney General J. L. Almond jr., making
it an all-woman group.
Altschuler Goes Abroad
For Republic Meetings
NEW YORK—Richard W. Altschuler, president
of Republic Pictures International
Corp.. planed to London February 21 on the
first leg of a tour of the company's European
offices.
While in London. Altschuler attended the
sales convention of Republic's Great Britain
and European branches, February 25-28, with
all supervisors and managers from England
and the Continent on hand, and then proceeded
to Rome for sales conferences with
Republic's Italian managers. Following this,
Altschuler will inspect other European offices
to sound the keynote for the Jubilee Year
for Republic International.
Alan Larkin to Indonesia
NEW YORK—Alan Larkin has been named J
MGM manager of Indonesia, states Morton m
A. Spring, first vice-president of Loew's In- *'
ternational Corp. He replaces Abdul Wahab,
resigned. Larkin has been with the company
since 1941 and recently managed the Perth
branch in Australia.
BOXOFFICE
:
I

"
—
HOLLYWOOD
NEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CEINTER
i Hollywood Oljice— Suite 219 at 6404 Hollywood Blvd.: Ivan Spear. Western Manager)
states«
(ol wet's
'Miami Story' to Open
In Florida on April 1
HOLLYWOOI>— "The Miami Story," a Sam
Katzmaii production for Columbia stai'ring
Barry Sullivan and Adele Jergens. will be
world-premiered April 1 in Miami, where
much of the film was photographed. Sullivan
and Mi.ss Jergens will appear at the opening.
Openings of Republic's "Jubilee Trail" on a
day-date basis in ten conventional and drivein
theatres in this area have been set for
March 3. The Ti-ucolor historical action
drama, starring Vera Ralston, Joan Leslie
and Forrest Tucker, has been booked into
Warners Downtown and Wiltern theatres,
the Marcal and seven ozoners. the Studio.
Vermont. Compton. Whittier, Edwards, Victory
and Pickwick.
"The Boy Fl-om Oklahoma." starring Will
Rogers jr. and produced for Warners by David
Weisbart. with Michael Curtiz megging,
opened locally Wednesdiiy (24) at the United
Artists Theatre in downtown Los Angeles and
in the EI Monte, Gilmore, Gage, Van Nuys,
Century and San-Val drive-ins.
Allied Artists' "Riot in Cell Block 11." produced
by Walter Wanger. will open March 26
at the St. Pi-anci.s Theatre in San Francisco
and on March 31 at the Fox in Oakland, following
which it will play 40 other theatres in
the area. It also will play a 70-theatre saturation
booking throughout southern California,
beginning March 31. The production will open
locally at the Orpheum and Fox Hollywood
and seven drive-ins, the Olympic, Century,
Circle, Compton, Whittier, Van Nuys and El
Monte.
Sheree North to Fox
HOLLYWOOD—Sherec North, Broadway
musical and TV star, has been signed to a
long-term ticket at 20th-Fox, where her first
assigirment may be the role in "Pink Tights"
which was thumbed down by Marilyn Monroe.
The latter is still under su.spension for
refusing the part.
To Join in Label Show
HOLLYWOOD— Joint participation by the
Hollywood AFL Film Council and the A.ss'n
of Motion Picture Pi-oducers in the upcoming
union label show, to be staged here
April 1. ha,s been voted by the two groups.
They will con.struct and man an industry exhibit.
Also contributing to the venture will
be the Unit Production Managers Guild and
the Society of Motion Picture Art Directors.
Samuel Goldwyn Is 'Deeply Touched'
At Screen Writers Guild Dinner
HOLLYWOOD—Samuel Goldwyn was in
rare form at the annual awards dinner of the
Screen Writers Guild Thursday (25).
He began his speech thus : "Thank you very
much for your flattering words of introduction
which really touched me deeply. Of
course, this Is not the first time I've ever
been touched by a writer—but it is the first
time it hasn't cost me anything.
"In all seriousness, however, I feel greatly
honored by your invitation to present the
Laurel Award tonight. This is truly a historic
occasion for me. It is the first time I
have been permitted to present members of
the Screen Writers Guild with anything but
a check.
"However, as you know, that is something
I have never regretted, because I have insisted
for over 35 years that the story was
the most important part of a motion picture.
That is the base— the foundation. Without
a good story to start with, no picture can be
really good. And whether the public at large
realizes it or not, stories do not write themselves.
It's you men and women of the Screen
Writers Guild who do it. It is you who are
the story men of our industry. There are
occasions. I admit, when I sometimes think
of you more as second story men—but that's
something else again.
"But don't get me wrong! When I referred
to 'second story men.' I was only thinking
H.4NI)S ACROSS THE SE.A—Fred P.
Kearsley, center. British exhibitor who
opened the first theatre on the Isle of
.Man 40 years aRo. and Mrs. Keiirsley are
hosted at the Paramount studios in
Hollyn-ood. They renewed friendship
with .-Vudrey Dalton, right, British actress
now under contr.ict to the studio.
of all the rewriting that sometimes has to
be done—nothing else. And as I look out here
on all the writers and rewriters who have
left their wonderful imprint on the pictures
I've made and their wonderful ideas and
outlines and treatments in my story files for
the pictures I didn't make. I find I have only
one cause for regret. After all that money
I spent. I still couldn't find a single script
in my files good enough to read here tonight.
WRITERS PARTS PRAISED
"So I had to start from scratch to figure
out what to talk about. I know you didn't
want me to come and tell you how wonderful
you are. You all know the way I feel about
writers. It is out of your ideas, your inspirations,
your dreams, that there are born the
pictures with which Hollywood entertains the
world. I thmk. in all honesty, I can say of
you what was once said by a friend of his
about Alec Woolcott 'You are big dreamers
with a great sense of double-entry bookkeeping.'
"Actually, though, the Hollywood writer's
sense of what is best for himself financially
is not as well developed as it should be. I
once said in an article in your own magazine,
'Hollywood screen-writers have become in
large part a group of skilled technicians who
have sacrificed their aspirations to artistry
in exchange for the security of a weekly paycheck.'
"Now. notice I .said this had been done "for
the security of the weekly pay check' not
that our writers had sacrificed their art for
money. Because I agree with a fellow named
Johnson who said a couple of hundred years
ago—that was a little before Nunnally started
writing— 'No man but a blockhead ever «Tote
except for money.'
LOOK TO THE FUTURE
"Conditions in the Industry have done a lot
to end the reliance of writers on weekly pay
checks. I don't have to tell you that term
contracts for writers are at about their lowest
point in Hollywood historj-. I urge you for
your own sake to take advantage of this for
the future instead of looking back to 'the
good old days.'
Goldwyn diverged at this point to call
upon EIric Johnston to make a study of the
code along with Hollywood producers, details
of which are printed in another part of
BOXOFFICE. but he injected a final note of
humor into his talk by saying:
"People say that whenever I have a picture
coming out, I always start a controversy
I Continued on following page)
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27. 1954
43

I Its
Saw
I
Blurbers
STUDIO PERSONNELITIES
Cleffers
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Musical score for "Valley of the Kings"
ritten by MIKLOS ROZSA.
United Artists
Score for "Apoche," the Hecht-Lancaster
on, is being written by DAVID RAKSIN.
Set as musical director
duction, "Ring of Fear,"
Meggers
Warner Bros.
the Wayne-Fellow:
i EMIL NEWMAN.
Columbia
"The Bandits," upcoming Technicolor western,
e directed by RUDY MATE for Producer Lewi;
RAY NAZARRO will direct the Wallace MacDon lid
reduction, "Black Dakotas."
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
RONALD NEAME, British megaphonist, was signed
pilot the next Spencer Tracy starrer, "Highland
to
Fling," which will be shot on location Scotland
in
Options
Allied Artists
BEVERLY GARLAND has the femme lead in "Two
Guns and a Badge." Set for the Woyne Morris starring
western was MORRIS ANKRUM. Lewis D. Collins
directing for Producer Vincent M. Fennelly. LYLE
IS
TALBOT, FLORENCE LAKE, WILLIAM PHIPPS and
ROBERT WILKE were added to the cast.
Columbia
WANDA HENDRIX will star with Gary Merrill in
Producer Wallace MacDonald's Technicolor western,
"The Block Dakotas," which Ray No
Warwick Productions, headed by Irving Allen nd
R. Broccoli, inked RICHARD WIDMARK to stai
first Cinemascope venture, "A Prize of Gold.'
> Technicolor, the action drama will be lensed ir
'
Europe this summer (ith Mark Robson directing.
ROBERT FRANCIS A-ill portray a young cadet
"Mister West Point." Added to the cast was PH
CAREY.
Replacing George Montgomery, who bowed out
because of a conflicting commitment, PAUL HEN-
REID was inked to stor Producer Sam Katzman
"Pirates of Tripoli."
ROBERT FRANCIS wc booked for the lead in
"Those Reported Missing
about Gl prisoners of wa
the Bryan Foy production
Korea, which Lewis Seller
II direct. Sharing the stellar honors with Froncis
will be DIANNE FOSTER. Also inked for the picture
was JEROME COURTLAND.
Independent
Hal Wollis Productions inked MARA LANE, British
actress, to a long-term ticket, sharing her services with
England's Romulus Productions.
Metro-Gold'wyn-Mayer
Cast with Elizabeth Taylor and Walter Pidgeon in
"The Lost Time I Paris" was KURT KASZNAR.
In CinemoScope, the romantic drama will be directed
by Richard Brooks for Producer Jack Cummings.
DONNA REED also was cost. Handed a new term
ticket, CARLOS THOMPSON was added to the cast.
44
stars Ricardo Montolban ond Anne Bancroft.
As his final film under a seven-year contract,
RICHARD WIDMARK will star with Spencer Tracy,
Dolores Del Rio and Jean Peters in Producer Sol C.
Siegel's CinemoScope western, "Broken Lance." Edward
Dmytryk will direct.
United Artists
Hecht - Lancaster Productions inked GEORGE
MACREADY, ERNEST BORGNINE, JAMES SEAY ond
SERITA MONTIEL for featured roles in "Vero Cruz,"
the Burt Lancaster-Gory Cooper starrer, rolling next
month in Technicolor on location in Mexico. Robert
Aldrich directs. Also signed were JACK ELAM,
HENRY BRANDON, JACK LAMBERT, ARCHIE SAV-
AGE, JAMES McCALLION and CHARLES BUCHINSKY.
Universal-International
JULIA ADAMS will star with Donald O'Connor in
Producer Ted Richmond's "Francis Joins the WACs,"
which will be directed by Arthur Lubin. Handed o
lead was MAMIE VAN DOREN.
GENE BARRY will enact the role of the principal
heavy in the Ross Hunter production, "The Tight
Squeeze," starring Sterling Hoyden and Gloria
Grahame.
Actress JEANNE GRAIN was signed to a nonexclusive
pact colling for one picture annually for
the next five years.
Warner Bros.
Set for roles in "The Talisman," CinemoScope costumer
being produced in WornerColor by Henry
Blonke, were NICK THOMPSON and MYLEE AN-
DREASON. With David Butler directing, the film
stars Rex Harrison, Virginia Mayo and George
Sanders.
Scripters
Columbia
Playwright-scenarist MAXWELL ANDERSON i'
work on the screenplay of Producer Fred Kohin
"Richard the Lion-Hearted."
Technically
Allied Artists
Crew assembled for "Two Guns and a Badge" includes
JOE NOVAC, cinemotographer; JAMES WEST,
art director, and MELVILLE SHYER, assistant director.
Columbia
"Three for the Show" is being edited by VIOLA
LAWRENCE.
Paramount
HARRY CAPLAN will function as unit manager on
"The Country Girl."
Republic
Given a one-year contract extension was Cinemotographer
REGGIE LANNING.
20th Century-Fox
CARL FAULKNER, head of the studii sound
portment, was given o contract renewal.
Warner Bros.
de-
Set "The Silver Chalice"
Title
Changes
I SAW
Columbia
"The Pleasure's All Mine" to THREE FOR THE
SHOW.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
"Babylon Revisited" to THE LAST TIME
PARIS.
United Artists
"Bronco Apache" (Hecht-Loncoster Productions) to
APACHE.
Screen Writers Fete
Goldwyn at Dinner
(Continued from preceding page)
about .something that gets into the papers.
Well, in all sincerity, I want to assure you
that, as a general proposition—there's not a
single word of UNtruth in it."
An array of talent including Groucho Marx,
Ethel Merman, Van Johnson, Whit Bissell,
Marian Carr, Fred Clark, Betty Comden, Dan
Dailey, Adolph Green, Kathleen Hughes,
Leonid Kinsky, Harvey Lembeck, John Lund,
Diana Lynn, Tommy Noonan and Barry Sullivan
were recruited. Among the guests:
Horry Ackermon
Maxwell Arnow
Milton Beecher
Charles Boren
Roy Brewer
William Broidy
Sommy Cohn
Frank Copra
Sherrill Corwin
Armand Deutsch
William Fadiman
John Ford
Ira Gershwin
William Goetz
George Haight
Buddy Adier
Robert Arthur
Julian Bloustein
Charles Brackett
Steve Broidy
Clarence Brown
Louis Colhern
J.J. Cohn
Owen Crump
Edward Dmytryk
Vincent Fennelly
Arthur Freed
George Gloss
Jock Gross
Don Hartmon
Lelond Hayward
Arthur Hornblow jr.
Nunnally Johnson
Edwin H. Knopf
Phil Krosne
Robert L. Lippert
Som Marx
Colin Miller
Edward Muhl
William Perlberg
Lewis Rochmil
Sid Rogell
Thornton Sargent
Dore Schory
George Sidney
Milton Sperling
Steve Trilling
Billy Wilder
William Wyler
Alfred Hitchcock
Robert Jocks
Paul Jones
Stanley Kramer
Walter Lang
Anthony Mann
Fred S. Meyer
Walter Mirisch
Nicholas Noyfock
James Pratt
Hoi Roach jr.
Aaron Rosenberg
Armand Schaefer
George Seaton
Sol C. Siegel
Dmitri Tiomkin
Lawrence Weingorten
Frank Wisbor
Dorryl F. Zonuck
West; Walter Branson, newly appointed
foreign sales head of RKO, and Robert Wolff,
managing director in the United Kingdom,
checked in from New York for studio conferences.
They are huddling with J. R. Grainger,
company president, and C. J. Tevlln, vicepresident
in charge of studio operations.
East: Joseph H. Moskowitz, 20th-Fox vicepresident
and eastern studio representative,
concluded two weeks of studio parleys here.
East: Irving Levin, president of Filmakers
Releasing Organization, planed for New York
on a ten-day business trip.
West: John C. Flinn, Allied Artists publicity-advertising
head, returned from New York
and Dallas after supervising plans for openings
of the Walter Wanger production, "Riot
in Cell Block 11."
We.st: Walter Wanger, AUied Artists producer,
returned from a swing through Dallas,
Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Houston,
Beaumont and Corpus Christ! in connection
with opening of "Riot in Cell Block 11."
West: David Rose, British filmmaker, came
in from London for huddles with Harry Cohn,
Columbia president, and Jerry Wald, executive
producer, regarding plans for "End of
the Affair."
BOXOFFICE
:
: Febraary 27, 1954
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New Theatre Opened
In Metaline Falls
METALINK FALLS, WASH. -Tlie Nu-Vii.
a 450-seat theatre recently opened here by
the Robert Hagmans, has replaced the Little
Playhouse, the only theatre in this ai-ea for
a long time.
The house, which still needs a few finishing
touches, is ultramodern and is equipped with
a 17x34-foat screen and the latest projection
and sound equipment. The spacious and attractive
lobby is flanked by a refreshment
bar on one side and a ladies lounge on the
other. The auditorium features a 36-inch
space between rows. The aisles are carpeted
with rubber. The ceiling is of Celotex .squares
over Thermaxboard. and the block walls are
covered with Celotex in a striking color combination
with the draperies.
The building is constructed of concrete
blocks with heavy steel re-enforcing. The
projection booth is walled with blocks, making
the structure practically fireproof. Heat
is provided by an oil furnace in the basement
and the house will be kept cool in summers by
an air conditioning unit.
The house was built by Hagman's father,
Henry Hagman. The Robert Hagmans also
own houses in Cusick and lone.
Paramount Starts Work
On 'Big Top' in Phoenix
PHOENIX—Cameras started rolling here
on the Martin and Lewis circus picture, "The
Big Top." The picture is being filmed at
the fairgrounds parking lot, using the Clyde
Beatty circus equipment. It is a Paramount
picture, produced by Hal Wallis and directed
by Joe Pevney, and it is being filmed in
color.
Starring in the picture with Dean Martin
and Jerry Lewis are Zsa Zsa Gabor and
Joanne Dru. The company is scheduled to
stay in Phoenix until March 8, if shooting
goes as planned. They will then return to
Hollywood where they will finish on the
Paramount lot.
Weltner Again Chairman
Of MPEA Managers Unit
NEW YORK—George Weltner, president
of Paramount International Films, was reelected
chairman of the foreign managers
committee of the Motion Picture Export
Ass'n at a meeting recently at the
Harvard Club. It will be his second term
and will last six months, expiring July 1.
Ei-ic Johnston, president, presided.
Weltner has accompanied Johnston on several
trips overseas and has assisted him in
a number of negotiatiorus with foreign governments
and industries.
Scenarist Blees Sues
HOLLYWOOD— Charging plagiarism, scenloiSB
arist Robert Blees lodged a S75,000 action in
superior court against Milton Sperling and
United States Pictures, which releases through
Warners. Blees alleges that an untitled original
which he submitted to the Sperling unit
three years ago was rejected but that portions
of it were appropriated for "Blowing
the Gary Cooper-Barbara Stanwyck
J 11,'
starrer.
EGARDLESS of how motion picture in-
ST dustryites, individually or collectively,
hj
reacted to Howard Hughes' Herculean
gesture in offering to purchase—for upwards
of 23 millions of dollar.s— all of the properties
of RKO Pictures Corp., the precedential bid
brought forth gasps of wonderment—and, in
many cases, admiration—in legal and financial
circles. There, consensus opinion held the
bold foray to be an unusually shrewd move,
one without parallel in the annals of American
busines.s— possibly because never before
has there been a tycoon with the fortitude,
wherewithal and rugged individualism that
Hughes possesses in the outsize quantities
that have established him as a colorful and
enigmatic figure among the world's industrialists,
past and present.
There is no need, and little possibility, for
further discas.sion of the reasons that motivated
the venture and what effect its successful
culmination will have on RKO stock and
the minority stockholders' suits that have
been plaguing Hughes. That such culmination
will ensue is a foregone conclusion among
legal eagles.
What will then develop as concerns RKO's
future as a film fabricating and distributing
organization is the issue that most interests
those in the trade. Exclusive ownership by
Hughes can hardly be expected to change
company operations materially. unle.ss such
acquisition effects an alteration in Hughes'
perspective and procedure: becau.se, after all.
his position as major stockholder has kept
him in supreme and complete command of
RKO's modus operandi since the time he
garnered control thereof. Under that command,
the outfit's record, commercially and
artistically, has been anything but impressive.
Again, the contributing factors have
been too widely publicized and analyzed to
warrant further enumeration.
It is entirely within the realm of po.ssibility
that once Hughes owais RKO lock,
stock and barrel, he will, as a matter of pride
and good business, restore the venerable company
to the proud estate it once occupied in
the film world. Certainly he has the bankroll
and the know-how to accomplish that
goal, and in so doing he will be adding to
his own stature and that of the motion picture
industry as a whole.
At this point, one thing: is definitely indicated
repardinff RKO Radio's future in the
lommunit.v of motion picture companies. For
better or for worse, and while it is under
HuRlies' fruidancc, the organization apparently
will function without active membership in
th

—
—
—
—
—
—
AA)
'Glenn Miller Story Makes 250
In Opening Week in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES-Head and shoulders El Rey-One Summer of Happiness (Favorite) 200
„„ . , ,, Finp Arts ^The Livinq Desert (RKO), I Otn WK...IUU
above other first run offerings in the revenue
^|^"J| s,or—Julius Coesor (MGM), I5th wk 100
department was "The Glenn Miller Story," Fox Ritz, Los Angeles, Vogue, Loyola—Top
which attained a smash 250 per cent in the
f^^°!^^°J^±\^a-(i„,,^,, \p-^,^i/ 2n'd 'vik.'.'.'.'.'.^oo
opening week of a day-date run in two Howoh Picwood, Umted Artists—Money From
theatres. Tagged with an "adults only" label.
" °
'
^»°^'"l^[^''lj°Xl:-TLe Young Texons
a Swedish import, "One Summer of Happi- (26-Fox); The Man Between (UA) 100
neSS." hit the 200 mark in the first stanza H.llstreet, Pantages—The Glenn Miller story
^^^
of an art-house engagement. Hollywood,' Downtown' Pa'ramounts—The 'Commond
(Average Is 100) (WB), 2nd wk. .................. US
ArnHf-mv Lili fMGM) 6tti wk 65 Warners Downtown, Beverly Rob Roy, the
ChmesX^Kir^g of the Khyber Rifles' (20th-Fox), Highland Rogue (RKO-Disney), 2nd wk .110
3rjj „k 100 Worners Hollywood This Is Cinerama (Cinerama),
Egyption, 'stat'e—The Long, 'Long Troiler (MGM) ..140 43rd wk '00
NOW READY TO SET
NEW BOXOFFICE RECORDS
H6f*^^ the choice /
H^W^s yours
SEE the powerful story of
a
sinner who found salvation I
/orners Wiltern, Fox Hollywood, Orpheum-
Loophole (AA); Texos Bod Mon (AA)
Trench Line' at 225 PacKs
The Denver Broadway
DENVER—"Tlie French Line" packed the
Broadway to a record business, and was
away on an indefinite run. "Annapurna"
proved the draw at the Webber, where it
stayed a second week, and "Hell and High
Water" turned in a nice second week at the
Denver.
Aladdin The Great Gilbert and Sullivan (UA)..110
Broadway—The French Line (RKO) 225
Denhom—Money From Home (Paro), 3rd wk 75
Denver— Hell and High Water (20th-Fox),
2nd wk 120
Orpheum—Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue (RKO),
5 days 80
Paramount—The Command (WB), 2nd wk 110
Tabor—Wicked Woman (UA); Dragon's Gold (UA) 80
Webber Annapurna (Mayer-Kingsley); Wicked
Womon (UA) 1 25
•King of Khyber' Still High
In 2nd Frisco Week
SAN FRANCISCO-"King of the Khyber
Rifles" took top honors for the second week
in a row, listing a pleasant 250 per cent high.
Other fia-st run theatres did not fare too well,
with the exception of "Easy to Love" which
opened at the Loew's Warfield with 150 and
"Tlie Wild One" at the St. Francis with 125.
Esquire Dragonfly Squadron (AA); World for
Ransom 50
(
Fox— King of the Khyber Rifles (20th-Fox),
2nd wk 250
Golden Gote Killers From Space (RKO); Captain
(UA) Scarlett 80
Paramount His Majesty O'Keefe (WB);
Sweetheorts on Parade (Rep) 90
St Francis The Wild One (Col); The Mon From !
Cairo (LP) '23
State BuHesque Queen (SR); Bondit Island 9
125.
(LP)
United
Paratrooper (Col); Drums of Tohiti
Artists
(Col), 3rd wk 80
Warfie:d Easy to Love (MGM) 150
f it
'Julius Caesar' Third Week
Paces Portland at 250
PORTLAND—"Julius Caesar," in a third
stanza at the Guild, art house, continued to
rack up the city's highest percentage, scoring
250 per cent. Other first runs also enjoyed
top business. "Hell and High Water" at the
Paramount and "The Long. Long Ti-ailer" at
the United Artists tied for second spot honors
with scores of 200 per cent.
Broadway—Tozo, Son of Cochise (U-l) 100
Guild—Julius Caesar (MGM), 3rd wk 250
Liberty—The Command (WB) 00
Oriental King of the Khyber Rifles (20th-Fox)
. .
.150
.200
Paramount Hell and High Water (20th-Fox) .
United
. .
The Long, Long Trailer (MGM).. 200
Artists
Phone — Wire — Write Today
PREFERRED PICTURES
2081 Broadway AL. 0110 Denver, Colo.
DENVER
Serving
SALT LAKE CITY
Hal Wallis Buys Tickets
For Benefit Circus Show
PHOENIX—Hal Wallis, producer of Paramount's
"Th» Big Top" now being filmed in
Phoenix, will buy all tickets for the benefit
performance of the circus for Boys clubs of
Phoenix. The audience for the show at the
state fairground parking area was to have
been charged admission. However, Wallis
said he would buy all tickets and hand them
out on a first-come-first-served basis.
The show will feature acts by the Clyde
Beatty circus performers, while cameras are
filming action by Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis,
Joanne Dru, Zsa Zsa Gabor and the rest
of the cast. The audience will witness their
work before the cameras and will be a part
of the film audience.
Said Wallis, "Phoenix has been so nice to
us, this is my way of trying to be nice to
Phoenix." ,
46
BOXOFFICE
: : February 27, 1954 fcj,.,^

I
.such
. . The
. . Bart
. . The
.
.
^fr-
01 [
"tanipuii
« Webte
Pay-as-You-See Video
Averages $10 Each
PALM SPRINGS. CALIF— Approximately
itwo months after the November 28 launching
ol the Telemeter pay-as-you-.see video system
in this desert resort area, 148 Telemeter
•01 "Bell
a
icoln boxes had been attached to receivers in
* Wild week lis private homes, and the average monthly rental
per set is SIO, 'much higher than hoped for,"
' '* Uhg, in
it was reported by Carl Leserman, executive
vice-president of the International Telemeter
Corp.
The Notre Dame-USC football game was a
•^i^hwii'
_ i"near sellout." Leserman said, predicting that
a game on a national basis with Telej„5„,5i
•::s,,\i,w' ^' meter "could easily gross $10,000,000 on a
Saturday afternoon."
"Eng of the Ei;
' lot
tie setoBt s
issotaiiercentij
atidaoifaretoor
"JiT to Loie" i!.
WariielSwithliiii
sSttacismthl
w Ml; Wirld hi
IMk I20th-Fi
VMWBI;
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I iCol); Itt Mm Fm
(f >:CcJ);DTiiiuofTaUi
m]
id Week
2 Caesar," in a
jf. im. contiMii
riestpercenUstscB
fc!t m
also
W
,:cHisliWater"»tI
iLonjloDSTiaatr'
si for second
Tcenl
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j( J'dwk
spot Iw
Buys Tickets
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yp-BOwW'"
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for *'
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ffefortte*",
12S0D-
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'
e-ftet*
During the first month of operations 25
different programs were offered, including
football games and motion pictures.
SALT LAKE CITY
h»he Rex at Hagerman, Ida., operated by
Consolidated Theatres here, was destroyed
by fire. There were no injuries or
deaths. Piper Laurie appeared at the Utah
Theatre in connection with her latest film,
"Dangerous Mission."
Several exhibitors from southern Utah and
southern Idaho have been on Filmrow to
arrange dates for drive-in openings, scheduled
for the middle of March. There are
rumors large screens and Cinemascope may
make their appearance in the Salt Lake exchange
area in the spring . . . Tub-thumpers
In Salt Lake the past few days included Lew
Maren and Sammy Seigel on "It Should
Happen to You," Bidwell McCormick on
'French Line," Frank Jenkins on "Julius
Caesar" and "The Long, Long Trailer."
.
. . Ray
.
Dick Frisby of Lawrence Theatres was ill
Capitol at Brigham
,n a hospital
IClty has become the first small theatre in
she area to install Cinemascope
.VI. Hendry, vice-president and general man-
»ger or Intermountain Theatres, and John
Krier, buyer and booker, returned from a
frip to Los Angeles Fisher. Clark
'ilm Distributing Co. representative here,
Scotty Hutcheon of Butte, division
»as ill . . .
nanager, is subbing for him . annual
Tab stag of Salt Lake Variety Tent 38 drew
nore than 100 members and guests to the
lub.
r'risco LP Office to Al Grubstick
SAN FRANCISCO—Al Grubstick has
wught out shares held by Irving H. Levin
ind Charles Kranz in the Lippert Pictures
ranchise here, and is now sole owner. Levin
and Kranz continue as Lippert distributors
n Los Angeles.
PORTLAND
r\ick Newton. Paramount Theatre manager.
pa.ssed out cigars Tuesday (23) upon the
birth of his third child, a .son named Richard
William, born at Wilcox Memorial hospital.
Mrs. Newton is the former singer Nickki
Newton. The Newtons. local residents for the
last few months, came here from Seattle
where Newton was manager of the Northgate
Theatre. They have two other children,
.
Doug. 8. and Sandi-a, 3.
Two drive-ins. the Canyon, operated by Art
Adamson. and Clarence Tillman, and the Barbur
Boulevard, operated by Bernard Galitzki,
were the first to open in this area. Both featured
test runs, admitting persons free. The
Barbur Boulevard had free coffee for adults
and balloons for youngsters. Mild weather,
operators advise, forecasts an early opening
for other ozoners. The temperature this
week averaged 58 degrees.
.Allan VVeider and Herb Royster, working on
"The Long, Long Trailer," arranged with the
New Moon trailer representative here to park
a 36-foot trailer, a duplicate of that used in
the film, in a downtown parking lot. Over
the weekend, more than 2.500 persons visited
the trailer. The city council would not i.ssue
a permit to park the trailer outside the theatre,
although the national guard, March of
Dimes and other such groups frequently park
huge trailers, tanks and displays on city
streets.
Paramount Manager Newton and Walter
Hoffman are working on promotions for "Red
Garters." which opens soon at the 3,100-.seat
theatre. Newton will stage a "Red Garters"
contest with participants appearing in swim
suits on the Paramount stage. Audience vote
will determine the girl with the shapeliest
limps. All will wear red garters . . Amato's.
.
lavish Portland night club, plans a special
floor show with the Nelson Pickett Sparklets
appearing with red garters a-s part of their
attire. The garters, containing passes for two,
will be presented to nightsp>ot patrons. The
club is located just across the street from
the theatre.
Frank Dervin, assistant to E. L. Walton,
New York, visited RKO here. He conferred
with Mrs. J. J. Parker of J. J. Parker Theatres:
Dick Lange. RKO manager, and Tom
Walsh, also of the Parker organization . . .
George A. Hickey. western divi.sion manager
for MGM, was in town to confer with Lou
Amacher, MGM manager. He also visit«d with
Mrs. Parker and Walsh, who is the Parker
executive assistant.
Ted Chlnell, division manager for Philip
Morris, tied in to "The Long. Long Trailer"
campaign at the United Artists. J. J. Parker
house, with 250 window displays throughout
Portland and vicinity. Special photos, "I Love
Lucy" dolls and other items were used .
Decca records equipped all juke boxes in the
Porthuid area with tieup material and records
for "The Glenn Miller Story." now at the
Parker Broadway for an extended run.
First of the neighborhood Cinemascope operations
got under way with the Hollywood,
Evergreen's 1,500-seat house, inaugurating Its
new installation of a 42-foot Cinemascope
screen and 19-speaker stereophonic sound
setup with "The Robe." The Egyptian, operated
by Bill Graeper. opened the same night
with "The Robe." The Graeper house has
had the installation for .'Some time, but the
20th-Fox picture is the first Cinemascope
product to be screened. Rex Hopkins, Hollywood
manager, .said the new .screen, projection
equipment and stereophonic .sound system
cost in excess of $20,000. The theatre
stage was removed for the installation and
later rebuilt in front of the proscenium.
Hopkins says that patrons in the front rows
are virtually surrounded by the huge screen.
New drapes also were installed. Such theatres
as the Times in Seaside, operated by
Mike and Dan Callahan, are reporting tremendous
business with Cinemascope. The
Times is a 900-seat house. So far, Medford.
Albany, Eugene, Pendleton and Portland are
the only cities in the state with Cinemascope
equipment. Other theatres are expected to
install them soon.
Entry of two used car salesmen into the
neighborhood theatre business was reported
ll
(Continued on following page)
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PORTLAND
(Continued from preceding page)
in Portland. William C. Gilbert and John
McCleary have purchased the Rio from theatre
operator W. M. "Frank" Myrich. Myrich
has retired due to ill health . . . Jack Matlack.
Portland showman, is promoting the
annual Portland International Home show
and remodeling exposition on Swan Island
here. Matlack, formerly with J. J. Parker
Theatres, is also Universal exploiteer in the
Portland-Seattle area. He has been working
on "Tlie Glenn Miller Story."
With the 46th annual Rose festival under
way here in June, festival officials have invited
Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis to be
guests of honor at the annual event, which
attacks thousands of tourists from all over
the country. So far the comics haven't accepted
nor declined the invitation. "Money
Prom Home," their new Technicolor comedy,
is set for a second week at the Paramount,
Dick Newton, manager, advises.
Broidy Heads UJW Fund
HOLLYWOOD—Succeeding Lew Wasserman,
Steve Broidy, president of Allied Artists,
has been named chairman of the 1954
United Jewish Welfare fund campaign in the
amusement industry. Broidy's co-chairmen in
the drive, which will get under way April 1,
are Jack L, Warner, Sam Briskin, Samuel
Goldwyn, Abe Lastfogel, Harold Mtrisch and
R. Wasserman.
We
have the
C«unt on
for
YOUR
ife^ATRE
Phone Evergreen 1-7100
tTHEATRE EXCHANGE CO.
5724 S .t. Monroe Portland 7%, Oregi
3-D OH WIDE DIMENSION
ULTRA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY
2224 2nd Ave. SeoHle, Washington
SE. 1770
Showmanship Gives
Salt Lake Big Week
SALT LAKE CITY—Showmanship, just
plain, good, old-fashioned .showman.ship, has
been paying off for Salt Lake City theatres
at the boxoffice this past week.
Outstanding, perhaps record, grosses are
being chalked up by "The Glenn Miller
Story," "Long, Long Trailer" and to some
extent "It Should Happen to You."
The campaign on "The Glenn Miller Story"
has been the biggest exploitation job in Salt
Lake by theatres for some time. Two weeks
ahead of opening of the picture at the
Centre Theatre, Universal-International .sent
Helen Garrity Yorke into Salt Lake to conduct
the drive.
Exploiteers in town included Willard Coghlan,
working on "The Boy Prom Oklahoma";
Allan Weider, on "The Long, Long Trailer"
and "Julius Caesar," and Walter Hoffman, on
WINDOW DISPLAYS
Paramount
SET UP
product. Earl Keate, United
Artists exploiteer, has been covering the area
to create interest in "Conquest of Mount
Everest." Since Portland has innumerable
mountain-climbing organizations, Keate has
joined forces with J. K. Gill, huge book department
store in the northwest, to put in a
special mountain-climbing window featuring
the book written by Sir Edmund HUlary.
Other features of the promotion will be
equipping Oriental Theatre personnel with
light mountain-climbing outfits for the run
of the picture. With Mount Hood and Mount
Adams as the favorite Cascade mountain
peaks to intrigue sportsmen
Haynes, Glenn Miller business
in this
agent, was
area,
in
Evergreen expects vast
Salt Lake, she arranged interviews
interest in the
on all
picture.
radio and television stations. She set up a
Glenn Miller night at the largest dance hall
in Salt Lake. She also arranged for a search
Helen, who knows the area thoroughly,
arranged full window displays at a music
store on Main street, two radio stores, a
dime store and one of the city's leading
department stores. These consisted of such
thmgs as sheet music and records from the
picture, fashion shots of Frances Langford
with the gown which she wears in the film
being displayed in one store.
Also, she placed record albums in the
hands of disk jockeys at television and radio
stations and Glenn Miller music took up a
great deal of their programs. When Don
for talent contest on a local television station,
with the winners to appear at the Glenn
Miller night program at the dance hall.
CONDUCTS SONG CONTEST
In the newspapers, she arranged a "favorite
song" contest. Each of five stories
carried on the contest mentioned "The Glenn
Miller Story." Contestants were asked to
write, in 200 words or less, some incident in
their lives in which a song figured prominently.
A cash prize of $25 was given to the
winner, along with Glenn Miller albums and
tickets to the theatre. Department and music
stores carried inside displays starting two
weeks ahead of the picture and in their
advertisements inserted slugs on "The Miller
Story."
After this gigantic campaign, Helen arranged
for interviews with the audience the
night of the opening at the Centre. These
were carried twice on a local station. Frank
Lovejoy happened to be at the theatre that
night and was the principal subject of interview.
Unfortunately, opening night came the
evening of the worst blizzard of the winter.
Even so, capacity audiences attended performances
and word of mouth was so good
that long lines prevailed over the weekend
and the first few days of the week.
Helen was assisted by Helen Rice.
In behalf of "The Long, Long Trailer,"
Manager Matt Knighton of the Lyric received
small displays in windows of 20 cigaret
companies in Salt Lake. In addition, he distributed
100 passes to cigaret stores. These
were given with the purchase of a carton of
cigarets.
The distributor for New Moon trailers arranged
for displays in all places selling the
trailers. Tieups were arranged with television
stations and radio spots were carried.
The opening-day gross was "terrific." "Long,
Long Trailer" continued the gross this year;
at the Lyric above last year's at this time.
The main exploitation arranged for "It
Should Happen to You" at the Uptown and
Villa consisted of window displays. Also,
Sammy Siegel, Lew Maren and Dick Frisby
arranged top advertising budgets and spots
on radio and television. Lew appeared on
a local program with a trailer on the picture,
Sammy also arranged a telephone interview
'
betw'een Judy Holliday and a Salt Lake thea-
tre editor, which was carried prior to the
picture's opening.
The combination of the oldtime showmanship
campaigns and the three-day Washington's
birthday holiday brought large crowds'
downtown and helped grosses considerably.
LOS ANGELES
To executives of the Fanchon & Marco circuit
it must have seemed that they were
being picked on, as holdup artists in rapid i
succession heisted $2,200 from the Baldwin
Theatre, managed by Don Gibbons, and took
$215 in receipts from Rube Wolf, manager of
the Manchester . . . Another holdup victim
was Joe Hamann, manager of the Mesa in
Costa Mesa, who lost $1,600 to a knife-wielding
bandit . . . Dorothy B. Barnhart has replaced
Alice Diaz as assistant to Harry Wallace
in the advertising department of the ^
United Artists circuit.
After underg-oing another eye operation
(his second). Jack Jacobs, salesman for National
Screen Service, is out of the hospital
Beretta, National Theatre Supply
salesman, and wife are celebrating their 44th
wedding anniversary . . . Booking-buying visitors
included Mason Siler, of the Balboa-
Newport area: Art Warner, Yucaipa Theatre,
Yucaipa; Fred Siegel, who operates the Palomar
and Margo in Oceanside. and Irwin Sklar,
of the Crest in that city, and Wes Becker, who ;
has the Cactus, F*i-ince and Fiesta drive-ins I
around Tucson.
I
A Las Veg:as weekender was Jack Goldberg
Here from San
of the Eastland circuit . . .
Francisco for huddles with Ralph Carmichael, (
his local manager, was Newton "Red" Jacobs j
of Favorite Theatres. I
. After
j
,
Just as he was about to take off for Arizona I
on a selling junket, Bill Watmough of the
Warner sales staff was the victim of a burglary.
His car. parked in front of the office,
was broken into and Watmough's clothing,
luggage and other articles taken . .
a year in Detroit, Max Schreiber has returned
here to reside permanently. He'll assist his
father Alex in operating the Paradise Tlieatre
in Westchester as well as several bowling
alleys.
Alice Tetsall, secretary to Milt Hossfeldt of
the Gamble & O'Keefe circuit, weekended in
San Fi'ancisco . . . With Morris Sudmin, 20th-
Pox exchange manager, as chaurman, Filmrowites
who are active in the United Cerebral
Palsy fund-raising drive attended a UCF
meeting at the Fox offices . . . National Theatre
Supply is completely renovating its local
branch . Turpie. the Manley popcorn
man, took off for Kansas City for home office
conferences.
Although primarily a service to motion picture
studios the AMPAS library is available
to students of the motion picture.
48 BOXOFFICE :: February 27, 19541
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IAN FRANCISCO
•o Vat-aville men, William R. Hayden and
T/Sgt. Norman R. Shirley, are the new
iwners of the Suisun Theatre. Refurni.shed.
emodeled and re-equipped, the theatre
[opened after being closed for two year.s.
layden had been in theatre management for
,7 years and for the last four year.s served
manager of the Vacaville Tlieatre. Shirley
'HI be separated from the service soon.
Alberto Kafanclli and his sons America
,nd Vincent, owners of the Plaza Theatre
lUllding in Healdsburg, have brought suit
gainst a former tenant, the Plaza Theatre
Co., headed by George M. Mann of San
Francisco, for $40,000 over alleged nonfulfilliment
of the lease. According to the Rafanellis,
the lease specifically required the theatre
aperators to "conduct a legitimate theatre
business" in the building for the full term
of the lease. The Rafanellis ask $25,000 in
exemplary and punitive damages. They also
seek $15,000 for the alleged violation of a proirision
of the lease requiring that the company
teep the building in good repair. According to
the head of the Plaza Theatre Co., the theatre
had been operating in technical violation
}f the fire laws and the state allowed it to
jontinue operating only on the company's assurance
that it was erecting a new theatre
building.
Jack Sherin of the Sunset in Lodi wanted
all his customers to know what the speakers
for the stereophonic sound system looked
like, and at the same time inform his patrons
hat Cinemascope was coming to the Sunset,
e result was a sensational lobby display.
A local columnist delighted in informing
readers that local traffic cops had a picnic
ills
ound the St. Francis Theatre tagging motorlycles
parked around the fire hydrant in
front of the show. Seems the St. Francis
was showing "Tlie Wild One." a motorcycle
5plc, and about one-third of the audience
sach night arrived on motorcycles.
The Glenn Miller Story" opened at the
3olden Gate amid splendor of publicity and
advertising promotionals. As a matter of fact,
iie opening was slightly sensational, accord-
Bg to Mark Ailing, manager. The film open-
Jig was preceded by a campaign including a
;ieup with Decca records, a large downtown
mllroom and local disk jockeys on radio and
rv. Screenings were held prior to the openag
for all disk jockeys, high school editors
,nd allied interests: a trombonist contest was
eld; downtown department store windows
were given over to the opening of the film.
ind a contest "Salute to Glenn Miller" ran in
Jie local paper, with $2,000 worth of prizes
Jrovided by Decca records.
Ruth Gelber, Tower Pictures, went to Los
ngeles on a combined vacation and business
[.rip . . . Duke Clark, Tower Pictures bossman,
eturned from a Los Angeles business trip . . .
Itke Rubin, popcorn man, will leave March 4
|« spend three weeks in Chicago. New York
Ijind points east. While there, Ike said he'll
hpend a few days in his old home town of
Pmaha.
Bill Blair of Cloverdale has purchased the
3rescent Drive-In and conventional theatre
ij>t Crescent City. The theatres were owned
IJy E. L. Boles . . . Eric Spiess of the Gait,
I3alt, was on the Row. Also Mr. and Mrs.
l3owley of Boyes Springs . . . Audrey Jacobs
of the Capitola, Capitola, was on the Row .
Carlton Hunt, Unicorn Theatres, Inc., took
time out from his Hollywood activities to
visit here.
. . . Cinemascope
The Terrace Drive-In, Theatre Service
Agency, has closed for the season
has betn installed in Theatre Serv-
ice Agency houses in Eureka, Klamath Falls
and Modestro ... Mr. Tyler of the Los
Molinos Drive-In, is getting ready to reopen
for the summer . G. Preddey of
the Preddey Theatre Supply house is enjoying
the scenic beauties of New Zealand.
Pi-eddey and his wife are constant travelers
these last few years.
Hai-old VVirthwein, Allied Artists western
division sales manager, returned to San
Francisco to hold confabs with local AA executives
. . . Stearns Gordon, Hart Theatre at
Perndale, was along the Row .
Finn
came in from his Chester at Chester . . . The
Sebastiani at Sonoma has been leased by
Robert D. Townsend as of March 1, but will
continue to be booked by Film Booking
Agency . Rivoli at Berkeley has been
leased by Edgar Suto, as of March 1.
Police Attitude Unfair,
Theatreman Asserts
PROVO. UTAH— Answering a
statement in
the Provo Herald, in which Chief of Police
Snow was quoted as having said, "The main
causes of delinquency can be attributed to
our present-day arts such as motion pictures."
M. E. Birkhimer, manager of the
Academy Theatre in Provo, wrote a letter
to the editor, challenging the police head to
name even one film shown by Provo theatres
which contributed to juvenile delinquency.
Birkhimer also pointed out that for years
the Pi-ovo theatres have been admitting free
the members of the junior police as a reward
for their work on the school patrols—and
that this courtesy has been given upon the
request of Chief Snow himself. The letter
carried a postscript signed by Breck L. Fagin,
manager of Intermountain Theatres. Inc.,
saying that even as the letter was written
the junior police were guests of the Uninta
Theatre at the invitation of the police department.
Robs Mesa Pioneer Airer
MESA, ARIZ.—A gunman held up the Pioneer
Drive-In here recently and walked away
with $60. Ca.shier Mrs. Lee Bodkin gave a
description of the man that tallied with that
of a man who robbed the Indian and Phoenix
drive-ins in Phoenix recently. Mrs. Bodkin
said the bandit walked up to the ticket window,
produced a nickel-plated revolver and
reached in front of her to take $60 from the
cash drawer. 'Virgil Rowe, manager of the
theatre, said he had taken $100 from the boxoffice
to the theatre safe just five minutes
before the robbery.
'Shrike' on U-I Slate
HOLLYWOOD — "The Shrike," Pulitzer
prize-winning Broadway play by Joseph
Kramm. has been added to the U-I schedule,
with Jose Ferrer to star and direct. The
script is being prepared by Ketti FYings and
the picture will be produced by Aaron Rosenl)erg.
camera work beginning early this summer.
HKLP.S ( KLi;i5K.\TI.—.! at the Showbox for a
ten-day appearance. Smith, formerly from
Seattle, is appearing here for the first time . .
Stan Kenton and his orchestra presented a
Festival of Modern American Jazz at the Civic
Auditorium Wednesday i24).
Jose Greco and his Spanish dance company
were at the Met Wednesday through Saturday
(24-271. Another Hugh Becket attraction,
the National Ballet of Canada, will appear
at the Met March 4-6 .. . Ballet Theatre
.will be presented March 19-21 on stage of the
Orpheum Theatre ... A first showing here
of the adventure story, "Annapurna," called
the "Kon-Tiki" of the mountains, is being
shown in Technicolor at the Varsity, popular
art and foreign film house. Maurice Herzog,
leader of the expedition, narrates the story
of mountaineering in the Himalayas through
unexplored wild and hidden country.
ll|>KI
* * SEND YOUR NEXT *_:
tWIDE 5CREC N ^^^
FITS
mi
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ORDER
^l
S»ECI)
MOTION PICTURE SERVICE CO.
ns *. ciiiroMi*
kOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954 49

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DENVER
T es Newkirk, city manager at Boulder for
Fox Internmountain Theatres, has made
arrangements with the city superintendent of
schools to copy the birth record of all children
between the ages of 10 and 15. They
are put in three books and distributed to the
cashiers of the three Fox houses there. Hence,
the book is ready for quick reference in case
there is a question regarding a child's age.
Newkirk has found that he is not only able
to charge the correct admission, but that the
book is a good protection for those children
that are large for their age.
Milford E. Shields, chief projectionist and
equipment at the Kiva, Durango, celebrated
his completion of 25 years of service in that
theatre. He is one of the better-known citizens
in that section, a place where he has
spent most of his life. Shields is internationally
known as a poet, and his work has
won praise and citations both at home and
abroad. The following poem, composed by
Shields, named "That Hearts May Live," was
shown on the screen at the Kiva on the night
of the silver anniversary:
The heart that's ill cannot fulfill
Its rightful destiny;
So let us give that hearts may live
To serve humanity.
H. Neal, assistant western division manager,
was in for a sales meeting at Paramount, attended
by Manager Jim Ricketts and salesmen
Jon Vos, John Thomas and Dick Ivy .
Claude Newell, former head booker at MGM,
who has been in other business the last few
years, is returning to the same job he held
previously. He is succeeding John Roberts,
who resigned to join the booking and buying
department of Wolfberg Theatres.
Ed Nesbit, son of Dale Klein, former owner
of the Alpine, was in from his Arizona home
to inventory and close the Alpine. It is expected
the building will be prepared for other
businesses. Clarence Martin, who operated
the house for some months, gave up the lease
and left town.
Paul Allmeyer has dissolved his connection
with Preferred Pictures and is now salesman
for Realart in the Denver and Salt Lake
territories. Allmeyer went to Salt Lake City
this week on a selling trip . . . Frank H.
Ricketson jr., president of Fox Intermountain,
was re-elected as a director of the Community
Chests and Councils of America.
Robert Fields, assistant manager at the
Tabor, has joined the armed forces, and has
been succeeded by Larru Goodenough, from
the Aladdin. Cora Yost, also an assistant at
the Tabor, has resigned and has been succeeded
by Lydia Callender, who moved over
from the Rialto.
Pauline Hall, manager's secretary at Paramount,
used her car to get to work one day
recently. Living within a few blocks of the
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY
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and fair dealing. 30 years experience includinQ
exhibition. Ask Better Business Bureau,
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ARTHUR LEAK Theotre Specialists
3305 Caruth. Dallas, Texas
Telephones EM 023S - EM 7489
CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE INVITED
exchange she does not usually take her car.
So that night she forgot and walked home.
Then she had to walk back to get her car . . .
Mrs. George McCool, wife of the office manager
at United Artists, was taken to Presbyterian
hospital, where she is said to be in a
critical condition. She has been in poor
health for several years. Her mother flew in
from Omaha to be with her.
The Capitol, Springfield; Cliff, Wray;
Yuma, Yuma; Ute, Strassburg; Chateau,
Wauneta, Neb.; Midway, Burhngton; Rits,
Las Animas, and Tower, Denver, have all
installed wide screens from Western Service
& Supply. This company has also installed
stereophonic sound and Cinemascope in the
Main, Pueblo, and the Hiland, Albuquerque.
Jim Ricketts, Paramount manager, has
moved into his new home in Broadmoor Acres,
Littleton, a Denver suburb . . . MuiTay Lafayette,
United Artists publicity man, was in
whipping up the campaigns on "Top Banana"
and "Beat the Devil," with both of them
booked at the Denver.
Theatre folk seen on Filmrow included
Maiie Goodhand, Kimball, Neb.; Lauren Mc-
Connell and Ed Goebel, Imperial, Neb.; R. L.
Stanger, Windsor, Neb.; Claude Graves and
Wilbur WiUiams, Boulder; Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Childs, Sterling; Roy Borchert, Nucla;
Lionel Semon, Pueblo; Russ Dauterman and
Ray Davis, Cheyenne; Mr. and Mrs. Fred
Hall, Akron; C. E. McLaughlin, Las Animas;
Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Sever, Rocky Ford, and
George and Harold McCormack, Canon City.
Mexico's First 3-D Film
Is Viewed in Phoenix
PHOENIX—Mexico's first 3-D film was
shown here at the Azteca Theatre February
15, 16. The film, "El Corazon y la Espada"
(The Heart and the Sword), stars Cesar
Romero, Rebecca Iturbide and Katy Jiu-ado.
The usual 3-D tricks of projecting at the
audience ai'e employed. The film was first
projected on a wide screen, but Gene Bandelier,
theatre manager, reverted to the regularsize
screen and the film could then be seen
better.
John Ford Will Direct
Fonda in 'Mr. Roberts'
HOLLYWOOD—Henry Fonda will star in
and John Ford will direct Warners' upcoming
film version of the stage hit, "Mr. Roberts,"
which Leland Hayward will produce. The
picture is slated for Cinemascope and WarnerColor
treatment.
Technicolor Lays Off 330
HOLLYWOOD—Attributing the action to
what a company spokesman called "decreased
production," Technicolor is laying off
330 of its 2,311 local employes, effective March
1. This spokesman, emphasizing that the
affected workers all have been hired within
the last 18 months, would venture no prediction
as to how long the layoffs may last.
He pointed out, however, that the current low
production pace is due chiefly to studios' preoccupation
with conversions to new photographic
techniques.
for
MODERN THEATRE PLANNES
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMADI
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
2-: 54
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUBill
to receive information regularly, as releasee on'
the following subjects for Theatre Planning;
Acoustics
n Air Conditioning
n Architectural
Service
n "Black" Lighting
n Building Material
n Carpels
n Coin Machines
D Complete Remodeling D ^ound Equipmer I
n Decorating
Television
n Drink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts
I
n Drive-In Equipment
D Other Subjects
Theatre
Seating Capacity-.
Address
City
State
Signed..
Lighting Fixtures g
Plumbing Fixture I
n Projectors
n Projection Lamps
n Seating
n Signs and Marqin
Q Vending Equipm t
Postage-paid reply cards for your further conveK'
in obtaining information are provided in The MOl
THEATRE Section, published with the first iss «[
each month.
1
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piko.
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50 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 195
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Levy of TOA to Attend
Joint Ozarks Session
ST. LOUIS Heiiiuui M. Levy, general
counsel of the Theatre Owners ol America,
will attend the second annual joint meeting
of the MPTO of St. Louis, Eastern Missouri
and Southern Illinois and the Kansas-
Missouri Theatre Association at Arrowhead
lodge, Lake of the Ozarks, May 18-20.
Levy attended the meeting held by the
two TOA units at the Lake of the Ozarks
last summer and assured the officers of both
organizations at that time that "the best
cowboy to ever come out of the east" would
be back for their 1954 joint meeting. Recently
he reaffirmed his intention to attend the
May 18-20 gathering.
HEADED BY TOM EDWARDS
Tom Edwards of the Edwards & Plumlee
Theatres, Farmington, Mo., the only man to
serve as president of both KMTA and the
St. Louis area MPTO, heads the general committee
in charge of the Ozarks gathering.
This year's meeting will be a day longer
than the 1953 gathering, so the costs will be
slightly higher; $25 a person, which includes
room at Arrowhead Lodge, all meals and
other incidental expenses. Arrangements are
being considered for a boat ride on the Lake
of the Ozarks, one of the world's largest
man-made lakes.
Edwards gave the tentative details for
the May 18-20 gathering at a general meeting
of members of the local regional organization.
The meeting considered the proposed new
constitution and bylaws, which has been
prepared by Phil Nanos, general counsel.
The streamlined documents were road section
by section by L. J. Williams of Union,
Mo., secretary, for preliminary discussion
and suggestions. Copies of the new constitution
and by-laws have been sent to all duespaying
members. Officers, of course, will
welcome any suggested changes in the proposed
draft. Nanos, who is interested in the
Laclede Theatre here, has devoted many
weeks of work to the proposed changes.
President Lester Ki'opp presided at the
meeting, having recently returned from a
short vacation trip to Florida with Mrs.
Kropp.
OKAY SAFETY PATROL AID
The gathering went on record as approving
an arrangement for local theatres to
cooperate with the police department and
the Automobile Club to encourage boys to
become members of the -schoolboy patrols.
The theatres will admit members of the
patrols once each week as guests.
The interest of the older boys in the patrol
had declined the past few years, and
this school year, it became very difficult to
obtain a sufficient number of boys to volunteer
for the school-crossing patrol duty. In
north St. Louis the troublesome situation
was solved through the personal efforts of
Patrolman Randall E. Gutzman of the Ruskin
avenue police district. He had been
assigned to school crossing duty at the
Church of the Nativity parochial school. He
noticed that sixth and even fifth grade boys
were being asked to serve in the patrol, and
decided that incentive was the key to the
situation. Trying to work up enthusiasm he
began taking groups of boys on tours of the
police headquarters on his time off and
Exchanges Observe
Eight Holidays
Kansas fity— E. .\. IV-tfrson of the
riazii Theatre at Greenfield. Mo., came
to I'ilmrow .Monday (2:i) to do some
biMikinK. Those exchanges which were not
closed had only skeleton forces working
(WashinKton's birthday I so he and others
like him and t'ecil Mabcrry of the
Basin at Eureka Springs, .\rk.. had to
stay over to tran.sact most of their business.
Througli the courtesy of .Arthur Cole
at Taramount. BOXOFFIC'E hastens to
publish here those holidays on which exchanges
are closed. Paste this list in your
booking notebook: New Year's, Washington's
birthday, Memorial Day, July 4,
Labor day, .-Vrmi-stice day. Thanksgiving
day and Christmas.
his own expense. That helped, but he really
hit the jackpot when he decided that a free
motion picture show would be just the thing
to keep the kids interested.
He told his idea to his friend Joe Dwyer,
manager of the Rio Theatre, 5566 Riverview
boulevard. It didn't take much persuading
for Dwyer to agree to the plan. With the
cooperation of Dwyer and his bosses of the
Fanchon & Marco circuit, the plan was put
into effect when the Nativity school reopened
after the Christmas season holidays. Later
the program spread to a total of nine north
St. Louis schools. The Rio now hands out
some 65 passes to the patrol boys each week.
Names of the boys are furnished by the
principals of the school. The schools of that
area now have waiting lists of boys seeking
to serve on the patrol.
Auto Plows Into Theatre
RISING SUN, IND.—Damage estimated at
$400 was caused at the Columbia Theatre
late Sunday when an automobile driven by
a Cincinnati woman plowed into the North
Walnut street side of the building. Part of
the foundation was caved in and a door
smashed by the impact.
Opening Day Set Aside
For Drive-In Displays
KANSAS CITY — The annual drive-in
school .sponsored by the Kansas-Missouri
Theatre Ass'n will be held March 9, 10 at
the Continental hotel.
Among the companies which have rented
booths for displaying equipment are: Miracle
Whirl Sales Co., Shreve Theatre Supply Co.,
National Theatre Supply Co., Mis.souri Theatre
Supply Co., L&L Popcorn Co., Poppers
Supply, Hex Foods, Inc., Triple AAA, Inc.,
and Tater-Dog.
There will be no registration fees and
Tuesday will be given over to the setting up
of the booths for demonstration and their
inspection by exhibitors. Wednesday will be
devoted to business, with informative discussions
that will help the drive-in operator.
Earl Jameson jr., KMTA secretary, and
Finton Jones, theatre insurance agent, have
been assisting co-chairmen Stanley Durwood
and John Basham w'ith arrangements. From
advance reports, visitors will be coming in
from such neighboring states as Oklahoma,
Nebraska, Illinois. Arkansas and Iowa.
KMTA President J. Leo Hayob ha-s issued
a general invitation to all exhibitors in the
area and says the 1954 session is expected
to highlight the changes which have recently
developed in the industry.
To Install Twi-Nite Screens
ST. LOUIS— William Powell, division manager
for Midwest Drive-In Theatres Corp.,
headed by Phillip Smith of Boston, will install
Twi-Nite screens in the Airway Drive-
In at 10290 St. Charles Rock road, at the
500-car Manchester Drive-In at suburban
Des Peres, and in the 800-car Hiway 40
Drive-In on U. S. 40 near Independence, Mo.
To Reopen on March 7
ROYALTON, ILL.— A. D. Lukehart and his
wife Ethel will reopen the 425-seat Royal
Theatre March 7. when they also plan to
start operating the local roller rink. The
theatre has been dark for some eight months.
HONORED BY UNION—Lester B. Isaac, director of exhibition for Stanley Warner
Cinerama Corp., receives a gold membth union.
( BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954 51

Exhibitor Caldwell Begins 33 rd Year
At Aurora, Mo„ on April Fool's Day
AURORA, MO.—It was April Fool's day
of 1922 that J. Glenn Caldwell became a
partner with D. E. Fitten and F. M. Garvin
at the Princess Theatre here.
That the day cast no jinx over the operation
is evidenced by the fact that Caldwell
is still in there pitching, having bought out
his partners some time ago and continuing
as owner-manager ever since. His wife Grace
had been his co-worker until her recent illness.
His mother and brother also helped
him at the Princess until their deaths a few
years ago.
"We are planning a little whoopla for our
anniversary—free shows and such like," the
veteran showman confided. "I haven't heard
of any plans the town is making, but on our
25th anniversary, the townspeople helped us
celebrate and surprised us with a special
newspaper edition."
Caldwell started as a projectionist in a
theatre in Harrison, Ai'k., while still in high
school. He attended the University of Ai'-
kansas before coming to Aurora to help
operate the Princess, and recalls certain
things about that first theatre he could call
his own.
The carpet, for Instance, was of roofing
material. A few scattered wall and ceiling
fans comprised the cooling system, and the
first projectors were hand-cranked affairs.
He can remember how relieved he was when
motors were added to the Powers machines.
However, the Princess had been one of
the finest opera houses in this section in its
early days, with a 40-foot stage and a flyloft
that could handle 60 sets of lines, so
several road shows played there from time to
time.
First there was piano music, then a player
piano, then a pipe organ, then sound on
disks. "A headache for sure," Glenn says.
J. GLENN CALDWELL
Later came sound on film, and now the
Princess is waiting for Cinemascope and
stereophonic sound.
Looking back over the 32 years, Caldwell
relates one of the most exciting moments was
in the silent days when he was showing
"The Ten Commandments."
"We had a large orchestra playing the
music score," he explained, "and just when
the film showed a building falling in on
the mother of the crooked contractor, the
music stopped and in the silence a large piece
of plaster fell in our lobby with a tremendous
crash. The patrons thought the Princess was
falling and a stampede followed. It was some
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ond Warehouse:
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You might say those were our first sound
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During his business career in Aurora,
Caldwell has had time for participation in
community affairs. He is a charter member
of the local Rotary club, founded 28 years
ago. He also is a Mason, a member of the
Variety Club, and of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Bell & Howell to Handle
DeVry Manufacturing
CHICAGO—DeVry Corp, announced that
effective April 15 a substantial portion of its
assets will be sold to the Bell & Howell Co.
In making the announcement, DeVry did not
disclose purchase price of the assets, including
tools, inventories, patents and government
contracts.
The DeVry Corp. will cease manufacturing
operations April 15. Bell & Howell will
manufacture DeVry's 16mm government and
commercial products and spare parts in the
Bell & Howell plant, 7100 McCormick Rd.,
Skokie, 111., starting May 1. Spokesmen said
no change is contemplated in the retail distribution
of DeVry commercial products and
repair or maintenance parts. They will be
available from the Bell & Howell plant.
Tools and equipment for production of
35mm DeVry theatre projectors previously
were sold to Paromel Corp. of Chicago.
The DeVry plant at 1111 Armitage Ave.
was not included in the sale to Bell & Howell.
A spokesman said no decision has been made
as to what will be done with the plant.
About 300 DeVry employes are affected
by the sale. W. C. DeVry and Edward B.
DeVry, secretary-treasurer, sons of the company
founder, said they plan to devote full
time to expanding operations of DeVry Technical
Institute, a Chicago training school for
television technicians, and other business interests.
St. Joseph, Mo., King Being
Dismantled as Theatre
ST. JOSEPH, MO.—The King Theatre here
is being dismantled and the building put up
for sale by the Dickinson Operating Co.
Closed for some time and a marginal operation
for years, the King was acquired by
Dickinson in 1942. The two-story brick
building could be used as a garage, department
store or a doctor's office, according to
Bud Nelson, city manager, who has been
contacted by those interested. The 350 seats
will probably be sold to a church or club
group, Nelson said.
Dickinson operates three other theatres
here, the Rialto, the Jo and the Trail.
Cobden Ritz Is 14
COBDEN, ILL.—W. E. Waring jr. is devoting
March to a celebration of the 14th
anniversary of the opening of the Ritz Theatre.
The auditorium has been redecorated in
preparation for the event. New acoustical
tile has been placed on the ceiling, while a
Walker panoramic seamless screen spans the
entire width of the theatre.
Popcorn Machine Installed *:
CHANUTE, KAS.—A new Cretors Olympic v
popcorn machine has been installed at the ^J
Neocho Drive-In here.
52
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954 ij].
II
'!!^3

tOetorsl
: February
Sure! Vll Be There!
KMTA
Annual Drive-ln School
HOTEL CONTINENTAL
Kansas City, Mo.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10
Beginning at 8:30 A.M.
Exhibits Tuesday and Wednesday
March 9 and 10
MONEY-MAKING
THE
LATEST
STRICTLY BUSINESS
IDEAS
EQUIPMENT
NO HORSEPLAY
ajf
live yeoA.!
ALL FREE • NO CHARGE • NO REGISTRATION FEES
STAN DURWOOD. Chairman
JOHN BASHAM. Co-Chairman
Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n.
114 West 18th St.. Kansas City, Mo.
jMDXOFFICE :
.fettiiaU
27, 1954 53

. . Recent
. . Mr.
. .
. .
. . . Don
. . . Glen
. . . Gene
. . W.
KANSAS CITY
f^lark Rhoden was alarmed to read last
week in BOXOFFICE that his new popcorn
plant now being constructed in Tarkio.
Mo., would have an estimated cost of $6,-
000,000. What he meant to tell your reporter
was that it would have a capacity of 6,000,000
pounds. Our sincere apologies . . . The Jasper
Theatre, closed for over a month, reopened
January 30 under new ownership. Jack Bemis
bought the business and equipment from
Wayne McClintock and Harry Ward. The
show plans to operate on a part-time basis.
.
Nat Hechtman at the Capitol Flag and
Banner Co. says three pictures are giving
him excellent business now; "The Glenn
Miller Story," "The Long, Long Trailer" and
"Money From Home" visitors
included Harry Hixon and E. Van Hyning
from the Orpheum at Atchison, Kas., and
Robert Shade from the Siloam at Excelsior
Springs.
"OUR BUSINESS IS SOUND"
PHONE 3-722S. TOPEKA
THEATRE SERVICE CO., INC.
827 WAYNE TOPEKA. KANSAS
RELIABLE SOUND SERVICE PAYS
Dealers in BALLANTYNE
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BCONOMICAL
GUARANTEED
QUANTITY PRICES ON REQUEST
MOISTURE PROOF PARTS CUT COSTS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT SERVICE CO.
210 E. 17th St. BA-3329 Kansas City, Mo
CRETORS POPCORN
MACHINES
Satisfaction — Always
MISSOURI
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
L. I. KIMBRIEL. Manager
Phone BAItimor* 3070
IIS W. 18th Kansas Citf 8. Mo.
Mrs. Frances Vaughn, chairman of the
Kansas censor board, appeared on the
"What's My Line" TV program on Sunday
(211 night from the New York studio. This
is her second TV appearance in a month's
time. She was interviewed recently on Jim
Burke's program on KMBC-TV . and
Mrs. Dale Danielson came in from Russell,
Kas., Monday (22) and found Filmrow deserted,
but they remained until Thursday.
Dale said there was plenty of snow out there
recently, but it melted the next day. The
night of the storm "Kiss Me Kate" in 3-D
did better business than he expected as a
hundred cars were piled up between Russell
and Bunker Hill, Kas., nine miles away .
National Theatre Supply Co. has equipped
Dickinson's Glen with Simplex stereophonic
sound for its March 18 opening of "Knights
of the Round Table."
When Comp Jarrett opened his Trail
Drive-In at Nevada, Mo., Friday (19), he
promised every patron a pass if it rained
more than an inch. He opened with a rain,
all right, but it did not rain quite an inch
so only the driver of each car got a pass .
Hall Walsh, Warner district manager from
St. Louis, is spending a week in the Kansas
The first Warner Cinema-
City office . . .
Scope picture, "The Command," opened at
W. F.
the Paramount on Thursday (25) . . .
Sonneman from the Concord at Springdale,
Ark., was on the Row the past week.
Don Davis of RCA Victor recently visited
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bull of Wichita. Charlie
is one of the oldtimers, having opened
the Holland Theatre in Wichita in 1917.
When he retired ten years ago he was running
the Novelty Theatre in Wichita. Charlie
recently was in the hospital in Phoenix, Don
said, and Mrs. Bull fell and broke her hip.
However, they both look fine now and asked
to be remembered to their many friends in
the area.
. . L. D. Barlow who
Bill Flynn is reported as having been in
the Great Bend hospital recently for a minor
operation. Bill operates the 50-S Drive-In
at Emporia and his wife Audrey operates the
one at Great Bend .
operates the Barlow theatres at Grinnell,
Kas., and at Bird City reports his home in
Grinnell was extensively damaged by fire.
Jack Kempton, manager of Commonwealth's
Gillioz Theatre at Monett, Mo., ran a Jimmy
Durante trailer on heart diseases to help
with the Barry County Heart Fund drive
... J. A. Becker of Associated Theatres is
having more trouble in his attempt to build
a drive-in in Independence, Mo. Previously
he had tried to build outside the city limits
and was balked by suits and injunctions.
Now he is going through the same type of
opposition within the city limits. After getting
the approval of the city council on
January 12 by a vote of 11 to 1, Becker was
sued by property owners In the area. Construction
matters are at a standstill until
the court rules on the suit.
down," another in the rusticana tradition
Phillips is installing Cinemascope
equipment in his Colby Theatre at Colby,
Kas., and will open with "The Robe" in
March. Lex Killibrew is doing the same in
his Grand Theatre at Siloam Springs, Ark.
United Artists exchange here placed third
in the second six-week lap of the Arthur
Krim 35th Anniversary Drive, so the local
.
employes are "in the money" to some extent.
The drive extends until May 15 . . Ben
Marcus, Columbia division manager, finds
he had much more time to read when he
made his trips by train than he does now
when he flies from one exchange to another
Hall of Cassville has ordered a
wide screen from National Theatre Supply
for his Hall Theatre O. Woody of
the Lucky 13 Drive-In at Bolivar, Mo., was
on the Row Tuesday (23) . . . J. W. Shreve
made a business trip to northern Missouri
Musgrave was in recently from
Minneapolis, Kas., as were Mr. and Mrs.
Durrel Davis from the Temple Theatre at
Yates Center.
Two 14-year-old boys confessed taking
about $6 January 24 from a March-of-Dimes
container in the office of W. A. Wandell,
owner and operator of the Lyric Theatre at
Lebanon, Mo. The theft followed the Saturday
night midnight show, the boys hiding in
the theatre until it was cleared, and then
cutting a hole in the office door with their
pocket knives. They left by the front door.
About $4.40 was recovered.
Bob Herrell of United Film exchange was
in Wichita on business . . . Neither the Kansas
board nor the companies having screening
rooms here have any plans for Cinema-
Scope installations. "Beneath the 12-Mile
Reef" (20th-Pox) was screened at the Granada
Thursday (18) so that the Kaiasas
censor board might also see it . . . Fox Midwest
is closing its Jewell Theatre in Springfield.
Mo., one of four first run houses in the
town. Tlie closing may be on a temporary
basis, according to Jim Long, district manager.
Buy the Collins in Joliet
JOLIET, ILL.—The business and building
of the Collins Theatre have been purchased
by Mr. and Mrs. Leo Rakoski, 431 Liberty
St., who will manage the theatre, which
has been closed for almost two years.
Henry King will direct 20th-Fox's "Untamed"
to be produced by Bert Friedlob and
William Bacher in Africa.
POCIIT MPTCOM
STAGE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
tUIILfll IfLUimil,
A. V. CAMIR Serc^ ^^.
Merchant Trailers for sure-fire
merchant-exhibitor Satisfaction
PHONE .rW».TE»,CV«7j.'y..
Elmer Rhoden jr. will leave Friday (5) for
Hollywood to sell his locally produced picture,
"Corn's a-Poppin'," to a releasing organization.
Having had the usual production
headaches (with maybe a few extra thrown
in), Elmer will now tackle the selling end.
Once the first picture is sold, he and his
associates will start producing "Ozark Hoe-
STEBBINS THEATRE Equipment Co
rr'^WWfVy '^^ va^ > >.
54 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

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Alliance Award Goes
To Terre Haute Head
TERRE HAUTE, IND.—C. A. Matthews,
supervisor of the southern district for Alliance
Theatres, won the annual circuit
award for the best
overall district performance
in January.
The southern district
c om prises Terre
Haute, Vincennes and
Anderson, Ind.
All theatres in the
Alliance circuit compete
by districts during
the four weeks of
January in a roundup
of showmanship to get
the new year off to a
C. A. Matthews
big start.
Edward Kennelly of the Indiana Theatre
in Terre Haute and Gene Durr of the State
in Anderson received special awards in the
sponsored advertising week and the flat
rental week.
Matthews arranged a party for all his
managers to celebrate their showmanship
victory and cooperation.
Break Into Safe in Maiden
MALDEN, MO.—An estimated $1,100 in
cash was taken from a safe in the office of
the Liberty Theatre here. Discovery of the
burglary was made by Tom Guthrie, assistant
manager.
THEWTRE EQUIPMENT
442 N. ILLINOIS ST., INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
"Everything for the Theatre"
"SELECT" FOUNTAIN SYRUPS
DRINK DISPENSERS
Select Drink Inc.
4210 W. Florissant Ave.
St. Louis, 15, Mo.
Phons
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INDIANAPOLIS
Ttctor Monte Blue, a native of Indiana, was
at the Methodlist hospital here suffering
from pneumonia. He became ill while
acting as emcee for a local sports show. Blue,
64, stopped a knife throwing act during the
Indianapolis Sports and Boat Show and
was helped from the stage. Firemen present
administered oxygen and called an ambulance.
A meeting of the Associated Theatre Owners
of Indiana directors will be held March
15 in the Hotel Lincoln here. Pi'esident Roy
Kalver will preside . . . Jules Lapidus, eastern
sales manager for Warner Bros., and
William Mantel, central district manager,
were at the local exchange .
Bell
will be the first local drive-in exhibitor to
open this spring. His theatre is at Maywood,
a suburb.
Exchange managers, salesmen and exchange
personnel were present at the World
War Memorial Monday il5) for a Brotherhood
week session. Claude McKean was
chairman . . . The Rex at Montezuma closed
recently . . . The Wells at Port Wayne, will
show the "Moon Is Blue" . Bohn,
Realart Pictures, spent Friday and Saturday
in Chicago on Business.
Visiting exhibitors were Bruce Kixmiller,
Bicknell: William Studebaker, Logansport;
John Austin, Austin, and Kenneth Law, Cozy,
Argos.
Indorsers Give High Rating
To 'Eddie Cantor Story'
FORT WAYNE—Manager Morris Kahn of
the Embassy Theatre built into his campaign
for "The Eddie Cantor Story" the high
rating given this film by the Fort Wayne
Indorsers of Photoplays. That group of
women who regularly view films rated this
picture as "among the outstanding productions
of the industry."
Free Kid Shows at Bethany
BETHANY, MO.—Free Saturday matinees
for children were started January 23, at the
Noll Theatre here. Sponsored by local merchants,
they will continue for 12 weeks. The
Noll is one of the E. W. Kerr Theatres, and
F. F. Chenoweth is manager.
W. A. Bollinger Acquires
Theatre at Ellinwood
ELLINWOOD, KAS.—W. A. Bollinger,
who has operated the Reno Theatre at Nickerson,
Kas., has bought the Ellinwood Theatre
building here from Commonwealth Theatres.
Commonwealth bought the theatre several
years ago from Warren Weber, who had
closed it.
Vandals damaged the Ellinwood several
weeks ago, emptying fire extinguishers and
ruining the upholstery on many of thp chairs.
The screen was cut and defaced, rolls of
tickets in the boxoffice were strewn about,
chairs were torn loose from the floor, overturned,
and an exhaust fan torn out of the
projection booth. Some of the damage had
been repaired before the theatre was sold.
A theatre consultant has surveyed the
building and suggested improvements needed
to give Ellinwood a first class showhouse.
While no major changes are contemplated in
the exterior, the interior will be completely
renovated and remodeled. A wide screen will
be installed, as will new seats, and both
heating and cooling systems.
Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger are moving to
Ellinwood as soon as they can find a house.
Bollinger said he would either sell or close
the Reno at Nickerson. Their son Mac is a
freshman in business administration at the
Hays State college, and is interested in theatre
business.
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

? Hires
»*ae

.
Open
'Martin Luther' to
In 18 Houses March 5
CHICAGO—Max Roth, head of Capitol
Films here, said that simultaneous bookings
mark the March 5 opening of "Martin
Luther" in 18 theatres in Chicago and
environs. The houses booking the film are
the Coronet, Covent, Maryland, Luna, the
York in Elmhurst. the Wheaton at Wheaton,
Lamar, Irving, Crawford, Harper, Gold Coast,
Coral, Pantheon, Deerpath, Lake Forest,
Fifth Avenue at Gary, Ind., the Highway,
Villas in Cicero and Hamilton.
Each of the theatres is increasing admissions
to $1 plus tax for the film. Meanwhile,
Capitol Films distributed three-quarters of a
million discount church tickets, which means
the holders of such tickets receive the benefit
of a 25 per cent discount at the boxoffice.
Commonwealth Builds
Waynesville Drive-In
WAYNESVILLE, MO. — Commonwealth
Theatres started the construction of a drivein
theatre about two weeks ago on Highway
17 a half-mile south of its junction with 66
at the Ft. Leonard Wood entrance. The
airer w-ill be called the Wood Lane and accommodate
260 cars. Commonwealth engineer
Dick Orear said an April 1 opening date
has been set.
De'wey Utterback Sells
WELLINGTON, KAS.—Dewey Utterback
has sold his Lyric Tlieatre here to Stevenson
& Denny. Utterback and associates operate
the Sunset Drive-In here and the Rainbow
Drive-In at Wichita.
Theatre Closings
QUINCY. ILL.—The 300-seat Family Theatre
at 1717 Broadway, owned by C. C.
Crooks, was closed February 12 for an indefinite
period.
PALMYRA, ILL.—The Rockne Theatre,
400-seater owned by Mrs. Mary Pasalacqua,
which had been operating only on Saturdays
several weeks, has been closed, due to her
illness.
CAMP POINT, ILL.—The Deluxe Theatre,
225 seats, owned by Ray McRae and K. G.
Hunsaker, has been dark since January 31,
due to a decline in business.
NEOGA, ILL.—The 300-seat Neoga was
closed on the 27th until further notice by
Lowal Ragan.
16mm Session in April
KANSAS CITY—The Calvin Co., makers
of industrial films and motion picture projectors
(16mm) sponsors an annual workshop
which will meet here April 12, 15. To this
workshop come around 450 motion picture
executives and technicians from all over the
country.
The Calvins (Forrest and his wife Betty)
pioneered in the 16mm field, making the first
16mm sound film in full printable color in
1938. They are now pioneering in 8mm sound
films. More than 200 persons comprise the
crew which works in this industrial cinema
field, for such companies as Goodyear, General
Mills and DuPont.
'Miller Gets Extended
Run in Kansas City
Kansas City— "The Glenn Miller Story"
was so well liked here that after playing
for two weeks in all four Fox Midwest
first run houses, the Tower, Uptown,
Fairway and Granada, it was moved over
to the Esquire, which has been closed,
for a more extended run.
Orpheum Theatre Dark
At Cape Girardeau
CAPE GIRARDEAU. MO.—Fox Midwest
closed the Orpheum Theatre here February
3 because of lack of patronage, according
to Glenn Carroll, city manager. The theatre
had been operated as a motion picture house
more than 40 years, but closed the past three
summers. It had been leased to Fox Midwest
since 1929.
Admission prices when the Orpheum
opened in 1913 were ten cents for adults
and five cents for children. On the closing
night the prices were 25 cents and 10 cents.
Fairbury Theatre Proposed
FAIRBURY, ILL.—Directors of the Fairbury
Chamber of Commerce have heard
a proposal by A. B. McCollum and Ai't Nelson
of the McCollum Theatre circuit concerning
the building of a theatre here. McCollum,
owner of the Central Theatre here, which
burned in June of 1952, had at that time
stated that he intended to rebuild but later
gave up such plans. The board expects to
explore McCollum's newest proposal and will
meet with him again.
:,
Films
JOB WANTED
n Uspti 1.
Hours: Unlimited • Week: Full 7 Days
Calls made on the Man Who Buys when he's in his mellowest mood. It makes
your selling very simple: He wants to buy. You want to sell. So you get together
and make a deal. You make many deals as the days go by . . . NOW
is a good time to . . .
**Bl.EJ!l.:
J/lre BOXOFFICE . .
to
TELL s^oRY
-^ SELL
YOUR PRODUCT
OR SERVICE
DISPLAY and
CLASSIFIED Advertising
58 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 195'

I
!
had
—
—
Business at Memphis
Average or Better
MEMPHIS- Averagf and bettor business
was reported by Memphi.s first runs for the
week. Warner, .showing "The Command," was
ahead with 10 per cent above normal bu.siness.
(Average Is 100)
Maico- Jubilee Trail ;Rcp) 100
Palace— Killers From Space (RKO) 100
State Man in the Attic (20th-Fox) 100
Strand Money From Home (Para), 2nd wl< 100
Warner- The Command (WB) 110
G.M. Films Motorama
For Public Showing
MIAMI—A banner Herald headline proclaimed
that theatre audiences acros.s the
nation will soon be able to see a Miami film.
General Motors is filming its Motorama just
shown here, so 10,000,000 theatregoers will
see it at their neighborhood theatres. In
full color, the short will feature scenes at
Dinner Key Auditorium, with nearly 200
local extras and a father-and-son team as
the cast.
The role of the boy who goes to the
Motorama is played by 8-year-old Stephen
Mackauf of Miami Beach. His father is
played by Dr. Charles Philhour, University
of Miami drama department professor.
Camera crews from New York, a Hollywood
script writer, a film supervisor from
Detroit offices of GM and a New York producer
and director are in charge. The film
is tentatively named, "Going Places"
It was first planned to film the short in
New York, but this was later changed since
the Miami show was larger, afforded more
working space and provided a more colorful
setting. The filming of nearly 6,000 feet in
color will cost from $35,000 to $50,000, John
K. Ford, GM supervisor, estimated.
Aside from the Motorama theme, the film
will have story value. Ford says. Night .shifts
have been necessary and location calls have
been for 11 p.m. nightly.
: Screen Installations
Among recent installations in North Carolina
were a wide screen at the Appalachian,
Boone, managed by J. W. Beach; stereophonic
sound and CinemaScope projection
at the Rogers in Shelby, managed by Hall
Houpe; Cinemascope equipment at the
House, a theatre in Marion.
Mr. and Mrs. Mack Injured
I
JONESBORO. ARK.—W. L. Mack, retued
manager of Malco Theatres here, and his
I
I
Wife, owner and manager of the House of
Fashion, were injured in a two-car collision
[at the intersection of Main and Elm. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Mack were taken to St.
I
[Bernard's hospital and forced to cancel the
plans they had of leaving that day for a
visit with relatives in Florida. Mack suffered
I
lacerations, bruises and shock and Mrs. Mack
a severely bruised hip, lacerations and
shock.
C. W. Couick to Huntersville
HUNTERSVILLE. N.C.—C. W. Couick of
Gastonia is operating tlie Rex Theatre here.
Couick. who was with Stewart and Everett
Theatres in Charlotte the last year, has been
in theatre business for the past 22 years.
Memphis Censors Ban Two; Support
Of Breen Reiterated by Lightman
MEMPHIS—The city board of censors
banned two more pictures: "Mainstreet Girl"
and "A Virgin in Hollywood." Chairman
Lloyd T. Binford. 88, and two of the other
four censors, Mrs. B. F. Edwards and Mrs.
Walter Gray, saw three pictures at the
screening. They put the official okay on
"Tennessee Champ," which was to be worldpremiered
at Loew's State this week.
The other two pictures were produced by
Lawrence Amusements Co. of Nashville. They
were being considered for booking at Princess
Theatre here.
Joe Keifer. manager of Princess, .said, "We
are hurting for pictures."
John Lawrence of the Nashville firm, when
told the two films had been banned, said
he did not mind and that they would now
be advertised as "banned in Memphis."
"I thought they might pass the pictures,"
Lawrence said.
Binford said: "'Mainstreet Girl,' in my
opinion, is vulgarly vile, a gangster picture
with murders and robbery. One woman
stripped naked in the picture. 'A Virgin in
Hollywood' is just a leg show without an
actre.ss in it."
Lawrence said he expected censors to
delete the strip scene. He said the woman
did not strip completely naked.
The Shelby Baptist Pastors Conference
unanimously adopted a resolution praising
the censoring actions of Binford.
M. A. Lightman sr., president of Malco
Theatres, just back from New York, commented
on the banning of the RKO film.
"French Line," w'hich was previewed at
Lightman's Malco Theatre during his absence
from Memphis.
Lightman explained the screening was held
at Malco as a courtesy to the industry because
of the wide screen and other equipment.
He emphasized there is no plan to
show the picture at 'the Malco.
"I am on record more than once that
we will not show a picture without the
Breen office seal of approval," Lightman
said. "I think we ought to support the
Breen office if we are going to have it."
"French Line" did not get the Breen seal.
Lightman said the impression w'as left
Big Variety Show Nets
$22,760 {or Hospital
.Mianii—Winter touri.sls ;inil citizens
jammed the .Miami Beach aud'Itorium last
week to see a million-dollar ca.st stiiRf the
Variety Club's Show of Shows for the
benefit of the Variety Children's hospital.
The big show, part of a week's drive for
funds, netted S'i'.J,760. the largest amount
received from any of the five previous
shows.
With George Jes.sel as emcee, a score of
top stars of the entertainment world performed
for charity. Bill Pock, chief
barker of the liK-al tent, said every dollar
spent for tickets would go to the hospital.
because the film was screened at Malco
that Malco had planned to show it.
Recent U.S. Supreme Court reversals of
censor bans in New York and Ohio will have
no immediate effect on censorship in Memphis.
City Attorney Frank Gianotti jr., at
request of Mayor Tobey, made a study of
the court opinion.
"I don't think the court has indicated
anything of a definite enough nature that
we could at this time add or take away
anything from our censorship ordinances,"
said the city attorney.
Reporter Charles A. Caldwell, writing to
amusements editor Edwin Howard in the
Press-Scimitar's Front Row column, had this
to say about banning "French Line":
"Let's face it, men. Who is this Binford
who is living it up at these private screenings,
ogling the Jane Russells and the Rita Hayworths
and their alleged bumps and grinds?
Who is this Binford who says the picture is
going to be banned before he sees it—then
goes and sees it and bans it? Men^who are
we to let one man derprive us of the normal
healthy occupation of ogling beautiful dolls
and any terpsichoran intricacies they may
be inclined to perpetrate on the silver screen?
And then let him get away with going down
there and taking it all in himself? Men—it's
against the unwritten basic law under which
a drugstore cowboy can size up a dish at
the corner. Men— it's the eternal right of men
to indulge in the wolf whistle. Men—this
Binford has got to go. He's transgressing our
inalienable riglit to be men."
Star Failure to Appear
Disappoints Children
BUENA \aSTA. G.A.- Lash LaRue, western
Star, disappointed hundreds of children
Tuesday night il6i when he failed to appear
at the local theatre, according to Mrs. F. S.
Shingler, manager. Mrs. Shingler said that
the star arrived in Buena Vista more than
two hom-s late for a personal appearance,
but 350 persons, mostly children, still waited
for him at the theatre.
Mrs. Shingler charged that LaRue decided
the town was too small for his show and
went on. Buena Vista has a population of
1,428.
"LaRue thought this place was just too
small for a public appearance," Mrs. Shingler
said. She gave the children free passes after
LaRue turned down the engagment. The star
had a scheduled appearance Wednesday In
.Ariton, Ala., smaller than Buena Vista with
620 population.
Holdup of Lumberton Airer
LUMBERTON. N.C.—T\vo men held up
211 Drive-In, ordering Gordon C. Glaze,
manager of the theatre, to he on the floor,
while they scooped up the evening's receipts
and took Glaze's wallet. The loss totaled
about $400. Later papers from the stolen
wallet were found scattered along the street
and an abandoned stolen motor car appeared
to fit the description of the car driven by
tlie
bandits..
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954 SE 59

. . . The
. . Ben
. . Mayfair
. . Addie
. .
. .
. . . Benton
. . Past
: February
j
MIAMI
T ocal theatre screens currently are presenting
a cross-section of films depicting various
countries. Italy is represented with
"Three Forbidden Stories"; Australia with
"Satin Slippers"; Africa with "The Royal
African Rifles"; Russia with "Ballet Concert":
New York with "It Should Happen
to You": hillbilly with the Olympia's stage
show, and a mixture of United Nations in
"Hell and High Water."
Local show folk call Les Rohde the "Thirty
Year Man," because he is celebrating thirty
years in show business. Nine years have been
spent as leader of the Olympia's orchestra.
At 13 he was a teenage band leader in Gladbrooke.
Iowa. Later he was a music arranger
for Paul Whiteman and musical director
for the International Water Follies. In World
War II, he served in the armed forces.
Mickey Rooney is scheduled as the Olympia's
stage headliner for the next big attraction
Sherman, associated with phases
of the popcorn and theatre concession
.
business, has been in town doing the rounds
independently made version of
"Julius Caesar," starring Charleton Heston,
has been booked for an evening's showing at
the Junior museum here . Ai-t,
which always announces the titles of its
sneak previews, booked one recently called
"One Summer of Happiness" . Addison,
from Atlanta, is in town ballyhooing
the forthcoming "Beachhead."
Burton Clark, manager of the Boulevard
Drive-In, has a gimmick going which calls
1
60
attention to the larger and brighter screen
which has been installed. He wants patrons
to give the new screen a name, and has
offered a prize to the successful contestant.
The screen is being publicized through the
contest idea in newspaper advertising.
Mort Kushner, exploitation director for
United Artists is here for a short stay .
Bill Guthrie, who shepherded Van Heflin,
Aldo Ray and others through Miami on their
way to Puerto Rico for the filming of "Battle
Cry," is taking another group to Jamaica
soon for a Cinemascope production .
Al Lichtman. 20th-Fox executive, was a recent
vacationer here.
Mercury Ad on Herald
ST. AUGUSTINE—The cost of printing and
distributing heralds advertising "The Long,
Long Ti-ailer" was covered by Walter Colby,
manager of the Matanzas Theatre, when he
.sold a back page ad to the local Mercury
automobile dealer.
John T. Watson Dies
TUNICA, MISS.—John Thomas Watson.
43, owner of the Palace, suffered a heart
attack and died last week at his home. Watson
was a lifelong resident of Tunica. In
addition to his theatre he operated a television
store here. He leaves his wife Wilma,
a son John and his mother Bessie.
$47.84 to March of Dimes
DES ARC, ARK.—W. R. Lee, owner of the
Rice Theatre here, has mailed a check for
$47.84 to the county chairman of the March
of Dimes.
the best source of supply for the finest in
approved equipment
Cinemascope
stereophonic sound
wide screen
in fact
everything for the theatre except film
wil-kin theatre supply, inc.
allanta, ga. • charlotte, n. c.
COCOY L
Golden Coconut Oil Seasoning
ROY SMITH CO.
Tampa
Jacksonville
"Everything for 3-D, Wide Screen
and Stereophonic Sound"
THE QUEEN FEATURE SERVICE, INC.
l912'/2 Morris Ave. Phone 3-8665
BIRMINGHAM 3, ALABAMA
JACKSONVILLE
/^eorge Krevo, manager, Palace Theatre, is
making use of dark theatre time. Four
offerings of the Children's Theatre of Jacksonville
have been booked into the Palace
for Saturday mornings. First to appear on
stage was "Pecos Bill." a production of the
Strawbridge company of Philadelphia,
"Sleeping Beauty" was to be the second. A
mid-week morning was scheduled by Krevo
for a free cooking school, sponsored by
Admiral appliance dealers of the city.
Exhibitors here included Jimmy Biddle,
owner of the Jasper Theatre at Jasper: Bill
Lee, owner of the miniature Lee's Drive-In
. . . B. A. "Doc" '
at Keystone Heights, and George Stonaris,
Dreka Theatre, DeLand
Cawthon, Florida Theatre projectionist, began
serving another term as booth inspector
for the city . . . Forrest H. Holtz, secretarytreasurer
of the Southern Wholesale Confectioners
A.ss'n, said that more than 100 candy
brokers were expected to attend the group's
annual meeting here June 22-26 at the
George Washington hotel.
George Bradley and Karl Kristofsen were
added to Paramount's booking staff . . .
Calling at Paramount were Everett Olsen,
publicity man from Charlotte; Gordon
Brantley, Atlanta assistant district manager,
and Gil Norton, Boston.
Prior to Brotherhood week, all executives
and theatre managers of Florida State Theatres
were enrolled in the National Conference
of Christians and Jews. Theatres of the
circuit were using header copy in newspaper
ads, lobby one-sheet frames, and boxoffice
cards to spread the Brotherhood message.
Brother Film Express is handling
distribution, billing and advertising in many
parts of the southeast for Disney's "The
Living Desert" and the accompanying short,
"Ben and Me." Booking was in the hands
of Disney agents.
Back in town after attending the regional
meeting of the Motion Picture Exhibitors of
Florida in Tampa February 15, were Horace
Denning, president, and LaMar Sarra, leg- !
^]
islative chairman. Denning is Florida district
manager for Dixie Drive-In Theatres, and
Sarra is chief counsel for Florida State.
Local exhibitors were praising MGM's fine
advertising cooperation on "The Long, Long
Trailer," which included the traveling display
of a New Moon home trailer, together
with Kathryn Reed and Perry Sheehan, MGM
starlets. Accompanied by Judson Moses, publicist
from Atlanta, the starlets and trailer
left here for Daytona Beach and points
southward as far as Miami, after remaining
at the local Palace Theatre all of the opening
day.
Louis J. Finske, vice-president, Florida
State Theatres, returned from a downstate
trip . . . Joe J. Deitch, head of FST's booking
department, was on the return leg of a leisurely
Caribbean ship cruise ... A virus infection
kept Harry Botwick, FST general II
manager of sales and purchases, at home for
a few days . and present members of
FST offices and theatres in the city were
invited to a combined buffet dinner and late
party at the estate of Mr. and Mi's. Robert
Heekin.
BOXOFFICE
:
27, 193
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*°

Wendell
,
; a screen game,
HOLLYWOOD takes fop
honors. As a box-office atfraction,
it is without equal. It has
been a favorite with theatre goers for
over 15 yeors. Write today for complete details.
Be sure to give seating or car capacity.
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO.
831 Soulh Wabash Avenue • Chicago 5, llUnoll
JACK POT QUIZ NITE
For over five years now, this plan has proved both
successful and profitoble to exhibitors operating
regulor and drive-in theatres in the South. W*
have operated in competition to most so-called
business stimulant plons to the delight of our
accounts. You con verify this by direct communication
with our customers, as we will gladly
furnish their nomes- They are well-known and
highly reputoble exhibitors. If you do not know
them, you will hove heard of them.
Remember that this plan is legal in all stotes and
approved by the Postofflce Deportment for advertising.
Patronage Builders,
Inc.
p. O. BOX 1442 604 4th St.
Atlanta Spencer, N. Car.
Florida's FIRST Supply House
NOW HAS TWO CONVENIENT
LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU
UNITED THEATRE SUPPLY CORP
no Franklin St.
Tampa, Flo.
Phone 2-3045
329 Weit Flagler
Miomi, Fla.
Phone 3-S03S
WOMPI of Atlanta Plans
Newsboy Day Program
ATLANTA—The Atlanta Women of the
Motion Picture Industry chapter held its
monthly luncheon meeting at Emile's
Wednesday (24) and planned its participation
in the forthcoming Variety Club Old
Newsboys day May 14.
New members introduced at the meeting
were Mrs. Gwen Hay, manager, Kirkwood
Theatre; Mrs. Frankie Biereley, owner,
Charles Theatre. Maryville, Tenn.; Mrs. Darlene
Eskew and Mrs. Johnnie W. Barnes,
both of Wilby-Kincey Theatres.
Frankie English, chairman of the mem-
party
bership committee, outlined plans for a
in June. Each member of the organization
will receive a "sunshine bag" in preparation
for the party. Each day for one month the
member will put a penny in the bag if the
sun shines, a nickel if it does not.
Charline Jones won the Oscar for bringing
in the most new members before December
31. The prize was a silver bracelet with a
four-leaf clover inside a silver circle.
was engraved on the four-leaf clover.
WOMPI
GPL Sells UHF Equipment
For Three TV Stations
NEW YORK—Robert W. Rounsaville of
Atlanta has ordered from General Precision
Laboratory three complete "station packages"
of equipment necessary to open three new
UHF stations in Cincinnati, Louisville and Atlanta,
according to Edward J. Manzo, GPL
Atlanta regional manager.
Rounsaville is the sole owner of WQXN-TV
in Cincinnati. WQXL-TV in Louisville and
WQXI-TV in Atlanta. He also owns radio
stations in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Louisville,
Miami Beach and Cleveland, Tenn., and has
a majority interest in one at Elizabethton,
Tenn.
The purchase includes six GPL-Pye camera
chains, three GPL-Continental UHF
transmitters, three Vidicon film chains, six
16mm film projectors, three antennas and
associated equipment. Tlie Cincinnati station
will begin operating eai'ly in the summer
and the Atlanta station later in the year.
Jacob Asadorian Builds
Drive-In at Lowell, Mass.
From New Eng'and Edition
LOWELL, MASS.—Jacob Asadorian of
Methuen, who recently sold his Manchester,
N.H., drive-in to Yamins Theatres, is building
a new drive-in on Route 38 here. To
accommodate 1.000 cars, the theatre will be
named the Wamesit Drive-In and will be
ready for opening in March.
Capitol Theatre Supply of Boston is installing
complete RCA booth equipment.
Asadorian designed the entire layout, drew
up the plans, designed the concession building
and supervised all construction.
The theatre will be equipped with a wideangle
screen and will be able to show
Cinemascope pictures. Asadorian now is
vacationing in Florida, but will return by
mid-February to supervise final work at the
ozoner.
AllAHl A
\xrSB-TV became the first
television station
in the south to telecast a network show in
full color, when on Tuesday night (16) the
John Cameron Swayze Camel News Caravan
was broadcast and monitored in color. John
Outler, general manager of WSB and WSB-
TV, watched reception on a monitoring set
at the foot of WSB-TV's huge tower and
proclaimed it another "first" for WSB-TV.
Exhibitors in town were Jay Solomon, Independent
Theatres, Chattanooga; Oscar and
his son Tommy Lam, Rome; Robert McVay,
Little Colored Theatre, Lanett; William
Rose jr., Billi, Wadley; Mark S. Cummins,
Garden Drive-In, St. Petersburg, and Otis
Hudgins, Starhte Drive-In, Thomaston.
L. A. Stein sold his interest in Carl Floyd
theatres. Its operation, effective February
15, is entirely separated now from the operation
of any theatres under the direction
of Stein. The bookkeeping and accounting
offices will be moved, and Lou Leffler will
not be associated with this company. Booking
will be handled by Seymour Hoffenberg,
Jacksonville.
George Raft arrived here Tuesday (16i by
air, enroute to San' Juan, Puerto Rico. Raft
said that show business is for youngsters
and the dance routine he did on the Milton
Berle show six weeks ago, "still had him
reaching for breath."
Spence Pierce, the Knoxville showman,
was in town . . . "The Moon Is Blue" in the
uncensored Broadway version, is coming to
Atlanta, where the play will open at the
Tower March 8 for a week's run with Peggy
Ann Garner and James Burns.
Paul Jones, film writer of the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, has picked his ten best
films of the year: Julius Caesar, Shane,
From Here to Eternity, Moulin Rouge, Roman
Holiday, Stalag 17. War of the Worlds,
Mogambo, The Robe and Kiss Me Kate.
G. B. Odium, manager of the Cleveland
Drive-In, Cleveland, Tenn., has installed a
new wide screen.
Tom Jones, Jones Booking Agency, has
taken over the Goober Drive-In, Headland,
Ala., and H&R Drive-In, Hartford, Ala., and
\
will buy and book for both situations. Tom ,
also said that the Stateline Drive-In and
Valley Drive-In, Elizabethton, Tenn., will,
open on March 5 and April 1, respectively.
lit
'
Other exhibitors visiting Filmrow were J.
E. Martin, Grand, Montezuma ; .^
Welch, Dallas, Dallas, and T. H. Hargett,
Wedowee, Wedowee. ;
'Robe' at Sarasota
SARASOTA, FLA.—Harry B. Vincent, maJlager
of the Florida Theatre, has opened "The
Robe" in Cinemascope.
Install Popcorn Machines
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.—A new Cretors
popcorn machine has been installed at the
Ritz Theatre here and at the Lennox in
Augusta, Ga.
'""-i bus,
/\l L/\l\ I Ik^, J~^| Charlotle
Memphis
New Orleans
Washington, O.C.
Heaters to Rossville Airer
ROSSVILLE, TENN. — Jay Sadov; has
equipped the Starlite Drive-In with Little
Inferno in-car heaters.
Wi(de Screen to Humboldt
HUMBOLDT, TENN.—A panoramic screen
has been put in at the Plaza, where Wayne ^
Harrington is manager.
62
BOXOFFICE
:
: February 27, 1954

ffciti
7W0-DAy ALLIED OF OKLAHOMA
SESSION WILL OPEN MARCH 9TH
«
40-Page Program Is Being
Mailed to All Exhibitors
In the State
By ART LaMAN
After attending a meeting with the head
men of Allied Theatre Owners of Oklahoma.
I can now give a rundown on the coming
"In. Tlonusta Allied convention at the Biltmore hotel in
Oklahoma City March 9. 10. First, I would
like to remind the exhibitors of Oklahomamembers
and nonmembers— that this is your
convention, that many of you failed to attend
last year's session, and to all such I'd like
to say, "It was your lo.ss, and a big lo.ss at
that. This year's convention will be better
and bigger in every way, although it has been
streamlined down to two days so that all
theatre owners will not have to be away
from the business as long as before."
al to Tuesday il
Here are the names of the 1953 officers
Jiaa, PiKito Rim
who are working night and day to make the
rxes is lor join
convention the greatest ever: Glen Thompson,
president; Les Nordeen, vice-president;
:e tie did on the:
!b ago, "si liii
Harold Bowers, chairman of the board; Bernard
McKenna. secretary; Eail Snyder jr.,
treasurer, and Eddie Jones, membership
chairman. These men have and are spending
many hours of their time to help all the
motion picture people of the state. In return
till open )!
every member and nonmember who makes
their living in the motion picture business
should be able to attend the March 9, 10
ionvention.
Others who are assisting the officers are:
Claude Motley, Henry Simpson, Athel Boyter,
W. F. Deaton, Siebert Worley. Each one of
2 11 Waiof tlielftH ths 6" named is working very hard in the
5leSj different departments that must be handled
on any large convention.
uBje: ol tlie Cltii
Here is the convention program, subject to
i Tem., to insn" minor changes:
Monday
[
Monday (81 at 2 p.m., the directors will
meet at the Variety clubrooms in the Biltmore
to iron out last-minute details. At 7
|>.m. there will be an open house at the
(Variety Club. F.very one is invited.
j:c April LiesPK""^
Tuesday
nsitiii? Filmro* ,
ilijs,atill
A.-A *
'
Registration will open at 9 a.m. under the
lirection of Athel Boyter and Frank Deaton,
»ith the Oklahoma City Junior Chamber of
Commerce assisting in all details and furlishing
extra help. At 10 a.m., there will be
special tradeshowing of a major picture
o be announced later. Luncheon at 12:30 in
he Civic room and the welcoming of
National .Allied officers.
2 p.m.—A business meeting of great interst
to everyone in show business, .\mong
he topics on the program are advertising,
irint shortage, admission tax repeal, smallown
competition such as basketball games
nd other events, extended runs, and many
ther things that enter into the operating of
theatre at a profit. .At the end of this meetag
a nomination committee will be selected.
7 p.m.—Big buffet dinner in Civic room.
Here are the directors of .Allied of Oklulionia, left to right: Bernard McKenna,
Claude Motley, Harold Bowers, Farl Snyder jr., Siebi-rt Worley, Henry Simpson. Glen
Thompson, Eddie Jones and Athel Boyter. Directors not in the picture are W. F.
Deaton and Les Nordeen.
8 to \i—The big annual dance with a name
hand.
Wednesday
Registration opens at 9 a.m. .At 10 a.m. a
meeting for exhibitors only, featuring a film
clinic, Cinemascope, TV, 3-D and other problems.
Each subject will be handled by exp

: February
: '.
]
Trans-Texas
Seven More
DALLAS—Texa.s' newest motion picture
theatre circuit, the two-year-old Trans-Texas
Theatres, headed by Louis Novy of Austin, has
purchased seven more theatres, almost doubling
its present lineup of nine.
Trans-Texas, whose properties are chiefly
in Dallas, Austin, Amarillo and Temple, has
bought the Majestic in Abilene, the Capitol
in Brownsville, the Ideal in Corsicana, Denison's
State, Port Worth's Hollywood, the
Main in Paris and the Strand in Wichita
Palls, Pi-esident Novy says the entire group
was bought from Texas Consolidated Theatres,
with the exception of the Hollywood in
Port Worth, which was in Interstate circuit
Purchases
Theatres
property. The purchases were effective Pebruary
25.
With a virtual 100 per cent increase in
booking and managerial responsibilities. Novy
said the home offices of the circuit will be
moved from Austin to Dallas to expedite
booking problems. His son and assistant,
Harold "Buster" Novy, will remain in Austin
as city manager. Novy wUl move to Dallas,
but due to his long residence in Austin and
his love for that city and his many friends
and associates there, he will maintain homes
in both cities,
Novy, a former partner of Interstate Theatres
from the origin of that circuit in 1934
until Peb. 28, 1952, when the partnership
was dissolved and Trans-Texas Theatres was
formed, intends to retain the high type of
maintenance, the cooperative community relations
and fine programming in his new acquisitions
to which the patrons of these theatres
have been accustomed under former ownership.
The Dallas theatres owned by Trans-Texas
are the Melba, Rialto, Capitol and Varsity.
Holdings in Austin are the Queen, Capitol and
Texas. Also owned are the Bell Theatre in
Temple and the Capitol in Amarillo.
»
DALLAS
Exhibitors visiting Filmrow include Theo K.W'
Miller, Quitman; Bran Garner, Breckenridge;
Joe Bryant, Lubbock: Temple Summers,
Glen Rose; Max Skelton, Temple;
Wayne Wallace, Gainesville; Mrs. Delia Cole,
Bonham; Pat and Torrence Hudgins, Interstate;
George Henger, Rowley United; W. E.
(iiPn«'»'
Hamm, Greenville; Lonnie Legg, Denison;
H. A. Daniels, Seguin; Harry Sacks, Delman
Theatres; J. D. Hillhouse, Maple, Dallas; H. H.
Stroud, Hamilton; W. S. McLemore jr., Waco,
and G. S. Hill, Leon Theatre, Abilene.
»» irtce
Henry Sorenson, Modern Theatre Supply
Co. owner here, is on a business trip through
New Mexico . . . The Surf Drive-In, Port
jg Ma* 3
Arthur, made its facilities available Sunday 0& It" inlmi
(14) to the Port Arthur American Legion
post for a nondenominational religious meeting.
Commander Merle Laws of the Rudolph
Lambert post introduced four Port Arthur
ministers,
'»^
who spoke from atop the conces- P""
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sion booth.
Sam Berry, National Theatre Supply Co.,
returned from a two-week business trip
through south Texas . . . Area exhibitors,
especially drive-in men, were digging out
after a severe dust storm that covered most
of the state last week. Visibility was almost ,
zero at several outdoor theatres, and resultantly,
business, too, was zero. The duster
also cut into the indoor theatre business,
hnl visiwn
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SAN ANTONIO
fPhis Santone and south Texa-s scribe returned
to the Alamo city following one
of the most enjoyable trips we ever made.
It took us to Galveston lour first time there),
Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth.
Dick Proctor, oldtime boxer, minstrel man
and former silent picture actor, went to
Laredo for a Washington birthday reunion
with his brother George, who makes up the
other half of the Proctor Bros. Wild Animal
show, which recently clo.sed a successful engagement
at Kingsville.
The Palace on Alamo Plaza will be dismantled
March 31, and the building will be
converted into a garage for a parking spot
for downtown busine.ss and theatre shoppers.
We understand that the Star, an eyesore out
on North New Braunfels avenue, also will
undergo the same treatment. The Palace
property was purchased from Eph Charninsky
of Southern Theatres.
Recent visitors included Stout Jackson,
Robstown; Bobby Bixler, Paramount, Dallas;
Eugene M. Wilson, 16mm film exchange,
Dallas, and Candy Candido, Joan Crawford
and Tex Jones, Hollywood . Don
Miguel Galvan of the Pena, New Braunfels,
back stage at the National the other night.
Caywood & Lawler Join
Theatres in Brady, Tex.
BRADY. TEX.—Brady's three downtown
theatres were merged recently into a partnership
formed by Kay Caywood and Norman
Lawler. The theatres are the Texas
and the Brady, first-run houses, and the
Palace, a second run. Clinton Newlin's interest
in the Brady and Palace was absorbed
by the new partners. Caywood, who has
owned the Texas here for the last three
and a half years, will be active manager of
the three houses under the consolidation. He
has been in the theatre business all his life
and was manager of theatres in Big Spring
before coming to Brady. Lawler. who is
owner of the Ford dealership here, has announced
plans to build a $250,000 shopping
center in Brady.
aiended liiisio®
Reopens the Lawn Drive-In
Loiase LAWN, TEX.—The Lawn Drive-In on the
heard
tiiy
Coleman highway has been reopened by own-
.M- 251 at a ImnlW ers Herbert Poor and Harley Sadler after several
weeks of remodeling.
-ncer.attaideilthe*'
^n in the Da*
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andtim
* * SEND YOUR NEXT *1
MOTION PICTURE SERVICE CO.
IIS NTIi STIIET. S*l lltRCISCO 1. CAlirOMIt
Westerns-Features-Serials
Tower Pictures Co.
HAROLD SCHWAHZ
302 S Harwood St. Dalla« 1, Texai
Phon* RA-7736
Texas COMPO Survey
Praises NSS Service
DALLAS Thu Niiliunal Screen Service
here has been praised for its unexcelled contribution
to the industry and exhibitors in
a survey conducted by Texas COMPO to determine
the percentage of error involved in
handling the amount of trailers and advertising
accessories that must clear through
the office here. The survey, which was conducted
la.st month, revealed the all-encompassing
tasks performed by National Screen
Service in serving the exhibitors of Texa-s. It
was ordered by Col. H. A. Cole, co-chairman
of Texas COMPO, board chairman of Allied
Theatre Owners of Texas and co-chairman
of the National Tax Repeal Committee.
With a staff of 77 employes, this branch
office was responsible for the shipment of
366,584 items during January. These shipments
included trailers and various advertising
acce.ssories, not including heralds, window
cards and special exploitation pieces
u.sed on several pictures. A tabulation showed
that 187 complaints of error were reported
by exhibitors during this period, a percentage
of error less than one 20th of 1 per
cent.
The survey traced the steps involved in
filling a trailer or an accessory order to
determine the number of possibilities for
human error. It was discovered it is necessary
that each individual order be handled
by nine employes before it is turned over
to the transportation companies.
Among the elements most responsible for
error in the assembly line type of service
offered by the organization were: Similar
titles, similar or wrong code numbers, transposition
of booking data to billing and shipping
records and transportation failures.
Cole's survey was based on all facets of
operation and service including the return of
trailers and advertising accessories from the
exhibitors.
During January, Cole disclosed that exhibitors
failed to return 465 trailers and L130
accessory shipments immediately following
the designated time of return. It was also
evident that 193 trailer prints and 545 advertising
accessory pieces were returned by
the exhibitors in such a damaged condition
that they could be of no further use.
Cole declared his Allied Theatre Owners
Ass'n is issuing a special bulletin to all
members in Texas ui-ging them to return all
trailers and advertising materials promptly
and to caution theatre personnel to exert
more care in the handling of NSS materials.
Cole concluded he was firmly convinced that
National Screen Service is an indispensable
organization to the motion picture industry
and deserves the maximum support and cooperation
from every exhibitor.
Roy Hanson Buys in Crowell
CROWELL, TEX.—Roy E. Hanson of
Phoenix, Ariz., is the new owner of the
Rialto Theatre here, which he bought from
Theatre Enterprises of Dallas. Hanson has
had 20 years experience in operating theatres
and for the past five has operated six
theatres for Paramount in Phoenix. When
Hanson took over the Rialto, Alvie Smith,
who had been manager of the house for the
past 11 months, was transferred to Roswell.
N.M.
HOUSTON
rddie Cope, former correspondent for BOX-
OFFICE in the Bayou city, has gone to
Missouri to live, so we were told by the
Houston Daily Chronicle .
Manager
Jake Jacobs has resigned at the Uptown
. . . Billy Sharp will soon take his 16mm
show on the road and will play small towns
in the east Texas territory.
Lester Ketner, San Antonio and south
Texas correspondent for BOXOFFICE, spent
several days in the Houston area on business
for Astor Pictures and Joan Franks Productions,
Frank "Red"
both of Dalla.s . . . Fletcher, showman and former actor, has
booked the Azteca third-dimensional film
made in Mexico, "The Sweetheart of the
Sword," for a special showing at his Preston
avenue Spanish house.
Buy Two Theatres in De Leon
DE LEON, TEX.—Mr. and Mrs. Edgar
Brinson of De Leon have purchased the Leon
Theatre and Weeping Oak Drive-In from
L. H. Scales. Their son B. C, better known
as Clyde, is employed as manager of an
H&H, Inc., theatre in Odessa. The Leon
and Weeping Oak will be known as B&B
Theatres.
ROLL OR MACHINE
TICKETS
PRINTED TO ORDER
SPECIAIISTS IN NUMBERED PRINTING
SOUTHWEST TICKET & COUPON CO.
2110 CORINTH ST • Harwood 7185 • DAllAS TIX
SELL YOUR THEATRE PRIVATELY
Mil-
^ He
Largfst coveraje in US. No
inns. Hightit rtputalion lor knowho« r
and fair dtaling. 30 ytars Kpftifnce ineluding
txhibilion. Ask Betler Businesi Bureau,
or our customert. Know your brokcf.
ARTHUR LEAK Thcofre Specialists
3305 Caruth. Dallas, Te»a«
Telfohonfs EM 0238 EM 74M
CONFlDE-iTIAL CORRESPO'i DENCE INVITED
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954 65
OfflCE-

. . The
!
.
OKLAHOMA CITY
fhe Theatre Owners of Oklahoma directors
will meet at 12:15 p.m. March 1 at the
Variety Club .
Tent 22 board meets
the same place later in the afternoon . . .
Sam Brunk. Paramount salesman and Tent
22 chief barker, and Morris Loewenstein. TOO
president and Majestic Theatre owner, were
nominated as new directors to serve threeyear
terms on the Oklahoma County Health
Ass'n board. Brunk is a member of the band
that performs from time to time at the VA
hospital here. This orchestra was pictured
in the daily press with a story in which it
was reported the hospital says the band's
music does more good than a truckload of
medicine. The band also performs for TB
sanitarium patients at Talihina. The band
is made up of experienced musicians, but
many of them hold down other jobs and just
play with the Ruby Nance band on the side.
These include Sam, a dentist, a lawyer and
former legislator.
The Paul Cornwells have announced the engagement
of their daughter Peggy to William
Carroll Rigg. The wedding is set for
3:30 p.m. April 25 in the Crown Heights
Christian church. Cornwell is a Video executive
here. Peggy attended OU, where she was
a Gamma Phi Beta. Rigg, son of the W. A.
Riggs of the city, graduated from Oklahoma
Military academy.
Ray Hughes of Heavener turned his theatre
over to Jim Nance, newspaperman from Pur-
BARGAINS
GALORE ! !
BIG USED EQUIPMENT SALE . .
NOW ON
Lamps — Rectifiers — Generators — Amplifiers — Projectors — Lenses —
Parts — Speakers — Steel Tables — Rewinds — Concession Equipment — Wire
— Lights — etc.
FIRST COME FIRST SERVED
ALL SALES ARE FINAL
WE'RE SPRING CLEANING! COME BY, AND LOOK, MAKE US AN OFFER.
ALL USED SUPPLIES and EQUIPMENT MUST GO. WE NEED THE SPACE
IN OUR WAREHOUSES.
HARDIN THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
714 SO. HAMPTON ROAD DALLAS, TEXAS
Texas' Dealers For Century Equipment. . . .
COMPLETE CINEMASCOPE SET-UPS.
cell and speaker of the house of representatives,
for an afternoon talk. Nance spoke at
the Lions club in the evening. It was an
open theatre meeting and about 60 persons
attended to listen to the "probable candidate
for governor." He will announce his
decision on whether he is to be a candidate or
not by March 6.
The federal director of revenue statement
reveals amusement tax in Oklahoma in January
1954 was 60 per cent less than the same
month in 1953. TOO Piesident Loewenstein
notified Reps. Jarman, Steed, Albert and
Wickersham, sending them copies of the release.
They replied pledging continued support
to the repeal of the admission tax. Congressman
Steed said "I think the item referring
to the director of internal revenue information
graphically shows what an excessive
tax levy can do to an industry. I think
it is very compelling proof that the amusement
tax is punitive and not revenue-raising
in its effort and should be removed. You may
rest assured of my continued interest in getting
redress on this tax item." He is the
representative from the fourth district at
Shawnee. The other congressmen expressed
similar interest and pledged support to repeal.
Video Independent Theatres, Stanley Warner
Theatres, Cooper Foundation Theatres
and the State and Center theatres and Loewenstein,
for TOO, asked the Downtown Merchants
Ass'n, which is seeking more downtown
trade traffic, to open more parking
space, especially that area devoted exclusively
to buses and cabs after peak business hours,
for use of evening traffic. This group of
downtown theatre operators wrote the letter
to the association's president and pointed out
almost one-half of the parking space is devoted
to such restrictions. They suggested
such a plan to ease the parking situation for
the benefit of late trade traffic in the downtown
area.
Beating of F. D. Nance
Leads to Police Hunt
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEX.—Police officers ^
and sheriff's deputies this week were con- i
ducting an extensive search for three men
believed to have inflicted a severe beating
on F. D. "Fats" Nance, Hall Theatres general
manager, some two hours previous to
his death at a local hospital on February 11.
Justice of the Peace Patrick J. Dunne
brought in an inquest verdict in Nance's
death of death due to coronary occlusion,
apparently brought on by extreme excitement
and shock. Results of an autopsy ordered
by Dunne showed Nance was beaten
about the head with a blunt instrument.
Nance told deputies at the hospital before >
he died that he could give no description
of the men. Nance left Sandy's Drive-In on
Highway 9 and was sitting in his car in the
parking lot nearby when the beating occurred.
Officials said the assailants took a wrist
watch, a wallet containing $35 and the keys
to Nance's 1953 sedan. The keys later were
found on the canopy in front of the drivein.
The drive-in had closed for the night _
and lights which illuminated the parking 1
area had been turned off. After the robbery- \
beating, Nance went to a motel across the '
highway and called officers.
Nance went to the drive-in between 11
and midnight and left when the place
closed. All patrons and employes had left
the area by the time the beating took place.
i
&6
BOXOFFICE :: February 27, 19541
mx

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Twin Cities Century
To Show Cinerama
MINNEAPOLIS" Minnesota Ainu.senifnt Co,
will close it.s downtown l.eoo-seat Century
Theatre next Sunday i28) prior to its acquisition
by Stanley Warner Cinerama Corp,
for the installation of Cinerama,
Lester Isaacs, SW official, was here this
week attempting to work out a Cinerama deal
with the projectionists union. If the deal is
made Cinerama immediately will take over
the Century's lease from MAC and start the
necessary alterations.
Harry French, MAC president, said if everything
proceeds as expected Cinerama will
make its local debut during the ensuing summer.
ReUnquishment of the Century will leave
MAC with three Loop first-run houses and
the late-run twin bill 25-cent Aster which it
Will reopen next month. The Century has
Been using mostly first runs with occasional
Itnoveovers.
MAC'S lease on the Century, which is being
Mirned over to Stanley Warner, has a long
ime to run, but that on the Aster expires
a two years. The latter house is owned by
Sennie Berger,
(ledoll.'
ledoiliC'S-
:^etieW*
offiff-'
the*
E. J. Kramer Gets C of C Aid
[n Reopening at Winfield
WINFIELD, IOWA—The Winfield Theatre
lere will reopen in Mai'ch with E, J. Kramer
if BiU'lington a-s owner. Kramer has purhased
the tlieatre equipment from Mr. and
Dayle Allen of Winfield, and has leased
he building from tlie Pi'att Bros, of Washngton
for tliree years. The theatre has been
Josed since July 1952, after 38 years of
ontinuous operation. Kramer said he intends
operate the hou.se three nights a week
irith two change-s of program—Wednesdays.
nd Saturdays and Sundays. Tlie new owner
aid he is being assisted by the Winfield
;hamber of Commerce in reopening the theare.
Kramer, who has been an electrical enineer.
managed a theatre in Mediapolis in
and one in Morning Sun in 1933.
jwipharles Laughton to Make
^ew Film in Hollywood
MINNEAPOLIS—Charles Laughton was in
own and told of his forthcoming debut as a
motion picture director in the first film to be
iroduced by Paul Gregory, who has produced
uch stage offerings a.s "The Caine Mutiny
gij
iourt Martial," "Don Juan in Hell" and "John
irown's Body.
For his fir.st film directorial chore, how-
. .!.> revolutionize the world," he explained.
The
e
Gregory-Laughton picture left is
ver. Laughton said he has no new techin
mind. He has no desire
an adapition
of an unpublished novel, Davis Grubb's
Night of the Hunter."
fluys in Cambridge. Minn.
CAMBRIDGE, MINN. Ray Mullen of
Hivia, who recently operated the Strand The-
Itre at Pi-inceton, has purchased the HoUylood
Theatre here. Mullen has been in the
lieatre business for the past ten years
|elgrade, Minn., Bell Sold
BELGRADE. MINN.—Hartley & Russell
|[a.ve .sold the Bell Theatre. The new owner
Kenneth Thompson.
bXOFFICE :
27, 1954
Chief Dale Goldie Boasts 'the
In
His Fire Dept, and Theatre
CHEROKEE, IOWA—Dale R. Goldie, fire
chief at Cherokee, really got hot shortly after
the first of the year. As a result, theatre
patrons here attend one of the finest equipped
theatres in this region,
you see, Goldie is both fire chief and exhibitor
in Cherokee. He's been a member of
the Cherokee volunteer fire department 31
years, as.sistant chief 15 years and chief the
last ten years. According to insiiiance inspectors
the town has as up-to-the-minute
a department and well-equipped as any in the
state.
Goldie has been an exhibitor 43 years.
Since 1925 he and his wife have operated the
American Theati-e and Goldie has the .same
pride of perfection in it as in the fire depai'tment.
"We have a lot of faith in the movie business,"
says Goldie. "We have been through a
lot of good times and hard times, but we manage
to go on. You simply have to give them
the very best there is if you expect to hold
your business."
That's the reason Fire Chief Goldie "got
hot on Cinemascope," he said. He found the
stage ai-ch too small so the Goldies closed up
January 17 and spent three weeks enlarging
the arch, redecorating and installing equipment.
"We have a beautiful arch now," he said.
"Our screen is 31x16 feet. We use 12x30 for
Cinemascope and 12x22 for wide screen. It
is mounted on a Unistrut steel frame with a
15-inch curve and .set at a five degree angle.
It's a Walker .screen with no seams and gives
us a wonderful picture."
In the booths the Goldies "simply took out
everything we had in it right down to the
bare walls."
Asks Rental Reduction
LANCASTER, WIS.—W. J. Charbonau,
operator of the Grantland Theatre, has asked
the city finance committee to consider a
reduction in the rental which he is paying
for the city-owned theatre. Charbonau
pointed to rising costs and drop in attendance
and asked an adjustment of the $350
per month rental which he pays the city.
Pays Admission Late
DUBUQUE. IOWA— A troubled filmgoer
mailed 50 cents to the manager of the Grand
Theatre here la.st week along with a note of
apology. "I snuck into your theatre without
paying any admission and my conscience has
been bothei-ing me ever .since," the typewritten
note said. "I'm sorry and thank you."
Distributes Film Calendars
ST. PAUL, NEB.—Dick Marvel, new owner
of the Riviera, ha.s distributed film calendai-s
to all residents in Howard county and in
several adjoining communities.
Three Install Wide Screens
DES MOINES— Tliree more theatres in the
state have installed wide screens. They are
the State at Holstein, the Roxy at Alta and
the Orpheum at North English.
NC
Best'
Dale Goldie, fire chief of the finely
cquipp«'d Cherokee, Iowa, fire department,
also is owner of one of the finest
equipped theatres in the state.
They redecorated it. installed Simplex XL
projectors, new rectifiers, lamps and .stereophonic
sound.
"When they say stereophonic sound is not
necessary with Cinemascope they are simply
nuts." added Goldie. "If I did not have the
sound I would not want the other. We opened
with 'The Robe' and I have never run a picture
that got the public acclaim this one did.
And I think much of it w-a.s due to the wonderful
sound."
Republic Staff at Omaha
Headed by L. J. Seidelman
OMAHA -The Republic staff is about all
reorganized under new Manager Lawrence J.
Seidelman, who took over for retiring Harry
Lefholtz.
William Heath is returning to Republic as
salesman. Edna Nast remains as office
manager. Delores McKenney was moved from
contract clerk to ca-shier and a replacement
for Delores will be named soon.
Lefholtz became a salesman for Republic
in 1938 and branch manager in 1942. He was
one of the oldest active members of the industry
in Omaha and widely known in the
territory.
Robert Flauher Winner
Of Managers Contest
CLARION. IOWA — Robert Flauher, manager
of the Clarion Theatre here, has w^on
fii-sl prize for the eighth consecutive year in
the annual conte.st conducted among theatre
managers of the Central States Theatre Corp.
Flauher, formerly employed by the Ames
Theatre Co., was judged winner of the S250
prize for showing the largest attendance increase
percentagewise of any theatre in the
Central States chain over the previous year.
There are about 40 theatres in the organization
in Iowa and Nebraska which compete in
the contest each year.
67

. fxcLusiv&Ly
. . Exhibitors
. . IFE's
-
. . Another
. . The
. . The
—
——
: February
|
MINNEAPOLIS
\A7'th Lester Isaacs of Stanley Warner here
conferring with heads of the local projectionists
union on a new contract, it was expected
that the way finally would be paved
for Cinerama to take over the Century Theatre
from the Minnesota Amusement Co.
Everything apparently hinged upon Cinerama's
ability to make a satisfactory deal with
the projectionists.
Ed Lovelettc, Columbia salesman, still is
gravely ill in Trinity hospital, Minot, N.D. He
was stricken during a sales trip . . . Bill
Rosenberg, insurance man who has been
making the Filmrow rounds for many years, is
confined to his home following a stroke . . .
William Howard, Hollywood director who died
recently, is a former Minneapolisan. He
was here a year ago to attend the funeral of
his brother.
The whole town's talking about the phenomenal
business being done here and in
the territory by "The Glenn Miller Story."
On the Sunday of its opening week here it
chalked up one of the biggest single day's
grosses in the history of the local 4,000-seat
Radio City. In St. Paul, Duluth and Eau
Claire it has been doing correspondingly
Film exchange employes got a three
well . . .
day holiday because of Washington's birthday.
Some reported for work just the same,
although they could have had Monday off.
North Central Allied directors met with
projectionists union representatives this week
to listen to demands in connection with
Cinemascope screenings and to try to reach
an agreement . turned out for
a Columbia invitational screening of "The
Mad Magician" at the Uptown here. Saturation
bookings for it in the territory are "Hy"
Chapman's goal. It opens at the Minneapolis
and St. Paul Orpheums in April.
Television stars Ginny Simms and Warren
Hull will participate in a cerebral palsy telethon
benefit at the State here March 6, 7.
The Minnesota Amusement Co. has donated
the theatre's use for the affair, with a share
of the boxoffice receipts also to be turned
over to the cause . "Secret Love" has
been booked into Sioux Falls, S.D., and
Rochester and Winona, Minn., said District
Manager Charlie Weiner.
The four Minneapolis independent neighborhoods
equipped for Cinemascope get their
INI ^,
,„iillllllllll
second release, "How to Marry a Millionaire,"
this week and next. Following "The Robe,"
the Terrace, St. Louis Park and Riverview
now are offering it day-and-date and it goes
into the Nile next week . neighborhood
independent fine arts theatre here held
over "Murder on Monday" a second week.
Picture had its first run there and at another
local art house, the Campus, day-anddate.
Minnesota Amusement Co. has set March 3
as the reopening date for the downtown
Aster, which has been shuttered for more
than two years. It will offer twin bills on late
"Miss Sadie
runs at low admission prices . . .
Thompson," which was 3-D in the Loop, is
playing local subsequent runs as a 2-D picture
Radio City here and the St. Paul
. . . Paramount boosted its admission from 85
cents to $1 for "The Glenn Miller Story" and
the tilt didn't keep it from doing recordbreaking
business. The RKO Orpheum had a
similar scale for "The Command." While the
other RKO downtown house has new wide
screen it's still without stereophonic sound.
Accordingly, Cinemascope pictures can't be
moved over from the Orpheum to the Pan
and "The Command" got only a single week
downtown in consequence. It was the shortest
run to date for a Cinemascope picture.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press is sending its
film editor and critic, Bill Diehl, to Europe,
first time such a thing ever has been done
by a Twin cities sheet. Among other things,
during the six-week jaunt, he'll visit American
film companies making pictures in England
and Italy. He and other Minneapolis
and St. Paul newspaper critics have been
making yearly trips to Hollywood, but none
ever has been sent abroad before . . . Ralph
Maw, MGM district manager here, was
written up in the Minneapolis Star's "Town
Toppers" series of brief profiles of leading
local citizens . independent neighborhood
art theatres, the Campus and Westgate,
singly owned but playing pictures day-anddate,
are grabbing off many outstanding first
runs, including the current "Forbidden
Games" . independent neighborhood
art house, the Suburban World, also is
coming through with impressive first run offerings,
including "The Titfield Thunderbolt."
Bennie Berger finally is landing some
legitimate touring attractions for his newly
acquired Lyceum. Following the Canadian
National ballet this week he gets the big musical
hit, "Porgy and Bess," for 11 days starting
March 22, with "My Three Angels," Broadway
comedy success starring Walter Slezak,
to follow in April. During his present New
York trip to attend the Allied States board
of directors meeting, Berger will confer with
United Booking Office officials regarding
more attractions for the Lyceum.
To Begin Screen Tower Soon
SUPERIOR, NEB.—Ray Watkins, manager
of Superior's Crest Theatre, says that the
screen tower for Superior's new drive-in will
be constructed as soon as weather permits.
His First Chore "The Caprock'
As his first chore since signing a pact as
a producer for Universal, Howard Pine has
drawn "Rim of the Caprock."
'Miller Siory' Lures
Twin Cities Crowds
MINNEAPOLIS—Coming through in almost
unbelievably sensational fashion, "The
Glenn Miller Story" catapulted to boxoffice
heights and was far out in front among the
many newcomers. Also giving a good account
of themselves were "The Command,"
"The Long, Long Trailer," "Little Fugitive"
and the reissued combination of "Public
Enemy" and "Little Caesar." The lone holdover,
"Money FYom Home," in its second
week, also continued to prosper.
Little Fugitive ( Burstyn) 100
(Average Is 100)
Century Soadio (MGM) 50
Gopher The Long, Long Troiler (MGM) 125
The Stand ot Apoche River (U-l); White
Lyric
Fire (LP) 85
Orpheum The Command (WB) 110
Pan— Public Enemy (V/B), Little Caesar (WB),
.100
Radio City The Glenn Miller Story (U-l) 250
State Money From Home (Para), 2nd wk 115
World
'Command' and "Easy to Love'
Almost Tie in Omaha
Omaha—Esther Williams and "Easy to
Love" went above average at the State to
rate percentagewise nearly as high as "The
Command" in Cinemascope at the Orpheum,
the latter at advanced prices. Other first
runs came off with barely average records.
Admiral-Chiet—Drums of Tahiti (Col); Charge ot
the Lancers (Col) 100
Brandeis Public Enemy (WB); Little Caesar (WB);
reissues 100
Orpheum The Command (WB) 125
Omaha Cease Fire (Para) 100
State Eosy to Love (MGM) 1 20
Town Scum of Humanity (SR); Sioux City Sue
(Rep), reissue 90
Nearby Holdup Garners
Publicity for Theatre
MINNEAPOLIS — Loop Gopher Theatre
and "The Long, Long Trailer" were splashed .
all over the Minneapolis Tribune's front page
last Monday and garnered free publicity |
worth thousands of dollars when a holdup
occurred in a restaurant next door.
It was believed that the bandit had darted
into the theatre, and at the first intermission
following the feature about 20 plain- i
clothesmen conducted a manhunt inside the
theatre, blocked the exits and ringed the
showhouse. The gunman, however, had made
his escape. >
Robert Karatz, associated in the operation .1
of the theatre, was on hand and he made J
*'""
certain that the newspaper story brought out'., •ieph I:
that the theatre was filled to practically f-i
capacity and that its name and that of the
film were generously mentioned.
Karatz's theory, shar-ed by the police, was
that the bandit had entered the theatre, as
reported by witnesses, but walked out a rear
entrance with an accomplice to where a car ,
may have been waiting for them. He estimated
that about 99 per ceiit of the audience
didn't know the manhunt was in progress
or its nature. Most of those outside the
house, in line to buy tickets, also were probably
unawai-e of what was happening I T..
There was a line of ticket purchasers when
the holdup took place and it's believed the
probable accomplice of the bandit had his
ticket waiting for him so that he could immediately
enter.
Newspaper story at the end mentioned,
too, that the Gopher's next attraction will be
"Riot in Cell Block 11."
68 BOXOFFICE
:
27, 1954J

I MEDIAPOLIS.
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Mediapolis Closing
Blamed on Ruling
IOWA The Swan Theatre
here will clo.se March 31 and its shutterinK
has been blamed, in part at least, on the
state's ruling that old-style bank night is
The Swan has been operated by members
Illegal.
of the citizens theatre committee here
under a lease agi-eement. The lease, which
expires the last day of March, will not be
renewed and the theatre will go dark, the
committee said last week.
The committee gave two reasons for its
decision. A winter slump in attendance, which
it blamed on the dropping of bank night
after it was declared illegal, and a foreclosure
action on the theatre building, which
left the status of the building's ownership in
doubt. The future of the equipment, owned
by the committee, will not be decided until
after a ruling is given on the building's ownership.
Meanwhile, any action toward possible
reopening of the hou.se after March 31 also
will wait the foreclosure proceedings.
Loan, Exhibitor
Rips Congress Group
MINNEAPOLIS—A northern Minnesota exhibitor,
who has asked to have his name
withheld, is up in arms because he doesn't
qualify for financial relief under the congressional
small busine.ss committee's rules to
help him keep up with the industry's changes
in projection techniques.
In a letter to his congressman, the exhibitor
accused the small business committee
of "treating the theatre industry the
same as saloons, gamblers and loan sharks"
by refusing to make any loans the purpo.se of
which would be to finance recreational or
amusement facilities, such as the Cinema-
Scope equipment he asserts he needs for his
theatre.
He also charged the government with "a
breach of faith and violation of its pledge
to the theatres and public for failing to
lUminate the 20 per cent admission tax autoatically
at the end of World War II." The
xhibitor informed the congressman that in
the past nine years he has gone in debt to
the tune of $26,000 while, at the same time,
turning over $40,000 in admission taxes to
the federal government.
[Joseph Anderson Dies
IDA GROVE. IOWA—Joseph H.
Ander.son.
72, manager of the King Theatre here, died
last week at the Methodist hospital in Sioux
City. Anderson had been in the theatre business
for 15 years, ten at Fella before coming
to Ida Grove five years ago. He w-as with
AUis Chalmer.-; before entering the theatre
busine.ss. Funeral services and burial were
held in Barron. Wis. Anderson is survived
by his wife, five sisters and two brothers.
W. W. Troxel Sells Theatre
OMAHA— W. W. Troxel has sold his inter-
;st in the theatre at Bancroft to a coraoration
formed by a group of busine.ssmen.
rheatre Booking Service will handle the
JUying and booking. Troxel. former house
nanager at the Beacon for Walter Creal. is
WW recuperating at home after being hos-
Jitalized.
D E S
MOINES
"The Valentine priie offered by Variety Club
here, a $25 heart-shaped box of candy,
wius won by Chuck lies of Film Transportation.
Money cleared in the project will go to
the heart fund . of Clarinda's Glenn
Miller day. after nearly four weeks, are still
being heard through letters and newspaper
stories, Jimmy Stewart is continuing to praise
the friendliness of Clarinda and advocates
that more stars "hit the road" as a means of
selling Hollywood. The Universal picture
opened February 17 in Cedar Rapids and
Davenport, and Lou Levy reports that it is
enjoying top success.
Bernice Eriokson, Universal cashier, is back
from Iowa City where she underwent her annual
checkup . Tellis. Universal,
has a new daughter-in-law. Her son Gary
was married on Valentine's day to Darlene
Mullen. The couple is living in Des Moines
high school history students attended
a showing of "Knights of the Round
Table" at the Carrol. The group was accompanied
by teacher Paul Bruns.
A Glenwood, Iowa. man. Clifford D. Eaton,
was "instructor" to actor Robert Francis as
the latter gained a working knowledge of his
role aboard the destroyer minesweeper USS
Thompson in 'The Caine Mutiny. " Friends
of Eaton will be curious to .see how well their
friend did in his role of teacher.
Mable Magnusson. secretary to Manager
Lou Levy at Universal, is a grandmother
again! Daughter Barbara Bumgarner. who
held the same job at Universal before resigning
several years ago. has a new daughter.
Kathy Lynn, born February 16. The Bumgarners
also have a son . Randolph.
Columbia booker, is working under handicap
the.se days. She sprained her wrist when she
took a fall on her kitchen floor and is carrying
her arm in a sling.
June Norris is the new biUer at Paramount,
replacing Marlene Zarr. who has resigned
to await the return of her husband from
Korea ... A Des Moines aclre.ss, P. A. Love.
is making good on the New York stage. She
is currently appearing with Burge.ss Meredith
in "The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker." She
is the daughter of Des Moines grocer Jack
Love.
Half of the proceeds of the community
carnival held .several months ago in Collins,
Iowa, will be applied on the Collins Theatre
building indebtedness. The other half is to
be used in the purchase of .seats and other
equipment needed for the theatre. The theatre
is managed by the Commercial club of
Collins.
The appearance of Sir Edmund Hillary and
his dramatic story of "The Ascent of Everest"
at KRNT Theatre February 21 should
have been good promotion for the UA film
on the conquest of Everest which is .scheduled
to open here soon ... A former Ottumwa
girl. Shirley Rich Krohn, is now- working as
a talent scout for &IGM in New York. As a
talent .scout, she travels through New England
and as far south iw Virginia to look over prospective
actors, mainly visiting schools known
for their dramatic excellence. Her particular
job is to find men in their late 20s who are
talented in acting and romancing.
Two former Filmrow salesmen. Sol Yaeger
and Paul Leatherby. are now working with
King Korn stamps in this territory. Yaeger
is manager of the office and Leatherby has an
area around Des Moines.
Three Theatres Close
MINNEAPOLIS—Three theatres, the only
houses in Cokato, Prior Lake and Osseo. Minn.,
folded the last week.
ORDER YOUR POPCORN SUPPLIES FROM US
White Japanese Hulless Popcorn Per 100 lbs. S10.95
XXX Yellow Popcorn Per 100 lbs. 12.75
"Seazo" Coconut Oil Seasoning Per 50 lbs. 16.25
Liquid Popsit Plus Seasoning Per Case 15.75
Popcorn Salt Per Cose 2.95
No. 505 AB Boxes Per 1000 10.60
No. 405 AB Boxes Per 1000 10.05
1 lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.20
1 lb. Brown Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.80
V4 lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.50
Vi lb. Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 1.20
I'i lb. White Popcorn Sacks Per 1000 2.95
1 lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.80
^4 lb. Printed Noiseless Sacks Per 1000 3.40
Prices Subject to Change Without Notice
DES MOINES THEATRE SUPPLY CO.
1121-23 High St. Des Moines, Iowa
OfflCEpOXOFFICE
:
; February 27. 1954 69

. . The
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. . Rene
. . The
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. . The
MILWAUKEE
Ifmons: Wisconsinites who attended the National
AlUed States Ass'n convention in
Cincinnati, and witnessed the election of Ben
Marcus of Marcus Theatres, to the presidency,
were: Hank. Toilette, Neenah, and
Charles Low. Oshkosh, both of Marcus Theatres:
Dean Fitzgerald, Capitol Service: Al
Kvool, Standard Tlieatres: Nick Coston, 41-
Twin Drive-In: Bob Karatz, Badger Drivein:
Harold Pearson, executive secretary. Allied
of Wisconsin: Rudy Koutnik and wife,
15-Drive-In; Angelo Provinzano, Pix and the
Alamo: Bob Baker, Drive-In Specialties: Bob
Gross, Blue Mound Drive-In; John Schuyler,
Delft circuit: Chuck Glass, Theatres Candy
Co.: Spiros Papas, Racine and Kenosha
drive-ins, and Sam Costes, Lake Park Drive-
In, Fond du Lac.
Peter Elgar, distinguished producer of numerous
film classics, was in Milwaukee to
shoot a color documentary film of the Pabst
brewery. Elgar. who is Viennese, has made
films all over the world . Green Bay
Press-Gazette had a picture of Elmer R.
Brennan, district manager for Standard Theatres,
standing in front of the Bay Theatre's
huge new screen for Cinemascope.
The city motion picture commission, recently
directed its secretary to ask for reports
on films black-listed by the film industry's
censorship office. Mrs. Frank Derfus,
a commissioner, said that a report on the
reasons as to why the industry black-lists a
film, would simplify the commission's work.
However, H. M. Drissen, commi-ssion secretary,
said the commission would continue to
review each film with an unbiased mind.
Drissen reported that 1,546 pictures had been
viewed by nine commissioners and 16 aides,
and recommended that three not be shown
here: "The Moon Is Blue," "Devil in the
Flesh" and "Manon." while deletions were
ordered in eight other films. The.se officers
were elected for 1954; Valentine J. Wells,
president: Henry Rozga, vice-president: Robert
Druecker, treasurer, and Drissen, secretary.
Bill Bodenstein, 66, projectionist of Local
164, was one of five who retired under the
FIRSTNIGHTERS—A. H, Blank, president
of Tri- States Tlieatres in Des
Moines, and Mrs. Blank were among tlie
premiere guests at the recent west coast
opening of Paramount's "Red Garters"
at the Fox Wilshire Theatre in Hollywood.
new pension plan which the union and theatre
owners started paying into January 1953.
Bill was a projectionist for 43 years, and
started working at the Warner Theatre when
it opened. Al Meskis, handed him the la,st
reel of film in ceremonies at the theatre.
MGM gave a private screening at the Riverside
Theatre recently of "Knights of the
Round Table" for Milwaukee Knights of the
Round Table and their wives. Richard J.
Murphy, president of the local chapter, presented
an honorary knight.ship to Howard
Dietz, MGM executive who urged the filming
of the Ai'thurian legend. Louis Orlove, MGM
press representative for Wisconsin accepted
the scroll in behalf of Dietz. Ervin J. dumb,
manager of the Riverside Theatre, was host.
There is some talk of holding the city finals
of the Mrs. Wisconsin contest being in
connection with the annual home show on
the stage of the Warner Theatre. The contest
is sponsored by the Milwaukee Gas & Light
Co., with the Ellis Saxton advertising agency
in charge of the exploitation . . . Got a card
from Miss Arden Thur, formerly on the advertising
desk at the Alhed office here. She
is now in Hong Kong, China, doing advertising
and publicity for the film industry over
there. Allied of Wisconsin incidentally, is in
the throes of getting the annual convention
(April 6-7-8, Schroeder Hotel here) under
way. What with Ben Marcus as National
Allied president and chief barker of Variety
Tent 14, members expect an SRO at the convention.
.
The Juno Theatre, Juneau, is being closed
and will be converted into a store. The
theatre formerly was operated by David Weishoff
Ti-ampe of Allied Ai-tists will
leave this weekend for a Mexico vacation
Fox Wisconsin's Venetian and
trip . . .
Riviera closed indefinitely at the end of
January.
Variety Tent 14 is planning a trailer to promote
theatre collections for its main charity,
the Marquette Heart clinic. The trailer will
center around the Milwaukee Braves baseball
club . Wilk of the Minot, Mankato,
and St. Cloud Drive-In in the Minnesota
territory stopped off here on his way
home from the National Allied drive-in convention
in Cincinnati.
Seen on Fiimrow were Peter Statis and Ray
Wincher, Sparta: Don Hutchins and Jack
McWilliams, Portage . police department
has been asked to assist in halting vandalism
and rowdyism in local theatres. In the
last month, Fox Wisconsin reported that 462
.seats had been torn, 392 knife-ripped seats
had been discovered and 377 objects had been
hurled at screens . Tent 14 has
added 30 new members.
Ben Marcus is a busy man these days. In
addition to being chief barker of Tent 14, he
now is president of Allied States . . . Mrs.
Ida Sell, mother of Hildegarde, died in Milwaukee
. city motion picture was
praised by the mayor for its fah-ness in censoring
motion pictures.
TV Actress in 'West Point' Film
Betsy Palmer, a TV actress, will play a
lead with Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara
in "Mister West Point," a Columbia picture.
No 'Robe' Letup as It
Goes Into Sub Runs
MINNEAPOLIS—Cinemascope is as much
"in" for the subsequent run theatres in cities
like Minneapolis and the small-town houses
and less populous situations generally as it
has been for downtown theatres, if the astonishing
grosses being rolled up by "The
Robe" in the le.sser spots tell the story.
Tliree Minneapolis neighborhood theatres
are playing it day and date after seven weeks
at the downtown Radio City, where it broke
alltime boxoffice records by grossing in the
neighborhood of $200,000, by far the largest
sum ever chalked up here by any picture.
The house record was broken by each of the
three neighborhood theatres during the first
week of "The Robe." The Terrace reported
an initial stanza gross of nearly $10,000,
while around $6,000 each was chalked up by
the St. Louis Park and Riverview. All three
held "The Robe" over and it's now playing
at the Nile, another neighborhood house.
Previously the record at the Terrace was
held by "Quo Vadis," but its first-week take
was several thousand under that of "The
Robe." The Cinemascope offering was scaled
at $1 in the neighborhood houses here, compared
to the $1.50 first-run tariff. "Quo
Vadis" was 85 cents in the neighborhoods.
"The Robe" is in its 14th week at the St.
Paul World where it didn't open until after
the end of the local Radio City run. In that
700-seat house it has grossed approximately
$80,000 its first 13 weeks, a record for St. Paul, i
Reports from out-of-town are equally
amazing. In Grafton, N.D., population 2,500,
in a 500-seat theatre, for example, it pulled
$5,000 in its first five days. In the terri-
.
tory's smallest towns it has been set for a
full week at $1 admission and now playing
day-and-date at Spooner and Haywood, population
2,600 and 1,200, respectively, two Wisconsin
towns only 27 miles apart, for sevenday
engagements.
Territory exhibitors continue their rush to
Cinemascope. It's being installed in the
smallest towns and theatres, too, including
the 400-seater at Hallock, Minn., population
1,000, and the small theatres in Jackson,
Minn., and Plandreau, S.D.
In Minneapolis another independent neighborhood
house, the Varsity, has gotten into
the CS swim, making the Twin Cities total
six theatres, five in Minneapolis, to have the
equipment installed or on order. In the territory
the total now is approximately 60.
Films Council Tells How
To Boost Attendance
KIEL, WIS.—Ways of boosting attendance
at the Kiel Theatre is to furnish more heat]
during cold weather and provide better promotion
and return of new reels, S. W. Zielanis,
president of the Tricity Better Films
Council, has suggested. The suggestion was
made to Shim Chapman, manager of the
theatre, at a council meeting to preview new
films.
Chapman had asked the council for suggestions
and said the theatre might have to
close if attendance were not better. Thej
council also suggested that certain films are
run too soon after the first showing followed
by a long period of poor pictures. It also was
thought that the theatre should close
Tuesdays each week instead of Mondays.
1$ w >i
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70 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 19541

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Sawdust Trail Experts Are Giv'mg
Theatres Lessons in Showmanship
Ex-Film Scene Artist
Now Paints Bird Houses
I
MINNEAPOLIS—Film circles here say that
many theatres now are being outdrawn by
some of the evangelistic tabernacles that have
mushroomed here as elsewhere in the past
few years and now are operating seven days
a week the year around.
A significant example is the downtown
Alvin, a burlesque house for many years which
went over to religion when its longtime girl
show impresario, Charles Fox. was outbid
for its lease by an evangelist. As the Minneapolis
Evangelistic Auditorium, reportedly
paying $20,000 a year rental, the Alvin now
is pulling much larger audiences than when
the burlyque shows held forth. Its nightly
take, through voluntary contributions during
basket passings and pamphlet sales, also is
said to be much greater than that of its immediate
predecessor, the strip-tease studded entertainment.
The marquee sign, which formerly read
"a stage full of beautiful girls," proclaims
"Jesus Christ is your answer in this atomic
age." Instead of being filled with photos of
nearly nude glamor girls, the sti'eet display
Lost and Found Store
Is Newspaper Topic
BURLINGTON, lA. — Karl Underwood,
manager of the Capitol Theatre here, has
collected a formidable assortment of clothing
and sundry items which were left in the
theatre by customers during the last three
months. "The biggest collection during the
cold weather includes gloves and mittens,"
Underwood said in an interview, "but for the
life of me I can't figure out how some people
can leave without some of these things." He
referred to a pile of clothing that included a
girl's blouse, a pair of overalls, a jacket and
several shirts.
In Underwood's collection, in addition, there
are 36 hats and 70 gloves, none of which
matched. Also there are 25 billfolds, pocket
secretaries, coin cases and purses. Some had
identification cards inside and one even had
a driver's license, but Underwood said that
when the theatre notified persons that their
billfolds were found, many just ignored the
information. Probably the most expensive
piece of lost equipment is a pair of hornrimmed
spectacles that look as if they cost
.$30. Other items include a deck of cards, a
check book, several belts, head scarfs and
lipsticks. What happens to these things?
Unless they are claimed they will be destroyed.
Underwood said the practice in other
years was to give the usable clothing to relief
agencies, but that even they have stopped
taking them.
C. C. Coon to Arrow Theatre
CHEROKEE, IOWA—Clarence C. Coon,
formerly of Carroll, has taken over the management
of the Arrow Theatre here following
his return from a vacation trip to California,
Coon operated the Corral Drive-In
here last summer.
Lewis Meltzer is now developing "Castle
Europa" from his own original for Universal
release.
boards currently advertise the presence of a
guest evangelist, Kenneth — Goff "I Was
Agent."
Stalin's
Exhibitors here feel that the evangelistic
tabernacles ai'e outdoing them on showmanship.
They also declare that, if anything, the
present Alvin tenant is putting on a much
better "show" than his burlesque impresario
predecessor.
This and other tabernacles bring in different
guest evangelists every two weeks. Booked
over a circuit throughout the country and
going from city to city for two-week stands,
these evangelists include former prizefighters,
reformed ex-convicts and drunkards and
.voung boy and girl spellbinders, etc.
There's plenty of exploitation, too. The
tabernacles use newspaper ads, the radio and
television to publicize their "attractions."
Proceedings include, in addition to praying
and sermons, other emotionally moving oratory,
good music and singing, various audience
participation features and the drama involved
when sinners march on to the stage
to seek salvation and confess their sins and
sign up as tabernacle members.
Wide Screens Installed
MADISON, WIS.—The following Wisconsin
cities and towns have installed new
screens and equipment for the showing of
Cinemascope pictures or are preparing to do so,
Kenosha: After having a Miracle Mirror
screen installed a Cinemascope picture was
shown the first week in February.
Lake Geneva: Marvin Coon, manager of
the Geneva Theatre, advises that a large 15x
26-ft. screen was installed the first week in
February. The lobby also was enlarged and
the auditorium was reseated.
Reedsburg: Tlie Badger Theatre is installing
a large screen for Cinemascope, including
stereophonic sound. The theatre is being
operated by Mi's. Mida Kelly, assisted by her
•son Richard. The theatre was built by her
husband 30 years ago.
Ripon: A 16x30-foot Astrolite screen has
been installed at the Campus Theatre with a
small-theatre adaption of stereophonic sound.
Pat Martin is the manager of the Marcus
Tlieatre Management Co. operation.
Hayward—The Park, which opened with
"The Robe."
Wausau—The Grand, managed by Lawrence
Beltz, has put in large screen and
stereophonic sound at a cost of about $20,000.
Janesville—The Jeffris, manager by William
J. Lalor.
DES MOINES — Two more Iowa theatres
have installed wide, curved screens in their
houses. They are the Ritz at Pierson and the
Monroe at Monroe.
"The Robe' Shown in Marion
MARION, IND.—The Paramount Theatre
new sound and screen equip-
put into use its
ment with the presentation of "The Robe."
The new equipment cost approximately $30.-
000 and is the first of its kind in the city.
Frank Grade, at one time a scenery painter
for early motion pictures in Hollywood, now
lives at Carroll, Iowa, where he paints "picture
window scenes" and works at his hobby
of making fancy bird houses.
CARROLL, IOWA—Frank Grade, 64, scenery
painter for theatres from Hollywood to
Chicago, from Cuba to Canada, is now making
and painting bird houses. Grade took a
four-year art course in Omaha "back in
about 1909," later attended art classes in
Michigan and was employed by a Chicago
firm which made scenery for theatres and the
film industry.
"We worked in every state but Maine, where'
i
li
we were snowed out," recalled Grade. He
travelled in a three-man team. One man
drove the car, another built the scenery and
Grade painted it.
"My toughest assignment was painting a
mountain scene on the curtain for an Omaha
theatre just before World War I." he said.
In Hollywood he "created" marble columns,
palaces and other background structures for
motion pictm'es.
He returned to Carroll when his father
suffered a stroke. He was in France with the
infantry in World War I.
Some of his work is now exhibited at the
Carroll Legion Club. One of his finest pieces
is a miniature church, complete with steeple,
which has room for nine bird families.
His painting art is now confined to "picture
window paintings" for homes in this area.
Opening in Hebron, Neb.
HEBRON, NEB.—The New Majestic Theatre
was opened with music by the high school
band and a dedicatory talk by Mayor Hawkins.
Mr. Struve is the builder and operator.
Hebron had been without an indoor theatre
for eight months.
Former Owner as Relief
WHITEHALL, WIS.— C. R. Bergene managed
the Pix Theatre in the absence of Mr.
and Mrs. Martin Holzman, who went to the
south on vacation. Bergene is a former
owner of the Pix, which he sold a year ago to
Holzman.
Sidney to Open Every Night
SIDNEY, IOWA—The Sidney Theatre will
be open every night in the week from now on,
according to Earl Cowden, manager.
72
BOXOFFICE
:
: February 27, 1954
llOFnE
J>4 I

'k
Charles Cily Drive-In
Dispute Appealed
CHARLES CITY. IOWA -The St. Charles
lown.ship board ol trustees has appealed to
the Iowa supreme court a district court ruling
which forbids interference with operations of
the Charles City Drive-In, operated by Central
States Theatre Corp. The suit will ultimately
determine whether township trustees
can license business establishments outside
cities and towns.
The case stems back to 1951 when Central
States obtained a permit to operate a drivein.
However, the company was unable to build
the theatre that yeai-, and when it was built
in 1952 the trustees refused to grant a permit.
The theatre then operated without a permit
and the manager was arrested several times
last year.
Finally District Judge W. P. Butler ruled
the Iowa law giving township trustees .such
licensing power is unconstitutional because
the state legislature delegated too much discretionary
power to them. An injunction was
granted by the judge which forbids the
trustees to hinder operation of the theatre.
The present appeal of Judge Butler's ruling
was filed by Robert Sar, Forrest Klages and
Raymond Fluhrer, trustees; J. W. McGeeney,
Justice of the peace; E. W. Henke, county
attorney, and Bernard Atherton, sheriff. The
theatre in dispute is located on Highway 218
Student Ticket Prices
Started at Ripon, Wis.
RIPON, WIS.—New admission prices for
students over 12 years of age were put into
effect here Friday (19 1 according to Pat
Martin, local manager for S&M Theatres.
Student tickets are priced at 40 cents.
A student card, bearing the student's name
and address, must be purchased at the
Campus for 25 cents each. The cards may be
revoked by the management at any time for
disciplinary reasons, but the student may
purchase another card at the end of his
probationary period. If cards are los^t or
misplaced, the student must purchase another.
Students without cards must pay the
regular adult admission price.
Dal Halfir»ann Has Resigned
BELOIT, WIS.—Beginning in February, all
three twin city film theatres will be closed
Mondays through Thursdays. They will continue
to operate on weekends. Dal Halfmann,
twin city manager, has resigned. His successor
is Dan LeFleur, who has been managing
the Lloyd in Menomonie. Halfmann came to
Marinette slightly over three years ago as
manager of the Rialto for the Fox-Wisconsin
Amusement Corp. Fox sold its lease to the
Thomas Co. and Halfmann was named manager
of the Rialto and later the Lloyd.
James Fraser to Red Wing
RED WING, MINN.—James Fra.ser, who
has been associated with the Minnesota
Amusement Co. at Duluth for three years,
is the new manager of the Chief Theatre
here, succeeding Jerry Yanisch, who has resigned.
Yanisch, who has been at the Chief
for the past eight years, has accepted a
position as salesman with the Forney Farm
Welders, Ft. Collins, Colo. He will continue
his residence in Red Wing.
Berger Promises Fight
For CS Without Stereo
MINNEAPOLIS Biiinie Berger, before
departing for the Allied States board meeting
in New York this week, said he would
press the directors to implement the resolutions
recently adopted by the local North
Central Allied board. The resolutions call
upon 20th-Fox and other companies to release
Cinemascope pictures without stereophonic
sound and all distributors to make
top product available for small-town exhibitors
and subsequent run theatres and at
rentals within their reach. The re.solutions
contend that the film companies' present
sales policies sound the death knell for
thousands of small exhibitors.
Berger will suggest that NAA use large
newspaper advertising space throughout the
nation to acquaint the public with the threat
to exhibitors' existence and to ask for its
support and cooperation in remedying matters.
He'll also ask the directors to consider institution
of legal action, if necessary, and
recourse to the Department of Justice and
senate's business committee.
Lloyd Gladson New Head
Of Alliance JayCees
ALLIANCE. NEB. Lloyd Gladson, manager
of the Alliance Theatre, has been elected
president of the Alliance Junior Chamber
of Commerce. Gladson served with the marines
during World War II in the South Pacific.
He joined Fox Intermountain Theatres
in 1946 as manager at North Platte and
later served in Ti'inidad, Colo., and Las
Vegas, N.M. He was city manager at Walsenburg,
Colo., before coming here in November
of 1952. He has been active in JayCees since
his arrival in Alliance and is also a member
of the American Legion, VFW, Elks, Second
Marine Division Ass'n, the Alliance volunteer
fire dept., and the Senior Chamber of Commerce.
Gladson is a charter member of the
Alliance Lions Club.
WR Theatres Purchases
Trio in Wisconsin Rapids
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WIS.—The Wisconsin
and Palace theatres and the Highway 13
Drive-In in Saratoga have been sold by
Standard Theatres Management Corp. to the
WR Co. The purchasing firm is owned by
L. F. Gran, Milwaukee, and Harry Mintz,
who has been named resident manager of the
three local theatres. The new owners took
immediate possession. Mintz has been with
Warner Bros, for 25 yeais, managing show
houses from coast to coast. For the past 17
years he served as district manager for the
state of Wisconsin.
Slash in Dairy Supports
Seen Exhibition Jolt
MINNEAPOLIS The L^overnment's impending
reduction in the support price of
butter, cheese and dried milk from 90 per
cent of parity to 75 will cut the income of
Minnesota's 50.000 dairy farmers $2,500,000
a month, starting April 1, according to a
Minneapolis Sunday Tribune estimate. Bennie
Berger, North Central Allied president,
considers this "another heavy blow" to exhibitors.
Sioux Take io Warpath
Over New Frank Film
MINNEAPOLIS — Lot a 1 theatre circuit
owner and film producer W. R. Frank has
incurred the displeasure of the great Sioux
Indian nation's .seven councils because he is
filming the life story of Sitting Bull, the
famous Sioux figure, in Mexico instead of in
South Dakota, the locale of the great chiefs
exploits,
Frank originally announced that the picture
would be filmed in South Dakota. His
change of plans also caused a mild editorial
rebuke by the Minneapolis Star. All of this
has added up to considerable newspaper publicity
here for the picture and its producer.
The local Star editorial declared, "Frank
and his company could do a genuine .service
to American entertainment by producing an
authentic document of the life of Sitting Bull,
but we need another tom-tom and turkey
feathers horse opera about as much as we
need five thumbs."
The editorial followed an Associated Press
story out of Rapid City, S.D., which the
Morning Tribune here front-paged with a
two-column head. The story stated that
Black Hoop, chairman of the Standing Rock
Sioux tribe at Sitting Bull's home reservation,
is protesting against the making of the picture
in Mexico, where filming already has
started.
It was reported that the other Sioux councils—the
Ogalala, Minneconjou, Blackfeet,
Santee and Two Kettles—are foUowing the
Hunkpapa lead and joining in the protest.
The development followed after Gov.
Sigurd Anderson of South Dakota referred
the matter of making a protest to the
Indians.
In a letter to Governor Anderson, Ralph
Peckham, a former South Dakotan, now
secretary-treasurer of the motion picture set
painters union in Hollywood, urged that he
••protest this complete disregard of the beauty
and authentic locale of the state of South
Dakota."
Peckham explained that his union is
vitally concerned with "runaway production"
—the making of motion pictures in foreign
countries by American film companies. He
pointed out that the film companies justify
going abroad because of the demand for
•authentic locale." Yet, wrote Peckham.
"this company is portraying Sitting Bull as
a native of Mexico."
Frank asserts his as.sociate in the production
is the Tele Voz company of Mexico,
headed by the son of a former president of
Mexico, Miguel Aleman. The ••Sitting Bull"
company is working out of Churubusco studios
in Mexico. The AP story stated that the
picture, a Cinemascope production ir. Technicolor,
is being made below the border because
Aleman has put up some of the money
for it.
In association with others, Frank owns a
circuit of ten theatres in this territory, most
located in the Twin cities.
To Install in Grand Forks
GR.'VND FORKS, N.D— Enlargement of the
stage of the Panuiiount to permit installation
of Cinemascope has been begun, according
to Cliff Knoll, city manager of the Minnesota
Amusement Co.. owner of the Paramount.
BOXOFFICE February 27, 1954
73

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I
I ;.S '-'"
"cancer" is an unpleasant word. It's easier not to think
about it— to turn the page, to pass on.
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this proves it.
PERHAPS you have a special reason of your own for
being interested in the fight against cancer. Cancer may
have taken away someone whom you loved. It's
not unlikely,
for cancer strikes one out of five of us. The young.
The old. The strong no less than the weak.
LAST YE.AR, Americans contributed more than ever before
to the American Cancer Society. But still not enough.
Not nearly enough for the struggle that must be waged
if this implacable enemy is' to be conquered for good
—if we are to make cancer, like so many once-dreaded
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THIS YEAR — please— give more generously than ever.
For your help is needed more than ever. Won't you please
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74 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954 IliJIjiT.^

i
Allen—The
UA)
'Hell and High Water'
Is 200 at Cleveland
CLEVELAND
•HcU and HiKh Water" was
the big attraction of the week. The picture
opened very big at the Hippodrome and continued
strong all week, ending with a big 200
per cent rating. Clearly it was the picture,
not the medium, that attracted the crowds
because another Cinemascope picture and
a 3-D picture, failed to bring in the customers.
"The Joe Louis Story" had a standout
opening at the Tower, due largely to timing.
The picture played simultaneously with the
holding of the Plain Dealer annual Golden
Gloves contest.
Command (WB), 2nd wk 70
Hippodrome— Hell and High Water (20th-Fox) . . 200
[Lower Mall--Concert of Stors (Artkino) 90
lOhio— Eosy to Love !MGM), 3rd wk 75
I Palace—Bod for Eoch Other (Col) 70
t state— Forever Female (Para), 5 65
days
nan—Cease Fire (Para) 60
llTowcr—The Joe Louis Story (UA); Donovan's
ain (UA) 150
'Creature' and 'Money' Take
I
Honors in Detroit
I
DETROIT—The Broadway Capitol led the
) local motion picture business with "Creature
jprom the Black Lagoon." Other downtown
j theatres remained at practically the same
1 level as last week.
I
.
Adams— Knights of the Round Table (MGM),
I
8th wk 90
iBroodway Capitol— Creature From the Block
Lagoon (U-l). Texos Badmon (AA) 160
I
Ifox—Three Young Texans (20th-Fox), Miss Robin
Crusoe (20th-Fox) 80
I
iModison—Wicked Woman (UA); Fort Algiers
(UA) 100
I Michigan—Money From Home (Para), Those
Redheads From Seottle (Pora) 150
olms—War Arrow
United Artists—Give
(U-l)
a Girl
95
a Break (MGM);
onovan's Broin 82
BOWLING
DETROIT—Ernie Forbes took over the lead
from second place in the Nightingale Club
Bowling League, with Amusement Supply
going into second. The standings as of February
12:
anie Forbes Theat. Sup 40 32
Amusement Supply Co 37% 34%
Altec Sound 36 36
Projectionists Local 199 35 37
National Carbon Co 34'2 37%
National Theatre Sup 33 39
Individual scores: Roy Thompson 192-190
for 553, Floyd H. Akins 214 for 523, Frank
Quinlan 202 for 522, Jack Colwell 194 for
506, Carl Mingione 510, Nick Forest 516 and
Matt Haskin 191.
Banned Films Are Being
Ohio
Resubmitted in
Paramount at Toledo
Marks Its 25th Year
TOLEDO—A party celebrating the 25th
birthday of the Paramount Theatre was held
Wednesday ilO) at the theatre honoring William
Cameron and Eddie Peters of the origmal
stage staff, and Paul Spor, the theatre's
original ma.ster of ceremonies. These are the
only persons in Toledo who were associated
with the Paramount on its opening date,
Feb. 10. 1929.
In his Toledo Blade column of February 11,
Mitch Woodbury said, "another honored guest
was Charley McLaughlin, dean of the city's
stagehands. Now 84 and retired, Charley
began his career as assistant stage manager
of the old Wheeler Opera House located on
the second floor of a building at St. Clair
and Monroe, which was destroyed by fire in
1893.
"The late Sidney Dannenberg was manager
of the Paramount at its opening." Woodbury
added. "Jack Jackson was the publicity representative,
Dwight Brown was organist and
Willy Stahl director of the pit band.
"The opening stage attraction w^as a Publix
unit titled 'Just Kids.' The screen feature
was Richard Dix in 'Redskin.' Spor was master
of ceremonies for one year when he was
transferred to Denver. The following year
he returned briefly to the theatre. His .successors
were Jimmy Ellerd and Benny Ro.ss.
In 1931 the Paramount's master of ceremony
was Ted Mack, TV and radio's star of the
Amateur Hour."
New Popcorn Machine
KENTON. OHIO—The Hi-Road Drive-In
here has installed a new Cretors Olympic
popcorn machine.
COLUMBUS. OHIO— "The Moon Is
and other films turned down in
Blue"
recent years
by the Ohio cen.sor board are being resubmitted
to the board following the recent U.S.
Supreme Court action on "M" and "La Ronde."
Dr. Clyde Hissong, chief state film censor,
has been conferring with ministers and other
civic groups to determine what policy the
film censorship division would follow in dealing
with the once-rejected pictures. "We
haven't arrived at a general pattern of what
we are going to do yet," said Dr. Hissong. "We
might decide to return to our original policy
of not accepting sex pictures."
Last week the Ohio board banned "Striporama,"
a film with a burlesque background.
Dr. Hissong said it was unsuitable for general
exhibition in Ohio. He said the same
thing about Jane Ru.ssell's five-minute song
and dance in "The French Line." The Ohio
board approved that picture after deletion of
the controversial scene.
The Supreme Court held that Ohio could
not ban films merely on grounds they might
tend to incite to crime or might be immoral.
Pictures banned on those grounds are now
coming back for review. In addition to "The
Moon Is Blue," tho.se resubmitted for review
are "The Outlaw," "The Miracle," "Mom and
Dad," "Ecstacy" and "We Want a Child."
Hissong .said it may take two or three weeks
to formulate a new policy regarding these
films. The board is now accepting such films
for review without a court mandate. Previously,
a court order was required to get the
censors to pass on a banned picture. Dr.
Hissong ha-s indicated that the Supreme Court
ruling seemed to leave little grounds for censoring
except for obscenity. He said a court
suit by exhibitors or distributors would be
welcome "because it w-ould help the division
establish whether or not it has the right to
ban films or parts of films."
ASfC YOURSELF!
BJWas the Refreshment Service Provided at your Drive-In Theatre
entirely satisfactory to you, and most important, to your Patrons?
[Deaths in Detroit
DETROIT—Frank Gibbs 61, assistant to
Ithe president of Alexander Film Co., selling
Imanufacturer-sponsored advertising for thelatre
and television, died here. Gibbs, who
Iserved with this company for 18 years, was
Iburied in his home town of St. Louis.
Wayne Baxter, 41, with the police censor
Ibureau, died after an automobile accident.
Saxter was on the police force for 17 years
[and received 4 citations.
DETROIT—George Olson. 64, Grayling thelatre
operator who with his brother Jim oper-
Itate theatres in Grayling, West Branch.
iJHoughton Lake. Clare and Gaylord. died in
IPlorida. Interment was in Grayling.
Get the most out of your Refreshment Service by Utilizing the Experience,
Specialization and Integrity of the Midwest's leading Theatre
Concessionaire.
for further details,
Phone, Write or Wire
CONFECTION CABINET CORP.
Refreshment Concessionaires in Theotrcs,
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DETROIT
f^liver Brooks, independent distributor, was
in Indianapolis in behalf of "Birth of a
Baby," which is playing Indiana, Kentucky
Roberta Lee, manager of
and Virginia . . .
the Stone Theatre, helped her son Ronald
celebrate his first wedding anniversary. Ronald,
who lives in Bay City is a drummer with
Trez's band there.
Hollywood star Neville Brand was in for
press appearances on "Riot in Cell Block 11,"
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OXOFFICE
:
27, 1954
77

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j
CLEVELAND
The Tower Theatre, formerly the Telenews,
is closed for good, but the Hanna, only
legitimate house in town, opened a spot picture
policy Friday (19) with "The Man Between."
Modern Theatres, headed by P. E.
Essick. has a flexible lea.se which makes the
theatre available for pictures when no stage
show is booked. Essick installed a new wide
fly screen, and if the experiment proves successful,
will install stereophonic sound.
Marilyn Arden, a four-year employe of 20th-
Fox, was married February 14 in the Wade
Park manor to Leonard Ostrow of New York.
They will make their home in New York after
the honeymoon . Bernard, RKO exploiteer,
is back in town after a month promoting
the Washington, D.C., opening of
"The Best Years of Our Lives" . . . Mrs. Charles
Gardner has notified exchanges that the
Strand, Payne, Is closing Tuesday and
Wednesday of each week .
casualty
is the Gai-rettsville, Garrettsville. It is understood
that Mrs. Pi-ank Hull lost her lease.
Future plans for the property have not been
announced.
On IVIarch 1, the Variety Club and the
Cleveland Salesmen's club will stage a testimonial
dinner for Irwin Pollard in the Theatrical
grill. Pollard recently resigned from
Republic after 17 years with the company,
five of them in Cleveland as manager .
George Bailey, MGM office manager, is reported
on the sick list and is waiting to be
admitted to a hospital for diagnosis and treatment
. on the sick list is Lillian Behm,
U-I receptionist. Lillian suffered a collapse
following the deaths, within one week, of her
brother and her sister.
Bob Wile, ITO secretary, was Thursday's
guest speaker at the Painesville's Kiwanis
club luncheon . Spiegle. who has
been an independent distributor of exploitation
films the last several years, joined the
Republic sales force, where he succeeds Tom
Alley, who resigned. Alley had been with the
company about eight years and prior to that
was with 20th-Fox . Stutz is taking
a week away from the Circle for a little Key
West sunshine.
Max Lefkowich of Community circuit and
his wife are in town from their Miami Beach
winter home to be on hand for the arrival of
their daughter's first baby .
Sands.
Warner manager, was in Pittsburgh to attend
a meeting of managers in this district . . .
"Westerns, the backbone of drive-ins, have
to be of the de luxe variety to get by these
days," Alan Shaw, booker for a local outdoor
chain, says. "The day is past when a western
is a western. .Today, it has to be a superwestern
to bring in the crowds."
. . . Jack Haynes of United
Lawrence Black's Skyway Drive-In, East
Liverpool, plans to Inaugm-ate the drive-in
season with a March 14, opening. Average
opening date Is the end of March or beginning
of April . . . Bob Bial of the Luthi Studios
is once again Red Cross captain for the
Film building
Detroit paid his monthly booking visit to the
exchanges.
Walter Vendeland, son of Sid 'Vendeland,
who operates a delivery service for the industry,
is back in the army and on his way to
Japan . Horwitz succeeds Ray Allison
as manager of the Haltnorth, a Washing-
,
ton circuit unit . . . Jack and Jim Ochs are in
Canada lining up bookings for the Ochs
Canadian drive-ins while Papa Herb continues
to bask in the Florida sunshine.
EiVP'-
Bernie Rubin of Imperial Pictures had extra
help last Thursday. His 4-year-old daughter
spent the day in the exchange, while her two
older sisters were in school ... I. J. Schmertz,
20th-Fox manager, and Mrs. Schmertz are
packing for a Florida vacation . . . Oscar
Ruby, Columbia manager, was laid up with a
sore foot . . . Ajidy Anderson is back in the
territory selling exploitation pictures for Nate
Schultz.
With downtown screens tied up with extended
runs. Republic is skipping a downtown
first run on "Hell's Half Acre" and is
releasing it simultaneously to six first run
subui'ban theatres, starting March 6. Theatres
involved are the Richmond, Shore and
Shaw-Hayden on the east side and the
Beechcliffe, Broadvue and Lyric on the west.
r;aolon(Ol'J
Jean Peters in "Broken Lance'
Appearing with Spencer Tracy, Dolores Del
Rio and Robert Wagner in 20th-Fox's "Broken
Lance" will be Jean Peters.
to
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BOXOFFICE February 27, 19

^-'.^-oMdaiisi
! BOSTON—
Two Theatres Suffer
Hoodlum Attacks
NEW HAVEN—Hoodlumlsm erupted at
two downtown theatres in the space of a few
hours Sunday (14 1, resulting in the arrest
of eight persons. Although there was considerable
excitement among Paramount and
Roger Sherman audiences, because of the
disturbances, it was not necessary to stop
either program.
The Paramount fracas was the more spectacular.
An usher had ejected three boys,
Wnsti
two 12 and the other 9, because of their
1 «1lll s
disorderly behavior. In the process, one 12-
^s Hall Acre" at, year-old ripped the usher's shirt, tie and
collar. A woman attendant in the theatre,
^ Matcli «, Hi attempting to help the usher, was verbally
* "KtaiOBd, State abused with obscene language.
^ ast side and
Manager James Darby and other personnel
were breathing sighs of relief when the
'iiKiLjricontliei
mother of one of the juveniles arrived from
her home a short time later, angrily rushed
by the doorman, and sought out and struck
satrTiacy, Dolores 1
both the female attendant and usher who had
K-'Q2lltli-Fo!VBi(i
Ptte
evicted her son. Several policemen were
called to subdue the woman. Mrs. Frances
Celone, 37, and she was an-ested for breach
of the peace. Her son and his companions
were arrested for juvenile court.
At the Roger Sherman, one young man
requested three others to cease their loud
talk. He was challenged to step outside, and
the group stormed up the aisle, and engaged
lellieii
in a fist fight in front of the theatre. Again,
a detail of police was called, and all four were
arrested.
The incidents made front-page newspaper
material, largely because they occurred in
crowded theatres. The Register, in an editorial,
demanded that measures be taken to
stop hoodlum activities in theatres. The
problem is causing increasing concern, especially
at the downtowners. The newspaper
urged strict punishment of offenders
in court.
Cases of those arrested are still pending.
ATC Adding Sixth Airer,
The Oxford, 1,000 Cars
to »"?'"
American Theatres Corp. ha.s
aken a long-term lease on a 1,000-car drivein
being constructed on the Auburn-Oxford
line in Massachusetts. To be called the Oxford,
it is being built by the Auburn Drive-In
Corp. according to the specifications of ATC.
It will be ready for a mid-April opening.
The concession stand will be of cafeteria
lilViOiUliU
EVEREST PARLEY—Miss A. Viola
Berlin, managing director of the Exeter
Street Tlieatre in Boston, snapped with
George Lowe of New Zealand, a member
of the party which scaled Mt. Everest.
He was in town with Sir Edmund Hillary,
head of the expedition. The UA film,
"Conquest of Everest," will open at the
Exeter Street March 7.
Full-Page Ad Promotes
'Heidi' in New England
HARTFORD— "Heidi," relea.sed by UA, is
being given one of the most extensive promotion
campaigns of the 1953-54 .season by
Perakos Theatre Associates.
Opening day-and-date at the independent
circuit's Hi-Way and Beverly theatres, Bridgeport,
the picture got an unprecedented sendoff
via a full-page newspaper ad heralding
the premiere.
Sperie Perakos, general manager, working
out of ch-cuit headquarters, has been planning
the campaign with the Hi-Way and
Beverly management.
'War Arrow' in Day-Date Bo'w
HARTFORD—"War Arrow" opened dayand-date
at the New England Tlieatres' AUyn,
Hartford, and Paramount, New Haven, with
John McGrail of the U-I field exploitation
force working with Harry Browning. Ray
McNamara and Jim Darby on exploitation.
Sam Goldstein Heads
New Operating Firm
HARTFORD- Sam Goldstein, president of
Wc^lcrn Massachusetts TTieatres, will head
the niw Western Mass. operating company,
riiiaUe Managers, Inc., for one year at least.
Goldstein, elected president of the new organization
recently, has indicated that he
may relinquish all control of Theatre Managers,
Inc.. by the end of 1954.
Serving as officer with him are Arthur
Preston, vice-president; William J. Althaus,
treasurer, and Ro.se Orbach, clerk.
Directors are Francis Faille, Paramount,
North Adams: Neil O'Brien, Victory, Holyoke;
John Glazier, booking department, and George
Colman, Calvin, Northampton.
Under the terms of the charter, employes of
Western Mass. Theatres have been given the
opportunity to acquire stock in Theatre Managers,
Inc.. which will lease and operate 18
WMT houses.
Nineteen employes hold options to purchase
from 100 to 300 shares in Theatre Managers,
Inc.. depending on their lengths of .service
with WMT. The parent company will retain
ownership of real estate and the theatres,
with the new firm operating them. All
stockholders will share in the dividends and
bonuses of the new corporation, in addition
from WMT.
In the event any employe terminates his
to receiving regular salaries
connection with the corporation, the charter
stipulates that he will receive at least par
value for his stock.
Goldstein said that one of the first steps
of the new company would be to install
Cinemascope screens in all theatres not yet
so equipped.
Meantime, Western Mass. Theatres will be
controlled by five directors: Goldstein, Mrs.
Linda Goldstein, William Kennedy, attorney
Joseph Cowell and Ernest Wheeler. Mrs.
Goldstein. Kennedy and Wheeler serve as
trustees for Cadet Ronald I. Goldstein.
Mother of H. V. Andersen Dies
HARTFORD—The mother of H. V. Andersen,
motion picture editor of the Hartford
Courant. died
Hartford Man Arrested
For Robbing Theatres
HARTFORD—Police arrested 34-year-old
lohn J. Zolenski here on charges of holding
ip the Princess and Strand theatre, a drug
;tore and dry cleaning establishment. He was
jirrested at gunpoint in the downtown area
hortly after eluding Joseph Amorusco. doornan
at the Pi'incess.
Zolenski was presented in police court on
our counts of robbery with violence, and w-as
ound over to superior court under S25.000
ond.
TIME OUT FOR FIN—A gala holiday party was held at the E. M. Loew
offices on Huntington avenue in Boston, with false mustacliios and wigs as part of
the merriment. Can you recognize some of tlie leading industryites in this picture?
Left to right: E. .'\I. Loew, president; Ralph Iannuz/.i. manager for \Varner Pictures;
a professional accordion player; Phil Berler, head booker at E. .M. Loew's: John Moore,
Paramount Pictures division manager, and Bill Cuddy, office manager at RKO.
5tyle. The airer will be the sixth under the
ATC banner. Others are in North Reading.
3augus. Springfield. Shrew.sbury and Weynouth.
SfHCE-
OXOFFICE :
; February 27. 1954
NE 79

!
BIG SWING TO AMPEX
BY N.E. MOVIE CHAINS!
AMPEX stereophonic sound equipment for CinemaScope, sold by famous
RADIO SHACK Corporation of Boston, Mass.
E. M. LOEW CHAIN
\ SIGNS 100%
MAX FINN, left. General
Manager of Loew
group signing contract
with M. M. Newman of
Radio Shack Corp.. Boston,
distributor of Ampex
equipment in N.E.
A. T. C, INTERSTATE, SMITH MANAGEMENT
ALSO SIGN WITH RADIO SHACK FOR AMPEX!
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Facts not fancy! New England's top theaters are going for CinemaScope with Ampex sound in
big way. With orders, not promises! The reason? — Ampex is lower in cost, higher in quality, easier
to install. Get the whole picture jor any size theater from Radio Shack's General Manager, Morris
M. Newman. Call him today at LAfayette 3-3700, Ext. 19, for an anywhere-anytime appointment.
And ask him about our easy LONG-RANGE credit plan
RADIO SHACK CORPORATIOH
167 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON 8, MASS.
a
80 BOXOFTICE
: : February 27, 1954

I
I
openings
!
Connecticut
I
. . Jack
. . Hollywood's
. . John
—
—
— — —
—
NEW HAVEN Much-Heralded Pinocchio Reissue
TVAax Birnbaum, Warner manager, and Barney
Pitkin. RKO chief, are vacationing
in Miami . Harvey, manager of the
Stanley Warner Palace, Danbury, vi.sited his
daufjhtcr in Wa-shincton . . . Belle Hoffman,
20th-Fox in.spector, was on sick leave recuperating
from a hand injury received at work.
Charles Baron, UA publicist from New
York, was in New Haven. Bridgeport. Waterbury
and Hartford working on "Beat the
Devil," which has early March openings in
Patrons of the Whalley.
those cities . . .
Whitney and Westville donated nearly $600
to the March of Dimes in audience solicitations.
Jim McCarthy, district manager for SW, is
recuperating at his mother's home in Bridgeport
after surgery at a Boston hospital. During
hLs convalescence, his duties are being
split by Jim Tobin. manager of the Warner.
Bridgeport, and Nick Brickates, manager of
the Garde, New London.
Michael Levine, 13-year-old son of Warner
booker Sid Levine, was the youngest of
25 area Boy Scouts chosen to hold municipal
and county offices during Citizenship day
Friday (19). Michael, serving as chief deputy
sheriff, opened a session of common pleas
court, and was hLs dad proud!
Joe Mansfield, UA exploiteer from Boston,
was in Norwich working on the opening of
"Heidi" at Loew's Poll . . . Joe Minsky. SW
booker for Connecticut, is back from an Atlantic
City sojourn . Macdonald
Carey and the stage's Kitty Carlisle
are starred in "Anniversary Waltz." a new
comedy by Jerome Chodorov and Joseph
Fields, which will have its world premiere
at the Shubert March 3.
.
Paul Richrath of the MGM home office
was in to confer with Phil Gravitz . . . Jack
Scanlon of the Warner. Torrington, visited
his son in North Carolina Mc-
Grail. Universal publicist, Boston, was in
Bridgeport promoting "The Glenn Miller
Storv."
Many Shop Displays Used
For 'Cantor' in Hartford
HARTFORD—"The Eddie Cantor Story"
at Stanley Warner houses in key
cities were backed by extensive
promotion supervised by Harry Feinstein and
J. M. Totman. zone executives.
In numerous locations, managers tied-up
with music stores and record shopvs for both
interior and window displays plugging the
Warner Bros, color musical. Advance promotion
was suggested by Art Moger of the
Warner Bros, field exploitation force.
Sam Pinanski Re-Elected
BOSTON— Samuel Pinanski has been reelected
to a term of four years to the board
of directors of the John Hancock Mutual
Life Insurance
1 Co. Pinanski. president of
American Theatres Corp., became a member
of the John Hancock board in 1950. Reelected
with him were Thomas D. Cabot.
Philip H. Theopold. Lloyd D. Brace and
Albert Creighton.
Spurs Boston First
BOSTON — New product spurred local
grosses. "Pinocchio" opened to a big first
day, backed by a strong TV and radio campaign.
"Public Enemy" and "Little Caesar,"
in for nine days, were successful. "The Living
Desert" continued strong in its second week,
while "The Best Years of Our Lives" was also
good at the Astor Theatre. "Knights of the
Round Table" was above average at the State
and Orpheum.
Average Is 100)
Astor—The Best Yeors of Our Lives (RKO), 2nd
wk,, reissue 110
Beacon Hill The Living Desert (Disney), 2nd wk..l60
Boston This Is Cinerama iCineroma), 7th wk...l25
Exeter Street—The Great Gilbert and Sullivan
(UA), 4th wk 100
Majestic Julius 80
Caesar iMGM), 8th wk
Memorial—Toia, Son o* Cochise (U-l); Gentle
Gunman (U-l), split with two days of Pinocchio
(RKO) 150
Metropolitan The Command (WB), 2nd wk,, split
with Money From Home (Poro), two days MO
Paramount and Fenway Public Enemy (WBl,
Little Caesar iWB), reissues 140
Pilgrim Soadia (MGM), Drums of Tohiti (Col),
2nd wk 90
State and Orpheum Knights of the Round Table
(MGM) 135
"Knights' New Haven Debut
Scores 160 Per Cent
NEW HA'\rEN—"Knights Of the Round
Table" had a big first week at Loew's Poll
and was held for an additional seven days at
the 3,000-seater. "Miss Sadie Thompson"
held up well in its third week, and two outdoor
dramas drew satisfactory business.
College Miss Sadie Thompson (Col); Chino
Venture :Col), 3rd wk 90
Paramount—War Arrow U-l); Jennifer (AA) 85
Poll Knights of the Round Table (MGM) 160
Roger Sherman Toza, Son of Cochise (U-l);
Border River (U-l) 100
"Knights'
Third Week Pulls
Best Hartford Business
HARTFORD—Backed by a strong promotion
campaign, "Knights of the Round
Table" went into a third w-eek at Loew's Poll
Palace. The film had its New England premiere
at Loew's Poll, with Lou Cohen of
Loew's Poll Hartford Tlieatres and staff using
an augmented drive embracing newspapers,
radio, street ballyhoo and merchant tieups.
The film played at the Poll for two weeks
prior to moving over to the Palace.
Allyn Money From Home (Pora); The Man From
Cairo (Lippert) 200
Run Business
Art Little Fugitive l,rt,n) 110
E M L< >'w It Should Happen to You (Col); Drhr*
150
a Crooked Rood C
Poll —The Long, Long Troilcr (MGM) 100
Poloce— Knights of tho Round Toble (MGM);
3rd wk 275
Strond—The Boy From Oklahoma (WBl, Diamond
Queen WB) 90
Teresa Brewer Headlines
Hartford State Show
HARTFORD — The 3.b0O-seal State, the
downtown area's only combination motion
picture-vaudeville house, held its first stage
show in a month for the February 20, 21
weekend, with Teresa Brewer, star of Paramount's
"Tlio.se Redheads FYom Seattle,"
headlining the revue.
The theatre normally is a weekend operation,
owned by Ted Harris of Hartford and
his brothers. During the stageless weekends,
the theatre presented subsequent run films
on its 60-foot-wide Magniglow screen.
Advance teaser ads for the Brewer show
carried the line, "Stage Shows Are Back!"
The Harris interests blanketed the metropolitan
area with window cards, radio tieups
and newspaper advertising and publicity for
the Brewer revue.
i SPECIRL :
iTRfllLeRSi
That Get You Best Resul»s|
And The Speed You Need.
IMAGE & SOUND SERVICE CORP.
"The Best Value In Sound Service"
Honcock 6-7984 445 Statler Building
Boston, MosMchusetts
HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
BOXOFFICE:
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Please enter my subscription to BOXOFFICE. 52 issues per year (13 of which conlain
The MODERN THEATRE Section).
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D Remittance Enclosed D Send Invoice
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STREET ADDRESS..
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.jljBOXOFFICE :: February 27, 1954
81

"
of
BOSTON
n merican Theatres Corp., recently reorganized
its concession department, naming
Nathan Buchman as head of the wholesale
and retail departments. He has moved his
office from 78 Broadway to the fifth floor
of the ATC building at 646 Washington.
Benjamin Conviser is in charge of the warehouse,
shipping and production of popcorn
and all equipment repairs. He retains his
office at 78 Broadway.
While Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer
were here in the pre-Broadway tryout of
"Ondine," they took time out to visit the
Pilgrim Theatre, ATC's flagship, where Ferrer
is starred in "Saadia." Manager Abner
Pinanski greeted the two stars.
Art Moger, director of advertising and
publicity for the eastern division of Warner
Bros., has been appointed chairman of the
motion picture division
'"""'
-_j|j» i ,.
the Massachusetts
Heart fund, represent-
^flHMB|k
^^^^^^^ ing all branches of the
I^K industry. The 1954
^^* * Heart fund drive is the
biggest in the history
of the fund and was
.
launched on Valentine's
day . . Samuel
Pinanski, president of
American Theatres
Corp., is off to Florida
for a brief vacation . . .
Art Moger
George Roberts of the
Rifkin circuit and his family have arrived in
the vacation state.
Two enterprising young men, Charles
Caruso and Bob Holland, have established
a freelance publicity agency called Charles
Roberts Associates with offices at 419 Boylston
St. Their first major a.ssignment was
a "Meet the Stai's" junket, when 2,200 Bostonians
took a weekend trip to New York
where they were entertained by film, radio,
TV and recording stars at the Hotel New
Yorker. According to the young men, this
was the largest tour in travel history and
was a great success. Another junket is
planned for the weekend of March 27, which
will be limited to 1,300 people at the price
of $29 per person when the same type of en-
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE
to get in the
BIG MONEY
• a screen game,
HOLLYWOOD takes top
honors. As a box-office attraction,
it is without equaL It has
been a favorite with theatre goers for
over 15 years. Write today for complete details.
Be sure to give seating or car capacity.
HOLLYWOOD AMUSEMENT CO.
831 South Wabash Avenue • Chicago 5, llllnoil
tertainment will be offered. Caruso and Holland
were classmates at Boston university
and both have had publicity experience with
MGM here.
Within the next few weeks, Embassy Pictures
will move its offices to the second floor
of 19 Winchester St. above the Metro Premium
office. Embassy will retain its building
at 16 Piedmont St. as headquarters for the
shipping room service, with the executive
offices in the new spot. Jo.seph E. Levine is
president of Embassy and Joseph Wolf is
vice-president.
Edward S. Segal, son of the Harry Segals,
manager for United Artists, was married February
21 to Louise Koffman, daughter of the
Harry Koffmans of Chicago. She is a graduate
of Katherine Gibbs school, Chicago, while
he was graduated from Tufts college and is
now stationed at Boiling air force base in
Washington ... A painting, which had hung
in the lobby of the Kenmore, was stolen during
an evening performance. When Manager
Albert Donovan called police. Detective Vernon
White canvassed nearby fraternity houses,
figuring that their initiation ceremonies were
in progress and the mysterious removal of the
$350-valued painting might turn up at one of
the dormitories.
Col. Ed Kirby, who was technical director
for the IT-I film, "The Glenn Miller Story,"
because of his association with the band
leader during the war, spent a busy day in
town appearing on five radio programs with
several press interviews sandwiched in between.
The next day, he went to Springfield
with publicist John McGrail for ballyhoo on
the film, which had its New England premiere
at the Bijou, operated by B&Q Associates.
On opening night, a band from Westover field
played in the theatre lobby as a feature of
the gala opening.
Molly Daytz, office manager of Daytz Theatre
Enterprises, a buying and booking outfit,
will spend two weeks in Florida early in
March, while Arlene Kisloff. a booker in the
same company, will start off for Florida as
soon as Molly returns. Thus both girls will
be back on the job when the busy season for
the hooking of drive-ins starts . . . Sympathy
to Al Swerdlove of Screen Guild and Lippert
Pictures in the death of his brother Morris.
The Variety Club of New England played
host to the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police
Ass'n at the February meeting at the Jimmy
building February 25. The luncheon was
served by stewardesses from Eastern Airlines
and the speaker was Dr. Sidney Farber, director
of research for the Children's Cancer
Research Foundation and the Jimmy building.
Rudolph King, registrar of motor vehicles,
was the master of ceremonies.
Edward Redstone, vice-president of Redstone
Drive-In Theatres, was enthusiastic
about the recent national drive-in convention
in Cincinnati. "It was a terrific success," he
said. "The programming was stimulating and
the problems were discussed with intelligence
and enthusiasm, at times even explosively.
We accomplished a gxeat deal of good
for our section in the industry. There was
only one note of regret, and that was that
there were not more displays of new equipment."
Michael Redstone, Edward's father,
who is president of the circuit, did not make
the convention since he was on his annual
golfing vacation in Florida. He returned to
Boston looking tanned and rested.
Lloyd Clark, an official of Middlesex Amusement
Co., Maiden, has been named a director
of the executive board of Independent
Exhibitors of New England, an affiliate of
national Allied. Francis Perry, a past president
of the organization and owner-operator
of the Orpheum, Foxboro, was elected an
honorary member in recognition of his many
years of service to the exhibitor branch of
the industry. The Weymouth Theatre, Weymouth
Landing, now operated by Ray Feeley,
has been added to the membership of Independent
Ray Canavan,
Exhibitors , . . executive assistant to E. M. Loew, will be
man-ied late in February to Geraldine Flynn
of Revere. After a wedding trip south, the
couple will live in Point of Pines, Revere.
Theatre Candy Co. Starts
New Airer Candy Stands
BOSTON—Immediately upon his return
from a Florida vacation, Philip Lowe, an official
of Theatre Candy Co., launched into
an intensive program of designing and
equipping refreshment stands for drive-ins
and remodeling of several out-moded types of
concession operations. Among the new openairers
which have Lowe-designed stands are
a new theatre in Newport, R.I., for the
Minasian brothers, holding 750 cars.
Another is the 1,000-car Wamesit Drive-In
on the Lowell-Tewksbury line for Jacob
Asadorian. This building was designed and
equipped by Lowe according to specifications
of Asadorian. The new theatre in Falmouth
on Cape Cod, which is being built by the
Rifkin circuit, will have a Lowe-equipped
stand of modern cafeteria style.
Theatre Candy Co., in changing over obsolete
types of concession buildings into modern,
efficient service stations, has completed
installations of equipment at the Berkshire
Drive-In, Pittsfield, one of the first to be
erected in the western part of the state, for
Harry Brookner & Associates.
Another is in Waterbury, Conn., for Louis
Rogow and Francis McWeeney, which is being
enlarged to 1,350 cars. The concession
stand has also been improved and enlarged
into a four-lane counter service stand and a
special service area. Still another is the
Cranston, R.I., Drive-In for William Deitch
& Associates, which is getting an all-new
concession building. The Meadow-Glen Drive-
In, Medford, for the Rifkin circuit, is also
being modernized.
'Cell Block' Is Booked
HARTFORD—Allied Artists' "Riot in Cell
Block 11" has been scheduled for New England
Theatres first run houses in Hartford,
New Haven and Springfield. Playdates include
the Paramount, Springfield: Paramount,
New Haven, and Allyn, Hartford.
Attends Stage Play Premiere
HARTFORD—Marlene Dietrich was here
to attend the world premiere of the Charles
Morgan drama, "Burning Glass," starring Sir
Cedric Hardwicke and Maria Riva at the
New Parsons Theatre.
Republic has acquired "Spanish Lady,'
novel by Maurice Walsh, as a starring vehicle
for Vera Ralston.
lie 1(0 !t
82 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

. . Dorothy
. . Loew's
?^\ PROVIDENCE
ipsoitlj
'
ll/Trs. Sally V. Lovenberg, 85. widow of
Charles Lovenberg, general manager of
the Albee Theatre chain many years, died
here after a long illness. Mrs. Lovenberg
loved the theatre and worked with her husband
in projects that would benefit the stage
and motion picture industry ... In their
campaign to curb rowdyism and crime in
motion picture theatres, several local managers
have been barring undesirables from
admission. After a close inspection by theatre
officials, if any doubt is created as to the
character and intentions of the would-be
patrons they are turned away. By following
this practice exhibitors have virtually wiped
out the miniature crime wave that recently
threatened the existence of downtown first
runs, many of which were losing their regular
weekly patrons by the annoyances of vandals.
.
The Avon Cinema recently presented the
first Rhode Island showing of Walt Disney's
"The Living Desert" . . . "Hell and High
Water" had its Rhode Island premiere at
the Majestic Lamour appeared
in a Sheraton-Biltmore hotel floor show . . .
The Auditorium recently announced that
"Ice Follies of 1954" would be presented
March 1 through the 7th.
Eastman's Shareholders
Nearly Double in Decade
ROCHESTER—Shareholders of Eastman
Kodak Co. have almost doubled in number
in the last decade. At the end of 1943 there
were 42,407 holders and in 1953 a total of
83,996. There are 17,374,497 shares of common
outstanding.
No individual holds as much a.s 1 per cent
of the total. About 66.6 per cent hold less
than 100 shares each. More women than men
hold shares. There are share owners in every
state of the union and the Ehstrict of Columbia.
Monroe county. New York, where the
company is located, has the greatest proportion
of share owners and shares, 20.4 per
cent and 25.4 per cent, respectively.
BRIDGEPORT
T azar Wechsler, producer of "Heidi." was a
visitor . . . The 20th Century Theatre in
New Milford is now called the New Milford . . .
Latest unemployment figure for the city is
5,600, which represents i'A per cent of the
total employment force.
John Molly, manager of the Klein Memorial.
Is back from three weeks in Florida . . . The
Beverly and Hi-Way used full-page advertisements
in the Telegram and the Past on
the opening day of "Heidi" . Majestic
held "King of the Khyber Rifles" for
a second week.
fPerakos Schedules 'Robe'
HARTFORD — Sperie Perakos. general
manager of Perakos Theatre Associates, disclosed
plans for initial CinemaScope booking
into a subsequent run house in the metropolitan
Hartford area, with "The Robe" scheduled
to open day-and-date at the circuit's
Eastwood, East Hartford, and Elm, West
Hartford.
Redstone to Construct
Arlington, Va., Drive-In
BOSTON— Redstone Drive-In Theatres,
headed by Michael Redstone, will construct
a 900-car drive-in theatre on the Lehigh
road just south of Arlington, Va. It will be
the first in Fairfax county. William Riseman
Associates of Boston is working on the engineering
contracts. Construction will start in
mid-March for a mid-June opening. This
theatre will have a concession stand of the
same style that is prevalent in all Redstone
theatres which includes a star-shaped counter
service area. Morris Gordon & Son is
designing the concession equipment.
The drive-in under construction in West
Roxbury, Mass., for Redstone will be named
the VFW, after the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Parkway which it faces.
Remodel Concession Area
At Central in Hartford
HARTFORD—The Hartford Theatre circuit
has remodeled the refreshment area on the
main floor at the Central in West Hartford.
The renovated stand is in the center of a
newly redecorated area, with soft-glowing
lights adding much Informality.
A soft drink vending machine is situated
nearby.
The remodeling was under supervision of
C. J. Lawlor, general manager, and George
J. Smith, maintenance chief. Hugh J. Campbell
is manager.
John McGrail Makes Tour
Of New England on Film
HARTFORD—John McGrail. Universal exploiteer,
visited theatre managers and critics
in area cities for "The Glenn Miller Story."
Some weeks ahead of playdates in Hartford,
New Haven and Springfield, McGrail
escorted Col. Ed Kirby, who served with the
late Glenn Miller in Europe during World
War II. on a tour of the cities, with Kirby
speaking to columnists and critics about the
film. A screening was held in Hartford and
Springfield for invited audiences.
command' in Hartford
HARTFORD—The first run Stanley Warner
Strand, off its normal Wedne.sday opening
day for new attractions for some weeks,
resumed midweek openings with "The Command"
February 10. The attraction was the
downtown area's first Cinemascope booking
at regular prices. Art Moger. Warner Bros,
exploiteer, huddled with Jack Sanson, Strand
manager, on advance ballyhoo.
Give Away Encyclopedia
HARTFORD—Lockwood & Gordon circuit
has started an encyclopedia giveaway at the
Webb, Wethersfield; Plaza, Wind.sor, and
Strand, Winsted, according to District Manager
Douglas Amos. The encyclopedia is
made available through the purchase of an
adult admission ticket, plus a service charge,
at the three theatres.
Screen 'Riof lor Police
HARTFORD — Ray McNamara, Allyn.
planned a special screening for police authorities
of Allied Ai-tists "Riot in Cell Block 11."
Whaf
are the facts
about cancer
of the lung—?
JUST 20 YEARS AGO, in 1933, cancer of
the lung killed 2,252 American men.
Last year, it killed some 18,500.
VVHY THIS STARTLING INCREASE? Our fCsearchcrs
are finding the answers as
rapidly as funds and facilities permit
—but there isn't enough money.
DOCTORS ESTIMATE that 50% of all men
who dfxelop lung cancer could be
cured if treated in time. But we are
actually saving only 5% • • just onetenth
as many as we should.
WHY—? Many reasons. But one of the
most important is not enough money
... for mobile X-ray units, for diagnosis
and treatment facilities, for training
technicians and physicians.
THESE ARE JUST A FEWof thcrcasonswhy
you should contribute generously to
the American Cancer Society. Won't
vou please do it now? Tour donation is
needed—and urgently needed—for the
fight against cancer is everybody s fight.
Cancer
MAN'S CRUELEST ENEMY
Strike back— G/ve
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
GENTLEMEN:
D Ploaie lend me free infor
D Encloied
Cry..
Simply
4
,) BBOXOFFICE :: February 27, 1954 83

—
: February
'
Trials of Western Canada Salesman
Include Battling Snow, Mud, Ice
From Canodian Edition
The following article was icritten by
Jack Droy. Vancouver correspondent
for BoxoFFiCE, as told to him by a
veteran film man who prefers to remain
anonymous. He heads his exposition
of the viewpoint of the film salesmen,
"W.C.T.U., or Western. Canada,
Travelers' Utopia."
I see by your columns that both exhibitors
and bookers have been gently lambasted
by semicynical critics who while they admittedly
have a slight grasp of their respective
subjects, seem to lack the broad general
knowledge possessed by one segment only of
the trade in western Canada. Who? In the
wide open spaces of this broad Dominion, the
best judge of a booker's ability or an exhibitor's
bankroll is without question the
poor overworked, underpaid knight of the
grip and briefcase, the motion picture salesman
or in plain English, the film peddler.
NO 9 TO 5 SCHEDULE
The exhibitor eyes him with distrust and
suspicion; he exasperates the booker, that
hard-working coffee addict, because of his
habit of taking literally the "open time"
given him when he leaves on a road trip;
small town hotel clerks give him the supercilious
brushoff because he hasn't a reservation,
mainly as a result of the fact that he
didn't know where he was going to lay his
weary head that night; the commercial men
view him with contempt, secure in their
9 a. m. to 5 p. m. operation with Wednesday's
off and their regular runs, and he is a
stranger to his family and a laundry bill
to his wife.
You think not? Consider the facts. Right
after the regional sales meeting is over, back
he goes to the exchange center. Maybe a day
or two off, huh, to get over the exotic food
you've consumed and the ginger ale you
have absorbed. After all in western Canada
who eats anything but boiled eggs? You are
still a bit keyed up, too, meeting the boys
and thinking over a few lessons in salesmanship
you have been taught at the level you
hope some day to attain. Small wonder you
are in a maze and the old familiar places
and faces seem to need a day or two to resume
their accustomed positions. Uh, uh.
KIDS DON'T KNOW HIM
But, no such a break! The boss calls you
into the office, gets out the brand new work
sheets, the spanking new contracts the
theatre list, and the policy and all hell breaks
loose. Practically on your knees, with tears
gli-stening in your eyes, you plead: "Such a
Ions trip, so far, so many spots. Boss, even
now my kids run screaming to their mother
when I come off a trip, hiding their fearstricken
faces behind her skirts (a good trick,
but they can do it,) bellering: 'Here comes
that man again.'—Do I haveta go ?"
. . .
Coldly the boss replies; "Only thing worries
you is how soon the peanut butter in your
sandwiches will dry out. Get with it!"
Smart guy, the boss. "Tain't the peanut butter
at all, it's the way the mayonnaise turns
sour so quick.
Oh, well. Early next morning you're ready.
Check everything again, lessee, three suits,
two suitcases full of clothing and a coupla
hats—out there where you are going the girls
give the eye to a guy whose coat matches his
pants, and a guy can't work all the time,
somebody has to be impressed. Early autumn,
so you don't bother with tire chains, the
snow shovel, antifreeze, long Johns, overshoes;
that comes later to provide a little
more variety and interest to your already
overflowing life. A disquieting thoughtseems
something has been overlooked. Check
again . . . suitcases, road map, sunglasses,
gas, oil, tires okay ... oh, oh, the briefcase.
TOUGH CUSTOMER FIRST
That small detail taken care of, away we
go into the bright blue yonder. First call.
Now wyinell did the boss schedule him, of all
people? Seems we missed out on part six
of a Ruth Roland serial on him, several million
light years ago, and he swore then
he'd never do business with us again until
he 11 froze over.
Well, let's pass him up and report how
he still doesn't like us, no use wasting time
but the streak of perverse aggressiveness that
characterizes a western Canada film peddler
asserts itself and you wheel off the highway,
whip into the town, walk into the exhibitor'.'^
place of business with that determinedly
friendly smile on your kisser, and what happens?
He wants to know what held you up
this season, agrees with every request the
company makes, signs a big deal, dates half
of it and sends you out of his office in a
bemused daze, wondering if you shouldn't
have stayed on at that filling station as a
grea.se monkey. After all, one car is the same
as the next one.
HUNTS FOR BED
Next call . . . regular customer . . . been
with us since J. Stuart Blackton was a top
producer . . . just a matter of making out
the deal and politely requesting the usual
signature, but just a minute! This year your
customer has changed his mind, it seems;
he doesn't think he will do business with your
company. Well, as a salesman you know what
is good for your customers, don't you? So
off oomes your coat, figuratively, and 12 or
so hours later a rebel has returned to the
ranks. He goes home to bed. but you? Knowing
the small prairie town routine as far
as the inns are concerned, off you go flashlight
in hand to scan the list of open rooms
left on the desk for late arrivals, and you see
rooms 3-4-5-8-9 are open, so 5 is your lucky
number, but when you get up there it is embarrassingly
obvious that after the local dance
that night, 5 is very definitely occupied without
benefit of the register, so you settle for
No. 3 where the blanket is slightly, but not
much, thicker than the mattress.
During what's left of the night, you are
awakened by a suddenly savage thunderstorm,
but you roll over and drop off to
sleep again secui-e in the knowledge that
your car is locked up tight. It is small consolation
to come down the next day and
find that you were so tired the night before,
you left the window on the driver's side
open, and one-quarter of your car's interior
is dripping wet. You got youi- deal, didn't
you?
The season wears away; the chains and the
shovel are stowed in the trunk and used on
more occasions than you care to remember.
Did the branch manager's ears turn brickred
one January evening about 6 when you
.slid off that snowy side road in the black
winter darkness, and you dug and dug and
pushed and shoved, and gunned the motor
until the car resembled a Stanley Steamer,
and finally got back on the high center of a
cross-country road which you had been
assured was a breeze to traverse?
And did your GM's face hot up that cold
rainy day you hit an unsuspected muddy
spot on the highway at high speed and slid
and .slithered off the road, winding up in a
newly plowed field 50 yards away, then almost
ruined a new suit tramping back
through that rich Canadian loam to get help
to tow you back?
Don't let it bother you; they went through
conditions 20 times rougher years before you
decided to make the movie industry your
life business. Film salesmen know the deal's
the thing and have a slightly sour outlook
on the sympathy potential, forgetting that
their troubles are viewed with tolerance and
plenty of understanding in those quarters
where such qualities are a must. And that
feeling goes for exhibitors, too. Don't believe
it? Wait until the next depression, boys.
WONT)ERFUL CUSTOMERS, TOO
And so you grind, day in, day out, your
customers are tough, wonderful, unfriendly,
hospitable, off-handed, sincere, surprisingly
kind, bewilderingly rude; but all your troubles
seem to fade at day's end with an honest
day's work under your belt, to say nothing
of a steak. And your reports go in the mail
accompanied by a feeling that yours is the
only business in the whole wide world, and
t'heck with those grocery and hardware
men with their commercial rates. Anybody i
can be commercial—you'll settle for that
little bit of larceny and the secret feeling
]
that you are part of a still glamorous business
that gives rural Canada a segment of .
life that can be secured nowhere else.
Two-dimension. 3-D, wide screen, Cinema-
Scope—it all boils down to, "Let's go to the
show tonight."
Vice Squad to Court
Over Film Seizure
From Southwest Edition
SAN ANTONIO—The police department
vice squad here was threatened with court
action over its confiscation of a print of the
Swedish film, "One Summer of Happiness,"
which was called "the most daring picture
since Hedy Lamarr's 'Ecstasy.' "
Attorneys for Southern Theatre Co. said
they would seek an injunction against the
vice squad for confiscating the film. The
picture has a long-range nude swimming
scene, and vice squad Lt. Wilton Shaw said
he had a "long list of persons complaining
that the show was indecent and lewd."
The squad viewed the film before confiscating
it. Charles Wolfe, agent for the theatre, said
he was "amazed" at the action. The picture
played three weeks at the Academy Theatre
in Houston and had long runs at the Texas
in Austin and the Coronet in Dallas and
drew no complaints there that Wolfe knew of.
The film was exhibited here three days
before the vice squad action and Wolfe said
it was doing a "large boxoffice." He said
it had broken all attendance and revenue
records at the theatre.
The film won top honors in the 1953 Swedish
Film Academy competition, Wolfe said.
i
,;

'
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lESEARCH
or
BUREAU
IDERN THEATRE PLANNERS
OLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
MODERN THEATRE
NNING INSTITUTE
^^an Brunt Blvd
sas City 24, Mo.
llemen
ease earoll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
jceive information regularly, as released, on
lollowing subjects for Theatre Planning:
!ia that yoois ii
couslics D Lighting Fixtures
i'nole wide torll,
ir Conditioning
Txeiy and hart
n Plumbing Fixtures
Mtisl rates. Mjtl rchilectural Service
Projectors
yoi;Tl settle
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ind the secret it
Projection Lamps
ailding Material
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arpets
Signs and Marquees
ain Machines
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omplete Remodeling
Sound Equipment
n to, "lefs p
ecorating
Television
[ink Dispensers D Theatre Fronts
ave-In Equipment D Vending Equipment
le-paid reply cards for your further convenience
Dining information are provided in The MODERN
TRE Section, published with the first issue of
,BtheI«l
nonth.
OXOFFICE
]
: 27, 1954
Art Policy Building Up
At Central. Waltham
BOSTON -The new art film pulley wliich
wa.'^ ."Started January 25 at the Central Theatre
in Waltham. has been building up each
week. Harold Gordon, manager, made a special
appeal to the .students at Brandeis university
there principally through ad.s in the
college newspaper. Matinees are given on
Wednesdays and Saturdays with continuous
shows on Sundays. The evening programs
start at 6:15, two complete shows are offered
when single features are used and a show
and a half when double features are used.
The first art film was "The Seven Deadly
Sins," followed by "Importance of Being
Earnest" with "Titfield Thunderbolt." "Martin
Luther," "The Captain's Paradise," "Little
Fugitive" with "Tomorrow Is Too Late,"
"Fanfan the Tulip" and "Hamlet."
Harry Fellerman. head of the U-I special
films division, conferred with ATC officials,
including Edward S. Canter, treasurer, and
Manager Gordon concerning the art policy.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
'The Kegal in the heart of Franklin's business
section was robbed of the day's receipts of
$374.40 some time during the late show on
the night of February 14. The theft was
discovered by Manager Paul Barker when he
returned to his office from the main part of
the theatre. He earlier had counted the
money and placed it in two bank deposit bags,
which he planned to di'op into the night deposit
box at the Franklin National bank a
half block away.
When "Pinocchio" was shown at the Strand
in Manchester, the Manchester Union-Leader
ran a coloring contest in which the top prize
was a clock radio.
The Rex in Manchester has been granted a
permit by the city building departinent to enlarge
its stage opening . old days were
recalled for Ed Fahey, district manager of
the State Operatnig Co., owner of the leading
theatres in Manchester, when the New Hampshire
Sunday News published an article on
the Manchester YMCA. which soon will observe
its 100th anniversary. One of the photos
which illustrated the article showed the theatreman
in a handball game.
Two New England Chains
Buy Selby Airer Towers
CLEVELAND—John Selby. pre.'^idcnt of
Selby Industries. Akron, Ohio, specialist in
the manufacture and installation of ratio
towers for drive-in theatres, while in Boston
recently, closed contracts with the Interstate
Theatre Corp. and the Redstone Theatres
circuit for installation of his exclusive towers.
Interstate Theatre Corp. and Redstone Theatres
operate the largest theatre chains in
New- England.
Kids Amateur Show Given
HARTFORD—The Rivoli has started a
series of Saturday matinee children's amateur
revues, with Frank Dizkot. theatre manager,
promoting various prizes from Park street
merchants. The Rivoli is part of the Shulman
Theatres interests.
WORCESTER
phil Loew, who looks out for the interests
here of his brother E. M. Loew, has been
vacationing in Florida . . . Bill Brown, manager
of the Park, promoted his encyclopedia
giveaway through parent-teacher association
meetings. He reports this type of bonus has
attracted much attention from male patrons
as well as the women.
Burt Coughlan, manager, offered the use
of the 720-.seat People's In Maynard for the
use of the annual town meeting ... A columnist
in the Sunday Telegram refers to
Andy Medici of the Capitol as "the most
movie-struck theatre employe in town" .
With Phil Smith now operating the HoUis in
Framingham, he has every theatre in the
town under his management.
Fred VVaring's television show will play a
one-nighter at the Auditorium late in April
Ryan, backstage einploye of the
Capitol, who recently resumed work after long
hospitalization, was rushed to City hospital
again with a heart attack. His troubles
started when he fell from a ladder on the
marquee.
Manager Leo Lajoie of the Capitol arranged
a private preview of "Riot in Cell
Block 11." after which he recorded comments
of some of the audience. The following week
these were broadcast from the .screen during
the intermissions made necessary by the
preparation of the 3-D feature.
Universalist Takes Over
Old Brockton City Block
BROCKTON. MASS.—The old city block
at Ward and Main streets, which includes the
historic City Theatre, long shuttered, has reverted
to the ownership of the Massachusetts
Universalist Society and the American Universalist
fund, Everett E. Crosier, representative
of the owners, has revealed.
The Universalist fund foreclosure on a
mortgage has been completed, he explained.
At one time Morris Pouzzner, a Boston circuit
operator who recently moved to Connecticut,
was interested in the property, but
gave up his plans to convert it into a supermarket
combination with a motion picture
theatre.
Crosier said that several prospective buyers
were in view, but that to what use the old
building would be turned was not determined.
There was talk months ago that the theatre
section was to be razed and the remainder of
the three-story building renovated into business
property.
Albert Bertino Amuses
Children With Drawings
NEW HAVEN—Albert Bertino. s'ory director
for the Walt Disney studios, entertained
more than 2,000 children during
appearances at local schools, where he drew
likenesses of Pinocchio. Mickey Mouse and
other Disney characters. Bertino toured New-
England cities for the reissue of "Pinocchio"
by RKO.
During his visit here Monday il5i he was
accompanied by Robert Dorfman, publicity
manager of the studio, and Joseph Longo,
RKO publicity man from Boston.
85

144^000 of our employees
^. are enrolled in the
Payroll Savings Plan 55
C. F. HOOD
President, United States Steel Corporatiaa
"The response ofour employees to the Payroll Savings Plan for U. S. Savings Bonds is
dramatic evidence of their conviction that Freedom is Everybody's Job. JFV are proud
of their outstanding record in saving systematically in "E" Bonds, in thus adding to
their financial independence as they give effectiie support to the nation.^''
Mr. Hood and his associates may well be proud of the
Steel Corporation's Payroll Savings figures:
• 144,000 men and women of U. S. Steel are enrolled
in the Payroll Savings Plan—an over-all employee
participation of 52%—excellent for a company as
large as U. S. Steel.
• the average monthly investment of a U. S. Steel
Payroll Saver is $20.79.
• every month, these 144,000 employees invest
$2,993,760 in personal security—and America's economic
stability.
• in some U. S. Steel plants and subsidiaries employee
participation runs as high as 80%.
Nearly eight million men and women, in forty-five
thousand companies, large and small, are building
personal security and contributing to national economic
stability by their $160,000,000 monthly investment in
U. S. Savings Bonds. These Payroll Savers, with their
$25 and $50 Bonds, are major shareholders in a huge
reservoir of future purchasing power— the $35.5 billion,
cash value of Series E Bonds outstanding.
What is the employee participation in your Payroll
Savings Plan? The average monthly deduction? How
many employees have been added to your Payroll
Savings Plan in the last year? Call for the figures and
study them. Then, phone, wire or write to Savings
Bond Division, U. S. Treasury Department, Washington
Building, Washington, D. C. Your State Director
will be glad to show you how easy it is to raise employee
participation in your plan to 60%, 70%, or even better.
The United States Government does not pay for this advertising. The Treasury Department
thanks, jor iheir patriotic donation, the Advertising Council and
BOXOFFICE
86 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

in?
Ho»'
National Takes Over
Glebe at Ottawa
OTTAWA- Effective Maich 1, the Glebe
Theatre will be taken over by National Theatre
Services of Toronto from Hye Bcssin on
a ten-year lease. Bessin has been proprietor
of the theatre for the last three years. The
president of the National circuit, comprising
theatres throughout Ontario, is Sam Flngolcl
of Toronto.
Announcement of the deal was made following
a visit to Ottawa of Harvey Fingold,
vice-president, and Ralph Dale, secretary of
NTS. to make arrangements for the transfer
of the theatre.
FYed Leavens of Ottawa, district supervisor
for NTS, said that the theatre wculd be
closed for improvements. The Glebe was
built by the late P. J. Nolan, former mayor
of Ottawa. The theatre, which seats 858,
will be given the name of the Glebe Cinema.
A panoramic screen is being installed, along
with new lighting and furnishings appropriate
to an art theatre policy, Leavens said.
Special bookings of British, Italian and
French pictures have been made with Toronto
exchanges, including Alliance, Cardinal,
Astral and J. Arthur Rank.
Units of the National circuit in eastern
Ontario include the Elmdale and Century,
Ottawa; Winchester, Winchester; Roxy,
Carleton Place; Biltmore, Kingston, and
Roxy, Cornwall.
Bookers and Shippers Are
Listed by Board of Trade
TORONTO—An official list of head bookers
and shippers at local exchanges has been
drawn up by the Toronto Film Board of
Trade, a branch of the Canadian Motion Picture
Distributors Ass'n, effective March 1.
The list:
Soion Objects to Film
And Patrons Flock In
Torontii — .Manager Kuss .'NIiKibbin
of the big Imperial here had unusual
publicit.v for "Farewell Oak Slreet," a
National Film Hoard short subject, when
it opened February 19 at the Famous
Players ate theatre with "Money From
Home."
t'harles llcnry, a Toronto member of the
house of eommon.s, protested in parliament
to the showing of the picture,
which deals with slums and a low-rental
housing development. He declared that
the government-made film was "deeply
offensive to the human dignity of many
Canadians."
The Parliamentarian, who sits on the
government side of the common.s, asked
that "Farewell Oak Street" be given restricted
distribution. That was enough to
send people to the Imperial.
Winnipeg 'Luther' Show
Interrupted by Shouts
WINNIPEG— Shouting "Vive Quebec." a
band of airmen interrupted the showing of
"Martin Luther" at the Gaiety Monday
night 115). Witnesses expressed belief that
the men were from Quebec, where the sectarian
picture has been banned.
About 15 servicemen dre.s.sed in Canadian
air force uniforms had arrived together and
taken a block of seats in the theatre. At
about the middle of the film they started
shouting, interpolating "Vive Quebec" with
"Show the Truth." They were finally requested
to leave. At first they refused and at that
point city police were called. The men then
walked out shouting. "Vive Quebec," waiving
offers of their money back. Police arrived
shortly after. Manager Frank L. Willis declined
to comment on the incident.
Alliance Films, Mervin Goldstone. booker:
Reissue Bill at 5 Houses
Lome Talbot, shipper; Astral Films. Leonard
Herberman. booker: Win Brown, shipper;
TORONTO—Reissues are in vogue once
Cardinal Films. Marvin Freedman and
more in Toronto. A featured pair opened
Jerry
Bermack; Columbia. Abe Fox and Robert Monday i22) at five units of 20th Century
Theatres,
Innes; Empire Universal. Perry Labow and
headed by the key Dow-ntown. The
combination consisted of "Public Enemy" and
Ernest Young: International Film Distributors.
Harold Bell and Jerry Bermack; MGM.
"Little Caesar."
Robert McBain and William Travers.
Paramount. Ambrose Theurer and E. Gordon;
J. Arthur Rank, David Branston and
Gordon Mayes; RKO, James Hogan and
Jerry Hogan: 20th-Fox, James Powis and
Harry Wi-seman; United Artists. Richard
Knights and William Reddy, and Warner
Bros., A. Msiggiorotti and J. Fletcher.
The president of the Toronto Film Board
of Trade is Abe Cass, Ontario manager for
Columbia.
Nat Taylor Renamed
President of CPP
ronoN'K) Nai A. Taylor, chief of 20th
Century Theatres. Toronto, has been renamed
president of the Canadian Picture
Pioneers by the new board of directors at
its first meeting.
The new vice-president is Morris Stein
of Famous Players, who became a CPP director
at the annual meeting here last month.
Tom S. Daly, manager of the University,
Toronto, was re-elected secretary-treasurer.
Daley was coordinator of the Pioneers award
dinner last November and he also made a
name for himself as tournament manager of
the annual Film Industry Golf championships.
Ed Wells of Cobourg was named chairman
of the standing membership committee, and
the CPP directors re-elected Harold Pfaff
of Independent Theatre Services, Toronto,
to the chairmanship of the sick and welfare
committee.
Clare S. Appel, Toronto, again became director
of public relations. Appel is executive
director of the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors
Ass'n and property master of Toronto
Variety Tent 28.
The 1953 vice-president was O. R. Hanson
who, along with Ray Lewis, became exofficio
members of the tward under an arrangement
adopted at the last annual meeting.
Hanson and Miss Lewis are the remaining
founders of the Canadian Pioneers and
both have served as president.
Other members of the present directorate
are Dan Kiendel. Famous Players: William
Redpath. retired; Frank H. Fisher. J. Arthur
Rank Film Distributors; Frank L. Vaughan,
Allied Artists, all of Toronto, and Hugh J.
Sedgwick. lATSE vice-president, Hamilton.
Installs 17 Wide Screens
TORONTO—R. V.
Shale. Toronto manager
for Perkins Electric Co.. said recent installatioixs
of 17 wide screens have been made in
Ontario theatres. He said six key Odeon theatres
will install wide screens and G. B.
Kalee stereophonic sound immediat«ly. Seven
new drive-ins being readied for early spring
opening will be fully Perkins equipped.
Two Birthdays May 24
OTTAWA—The observance of the birthdays
of two British queens ha.s been set for
one day by the Canadian government this
year, this being Victoria day May 24, the
traditional celebration in memory of Queen
Victoria. The formal birthday of Queen
Elizabeth will be observed the same day,
although the present monarch was actually
born on April 21. The decision of the Ottawa
government means that the theatres will not
enjoy the benefit of a holiday observance
on April 21.
L.'WNCH MGM JVBII>F:K—MGM and Ixh-w's executives and film erilirs from
Toronto papers launched ^IC.M's 30th .Anniversary Jubilee at a luncheon with two
residents of a trailer camp at Long Branch. The critics got advance information on
trailer camp life from Mr. and ^Irs. J. Norris as part of MflM"s advance promotion for
"The Long. Long Trailer." Seated clwkwise. left to right: .Vlex Barris. Globe and Mail:
Chet Friedman, MG:M publicist: Ken Johnson. Telegram; Gerry Collins. Lm-w's publicist;
Hillis Ca.ss. MGM general sales manager for Canada; Jack Karr, Star; .Mrs.
Norris; Garfield Cass. >IG.M Toronto maniiger. and Norris.
-^'/BOXOFFICE :: February 27, 1954 E 87

. . . Kraft
. . National
. . The
MONTREAL
Tom Cleary, chief of public relations for
Consolidated Theatres and chief organizer
lor the second year in succession, said that
Catholic members of the motion picture industry,
along with radio and TV men, will
assist at a mass at St. Patrick's church Sunday
(28). The special church affau-. the second
annual one for motion picture, radio and
TV men, will take place at 9 a.m. and mass
will be celebrated by Msgr. Lawrence P.
Whelan, bi.shop auxiliary of Montreal. A
breakfast will follow the mass in the Spanish
salon of the Queen's hotel, where an address
will be made in French by the Rev. Father
Paul-Dollard Morin. Winston Baron will be
guest speaker at the breakfast, which also
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will be attended by many city officials. Musical
entertainment will be supplied by Herman
David, pianist, and E. Shilton, singer.
. . . Anne
Frontier Films' latest full-length Frenchlanguage
feature, "L'Esprit du Mai," will be
premiered at the St. Denis Theatre February
27 by France Film. The latter company
is distributing the film, which features Rosanna
Seaborn, Canadian actress . . . Denise
Poirier, ski enthusiast, secretary to Bill Trow,
president of Montreal Poster Exchange and
Quebec Cinema Booking, is thoroughly enjoying
heavy snows of this winter and devotes
considerable time to her favorite sport
at Ste. Adele in the Laurentians
Hebert, writer and poet, has joined the National
Film Board as scenario writer.
Dr. Albert W. Trueman, chairman of the
National Film Board, was guest speaker here
at the annual dinner dance of the Engineering
Institute of Canada at the Windsor
hotel . . . Montreal-born Bernard Girouard
has been assigned a role in "A Star Is Born,"
the Judy Garland pictm-e currently before
Hollywood cameras . . . Montreal motion picture,
music and theatre critics met with a
view toward forming a Montreal Critics club.
A temporary committee was set up to work
out rules and Jean Beraud was elected provisional
president. Others named are vicepresident,
M. Walter O'Hearn; secretary,
Rodolphe de Repentigny; treasurer, Mrs.
Lucette Robert, and councillors, Maurice
Huot and Goodridge MacDonald.
Canada will initiate a program to sell her
vacationland to Americans by films. Leo
Dolan, director of Canadian Government
Ti-avel Bureau, advised the Canadian Senate
tourist committee that the bureau plans to
make five films this year advertising areas
of Canada as good holiday spots. The color
films will be shown to groups in the U.S.
and probably on U.S. television networks.
The first film, "Maritime Holiday," has been
completed. It runs 12 minutes. The second
film, "Wardens of Waterton," will cover a
trip through the northwestern U.S. to Waterton
Lakes National park in southwestern
Alberta. Filming will be done this summer.
The maritime film was made by the Montreal
firm of Benoit et Tonnancour. Dolan
said the bureau intends to show the films
in 87 outlets in the U.S., including travel
clubs, universities and libraries.
One of the biggest conventions in Montreal,
the woodlands section of the Canadian
Pulp and Paper Ass'n March 24-26, will be
shown two films pertaining to the industry
Foods announced another in the
series of commercial films adapted to various
industries. Associated Screen News has prepared
a color film for Kraft Foods, entitled
"Feasting With Salads." A 16mm color film
with sound, it runs 20 minutes.
The Knights of Columbus have initiated a
rehabilitation center at St. Vincent-de-Paul
federal penitentiary, and according to the
scheme of the association, it is the intention
to show films every fortnight to the inmates,
both for entertainment and morale. The first
motion picture showing included a religious
film, "A Boy and His Prayer," and an international
prize-winning Italian-made picture.
The Arts and Science Film club at West
HUl high school presented Marc Connelly's
fantasy film, "The Green Pastures," and a
documentary film on the career and intimate
life of Napoleon Bonaparte . feminine
section of Museum of Fine Arts offered three
French films, one on Henri Matisse, one on
"Glanure d'Europe" and the other "Jeunesse
de Fiji" . . . Montreal Press club Sunday
film on February 28 is to be "The Winslow
Boy" . Film Board announced that
its "Begone, Dull Care" film received considerable
applause at the International Festival
of Cinema at Sao Paulo, Brazil. Norman
MacLaren, producer of the film, was
present at the showing.
Cora C. Sifton, executive secretary of Quebec
Temperance League, reported that the
addition of a film library has done much to
combat the growing menace of alcoholism
and she added that the films were shown extensively
in the Montreal area, eastern townships
of the province and as far away as the
Magdalen Islands. The showings, she said,
were considered a valuable form of visual
education.
Filmrow was much interested in a report
coming from London, England, that Suzanne
Cloutier, Canadian-born film actress, was
married at Chelsea registry office to playwright
actor Peter Ustinov. Both have been
married previously.
Mix Comedy With Tears
At Nackimson Party
WINNIPEG—As the melancholy saccharine
strains of "Hearts and Flowers" floated
through the air, drifting from the violin
expertly played by Cyril Wynant, with eyes
half closed, emcee Frank Davis catalogued the
many reasons why he in particular and the
assembled friends and associates in general
were sad to see the guest of honor, Myer
Nackimson, leave the Winnipeg film exchange
to assume the position of Toronto
manager of RKO. Surpassing any comedy
scene ever shown on the screen, Davis' lament
backgrounded by Wynant's soulful music
brought forth tumultous uproars of
laughter, virtually stopping the show, as
hardened comedy-immune show business veterans
brushed tears of laughter from their
cheeks. Exhibitor Wynant, who spent countless
hours in Harry Salter's screening room
practicing this bit of music, was given a great
ovation.
Thus did show business shed a genuine
tear at the farewell dinner tendered RKO
Manager Nackimson in the Georgian room
of the Bay Friday (19i as close to 80 friends
and business associates bade farewell to the
most beloved of current Winnipeg branch
managers. Nackimson, upon assuming the
position of Toronto branch manager of RKO,
will be working under the newly appointed
Canadian general manager. Jack Labow,
who not so recently was hired by Nackimson
as a film salesman out of the Winnipeg
territory.
The heart of show business was clearly
visible as various members of the industry
rose to eulogize the departing guest of honor,
to shed a few tears, and wish his godspeed.
After several "gag" presentatioiis were
made, Charlie Ki'upp, chairman of the affair,
presented Nackimson a purse collected
from those attending. "Tiger" and "Pup"
were enthusiastically shouted as a finale to
the robustly sung "For He's a Jolly Good
Fellow!"
!i
3!:.K.::
88
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

I
. . The
"Mogambo"
Mjtc C:;
'Home/ Trailer' Hit
Highs in Toronto
TORONTO In >piU' ol rough weather,
seven theatres had holdovers. Cinemascope
pictures had concluded their extended engagements
at two houses. The Towne had
the longest engagement, with "Julius Caesar"
in its ninth week at advanced prices, w'hile
"The Sinner" had a sixth week at the Hyland.
Top grosses were "Money From Home" at
the Imperial and "The Long, Long Ti-ailer"
at Loew's.
(Averogc Is 100)
Eglinton, University— Forever Female (Pora),
2nd wk no
Hyland—The Sinner (Astral), 6th wk 95
Imperial—Money From Home (Para) 135
Loews— The Long, Long Trailer (MGM) 135
Nortown— Easy to Love (MGM), 2nd d. t. wk 105
Odeon— Miss Sadie Thompson Col), 3rd wk 100
Shea's— Botany Bay iPoro), 2nd wk 105
Tivoh, Capitol—Here Come the Girls (Pora), 2nd
d. t. wk 105
Towne—Julius Coesor (MGM), 9th wk 85
Uptown—Quo Vadis (MGM), 2nd wk 1 05
Vancouver Grosses Better,
But Not Exceptional
VANCOUVER— ]VIilder weather gave downtown
business a better tone, but neither newcomers
nor holdovers were exceptional.
"Mogambo" was big at the Orpheum and
was held. "Easy to Love" at Capitol and
holdovers of "Martin Luther" and "Hondo"
did well. "The Sinner" gave the Vogue an
off week.
Capitol—Easy to Love (MGM) Good
Cinema—Marry Me Again (RKO); Stage Door
(RKO), reissue Fair
Orpheum—Mogambo (MGM)
Excellent
Paradise—Jack Slode (AA); Hot News
(AA)
Average
Ploza—Gun Fury (U-l); The Fake (UA) Fair
Strand— Hondo (WB), 2nd wk Good
Studio—Martin Luther (IFD), 4th wk Good
Vogue—The Sinner (SR), 9 days Moderate
Screen News, which was recently acquired by
Bell & Howell to Produce
Films in Canada Plant
TORONTO—T. H. Hartley, general manager
of the Toronto industrial commission,
has revealed that the Bell & Howell Co.,
Chicago, has arranged to start production in
a new plant here in April under the direction
of a newly created Canadian subsidiary.
Bell & Howell Canada, Ltd.
General manager of the Canadian company
is O. T. Bright, previously general service
manager of the parent organization, who
has been identified with the concern for 17
years.
The Canadian plant will be devoted at
first to the assembly of motion picture and
other equipment, but the subsequent program
etoMfi
calls for the complete manufacture of projectors
and other equipment in Canada.
It is recalled that Bell & Howell recently
conducted a demonstration at Ottawa for
government and trade representatives of its
new 16mm Cinemascope. The Canadian distributor
of Bell & Howell lines is Associated
Paul L. Nathanson and Toronto film-trade
asssociates.
One-Half of Homes to Have TV
TORONTO—A. D. Dunton, chairman of
the board of governors of the Canadian
Broadcasting Corp., believes that in a short
time one-half of all households in Canada
will have a television set. Within a year, he
said, TV programs will be within range of
70 per cent of the population.
WINNIPEG
TX/e have received a request from the Department
of National Defen.se to print
this letter signed by Flight Sgt. G. L. Hayter:
"I would like to express through the medium
of BOXOFFICE, my sincere appreciation to
all personnel in the film colony for their
kind cooperation and help that they have
given me during the past three years that
I have been manager of the Silver Star
Theatre at the MacDonald RCAF station;
and a special tribute to all the bookers for
the patience they have had in the past in
looking after the interests of the RCAF in
MacDonald ... I feel quite confident that
my successor, Warrant Officer D. Lower will
receive the same assistance from the film
colony that I have experienced in the past."
Hayter has been. transferred to London. Ont.,
where he will attend officers training school.
Buddy Shaen, former assistant booker at
Empire-Universal It now shorts booker at
MGM . Circtre Drive-In operator Max
Shnier flew to Toronto to w'itness a demonstration
of the rear-projection twilight screen
. . . Former Empire-Uni-
for drive-ins, which permits you to start
your drive-in show 45 minutes to an hour
sooner than usual
versal Manager Wolfe Blankstein is distributing
electric dishwashers and garbage
grinders concentrating on builders who are
constructing medium priced and expensive
homes.
Most neighborhood chain hou.ses have
raised admissions to 50 cents for adults. Independent
neighborhood exhibitors in greater
Winnipeg have adopted a wait-and-see
Sam Karby of Sa.skatchew-an
attitude . . .
visited the exchanges.
Unofficially greater Winnipeg retail merchants
have adopted Friday as family shopping
night, and more and more chains and
independent grocers are staying open till
9 p. m. Friday evening. Exhibitors are watching
the trend closely and analyzing the
effect on theatre attendance. In some American
cities adverse effects on the theatre
business have been created by shopping
nights; in other communities the shopping
night increases the attendance. It is up to the
exhibitor to stress his free checking facilities
and invite shoppers to attend the theatre
when shopping is completed, assuring
them of adequate checking facilities, and a
complete show after or exactly at 9 p.m.
Exhibitors catering to low income patrons
argue that TV cannot hurt them too much,
since sets are costly and beyond the means
of their patrons. Lord's three furniture
stores in greater Winnipeg feature a lay-away
plan and only $1 per week payments.
Other TV stores, girding to corner the market,
will offer similar plans in June.
Plans for the Red River exhibition this
year include the first full-scale industrial
and agricultural show to be held in Manitoba.
Due to the expansion the exhibition
this year will take place in Polo Park from
July 24 to 31. Conklin Shows will operate a
complete midway and a two-hour grandstand
.show. Similar to last year, a topranking
Hollywood star will be the feature
of the show, supported by more acts from
American stage and radio.
"Tis said that the dialog in "Platinum
Blonde" starring Jean Harlow, which is playing
with "Gilda" at the Valour, has improved
with age and appears sharp, modern and
witty to present day audiences, the dialog
having been too far advanced for the public
when the picture was originally released,
Columni.st Frank Morriss is willing to take
bet.s that Frank Sinatra will receive the best
supporting performance academy award for
an actor in "Prom Here to Eternity." Morriss
will take book on the following in the
Oscar derby: best picture, "The Robe"; best
actress, Ava Gardner in "Mogambo"; t)est
actor, Marlon Brando in "Julius Caesar";
best supporting actress, Thelma Rilter for
"Pickup on South Street"; best director, Fred
Zinneman for "Prom Here to Eternity".
Possible upsets: Robert Straus for "Stalag
17," Leslie Caron for "Lili," William Holden
for "Stalag 17," Geraldine Page for "Hondo".
Western Theatres supervisor Sam Rosenblat
announces the promotion of Jack Lexier
a.s manager at the College. Lexier was formerly
at the Times. New Times manager is
Peter Austin, formerly at the Eldorado Drive-
In .. went into its third
week at the Met . . . "Martin Luther" finished
a third week at the Gaiety, while "Beneath
the 12-Mile Reef" went two weeks
at the Capitol ... A mother wrote to the
Tiibune: "I took my daughter to her first
cowboy movie. I saw her throw a handful
of popcorn towards the screen for the horse."
Peterborough Paramount
Installs CinemaScope
TORONTO—The latest theatre in Ontario
to get Cinemascope is the Paramount
in Peterborough, a unit of Famous Players
Canadian Corp., where the first picture with
the new technique was "The Robe" at SI .25
top. The manager of the Paramount is Art
Cauley, a member of the Famous Players
25-Year club.
Cinemascope is expected to be introduced
soon at the University in Toronto, which
would then have three installations. In Canada,
probably one CinemaScope per week is
being installed.
Taxes Total $6,667,475
TORONTO— Tlie amusement tax for the
latest fiscal year produced a revenue for
the Ontario government totaling S6,667.475.
according to the financial report tabled in
the provincial legislature here by Premier
Leslie M. Frost a-s provincial treasurer. The
item appears in the report under the heading
of haspitals tax, but actually it is the levy
on admissions to places of amusement, principEilly
theatres, in aid of medical institutions.
TV Hits Civic Amusements
OTT.^WA- .\nother complair.t ha-- been
registered against television. Mayor Charlotte
Whit ton of Ottawa reported to Dr. W. J.
Dunlop, Ontario minister of education, that
TV programs had caused a sharp decrease in
attndance at the city's skating rink-s, community
centers and playgrounds. She asked
the minister to conduct a survey of recreation
participation in order to study the
alarming trend.
I
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954
89

. . For
. . Dudley
TORONTO
•Two theatres, one Odeon and the other Famous
Players, formed part of the background
in a $10,000 robbery in which a pohceman
is accused. The constable allegedly
grabbed the money from a girl employe of
an insurance company as she was walking
across the street in front of the Odeon
number, where Manager F. Haylett was
playing "Dangerous Crossing." This rated
pictures in the papers. Then came the news
that much of the loot and the officers uniform
were found in the Famous Players University.
Irene MoGeachie, recently manager of the
Regent in Collingwood, has two new jobs.
She has been elected a member of the town
council and also of the hospital board of
The Musical Protective Society
trustees . . .
of Canada held a night meeting of directors
February 18 in the King Edward hotel to
discuss the government move for changes in
copyright and performing right laws. The
vice-president of the society is Arch H.
Jolley, representing the film industry.
Jim Georgas of the Classic and Savoy,
Owen Sound, is again a winner on the wintry
trails, capturing the Ontario zone ski championships
at Collingwood. Brother William
finished third . . . Jack the Ripper, attacked
Mrs. Joanne Ross, an employe of the Biltmore
in suburban Long Branch, as she was
walking along a dark roadway to the theatre.
The miscreant disappeared after cutting the
wrist of the 19-year-old brunette, who required
medical treatment.
Manager Barry Carnon of the Hyland had
a "women only" matinee for "The Sinner"
Wednesday, when an added show called
"Foundations in Fashion" was staged. Male
patrons were admitted to the theatre afterward.
Barry didn't say whether he peeped or
not . the showing of "Moulin Rouge"
at the Odeon. London. Ont., Manager N.
Langston gave a free record album to every
^1p business
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150th woman at matinee performances in a
tie-in with Capitol Records.
Myer Nackimson has been welcomed by
former associates on his return to Toronto
from Winnipeg after being promoted to
Ontario manager for RKO by J. L. Labow,
new Canadian district general manager. Labow
formerly was branch manager here.
In celebration of the company's 30th anniversary.
General Manager Hillis Cass, Toronto
Manager Garfield Cass and Chet Friedman
of MGM threw a party for Toronto
pressmen which provided impetus for the
engagement of "The Long, Long Ti-ailer" at
Loew's. Present at the function were Mr.
and Mrs. J. Norris, trailerites of the
Toronto district, who spoke on life on wheels.
The 74th birthday of A. G. Main, manager
of the Simcoe at Sutton, Ont., called for a
happy family celebratwn. Also a septagenarian,
Mrs. Main officiates as assistant manager
at the theatre, which is owned by their
son, H. C. D. Main, a past president of the
Motion Picture Theatres Ass'n of Ontario,
Mr. and Mrs. Main sr. have become widely
known as a happy team in the operation of
the Simcoe.
Lionel Lester and his National Booking Co.
have moved from 20 Carlton street to room
701, Hermant building, 21 Dundas square,
Toronto 1, in order to be in the heart of local
film trade circles . . . Manager Ed Lamoureux
of the Palace at Windsor played a midnight
stage show February 19 called "The
House of the Living Dead." Adding to the
excitement, there was a bat in the theatre
flying over the heads of the audience.
The Century at Trenton, Ont., a 500-seat
unit of 20th Century Theatres, has been
equipped with a panoramic screen, the first
for the air force town . Dumond,
manager of the Westwood, told a phone
caller that the picture at the theatre was
"Martin Luther." He was amused when the
voice wanted to know if "they" were appearing
in "The Caddy" or "Money from Home."
When the Tivoli, Hamilton, opened with
"How to Marry a Millionaire," Manager Jim
McDonough had as a feature in the lobby
a "million-dollar display" of famous diamonds,
in replica, from Howard's Credit
jewelers.
Dominion Board to Study
Copyrights and Patents
OTTAWA—A royal commission will investigate
the operation and effect of copyright
and patent regulations. The inquiry, which
will be under the direction of Chief Justice
J. L. Ilsley, is expected to cover the copyright
appeal board which passes on the annual
fees levied by the Composers, Authors
and Producers Ass'n of Canada, by Broadcast
Music, Inc. At the time of the last hearing
of performing right applications, the
chairman of the board. Justice J. T. Thorson,
declared that a judge of the exchequer court
should not be required to make decisions on
music fees which are paid by theatres, broadcasters
and other users.
"The Tight Squeeze" is the new title for
the Universal film formerly "Cry Copper."
Seven Pictures Placed
On Restricted Lists
TORONTO—An official listing of features
under the new classification of "restricted"
has been made by the Ontario board of censors
with the caution that no person under
18 years of age is to be admitted for a performance'
anywhere in the province, even
accompanied by adults.
if
Restricted films include "Les Compagnes
de la Nuit," "Intimate Relations," "Times
Gone By," "Violated" and "The Sinner."
Notice is also given that two pictures previously
classified as adult entertainment have
been transferred to the new classification.
These are "Le Plaisir" and "The Moon Is
Blue."
The latest group of adult entertainment
features comprises "Man in the Attic," "One
Summer of Happiness," "Public Enemy" and
"Little Caesar."
The titles of three features have been
changed. They are "Lulu Belle" to "Daughter
of Sin," "The Scar" to "The Man Who Murdered
Himself" and "Pi-ivate Affairs of Bel
Ami" to "Women of Paris."
While there is a definite age limit for
pictures in the restricted admittance class,
the classification of adult entertainment is
primarily intended as a guide to parents in
the selection of films for children and exhibitors
cannot show the adult-labeled films
at Saturday matinee or other performances
when the audience is predominantly juvenile.
18 May Become Legal Age
For Canadian Residents
TORONTO—The adopted minimum age
limit of 18 years for persons attending performances
of films in the new restricted attendance
classification of the Ontario board
of censors may become the legal age of all
adults in Canada. At a meeting of the
Canadian Bar Ass'n here February 20, it was
decided to recommend to the government that
adult status be given to those reaching the
age of 18.
Canada Government Hikes
Postal Rates One Cent
OTTAWA—The Canadian government has
added something to the operating expenses
of all branches of the film industry and
others in the raising of postal rates by one
cent on all first class mail, including post
cards, effective April 1. This is an advance
of from 25 to 33 1/3 per cent. Cost of mailing
printed matter, including bulletins and notices,
remains unchanged because the second
class rate jumped 100 per cent not long
ASN Executive Speaks
ST. JOHN — "Good entertairunent, action
and Canadian significance are called for in
films for television," said Earl Clark, production
sales manager for Associated Screen
Studios, Montreal. He spoke at the New
Brunswick Bonspiel banquet in the Admiral
Beatty hotel. He showed a Canadian Cameo
short, "The Roaring Game," as typical of
the kind of film designed for television showing.
Its producer, Gordon Sparling, recently
received a presentation from the Italian consul
in Montreal. The cup and illuminated
scroll were won by the popular short on the
subject of curling at the International Sports
Film Festival at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy,
last year.
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90
BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

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I
RESEARCH
for
BUREAU
AAODERN THEATRE PLANNERS
ENROLLMENT FORM FOR FREE INFORMATION
The MODERN THEATRE
PLANNING INSTITUTE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City 24, Mo.
Gentlemen:
Please enroll us in your RESEARCH BUREAU
to receive information regularly, as released, on
the following subjects for Theatre Planning:
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n Complete Remodeling ^ Sound Equipment
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VANCOUVER
.
Tohnny McTaggart, assistant manager of the
Orpheum, resigned to enter another business.
He was succeeded by Harry Hargraves,
former booker for the Opera Hou.se in Blackpool,
England MacKenzie, western
sales representative for Perkins Electric, currently
is covering the Edmonton district . . .
Frank Soltice, manager of the Pines Drive-In
at Penticton, returned from a two-month
vacation in Mexico and California . . . Doug
White, former office manager at Warner
Bros., has joined the Myers Enterprises and
will be in charge of the Delta Drive-In at
Richmond, the Tillicum Drive-In at Victoria
and the Bay Theatre in Vancouver.
Tom Boudreau, manager of the Odeon at
Abbotsford, reported brisk business in the
Ronald McKee of
Fraser valley section . . .
the Lulu Richmond reported that his business
has not been affected by the opening of a
drive-in in his area . Brewer, local
projectionist, is the owner of a Vancouver
cartage company . Myers has an interest
in a local sales agency. He is advertising
director at Warner Bros. . . . Ben
Chechik of Myers Enterprises is in Austi'alia,
reportedly to investigate building a drive-in
theatre at Melbourne and Sydney.
A second outdoor theatre is being planned
near Penticton and another at Oliver in the
Okanagan fruit belt . . . Gerry Pughe, Paradise
cashier, became mother of a baby daughter
. . . Kathy Dougan of the Paradise staff
has joined the RCAF and will be stationed
in Quebec.
The Projectionists Local 348 took a strike
vote Sunday (21). According to circuit heads,
no progress has been made on a settlement
since the union rejected the ten-cent hourly
increase proposed by a conciliation board.
The union stuck to its original demand of
a hike of 25 cents an hour ... In the recent
Allied Artists Canadian sales drive, the three
Western branches at Calgary, Winnipeg and
Vancouver beat out the Toronto, Montreal
and St. John offices.
. . . Howard
Ivan Ackery, Orpheum manager, put over
a co-op page on "Mogambo"
Tillman, father-in-law of Gerry Sutherland,
Odeon district manager and well-known
hotelman, died here in his 67th year.
tite is surprising . . .
Two elderly women brought their own
chairs to the "Martin Luther" queue as hundreds
continue to line up to see this film
on Protestantism's founder. One newspaper
said considering the film was made for
church consumption only the public appe-
The Totem in Victoria
is having its own censorship problems. The
script of Totem's current play, "The Happy
Time," calls for use of a copy of "La Vie
Parisienne," a racy Fi'ench picture magazine
featuring pages of gorgeous Paris gals and
night life. The only problem is that the
magazine is banned in Canada. The group
settled for a copy of "Better Homes and
Gardens." It can't be seen from the stage
anyway.
The International Woodworkers of America
is taking the motion picture medium into
the British Columbia woods as part of its
education program for members. The IWA
directors revealed that motion pictures were
taken of the convention in Hotel Georgia
and will be shown later in remote logging
camps.
Quebec Censors Decline
'Luther' Ban Debate
MONTREAL—The Quebec board of Cinema
censors has refused to discuss the banning
of "Martin Luther" with the Greater Montreal
Council of Churches.
The council had issued a statement saying
it felt obliged to express concern "at the
unfortunate situation created by the action
of the board in banning the film and in refusing
to receive a delegation from the council
to discuss the matter."
The chairman of the censor board, Alexis
Gagnon, replied to the council: "The attitude
taken by the board was to avoid any
religious strife among the people of our
province. The decision was not for or againit)
the Lutheran believers, but only for the wel-|
fare of the community.
,
"As our sentiments remain the same, the|
board does not see that any further discussion
of so delicate a theme would be in the(
general interest."
I
'
Former Theatre Manager
Blacklisted by Union
TORONTO—A crisis broke in television'
circles of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp,
with Don Hudson, a former Toronto theatre
manager, as the central figure in a dii-
>-
pute climaxed by the announcement of the
Canadian Radio and Television Artists union
that Hudson had been blacklisted.
Union members were warned they must
not appear in TV shows produced by Hudson
for the CBC network. Meanwhile, the union,
which claims 1,900 membership, is negotiating
with the government agency for a del -I
inite contract. Shows have not been interrupted,
but the credits now read: "Production
supervised by Don Hudson."
Film Awards May 13
OTTAWA—Walter Herbert, chairman of
the Canadian Film Awards committee, has
announced that plans are proceeding for the
annual ceremonies scheduled for May 13
when the decision of the panel of judges for
1953 homemade motion pictures will be rS'
vealed. The date for the presentations was
originally set for March but was postponed,
two months largely because of the observance
of Lent. The awards program will be conducted
at the Kent, a unit of United Amusements
in Montreal, instead of the Avon which
wa,s first selected.
'Life' Plays 2nd Week
TORONTO—In the "off-beat" group, the
International Cinema had a second week
with "Isn't Life Wonderful?" from Britain,
while the Studio was playing "Song of the
Ukraine." The Pylon continued its Italian
series with "Anna." The Savoy featured
"The Sky Is Red," and the Biltmore offered
"Daughter of Sin," previously titled "Lulu
Belle." The Hollywood had a short run with
"Le Plaisir," then turned to "LOi."
Warren Low will edit "The Big Top," a
Paramount picture, to be produced by Hal
Wallis.
'
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jsad.
m^ Re*'
jfctioiK iri'i
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more 'Jam
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Start C.
'«F;l!r/p.
92
BOXOFFICE : : February 27, 1954

'
I
i
1
Providence
j
meeting
!
The
. . Bob
'jliSt
Clarke. Stanzler Named
! To Real Estate Board
OTTAWA
From New England Edition
PROVIDENCE—Albeit Clarke and
i
Meyer Stanzler of the firm of Clarke &
Stanzler, were made active members of the
Woman Solon Will Study
'TilLottery Regulations
OTTAWA—A woman member of parliament,
Mrs. Ann Shipley of Kirkland Lake,
lont., has been named as a representative of
;he Commons on the committee to study the
jriminal code and recommend revisions to
.. .
Jregulation.s governing lotteries and games of
proceeding te^jhance, including bingo.
Mrs. Shipley, a member of the government
larty, is the only Commoner of the female
iex to sit on the investigating committee.
rjyman Bessin, who is retiring March 1 as
an Ottawa exhibitor in the leasing of the
Glebe to Sam Fingold's National Theatres
Real Estate board at a special circuit, is active in the financial drive for
of the executive committee recently the Bar Ilan university in Israel. Bessin is a
men also are associated with the Associated
Realty Co. and both are widely dian Mizrachi . . . "Miss Sadie Thompson"
member of the national presidium of Cana-
°«as the baj
known throughout the east for theii past bowed out at the Elgin February 20 after a
•"' ttie Gteaitt
connections with the theatre business.
stay of three weeks and Manager Ernie Warren
next welcomed Judy HoUiday in "It
Clarke was manager of the Majestic Theatre
here for the last 13 years. He resigned Should Happen to You." It was at the Elgin
'ilia*
that post last May. His total theatre record that Judy Holliday had one of the longest
runs in Canada in "Born Yesterday." "Sadie"
covers more than a quarter century.
Stanzler has been identified with theatres, was in 2-D.
conventional and drive-ins, for a score
Regent shared in the
years. Both men have been prominent in
more than a single to Marry a Millionaire" is the attraction,
is to have a Cinemascope rival
Rhode Island Theatre Owners Ass'n, a director
of the Crippled Children's hospital and
soon in the neighboring city of Hull, Que.,
the Big Brothers of Rhode Island, and with where an installation is being made in the
ist any irter i
Stanzler has been the mainstay of the
Cartier. a Famous Players unit, where Louis
time would be
Island Jimmy fund campaigns. Gauthier is the veteran manager.
accepted as members
lire Manage
3y Union colors. In achieving this goal, Clarke nard's Francais a bill
Stanzler won recognition for the exemplary
j.i aroke
for a two-day run to provide variety, the
in teleJis
manner in which they conducted their business
and their ethical practice was highly
-a: Bioatostin;
pair being topped by "Les Rois du Sport"
Ca
1 tomer Toron
which proved popular because of the stars,
lauded by directors of this important associationnard
is looking after film bookings for the
Fernandel and Raimu. Incidentally, May-
central fijire
it aunountement ol
The importance of becoming a member of
cWeviaoE Artists 1
Eastview, which is owned by the estate of the
the Real Estate board is evidenced in the late T. G. Lewis.
Stan Helleur, former public relations manager
for Warner Bros, in Toronto and previously
with the Toronto Telegram, is now
a committee chairman of the Ottawa Press
Rhode
In
^fitmi
both
of
order
fact that less than 300 out of a total of 1,500
The Famous Players
current wave of reissues around Ontario when
to become
lof the Providence Real Estate board, Clarke
they ni
by Hi real estate men operating
Fred Robertson, proprietor of the Mayfair
in this area have
and Stanzler had to undergo rigid examinations
and tests, which they passed with flying real, reportedly for a checkup .
thtiD
civic and business affairs. Clarke was a Manager Bill Cullum opened February 20
member of the Chamber of Commerce, was
with a repeat of "The Keys of the Kingdom."
chief crier for the Town Criers for two The Regent is also getting "The Best Years
years, the only one to hold that post for
of Our Lives" . . . The Capitol, where "How
in Ottawa South, spent some time in Mont-
been voted into the select group.
May-
and
had French double
term, treasurer of the
current
club. He is now information officer of the
National Film Board here . . . Fred Leavens
at the Elmdale in the west end reported excellent
business with "The Snows of Kilimanjaro,"
which he booked after the Hemingway
plane crash in Africa. The picture was held
for two cxti;! d;ivs.
Two NFB Workers Upped
To Executive Positions
MONTREAL— The aijpouilmunu, uf Bernard
Devlin to be executive producer in charge
of the National Film Board's television unit
and of Hugh O'Connor as executive producer
of the filmstrip unit were announced here
by Donald MulhoUand. NFB director of production.
Devlin, 30, joined the board in 1946 as a
production assistant after serving with the
navy and with the RCAF during the war.
He wa.s born in Quebec City and is best
known for the films L'Homme aux Oiseaux
and The Settler. O'Connor, who is 29, wa-s
born at Hamilton, Scotland. During the war
he was a production engineer at Rolls Royce,
Ltd.. and since coming to Canada in 1947
has worked in di.splay advertising. He joined
the NFB in February 1953 from Graphic As-
.sociates Film Production, Ltd., of Toronto
where he was in charge of publicity and sales.
Charter Surrender Filed
By J. Arthur Rank 16mm
TORONTO—AppUcation has been made to
the Secretary of State for the surrender of
the charter of J. Arthur Rank 16mm, Ltd..
Toronto, under the companies act of Canada,
according to a formal notice by C. R. B.
Salmon, secretary-treasurer of various JARO
companies here.
Previously, application was made for statutory
permission to surrender the company
charter of Monogram Pictures of Canada,
which has been superseded by Allied Artists
of Toronto, a division of J. Arthur Rank.
Gloria Grahame and Sterling Hayden will
play the leads in Universal's "The Tight
Squeeze."
t
was post
To Start Car Lot
TORONTO—Because of downtown traffic
longestion, the city traffic and legislation
'Mmmittee has decided to use the site of the
[planned civic square for temporary parking
purposes until proposed structures are conitructed.
Included in the expropriated propaties
is FPC Shea's which faces the present
!ity hall. The committee move is expected to
iring the whole block into civic use more
luickly than anticipated, thus cutting short
iie use of the theatre which is one of the
its
tf 'emaining buildings in the area.
lid tie!
jto'tf"
"He K
To Film 'Race' in England
rom Hollywood Edition
HOLLYWOOD—"Race for Life," an autoacing
story, has been set to begin camera
vork late in March in England as a joint
liffort
films. Plln
between Lippert Pictures and Exclusive
strange, but effective setting for the knights
A strange setting for the "Knights of the Round
Table," the gallant warriors of some 1,300 years
ago— but here they are along the asphalt paved
streets of Pittsburgh, poroding in behalf of the premiere
in that city of MGM's "Knights of the
Round Table." The use of the pageantry of the
Arthurean legend, via the parading of costumed
riders, hos been a highlight in the cxploitotion of
early ploydotes across the country, principally in
street ballyhoo, sports events, etc.
iioff"^'
r
OXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954
93

—
Ideas still
pay!
Anyone can find
ideas,
but successful exhibitors
make ideas work for them*
whether you create, collect
or adapt ideas, the main
thing is to keep them stirring
to build business for you.
Cover to Cover —
BOXOFFICE Brims with Helpfulness
*One exhibitor collected BOXOFFICE
Stories on Children's Shows, and has
boosted matinee business 100% by
adapting them for his own theatre.
As never before, better methods pay good
dividends in show business. Men in high
places and men in low places all have
learned that it pays and pays to promote pictures—every
day in every way . . . For good
ideas in the news and in the service departments,
read and use each issue of
BOXOFFICE
Nine Sectional Editions - To Fit Every Distribution Area
94 BOXOFFICE :
: February 27, 1954

1
Orahame,
,
"pie
>
.
0)(0FFICE(lJDDiiilli'^JJJD5
%
The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY ABOUT PICTURES
COLUMBIA
Big Heat, The (Col)—Glenn Ford, Gloria
Jocelyn Brando. Best cops-androbbers
picture I've had in months. Deserves
"A" playing time in any situation. Not just
another gangster picture with better stars.
Didn't do big business due to sleet and cold
weather. Played Sat. preview, Sun. Weather:
Freezing rain.—M, J. Dowling, Palace Theatre,
Eufaula, Okla. Small-town and rural patronage.
Last Posse, The (Col)—Broderick Crawford,
John Derek, Charles Bickford. A sheriff
story during frontier days. Local bank
robbed—posse is formed. Then there is
Is
trouble among the members of the posse.
sheriff gets the robbers to surrender but
» member of the posse shoots the sheriff
~^d he dies. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
Btalr but cold.—James Wiggs jr., Tar Theatre,
Tarboro, N.C. Small-town and rural patronage.
Let's Do It Again (Col)—Jane Wyman, Ray
MiUand, Aldo Ray. The fact that people
thought this was a musical killed it in my
town. But, if you haven't played it, bill it
as a comedy because there are more laughs
than music. Played preview Sat., Sun., Mon.
Weather: Fair.—Gailand Lamb, Crown Theatre,
Lincoln, Ark. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Slaves of Babylon (Col)—Richard Conte,
Linda christian, Maurice Schwartz. An excellent
Biblical picture in beautiful color.
Better than average draw here. Similar to
'Salome" but not so long. Played Sun.,
iMon. Weather: Rain.—L. Brazil jr.. New
llieatre, Bearden, Ark. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Snnny Side of the Street (Col)—Prankie
IlLaine, Billy Daniels, Terry Moore. A fair
small musical in Cinecolor which nobody
cared for. Played a Hopalong Cassidy westem
on the second bill, "Devil's Playground"
(UA), which wasn't very good either. Busiaess
poor. Played Tues., Wed., Thurs.
Weather: clear and cool.—L. J. Seidl, Star
theatre, Oshkosh, Wis. Subsequent run city
atronage.
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Actress, The (MGM) —Spencer Tracy, Jean
Bmmons. Teresa Wright. Few features have
STOP received less attention at our bo.xoffice.
tod few have ever brought as much criticism
torn the scattered patrons who attended.
lilie record doesn't show as poor a Sunday,
npney-wise. This gets off to a yawning start,
liially gains a little momentum and so for a
rtllle I thought they might salvage .some-
>Ung for the stockholders money. However.
list as things seemed to be under control
hey chop it off and leave out the la.st reel.
t will be better for the small-town exhibitor
the argues a while before playing thi.s. It's
Mtgood any time. Played Sun., Mon. Weather:
lata.—Bob Walker, Uintah Theatre, Fruita,
Spjo. Small-town and rur&l patronage.
Bad and the Beautiful, The (MGM)—Kirk
Douglas, Lana Turner, Dick Powell. To show
this in a small town is bad and not beautiful.
Many told us it was a poor show but I think
the larger theatres would fare better. Played
Sun., Mon. Weather: Good.—R. C. Drayer,
Majestic Theatre, Fi-ankfort, S.D. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Dangerous When Wet (MGM)—Esther
Williams, Fernando Lamas, Jack Carson. A
good musical with a fair story but musicals
are deader here than last week's popcorn.
It satisfied the teenagers and the music fans.
Broke even, is about all. Played Sun., Mon.
Weather: Fair.—Ken Christianson, Roxy
Theatre, Washburn, N.D. Small-town and
rural patronage.
Says Serials Might Solve
Falling Grosses Problem
•pELIEVE it or not but a Columbia serial,
"Secret Code," has been our bread
and butter this winter. Our Friday-
Saturday business is 50 per cent ahead
of last year this same time. Here is a
fast-moving serial with an excellent cast
that has our serial-loving fans coming
each week. This might be the solution to
falling boxoffice in some rural type theatres.
Dakota Theatre
Wishek, N.D.
WALTER SAYLER
Escape From Fort Bravo (MGM)—William
Holden, Eleanor Parker, John Forsythe. This
is an excellent feature. Another Apache
story, but the plot and action has a fast
pace. WilUam Holden seldom fails at my
boxoffice. Give tliis good play dates and
backing. Shouldn't go wrong. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Fair.—Nate Oglesbee, Ramona,
Calif. Small-town and rural patronage.
Great Diamond Robbery, The (MGM)—
Re* Skelton, Cara Williams, James Whitmore.
Skelton just isn't in the movies
any more. He plays too much of a straight
funny
part in this. People associate a real comedy
with his name, but this wasn't one. It fell
down at the boxoffice. Played Wed., Thurs.
Weather: Cold.—James Wiggs Jr.. Tar Theatre.
Tarboro, N.C. Small-town and rural patronage.
Ivanhoe (MGM)—Robert Taylor. Elizabeth
Taylor, Joan Fontaine. Played this late but it
was not a case of "better late than never."
Never would have been better. Not disappointed
though as I had a few people there—
which was a few more than I expected. No,
I do not have a fatalistic attitude—I just
read Exhibitor Has His Say! Played Sun.
Weather: Cold, snow, ice, etc.—Marcella
Smith, Vinton Tlieatre, McArthur, Ohio.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Latin Lovers (MGM)—Lana Turner, Rlcardo
Montalban, John Lund. Used this on
Bank nite. Good cast but the story lacked
something. Business fell off 30 per cent tin;
second day of the run. Some good outdoor
scenery. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather
Cloudy.—Michael Chlaventone, Valley Theatre,
Spring Valley, 111. Semi-Industrial, semirural
patronage.
Lili (MGM)—Leslie Caron, Mel Ferrer,
Jean Pierre Aumont. If you passed this one,
go back and pick it up. The title Is against
it for small towns but word-of-mouth should
make up for it. You won't have to hide after
playing this one. Played Wed., Thur.^.
Weather: Good.—M. J. Dowling, Palace Tlieatre,
Eufaula, Okla. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Mogambo (MGM)—Clark Gable, Ava Gardner,
Grace Kelly. One of the columnists
stated recently something to the effect thai
if Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe were
playing simultaneously in theatres side by
side, MM would outgross the other two to
one. We played "Mogambo" and "Gentlemen
Prefer Blondes" on consecutive Sunday,^
under identical conditions and "Mogambo" is
the one that did it! But, "leave us not argue"
about other contributing factors. Played
Sun, Mon. Weather: Foggy.—Mrs. Elaine S
George, Star Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Naked Spur, The iMGM)—James Stewart.
Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan. This picture ha
what it takes—that is, plenty of savage action
However. MGM westerns do not usually dn
well. Tliey seem to lack originality anti
humor. Business was a little above average
James Stewart is very much miscast in thi:-
type of role. Played Sun.. Mon. Weather;
Good.—J. R. Revell, Lux Theatre, Starkvill.
Miss. Colored patronage.
PARAMOUNT
Arrowhead (Para)—Charlton Heston, Mary
Sinclair. Brian Keith. Another Apache stor\
but with better handling than most. Jack
Palance as an Apache is most convincir.-
and Charlton Heston plays his usual role
Color Is beautiful, and the ritual music effect.s
add greatly to the enjoipient. Played to a
little above average business. Played Sun..
Mon. Weather: Fair.—Nate Oglesbee. Ramona
Theatre, Ramona, Calif. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Little Boy Lost (Para)—Bing Crosby, Claud
Dauphin, Christian Fourcade. The best from
Paramount in many a moon and Crosby the
best in years. Even the weather and TV gave
us no reason to doubt "movies are your
best entertainment." Played Sun., Mon.,
Tues. Weather: 30 below zero.—Ken Cliristianson,
Roxy Theatre. Washburn, N. D.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Roman Holiday (Para)—Gregory Peck.
Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert. A good p\< -
ture with lots of comedy and scenery. O :
only trip to Rome! Play it. Everyone remarked
what a delightful show, but aU shows
need color. Played Sun. Weather: Good.—
R. C. Drayer, Community Theatre, Conde,
S. D. Small-town and rural patronage.
Scared Stiff (Para)—Dean Martin. Jerry
Lewis, Lizabeth Scott. Good title and good
business for my theatre. Looks like Martin
(Continued on following page)
ibXOFFICE BookinGuide : : Feb. 27, 1954

—
'
w
! !wi
The EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
(Continued from preceding page)
and Lewis are here to stay as long as they
make pictures lilce tiiis one. Played Tues.,
Wed. Weather: Fair.—Gailand Lamb, Crown
Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Small-town and rural
patronage.
RKO RADIO
Best of the Badmen (RKO)—Robert Ryan,
Claire Trevor, Jack Buetel. Against tlie March
of Dimes Hillbilly Jamboree this really suffered.
It is a good story with lots of name
draw and Technicolor. It should be okay
if you haven't already used it. (It was our
second run of it.) Played Wed., Thurs. Weather:
Cloudy and cool.—James Wiggs jr.. Tar
Theatre. Tarboro, N. C. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Peter Pan (RKO)—Disney Cartoon Feature.
Another Walt Disney that failed for us.
Tliey don't mean a thing here in Washburn.
Sure, it is good for a full length picture but
a Tom and JeiTy Cartune Carnival will outgross
Disney two to one every time. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair.—Ken Christianson,
Roxy Theatre, Washburn, N. D. Small-town
and rural patronage.
Pygmalion (RKO)—Reissue. Leslie Howard,
Wendy Hiller, Wilfrid Lawson. When I was
in the States I asked the RKO head in New
York to reissue this wonderful film—also
"Snow White" and "Top Hat." We did sellout
business with "Pygmalion" and there is no
doubt that we wOl do the same with the
other two. "Pygmalion" is the type of film
that will bring back many friends to your
theatre. Even with its age the acting cannot
be improved today. The witty dialog of Shaw
is as evergreen as when it was first issued.
Now, with Cinemascope giving us all headaches,
let's see more of these wonderful reissues.
Played Wed., through Sat.—Dave S.
Klein, Astra Theatre, Kitwe-Nkana, Northern
Rhodesia, Africa. Mining, government and
business patronage.
REPUBLIC
City That Never Sleeps (Rep)—Gig Young,
Mala Powers, WUliam Talman. Seemed good
to sit down and see and enjoy a GOOD cop
story. It has a fine script, the parts are well
played and the cast has draw. It has a pleasing
ending and the patrons all enjoyed it.
too. It should please all—play it! Played
Wed., Thurs. Weather: Warmer and fair.
James Wiggs jr., Tar Thfeatre, Tarboro, N.C.
Small-town and rural patronage.
Oklahoma Annie (Rep) — Judy Canova,
John Russell, Grant Withers. Most everyone
in our situation likes Judy. Always good for
lots of laughs—and that is what we all need.
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Good.—R. C.
Drayer, Majestic Theatre, Fi-ankfort, S.D.
Small-town and rural patronage.
20th CENTURY-FOX
CaU Me Madam (20th-Fox)—Ethel Merman,
Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen. This was
a waste of film as far as I'm concerned.
Everyone who came to see it the first night
walked out. The other two nights I hid so
I couldn't see their reactions. Played preview
Sat., Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair.—Gailand
Lamb, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Desert Rats, The (20th-Fox)—Robert Newton,
James Mason, Richard Burton. Topnotch
war drama from Fox such as our patrons
have come to expect from this company. Excellent
performances all round, thrilling camera
work and a mighty fine presentation by
Robert Wise of a memorable British-Australian
incident of the last war-. Richard Burton
is tops for our money and Newton is always
appreciated here. We had sellout business for
five nights with the public clamoring for
more! We wisli we could play more like this
one. Finer bouquets we cannot give Fox.
Played Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat., Tues. Weather:
Fine.—Dave S. Klein, Astra Theatre,
Kitwe-Nkana. Northern Rhodesia, Africa.
Mining, government and business patronage.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (20th-Fox)—
Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn.
When I mentioned this film in connection
with "Mogambo" I was not complaining.
It is a very amusing musical which did what
we might call a "high normal" business
but it is no epic. Any resemblance this film
had to the original play is coincidental but
it doesn't make a bit of difference so far
as entertainment is concerned. Played Sun.,
Mon. Weather: Foggy.—Mrs. Elaine S.
George, Star Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Gives Business a Boost
With Midwinter Coupon
JJEN CHRISTIANSON of the Roxy in
Washburn, N.D., vras having- extremely
cold weather and bad business.
He had "The Farmer Taices a Wife"
booked in and was afraid there would be
nobody there. So, in the local paper, he
ran a "midwinter coupon" worth 15 cents
on the purchase of an adult ticket for
either Sunday or Monday night. This
proved a worthwhile stimulus in promoting
a musical that he says would have
been a problem for him.
UNITED ARTISTS
Joe Louis Story, The (UA)"—Coley Wallace,
Hilda Stmms, Paul Stewart. Should go over
good in towns with colored patronage. We
had a tieup with the Lion's club on this one.
A good blending in of Louis' actual fight
pictures. Most of the acting amateurish.
Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—Michael
Chiaventone, Valley Theatre, Spring Valley,
ni. Semi-industrial, semirural patronage.
Raiders of the Seven Seas (UA)—John
Payne, Donna Reed, Gerald Mohr. Our records
only go back thirty years but we have
few grosses on the books so low. Sea pictures
—pirate pictures—costume pictures are not
so good here. I, too, am wondering how we
happened to play it! Played Tues., Wed.
Weather: Foggy.—Mrs. Elaine S. George, Stai-
Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Small-town and rural
patronage.
Shoot First (UA)—Joel McCrea, Evelyn
Keyes, Marius Goring. Good spy drama with
Joel McCrea in a different part. Made in
England but it's good. WUl keep you in suspense.
However, it did only fair business.
Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Cloudy, rain,
cold.—James Wiggs jr.. Tar Theatre, Tarboro,
N.C. Small-town and rural patronage.
UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL
Back to God's Country (UI)—Rock Hudson,
Marcia Henderson, Steve Cochran. Fine outdoor
pictm'e with a g(X)d story but I guess
my patrons were tired of looking at snow
and ice. Due to the weather, business on this
sure wasn't too good. Played preview Sat.,
Sun., Mon.—Weather: Snow and ice.—Gailand
Lamb, Crown Theatre, Lincoln, Ark.
SmaU-town and rural patronage.
East of Sumatra (U-D—Jeff Chandler
Marilyn Maxwell, Anthony Quinn. An up-''
to-date story, m color, of building an air
base. Picture has action, romance and pretty
scenery. We had better than average draw
Therefore, I would classify the picture as
good. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.—
L. Brazil jr.. New Theatre, Bearden, Ark
Small-town and rural patronage.
Glenn MiUer Story, The (U-D— James
Stewart, June Allyson, Henry Morgan. Saw
this at a trade screening. One of the best
musicals the undersigned has seen in ages
James Stewart and June Allyson do a wonderful
job. This is one for your best playing
time.—Michael Chiaventone, Valley Theatre
Spring VaUey, 111. Semi-industrial, semirural
patronage.
Great Sioux Uprising, The (U-D—Jeflf
Chandler, Faith Domergue, Lyle Bettger.
This would probably classify as a big outdoor
picture in color. Has a very good Indian
story. Better than average draw here. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Cold.—L. Brazil jr., New
Theatre, Bearden, Ark.
patronage.
Small-town and rural
Lawless Breed, The (U-D—Rock Hudson,
Julia Adams, Mary Castle. Bucking wrestling
matches one night and basketball the nert
gave this a Herculean task in holding its own.
At it turned out, all that competition made
the rental too high. Yet it did 85 per cent
of average busmess. If you haven't played
this, buy it, book it and sell it. The trailer is
full of rough stuff so go down front and tell
'em it's a story with a moral, a story the
ladies will enjoy, a story for the children—
and it's a cast that couldn't be better. We
had the nicest compliments I've ever had wi
a western. They all agreed the sales talk I
had given them was certainly true. Played
Fri., Sat. Weather: Lovely.—Bob Walker,
Uintah Theatre, Fruita, Colo. Small-town
and rural patronage.
WARNER BROS.
Carson City (WB)—Randolph Scott, Lucille
Norman, Raymond Massey. A typed
western—every move you know in advance.
Too many average outdoor pictures of this
same kind are ruining the market. Business
average. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather;
Cold, below zero.—Ken Christianson, Roxy
Theatre, Washburn, N.D. Small-town and
rural patronage.
, Key Largo (WB)—Humphrey Bogart, Edward
G. Robinson, Clau-e Ti-evor. This,
filmed in the Florida Keys, is a good suspense
story. However, there isn't much actual movement.
But the character parts and the story
are strong. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Pair.
^James Wiggs jr.. Tar Theatre, Tarboro,
N.C. Small-town and rural patronage.
So This Is Love (WB)—Kathryn Grayson,
Merv Griffin, Joan Weldon. This one didn't
draw very well but that was not unexpected
for our town. I was pleased that we had no
walkouts such as have been reported from a
number of small situations. Played Tues.,
Wed. Weather: Still foggy!—Mrs. Elaine S.
George, Star Theatre, Heppner, Ore. Smalltown
and rural patronage.
Story of WiU Rogers, The (WB)—Will
Rogers jr., Jane Wyman, James Gleason.
Played Sunday before Christmas. It was an
oldie but it was the top grosser for December
against contenders such as "Arrowhead,"
"The Caddy," "Hiawatha," "The Lion and the
Horse"—so it's the. old story. A good picture,
no matter how old, will click! Comments
favorable. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Cold.
—Ken Christianson, Roxy Theatre, Washburn,
N.D. Small-town and rural patronage.
A
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An interpretive onolysis of loy ond tradcprcss reviews. The plus ond n
marit onlv; oudienee clossiticotion is not rated. Listings cover current review
Thit department serves also as an ALPHABETICAL INDEX to feature rel.
n Picture Guide Review page number. For listings by compony, in the ordc
ught up to dote regularly.
Numeral preceding
wi'nm
title
mzm
'li-Jea Cta-j|
Very Good;
' Good; - Fair; Poor; — Very Poor. In the summary ' is rated 2 pluses, - as 2 minuses.
Ij,
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seen
'''.Valeyiia^
ai-ii4iistiial

.'
'^
REVIEW DIGEST ^ '^^'y ^°°

"
Very Good; t Good; ± Fair; - Poor; -" Very Poor. Id the summary >' is rated 2 pluses, — OS 2 minuses. KCYICW UKltjl
sife-s
16-53 -f
Pickup on South Street (80) Drama. 20th- Fox 5'
Ptiantom From Space (72) Science-Drama. .UA 6-
Pri»ate Eyes (64) Comedy AA
5U Project Moon Base (63) Drama LP 9-
Sll
m
Phantom o( the Rue Morjue ( . . )
(Three-dimension)
WB
Plunder of the Sun (82) Drama WB S-
Pony Express (101) Western Para 3-
Powder River (77) Drama 20th-Fox 5-
Pride of the Blue Grass (..) Drama.... AA
Prince Valiant (. .) Drama
(Cinemascope)
20th-Fox
Prisoners of the Casbah (78) Drama Col 10-
Project M-7 (86) Drama U-l 12-
Promoter, The (88) Comedy U-l 11-

.
.
d&notes
.
.
!
;
}mMi fiiJiiu
ALLIED
ARTISTS
m Northern Potrol (63) D . . 5330
KIrby Grant. CQorla Talbot, Chinook
IS^Maxe, The (81) D..3101
lUchard Carlson. Veronica Hurst, K. Emery
COLUMBIA
,
Feoture productions by company in order of release. Number in square is national release date. Running
time is in parentheses. Letters and combinations thereof indicate story type as follows: (C) Comedy; (D)
Dromo; (AD) Adventure-Droma; (CD) Comedy-Drama; (F) Fantasy; (M) Musical; (W) Western; (SW) Superwestern.
Release
Q Color; \' 3-D; o Wide
number follows,
Screen.
i. BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award Winner. Photography:
For review dates ond Picture Guide poge numbers, see Review Digest.
g U
©Let's Do It Again (95) MC. .601
Jane Wyman. liaj Mllland, Bay
Aldo
©Flame of Calcutta (70) D..603
Denlse Darccl. I'atrlc Knowles
Last Posse, The (73) D. .602
Broderick Crawford, John Derek, Wanda Hendrli
Pack Troin (57) W. .575
Gene Autry, Gall Darls, SmUey Buroette
LIPPERT
m ©Great Jesse Jomes Raid (73). .D. .5221
Wlliard Parker. Barbara Payton, Tom Neal
M-G-M
g] Dangerous When Wet (95) M.
Esther Williams, Jack Carson, D. Darcel
ISU©Lili (81) C.
Leslie CaroD, Mel Ferrer, J. P. Aumont
ES ©Ride, Voquero! (90)
D
Robert Taylor. Ava Gardner, Howard Kee;
s
ITopeko (69) W. .5325
Wild Bill EUlott, Crockett
Pbyllls Coates, D.
©Affoir in Monte Carlo (74). . .D. .5307
Merle Oheron, Mcbard Todd, Leo Genn
{Clipped Wings (65) C. .5320
Loo Goroey. Huntz Hall, Vincent
June
LU fl Mexieon Manhunt (71) D..5317
George Brent. Hillary Brooke, Karen Sharpe '
@ Fighting Lawman (71) W. .5334
.Morris, Wiivne Virginia Grey, Myron Healey
©Royol African Rifles (75) D. .5403
Louis llayward. Veronica Hurst, Roy Glr—
a Yellow Balloon (80) D. .5430
Andrew Hay. Kaltileen Ryan, Kennetli More
E] Hot News (6OV2) D. .5327
Slaidey Clements, Gloria Henry. Ted DeCorsla
1 Jennifer (73) D. .5307
Ida Luplno, Howard Duff, Robert Nichols
Jock Slade (89) D. .5406
Mark Stevens. Dorothy Malone, Barton MacLane
2J] Vigilonte Terror (70) W. .5422
Wild Bill Elliott, Mary Ellen Kay, G. Wallace
©Fighter Attack
!
(80) D. .5402
Sterling Hayden, Joy Page, J. Carrol Nalsb
Private Eyes (64) C. .5321
Leo Gorcey. Huntz Hall, Joyce Holden
jTexos Badman (62) W. .5335
Wayne Morris. Elaine Riley, Myron Healey
Mission Over Korea (86) D. .607
John Hodlak, John Derek. Audrey Totter
Valley of Head Hunters (67) D. .608
Johnny Weissmuller. Christine Larson, S. Rltch
©5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (88).. F.. 604
I'eter Lind Hayes, Mary Heali', Hans Conrled
©Cruisin' Down the River (81). .M. .606
Dick Haymes, Audrey Totter, Billy Daniels
©'J'Stranger Wore a Gun (83). .SW. .605
Randolph Scott, Claire Trevor, J. Weldon
From Here to Eternity (118) D..6I6
Burt L;incaster, Montgomery Cilft. Kerr D.
©Conquest of Cochise (70) W. .610
.lobn Hodiak, Robert Stack, Joy Page
China Venture (83) D..609
Edmond O'Brien, Barry Sullivan. Jocelyn Brando
Sky Commando (69) D..611
Dan Duryea, Francis 'Glfford, Touch Conners
Saginaw Trail (56) W. .576
tiene .\utry. Smiley Burnette, Marshall
Connie
Big Heat, The (90) D. .615
Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Burton
Robert
©Slaves of Babylon, The (82). . D. .612
Richard Conte, Unda Christian, Terry Kilburn
Combat Squad (72) D..6I3
John Ireland, Lon Mct^lllster, Hal March
©T^Gun Fury (82) SW. .617
Rock Hudson, Donna Reed. Pbll Carey
Lost of the Pony Riders (59). . . W. .573
Gene Autry. Smiley Burnette, Kathleen Case
Paris Model (81) D. .621
Paulette Goddard, Marilyn Maxwell, Eva Gabor
©Prisoners of the Casbah (78). .D. .622
Cesar Romero, Cilorla Grahame, Turhan Bey
Killer Ape, The (68) AD. .626
.lohnny Weissmuller, Carol Thurston, M. Palmer
©^yNebraskon, The (68) P.. 61 8
Phil Carey. Roberta Haynes, Wallace Ford
E] Spacewoys (76) D. .5301
Howard Duff, Eva Bartok. Alan Wheatley
O Project Moon Base (63)
lionna Martell, Ross Ford,
ini Normon Conquest (79)
Tom Conway. Eva Bartok
.D..5315
Borke
.D..5303
[a Undercover Agent (69) D. .5306
Dermot Walsh, Hazel Court
B The Fighting Men (63) D..5222
Rossano Brazzi. Claudlne Dupuls
H Shadow Man (77) D..5316
Cesar Romero. Kay Kendall,
a ©Sins of Jezebel (75)
Madern
D..5225
V.
Paulette Goddard, George Nader, John Hoyt
PMan From Cairo, The (83)
George Raft, Glanna Maria Canale.
a Terror Street (83) D . . 5304
Dan Duryea, Elsy Alblln, Ann Oudrun
ED Limping Man (76) D..5318
Lloyd Bridges, Molra Lister, Alan Wheatley
a ©Band Wogon, The (112) M.
Fred Astalre, Cyd Charlsse, Jack Buchai
an Affairs of Dobie Gillis (73) C.
Debbie Reynolds, Bobby Van, B. Eulck
Big Leaguer (71) CD.
Edward G. Robinson, Vera-Ellen, J. Bit
a ©Lotin Lovers (1 04)
Lana Turner, John Lund, Rlcardo Montall
a Half a Hero (75) C.
Red Skelton, Jean Hagen, Charles Dlngli
j Terror on a Train (72) D
Glenn Ford, Anne Vernon, Maurice Denha
! Actress, The (90) CD
Spencer Tracy, Jean Simmons. Teresa Wrt-
|l)©Mogambo (119) D.
Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelley
i
CTorch Song (90) D
Joan Crawford, Michael Wilding, Gig Y*]
j
©Take the High Groundl (101).. D,
Richard Widmark- Karl Maiden, E. Stevn
]
©All the Brothers Were Valiant
(101) AD
Robert Taylor, Stewart Granger, Ann Blyl]
li©^Kiss Me Kate (109)..,.
KathriTi Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Mill
! ©Eosy to Love (96) M
Esther WllUams, Van Johnson, Tony Marl
M
a Golden Idol, The (71) D. .5315
Johnny Sheffield, Anne Klmbell
Yukon Vengeance (68) D. .5331
Kirby Gr:int. Carol Thurston
m World for Ransom (82) D. .5408
riari Duryea, Gene Lockhart, Patrle Knowles
(7] Highway Dragnet (80) D. .5405
Juan Bennett, Richard Conte, W. Hendrli
Bitter Creek (72) W. .5423
Wild Bill Elliott. Beverly Garland
g| Riot in Cell Block 11 (80) D. .S-1
Neville Brand, EniUe Meyer, Frank Faylen
a Paris Ployboys (62) C. .5418
Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Viola Vonn
63 Mr. Potts Goes to Moscow (93) C. .5431
Oscar Homolka, Nadla Gray, George Cole
@ ©Dragonfly Squadron (80) . . . D. .S-2
John Hodlak, Barbara Brltton. Bruce Bennett
Loophole (80) D. .5414
Barry BuIIIvan. Dorothy Malone
©Pride of
1
the Blue Gross (. .). .D. .5410
Lloyd Bridges, Vera Miles
] Cheyenne Crossing (..) W..5426
Wayne Morris
! ©Arrow in the Dust (80) D..5404
Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Keith Larsen
Bod for Each Other (S3) D. .624 H White Fire (82) D..5317
Scott Brady, Mary Mayne
Charlton Hcston. Lizabetb Scott, D. Foster
Castle. Ferdy
©^yDrums of Tahiti (75) D..628 El Hollywood Thrill-Makers (..).. .D. .5321
O'Keefe. L. F. Patricia Medina, Dennis
El Alamein (67)
SuUlvan
D . . 620
James Gleason. Bill
P Queen of Sheba
Henry
(99) D. .5325
Scott Brady. Edward Morena
Special cast
Ashley, Rita
©Poratrooper (87) D. .619 g§ Block Glove (..) D. .5305
Alex Nicol
Alan Ladd. Susan Stephen, Leo Genn
©Charge of the Lancers (73). .D. .625
Paulette Goddard, Jean Pierre Aumont
©i^Miss Sadie Thompson (91). . .D. .630
Rita Haywortb, Aldo Ray, Jose Ferrer
(Special prerelease)
Wild One, The (79) D. .623
Marlon Brando. Mary Murphy, Robert Keith
Bait (79) D..639
Cleo Moore, John Agar. Hugo Haas
©Battle of Rogue River (71 ) . . .D. .637
George Montgomery, Martha Hyer, R, Denning
It Should Happen to You (81). .C. .631
Judy Holllday, Peter Lawford. Jack Lemmon
©^/Jesse James vs. the Daltons
(65) W. .629
Brett King, Barbara Lavvrence, James Griffith
Drive a Crooked Road (..) D. .638
Mickey Rooney, Dianne Foster, Kevin McCarthy
Indiscretion of an American
Wife (. .) D. .
Jennifer Jones, V. DeSlci
Montgomery CUft,
©Iron Glove, The (. .) D.
Robert Stack, Ursula Thelss
g] We Wont a Child (. .) : .D. .5324
Special cast
as Fangs of the Wild (. .) D..531I
(Carles CbapUn jr., Margla Dean
[U ©Give a Girl o Break (82).... M.
Marge and Gower Champion, Debbie Rej ita«iT
SI ^©oKnights of the Round Table
(126) .D.
Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer
^ Great Diamond Robbery (69). . .
Red Skelton, Cara WUllams, Dorothy 6t
[I]©Soadio (82) D.
Cornel Wilde, Mel Ferrer, Elta Gam
9 ©Long, Long Trailer, The (103).C.
Lucille Ball. Desi Arnaz, Marjorle Main
Julius Caesar (122) D.
Marlon Brando, James Mason, Louis (^alb
(Prerelease)
[S ©Tennessee Champ (73) D.
Dewej Martin, Shelley Winters, Keeoan W
! (£>oRose Morie (102) M
Ann Blyth, Howard KeeL Fernando Lai
©Flome and the Flesh (..) D.
Lana Turner. Carlos Thompson, Pier Am
©Gypsy Colt (72) D
Donna Corcoran. Ward Bond, Frances Dtt
©Rhapsody (115) MD
jaizabeth Taylor, Vlttorlo Oassman, J. Ik
»f»ii<
^.'"ffVtr
©African Fury Doc .
Forty-Niners, The W. .
Wild BUI Elliott. Virginia Denyer Pyle
Grey,
OGhost of O'Leory, The D.
Yvoiuie DeCarlo, David Nlven
©Block Knight, The D. .
Alan Ladd. Patricia Medina
©Caine Mutiny, The D. .
Humplirey Bogart, Van Johnson, Ferrer
Jose
Father Brown CD. .
Alec Guinness. Joan Greenwood
©Fire Over Africa D. .
Maureen O'llara, Macdonald Carey
©Hell Below Zero D..
Alan Ladd, Joan Tetzel, Basil Sidney
Human Beast, The D.
Gloria Grahame, Glenn Ford
$'Main Event D . .
Broderick Crawford. Roberta Haynes
©Outlaw Stallion, The D. .
Phil Carey, Dorothy Patrick
©Saracen Blode D. .
Rlcardo Montalban, Bctta St. John
©White Fcother D..
Robert Francis, Donna Carey
Reed. Pbll
Blackout D. .
Dane Dark
©The Cowboy (67) Doc. .5308
Narrators ; Tex Rltter, Bill Conrad, John Debner
Heot Wave D. .5310
Alex Nicol, Hillary Brooke
Paid to Kill D. .5309
Dane Clark
Woman With a Gun D. .
Paulette Goddard
©Beou Brummel
D
Lana Turner. Clark Gable, Victor Matur
©Betrayed
D
Elizabeth Taylor, Stewart Granger
©Bride for Seven Brothers. ... D.
Jane Powell, Howard Keel
©aBrigadoon
MD
Gene Kelly. Van Johnson
Crest of the Wove D
Gene Kelly, John Justin, Jeff Richards
Executive Suite
William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, J. U
©Her Twelve Men CD
Greer Garson, Robert Ryan
©Panther Squadron 8 D
Van Johnson. Dewey Martin
©oStudent Prince M
Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom. John ErlcsM
©Valley of the Kings D
Robert Taylor, Eleanor Parker, Carlos Thou

.
.
.
.
.
.
«H>*»: FEATURE CHART
A Biila
PARAMOUNT
OHoudini (106) D 5223
Tony Curtl-s. Leigh, Torln Thatcher
Janet
Slolog 17 (120) D 5224
Vnuiain Holdtn, Don Prcmlngcr
Taylor. Otto
AArrowheod (105) SW. .5227
Ourlton Ueston, Mary Brian Keith
Sinclair.
JJoShono (117) D..5225
Ban LoiW. Jean Arthur. Van UefUn
RKO RADIO
i O^^Second Chanc* (82)
Uohert Mltchum. Linda Darnell.
. .D..401
Palance
(S ©Sword ond the Rose, The (92). D. .491
Klrharcl Tmld. Glynls Johns, Jllchael Oough
HQiJ/Devil's Canyon (92) D. .402
Dale Itobertson. Virginia Mayo. 8. McNally
REPUBLIC
1^ OSwcethcartj on Porad* (90). .M. .5210
Kay Mlddleton. Eileen Christy. Lucille Norman
a Down Laredo Way (54) W..5232
Dona Draie
llci Allen, M.ir]orle Lord,
a BondlU of the WMt (54) W..5243
Allan "Hucky" Lane. Cathy Downs. B. Barcrott
20TH
CENTURY-FOX
©White Witch Doctor (96) D. .324
8u*an llayviard. Uoberl Mllctium, Waller Sleiaki
©Former Tokcs o Wife, The (81 ) M . . 307]
llt'tt) Grabie. iialc Uubertwu. John Carroll
Glory Brigade, The (81) D. .323
Victor Mature. Alexander Scourby, Ut Marin
Kid From LeH Field, The (80). . .C. .325
Dangerous Crossing (75) D..330
©Snows of Kiliman|aro, The
(117) .247
©

. 54
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.D.
'
,
FEATURE
CHART
£
UNITED
ARTISTS
@ ©Return to Porodhe (89). . . .D. .5JI8
Gury Cuoper, Roberta Hayncs. Barry Jones
SI Fort Algiors (78) D..5319
licCarlo, Yvonne Carlos B. Burr
Thompson,
El Moon Is Blue, The (99) C. .5317
M. McNam«ra
William llolden, lJ»t1d Nlven,
@©My Heart Goes Crozy (70). .M. .5316
Field. Grcu Gyiil, Petula Clark
Sill ©Gun Belt (77) W. .5320
H Vice Squod (87) D. .5321
m ©Melbo (115) MD. .5324
Patrice Munscl, Robert Morley. Martita Hunt
H©Captoin Scarlett (75) D..1176
Richard Greene, Leanora Amar, Nedrick Young
m-i^i, the Jury (87) D..5323
Preston Foster
Biff Elliot, I'eggie Ca.stle.
Gay Adventure, The (82) . . . . D. .5301
U
Jean Pierre .\iimont. Burgess Meredith
gSQWor Point (89) SW..5325
Robert Stack, Joan Taylor, Larsen
Keith
a No Escope (76) D..5315
[g©Sobre Jet (96) D. .5326
Robert Stack. Colecn Arlen
Gray. Richard
99 River Street (83) D. .5327
John Payne, B\clyn Keyes, Fayien
Frank
Si Joe Louis Story, The (88) D. .5328
Simms, Paul Stewart
Coley W:Jlacc, Hilda
m Fake, The (80) D. .5322
Dennis O'Keefe. Coleen Williams
Gray, Hugh
gg Donovan's Broin (81) D. .5329
ElMon in Hiding (79) D. .5330
Paul Henreid, Lois Maxwell, Sinclair
Hugh
(S Steel Lady, The (84) D. .5331
Tab niinter. Dehner
John Rod Cameron,
m Drogon's Gold (70) D . . 5332
Hillary Brooke, Crsvath
Noel John Archer,
m Village, The (98) D.. 5333
John Justin, Eva Dahlbeck, Steiner
Slgfrlt
(U Stranger on the Prowl (82). . .D. .5335
Paul Muni, Joan Lorring, Vlttorlo Manunta
©Shork River (80) D . . 5336
Steve Coi'hran. Carole .Matthen-s, Stevens
W.
©Coptain John Smith and
Pocahontas (76) D. .5337
Antiionv Dexter, Jodv Alan Hale jr.
Lawrance,
©Song of the Land (71 ). . . .Doc. .5338
gl Yesterday and Todoy (57). .Doc. .5344
George Jessel
Si Captain's Paradise, The (77). .C. .5339
Alec Guinness, Y'vonne DeCarlo, Cella Johnson
. 5347
[U ©Great Gilbert and Sullivan, The
(112) M..5341
Morley, E. Heriie
Maurice
Wicked
Evans. Robert
Woman (77) D..5345
Egan, P. Beverly
@ Go,
Michaels,
Man, Go!
Richard
(82)
Helton
D..5403
Dane Clark. Harlem Globetrotters, Pat Breslin
©Conquest of Everest (78). . Doc. .5401
Hunt-Hillary Expedition
^©Riders to the Stars (81 ) . . . . D . .5346
©Beachheod (89) D . . 5408
Tooy Curtis. Mary Lovejoy
Murphy. Frank
Man Between, The (100) D. .5340
James Mason, Ciaire Bloom.
©Overland Pacific (73)
Hlldegarde
W .
Neff
1
.lack Malumey. Peggie Castle, A. Jergens
Personol Affair (82) D. .5402
Occe Tierney, Leo Genn, Johns
Clynls
©Top Banana (100) M..5409
Phil Silvers, Rose Marie, Scholl
Daimy
Act of Love (108) D. .5406
Kirk Douglas. Dany Robin, Strauss
Robert
Beat the Devil (82) D .
Hnmphrey Eogart, Jennifer Jones, R. Morley
©Gog (..)
D..
Kichard Egan, H. Marshall
Constance Dowling,
Heidi (98) D..5405
Elsbeth Sigmund. Heinrich Oretler, T. Klameth
©Adventures of Robinson
Crusoe D .
Dan O'Herlihy
©Crossed Swords D .
Errol Flynn, Oina Lollobriglda
^Diamond, The D .
Dennis O'Keefe. Coleen Gray
©Golden Mosk, The D .
Van Ht'flln, Wanda Hendrlx, Portman
Eric
Lone Gun, The .D. .
George Montgomery. Dorothy Malone
©Man With a Million D. .
Gregory Peck
©Scarlet Spear, The D. .
Martlia Hyer. John Bentlev
©Sitting Bull D. .
Dennis Morgan. Boris KarlofT
©x/Southwest Passage D. .
Rod Cajncron, Joanne Dru
UNIVERSAL-INT'L
All I Desire (79^4) D. .325
Barbara Stanwyck, Itichard L. Bettger
Carlson.
Francis Covers the Big Town
(86) C..324
Donald O'Cumior, Nancy Guild, Yvelte Dugay
©Great Sioux Uprising, The (80) 0. .326
Jeff Chandler, Faith liomergue, Lyle Bettger
©Thunder Bay (102) D. .327
James Stewart, Joanne Pru, Dan Duryea
©Man From the Alamo (79). .SW. .328
Glenn Ford, Julia Adams. Victor Jory
Abbott & Costello Meet Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (77) C..329
Bud Abbott. Lou CosteUo, Boris Karioff
Cruel Sea, The (121) D. .
Jack Hawkins, Don;dd Sinden. Virginia McKenna
3 Desperate Moment (88) D. .386
©iJ/Wings of the Hawk (80^4) . D. .330
Van Jleflin, Julia Adams, Abbe Lane
©Stand at Apache River (77). .SW. .331
Stephen McNally. Julia Adams, Hugh Marlowe
©Golden Blade, The (81) D..332
Rock Hudson. Piper Laurie, Evans
Gene
i Gentle Gunman, The (85) D. .388
S Something Money Can't Buy
(82) D. .380
Patricia Roc. Anthony Steel, Moira Lister
©TiMield Thunderbolt,
il
The
(84) C..387
Stanley Holloway. George Ralph, Naunton Wayne
©East of Sumatra (82) D..334
Jeff Chandler, Marilyn Monroe, A. Qulnn
The All American (83) D. .333
Tony Curtis, Lori Nelson, Mamie Van Doren
5'Gloss Web, The (81) D. .401
Etlward G. Robinson. Jofm Forsythe, K. Hughes
©Back to God's Country (73).. P.. 403
Rock Hudson, Steve Cochran, M. Henderson
©Veils of Bagdad (82) D. .404
Victor Mature, Marl Blanchard, Rolfe
Guy
©Tumbleweed (80) SW. .405
Audie Murphy, Lori Nelson, CMll WUls
QWalking My Baby Back
Home (95) M..406
Donald O'Connor. Hackett
Jiinct Leigh, B.
Project M-7 (86) D. .483
Phyllis Calvert, James Robert Bcatty
Donald,
James Stewart, June Allyson, George Tobias
®^aza. Son of Cochise (80)..D..410
Rocb Hudson, Barbara Rush, Gress Palmer
"^Creature From the Black
Logoon (89) D..415
Richard Carlson, Denning
Julia Adams. Richard
©Ride Clear of Diablo (80) D..4I3
Audie Murphv. Dan Duryea, Susan Cabot
©Saskatchewan (88) D..414
AL-m Ladd. Slielley Winters
Mo and Pa Kettle at Home (81). C. .418
Marjorie Main. Percy Kilbride
©Roils Into Laramie (82) D..419
.lohn Payne. Marie Blanchard, Dan Duryea
©Yankee Posho (84) D. .417
Jeff Chandler, Rhonda Fleming
©Bengal Rifles D .
Rock Hudson, Arlene Dahl
©Block Horse Canyon D. .
Joel McCrea. Marl Blanchard
©caBlack Shield of Folworth D .
Tony Curtis, Janet Leigll
©Down at Socorro D .
Rory Calhoun. Piper Laurie
©For Country D. .
James Stewart. Ruth Roman
©Johnny Dork D. .
Tonv Curtis. Piper Chase
Laurie, Ilka
Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Waikiki C. .
Marjorie Main. Percy Kilbride, Lori Nelson
©Magnificent Obsession D. .
Jane W.vwan. Rock Hudson, Otto Kruser
©cnSign of the Pagan D. .
Jeff Chandler. Rita Gam. Jack Palance
©Tanganyika D .
Van Heflin. Ruth Roman
WARNER BROS.
EH ©•yChorge of Feather Rhrer, The
(96) SW..223
Guy Madison, Vera MUes. Frdnk Lorejoi'
-
[3 ©Master of Bollontrae, The
(89) D..225
Errol Flynn, Roger Livesey, Beatrice Campbell
EH ©So This Is Love (101) M..226
Kathryn Grayson. Merv Griffin, Walter Abel
m Plunder of the Sun (82) D. .224
Glenn Ford, Diana Lynn, Patricia Medina
(B Island in the Sky (109) D..301
John Wayne, Lloyd Nolan
51 lyMoonlighter, The (77) . . 303
Barbara SUnwyck, Fred MacMurray
H ©Beggar's Opera, The (94). . .MC. .304
Sir Laurence Olivier, Stanley Holloway
m ©Lion Is in the Streets, A (88). .D. .305
James Cagney, Barbara Hale, Ann Francis
Bt] Blowing Wild (90) D. .306
Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck
a©So Big (101) D..307
Jane Wyman, Sterling Olson
Hayden. Nancy,
Sil©Calamity Jone (101) M..311
[ioris Day, Howard Keel. McLerle
AUm
j ©Diamond Queen (80) D. .302
Fernando Lamas, Arlene Dahl. (Mbert Eoland
J
©Thunder Over the Plains
(82) SW..313
Randolph Scott. PhllllB Kirk. L« Barker
j
©Three Soilors and a Girl (95). .M. .314
Jane Powell. Gordon MacRae. Gene Nelson
©Border River (81) W. .409
a ©lyHondo (83) D. .312
Joel McCrea, Yvonne Annendariz
DeCarlo, P. John Wayne, Geraldine Page. Ward Bond
Both Sides of the Law (94) D. .
Anne Crawford. Terence Morgan, Peggy Cummins
Forbidden (85) D..407 Sg ©His Mojesty O'Keefe (88) D..315
Tony Oirtis, Joanne Bettger
Burt Lancaster, Joan Rice. Andre Moreil
Dru, Lyle
©War Arrow (78) D..408
Jeff Chandler, Maureen Suzan Ball
O'Hara,
@ ©Eddie Cantor Story, The (116 M..316
jr.
Keefe Brasselle. Marilyn Erskine, W. Rogers
©Glenn Miller Story, The
(120) MD..412
i©nCommond, The (94) D. .319
Guy Madison, Joan WeldOB. James Whltmore
i ©Boy From Oklahoma, The
(88) D..320
Will Rogers .IT., Nancy Olson, Lon Chancy
1 Crime Wave (74) D .
Sterling Hayden. Gene N»lson, P. Kirk
I Duffy of Son Quentin (78) D. .321
Louis Hayward. Joanne Dru, Pa»l Kelly
©\'/Phontom of the Rne
Morgue (. .) D. .
Karl Maiden, Claude Dauphta, P. Modln*
©lyBounty Hunter, The SW. .
Randolph Scott. Marie Windsor
©i^Dial M for Murder D. .
Ray Milland. Grace Kelly. Robert Cummings
©Duel in the Jungle D. .
Dana Andrews. Jeanne Da>id Farrar
Crain,
©oHigh and Mighty, The D. .
Trevor, Laralne John Wayne, Claire
©oLucky Me
Day
M .
Doris Day, Phil Silvers, Robert Cummings
©cuRing of Feor D . .
Pat O'Brien. Clyde SpUlanc
Beatty, Mickey
©Riding Shotgun SW.
Randolph Scott, Wayne Morris
©Stor Is Born, A M. .
Judy Garland. James Mason, Amanda Blake
©izjTolisman, The
D|l
Virginia Mayo, Rex Harrison
MISCELLANEOUS
ASTOR
Captain Scarfoce (72) D . . 1 O-IS^
Barton MacLane, Virginia Grey
Girl on the Run (63) D . . 1 2-I5-|j
Richard Coogan, Rosemary Pettlt
Return of the Plainsman
9-lS-i
(67) W. .
Cliips Kafferty, Jeannette Elphlck
-e^Robot Monster (62) D. . 9-lS-ll
George Nader. Claudia Barrett
Turn the Key Softly (81).. D.. 1-15|
Yvonne Mitchell. Terence Morgan, G. Keen
FILMAKERS RELEASING ORG.
Bigamist, The (80) D..12-23(
Ida Lupino, Joun Fontaine, Edmund
Egypt by Three (76)
O'Brleij
D..11- M
Ann Stanville, Jackie Craven
Monte Carlo Baby (69) C.ll- 1|
|
Audrey Hepburn, Jules Munshln
I.F.E.
(American Dialog)
©Golden Coach, The (105). .D. .Jan.
Anna Magnani, Duncan Laraont, Paul Camp'J
Greatest Love, The (1 16). . . .D. .Dec,
Ingrid Bergman, Alexander Knox, T. Pellitl
Little
The
World
(96)
I
C.Oct.l
Femandel, Gino Talqul
Cervl, Vera
Lure of the Silo (75) D. .Dec-
Sllvana Mangano, Vlttorio Gassman, A. Nni
Secret Conclave, The (80). .D. .Sep.-|^
.
Henry Vidon. TuUlo Carmlnatl, Lulgl TOK
Sensuolito (94) D. .Feb.-
Eleanora Rossi-Drago. Amedeo Nanari
Three Girls From Rome (85). D. .Oct.-
Lucla Hose. Cosetta Greco, Lilllana Bonfatt:
White Hell of Piti Palu (75) AD.Nov.-
Hans Albers. LIselotte Pulver, H. Gretler,
Young Caruso, The (85). . . .D. .Oct.-
Lollobriglda. Gtaa Marin Del Monaco
REISSUES
COLUMBIA
Singin' in the Corn (64). . . .M. . Jan.-
Judy Canova, Allen Jenkins
LIPPERT
Iron Mask, The (. .) D.. 9-18-
Douglas Fairbanks sr.
Mr. Robinson Crusoe (69). D.. 9-25-
Douglas Fairbanks sr.
RKO RADIO
Best Years of Our Lives, The
(172) D..Feb.-
Myrna Uiy, Fredrlc March, Dana Andrews
Follow the Fleet (110) D
. . 1 0-29-!
Fred Astairc. Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott
Out of the Post (97) D. .10-29-
Robert Mitchum. Kirk Dauglas, Jane Greer
Rachel and the Stranger
(93) D Feb.-
.
,>
Loretta Young. William Holden, R. ''rhum
Suspicion (99) D.. 9-21-1
J»!i»l'',
Joan Fontaine
Cary Grant,
Top Hot (81) M. . 9-21-:-
E. E. Horton
Rogers. Fred Aslaire, Gtager
Valley of the Sun (79) D
.
Feb.-:
Jagger
Lucille Ball, James Craig, Dean
REALART
Buck Privates (84) C.Oct.^
Jiid Abbott. Lou Costello
•
Counselor at Law (88) W.Sepfv 'u*r«
John Barrymore. Bebe Daniels ?
Eogle Squadron (100) D.SeplW
Robert Stack, Diana BarrjTnore t"
Green Hell (87) D.Sepfrl
Douglas Fairbanks Bennett
Joan jr.,
Gung Ho! (90) D.Se(%4
Scott, Randolph Robert Mitchum
Keep 'Em Flying (85) C. .0*-!
Bud Abbott, Lou Costello
.
Pittsburgh (91) D.Sopfci
John Wayne. Marlene Dietrich ,
_^
Scarlet Street (102) D..0*-! l,, JWtti
Joan Bennett, Dan Duryea X'^
Odf
20Hi CENTURY-FOX
©Broken Arrow (93) D.Sept.-!
James St en art, Jeff Chandler, Debra Paget
. .
Fallen Angel (97) D Nov.-I
Alice Fav, liana Andrews. Linda Darnell
©Forever Amber (140) D..Nov.-;
Unda Darnell, Cornel Wilde. George Sandece
I Was a Male War Bride
(105) C.Sept.-:
Cary Grant, Ann Sherld,an
Keys of the Kingdom, The
(137) D..Jan.-:
Gregory Peck
Yonk in the RAF, A (97). . .Nov.-!
Tyrone Power, Betty Grable, John Sutton
UNITED ARTISTS
Algiers (. .) D. . 1-25-.'
Hedv LaMarr. Charles Boyer. Slgrid Gurle
WARNER BROS.
Public Enemy (..) D.. 2- «
James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Joan BlondW
Little Caesar (..) D.. 2- pi
Edward G. Robinson. Douglas Falrbanto Jt.
Key Largo (101) ''••'l-^
Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall. C.
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
(126) D.
Humphrey Bogart. Walter Huston. Ttai
iEly?

I
;_
>^] l\ IK ^MA A U. .»(:»« Tl
(One-Reel
351 Subject No. 1 Oi/j)
Specials)
9-10-53 ± 10-24
(Technicolor Cartoons)
H12-4 Drinks on the Mouse (7) S-28-53
Short subjectSj listed by company, order ot release. Running time tollows title. First is nolional
r«lease, second the date of rcvi«w
1^ -f review. Very Good, Good. :t Fc
Columbia
6954Machito & Orch (IC/j) 2- 4-54
GRANTLAND RICE SPORTLIGHTS
UPA CARTOON SPECIAL
RI2-II Wee Water Wonders
H 5999 Gerald McBoing Doing's
(9) 7-10-53 9-19
Symphony (8) 7-15-53 H
R12-12 Collegiate Circus Champs
No
9-10-53 + 10-10
3 Canines (9) . .11-13-53
R13-4 Rough Radin' Youngsters
Title
Rel Date Rating Rev'd
1953-54 SEASON
(9) 8-14-53 -I- 9-26
ANIMAL CAVALCADE
6509 A Unicorn in the Garden
1953-54 SEASON
Greyhound Capers (S/j) 7-30-53 — 9-19
(7) 9-24-53 H 10-31 R13-1 Rocky Mountain River
Three Bio Bears (8) S-27-53 + 9-26 6510 The Tell Tale Heart (8) . 12-17-53 + 10-24
Thrills (9) 10- 2-53 ++ 10-24
6501 Bringing Up Mother (7) 1-14-54
ALL-STAR COMEDIES
ff 2-20 R13-2 Mother Was a Champ
6502 Ballet-Oop (71/2) 2-11-54
(9) 11- 6-53 12-12
You Sue
RI3. Choosing
WORLD OF SPORTS
+ 12-12
Prod.
5£S3
5654 The
JJ*Cimi
?.'•'' I«I....C
*a,likillmlil,
CfI2A Hunting They Did Go
5809 Dude Ranch Sports (9'/2) 7-23-53 -|- 9-19
(9) 12- 4-53 -f 1- 9
(161/2) 10-29-53 + 11-21
1953-54 SEASON
R13-5 Water Swimphony (9) .. 12-18-53 + 1-23
SOS Down the Hatch (ITJ/j) .11-26-53
6801 Assault and Mat-Tery
R13-6 Angling (or Thrills (9) 1-22-54 -f 2-13
6414 DoDoie in the Bedroom
(10) 9-24-53 + 10-24
a&Zi) 1- 7-54
6802 Hockey Thrills and Spills
HEADLINER CHAMPIONS
(91/2) 10-15-53
ASSORTED FAVORITES
6803 Snow
+ 11-21 A13-lTuna (9) 10- 2-53
Speedsters (lOi^)
. 11-12-53
A13-2 Timber Athletes (9)... 10- 2-53
680-) Battling Big Fish (11). 2-26
12-17-53 +
A13-3 Try and Catch Me (9) . .10- 2-53
(Reissues)
6805 Gauchos Down Uruguay Way
A13-4 Who's in Animal Who Und
Wife Decoy (17) 9-17-53
H22 Silly Billy (18) 10-22-53
(10) 2-18-54
(10) 10- 2-53
M23 Strife of the Party (16) .12-17-53
6806 Tee Magic (..) 3-25-54
A13-5 Bundle From Braiil
i424 0h, B.iby! (ISi/j) 2-11-54
(10) 10- 2-53
>425Twa Nuts in a Rut (IS) 3-11-54
A13-6 Broncs and Brands (9) .10- 2-53
CANDID MICROPHONE Metro-Goldwyn-Moyer HERMAN i KATNIP
-|- 10-24
352 Subject No. 2 .
Ol/j)
•653 Subject No. 3 (..)....
Title Rel
CARTOONS
.12-10-53
Prod. No. Date Rating Rev'd
2-18-54
(. 1554 Subject No. 4 .) 3-18-54
,
'
•«R, Ttt 4)2 Meet Mr. Mischief
1953-54 SEASON
E13-7 Popeye, the Ace of Space
43.103 The Magic Streetcar
(I71/2) 11-12-53
W-561 Swingshift Cinderella
(7) 10- 2-53
r-stl! Br*, Dia i» 4S3Love at First Fright (16) 1-14-54
H 10- 3
(20) 12-18-53 + 1-16
(S) 10- 3-53
(Three-dimension)
iWll 04 Get Along Little Hubby
.
,^
W-562 Springtime (or Thomas
E13-2 Shaving Muggs (6).... 10- 9-53 10-31 SPORTS SPECIALS
it^lxatiifW
(19) 2-25-54
(8) 11- 7-53
E13-3 Floor Flusher (6) 1- 1-54 + 1-23 43.901 Football Headliners
D..
itaiiwi
Slappily Married (leVi) 3- 4-54
(..) 12-U-53
W-563 The Bear That Couldn't
TOPPER
43.801 Basketball Headliners
MR. MAGOO
Sleep (9) 12- 5-53
MU-1 Rowdy Raccoons (10) . . 10- 2-53 -|- 11- 7
(..) 4-16-54
(Technicolor)
W-564 Northwest Hounded Police
M13-2 Uncommon Sense (10) 1-29-54 + 2-13
WMagoo's 9-19
J, fill B*, t Masterpiece (7) 7-30-53 -|-
(8) 12-19-53
1953-54 SEASON
W-565 The Milky Waif (7) . . . 1- 9-54
mi Magoo Slept Here (7) . .10-15-53 -|- 11-21 W-566 Uncle Tom's Cabana (8) 2- 6-54
20th Century-Fox
702 Magoo Goes Skiing (7) . .12-31-53
W-567 Trap Happy (7) 3- 6-54
RKO Radio
,t trp SCREEN SNAPSHOTS
PETE SMITH SPECIALTIES
Sum. 1 1
Pro

. 9-24-53
SHORTS CHART
5325 Migbty Mouse in Spare
the Rod (7> Dec.-53 +
5326 Terry Bears in Growing
Pains (7) Dec-53 +
5401 Little Roquefort in Runaway
Mouse (7) ...Jan.-54
5402 Dimwit in How to Relax
(7) Jan.-54
5403 The Helicopter (7)
(reissue)
Jatv-54
5404 Tlie Talking Magpies in
Blind Date (7) Feb.-54 +
5405 Nonsense Newsreel (7). . .Feb.*54 -|-
5406 Much Ado About Nothing
(7) (reissue) Feb.-54
5407 Mighty Mouse in the Helpless
Hippo (7) Mar.-54
5408 Terry Bears in Pet Problems
(7) Mar.-54
5409 The Frog and the Princess
(7) (reissue) Mar.-54
5410 Little Roquefort rn Prescription
for Percy (7) Apr.-54
5411 The Talking Magpies in
Satisfied Customers (7).Apr.-54
5412 Mighty Mouse in the Wreck of the
Hesperus (7) (reissue). Apr. -54
12- 5
11-21
Universal-International
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
COLOR PARADE
S3S2 King of the Sky (10)
. . 7-13-53 + S-22
83S3 Calypso Carnival {9>/z)
. . 8-10-53 ± 9-26
8384 Three Years to Victory
(6) 10-19-53+ 1-23
1953-54 SEASON
9381 Go South Amigos (9).. 2- 8-54 -f 2-13
EARTH AND ITS PEOPLES
8370 Farmer-Fishermen (21) . 7-13-53 tt 9- 5
8371 The Lumber States (a) 8-10-53 + 9-26
8372 Mountain Farmers (20). 9- 3-53 fl- 10-31
8373 Adobe Village (19) 10- 5-53 ++ 11-14
MUSICAL FEATURETTE
8308 Surprising Suzie (15).. 7- 3-53 +9-5
8309 Camp Jaboree (18) 10- 8-53 li-21
8310 Fabulous Dorseys (16) . .10-29-53 + 1-16
1953-54 SEASON
9302 David Rose and His Orchestra
(151/2) 12-24-53 ff 1-30
9303 Hawaiian Nights (17)... 1-22-54 + 2-13
VARIETY VIEWS
8345 Bolivar Bonanza (9) 9- 7-53 + 10-24
8346 Behind the Wall (10) .
ff 11-14
9341 Byways
1953-54 SEASON
to Broadway (9) + 11-21
± 9342 Bow River Valley (9) . . 1- 4-54 1-30
9343 Brooklyn Goes to Chicago
(9/2) 2-22-54 + 2-13
WALTER LANTZ CARTUNES
(Technicolor)
8328 Wrestling Wrecks (6) . . . 7-20-53 +9-5
8329 Maw and Paw (6) 8-10-53 -|- 9-26
8333 The Hypnotic Hie (3-D)
(6) 8-26-53
8330 Belle Boys (6) 9-14-53 + 10-24
8331 Maw and Paw in Plywood
Panic (6) 9-28-53 + 1-23
8332 Hot Noon (6) 10-12-53 + 1-16
1953-54 SEASON
9321 Chilly Willy (6) 12-21-53 + 1-30
Warner Bros.
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
BLUE RIBBON HIT PARADE
(Technicolor Reissues)
9311 The Fighting SV/z (7) . . 7-11-53
9312 Snifles Takes a Trip
(7) 8- 1-53
9313 Wacky Wild Life (7) . . . 8-29-53
1953-54 SEASON
1301 Old Glory (7) 9- 12-53
1302Walky. Talky Hawky
(7) 10.17-53
1303 Birth of a Notion (7).. 11- 7-53
1304 Eajer Beaver (7) 11-28-53
1305 Scent- 1 mental Over You
(7) 12-26-53
1306 Of Fox and Hounds (7). 2- 6-54
1307 Roughly Squeaking (7) . 2-27-54
BUGS BUNNY SPECIALS
(Technicolor)
9730 Bully for Buos (7) 8- 8-53 U 8-22
1953-54 SEASON
1723 Duckt Rabbit. Duck! (7) 10- 3-53 + 10-31
1724 Robot Rabbit (7) 12-12-53+ 1-30
1725 Captain Hareblower (7) . 1-16-54 -f 2-20
1740 Lumber Jack- Rabbit (7) (3-D)
CLASSICS OF THE SCREEN
9106 Looking at Life (20).. 7-18-53 +f 8-22
1101 Minstrel Days (20) ... 9-26-53
1102 They Were Champs (..) 1.23-54
1103 Spills for Thrills (18) . .11-21-53
FEATURETTE
1101 Minstrel Days (7) 9-26-53
1102 They Were Champs (20) 11-21-53
1103 Spills for Thrills (20) . .11-21-53
JOE McdJOAKES COMEDIES
9406 So You Love Your Dog
(10) 8- 1-53 +8-8
1953-54 SEASON
1401 So You Think You Can't
Sleep (10) 10-31-53 + 11-21
1402 So You Want to Be an
1-9
Heir (10) 12-19-53+
1403 So You're Having Neighbor
Trouble (10) 1-30-54 + 2-20
MELODY MASTER BANDS
(Reissue)
9806 Spade Cooley Band (10) 8-22-53
1953-54 SEASON
1801 Desi Arnaz and Band
(10) 10- 3-53
1802 Hal Kemp & Orch. (10) 11-14-53
1803 Rhythm of the Rhumba
(9) 1- 2-54
MERHIE MELODIES
(Technicolor)
9720 Duck Dodgers in the 241/2
Century (7) 7-25-53 -R 8- 8
9721 Plop Goes the Weaser (7) 8-22-53 + 10- 3
9722 Cat-Tails for Two (7) . . 8-29-53 + 10- 3
1953-54 SEASON
1701 A Street Cat Named Sylvester
(7) 9- 5-53 -H- 9-19
1702 Zipping Along (7) 9-19-53 11-7
1703 Easy Peckin's (7) 10-17-53 11-14
1704 Catty Cornered (7) 10-31-53 11-21
1705 Of Rice and Hen (7) .. 11-14-53 12-5
1706 Cats A-Weigh (7) 11-28-53 + 12-5
1707 Punch Trunk (7) 12-19-53++ 1- 9
170S Dog Pounded (7) 1- 2-54 2-20
1709 1 Gopher You (7) 1-30-54 + 2-20
1710 Feline Frame-Up (7)... 2-13-54
1711 Wild Wife (7) 2-20-54
1712 No Barking (7) 2-27-54
SPORTS PARADE
(Technicolor)
9510 A Danish Sport Delight
(10) 8-15-53 + 9-26
1953-54 SEASON
1501 Royal Mounties (10) .... 9-19-53 ++ U- 7
1502 Sea Sports of Tahiti
(10) 10-24-53 + + 11-14
1503 Born to Ski (10) 12-12-53 + 2-13
1504 Arabians in the Rockies
(10) 10-24-53 + 11-14
1505 When Fish Fight (10).. 2-20-54
TECHNICOLOR SPECIALS
9008 Where the Trade Winds
Play (20) 7- 4-53 + 7-25
1953-54 SEASON
1001 Gone Fishin' (20) 9-12-53 + 10-3
1002 Romance of Louisiana
(20) 10-10-53
1003 North of the Sahara (17) 11- 7-53 ++ 12- 5
1004 Don't Forget to Write
(17) 12- 5-53 + 1-16
1005 Winter Paradise (20) ... 1- 9-54 + 2-13
1006 Hold Your Horses (20) . 2- 6-54
VTTAPHONE NOVELTIES
9607 The Spirit of West Point
(10) 8- 8-53 +9-5
1953-54 SEASON
1601 Hit 'Im Again (10).... 9- 5-53
1602 Say It With Spills (10) 10-24-53 + 11-21
1603 Magic Movie Moments
(10) 12-28-53
1604 Remember When (10) . . . 2-27-54
MISCELLANEOUS
Prod. No. Title Rel Date Rating Rev'd
Lippert
5307 Bandit Island (27) 9- 4-53
Republic
COMMANDO CODY ADVENTURES
5274 Robot Monster of Mars
(30) 7- 3-53
5275 Hydrogen Hurricane (30) 7-10-53
5276 Solar Sky Riders (30) . . 7-17-53
5277 SOS Ice Age (30) 7-24-53
5278 Lost in Outer Space (30) 7-31-53
SERIALS
5381 Canadian Mounties vs. Atomic
Invaders 7- 8-53
12 Chapters
5382 Return of Captain America 9-30-53
15 Chapters (reissue)
5383 Trader Tom of the China
Seas 1-11-54
15 Chapters
THIS WORLD OF OURS
(Trucolor)
5188 Ceylon (9) 3- 1-53
9221 Washington—City of
Destiny (9) 4- 1-53
9222 Singapore (9) 6- 1-53
9223 Germany (9) 8- 1-53
Independents
Aloha Nui! (10) Dudley + 9-19
White Mane (40) Snyder ++ 1-16
Look Who's Driving (8)
Aetna Casualty Co ++ 1-23
SHORTS REVIEWS
Doggie in the Bedroom
Columbia (AU-Star Comedy) 17Mms.
Fair. Some frantic slapstick doings
with only a fair amount of laughs.
Starring Wally Vernon, who is on
the verge of a nervous breakdown,
and Eddie Quillan, as his brotherin-law
who brings three kids over to
visit, the action is filled with piein-the-face
comedy with the attractive
Christine Mclntyre the target
for much of the pastry. This type of
humor dates back to Mack Sennett
days.
Income Tax Sappy
Columbia (Stooges Comedy) 17Mins.
Fair. To the people who appreciate
the crude comedy of the Three
Stooges, this will hold plenty of
laughs. This time, they falsify their
income tax returns and, when they
get away with it, set themselves up
as tax experts. They become rich and
start entertaining lavishly-—until one
client turns out to be a tax investigator.
The finish sees them being
hauled off to jail.
Memories in Uniform
(Screen Snapshots)
Columbia
1 1 Mins.
Good. Ralph Staub, producer of
this long-popular series, again takes
a backward look at the industry—this
time to the World War II years when
many of the top stars were serving
in the armed forces. Staub visits
John Carroll at his ranch and reminisces
with him about it. In addition
to Carroll, others shown in uniform
are: Jimmy Stewart, Clark
Gable, Alan Ladd, Gene Raymond,
Gene Autry, Desi Arnaz, John Payne
and George Montgomery.
Football Headliners
RSO (Sports Special) 15 Mins.
Good. The history of the 1953 football
spason is, as always, a ipi
see for the sports lovers. Among
outstanding gridiron contests shoj
are: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma, bii
major college opening game; GiJ
fornia vs. Penn.; Army vs. Dul;.
Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dome ca
the big game of the season as 11^.
000 fans piled into Philadelphia
Municipal Stadium to see the 5|i
game between Army and Navy.
Pecos Bill
RKO (Walt Disney Special) 23 MiW:
Very Good. One of the sepora
episodes of the Walt Disney mi
cal cartoon feature, "Melody Tim
originally released in 1948, is n
being released as a separote fit
—and a very good one with stic
names worthy of marquee bijli
The opening shows Roy Rogers-'x
his horse. Trigger, as well 05. -l
Sons of the Pioneers, gattfei
around a campfire with Roy tSlli|
tall tales to some kids, Bobby'j)!
coll and Luana Patten. Roy tells'Jw
the coyotes howl to the moon,
typical cartoon story about Pa
Bill, a small boy who was rOjs
by coyotfes and fell in love W|ji
girl whose bustle bounced h&
the moon. Roy sings the title ,*|i;
and "Blue Shadows on the "Ko
both recording hits with tieup'.p
sibilities.
Report on Kashmir
REO (Screenliners) 10 VS
Good. A fascinating short deal:
with the little-known country now
the news. The Kashmir rivers fl
through forests to nourish
parched wheatlands of India c
Pakistan. The unchanging people
Kashmir are still mainly crailsn
whose delicate products ore .n
being sent to all corners of,
world.
Such Popularity
Must Be Deserved!
A(dvertisers know the pulling power of
BOXOFFICE classified ads. They keep
coming back.
Here's a tremendotis reader
audience thai makes your advertising pay.
Use BOXOFFICE Classified
Ads for Quick Results
at Low Cost
I
*
^
Bail
Bsbirt 1
10
BOXOFFICE BookmGuide :: Feb.

•
Cut
r Opinions on Current Productions; Exploitips
rVsWrn mnmj
(FOR STORY SYNOPSIS ON EACH PICTURE, SEE REVERSE SIDE)
•^
S t
Executive Suite F
°'""
MGM (423) lOB Minutes Rel. Apr. 30, '54
One of the age-old controversies of the lilm trade concerns
itseli with the question as to which contributes more to the
popularity and profits of a motion picture—story or stars. This
entirely believable, slick saga of big business and some of
its slimy sides can do little to resolve that argument,
inasmuch as it boasts both, in quality and quantity. Bolster
those two attributes with intelligent, impressive production
values and expert, sensitive direction, and the result should
be the top takes which theoretically are assured by either.
There appears to be only one hurdle in the path of such
kudos and kopeks: The possibility that the yam is too articulate,
sophisficated and realistic for the masses, particularly
the younger generation thereof. That handicap—if it be one
—can be overcome by concentrating merchandising on the
plethora of luminaries and the expected excellent performances.
John Houseman produced, Robert Wise directed.
William Holden, luno Allyson, Barbara Stanwryck, Fredric
March, Walter Pidgeon, Shelley Winters, Paul Douglas.
Saskatchewan
F
Western
(Tcclinicolor)
Univ.-Int'l (414) 88 Minutes ReL Mar. '54
What easily might have been an outdoor drama o! epical
proportions emerges as a disappointingly ordinary galloper
because of a cliche-ridden story that stemmed unmitigatedly
from the rubber stamp, dull and dated direction and scenerymasticating
performances. Productionwise, the picture lists
stirringly-beautiful natural backgrounds — it having bev
filmed in mountainous western Canada—bright Technicolor
photography to accent such scenic masterpieces, spectacle
and action in outsize quantities, a toplining male star of
proven marquee might, and a large and impressive supporting
cast. Those promising ingredients—all of them potent
merchandising material—might attract profitable . initial
patronage, but everyone excepting the most devout disciples
of westerns will be irked to find that they are not built into
a better or more modern photoplay. Aaron Rosenberg produced,
Raou! Walsh directed.
Alan LadcL Shelley Winters, J. CaiToU Naish. Hugh O'Brion.
Robert Douglas, George Lewis. Richard Long.
Battle of Rogue River
p Outdoor Draraa
^
(Technicolor)
Columbia (637) 71 Minutes ReL Mar. '54
Time-honored, tried-and-true, Indians-vs-Cavalry motif with
the wicked white heavy stirring up trouble with the vanishing
Americans was not enough, so Sam Katzman and director,
William Castle, devoted to the principle of giving the outdoor
action addict his money's worth, added the spartan, stoical,
loyal, misunderstood military commander. George Montgomery
and the cast tackle this plethora of dramatic plot and counterplot
virith courage, and the result will be eminently satisfactory
to the majority of patrons attending the action change
m neighborhood and small-town situations. Color by Technicolor
is good, the Indians are hard-riding and adept at taking
falls, the hero has a heart of gold beneath his militant facade
and the wicked receive their just deserts. Nothing new has
been added, but certainly no previously successful ports
of the formula have been subtracted. There is no reason to
suppose that tho.=;e who liked it before will not like it again
George Montgomery, Richard Denning. Mcnrtha Hyer, John
Crawford, Emory PamelL Michael Granger. Freeman Morse.
Dangerous Mission
XP Drama
^
(3-D, Technicolor)
RKO Radio (410) 75 Minutes Rel. Mar. 6, '54
Into its comparatively brief footage is packed, in king-size
quantities, a diversity of story ingredients—mobsters on the
lam, outdoor action, forest fires, avalanches, romance and
what else would you like? These elements are woven into a
fast-moving and frequently suspenseful entry, and much of
it was filmed on location in Glacier National park—a (actor
that should not be overlooked in any over-all merchandising
plans. Additionally, the four top cost names all carry considerable
marquee weight. From the exploitation standpoint,
therefore, there is considerable with which to work—including,
plus the above-named, excellent Technicolor photography
and 3-D garnishment, the latter wisely subordinated
as concerns its gimmick usage. Performances are competent
within the confines of the script, which occasionally falters
under the strain of plot complexities. The subject v/as produced
by Irwin Allen and directed by Louis King
Victor Mature, Piper Laurie, William Bendix, Vincent Price.
Betta St. John, Steve Darrell, Mario Dvryer, Walter Reed.
Loophole
F
""""
Allied Artists (5414) 80 Minutes ReL Mar. 28, '54
Inasmuch a.5 there is none in the picture itseli, p-erhaps
the appraisal thereof will be permitted one cliche—the
declaration that here, indeed, is a sleeper. An admi.rably
original story idea is developed with unusual dexterity and
plausibility and is entrusted to a competent cast, every member
of which, under skilled direction by Harold Schuster,
delivers a noteworthy performance. The net result is a
lightning-paced, exciting, suspenseful crime drama that is
sure to generate favorable audience reaction. The film is
made the more convincing because of the production mountings
with which Lindsley Parsons endowed it, most especially
the Los Angeles local backgrounds. Because the toplining
troupers are established, their names can aid in merchandising
the program, whether used for support or goes topside,
which position it is well qualified to occupy, possibly more
effectively than many longer and more costly offerings.
Barry Sullivan, Charles McGrow, Dorothy Malono, Don Haggerty,
Mary Beth Hughes. Don Beddoe. Dcryton Lummis.
Texas Bad Man
F
*'^""
Allied Artists (5335) 62 Minutes ReL Dec. 20, '54
Deviating in no discernible respect from what has come
to be accepted as the standard pattern for outdoor fare in
Its class, this offering is geared to perform
budgetary
adequately in its intended exhibition slot. There could perhaps,
have been a little more stress placed on action and
gunplay, but in the over-all aspect the picture will probably
be regarded as acceptable by the juvenile and adult customers
to whom no western is a bad western. Points of
exploitable interest include the reasonably substantial drawing
power of Wayne Morris, the cast topliner, and the title
while the running time is sufficiently brief so as to render
It convenient supporting fare on average dual programs—
as well as in the Saturday matinee niche. The cast is generally
competent, while production mountings as supplied by
Vincent M. Fennelly and the directional contribution o: Lewis
U. Collins are satisfactory.
Wayne Morris, Elaine Riley, Frank Ferguson, Stieb Wooley.
Denver Pyle, Myron Healey, Mort Mills, Nelson Leigh.
Bait A
'""""''
Columbia (639) 79 Minutes Rel. Mar. '54
to the pat'ern of previous features produced and directed
by Hugo Haas, "Bait" is melodrama with frank emphasis
on sex and the more sordid aspects of love, or its equivalent,
as it pertains to a fcnan in the middle years of life.
Haas, in addition to producing and directing, plays the role
which has become familiar to followers of his eJforts, except
that rn this instance the crackpot tendencies are a bit more
pronounced. To say that Cleo Moore contributes her flamboyant,
buxom femininity in generous fashion is to understate
the case. As the third side of this uneasy triangle
lohn Agar gives a sincere, if stilted, performance and adds
a name with some marquee draw. Under no circumstances
would the picture be acceptable to family patronage, as
its only successful exploitation must stress love life on the
lower ievels-
Cleo Moore. John Agar, Hugo Haas, Emmett Lynn. Bruna Ve
Sota. Ian England. George Eeymas.
1562 BOXOFFICE
;_
The Final Test
F
'^°""*''
Continental Distributing 84 Minutes ReL
The game o: cricket is to the British what baseball is to
Arnericans, but the average American moviegoer is likely to
find much of this English comedy dealing with their great
national sport dull going. The saving grace is Robert
Morley, whose broad comedy porirayal of a despotic playwnght
IS tremendously laugh-provoking. His name and
ttiat of Jack Warner, also excellent in the more serious role
of a great cricketer, will insure good grosses in the art houses
but the picture is "loo-too British" for general audiences
' The first half hour is devoted to a play-by-play description
ol the game, but the action picks up enormously once the
flamboyant Morley enters the scene. Brenda Bruce contributes
an amiable portrayal of a Cockney barmaid the
lUm s slight romantic interest. Directed by Anthony Asquith
produced by R C. Minney for J Arthur Rank Continental
13 at 1650 Broadway, New York, M Y
Robert Morley. Jack Warner, Brenda Bruce, Ray lackaon.
Adrionne Allen. George Relph. Stcmley Maxted.
February 27. 1954 ,cei

. . . and
. . The
riaiaiH
. . This Is It . . . The
. . Produced
. . The
. . While
. . Every
—
. .
FEATURE REVIEWS
Story Synopsis; Adiines for Newspaper and Programs
THE STORY: "Dangerous Mission" (RKO)
Piper Laurie, the only witness to a brutal gangland killing
in New York, flees to Glacier National park, where she gets
a job in the hotel. The mobsters dispatch Vincent Price, a
gunman, to the park to rub out Piper so she cannot be
subpoenaed as a witness in the New York murder. Also sent
to the area is Victor Mature, of the Manhattan police, whose
job it is to bring Piper back east unharmed. Mature and
Piper become romantically inclined, she not suspecting the
nature of his mission. Desperate now to get the job done.
Price kidnaps her, but she escapes. An Indian girl in love
with Price helps him in an attempt to flee, but Piper and
Mature get on the trail. In a climactic gun battle Price is
slain; Piper promises to go back to New York to testify, and
also agrees to marry Mature.
. . . You'll
CATCHLENES:
Absolutely . Most Sensational 3-D Thrills You Ever
Saw . . . Your Eyes Will Pop at the Suspense
Gasp at the Excitement . . . You'll Scream at the Chills . . .
An All-Time High in Adventure.
THE STORY: "Loophole" (AA)
Barry Sullivan, a bank teller, and his wife, Dorothy Malone,
ore stunned when he comes up $50,000 short on a day when
examiners have been going over the accounts. The money
had been taken by Don Beddoe, posing as one of the
examiners. Foolishly, Sullivan fails to report his loss until
three days later—at which time he is discharged and trailed
by Charles McGraw, a detective for the company which furnished
Sullivan's bond. McGraw makes life a nightmare for
Sullivan and his wife, and the former teller, getting a job as
a taxi driver, conducts an intensive search for Beddoe. By
chance, he sees the thief one day and follows him to an
apartment, where at the risk of his life he retrieves part of
the stolen money. His name cleared, Sullivan returns to
his job in the bank.
CATCHLINES:
Come Along on the Most Exciting Manhunt the Screen Has
Ever Seen .
Nerve-Needling Thrill-Drama
... Of a Man Who Fought His Way Out of the Biggest
Frameup in History.
THE STORY:
"Texas Bad Man" (AA)
Three desperadoes led by Frank Ferguson move in on the
town of Rio Vista just before the local mine is to ship out
the annual spring cleanup of gold dust and bullion. Wayne
Morris, the sheriff, is suspicious, because Ferguson is his
father—and a man with a bad record. But Morris has no
proof. Wounded in a shooting foray, Morris is laid up temporarily,
and Ferguson takes advantage of the opportunity
to trap a Wells Fargo agent into revealing details of the
scheduled gold shipment. In spite of his wound, Morris, after
learning the facts, rides out with the Wells Fargo man to
head off the outlaws and the loot. In the gun battle Ferguson
is injured but manages to save his son's life just before he
dies. The gang is wiped out, the gold is recovered, and
peace comes to Rio Vista.
CATCHLINES:
He Set His Gun-Sight on the Most Notorious Outlaws on
the Frontier . . . Even Though One of Them Was His Father
Challenged Them . . . Bullet for Bullet ... In a
Lawless Stronghold.
^S3 .
-53 4»
THE STORY:
"Executive Suite" (MGM)
The sudden death of the president of the Tredway Corp.
brings out a parade of human emotions in the lives of ten
people close to him. It is a personal blow to Barbara Stanwyck,
daughter of the company's founder and long in love
with the man who has just died; and several vice-presidents
—including Walter Pidgeon, William Holden and Fredric
March—plunge into bitter rivalry for the presidency of the
firm. Also drawn into the turmoil are June Allyson, Holden's
wife, and Shelley Winters, an ambitious secretary. March
shrewdly and unscrupulously takes charge, and thinks he
has a clear track ahead when the directors gather in the
executive suite to elect a new president. However, Holden
as a dark-horse candidate—stubbornly challenges him and
in a bitter fight is designated to take over the presidency.
CATCHLINES:
The Greatest Star Cast in Movie History . . . Assembled
in One Compelling Drama . Story of "Ten People Whose
Lives Are Thrown Into Turmoil ... By Greed and Hate .
Loyalty and Fear . . . Sorrow and Envy.
THE STORY:
"Saskatchewan" (U-1)
Alan Ladd of the Canadian Mounted Police rescues Shelley
Winters, an American girl, from Indian attack and, taking her
back to Fort Saskatchewan, learns she is wanted by the law
in the U.S. The authorities, uneasy because the American
Sioux—conquerors of General Custer—are migrating north,
order the post commander, Robert Douglas, to evacuate to
Fort Walsh. Ladd quickly realizes Douglas is unfit to commfcnd
and, risking a treason trial, takes over the job. During
the trek Ladd learns that Shelley is innocent, the charges
against her having been trumped up by Hugh O'Brian, the
U.S. marshal, to force her to marry him. Douglas kills O'Brian
when the marshal tries to slay Ladd. Arriving at Fort Walsh,
Ladd is arrested but is helped to escape by his friends, the
Cree Indians, in time to smash an attack by the Sioux.
He is cleared and free to marry Shelley.
CATCHLINES:
It's Alan Ladd ... In a Flaming Story of the Northern
Frontier . . . Where the Law Is Fight or Die . Trail
a Warpath ... In a Battle to the Death . a Woman
Waits.
THE STORY: "Battle ol Rogue River" (Col)
The fort at Rogue river is taken over by a young major,
George Montgomery, in 1850. Montgomery considers conduct
ol the fort has been slipshod and inefficient and institutes
stern corrective measures which antagonize the officers and
men under his command. He also stirs the resentment
of the post belle, Martha Hyer, who is the daughter of one
of the non-commissioned officers. The Indians are constantly
being stirred up by a civilian, Richard Denning, who is
ostensibly a leader of the settlers who seek stalehood for
the Oregon territory. Montgomery discovers and exposes
Denning's treachery and is able to convince the Indian chief
thai the army has had no part in the violation of the agreements
with the tribes. Peace between Indians and whites
is restored and the major- and Miss Hyer decide that love
conquers all.
CATCHLINES:
lr^ Hand to Hand Combat He Fought the Indian Chief,
but for Peace Not War .... Confronted by Savage Fury and
a White Man's Treachery, He Won Statehood for the Oregon
Territory.
THE STORY:
"The Final Test" (Continental)
Jack Warner, a famous cricket star whose illustrious career
is ending with his last test match between England and
Australia, is anxious to have his teenage son, Ray Jackson,
see him play for the last time, but the boy is more enthused
about poetry than cricket. On the day of his father's test
match, Jackson makes an appointment to meet his idol, playwright
Robert Morley. The latter tries to avoid meeting his
admirer until he learns that he is the son of Warner, whom
Morley has long admired. Morley then takes the boy on a
frantic ride to London in time to see Warner play the test
match. He then arranges to meet Warner and brings about
a reconciliation between the father and son. Warner also
persuades his son to think kindly about his forthcoming marriage
to Brenda Bruce, the Cockney barmaid in the local
tavern.
CATCHLINES:
Robert Morley, Britain's Greatest Comedy Star, in a Delicious
Lampoon of British Sport . by the Directing-Writing
Team That Resulted in "The Winslow Boy"
and "The Browning Version."
THE STORY:
"Bait" (CoL)
An eccentric, middle-aged gold mine prospector, Hugo
Haas, persuades a young farmer, John Agar, to become his
partner in a search for a once-found but long-lost claim.
Townspeople warn Agar that the old man is crazy, but he
laughs at their fears and says that it is worth the gamble
of a few months work. When the two find the claim, Haas,
overcome by greed, plots to tempt Agar by something more
attractive than gold in order to keep the find for himself.
With premedication he goes to town and marries a young and
beautiful waitress of sullied reputation and brings her back
to spend the winter in the cabin hoping the temptation will
be too great for his young partner. His plot fails because the
love which develops between the two is above temptation
Haas becomes the victim of his own machinations.
CATCHLINES:
An Old Husband, a Young Wife and the Other Man ....
A Situation as Old as Time and as Sure as Fate .... Temptation
Was Thrown in Their Way .... How Could They Refuse
to Sin Yet Keep Their Love Alive.
I

"W"
.')l'
••-...,
'^'/Corp,
: Molten
'
HTES: 15c per word, minimum SI. SO, cash with copy. Four insertions ior price ol three.
COSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers 'o
• Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City 24. Mo. •
HELP WANTED
Dmentional and drivt-in theatre managers
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ted
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leatre managers. Large organization operating
out lit liemer. Good starting salary;
Insurance :
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pirsonal history record; age, educanarltal
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Hoxofflcc. 5411.
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